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FeedCall Washington
Help Fix the Farm Bill
The five-year U.S. farm bill now under discussion in Congress has been characterized by many as a multi-billion dollar welfare check for big agribusiness for good reason. Sponsors Richard Lugar of Indiana (Rep) and Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey (Dem) report that “Over the past 10 years, farm subsidies have gone to just one out of three farmers, with only 6 percent of farms receiving 70 percent of that money—namely $120 billion.” The bottom line is that farmers who practice organic policies and conservation measures typically are left out, as are healthy eating advocates.
Natural Awakenings readers are asked to call or write their U.S. Senators and Representatives to urge a “Yes” vote on FRESH Act (S. 2228). It stands for Farm, Ranch, Equity, Stewardship and Health. Its purpose is to reallocate over-the-top subsidies for corn, soy and wheat to instead make produce more affordable, support healthful school lunch programs and reward practices of soil conservation and sustainable farming.
Find your senators at Senate.gov and representative at www.House.gov. Then call the Capitol Hill Switchboard at 202-224-3121. Or write a one-page letter signed with your full name and address using the contact information listed on these two websites.
