Here are some good reasons why you, as a consumer, would want to send a QUICK, EASY email to support changes to the Farm Bill. Hey, you don't even have to know your representative's name! And, realistically, most of us don't. It takes less than a minute!
There are some very real benefits to consumers in this issue, ones we all need to be aware of and involved in — even if you've never set foot near a farm.
Here are the two ammendments that would help the situation and the basics of what they would do for YOU.
The Healthy Farms, Food and Fuels Act will do the following for YOU the consumer:
- Promote renewable energy development on farms, ranches and forest lands (cheaper, clean energy FOR YOU!).
- Link producers with consumers through farmers markets and farm-to-cafeteria (as in your school's cafeteria) initiatives, and provide new assistance to low-income and elderly consumers (wait the last one goes under altruism, unless YOU are low income or elderly).
- Help create more organic farms, thus better and more sources of quality produce for YOU.
The EAT Healthy America Act will do the following for YOUR CHILDREN:
- Require federal feeding programs, including the YOUR CHILDREN'S school lunch and school breakfast programs, to adhere to the 2005 USDA Dietary Guidelines.
- Expand the fruit and vegetable snack program in YOUR CHILDRENS' schools across the nation and develop new nutrition promotion programs to assist producers in enhancing their markets.
Both bills would also have the following benefits for us all:
- Increase access to valuable export markets
- Expand programs to assist local growers with the specific investments they need to increase competitiveness
- Increase opportunities for specialty crop producers to access conservation programs, which will improve air quality and water quality and supply as well as protection of working agricultural lands and of sensitive environmental resources
- Invest in research priorities for specialty crops to improve prevention of invasive plant pests and diseases
- Double funding for farmers to promote conservation
- Fund the restoration of wildlife habitat, including wetlands and grasslands
- Protect more than 6 million acres of farm, ranch and forest land
Did I mention the QUICK, EASY, EASY LINK to tell your rep (whoever it is) you are concerned about the issue? Thanks, it will help us all.
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