Cleansing Blog

hone calls or faxed letters are needed immediately, directed to members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry to urge them to include organics in their Farm Bill Proposal.  The Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Tom Harkin (D-IA) is finalizing his initial draft version of the 2007 Farm Bill as we speak, and has promised to include all of our organic priorities.  Now the other members of the Committee need to hear from us about the importance of including organic provisions in the 2007 Farm Bill.  If we can get all the organic priorities into the initial version of the bill with the active, or at least tacit support of a majority of the Committee members, it will put us on the path to victory without having to try to amend the bill later in the process.

PLEASE CALL OR FAX TODAY

The message is simple:  I am a resident of the state the Senator represents and I am calling to ask Senator _______ to advocate for key organic provisions in the Committee’s Farm Bill proposal.

To compete for the huge increases in consumer demand for organics, U.S. producers need a fair share of federal support in the 2007 Farm Bill.  This package will encourage domestic production of organic goods, keeping the economic and environmental benefits in this state and in the U.S.

Key provisions: 1. National Organic Certification Cost-Share ($5 Million/yr. mandatory funding.) 2. Organic Conversion Stewardship Incentives ($50 Million/yr. mandatory funding, equal split for financial and technical assistance.) 3. Fair Share for Organic Research (at least $15 Million/yr. mandatory funding for Organic Research and Extension grants; amend the National Research Initiative to include “Classical plant and animal breeding”; adequate funding for organic data collection.) 4. Crop Insurance Reform for Organic (remove 5% surcharge and allow for organic price payouts). 5. Conservation Security Program (full mandatory funding and integrated application for organic producers.)

[See more background below. If you are able to engage the Senator's staff in a longer conversation, this will help you communicate the importance of each specific item.]

It’s easy to call or write. It’s easy to call or write. Please call your Senator’s office (phone numbers below). Ask the receptionist to connect you with the staff person responsible for agriculture. If the agriculture aide is unavailable, leave your name, phone number, and the message above on the aid’s voice mail, or if necessary, with the receptionist.

If you prefer to write, fax a brief letter with the same points above, along with your name, address, and contact information (fax numbers below).

110 CONGRESS: SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY

Democrats

Member
Phone
Fax
Tom Harkin (IA), Chair
202-224-3254
202-224-9369
Patrick Leahy (VT)
202-224-4242
202-224-3479
Kent Conrad (ND)
202-224-2043
202-224-7776
Max Baucus (MT)
202-224-2651
202-224-0515
Blanche Lincoln (AR)
202-224-4843
202-228-1371
Debbie Stabenow (MI)
202-224-4822
202-228-0325
Ben Nelson (NE)
202-224-6551
202-228-0012
Ken Salazar (CO)
202-224-5852
202-228-5036
Sherrod Brown (OH)
202-224-2315
202-228-6321
Robert B. Casey, Jr. (PA)
202-224-6324
202-228-0604
Amy Klobuchar (MN)
202-224-3244
202-228-2186

Republicans

Member
Phone
Fax
Saxby Chambliss (GA) Ranking Member
202-224-3521
202-224-0103
Richard Lugar (IN)
202-224-4814
202-228-0360
Thad Cochran (MS)
202-224-5054
202-228-9450
Mitch McConnell (KY)
202-224-2541
202-224-2499
Pat Roberts (KS)
202-224-4774
202-224-3514
Lindsey Graham (SC)
202-224-5972
202-224-3808
Norman Coleman (MN)
202-224-5641
202-224-1152
Michael Crapo (ID)
202-224-6142
202-228-1375
John Thune (SD)
202-224-2321
202-228-5429
Chuck Grassley (IA)
202-224-3744
202-224-6020

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