Press release
October 11, 2006

National farm and rural coalition issues new report calling for farm bill overhaul to strengthen agriculture, the environment and rural communities

Madison, Wisconsin -- Today, a national group released a report, No Time for Delay, which details provisions for the 2007 Farm Bill that can help rural communities gain economic strength. According to the Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, an alliance of farm, religious, environmental and other groups working on federal agricultural policy, the federal government can help farmers enter agriculture, stay profitable, and build rural community economies through a few key policy recommendations.

The group's recommendations include making investments in cooperatives and agriculturally-based entrepreneurial development; supporting renewable energy through an innovation grants program; expanding the current Conservation Security Program, which rewards farmers for effective conservation efforts; and providing research, marketing and production assistance for organic farmers and farmers wanting to convert their farm to organically certifiable practices.

"Wisconsin has benefited tremendously from the Conservation Security Program," commented Wisconsin's Secretary of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Rod Nilsestuen this afternoon. "The state would gain greatly from continued and expanded investment in the program as outlined in this farm bill platform."

"The Conservation Security Program is a fine program," said Dan Weiss, dairy farmer in Pepin County. "The Conservation Security Program educated me even further in correct nutrient management and the program has allowed us to take the next step in conservation."

Members of the lending community applauded the proposal's emphasis on agriculturally-based, rural community investment. "With Wisconsin's tradition of entrepreneurship and strong natural resource base, our agriculture is particularly well-suited to gain from the investments and innovative rural business development included in this proposal," said Mike Krutza, CEO of FCS Financial Services, located in Wausau, Wisconsin and a member of the board of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute and the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Services are member organizations of the Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.

A full copy of the Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Farm Bill platform and executive summary are available at http://msawg.org/farmbill/platform.html. The 2007 Farm Bill is expected to be debated beginning after the New Year.

For more information, please contact:

Margaret Krome
MFAI Policy Program Director
Telephone: 608-238-1440

Jeanne Merrill
MFAI Associate Policy Director
Telephone: 608-239-2161

Faye Jones
Executive Director, Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Services
Telephone: 715-772-3153

Photo courtesy of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.