From the National Center for Appropriate Technology:
Late yesterday the Senate passed its Fiscal Year 2012 agriculture appropriations bill. It’s far from a perfect bill – one that would build support for sustainable farming, healthy food, and strong rural and urban communities. But it’s much better than the bill the House passed last summer.
For example, the House bill cut over a billion dollars from conservation programs. In contrast, while the Senate bill cuts far too deeply, its $726 million cut obviously does less damage.
The House cuts the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program by almost $3 million, while the Senate level-funds it at $19.2 million. The House cut the Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas Program (ATTRA) by $800,000 while the Senate cut is less – $550,000.
Iowa Congressman Tom Latham, Georgia Congressman Jack Kingston, Missouri Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson and Wyoming Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis are the House negotiators for the bargaining meeting between the House and Senate versions. Negotiations start this morning – Thursday, November 3.
These four legislators need to hear from their constituents – immediately – why the House should yield to the Senate on these crucial provisions.
Please call your or email your Congressman:
| Representative Tom Latham (R) U.S. House District 4 202-225-5476 (Capitol) 515-232-2885 (District) |
The message: Ask Latham to support the Senate’s higher funding level for the Appropriate Technology for Rural Areas Program (ATTRA) and the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program.