With the farm bill just days from its April 18 expiration, Congress took a big step forward by holding the first House-Senate Farm Bill Conference meeting last Thursday.

Unfortunately, it got off to a rocky start as members of the House outlined a $5.5 billion (over baseline) farm bill proposal that failed to include a permanent disaster program. Members of the House and Senate had previously agreed to a $10 billion increase.

In a statement, NFU President Tom Buis said that the permanent disaster program is the only significant improvement in the commodity title of either bill. Listen to Buis talk about the House farm bill proposal.

Friday afternoon the Senate gave a counter offer of a $12.5 billion increase that would provide the funding needed for a disaster assistance program and to address the challenges in rural America.

With just days before the farm bill is set to expire it is vitally important that you contact your representatives in Congress. Urge them to support the Senate proposal and reject the offer from the House.

Another conference meeting is set for early this week. Keep an eye on NFU.org for the latest news and farm bill information.

 

On April 8, President Bush sent the Columbia Free Trade Agreement to Congress and started the fast-track process.

 

"It is premature to consider the Columbia Free Trade Agreement until provisions for a level playing field have been established," NFU President Tom Buis said in a statement. "America's farmers and ranchers produce the safest, most abundant, most affordable food supply in the world. Yet, our trading partners are not required to meet our high labor, environmental, health and safety standards."

 

Buis urged members of Congress to oppose the Columbia Free Trade Agreement saying, "We should fix current trade deals before considering the Columbia agreement. We need to stop and take a look at what our goals are in approving trade agreements and work to adopt the best deal for America's farmers and ranchers."

 

On April 10, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi indefinitely postponed discussion on the trade agreement.

 

Click here to listen to NFU Vice President of Government Relations Katy Ziegler discuss the farm bill and the Columbia trade agreement on Iowa's WHO Radio.

 

On April 10, the Senate announced the inclusion of a $6 billion renewable energy and efficiency tax package in the subprime mortgage housing crisis bill. Passed by an 88 - 8 vote, the legislation was based off language introduced last week by Sens. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and John Ensign, R-Nev.

 

"I hope that the Senate and House can quickly agree on a final energy tax package that can be sent to the President," NFU President Tom Buis said. "Rural America is primed to help our nation solve its energy problems. Enacting this legislation soon is critical to ensuring that continued development occurs."

 

Listen to Buis comment on the energy tax package.

 

Read our release.

 

On April 7, NFU President Tom Buis attended "The Rural Development Title of the Farm Bill: Why it is Vital to Rural America," a briefing sponsored by the National Grange Foundation. Presenters at the event addressed specific rural development issues including access to high speed internet, renewable energy development and library facilities in rural areas.

 

Title VI of the farm bill addresses rural development, and this briefing aimed to highlight the importance of funding programs in rural America. Access to high speed internet is vital for rural economic development; studies have shown that state-of-the-art communications, coupled with transportation, education and library services, is absolutely essential in stimulating economic development in rural America.

 

Buis also highlighted the importance of providing incentives and opportunities for growth in the renewable energy sector in rural America. Locally-owned projects generate 2.6 times more jobs and 3.1 times more rural economic benefit than those with outside ownership.

 

"Rural areas will see much more economic activity from locally-owned projects than they will from corporate-owned projects," Buis said. "Local investors will re-invest in the community where the project is based. Big companies will filter out their profits to other areas."

 

When asked what activities and organizations she was involved with, Marge Kilkelly replied, "Oh, where to begin..."

 

In addition to New England Farmers Union, Marge rattled off several organizations including Knox Lincoln Soil Water Conservation District, Maine Farm Bureau, American Meat Goat Association, Empire State Meat Goat Association and Main Regulatory Fairness Board.

 

A Masters Degree in Community Economic Development is also under Marge's belt. She uses her knowledge and skills off the farm for the Council of State Governments Eastern Region on agriculture and rural policy.

 

"Rural economic development should honor and celebrate the skills of rural people, not try to change them," Marge said. "I have tried my best to stay true to that theory in my work."

 

Continue reading Marge's story.

 

Visit Dragonfly Cove Farm's website.

Visit Thyme for Goat's website.

Sign-up for Northeast States Association for Ag Stewardship e-newsletter.

 

The National Farmers Union Foundation has selected Katie Jantzen of Plymouth, Neb., as its 2008 Hubert K. Seymour Scholarship recipient. Katie was chosen among 24 applicants representing ten states, and plans to use the $2,000 scholarship for tuition and books this fall as she enters the honors program at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va., where she will study Environmental Science and Spanish.

 

"Growing up on a farm and around farmers who work hard to protect the environment, I have always been connected to the land," Katie explained. "I find it an exciting challenge to learn how to be a better steward of the earth. I would like to pursue a career relating to renewable fuels or sustainable agriculture."

 

Katie's family has been involved in Farmers Union for 90 years. Her father is a dairy producer and serves as Nebraska Farmers Union's state secretary. Katie has attended NEFU youth camp as a camper for many years, and served as a junior counselor and senior camp counselor.

 

"The NFU Foundation and Seymour family are proud to present this scholarship to such a deserving recipient," said Susan Meacham, Seymour's daughter. "It is a pleasure each year to meet these exceptional young people who believe in the values of family agriculture and rural communities."

 

This $2,000 scholarship, honoring lifetime Illinois Farmers Union member and national rural activist Hubert K. Seymour, has been given annually to an outstanding high school senior since 1995. Seymour served as a state Farmers Union officer for 20 years and participated at the national level in a variety of ways. After he passed in 1994, his family set up this living tribute to his commitment to Farmers Union and the family farmer.

 

The Hubert K. Seymour Scholarship is open to any Farmers Union member who is a high school senior planning to continue his or her education at a two- or four-year accredited institution. Selection is based on academics, a written essay and an interview with Seymour family members and others on the selection committee. Additional scholarship information is available on our website.

 

View a printable version of Farmer's Share.

 

Taken from "Agricultural Prices," USDA/NASS.

Taken from "Agricultural Prices," USDA/NASS.