Diversity Initiative Action Alert - August 13, 2007
House Farm Bill Includes Critical and Long-Sought Advances for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, More Sought in the Senate
Our nation's agricultural producers are becoming increasingly ethnically diverse, yet USDA programs and services have historically underserved these farmers and ranchers. The provisions as passed in the House version of the Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) would help counteract lasting patterns of past discrimination and emphasize the importance of investing in minority producers.
The farm bill package could and should also be improved by directing more resources to allow socially disadvantaged producers to catch up and more fully participate in the USDA programs from which they have long been excluded and in providing a place at the table for farmworkers. These will be sought as action moves to the Senate.
The specific measures in H.R. 2419 that direct more benefits to Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (SDFR) and take steps to hold the USDA accountable for monitoring and removing gaps in service include:
Increased funding for, and service by, the 2501 SDFR Outreach and Technical Assistance Program ($15 million dollars per year in mandatory funds for a period of five years). Provides a new avenue for court consideration of late filed or unresolved claims in the Pigford v. Glickman Consent Decree with a $100 million fund established for settlements. Increased transparency and accountability for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers. Establishment of the Office of Farmworker Coordination in the USDA. More accurate tracking of Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers in the Census of Agriculture. 5% set-aside of the funds for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to benefit Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers ($430 million over 5 years). 10% set-aside for Value-Added Marketing Program to benefit Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers ($3 million over 5 years). 20% set aside for co-op development for value-added goods to benefit Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (when at least $7.5 million is appropriated for a given fiscal year). Increased funding for minority-serving institutions.
The Farm and Food Policy Diversity Initiative Report on H.R. 2419 covers the complete list of provisions included in the House Bill. It is available online here.
What Still Needs Action in the Senate
Although many Diversity Initiative priorities were included in the House bill, the debate now moves to the Senate after the August recess. Goals now include retaining what was achieved in the House bill and seeking to include some priorities that still need to be added.
A brief overview of key priorities the Diversity Initiative that should be added in the Senate:
Halting foreclosures, accelerations and adverse actions against socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Establishment of the Comprehensive Socially Disadvantaged Producers Initiative to open the doors of USDA and provide support to these producers. Establishment of an Office of Advocacy and Access to coordinate USDA Services to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Farm and Ranch Land Protection improvements and 10% set aside for socially disadvantaged farmers in all conservation programs. Set aside 10% of specialty crops funding to promote involvement of diverse producers in supplying fresh foods. Increase funding to at least $50 million per year for the Minority Farmer and Rancher Outreach and Technical Assistance Program. Establish a standing emergency fund for farmworkers in times of disasters. Improve Forestry programs to respect cultural uses of land and to include landowners of diverse cultures in decision-making. Establish Policy Centers to serve socially disadvantaged producers and rural communities.
Statement of Support
The Diversity Initiative has prepared a Statement of Support that is now endorsed by some 80 organizations. This Statement summarizes some of the key policy priorities for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Farmworkers. You can find this statement at here.
Actions
Sign your organization on to the statement of support by sending an email to asaltzman@ruralco.org. Include your organization name, city and state, and a contact person, email and phone number, with the message: sign on.
Send the Statement of Support to your two Senators and ask them to support these priorities as they complete action on the Senate version of the Farm Bill.
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