Hi all,
Passing along this message fyi. As part of the Initiative, there is 
proposed funding opportunities for land link and other beginning farmer 
programs, an IDA pilot, improvements to FSA programs targeted at new 
farmers, funds for new farmer research, and conservation and stewardship 
incentives for this audience. Pretty exciting if it goes through!

For more info about the Beginnger Farmer and Rancher Iniative, check 
out: http://www.msawg.org/ActionCenter/AA-BFI__4.13.07_.pdf

Deb

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	[GNF] Action on Beginning Farmer bill
Date: 	Fri, 11 May 2007 13:08:38 -0400
From: 	KATHRYN RUHF <[log in to unmask]>
To: 	<[log in to unmask]>



Greetings, GNF colleagues --
** 
*Beginning Farmer Bill will be introduced in Congress next week -- 
ACTION NEEDED 
 
*Thanks to the hard work of beginning farmer advocates across the 
country, the *Beginning Farmer and Rancher Initiative* will be 
introduced next week.  As a "marker bill" it makes a strong statement 
about the importance and needs of beginning farmers and urges that its 
provisions be included in the 2007 Farm Bill which is being drafted now.
** 
*Help secure Original Co-Sponsors on the Beginning Farmer and Rancher 
Initiative!*  The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Initiative will be 
introduced this coming week by by Rep. Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin (D-SD) 
and Tim Walz (D-MN) in the House, and Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) in the 
Senate.  We are getting down to the wire in finding original 
co-sponsors, so please call your Representative and Senators by 
/Tuesday!/  Everyone is encouraged to contact his or her Representative 
and Senators and urge them to co-sponsor.  Click on the following link 
for the full action alert: Beginning Farmer Initiative Alert.  The 
Action Alert was prepared by the Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.
 
There  is real momentum and support for beginning farmers and ranchers 
in Farm Bill deliberations.  Help make sure that this Initiative is 
included!  Stay tuned.
 
Kathy
==========================
Kathryn Ruhf
 
Home office
and
Land For Good, Inc.
P.O. Box 11, Belchertown, MA 01007
phone/fax 413-323-9878
[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
 
Coordinator, Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group
Northeast Ag Works! Regional Policy Project
[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
www.nesawg.org <http://www.nesawg.org>
 

Growing New Farmers
[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
www.growingnewfarmers.org <http://www.growingnewfarmers.org>
 
==========================

-- 
Debra Heleba
Land Link Vermont Coordinator
University of Vermont Center for Sustainable Agriculture
63 Carrigan Drive
Burlington, Vermont 05405
v 802.656.0233
f 802.656.8874
[log in to unmask]
www.uvm.edu/landlinkvt