Just an update on the Farm Bill. Very little press about it lately because Congress is still on recess. When the Senate comes back, it will begin its deliberations. Sen Durbin (D-IL) and Sen Lugar (R-IN) will be the two to watch to push for reform. Letters written to our senators now should reach them before this debate reaches the floor. Here are some example points to push for:
"The farm bill that came out of the House of Representatives did not address the inequities of the commodity payment system. Please make sure the Senate version of the farm bill:
1) reforms farm commodity payments to provide more fairness to struggling family farmers in the U.S. & in developing countries
2) includes significant improvements to nutrition, rural development and conservation."
Of course, you'd want to rewrite that in your own words. That one came from the Bread for the World. Good luck!
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
Bread for the World Update: Support Rural Communities
A message from Bread for the World...
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It’s been said that the US farm bill should actually be named the “rural development bill” because it provides much of the federal support for rural areas. As the 2007 farm bill takes shape in Congress, Bread for the World is calling for broad reform. A key component of our Offering of Letters campaign is to strengthen rural communities.
The farm bill originated during the Great Depression to help people in rural areas. Today, the goal remains the same, but the rural landscape has changed dramatically. In the 1930’s, nearly 25% of the US population worked in agriculture. Now, less than 2% of all Americans work on farms, and most rural jobs are in service industries. So commodity payment programs- a major component to the farm bill- cannot be a substitute for wider rural development efforts. To remain true to its original intent, the farm bill needs to expand its programs to support rural America in its reality today.
Hunger and poverty are more common in rural areas, and many rural counties have lost population as people move away for better jobs and services. Mines, factories and big box stores open and close contributing to “boom and bust” cycles. To break this cycle, it’s essential to promote entrepreneurship and strengthen infrastructure. In the past, funds authorized for rural water quality, firefighters and other vital services have been meager and sometimes non-existent.
There’s no quick solution for rural challenges. But many strategies show promise- from increasing entrepreneurship and attracting a diverse business base to improving access to technology. Previously, rural development programs have generally been small and low priority. Bread for the World is urging Congress to give rural development greater visibility and more resources. Only then, will more rural communities be able to find solutions that work.
-----------------
It’s been said that the US farm bill should actually be named the “rural development bill” because it provides much of the federal support for rural areas. As the 2007 farm bill takes shape in Congress, Bread for the World is calling for broad reform. A key component of our Offering of Letters campaign is to strengthen rural communities.
The farm bill originated during the Great Depression to help people in rural areas. Today, the goal remains the same, but the rural landscape has changed dramatically. In the 1930’s, nearly 25% of the US population worked in agriculture. Now, less than 2% of all Americans work on farms, and most rural jobs are in service industries. So commodity payment programs- a major component to the farm bill- cannot be a substitute for wider rural development efforts. To remain true to its original intent, the farm bill needs to expand its programs to support rural America in its reality today.
Hunger and poverty are more common in rural areas, and many rural counties have lost population as people move away for better jobs and services. Mines, factories and big box stores open and close contributing to “boom and bust” cycles. To break this cycle, it’s essential to promote entrepreneurship and strengthen infrastructure. In the past, funds authorized for rural water quality, firefighters and other vital services have been meager and sometimes non-existent.
There’s no quick solution for rural challenges. But many strategies show promise- from increasing entrepreneurship and attracting a diverse business base to improving access to technology. Previously, rural development programs have generally been small and low priority. Bread for the World is urging Congress to give rural development greater visibility and more resources. Only then, will more rural communities be able to find solutions that work.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
"How do the hungry get to the gates of the weathly?"
Something inspirational for a change! Words to move us to advocacy. An excerpt of a sermon at the Interfaith Convocation on Hunger.
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"There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. There was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, who was laid at his gate, full of sores, desiring to ve fed with the crumbs, which fell from the rich man's table..." Luke 16:19-21
Deliberate pairing is part of this story. The poor man was brought to the gate of the rich man, not just once but daily. Persistent effort. Who will bring the poor, in this country and around the world, to the attention of people of plenty? Who will bring the poor to Congress? Who will bring the poor to the attention of the executive office? Who will bring the poor to the attention of the religious community? Television brings the gates of the rich to the dwellings of the poor. But how do the poor, how do the hungry get to the gates of the wealthy?
The poor are people. They sufffer the ravages of poverty: hunger, bad health. All of these things need to be addressed. In order to do that it's going to take more than an act of charity. It's going to take some drastic action. Those of us who are people of faith and claim to follow our Lord need to look at what he did. For the record says that he who was rich, for our sake became poor and dwelt among us. He did so not just for a little bit of change, but so that we might share in the fullness of life that was his and that is desired for all of us.
-Dr William Shaw, president to the National Baptist Convention, USA
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"There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. There was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, who was laid at his gate, full of sores, desiring to ve fed with the crumbs, which fell from the rich man's table..." Luke 16:19-21
Deliberate pairing is part of this story. The poor man was brought to the gate of the rich man, not just once but daily. Persistent effort. Who will bring the poor, in this country and around the world, to the attention of people of plenty? Who will bring the poor to Congress? Who will bring the poor to the attention of the executive office? Who will bring the poor to the attention of the religious community? Television brings the gates of the rich to the dwellings of the poor. But how do the poor, how do the hungry get to the gates of the wealthy?
The poor are people. They sufffer the ravages of poverty: hunger, bad health. All of these things need to be addressed. In order to do that it's going to take more than an act of charity. It's going to take some drastic action. Those of us who are people of faith and claim to follow our Lord need to look at what he did. For the record says that he who was rich, for our sake became poor and dwelt among us. He did so not just for a little bit of change, but so that we might share in the fullness of life that was his and that is desired for all of us.
-Dr William Shaw, president to the National Baptist Convention, USA
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