The National Catholic Rural Life Conference has been working in collaboration with many organizations over the past year to identify key reforms and innovations for the 2007 Farm Bill. These reforms are now found in the unison declaration,
The diverse group of organizations represents family farms, sustainable agriculture, conservation and environment, rural development, nutrition, and public health.
PARTNERS & WEBSITES
American Farmland Trust
Farmland preservation, farm viability, new agricultural markets, working farmland conservation programs, alternative farm support programs.
Community Food Security Coalition
Food access and affordability in low income areas, community-led food projects, farm to school and institution, health & food quality, urban agriculture, diversity in agricultural production & distribution.
Environmental Defense
Air and water quality, environmental protection, land retirement and working land conservation programs, climate change.
Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
Working farmland conservation programs, new & beginning farmers, free & competitive agricultural markets, farmers markets, organic agriculture & research, rural development.
Rural Coalition
Diversity & equity in all USDA programs, halting foreclosures on minority-operator farms, support for new & beginning farmers.
Northeast-Midwest Institute?
Analysis of policies and trends, support for conservation, rural development, value-added agriculture, and food access in low-income communities.
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Our joint declaration outlines a series of broad goals and specific measures that we believe "will secure a brighter future for farmers and ranchers, rural and urban communities, and all of us who depend on a healthy food system."
The spring issue of Catholic Rural Life magazine has reprinted major sections of the Seeking Balance declaration. We are asking our members to join efforts to support positive change in the next Farm Bill and endorse the general direction called for in the statement, Seeking Balance in U.S. Farm & Food Policy.
To download the original SEEKING BALANCE publication and to endorse the declaration, visit www.farmandfoodproject.org/seeking_balance.asp
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