Dear
[Your Congressional Representative],
The 2013 Farm Bill must invest in the future of rural America - beginning farmers and ranchers, small businesses, and vibrant communities. To that end, the next Farm Bill must include the following:
1. Limit farm payments - Cap unlimited payments. They subsidize the nation's largest farms to drive smaller operations out of business. Unlimited subsidies are the single most wasteful and counterproductive feature of current farm policy. Both farm subsidies and crop insurance premium subsidies should be subject to caps, so that payments are targeted to the small and mid-sized farmers who need them most.
2. Protect conservation programs - Conservation and good stewardship of agricultural lands should be encouraged and rewarded. The 2008 Farm Bill included several conservation programs that were steps in the right direction, and the next Farm Bill should improve and enhance these programs.
3. Invest in rural America - Investment in rural development has fallen by nearly one-third since 2003. Reversing this decline is critical to creating and sustaining vibrant rural communities. At minimum, the Farm Bill should fund two critical programs to support rural entrepreneurship - the Value Added Producer Grants Program and Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program.
4. Support beginning farmer and ranchers - Getting started in farming can be expensive and difficult for even the most motivated new farmer. The 2013 Farm Bill must seek a cross-cutting comprehensive approach to address beginning farmer and rancher needs. Among other things, it should provide funding for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, increase set-asides for beginning farmers and ranchers in conservation programs, and make credit easier to obtain.
[Your comments inserted here]
By incorporating these four critical elements, the 2013 Farm Bill will support our small towns and rural communities in building a better future. It will create good jobs, and reflect the highest values of all of America.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
