June 18, 2013
Congrats River Citizens!
On June 10, the Senate passed a Farm Bill that provides some good programs for the people, land and water of the Mississippi River region and our country as a whole.
Last month, we asked River Citizens to contact their Senators and request their support for the Farm Bill. You listened — River Citizens sent nearly 100 emails, joining a chorus of people who want land- and water-friendly provisions in the nation’s Farm Bill. Here are a couple of the provisions River Citizens advocated for that made it into the Senate Farm Bill:
~ Renewing a link between crop insurance premium subsidies and basic soil and wetland protection requirements.
~ A nationwide sodsaver provision, which reduces crop insurance benefits when landowners convert natural grasslands for cropping.
Now that the Senate has passed its version of the bill, we must ask the same from the House of Representatives. Members of the House will consider the Farm Bill this week, and a final vote could take place very soon (possibly even this week).
Unfortunately, the House’s version of the bill is relatively weak in comparison to the one passed by the Senate. The bill reported by the House Agriculture Committee requires no conservation of natural resources in return for taxpayer-funded crop insurance premium subsidies and includes a sodsaver provision that is limited to just one small area of the country.
The legislative process is long and can often be confusing.
Here is a graphic to illustrate the Farm Bill’s progress.
Tell Congress to pass a strong Farm Bill!
The effects of flooding, drought and extreme weather greatly impact our nation’s farmers, and so we recognize the importance of a strong safety net. Taxpayers have historically supported subsidizing crop insurance premiums in exchange for basic responsible farming practices that keep soil on the farm and protect critical wetlands. These measures help mitigate the impact of both high and low water levels, as well as providing critical habitat along the globally significant Mississippi River Flyway. We need to tell our Representatives in Congress to pass a Farm Bill that will:
~ include a link between crop insurance premium subsidies and responsible soil protections.
~ include a nationwide sodsaver provision, which reduces crop insurance benefits when landowners convert natural grasslands for cropping.
As always, thank you for your continued commitment to protecting one the country’s great national treasures, the Mississippi River.
Yours in respect and service,
Annette Gomberg
1 Mississippi Outreach Coordinator
Trivia Question:
The very first Farm Bill also aimed to limit soil erosion.
What year was the FIRST Farm Bill signed into law?