February 2, 2007

The Honorable Harry Reid
Majority Leader
Senate 221
The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Minority Leader
Senate 230
The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Mr. Majority Leader and Mr. Minority Leader:
As deliberations for the 2007 Farm Bill begin, we write to strongly support funding for farm, food and conservation programs at levels above the expected baseline projections that will soon be provided by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).  These resources are needed so the next Farm Bill can provide a safety net for our agricultural producers, expand production of renewable energy, protect our natural resources, reduce hunger, expand access to healthier diets and enhance rural development.

While we understand that the Budget Committee does not have the authority to dictate Farm Bill priorities, we call upon the Committee to provide the additional resources the Agriculture Committee requires to strengthen the future of agriculture, increase energy independence, promote stewardship of the environment, and make sure no American is without access to healthy food.  As such, we strongly urge the Budget Committee to provide budget authority at levels above the CBO baseline due out in March to adequately address the following critical national priorities:

• The next Farm Bill should reflect the rapidly changing nature of agriculture by providing tools to help producers manage risk, boosting the market orientation of farm programs, and improving the efficiency with which taxpayer dollars are spent to support agriculture. Despite declining budget baselines, producers need a real safety net to ensure they can be reliable suppliers of feed, food and fuel for the United States and the world marketplace.
• Renewable energy development on farms and ranches increases our energy security, improves our environment and creates new economic opportunities for producers and communities. Demand for the programs in the 2002 Farm Bill’s new Energy Title already far outpaces the current limited funding, leaving many energy development opportunities unrealized. Significantly more funding for the 2007 Farm Bill’s Energy Title would spur billions of dollars of additional private investment in advanced and environmentally responsible bio-fuels research and development and wind, solar, and geothermal energy expansion; methane digester construction; energy efficiency improvements; and other projects for the benefit of producers and all Americans.
• U.S. specialty crop producers do not receive direct government income support, nor do they want any; but they face sharpening competition from foreign sources, increasing environmental demands from the public as well as the challenges of disease and pests.  The 2007 Farm Bill can help them increase public consumption of fresh produce, increase their competitiveness and ensure they can address destructive diseases and pests that result from a global economy. 
• Future generations will benefit from the significant improvements to the environment already realized as a result of the 2002 Farm Bill—cleaner water and air, reduced soil erosion, restoration of wetlands, protection of wildlife habitat and improved forest health.  Unfortunately, of the producers and family forest owners who applied for federal cost share dollars to do more to protect the environment, during the life of the 2002 Farm Bill more than half have been turned away.  In 2004, for example, 3 out of every 4 applications were left unfunded.  The 2007 Farm Bill is an opportunity to respond to this unprecedented commitment from private landowners all across the nation and to ensure an improved environment for the future. 
• More than 35 million people in the United States live in households that face a constant struggle against hunger.  In addition, more than 25 million people access emergency food annually through food banks. The 2007 Farm Bill must provide adequate resources and programmatic changes in our food assistance programs to address issues of adequacy, access and enrollment to further reduce the still-serious problem of hunger in our country.
• Rural America continues to have high rates of hunger, poverty and unemployment, as continued lack of opportunities force young people out of rural communities. The 2007 Farm Bill should expand programs for regional innovation, entrepreneurial development and asset building for rural people.

We look forward to working with you to ensure that there is sufficient funding authorized in the 2007 Farm Bill to ensure the economic viability of our farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners, protect and improve our environment, achieve energy independence and serve those across this bountiful land who otherwise would go hungry. 

Sincerely,
Alliance with Family Farmers
American Bird Conservancy
American Farmland Trust
American Forest Foundation
American Nursery and Landscape Association
American Society of Agronomy
American Tree Farm System
Biomass Coordinating Council of the American Council On Renewable Energy
California Association of Winegrape Growers
California Food and Justice Coalition
Cascade Harvest Coalition
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Coevolution Institute
Community Alliance with Family Farmers
Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture
Connecticut Council on Soil and Water Conservation
Connecticut Farmland Trust
Crop Science Society of America
Defenders of Wildlife
Environmental and Energy Study Institute
Environmental Defense
Environmental Law and Policy Center
Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association
Franklin Land Trust
King County Agriculture Advisory Commission
National Audubon Society
National Corn Growers Association
National Grape and Wine Initiative
National Potato Council
National Watermelon Association
Organization for Competitive Markets
Renew the Earth
Sheffield Land Trust
Smart Growth America
Soil and Water Conservation Society
Soil Science Society of America
Texas Produce Association
The Farmland Center
The Minnesota Project
U.S. Apple Association
United Fresh Produce Association
Vermont Land Trust
Western Growers Association
Water Environment Federation
Winegrape Growers of America
WineAmerica

cc:
The Honorable Tom Harkin – Chairman, Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
The Honorable Saxby Chambliss – Ranking Member, Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
The Honorable Kent Conrad – Chairman, Committee on the Budget
The Honorable Judd Gregg – Ranking Member, Committee on the Budget