American Farmland Trust: Issues & Programs

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calling on congress for a new direction in farm and food policy

10/16/07

Iowa Producer Jim Andrew Commits to Conservation

Thousands of people are expected to participate in a nationwide Commit to Conservation call-in on Wednesday, October 17. “I would hope we would be so successful that we would lock up the Senate switchboard with calls asking for an increase in conservation funding,” says Jim Andrew, who will join AFT and 30 conservation and environmental groups in calling his Senators.

9/17/07
AFT’s Dennis Nuxoll Discusses Competing Farm Bill Priorities on HillTube
Dennis Nuxoll, AFT’s Director of Government Relations, was featured on TheHill.com’s Hill Tube talking about the agricultural showdown shaping up in Congress. Nuxoll discussed the competing priorities and divergent viewpoints over Title I, the the subsidy commodity title, of the farm bill.

8/20/2007
It's Raining Reform? Iowa Producer Ron Litterer Thinks So
U.S. producers are always praying for favorable weather conditions so that they can get the most out of their crops. But weather varies from place to place, says Iowa producer Ron Litterer, which is why he says it is important to support the Farm Safety Net Improvement Act, which will provide producers with a better safety net during said hard times. [MPEG, 2.43MB, 2:39]

8/16/2007
Farming is an Often Unpredictable Industry: Farmer Bill Flory Says a Stable Safety Net is Needed
It's not unusual for producers in one area of the country to have a different outcome at harvest than producers in another area of the country. For that matter, it's not unusual for producers in the same area of the country to have different harvest experiences. But in the Northwest this year, diversified wheat producer Bill Flory says the variability is really staggering. [MP3, 2.97MB, 3:15]

FARMCAST: AFT'S PODCAST

We'll frequently bring you Capitol Hill insights and insider attitudes on a new direction in farm policy. Look for us 'on the street' in D.C. and across the nation—or send a clip and tell us what you think about the 2007 Farm Bill!

10/4/07
AFT Farmcast Video: Local Food Fever
Watch our special Farmcast video interview with Pablo Elliot, Director of the Local Food Project at the Airlie Center in Virginia. This organic culinary garden was created to demonstrate the benefits of supporting local food systems.

9/6/2007

Farmcast: "You Are What You Eat: Getting Local"

The farm bill has under-funded most programs that make it easier for Americans to eat fresh, local and healthy food. AFT found out what “regular folks on the street” really know about the food we eat, where we get it and the farm bill. [MPEG, 1.37MB,3:00]

6/13/2007
Farmcast: "Keeping it Brief: Conservation, Local Foods and Ending Hunger"
The stage has been set for the 2007 Farm Bill, and it’s time to turn priorities into programs—protecting working farms and ranches from sprawl, making local foods more available, encouraging healthy diets and ending hunger in America. Listen to Ralph Grossi, AFT's president and representatives from local food, nutrition, and anti-hunger groups talk about the 2007 Farm Bill.

Our TEStimony Before Congress U.S. Capitol

We've taken the debate over farm policy change to Washington, D.C., with our experts and leadership testifying before Congress.

4/25/07
Economic Challenges and Opportunities Facing American Agricultural Producers Today
Comments made by Bill Flory to the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry on how the 2007 Farm Bill can support producers, help the environment and ensure an adequate food, fiber and new fuel supply for our nation.

4/19/07
It's a Critical Time to Match Agriculture's Commitment to Conservation
Comments made by American Farmland Trust's President, Ralph Grossi, to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research.

4/14/07
Iowa and Nebraska Views on Federal Agriculture and Rural Policies for the 2007 Farm Bill
Comments made by Varel Bailey to the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry hearing in Council Bluffs, Iowa, focusing on conservation and commodities.