[Pollinator] Opportunity to Make Pollinator Points at USDA Farm Bill Field Forums. First one July 7, Nashville

Fri Jun 24 09:32:30 PDT 2005

>From Tom Van Arsdall:

Subject: Opportunity to Make Pollinator Points at USDA Farm Bill Field Forums. First one July 7, Nashville

The upcoming USDA Farm Bill Forums provide an excellent opportunity to make "pollinator points" about (1) the vital role that bees, butterflies and other Pollinator species play-in partnership with American agriculture in producing a healthy and affordable food supply, and in sustaining ecosystem health, and (2) how the next Farm Bill can be "pollinated" to meet the needs of pollinators on both working lands and wild lands, to the benefit of both farmers and ranchers and wildlife.

The first Forum is scheduled for Nashville, Tenn. on July 7 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. CDT at RFD-TV Northstar Studios.

Pollinator stakeholders are encouraged to participate.  You can do so in one or more of 4 ways:

  1.. Attend and participate in one of the Forums. 
  2.. Call into a live Forum [accepted from across the nation]. 
  3.. E-mail your comments via the USDA web site. 
  4.. Send written comments to Secretary Johanns. 

·        As reflected in the excerpts below, six questions have been posed to structure the Forums.

o       Question #4, re conservation and environmental goals is an obvious fit.

o       However, it may also make strategic sense to frame pollinator points creatively within the context of other questions.  

                                          i.     For example, Question #1 [the role of pollinators as partners on working lands in contributing to farmers' bottom lines, and as part of wildlife habitats to that may generate sporting or ecotourism income or increase eligibility for Conservation Security Payments].  This may resonate with the farm and ranch community we are trying to reach.

                                         ii.     Same for assistance to producers [Question #3] and research [question #6].

·        If you submit pollinator-related comments, it would be helpful to the NAPPC pollinator team effort if you could provide a copy of any comments to Laurie Adams, 

lda at coevolution.org 

·        Additional information about the USDA Farm Bill Forums, including future announcements about additional hearing locations and dates, can be accessed at:

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdafarmbill?navtype=SU&navid=FARM_BILL_FORUMS

·        To submit comments by e-mail, go to:

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1UH?navid=FARM_BILL_COMM 

      The site is organized by the six questions being posed [see below].

I hope these thoughts are helpful in galvanizing you into action on behalf of pollinators.  Feel free to pass this information on to others who may be interested.  While there will be other opportunities to weigh in on the next Farm Bill [Hill hearings, etc.], this is a good forum for our cause.  Any suggestions are welcome.

Excerpts from the June 16 USDA Media Release, with emphasis added

"The next farm bill will affect America's entire agricultural community," said Johanns. "That's why I want to ask America's farmers and ranchers how our farm policy is working and how we can make it better. I believe very strongly that they deserve a voice in this process." 

The first Farm Bill Forum will be held in Nashville, Tenn. on July 7 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. CDT at RFD-TV Northstar Studios. The public is invited to attend and participate in the forum, which will be broadcast live on RFD-TV. In addition to accommodating approximately 300 in the audience, the forum also will accept calls from across the nation. 

As the current Farm Bill covers a diverse array of program areas, six topics have been identified to provide a framework for the forums. The primary topics addressed at the forums will reflect various concerns affecting rural America such as commodity, conservation, and rural economic development issues. In addition, some forums will be dedicated to other important programs authorized by the farm bill such as food assistance, research and education programs. 

USDA will be seeking public discussion on farm policy considerations regarding: the competitiveness of U.S. agriculture in global and domestic markets; challenges facing new farmers and ranchers as they enter agriculture; appropriateness and effectiveness of the distribution of farm program benefits; achievement of conservation and environmental goals; and enhancement of rural economic growth and opportunities to expand agricultural products, markets and research. 

The public will be invited to provide comments on six specific questions based on these policy considerations: 

1. How should farm policy be designed to maximize U.S. competitiveness and our country's ability to effectively compete in global markets?

2.  How should farm policy address any unintended consequences and ensure that such consequences do not discourage new farmers and the next generation of farmers from entering production agriculture? 

3. How should farm policy be designed to effectively and fairly distribute assistance to producers? 

4. How can farm policy best achieve conservation and environmental goals?

5. How can Federal rural and farm programs provide effective assistance in rural areas? 

6. How should agricultural product development, marketing and research-related issues be addressed in the next farm bill?

Comments will be accepted at public forums and may also be submitted electronically via the Internet at the USDA home page (http://www.usda.gov) by selecting "Farm Bill Forums," by email to FarmBill at usda.gov or by mail to Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns, Farm Bill, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3355. 

USDA will review the public comments received by December 30, 2005, including any analyses, reports, studies and other material submitted with the comments, that address the six questions. 

R. Thomas (Tom) Van Arsdall,  NAPPC Public Affairs Representative
        Van Arsdall & Associates Inc. 
        13605 McLane Place 
        Fredericksburg, VA  22407-2344 
        Ph:  540-785-0949 
        Fax:  540-786-4603 
        Mobile:  703-509-4746 
        Web:  http://www.vanarsdall.com 

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