[Pollinator] Opportunity to Encourage Producers to Include Pollinator Points in Farm Bill Comments to House Ag [Re-Sending, Part 1 of 2]

[R. Thomas Van Arsdall]

Dear Pollinator Supporters:

 

This Communication is being re-sent in TWO Parts, as for some reason the
formatting and more importantly attachments failed to make it to you in the
first attempt.  

 

Action continues on a dual track of working to improve the next farm bill
for pollinators while continuing to "pollinate" current conservation
programs for the benefit of pollinators.  

 

Following is an opportunity to take action by encouraging producers to make
pollinator points when commenting on the next farm bill.

 

RTVA-

 

 

OPPORTUNITY TO ENCOURAGE PRODUCERS TO INCLUDE POLLINATOR POINTS 

IN FARM BILL COMMENTS TO HOUSE AG

 

SUGGESTED ACTION:  U.S. Collaborators & Supporters who are in a position to
do so can advance farm bill-related pollinator objectives by-

1.     Alerting your Agricultural Producer Contacts to the opportunity to
file farm bill comments on the House Agriculture Committee's Web Site,
through December 31, and

2.     Encouraging Agricultural Producers to include a Statement of Support
for Pollinator-Friendly Provisions in conservation, research and other
Titles in the Next Farm Bill 

 

A 2-pager providing suggested Talking Points for Producers and additional
background is attached.  

 

The basic objective of this outreach effort is to raise the profile of
pollinators in this preliminary round of the farm bill debate.  Simple
points are more likely to make the cut when producers are preparing their
comments on a range of issues.  The additional background may help raise
awareness among producers themselves.  Feel free to improve upon and tailor
for your own efforts.

 

Background

 

The House Agriculture Committee is inviting comments via the Committee's web
site from producers around the country about current farm policy, and what
is working and what could be improved.  While the information submitted on
the website will not be part of the official Congressional record, the
Committee indicates the feedback will be helpful as the farm bill debate
moves forward in 2007.

*                    The web address is:
http://www.agriculture.house.gov/inside/feedbackform.html.

*                    Comments will be accepted through December 31, 2006.

 

It would be helpful to the pollinator cause if the House Agriculture
Committee heard from a number of interested and concerned producers about
the importance of pollinators and expressions of support for
pollinator-friendly provisions in the next farm bill-even if only briefly as
part of broader input.  

 

In visiting with one producer, he indicated he had not have thought of
including mention of pollinators, but will gladly do so now that he has been
provided with suggested talking points.

 

We will be keeping a pollinator eye open for similar opportunities during
this farm bill reauthorization cycle.  Don't hesitate to contact me if you
have any questions or need additional information.

 

Thank you in advance for any action you might take (we would appreciate your
letting us know).

 

R. Thomas (Tom) Van Arsdall, Public Affairs Representative for Coevolution
Institute/NAPPC

   Van Arsdall & Associates

   13605 McLane Place

   Fredericksburg, VA  22407-2344

   (540) 785-0949

   tom at vanarsdall.com