Reprinted with permission from the Concord Food Co-op (www.concordfoodcoop.coop) and with assistance from NH organic farmer Roger Noonan.

Is supporting your local farmer, visiting your farmers market, CSA, Co-op, or other local food source important to you? What about having fresh,local food for your child’s school meals? We have a groundbreaking opportunity for you to support your local farmers and to ensure your local food system continues to grow.

The Farm Bill is moving fast! Act now to voice your support for the The Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act, introduced to Congress last November, which would consolidate and strengthen aspects of the 2012 Farm Bill to support local farms and make it easier for consumers to have access to healthy foods. The Farm Bill is rewritten approximately every five years. Help us ensure that it doesn’t only support big agriculture but also small-scale farms in New Hampshire and the country!

Proposed changes to the current Farm Bill include:

• Provide funding to help farmers build the infrastructure – like slaughterhouses – to process and sell their food locally.
• Require USDA to keep doing traditional seed research, not just on genetically modified seeds.
• Create a new crop insurance program tailored to the needs of organic farmers and diversified farmers who grow a wide variety of crops and can’t easily access traditional crop insurance.
• Break down barriers for schools and institutions to procure local food more easily. Provide schools with a local school credit to purchase local foods, as well as fix out-dated federal policies that inhibit schools from purchasing local food.
• Make it easier for food stamp recipients to spend their money at farmers markets by giving the farmers access to technology necessary to accept electronic benefits-that money goes right back into the local economy. The bill includes a pilot program to test smartphone technology to accept food stamp benefits at farmers market.
• The bill numbers are S.1773 and H.R. 3286. Visit thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.php to search for the full text and status updates.

Ask your Senators and your Representative to support the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act!

We need support from as many legislators as possible. Can we count on you to make a call or send an email?

The Message is Simple:

I am a constituent, calling to urge Senator/Congress(wo)man __________ to support the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act and ensure that the Farm Bill benefit local agriculture. This legislation will help boost farm income and meet consumer demand right here in New Hampshire. It’s a job creator and a cost-effective, smart investment. Can I count on Senator/Congress(wo)man_________ to support this bill?

How to Contact Your Legislators:

Senator Kelly Ayotte: 202.224.3324 (DC office) or 603.622.7979 (Manchester office)
Senator Jeanne Shaheen: 202.224.2841 (DC office) or 603.647.7500 (Manchester office)
Representative Frank Guinta (District 1:) 202.225.5456 (DC office), 603.641.9536 (Manchester office)
Representative Charlie Bass (District 2): 202.225.5206 (DC office), 603.226.0064 (Concord office)

Visit www.nh.gov/government/nhcong.html for more on New Hampshire’s Congressional Delegation, including a layout of districts.

Help support local farmers by visiting www.nofanh.org.