To: Domestic Economic Justice Advocates
From: Krista Zimmerman, Legislative Associate
Date: July 25, 2007
Re: Tell Congress to Stand Up for the Poor in the Farm Bill

The Issue
The House of Representatives will vote on the 2007 Farm Bill as early as Thursday of this week. Time is running out for your representatives to do the right thing for the most vulnerable – here and abroad.

Background
The Farm Bill contains a crop subsidy program that was originally designed to give family farmers shelter from fluctuations in commodity markets. Today, it largely benefits large agribusinesses and absentee landowners while ignoring the biggest problems faced by many rural communities: access to healthcare, education and the environment. The current subsidy program also impacts the ability of subsistence farmers in developing countries (who don’t receive subsidies) to earn a living and support their families.

A redesigned Farm Bill could help poor people and rural communities, in this country and others, by preserving and expanding programs like the Food Stamp program, promoting conservation and rural development, and redesigning the subsidy system to support family farms in the United States without harming farmers in other countries.

Faith Reflection
Several weeks ago, I shared a meal with migrant farm workers in California. Some of them came to the United States because they could not support themselves on their own farms in Mexico. Now they try to support families by working long days in the hot sun for a small hourly wage.

Our current system is one in which U.S. policies make it more difficult for farmers in Mexico to stay self-employed, so many seek employment as migrant farm workers in the United States. It’s an “upside down” kingdom -- but not the kind that Jesus promoted. Jesus told us he came to bring good news to the poor and to release the oppressed. Luke 4:18.

Act
Call your representative in the House by noon on Thursday and tell him or her that you want to see a revamped Farm Bill in 2007 – not just recycled legislation from years past.

Message: ask your representative’s office to support the bipartisan Fairness in Farm and Food Policy Amendment, which begins the shift away from trade-distorting subsidies, caps subsidy payments at $250,000, and uses the savings to help poor and minority farmers, the environment and families that depend on food stamps.

Oxfam has established a toll-free number you should feel free to use: 1-800-977-1912. An automated message will give you brief instructions and then connect you to the Capitol switchboard.

Visits, e-mails, phone calls, faxes and letters are all good ways to contact your legislators. E-mails, phone calls and faxes are good for time-sensitive issues. Postal mail travels slowly in the Capitol, but letters have long-term impact. Be sure to include your mailing address in all correspondence to confirm your residency in a particular district and state.

We would be grateful for copies of your correspondence and any responses you receive! Please send them to