[Communications] {AUA} 🗣️Our Farmers and Neighbors Need Your Voice, Now More than Ever

[Stef Funk]

In much of the country, spring is on its way. For farmers and ranchers,
it’s time for planting decisions, for calving and lambing, for lining up
their financial capital and markets for a busy season, and more.

But this year, it’s different: across the country, tens of thousands of
farmers and farmer-serving organizations have been thrown into limbo by an
unprecedented freeze of federal funding. The United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) is currently withholding payments owed under signed,
lawful contracts, causing turmoil across the food system.

This is already causing serious harm in our communities: This means farmers
who’ve already installed new irrigation equipment or planted cover crops
with support from USDA are now unable to receive the reimbursements they
were promised, jeopardizing their financial stability. Programs that pair
local farmers with local food banks are pausing their procurement plans, at
the exact time growers most need to know their markets for the season.
Organizations who train and support beginning farmers are instead having to
lay off staff. Families are anxious about grocery store prices and the
availability of food long term. These immediate impacts could compound and
lead to further suffering without swift intervention from Congress.

Click here to Take Action
<https://secure.everyaction.com/Sae1dwnpZ0G-OnqYvbTT7g2>

None of this should be happening: these are signed agreements with the
federal government, and USDA must honor its commitments before impacts
worsen in communities nationwide. Congress can act to fix this, and they
need to hear directly from folks who are affected – along with all of us
who care about our local farmers and ranchers, our fellow neighbors, and
the organizations that help us strengthen our communities.

Calling takes only 60 seconds: can you call and email your members of
Congress, demanding they step up and protect our farmers and communities
from further harm?

Click here to Email your Members of Congress Now!
<https://secure.everyaction.com/Sae1dwnpZ0G-OnqYvbTT7g2>

*Feel free to fwd this email to other folks you think would appreciate the
invitation to take action! *

Cheers,
- Stef

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*Stef Funk **(she/hers)* | * Grassroots Co-Director*
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)
110 Maryland Ave. NE, Suite 209
Washington, D.C. 20002
stef at sustainableagriculture.net
Cell: 312-687-6484

-- 
For more urban agriculture news, information and opportunities, visit AUA at http://auachicago.org/
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