Farm Bill Update: Tell Congress You Love LAMP!

      Posted On: August 17, 2018

I hope you all had a great National Farmers Market Week! I know I did. You can read more about all the amazing NFMW activities in FMC’s post here.

Now that the week is over, and the storm has calmed regarding the worst of the Novo Dia situation, we need you to turn your attention to the farm bill.

Both the House and Senate have passed their versions of the bill, but they are dramatically different bills, especially with regard to local food programs. The Senate Bill provides strong support for local foods through the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), while the House Bill guts the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program and the Value Added Producer Grant Program. These cuts in the House Bill would represent a massive step backwards for farmers markets, seriously undermining a decade of investment in local food systems, and agricultural economies, and putting markets and farmers in jeopardy.

But you can help us protect these programs.

Between now and until the end of September is a critical moment. Here are two things you can do:

  1. Sign on to this letter for organizations in support of LAMP by August 24th.
  2. Contact your legislators and let them know that you support the Senate Farm Bill, and LAMP in particular. A sample script/email is below for you to use.

While big questions swirl as to whether the House and Senate can agree on a farm bill before the last one expires on September 30th, it is critical that legislators hear from you now. If a new bill isn’t completed, an extension of the existing bill will need to include local food funding. For more information about LAMP, please refer to Congresswoman Chellie Pingree’s site and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition site.  

Thanks in advance. I love LAMP and so should you!

Ben Feldman
FMC Policy Director
ben@farmersmarketcoalition.org

SAMPLE SCRIPT/EMAIL:

Dear Congressman/woman/Senator _______,

I am calling/writing today to express my support for the Senate version of the farm bill, especially the local agriculture provisions spelled out in the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP). This program would provide much needed stability and permanent funding for local food by consolidating existing programs into a single, streamlined program.  This would create a one-stop-shop at USDA for farmers, organizations, and other stakeholders, making it easier for them to receive support for local and regional food projects.

Please urge your colleagues on the conference committee and in leadership to include LAMP, as written and funded in the Senate bill in the final version of the farm bill.

Thank you,
[Your name]