[Sosfbay-discuss] Fw: UPDATE: Close the Millionaire Corporate Farm Subsidy Loophole

[Caroline Yacoub]

--- On Mon, 4/6/09, Food Democracy Now! <Food_Democracy_Now at mail.vresp.com> wrote:

From: Food Democracy Now! <Food_Democracy_Now at mail.vresp.com>
Subject: UPDATE: Close the Millionaire Corporate Farm Subsidy Loophole
To: carolineyacoub at att.net
Date: Monday, April 6, 2009, 11:22 AM



Last Day to Comment on Payment Limitations!  
  
We regret to inform you that Dan McGlynn has been on vacation since Thursday. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of responses, Mr. McGlynn's USDA email box has exceeded capacity. This is highly unusual, but a testament to our successful efforts.

As this is the last day for the comment period on payment limitations and many of you have expressed concern that your voice is not being heard, the USDA has provided an alternative email address to send your comments.

Please send you comments to: Dan McGlynn via Mara Villegas at: mara.villegas at wdc.usda.gov

Like President Obama, we believe this is an important issue and appreciate your continued efforts and apologize for any inconvenience this has caused. We very much appreciate your continued efforts and support. 

At this point you can do 1 of 3 things:

1. You can resend your comments to mara.villegas at wdc.usda.gov 
2. Fax the letter in at: (202) 690-2130
3. Go to Regulation.gov and send your letter in using that website form. 
http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocumentDetail&o=0900006480847a79 
If you go to Regulations.gov please realize that it is a several step process in order to submit your comments.

We have provided the proper steps to follow on our website.

http://www.fooddemocracynow.org/2009/04/06/to-send-a-your-comments-in-through-regulationsgov/

Thanks again for all you do, we appreciate your continued efforts on this important subject.

Best,
Dave
Food Democracy Now! 
If you’d like to see Food Democracy Now!’s grassroots work continue, please consider donating as little as $10 or $25.

COMMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS APRIL 6, 2009

Send an email to Dan McGlynn via Mara Villegas at the USDA: mara.villegas at wdc.usda.gov

Sample Letter – (Please cut and paste)

Mr. Dan McGlynn
FSA-USDA
Stop 0517, Room 4754
1400 Independence Ave. SW
Washington, DC  20250-0517
Emailed to: mara.villegas at wdc.usda.gov
or FAX to: 202-690-2130

RE:  Comment on Farm Program Payment Limitation Rule, Federal Register, Vol. 74, No. 23, February 5, 2009

Dear Mr. McGlynn,

I appreciate President Obama’s courageous call for subsidy reform and stand firmly behind his decision to end "direct payments to large agribusinesses that don't need them." By reforming the rules on subsidy payments to farmers, this Administration can finally create a level playing field for independent family farmers that allows them to thrive, and grows opportunities for rural America and midsized farms.

In order to do this, I encourage the USDA to close the biggest payment loophole available under the current rules by providing a strong and effective definition for those “actively engaged in agriculture”.

Currently, wealthy corporate “partners” with minimal management involvement, in some cases, as little as two conference calls per year can qualify for payments.  I urge you to correct this problem.

For those who qualify solely by providing active personal management and no personal labor, the rule should require that person to:

    1. Provide at least half of the total management required to run the farm; or
    2. Provide at least half of the total management that would be necessary to conduct a farming operation commensurate in size with his/her requisite share of the operation.

Closing the “actively engaged in farming” management loophole will strengthen family farms and rural communities and help restore integrity to a program which is rife with abuse. 

Sadly, for decades, both Republican and Democratic Administrations have allowed this abuse to continue. This Administration, which campaigned on commodity program payment reform, needs to end business as usual, clean up the system, and restore good government.  Enacting a quantifiable test for farm management is the best place to start.

Sincerely, 
[Your name & city here] 








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