|
|
|
|
|
For further information, please contact Lorette Picciano, or Quinton Robinson c/o Rural Coalition/Coalición Rural, T 202.628.7160. July 14, 2008
Dear Members: As Congress considers the Agriculture Appropriation for Fiscal Year 2009, we respectfully request that you consider providing increased funding ($10 M) for the Federally Recognized Tribal Extension Program (FRTEP; formerly Extension Indian Reservation Program - EIRP), and report language requesting that USDA maintain the same level of funding for the RMA Community Outreach and Assistance Partnership Programs as provided in FY 2008. The 2008 Farm Bill made significant improvements in programs designed to address the outreach and technical assistance challenges of historically underserved producers. We are very concerned, however, that these new programs will not fully benefit socially disadvantaged, beginning and other small-scale producers without expanding FRTEP and maintaining the RMA Community Outreach Partnership Program. Federally Recognized Tribal Extension Program (FRTEP - formally EIRP) Congress mandates research and extension services in every county in the nation - over 3,100 offices nationwide. These programs are funded cooperatively by county, state, and federal levels of government. Extension agents play a major role in assisting American agricultural producers by providing research-based information and education that can be used in knowledge-based decision making. Residents of America's Indian reservations do not have access to these programs. The reasons for this are complex, but funding is a major component. Neither counties nor states contribute funds for extension work on Indian reservations; neither does the BIA nor most tribes. The FRTEP is the only vehicle by which extension programs are currently delivered to Indian Country. It is funded virtually 100% by USDA through CSREES. Tribes contribute in-kind cost share for office space and a small portion of operating expenses. Fewer than 30 extension agents are supported on Indian reservations with current funding of $3 million. These programs have had significantly affected on not only agriculture, but natural resources, 4-H/youth development, human nutrition, community resource development and family and consumer sciences program areas--much like the impacts seen in non-reservation, county-based extension programs. The inadequate funding of FRTEP has, without question, a profound negative impact on the long-term viability of tribal agriculture, which remains a critical basis for the economic security, health and nutrition of Native Americans. Less than 4% of American Indians living on America's Indian reservations have access to these programs, yet over 97% of America's counties have had robust programs since 1914. Funding $10 M would allow FRTEP to establish and deliver programs many more Indian reservations. Many tribes have repeatedly requested full access to these programs through the assistance of the Rural Coalition, the Intertribal Agriculture Council, the Southwest Indian Agriculture Association and the National Congress of American Indians. It is estimated that up to 85 new offices could be established at this level of funding. It is time that Native American producers and reservation residents receive the same level of service as US citizens who are not reservation-bound. The President's 2008 Budget request is $3 million. In order to correct this grave inequity, we urge you to appropriate $10 million for this program in the FY 09 Agriculture Appropriation. RMA Community Outreach and Assistance Partnership Program RMA community outreach partnerships provide information and training to women, limited resource, socially disadvantaged and other traditionally under served producers. This single program has proven highly effective in reaching traditionally underserved communities with the program information and technical assistance necessary to fully access and participate in crop insurance and many other USDA programs and activities. Since 2003, USDA's Risk Management Agency has signed 298 partnership agreements worth more then $32 million with community partners and educational institutions to conduct risk management outreach activities, education and training. In fiscal year 2008 alone, this program supported the activities of 65 organizations in 33 states with agreements worth $8.3 million dollars. Section 12024 of the conference report accompanying H.R. 2419, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, provides the Secretary with discretion to use up to $5 million in funds allocated under 7 U.S.C. 522 (e) to fund information technology and compliance programs within the Risk Management Agency. USDA has already started to implement these cuts, reaching an interim decision to leave the Community Outreach and Assistance Partnership Program with only $2.25 M for FY 2009. Section 12021 of the conference report gives the Secretary the authority to use an additional $15 million annually from 516 j of the Federal Crop Insurance Act to fund information technology programs within the Risk Management Agency. We ask Congress to include report language that strongly urges the Secretary to maintain funding for the RMA Community Outreach and Assistance Partnership Programs at the FY 2008 level. While USDA has emphasized the need for additional information technology funds, the Secretary should be encouraged to find other sources for these funds by first using Section 12021 funds for Information Technology programs at the Risk Management Agency. The Appropriations Committee should also consider other options for IT funding in order to maintain this critical source of outreach funds. The results of our efforts to foster and sustain diversity in the farming sector, to protect our rural communities, and to provide healthy and nutritious food for all our citizens are now in your hands. We thank you for your support of socially disadvantaged and beginning producers. Sincerely, Farm and Food Policy Diversity Initiative, Washington, DC National Immigrant Farming Initiative, Athens, NY
|
||||||||