Your 2018 Advocacy Toolkit

Small Towns

Editor's note: If you are interested in making a contribution to the Center for Rural Affairs or Granary Foundation, or have any questions, contact Nick Bergin, Development Director, at 402.687.2100 ext. 1035 or nickb@cfra.org.

Dear Rural America Advocate,

Do you know what happens in September 2018? The entire federal farm bill expires.

That means the end of critical programs that support beginning farmers, conservation, and small town development, unless we act now to urge Congress to renew them with a new farm bill this year. This action kit outlines critical priorities for farm bill renewal.

Included are fact sheets on the Center’s priorities for the 2018 farm bill: top priorities, then broken down into crop insurance and conservationAdvocacy 101, another fact sheet, explains how you can get involved.

As you’ll read in the fact sheets, we have important priorities to tackle this year. We’ll once again battle big interests with deep pockets. Our resources are limited, but by getting involved you can help us claim another victory for rural America.

Are you willing to take action today? There are three ways you can help right now. Donate or contact Anna at annaj@cfra.org if you would like to be involved in any of these activities: make phone calls, host meetings, meet with elected officials, write letters, or testify on important legislation.

  • Make your voice heard – Call, email, or write your elected officials. Keep their contact information handy. (Don't know who your legislature is? Click here to find out.) Legislation can move fast, be ready at a moments notice.
  • Step up and take action – Write a letter to the editor. Speak out in your community. Attend a listening session. Testify at the state capitol. Tell us how you’re ready to step up to build a stronger, brighter rural future.
  • Pitch in to support the effort – Your donation today helps ensure we have the resources share your values with representatives in Washington.  

Will you take action today to support our work in Washington? Your values guide our work on federal farm, ranch, and rural policy. You, your family members, and your neighbors provide the building blocks that become our legislative priorities. Standing with us today will help ensure your needs and values are reflected in new farm bill legislation.

Thank you. You truly are the force that makes each policy win possible.
 

P.S. There’s a lot at stake in 2018 for rural America in the 2018 farm bill. We need you to step up and take action, make your voice heard, and support legislative priorities that have been shaped by your values. We are stronger together.

P.P.S. For our friends in Nebraska, here are our legislative priorities in the Unicameral. For our friends in Iowa, here are our state legislative priorities.