June is absolutely in swing right here in Vermont the place I reside and down in DC the place the Farm Invoice course of continues.
In Vermont, the primary reducing of hay is being dried and bailed, ewes and their lambs are headed to pasture, and crops are getting within the floor. Within the Northeast we’ve additionally simply skilled an unusually late, historic frost. Should you have been like me, and rolling the cube to plant somewhat early this 12 months, I hope you didn’t lose too many crops and are in a position to get better simply as we transition into the hotter climate once more. The most important signal that summer season is right here in New England, although, is the black flies that at the moment are out in pressure! We’re wanting ahead to some rain within the forecast to maintain issues joyful, because it’s been a dry spring once more this 12 months. By no means a uninteresting second farming in a altering local weather!
In DC, marker payments are being launched and cosponsors corralled. This previous month we have been thrilled to share the announcement that the Strengthening Natural Agriculture Analysis (SOAR) Act was formally launched in Congress. You possibly can check out our SOAR Act Toolkit right here. Preserve a watch out for a Senate Companion invoice coming quickly; we’re nonetheless working with representatives and companions to get the ultimate particulars ironed out. (Typically with coverage work it’s a rush up and wait recreation!). Drafting of the Farm Invoice is actively taking place in each chambers, appropriations payments are slowly being drafted (partly because of the Debt Ceiling Debacle), and August recess plans are being made and solidified. As we look ahead to the textual content of the Farm Invoice which can come later this summer season, and for Report Language from the Home and Senate Appropriations Committees within the coming weeks, coverage work is in a holding sample till the following dash (did I point out hurry up and wait?).
Throughout this small lull in updates from DC, we wished to take this chance to commit this month’s Coverage Nook to ask you, pricey reader, a favor:
Can you are taking a second to share your story as a researcher or a farmer interacting with natural agriculture analysis? We’re accumulating and amplifying tales of researchers across the U.S. who’ve successfully shared their analysis with decision-makers or have benefitted from natural analysis. Are you a farmer that’s participated in a analysis mission? Are you a researcher who has been awarded or participated in a mission funded by the Natural Analysis and Extension Initiative (OREI) or Natural Transitions Program? Are you a farmer who has used analysis merchandise that have been created via these packages? If that’s the case, it might be nice to listen to from you as we work to advocate in assist of those packages, whereas additionally addressing the wanted reforms we’re combating for!
We want your assist to deepen the affect of our advocacy work! Information, figures, and statistical breakdowns of the results of elevated public funding in agricultural analysis are vital, however the lived experiences and tales of researchers and farmers talk greater than a report ever can. As we head into the summer season months, can you are taking a second to share somewhat little bit of your expertise with us? Or, share this with a farmer or researcher who has a great advocacy-related story to inform?
Thanks for being part of the motion for organics.
Eat effectively,
Gordon
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Picture credit score: Matthew Bornhors
