TO: Farm, Religious and Rural Organizations FROM: Farm Aid, National Family Farm Coalition, Farmers' Legal Action Group, Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI-USA) RE: NATIONAL FARM DISASTER RELIEF TRAINING -- JULY 26-27, 2002, MADISON, WI DATE: May 31, 2002
Please circulate/forward among your networks!
We need your help, and here is why: There are several weather-related disasters brewing trouble for farm families from Maine to California. Changes in laws and regulations related to disaster programs mean that getting timely information and assistance to farmers about what resources exist could make the difference for receiving funds and staying on their farms.
Many parts of the country are currently experiencing drought or near drought conditions. As of early May, the National Drought Center reported 36 states affected by abnormally dry weather patterns, with 22 states experiencing "severe to exceptional" drought conditions. The two areas of the country where the driest conditions exist are the eastern seaboard states from Maine to Georgia, and the mountain states stretching from the Canadian border to Mexico. For up to date drought conditions, go to:
http://enso.unl.edu/ndmc/dm/monitor.html
In other areas of the country there is too much rain. Fields in some areas of the central states are too wet to begin planting. West Virginia recorded its second "100 Year Flood" in as many years. FEMA has declared 16 states with disaster areas due to floods.
This year1s widespread drought and floods come after several consecutive years of record low farm prices that have left thousands or farm families in debt and poverty. Throughout the farm belt, social service agencies report that more and more farm families are relying on emergency food pantries to meet their food needs.
To mitigate the impact these disasters will have on farmers and their families, Farm Aid, the National Family Farm Coalition (NFFC), the Farmers Legal Action Group (FLAG), and the Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI -USA) have developed a plan to build and sustain a national network of "farm advocates" to help farmers face disasters this year and for years to come.
The initial objective of this plan is a national training for current and prospective farm advocates to learn from experts in federal disaster programs and experienced advocates how to work with farmers to access these resources. Once trained, farm advocates will be able to effectively respond to farm families affected by these disasters.
The first national training will focus on disaster relief, how to use the FLAG Disaster Manual to assist farmers, and an introduction into the broader work and role of farm advocates. The training will take place in Madison, WI, beginning Friday morning, July 26 and continuing through mid-day Saturday, July 27. See attached registration materials.
Additional trainings later this year and next will provide advocates with knowledge and expertise to address the longer-term needs of farmers such as access to credit and debt restructuring.
For this effort to be successful, we need your help! We are looking for fifty, highly committed volunteers or personnel from organizations to be trained as farm advocates. We are looking for people who can commit to the initial two-day training and actively participate in a national network of farm advocates. We need your help in identifying and recruiting these fifty individuals.
How you and your organization can help:
* If you know of individuals who might be interested in this opportunity to serve their community, please forward this information to them. Space is limited for the July training.
* If your organization is interested in building its capacity to provide disaster and credit counseling to farmers in your area, and want to send a staff person or member to be trained as a farm advocate, please complete the attached application form and fax it to Farm Aid by June 14, 2002. Fax to 617-354-6992
For more information please call Mark Smith at Farm Aid: 617-354-2922; email: mark@farmaid.org:
