RALLY TO BE HELD IN FRONT OF SENATOR McCONNELL'S OFFICE TO RAISE

Media Release

Contact:
KC Smith
Farm Bill reform Organizer
Presbyterian Hunger Program
Phone: 502.569-5819
E-mail: kc.smith@pcusa.org

February 19, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RALLY TO BE HELD IN FRONT OF SENATOR McCONNELL'S OFFICE TO RAISE AWARENESS OF FARM BILL

(Presbyterian Hunger Program, Louisville, KY) - A rally will take place on the steps of Senator McConnell's office (6th and Broadway) on Wednesday Feb. 27th at Noon. "We are gathering to draw attention to the Farm Bill and let Senator McConnell know that his constituents care about positive reforms and are watching to make sure that he uses his influential position to make this happen," KC Smith, Farm Bill Reform Organizer.

The farm bill is currently undergoing a final revision and being debated by members of the United States House and Senate. As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator McConnell plays a major role in shaping the farm bill.

"Small family farms provide healthy and safe foods to urban and rural citizens throughout Kentucky. In order build a locally integrated food economy (LIFE) that allows individuals to know and trust where there food comes from, our leaders in Washington and in Kentucky need to support family farmers." Adam Barr, farmer and CFA member.

Positive farm bill reform, would fully fund nutrition and conservation programs and help farmers by supporting vegetable farm operations, conservation programs and provide financial assistance to minority farmers and young farmers and ranchers wanting to farm for the first time. Farming is a vital component of Kentucky's economy that must be adequately supported and which benefits all individuals of our state.

Contrary to popular opinion, the Farm Bill does not only affect farmers. In fact it would be more accurately called the Food Bill because it covers so many policies that relate to food such as food stamps and nutrition programs, community food security, energy and land conservation, disaster relief and more.

This 'Food Bill' affects rural and urban citizens such Irene Rowlings, a registered dietician and Louisville resident, who plans to attend the rally because she is "gravely concerned with increase in diet-related disease in our country. For the first time in our history children have a lower life expectancy than their parents and this is unacceptable. Commodity subsidies currently do not include fresh fruits and vegetables and this is a major problem for school aged children. Farm bill reform that fully funds nutrition programs is essential to addressing this problem."

Andrew Kang Bartlett, a Presbyterian Hunger Program
Organizer also wants to make sure that critical programs within the bill are adequately funded, "As an individual that is personally and professionally committed to making sure the world's population does not go hungry I am closely following the developments of the farm bill which is currently a part of the problem, not solution, to ending hunger. I have previously written to McConnell and plan to attend the rally as well."

As members of the legislative and executive branch continue to work on a Farm Bill compromise, The New York Times editorial board noted recently that, "Against all odds, there is still hope that Congress will produce a halfway decent farm bill, one that increases spending for under funded programs like food stamps and conservation while decreasing subsidies to rich farmers who have never had it so good".

Positive farm bill reform is still possible. We are rallying in front of Senator McConnell's office to send a message that Kentuckians are concerned and passionate about the farm bill and that we are watching closely to make sure positive reforms are made that support our farmers and our state as a whole.

As well as a peaceful demonstration this rally will incorporate street theater and fun, children of all ages are welcome.

For more details and to coordinate interviews contact KC Smith(502) 569-5819