Title: ELCA, LWR Join Other Faith Groups in Advocacy on the Farm Bill ELCA NEWS SERVICE
April 25, 2007
ELCA, LWR Join Other Faith Groups in Advocacy on the Farm Bill 07-072-AL
WASHINGTON (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Lutheran World Relief, Baltimore, are joining more than a dozen other denominations and faith-based organizations in supporting broad reforms of the U.S. Farm Bill in 2007, aimed at reducing hunger and poverty while promoting the livelihood of farmers and rural communities both in the U.S. and around the world.
The U.S. Farm Bill, legislation that determines agriculture, nutrition and conservation policy, is to be reauthorized every five years.
"Our nation's lawmakers have a historic opportunity in 2007 to pass a farm bill," said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA. "Let us work together for a bill that strengthens the livelihood of rural communities, helps lift people out of hunger and poverty, and safeguards the integrity of God's creation for generations to come."
As part of the Religious Working Group on the Farm Bill, the ELCA helped to develop a statement of legislative principles for farm bill reform, which it is sharing with key congressional staff. The statement of principles said the 2007 Farm Bill should: + Increase investments that combat rural poverty and strengthen rural communities + Strengthen and expand programs that reduce hunger and improve nutrition in the United States + Strengthen and increase investment in policies that promote conservation and good stewardship of the land + Provide transitions for farmers to alternative forms of support that are more equitable and do not distort trade in ways that fuel hunger and poverty + Protect the health and safety of farm workers + Expand research related to alternative and renewable forms of energy + Improve and expand international food aid in ways that encourage local food security
Staff members of the ELCA Washington Office and ELCA state public policy offices began holding farm bill listening sessions around the country last fall, holding the final listening session April 22 in Victoria, Texas. An online discussion group is on Lutherlink for Lutherans to discuss the farm bill with ELCA Washington Office staff.
Several denominations in the working group are organizing their members to meet with elected officials and advocate for broad reform of the farm bill in May and June. Mary Minette, director for environmental education and policy, ELCA Washington Office, is coordinating "Faith Farm Teams" for the ELCA. -- --
The statement of principles and official news release of the Religious Working Group on the Farm Bill is at http://www.ELCA.org/advocacy/issues/farmbill/07-04-25-rwg.html on the ELCA Web site.
The Lutherlink discussion group on the farm bill is at http://www.faithgroups.com/topic/FARM_BILL on the Web.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org http://www.elca.org/news ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog