We need local farms to produce local food!
Ask NC Leaders to Ensure Funding for Farmland Preservation

North Carolina has the dubious distinction of being tied for first place in farm land loss among US states. We need to keep farms working in order to feed our state and provide sustainable, locally-produced foods for consumers. Right now, funding for the NC Agricultural Development & Farmland Preservation Trust Fund is at risk of being eliminated from the 2010-2011 state budget. >>Please ask our state's leadership to ensure continued funding for farmland preservation. The NC Agricultural Development & Farmland Preservation Trust Fund was established in 2005 and has provided a critical source of funding for initiatives that advance sustainable local food production, and improve the viability of North Carolina's small and medium-scale farms. Visit the NC Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund's website to learn more about the fund, and the types of projects that have received funding. Even in difficult economic times, we must invest in local farms to ensure they'll be around and able to provide our state with sustainable local foods well into the future. As legislators prepare to return to Raleigh for budget negotiations this Spring, please take action. >>Ask NC leaders to protect the Agricultural Development & Farmland Preservation Trust Fund. Also FYI: the new NC Sustainable Local Food Advisory Council meets for the second time next Thursday, 4/22 (Earth Day!) from 1 - 4 in Raleigh. Here are full details on the NC Department of Agriculture's website. We'd be glad to help coordinate rides for those interested in attending - just tell us where you're coming from.

Without local farms, we won't have local food! Take action today to protect funding for farmland preservation in North Carolina. >>Contact Speaker Hackney and Senate Pro Tem Basnight today >>The new NC Sustainable Local Food Advisory Council meets Thurs, 4/22 >>Support our work - donate today!

Take Action for Local Food & Farms

Please contact state legislative leaders today - Speaker of the House Joe Hackney and President Pro Tempore of the Senate Marc Basnight - and ask them to preserve funding for the Agricultural Development & Farmland Preservation Trust Fund. Here is a sample letter which you can use for your email or phone call.

Please contact Toxic Free NC at or (919) 833-1123 to let us know you're taking action, or if you have any questions. Thank you!

Sample Letter
Instructions: Copy and paste the text below into the body of an email to Speaker Hackney and Senate Pro-Tem Basnight. Please feel free to customize your email subject and text, and be sure to add the information [IN BRACKETS]. Or, you can call their offices, and use this sample text as a guide for your message or conversation.

Dear Speaker Hackney and Pro Tem Basnight,

I’m writing to ask you to preserve funding for the Agricultural Development & Farmland Preservation Trust Fund in 2010. As you make some very difficult budget decisions, consider that this trust fund is not just a way to preserve resources for the future – it is also an important economic development tool for our state’s small farmers. For example, in 2008 a project focusing on the 11 counties surrounding Ft. Bragg received grant money to not only protect working farmland, but also to develop new markets and program to keep landowners and farmers economically viable.

North Carolina leads the nation in farmland loss. The Agricultural Development & Farmland Preservation Trust Fund can help us reverse this tragic loss and ensure that our farmers will be able to meet our state’s needs for fresh, locally-grown foods, today and for the future.

[PLEASE MENTION WHY THIS ISSUE IS IMPORTANT TO YOU PERSONALLY!]

Thank you for your work on behalf of our state’s future.

Sincerely,
[YOUR FULL NAME AND ADDRESS]