State-Federal Relations

Agriculture, Environment & Energy Committee

April 1, 2008

The Honorable Collin Peterson, Chair                     The Honorable Bob Goodlatte, Ranking Member
Committee on Agriculture                                     Committee on Agriculture
U.S. House of Representatives                              U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515                                       Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable Tom Harkin, Chair                         The Honorable Saxby Chambliss, Ranking Member
Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee       Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee
United States Senate                                           United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510                                      Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Chairman Peterson, Ranking Member Goodlatte, Chairman Harkin and Ranking Member Chambliss:

The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) understands that Farm Bill negotiations now center on a funding framework that excludes new mandatory spending for the Rural Development Title.   NCSL strongly supports a robust Rural Development Title that ensures that America’s rural communities and small towns have the resources needed to compete in the global marketplace and build on their unique strengths. Funding for rural development that includes mandatory dollars not subject to the vagaries of the annual appropriations process is a wise investment that will benefit not only rural communities, but the nation as a whole.

Programs to support infrastructure improvement, community facilities, business development, broadband, health care and other critical needs in rural areas are essential to ensure the quality of life for our nation’s rural citizens.   A specific example of the type of innovative program that can revitalize our rural communities is the Rural Collaborative Investment Programs (RCIP), which received $135 million in mandatory funding in the Senate passed Farm Bill.

NCSL recognizes that there are many competing priorities for the Farm Bill, but rural development programs are vital support for production agriculture, which depends on strong rural communities to remain competitive.    We urge you to support the mission of rural development and make it a priority in Farm Bill reauthorization.

Sincerely,

Senator Stephen Morris
President, Kansas Senate
Chair, NCSL Farm Bill Working Group