Then, take another step and forward this e-mail to everyone you can!

The Center for Rural Affairs National Rural Action Network will deliver the petition signatures to your Senators and Representatives.  We will also alert all who sign on when contacting their elected officials or taking other action will make a crucial difference on a rural issue before Congress.

With your help, the National Rural Action Network will grow to tens of thousands of people speaking out for Rural America, perhaps even more. 

Together, through the Rural Action Network, we will build the power necessary to take control of our destiny.

Tell everyone you know…Sign the Petition! – www.cfra.org/nran_endorse.htm

America is strongest when all of its communities are strong and all of its people have access to genuine opportunity.  Rural America is a valuable part of America.   Rural communities are not sharing in the nation’s prosperity.  This hurts all of us.

–         When rural young people are denied the opportunity to build homes, businesses, lives and careers, rural America contributes less – to contribute to the nation’s prosperity, rural America must share in it.

–         When community is weakened, the bonds that make us strong are weakened – to uplift rural values, we must lift up rural communities.

–         The destruction of family farms and rural small business is shrinking the rural middle class.  People denied a stake in the American dream, are less likely to take responsibility for sustaining it.  

Strengthening Rural America Strengthens All of America!

Tell everyone you know…Sign the Petition! – www.cfra.org/nran_endorse.htm

Congress Must Act to Revitalize Rural America!

There are practical strategies that work to revitalize rural communities.  But local initiative must be matched by federal policies that support rural revitalization, rather than hinder it.  The 2007 farm bill provides an opportunity to change course. 

–         Rural Entrepreneurship – traditional economic development based on industrial recruitment simply does not work for rural communities.  Investment in rural entrepreneurial development does work; it counters out-migration as well as chronic economic hardship by creating economic opportunity.

–         Rural Asset Building – match savings of lower income families – for business starts, home purchases, or higher education – in counties with chronic depopulation and economic hardship; helping families lift the veil of poverty, strengthening rural communities, and expanding economic opportunity.

–         Family Farm and Ranch Innovation – assist farmers and ranchers in pursuing new, high-value, consumer driven markets for their products, thereby creating enhanced economic opportunities in rural communities while increasing the profitability and viability of family farms and ranches.

–         Beginning Farmers and Ranchers – invest in the future of family farming and ranching through training, mentoring, linking, education and planning for the next farm and ranch generation and the rural communities, rural businesses and rural schools that depend on them getting started.<?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O /> 

–         Payment limits – the single most effective thing Congress can do to strengthen rural America is to cap farm payments and stop providing subsidies that mega farms use to drive smaller operations out of business. 

Take Action Today!

Tell everyone you know…Sign the Petition! – www.cfra.org/nran_endorse.htm

John CrabtreeDevelopment and Outreach OfficerCenter for Rural Affairs
Blog for Rural America
402-687-2103 ext 1010johnc@cfra.org