From hn3551@handsnet.orgMon Jul 31 11:48:03 1995 Date: Mon, 31 Jul 95 15:21:59 GMT From: hn3551@handsnet.org To: sanet-mg@amani.ces.ncsu.edu Subject: RH SUST. AG. LOANS INTERNET 2K Jul-28-95 Terry, I'm no expert on how sustainable ag practices impact loans, but I know someone who is. Contact: David Waller, Farm Plan Advocates, 1373 E. Morehead, Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28204; 704-358-3534. Farm Plan Advocates have been working with sustainable farmers for years, and know most government loan and insurance regulations better than the government. Keith Richards HN3551@handsnet.org Sent: July 31, 1995 8:07 am PDT Item: R00BSnj From effect@vnet.netFri Aug 25 21:25:18 1995 Date: Tue, 22 Aug 1995 08:44:05 -0500 (EST) From: "C@USE EFFECT EFFECT" To: KIRSTEN FAHRENKAMP OF PARTNERSHIPS Cc: sanet-mg@amani.ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Re: Preserving Farmland Mary Feldblum, Farm Plan Advocates is a grassroots organization of farmer-to-farmer outreach, assistance and advocacy on issues of fair access to credit and of environmental and economic sustainability for family farms. We have deep experience in helping farm families beat the imminent threat of foreclosure or forced liquidation. Since mid-1991 we have taken on over 600 cases facing certain loss without intervention. We've reached successful resolutions in all but 10 cases, with about 160 still open and 2-3 new cases coming to us each week. All of our board and staff have personal experience with the threat of losing land, home and livelihood - so we know what an at-risk family is going through, and we also know the statutes and regulations governing that situation , often better than the bureaucrats who enforce them. I encourage you to refer individual farmers with severe credit/debt crises to our advocates Jean Wyont and Benny Bunting - numbers are below. I also caution you that Farm Plan is in a funding crisis of its own right now (we can't pay the phone bills, much less ourselves), and Jean and Benny are fighting to save their own farms as well, so response may take a day or two longer than it normally would. On the plus side, we have a strong advocate candidate in New Mexico - a farmer we helped out of a jam in '92. We may be able to enlist her help as a volunteer with cases in your state, and begin a process of training her to take on an active role in our work. If you're a farmer, in New Mexico or elsewhere (between the three of us, we're currently working with farmers in 23 states), and you need help out of a jam with government agencies or private lenders, contact us at the numbers below: Jean Wyont: 715-229-2720 Benny Bunting: 919-798-1235 David Waller: 704-358-3534 Willie Nelson's FARM AID has just offered a challenge grant to help us get over this rough patch (*that's* a euphemism) in funding. FARM AID will match, dollar for dollar, every contribution we receive between now and October 1 - the date of FARM AId's tenth anniversary concert. That offer is good for at least a $5,000 match - maybe more depending on concert proceeds. If anyone out there can help with even a very tiny contribution, it will make a huge difference for us now. Send to: Farm Plan Advocates 1373 E. Morehead St, Suite 250 Charlotte NC 28204 I apologize for the breach of netiquette that such an appeal represents, but we're looking at some hard facts and a keen edge of despair here, and a lot of farm families are counting on us to be there for them. If you are a church member, the Presbyterian Hunger Program has made a similar challenge if we raise a total of $5,000 from congregations. Again on the plus side, watch for an announcement soon of Farm Plan's new web site (service and support donated by VNET) describing our work and encouraging advocacy on issues of farm credit and sustainable agriculture. In faith and leadership, for family farms, David T. Waller, Executive Director Farm Plan Advocates, Inc.