NAFEC
The National Association of Farmer Elected Committee Members
Support NAFEC and encourage fellow COC members, office staff, and others to join us in our work to protect our industry, our community, and our life
RESOLUTIONS 2005
COUNTY COMMITTEE SYSTEM
1. Whereas the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture reorganization Act of 1994 amended the procedures for County Committee elections therefore be it resolved that no administrative decision conflict with or alter the intent of Congress.
2. Be it resolved that NAFEC supports equal opportunity in all aspects of the FSA system. We believe that the election process for FSA committees tends to promote these ideals but would support any adjustments, which would improve its EEO and outreach capabilities. We believe that any discrimination occurring within any FSA function should be sternly and vigorously dealt with.
3. NAFEC feels that local FSA county committee authority is critically important to an efficient administrative system for farm and loan programs.
4. NAFEC supports the use of CCC funds to be used for the expense of overtime and temporary employees of FSA to deliver the 2002 Farm Bill and other ad hoc programs.
5. NAFEC supports cross training for all FSA employees.
6. Be it resolved that in all cases where a county office is being operated under current or any future county committee system, the County Committee shall be responsible for the selection and employment of a single person in charge of the daily operation of all county office functions and performance evaluation of that person.
7. NAFEC renews its support for the concept of One Stop Shopping at Farm Service Centers, which includes Farm Service Agency, Risk Management, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Rural Development.
8. NAFEC supports the dual posting (both county and federal) for all FSA Farm Loan office positions.
9. USDA should provide a 1-800 number for all FSA offices for producers who live outside local calling areas.
10. NAFEC supports the concept of Local conflict resolution by routing appeals through both the County Committee and State Committee before the National Appeals Division.
11. Whereas County Committee members have interaction with farmers, the committee members need to know their responsibilities and their authority in regard to farm programs, diversified subjects and situation, Therefore be it resolved that each state budget allocates funds for a statewide orientation for county committee members.
12. NAFEC strongly opposes any attempt to “Direct reassign” County Office Employees under the County Committee’s authority unless the losing county, the gaining county, and the employee are all in agreement.
13. Be it resolved that NAFEC supports budgeting based on the actual work, required by statute, to be delivered through the County Committee delivery system.
14. We support the National Association of FSA County Office Employees (NASCOE) efforts to protect the rights and benefits of County Office Employees and keep them on an equal footing with federal employees.
15. Be it resolved that: For the purpose of budgeting, COC salary and expenses should have it’s own line item under the permanent employees category rather than within temporary employee category.
16. As we have County Committees in every FSA office in the United States and they are elected by the producers in each county, Therefore, it is imperative that the County Committees be represented by NAFEC and have input in any decision to close or combine any county FSA office and furthermore NAFEC should sit on any task force that undertakes the closures and combinations of FSA offices.
17. Be it resolved that the COC shall be the supervisor of the CED and conduct the annual CED review.
18. Be it resolved that all Homeland Security issues related to farming, ranching or other agriculture be assigned to FSA.
FARM PROGRAMS
1. NAFEC supports the investigation by the proper agencies into whether concentration of companies dealing with agriculture is harmful to crop and livestock producers profitability.
2. NAFEC supports the concept of a Farm Safety Net through effective farm programs administered by the Farm Service Agency.
3. Be it resolved that the county Committee should be fully informed on all programs within the county or area. This should be accomplished at each County Committee regular meeting.
4. Be it resolved that NAFEC supports the increase of federal funding to support current and future boll weevil eradication programs as it progresses in an orderly manner from east to west across the cotton belt.
5. NAFEC supports landlord-tenant provisions that ensure farm program payments be issued proportionately to the individuals direct risk in the crops.
6. NAFEC supports the timely filing of crop reports for all FSA programs and recommends that FSA be the only collection agency for all farm program data.
7. NAFEC opposes the double standard of imposing payment limitations on farmers while permitting unlimited government payments to multinational exporting companies.
8. Whenever the Secretary readjusts or reclassifies loan rates for commodities based on market factors, farmers who have growing crops in the ground at the time of reclassification should have the option to use the rate in place at the time the crop was planted.
9. NAFEC supports a Federal/State joint viability program that assists farmers under stress to improve their farms and ability to provide positive cash flow to allow the continued operation of the family farm. This program can help farmers diversify by assisting in capital costs of building, equipment or other items.
FEDERAL CROP INSURANCE
1. Be it resolved that FSA have greater authority in administering the Federal Crop Insurance Program. NAFEC recommends that FSA be in control of crop insurance yield determinations, acreage certifications and loss adjustments.
2. NAFEC supports uniform Risk Management programs, which provide effective protection for farmers without excessive costs to the Government, and with compliance oversight for FSA.
3. NAFEC supports amending FCIC’s standard reinsurance agreement to ensure that FSA be fully compensated for all time and expense expended by FSA County Office employees for crop insurance compliance and program integrity related functions.
TAXES
1. Be it resolved that NAVEC requests federal and state governments support the use of ethanol and bio-diesel blend in fuels, and continue the tax credits for domestic produced renewable fuel but not imported.
2. NAFEC supports legislation that would establish a Federal tax credit for commodities donated from gleaning and recovery efforts.
3. Be it resolved that NAFEC supports a permanent inheritance tax exemption to protect family farms and small businesses.
CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
1. NAFEC supports the continuation of the CRP administered by the FSA Agency.
2. Be it resolved all the conservation and forestry programs, be administered by FSA and the COC system.
3. NAFEC supports the planting of grasses or other perennial crop along stream buffer areas and supports the harvesting of these crops after nesting periods as a means to reduce nutrient loading in soils and water.
4. NAFEC supports allowing producer with CRP and riparian contracts to mow or flash graze acreage one time per year after the nesting season is over in their local area. This practice will help reduce fire dangers.
5. Be it resolved that a conservation program be designed specifically for small, minority or limited resource farmers. The program must allow small operators to sign up and install practices on an annual basis. Decision on funding requests should be made locally by the FSA County Committee.
ENVIRONMENT
1. NAFEC acknowledges the potentially profound environmental impact of Global Climate changes. NAFEC recommends that the Administration and Congress should consider the impact of any proposed international agreement and ensure that American food and fiber producers are not placed at an economic disadvantage position against international competition.
TRADE
1. NAFEC supports the effort of mandated “County of Origin” labeling prominently displayed on all imported agricultural commodities.
2. In all trade related matters, USDA should work for policies that enhance exports of, and eliminate restrictions against, all U.S. agricultural commodities and value added agricultural products.
3. Be it resolved that the Secretary of Agriculture work with the Justice Dept. to achieve strict anti-trust enforcement.
4. The Secretary of Agriculture and the Justice Department should work to close loopholes in tariff rate quota structure allowing companies to import unlimited amount of product reformulating them to avoid the legal definitions.
MICELLANEOUS
1. NAFEC supports the concept of a “user fee” for information compiled by FSA but used by other companies such as insurance companies and credit institutions.
2. In order to reward austerity, agencies should not have their budgets negatively affected by “carry over”.
3. Administrative offsets from program funds for an USDA agency should not exceed 10% without the price notification and concurrence of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees with proper justification.
4. NAFEC supports the COC having the final authority of leasing adequate office space.
5. Whereas, there is a move to privatize and outsource activities of the United States Department of Agriculture. Be it resolved NAFEC supports efforts to ask Congress to protect United States Department of Agriculture from this wholesale privatization effort by preventing the Office of Management and Budget privatization quota from going into effect.
6. Whereas NASCOE made the South Dakota Convention such a success, be it resolved that NAFEC would like to thank them for the help they gave to us to make it a success for our association.