FCS Diversity and Inclusion - PROPOSED RULE - MARCH 2011 Dear Mr. Van Meter,
I am currently an adult, returning student finishing my degree this year in Organic, Diversified, Sustainable farming (The Entrepreneurial and Diversified Agriculture program at Marshalltown Community College).
While the United States may have the most solid and productive food system in the world~ as the world's leading example we have much to correct in the way our food is derived, produced, and delivered. Our current food paradigm is leading to the depletion of natural resources as well as to a health crisis in which today's children are not expected to outlive their parents. This is why I am studying and working diligently towards being a tie in the rail to a strong, healthy, viable food system for all.
It is my goal to apply my knowledge, skills, and resources towards building a small, local, diverse, chemical free, sustainable farm serving my community, and those within a 40 mile radius. To do this I will need to develop the means to generate the capital to do so, or participate in programs which will help me to do so.
If each local region has the resources available to those with the skills, talents, and passion to farm in ways which restore health to their communities, counties, & states we will become an example for the globe worth repeating and will see many swift, productive, and healthy changes in both our environment as well as the health of our citizens.
I urge you to please do all you can in helping new generation and current farmers who desire to farm either organically, diversely, or sustainably to have access to the capital to do so~ with reasonable, just means of repaying such capital in efforts to maintain a renewable supply for future generations and for applying progressive, environmentally and physically healthy techniques of growing, producing, and delivering food.
Thank you very much for your considerations and efforts.
Sincerely~ Stephanie Hyde
Stephanie Hyde 202 N 18th Street Marshalltown, IA 50158