FCS Diversity and Inclusion - PROPOSED RULE - MARCH 2011 Dear Mr. Van Meter,
The MidAtlantic Farm Credit system has been an important source of agricultural lending for our farm for the last 4 decades. In that time, FCS and our business have both changed. A significant portion of our business now comes from organic production. As we are attending meetings of organic producers, we see very different faces than those which look like ours (aging white producers), which we are used to seeing in conventional agriculture. The organic and sustainable movement is more ethnically diverse, with men and women of all ages, than conventional agriculture. I believe this is very healthy for our food production system and for our country's ability to meet the food needs of all citizens. I encourage FCS to make loans recognizing an emerging segment of the production system that is small agriculture, racially diverse, and supports young and beginning farmers. Thank you for your consideration.
Marian Fry
MD Sunrise Farm, LLC www.mdsunrisefarm.com