FCS Diversity and Inclusion - PROPOSED RULE - MARCH 2011
Dear Mr. Van Meter,
I am writing in support of the FCA providing capital to farmers serving local and regional food systems. To that end, I encourage you to:
--Require FCS institutions to determine which producers qualify and how much money they are lending to them.
--Establish a goal of 10% as the proportion of the institution's capital that is invested in local and regional food producers.
--A commitment to adding local producers to the FCS board.
In addition, the Farm Credit System marketing plan needs to be made public with regular progress reports; provide for staff training; and provide for loans suited to the needs of local producers.
I appreciate your attention to this important program.