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.