ICCTA Action Alert March 28, 2000 U.S. House Cuts Ag Program Funding The U.S. House Appropriations Committee has eliminated a new $113 million agriculture program that could be a boon to community colleges. As passed by the committee on March 14, the House's FY 2001 supplemental appropriations bill (H.R. 3908) would de-fund the new Initiative for Future Agricultural Food Systems program. The American Association of Community Colleges has worked closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in developing the IFAFS, which is designed to help the agriculture industry preserve natural resources and increase profitability. Grants from this program could be used by community colleges to form partnerships with other organizations. (Additional information is available at the Ag Department's web site at www.reeusda.gov/ifafs). IFAFS has reportedly drawn the ird of House committee members because it bypasses the annual funding process and instead relies upon "direct spending" (entitlement) funding. ACTION NEEDED: Contact U.S. Sens. Richard Durbin and Peter Fitzgerald immediately and urge them to OPPOSE any effort to eliminate the IFAFS program when the Senate Appropriations Committee considers the legislation. Let them know that this program is a key vehicle for involving Illinois community colleges in aiding the state's farming industry. For additional information on state legislative issues, contact ICCTA at 1-800-454-2282. Illinois Community College Trustees Association 401 E. Capitol Ave., Suite 200 Springfield, IL 62701-1711 217-528-2858 (phone) 217-528-8662 (fax) ICCTA@communitycolleges.org (e-mail) http://www.communitycolleges.org | Home | News | Events | Links |