Please Include Full Funding for National AgrAbility Program in FY 2011 Budget!

Dear Advocate,

On February 1, 2010 the President released his Budget Request for FY 2011. This budget request is critical as it lays out the Administration's funding priorities for federally funded nation-wide programs each year. Goodwill Industries is very concerned that the Obama Administration did not appropriate funding for the National AgrAgbility project for FY 2011. (Page 84, title "Farm Safety") As you know, the National AgrAbility Project provides technical assistance to farmers with disabilities who are living in rural communities in 22 states so they can continue to work independently doing the work that they love.

While the Obama Administration asserts that the AgrAbility program has been funded as a Congressional earmark in the past, Congress authorized up to $6 million for the AgrAbility program in the 2008 Farm Bill. Additionally, the program has been continuously funded by Congress since its inception in 1992. Therefore, we need to ensure that this funding remains available for this project by urging Members of Congress to provide adequate funding for the AgrAbility Project in FY2011.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                ]

Congress will begin to draw out its budget plans very soon – that’s why it’s imperative to contact your Members of Congress today! Please click the 'take action button below' to send a pre-written letter to your Member of Congress, and ask that they support full funding for AgrAbility in the FY 2011 budget.