District Chairmen
Legislative
Chairman: Chubby Starlin
District 1        Chris West                 Buncomb
District 2        Kathy Dudley             Rowan
District 3        Beth Burnette            Caswell
District 4        Annette Matthews      Johnston
District 5        Chubby Starling         Bladen
District 6        Annette Markham       Tyrrell-Dare
District 7        Debbie McGee           Halifax
Farm Bill Up Dates

Farm Bill Updates 11-7-07

Farm Bill Updates 11-5-07

Senate Ag. Committee Mark Up Compete

Farm Bill Updates 10-17-07

Disaster Trust Fund Proposed

House subcommittee votes to extend current farm law

US House Passes Farm Bill

NASCOE's Rebuttal To NACD Farm Bill Position
Contact Information

Thomas "Chubby" Starling
Bladen County FSA
PO Box 2135
Elizabethtown, NC 28337
910-862-3179
Chubby.starling@nc.usda.gov
                                         Legislative Activities 10/19/2007

It appears that 2007 will be another busy year for the Legislative Committee. This past month we have been trying to impact the Senate version of the Farm
Bill. It does not appear that we are going to be successful in changing the way Conservation Programs are being administered here. We have not given up!
The Senate version will meet the House version of the Bill in a conference committee where the differences will be ironed out and a final version will be
formulated. It is possible that you could have an influence on this legislation during these Committee meetings. Please stay tuned to Cap Wiz alerts and other
requests for help from the Legislative team. At this time we are seeking support from local Conservation Districts for our position. A letter from your District
supporting FSA administration of Conservation Programs would be very useful to the Leg. Team. If you can gather that kind of support locally please let your
area leg. person know.

Why would NASCOE want to have Conservation administration handled by FSA?

1. We deliver this program for less money than NRCS, making more money available for farmers and ranchers to install conservation practices.
2. We have experience in making sure the benefits paid are earned. Our system of checks and balances is designed to prevent payment to ineligible
producers.
3. The COC system provides an excellent tool to enhance the concept of locally led conservation.
4. We have staff present during open hours to take applications and discuss program availability.
5. We have the tools required to publicize program sign-up dates.
6. Program administration is similar to the Conservation Reserve Program so little training would be required to return this program to FSA.
7. FSA handling the office duties of conservation programs will allow our limited NRCS staff to concentrate on their area of expertise, technical guidance!
8. Future Farm Bills will be written with a "green" theme making conservation a more important part of USDA programs. NASCOE believes a conservation role
is critical to the existence of our agency and our members.

The legislative activities for 2008 are going to depend on your help. We are looking to gather more Congressional support for legislation that supports or
improves the benefits NASCOE members currently have. It was determined that the main benefit issue for our team this coming year is to gain support for
some type of credit for unused sick leave for our FERS employees. As issues come up we intend to utilize Cap Wiz to push our leaders into supporting our
cause.
If you know of friends, relatives, or employees that are not using Cap Wiz, please help us get them enrolled!

For the Legislative Committee
Terry Stehr
NASCOE
Negotiation/Consultation
Submission Form

Submission deadline December 15
Legislative Updates
The 1, 2, 3 of Negotiations
2007 Fall NASCOE
Meeting with
Management