| Rural Life Committee | ||
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Goals for 2007-2011 1. Develop ways to improve rural community life. a. Work to educate the public on the role, the economics and safe food practices of farming. b. Improve the lot of migrant workers who serve the community of Western Kentucky both spiritually and physically. c. Work to increase the number of markets available to sell local farm produce according to need; also communicating ways for channeling surplus for the needy. 2. Share Catholic Social Teaching related to rural life and the environment. 3. Sponsor a diocesan event related to rural life once per year. 4. Encourage legislative advocacy for sustainable agriculture.
Minutes from Recent Meeting Minutes 3/19/08
Present were: Rick Kamuf, Gene Schadler, and Richard Murphy Meeting opened with prayer Minutes were accepted as published. Old Business:
Rick Kamuf stated that Marty Mitchell did agree to be our speaker. The event is scheduled for 8/10/08 at 5:00-7:00 pm this year. The Bishop has other events scheduled on that date, however it is believed he will be able to make the event. Richard Murphy will confirm this. (This was confirmed; he will be present.) An individual was recommended for the Lifetime Achievement Award. There was discussion about how the presentation would be made to the recipient. Richard Murphy did check with the Administration Office for the diocese to learn what the beginning balance is for the August 10 celebration. It was $1203.19 as the amount we take into the 2008 gathering. Richard Kamuf agreed to ask Mike Mullican to arrange for the contract with the Owensboro Sportscenter for 8/10/08.
A group of Western Kentucky Catholics attended the 2008 Catholic at the Capital gathering in Frankfort on February 11 & 12, 2008. A wide range of issue were discussed with legislators, among which was the need for fair and comprehensive immigration reform that will allow immigrants to legally work on farms. The consensus was that more education was needed with legislators to help them understand this issue, especially from the stand point of the economic impact immigrant laborers have on this economy. On the Federal level as well, a state delegation lobbied Kentucky Congressmen in Washington on Feb. 26, 2008 concerning a wide array of issues. Specifically, Richard Murphy called attention to the Department of Labor proposed modernization of existing H-2A Temporary Agriculture Worker Program. He urged support for these updates to allow area farmers to hire much needed laborers for their operations.
Richard Murphy agreed to learn the positions of both candidates on immigration and report back to the committee.
The farm bill had experienced a number of extensions because law makers had not succeeded in coming to an agreements on the vast among of items with it, including a high percentage of the bill that were not directly related to Farmers, such as nutrition. Richard Murphy provided a CRS handout on the Farm Bill to members of the committee. New Business 1. There were no issues committee members wished to raise. 2. Higher Commodity Prices and Effect on Production/Income Committee members acknowledged that grain futures were up and offered a possible good return for the 2008 crop. They also acknowledged that the cost of all production costs were also up steeply and would cut into the profitability of most farmers. 3. Staff Report Richard Murphy reminded the committee of the Kentucky Green Road Show at Mount Saint Joseph Retreat Center scheduled for 4-5-08, 8:30 – 5:00. Meeting closed with prayer Next meeting set for 5/12/08, at 6:30 pm at the Catholic Pastoral Center Basement.
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