More important info, please read

If you want to help the Robert Hubbard Homestead Preservation Committee, call your State Senators and tell them your support of this Bill for the preservation of the Robert Hubbard Homestead in Middletown, CT. You can give your Senator my name and number if they want to call. My guess is that if we get as many State Senators to contact Senator Jeffords (?), the money will be allocated to the Farm Bill and if we can save the Hubbard Homestead, we may be able to take part in this funding.

The goal is not to let this Bill die. If there is no interest shown it will.

The following Law information was sent to me as an FYI via someone connected with the State Preservation Board.

Carolyn Laban, Chair 860-344-8926



FARM BILL SIGNED INTO LAW

On Monday, May 13, President Bush signed the Farm Security Act of 2001 (PL 107-171) into law. The six year farm bill includes a provision that makes historic buildings, structures, objects, and archaeological sites on farmlands eligible for conservation incentives under the Farmland Protection

Program (FPP), as well as a barn preservation program to protect historic agricultural buildings.

The barn program will provide grants to eligible structures for rehabilitation, repair, fire protection, vandalism prevention, research and identification. Funds will also be used to assist States to develop a list of historic barns, and to create educational programs relating to history, construction techniques, rehabilitation, and contribution of historic barns to society. Although the barn preservation program was included in the bill, a dollar amount had not been attached to the program. Instead it authorized "such sums as many be necessary to carry out this section for fiscal years 2002 through 2007." Once authorized, funding will be implemented through the Department of Agriculture at a state level.
Preservationists must now encourage Senate and House Agriculture Committee Members to support funding for the program. As a lobbying strategy is being developed, the grassroots should be prepared to act, especially those of you whose members sit on the Agriculture Appropriations Committee. Be on the look-out for lobby alerts within the next few weeks. Work on Appropriations bills are expected to begin in the House following Memorial Day recess.

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