Editor’s Note: As we look at the topic of adolescent catechesis, it is important for us to stay current on topics that provide us with opportunities to live our faith through our actions. Tony offers an update on issues of hunger and global warming, providing us with the knowledge we need to catechize not just those we minister to, but to all those we meet.

I love gardening! It strengthens the body, clears the mind, and lifts the soul. And even though my tomatoes will never win a ribbon at the county fair, I hope to plant a garden every year that God sends me.

Gardening reminds me of family farmers who make their living by planting the seeds, tending the soil, and harvesting the crops that become the food we all need, but seldom give much thought to.

The increasingly high costs of growing crops, compared with the low prices farmers receive for them, makes it very difficult for small and medium size farms to stay afloat.

The system, unfortunately, is overwhelmingly geared to assist those who do not need the help—transnational agricultural corporations. Large government subsidies go to these agribusiness giants, while family farmers get little to no help from the federal government.

It is tough enough that small and medium size family farmers have to cope with droughts, floods and pests; they should not have to also wrestle with their own government to give them a fair deal.

National Catholic Rural Life Conference

An excellent Catholic organization dedicated to helping family farmers and their neighboring communities is the National Catholic Rural Life Conference (NCRLC). Visit the NCRLC website to view a very relevant document by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops titled, A Catholic Agenda for Action: Pursuing a More Just Agricultural System.

In the document the bishops teach that, “Resources should be targeted towards research that helps smaller farms remain viable and promotes environmentally sound agriculture. Programs that provide affordable insurance protection are essential so that farm families can start again if crops fail. In the wholesale and retail sectors of the food supply system, we favor policies that promote greater competition so that farmers can receive a fair price for their goods.”

American Clean Energy and Security Act

The NCRLC’s executive director, Jim Ennis, reports that the NCRLC supports the American Clean Energy and Security Act recently passed by the United States House of Representatives. As the bill’s name suggests, this act would begin to put America on the road to pollution free energy production, thus significantly reducing our nation’s harmful carbon emissions, and in the process greatly lowering the dangers associated with global warming.

But Ennis expressed concern that struggling family farmers everywhere, and hungry people throughout the world—who are the least responsible for global warming and the most at risk for the dangerous effects like flooding, drought, crop failure, and starvation—may not receive the amount of help they need and deserve in this legislation.

The bill passed by the House does provide a certain amount of assistance to poor communities at risk, but it could, and should, include much more help. However, as this legislation is considered in the Senate, there is a very strong chance that help to the poor may actually be reduced instead of increased.

Take Action

Therefore, please take the time to e-mail and/or call your United States senators urging them to include in the American Clean Energy and Security Act adequate assistance to family farmers, and a very significant increase in vital assistance to poor communities throughout the world threatened by the dangerous effects of global warming.

Also, please consider an added way to help feed some of the poorest people on earth by sending a life-saving donation to Catholic Relief Services (PO Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203).

By helping family farmers and the hungry poor, you will be providing supernatural food for your soul!

(This article was reprinted with permission from Catholic News Service. To read more of Tony’s articles, check out the NACYML website or ask your diocesan publication to include them on a regular basis.)