Study Uncovers Factory Farm Tax Breaks at Taxpayers' Expense By ICCI
Iowans Agree: Factory Farms Should Pay
Members
of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (CCI) hail a recent report
called “CAFOs Uncovered” by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS),
the leading science-based nonprofit working for a healthy environment
and a safer world. The report analyzes the obvious and not-so-obvious
costs that taxpayers and consumers are forced to pay to keep the
factory farm industry afloat.
Margaret
Mellon, director of UCS’s Food and Environment Program, stated, “If
CAFOs were forced to pay for the ripple effects of harm they have
caused, they wouldn’t be dominating the U.S. meat industry like they
are today.”
The
report states that, “misguided federal farm policies have encouraged
the growth of [factory farms] by shifting billions of dollars in
environmental, health and economic costs to taxpayers and communities.”
The
executive summary of the report states that factory farms “are not the
inevitable result of market forces. Instead, these unhealthy operations
are largely the result of misguided public policy that can and should
be changed.”
“This is another study that confirms what CCI has been saying for years,” said CCI member Garry Klicker from Bloomfield.
“The Environmental Quality Incentives Program should be used to help
family farmers protect our air and water, not as another form of
corporate welfare for factory farms. We also need environmental
protection laws that force factory farm polluters to pay for their
clean up and report their toxic emissions.”
That’s
why members of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement are asking
Governor Culver to veto the odor study, HF 2688, a bill that requires
taxpayers to foot the bill of nearly $23 million to study factory farm
odor mitigation techniques over the next five years. This report is
another reinforcement that factory farms get too much taxpayer funding,
and the odor study delays enforcing much-needed standards. The report
also highlights the need for clean air standards for hydrogen sulfide
and ammonia, which are toxic to human health.
Visit Iowa Farms Agritourism Conference Planned for March 15 By ISU Extension
Once upon a time, most Iowans had some connection to agriculture. Today, a very small percentage of Iowans population is involved in production agriculture. However, the lure of rural culture and life remains. Agritourism brings opportunities for rural Iowans to educate, inform and entertain travelers on rural life and agriculture.
A team of service providers from across the state hopes to grow the Iowa landscape for agritourism operations. The team, which has been meeting over the year, hopes to help Iowa agritourism producers begin or expand their business and marketing efforts.
The Iowa Agritourism Working Group, supported by the Value Added Agriculture Program and other departments within Iowa State University Extension, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, the Iowa Department of Agriculture, Iowa Department of Economic Development, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Silos and Smokestacks, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and the Iowa Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association, is planning a conference to address the importance and issues surrounding marketing agritourism operations. Value Added Agriculture Program Director Ray Hansen said this team addresses important challenges in growing this industry in Iowa.
Rural tourism activities are the third most popular activities in Iowa, and spending on rural trips accounts for a growing percentage of total Iowa tourism revenues. Our goal is to enable producers to grow this industry, Hansen said.
The Visit Iowa Farms conference is planned for March 15 at the Scheman Building on the Iowa State University campus in Ames. The conference agenda will focus on marketing issues and will open with comments from Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey. Sessions will target marketing plan development, website marketing, creating a hospitality mindset, market research, ad creation and farm signage. Producer panels are planned for question and answer sessions. Partial funding for the conference is provided by the North Central Risk Management Education Center.
For registration information, visit http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/iowafarms/home.html. For more information, contact the Value Added Agriculture Program at 515-294-9483.
Marsha Laux, program coordinator, Iowa State
University Extension, Value Added Agriculture Program, 319-796-4362,
mlaux@iastate.edu
Malinda Geisler, program coordinator, Iowa State University Extension,
Value Added Agriculture Program, 515-964-2640, malindag@iastate.edu
Christa Hartsook, communications specialist, Iowa State University
Extension, Value Added Agriculture Program, 515-294-4430,
hartc@iastate.edu
Practical Farmers of Iowa Launches Next Generation Program By the IFU
Practical Farmers of Iowa is recruiting farmers for their Next
Generation learning community. Margaret Smith and Tom German will lead
a two-part training session on family goal setting and communication to
kick off the program. The sessions are scheduled for February 12 and
March 6, 12:00-8:00 pm at the Harvest Vineyard Church in Ames.
Margaret Smith is a PFI farmer, ISU Extension Specialist and certified
trainer in Holistic Management. Tom German is a consultant for PFI,
leading grazing cluster teams, as well as a PFI farmer.
Practical Farmers of Iowa established the Next Generation program based
upon needs voiced by families facing this transition. Jim Peterson,
Knoxville, farms with his sons. You have to be sure to listen and be
willing to look at things the younger generation suggests Dieter
Geest, who farms with his father near Davenport, said training to
figure out how to work together and not get angry with each other, and
how to work out a business plan so nobody feels like theyre getting a
bad deal would be helpful.
This opportunity is for a family
with a son or daughter hoping to return to the farm as well as a farmer
who has identified someone other than a family member to potentially
take over the farm. People at all stages of this transition are
eligible, from someone who is just starting to think about how to
integrate a specific person to those who transitioned years ago. The
group will meet throughout 2008 and 2009, and is open to participants
statewide. Participation of both generations is required. The only fee
for the first two sessions is a potluck dish to share at dinner.
Practical Farmers of Iowa is able to present this program for
transitioning farmers with funding from The Leopold Center for
Sustainable Agriculture
Pre-registration is required for this
event. The registration deadline is February 8. To learn more about the
Next Generation learning community or to register, contact Cedar
Johnson at (515)232-5661, or cedar@practicalfarmers.org.
PFI
is a non-profit sustainable agriculture group dedicated to farming that
is profitable, environmentally sound, and healthy for consumers and
communities. Founded in 1985, PFI has over 700 farmer and non-farmer
members throughout Iowa. For more information, call 515-232-5661 or
visit www.practicalfarmers.org .
Whether it’s health care,
the cost of education, our environment or global trade, Corporate America is holding
us all hostage to the almighty dollar. Greed continues to trump need as corporations
make record profits while more and more Americans fall into poverty every year.
Congress allows industry to write policy, and legislators don’t even read the
bills they enact. The average person would lose their job for gross negligence.
The pharmaceutical/insurance lobbies make billions on the grief of others, systematically
denying people essential treatment or drugs in order to save a buck. Half of
our taxpayer money goes to the Pentagon who “loses” over a trillion dollars and
“it’s nothing but a thing” yet we
have to beg to fund health care for our children. Agri-Business dominates at the
expense of our environment and health as 85% of our food is now genetically
modified, our meat is ridden with hormones and antibiotics, and pesticides have
permeated the water table. Global trade agreements allow corporations to
exploit for profit with no safeguards in place for workers or the environment.
It is our moral imperative
to stand up and say no more! John Edwards seems to be the only candidate that
understands that we have to make an aggressive push to take our country back –
the key word being “take”. While it is important to be able to bring everyone
to the table, we can’t continue to allow Corporate America to eat all the food.
Which comes down to,
follow the money…
Edwards and Obama are my
two top picks but there are some important distinctions to be made here. I think
Obama is awesome and I will support him whole
heartedly if he gets the Democratic nod, but as an activist, and more
importantly as a mother and your sister, there is way too much at stake in this election, not
only for our country but for the planet. Corporate America
will never give up their stranglehold on America or the rest of the world so
we must TAKE IT from them! There is no negotiating a moral standard… and frankly, that’s
what this election is about.
There are two main issues
that concern me about Obama; the fact that he voted for the Peru Trade
agreement (more of the same of what ails us), and more egregiously, the fact that he is promoting nuclear energy. Coincidentally,
Obama has accepted a lot of money from Exelon Nuclear and only stopped taking
corporate monies this past year once he decided to run for President. I commend
him for that recent decision but I am horrified that he is promoting nuclear power.
The current energy bill before Congress may have 10 billion dollars allocated
toward renewable energy, and that rocks, but if you look at the whole pie, it’s
too little too late! 25 billion is allocated for guaranteed loans to build new
nuclear sites and billions more for coal fired plants. I mean, this is what I
am talking about people… Corporate America writing OUR policy! Do ya’ll
remember all the hoopla about storing the nuclear waste at YuccaMountain?
Do you want that in your backyard? Is it OK as long as it’s stored in someone
else’s backyard (out of sight, out of mind)? Do you really think our Earth Mother will be served by that? We need to save Her in order to save ourselves. Almost everything we do generates some
form of waste by-product. Instead of adding to it, especially nuclear waste, we need to use our
considerable ingenuity to invent our way out of this mess. It is our only true
hope. What we absolutely cannot afford
is more of the same… business as usual.
Corporate America has had the resources and the necessary information to create new technologies for decades. Rather than doing the right thing, and truly be leaders of innovation, much of their resources have been spent preventing said technologies from entering the marketplace because, God forbid, that could hurt their bottom line. If their shareholders weren't so blinded by their own greed, they would be able to recognize the incredible opportunity that is presenting itself NOW. Corporate America and our elected officials could simply CHOOSE to lead this necessary technological revolution, but it remains to be seen.... so it's up to us.
Free Networking Breakfast for Producers, Food Buyers Nov. 28 in Clear Lake By IFU AREA PRODUCERS, FOOD BUYERS INVITED TO FREE LOCAL FOODS LUNCHEON AT THE ART CENTER IN CLEAR LAKE ON NOVEMBER 28, 2007
North Central Iowa producers and food buyers are being invited to a special free networking luncheon on Wednesday, November 28th, in Clear Lake, IA. The meal will be held at the Clear Lake Arts Center, 17 South 4th Street, beginning at noon.
The lunch will feature all locally grown foods, including fruits,
dairy, meats and soy products. Besides being a treat for the appetite,
the event will allow producers to make contacts with representatives of
restaurants, schools, hospitals, care centers and other institutions
and businesses that would like to purchase their Iowa-grown products.
Following the meal, guests will hear comments from representatives from
the Iowa Network for Community Agriculture, Buy Fresh, Buy Local, Iowa
Farmer Union and Slow Foods. Producers and buyers will introduce
themselves and tell a little about what they produce or what they are
interested in purchasing. Buyers will be given a directory of area
producers for sourcing various products, and all participants will take
home a packet of information on local food purchasing. Local
food opportunities have been growing in North Iowa in recent years with
the growth of the North Iowa Farmers Market in Mason City and other
farmers markets in surrounding communities, a Clear Lake Slow Food
group, two Community Supported Agriculture farms (CSA) offering
memberships, and the beginnings of a food co-op in Algona. New
partnerships between area producers and venues such as restaurants,
schools, hospitals, care centers and other institutions and businesses
could expand the availability of local food in north Iowa communities
for its health, social and economic benefits. This is one of
four local foods meals being held around the state this fall. The
project is funded by a grant from Farm Aid. This meal is co-sponsored
by the Buy Fresh, Buy Local Campaign, Iowa State University Extension,
and Iowa Network for Community Agriculture and Clear Lake Slow Foods. To make a reservation for this lunch, please call 800-775-5227 by Friday, November 23rd or if you have questions contact Regina Lloyd, Food to Institution Coordinator at 641-757-2116.
The Iowa Farmers Union Education Foundation (IFUEF) was formed in 1999
with a 501(c)3 status to help meet increased needs for education among
farmers, rural residents, and consumers. Its mission statement is: To
promote a viable system of sustainable agriculture and high quality of
life in rural communities through education of farmers, rural
residents, and urban consumers; cooperation among farmers; and
community activism.
Iowa Farmers Union PO Box 8988 528 Billy Sunday Rd Ames, IA 50014 800-775-5227 iafu@isunet.net www.iafu.org
USDA SARE Grants for Producers By the IFU The North Central Region (NCR) SARE program of the USDA
is inviting applicants for the 2007 Farmer/Rancher Grant Program.
Competitive grants are available for individual farmers and ranchers
up to $6,000 and for groups of three or more farmers up to $18,000
who are interested in exploring sustainable agriculture. The North
Central Region contains 12 states Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas,
Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South
Dakota and Wisconsin.
Other SARE regions will have different grant schedules and deadlines, so make sure to check your own regions information. at http://sare.org
If any one needs assistance and advice on preparing and writing these grants or others, please let me know.
Jeff Moser Director of Economic & Co-op Development National Farmers Union 5619 DTC Parkway, Ste. 300 Greenwood Village, CO 80111-3136 Direct Tel. 303-338-2537 Fax 303-771-1770 www.nfu.org www.e-cooperatives.com
Iowa Farmers Union Host 2007 Food and Family Farm Presidential Summit by Dave Murphy, IFU
On Saturday, November 10th, Iowa Farmers Union will host the 2007 Food and Family Farm Presidential Summit at the Downtown Marriott in Des Moines. Beginning at 10 am, the event will offer presidential candidates a platform to meet with Iowa voters, those from other Midwestern states and beyond, who care deeply about food policy and rural issues.
Co-sponsored by the National Farmers Union, the Center for Rural Affairs, and the League of Rural Voters, the event will give presidential candidates the chance to tout their vision for rural America to active voters.
The 2007 Food and Family Farm Presidential Summit is an exciting opportunity for those concerned with issues relating to food, agriculture, the environment, renewable energy, fair trade, and rural development to present their concerns to a national and international audience.
Billed as: "A Conversation on Agriculture, the Environment and Rural Economies in America," the event is designed to showcase each of the presidential candidate's policies on food, farm, conservation, and economic development and also highlight questions the audience may have for our future President.
This event will engage leaders in agriculture, the environment, and food policy from across the country, and we believe this is an excellent platform to connect with a wide audience of attendees who are concerned with these issues. (For more details, go to http://www.iafu.org)
Sat. November 10 Downtown Marriott 700 Grand Ave. Des Moines, IA 50312
For event information or to by tickets, please call: 515 745-3140 or email: iowafarmsummit@gmail.com
*IBLTV is a group of citizens from the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area who are concerned about the decline in the quality of local television. Fight local media consolidation, as it leads to an unaccountable medium that enriches itself while disregarding the need to serve the public good.
*The rational counter to 'The Point,' 'The Counterpoint' critiques and corrects the daily editorial by Sinclair Broadcasting's corporate vice president, Mark Hyman, that is broadcast on all Sinclair-owned television stations across the country