A Radical Farm Bill is Born by Civil Eats

“Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) has worked for years to move the needle on food and farm policy. In June of this year, along with Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), he introduced legislation to protect pollinator bees and support diversity in the food supply. The legislation was supported by dozens of environmental groups.” Now, Blumenauer is taking on the farm bill.

As reported by Civil Eats, “the farm bill funds nutrition programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (around 79 percent of the bill); as well as all major agricultural programs such as crop subsidies and insurance (around 14 percent); conservation programs (around 6 percent); and research.”

Read more about the Congressman and how he plans to gear up for the next Farm bill online here.

Trump’s Administration Unraveling Democracy and Ignoring Public Interests 

“Trump’s Renegotiated NAFTA mandates the rollback of public interest regulations and policies that have been established by democratic institutions. Environmentalists in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are mobilizing all their resources to defeat Trump’s renegotiated NAFTA. Now is the time to organize locally, talk to neighbors and the press, and forcefully communicate to our Members of Congress.” Original Report by Medium.com.

Read the original article published by Medium News which succinctly tells the 7 ways Trump’s NAFTA threatens our health, family farmers, animal welfare and the environment. 

Green Biz Reports The Food Industry Can Address Climate Change through Healthy Soil

We know that healthy soil can restore ecosystems and sequester carbon; now we need companies of all sizes to commit to supporting healthy soil.

“Across the globe, more people are moving into cities. More than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas, thus emptying our rural landscapes and creating a bigger disconnect between people and the land than ever before…In the United States, fewer people farm than before, with less than 1 percent of the population coming from farms and ranch families….our modern agricultural system has prioritized maximum productivity with an emphasis on specialization, mechanization and intensification. The system also relies heavily on inputs — such as fossil-fuels, synthetic nitrogen and pesticides — to provide energy, nutrients, and to combat pests….

The environmental costs borne by our current agricultural system include increased greenhouse gas emissions and soil degradation, among other deleterious impacts…Most of us give little consideration to the ground we walk upon, yet the soil beneath our feet plays a crucial role in our lives. Not only is soil the growth medium for nearly all of our calories, but it also can play a role in cleaning and storing water, supporting biodiversity and regulating our climate.” Read the full article by Annies, Inc online here. 

Long Island Community Solidarity’s Vegan T-day is a Profound Success

Find more pictures and details of their events online here.

Lasy Sunday’s Vegan Thanksgiving Bonanza started off cold and windy, and by 3pm the line spanned the whole Hempstead train station parking lot. Over the course of the day, they shared over 122,000 pounds of plant-based groceries, clothing & vegan meals with thousands of people in need.

“It was close, but every one of the thousands who came got a week’s worth of groceries. They got healthy items for their own Thanksgivings at home. They got tons of new clothing and jackets. They got hot coffee, apple cider and the most amazing vegan meals you’ve ever had. Their kids got their faces painted and some new toys. The elderly & disabled got helpers to assist them with their needs.”

Community Solidarity provided a week’s worth of groceries to thousands of people with everything you see in those pictures. All of it, all 122,000+ pounds was rescued from the trash by our volunteers over the past days and weeks. And, ff you can, try to visualize all the food that they shared on Sunday because all of that food is just 0.45% of what is wasted on Long Island every day!

Currently, Community Solidarity rescues a mere fraction of a percent of what is wasted. But with your help, we can do more. Click here if you’d like to donate.  

KEYSTONE XL ROUTE APPROVED THROUGH NEBRASKA

The Nebraska Public Service Commission approved on Thursday the final permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. This permit would allow TransCanada, the company behind the pipeline, to route the Keystone XL through Nebraska — “threatening hundreds of Nebraskan rivers and streams and the Ogallala Aquifer, which provides drinking water for more than a million people.”

Please visit my take action page to find more and help raise awareness of these important issues that affect all of us – our drinking water and our lands!

NOFA-NY’s FIRST Buy-It-Local-Holiday Auction

“NOFA-NYs first annual holiday gift auction! Many wonderful, local, holiday gifts from businesses that support the organic movement in New York State are available for your gift giving needs this holiday season. Give the gift of local and help support NOFA-NY at the same time! 

When you bid on one of these great auction items, you’re supporting programs and services that assist farmers, inform consumers, and advocate for policies that promote an organic, sustainable food and farm system. Together we can ensure a future for local, organic food and farming in New York State and beyond.”