Monday, December 22, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Michael Pollan & Bill Moyers
In the last version of CFA News, we published a snippet of Michael Pollan's open letter to the next "Farmer-in-Chief," who we now know is Barack Obama. In this series of videos, Pollan sits down with Bill Moyers to discuss what direction the U.S. should pursue in the often-overlooked question of food policy. The insights are incredibly relevant to the work of restoring our food system to one that preserves the health and wealth of Kentuckians that CFA members are so deeply engaged in. There's even reference to our own Wendell Berry at the end. Enjoy!
PART 1
PART 2
PART 3
PART 4
PART 5
PART 1
PART 2
PART 3
PART 4
PART 5
Thursday, December 04, 2008
CFA Holiday Party at Derby City Espresso
Community Food
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Stone Soup Community Kitchen (10/18)
What:
Meet others interested in creating a just and equitable food system in Louisville, while we prepare and dine on a feast of fresh, local food. We will hear from Dr. Vimal Patel on the causes and solutions of diet-related illnesses in the African-American community, and we hope to engage some of Louisville's corner store owners in a discussion about the barriers that they face in offering fresh, healthy food options in their stores.
When:
5-9pm, Saturday October 18th
Where:
St. Martin de Porres Church
3112 W. Broadway (map)
This event is free and open to the public.
RSVPs are appreciated. You can email Karyn Moskowitz at karyncfa[at]bellsouth.net or call CFA's Louisville office at (502) 775-4041.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Jefferson County Chapter Policy Updates!
The Jeff. County policy committee is making great progress planning the strategy and tactics for our upcoming campaigns! Our buy local ordinance has the potential to impact various county departments and will benefit our KY farmers in a great way. The CFA corner store incentive program also impacts the purchase of local food by giving corner store owners 20% back on yearly food purchases totaling up to $7,500. Both ordinances will be presented for passage in April 2009. If you want to be involved in making change in Jefferson County that positively affects both urban residents and our KY farmers, please contact the Louisville office at 502-775-4041 or email SteVon at stevoncfa@bellsouth.net. You can also make a request to view the minutes from our past meetings. The committee meets the fourth Tuesday of every month @ 6:30pm in the Louisville office. It takes each one to make it all happen!
Shop and Dine Fundraisers! Friday 10/24
5% of the store's net sales for the day will be donated to Community Farm Alliance.
II. Harvest Dinner
Mingle with local farmers and experience an unforgettable six course prix fixe meal. To allow chefs to choose fresh and local produce at its peak, the menu will be finalized closer to the time of the meal. However, the handful of certainties include heirloom tomato "carpaccio" with bourbon-smoked salt, spaghetti squash with basil and feta, and pumpkin, caramelized apple and pistachio gelato ice cream sandwiches.
Dress for the event is casual, and space heaters will be at the ready should the weather be chilly. Live Bluegrass music will be provided by the Relic Band.
To reserve your seat, call (502) 899-5545 before Oct. 17.
The cost of dinner is $35, which includes a membership, or renewal of membership, to Community Farm Alliance!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED TO STOP NAIS
PLEASE CALL SENATOR MCCONNELL TODAY!
NAIS ACTION NEEDED: CALL THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE!
The Senate Appropriations Committee will hear the Agriculture Appropriations bill this Thursday, July 17. With the House appropriations bill stalled, it is very important that we make sure the Senate does not put in pro-NAIS provisions to its version of the bill!
TAKE ACTION
Call Senator McConnell's office at: 202-224-2541
Ask to speak to the staffer who handles appropriations. If you get their voice mail, leave the following message, or something in your own words that makes the same points:
MESSAGE: My name is _______. I am a constituent. I am calling because I am against the National Animal Identification System, or NAIS. I urge Senator McConnell to oppose the inclusion of any provision linking NAIS to other programs, including the School Lunch Program. NAIS, which tracks live animals, will not improve food safety because most food safety problems start at the slaughterhouse and food processing facilities. Funding for NAIS, particularly any mandatory NAIS, needs to be stopped. Please call me back at ________.
When you talk to the staffer, be sure to make the same points as in the message, and expand on them with some of the talking points below. Ask that Senator McConnell keep NAIS out of the Senate Appropriations bill.
TALKING POINTS FOR CALLS AND FAXES
In addition to the message above, here are some more talking points about why NAIS should not be linked to the School Lunch Program (as was done in the House) or funded. Pick one or two to focus on, and put them in your own words!
- NAIS will not improve food safety. The massive Hallmark/Westland beef recall this past year was caused by the slaughterhouse employees' failure to follow existing regulations for handling "downer" cows. Mandating NAIS on cattle producers will not make anybody obey the laws we already have.
- The money would be better spent on measures that truly improve animal health and food safety, such as safety inspections at packing and processing plants.
- NAIS is not scientifically or economically sound.
- USDA has presented no science to back up its claims that NAIS will address livestock diseases.
- The USDA has never completed a cost/benefit analysis.
- Linking NAIS to other programs, such as the School Lunch Program, uses the government's power to economically coerce farmers into NAIS. That is not a "voluntary" program.
- Using the school lunch program to force farmers into NAIS undermines the growing farm-to-school program, which helps children get fresh, local, and sustainably raised foods. Local farmers should not be forced into an unpopular program that has nothing to do with food quality or safety in order to provide food for our children.
- NAIS has never been specifically approved by Congress. This massive program, which will impact millions of people, should be addressed through full and open debate, not snuck in through appropriations.
NAIS ACTION NEEDED: CALL THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE!
The Senate Appropriations Committee will hear the Agriculture Appropriations bill this Thursday, July 17. With the House appropriations bill stalled, it is very important that we make sure the Senate does not put in pro-NAIS provisions to its version of the bill!
TAKE ACTION
Call Senator McConnell's office at: 202-224-2541
Ask to speak to the staffer who handles appropriations. If you get their voice mail, leave the following message, or something in your own words that makes the same points:
MESSAGE: My name is _______. I am a constituent. I am calling because I am against the National Animal Identification System, or NAIS. I urge Senator McConnell to oppose the inclusion of any provision linking NAIS to other programs, including the School Lunch Program. NAIS, which tracks live animals, will not improve food safety because most food safety problems start at the slaughterhouse and food processing facilities. Funding for NAIS, particularly any mandatory NAIS, needs to be stopped. Please call me back at ________.
When you talk to the staffer, be sure to make the same points as in the message, and expand on them with some of the talking points below. Ask that Senator McConnell keep NAIS out of the Senate Appropriations bill.
TALKING POINTS FOR CALLS AND FAXES
In addition to the message above, here are some more talking points about why NAIS should not be linked to the School Lunch Program (as was done in the House) or funded. Pick one or two to focus on, and put them in your own words!
- NAIS will not improve food safety. The massive Hallmark/Westland beef recall this past year was caused by the slaughterhouse employees' failure to follow existing regulations for handling "downer" cows. Mandating NAIS on cattle producers will not make anybody obey the laws we already have.
- The money would be better spent on measures that truly improve animal health and food safety, such as safety inspections at packing and processing plants.
- NAIS is not scientifically or economically sound.
- USDA has presented no science to back up its claims that NAIS will address livestock diseases.
- The USDA has never completed a cost/benefit analysis.
- Linking NAIS to other programs, such as the School Lunch Program, uses the government's power to economically coerce farmers into NAIS. That is not a "voluntary" program.
- Using the school lunch program to force farmers into NAIS undermines the growing farm-to-school program, which helps children get fresh, local, and sustainably raised foods. Local farmers should not be forced into an unpopular program that has nothing to do with food quality or safety in order to provide food for our children.
- NAIS has never been specifically approved by Congress. This massive program, which will impact millions of people, should be addressed through full and open debate, not snuck in through appropriations.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Kentucky General Assembly Helps CFA, Local Farmers, Create L.I.F.E.
With the 2008 Legislative Session of the Kentucky General Assembly all wrapped up, CFA can't help but celebrate. After a long and interesting few months, we are grateful that BOTH our pieces of legislation have been signed by the presiding legislative officers and sent to Governor Beshear for his signature! Congratulations and Thank You to all those members who helped CFA lobby for these legislative victories! Your hard work and dedication as well as your emails, phone calls, and personal visits to legislators made this session a successful one for CFA and for Kentucky's family farmers, proving that Real Change Comes From the Ground Up!
Special thanks go to Representative Dwight Butler and his intern Brittany Dowell for their inspiring work on HB 484, as well as to co-sponsors Rep. Charlie Hoffman, Tom McKee, C.B. Embry and Jeff Greer.
A world of gratitude to Rep. Rick Rand, Johnny Bell, and Jeff Greer for the success of HB 495! Thank you for being true champions for Kentucky's family farmers!
HB 495: Limits the Implementation of the National Animal Identification System in Kentucky.
Sponsor: Representative Rick Rand
Co Sponsors: Representative Johnny Bell and Representative Jeff Greer
What Will House Bill 495 Do?
· HB 495 prohibits the state of Kentucky from mandating the National Animal Identification System in the absence of a federal law requiring compliance with the USDA program. In the event that NAIS does become mandatory at the federal level, HB 495 ensures that Kentucky's compliance can be no more stringent than federal policies.
· HB 495 also prevents the state from penalizing any farmer or withholding goods, services, licenses, permits, grants or other benefits based on non-participation in any phase of the National Animal Identification System.
What House Bill 495 Does NOT Do:
· HB 495 does not prevent Kentucky from establishing or participating in disease control programs specifically designed to address a known disease in a specific species of livestock.
· HB 495 does not prohibit private agricultural industry organizations from establishing voluntary source verification programs for their own members or others who elect to participate.
Why is This Necessary?
Though NAIS is currently voluntary and expected to remain voluntary at the federal level, USDA is funding state departments of agriculture that agree to implement the program. Kentucky has recently been promoting the program and requiring participation in certain phases of the system to qualify for certain services. HB 495 will stop us from going any further. Until USDA can get the program mandated, Kentucky should back away from it also, for the sake of our family farmers. The program is intrusive, costly, and burdensome to the family farmer and tilts the scales heavily in favor of corporate agribusiness. HB 495 is the necessary step to stop N.A.I.S. in Kentucky!
What Happened with HB 495?
HB 495 passed unanimously out of the House Agriculture Committee, unanimously off the House floor with a vote of 95-0. The bill passed unanimously out of the Senate Agriculture committee, and unanimously off the Senate floor. It has now been delivered to Governor Beshear where it awaits his signature.
John Logan Brent, Henry County Judge Executive and Beef Cattle Producer
"I am very appreciative of my Representive Rick Rand for sponsoring this bill and for Community Farm Alliance and all of there hard work in seeing it through. Our legislature got this one right. HB 495 is a common sense bill designed with the farmer in mind, not the corporation and that is definately refreshing in today's Agriculture."
Steve Smith, CFA member and farmer in Trimble County
"This bill is a true victory for our family farms. Special thanks go to Representatives Rick Rand and Johnny Bell, and to the people of Community Farm Alliance for all of their hard work for farmers in Kentucky on this issue."
HB 484 – Local Food for State Universities
Sponsor: Representative Dwight Butler
Primary Co Sponsor: Representative Charlie Hoffman
Other co-sponsors: Representative Tom McKee, Representative C.B. Embry, Representative Jeff Greer
What Will House Bill 484 Do?
HB 484 amends KRS 164A.575 to require state funded universities to purchase agriculture products from local producers.
Why is This Necessary?
This legislation partnered with HB 669 from the 2006 legislative session ensures that Kentucky institutions are supporting a local farm economy and secures yet another market venue for Kentucky's family farmers. Now, not only will patrons of Kentucky's state parks and institutions be eating locally grown, so will our state universities' faculty, staff, and students!
Whats Happened with HB484?
HB 484 passed unanimously out of the House Ag Committee and out of the House of Representatives. It was sent to the Senate Education Committee, rather than the Senate Agriculture Committee, where it was met by Senator Ken Winters who would not agree to hear the bill unless it was amended to be an encouragement for universities to purchase Kentucky grown agriculture products rather than a mandated requirement. The bill then passed unanimously out of the Senate Education Committee with the Committee Substitute. Though the committee substitute reduced the bill to an encouragement rather than a mandate, it still contained a requirement for all food service contracts entered into by a university with a food service distributor to contain the purchase of Kentucky grown agriculture products. After two readings on the Senate floor, one shy of passage, Senator Brett Guthrie added a Senate Floor Amendment that removed that requirement, gutting the bill to a simple encouragement.
Brittany Dowell, Legislative Intern for Rep. Butler and student at the University of Kentucky studying political science, also a member of Community Farm Alliance.
"Representative Butler and I were disappointed by the Senate floor amendment, but we have been encouraged by the Community Farm Alliance's commitment to enforcing the legislation and holding Universities accountable."
Commissioner of Agriculture Richie Farmer
“This bill will provide another market for Kentucky farmers to sell their Kentucky Proud products,” Commissioner Farmer said. “This will create economic activity in many rural Kentucky communities and help keep farmland in agriculture. "
Special thanks go to Representative Dwight Butler and his intern Brittany Dowell for their inspiring work on HB 484, as well as to co-sponsors Rep. Charlie Hoffman, Tom McKee, C.B. Embry and Jeff Greer.
A world of gratitude to Rep. Rick Rand, Johnny Bell, and Jeff Greer for the success of HB 495! Thank you for being true champions for Kentucky's family farmers!
HB 495: Limits the Implementation of the National Animal Identification System in Kentucky.
Sponsor: Representative Rick Rand
Co Sponsors: Representative Johnny Bell and Representative Jeff Greer
What Will House Bill 495 Do?
· HB 495 prohibits the state of Kentucky from mandating the National Animal Identification System in the absence of a federal law requiring compliance with the USDA program. In the event that NAIS does become mandatory at the federal level, HB 495 ensures that Kentucky's compliance can be no more stringent than federal policies.
· HB 495 also prevents the state from penalizing any farmer or withholding goods, services, licenses, permits, grants or other benefits based on non-participation in any phase of the National Animal Identification System.
What House Bill 495 Does NOT Do:
· HB 495 does not prevent Kentucky from establishing or participating in disease control programs specifically designed to address a known disease in a specific species of livestock.
· HB 495 does not prohibit private agricultural industry organizations from establishing voluntary source verification programs for their own members or others who elect to participate.
Why is This Necessary?
Though NAIS is currently voluntary and expected to remain voluntary at the federal level, USDA is funding state departments of agriculture that agree to implement the program. Kentucky has recently been promoting the program and requiring participation in certain phases of the system to qualify for certain services. HB 495 will stop us from going any further. Until USDA can get the program mandated, Kentucky should back away from it also, for the sake of our family farmers. The program is intrusive, costly, and burdensome to the family farmer and tilts the scales heavily in favor of corporate agribusiness. HB 495 is the necessary step to stop N.A.I.S. in Kentucky!
What Happened with HB 495?
HB 495 passed unanimously out of the House Agriculture Committee, unanimously off the House floor with a vote of 95-0. The bill passed unanimously out of the Senate Agriculture committee, and unanimously off the Senate floor. It has now been delivered to Governor Beshear where it awaits his signature.
John Logan Brent, Henry County Judge Executive and Beef Cattle Producer
"I am very appreciative of my Representive Rick Rand for sponsoring this bill and for Community Farm Alliance and all of there hard work in seeing it through. Our legislature got this one right. HB 495 is a common sense bill designed with the farmer in mind, not the corporation and that is definately refreshing in today's Agriculture."
Steve Smith, CFA member and farmer in Trimble County
"This bill is a true victory for our family farms. Special thanks go to Representatives Rick Rand and Johnny Bell, and to the people of Community Farm Alliance for all of their hard work for farmers in Kentucky on this issue."
HB 484 – Local Food for State Universities
Sponsor: Representative Dwight Butler
Primary Co Sponsor: Representative Charlie Hoffman
Other co-sponsors: Representative Tom McKee, Representative C.B. Embry, Representative Jeff Greer
What Will House Bill 484 Do?
HB 484 amends KRS 164A.575 to require state funded universities to purchase agriculture products from local producers.
Why is This Necessary?
This legislation partnered with HB 669 from the 2006 legislative session ensures that Kentucky institutions are supporting a local farm economy and secures yet another market venue for Kentucky's family farmers. Now, not only will patrons of Kentucky's state parks and institutions be eating locally grown, so will our state universities' faculty, staff, and students!
Whats Happened with HB484?
HB 484 passed unanimously out of the House Ag Committee and out of the House of Representatives. It was sent to the Senate Education Committee, rather than the Senate Agriculture Committee, where it was met by Senator Ken Winters who would not agree to hear the bill unless it was amended to be an encouragement for universities to purchase Kentucky grown agriculture products rather than a mandated requirement. The bill then passed unanimously out of the Senate Education Committee with the Committee Substitute. Though the committee substitute reduced the bill to an encouragement rather than a mandate, it still contained a requirement for all food service contracts entered into by a university with a food service distributor to contain the purchase of Kentucky grown agriculture products. After two readings on the Senate floor, one shy of passage, Senator Brett Guthrie added a Senate Floor Amendment that removed that requirement, gutting the bill to a simple encouragement.
Brittany Dowell, Legislative Intern for Rep. Butler and student at the University of Kentucky studying political science, also a member of Community Farm Alliance.
"Representative Butler and I were disappointed by the Senate floor amendment, but we have been encouraged by the Community Farm Alliance's commitment to enforcing the legislation and holding Universities accountable."
Commissioner of Agriculture Richie Farmer
“This bill will provide another market for Kentucky farmers to sell their Kentucky Proud products,” Commissioner Farmer said. “This will create economic activity in many rural Kentucky communities and help keep farmland in agriculture. "
Friday, March 14, 2008
Legislative Update and Call to Action
First the good news:
HB 484 Passed the Senate Education Committee yesterday with a unanimous vote and has been sent to the consent calendar for approval on the Senate Floor! Thank you to all those who called and lobbied to help us achieve this great victory for Kentucky farmers! Congratulations to Betty Bailey, CFA board member from Bath County and 4th generation family farmer, who shined like a star in her testimony in front of the committee!
We'll keep you posted on what happens on the Senate Floor!
And now the not so good news:
HB495 is in trouble in the Senate! In order to get through the Senate, the bill must be heard by the Senate Ag Committee, who has not yet agreed to put the bill on their agenda for a vote!
CFA NEEDS YOU!
WE NEED ALL THE CALLS WE CAN GET TO CHAIRMAN JENSEN! We are hoping to convince him to put it on the agenda for next Thursday's Ag Committee meeting, as after next week time will start to quickly run out on the session.
TAKE ACTION!
Senate Agriculture Committee
HB 484 Passed the Senate Education Committee yesterday with a unanimous vote and has been sent to the consent calendar for approval on the Senate Floor! Thank you to all those who called and lobbied to help us achieve this great victory for Kentucky farmers! Congratulations to Betty Bailey, CFA board member from Bath County and 4th generation family farmer, who shined like a star in her testimony in front of the committee!
We'll keep you posted on what happens on the Senate Floor!
And now the not so good news:
HB495 is in trouble in the Senate! In order to get through the Senate, the bill must be heard by the Senate Ag Committee, who has not yet agreed to put the bill on their agenda for a vote!
CFA NEEDS YOU!
WE NEED ALL THE CALLS WE CAN GET TO CHAIRMAN JENSEN! We are hoping to convince him to put it on the agenda for next Thursday's Ag Committee meeting, as after next week time will start to quickly run out on the session.
TAKE ACTION!
PLEASE CALL THE MESSAGE LINE NOW!! 1-800-372-7181
There are three ways to help:
Leave a message for the entire Senate Ag Committee
Leave a message for Senator Jensen
If your Senator is on the Ag Committee, call and personally ask them to VOTE YES and ask them to ENCOURAGE JENSEN TO PUT THE BILL ON THE AGENDA!
Leave a message for the entire Senate Ag Committee
Leave a message for Senator Jensen
If your Senator is on the Ag Committee, call and personally ask them to VOTE YES and ask them to ENCOURAGE JENSEN TO PUT THE BILL ON THE AGENDA!
Senate Agriculture Committee
Sen. Tom Jensen (R)
Estill, Jackson, Laurel, Menifee, Powell
606-878-8845
Sen. David Boswell (D)
Daviess, McLean
270-771-4921
Sen. Ernie Harris (R)
Carroll, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Trimble
502-241-8307
Sen. Dan Kelly (R)
Marion, Mercer, Nelson, Taylor, Washington
859-336-9048
Sen. Bob Leeper (I)
Ballard, Marshall, McCracken270-554-2771
Sen. Vernie McGaha (R)
Adair, Casey, Pulaski, Russell
270-866-3068
Sen. Joey Pendleton (D)
Christian, Logan, Todd
270-885-1639
Sen. Dorsey Ridley (D)
Caldwell, Crittenden, Henderson, Livingston, Union, Webster
270-826-5402
Sen. Richie Sanders (R)
Allen, Barren, Edmonson, Green, Metcalfe, Simpson
270-586-5473
Sen. Ernesto Scorsone (D)
Fayette
859-254-3681
Sen. Brandon Smith (R)
Bell, Harlan, Leslie, Perry
606-436-4526
Sen. Damon Thayer (R)
Grant, Kenton, Owen, Scott
859-621-6956
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF KENTUCKY'S FAMILY FARMERS!
Estill, Jackson, Laurel, Menifee, Powell
606-878-8845
Sen. David Boswell (D)
Daviess, McLean
270-771-4921
Sen. Ernie Harris (R)
Carroll, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Trimble
502-241-8307
Sen. Dan Kelly (R)
Marion, Mercer, Nelson, Taylor, Washington
859-336-9048
Sen. Bob Leeper (I)
Ballard, Marshall, McCracken270-554-2771
Sen. Vernie McGaha (R)
Adair, Casey, Pulaski, Russell
270-866-3068
Sen. Joey Pendleton (D)
Christian, Logan, Todd
270-885-1639
Sen. Dorsey Ridley (D)
Caldwell, Crittenden, Henderson, Livingston, Union, Webster
270-826-5402
Sen. Richie Sanders (R)
Allen, Barren, Edmonson, Green, Metcalfe, Simpson
270-586-5473
Sen. Ernesto Scorsone (D)
Fayette
859-254-3681
Sen. Brandon Smith (R)
Bell, Harlan, Leslie, Perry
606-436-4526
Sen. Damon Thayer (R)
Grant, Kenton, Owen, Scott
859-621-6956
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF KENTUCKY'S FAMILY FARMERS!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thank You and Keep It Up!
HB 484 and HB 495 Pass House and Head to Senate!
THANK YOU to all the CFA members and friends who made calls to Representatives asking for support of HB 484 and HB 495! Both bills passed on the House Floor Wednesday!
On to the Senate!
Please make sure to call your Senators and ask them to support our bills! We should be in front of the Senate Ag Committee within 2 weeks and need to get those calls going NOW!
Ways to Help:
1. Come to Frankfort and help us lobby!
For more information contact Kaycie Len at the Frankfort office 502.223.3655
2. Call the LRC Message line and leave a message for the Senate Ag Committee asking them to VOTE YES on HB 484 and HB 495!
1-800-372-7181
3. Call your Senator and ask them personally to VOTE YES on HB 484 and HB 495!
To find your Senator's contact information visit www.lrc.ky.gov "Who's my Legislator"
THANK YOU to all the CFA members and friends who made calls to Representatives asking for support of HB 484 and HB 495! Both bills passed on the House Floor Wednesday!
On to the Senate!
Please make sure to call your Senators and ask them to support our bills! We should be in front of the Senate Ag Committee within 2 weeks and need to get those calls going NOW!
Ways to Help:
1. Come to Frankfort and help us lobby!
For more information contact Kaycie Len at the Frankfort office 502.223.3655
2. Call the LRC Message line and leave a message for the Senate Ag Committee asking them to VOTE YES on HB 484 and HB 495!
1-800-372-7181
3. Call your Senator and ask them personally to VOTE YES on HB 484 and HB 495!
To find your Senator's contact information visit www.lrc.ky.gov "Who's my Legislator"
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Premiere of CFA’s new short film, "L.I.F.E.’s Lessons," at Derby City Espresso on March 6th
Community Farm Alliance invites the public to the world premiere of L.I.F.E.’s Lessons, a new short film showcasing CFA’s work in bringing fresh, local food into Louisville’s food deserts, on Thursday, March 6th from 7-9 PM at locally-owned Derby City Espresso, located at 331 East Market Street in downtown Louisville. There is a sliding scale of $5-$30 for admission, which includes a year’s membership to CFA. CFA is a statewide grassroots membership organization working on, among other things, connecting small family farmers in Kentucky with urban markets.
“This new video is about food justice, and giving all of Louisville’s citizen’s equal access to fresh, local food,” says Bill Huston, a CFA leader and partner in Urban Fresh, a business initiative to get fresh local food to residents of West Louisville and east Downtown, two of Louisville’s food deserts. “It is the story of L.I.F.E.- a locally integrated food economy - and how CFA farmers and urban residents are working together to bring health, wealth, and safe “real” food into Kentuckians’ kitchens.”
Mr. Huston is referring to the fact that many of Louisville’s citizens live in neighborhoods where they cannot access fresh food within walking distance of their homes, and do not own vehicles to drive to other neighborhoods. Instead, they are relying on either fast food, or people who can transport them to other neighborhoods’ stores. CFA, in partnership with other organizations, has initiated a movement to change that, first, by helping create Grasshoppers Distribution, LLC, Louisville’s first farmer-owned, all local food distributor, and Urban Fresh.
Ivor Chodkowski, CFA board member and owner of Grasshoppers Distribution, LLC, continues, “This month, this country experienced one of the biggest recalls of beef ever in the history of modern agriculture. The global food system is broken. With a locally integrated food system, consumers get to know and trust the farmers who produce their food, local businesses prosper, and everyone in Kentucky wins.”
Both Mr. Huston and Mr. Chodkowski are featured in L.I.F.E.’s Lessons, a short film that allows residents of Louisville’s food deserts, and Kentucky farmers, to speak for them selves about the ill health effects experienced in the food deserts, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. They also discuss why they see a local food system as their only chance for a positive solution.
Another person featured in the film, California neighborhood resident Dorcilla Johnson, continues, “We at CFA are firm believers that those who experience the challenges, own the solutions. The people interviewed in the film are all participants in the grassroots organizing that is needed to fix the problems in our local food system.”
Adam Barr, CFA board member, and a young farmer who participates in the Smoketown Farmers Market adds, “This is a great time for the public to get involved in helping us recreate our own food system. There are all kinds of ways to plug in: organizing the neighborhoods around our two low-income farmers markets, working on our new community kitchen project, and continued lobbying of local officials for support. CFA wants you all to come out to Derby City Espresso, enjoy the film, drink up some locally-roasted coffee drinks, and become part of an active network of great people who get things done, and have fun doing it.”
“This new video is about food justice, and giving all of Louisville’s citizen’s equal access to fresh, local food,” says Bill Huston, a CFA leader and partner in Urban Fresh, a business initiative to get fresh local food to residents of West Louisville and east Downtown, two of Louisville’s food deserts. “It is the story of L.I.F.E.- a locally integrated food economy - and how CFA farmers and urban residents are working together to bring health, wealth, and safe “real” food into Kentuckians’ kitchens.”
Mr. Huston is referring to the fact that many of Louisville’s citizens live in neighborhoods where they cannot access fresh food within walking distance of their homes, and do not own vehicles to drive to other neighborhoods. Instead, they are relying on either fast food, or people who can transport them to other neighborhoods’ stores. CFA, in partnership with other organizations, has initiated a movement to change that, first, by helping create Grasshoppers Distribution, LLC, Louisville’s first farmer-owned, all local food distributor, and Urban Fresh.
Ivor Chodkowski, CFA board member and owner of Grasshoppers Distribution, LLC, continues, “This month, this country experienced one of the biggest recalls of beef ever in the history of modern agriculture. The global food system is broken. With a locally integrated food system, consumers get to know and trust the farmers who produce their food, local businesses prosper, and everyone in Kentucky wins.”
Both Mr. Huston and Mr. Chodkowski are featured in L.I.F.E.’s Lessons, a short film that allows residents of Louisville’s food deserts, and Kentucky farmers, to speak for them selves about the ill health effects experienced in the food deserts, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. They also discuss why they see a local food system as their only chance for a positive solution.
Another person featured in the film, California neighborhood resident Dorcilla Johnson, continues, “We at CFA are firm believers that those who experience the challenges, own the solutions. The people interviewed in the film are all participants in the grassroots organizing that is needed to fix the problems in our local food system.”
Adam Barr, CFA board member, and a young farmer who participates in the Smoketown Farmers Market adds, “This is a great time for the public to get involved in helping us recreate our own food system. There are all kinds of ways to plug in: organizing the neighborhoods around our two low-income farmers markets, working on our new community kitchen project, and continued lobbying of local officials for support. CFA wants you all to come out to Derby City Espresso, enjoy the film, drink up some locally-roasted coffee drinks, and become part of an active network of great people who get things done, and have fun doing it.”
Monday, February 18, 2008
Legislative Call to Action!
CFA NEEDS YOU! COME TO FRANKFORT WEDNESDAY OR CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS TODAY!
HB 484 and HB495 will both be heard in the House Agriculture Committee Meeting this Wednesday February 20th at 8:00am in the Capitol Annex building here in Frankfort. If you would like to come and show your support by helping us fill the meeting room, please be at the CFA Office at 7:30am Wednesday morning!
If you can't make it to Frankfort on Wednesday, PLEASE CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TODAY!
HB 484 – Local Food for State Universities
Sponsor: Representative Dwight Butler
Primary Co Sponsor: Representative Charlie Hoffman
What Will House Bill 484 Do?
HB 484 amends KRS 164A.575 to require state funded universities to purchase agriculture products from local producers.
To view a copy of the bill, go to: www.lrc.ky.gov
Why is This Necessary?
This legislation partnered with HB 669 from the 2006 legislative session ensures that Kentucky institutions are supporting a local farm economy and secures yet another market venue for Kentucky's family farmers. Now, not only will patrons of Kentucky's state parks and institutions be eating locally grown, so will our state universities' faculty, staff, and students!
HB 495: No N.A.I.S. in Kentucky!
Sponsor: Representative Rick Rand
Primary Co Sponsor: Representative Johnny Bell
To view a copy of the bill, go to: www.lrc.ky.gov
What Will House Bill 495 Do?
· HB 495 prohibits the state of Kentucky from mandating the National Animal Identification System in the absence of a federal law requiring compliance with the USDA program. In the event that NAIS does become mandatory at the federal level, HB 495 ensures that Kentucky's compliance can be no more stringent than federal policies.
· HB 495 also prevents the state from penalizing any farmer or withholding goods, services, licenses, permits, grants or other benefits based on non-participation in any phase of the National Animal Identification System.
What House Bill 495 Does NOT Do:
· HB 495 does not prevent Kentucky from establishing or participating in disease control programs specifically designed to address a known disease in a specific species of livestock.
· HB 495 does not prohibit private agricultural industry organizations from establishing voluntary source verification programs for their own members or others who elect to participate.
Why is This Necessary?
Though NAIS is currently voluntary and expected to remain voluntary at the federal level, USDA is funding state departments of agriculture that agree to implement the program. Kentucky has recently been promoting the program and requiring participation in certain phases of the system to qualify for certain services. HB 495 will stop us from going any further. Until USDA can get the program mandated, Kentucky should back away from it also, for the sake of our family farmers. The program is intrusive, costly, and burdensome to the family farmer and tilts the scales heavily in favor of corporate agribusiness. HB 495 is the necessary step to stop N.A.I.S. in Kentucky!
What Can You Do? TAKE ACTION!
Contact your legislators today! Ask them to vote yes on HB 484 and HB495!
To find your legislator’s contact information, visit the LRC website at: www.lrc.ky.gov
Call the LRC message line to leave a message of support for your legislator: 1.800.372.7181
Urge your legislators to support Kentucky’s diversifying family farmers.
HB 484 and HB495 will both be heard in the House Agriculture Committee Meeting this Wednesday February 20th at 8:00am in the Capitol Annex building here in Frankfort. If you would like to come and show your support by helping us fill the meeting room, please be at the CFA Office at 7:30am Wednesday morning!
If you can't make it to Frankfort on Wednesday, PLEASE CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TODAY!
HB 484 – Local Food for State Universities
Sponsor: Representative Dwight Butler
Primary Co Sponsor: Representative Charlie Hoffman
What Will House Bill 484 Do?
HB 484 amends KRS 164A.575 to require state funded universities to purchase agriculture products from local producers.
To view a copy of the bill, go to: www.lrc.ky.gov
Why is This Necessary?
This legislation partnered with HB 669 from the 2006 legislative session ensures that Kentucky institutions are supporting a local farm economy and secures yet another market venue for Kentucky's family farmers. Now, not only will patrons of Kentucky's state parks and institutions be eating locally grown, so will our state universities' faculty, staff, and students!
HB 495: No N.A.I.S. in Kentucky!
Sponsor: Representative Rick Rand
Primary Co Sponsor: Representative Johnny Bell
To view a copy of the bill, go to: www.lrc.ky.gov
What Will House Bill 495 Do?
· HB 495 prohibits the state of Kentucky from mandating the National Animal Identification System in the absence of a federal law requiring compliance with the USDA program. In the event that NAIS does become mandatory at the federal level, HB 495 ensures that Kentucky's compliance can be no more stringent than federal policies.
· HB 495 also prevents the state from penalizing any farmer or withholding goods, services, licenses, permits, grants or other benefits based on non-participation in any phase of the National Animal Identification System.
What House Bill 495 Does NOT Do:
· HB 495 does not prevent Kentucky from establishing or participating in disease control programs specifically designed to address a known disease in a specific species of livestock.
· HB 495 does not prohibit private agricultural industry organizations from establishing voluntary source verification programs for their own members or others who elect to participate.
Why is This Necessary?
Though NAIS is currently voluntary and expected to remain voluntary at the federal level, USDA is funding state departments of agriculture that agree to implement the program. Kentucky has recently been promoting the program and requiring participation in certain phases of the system to qualify for certain services. HB 495 will stop us from going any further. Until USDA can get the program mandated, Kentucky should back away from it also, for the sake of our family farmers. The program is intrusive, costly, and burdensome to the family farmer and tilts the scales heavily in favor of corporate agribusiness. HB 495 is the necessary step to stop N.A.I.S. in Kentucky!
What Can You Do? TAKE ACTION!
Contact your legislators today! Ask them to vote yes on HB 484 and HB495!
To find your legislator’s contact information, visit the LRC website at: www.lrc.ky.gov
Call the LRC message line to leave a message of support for your legislator: 1.800.372.7181
Urge your legislators to support Kentucky’s diversifying family farmers.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Final Chance for Farm Bill Reform
Senator McConnell needs to hear from all of us!
The Farm Bill is undergoing a final revision before it goes to the White House. With the Bush administration’s stance against taxes and “budget gimmicks,” the Congressional Conference Committee is scrambling to secure funding for crucial environmental and nutrition programs in the Farm Bill. This moment in the process offers us a final chance to push for positive reform.
Conservation, rural development and nutrition programs are in jeopardy. To help reduce environmental degradation, strengthen rural communities, feed the hungry and address rising diet-related health concerns these programs must be fully funded. Establishing payment caps (similar to Dorgan-Grassley) of commodity subsides would provide the needed funding for these programs.
Commodity subsidies are government payments that go to a narrow list of “program crops” (wheat, corn, cotton, rice and soybeans) and are mostly awarded to the largest farms in the United States. Reforming the commodity subsidy system would benefit many small, diversified family farms here in the U.S. and also reduce the amount of “dumping” of cheap commodities on poor countries, which devastates farmers abroad. Very few farmers profit from commodity subsidies, but everyone would benefit from an increase in funding to programs that help to improve the health of the environment, rural communities and families.
Small farmers have been chronically underserved or discriminated against by U.S. farm policy, especially minority and limited-resource farmers. This is why we are asking Senator McConnell to support an increase in funding - at least $10 million a year in mandatory funding - for Section 2501 of the Farm Bill. Producers of color are essentially shut out from U.S. farm programs due to a system that favors large-scale commodity crop and livestock producers. An increase in this funding would afford minority farmers better opportunities and help to level the playing field.
Please join friends and farmers and contact Senator McConnell with this important message, your voice can make the difference!
Make a Phone Call: Sen. McConnell’s Office – (202) 224-2541
Fax a Letter: Sen. McConnell’s Fax – (202) 224-2499
Send an Email: mcconnell@senate.gov
1. Fully fund conservation, rural development and nutrition programs.
2. Establish commodity subsidy payment caps.
3. Secure $10 million annual mandatory funds for minority farmers through Section 2501.
For more information go to: www.betterfarmbill.org
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