Say NO to GMO Alfalfa

I have received a few e-mails from various sources on the need to speak up to keep the ban on GMO Alfalfa.    Alfalfa is key to organic farming in some many different ways.  GMO Alfalfa would compromise farmers and consumers ability to grown and eat organic, non-GMO foods.  Here's the e-mail that came in from NOFA-NH on what you can do to speak up regarding this issue and more information on the importance of retaining non-GMO alfalfa.

What can we do the influence the outcome?

Call or Email the USDA and the White House and request that they reject Genetically Engineered Alfalfa.

"I am ___________, a farmer/citizen in New Hampshire I am calling to comment on USDA's push to allow the commercial release of GE alfalfa and its failure to evaluate the public health, environmental, and economic consequences of that release."

Under heavy pressure from the Biotech Industry, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is hurriedly preparing to approve the use of Monsanto's Genetically Engineered (GE) Roundup Ready ™ Alfalfa in time for spring planting.

This authorization ignores on-the-ground realities and will lead to widespread GE cross-pollination and contamination of organic and non-GE crops, corruption of seed supplies, and protracted economic injury to farmers and markets.

Alfalfa is the nation's 4th largest crop, planted on over 21 million acres. Forage and hay are primary feed crops for dairy cows and beef cattle as well as pork, lamb, and sheep. It's not just for livestock - some vegetable farmers use the hay as mulch and alfalfa meal as a beneficial soil amendment. Further, sprouts constitute an important sector of the salad market and alfalfa also plays a major role in honey production.

Organic standards do not allow the use of GE crops, including for animal feed. The purity of organic milk from alfalfa-fed dairy cows is a major concern. Milk is a primary entry product and mainstay for many U.S. consumers in the organic market and GE contamination would cause severe economic injury to farmers and have a devastating effect on the viability and integrity of the organic label. There are also test-verified GE-free domestic and world markets in Asia and Europe that would stop buying from US farmers whose crops are contaminated by GE alfalfa.

Despite three District Court rulings and a landmark Supreme Court decision that makes planting GE alfalfa illegal and requires USDA to formulate a valid management plan, the agency is going full steam ahead putting the deregulation of GE alfalfa on a fast track. While conceding for the first time that GE contamination of organic and GE-free crops and markets is a major problem in the U.S., USDA's court-ordered 2300 page Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) relies on faulty data and fails to take into account the scientifically-validated promiscuous nature of GE gene flow in crops. It also overlooks the widespread corruption of conventional seed varieties by GE strains (such as occurred with StarLink corn and LibertyLink rice) along with documented severe economic injury to farmers and markets. And there is no mention at all of possible health consequences from eating GM crops.

USDA has NOT shown that contamination-free coexistence with deregulated GE alfalfa is likely or possible. USDA's EIS fails to take into account the documented increase in Roundup-resistant "super weeds" that is requiring the use of highly toxic herbicide cocktails for weed control on conventional farms. Monsanto is in a big rush to spread GE alfalfa because the patent protections on their exclusive manufacture of Roundup expire in 2014. And, GE alfalfa is the all-important test case - waiting in the wings is an immediate decision on how to handle a lawsuit prohibiting GE sugar beets as well as a list of other GE crops coming along in the biotech pipeline.

Act now to preserve our organic future!

Thank you,

NOFA-NH Public Policy and Advocacy Committee

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Protect Organic Labeling Now!

I just received this e-mail blast from NOFA-NH and thought it was important and I'm passing it along to you.

News Alert
Protect Organic Labeling Now!
Response Deadline: Tuesday, October 12th.

Please write a Letter of Concern to National Organic Standards Board, (NOSB) petitioning for the protection of vital labeling standards for organics. By taking action now, you will be helping secure the future of organic food in America.

The National Organics Standards Board will be meeting in Wisconsin on October 25-28. There are some critical issues on its agenda, all aimed at protecting the integrity of the organic label.

Communicate your thoughts and ideas directly to members of the NOSB. Highlighted in blue in the paragraphs below are some simple suggested comments you can include in your letter. The staff person at NOSB, who reads the myriad comments must be able to quickly ascertain your position.

Please make your comments personalized by using your own letterhead or email address, and writing style, as more and more federal agencies and departments are discounting comments that come "in bulk" or look like they copy, paste, and email.

TOPICS AT HAND

Organic Wine: Many well-thinking domestic winemakers want to add sulfites, a synthetic preservative, to their wines and still label them organic. Existing organic wineries are upset at the chance that sulfites could be allowed, as they have carved out a successful organic niche market and would feel betrayed. Please do not allow sulfites to be added to the list of approved organic additives for our wine industry.

So-called "organically raised" factory farmed chickens: The handful of giant industrial organic egg operations provide more than 80% of the country's "organic" eggs. Yet, these chickens "have access" to outside, free space but rarely if ever get fresh air. These industrial giants complain that they would have to leave the industry if they were forced to have their hens outdoors. The discussion about adding animal welfare provisions to the federal organic standards will be on the agenda. Please develop a strict set of animal welfare standards for organic chicken farmers so that their hens spend quality time each day in the outdoor air.

Synthetic Omega Oils in Baby Food: This is a simple one. A member of the baby food industry wishes to add synthetic omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to its baby food. But these synthetics are processed with hexane, a petrochemical solvent already prohibited by the NOSB. But the manufacturer is asking for an allowance and rule change. Please do not change the rules on allowing the hexane extraction process to be used in organic ingredients, such as the omega-3 and omega-6 requests from Martek Biosciences.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Written Comments: The National Organic Standards Board welcomes your comments in writing, on their fall 2010 recommendations and discussion documents via www.regulations.gov (preferred) or via mail (instructions provided in the Federal Register Notice (PDF)
Written comment deadline: Tuesday, October 12, 2010

In-person Comments: Contact Lisa Ahramjian at nosb@ams.usda.gov or ph: 202-720-3252 to reserve a 5 minute slot, noting the desired date and topic.
In-person request deadline: Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Thank you for taking time to help us maintain the integrity of our organic principles and standards.

Remember: the organic label belongs to us!
If you have important news to share relating to organics, please email your submission to eleanor@nofanh.org.

Sincerely,
Eleanor Moyer, Office Manager
NOFA-NH

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Tapped in Ogunquit 9/11

Meet Food & Water Watch this Friday, September 11th in Ogunquit, Maine at the screening of Tapped, the new, award-winning documentary that is an unflinching examination of the bottled water industry. Director Stephanie Soechtig's debut is a behind-the-scenes look into the unregulated and unseen work of an industry that aims to privatize and sell back a natural resource that never ought to become a commodity: our water.

From the producers of Who Killed the Electric Car and I.O.U.S.A., this timely documentary begins in Maine, where local communities strive to hold off bottled-water giant Nestlé - Poland Springs, then takes you to meet the people who live in the shadow of the oil-fields that provide the main ingredient of plastic bottles, and on to the sector of the North Pacific ocean where so many of the bottles end up. The film paints a powerful portrait of the lives affected by the bottled water industry and caught at the intersection of big business and the public's right to water.

Maine water activist Jim Wilfong, who is featured in the film, will be there to introduce the film. The event is sponsored by: Citizens of the Branch Brook Aquifer, Save Our Water (SOH2O), and Food & Water Watch.

Click here to view the trailer and check out the Tapped website!

WHEN: Friday, September 11 at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Leavitt Theater, 259 Main Street, Ogunquit, Maine. There is free parking across the street from the theater.

Tickets are $8.50 for adults and $5.50 for children and seniors. You can purchase tickets in advance by emailing info@soh2o.org.

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Child Nutrition Act Reauthorization

If you haven't heard about this act, you should definitely look into it. I encourage you to sign the petition as well. Here's the platform:

We believe that federally funded nutrition programs should provide all children with the healthy food they deserve. This includes low fat and safe dairy, fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. Schools should be soda and junk-food-free zones and serve food that complements and furthers parents' efforts to feed their children healthfully.

I believe this is definitely worth getting behind! Take action today!

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Home Sweet Home NH

I was able to make it to Concord today for the hearing on Senate bill SB 132. Joe Marquette, Amy and her husband were also able to make it. It was my first time being present for a discussion regarding a study bill or any local government sort of proposal. It was interesting to see how the process worked and to hear the constituents proposals (primarily) against SB 132.

Joe also was able to speak and voice his opinion to "kill the bill". His speech was followed with a wonderful applause. Way to go, Joe! We need to continue writing, e-mailing and calling our legislators voicing our concern over merging the Department of Agriculture with other NH agencies. To find out who you should contact check Who's My Legislator? for contact information. Remember, a phone call is always best, but any means of contact is appreciated.

On another note of "home," I wanted to alert you to two home shows happening this coming weekend. It sure sounds like a nice weekend to be outside.

The 2nd Annual Home, Garden, and Recreation Show will be happening at the Prospect Mountain High School in Alton, NH. Show date is April 25th from 9 AM - 4 PM.

There's also another home show happening in Dover, NH. The Dover Home Show is $5 per adult with under 18 free with adult. The show is taking place April 25th as well from 9 AM to 8 PM and also on Sunday April 26th from 10 AM to 4 PM.

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Act Now! On Behalf of the NH Dept. of Agriculture

From the NH Farm Bureau - please call your state representative and let them know we need a Department of Agriculture in NH!

In a surprise development last Wednesday a floor amendment was offered in the Senate to SB 132, a study bill. The action establishes a Commission directed with developing implementation plans for merging: the Department of Cultural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food, the Department of Fish and Game, the Division of Parks and Recreation, and the Division of Forests and Lands into a newly established Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Farm Bureau policy strongly supports an autonomous Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food. The House Executive Departments and Administration Committee has scheduled a public hearing on SB 132 for Thursday, April 23, 11:00 a.m. in Room 306 of the Legislative Office Building. Strong attendance is needed at the hearing. If you can not attend the hearing, please call and voice your opposition to the members of the Committee nearest you and to your representative(s).

Talking Points

• Financially the Department pulls its own weight. It sustains itself on a very modest budget. It is in no way a cause of the state’s budget problems.
• Merging the Department would not save the state money. A merger could be used to mask a cut in services.
• Losing the Department undermines the nearly billion dollar agricultural industry in the state ($975,000,000) and the local production of fresh and safe food. The farming industry strongly opposes any change or loss of the Commissioner of Agriculture position. The position and Department are nearly a century old and the Commissioner is a leader and spokesperson for the industry, particularly within state government.
• The Department’s role is more important than ever. It has a series of experienced staffers who are readily accessible to farmers who need the support.
  
• The Department is home to a long list of important services to agriculture and the general public (consumers)

Agriculture in the state is growing:

• From 2002 - 2007 the number of farms in NH increased 24%, 3,363 to 4,166 (2007 Census of Agriculture)
• From 2002 – 2007 land in farms increased 6%, 444,879 – 517,879 (2007 Census of Agriculture)
• NH is ranked #1 in the nation in percentage of farms having direct sales to consumers (nearly 25%)
• NH is ranked #1 in the nation in percentage of farms with women as principal operators (30%).

Attend if you can! Public Hearing: Thursday, April 23

Executive Departments and Administration, Room 306, LOB

11:00 a.m. SB 132, establishing a commission to develop implementation plans for merging state agencies and programs to enhance efficiency and lower costs.

Attend the public hearing if you can, but if you can't please call or e-mail the members of the committee nearest you. Phone calls are most effective, but if you need an email address use Who's My Leg? to communicate your opposition to the merger of the Dept of Ag under other departments.

**Is anyone interested in carpooling to Concord this Thursday? Let me know!**

photo courtesy of Leeks 'N' Bounds

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