Land Stewardship LIVE-WIRE, October 22, 2003
Hello:
This is the fourth issue of “Land Stewardship LIVE-WIRE,” the Land Stewardship Project's new e-mail update. We will be sending this out periodically to provide an update on activities and information related to LSP’s work. We hope you enjoy this service, and are looking for feedback. Please send your comments to Brian DeVore at bdevore@landstewardshipproject.org. If you prefer not to receive this newsletter, please e-mail lspwbl@landstewardshipproject.org and write “remove LIVE-WIRE” in the subject line.
IN THIS ISSUE
* Court Rules Checkoff Unconstitutional
* Survey: Govt. Policy Major Barrier to Sustainable Ag
* Packer Ban Becomes Even More Critical
* 1 Percent Sunday to Benefit LSP in Winona Oct. 26
* Farm as Natural Habitat Book Reading Nov. 6
* Are You Missing a Crock-pot?
* LSP in the News
* Worth Repeating
* Worth Repeating--Part 2
* A Graphic Account
COURT RULES CHECKOFF UNCONSTITUTIONAL
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals on Oct. 22 affirmed a federal judge’s ruling that the mandatory pork checkoff program is unconstitutional and should end. Hog farmers climbed off their combines this morning to call on USDA and the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) to stop delaying the inevitable and end the pork checkoff now. This ruling supports the contention of the Campaign for Family Farms (CFF), which since 1998 has argued through petition drives, a vote and a lawsuit that the pork checkoff forces independent farmers to support a system that hurts them. The Land Stewardship Project is a founding member of CFF. See http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/pr/03/newsr_031022.html for more on this groundbreaking ruling.
SURVEY: GOVT. POLICY MAJOR BARRIER TO SUSTAINABLE AG
Government policy ranks as one of the top challenges facing farmers who are trying to adopt alternative production systems, say farmers who were surveyed in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The survey, which was recently released by LSP, also found that a significant number of agricultural educators feel government policy can be a barrier to sustainable farming and that current funding is inadequate for this kind of agriculture. See http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/pr/03/newsr_031017.html for more information on the survey and links to full results.
PACKER BAN BECOMES EVEN MORE CRITICAL
On. Oct. 13 Smithfield Foods provided one more reason why meat packers should be banned from raising livestock. On that day the pork giant announced that it had submitted the winning bid for bankrupt Farmland Industries' hog production and processing business. With the acquisition of Farmland Foods, Smithfield will now own nearly 800,000 sows and control 37 percent of U.S. pork slaughter. LSP and other family farm groups are calling on Congress to pass a ban on packer ownership of livestock. See http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/pr/03/newsr_031015.html for the latest on this issue.
1 PERCENT SUNDAY TO BENEFIT LSP IN WINONA OCT. 26
On the last Sunday of each month, Bluff Country Co-op in Winona donates 1 percent of its sales for the day to an organization that shares the full service grocery store's goals and philosophies. On Oct. 26, LSP will be on the receiving end of Bluff Country's "1% Sunday." If you're in the Winona area that day, stop by Bluff Country at 121 West Second Street between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. and help support LSP. You can check out the co-op on the Web at http://www.bluff.coop. For details, including information on special presentations LSP members will give at the co-op on Sunday, go to http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/pr/03/newsr_031021.html.
FARM AS NATURAL HABITAT BOOK READING NOV. 6
A book reading event featuring The Farm as Natural Habitat: Reconnecting Food Systems with Ecosystems will be held Thursday, Nov. 6, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Land Stewardship Project (LSP) office, 180 East Main Street, Lewiston. Cake and coffee will be provided at this free event. For more information, call 507-523-3366, or check out
http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/pr/03/newsr_031022a.html.
ARE YOU MISSING A CROCK-POT?
An orange crock-pot with no lid was left behind after LSP’s Local Foods Potluck Benefit on Sept. 27. If you are the owner, you can contact Louise at 651-653-0618 or lspwbl@landstewardshipproject.org. It may not be much to look at, but rumor has it that pot produced some yummy soup.
LSP IN THE NEWS
Recently, the Land Stewardship Project’s members and work have been featured in Agri News and the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Check out these stories and more at http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/news-itn.html.
WORTH REPEATING
“There is absolutely no reason to keep collecting the checkoff fees--USDA and NPPC should not ask for a stay, should not keep delaying, and should quit collecting our money and let justice prevail. It’s over.” --Farmer and LSP member Jim Joens, commenting on the court’s ruling that the pork checkoff is unconstitutional (http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/pr/03/newsr_031022.html).
WORTH REPEATING--PART 2
“Draining CSP now is ensuring that there will be more disasters in the future as we make our farming system even more vulnerable.”--Farmers Kevin Brussell and Dan Specht, in a commentary they recently authored on the real disaster that could results from this year’s drought (http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/opinions/03/opin_031007.html).
A GRAPHIC ACCOUNT
What are some of the major stumbling blocks for farmers attempting to adopt and use sustainable production techniques? Check out http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/pdf/len_survey_graph_pol.pdf and find out.
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