Posted on 11/16/2001 1:20:36 PM PST by farmfriend
Grange Calls for "Agroterrorism" Czar, Adopts 2002 Ag Policies
Cedar Rapids, Iowa (November 14, 2001) - The National Grange, meeting for its 135th annual convention, has voted to ask Tom Ridge, new head of the Office of Homeland Security, to create a high level position with appropriate resources, to prevent "agroterrorism" in the United States. The Grange defines "agroterrorism" as "the undermining and destruction of a food source through contamination of livestock or the genetic sabotage of grains."
Agroterrorism is major concern among state directors of agriculture, and farmers are well aware of the devastation that can be wrought on the farm. The continued existence of Foot and Mouth Disease in other parts of the world and the ease with which it can be carried and introduced into an agricultural area is of particular concern. Foot and Mouth Disease is not harmful to humans but extremely harmful to cattle, sheep and swine. It can be easily transported by humans on clothing. According to the Grange, "The devastation of this form of terrorism is limitless and can be crippling to agriculture, our health and food supply and the national economy."
Senate should preserve $179 billion Farm Bill The newly adopted Grange resolution states that it is paramount that the Senate retains the $179 billion dollar budget approved by the House for the lifetime of the Farm Bill. "Agriculture's survival, our self sufficiency, our food supply and its safety depend on agriculture's profitability," the resolution states. The resolution also calls for sufficient funding for technical assistance on environmental practices. The Grange maintains that too much federal money is spent encouraging farmers to take land out of production and not enough is spent teaching them environmentally sound production practices. The Grange does support voluntary short-term conservation reserve programs targeted to meet price goals of at least production costs.
Other actions called for by the Grange's 2002 farm policy resolution include a return to tariffs on imported asparagus; a review of grazing policies to enhance weed control; a determination of how 31.4 million pounds of stored cheese where not accounted for by U.S.D.A. and caused a severe price drop in cheese when discovered; tracking of the identification, movement and disposition of Genetically Modified Organisms by USDA; support of initiatives to use farm silos as bases for communications antennas; equal standards for measuring hail damaged fruit; and encouragement for the development of value added products by America's farmers.
Founded in 1867, the National Grange is this nation's oldest general farm and rural public interest organization. The National Grange currently represents approximately 300,000 members affiliated with 3,400 local, county and state Grange chapters across the nation. The National Grange will hold its 135th Annual Convention at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cedar Rapids, IA November 12-18, 2001. At that time, Grange delegates from across the nation will adopt grassroots policy positions related to the next Farm Bill and other rural issues.
Senate Moving to Spend Over $100 Billion On Failed Programs, Internet Database Shows 10% of Biggest Producers Gobbled Two-Thirds Of Past Assistance
WASHINGTON - On Tuesday, November 6, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) will offer to farmers and other taxpayers the first-ever publicly available, searchable Internet database of government farm subsidy payment records.
The database will be offered free of charge and will be searchable by name, zip code, county, or municipality. It will detail how, under the current farm programs that Congress is considering expanding, taxpayer funds intended to help family farmers were instead awarded to the largest agribusinesses and commodity growers. Two-thirds of the nation's farmers - often residing in big agricultural states in which livestock or non-commodity crops are raised - were bypassed entirely. For 80 percent of those eligible for the funds, the average annual subsidy check was roughly $1,000. Nationwide, two-thirds of the funds went to just 10 percent of all eligible recipients, while the bulk of all commodity program money went to approximately eight Great Plains and Deep South states.
Big government checks have enabled big producers to buy neighbors' farms or out-compete them in the farmland rental markets. This has helped fuel the increased concentration in agriculture long decried by a group of Senators who are now advocating an expansion of these very same programs. The Bush Administration and newspaper editorial pages of every ideological leaning have criticized the programs. A House bill passed in October would expand the programs, locking in the inter- and intrastate inequities for another 10 years.
This week, the Senate Agriculture Committee embarks on consideration of a Farm Bill locking in subsidy inequities while committing to spend $170 billion over the next decade. The Senate bill would short change popular and effective conservation programs, which provide environmental benefits while distributing aid equitably across economic and regional lines.
EWG assembled the database through multiple Freedom of Information Act requests to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It includes 70 million records of farm subsidy checks sent from 1996-2000.
The data have long been available - technically speaking - but never through the World Wide Web. Obtaining the information was made possible by prior news media organizations' efforts to acquire the data for news reporting purposes.
I suppose you are all in favor of dependence on foreign oil? Right now we are moving that direction in our food supply. We can not rely on the third world to provide us with a safe and steady supply of food. We need to keep our farmers in business. It is national security.
If they were discussed at all, it would have been in committee. I didn't sit in on the Ag committee so I have no idea what the discussions were.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa (November 12, 2001) - Congressman Jim Leach, addressing the general session of the 135th annual convention of the National Grange, stated that during these troubled times the Grange is an important organization in American society. Leach told the audience that never before has America experienced terrorism at home and never before has the world experience biological warfare. Additionally, the concept of religious hatred is very foreign to Americans, whose country was founded on the concept of respect for all religions. It also troubles Americans that we are hated for our freedom and prosperity. Thus, during these times of uncertainty and coping with new and unfamiliar threats, "the American values demonstrated by the Grange are so very important." He portrayed the Grange as an organization that builds up, not destroys, and an organization that offers brotherhood during times of need and uncertainty.
In spite of the hatred directed at America from many parts of the world, Leach said that it is morally right that American production agriculture produce enough food and fiber to feed, not just America, but places suffering drought and famine, including Africa and even Afghanistan. He talked of the plight of the efficient American farmer, who for decades has out produced domestic demand and, thus, suffered low returns. He called for flexible Federal policies that adjust to the times and thus keep the American farmer producing enough to feed those at home and those in need around the world.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa (November 12, 2001) - Congressman Jim Leach, addressing the general session of the 135th annual convention of the National Grange, stated that during these troubled times the Grange is an important organization in American society. Leach told the audience that never before has America experienced terrorism at home and never before has the world experience biological warfare. Additionally, the concept of religious hatred is very foreign to Americans, whose country was founded on the concept of respect for all religions. It also troubles Americans that we are hated for our freedom and prosperity. Thus, during these times of uncertainty and coping with new and unfamiliar threats, "the American values demonstrated by the Grange are so very important." He portrayed the Grange as an organization that builds up, not destroys, and an organization that offers brotherhood during times of need and uncertainty.
In spite of the hatred directed at America from many parts of the world, Leach said that it is morally right that American production agriculture produce enough food and fiber to feed, not just America, but places suffering drought and famine, including Africa and even Afghanistan. He talked of the plight of the efficient American farmer, who for decades has out produced domestic demand and, thus, suffered low returns. He called for flexible Federal policies that adjust to the times and thus keep the American farmer producing enough to feed those at home and those in need around the world.
Plus, large payments to corporate farms = more campaign contributions to those in Congress that keep the gravy train going.
Conservation payments are better - go to the land and to more farmers.
Senator Lugar has the best plan - revenue insurnace like crop insurance.
Cheap food policy hurts farmers.
Bio-crops under attack Militants destroy test plots of genetically modified foodsNancy Odin is the Green Party official who tussled with security at a Maine airport and was prevented from boarding her flight. Don't underestimate these people. Greens got a couple percent of the vote last election. Not all are dangerous but thousands are. Search around, you'll find their calls to ecoterrorism all over the net.USA TODAY
Opponents of genetically engineered foods have staged night attacks on university and corporate research sites in at least 18 incidents and seven states since July.
Underground activists have trampled and sheared corn, uprooted sugar beets, stripped the bark from experimental trees, smashed greenhouse windows, damaged vehicles and spray-painted graffiti at research locations in California, Maine, Vermont, Minnesota, Washington, Wisconsin and Michigan. . .
How-to guide
One Web site operated by biotech foes contains a detailed how-to guide for would-be crop vandals, advising them on what to wear, how to evade security, what plants to target and when to strike (www.tao.ca/ban/).
"If you care about biological and cultural diversity as opposed to a global corporate monoculture, you should resist genetic engineering," it says.
That hits home with Nancy Oden, of Jonesboro, Maine, who belongs to RAGE, Revolution Against Genetic Engineering. She says her e-mail to hundreds of activists led vandals in August to genetically modified corn at the University of Maine.
The corn was part of an experiment designed to find ways to reduce herbicides from leaching into the soil. Attackers cut or knocked down nearly a 1/2 acre of stalks. "I was hoping someone would do this," Oden says.
She says she does not know who did the damage, but warns: "We are going to kill genetically engineered foods in this country, and we are going to do it any way we have to."
http://www.tao.ca/~ban/200ARusatoday.htm
Like that tree freak that "lived" in the redwood tree name "Luna" to protest globalization and corporations. She used a cell phone (made by corporate America) to call the media.
They are idiots indeed!
Did you get that out of my bio or did you hear some rumor?
Get your facts straight.
First of all, I didn't write the whole plan, I only worked on the Biodiversity and Ecosystem management Roundtable. I volunteered for that committee in order to keep the idiot wacko environmentalists from doing more harm than good! I did it because I thought that in a consensus process that I could force them to confront reality. I got screwed. That's what started me writing the book.
Further, in 1994, I didn't know what the UN was up to or what it portended and learned a great deal while doing the research which is why Henry Lamb endorses it, it is why I was invited to speak at the Freedom21 Conference, and it why I am here. That ought to be sufficient proof for anyone that I do not endorse the mission or means of the Agenda 21. I do hope that you aren't spreading bogus rumors and would correct whoever might be doing so.
No, I'm not.
Having purchased and read (in part) Carry_Okie's book I can assure you that I am in full conservative support of everything he has written there. His consistent replies to environmental discussions show not only his heart but knowlege as well. Check any of the Klamath threads and you will find him there. You will find me there as well. Know us before you judge us. Read the material and chapters available on the web site link.
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