Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act October 29, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Food & Drink, Humor, Sustainable Living.trackback
I received this e-mail from the Union of Concerned Scientists yesterday:
Currently, billions of taxpayer dollars subsidize unhealthy, processed foods, while farmers who grow healthy foods work without support—but we can change that!
Leaders in Congress have introduced the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act to support local farmers and food markets. A recent UCS report found that expanding local food systems will boost local economies, create jobs, and encourage consumption of fruits and vegetables.
As a bonus, these farmers are also more likely to embrace practices that protect our air, water, and soil.
With enough support, this bill could become part of the larger Food and Farm Bill, currently moving through Congress at a lightning pace.
Write to your members of Congress and ask them to cosponsor the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act today!
To learn more at UCS: Local and Regional Food Systems 101 * Creating Jobs through Public Investment in Local and Regional Food Systems
Other Resources: Choose My Plate (healthy foods to place on your plate, plus help in planning nutritious and delicious menus); Eat Well Guide (a directory of farms, grocery stores, and restaurants that offer local, fresh, and sustainable food); SlowFood USA (advocating for food and farming policies that are good for the public, good for farmers and workers, and good for the planet); Food Routes (the seeds it grows from, the farmers who produce it, and the routes that carry it from the fields to our tables); Local Harvest (a directory of small farms, farmers’ markets and other local food sources).
Wikipedia ~ Asparagus (in Public Domain)
And, on a lighter note . . .
The Only Cin sent me A NEW AGE VEGETARIAN SONG to share, which I’ve expanded a bit:
When the moon is o’er the 7th field
And zucchini aligns with squash
Then peas will rule the planets
And lettuce will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the Age of Asparagus
The Age of Asparagus . . . A~SPA~RA~GUS
A~SPA~RA~GUS!
Eat Healthy! Be Happy!
Related posts: Small Farms Create More Jobs (Bit of Earth Farm) * Great Nutrition Starts On Your Plate * A Month of Meatless Meals * Spinach Rice * 7 Reasons We Prefer To Dine In
Spirit Lights The Way 
I wish farming was more highly subsidised in this country, hear hear! LMAO, your lyrics are brilliant 😀
Thanks for the inspiration!
I’m off to the library now, but may expand this song still further later on ~ incorporating even more of our veggie friends.
Or, better yet, get readers to toss additional lines into the song! 😛
What are the components of the act? I ask because the democrats will make it complicated with loop holes and the republicans won’t fund it and generate stalemate.
Fingers crossed that we are starting to turn the corner and will soon provide increased support to sustainable farming practices.
Yeah, I got that email too. Thought it was a great idea and, honestly, there isn’t much to argue against. It supports small bussinesses, fosters community involvement and yes, as demand increases for locally farmed goods they will need to hire at least a few people to meet that demand.
Win! Win!
I agree! Fingers crossed that our representatives ignore BIG agri-business corporations and start subsidizing local farms and food.
Off to do some reading and writing Nancy! Thanks much. I appreciate it.
Right up your “agrigirl” alley, Tammy!
Nancy, interesting idea. Di and I hit all the local farmer markets because the produce is so much better, and you get other bennies like handmade lye soap, and fresh meat (beef – we’re in Kansas).
We love going to the Farmer’s Market to stock up on fresh fruit and veggies, and get fresh baked bread. 😀
Are we going back full circle to healthy, home-grown food? Great stuff!! My goodness, what a fruitless and expensive detour we’ve been on.
I hope so, Denise. Wouldn’t it be great to see some of the huge mono-crop farms busted up for smaller rotational crops? Yes. Yes, it would.
Very catchy, Nancy. Clever Cindy. I’ll be singing that in my sleep now….
I sang it walking through the produce department at the grocery store. Got a few smiles (and a few head shakes).
Saw something related on newshour last night. About the immigration laws. Farmers say Americans from the city can’t pick the crops like the migrant workers from Mexico and other Latin America countries. Also they want higher pay and benefits that farmers can’t pay. ( this news snippet came from Alabama) Many crops are sitting rotting in the fields right now because of an immigration bill passed there. And also police can stop anyone and check papers. This is having a great impact on the farmers.
There go our grocery bills.
It’s a tough situation. Maybe it’s time the prices we pay at the grocery store reflect the true “cost” involved?
I really hope this is valid, Nancy. Not a minute too soon! Glad Tammy is on it.
If it passes, it will be a step in the right direction. 😀
You might enjoy reading Barbara Kingsolver’s “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.” It addresses the topic of healthy locally produced foods.
Thank’s, NC! I’ll check it out. 😀
that big picture can b so big
Absolutely enormous!
Excellent! This is fun for a foodie like me. 🙂
The Age of Asparagus! 😀
Great post!
Love the song 😉
Thanks, Tok. Here’s hoping it really is the dawning of the Age of Asparagus.
Nancy, have you seen this blog?… http://bitofearthfarm.wordpress.com/home/ The blogger has another blog too…a remarkable one: http://lauragraceweldon.com/2011/03/14/we-are-one-being/
Another post from that blog…another wow…. http://lauragraceweldon.com/2011/08/24/a-day-like-no-other/
I love the Bit of Earth Farm blog. Thanks, Kathy!