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-----Original Message----- From: cakinney [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Monday, May 08, 2006 10:07 AM To: Vicki Morrone Subject: Re: FW: Thoughts on organizing: A proposal Vicki Morrone wrote: > Thoughts from an EFFS member of how we can proceed to stand up agains PA > 132 > > -----Original Message----- > From: Ecological Food and Farm Stewardship [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On > Behalf Of Taylor Clarkston Reid > Sent: Sunday, May 07, 2006 8:52 PM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Thoughts on organizing: A proposal > > I think Joe Scrimger's idea about organizing a network in Michigan that > is > capable of coming together to form a united front in fighting these > things > is an excellent one. I too believe there is growing support for our > shared > vision of a food system that emphasizes farmer and citizen rights, food > safety and security, and environmental sanity. Right now, agribusiness > is > taking advantage of or lack of organization to challenge these values > and > consolidate its already powerful economic and political position. I > don't > think we need another organization with a board of directors and lots of > > meetings, but we do need a way to get better organized, communicate with > > each other, stay informed, disseminate information to the public, and > speak > with a united voice. Maybe rather than having it be an organization or > group, we could think about it more as an initiative, or a coalition. > > I envision this as an effort specifically aimed at challenging corporate > ag. > legislation, working toward pro-farmer public initiatives, and fighting > for > equal representation within public institutions such as MSU, MSUE, and > MDA. > With the new election cycle coming up, we could also ask candidates > seeking > our votes to clearly articulate their positions on the issues that are > important to us and help develop institutional support within the > government. I propose the name Michigan Citizens for Agricultural > Democracy. This kind of name is inclusive, in that it avoids any of the > > buzz-words or misunderstood concepts (sustainable, alternative etc.) and > > should allow for the inclusion of consumers and citizens as well as > farmers, > both organic and conventional. > > Efforts to challenge this new GMO legislation, ensuring that MSU, MSUE, > and > MAES follow through with their recent commitments to acknowledge the > growing > importance of alternative agriculture and engage in a meaningful > dialogue > about our concerns, and organizing opposition to upcoming CAFO > legislation > seem like important priorities right now. We need to get together and > coordinate ourselves so that we are not simply a bunch of individual > voices > crying out in the wilderness. Our effort to challenge this bill was > unsuccessful in this round, but I am encouraged by the level of > dialogue, > new connections, and collective action we have been able to mobilize in > just > a short period of time. Rather than conceding defeat, perhaps we can > capitalize on this momentum to develop a stronger farmer/citizen voice, > and > a mechanism for working together to present a united front in future > efforts > to promote agricultural democracy and justice in Michigan. Please share > your > thoughts on this. > > Sincerely, > > Taylor Reid > 517-862-2793 > [log in to unmask] > > > Tim, I agree 100%. Now would be a good time to get something started. Many growers will be selling to their customers at farmers markets and roadside stands soon. I think it would be very helpful to have a way to disseminate information in a /united, organized /way / /via brochures, stickers, signs, etc. Let's use this opportunity to educate our customers about this growing threat to their food supply.// Maybe Vicki's office could help? Cynthia Kinney Peace of Porter Farm Lawton Michigan