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April 23, 2008
Farm Bill: 411 and Counting
Today we updated our farm bill pro-reform editorial map. The tally now stands at 411 reform minded editorials published in American dailies since January 1st, 2007. After the jump I break down some of the papers pushing hard for a change in the inequitable and wasteful farm subsidy system.
Cross posted on Mulch.
Continue reading "Farm Bill: 411 and Counting" »
September 1, 2007
SMM: Food Battle
When few in America really understand what's at stake in the farm bill, and junk food is trying to run away with the subsidies again, what's a wholesome apple to do?
Ask for your help, is what. You can read more about the bill at foodbattle.org, and keep up to date on its movement in Congress at Mulch.
July 25, 2007
Message Received: Growing organics in the Fairness Amendment
Remember the petition we asked (and asked, and asked) you to sign to tell Congress to Grow Organics?
Yesterday a team of EWG staffers descended on the Hill to deliver the petition -- 75 feet long -- to Representative Kind. When the Farm Bill comes to the floor of the House at the end of this week, Reps. Kind (D-WI) and Flake (R-AZ) will present the Fairness in Farm and Food Policy Amendment -- a bi-partisan amendment that will reduce direct payments to the largest landowners and agribusinesses and use those savings to bolster programs in nutrition, conservation, and rural development, as well as provide more support to socially disadvantaged farmers.
And, as Ken Cook pointed out, the amendment also provides "the most significant increase we've ever seen proposed for organic food and farming."
According to Rep. Kind, "This is about choice. This is giving farmers the options and the tools on how they want to work their own land -- and sustainable agriculture is the way they want to go."
So we here in the office are having a round of applause for all of you who signed the petition. But it's not over yet -- we've got an amendment headed to the floor, but the only way to make it a reality is to make sure your Representatives know that you expect them to support it.
Call your Representative and ask him or her to support the Fairness Amendment. You can find your Rep's phone number at Project Vote-Smart by entering his or her name or your 9-digit zipcode (don't know it? Find it here).
June 29, 2007
Growing Organics in the blogosphere
You may have heard a thing or two about a little bill that the House is scheduled to vote on at the end of July. Of $76 billion in subsidies in the current Farm Bill, organic farmers would receive less than one percent (Who is getting all that money? Have a look at the Farm Subsidy Database).
EWG Action Fund has created a petition asking Congress to include fair funding for organics in the Farm Bill. We want them to level the playing field for organic farmers and expand access to safe, healthy organic food. We set the bar high -- we're looking to get 30,000 signatures by July 15th. On July 17th, EWG Action Fund will deliver the petition to Congress to let them know that we want them to vote for organics.
What can you do? For starters, sign the petition. Then, tell your friends -- link it from your Myspace page, send out an email, share it on Facebook, and tell that nice lady you buy lettuce from at the farmer's market. Post about it on your blog -- and while you're at it, post a badge!
This week, EnviroLove goes out to Katrina at Kale for Sale, Caroline at FarmGirl's Adventures, Jennifer at Eco Child's Play, the friendly folks at What's Organic, Diane and her Big Green Purse, Caroline at Culinate, the Blue-Green Marble blogger, Organic Mama, Krista at the cleverly named Livin' la Vida Verde, Marc at Eat Local Challenge, Granny Miller, the author of Stories in America, the Organic Connection blog, and the inimitable Sam Fromartz at both Chews Wise and Gristmill. A special shout-out to Tabetha at Think Bigg, who also posted about the awesome tote bag you can get by donating $65 or more to the Grow Organics campaign!
Post about the petition on your blog, and next Friday I'll make sure you get some link lovin' from Enviroblog!
April 25, 2007
Parts is parts
Big Oil is getting into the biodiesel game. On the surface that’s good news. Last week I wrote about oil companies and how through their gas station franchises they are not allowing competing products like biodiesel to arrive on the pumps. Now Conoco-Phillips has entered into an agreement with Tyson Foods to produce the oil company's own brand of biodiesel out of leftover, well, parts from Tyson’s chicken, beef, and pork production.
Continue reading "Parts is parts" »
March 30, 2007
Guess That Acreage: How much corn will be planted in 2007 ?
According to USDA 2007 will see the highest acreage of corn planted since 1944--smashing last year's 79 million acres out of the park. If you want to know how much you'll have to click through to Ken Cook's blog, Mulch. I can tell you this, though: Over 96 percent will be sprayed with weed killers, all will get fertilizer, and almost 70 percent will be GMOs.
Just to keep this in perspective, the last reported certified organic corn acreage, in 2005, was 138,000 acres.
Click here to learn how much corn will be planted this year.
March 22, 2007
Liveblogging the farm bill teach-in
Siel of Green LA Girl attended Food Fight: A Teach-in On the 2007 Farm Bill last night at Berkely, moderated by author and farm bill critic Michael Pollan.
The panel included Ann Cooper, Director of Nutrition Services for the Berkeley school system; Dan Imhoff, author of Food Fight: The Citizen’s Guide to a Food and Farm Bill; Carlos Marentes, Director of Sin Fronteras Organizing Project; and George Naylor, Iowa corn farmer and president of the National Family Farms Coalition, and EWG's own president, Ken Cook.
Get the details on what went down at Food Fight from the 5-post live series at Green LA Girl.
January 23, 2007
Grist spotlights farm bill debate
Like a barnyard sow basking in attention at a county fair, the farm bill -- that monstrously complex five-year plan for federal agriculture policy -- has suddenly gained a high profile.Tom Philpott gives some reasons for the farm bill's increased profile as well as a basic overview of how the current farm policy is antithetical to the model of supply and demand.
Paying the Farm Bill; Why federal farm support deserves a fresh look. Grist. (23 Jan 07)
December 8, 2006
Farm subsidies produce a new player
New players in the farm subsidy debate could have a dramatic impact on the 2007 federal Farm Bill. While farm subsidies have traditionally protected commodity crops, like cotton and corn, produce farmers are pushing for their cut.
“This is like the tectonic plates of farm policy shifting, because you have a completely new player coming in and demanding money,” said EWG President Kenneth A. Cook to Alexei Barrionuevo of the New York Times.
Since produce farmers are being quickly pushed out of the sidelines by countries like China, they’ve decided to become pro-active and environmentalists all in one offensive rush. Rather than heavily relying on commodity and disaster payments, produce farmers, under the name of specialty crops, will be looking for conservation payments. This way they can stay in business and do it environmentally. Maybe other farmers should follow suit. Join in the game and see what you can do here.
Additional resources: The Press Enterprise 12/06/06
November 6, 2006
EWG president sets record straight on "emergency" subsidies
Are weather-related complications, such as droughts, really 'disasters' if they seem to happen year after year? Many farmers who receive these payments seem to think so, but EWG President and farm policy expert Ken Cook challenges that notion with his response to a poorly-researched Aberdeen American editorial.
Taxpayers have a right to take a hard look at the flawed system their money supports. There are good reasons we don't grow grapefruit in South Dakota. Perhaps we should consider the viability of some of the other crops we grow there if the weather causes a "disaster" every other year. The way to fix the problem, according to Cook, is to “press politicians to explore new approaches to agriculture, resource use and disaster aid where growing conditions are so challenging that praying for an annual Act of Congress is standard business practice.”
As for the ill-informed editorial that spurred Cook's response, Cook reminds the American’s editors that:
• Environmental Working Group (EWG) is the only Washington-based conservation and environmental organization to have formally and repeatedly supported aid this year for farmers and ranchers who have been hit with weather-related crop and livestock losses;
• The paper would have served its readers better and more truthfully had it taken 30 seconds to fact check its fantasy piece about the "big city, metropolitan institution."
Continue reading "EWG president sets record straight on "emergency" subsidies" »
November 3, 2006
New Zealand's green farmer awards
In a step toward creating a peaceful union between farming and conservation, the Ballance Farm Environment Awards of New Zealand announced their acceptance of nominations for farmers who have done the most toward sustainable farming this year. While international trade agreements are halting over economically antiquated (and environmentally unhealthy) subsidy issues, the Kiwis have decided to celebrate their progressive farming standards by holding awards for the most enviro-friendly farmers.
Okay, maybe the rewards aren’t great. While prizes are promised, there is no explanation of what they will consist of. And somehow I doubt that the recognition and learning benefits that are advertised are a great substitute for industrial or monetary benefits that many farmers need just to keep the farm running. But what has expanded to eight different regions of New Zealand over the short course of 4 years is clearly a popular pastime for these enviro-loving farmers. Kudos, green Kiwis.
November 2, 2006
Subsidies to protect the environment
Today’s Baraboo (Wisconsin) News Republic gives plain-English descriptions of federal farm subsidies. The piece makes a pretty good case for conservation payments:
The USDA divides subsidies into three categories: Conservation, disaster and commodity. [Sauk County Farm Service Agency Executive Director, Curt] Norgard said conservation subsidies are annual rental payments to farmers who do not plant "row crops" such as corn or soybeans to help protect fields from erosion and attract wildlife. Those deals generally last for 10 years."They are required to put in covers, seasonal grasses, tree planting and filter strips," Norgard said.
With this type, farmers get more of a say in the process, said Sauk County University of Wisconsin-Extension Agricultural Agent Paul Dietmann.
"A person can bid their land into the program, say, 'I'd accept $75 an acre for the first 10 years of the contract to keep this land out of production,'" Dietmann said. "That's land that is typically highly erodable or close to a stream where there is an environmental concern connected with the land."
Dietmann said these conservation subsidies are making a positive difference around Sauk County.
"It really reduces soil erosion quite a bit because you're not harvesting a crop off and exposing the soil," he said. "You establish a cover and leave it on over a long period of time. It really helps build organic matter in the soil."
October 19, 2006
Farmers want conservation programs
& an end to payment limit abuse
Today Michelle Perez, Senior Analyst for Agriculture & Natural Resources at EWG, enlightens us about the results and implications of the survey The 2007 Farm Bill: U.S. producer preferences for agricultural, food, and public policy:
A nationally representative survey of farm producers showed that farmers are willing to consider reasonable subsidy limit policy proposals and that they continue to support conservation programs.As farmers and environmentalists begin to rally their troops in preparation for the 2007 Farm Bill reauthorization fight, both sides should take a deep breath and count what they have in common.
Continue reading "Farmers want conservation programs
& an end to payment limit abuse" »
October 2, 2006
Farmer to AJC on Farm Subsidies: "We're playing a game."
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is running an investigative series that examines many aspects of farm subsidies.
U.S. subsidies for cotton and selected other crops, born in the Great Depression to protect against the occasional bad year, have become a multibillion-dollar entitlement. The program undermines free trade and props up big farmers at the expense of small growers both here and abroad.By guaranteeing growers a minimum price, subsidies encourage them to plant what Washington will pay for, not what would earn a profit on the free market.
"We're just playing a game," said Stephen Houston Sr., a Miller County cotton farmer. "[Market] prices don't have anything to do with what we're doing. We're just looking at the government payments."
It's called "farming the subsidy," and it has turned many farmers -- once symbols of self-reliance -- into government dependents.
Read more:
• How savvy growers can double, or triple, subsidy dollars
• How your tax dollars prop up big growers and squeeze the little guy
• Who gets cotton aid? Ted Turner, nuns in Illinois ...
Note: Registration required.
September 21, 2006
Spinach growers are victims of E. coli, not culprits
While sensationalists and those fond of chemical-intensive farming were ready to hang the organic industry at the first mention of an E coli outbreak, NYT farm and food columnist Nina Planck says the culprit is not spinach growers at all, but rather industrial beef and dairy farmers.
E. coli O157:H7, the virus strain responsible for making humans ill, is not found in the intestines of cattle fed a natural diet of grass and hay. The virus thrives in the acidic stomachs of cattle fed on grain, the typical feed on industrial farms.
In 2003, The Journal of Dairy Science noted that up to 80 percent of dairy cattle carry O157. (Fortunately, food safety measures prevent contaminated fecal matter from getting into most of our food most of the time.) Happily, the journal also provided a remedy based on a simple experiment. When cows were switched from a grain diet to hay for only five days, O157 declined 1,000-fold.This means that even if beef cattle were switched to a natural grass diet several days before slaughter, cross-contamination by manure in meat packing plants would be drastically reduced. It would take a lot longer to reduce contamination of groundwater and rivers, used to irrigate spinach farms. But Planck has an idea: Instead of USDA paying 75 percent of the cost for manure containment ponds and only treating the symptoms, how about they try treating the disease by switching cattle over to a natural diet.
Link: NYT, Leafy Green Sewage, Nina Planck, 9.21.2006
September 19, 2006
The Nation calls for action on 2007 Farm Bill
Do you think current farm policy favor corporations over small farmers and consumers? The Nation does, and they want you to weigh in on the drafting of the 2007 Farm Bill. An action alert page on their site makes it easier than ever. All you have to do is enter your name and address to have the nation send their [completely customizable] form-letter to your representative.
Read the suggested text after the jump--or click right through to the site.
Continue reading "The Nation calls for action on 2007 Farm Bill" »
August 3, 2006
Uber-conservative Lashes Out Against Farm Subsidies
In an L.A. Times editorial, conservative-supreme Jonah Goldberg states his case against farm subsidies. Why? He says subsidies foster dependence in the developing world:
[...]Our farm subsidies alone — forget trade barriers — cost developing countries $24 billion every year, according to the National Center for Policy Analysis. Letting poor nations prosper would be worth a lot more than the equivalent amount in foreign aid. But Big Agriculture likes foreign aid because it allows for the dumping of wheat and other crops on the world market, which perpetuates the cycle of dependency.
And, he says, subsidies contribute to unnecessary pollution here at home:
Continue reading "Uber-conservative Lashes Out Against Farm Subsidies" »
July 31, 2006
Altered Oceans: A Primeval Tide of Toxins
This week the LA Times brings us Altered Oceans, a five-part multimedia expose on the crisis in our seas, and the implications of being at a "tipping point" in marine history.
Part 1, A Primeval Tide of Toxins, opens with a descripition of the poisonous "fireweed" (Lyngbya majuscula), responsible for severe rashes and respiratory distress of watermen and scientists who've had contact with it:
When fishermen touched it, their skin broke out in searing welts. Their lips blistered and peeled. Their eyes burned and swelled shut. Water that splashed from their nets spread the inflammation to their legs and torsos."It comes up like little boils," said Randolph Van Dyk, a fisherman whose powerful legs are pocked with scars. "At nighttime, you can feel them burning. I tried everything to get rid of them. Nothing worked."
As the weed blanketed miles of the bay over the last decade, it stained fishing nets a dark purple and left them coated with a powdery residue. When fishermen tried to shake it off the webbing, their throats constricted and they gasped for air.
After one man bit a fishing line in two, his mouth and tongue swelled so badly that he couldn't eat solid food for a week. Others made an even more painful mistake, neglecting to wash the residue from their hands before relieving themselves over the sides of their boats.
Continue reading "Altered Oceans: A Primeval Tide of Toxins" »
July 19, 2006
A Taste for Ag Policy Discussion
Keith Good, president and editor of the popular subscription daily, FarmPolicy.com, is also the editor(or should I say "Chef") of Ag Policy Soup. Launched in March '06, the site publishes audio interviews with U.S. farm policy experts.
Just today Good interviews Dan Morgan, Washington Post staff writer and brainchild of the Post's current farm policy series, "Harvesting Cash. In the interview Morgan reminds us that the his series is:
"not about beating up on farmers, [but rather meant to] indentify and spotlight flaws in the program & highlight places where money could be used better to the benefit of farmers."
Washington Post Series "Harvesting Cash" Continues
Today, the Post's farm policy investigators tell the story of a 2003 boondoggle in which massive stockpiles of powdered milk, intended for use as "drought relief," ended up being traded all over the U.S. and in Mexico for big profits.
Yes, I did just use the word "boondoggle."
July 18, 2006
Washington Post Keeps Digging Up Dirt on Wasteful Farm Policies
The Post's Dan Morgan, Gilbert M. Gaul, and Sarah Cohen continue to expose some serious flaws with the 2002 Farm Bill today in three articles deatiling different aspects of farm subsidy waste. Today's three articles build on the authors' July 2nd and 3rd pieces Farm Program Pays $1.3 Billion to People Who Don't Farm and Growers Reap Benefits Even in Good Years
From No Drought Required For Federal Drought Aid; Livestock Program Grew To Cover Any 'Disaster':
In all, the Livestock Compensation Program cost taxpayers $1.2 billion during its two years of existence, 2002 and 2003. Of that, $635 million went to ranchers and dairy farmers in areas where there was moderate drought or none at all, according to an analysis of government records by The Washington Post. None of the ranchers were required to prove they suffered an actual loss. The government simply sent each of them a check based on the number of cattle they owned.
Continue reading "Washington Post Keeps Digging Up Dirt on Wasteful Farm Policies" »
July 11, 2006
"We Need to Talk About Farm Policy" -- A Must Read.
The following editorial, written by Thomas Rowley of Rural Policy Research Institute, explains---in terms we can all understand--the ways we are linked to farm policy, and how the idea that farm subsidies "help farmers" is misleading.
And finally, at long last--a farm policy piece that will not sail over the heads of all but the most studied wonks!
July 10, 2006
We Need to Talk.About Farm Policy
By Thomas D. Rowley
I confess that I shudder at the phrase: We need to talk. Immediately my
mind begins to race and pulse quicken. Sweat forms on my brow as my gut
tightens. What did I do? What does she think I did? How long is this
"talk" going to take? You guys know the feeling. The only thing worse is
to hear, "We need to talk later," because, of course, we will then spend
every second between now and "later" inventorying our infractions and
preparing a confession that includes far more than we're being accused
of.
Continue reading ""We Need to Talk About Farm Policy" -- A Must Read." »
Update: More Venues Offer to Host Farm Policy Showdown
Purdue University has agreed to host one of a series of debates on farm subsidies and the next farm bill that EWG president Ken Cook has proposed to former House Agriculture Committee Chairman Larry Combest. Professor Otto Doering, an internationally respected agricultural economist, policy expert and educator would be serving as moderator.
This adds yet another high profile moderator to the list. The others so far are:
1. Sonja Hillgren - Senior Vice President/Editorial of Farm Journal
2. Barry Flinchbaugh - Kansas State University Professor
3. Forrest Laws - Executive Editor of Farm Presses
July 10, 2006
UPDATE to Cook v. Combest
Purdue University has offered to host one of a series of debates on farm subsidies and the next farm bill that EWG president Ken Cook has proposed to former House Agriculture Committee Chairman Larry Combest. Professor Otto Doering, an internationally respected agricultural economist, policy expert and educator has agreed to serve as moderator.
Combest has yet to formally reply to the invitation, and so it remains to be seen if he has the gusto to stand up to Mr. Cook, whom he had previously referred to as one of "the medley of malefactors who are teamed up to bring farm policy down in this country," united by "inverted pentagrams" and "voodoo," and who "need to understand that the real environment—as opposed to the one they are trying to conjure up—is not on their side." Certainly very bold accusations from a man who's been so silent since being invited to defend his farm bill in a public forum with Ken Cook.
The Westerner on Cook v. Combest challenge
Rural Populist on Cook v. Combest challenge
.
July 7, 2006
The 'Rumble in the Jungle' of Farm Policy Debate
Environmental Working Group president, Ken Cook, has challenged former House Agriculture Committee Chairman, Larry Combest (R-TX), to a series of nationwide debates on 'agriculture policy, including the purposes and impacts of farm subsidies, agricultural trade, conservation, rural development, and the shape of the next farm bill.'
Cook's challenge arrives on the heels of a Washington Post series that lambasted the wastefulness of the current farm bill. According to the Washington Post investigation "the federal government has paid at least $1.3 billion in subsidies for rice and other crops since 2000 to individuals who do no farming at all..."
Combest, the main architect of the 2002 farm bill, has yet to rise to the challenge and was unavailable for comment to Andrew Martin of the Chicago Tribune.
Cook's Letter to Larry Combest : Farm Subsidy Database
Keith Good of FarmPolicy.com calls this 'The 'Rumble in the Jungle' of Farm Policy Debate'
Traci Bruckner of Center for Rural Affairs offers her vision of the 2007 farm bill
A Food Fight Over Farm Subsidies
May 30, 2006
Grassley: Will We Help Everybody in the Food Supply?
When asked in a recent interview about a provision in the Senate's emergency spending bill that would give some, not all, farmers extra money to compensate for high energy costs, Senate Finance Committee Chairman said:
"If you start helping farmers with the cost of production, where are you going to end with everybody else in the food supply, from the farm to the table? You could justify helping everybody."
Sen. Grassley pointed out that the president has threatened to veto the Senate's bill if it exceeds $92.5 billion, and said he could see removing the $1.5 billion slated for a small subset of farmers.
To see who would share the $1.5 billion bonus, please visit http://www.ewg.org/reports/agsupp2006/cdmap.php .
April 19, 2006
The 'Dead Zone': You're Paying for It in More Ways Than One
From The Huffington Post:
No, not the Stephen King novel. It's no work of fiction, but a growing horror just the same. Every spring, polluted waters from the Mississippi watershed drain into the Gulf of Mexico, bringing a feast of nitrates for algae, which literally take up all of the available oxygen in the process, killing any bottom-feeding sealife and driving away any other critters capable of moving, e.g. commercially attractive fish and seafood.The "dead zone" grows every year, and is now the size of New Jersey (and I will mightily refrain from NJ jokes). For the tech-minded out there, the oxygen-depletion is known as hypoxia, and the algae takeover of waterways (it also happens in freshwater lakes, streams, etc.) is eutrophication. {For a good technical explanation of the "dead zone" process, go here; for a non-tech/kid-friendly interactive multimedia presentation, try this from the Science Museum of Minnesota.)
Read the rest here
February 21, 2006
Farm Fraud?
AP reports that some Washington state farmers may have faked results in tests of a federal conservation program designed to reduce pesticide and fertilizer use. The farmers received tens of thousands of dollars in subsidies under the Conservation Security Program for using greener practices, but an audit of the program found that some individuals may have altered soil samples and given false information. Everything you never wanted to know about farm chemical runoff in your water supply is in our Tap Water Report.EWG supports shifting some commodity subsidy money to conservation programs, which are popular among farmers and have wide eligibility. To find out more, visit EWG's farm subsidy database or read about subsidies in the Evergreen state.
November 9, 2005
Covering Corn – We're All Doing It
This year, the New York Times reports, both farmers and the federal government are covering corn at potentially record levels. Farmers are struggling to store this year's bountiful corn harvest, even buying massive tarps to cover mountains of corn that must be left outdoors. Leftover grain from last year and the two Gulf hurricanes have also hurt farmers. For their part, taxpayers will be sending farmers extra subsidy money to compensate for the low corn prices that resulted from the full harvest.EWG has tracked 10 years' worth of farm subsidies. Visitors to the site can view subsidy payments by name, town, zip code, county or congressional district at http://www.ewg.org/farm.