1. TAKE ACTION: GET YOUR ABC AFFILIATE TO AIR "STRONG ROOTS, FRAGILE FARMS"

"Strong Roots, Fragile Farms" is a documentary on the impacts of global trade on family farms in the U.S. and abroad. The one-hour film, which will be released October 6, 2002, is narrated by Willie Nelson with a music by Peter Buffett, who scored the "Dances with Wolves"soundtrack. The film explores the real life impact of globalization upon today's family farmers in Iowa, North Carolina, the Philippines, and Mexico. The film puts human faces from around the world on the growing impact of expanding globalization on family farm agriculture. The documentary is produced by the United Church of Christ and the National Council of Churches. John Hansen, Nebraska Farmers Union President, and George Naylor and his family, Iowa Farmers Union members, are extensively featured throughout the 1-hour film. The decision to air "Strong Roots, Fragile Farms" rests with the local ABC-TV stations. Please call, e-mail or write to your local affiliate, indicating that you would like them to broadcast "Strong Roots, Fragile Farms." Complete contact information is at http://abc.abcnews.go.com/ under the "local listings" link.

2. FARM SERVICE AGENCY REVIEWS THE CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM

As part of its ongoing implementation of the 2002 Farm Bill, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has notified the public that it is accepting public comments on the draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The CRP, administered by the Farm Service Agency is the largest federal conservation program in the United States with the new farm bill allocating a maximum of 39.2 million acres, up from the previous 36.4 million. This draft PEIS contains a wealth of information on CRP alternatives for implementing provisions of the 2002 Farm Bill and looks at the overall effectiveness of CRP across the United States. As with all such documents there is a public comment period that allows citizens the opportunity to voice any concerns they may have about the environmental impacts of CRP. Comments are being accepted until close of business on Oct. 21, 2002. The National Association of Conservation Districts has an informative website that highlights the document and includes information on how to file comments.

3. SPORTING, CONSERVATION AND AGRICULTURE UNITE IN OHIO

Throughout America the last few years have witnessed a groundswell of grassroots cooperation between family farmers and sporting and conservation groups. In Ohio the Izaak Walton League is teaming up with Ohio State University and the state's Department of Natural Resources to spearhead a gathering of organizations that "have a stake in Ohio's working and outdoor lands." The overall goal is to have an open dialog on how to strengthen landowner incentives for conservation practices and to investigate new programs for landowners. They have invited over 50 organizations, ranging from Defenders of Wildlife the Ohio Farmers Union, to attend the event, which will be held on October 10, 2002 in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. For more information, or to view the registration or agenda, send an email to Rick Graham of the Ohio IKE's at: Rick.Graham@ohiostatebuckeyes.com

4. CORN GROWERS SEEK INFO ON HOW GMO MARKET IMPACT

The American Corn Growers Association has asked the General Accounting Office to conduct an assessment of how genetically modified corn impacts export markets. In recent years, the United States' share of the corn export has fallen by up to $40 million per year, and the Association wants an enumeration of the factors involved. One major factor is probably the cost of transporting corn long distances, but another important factor may be export market "customers reluctance to buy GM crops." Larry Mitchell, head of ACGA, asked, "What has it cost us in price to the farmers? And what has it cost the taxpayers in increased LDPs? Every penny drop in corn prices costs the federal government about $100 million."

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