1. FARM BILL REVIEW COMING SOON

Family farmers and conservationists are closely monitoring discussion on how to improve the current farm bill. This legislation is technically scheduled for review in 2002. 

However, because the current farm bill (Freedom to Farm) has failed farmers miserably leading to the worst commodity prices in decades, Congress is now saying they will review this bill early in 2001. According to UPdates! sources, House agricultural chairman Larry Combest has said he plans to start review early in 2001. Conservationists and farmers keenly aware of the unnecessary ecological and economic damages wrought by bad farm policy are watching this re-authorization process closely. Rural Updates! will be tracking this issue and providing ongoing analysis of developments.

2. FEDERAL COURT SAYS STINK MUST STOP

Several years ago the Brady township in Michigan adopted an ordinance to protect local residents from the offensive odors of factory animal farms. Corporate agribusiness interest in the area protested, however claiming this ordinance amounted to an unconstitutional "takings" of private property. According to Patty Cantrell of the Michigan Land Use Institute, "The Michigan Farm Bureau and others succeeded last year in the Legislature with S.B. 205, which took away local governments' power to manage agriculture nuisances and environmental risks with zoning ordinances." Recently a federal court ruled the ordinance to be fair and reasonable. "The court essentially ruled," said Cantrell, " that local governments can decide for themselves what is offensive." For more information contact Patty Cantrell, 231-882-4723 ext. 18. patty@mlui.org

3. FARM BUREAU DEFEATS RURAL HERITAGE INITIATIVE

"This is not the first time this has happened where Farm Bureau distorted the issue on what is good for farmers," said Charles Richard commenting on the defeat last week of the Sonoma County, California Rural Heritage Initiative. The initiative, designed to protect rural areas from urban sprawl, was soundly defeated by 20,000 votes. Richard, a proponent of the initiative said, "It's unfortunate because our side didn't anticipate the negative campaign by Farm Bureau and the other pro-development forces. There was outright lying and distortion on behalf of Farm Bureau. During the campaign they (Farm Bureau) took our message which said, Save our Farms vote Yes on the initiative and turned it around and said "Save our Farms" vote No on the initiative. What they really meant was save our development rights." Richard said attempts in the county to preserve rural heritage will continue.

4. FARM BUREAU INVESTIGATION UPDATE

Did you know there was a congressional investigation into Farm Bureau leadership thirty years ago? At that time a New York congressman by the name of Joseph Resnick set out to identify and understand the roots of rural poverty. What he found about the Farm Bureau's grip on farmers and rural America outraged him. Resnick's intriguing statement in the congressional record, including official letters he wrote to the Internal Revenue Service is now on the internet at: www.familyfarmer.org/congressrecord.html. Feel free to email this interesting testimony to a friend.