1.  VENEMAN NOMINATED FOR AG. SECRETARY

In a move disappointing to family farmers, consumers and environmentalists president-elect Bush has nominated Ann Veneman for Secretary of Agriculture. Veneman, former Deputy of Agriculture for Bush's father, has championed expanding free trade, increased export markets and biotechnology during her agriculture career. She is heavily praised in recent press by the California Farm Bureau Federation and former Monsanto lobbyist Carol Tucker Foreman. Regarding the appointment, Bill Christison, President of the National Family Farm Coalition said, "We had hoped to get a secretary with practical experience in family farm agriculture. We feel the next secretary should understand that expanding free trade and export markets while increasing biotechnology are not the answers farmers need."

2. HIGHTOWER PICKED IN ON-LINE POLL

In a Familyfarmer.org online poll of farmers, consumers and environmentalists, Jim Hightower, former Texas Commissioner of Agriculture, was selected by visitors as their choice for the next secretary of agriculture. Hightower won this honor with 30% of the vote. Second to Hightower was agricultural economist Niel Harl who won 15% of the vote. Charles Stenholm, D-TX was third with 10% of the vote and Bush nominee Ann Veneman ranked fourth with 6% of the vote. 

3. FARM BUREAU ENDORSES DUTCH DAIRY FACTORIES

According to the Associated Press, Ohio Farm Bureau's new president, Terry McClure "welcomes Dutch dairy operations being established in northwest Ohio" saying these mega Dairy factories will "become additional customers for grain farmers." For the past three years family farmers and clean water advocates in the Midwest have been fighting the development of Dutch Dairy Factories. During that time the Dutch Company Vreba-Hoff Dairy Development Inc. has brokered 22 new farms in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, with nine now operating. Farmers and homeowners say they fear the new operations will pollute the air and water, reduce property values and ruin their quality of life. Groups in Putnam and Williams counties have filed lawsuits to stop construction of the farms.

4. STILL SHOPPING? GIVE A CSA! 

Still looking for an appropriate gift for friends or family? This Christmas, why not give a gift that supports family farmers and the environment. Give your family or friends a year's membership in a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) CSA's link farmers and customers together locally to promote regionally grown, environmentally sound family farm produce. 

Most CSA's have an annual membership fee. Make this fee a gift to family or friends and, in doing so, give the gift of healthy safe family farm produce grown in an Earth friendly way.