1. A GROUNDSWELL TO PROTECT ORGANIC STANDARDS

Organic producers and consumers hit the streets recently to oppose a rider to the omnibus appropriations bill that would have significantly weakened the national organic standards. With a national outcry headed up by grassroots opposition from giants like the Whole Foods Company, the Georgia Congressman responsible for the rider, Nathan Deal, (Rep) is now eating his words. Deal cut a deal with Republican party chairmen and got 12 lines clandestinely inserted onto the appropriations bill that basically allowed products to be labeled organic even if the animals were not fed 100 percent organic grain. Whole Foods distributed over a million cards to customers at the checkout stand asking them to contact their Member of Congress to oppose this deception. A stand-alone bill to repeal the Deal language, sponsored by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), garnered 52 co-sponsors in just three days.

Before it was adopted last week as an amendment to the Senates version of the war supplemental now in conference committee, it had 68 signed supporters. The swift and strong groundswell of opposition to that rider has been an eye-opener for many in Washington. 

2. FARM BILL ENERGY GRANTS AVAILABLE NOW

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service this week announced the availability of "$23 million in competitive grant funds for fiscal year (FY) 2003 to purchase renewable energy systems and make energy improvements for agricultural producers and rural small businesses." This money, mandated by the Energy Title of the 2002 farm bill, is available in the form of grants to cover up to 25% of the cost of energy improvements. To be eligible, an applicant must be an agricultural producer or rural business that can demonstrate financial need and whose entity is at least 51% owned by a citizen or legal resident of the United States. Applications for renewable energy systems must be for a minimum grant request of $10,000, but no more than $500,000. Applications for energy efficiency improvements must be for a minimum grant request of $10,000, but no more than $250,000. In future years, the Service will also offer loans and loan guarantees, but is implementing only the grant program in FY 2003. The application deadline is June 6, 2003. Read the complete eligibility requirements and application instructions.

3. WISCONSIN BILL WOULD ERODE LOCAL CONTROL OVER CAFO EXPANSION

According to an April 2 story and editorial in "The Country Today," two state legislators in Wisconsin are drafting a bill that would set statewide standards for approval and siting of agricultural facilities -- and curtail the ability of local governments to use zoning regulations or conditional permits to regulate the entry or expansion of large confined animal feeding operations. The legislation, being drafted by state senator Dale Schultz and state Representative David Ward, would stipulate that if a proposed facility meets state management and siting criteria, it would automatically be granted a permit. "Will this legislation mean the effectiveness of people hiring lawyers to fight farm expansions will be diminished? I hope so," said Senator Schultz. A representative of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau, which supports the measure, stated that "We need to turn agriculture expansion into a scientific question instead of a popularity contest," presumably a reference to the unpopularity of factory farms in the local communities most affected by them.

4. MAINE MORATORIUM ON GMO CROPS

Voters in Oregon narrowly voted down a bill last year that would have made it illegal to grow genetically engineered crops. Supporters say the bill only failed because of a massively expensive, last minute public relations campaign by the GMO and seed lobbies.

Now, voters in the state of Maine may have an opportunity to vote for a moratorium on planting GMO's. Sponsored by Rep. Linda Rogers McKee, this bill establishes a 3-year moratorium that would begin October 1, 2003 and end October 1, 2006. During this time, no GMO crops could be planted and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources must prepare a marketing plan that uses the moratorium as a promotional tool for Maine's agricultural products. The Main Organic Farmers Organization is asking for Maine residents to contact their legislator, and the members of the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, to support LD 1219, An Act to Establish a Moratorium on Genetically Engineered Plants, A public hearing date has not yet been set for this bill. If you would like direct e-mail notice of the hearing, or more information about e-mail sharon_tisher@umenfa.maine.edu.

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