FoFF

@SecVilsack: You can't "fight monopolization and promote competition" by failing to support existing small and midsized meat processors and instead give $500 million for new large plants. This won't "level the playing field." capitalpress.com/opinion/column… via @capitalpress

For nearly 2 decades, EPA failed to enforce any air pollution laws against the factory farm industry--totally unacceptable. Last week FoFF and 23 advocacy orgs demanded EPA end this amnesty deal and finally start holding these major polluters accountable. foodandwaterwatch.org/2021/10/26/leg…

It is disappointing that the recent global agreement to reduce methane emissions promotes factory farm gas – Agribusiness’ scheme to make money off a problem they created and entrench the factory farms that hurt rural & environmental justice communities. grist.org/article/theres…

"The climate crisis calls for proven solutions. Organic farmers have them." thehill.com/opinion/energy…

Just a Few Companies Control the Meat Industry. Can a New Approach to Monopolies Level the Playing Field? civileats.com/?p=42514

Oregon adopts emergency rules to protect workers in extreme heat oregonlive.com/business/2021/…

Heat killed WA blueberry worker Ricardo Sotelo ​on June 30 2015. The day he died it was 107°. Ricardo and co-workers were ill and began to vomit. He asked for a break, but was denied by his supervisor. Medical records state death was due to heat stroke. @GovInslee: Protect us.

Does @BravoTopChef know that #Tillamook sources the majority of their milk from one of the US's largest mega-dairies, NOT small farms? Sustainable claims are #greenwashing. #TopChefPortland #TopChef eugeneweekly.com/2021/06/03/meg… @tomcolicchio @PadmaLakshmi @gailsimmons @danpfeiffer

Support local farmers, feed hungry families. Fund Double Up Food Bucks (SB555) before adjournment! Families win, farmers win, and Oregon’s economy thrives. @senbetsyjohnson @ESHforOregon @DanRayfield @TinaKotek statesmanjournal.com/story/opinion/… via @salem_statesman

On another inevitable zoonotic disease outbreak: We should rethink current animal and livestock ag practices, which created ideal conditions for such diseases to thrive...depending less on “intensive animal agriculture practices” would help. modernfarmer.com/2021/06/how-ca… via @ModFarm

U.S. Senate bill by @RonWyden & @SenatorFischer would help provide fairer beef prices, but @senbetsyjohnson @ESHforOregon @DanRayfield can help Oregon producers now by expanding small-scale meat processing capacity via HB 2785A. omaha.com/opinion/column…

“What is happening through the forced dry up of this district, because we are junior water rights holders, is a massive ecological and a social disaster...” Central Oregon Farmer Cate Havstad-Casad: opb.org/article/2021/0…

Observation data from 9 wells in the basalt aquifer near Easterday Dairy suggest water levels continue to drop, even in wells that are not being used. “There is not good news in the water level trend,” wrote a hydrogeologist w/ the OR’s WRD in a memo: eastoregonian.com/townnews/agric…

Op-ed: We Don’t Need a ‘Moonshot’ for Faux Burgers—We Need To Hold ‘Big Meat’ Accountable. AND re-regionalize and increase capacity of small scale meat processing like we're trying to do in Oregon. @CivilEats civileats.com/2021/05/05/opi… #ORleg #ORpol #ORag #foodsystems

FoFF has been fielding many concerns from our farmers and ranchers about Oregon ballot initiative IP-13. @OreFarmBureau does a great job explaining the initiative and why it is important to raise awareness--especially with non-farming populations. oregonfb.org/ip13_052021/

Food for thought: To level the playing field for family farms competing with mega-dairies, overhaul the price structure of milk to a two-tiered system. kansas.com/opinion/guest-…

Easterday rancher stole $244M in scam. Fortunately, in light of this development, ODA & DEQ have pressed pause on the Easterday CAFO permit...for now. lmtribune.com/northwest/ranc…

Tomorrow 4/1 is the LAST DAY to nominate your favorite farmer (or yourself!) Join us in celebrating our state’s “HERO”s (holistic, ecological, regenerative operators) through the Living Soil Awards! To nominate (don’t wait!) - oregonpasturenetwork.org/living-soil-aw… @Farmfriends @organicgrownco

Curious to hear what Sec. Vilsack will say about US ag, esp post-COVID, when the focus should be on regional food security instead of global supply chains & factory farms. Pre-register to submit a question, or during the call, AFT will take additional tweet Qs using #FreeRangeAF

As we’ve been advocating for more OSU Extension Agents to help grow organic production this leg session, many people have told us how valuable Extension is and what a difference it makes. Please consider giving feedback to OSU.