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Support Family Farms, NOT Mega-Farms
Target: U.S. House of RepresentativesSponsored by: Center for Rural Affairs
URGENT: House to vote Thursday on 2007 Farm Bill - act now to support family farms!
Last Wednesday the House Agriculture Committee voted to increase subsidies that mega-farms use to drive family farms off the land and out of business. Not only does this action further subsidize the demise of family farms, it diverts scarce dollars from vital programs that could benefit all of America. This Thursday, Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin will bring an amendment to the House floor during debate on the Farm Bill that will reverse this move.
The House Agriculture Committee's 2007 Farm Bill proposal is NOT reform. Representative Ryan's amendment is true reform. It would close the loopholes in farm programs that allow a few extremely wealthy individuals to receive multi-million dollar subsidy checks. Rep. Ryan's amendment would restore integrity to farm programs.
Urge your representative to vote FOR the Paul Ryan amendment that will reverse the payment limitation increase, close the loopholes, and limit farm subsidies to mega-farms. Tell your representative that supporting family farmers and rural America means supporting Rep. Ryan's amendment this Thursday.
Last Wednesday the House Agriculture Committee voted to increase subsidies that mega-farms use to drive family farms off the land and out of business. Not only does this action further subsidize the demise of family farms, it diverts scarce dollars from vital programs that could benefit all of America. This Thursday, Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin will bring an amendment to the House floor during debate on the Farm Bill that will reverse this move.
The House Agriculture Committee's 2007 Farm Bill proposal is NOT reform. Representative Ryan's amendment is true reform. It would close the loopholes in farm programs that allow a few extremely wealthy individuals to receive multi-million dollar subsidy checks. Rep. Ryan's amendment would restore integrity to farm programs.
Urge your representative to vote FOR the Paul Ryan amendment that will reverse the payment limitation increase, close the loopholes, and limit farm subsidies to mega-farms. Tell your representative that supporting family farmers and rural America means supporting Rep. Ryan's amendment this Thursday.
Sign Petition! see who signed this
We signed the “Support Family Farms, NOT Mega-Farms” petition!
# 11,250:
7:33 am PDT, Jul 26,
Carol Faber, New York
it's time to put a stop to all freebies to mega farms and put the support back where it was intended on the strugeling family farms. NO MORE FACTORY FARMS
it's time to put a stop to all freebies to mega farms and put the support back where it was intended on the strugeling family farms. NO MORE FACTORY FARMS
# 11,249:
7:31 am PDT, Jul 26,
Melissa Bishop, Florida
# 11,248:
7:31 am PDT, Jul 26,
Sharon Trautman, Missouri
# 11,247:
7:31 am PDT, Jul 26,
Carolyn Veerjee, Ohio
This country must support the family farm to encourage the production of healthy food for our families and to protect the environment; not to mention supporting those who choose this important way of life. The mega-farms don't need our help. They have caused too much trouble already.
This country must support the family farm to encourage the production of healthy food for our families and to protect the environment; not to mention supporting those who choose this important way of life. The mega-farms don't need our help. They have caused too much trouble already.
# 11,246:
7:30 am PDT, Jul 26,
Donna Schwartz, Arkansas
# 11,245:
7:29 am PDT, Jul 26,
Al Perreault, Massachusetts
# 11,244:
7:29 am PDT, Jul 26,
Bonnie Black, Minnesota
The family farms need protection. Please cast your vote in favor of them and not the mega-farms.
The family farms need protection. Please cast your vote in favor of them and not the mega-farms.
# 11,243:
7:29 am PDT, Jul 26,
Mark Gilbertson, Washington
I support family farms because they are not contaminated by the form of ethics in farming that mega-farms embrace, i.e., genetically-modified plants and the heavy use of chemical pesticides. To hand these mega-farmers multi-million dollar subsidies is only to reward them for a form of farming which hasn't the environment's naturally biodiversified eco-systems highest in its mind.
I support family farms because they are not contaminated by the form of ethics in farming that mega-farms embrace, i.e., genetically-modified plants and the heavy use of chemical pesticides. To hand these mega-farmers multi-million dollar subsidies is only to reward them for a form of farming which hasn't the environment's naturally biodiversified eco-systems highest in its mind.
# 11,242:
7:29 am PDT, Jul 26,
Willie Penney, Texas
# 11,241:
7:28 am PDT, Jul 26,
Gregg Noblett, New York
Family farms continue the practice of pride in what they produce and are driven by customer satisfaction. Please allow this tradition to continue.
Family farms continue the practice of pride in what they produce and are driven by customer satisfaction. Please allow this tradition to continue.
# 11,240:
7:28 am PDT, Jul 26,
Meghan Kolund, Colorado
Please help us stand up for the small, family farms of our state!
Please help us stand up for the small, family farms of our state!
# 11,239:
7:28 am PDT, Jul 26,
Rebecca Ratcliff, Illinois
Now is the time to put the money where your mouths are -- Quit preaching "family values, backbone of America, Bread Basket to the World" and do something to help the real people behind your political slogans. Support small family farms -- Not uber-rich Agribusiness CEO's and land owners who have never even had dirty hands.
Now is the time to put the money where your mouths are -- Quit preaching "family values, backbone of America, Bread Basket to the World" and do something to help the real people behind your political slogans. Support small family farms -- Not uber-rich Agribusiness CEO's and land owners who have never even had dirty hands.
# 11,238:
7:28 am PDT, Jul 26,
Catherine Regan, California
Our daughter is living and working on a small organic farm. We've had the chance to see what a treasure this is. Please protect small farmers.
Our daughter is living and working on a small organic farm. We've had the chance to see what a treasure this is. Please protect small farmers.
# 11,237:
7:28 am PDT, Jul 26,
Tony Tucker, Colorado
# 11,236:
7:27 am PDT, Jul 26,
Mary Farley, Illinois
# 11,235:
7:26 am PDT, Jul 26,
Tiffany M Phillips, Arkansas
Increasing the connection between people and the food they eat will help everything from safeguarding our water to reducing obesity. Family farms sustainable, and the food they produce is delicious-it doesn't have to be sprayed or picked unripe to make it to market. Please support family farms, and stop subsidizing mega-farms who don't need my tax money.
Increasing the connection between people and the food they eat will help everything from safeguarding our water to reducing obesity. Family farms sustainable, and the food they produce is delicious-it doesn't have to be sprayed or picked unripe to make it to market. Please support family farms, and stop subsidizing mega-farms who don't need my tax money.
# 11,234:
7:26 am PDT, Jul 26,
Name not displayed, South Dakota
# 11,233:
7:25 am PDT, Jul 26,
Deborah Dahlgren, Connecticut
# 11,232:
7:24 am PDT, Jul 26,
Connie Eberhart, California
# 11,231:
7:24 am PDT, Jul 26,
Katherine Noyes, Arkansas
Mega-farms are bad for people, animals and the environment, and their days are numbered. I buy food from family farms whenever possible!
Mega-farms are bad for people, animals and the environment, and their days are numbered. I buy food from family farms whenever possible!
# 11,230:
7:24 am PDT, Jul 26,
Hector Garcia, Michigan
Small farmers need help, corporate farmers DO NOT. Congress subsidizes the rich and powerful too readily without giving due consideration to the ones who really need it. It is time to give this country a real House of Representatives not a House of Powerful Interests.
Small farmers need help, corporate farmers DO NOT. Congress subsidizes the rich and powerful too readily without giving due consideration to the ones who really need it. It is time to give this country a real House of Representatives not a House of Powerful Interests.
# 11,229:
7:23 am PDT, Jul 26,
Laurie Colbath-Libby, Maine
Our small family farmers are an intricle part of the fabric of this nation. Without them who are we? I live in a rural farming part of the country, and love the fact that I can buy my produce, meats & dairy locally and be assured there are no addatives I don't want my family to have added to the foods I purchase. Please support our countries small family farmers.
Our small family farmers are an intricle part of the fabric of this nation. Without them who are we? I live in a rural farming part of the country, and love the fact that I can buy my produce, meats & dairy locally and be assured there are no addatives I don't want my family to have added to the foods I purchase. Please support our countries small family farmers.
# 11,228:
7:22 am PDT, Jul 26,
Ray Wheat, Illinois
# 11,227:
7:22 am PDT, Jul 26,
Ariel Hobbs, Ohio
family farms are a big part of the economy and shouldn't be driven away by people trying to make billions.It isn't fair, that is how they make a living for their family.
family farms are a big part of the economy and shouldn't be driven away by people trying to make billions.It isn't fair, that is how they make a living for their family.
# 11,226:
7:22 am PDT, Jul 26,
Carolyn Dengler, Pennsylvania
# 11,225:
7:21 am PDT, Jul 26,
Pat Adams, Indiana
# 11,224:
7:21 am PDT, Jul 26,
Eve Passeltiner, Massachusetts
Farming should not become one big corporation. Lets not just romanticize life on a family farm, lets support them so they can exist and not become a story from the past. We can have healthier lands, food, families and family farms. It is time to stop making the world only about greed and corporations. Let's have the advantages go to the family farm - not the 'walmart' farms.
Farming should not become one big corporation. Lets not just romanticize life on a family farm, lets support them so they can exist and not become a story from the past. We can have healthier lands, food, families and family farms. It is time to stop making the world only about greed and corporations. Let's have the advantages go to the family farm - not the 'walmart' farms.
# 11,223:
7:20 am PDT, Jul 26,
Joyce Raby, Florida
Support family farms, not mega-farms. The family farms are struggling to survive while the mega-farms are getting too much money.
Support family farms, not mega-farms. The family farms are struggling to survive while the mega-farms are getting too much money.
# 11,222:
7:20 am PDT, Jul 26,
Shannon Sexton, Pennsylvania
# 11,221:
7:19 am PDT, Jul 26,
Snow Schaefer, Colorado
If subsidies are being provided to mega farms, then why not give subsidies to the little farms? You do want Americans to eat or do you? That would include you too. The economy depends on giving a fair chance to everyone.
If subsidies are being provided to mega farms, then why not give subsidies to the little farms? You do want Americans to eat or do you? That would include you too. The economy depends on giving a fair chance to everyone.
# 11,220:
7:19 am PDT, Jul 26,
Name not displayed, Georgia
As a farmer, and a consumer, of organic foods I am EXTREMELY invested in this issue and want to see small sustainable farms supported and nurtured. Please end the corporate subsidies to large commodity farms, and reinvest in a healthier and more viable farming system.
As a farmer, and a consumer, of organic foods I am EXTREMELY invested in this issue and want to see small sustainable farms supported and nurtured. Please end the corporate subsidies to large commodity farms, and reinvest in a healthier and more viable farming system.
# 11,219:
7:18 am PDT, Jul 26,
Janaki Blum, Massachusetts
If encouraged, small farms provide locally grown produce that is fresher and more nutritious than mega-farm versions, while cutting fuel use and transport costs. Promoting medium scale, minimal processing will also help these small farmers succeed economically.
If encouraged, small farms provide locally grown produce that is fresher and more nutritious than mega-farm versions, while cutting fuel use and transport costs. Promoting medium scale, minimal processing will also help these small farmers succeed economically.
# 11,218:
7:17 am PDT, Jul 26,
Efan Hsieh, Massachusetts
I live in one of the most fertile river valleys of the country, with a vibrant small farm community. I would not trade that quality of life for anything -- not cheaper gmo corn syrup, not cheaper hormone-laced pasteurized milk, or huge Roundup-sprayed monocultures. Small farms are at the heart of the classic American values of home, hearth, and small business. Please support the Farm Bill reform, and support scenic landscapes, wildlife, water, soil, and local food.
I live in one of the most fertile river valleys of the country, with a vibrant small farm community. I would not trade that quality of life for anything -- not cheaper gmo corn syrup, not cheaper hormone-laced pasteurized milk, or huge Roundup-sprayed monocultures. Small farms are at the heart of the classic American values of home, hearth, and small business. Please support the Farm Bill reform, and support scenic landscapes, wildlife, water, soil, and local food.
# 11,217:
7:16 am PDT, Jul 26,
Heather Doty, California
# 11,216:
7:16 am PDT, Jul 26,
Roland A. De Longoria, California
It's time this country started working for the little people of this nation, here is agood place to start. The next is to destroy corperate personage.
It's time this country started working for the little people of this nation, here is agood place to start. The next is to destroy corperate personage.
# 11,215:
7:13 am PDT, Jul 26,
Tarah O'Neill, Florida
# 11,214:
7:13 am PDT, Jul 26,
Salvatore Savastano, Connecticut
"Mega farm" means Mega Polution - they poison our food supply. Run them off the land and out of the Country. Congressman Shays, vote yes on Rep. Ryans Amendment.
"Mega farm" means Mega Polution - they poison our food supply. Run them off the land and out of the Country. Congressman Shays, vote yes on Rep. Ryans Amendment.
# 11,213:
7:12 am PDT, Jul 26,
Janet Lynch, Maine
I am disgusted with the greedy reach of huge agribusiness, which destroys our landscapes while offering lousy food, low in nutrients and full of chemicals. Agribusiness is generally far more fuel-intensive and environmentally destructive than small scale agriculture, and it is far less humane. The corporations which run the huge agribusinesses have more than enough money already without further government hand-outs to them. It is time to level the playing field and help our small farmers. We need policies which help us to preserve our American landscapes and which help Americans access wholesome, locally grown foods.
I am disgusted with the greedy reach of huge agribusiness, which destroys our landscapes while offering lousy food, low in nutrients and full of chemicals. Agribusiness is generally far more fuel-intensive and environmentally destructive than small scale agriculture, and it is far less humane. The corporations which run the huge agribusinesses have more than enough money already without further government hand-outs to them. It is time to level the playing field and help our small farmers. We need policies which help us to preserve our American landscapes and which help Americans access wholesome, locally grown foods.
# 11,212:
7:12 am PDT, Jul 26,
Lorrie Thedford, Texas
# 11,211:
7:11 am PDT, Jul 26,
Louis Nielsen, Rhode Island
It's about time we stop the Corporate Welfare for agribusinesses!
It's about time we stop the Corporate Welfare for agribusinesses!
# 11,210:
7:11 am PDT, Jul 26,
Valerie Fry, Illinois
# 11,209:
7:11 am PDT, Jul 26,
Dorli Rainey, Washington
Please do not let the factory farms take over our food supply
Please do not let the factory farms take over our food supply
# 11,208:
7:11 am PDT, Jul 26,
Name not displayed, Minnesota
# 11,207:
7:10 am PDT, Jul 26,
Larry Johnson, Alabama
Please do what ever you can to protect us small, family farmers. Thank you
Please do what ever you can to protect us small, family farmers. Thank you
# 11,206:
7:10 am PDT, Jul 26,
Terri Albrecht-Schmitt, Alabama
Much of the innovative force that founded this country was from the strong and creative nature of small farmers doing their part.
Much of the innovative force that founded this country was from the strong and creative nature of small farmers doing their part.
# 11,205:
7:09 am PDT, Jul 26,
Richard Chiger, New York
In my lifetime I have seen many family farms, that had existed for several generations, disappear due to their inability to compete with what we now call agribusiness. Giant corporate farms do not need any more government favors than they have. Thier cruelty to animals and people and their greed have caused too much damage. Help the family farmer stay in business. Too many old farms have become developements and ruined our countryside as well.
In my lifetime I have seen many family farms, that had existed for several generations, disappear due to their inability to compete with what we now call agribusiness. Giant corporate farms do not need any more government favors than they have. Thier cruelty to animals and people and their greed have caused too much damage. Help the family farmer stay in business. Too many old farms have become developements and ruined our countryside as well.
# 11,204:
7:08 am PDT, Jul 26,
Amanda Larkin, Georgia
# 11,203:
7:08 am PDT, Jul 26,
Christina Merrill, Colorado
# 11,202:
7:07 am PDT, Jul 26,
Maydaliz Bultron, Puerto Rico
# 11,201:
7:04 am PDT, Jul 26,
Kim Carlyle, North Carolina
For a healthy local economy, for a wholesome food supply, for the well-being of the people, and for the integrity of our ecosystems, we need to reverse the trend toward complete domination of the food supply by industrial mega-farms and, instead, support locally-grown food and family farmers.
For a healthy local economy, for a wholesome food supply, for the well-being of the people, and for the integrity of our ecosystems, we need to reverse the trend toward complete domination of the food supply by industrial mega-farms and, instead, support locally-grown food and family farmers.