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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.
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We signed the “Support Family Farms, NOT Mega-Farms” petition!
# 11,319:
8:00 am PDT, Jul 26,
Zoe Unruh, Canada
# 11,318:
8:00 am PDT, Jul 26,
Claire Kugelman-Kropp, California
# 11,317:
7:58 am PDT, Jul 26,
Kathryn Farrell, Michigan
# 11,316:
7:57 am PDT, Jul 26,
Candice Ellis, Massachusetts
# 11,315:
7:57 am PDT, Jul 26,
Name not displayed, Texas
# 11,314:
7:57 am PDT, Jul 26,
Name not displayed, Colorado
# 11,313:
7:57 am PDT, Jul 26,
Juliet Farrell, Massachusetts
Agri-business is responsible for all of our farming woes. Poisonous chemical rather than organic methods, soil erosion, foods tainted with genetically modified organisms (that we can't even give away to other countries) the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico, serious pollution from huge quantities of animal waste, eutrophication of water ways all over, hormone and antibiotic tainted meats, migrant worker abuses, VAST animal cruelty and suffering to increase profit. They will try to better the bottom line at any cost, don't even sell us 'real' food if they can sell us a lab concoction for less. A family farm is invested in the community, more likely to have little environmental impact due to smaller size and more likely to use safe, organic methods.
Agri-business is responsible for all of our farming woes. Poisonous chemical rather than organic methods, soil erosion, foods tainted with genetically modified organisms (that we can't even give away to other countries) the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico, serious pollution from huge quantities of animal waste, eutrophication of water ways all over, hormone and antibiotic tainted meats, migrant worker abuses, VAST animal cruelty and suffering to increase profit. They will try to better the bottom line at any cost, don't even sell us 'real' food if they can sell us a lab concoction for less. A family farm is invested in the community, more likely to have little environmental impact due to smaller size and more likely to use safe, organic methods.
# 11,312:
7:57 am PDT, Jul 26,
Leah Shepperd, New York
# 11,311:
7:56 am PDT, Jul 26,
Diavonna Spivey, Virginia
# 11,310:
7:56 am PDT, Jul 26,
Maryellen Nelson, New York
Family farmers must be preserved. The reason for the past success of this great country has been our ability to feed ourselves without aid. Never should we allow any small group to take away our ability to sustain ourselves. Remember large corporations that control our food can still be sold to foreign controlled cartels.
Family farmers must be preserved. The reason for the past success of this great country has been our ability to feed ourselves without aid. Never should we allow any small group to take away our ability to sustain ourselves. Remember large corporations that control our food can still be sold to foreign controlled cartels.
# 11,309:
7:56 am PDT, Jul 26,
Name not displayed, Florida
# 11,308:
7:55 am PDT, Jul 26,
Laura Miller, Louisiana
# 11,307:
7:55 am PDT, Jul 26,
Margot Parlette, Arizona
# 11,306:
7:54 am PDT, Jul 26,
Jerry Smith, Oklahoma
Please don't vote for the American taxpayer to help big corporations in the farming business who don't need help!! Just support the small farm families that are needing the taxpayers help.
Please don't vote for the American taxpayer to help big corporations in the farming business who don't need help!! Just support the small farm families that are needing the taxpayers help.
# 11,305:
7:54 am PDT, Jul 26,
Marketa Anderson, Ohio
# 11,304:
7:54 am PDT, Jul 26,
Name not displayed, Colorado
# 11,303:
7:53 am PDT, Jul 26,
Casey Gatti, New Jersey
# 11,302:
7:53 am PDT, Jul 26,
Patricia L. Grose, Wisconsin
Farms have been in the families for generations supporting many many people. it is a way of life that should be preserved and must be viable for the farmers involved. They need to make a living. Farm factory food especially meat is totally tasteless. Do what needs to be done to protect our Family Farms.
Farms have been in the families for generations supporting many many people. it is a way of life that should be preserved and must be viable for the farmers involved. They need to make a living. Farm factory food especially meat is totally tasteless. Do what needs to be done to protect our Family Farms.
# 11,301:
7:53 am PDT, Jul 26,
Janet McBride, New York
It all started with the small farm and their families please don't forsake them now!
It all started with the small farm and their families please don't forsake them now!
# 11,300:
7:53 am PDT, Jul 26,
Richard N Huff, Indiana
# 11,299:
7:52 am PDT, Jul 26,
Vincent Fanuele, New Jersey
# 11,298:
7:52 am PDT, Jul 26,
John Essmyer, Missouri
Having grown up on a small farm, I know all too well how hard it is to make it return enough to support a family...but my parents did it. They had no help from the federal government, or any other agency. To this day they raise organic cattle on a small scale. To provide unfair subsidies to corporate farms is a travesty of justice. It is the equivalent of using taxpayer dollars and paying a Wal-mart to move into every small town in America...and wiping out small local business in the process. (That has not happened yet, but whats next). I strongly oppose the proposed subsidy legislation and ask,no, Demand that fairness be put back in government policy.
Having grown up on a small farm, I know all too well how hard it is to make it return enough to support a family...but my parents did it. They had no help from the federal government, or any other agency. To this day they raise organic cattle on a small scale. To provide unfair subsidies to corporate farms is a travesty of justice. It is the equivalent of using taxpayer dollars and paying a Wal-mart to move into every small town in America...and wiping out small local business in the process. (That has not happened yet, but whats next). I strongly oppose the proposed subsidy legislation and ask,no, Demand that fairness be put back in government policy.
# 11,297:
7:52 am PDT, Jul 26,
Name not displayed, Arizona
Give the small farmers a chance! It's or heritage.
Give the small farmers a chance! It's or heritage.
# 11,295:
7:52 am PDT, Jul 26,
Julie Stamper, Colorado
Family farms and organic farming should be favored in any legislation designed to reform funding provided to insure a safe and abundant food supply.
Family farms and organic farming should be favored in any legislation designed to reform funding provided to insure a safe and abundant food supply.
# 11,294:
7:51 am PDT, Jul 26,
Laura Way Wathen, Montana
Dear Congressman Rehberg, I am writing to urge you to vote "yes" on the Ryan Amendment. I support family farms, they are the backbone of this country. They are vital to our communities, economy and food security. Thank you.
Dear Congressman Rehberg, I am writing to urge you to vote "yes" on the Ryan Amendment. I support family farms, they are the backbone of this country. They are vital to our communities, economy and food security. Thank you.
# 11,293:
7:49 am PDT, Jul 26,
Caitlin Summers, United Kingdom
# 11,292:
7:49 am PDT, Jul 26,
Kim Bonnet, Wyoming
Small farmers are America's backbone. They are better care takers of the land, they provide more diversity in food products and quality. They are family operated, which also creates a family unity. Large Farmers, make millions a yr, Why should we subsidize them?? We need the small farmers of America! We need business that can and do create family Unity. We need small business that offer more diversity and take better care of the land!!
Small farmers are America's backbone. They are better care takers of the land, they provide more diversity in food products and quality. They are family operated, which also creates a family unity. Large Farmers, make millions a yr, Why should we subsidize them?? We need the small farmers of America! We need business that can and do create family Unity. We need small business that offer more diversity and take better care of the land!!
# 11,291:
7:49 am PDT, Jul 26,
Nicholas Prince, North Carolina
# 11,290:
7:49 am PDT, Jul 26,
Martha Siletti, New York
Things in this country are getting too big!! We need more support for our grass roots families and businesses. Thank you.
Things in this country are getting too big!! We need more support for our grass roots families and businesses. Thank you.
# 11,289:
7:49 am PDT, Jul 26,
Name not displayed, Illinois
We have been involved in farming all our life and have alot of pride in it. I am for the little farmer. Not the mega farmer. It loses the this country was founded on.
We have been involved in farming all our life and have alot of pride in it. I am for the little farmer. Not the mega farmer. It loses the this country was founded on.
# 11,288:
7:49 am PDT, Jul 26,
Andrea Hackett, Michigan
THIS TAKING OF LAND THROUGH THE SUBSIDY AND MEGA ARGRICULTURAL TAKEOVERS OF PRIVATE FARMING IS AN ECONOMIC HITMAN TYPE OF OFFENSIVE ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND THEIR RIGHT TO OWN LAND AND INDEPENDENT PRODUCE.
THIS TAKING OF LAND THROUGH THE SUBSIDY AND MEGA ARGRICULTURAL TAKEOVERS OF PRIVATE FARMING IS AN ECONOMIC HITMAN TYPE OF OFFENSIVE ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND THEIR RIGHT TO OWN LAND AND INDEPENDENT PRODUCE.
# 11,287:
7:48 am PDT, Jul 26,
Phyllis M.Brown, New York
This is has been a long term crime against small farmers and must be corrected now. Please vote for the Ryan Amendment and stop thie unfair practice.
This is has been a long term crime against small farmers and must be corrected now. Please vote for the Ryan Amendment and stop thie unfair practice.
# 11,286:
7:48 am PDT, Jul 26,
Sarah Mack, Tennessee
# 11,285:
7:48 am PDT, Jul 26,
Sophie Hinderberger, Maryland
# 11,284:
7:47 am PDT, Jul 26,
Joseph Finley, Tennessee
# 11,283:
7:46 am PDT, Jul 26,
Jennifer M. Seals, Utah
# 11,282:
7:46 am PDT, Jul 26,
Benedito Guida, Brazil
# 11,281:
7:46 am PDT, Jul 26,
Angela Austin, Texas
# 11,280:
7:46 am PDT, Jul 26,
Name not displayed, Pennsylvania
# 11,279:
7:46 am PDT, Jul 26,
Brandi Hudson, New York
# 11,278:
7:44 am PDT, Jul 26,
Michelle Gauss, New York
# 11,277:
7:44 am PDT, Jul 26,
Ann Callahan, Massachusetts
# 11,276:
7:42 am PDT, Jul 26,
Gene Gatts, Kentucky
I urge you to support the SMALL farmers. The majority of this country
I urge you to support the SMALL farmers. The majority of this country
# 11,275:
7:41 am PDT, Jul 26,
Sherry Specht, New Hampshire
# 11,274:
7:41 am PDT, Jul 26,
Michele Geracoulis, California
Mega-farming is destructive to the animals, the environment, and to the consumers. Family farming is the antithesis to this destruction. Our society, country, planet needs the family farmers to help balance the degradation.
Mega-farming is destructive to the animals, the environment, and to the consumers. Family farming is the antithesis to this destruction. Our society, country, planet needs the family farmers to help balance the degradation.
# 11,273:
7:41 am PDT, Jul 26,
Jeremy Steinbacher, Pennsylvania
# 11,272:
7:40 am PDT, Jul 26,
Stephanie Morimoto, New Mexico
# 11,271:
7:40 am PDT, Jul 26,
Marika Lamoreaux, Delaware
# 11,270:
7:38 am PDT, Jul 26,
Nicole Helbing, Connecticut
These families need to survive and they do us a huge service by giving us fresh vegetables. Supporting them kills 2 birds with one stone. Mega Farms don't need my money, families do. They will show more care anyway
These families need to survive and they do us a huge service by giving us fresh vegetables. Supporting them kills 2 birds with one stone. Mega Farms don't need my money, families do. They will show more care anyway
# 11,269:
7:38 am PDT, Jul 26,
Ran Zirasri, North Dakota
# 11,268:
7:38 am PDT, Jul 26,
Name not displayed, California
Since America is the land of opportunity, everyone should have the right to participate and obtain equal benefits. Long live the family farm!
Since America is the land of opportunity, everyone should have the right to participate and obtain equal benefits. Long live the family farm!
# 11,267:
7:38 am PDT, Jul 26,
Ryan Brizendine, Illinois
# 11,266:
7:37 am PDT, Jul 26,
Beth LaQuay, Ohio
# 11,265:
7:36 am PDT, Jul 26,
Name not displayed, Texas
# 11,264:
7:36 am PDT, Jul 26,
Donna Burgess, Ohio
The Family Farms NEED to be supported! The mega farms have enough support. Help "The Little Guy" out, the one who needs it. Thank you!!
The Family Farms NEED to be supported! The mega farms have enough support. Help "The Little Guy" out, the one who needs it. Thank you!!
# 11,263:
7:36 am PDT, Jul 26,
Joanie Smith, North Carolina
# 11,262:
7:36 am PDT, Jul 26,
Jeffrey Douglass, Georgia
Please support eco-friendly, sustainable agriculture, not mega farms. I am tired of subsidizing corporations!!!
Please support eco-friendly, sustainable agriculture, not mega farms. I am tired of subsidizing corporations!!!
# 11,261:
7:36 am PDT, Jul 26,
Kathleen Arnold, Florida
Mega farms harm the environment; family farms have the potential to produce healthy food in a sustainable manner. Please support these hardworking Americans so they can support us.
Mega farms harm the environment; family farms have the potential to produce healthy food in a sustainable manner. Please support these hardworking Americans so they can support us.
# 11,260:
7:35 am PDT, Jul 26,
Maricela Elizondo, California
# 11,259:
7:35 am PDT, Jul 26,
Jessica Stone, Colorado
# 11,258:
7:35 am PDT, Jul 26,
Mike Nesius, Florida
# 11,257:
7:35 am PDT, Jul 26,
Betsy Levine, Maine
I want to know where and how my food is grown, and to know that it is done with love, and for the benefit of the planet and all who share it. I know that by supporting the family farms, we can feed our planet, and in a healthy, nutritious manner. When food is grown ecologically and sustanably, for the benefit of all, we have a future. When it is done for sheer volume, without regard for wholesomeness nor for the growth and support of local economies, then we all sufffer, even those who seemingly "profit" from the practices.
I want to know where and how my food is grown, and to know that it is done with love, and for the benefit of the planet and all who share it. I know that by supporting the family farms, we can feed our planet, and in a healthy, nutritious manner. When food is grown ecologically and sustanably, for the benefit of all, we have a future. When it is done for sheer volume, without regard for wholesomeness nor for the growth and support of local economies, then we all sufffer, even those who seemingly "profit" from the practices.
# 11,256:
7:35 am PDT, Jul 26,
Denita Benyshek, Washington
As a mother and a woman with severe allergies to preservatives, processing methods, chemicals, etc., it is important for me to know where the food I eat is being grown. In addition, the most basic ethical premise is "Do no harm." Not only must our farming methods not harm humans, we must also not harm those animals in our care. My grandparents and uncles were/are farmers and I've personally seen how they know each animal as individuals and how well they were cared for. Please vote to support family farms. Thank you.
As a mother and a woman with severe allergies to preservatives, processing methods, chemicals, etc., it is important for me to know where the food I eat is being grown. In addition, the most basic ethical premise is "Do no harm." Not only must our farming methods not harm humans, we must also not harm those animals in our care. My grandparents and uncles were/are farmers and I've personally seen how they know each animal as individuals and how well they were cared for. Please vote to support family farms. Thank you.
# 11,255:
7:34 am PDT, Jul 26,
Linda Jupiter, California
# 11,254:
7:34 am PDT, Jul 26,
Gil Leigh, Maryland
# 11,253:
7:33 am PDT, Jul 26,
Pamela Smith, Missouri
# 11,252:
7:33 am PDT, Jul 26,
Paul R. O'Neil, Massachusetts
# 11,251:
7:33 am PDT, Jul 26,
Wendy Bauer, California