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Garden Gate:  Gardening to become ILLEGAL?!  |
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Summerstead
True Blue Farmgirl
119 Posts
Heather
Roseland
Nebraska
USA
119 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 09 2009 : 1:46:29 PM
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Hey all! Has anybody heard of HR 875? If not, head over to my blog for a couple of links. If the bill passes, Farmer's Markets and small farms will be put out of business. They government is trying to do to small farms what it tried to do to handmade toys.
*Heather*
www.summerstead.blogspot.com
www.summerstead.etsy.com |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Mar 09 2009 : 2:42:02 PM
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Heather, where did you hear this? This is crazy! How do we elect people like this? I just sent in the form letter. I'd like to have a copy somehow, but am not sure how. I am going to call the manager of our farmer's market and give her your blog address so she can look at it. How scary is this?
Thanks for bringing this up.
Kris
Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. Maori proverb |
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shepherdgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1008 Posts
Tracy
California
USA
1008 Posts |
Posted - Mar 09 2009 : 2:52:37 PM
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Well, I have to say, I saw this coming. The national seed banks have been warning us for the past several years that Monsanto has been trying to shut them down and not allow the public access to seeds other than their MUTANT imitations. This company is run by the DEVIL!! It HAS to be! How could ANYONE have such EVIL intentions?!!!
Ok, so they are trying to make us tag our animals with electronic tracking devices (the USDA'S "Special" tags only (not scrapie tags-- something new called NAIS), now they're trying to make it illeagal for us to grow our own food crops... what's next? Make it illegal to buy fabric and make our own CLOTHES?
Like I've said before-- control the food, control the people.... I'll go before a firing squad before I let those greedy, EVIL Politicians take away my "BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS!!!!!"
THIS is the important stuff that affects us all. Socialism as NEVER worked (neither has Communisim), that's why AMERICA came to be. Now there are people in power trying to make our country into what it was never inteded to be. I can guarantee that I, and my family and friends will NOT be ones to just roll over and let it happen. I'm sending out my letter ASAP. And if I have to send one EVERY SINGLE DAY until the Bill is put before the voting channels, then I'll DO IT! The Squeeky Wheel makes the most noise and gets the most attention-- so SQUEEK! SQUEEK!! Thanks for sharing this Heather. We all need to be aware of it.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - Mar 09 2009 : 3:47:04 PM
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I just emailed my congressman. This is what I wrote:
Dear Congressman, I am writing to you in regards to HR 875 "Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009". While the aim of this act is to "establish the Food Safety Administration within the Department of Health and Human Services to protect the public health by preventing food-borne illness, ensuring the safety of food, improving research on contaminants leading to food-borne illness, and improving security of food from intentional contamination, and for other purposes." I fear that what this act will do is shut down Farmer's Markets and small farms around Arkansas as well as the entire country. I am an avid supporter of the Argenta Farmers Market and the Basket a Month Program in Little Rock, Arkansas. If you are not familiar with their program you can check out their website at http://www.arkansasfood.net/. I am fearful that this bill, if passed will make farmers markets and small family owned farms a thing of the past. In an already struggling economy the last thing we need to do is take away the ability to purchase locally produced produce and food items. Please do not allow the ever powerful Monsanto to win yet another battle in their attempt at global domination of the food market. I say that sort-of tongue-in-cheek but I really believe they are heading that way. As a school teacher in a small rural community where farming is the livelihood for many of the families I help to educate, I ask you to please vote NO to HR 875. Thank you sincerely, Julie
You are welcome to borrow any part of what I wrote if you wish to contact your congressman!
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
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BarefootGoatGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1495 Posts
Corrine
North Carolina
USA
1495 Posts |
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knittingmom
True Blue Farmgirl
665 Posts
AnneMarie
Edmonton
Alberta
Canada
665 Posts |
Posted - Mar 09 2009 : 4:05:09 PM
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Ok, as a Canadian I really shouldn't put my two cents in, but are these officials off their rockers? Don't they have something more important to deal with, like say, keeping people employed and solvent? (hmmmm HEY aren't Farmer's markets and small farming operations a way for people to earn incomes? Last time I checked they were). Good luck gals, keep after your elected officals.
"There is no foot so small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world" |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Mar 09 2009 : 5:07:56 PM
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Thanks for posting that link, Julie. I found that one of our Georgia congressmen is on the list and I have already e-mailed him. Grrrrrr.
Here's what I wrote:
Dear Congressman Bishop,
It has come to my attention that you have co-sponsored the bill HR875. In light of the consequences of such a bill passing, I am respectfully asking that you withdraw your support.
While the intent is apparently honorable, it would also wreak havoc on small farmers, farmer's markets and even home gardeners nationwide. The monopoly of a large corporation overseeing the food supply of America is a recipe for disaster. I do not believe that Monsanto, or other GMO-based companies, have anything but profit margins in their sights. While they tout food safety by controlling seed production and genetic engineering, they are single-handedly impacting the health of Americans, present and future.
You will never be able to convince me that altering the nature of a seed in any way will benefit us. Pure, whole foods were designed to sustain us. Why does that have to change? Have we not learned from the effects of pesticides and preservatives that have already proven themselves harmful? As the saying goes, "It isn't nice to fool with Mother Nature." I am afraid that if we continue to do so, the health of America will be devestated.
Government must understand that the American people can and will take care of themselves, and will not stand for them stepping in and taking control of what is grown in our yards,bought from local farmers and placed on our dinner table.
If you would like to read a different viewpoint to that of Representative DeLauro, whose husband is affiliated with Monsanto and therefore has an extreme conflict of interest here, please follow this link:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_17092.cfm
I think you will find yourself extremely enlightened as to what the consequences will truly be.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Karin K. Smith
They say that for every letter (or e-mail) received, it represents approximately 600 people. Imagine the imapct we could have if everone we know sent a letter!! Farmgirls Unite!!
Karin
Farmgirl Sister
# 18 :)
www.perfectlittlemiracle.blogspot.com
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
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Summerstead
True Blue Farmgirl
119 Posts
Heather
Roseland
Nebraska
USA
119 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2009 : 04:42:13 AM
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My mother-in-law had heard something about it and was talking about it this past weekend. I kind of dismissed it at the time, thinking she was a little off her rocker - surely our government wouldn't do something so insane! Yesterday morning, I decided to "Google" it, and was horrified to find out what she was saying is true.
I knew my fellow Farmgirls wouldn't stand for it!
*Heather*
www.summerstead.blogspot.com
www.summerstead.etsy.com |
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LivingWell4You
True Blue Farmgirl
1411 Posts
Karen
Hillsboro
MO
USA
1411 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2009 : 06:08:21 AM
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Heather, thank you so much for posting this. I'm getting ready to do a grocery run before the rains hit here but you can be sure I'll check it out when I get back. I'm on the bandwagon with you, farmgirl!
God bless -
Karen ~ Farmgirl Sister #311
www.livingwell4you.blogspot.com
www.heritagehillsfarm.blogspot.com
"To own a little bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds and watch the renewal of life - this is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing a man can do." Charles Dudley Warner |
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DearMildred
True Blue Farmgirl
223 Posts
Amanda
Tulsa
OK
USA
223 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2009 : 07:30:41 AM
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Apparently DeLauro introduced the bill in the last session of congress too, in 2007, but it died. This time around she has 39 (!) cosponsors so far! Horrible.
~~~Amanda in OK~~~
There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves. ~Will Rogers |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2009 : 07:34:07 AM
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Is this Rosa Delauro? Oh my God if it is!!! She is from my district where I grew up in CT and she was popular for doing the right thing. This is horrible. I will get on the line and call her on it.
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2009 : 4:37:20 PM
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Thank you for posting this information. This makes me so angry! I added the picture and a link to my blog. I also sent it to everyone on my mailing list.
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2009 : 4:39:21 PM
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Hey Kay---not to get off subject, but how is school going?
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
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Room To Grow
True Blue Farmgirl
974 Posts
Deborah
Kingston
Georgia
USA
974 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2009 : 7:15:38 PM
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The Republicians will kill this bill just on....*BECAUSE*....or they will see rioting
Deborah
we have moved to our farm...and love it |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2009 : 9:49:30 PM
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I think the worst thing that it will do to back yard growers/ ranchers is the "No transport" clause and the "No slaughter" clause. I am sorry but when I have meat chickens in the back yard, I don't plan on hiring a slaughter house for the chore.
I am reading through it as we speak, but I think it will get shot down because it might actually be unconstitutional. I am studying Business Law and have learned that if a law is made that can restrict Interstate commerace and be proven to be a detriment to the Economy, then the Supreme Court will negate the law. So even if this passes as is, it will probably be recinded.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
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Montrose Girl
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm
1360 Posts
Laurie
Montrose
CO
1360 Posts |
Posted - Mar 11 2009 : 1:47:18 PM
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I think because of the vaugeness of hte law a lot can be read into it. Unfortunately too many laws are twisted to a putpose that benefits big business and I could see this one be twisted that way to. Regulations could be placed that would be too expensive for local farmer's to comply so they could not go to farmer's market. Always interesting these types of issues.
Best Growing |
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NancyV
Farmgirl in Training
20 Posts
USA
20 Posts |
Posted - Mar 11 2009 : 2:53:00 PM
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Heather, thank you so much for the information and the links! I sent the form letter out, but I'm going to also write my representative because she's a co-sponsor! I feel like the more time goes by, the more I want to move! Our rights are being taken away so fast it makes my head spin. Canada's looking better and better. But I refuse to give up without a fight.
Nancy
Farmgirl Sister #501 |
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Garden Gate: Gardening to become ILLEGAL?! |
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Gardening to become ILLEGAL?!
