Faxing for Farmers
Share
As I’ve written recently here on the ONE blog, the Farm Bill working its way through Congress contains subsidies directed to big business farms that stifle competition from smaller farms. Some members of Congress would like the public to believe that these subsidies are designed to help American farmers. In reality, the vast majority of farmers are hurt by these subsidies. These subsidies allow the biggest 8% of farms to lower prices on their goods, leaving small American farmers – not to mention impoverished farmers in the developing world – struggling to compete. Take some time to read about the Farm Bill and why it needs to be reformed.
We know that many of our ONE members have already helped spread awareness of the need for Farm Bill reform by writing thousands of letters to their local papers all across the country. This effort has not gone unnoticed. Not only have numerous letters appeared in newspapers across the country – including sizable publications like the Chicago Tribune – but a proposed Fairness in Farm and Food Policy Amendment to the Farm Bill would provide many of those desperately needed changes, like putting a cap on the subsidies large farms receive. This provides us with a great opportunity to take desperately needed action.
Right now the bill is leaving the Agricultural Committee, and soon it will be presented to the full House of Representatives. Before they make their decision, let’s pull together as ONE to show them what voters really think about legislation that prevents small farmers the world over from competing fairly.
- Previous Post Impact (Wednesday July 25) 08
- Next Post ONE LOVE: WHITE BANDS AND WEDDING BANDS
 |
 |
 |
Featured Series
About the Blog
The ONE Blog is a daily log of the anti-poverty movement. The site is operated by ONE staff, with frequent contributions from volunteers, members and partner organizations.
The ONE Blog updates readers daily with the latest in global development news and analysis and what ONE members and our partners are doing around the world to influence world leaders in the fight against global poverty.
The content of each post and each comment represents the views of that author and does not necessarily reflect the views of ONE or ONE Action. ONE does not support or oppose any candidate for elected office, and any post expressing support or opposition for a candidate is not endorsed by ONE.
July 24, 2007 at 12:36 pm
i am thankful for those who support family farms. it is difficult to watch your community change as individuals are no longer able to financially continue to farm. our family has been farming for over one hundred years and milk prices are as low as they were in the 1940s. amazing that friends that buy milk in the store think the farmer is getting rich. how sad that in PA the agriculture and especially dairy farms are becoming invisible. will we be the generation that dribnk milk from a factory or chemical? To all you hard working farmers, God bless you.
July 24, 2007 at 12:55 pm
It’s seems people have forgotten that PEOPLE make this world go round. Small farmers have been the People who fed our countries for centuries. Small farmers take pride in their work, and in turn we see that pride in the crops provided to the communities.
Farming is about people helping people to feed the people. We must not continue to let the multinational conglomerates reap the rewards of making agriculture a global monopoly.
Remember the effects of United Fruit or should I say the Green Octopus, in the early 20th century. We must stand up and defend what is right for the small farmers and the people.
Our voice will be heard.
July 24, 2007 at 1:36 pm
One of the trickiest things about getting this farm bill passed is that it not only affects farmers but everyday city people too. I’ve been speaking to my representitives regarding this issue because its really one of “hunger.” Here, in NYC, this bill affects the homeless and the thousands of low-income kids who get free breakfast and lunch in our public schools. We need to raise awareness of the importance of this bill in urban areas.