In the existing multibillion-dollar budget for the Farm Bill, organic farmers — and those trying to transition to organic - get less than 1% of the funds. Say what you want about the labeling standards, but organic agriculture done in the spirit, not just the letter of the label has the potential to grant farmers a living wage for their labor while being better for the environment and public health, among many other things. (If you dispute this, please go potluck with those that dispute evolution and global warming.)
It’s not enough just to buy organic produce and meat, as demand is outstripping supply. We need to encourage more farmers to grow organic, and one of the most effective ways to do so is through changing government policy to make it as friendly to such farmers as it is to growers of big commodity crops.
Right now, organic farmers receive laughably tiny crumbs. For example, as Marc wrote for the Ethicurean in March, “The USDA has a cost-sharing program for farmers seeking USDA organic certification. In fiscal year 2006, $1 million was allocated, with a limit of $500 per farmer. To put things in perspective, $1 million is what U.S. taxpayers spend for just two hours’ worth of corn subsidies, or three hours’ worth of cotton subsidies.”
As citizens, we have a voice in how our tax dollars are spent. (Hypothetically, anyway.) The Environmental Working Group has created a Grow Organics petition that exhorts Congress to “level the playing field for organic farmers and expand access to organic food.” Sam Fromartz, author of “Organic, Inc.,” has a great post at his blog with more detailed specifics of what supporters of organic farming are seeking in the Farm Bill, and why you should sign EWG’s petition.
EWG aims to collect 30,000 signatures before they hand them over to Congress on July 17, and it is currently halfway to its goal. (It is also raising money for its EWG Action Fund, to increase such efforts on behalf of organic agriculture; if you donate by midnight tonight, June 30, a donor will match the funds. Donations over $65 get a cute 100% organic cotton shopping bag.)
If you have time, send your own version of EWG’s letter to your representatives directly as well. Make it clear that this issue is important to you, and why, regardless of whether you live in the Farm Belt or not.
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Humor:
July 2nd, 2007 at 7:58 pm
The manufacturing guys over at Evolving Excellence just posted an interesting viewpoint on the “excess of corn”… tieing it to “an obesity of waste,” whether that’s a waste of overproduction or overconsumption. Ethanol or food.
http://www.evolvingexcellence.com/blog/2007/07/the-obesity-epi.html
Ken
July 3rd, 2007 at 9:19 am
Hi Ken - thanks for the link!