RE: [compost_tea] NOP/ Congress

From: George and Paulette Mouchet <geomouchet_at_QNET.COM>
Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2003 09:56:52 -0700

I like the concept but have doubts about a politician being very effective.

I'd like to know more.

Paulette

-----Original Message-----
From: Jeff Lowenfels [SMTP:jeff_at_gardener.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2003 7:50 PM
To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
Subject: [compost_tea] NOP/ Congress

Anyone know these guys?


Press Advisory
For Immediate Release
June 5, 2003

Contact:
Brise Tencer (831) 426-6606
Bob Scowcroft (831) 426-6606

OFRF Applauds Launch of Congressional Organic Agriculture Caucus

Santa Cruz, CA. - The newly formed Congressional Organic Agriculture Caucus
held its initial meeting in Washington, D.C., on April 10, 2003. The Caucus
was formed as a bipartisan association of United States Representatives
whose mission is to "enhance availability and understanding of information
related to the production and processing of organic agricultural products."

The formation of this coalition of sixteen Democrats, five Republicans, and
one Independent is truly groundbreaking for organic farmers nationwide.
"Organics is one of the fastest growing sectors in agriculture," said Rep.
Sam Farr (D-CA 17th), who authored the nation's first comprehensive organic
standards while he was a member of the California state legislature in
1990. "With new organic standards now in effect, consumers are demanding
greater availability and farmers are seeking solutions to their organic
production problems. This Caucus will give us the chance to discuss ways of
enhancing the standard to make it workable for producers and consumers."

"The formation of this Caucus is a major step towards getting organic
farmers their fair share of federal agricultural resources," says Bob
Scowcroft, Executive Director of the Organic Farming Research Foundation
(OFRF). "Organic farmers and their supporters should call their
representatives and ask them to join the Caucus. When it comes to Capitol
Hill, there is strength in numbers," he added

OFRF assisted in organizing the initial meeting that launched the Caucus by
briefing attendees on recent developments in organic agriculture. Speakers
presented trends in industry growth, research, and the successes and
obstacles that organic farmers are facing in the field. The speakers
included Cathy Greene of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic
Research Service, Laurie Drinkwater of Cornell University, and Steve Ela, a
Colorado organic farmer and the vice president of OFRF.

While most of the attendees were Congressional staffers, also present were
members of the press, organic activists, USDA staff and Congressmen Sam
Farr, Ron Kind (D-WI 3rd), and Peter DeFazio (D-OR 4th). Each of the
Congressmen who attended spoke eloquently about the growing importance of
organic agriculture.

"The Organic Caucus will play a critical role in getting Congress actively
engaged in this very important growing segment of the agricultural
marketplace, and I fully expect that this Caucus will be instrumental in
ensuring that Caucus members continue to effectively work together and
receive timely updates on organic issues," said Congressman Walsh, a
Republican from New York who is one of six founding co-chairs of the Caucus
and has been a strong supporter of organic agriculture.

Caucus members have already demonstrated interest in working together on
issues: a bipartisan group of 14 Caucus members recently signed a letter
circulated by Congressman Kind endorsing specific 2004 funding levels for
federal programs of importance to organic farmers. Other members of
Congress have joined the Caucus simply to better educate themselves on
issues that are important to organic farmers in their district.

For more information on the Organic Agriculture Caucus, contact Troy
Phillips, Office of Congressman Farr, 202-225-2861; Ron Anderson, Office of
Congressman Walsh, 202-225-3701; or Darin Schroeder, Office of Congressman
Kind, 202-225-5506. To view the current list of Caucus members or the
letter on recommended funding levels for federal programs endorsed by 14
Caucus members, visit OFRF's policy web page at:
http://www.ofrf.org/policy/index.html


 << File: ATT00022.htm >>

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Received on Fri Jun 06 2003 - 15:57:20 EDT

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