Alejandra Castro’s Post

Don’t Leave Farmers to Suffocate "The remedy to polarization lies in society’s commitment to supporting farmers. By first supporting farmers, they are then, and only then, capable of supporting nature. " Read the full article by Commonland here: https://lnkd.in/dM49mVGB #RegenerativeAgriculture

The Farmer Support bill, SB 1058 -2, a state match to the USDA organic cost share reimbursement, our newest legislative concept, had a successful hearing (at 28:10) in the Senate Rules Committee on May 25th and received positive feedback, but didn’t move forward 🌾 It is not unusual to need to introduce novel concepts more than once to gain traction, and it also should be viewed as a win that the bill had a hearing, building a foundation for reintroduction down the road 💪🏼🙌🏽😊 We look forward to collaborating with the climate and environmental communities on a joint concept in future sessions 💫 #organic #oregonorganiccoaltion #oregonlegislativesession #farmersupport #farmtoschool #willamettevalley #argicultre #agriculturepolicy #climateresilience #oregonagriculture #orag #orpol #healthysoils

The final countdown has begun! ⏱   This election week, it's more important than ever to remember our elected representatives' positions on issues that matter to us all 👀 🗳   A really crucial one is how today's food and farming systems impact citizens - and especially #farmers 👩🌾 ⚖ 👨🌾    The reality? 🚨 80% of EU farming subsidies (the biggest EU budget) goes to just 20% of farms (the biggest and wealthiest). 🚨 In 2019, over 800,000 deaths in the EU were attributable to disease linked to unhealthy diets. 🚨 Many of Europe's major farming unions are led by influential power brokers who claim to represent farmers while shaping policies that actively hurt the majority of them/and the farming community.   It's clear. The EU's current farming model serves to 𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆, at the 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘂𝗺-𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘀 which represent the vast majority of farmers (with devastating consequences).   Elected MEPs have the power to change this. So... over the past five years, how have groups in the European Parliament voted on legislation that would bring social justice for farmers and all citizens ⁉   For the full assessment of how political groups performed across a range of #FoodSystems issues, see these scorecards we helped develop with the EU Food Policy Coalition 👉 https://lnkd.in/ewhy4diW   Discover more about the "strongmen" of agriculture and the reality behind the claims that big farming unions across Europe support the interests of most farmers' (spoiler: they do not) 👉https://lnkd.in/eZRrv9vU   #votefutureEU #UseYourVote #EUelections24

People know our food and farming systems are rotten, and do not work for the vast majority of us. Europeans are demanding a system that puts people before profit, protects our natural world and food security, and considers long term farming resilience and farmers' livelihoods.    With 30 days to go until we vote in the European Parliament elections (6-9 June), as part of the EU Food Policy Coalition, we've had a close look at how our elected MEPs - and the groups they belong to - have positioned themselves on issues related to food and farming in Europe over the last mandate (2019-2024).    Following a simple methodology of analysing open-source data on MEP voting behaviours, we have segmented the results across the following five categories:   1️⃣ FOOD SYSTEMS TRANSITION 2️⃣ SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR FARMERS & CITIZENS 3️⃣ NATURE-FRIENDLY FARMING 4️⃣ ETHICAL ANIMAL PRODUCTION 5️⃣ ACCESS TO HEALTHY & SUSTAINABLE DIETS   Not sure who to vote for yet? Maybe these scorecards can help you decide! Swipe along to see where MEPs stand on these important issues for voters ➡ 🗳   For a detailed summary of the methodology, and a description and justification of the votes assessed, see this helpful explainer:  https://lnkd.in/e5XzQVfd    Press Release 👉 https://lnkd.in/eHHfJUFD #votefutureEU #GetOutTheVote #UseYourVote #VoteVoteVote #EUelections2024 #EUelections #ChooseYourFuture

Do you care about how our environment is treated (or not) by an intensive agricultural system? 🐝 Is the welfare of farmers and their livelihoods important to you? 👨🌾 Do you think the welfare of farm animals should be improved in Europe? 🐖 If you're still not sure who to vote for in the elections, and you'd like to see real change towards truly sustainable #FoodSystems, then maybe these European Parliament scorecards can help you decide 👇👇 #votefutureEU #UseYourVote

The farm bill is the most significant piece of legislation affecting farmers and ranchers across the country. Failing to pass a new farm bill would have a serious impact on farming and food security in the United States. Together, we can ensure our food system remains thriving and sustainable for all Americans for generations to come. Join us in advocating for the #FarmBill2023. #FarmBillforAmericasFamilies https://loom.ly/yFIZM80

🛑🛑 🚨Championing Farmers' Voices in a Unique Way 🚨In a striking display of protest, German farmers have creatively expressed their grievances. They brought loads of dung and cow poop to government offices, a powerful symbol of their dissatisfaction with agricultural policies. This unconventional method highlights the urgent need for dialogue and solutions in the agricultural sector. #FarmersProtest #AgriculturalPolicy #SustainableFarming #RuralVoices #GovernmentDialogue #EnvironmentalImpact #AgriculturalReform #ProtestMethods #PolicyChange

Illegal #seeds pose a significant threat to farmers’ livelihoods, food security, and efforts towards sustainable agriculture. Illegal seed practices also carry Intellectual Property (IP) implications which may reduce farmers’ access to products from reputable producers. To combat the illegal seed trade, CropLife Asia collaborates with governments and the entire value chain to advocate for policy changes, enforcement, monitoring, capacity building and public education. Learn more about illegal seeds and how to avoid them: https://shorturl.at/jnzI9 #plantscience #IPR #intellectualpropertyrights #innovation #illegalseeds #anticounterfeiting

Check out HEAL's full statement in opposition to the House Agriculture Committee's Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024. "The HEAL (Health, Environment, Agriculture, Labor) Food Alliance opposes the committee’s short-sighted recommendations for the bill. Even with the delay, the House Farm Bill falls far short of HEAL’s policy recommendations, which lay the groundwork for a thriving future for us all. Instead, the House bill moves the nation backward, doing nothing to address farmers’ concerns and readiness for climate change, provide increased protections for food and farm workers, and transform our food and farm system by prioritizing the well-being of human and environmental health." HEAL calls on Congress to reject the House version of the Farm Bill. Read full statement here: https://bit.ly/3yCCl2t

In addition to individuals, institutions, brands, and eateries shifting what we produce and consume, #policy is absolutely an imperative component of building #sustainablefoodsystems namely the #farmbill. Join the masses who are using their voices to effect food system transformation from this angle. Below is an action campaign from Farm Action that takes you to an easy link which sends a message to your reps. Simple and significant opportunity! 4 main principles that it is advocating for: 1. Food not feed 2. Justice for all 3. Build local and eat local 4. Conservation and regeneration. Hard to argue with these. #regenerativeagriculture #climatefriendly #foodjustice #plantbased #eatfortheplanet #eatforclimateweek https://lnkd.in/g-gpAdxQ