ACTION ALERT February 4, 2007

--update on the Dairy Assistance bill
--Rural Vermont HOT CHOCOLATE SOCIALS are scheduled!
--Citizen Action Day at the Statehouse
--Other Upcoming Events

DAIRY ASSISTANCE BILL UPDATE
This past week, the House Agriculture Committee passed H.213 out of the committee. This bill would provide a one-time payment of $3.7 million for Vermont's dairy farmers, in an attempt to help with the current dairy crisis facing our farmers. The crisis is the result of several factors, including low milk prices, bad weather, high grain prices, and high fuel costs. Previously, the state had allocated $8 million, which was paid out in the fall, but farmers are still pinched. Money has been authorized at the federal level in the form of $54 million for disaster assistance (the whole state of Vermont was declared an agricultural disaster area this past summer), but that money has not yet come through.

The week saw much political posturing on the bill, with the governor coming out against the bill because it proposes to raise the $3.7 million through a tax increase (to be explained below). On the other side of the fence, legislators accused the governor of not taking the dairy crisis seriously. Meanwhile, the bill still has a long way to go before it is finished. Currently, it is in the House Ways and Means Committee. This committee must review the bill because it contains a tax. It is expected to reach the House Floor for a vote later this week, then it will go to the Senate for review.

As it was passed out of the House Agriculture Committee, H.213:
--would provide a one-time payment to VT dairy farmers that would be the difference between the target prices and the price farmers are getting. The payment would be made in March 2007. In order to get the payment, farmers would have to fill out a waiver to allow the Farm Service Agency to release milk production data to the Agency of Agriculture to administer the payments. The amount each farmer gets will depend on milk production in January and February, with an allowance made for seasonal milkers (12-month average for them).
--has a provision that if a farmer takes the payment and then goes out of business or reduces his herd production by more than 50% by July 1, 2007, the farmer must reimburse the state
--extends the loan buy down program already in place for another three months for the entire fiscal year of 2007 (this program offers new loans at lower rates for qualifying dairy farmers)
--increases the property transfer tax on *non-residential* property by .25% for one year. the increase will be from 1.25% to 1.5%. This tax applies to non-residential property sales - essentially second homes in the state of Vermont. The increase in this tax will be for one year only (April 1, 2007 through April 30, 2008), to raise the funds appropriated to the dairy assistance fund.
--appropriates from the general fund the sum of $212,500 to continue the loan buy down program for the rest of the fiscal year.

Additionally, the bill outlines several long-term goals that the House Agriculture Committee included, to recognize that dealing with the crisis is only the beginning of the work. These goals are to support programs and policies that foster the development of a diversified agricultural sector that:
1) offers farmers an opportunity to sell their products to a marketplace that pays them a resaonable rate of return for their labor and capitol investments;
2) offers the public nutritious and safe foods;
3) produces, markets, and distributes agricutural products in a sustainable manner that conserves energy and the environment;
4) fosters on-farm renewable energy production and its infrastructure that maximizes energy conservation and efficiency and limits greenhouse gases;
5) enables business opportunities that ensure agriculture continues to be a vibrant sector of our Vermont economy that retains current farmers as well as attracts new and young farmers; and
6) provides economic stability to preserve the necessary infrastructure of the agricultural industry.

The House Agriculture Committee will be discussing these long term goals in the coming weeks. If you would like to give your input, write a note to House Agriculture Committee Chair David Zuckerman and ask him to share it with his committee - mail your note (this is MUCH better than email) to Chairman David Zuckerman, the Vermont Statehouse, 115 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05633. Rural Vermont will be paying close attention to and participating in this discussion, and we will keep you posted as it progresses.

HOT CHOCOLATE SOCIALS! PLEASE JOIN US!
THANK YOU to everyone who has donated mugs over the last few weeks - It's finally time to put them to use! We are very pleased to announce .

Rural Vermont's 2007 Hot Chocolate Socials:
Come one, come all to enjoy Fair Trade Hot Chocolate made with Vermont Farm Fresh Milk. Learn about how you can get involved with Rural Vermont and work toward our vision of living soils, thriving farms, and healthy communities. Find out what you can do to help make a strong local food system right here in Vermont! Meet local farmers, hear interesting speakers, and enjoy some of the best hot chocolate you've ever had (and other treats, too!).

All socials are 7 pm to 8:30 pm, and are free and open to the public. We hope you'll join Rural Vermont while you're there! We'll have activities for kids, too.

PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND THE SOCIAL NEAREST TO YOU!
Monday, 2/12/07 - Town Hall, Orwell
Wednesday, 2/21/07 - Fletcher Free Library, Burlington
Thursday, 3/1/07 - United Church of S. Royalton, S. Royalton
Tuesday, 3/13/07 - Miss Lyndonville Diner, Lyndonville
Thursday, 3/15/07 - Illsley Library, Middlebury
Wednesday, 3/21/07 - New Life Christian Fellowship, Milton
Thursday, 3/22/07 - United Methodist Church, Danville
Tuesday, 4/3/07 - Pawlett Community Church, Pawlett
Tuesday, 4/10/07 - United Church of Colchester, Colchester
Monday, 4/16/07 - Methodist Church, Enosburg Falls
Tuesday, 4/24/07 -- Boccelli's on the Canal, Bellows Falls

If you have any questions, please call or email Shelby at shelby@ruralvermont.org or 802-223-7222.

CITIZEN ACTION DAY
This February 15, 2007 at 9 a.m. in Rooms 10 and 11 at the Vermont State House don't miss an important opportunity to join fellow Vermonters to call upon legislators to enact laws that will ensure that Vermont remains a healthy, prosperous, beautiful place. Please join us for the environmental community's annual Citizen Action Day.
--Learn tips on how to talk with your legislators about the environmental issues you care about most and then go do it.
--Set up a meeting and have lunch with your legislators.
--Mingle with other concerned Vermonters.
--Learn what conservation issues are hot this session.
--Observe a floor debate.
--Attend a committee meeting.

Rural Vermont will do a 15 minute lobby training at the beginning of the day, and you will have a chance to practice on specific issues with other groups who are working on issues on the environmental platform this year.
Dress for indoors. Bring quarters for parking in Montpelier ($1 for 1 hour). Some snacks will be provided. You can buy lunch in the statehouse for around $7-$10. Ride shares are available from Burlington, Rutland, Brattleboro, Middlebury, St. Johnsbury, and St. Albans. For more information about this option and to RSVP (please let us know you're coming if you can!) call Vermont Environmental Collaborative contact Drew Hudson 802.223.5221 ext. 4787 or email drew@vpirg.org, or contact Shelby at Rural Vermont: shelby@ruralvermont.org or 223-7222. If you RSVP, we will set up meetings with your legislators for you.

WEAVING WELLNESS INTO SCHOOLS: Using Local Foods in the Cafeteria and Classroom
Regional workshops announced to help schools and child care centers improve the food and nutrition environment and make connections to local food sources, as follows:
January 30 - BFA St. Albans
February 7 - Orleans Federated United Church of Christ
February 13 - Vergennes Congregational Church
March 8 - Barre Congregational Church
This workshop is designed for teachers, administrators, school nurses, school food service, farmers, primary care practitioners, public health providers, school wellness committee members, parents, health educators, and child care resource development specialists, child and adult care food program participants, dieticians, Fit and Healthy Vermont Coalition members, VT Blueprint Committees, and anyone interested! Registration is $15 (includes a light local meal). Download registration form at http://www.vtfeed.org/progservices/WeavingSchoolsFLYER_2007.pdf or contact Dana Hudson at (802) 985-8686 ext 25.

NOFA-VT's 25(!) Annual Winter Conference
February 10th, 2007, Vermont Technical College
Mark your calendars! The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT)s 25th Annual Winter Conference will be held on Saturday, February 10th at the Vermont Technical College in Randolph, Vermont. We are very excited to announce our keynote speaker: Kathy Lawrence. Kathy is the former Executive Director of the National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture, a network of diverse groups whose mission is to shape national policies to foster a sustainable food and agricultural system that is economically viable, environmentally sound, socially just, and humane (www.sustainableagriculture.net). Also featured at the Winter Conference are 32 workshops taught by experienced farmers and agriculture specialists for farmers, home gardeners, educators and concerned consumers. Some of the many workshop topics include: Local Grain Production, Climate Change & Farming, Heat Energy from Composting Manure, Wildcrafting, Cooking with Grass-Fed Beef, Organic Raspberries, Integrating Livestock into Your Backyard, Rabbits on Pasture, and Maximizing Space in the Garden. Future farmers can attend the Childrens Conference for ages 6 to 13. The Childrens Conference offers farming related workshops, games and crafts. Also, there is a colorful farmers market (open all day featuring educational materials, organic products, crafts, and associated businesses and non-profits), live music, and a silent auction benefiting our Farm to School Mentor Program, a program which builds partnerships between schools, farmers, and their communities through agricultural education. Registration is available in advance or at the door the day of the conference. Pre-registration is recommended. To receive a conference brochure and registration form, please call the NOFA-VT office at: (802) 434-4122 or email a request to info@nofavt.org. Registration fee is $35.00 for members and $45.00 for nonmembers. $5.00 discount for farmers. The conference will begin at 8:30am with the keynote at 9am and an organic ice-cream social at 5 p.m. For more information about this event, visit: www.nofavt.org. Brochures will be mailed the first week in January. To register for the farmers market, inquire about sponsorship opportunities, or donate a silent auction item, please contact Meg at the NOFA-VT office, (802) 434-4122 or info@nofavt.org.
Look for Rural Vermont at the ACTION TABLE at lunchtime!

CLIMATE CHANGE LECTURE SERIES
Barry Rock - New England is Not Immune: The Regional Impact of Climate Change is scheduled at 4:00 pm on Thursday, February 8th at Dartmouth College: Steele 006.
Dr. Barrett N. Rock is a Professor in the Complex Systems Research Center at the University of New Hampshire. Barry received his B.A. in Botany, from the University of Vermont (1966); an M.S. in Botany, from the University of Maryland (1970); and a Ph.D. in Botany, from the University of Maryland (1972).
Kim Knowlton - Climate Change: The Public Health Implications 7:00 pm on Tuesday February 20th, at the Fairbanks Museum in St Johnsbury, VT and at 4:00 pm on Wednesday, February 21st at Dartmouth College: Steele 006.
Dr. Kim Knowlton is a Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Columbia University's Department of Environmental Health Sciences. During the previous academic year, she organized and gave a course at Columbia on the subject of climate change and its public health implications.
Bill McKibben - Climate Change on Wednesday, March 7th at 4:00 pm at Dartmouth College: Filene Auditorium.
Bill McKibben is an American environmentalist and writer who frequently writes about global warming, alternative energy, and the risks associated with human genetic engineering. McKibben is a frequent contributor to various magazines including The New York Times, The Atlantic Monthly, Harper's, Orion Magazine, Mother Jones, The New York Review of Books, Granta, Rolling Stone, and Outside. He is also a board member of and contributor to Grist Magazine.

TWO ORGANIC FARMING CONFERENCES IN CONNECTICUT
CT NOFA is sponsoring three conferences this winter. Click on the links below for more information.
For community organizations, farmers and individuals who operate or want to operate a community farm:The Community Farming Conference will be held on February 10 at the Mercy Center in Madison. It is co-sponsored by the Mercy Center and the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. Elizabeth Henderson and Lynda Simpkins will keynote. http://www.ctnofa.org/events/CommunityFarming.php
For farmers, gardeners, land care professionals and citizens: Cultivating an Organic Connecticut will be held on March 10 at Windsor High School in Windsor. John and Nancy Jack Todd will discuss "The Promise of Ecological Design." Plus 30 workshops, potluck lunch and organic marketplace.
http://www.ctnofa.org/events/CaOC.php

Farm Food Voices DC 2007
National Grassroots Small-farm Lobby Day, February 14th
[No experience needed!]
Joel Salatin, Speaker
The National Independent Consumers and Farmers Advocates Fund (NICFA Fund http://www.nicfa.org)
WHAT : Grassroots lobbying, and legislative reception, for small farmers and supporters from all over the country
WHERE: Washington, DC
WHEN: Wednesday, February 14th, 2007, 12:00 noon
WHY: So legislators can meet small, sustainable producers and the consumers who depend on them, and hear their message.
Under the auspices of the National Independent Consumers and Farmers Advocates Fund (NICFA Fund), Farm Food Voices, DC 2007 will bring America's farmers and the consumers who depend on them from all over the country to DC to meet legislators, explain to them why NAIS would destroy sustainable agriculture, the economies and communities these small farms sustain, and the foods millions of consumers depend on. We will provide Talking Points for grassroots lobbyists and information packets for legislators. Weston A. Price Foundation members in the DC area will prepare a nourishing Traditional Luncheon style reception, with food sampling, for legislators and grassroots lobbyists. (We'll meet in one of the Congressional office buildings. See http://www.nicfa.org for room closer to date). We oppose any government funded or managed National Animal Identification System.
ACTIONS:
-Come to Washington DC February 14th.
-Call the U.S. Representative and Senators from your state NOW and make an appointment to speak with them OR THEIR STAFF MEMBERS February 14th. (Staffers are just as important!!!).
-When you call them for the appointment, invite them AND THEIR STAFFERS to the legislative reception at noon. (See http://www.nicfa.org for room closer to date).
Find your legislators (enter zip in top of left column): http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/
Event information: http://www.nicfa.org email: editor@vicfa.net phone: Richard Bean 434.263.8704

V-Day, http://www.vday.org/main.html, is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. Started as an alternative celebration for Valentine's Day, events feature a benefit performance of Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues" and money raised stays the local community, supporting organizations that stop violence against women and girls. Events are scheduled in the following locations in Vermont: Brattleboro, School for International Training, University of Vermont, Sterling College, Johnson State College, Lyndon State College, Middlebury College, Northfield Falls, Green Mountain College, and Vermont Law School. For more information about these specific events, go to http://events.vday.org/search.php and for more information on V-Day, link to http://www.vday.org/main.html

"Global Warming: Changing CO2URSE".A four session discussion group, meeting
the THIRD Wed. of every month starting Feb. 21. Meets from 6:30-8pm at the
Aldrich Public Library in Barre. The course is free but the book costs fifteen dollars. Read the first session before Feb. 21st. For further info. call George Plumb at 883-2313. The course is thru the Vermont Earth Institute and is being presented by the Faith in Action Committee of the Barre Universalist Church. George Plumb will moderate the discussion group.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Offers Two New Workshops: Bringing Value-added Foods to Market and Food Safety Issues for the Produce Industry On February 20 and 21, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture will host workshops focused on two topics of interest to a growing number of farmers and food processors: bringing value-added processing food and agricultural products to market, and food safety for fruit and vegetable growers and processors. Both workshops will be held in the Stone Science Building, Room 205 on the Union Institute (formerly Vermont College) campus at the top of State Street in Montpelier. Registration will begin at 9:00 a.m. each day and workshops will start at 9:30 and continue until 4:00 p.m. For more details and directions, go to www.vermontagriculture.com or call (802) 828-2416.

Exploring the Small Farm Dream
Are you interested in starting a small farm business? What type of information do you need to start? What type of farming enterprise you would like to develop? If these questions sound familiar, Cornell Cooperative Extension Wayne County, in cooperation with Wayne County Agriculture Development Board and Wayne County Department of Planning will be presenting a 4 session workshop on February 28th, March 7, 21 and 28th to help you answer these questions. This in-depth program will run each evening from 6-9pm at the CCE Wayne County office in Newark, NY. Applications for participation are now available by calling 315-331-8415. Applications are due by Monday, February 12. This fun, interactive workshop will include discussion, case study and research by each participant. Submission of an application is required prior to registration. There is a $25 registration fee with the rest of the workshop expenses being paid through a Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Grant of the United States Department of Agriculture received by Wayne County Department of Planning.

FILM SERIES IN MARLBORO
Know Media Presents their 4th Annual
ELEPHANT IN THE LIVING ROOM FILM SERIES
Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m.
Marlboro Technology Center, Brattleboro (directions below)
February 27th, 2007 - Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes
Director hip-hop fan, and gender violence prevention educator, conceived the documentary as a "loving critique" of a number of disturbing trends in the world of rap music. He pays tribute to hip-hop while challenging the rap music industry to take responsibility for glamorizing destructive, deeply conservative stereotypes of manhood. Critically acclaimed for its fearless engagement with issues of race, gender violence, and the corporate exploitation of youth culture. Sponsored by Know Media and ACME VT.
March 27th - DOUBLE FEATURE: Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People
ALSO SHOWING: MANY WAYS TO SEE THE WORLD: A Thirty-Minute Tour of World Map Images. This groundbreaking documentary dissects a slanderous aspect of cinematic history that has run virtually unchallenged form the earliest days of silent film to todays biggest Hollywood blockbusters. By inspiring critical thinking about the social, political, and basic human consequences of leaving these Hollywood caricatures unexamined, the film challenges viewers to recognize the urgent need for counter-narratives that do justice to the diversity and humanity of Arab people and the reality and richness of Arab history and culture.
All films are open to the Public Suggested donation $3 - $7 (Proceeds to benefit Know Media) For More Info Call Robin (802) 258-2402 tbreeze@sover.net. Directions to Marlboro Tech Center: From North: Interstate 91 Take Exit 1, Brattleboro. At end of ramp turn left; (Route 5 / Canal Street). Travel 1.2 miles toward downtown Brattleboro. At the bottom of the second hill you descend, look for signs for Route 142 South. At 4-way intersection, make a sharp right onto Vernon Street (Route 142 South). Go past Brattleboro Museum on left. Parking for the Graduate Center is the next left. Room 2 NE

The Vermont Commission on Women and the Girl Scout Council of Vermont want to know what teen girls think about the issues that are important to them. Last year's survey, "What Teen Girls Say about Growing up in Vermont," solicited over 200 responses from girls in 58 school districts. This year's survey, "What Teen Girls Say about Bullying and Harassment," is now up and available for input from girls across the state. We are hoping to double our response this year. We are encouraging adults to share the survey link with teen girls, and encourage them to invite their female friends to complete the survey, too. The link may be accessed at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=893303053118 or by visiting the following websites: www.women.state.vt.us OR www.girlscoutsvt.org.

If you have any questions about this email or if you want to subscribe to or unsubscribe from Rural Vermont's Farm Policy Network e-alert list, contact amybeth@together.net.