Action Alert February 9, 2007

--CALL YOUR REPS this week to ask for a PUBLIC HEARING on Meat Processing
--More on the Dairy Bill
--Rural Vermont HOT CHOCOLATE SOCIALS!
--Citizen Action Day
--This Is What Democracy Looks Like Trainings

CALL YOUR VERMONT HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES THIS WEEK!
This week the House Agriculture Committee spent several hours discussing the "long term goals" in the Dairy Bill and identified some key areas of focus for the coming weeks. One of these areas is Infrastructure and Marketing. Rural Vermont testified to this committee on Wednesday and asked that they hold a Public Hearing on meat processing issues in order to get a clear understanding of the issues facing farmers, processors, and consumers right now in Vermont. We need your help to make this public hearing happen!

PLEASE CALL YOUR REP(S) THIS WEEK at the Vermont Statehouse - 802-828-2228 - Tuesday through Friday.
Leave a message with the Sergeant at Arms - leave your name and telephone number and ask for a call back from your House Rep(s). When they call you back, ASK YOUR REP TO ASK HOUSE AG CHAIR DAVID ZUCKERMAN TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON MEAT PROCESSING ISSUES. If you are unsure who your representative is, the Sergeant at Arms can tell you when you call - you'll just need to tell them where you live.

We really need the state to look at the infrastructure and regulations around meat processing in Vermont. Farmers are reporting problems getting animals slaughtered in a timely manner, and consumers are looking for more local meat sources. Roadblocks between farmers and consumers include both a lack of needed infrastructure and unnecessary or inappropriate regulations. A public hearing would give the committee a chance to get the whole picture on the situation and hear from people from all over the state. Please call your reps this week!

UPDATE ON THE DAIRY BILL
A compromise was reached this week on the Dairy Assistance Bill. The state will pay out $3.2 million in a one-time payment to farmers in March. The compromise included an agreement that there would be no tax to pay for the assistance - instead, committee chairs and representatives from the administration worked together to find money within the current budget to pay for the assistance. The sources for the funding include the following:
--the elimination of $700,000 that had been in the governor's budget as a first payment toward the estimated $4 million cost of a new case management system for the courts.
--$400,000 that state officials don't expect to need this winter to help low-income Vermonters pay their heating bills
--$600,000 from a consumer protection fund in the Office of the Attorney General
--$650,000 in anticipated surplus revenues at the Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration
--reduction in funding by $400,000 to regional marketing organizations
--$100,000 in lower interest payments on state debt because of the state's higher credit rating
--$500,000 from a vendor incentive payment

Payments to farmers are expected to range from approximately $1000 for a 50-cow dairy to $10,000 for a 500-cow dairy. The payouts will be based on milk production in January and February. The bill will head to the Senate next week, and after being approved by the Senate must be signed by the Governor.

RURAL VERMONT HOT CHOCOLATE SOCIALS! PLEASE JOIN US!
(our apologies to Pawlet residents for mis-spelling the name of your town last week)
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 become a member of Rural Vermont while you're there! We'll have activities for kids, too, and great door prizes!

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 – Pawlet Community Church, Pawlet
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 2007
February 15, 2007 at 9 a.m. 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.

THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE!
Please join Rural Vermont and the Vermont Conservation Education Fund for a great workshop on how to get involved with policy making in Vermont. You'll learn all you need to know to be an effective advocate for issues that you care about. No experience necessary. All welcome! A great opportunity for home-schoolers, too!
--Learn how the Vermont legislature works
--Get the scoop on how to navigate the legislative process
--Learn the statehouse lingo
--Find out where things are at the statehouse
--Practice talking to legislators one-on-one and testifying at a public hearing
--Take home a helpful booklet filled with tips, tricks, and contact information for your local legislators

All workshops are 6 pm - 8:30 pm and will include light refreshments.
Suggested donation $5 - nobody turned away for lack of funds.
Please call Robb at 223-7222 to RSVP - not necessary, but helpful!

MARCH 14, 2007 - Grace Congregational Church, 8 Court Street - RUTLAND
MARCH 20, 2007 - Shelburne Town Offices, 5410 Shelburne Road - SHELBURNE
MARCH 26, 2007 - Northshire Bookstore, 4869 Main Street - MANCHESTER CENTER
(date TBA) - ISLAND POND

OTHER EVENTS...
TOMORROW - SATURDAY!
NOFA-VT's 25(!) Annual Winter Conference
February 10th, 2007, Vermont Technical College
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!

Food, Farms and the Environment: Impacting the 2007 Farm Bill
February 16th and 17th, 2007
Brattleboro, Montpelier, Colchester
Will authorization of the Farm Bill maintain the conventional policies of the past? Or can we set a course for more innovative farm, food and environmental policies? How can citizens of the Northeast support sustainable agriculture here at home while also respecting the needs of rural communities around the world? Please join us in lively discussion around the 2007 Farm Bill and find out how our nation's most important piece of agricultural legislation impacts YOU!Be a part of our efforts to make fair and equitable farm policies as Congress writes new legislation this year.
Friday, February 16th
12:00pm
Brattleboro Centre
Congregational Church
193 Main Street
Brattleboro, Vermont

Friday, February 16th
6:00pm
Bethany United Church of Christ
115 Main Street
Montpelier, Vermont

Saturday, February 17th
1:00pm
United Church of Colchester
900 Main Street
Colchester, Vermont
Sponsored By: National Catholic Rural Life Conference, Bread for the World,
Oxfam America and Center For Rural Affairs
For More Information Contact: Dave Andrews, 515.270.2634, ncrlc2@mchsi.com
Stephanie Demmons, 617.728.2586, sdemmons@oxfamamerica.org

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:
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.

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