As of this month, our nation’s food and farm policy in the form of the 2008 Farm Bill has officially expired, with no workable replacement moving forward in Congress. This has left critical programs high and dry with no funding – and means Congress dodged the chance to make real reforms and an investment in an equitable, sustainable future for food and farms in America.
With no new farm bill or extension, the programs that address rural and urban job creation, training opportunities for beginning farmers, natural resource conservation, and access to healthy food are in big trouble.
Can Congress still finish a farm bill this year? YES!
There is a short window of time for Congress to finish the bill when they return to DC after Election Day. So when Congress returns to the Hill, we’ll need YOU and other farmers and advocates across the country to tell them loud and clear: we need an equitable, sustainable 2012 Farm Bill!
Stonyfield is joining forces with the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition to support a major grassroots effort across the nation to make our voices heard. Sign onto the citizens’ petition today – and mark your calendar for a national day of action on November 15!
Sign your name to the petition (click here) and tell Congress we need a 2012 Farm Bill that:
Invests in the future of healthy farms, food, and people
Protects our precious air, soil, and water
Reforms farm subsidies and levels the playing field.
We need a fair & sustainable farm bill. We don’t get food from the supermarket…we get it from hardworking farmers. The family farm is the best way to get great food. Do something now!
I look for and buy organic milk, and produce(no-GMO) and hormone-free meats. I am not alone. Please, Congress, make it economical and feasible for producers to provide these important products at a price we consumers can pay. We need to be a healthy population/electorate. This is of high importance to us individually and collectively. It is important for your Congressional career–as we will watch to see what you do. If you have been listening only to big investors and their lobbyists on this issue, it’s past time to study the honest science and represent the people.
We are consistent user of Stonyfield products. We visited their store near the Manchester, NH airport.We value their approach. Any help from government in promoting their products is money well spent. FV
Leveling the playing field…the dream that is possible…”It could happen!”
I think that some are a little niave….if you can pay you can get it through….unfortunately the little guy can not compete and needs programs to help out where the big business that can truly afford it gets it all. If congress would do the right thing everyone wins. Stop subsidizing big business with all the loopholes and help out the little guy that will level the playing field…..just sayin
Do we subsidize oil, coal, natural gas? Yes? Why? What is happening to sustainable farming and renewable ENERGY? Every business needs a helping hand to make it! Big business does not need a helping hand.
They have had their hand in the till for too long. How do we help small farmers hang in there. What do any of us think happens to the profits of those big corporations? They haven’t lowered prices but have seen increased profits! Ownership of small farms and coops are a most important way to keep our middle class from becoming poorer and poorer! Give help where it is needed!
You said it, Booberry! Nothing is “equitable” when Congress starts picking winners and losers. I can’t believe organic farmers and Stonyfield have their hands out asking for money when gigantic budget cuts are looming. Let the market work. If you’ve got a good product, people will buy it.
I love the local, grass fed farms in our areas. I apprecite all of the organic farming. The government needs to support them as well.
I’m still learning about the mess our food supply is in. I’m trying to figure out how to afford the fresh local farm food I want for my body and my children’s bodies… and how to convince my hubby he wants it too… But when I read this message from Stonyfield my first thought was… isn’t that a good thing? Wasn’t the old farm bill full of subsidies for corn and soy and such that made it less enticing to grow the real good stuff instead of the super easy, super processed stuff? Am I wrong about that? I’m all for small farms, organic and GMO free food, but I doubt a new farm bill would do anything for them.
I wish I didn’t have to defend my food choices against… “but government requirements say this is okay.” Grrr! If only I knew those requirements had our best interest at heart instead of a favor being returned or a wallet being lined. 
My dad was a farmer all of his life, as was his father before him, and so on. Farm supports should benefit the family farm, not rich corporate farms, but it’s history has been to the contrary. My dad complained bitterly (he was not a bitter man by nature) that most of the subsidies went to the rich Virginia (and other southern) tobacco farmers, many of them politicians. I know he was right. The rich have taken so much money from the goverment for centuries….far more “welfare” than the reviled “welfare recipient!”
Healthy air, water, soil, and food makes for healthy people
We the people are asking that you invest in us, our food and healthy farms by protecting our air, soil and water. Reform our farm subsidies an level the playing field.
We the people thank you,
Gina Farrell
I have been farming w/ my grandfather my whole life. I still do not understand why we need a “bill” & subsidies for farming. Go out , get a book, read it & learn for crying out loud! If you can’t do it than get out of it! Period! Stop asking the Govt for things we should be providing ourselves with. The bill is for large farms. Don’t kid yourselves, it’s so not for the small farmer. My grandfather asked about it & they told him w/ 45 acres he wasn’t “big enough!” This surely does not support the small farmer. All farmers/businesses should take out loans & have to sink or swimm. Period!! Stonyfield, shame on you being as big as you are,asking for subsidies. Get off the hind tit & do it yourselves! That’s something I’d get behind!! Farmers are & should be proud ppl. Get w/ community & make the changes you so wish on your own. Imagine the level of pride & accomplishment in that!!