Tag Archives: Farm Bill

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Sneak peek —

08/08/2013 Nativegrl77

Union of Concerned Scientists

You’re the first to see this…

Because you took action on the Farm Bill, this video is a special sneak peek just for you.

Join us in creating a more healthful food and farm system by spreading the word.

ACTION ALERT To Support Healthy Food, Share This Video Now!
You may have heard that the House passed a controversial version of the Farm Bill last month that excludes the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps). It remains to be seen whether this bill can be reconciled with the Senate’s version passed earlier this year, but we are continuing to work to promote critical programs for healthy food and sustainable agriculture in the Farm Bill.
These programs stand a chance today because of YOU. Thank you for sending emails and making phone calls to improve the farm bill. To show my appreciation, I wanted to share with you a special sneak peek of our brand new video.
The video is a part of new analysis from UCS which presents even stronger evidence that shifting Farm Bill funding to fruits and vegetables—instead of ingredients used for processed foods—is vital for our health.
In fact, this video—which I’m emailing now only to our most active supporters—shows how our current food and farm policies like those in the Farm Bill are actually killing us.
We now only have 54 days left until the current Farm Bill expires—it is more important than ever to spread the word and change our nation’s policies to support healthy food.
Tell your friends about our video today!

Sincerely, Ashley Elles National Field Organizer Food & Environment Program Union of Concerned Scientists

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Farm Bill debate begins–your voice is needed:

05/13/2013 Nativegrl77

The Pulse: Facts you need from experts you trust

Our government is currently paying farmers to grow virtually the opposite of what it recommends that Americans eat—including billions to subsidize items such as corn syrup that go into processed food. Not only do these policies undermine our health, they damage our air, soil, and water. Thankfully, there’s a better way. Check out our new analysis, The Healthy Farm: A Vision for U.S. Agriculture, that identifies four ways that modern, science-based practices can produce abundant, affordable, healthy food and protect our environment. Be sure to visit our interactive healthy farm and take action as debate on the Farm Bill heats up. —Karla

Science in Action
	Debate on Farm Bill begins—we need your help We have an opportunity right now to reorient government policies to provide greater support for healthy food and farms. A proposal has been introduced to strengthen support in the Farm Bill for programs that meet our food needs, provide economic opportunities, and minimize harmful environmental costs. Tell Congress: the Farm Bill should support healthy farms and food—not processed food and industrial agriculture! Share:

Cartoon of the Month
Click to view larger image.			VOTE for UCS! Support our submission in the Looking @ Democracy video contest. INFOGRAPHIC: Are U.S. farms growing the food we should eat? Find out! Organic dairy—it’s good for your bones and great for the local economy. Learn more. Just rotate the crops? How one scientific study is upending the claims made by chemical companies!

Ask a Scientist
Karen Perry Stillerman Senior Analyst, Food and Environment ProgramFollow Karen’s blog >>	Our country has one of the highest costs for medical care, and has increasing amounts of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other diseases. To what extent can changes in our food system help make Americans healthier and what is UCS doing about these problems? —Janet Cruz, Kamiah, ID It’s true that healthcare spending in the United States currently accounts for 18 percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is expected to rise sharply as the population ages. And rates of diet-related chronic diseases are soaring. Most of us know we should eat a healthier diet—with more fruits and vegetables, and less meat, sugar, and processed foods—but we’re being undermined by a food system that sets us up to fail. MOREDo you have a question for UCS scientists? Submit your question today.

This Just In
	Take a trip to a modern, sustainable farm Healthy farms can meet our need for affordable, healthy food while providing real environmental and economic benefits. Our interactive graphic takes you on a tour of the top practices and benefits associated with modern, sustainable farming. Start your journey now!


	ALEC’s at it again: this time pushing state legislation that threatens our food’s safety by shielding factory farms from whistleblowers. Here’s what you need to know…
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	Did you miss Ricardo Salvador on @MHPnews? http://ow.ly/kwGSx Check out this weekend’s segment on #GMOs, Monsanto, hunger, and more… VIDEO: Planning for sea level rise http://ow.ly/kqsaI @weatherchannnel highlights the growing risks of rising seas. #climate We need a science champion for @EPAadm. Tell your senator to confirm Gina McCarthy: http://bit.ly/141B77I States are choosing renewable energy facts over fiction peddled by #ALEC, #Koch brothers @CSMonitor http://ow.ly/kr03y

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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Farm Bill Countdown

04/11/2013 Nativegrl77

Union of Concerned Scientists

Farm Bill Countdown

The clock is ticking on Congress’ latest attempt to pass a Farm Bill. We have just 173 days until the current extension expires. By taking action, you are joining others who are keeping up the pressure on Congress to pass the Farm Bill.

Take Action Today!

ACTION ALERT

Tell Congress to Support the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act
It sounds like simple advice: “Eat your fruits and veggies.” But it’s not so easy. Our country spends too much money subsidizing crops like corn and soybeans that get turned into processed junk food, instead of expanding access to foods that are healthier for us and the planet.

Now we have the chance to begin to reorient how our federal dollars are spent.

The Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act—a proposal to improve the federal Farm Bill—will encourage greater production of sustainably produced fruits, vegetables, meats, and other healthy foods; make these foods more accessible for all individuals; and stimulate local economies. The bill will also expand access to healthy food for all consumers by improving the ability for families and seniors to use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits at farmers markets and other outlets for local, healthy foods. Our analysis shows that these programs can create jobs and encourage healthier eating.

Tell your members of Congress to cosponsor the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act!
Take Action Today!

Sincerely, Jenn Yates National Field Organizer Food & Environment Program Union of Concerned Scientists

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Register for the Webinar Today! UCS

06/13/2012 Nativegrl77

Join Our Webinar to Learn about the Farm Bill

What does the Farm Bill have to do with you? The answer to that question is simple: a lot. The Union of Concerned Scientists is hosting a webinar to help you learn why, with the inside scoop from our experts.

Toward Healthy Food and Farms: How Science-Based Policies in the 2012 Farm Bill Can Transform Agriculture
Date: Thursday, June 14
Time: 2:00-3:00 p.m. EST (11:00 a.m.-noon PST)

When you’re grocery shopping, do you ever wonder why corn chips and sugary drinks cost less than carrots and squash? In large part, it’s because government policies make the wrong foods cheaper and more abundant. UCS analysis shows that practical changes to agricultural policies can shift priorities to provide greater support to healthier food and farms instead of subsidizing unhealthy, processed foods.

Congress is currently working to finalize the Farm Bill, and while we’ve seen some good changes, they’re not enough. And the chance to change these policies comes just once every five years!

The webinar will cover the latest Farm Bill news from Capitol Hill, followed by an overview of UCS analysis showing that support for local food can benefit the economy and our health. Finally, we’ll share how you can take effective action now to urge Congress to support healthy and sustainable food production in the 2012 Farm Bill.

Time is ticking down for us to encourage a healthy and sustainable food system, so register for the webinar today!

Sincerely,

Jenn Yates
National Field Organizer
UCS Food & Environment Program