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RE: [compost_tea] NOP/ Congress



I like the concept but have doubts about a politician being very effective.

I'd like to know more.

Paulette

-----Original Message-----
From:	Jeff Lowenfels [SMTP:jeff@gardener.com]
Sent:	Thursday, June 05, 2003 7:50 PM
To:	compost_tea@yahoogroups.com
Subject:	[compost_tea] NOP/ Congress

Anyone know these guys?


Press Advisory
For Immediate Release
June 5, 2003

Contact:
Brise Tencer  (831) 426-6606
Bob Scowcroft  (831) 426-6606

OFRF Applauds Launch of Congressional Organic Agriculture Caucus

Santa Cruz, CA. - The newly formed Congressional Organic Agriculture Caucus 
held its initial meeting in Washington, D.C., on April 10, 2003. The Caucus 
was formed as a bipartisan association of United States Representatives 
whose mission is to "enhance availability and understanding of information 
related to the production and processing of organic agricultural products." 

The formation of this coalition of sixteen Democrats, five Republicans, and 
one Independent is truly groundbreaking for organic farmers nationwide. 
"Organics is one of the fastest growing sectors in agriculture," said Rep. 
Sam Farr (D-CA 17th), who authored the nation's first comprehensive organic 
standards while he was a member of the California state legislature in 
1990. "With new organic standards now in effect, consumers are demanding 
greater availability and farmers are seeking solutions to their organic 
production problems. This Caucus will give us the chance to discuss ways of 
enhancing the standard to make it workable for producers and consumers."

"The formation of this Caucus is a major step towards getting organic 
farmers their fair share of federal agricultural resources," says Bob 
Scowcroft, Executive Director of the Organic Farming Research Foundation 
(OFRF). "Organic farmers and their supporters should call their 
representatives and ask them to join the Caucus. When it comes to Capitol 
Hill, there is strength in numbers," he added

OFRF assisted in organizing the initial meeting that launched the Caucus by 
briefing attendees on recent developments in organic agriculture. Speakers 
presented trends in industry growth, research, and the successes and 
obstacles that organic farmers are facing in the field. The speakers 
included Cathy Greene of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic 
Research Service, Laurie Drinkwater of Cornell University, and Steve Ela, a 
Colorado organic farmer and the vice president of OFRF.

While most of the attendees were Congressional staffers, also present were 
members of the press, organic activists, USDA staff and Congressmen Sam 
Farr, Ron Kind (D-WI 3rd), and Peter DeFazio (D-OR 4th). Each of the 
Congressmen who attended spoke eloquently about the growing importance of 
organic agriculture.

"The Organic Caucus will play a critical role in getting Congress actively 
engaged in this very important growing segment of the agricultural 
marketplace, and I fully expect that this Caucus will be instrumental in 
ensuring that Caucus members continue to effectively work together and 
receive timely updates on organic issues," said Congressman Walsh, a 
Republican from New York who is one of six founding co-chairs of the Caucus 
and has been a strong supporter of organic agriculture.

Caucus members have already demonstrated interest in working together on 
issues: a bipartisan group of 14 Caucus members recently signed a letter 
circulated by Congressman Kind endorsing specific 2004 funding levels for 
federal programs of importance to organic farmers. Other members of 
Congress have joined the Caucus simply to better educate themselves on 
issues that are important to organic farmers in their district.

For more information on the Organic Agriculture Caucus, contact Troy 
Phillips, Office of Congressman Farr, 202-225-2861; Ron Anderson, Office of 
Congressman Walsh, 202-225-3701; or Darin Schroeder, Office of Congressman 
Kind, 202-225-5506. To view the current list of Caucus members or the 
letter on recommended funding levels for federal programs endorsed by 14 
Caucus members, visit OFRF's policy web page at: 
http://www.ofrf.org/policy/index.html


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