Recipe for America

A New Section on this Site

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 23:49:50 -0700

Well, we started out talking about the 2007 farm bill and in the end we got a 2008 farm bill instead. Congress finally passed it, Bush vetoed it, and for the second time ever, Congress overrode Bush's veto.

As a result, we've got a new section on this site. A few of the issues listed here are now no longer issues. Instead, they can be found under the category "Success Stories." Years of hard work from countless individuals all over the country went into these victories and we are proud to celebrate them and their accomplishments. Congratulations and thank you to everyone who worked on banning mandatory arbitration in livestock/poultry contracts and mandatory COOL. You are all heroes.

Congress Will Finally Vote on the Farm Bill

Fri, 09 May 2008 21:25:32 -0700

Nearly a year after they started to debate it, Congress agreed on a farm bill which they will vote on soon. Bush, naturally, plans to veto it.

Here is Tom Philpott's take on the bill.

The Farm Bill: We're Almost Done

Fri, 02 May 2008 13:38:32 -0700

Here's the latest on the farm bill after this week. Looks like another extension until May 16 and then - who knows? Maybe we'll have a 2007 farm bill before 2008 is half over.

It's Official. Local Food is a Bipartisan Issue.

Thu, 01 May 2008 00:19:26 -0700

On April 29, 2008, President Bush said:

One thing I think that would be -- I know would be very creative policy is if we -- is if we would buy food from local farmers as a way to help deal with scarcity, but also as a way to put in place an infrastructure so that nations can be self-sustaining and self-supporting. It's a proposal I put forth that Congress hasn't responded to yet, and I sincerely hope they do.

Book Review - and Netroots Nation '08 News

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:05:32 -0700

I am proud to announce that our panel proposal for Netroots Nation 2008 was accepted! We will be welcoming four fantastic experts as our panelists this summer: Mark Winne, Michele Simon, Judith McGeary, and Margaret Krome.

In between now and July, we will be doing our best to introduce the netroots community to our four panelists so you can come prepared to the convention with good questions to ask (or questions to submit in advance or via liveblog if you can't be there)

Please check out a book review of Mark Winne's new book Closing the Food Gap: Resetting the Table in the Land of Plenty.

Ohio Primary Looks at Food Issues

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 09:20:55 -0700

Ohio's experienced an influx of dairy CAFOs, and both candidates are trying to woo voters with their platforms on these industrial mega-farms. In anticipation of the March 4 OH primary, DailyKos diarist Zwoof takes a look at each candidate, their positions, their advisors, and their histories on this issue. Check it out!

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/28/6576/57159/394/465402

Get Ready for Netroots Nation in Austin!

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 22:48:39 -0700

If you're planning to attend Netroots Nation in Austin this summer, here's a look at the Austin sustainable food scene.

Hillary Turns to the Factory Farm Lobby for Support

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 22:40:52 -0700

Check out this excellent piece by Tom Philpott to learn where Hillary's getting her "rural support" from. Please oh please, Iowans, take note! Your state has enough factory farms... supporting Hillary is like begging for more.

Fake Organic Dairy Threatens to Sue Watchdog Groups That Caught Them

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 13:47:56 -0700

When you're caught breaking the law, what's a more American response than suing the people who caught you? That's what Aurora Dairy is threatening to do to public interest groups The Cornucopia Institute, The Organic Consumers Association, and The Center for Food Safety. Read more here.

The Latest on the Farm Bill...

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 22:05:39 -0700

Blogger renaissance grrrl brings us the latest on the farm bill. Congress is expected to pass a bill extending the 2002 Farm Bill (which expires Sep 30) for another month, and the Senate will soon begin debating the 2007 Farm Bill. In other words, put your senators' phone numbers in your cell phone and get ready to start calling!!!

Also significant, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns stepped down and Chuck Connor replaces him as acting secretary. Naturally, Connor's the fox of the USDA henhouse. He used to head up the Corn Refiners Association, so if you thought ADM and Cargill already controlled our entire freaking food system, buckle up!

Plans for Netroots Nation 2008

Sat, 15 Sep 2007 10:22:45 -0700

If you'd like to help our group start brainstorming for Netroots Nation 2008 (the new name for YearlyKos), check out this diary and brainstorm away! We're looking for creative people to help us design a T-shirt to use as a fundraiser and we're planning to create a cookbook of seasonal recipes!

USDA Takes on Aurora for Organic Violations

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 22:30:15 -0700

At long last, the USDA took on Aurora for violating several organic standards. Thanks go to The Cornucopia Institute for their vigilence and determination in making this happen.

Aurora is one of the biggest producers of "organic" milk in the country, responsible for some or all of the private label brands at Walmart, Target, Costco, and Safeway and its own brand, High Meadows. More info

YearlyKos Food Panel: Aug 4, 2007

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:44:52 -0700

It's official! YearlyKos Convention will include a panel entitled Forging Links to an Alternative Food Chain with panelists Marion Nestle, Rep. Lynn Woolsey, Tom Philpott, Kerry Trueman - and me, OrangeClouds115, as your moderator. The panel will be on Saturday, August 4 at 9:15am. Details are available here.

Support Mandatory COOL!

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 00:06:39 -0700

Rep. Goodlatte has introduced an amendment into the House Ag committee that would gut COOL (country of origin labeling). This amendment, if passed, would be very harmful to the safety of our food supply and to the rights of consumers for full information about their food. Find out more and then contact your representative at 202-225-3121!

Farm Bill 101

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 23:48:07 -0700

Blogger Farm Bill Girl wrote an excellent diary called Food Bill #1: Netroots Betrays Farmers?? to debunk myths about the upcoming 2007 farm bill. This is absolutely a must-read as it's rare to find such a detailed explanation by someone who really understands the farm bill.

Then, check out her follow-up: Your Food Bill #2: USDA = Enron Corruption