This grassroots organization is leading the marchfor Obama's next pick for Secretary of Agriculture. Intent that while farmers face harsh challenges regarding eneregy costs, inputs, land-use and legislative policies that undermine their ability to compete in the open market, there must be a push for better policies.
When Obama tapped former Iowa Governor & lawyer Tom Vilsack, who has backed genetic engineering (GMO foods) and has a close relationship with corporate agribusiness (i.e. Monsanto), many organic proponents screamed their opposition. The Organic Consumers Association, for instance, is pressuring Congress to reject the Vilsack nomination with mass petitions.
According to FDN, "The current system unnaturally favors economies of scale, consolidation and market concentration and the allocation of massive subsidies for commodities, all of which benefit the interests of corporate agribusiness over the livelihoods of farm families...we believe our next Secretary of Agriculture must have a vision that calls for: recreating regional food systems, supporting the growth of humane, natural and organic farms, and protecting the environment, biodiversity and the health of our children while implementing policies that place conservation, soil health, animal welfare and worker's rights as well as sustainable renewable energy near the top of their agenda."
Visit their sites at: http://www.fooddemocracynow.org/ and http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=1798
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