Fwd: SAVE THE DATE: Family Ag Rally Day! Ag Policy Teach-in!

[Karen Wagner]

Hi, folks - some of you may be interested in this agricultural policy day and training coming up.  Come on over to the LaGrande brew pub for some policy updates and lobbying information in February, and join us in Salem on March 18th!  Share as appropriate! 

See you around, I hope!

Karen

PS. - some of you may have heard that there was a pretty successful healthcare reform rally in Salem last Monday?  Well, eastern Oregon was very well represented with folks from the ever expanding healthcare reform action team (a part of ORA), and the Health Care for All Oregonians advocacy group. This is a great opportunity for solution seeking over the mid to long-term.  (We ain't getting any younger, y'know what I'm saying'?!)

  

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Nella Parks, ORA" <ne...@oregonrural.org>

Subject: SAVE THE DATE: Family Ag Rally Day! Ag Policy Teach-in!

Date: February 7, 2013 4:14:03 PM PST

To: ka...@oregonrural.org

Reply-To: ne...@oregonrural.org

LEARN. RALLY. ACT!

Howdy ORA Members & Supporters,

So, um, where the heck is the Farm Bill? And state support for Farm to School? And wouldn't it be nice if there were more options for small and beginning producers to access financing? And sell delicious chicken? And do you want to know which country your food comes from? Well, Congress may be dysfunctional, but the grassroots are not! It is time for some ACTION on food & agriculture policy. Save the Date to learn about current food & ag policy and then take action.  Feb 26: AG POLICY TEACH-IN Purpose: Learn about and discuss current state & federal food & ag policy, learn about citizen lobbying and prepare for the March 18 Rally Day! When: February 26th, 5:30-7pm Where: Upstairs, Mt Emily Ale House, La Grande Topics: State policy to watch, Aggie Bonds, Poultry Processing rules, Food Safety Modernization Act, Country of Origin Labeling and more... CLICK HERE TO READ MORE. March 18: FAMILY FARM & RANCH RALLY DAY Purpose: Stand up for family ag, for local food for a just and sustainable food and ag system! Learn to be a citizen lobbyist. When: March 18th, 9:30am-4:00pm Where: State Capitol, Salem Family Farm & Ranch Rally day is a brings producers and eaters from across the state to Salem for a full day of citizen lobbying training, meetings with legislators and a rally on the capitol steps. We even set up a Farmers Market in the capitol galleria! All of this is to build support for sustainable, family agriculture for current and future generations. Citizens lobby legislators on specific legislation and talk to them about barriers and opportunities for agriculture and food production. Here's what two 2011 rally day participants had to say about the experience. "....As the daughter of a third generation Oregon farmer, I have always tried to help out where I could; Rally day gave me the chance to put a voting face that is the product of a Oregon family farms in front of lawmakers..." -ORA Member, Katie Allen "...We were given background information about the four key campaigns, as well as talking points, and time to practice our “pitch” during the citizen lobby training at rally day...Participating in rally day made me feel powerful, like these people are listening to us, as a group we can make a difference..." -ORA Member, Teresa Roark CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND RSVP! Here's to ACTION!  Nella Parks, Organizer ne...@oregonrural.org 541-975-2411 P.S. Learn more about our 2013 state legislative priorities: Aggie Bonds, poultry processing and coal exports impacts on grain shipping and more about our state legislative coalition, the Oregon Grows Partnership.

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