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Sophia Lafontant to Speak on Farm Bill...
by Linda S.
Aleci, Local Economy Center, Franklin and Marshall College
 The 2007
Farm Bill is coming up before the Congress for a vote in early fall.
For those of us concerned about the viability of small family farms,
sustainable land use, and preserving local food systems--here in the
U.S. and across the world--this will be a critical moment. The farm
policies being designed now will certainly help determine what kind of
food system we have in the 21st century. Unfortunately, in its current
form, U.S. farm policy does not strengthen rural America, does not
contribute to making us a healthier nation, and hurts poor farmers in
developing countries. And for the most part, the Farm Bill is
negotiated with barely any public scrutiny, much less input--even
though it has an impact on all of us.
This year however, we have
the opportunity to help change that.
On Tuesday May 29th at 1
PM, Sophia Lafontant from Oxfam
America will be at Franklin and Marshall to discuss the 2007 Farm
Bill, Oxfam's work to reform that bill, and Pennsylvania's critical
position in the Congressional debate. In concert with Oxfam, the Local
Economy Center is assisting with the organization of a broad-based
coalition of citizens in this region to help with their efforts. The
purpose of this meeting is to learn more about the 2007 Farm Bill and
to develop ways, however small they might seem, that all of us can be
involved in making this a bill for the 21st century, one that helps
create a healthier, more just and sustainable food system.
On behalf of the Local
Economy Center I would like to invite you to this meeting. It should
last about an hour or so. If you know of others who would like to
come, please invite them as well. If you know of young people who are
interested, bring them! We particularly want to involve college and
high-school students in these efforts, as it is this generation that
will be most profoundly affected.
For an excellent short
intro to the 2007 Farm Bill, go to the
Center for Ecoliteracy...
Linda S. Aleci
LEC
Franklin and Marshall College <Lancaster, PA 17604-3003
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