Pax-salon Mailing List: Fwd: Farm Bill Salon

[patty (pattypax]

sorry, i forgot that i can't send attachments so  here it is all fixed 
up by my listserve person.  thanks, Fred.
patty

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Fred H Olson <fholson [at] cohousing.org>
> Date: Fri Oct 5, 2007  3:18:03  PM US/Central
> To: Patty Guerrero <pattypax [at] earthlink.net>
> Cc: Pax Salon Announcements <pax-salon [at] justcomm.org>
> Subject: [Pax-salon] Farm Bill Salon
>
> Hi, we had a great salon last Tuesday.  Llewellyn Hille the organizer 
> for
> Oxfam America from Minnesota presented us w/facts about the farm bill
> which effects all of us, not just farmers. Please follw the Action 
> Alert
> instructions below. It is so important.
>
> Thanks, patty
>
>
> Action Alert
>
> Minnesota's Senators Are Ready to Vote on the Farm Bill. Tell Them to
> Stand Up for Farmers Here and Abroad.
>
> Learn:  The 2007 Farm Bill gives us a unique opportunity to have a real
> safety net for U.S. farmers, including minority farmers, and address
> poverty and hunger both here and abroad. Better risk
> management programs combined with making the marketing loan program
> less trade distorting will protect both farmers and their markets.
> Current price based safety nets only protect farmers when price is low.
> Better risk management based on whole farm revenue and income support
> based on conservation would be a better approaches.  By removing
> incentives for surplus production of a narrow range of crops and
> allowing more flexibility, these reforms will provide opportunities for
> pursuing alternative crops and implementing conservation practices.
>
>
> By reforming trade-distorting subsidies, Congress could help 10 million
> people in West Africa alone, who depend on cotton for their 
> livelihoods.
> Cotton is often the only source of cash income for many families who
> live on less than $1 a day per person. With the added income from
> increased cotton prices, the typical West African cotton farming family
> could cover the costs of:
> o one year's worth of health care for four to 10people,
> o or one year of schooling for two to 10 children,
> or one year's food supply for one or two children.
>
> ACT -
> Since every vote matters, can you take a moment to call your US 
> Senators
> today? Be sure to tell the staff member who answers the phone that you
> are a constituent and that you want your US Senator to vote in support
> of Farm Bill reform that reduces trade-distorting subsidies for
> commodities such as cotton. Tell them that these subsidies encourage
> excess production, discourage resource conservation practices, and
> don't provide a safety net when natural disaster strikes.
>
> For your convenience, we have set up a toll-free 800 number with simple
> instructions on what to say.
>
> 1.Please call 1-800-977-1912
> 2.An automated message will give you a brief introduction.
> 3.When prompted, press 630403 # to be connected to Senator Coleman's
> office.
> 4.After reaching Senator Coleman please hang up and repeat the
> instructions to reach
> Senator Klobuchar using code  630404#.
>
> Be sure to tell the staff member who answers the phone that you are a
> constituent and that you want your US Senator to vote in support of 
> Farm
> Bill reform that reduces trade-distorting subsidies for commodities 
> such
> as cotton. Tell them that these subsidies lead to excess production,
> reducing world market prices and undercutting the poor in developing
> nations who depend on agriculture to survive.
>
> CHANGE -
> It will only take a minute. A few well-placed calls from people like 
> you
> can help the world's poorest farmers. Please call today!  Thank you for
> taking action!  Share this message and encourage your friends and
> colleagues to call.  Thank you for this important action.
>
> _________________________________________________________________
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> for unsubscribe, archives and other info.
>
> Pax Salons ( http://justcomm.org/pax-salon )
> are held (unless otherwise noted in advance):
> Tuesdays, 6:30 to 8:30 pm.
> Mad Hatter's Tea House,
> 943 W 7th, St Paul, MN
>
> Salons are free but donations encouraged for program and treats.
> Call 651-227-3228 or 651-227-2511 for information.