Des Moines – Advocates for clean water and air, clean renewable energy and energy efficiency filled the Statehouse first-floor rotunda today to ask lawmakers to boost Iowa’s economy and job growth by improving environmental conditions in the state.

At a morning press conference Marian Riggs Gelb, executive director for the Iowa Environmental Council, a non-profit, member-driven environmental policy organization, told lawmakers that “livable cities, green industries, energy efficient buildings, fishable lakes, attractive parks, and good air quality attract new residents and businesses to Iowa and stimulate our economy. Adversely, air pollution that causes counties in Iowa to violate air quality standards, as continues to occur in Eastern Iowa, impedes business and population growth alike.” [Read more →]

Join the Iowa Farmers Union, the Iowa Environmental Council, and other groups for a lobby day on Tuesday, January 19 beginning at 8:30. Participants should meet in the rotunda of the capital building.

See Tips on Citizen Lobbying from the Iowa Environmental Council

Email Amber Anderson Mba or the Iowa Farmers Union office at 800-775-5227 with any questions.

If you are in the Marshalltown area, you have a new place to find locally-grown food, direct from the producer. The Marshall County Market will consist of pickups every other week through the winter from 4:30-6 on Tuesdays on the Marshalltown Community College grounds. E-mail marshallcountymarket@gmail.com for ordering information.

Visit their website for more information, including producers and products.

3-Year Project To Verify Effectiveness Of High Tunnels In Natural Resource ConservationWASHINGTON, Dec. 16, 2009 - Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced a new pilot project under the ‘Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food’ initiative for farmers to establish high tunnels - also known as hoop houses - to increase the availability of locally grown produce in a conservation-friendly way. Merrigan and other Obama administration officials highlighted opportunities available for producers in a video posted on USDA’s YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07vtMJgp0no, which shows high tunnels recently installed in the White House garden.

“There is great potential for high tunnels to expand the availability of healthy, locally-grown crops - a win for producers and consumers,” said Merrigan. “This pilot project is going to give us real-world information that farmers all over the country can use to decide if they want to add high tunnels to their operations. We know that these fixtures can help producers extend their growing season and hopefully add to their bottom line.” [Read more →]

 The USDA/FSA will begin distributing funds approved in the 2010 Ag appropriations bill signed into law on October 21, 2009 to help dairy producers offset low prices experienced this year. [Read more →]

USDA Press Release: COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Dec. 15, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced an agreement with U.S. dairy producers to accelerate adoption of innovative manure to energy projects on American dairy farms. The agreement represents a dynamic public/private partnership and is another demonstration of the Obama Administration’s commitment to curb the emissions of greenhouse gases. [Read more →]