Family farm advocates from across the state will be gathering at the Capitol on Tuesday, January 24, 2012. The Family Farm Lobby Day is hosted by the Iowa Farmers Union, an organization committed to creating policy change that strengthens independent family farms.
Participants will meet at noon in the first floor rotunda for an opening from IFU President Chris Petersen. Iowa Farmers Union staff, board, and members will spend the afternoon attending committee hearings and meeting with their elected officials. The Family Farm Lobby Day is free and open to the public.
At the beginning of the 2012 legislative session, the Iowa Farmers Union will be launching its campaign of legislative priorities to protect and advocate for family farmers. which include:
- Promote sustainable local food systems by implementing recommendations from the Local Food, Farms, and Jobs report created by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture;
- Encourage development of locally-owned and controlled renewable energy;
- Oppose any changes to the current prohibition of spreading manure on frozen or snow-covered land;
- Eliminate property tax exemption on CAFO manure storage facilities, tax animal confinement buildings at the industrial rate if property owner does not own the livestock, and support reforming Tax Increment Financing (TIF); and
- Fight the use of Eminent Domain to remove farmland from production for any reason.
Iowans need to gather in support of family farms at the Capitol to show solidarity. “The way of life for all family farms, from fresh vegetables to grain and livestock, is being challenged. It is important that we stand together to speak out.” said IFU President Chris Petersen of Clear Lake.
To learn more, visit www.iowafarmersunion.org/events or join the event on Facebook.
