Product name and manufacturerWhere was it grown?Does it have any certified labels or

does it state “sustainable or health” claims?

Does the label provide information about the farmer or farming practices?

Are the ingredients listed? Are there any ingredients that stand

out or raise a red flag?

Could a factory farm be organic?

Was an organic cow entitled to dine on pasture?

Do food additives and synthetic chemicals have a place in organic processed food?

Now a $7.7 billion business – dominated by large corporations (hence marketing/labeling schemes)

Consumers of organic food imagine their carrots and soy milk coming from small, local farms

Grocery stores aren’t farmer’s marketsWorry that new megaproducers

bring with them the same old problems of conventional agriculture =Energy-intensive production methodsLong-distance food transportationWeaken organic standards

Availability has mushroomed – fresh produce, milk, eggs, cereal, frozen food, and junk food

Gerber’s, Heinz, Dole, ConAgra, ADM… all created or acquired organic brands.

Cascadian Farm Organic Frozen Dinners – still have “natural” chicken flavors, xanthan gum, soy lecithin… many “organic” additives – HEALTHY?A subsidiary of General Mills (3rd largest food

conglomerate in North America)General Mills “PR Farm”

Horizon Organic Milk – Colorado company = $127 million (AKA the Microsoft of organic milk) controlling 70 percent of the retail marketUltrapasturized milk – high heat that “kills the

milk” including enzymes and vitamins so it can travel long distance

Factory Farms in the west = organic CAFOs eating certified organic grain

• USDA regulations allow food products that contain 95-100% certified organic ingredients

• Prohibit chemical fertilizers, synthetic substances, irradiation, sewer sludge or GMOs in production

• Prohibit antibiotic and synthetic hormone use in organic meat and poultry

• Require 100% organic feed for organic livestock

• Labeled “100% organic,” “organic,”or just “made with organic ingredients,” non-organic ingredients cannot be produced from GMOs

1). What is the U.S. Farm Bill?A. A guidebook for effective farming in the U.S.B. The federal government's primary legislation

that addresses both domestic and international policies on agriculture and food.

C. A bill that allows the federal government to investigate U.S. farms without a warrant in order to ensure food safety.

D. A federal government policy that promotes good health by providing a tax subsidy for buying produce in farmers’ markets.

Answer: B - The Farm Bill is passed every five years by Congress and dictates laws and affairs under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

2). True or False:

“The Farm Bill only impacts U.S. producers & consumers.”

Answer:

False -While the Farm Bill dictates domestic rules and regulations, many of its policies have international implications that impact small-scale farmers across the globe.

3). What issues are regulated by the Farm Bill?

A. Subsidies to encourage American farmers to grow more corn

B. Tax credits for ethanolC. Regulations for organic agricultureD. Humanitarian food aidE. A and CF. All of the above

Answer: F - All of the above.

4). For every dollar you spend on groceries, how much does a farmer get?

A. $0.91B. $0.66C. $0.16D. $0.36

Answer:C - $0.16 cents for every dollar. 84.2 cents pays for food marketing, while just 15.8 cents is spent on the raw farm commodities themselves. "Food marketing” includes transportation, processing, and distribution. In other words, we spend five times as much on getting our food from farm to table as we do on actually growing it.

5). Peaches, bell peppers, strawberries, pears, spinach, and potatoes are among the twelve fruits and vegetables distinguished on a list by the Environmental Working Group as what?

A. Grown with unsustainable methodsB. Mostly imported from abroadC. Most often contaminated by pesticides D. Often genetically modified

Answer:

C - Most often contaminated by pesticides along with apples, celery, nectarines, cherries, lettuce and grapes.

6). When you go for your morning cup of coffee, choosing a brand with which of the following certifications can help small farmers earn a higher share of the profit:

A. USDA OrganicB. Fair TradeC. Food AllianceD. Rainforest Alliance

Answer:

B - Fair Trade. Fair trade certification ensures that farmers receive a minimum set price, workers receive fair wages, and growers follow sound environmental practices.

Comprehensive piece of legislation

Written by the Agriculture Committees

Reauthorized every 5-7 years

Next reauthorization up in 2013 (2012 legislation extension)

How food is grownWhat food is grownWho grows itOur diets and public

healthWell-being of farmers

and farm workersRural communitiesEnvironment and

natural resources

Title I Commodity Programs $41.6 billion

Title II Conservation $24.1 billion

Title III Trade $1.9 billion

Title IV Nutrition $188.9 billion

Title V Credit $1.4 billion

Title VI Rural Development $200 million

Title VII Research $300 million

Title VIII Forestry $40 million

Title IX Bio Fuels and Ethanol $600 million

Title X Horticulture and Organic Agriculture $400 million

Title XI Livestock $1 million

Title XII Crop Insurance and Disaster Assistance $21.9 billion

Title XIII Commodity Futures no cost

Title XIV Miscellaneous $6.4 billion

Title XV Trade and Tax Provisions $3.8 billion

2008 Farm Bill Titles 5 Year Budget

Where does all the $ go?

But farm bill spending doesn’t

reflect these recommendations.

$33.1 billion spent on commodity crops from 2008 - 2010

cornsoybeanscottonricewheat

$4.3 billion spent on specialty crops from2008 - 2010

fruitsnutsvegetables

The Price of Fruits & Vegetables Continues to go UP!

What do you think needs to CHANGE in the new FARM

BILL?

• Better Choices! Breaking up the agribusiness monopolies will bring a more vibrant marketplace.

• Increased Access! More families will have easy access to healthy foods they can afford.

• Stronger Local Infrastructure! Reversing the consolidation in the food system would allow for more local businesses.

1. Fair Farm Bill: For YOU

• A Level Playing Field! A fair marketplace for small farmers cannot exist without breaking up the agribusiness monopolies.

• Fair Markets! Farm pricing and contract policies can ensure that ALL producers receive – enough from their sales – services to provide

a fair return.

2. Fair Farm Bill: For Farmers

• Environmental Stewardship! Conservation programs can improve biodiversity, minimize pollution, and conserve essential resources.

• Sustainable Farming! Independent farmers will receive support to help them shift to more diversified operations.

3. Fair Farm Bill: For the Environment