Re: Re: Tell Obama We Are United Against Monsanto's GMO Alfalfa

January 31, 2011

I thought we wanted less government intervention? Shouldn't the market

speak?

pam

Pam Charney

pcharney@...

> I think this is a very important issue! Jan

>

> _Tell President Obama

> WE are United! - It's time to stand up to Monsanto!_

> (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=1)

> (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=2)

> _Don't let Monsanto's GMOs Destroy Organic Dairy

> and our democracy!_

> (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=3)

> Tell President Obama to instruct the USDA to immediately ban

> Monsanto's

> GMO alfalfa from being planted and work to ensure that the organic

> industry

> is protected from genetic contamination and loss of profits and

> stand up for

> the basic rights for Americans to know what is in their food and how

> it's

> produced.

> (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=4)

> _Take a stand for Farmer and Citizen Rights - Tell President Obama to

> reject Monsanto's GMO alfalfa.

> _ (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=5

> )

> Dear Jan,

> Last week the Obama Administration chose to fully deregulate

> Monsanto’s

> Roundup Ready alfalfa, despite overwhelming public protest. In less

> than 6

> days, more than 96,000 Food Democracy Now! members signed a letter

> asking

> President Obama and Secretary Vilsack to reject Monsanto’s genetically

> modified alfalfa based on concerns to consumer health, impacts to

> the environment

> and lack of adequate scientific testing, but they chose to cave to

> corporate pressure rather than protect the rights of America’s

> farmers and

> citizens.

> Despite this bad news, we’re refusing to back down and are going to

> continue to press President Obama and Secretary Vilsack to rescind

> their unwise

> decision that not only restricts farmers' ability to choose what to

> grow on

> their land, but is also entirely unnecessary as currently more than

> 93% of

> alfalfa grown in the U.S. does not use or need chemical herbicides

> at all,

> which is the argument for the necessity of Roundup Ready products in

> the

> first place.

> We need our message of unity and the rejection of this unnecessary and

> harmful technology to spread far and wide, please sign here:

> _http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE'>http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=7_

> (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=6)

> As has already been widely acknowledged by the U.S. Supreme Court, the

> USDA, scientists and active farmers, the planting of GMO Roundup

> Ready alfalfa

> will lead to contamination of conventional and organic crops, creating

> significant economic loss for important export markets and organic

> dairy and

> beef farmers.

> While we are deeply disappointed in President Obama and Secretary

> Vilsack’s

> decision, we were fortunate enough to be at the 31st Annual Ecological

> Farming Conference at Asilomar in Pacific Grove, California where

> pioneering

> farmers and leaders in organic and sustainable agriculture gather

> every

> year. When we received word of the announcement there was an

> immediate and

> collective response from the farmers and members inf this community

> that day

> that vowed to fight until this injustice was exposed to the world and

> ultimately overruled.

> Over the course of the next few days, several dozen farmers and

> individuals

> from organizations working to promote best agricultural practices

> helped

> craft a letter to President Obama and Secretary Vilsack calling on

> them to

> reconsider and reverse their decision.

> As members of this movement, we were greatly encouraged by the

> spirit of

> cooperation and the resolve that immediately took place as we worked

> together

> to craft a collective response.

> In an effort to help spread that good will and resolve to fight this

> unjust

> decision we experienced this past weekend, we’d like you to join in

> this

> fight to protect the democratic rights of farmers and the citizens who

> support them.

> If we are to win the fight ahead, we must join together and be

> united going

> forward. It’s time that President Obama and those in Washington

> learn that

> the rights of farmers and American citizens mean more than the unjust

> profits of Monsanto, which increasingly put the livelihoods of

> farmers and the

> integrity of our democracy at risk.

> Please take a moment to sign this letter inititated by our organic and

> sustainable farmers and leaders, then pass it on to friends.

> _http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE'>http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=9_

> (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=8)

> Farmers attending EcoFarm, the largest organic farming conference on

> the

> West Coast, roundly criticized the Obama Administration's ill-

> conceived

> decision. Two California farmers stated:

> “We are appalled by this decision,” said pioneering organic farmer

> Larry

> s, President of s Farm-Del Cabo. “This is a sad day for the

> future of the sustainable agriculture.”

> “As an organic farmer and an organic dairy processor, the decision to

> deregulate genetically engineered alfalfa is devastating for our

> industry and

> it could put our business at risk,” said Albert Straus, President

> and owner

> of Straus Family Creamery.

> Condemnation of the bad decision quickly reached beyond the

> conference as

> one attendee heard from a leading voice in the movement, journalist

>

> Pollan, who added:

> " It’s hard to understand why the Obama Administration would put the

> organic industry at risk for the sake of an unnecessary and soon-to-

> be obsolete

> product like Roundup Ready alfalfa. This is a bad solution to a

> problem that

> doesn’t exist, since 93 percent of alfalfa hay is grown without any

> herbicide at all,” confided Pollan.

> Finally, EcoFarm President Wittman, an organic farmer himself

> for

> over 25 years concluded what many at the conference felt:

> “The ruling by the USDA Secretary disregards the organic farmers, the

> dairy industry, and the environment, and I am confident that the

> decision will

> be reversed in court,” said Wittman.

> While the USDA's decision to approve Monsanto's GMO alfalfa was a

> temporary

> blow to some at the conference, many vowed to redouble their efforts

> in

> working to defeat the Obama administration's latest assualt on

> farmers' and

> citizens' right to access to safe, healthy, organic and sustainable

> food.

> It's time to present a united front against Monsanto and out of touch

> politicians. Please take a moment to join us in telling President

> Obama to

> reverse the approval for Monsanto's GMO alfalfa. Your action today

> could help

> save organic integrity for future generations.

> _http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?

> akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=11_

> (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?

> akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=10)

> Thanks for taking the time today to stand up for organic farmers and

> the

> integrity of the organic industry. Please forward this email to any

> family

> member or friend that you know cares about the future of our food

> and the

> planet.

> Thanks for participating in food democracy,

> Dave, and the Food Democracy Now! Team

>

January 31, 2011

BTW, Pandora's box is already open! Monsanto has planted crops all

over the world and the wind, birds, bees and humans have contaminated

all the other crops! There is no turning back the clock!

Sent from my iPhone

> I thought we wanted less government intervention? Shouldn't the market

> speak?

>

> pam

>

> Pam Charney

> pcharney@...

>

>> I think this is a very important issue! Jan

>>

>> _Tell President Obama

>> WE are United! - It's time to stand up to Monsanto!_

>> (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?

>> akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=1)

>> (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?

>> akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=2)

>> _Don't let Monsanto's GMOs Destroy Organic Dairy

>> and our democracy!_

>> (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?

>> akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=3)

>> Tell President Obama to instruct the USDA to immediately ban

>> Monsanto's

>> GMO alfalfa from being planted and work to ensure that the organic

>> industry

>> is protected from genetic contamination and loss of profits and

>> stand up for

>> the basic rights for Americans to know what is in their food and how

>> it's

>> produced.

>> (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?

>> akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=4)

>> _Take a stand for Farmer and Citizen Rights - Tell President Obama to

>> reject Monsanto's GMO alfalfa.

>> _ (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=5

>> )

>> Dear Jan,

>> Last week the Obama Administration chose to fully deregulate

>> Monsantoâ€™s

>> Roundup Ready alfalfa, despite overwhelming public protest. In less

>> than 6

>> days, more than 96,000 Food Democracy Now! members signed a letter

>> asking

>> President Obama and Secretary Vilsack to reject Monsantoâ€™s genetic

>> ally

>> modified alfalfa based on concerns to consumer health, impacts to

>> the environment

>> and lack of adequate scientific testing, but they chose to cave to

>> corporate pressure rather than protect the rights of Americaâ€™s

>> farmers and

>> citizens.

>> Despite this bad news, weâ€™re refusing to back down and are going to

>> continue to press President Obama and Secretary Vilsack to rescind

>> their unwise

>> decision that not only restricts farmers' ability to choose what to

>> grow on

>> their land, but is also entirely unnecessary as currently more than

>> 93% of

>> alfalfa grown in the U.S. does not use or need chemical herbicides

>> at all,

>> which is the argument for the necessity of Roundup Ready products in

>> the

>> first place.

>> We need our message of unity and the rejection of this unnecessary

>> and

>> harmful technology to spread far and wide, please sign here:

>> _http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?

>> akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=7_

>> (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?

>> akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=6)

>> As has already been widely acknowledged by the U.S. Supreme Court,

>> the

>> USDA, scientists and active farmers, the planting of GMO Roundup

>> Ready alfalfa

>> will lead to contamination of conventional and organic crops,

>> creating

>> significant economic loss for important export markets and organic

>> dairy and

>> beef farmers.

>> While we are deeply disappointed in President Obama and Secretary

>> Vilsackâ€™s

>> decision, we were fortunate enough to be at the 31st Annual

>> Ecological

>> Farming Conference at Asilomar in Pacific Grove, California where

>> pioneering

>> farmers and leaders in organic and sustainable agriculture gather

>> every

>> year. When we received word of the announcement there was an

>> immediate and

>> collective response from the farmers and members inf this community

>> that day

>> that vowed to fight until this injustice was exposed to the world and

>> ultimately overruled.

>> Over the course of the next few days, several dozen farmers and

>> individuals

>> from organizations working to promote best agricultural practices

>> helped

>> craft a letter to President Obama and Secretary Vilsack calling on

>> them to

>> reconsider and reverse their decision.

>> As members of this movement, we were greatly encouraged by the

>> spirit of

>> cooperation and the resolve that immediately took place as we worked

>> together

>> to craft a collective response.

>> In an effort to help spread that good will and resolve to fight this

>> unjust

>> decision we experienced this past weekend, weâ€™d like you to join in

>> this

>> fight to protect the democratic rights of farmers and the citizens

>> who

>> support them.

>> If we are to win the fight ahead, we must join together and be

>> united going

>> forward. Itâ€™s time that President Obama and those in Washington

>> learn that

>> the rights of farmers and American citizens mean more than the unjust

>> profits of Monsanto, which increasingly put the livelihoods of

>> farmers and the

>> integrity of our democracy at risk.

>> Please take a moment to sign this letter inititated by our organic

>> and

>> sustainable farmers and leaders, then pass it on to friends.

>> _http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?

>> akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=9_

>> (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?

>> akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=8)

>> Farmers attending EcoFarm, the largest organic farming conference on

>> the

>> West Coast, roundly criticized the Obama Administration's ill-

>> conceived

>> decision. Two California farmers stated:

>> â€œWe are appalled by this decision,â€ said pioneering organic far

>> mer

>> Larry

>> s, President of s Farm-Del Cabo. â€œThis is a sad day for

>> the

>> future of the sustainable agriculture.â€

>> â€œAs an organic farmer and an organic dairy processor, the decision

>> to

>> deregulate genetically engineered alfalfa is devastating for our

>> industry and

>> it could put our business at risk,â€ said Albert Straus, President

>> and owner

>> of Straus Family Creamery.

>> Condemnation of the bad decision quickly reached beyond the

>> conference as

>> one attendee heard from a leading voice in the movement, journalist

>>

>> Pollan, who added:

>> " Itâ€™s hard to understand why the Obama Administration would put the

>> organic industry at risk for the sake of an unnecessary and soon-to-

>> be obsolete

>> product like Roundup Ready alfalfa. This is a bad solution to a

>> problem that

>> doesnâ€™t exist, since 93 percent of alfalfa hay is grown without any

>> herbicide at all,â€ confided Pollan.

>> Finally, EcoFarm President Wittman, an organic farmer himself

>> for

>> over 25 years concluded what many at the conference felt:

>> â€œThe ruling by the USDA Secretary disregards the organic farmers,

>> the

>> dairy industry, and the environment, and I am confident that the

>> decision will

>> be reversed in court,â€ said Wittman.

>> While the USDA's decision to approve Monsanto's GMO alfalfa was a

>> temporary

>> blow to some at the conference, many vowed to redouble their efforts

>> in

>> working to defeat the Obama administration's latest assualt on

>> farmers' and

>> citizens' right to access to safe, healthy, organic and sustainable

>> food.

>> It's time to present a united front against Monsanto and out of touch

>> politicians. Please take a moment to join us in telling President

>> Obama to

>> reverse the approval for Monsanto's GMO alfalfa. Your action today

>> could help

>> save organic integrity for future generations.

>> _http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?

>> akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=11_

>> (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?

>> akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=10)

>> Thanks for taking the time today to stand up for organic farmers and

>> the

>> integrity of the organic industry. Please forward this email to any

>> family

>> member or friend that you know cares about the future of our food

>> and the

>> planet.

>> Thanks for participating in food democracy,

>> Dave, and the Food Democracy Now! Team

>>

January 31, 2011

Good one Pam, However - the market could respond only if the produce (in this

case alfalfa) would be labeled with large letter that it is GMO-ed. But

something tells me that it won't since it is not regulated yet......correct me

if I am wrong.

If it is not labeled - no one, including us as dietitians, will be able to

differ.

Merav Levi, RD, MS, CDNA dietitian, not the food police.

http://www.linkedin.com/in/meravlevi

" Life is not measured by the number of breath you take, but by the moments that

take your breath away. " - Carlin " People don't forget the truth, they just

become better in lying " (Revolutionary Road)

> To: rd-usa

> From: pcharney@...

> Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2011 13:12:38 -0800

> Subject: Re: Re: Tell Obama We Are United Against Monsanto's GMO

Alfalfa

>

> I thought we wanted less government intervention? Shouldn't the market

> speak?

>

> pam

>

> Pam Charney

> pcharney@...

>

> > I think this is a very important issue! Jan

> >

> > _Tell President Obama

> > WE are United! - It's time to stand up to Monsanto!_

> > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=1)

> > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=2)

> > _Don't let Monsanto's GMOs Destroy Organic Dairy

> > and our democracy!_

> > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=3)

> > Tell President Obama to instruct the USDA to immediately ban

> > Monsanto's

> > GMO alfalfa from being planted and work to ensure that the organic

> > industry

> > is protected from genetic contamination and loss of profits and

> > stand up for

> > the basic rights for Americans to know what is in their food and how

> > it's

> > produced.

> > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=4)

> > _Take a stand for Farmer and Citizen Rights - Tell President Obama to

> > reject Monsanto's GMO alfalfa.

> > _ (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=5

> > )

> > Dear Jan,

> > Last week the Obama Administration chose to fully deregulate

> > Monsanto’s

> > Roundup Ready alfalfa, despite overwhelming public protest. In less

> > than 6

> > days, more than 96,000 Food Democracy Now! members signed a letter

> > asking

> > President Obama and Secretary Vilsack to reject Monsanto’s genetically

> > modified alfalfa based on concerns to consumer health, impacts to

> > the environment

> > and lack of adequate scientific testing, but they chose to cave to

> > corporate pressure rather than protect the rights of America’s

> > farmers and

> > citizens.

> > Despite this bad news, we’re refusing to back down and are going to

> > continue to press President Obama and Secretary Vilsack to rescind

> > their unwise

> > decision that not only restricts farmers' ability to choose what to

> > grow on

> > their land, but is also entirely unnecessary as currently more than

> > 93% of

> > alfalfa grown in the U.S. does not use or need chemical herbicides

> > at all,

> > which is the argument for the necessity of Roundup Ready products in

> > the

> > first place.

> > We need our message of unity and the rejection of this unnecessary and

> > harmful technology to spread far and wide, please sign here:

> > _http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE'>http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=7_

> > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=6)

> > As has already been widely acknowledged by the U.S. Supreme Court, the

> > USDA, scientists and active farmers, the planting of GMO Roundup

> > Ready alfalfa

> > will lead to contamination of conventional and organic crops, creating

> > significant economic loss for important export markets and organic

> > dairy and

> > beef farmers.

> > While we are deeply disappointed in President Obama and Secretary

> > Vilsack’s

> > decision, we were fortunate enough to be at the 31st Annual Ecological

> > Farming Conference at Asilomar in Pacific Grove, California where

> > pioneering

> > farmers and leaders in organic and sustainable agriculture gather

> > every

> > year. When we received word of the announcement there was an

> > immediate and

> > collective response from the farmers and members inf this community

> > that day

> > that vowed to fight until this injustice was exposed to the world and

> > ultimately overruled.

> > Over the course of the next few days, several dozen farmers and

> > individuals

> > from organizations working to promote best agricultural practices

> > helped

> > craft a letter to President Obama and Secretary Vilsack calling on

> > them to

> > reconsider and reverse their decision.

> > As members of this movement, we were greatly encouraged by the

> > spirit of

> > cooperation and the resolve that immediately took place as we worked

> > together

> > to craft a collective response.

> > In an effort to help spread that good will and resolve to fight this

> > unjust

> > decision we experienced this past weekend, we’d like you to join in

> > this

> > fight to protect the democratic rights of farmers and the citizens who

> > support them.

> > If we are to win the fight ahead, we must join together and be

> > united going

> > forward. It’s time that President Obama and those in Washington

> > learn that

> > the rights of farmers and American citizens mean more than the unjust

> > profits of Monsanto, which increasingly put the livelihoods of

> > farmers and the

> > integrity of our democracy at risk.

> > Please take a moment to sign this letter inititated by our organic and

> > sustainable farmers and leaders, then pass it on to friends.

> > _http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE'>http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=9_

> > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=8)

> > Farmers attending EcoFarm, the largest organic farming conference on

> > the

> > West Coast, roundly criticized the Obama Administration's ill-

> > conceived

> > decision. Two California farmers stated:

> > “We are appalled by this decision,” said pioneering organic farmer

> > Larry

> > s, President of s Farm-Del Cabo. “This is a sad day for the

> > future of the sustainable agriculture.”

> > “As an organic farmer and an organic dairy processor, the decision to

> > deregulate genetically engineered alfalfa is devastating for our

> > industry and

> > it could put our business at risk,” said Albert Straus, President

> > and owner

> > of Straus Family Creamery.

> > Condemnation of the bad decision quickly reached beyond the

> > conference as

> > one attendee heard from a leading voice in the movement, journalist

> >

> > Pollan, who added:

> > " It’s hard to understand why the Obama Administration would put the

> > organic industry at risk for the sake of an unnecessary and soon-to-

> > be obsolete

> > product like Roundup Ready alfalfa. This is a bad solution to a

> > problem that

> > doesn’t exist, since 93 percent of alfalfa hay is grown without any

> > herbicide at all,” confided Pollan.

> > Finally, EcoFarm President Wittman, an organic farmer himself

> > for

> > over 25 years concluded what many at the conference felt:

> > “The ruling by the USDA Secretary disregards the organic farmers, the

> > dairy industry, and the environment, and I am confident that the

> > decision will

> > be reversed in court,” said Wittman.

> > While the USDA's decision to approve Monsanto's GMO alfalfa was a

> > temporary

> > blow to some at the conference, many vowed to redouble their efforts

> > in

> > working to defeat the Obama administration's latest assualt on

> > farmers' and

> > citizens' right to access to safe, healthy, organic and sustainable

> > food.

> > It's time to present a united front against Monsanto and out of touch

> > politicians. Please take a moment to join us in telling President

> > Obama to

> > reverse the approval for Monsanto's GMO alfalfa. Your action today

> > could help

> > save organic integrity for future generations.

> > _http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?

> > akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=11_

> > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?

> > akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=10)

> > Thanks for taking the time today to stand up for organic farmers and

> > the

> > integrity of the organic industry. Please forward this email to any

> > family

> > member or friend that you know cares about the future of our food

> > and the

> > planet.

> > Thanks for participating in food democracy,

> > Dave, and the Food Democracy Now! Team

> >

January 31, 2011

Why is Monsanto the enemy?? Is there conclusive evidence that GMO is always

a problem?

>

> Good one Pam, However - the market could respond only if the produce (in

> this case alfalfa) would be labeled with large letter that it is GMO-ed. But

> something tells me that it won't since it is not regulated yet......correct

> me if I am wrong.

> If it is not labeled - no one, including us as dietitians, will be able to

> differ.

> Merav Levi, RD, MS, CDNA dietitian, not the food police.

> http://www.linkedin.com/in/meravlevi

>

> " Life is not measured by the number of breath you take, but by the moments

> that take your breath away. " - Carlin " People don't forget the truth,

> they just become better in lying " (Revolutionary Road)

>

> > To: rd-usa

> > From: pcharney@...

> > Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2011 13:12:38 -0800

> > Subject: Re: Re: Tell Obama We Are United Against Monsanto's GMO

> Alfalfa

> >

> > I thought we wanted less government intervention? Shouldn't the market

> > speak?

> >

> > pam

> >

> > Pam Charney

> > pcharney@...

> >

> > > I think this is a very important issue! Jan

> > >

> > > _Tell President Obama

> > > WE are United! - It's time to stand up to Monsanto!_

> > > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=1)

> > > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=2)

> > > _Don't let Monsanto's GMOs Destroy Organic Dairy

> > > and our democracy!_

> > > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=3)

> > > Tell President Obama to instruct the USDA to immediately ban

> > > Monsanto's

> > > GMO alfalfa from being planted and work to ensure that the organic

> > > industry

> > > is protected from genetic contamination and loss of profits and

> > > stand up for

> > > the basic rights for Americans to know what is in their food and how

> > > it's

> > > produced.

> > > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=4)

> > > _Take a stand for Farmer and Citizen Rights - Tell President Obama to

> > > reject Monsanto's GMO alfalfa.

> > > _ (

> http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=5

> > > )

> > > Dear Jan,

> > > Last week the Obama Administration chose to fully deregulate

> > > Monsanto’s

> > > Roundup Ready alfalfa, despite overwhelming public protest. In less

> > > than 6

> > > days, more than 96,000 Food Democracy Now! members signed a letter

> > > asking

> > > President Obama and Secretary Vilsack to reject Monsanto’s genetically

> > > modified alfalfa based on concerns to consumer health, impacts to

> > > the environment

> > > and lack of adequate scientific testing, but they chose to cave to

> > > corporate pressure rather than protect the rights of America’s

> > > farmers and

> > > citizens.

> > > Despite this bad news, we’re refusing to back down and are going to

> > > continue to press President Obama and Secretary Vilsack to rescind

> > > their unwise

> > > decision that not only restricts farmers' ability to choose what to

> > > grow on

> > > their land, but is also entirely unnecessary as currently more than

> > > 93% of

> > > alfalfa grown in the U.S. does not use or need chemical herbicides

> > > at all,

> > > which is the argument for the necessity of Roundup Ready products in

> > > the

> > > first place.

> > > We need our message of unity and the rejection of this unnecessary and

> > > harmful technology to spread far and wide, please sign here:

> > > _http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE'>http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=7_

> > > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=6)

> > > As has already been widely acknowledged by the U.S. Supreme Court, the

> > > USDA, scientists and active farmers, the planting of GMO Roundup

> > > Ready alfalfa

> > > will lead to contamination of conventional and organic crops, creating

> > > significant economic loss for important export markets and organic

> > > dairy and

> > > beef farmers.

> > > While we are deeply disappointed in President Obama and Secretary

> > > Vilsack’s

> > > decision, we were fortunate enough to be at the 31st Annual Ecological

> > > Farming Conference at Asilomar in Pacific Grove, California where

> > > pioneering

> > > farmers and leaders in organic and sustainable agriculture gather

> > > every

> > > year. When we received word of the announcement there was an

> > > immediate and

> > > collective response from the farmers and members inf this community

> > > that day

> > > that vowed to fight until this injustice was exposed to the world and

> > > ultimately overruled.

> > > Over the course of the next few days, several dozen farmers and

> > > individuals

> > > from organizations working to promote best agricultural practices

> > > helped

> > > craft a letter to President Obama and Secretary Vilsack calling on

> > > them to

> > > reconsider and reverse their decision.

> > > As members of this movement, we were greatly encouraged by the

> > > spirit of

> > > cooperation and the resolve that immediately took place as we worked

> > > together

> > > to craft a collective response.

> > > In an effort to help spread that good will and resolve to fight this

> > > unjust

> > > decision we experienced this past weekend, we’d like you to join in

> > > this

> > > fight to protect the democratic rights of farmers and the citizens who

> > > support them.

> > > If we are to win the fight ahead, we must join together and be

> > > united going

> > > forward. It’s time that President Obama and those in Washington

> > > learn that

> > > the rights of farmers and American citizens mean more than the unjust

> > > profits of Monsanto, which increasingly put the livelihoods of

> > > farmers and the

> > > integrity of our democracy at risk.

> > > Please take a moment to sign this letter inititated by our organic and

> > > sustainable farmers and leaders, then pass it on to friends.

> > > _http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE'>http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=9_

> > > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=8)

> > > Farmers attending EcoFarm, the largest organic farming conference on

> > > the

> > > West Coast, roundly criticized the Obama Administration's ill-

> > > conceived

> > > decision. Two California farmers stated:

> > > “We are appalled by this decision,” said pioneering organic farmer

> > > Larry

> > > s, President of s Farm-Del Cabo. “This is a sad day for the

> > > future of the sustainable agriculture.”

> > > “As an organic farmer and an organic dairy processor, the decision to

> > > deregulate genetically engineered alfalfa is devastating for our

> > > industry and

> > > it could put our business at risk,” said Albert Straus, President

> > > and owner

> > > of Straus Family Creamery.

> > > Condemnation of the bad decision quickly reached beyond the

> > > conference as

> > > one attendee heard from a leading voice in the movement, journalist

> > >

> > > Pollan, who added:

> > > " It’s hard to understand why the Obama Administration would put the

> > > organic industry at risk for the sake of an unnecessary and soon-to-

> > > be obsolete

> > > product like Roundup Ready alfalfa. This is a bad solution to a

> > > problem that

> > > doesn’t exist, since 93 percent of alfalfa hay is grown without any

> > > herbicide at all,” confided Pollan.

> > > Finally, EcoFarm President Wittman, an organic farmer himself

> > > for

> > > over 25 years concluded what many at the conference felt:

> > > “The ruling by the USDA Secretary disregards the organic farmers, the

> > > dairy industry, and the environment, and I am confident that the

> > > decision will

> > > be reversed in court,” said Wittman.

> > > While the USDA's decision to approve Monsanto's GMO alfalfa was a

> > > temporary

> > > blow to some at the conference, many vowed to redouble their efforts

> > > in

> > > working to defeat the Obama administration's latest assualt on

> > > farmers' and

> > > citizens' right to access to safe, healthy, organic and sustainable

> > > food.

> > > It's time to present a united front against Monsanto and out of touch

> > > politicians. Please take a moment to join us in telling President

> > > Obama to

> > > reverse the approval for Monsanto's GMO alfalfa. Your action today

> > > could help

> > > save organic integrity for future generations.

> > > _http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?

> > > akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=11_

> > > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?

> > > akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=10)

> > > Thanks for taking the time today to stand up for organic farmers and

> > > the

> > > integrity of the organic industry. Please forward this email to any

> > > family

> > > member or friend that you know cares about the future of our food

> > > and the

> > > planet.

> > > Thanks for participating in food democracy,

> > > Dave, and the Food Democracy Now! Team

> > >

January 31, 2011

no, but there is no evidence that its great either and usually, I just don't

like to mass up with mother nature, but that's me, not a scientific study.

Look what happened to Dolly, the GM sheep????

Merav Levi, RD, MS, CDNA dietitian, not the food police.

http://www.linkedin.com/in/meravlevi

" Life is not measured by the number of breath you take, but by the moments that

take your breath away. " - Carlin " People don't forget the truth, they just

become better in lying " (Revolutionary Road)

> To: rd-usa

> From: nrord1@...

> Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:55:55 -0500

> Subject: Re: Re: Tell Obama We Are United Against Monsanto's GMO

Alfalfa

>

> Why is Monsanto the enemy?? Is there conclusive evidence that GMO is always

> a problem?

>

> >

> > Good one Pam, However - the market could respond only if the produce (in

> > this case alfalfa) would be labeled with large letter that it is GMO-ed. But

> > something tells me that it won't since it is not regulated yet......correct

> > me if I am wrong.

> > If it is not labeled - no one, including us as dietitians, will be able to

> > differ.

> > Merav Levi, RD, MS, CDNA dietitian, not the food police.

> > http://www.linkedin.com/in/meravlevi

> >

> > " Life is not measured by the number of breath you take, but by the moments

> > that take your breath away. " - Carlin " People don't forget the truth,

> > they just become better in lying " (Revolutionary Road)

> >

> > > To: rd-usa

> > > From: pcharney@...

> > > Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2011 13:12:38 -0800

> > > Subject: Re: Re: Tell Obama We Are United Against Monsanto's GMO

> > Alfalfa

> > >

> > > I thought we wanted less government intervention? Shouldn't the market

> > > speak?

> > >

> > > pam

> > >

> > > Pam Charney

> > > pcharney@...

> > >

> > > > I think this is a very important issue! Jan

> > > >

> > > > _Tell President Obama

> > > > WE are United! - It's time to stand up to Monsanto!_

> > > > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=1)

> > > > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=2)

> > > > _Don't let Monsanto's GMOs Destroy Organic Dairy

> > > > and our democracy!_

> > > > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=3)

> > > > Tell President Obama to instruct the USDA to immediately ban

> > > > Monsanto's

> > > > GMO alfalfa from being planted and work to ensure that the organic

> > > > industry

> > > > is protected from genetic contamination and loss of profits and

> > > > stand up for

> > > > the basic rights for Americans to know what is in their food and how

> > > > it's

> > > > produced.

> > > > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=4)

> > > > _Take a stand for Farmer and Citizen Rights - Tell President Obama to

> > > > reject Monsanto's GMO alfalfa.

> > > > _ (

> > http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=5

> > > > )

> > > > Dear Jan,

> > > > Last week the Obama Administration chose to fully deregulate

> > > > Monsanto’s

> > > > Roundup Ready alfalfa, despite overwhelming public protest. In less

> > > > than 6

> > > > days, more than 96,000 Food Democracy Now! members signed a letter

> > > > asking

> > > > President Obama and Secretary Vilsack to reject Monsanto’s genetically

> > > > modified alfalfa based on concerns to consumer health, impacts to

> > > > the environment

> > > > and lack of adequate scientific testing, but they chose to cave to

> > > > corporate pressure rather than protect the rights of America’s

> > > > farmers and

> > > > citizens.

> > > > Despite this bad news, we’re refusing to back down and are going to

> > > > continue to press President Obama and Secretary Vilsack to rescind

> > > > their unwise

> > > > decision that not only restricts farmers' ability to choose what to

> > > > grow on

> > > > their land, but is also entirely unnecessary as currently more than

> > > > 93% of

> > > > alfalfa grown in the U.S. does not use or need chemical herbicides

> > > > at all,

> > > > which is the argument for the necessity of Roundup Ready products in

> > > > the

> > > > first place.

> > > > We need our message of unity and the rejection of this unnecessary and

> > > > harmful technology to spread far and wide, please sign here:

> > > > _http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE'>http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=7_

> > > > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=6)

> > > > As has already been widely acknowledged by the U.S. Supreme Court, the

> > > > USDA, scientists and active farmers, the planting of GMO Roundup

> > > > Ready alfalfa

> > > > will lead to contamination of conventional and organic crops, creating

> > > > significant economic loss for important export markets and organic

> > > > dairy and

> > > > beef farmers.

> > > > While we are deeply disappointed in President Obama and Secretary

> > > > Vilsack’s

> > > > decision, we were fortunate enough to be at the 31st Annual Ecological

> > > > Farming Conference at Asilomar in Pacific Grove, California where

> > > > pioneering

> > > > farmers and leaders in organic and sustainable agriculture gather

> > > > every

> > > > year. When we received word of the announcement there was an

> > > > immediate and

> > > > collective response from the farmers and members inf this community

> > > > that day

> > > > that vowed to fight until this injustice was exposed to the world and

> > > > ultimately overruled.

> > > > Over the course of the next few days, several dozen farmers and

> > > > individuals

> > > > from organizations working to promote best agricultural practices

> > > > helped

> > > > craft a letter to President Obama and Secretary Vilsack calling on

> > > > them to

> > > > reconsider and reverse their decision.

> > > > As members of this movement, we were greatly encouraged by the

> > > > spirit of

> > > > cooperation and the resolve that immediately took place as we worked

> > > > together

> > > > to craft a collective response.

> > > > In an effort to help spread that good will and resolve to fight this

> > > > unjust

> > > > decision we experienced this past weekend, we’d like you to join in

> > > > this

> > > > fight to protect the democratic rights of farmers and the citizens who

> > > > support them.

> > > > If we are to win the fight ahead, we must join together and be

> > > > united going

> > > > forward. It’s time that President Obama and those in Washington

> > > > learn that

> > > > the rights of farmers and American citizens mean more than the unjust

> > > > profits of Monsanto, which increasingly put the livelihoods of

> > > > farmers and the

> > > > integrity of our democracy at risk.

> > > > Please take a moment to sign this letter inititated by our organic and

> > > > sustainable farmers and leaders, then pass it on to friends.

> > > > _http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE'>http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=9_

> > > > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=8)

> > > > Farmers attending EcoFarm, the largest organic farming conference on

> > > > the

> > > > West Coast, roundly criticized the Obama Administration's ill-

> > > > conceived

> > > > decision. Two California farmers stated:

> > > > “We are appalled by this decision,” said pioneering organic farmer

> > > > Larry

> > > > s, President of s Farm-Del Cabo. “This is a sad day for the

> > > > future of the sustainable agriculture.”

> > > > “As an organic farmer and an organic dairy processor, the decision to

> > > > deregulate genetically engineered alfalfa is devastating for our

> > > > industry and

> > > > it could put our business at risk,” said Albert Straus, President

> > > > and owner

> > > > of Straus Family Creamery.

> > > > Condemnation of the bad decision quickly reached beyond the

> > > > conference as

> > > > one attendee heard from a leading voice in the movement, journalist

> > > >

> > > > Pollan, who added:

> > > > " It’s hard to understand why the Obama Administration would put the

> > > > organic industry at risk for the sake of an unnecessary and soon-to-

> > > > be obsolete

> > > > product like Roundup Ready alfalfa. This is a bad solution to a

> > > > problem that

> > > > doesn’t exist, since 93 percent of alfalfa hay is grown without any

> > > > herbicide at all,” confided Pollan.

> > > > Finally, EcoFarm President Wittman, an organic farmer himself

> > > > for

> > > > over 25 years concluded what many at the conference felt:

> > > > “The ruling by the USDA Secretary disregards the organic farmers, the

> > > > dairy industry, and the environment, and I am confident that the

> > > > decision will

> > > > be reversed in court,” said Wittman.

> > > > While the USDA's decision to approve Monsanto's GMO alfalfa was a

> > > > temporary

> > > > blow to some at the conference, many vowed to redouble their efforts

> > > > in

> > > > working to defeat the Obama administration's latest assualt on

> > > > farmers' and

> > > > citizens' right to access to safe, healthy, organic and sustainable

> > > > food.

> > > > It's time to present a united front against Monsanto and out of touch

> > > > politicians. Please take a moment to join us in telling President

> > > > Obama to

> > > > reverse the approval for Monsanto's GMO alfalfa. Your action today

> > > > could help

> > > > save organic integrity for future generations.

> > > > _http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?

> > > > akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=11_

> > > > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?

> > > > akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=10)

> > > > Thanks for taking the time today to stand up for organic farmers and

> > > > the

> > > > integrity of the organic industry. Please forward this email to any

> > > > family

> > > > member or friend that you know cares about the future of our food

> > > > and the

> > > > planet.

> > > > Thanks for participating in food democracy,

> > > > Dave, and the Food Democracy Now! Team

> > > >

January 31, 2011

I don't want to compare Dolly with anything but Dolly...there must be some

more conclusive evidence for so many people to be upset and concerned.

>

> no, but there is no evidence that its great either and usually, I just

> don't like to mass up with mother nature, but that's me, not a scientific

> study.

> Look what happened to Dolly, the GM sheep????

>

> Merav Levi, RD, MS, CDNA dietitian, not the food police.

> http://www.linkedin.com/in/meravlevi

>

> " Life is not measured by the number of breath you take, but by the moments

> that take your breath away. " - Carlin " People don't forget the truth,

> they just become better in lying " (Revolutionary Road)

>

> > To: rd-usa

> > From: nrord1@...

> > Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:55:55 -0500

> > Subject: Re: Re: Tell Obama We Are United Against Monsanto's GMO

> Alfalfa

> >

> > Why is Monsanto the enemy?? Is there conclusive evidence that GMO is

> always

> > a problem?

> >

> > >

> > > Good one Pam, However - the market could respond only if the produce

> (in

> > > this case alfalfa) would be labeled with large letter that it is

> GMO-ed. But

> > > something tells me that it won't since it is not regulated

> yet......correct

> > > me if I am wrong.

> > > If it is not labeled - no one, including us as dietitians, will be

> able to

> > > differ.

> > > Merav Levi, RD, MS, CDNA dietitian, not the food police.

> > > http://www.linkedin.com/in/meravlevi

> > >

> > > " Life is not measured by the number of breath you take, but by the

> moments

> > > that take your breath away. " - Carlin " People don't forget the

> truth,

> > > they just become better in lying " (Revolutionary Road)

> > >

> > > > To: rd-usa

> > > > From: pcharney@...

> > > > Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2011 13:12:38 -0800

> > > > Subject: Re: Re: Tell Obama We Are United Against Monsanto's

> GMO

> > > Alfalfa

> > > >

> > > > I thought we wanted less government intervention? Shouldn't the

> market

> > > > speak?

> > > >

> > > > pam

> > > >

> > > > Pam Charney

> > > > pcharney@...

> > > >

> > > > > I think this is a very important issue! Jan

> > > > >

> > > > > _Tell President Obama

> > > > > WE are United! - It's time to stand up to Monsanto!_

> > > > > (

> http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=1)

> > > > > (

> http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=2)

> > > > > _Don't let Monsanto's GMOs Destroy Organic Dairy

> > > > > and our democracy!_

> > > > > (

> http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=3)

> > > > > Tell President Obama to instruct the USDA to immediately ban

> > > > > Monsanto's

> > > > > GMO alfalfa from being planted and work to ensure that the organic

> > > > > industry

> > > > > is protected from genetic contamination and loss of profits and

> > > > > stand up for

> > > > > the basic rights for Americans to know what is in their food and

> how

> > > > > it's

> > > > > produced.

> > > > > (

> http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=4)

> > > > > _Take a stand for Farmer and Citizen Rights - Tell President Obama

> to

> > > > > reject Monsanto's GMO alfalfa.

> > > > > _ (

> > > http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=5

> > > > > )

> > > > > Dear Jan,

> > > > > Last week the Obama Administration chose to fully deregulate

> > > > > Monsanto’s

> > > > > Roundup Ready alfalfa, despite overwhelming public protest. In less

> > > > > than 6

> > > > > days, more than 96,000 Food Democracy Now! members signed a letter

> > > > > asking

> > > > > President Obama and Secretary Vilsack to reject Monsanto’s

> genetically

> > > > > modified alfalfa based on concerns to consumer health, impacts to

> > > > > the environment

> > > > > and lack of adequate scientific testing, but they chose to cave to

> > > > > corporate pressure rather than protect the rights of America’s

> > > > > farmers and

> > > > > citizens.

> > > > > Despite this bad news, we’re refusing to back down and are going to

> > > > > continue to press President Obama and Secretary Vilsack to rescind

> > > > > their unwise

> > > > > decision that not only restricts farmers' ability to choose what to

> > > > > grow on

> > > > > their land, but is also entirely unnecessary as currently more than

> > > > > 93% of

> > > > > alfalfa grown in the U.S. does not use or need chemical herbicides

> > > > > at all,

> > > > > which is the argument for the necessity of Roundup Ready products

> in

> > > > > the

> > > > > first place.

> > > > > We need our message of unity and the rejection of this unnecessary

> and

> > > > > harmful technology to spread far and wide, please sign here:

> > > > > _

> http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=7_

> > > > > (

> http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=6)

> > > > > As has already been widely acknowledged by the U.S. Supreme Court,

> the

> > > > > USDA, scientists and active farmers, the planting of GMO Roundup

> > > > > Ready alfalfa

> > > > > will lead to contamination of conventional and organic crops,

> creating

> > > > > significant economic loss for important export markets and organic

> > > > > dairy and

> > > > > beef farmers.

> > > > > While we are deeply disappointed in President Obama and Secretary

> > > > > Vilsack’s

> > > > > decision, we were fortunate enough to be at the 31st Annual

> Ecological

> > > > > Farming Conference at Asilomar in Pacific Grove, California where

> > > > > pioneering

> > > > > farmers and leaders in organic and sustainable agriculture gather

> > > > > every

> > > > > year. When we received word of the announcement there was an

> > > > > immediate and

> > > > > collective response from the farmers and members inf this community

> > > > > that day

> > > > > that vowed to fight until this injustice was exposed to the world

> and

> > > > > ultimately overruled.

> > > > > Over the course of the next few days, several dozen farmers and

> > > > > individuals

> > > > > from organizations working to promote best agricultural practices

> > > > > helped

> > > > > craft a letter to President Obama and Secretary Vilsack calling on

> > > > > them to

> > > > > reconsider and reverse their decision.

> > > > > As members of this movement, we were greatly encouraged by the

> > > > > spirit of

> > > > > cooperation and the resolve that immediately took place as we

> worked

> > > > > together

> > > > > to craft a collective response.

> > > > > In an effort to help spread that good will and resolve to fight

> this

> > > > > unjust

> > > > > decision we experienced this past weekend, we’d like you to join in

> > > > > this

> > > > > fight to protect the democratic rights of farmers and the citizens

> who

> > > > > support them.

> > > > > If we are to win the fight ahead, we must join together and be

> > > > > united going

> > > > > forward. It’s time that President Obama and those in Washington

> > > > > learn that

> > > > > the rights of farmers and American citizens mean more than the

> unjust

> > > > > profits of Monsanto, which increasingly put the livelihoods of

> > > > > farmers and the

> > > > > integrity of our democracy at risk.

> > > > > Please take a moment to sign this letter inititated by our organic

> and

> > > > > sustainable farmers and leaders, then pass it on to friends.

> > > > > _

> http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=9_

> > > > > (

> http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=8)

> > > > > Farmers attending EcoFarm, the largest organic farming conference

> on

> > > > > the

> > > > > West Coast, roundly criticized the Obama Administration's ill-

> > > > > conceived

> > > > > decision. Two California farmers stated:

> > > > > “We are appalled by this decision,” said pioneering organic farmer

> > > > > Larry

> > > > > s, President of s Farm-Del Cabo. “This is a sad day for

> the

> > > > > future of the sustainable agriculture.”

> > > > > “As an organic farmer and an organic dairy processor, the decision

> to

> > > > > deregulate genetically engineered alfalfa is devastating for our

> > > > > industry and

> > > > > it could put our business at risk,” said Albert Straus, President

> > > > > and owner

> > > > > of Straus Family Creamery.

> > > > > Condemnation of the bad decision quickly reached beyond the

> > > > > conference as

> > > > > one attendee heard from a leading voice in the movement, journalist

> > > > >

> > > > > Pollan, who added:

> > > > > " It’s hard to understand why the Obama Administration would put the

> > > > > organic industry at risk for the sake of an unnecessary and

> soon-to-

> > > > > be obsolete

> > > > > product like Roundup Ready alfalfa. This is a bad solution to a

> > > > > problem that

> > > > > doesn’t exist, since 93 percent of alfalfa hay is grown without any

> > > > > herbicide at all,” confided Pollan.

> > > > > Finally, EcoFarm President Wittman, an organic farmer

> himself

> > > > > for

> > > > > over 25 years concluded what many at the conference felt:

> > > > > “The ruling by the USDA Secretary disregards the organic farmers,

> the

> > > > > dairy industry, and the environment, and I am confident that the

> > > > > decision will

> > > > > be reversed in court,” said Wittman.

> > > > > While the USDA's decision to approve Monsanto's GMO alfalfa was a

> > > > > temporary

> > > > > blow to some at the conference, many vowed to redouble their

> efforts

> > > > > in

> > > > > working to defeat the Obama administration's latest assualt on

> > > > > farmers' and

> > > > > citizens' right to access to safe, healthy, organic and sustainable

> > > > > food.

> > > > > It's time to present a united front against Monsanto and out of

> touch

> > > > > politicians. Please take a moment to join us in telling President

> > > > > Obama to

> > > > > reverse the approval for Monsanto's GMO alfalfa. Your action today

> > > > > could help

> > > > > save organic integrity for future generations.

> > > > > _http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?

> > > > > akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=11_

> > > > > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?

> > > > > akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=10)

> > > > > Thanks for taking the time today to stand up for organic farmers

> and

> > > > > the

> > > > > integrity of the organic industry. Please forward this email to any

> > > > > family

> > > > > member or friend that you know cares about the future of our food

> > > > > and the

> > > > > planet.

> > > > > Thanks for participating in food democracy,

> > > > > Dave, and the Food Democracy Now! Team

> > > > >

January 31, 2011

The problem is that you can only buy Monsanto seed, you can not save seed if

your crops are cross pollinated with Monsanto seed you are taken to court for

stealing a patented technology, you must use Roundup to control the weeds by the

way you will need more and more Roundup every year to control the resistant

weeds. and Roundup resistance is now gone wild. If this is not a problem I

don't know what is. So why is Monsanto pushing for GMO alfa a crop that does not

have a weed problem, CONTROL. You can only safely, that is with out litigation,

plant Monsanto corn, and soy the two largest crops in the USA. Google some of

the problems India is having with GMOs Monsanto crops before you say there is no

evidence.

> I don't want to compare Dolly with anything but Dolly...there must be some

> more conclusive evidence for so many people to be upset and concerned.

>

>>

>> no, but there is no evidence that its great either and usually, I just

>> don't like to mass up with mother nature, but that's me, not a scientific

>> study.

>> Look what happened to Dolly, the GM sheep????

>>

>> Merav Levi, RD, MS, CDNA dietitian, not the food police.

>> http://www.linkedin.com/in/meravlevi

>>

>> " Life is not measured by the number of breath you take, but by the moments

>> that take your breath away. " - Carlin " People don't forget the truth,

>> they just become better in lying " (Revolutionary Road)

>>

January 31, 2011

I am neutral on Monsanto - not giving them a free ride..all I asked for was

some evidence, not that there isn't any.

On Mon, Jan 31, 2011 at 9:26 PM, Jackie Chase wrote:

>

> The problem is that you can only buy Monsanto seed, you can not save seed

> if your crops are cross pollinated with Monsanto seed you are taken to court

> for stealing a patented technology, you must use Roundup to control the

> weeds by the way you will need more and more Roundup every year to control

> the resistant weeds. and Roundup resistance is now gone wild. If this is not

> a problem I don't know what is. So why is Monsanto pushing for GMO alfa a

> crop that does not have a weed problem, CONTROL. You can only safely, that

> is with out litigation, plant Monsanto corn, and soy the two largest crops

> in the USA. Google some of the problems India is having with GMOs Monsanto

> crops before you say there is no evidence.

>

> > I don't want to compare Dolly with anything but Dolly...there must be

> some

> > more conclusive evidence for so many people to be upset and concerned.

> >

> > On Mon, Jan 31, 2011 at 7:02 PM, Merav Levi

<meravls@...<meravls%40msn.com>>

> wrote:

> >

> >>

> >> no, but there is no evidence that its great either and usually, I just

> >> don't like to mass up with mother nature, but that's me, not a

> scientific

> >> study.

> >> Look what happened to Dolly, the GM sheep????

> >>

> >> Merav Levi, RD, MS, CDNA dietitian, not the food police.

> >> http://www.linkedin.com/in/meravlevi

> >>

> >> " Life is not measured by the number of breath you take, but by the

> moments

> >> that take your breath away. " - Carlin " People don't forget the

> truth,

> >> they just become better in lying " (Revolutionary Road)

> >>

>

January 31, 2011

I know some people think the movie Food Inc. is a lot of hype, but

there are farmers interviewed in the documentary that talk about how Monsanto

has ruined their lives and livelihood.

Monsanto is the one controlling our food choices here. As a consumer, I prefer

to support local small farmers and when I purchase soy products I cannot do

this.

> > >

> > >>

> > >> no, but there is no evidence that its great

> either and usually, I just

> > >> don't like to mass up with mother nature, but

> that's me, not a

> > scientific

> > >> study.

> > >> Look what happened to Dolly, the GM

> sheep????

> > >>

> > >> Merav Levi, RD, MS, CDNA dietitian, not the

> food police.

> > >> http://www.linkedin.com/in/meravlevi

> > >>

> > >> " Life is not measured by the number of breath

> you take, but by the

> > moments

> > >> that take your breath away. " - Carlin

> " People don't forget the

> > truth,

> > >> they just become better in lying "

> (Revolutionary Road)

> > >>

> >

January 31, 2011

I'll ask my birds tomorrow morning when I see them in my front yard dropping

off seeds.Those seeds are my gift from nature. Do you know how many trees

I've grown for free? Just because a nice generous (or maybe selfish

glutton?) bird left seeds to germinate in my yard and property? A least 10!

Well, there were more, but some I didn't want or died when I transplanted

them.

Re: Re: Tell Obama We Are United Against Monsanto's

GMO

> Alfalfa

> >

> > I thought we wanted less government intervention? Shouldn't the market

> > speak?

> >

> > pam

> >

> > Pam Charney

> > pcharney@...

> >

> > > I think this is a very important issue! Jan

> > >

> > > _Tell President Obama

> > > WE are United! - It's time to stand up to Monsanto!_

> > > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=1)

> > > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=2)

> > > _Don't let Monsanto's GMOs Destroy Organic Dairy

> > > and our democracy!_

> > > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=3)

> > > Tell President Obama to instruct the USDA to immediately ban

> > > Monsanto's

> > > GMO alfalfa from being planted and work to ensure that the organic

> > > industry

> > > is protected from genetic contamination and loss of profits and

> > > stand up for

> > > the basic rights for Americans to know what is in their food and how

> > > it's

> > > produced.

> > > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=4)

> > > _Take a stand for Farmer and Citizen Rights - Tell President Obama to

> > > reject Monsanto's GMO alfalfa.

> > > _ (

> http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=5

> > > )

> > > Dear Jan,

> > > Last week the Obama Administration chose to fully deregulate

> > > Monsanto's

> > > Roundup Ready alfalfa, despite overwhelming public protest. In less

> > > than 6

> > > days, more than 96,000 Food Democracy Now! members signed a letter

> > > asking

> > > President Obama and Secretary Vilsack to reject Monsanto's genetically

> > > modified alfalfa based on concerns to consumer health, impacts to

> > > the environment

> > > and lack of adequate scientific testing, but they chose to cave to

> > > corporate pressure rather than protect the rights of America's

> > > farmers and

> > > citizens.

> > > Despite this bad news, we're refusing to back down and are going to

> > > continue to press President Obama and Secretary Vilsack to rescind

> > > their unwise

> > > decision that not only restricts farmers' ability to choose what to

> > > grow on

> > > their land, but is also entirely unnecessary as currently more than

> > > 93% of

> > > alfalfa grown in the U.S. does not use or need chemical herbicides

> > > at all,

> > > which is the argument for the necessity of Roundup Ready products in

> > > the

> > > first place.

> > > We need our message of unity and the rejection of this unnecessary and

> > > harmful technology to spread far and wide, please sign here:

> > > _http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE'>http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=7_

> > > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=6)

> > > As has already been widely acknowledged by the U.S. Supreme Court, the

> > > USDA, scientists and active farmers, the planting of GMO Roundup

> > > Ready alfalfa

> > > will lead to contamination of conventional and organic crops, creating

> > > significant economic loss for important export markets and organic

> > > dairy and

> > > beef farmers.

> > > While we are deeply disappointed in President Obama and Secretary

> > > Vilsack's

> > > decision, we were fortunate enough to be at the 31st Annual Ecological

> > > Farming Conference at Asilomar in Pacific Grove, California where

> > > pioneering

> > > farmers and leaders in organic and sustainable agriculture gather

> > > every

> > > year. When we received word of the announcement there was an

> > > immediate and

> > > collective response from the farmers and members inf this community

> > > that day

> > > that vowed to fight until this injustice was exposed to the world and

> > > ultimately overruled.

> > > Over the course of the next few days, several dozen farmers and

> > > individuals

> > > from organizations working to promote best agricultural practices

> > > helped

> > > craft a letter to President Obama and Secretary Vilsack calling on

> > > them to

> > > reconsider and reverse their decision.

> > > As members of this movement, we were greatly encouraged by the

> > > spirit of

> > > cooperation and the resolve that immediately took place as we worked

> > > together

> > > to craft a collective response.

> > > In an effort to help spread that good will and resolve to fight this

> > > unjust

> > > decision we experienced this past weekend, we'd like you to join in

> > > this

> > > fight to protect the democratic rights of farmers and the citizens who

> > > support them.

> > > If we are to win the fight ahead, we must join together and be

> > > united going

> > > forward. It's time that President Obama and those in Washington

> > > learn that

> > > the rights of farmers and American citizens mean more than the unjust

> > > profits of Monsanto, which increasingly put the livelihoods of

> > > farmers and the

> > > integrity of our democracy at risk.

> > > Please take a moment to sign this letter inititated by our organic and

> > > sustainable farmers and leaders, then pass it on to friends.

> > > _http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE'>http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=9_

> > > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=8)

> > > Farmers attending EcoFarm, the largest organic farming conference on

> > > the

> > > West Coast, roundly criticized the Obama Administration's ill-

> > > conceived

> > > decision. Two California farmers stated:

> > > " We are appalled by this decision, " said pioneering organic farmer

> > > Larry

> > > s, President of s Farm-Del Cabo. " This is a sad day for the

> > > future of the sustainable agriculture. "

> > > " As an organic farmer and an organic dairy processor, the decision to

> > > deregulate genetically engineered alfalfa is devastating for our

> > > industry and

> > > it could put our business at risk, " said Albert Straus, President

> > > and owner

> > > of Straus Family Creamery.

> > > Condemnation of the bad decision quickly reached beyond the

> > > conference as

> > > one attendee heard from a leading voice in the movement, journalist

> > >

> > > Pollan, who added:

> > > " It's hard to understand why the Obama Administration would put the

> > > organic industry at risk for the sake of an unnecessary and soon-to-

> > > be obsolete

> > > product like Roundup Ready alfalfa. This is a bad solution to a

> > > problem that

> > > doesn't exist, since 93 percent of alfalfa hay is grown without any

> > > herbicide at all, " confided Pollan.

> > > Finally, EcoFarm President Wittman, an organic farmer himself

> > > for

> > > over 25 years concluded what many at the conference felt:

> > > " The ruling by the USDA Secretary disregards the organic farmers, the

> > > dairy industry, and the environment, and I am confident that the

> > > decision will

> > > be reversed in court, " said Wittman.

> > > While the USDA's decision to approve Monsanto's GMO alfalfa was a

> > > temporary

> > > blow to some at the conference, many vowed to redouble their efforts

> > > in

> > > working to defeat the Obama administration's latest assualt on

> > > farmers' and

> > > citizens' right to access to safe, healthy, organic and sustainable

> > > food.

> > > It's time to present a united front against Monsanto and out of touch

> > > politicians. Please take a moment to join us in telling President

> > > Obama to

> > > reverse the approval for Monsanto's GMO alfalfa. Your action today

> > > could help

> > > save organic integrity for future generations.

> > > _http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?

> > > akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=11_

> > > (http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/337?

> > > akid=294.193276.rrkDGE & t=10)

> > > Thanks for taking the time today to stand up for organic farmers and

> > > the

> > > integrity of the organic industry. Please forward this email to any

> > > family

> > > member or friend that you know cares about the future of our food

> > > and the

> > > planet.

> > > Thanks for participating in food democracy,

> > > Dave, and the Food Democracy Now! Team

> > >

January 31, 2011

That is right! Monsanto sued the farmers for stealing their patented

seeds which were cross pollinated by mother nature. Big money wins

court case, farmers and nature lost. Now, if you think our legal

system is about truth, justice and the American way...think again.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 31, 2011, at 9:26 PM, Jackie Chase

wrote:

> The problem is that you can only buy Monsanto seed, you can not save

> seed if your crops are cross pollinated with Monsanto seed you are

> taken to court for stealing a patented technology, you must use

> Roundup to control the weeds by the way you will need more and more

> Roundup every year to control the resistant weeds. and Roundup

> resistance is now gone wild. If this is not a problem I don't know

> what is. So why is Monsanto pushing for GMO alfa a crop that does

> not have a weed problem, CONTROL. You can only safely, that is with

> out litigation, plant Monsanto corn, and soy the two largest crops

> in the USA. Google some of the problems India is having with GMOs

> Monsanto crops before you say there is no evidence.

>

> > I don't want to compare Dolly with anything but Dolly...there must

> be some

> > more conclusive evidence for so many people to be upset and

> concerned.

> >

> >>

> >> no, but there is no evidence that its great either and usually, I

> just

> >> don't like to mass up with mother nature, but that's me, not a

> scientific

> >> study.

> >> Look what happened to Dolly, the GM sheep????

> >>

> >> Merav Levi, RD, MS, CDNA dietitian, not the food police.

> >> http://www.linkedin.com/in/meravlevi

> >>

> >> " Life is not measured by the number of breath you take, but by

> the moments

> >> that take your breath away. " - Carlin " People don't forget

> the truth,

> >> they just become better in lying " (Revolutionary Road)

> >>

>

January 31, 2011