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| MARCH 2003 |
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New
CA Grange Chapter Champions Individual Property Rights
The National Grange
continues its tradition of political advocacy and grassroots activism by forming
a new chapter consisting of members from various Northern California and Southern
Oregon chapters of People for the USA. This new Grange chapter will be known as
the People for the USA (PFUSA) Grange #835. Although grassroots political participation
has been a characteristic of the Grange throughout its history, the PFUSA Grange
will focus almost exclusively on grassroots political activity. Unlike other Grange
chapters, the PFUSA Grange's membership will span numerous geographical and organizational
lines that will bring Grange grassroots activism to a whole new level.
The
PFUSA Grange, in partnership with the California State Grange, recently hosted
the Western Land Use Conference in Klamath Falls, OR on Feb 15 & 16 addressing
individual property rights of ranchers and landowners. The purpose of this conference,
according to PFUSA Grange President Ric Costales is "to keep what rightfully belongs
to the people from coming under the command and control of the federal government." This is a challenging time for ranchers and landowners. Concerns faced by rural
Americans are being used to justify greater government control of private property.
Protection of endangered species, land management and water rights issues are
becoming the basis for laws that undermine private property rights. The
Western Land Use Conference brought together experts in related fields who could
provide insight and educate Grangers on how to preserve their civil liberties
and protect their private property, covering such issues as the Endangered Species
Act, grazing allotments, the legal rights of landowners and the benefit of applying
free-market solutions as an alternative to ineffective, in many cases detrimental,
government control of open land areas. The conference's ambitious goals went beyond
mere discussion of the issues. This conference provided information to enable
attendees to devise strategies that they can use to secure their individual rights
and the tools by which the Grange can create a firm foundation to build a brighter
future for rural Americans. "But most importantly," according to Ric Costales
"the Grange isn't going away. We intend to be there for rural America through
the current difficulties. In uniting rural residents in their commitment to rural
values and providing an infrastructure to support that effort, the Grange is as
important and relevant as ever."
top New
England State Masters Legislative Conference Focuses on Regional Dairy Crisis
On March 1, State Masters, Legislative Committee and Agriculture Committee
representatives from the six New England states met at the New Hampshire State
Grange building in Hooksett, NH to discuss their joint response to the financial
crisis facing the region's dairy farmers. Nearly 40 Grange leaders attended the
one-day meeting, including National Master Kermit Richardson, First Lady Margaret
Richardson and National Legislative Director Leroy Watson. The
first speaker was John Porter, who is a dairy specialist with the University of
New Hampshire. Mr. Porter explained that the heart of the financial crisis arose
from an apparent failure of the dairy market to respond to basic supply and demand
situations. Today,
dairy farmers are receiving the same prices for their product that they received
in 1979. Consumers, on the other hand, are paying 2003 prices, in excess of $3.00
per gallon, especially for fluid milk in the store. Meanwhile, over production
in the dairy industry, reductions in per capita fluid milk consumption, and a
growing generation of non-milk drinking children fostered by the explosion of
soda machines in schools is contributing to lower demand and lower prices in the
dairy industry. Porter pointed out that the lack of price responsiveness in the
retail market for fluid milk sold directly to consumers was helping to drive prices
paid to farmers to 25 year lows.
Porter explained that traditional supply and demand theories would predict that
as prices paid to farmers were lowered, some or all of those price reductions
would be passed on to consumers in the form of lower prices for milk. As retail
prices drop, consumers buy more milk and farmers then see higher revenues through
stronger consumer demand and greater volumes of sales. But when lower prices paid
to farmers do not result in lower prices paid by consumers, then the forces of
supply and demand do not benefit farmers. Porter also pointed out that during
the time when New England had a Dairy Compact, which provided more stable prices
to dairy farmers, numerous retail outlets displayed signs "apologizing" to consumers
for the high price of milk and blaming the dairy compact program for the "high" prices that consumers were paying. However, following the end of the Northeast
Dairy compact, prices to consumers did not decrease. The
Hon. Steve Taylor, New Hampshire Commissioner of Agriculture, also addressed the
group. Commissioner Taylor pointed out that the national market loss incentive
payments program, adopted by Congress as part of the 2002 Farm bill to provide
direct financial assistance to dairy farmers during times of low prices, was helping
many struggling dairy farmers in New England stay in business during the current
price slump. However, Commissioner Taylor also noted that the failure of traditional
market forces was potentially inflicting permanent damage on the New England dairy
sector. He predicted that unless competition could be restored to the dairy markets,
that dairy farming would move toward the same supply management strategies that
other livestock industries were using, such as contract agriculture. Commissioner
Taylor expressed his hope that the dairy industry could avoid having to move toward
contract agriculture. However he noted that rapid consolidation of dairy processors,
handlers and the retail sales industry was reducing competition for the consumer's
dairy dollar. He predicted that if the proposed merger of HP Hood and National
Dairy Holdings was allowed to go through, that New England dairy farmers would
have, at best, only two choices of locations to ship their milk.
National
Grange legislative director Leroy Watson briefed the group on the status of legislative
issues affecting the New England dairy industry in Washington, DC. Watson pointed
out that legislation to reauthorize the successful Northeast Dairy Compact, as
well as authorize the creation of diary compacts in other regions of the nation;
HR had been introduced in the 108th Congress. But as of March 1st, none of the
US Representatives from the New England states was a co-sponsor of that legislation.
Watson also explained the discussions and negotiations that lead to a national
dairy market loss incentive program being included as part of the 2002 Farm Bill,
instead of reauthorization of the Northeast Dairy Compact. "At some point," the
Grange's chief lobbyist told the group, "we had to decide whether or not to support
a national market loss program or no additional financial assistance for dairy
farmers at all in the 2002 Farm Bill." National
Master Kermit Richardson addressed the group and expressed his strong support
for regional meetings of State Granges, like this one. He emphasized that finding
common issues of concern is critical for effective grassroots political efforts.
He pledged the support of the National Grange in their future efforts of the New
England State Granges address the diary crisis and other issues of mutual concern
and he urged the State Granges present to continue the dialogue started that day.
top EPA
Extends Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Isolated Wetlands
On Feb. 25th,
the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Army Corps of Engineers announced
that the deadline for comments regarding the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
(ANPR) on Isolated Wetlands has been extended to April 16, 2003. The two agencies
are soliciting public comments regarding the appropriate regulatory definition
of the terms "isolated waters" and "waters of the United States" under the Clean
Water Act following U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in the case of the Solid Waste
Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) vs. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In the SWANCC case, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that federal authority under
the Clean Water Act does not extend to isolated waters, including wetlands, that
aren't connected or adjacent to interstate and navigable waters. The Court concluded
that the previous regulatory definition of what constituted "waters of the United
States" that was used by the Army Corps of Engineers (based on a "connection" to interstate commerce via hunting or bird watching) was too broad and too vague
and that the Corps' assertion of federal jurisdiction over isolated waters exceeded
the authority granted under the clear language of the Clean Water Act. As
a result of this Supreme Court ruling, The USEPA and the Corp of Engineers issued
the ANPR in January to seek public comments on how they should change their existing
definitions of "isolated waters" in order to comply with the decision. Jurisdiction
over "isolated waters" not covered by the new federal definition shall be left
to state and local governments as well as private property owners.
The
National Grange is working closely with the National Wetlands Coalition, which
consists of local government entities, state and national trade associations,
Native American groups, business and agricultural interests, and others to advocate
for a balanced federal policy for conserving and regulating the nation's wetlands.
During the Master's Conference in Kansas City, MO, the National Grange also launched
a postcard writing campaign to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The
purpose of which is to urge the EPA to maintain the definition of "waters of the
United States" consistent with the Supreme Court ruling. The postcard message
stated that the EPA "should recognize, preserve, and protect the primary responsibility
of states, local government and use of private land and water resources in our
country."
top Grangers
Fight to Save Kelley Farm
The State of Minnesota and the National Grange
are threatened with the possibility of losing one of their treasured landmarks.
As a result of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's proposed 2004 - 2005 budget, the Minnesota
Historical Society (MHS) will have to close nine of their historical sites, one
of which is the Oliver H. Kelley Farm in Elk River. The Oliver H. Kelley Farm,
the homestead of the National Grange founder, has played an important role in
Grange history and is visited by roughly 15,000 people a year. Since
acquiring the farm in 1934 and turning it over to the MHS in 1961, the Grange
has contributed both money and resources to the farm. In 1966, the National Park
Service designated Kelley Farm as a historical landmark. In response to the Feb.
26th Action Alert, Grangers were encouraged to contact Minnesota state legislators
urging them to reconsider. In
letters to State Representative Bob Gunther and Senator Dallas Sams, John Thompson,
member of the National Grange Board of Directors, said "this 'Birthplace of Organized
Agriculture in America' has been a historical site for the last 41 year as a result
of a partnership between the people of Minnesota and the National Grange and is
one of only fifteen such landmarks in the state of Minnesota." He also mentioned
that "more than 500 Grange members from outside Minnesota are expected to travel
to Minnesota this summer, stay in Minnesota hotels, eat in Minnesota restaurants
and support the local economy during this trip."
Dave
Howard, Grange member and author of the National Grange history book "People,
Pride and Progress: 125 Years of the Grange in America" wrote to Senator Sams,
asking him to "please realize that this is a unique spot for all Americans who
have roots in the rural landscape. The state of Minnesota received benefits from
many of us from out of state who travel to enjoy this facility. I encourage you
to do everything possible to retain sufficient funding so this educational attraction
may remain open."
top USDA
Urges U.S. Farmers to Stand Up and Be Counted!
According to the USDA's
National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS), response to the 2002 Census of
Agriculture is decreasing on a yearly basis. Information gathered from the census
is vital to the continuing viability and prosperity of U.S. agriculture. Results
of this census do not only determine state and local agricultural investment decisions,
they allow local, state and national representatives and agencies to make informed
agricultural policy decisions. For more information, please call 1-888-4AG-STAT
or visit National Agriculture
Statistics Service.
top 2003
Legislative Fly-In
Be sure to register for the National Grange's 2003
Legislative Fly-In! Register Now!or contact Joanne Manelli,
Legislative Program Assistant at (202) 628-3507 ext. 105. Also be sure to check
out the Potomac Grange #1 2003 Legislative Fly In
Scholarship program. Deadline for applying for the Scholarship is March 31,
2003.
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