Welcome to the Oxfam Action Corps - Minnesota blog! We're a recently formed volunteer group dedicated to taking the fight to global poverty from here in Minnesota. It's a project of Oxfam America. We're non-partisan, grassroots, open to all, and fun. The timing couldn't be better – we have a rare opportunity to strike a blow against poverty in 2007 because the US Farm Bill is up for renewal. It needs to be changed.
What's wrong with the Farm Bill?
The Farm Bill, born during the Great Depression, creates crop surpluses through subsidies that encourage over production. The surpluses are dumped on the world market. When subsidized American crops arrive in impoverished countries, local farmers are undercut and millions of good people don't have the chance to work themselves and their communities out of abject poverty. We're asking congress to correct this injustice.
Learn more about the Farm Bill and poverty through the links found on the sidebar.
Opportunity is in the air
Reforming the Farm Bill to reduce the trade-distorting subsidies devastating the lesser-developed world will give entire nations a hand up out of poverty. The good news doesn't stop there. By reducing trade-distorting subsidies, freed-up money can fund programs to protect the environment, invest in rural America, enhance nutrition programs, and support family farmers here at home. It's a win-win-win!
Minnesota's role
Minnesota is critical in the Farm Bill reform process. We're fortunate to have a congressional delegation of true leaders, all of whom can influence Farm Bill reform. We're also well represented on the agriculture committees. Senators Norm Coleman and Amy Klobuchar are both on the Senate Agriculture Committee. Rep. Collin Peterson (7th Congressional Dist., Western Minnesota) is the chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, of which Rep. Tim Walz (1st Congressional Dist., Southern Minnesota) is a member.
Minnesota's history is rooted in agriculture and farming remains important throughout the state. If the Farm Bill is reformed properly, Minnesota family farms will be more competitive and able to explore the production of crops like switchgrass - a plant used in efficient new biofuels. Our natural resources will be better protected once Minnesota farmers are supported in implementing smart conservation practices. And family farmers don't have to worry about losing subsidies, especially given the current strong price of corn.
Our roleWe're educating our neighbors about the Farm Bill and the benefits of reforming it while encouraging everyone to contact members of congress on this critical issue. We're reaching out at community festivals, concerts, homes, libraries, and special venues. Together, we can influence Farm Bill reform for the better. The Farm Bill is renewed only once every 5 years – the stakes are too high to wait another 5 years.
Join us
You can make a difference. Check out the 'Get Active!' information on the sidebar and take the first step toward making a world of change.
