Take the Fair Trade Challenge:The US Senate Agriculture Committee is scheduled to meet on the 2007 Farm Bill this week. The next chance this committee will have to make meaningful reforms to the antiquated Farm Bill will be in five years. Your help is needed to now.
Call the offices of Senators Coleman and Klobuchar, using the 800 number on the side bar (also described in an earlier post). Then, personally ask 10 of your friends and family members to do the same. It's the Fair Trade Challenge!
After making those calls, add some area Fair Trade events to your calendar:
- October 25, 2007, 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Celebrate Women of the World at Trade Winds' fall event, including fair trade wine tasting, fair trade fashion, and more ways to support fair trade globally and locally. Visitors bringing 'Words of Wisdom' to share receive a 10% discount. Trade Winds is located at 857 Grand Avenue in Saint Paul. For more information, call (651) 293-9275.
- November 17, 2007, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Annual Green & Fair Trade Gifts Fair at the Macalester College Campus Center, 1600 Grand Avenue in Saint Paul. Look for the Oxfam America table and presentation.
- November 18, 2007, 7:00 pm. Oxfam Action Corps - MN will be on hand as the exciting John Butler Trio takes the stage at First Avenue in Minneapolis.
- November 25, 2007, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. St. Joan of Arc Church's annual Sustainable Fair Trade Market, found at 4537 3rd Avenue South, in Minneapolis. Look for the Oxfam America information table.
- November 29, 2007, time TBA. Fair Trade Bazaar at Hamline University in St. Paul. Oxfam Action Corps will be there!
Boston Globe, Farm Bill comes a cropper
Financial Times, US Farm Bill unlikely to aid good nutrition
Financial Times, Effect of lower prices felt in developing world
New York Times, Last chance for farm reform
