Support for Mandatory GMO Labeling in New York State

With California recently introducing a new bill calling for mandatory GMO labeling, it is clear – the demand to know what is in our food is only getting louder and stronger. Foods produced from, or containing, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have the potential to cause a variety of health problems. Since consumers are not advised which products contain GMOs, many people are regularly consuming GMOs without knowing it. Even worse, many people are completely unaware of what GMOs are or that they have completely infiltrated our food system. Click here to call upon elected leaders in New York State to pass a law making it mandatory that foods produced from or containing GMOs be labeled.

Stop the Corporate Take Over of Organics

This Saturday, at the MOSES (Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service) Conference, WhiteWave?s corporate representative will seek to teach farmers how to communicate with organic consumers and understand ?consumer demographics, behaviors, attitudes, and mindsets.? How will this WhiteWave executive help us better understand today?s organic consumer?? Will she encourage us to cheapen production costs by sourcing feed and ingredients from China or factory farms?? Will she instruct us on how to break contracts with family farmers? Or market new non-organic products with the same name and nearly identical packaging that?s already familiar to organic consumers? Enough is enough!? Sign the petition asking the MOSES board of directors to cancel WhiteWave?s workshop. For too long Dean Foods/WhiteWave has purchased influence with many nonprofits running farming conferences across the U.S. and in the organic community.? It?s estimated that over the last 10 years, they have been the largest corporate contributor to organic nonprofits.? They buy influence in the organic community and access to farmers the same way their lobbyists buy influence in Washington with large campaign contributions Help protect the reputation of the nation?s largest organic farming conference.? Click here to ask the MOSES board to cancel this inappropriate workshop or substitute marketing expertise from companies that truly believe in the values that have helped build the organic business industry.

Keystone XL Pipeline?Comment Deadline – March 7th

On January 31st, the State Department published its Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) for the Keystone XL pipeline project. Public comments will be accepted until March 7, 2014 at 11:59 pm (EST). This is the last time the public has a chance to formally comment on the pipeline. The Keystone XL pipeline, if approved by Secretary of State John Kerry, will then go to President Obama for a decision. If approved by President Obama, the Keystone XL will carry tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada down to refineries on the Gulf of Mexico for export overseas. It will destroy pristine forests, endanger numerous waterways and aquifer, and light the fuse to one of the biggest “carbon bombs” on the planet. Keystone XL will NOT create a significant number of permanent American jobs, and it will NOT increase American energy independence. It will, however, enrich the multinational fossil fuel companies. You may submit your comment electronically by clicking here, enter the Docket No. DOS?2014?0003 and follow the prompts by clicking on ?Comment Now!? to submit a comment. You may also mail a hard copy of your comment and postmarked no later than March 7, 2014. To submit comments by mail, use the following address: Bureau of Energy Resources, Room 4843, Attn: Keystone XL Public Comments, U.S. Department of State, 2201 C St. NW., Washington, DC 20520. Please note that standard mail delivery to the State Department can be delayed due to security screening.