A Plea for “d”emocracy



	A Plea for “d”emocracy The letter by Amalie Lipstreu printed below appeared in the Summer 2006 newsletter of the Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association (OEFFA). We endorse the letter. We also think that it is important to note that OEFFA represents growers and consumers. One hears a lot these days about capital “D” Democracy, particularly in connection to international relations. But what about little “d” democracy? As you read Amalie’s letter, please think of how many people do not bother to vote, let alone call or write to their representatives. Amalie has suggested a great way to get little “d” democracy into practice. Consider “the value of farming,” and practice “d”emocracy. You speak for the future of farming The legislature has been considering an expansion to tax incentives for farmland conservation as a part of the federal tax reconciliation bill. While, as of this writing, the future of these incentives is still uncertain, there has been strong support thanks largely to the efforts of the Land Trust Alliance, other conservation organizations and many calls to congress. As the Clean Ohio Program that funds the state’s farmland protection program is drawing to a close people are starting to think about if and how this program will continue to protect Ohio farmland into the future. For every 100 farmers that try to protect their farms through the state program only about 4 are able to do so (there has been over 1,000 applications since the first round of funding was available in 2002). It is important that those of us who have intimate knowledge of the value of farming to our society, environment and economy share that knowledge and concern to our policy makers. I know what you may be thinking – I really don’t need another thing to do. While that is understandable, the people in Washington and Columbus get tired of hearing from paid lobbyists and non-profits all the time. You have first hand knowledge about the value of farming. Here at the Farmland Center we regularly get calls from new farmers who want to know how to connect with available farmland. Unless we take steps to make sure land is conserved, these new farm entrepreneurs may not have the opportunity to farm. If you think there is value in conserving some of Ohio’s best farmland into the future, please consider letting your representatives know. And if you are thinking that you may not be able to farm forever and you want to be sure that your land does not become yet another subdivision or big box store, consider protecting your farm- there are more people every day who are looking for the opportunity to farm. Amalie Lipstreu, Program Coordinator The Farmland Center www.thefarmlandcenter.org		Index of Articles Beyond 'Green Shopping' by Jerry Mander & John Cavanagh. Reprinted with permission from the September 24, 2007 issue of The Nation magazine. Portions of each week’s Nation magazine can be accessed at http://www.thenation.com. Horse Power by Dick Courteau. Excerpted with permission of Orion magazine September/October 2007 issue. Hurting a Small Farm Near You Reprinted with permission of Anthony Flaccavento. For more information visit Appalachian Sustainable Development. Put farm subsidies out to pasture by Brian M. Riedl. Reprinted with permission of the author. One Thing to Do About Food: A Forum by Wendell Berry. Excerpt reprinted with permission from "One Thing to Do About Food: A Forum,"which was part of the September 11, 2006 special issue of The Nation magazine. For subscription information, call 1-800-333-8536. Portions of each week's Nation magazine can be accessed at www.thenation.com. Farm Economics 101 *"You Kill It, You Eat It" and Other Lessons From My Thrifty Childhood* by Jean Bethke Elshtain. Reprinted with the permission of the author and the John Templeton Foundation, www.Templeton.org *Study Shows Potential Economic Payoffs Tied to Healthy Eating* from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. Reprinted with permission. The full study may be read at: www.leopold.iastate.edu/pubs/staff/files/health_0606.pdf Mid-sized Farms in a Squeeze Why Worry About the Agriculture of the Middle? A White Paper for the Agriculture of the Middle Project by Frederick Kirschenmann (reprinted with permission). The white paper included below originally appeared in the July 2004 issue of Juliens Journal. To support their initiatives on behalf of agriculture in the middle, please visit their website at www.agofthemiddle.org. A Plea for “d”emocracy The letter by Amalie Lipstreu printed below appeared in the Summer 2006 newsletter of the Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association (OEFFA). Posted with the permission of The Farmland Center www.thefarmlandcenter.org. Water “Since widespread irrigation began in the 1950s, the Ogallala has sustained a net loss of as much as 120 trillion gallons — 11 percent of its original volume. One entire Lake Erie, plus a little. Gone... (Quoted with the permission of William Ashworth) Charlotte's Webpage: Why children shouldn't have the world at their fingertips by Lowell Monke (reprinted with permission). This article originally appeared in the November/December 2005 issue of Orion magazine, 187 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230, 888/909-6568, www.oriononline.org. For a free copy, please visit their website. the ostrich rhumba and the realm of the inevitable preserving farmland Copyright Lynn R. Miller. Reprinted by permission of the author, originally appeared in the summer 2005 Small Farmer's Journal. Watch for Signs By Kristy Hebert, Farm and Dairy Reporter reprinted with permission, July 14, 2005 issue. Letter from Larksong by David Kline, Editor, reprinted with permission from Farming Magazine's Summer 2005 issue. Think Globally, Eat Locally by Jennifer Wilkins, December 18, 2004, reprinted with permission from the New York Times A Secretary for Farmland Security by Victor Davis Hanson (reprinted with permission) from an op-ed piece in the New York Times, December 9, 2004

A Plea for “d”emocracy

Index of Articles