Organic Consumers United Campaign
A HISTORY OF NETWORK BUILDING
After four years of network building and campaigning against the Gene Giants
and corporate agribusiness, the OCA has built up a large and enthusiastic
national network of over 500,000 subscribers, members, and volunteers across
the US.
Together we've undermined the credibility of Monsanto and the biotech industry, we've made organics the fastest growing component of American agriculture, and we've begun to bring together issues of Fair Trade, social justice, and globalization with food safety, organic farming and environmental sustainability.
But of course an enormous task lies ahead. Despite the fact that most people want a healthy environment, safe food, human rights and peace and justice--military madness, economic inequality, and a steady suppression of civil liberties are rapidly becoming the norm in the US. Since the November elections, our state legislatures and Congress are more rabidly pro-biotech, pro-industrial agriculture, and pro-big business than ever.
We can't afford to just complain or mourn about this sorry state of affairs, we've got to get better organized. We believe we can build up a national network of two million organic consumers (5,000 in each of the nation's 435 Congressional Districts) in 24 months if we get stores, coffeehouses, progressive businesses, and service providers to display our petitions and literature, and if we get volunteer petition-gatherers like yourself to collect the names of 20 new people every month, especially those with email addresses, so that we can communicate with them quickly, inexpensively, and efficiently.
The OCA is building a massive network of green-minded voters in your area.
Our goal is to build a network of 500 people in your State Legislative
District and 5,000 people in your Congressional District who support
OCA's three-point platform for US agriculture:
- Moratorium on Genetically Engineered Foods & Crops
- Phase-Out Industrial Agriculture
- Convert to Organic Farming Practices
HOW YOU CAN HELP
- Donate: Now,
more than ever, we need your financial support. The Bush Administration
has cut many government programs that once assisted nonprofit organizations
working on issues from human rights, to the environment to food safety.
This has also affected grant foundations' annual grant cycles--many of
which are only able to offer about half of what they were able to fund
2 years ago.
Please consider making a donation on any level you can afford. 
Sign Petition: Become one of 5,000 people in your district to support OCA's 3-point platform for US agriculture:
1) Global Moratorium on Genetically Engineered Foods and Crops
2) Stop Factory Farming and Phase-Out Industrial Agriculture
3) Convert US Agriculture to at least 30% Organic by 2010- Serve
as a contact or liaison to natural food stores,
coffeehouses, alternative
medical practitioners, and other progressive businesses and service providers
in your area who agree to display our petitions and leaflets.
- Help to introduce a resolution in your local city council, school board, or college, mandating that they avoid genetically engineered food and fibers and purchase organic and fairly made food, coffee, and clothing.
Contact
us for
more information and to have a free display mailed to your local
store.**Volunteer to take a clipboard, a stack of OCA's petitions, and
leaflets and collect the names and full contact information of 20 people
every month in your area who feel passionate about food, farm, and Fair
Trade issues (download petition here or CONTACT
US,
and we will mail some to you). - You can collect signatures over the
phone or just about anywhere--here are a few ideas (note: for some
of these locations, you may need to get permission beforehand or gather
signatures outside):
Natural Foods Stores/Co-ops
Alternative Health Clinics
School Events
Your Place of Worship
Health and Environmental Events/Festivals
Libraries
College Campuses