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Support the Transition To Organics Act

AB 1401 Passed the Agriculture Committee--Let's Make it Law!

**Your Support Is Needed Now To Help Pass The California Transition To Organics Act!**

California Assembly Bill 1401, the Transition To Organics Act, would create a fund to provide financial assistance to California farmers who want to transition from conventional farming to organic farming. AB 1401 will promote more organic farming!

AB 1401 is moving forward in Sacramento, but it faces a key vote this coming up week, as it goes to the whole Assembly Floor for a vote. Your phone calls and emails are needed RIGHT NOW to help its passage through the California Assembly!

*Please take a moment RIGHT NOW to call or email the  Speaker of the Assembly, the Honorable Assemblymember Karen Bass to express your support for AB 1401.*

*Call: (916) 319-2047
Email: Assemblymember.Bass@assembly.ca.gov*

The Organic Consumers Association believes that organic farming is the solution to the our food safety mess -- E. coli, salmonella, and swine flu all come from industrial factory farms -- and the climate crisis -- organic farming sequesters carbon at a much higher rate than conventional farming.

For years now, we have consistently advocated for a 30% conversion of American agriculture to organic by the year 2015.

We can do it...if we support laws like AB 1401.

We can do it...if we make major reforms in agricultural subsidies and appropriations to help family farmers make the transition to organic, develop local and regional markets, and adopt renewable energy practices.

AB1401 had passed the Assembly Agriculture Committee and the Assembly Appropriation Committee. We need it to pass the full Assembly to give even 'stronger muscle' to the bill before it heads to the Senate.

*Now is your time to make a difference for organics! Call or email RIGHT NOW!*

Organic farming is the solution to the food safety mess -- E. coli, salmonella, and swine flu all come from industrial factory farms -- and the climate crisis -- organic composting sequesters carbon at a rate of 3,200 kg/ha/yr. A 30% conversion of American agriculture to organic by 2015 is possible, if we make major reforms in agricultural subsidies and appropriations to help family farmers make the transition to organic, develop local and regional markets, and adopt renewable energy practices.

California farmers who wish to transition from conventional farming to certified organic farming face a number of challenges.  In particular, the costs associated with making the transition can be high.  These financial challenges have had the unfortunate effect of discouraging many California farmers from making the transition.

The Transition To Organics Act seeks to remedy this unfortunate situation by providing a measure of financial assistance to transitioning California farmers. The Transition To Organics Act would assist California farmers in these difficult economic times, help them to transition to more progressive farming practices, and result in the greater availability of organic consumer products.

This bill would establish an organic transition fund to be administered by the Secretary of Food and Agriculture. This fund would be for existing conventional farmers wishing to convert to certified organic production.

The Transition To Organics Act, AB 1401, passed the agriculture committee on April 29, 2009. Let's make it law!

Please write to your state representatives today.

Updated May 20, 2009

Tell Your Senators to Reject California Governor's Anti-Farmworker Candidate for ALRB

Governor Schwarzenegger has done it again -- put grower interests in front of farm worker safety. This time he did it by appointing Sharon Runner, a former GOP assembly member, to the Agricultural Labor Relations Board. It's the ALRB's job to protect farm workers. Ms. Runner, voted against AB 805 (Chu), the Heat Illness Prevention Act in 2005.

In fact, during the last 6 years, she voted against every bill brought forth by the United Farm Workers that would protect the health and safety of farm workers.

Since California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger took office, 15 farm workers' deaths have been investigated as heat-related. Putting someone in the position of making decisions regarding enforcement who opposed such basic protections cannot be accepted.

In October, after six farm workers perished from the summer heat, Gov. Schwarzenegger promised to vigorously enforce his earlier regulations protecting farm workers from death or illness because of extreme temperatures. Instead he has appointed an ex-lawmaker to the state farm labor board who even opposed protections such as water, shade and work breaks when field workers are stricken.

Please say "No" to this callous appointment that could put farm worker lives in jeopardy. Join the UFW in calling on the California State Senate to quickly reject Runner's confirmation.

Take action today!

Updated March 4, 2009

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