Farm Bill Workshop and Town Hall Meeting with Rep. Bill Owens

2010 USDA Farm Bill Spending. (Click to enlarge.) Many people do not realize that most of the spending in the Farm Bill goes to the Food Stamp program. Can we ensure that our nation's hungry have healthy choices? Graphic: American Farmland Trust

The League of Women Voters hosts Representative Bill Owens at a town hall meeting about the Farm Bill on Saturday, February 25 at 11am in the Barben Rooms in Cheel Arena on the Clarkson University Campus.

Join GardenShare at 9am, before the Town Hall Meeting, to learn about Farm Bill issues, how they affect you, and what you can do about it.

Our Farm Bill Workshop is designed to give you the opportunity to participate in the democratic process.

You will learn some of the ins and outs of the Farm Bill and how we can make the new Farm Bill reflect our needs. Then you will have a chance to tell your Congressman what you think!

Patty Lovera of Food and Water Watch will join us from Washington D.C. via teleconference to give us an overview of this behemoth bill, how it is formed, and some of what is in it.

Peter Ricardo, from the Food Bank of Central New York, will be here to focus on the Nutrition Title, the part of the Bill that covers the Food Stamp program, and talk about ways to improve this program that serves as a basic safety net for a full 15% of Americans.

The Farm Bill determines what is grown, whether our food is healthy for us and the environment, and what kinds of food assistance we offer to those in need. The current Farm Bill is set to expire in September 2012, and your voice will be needed to ensure that North Country producers and eaters alike are not left out in the cold. 

If you eat food, the Farm Bill affects you. There is ample parking and everyone is welcome to this event.

To make sure that you hear more about this event as details are finalized, sign up for Farm Bill Action Alerts from GardenShare by emailing info@gardenshare.org.

DETAILS
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Barben Room, Cheel Campus Center Clarkson Campus
Farm Bill Intro: 9-10:30am; refreshments provided
Town Hall Meeting with Representative Owens: 11-12 noon