Farmers, supporters of small, community-based agriculture in Duluth, Minnesota, meeting Sept. 21 to begin Fair Farm Bill Campaign aimed at making federal farm policy more sustainable, environmentally friendly

Andrew Rogers

DULUTH, Minnesota , September 21, 2011 (Duluth News Tribune) – Northland supporters of small, community-based agriculture and local farmers are working to change federal farm policy to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly, and they are hoping to convince U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar to join them.

Supporters of the effort will meet Wednesday at the Fair Farm Bill Campaign kickoff meeting set for 6:30 p.m. at the Whole Foods Co-Op in Duluth, 610 E. Fourth St.

Klobuchar, D-Minn., who sits on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, is considered a key player in the debate over support for changes in the 2012 farm bill.

“Right now, Sen. Amy Klobuchar is on the fence on this issue. We aim to make sure she stands up to big agribusiness — and supports small farmers, consumers and the environment,” said Emily Reuman, who works with Food & Water Watch, a consumer advocacy organization.

The event is free and open to the public. Speakers include Tom Hanson, owner of the Duluth Grill, which uses many locally grown foods; John and Janaki Fisher-Merritt, local vegetable farmers; and Jackie Halberg, Duluth city councilor.

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