DES MOINES – On Tuesday, Iowa state legislators will announce new legislation to establish a statewide moratorium on factory farms. The announcement comes amidst overwhelming public support for a moratorium. 63% of Iowa voters stand behind legislation to stop factory farm expansion and corporate monopolies in our food system, and recent polling suggests that these numbers have only surged in rural communities. Nationally, 88% of young rural voters and 82% of independent rural voters support moratoriums on factory farms.
Since the first introduction of a factory farm moratorium in 2017, the Iowa legislature has failed to rise to the urgency of the moment. As constituent demand mounts, Iowa bill sponsors Rep. Art Staed and Sen. Pam Jochum will speak Tuesday on the bold moves necessary from colleagues to stop factory farms. Former contract farmer Barb Kalbach, and local environmental activists from Food & Water Watch and Sierra Club will also speak on the urgency of this moratorium.
Following the event, impacted citizens will hold a virtual rally in support of the factory farm moratorium. Rural community leaders, farmers, and impacted Iowans will share frontline experiences with the factory farm industry, including how corporate agriculture has ravaged and divided rural communities, created a breeding ground for public health concerns, and created long-lasting damage to our environment.
WHO: Representative Art Staed (D-Cedar Rapids) and Senator Pam Jochum (D-Dubuque);
Barb Kalbach, farmer and Iowa CCI member;
Emma Schmit, Food & Water Watch;
Jess Mazour, Sierra Club.
WHAT: (Virtual via Zoom) Press roundtable with citizen rally to follow.
WHEN: Tuesday, February 9th, 11:30AM (rally to start at 12:30PM)
WHERE: https://sierraclub.zoom.us/j/2155594191
This event is a joint effort of concerned citizens represented by Food & Water Watch, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, Iowa Citizens for Responsible Agriculture, Iowa Alliance for Responsible Agriculture, Iowa Farmers Union, Poweshiek CARES, and the Sierra Club.
Ironic how the party that is introducing this legislation is the same one that wants to reduce restrictions so these operations can aquire workers.
You mean without factory farms the rest of the world will die? Hmm, and we didn’t even have to fire a single shot.
The best farmers in the world are from southeast Asia. Have been for the last 3000 years. More efficient. In 20 years all farms will be fully automated and guided by satellites from space. That means robot tractors doing the planting/harvesting. The farmland is owned by not you now. Your just the land steward. And who do you think will be running the operation. Chinese. Slam Dunk! And not just Iowa but all grain operations. Absolutely the best pig farmers in the world? Chinese. Oh yeah, it’ll all be electric too. China is and HAS been our friend forever. That’s the OFFICAL word from those who know best. Which means not anybody farming now. Might as well just throw away that half eaten ‘Sandwich of Hate’ you been gnawing on. Let Freedom Ring! And wear your mask…saves life!
Thought this was a free country. If people want to sell their farms, it should be their business.
About daamn time!
Your just butt hurt that you can’t afford to be the owner of the factory farm.