Going Green in Queens ‘08
Saturday, March 8th
10:00am – 2:00pm

New York Hall of Science at Flushing Meadow Park
47-01 111 Street
Queens, NY 11368
* Free parking available or free shuttle bus service provided from 111th St. 7 train station.

What is Going Green in Queens ‘08?
The first event of its kind, Going Green in Queens ‘08 is a free environmental, educational, and networking event for individuals and groups that are green, environmental, parks, volunteer and civic minded.

More after the jump. There will be:

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Via Just Food…

This year’s competition for Community Food Project (CFP) grants, which started our City Farms and CSA programs, has been halted by the USDA because of uncertainties about the program’s future funding in the Farm Bill. Prior to this recent suspension, over 460 letters of intent had been submitted.

The House version of the Farm Bill provided discretionary - not mandatory - funding, which means that the program must be funded through the appropriations process. The Senate version restored mandatory funding at $10 million annually for years 2008-2012 (double what it received previously).

However, no money for the program was provided in the fiscal year 2008 appropriations bill. USDA decided to halt considerations for 2008 grants because if the House funding prevails in conference or if a new Farm Bill is not passed, CFP will not be funded in 2008.

Your advocacy is critical to restore this decade-long enormously successful program. Millions of dollars are at stake for programs that support access to healthy food for underserved communities and benefit family farmers.

You can help!

Please send faxed letters, emails or call your House of Representatives member and both Senators (info below) and tell them you are very concerned that continued CFP funding is in jeopardy in the Farm Bill.

From Local Harvest:

• Tell them that you are very concerned that continued CFP funding is in jeopardy in the Farm Bill.
• For the Senators, please thank them for the Senate’s support, and ask them to make sure the final bill contains $10 million in mandatory funding.
• Urge your Representatives to contact conference committee leaders to make sure that $10 million in mandatory funding is included in the final version of the bill. If your Representative is a Democrat, have him/her call Chairman Peterson; if your Representative is a Republican, have him contact Rep. Goodlatte.

Thanks so much for taking a few minutes to help save the funding for this great program.

Our US Representative: Carolyn B. Maloney (D)
Address: 1651 3rd Ave.,Ste 311/ New York, NY, 10128
Phone: (212) 860-0606
Fax: (212) 860-0704
Email Address: http://maloney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_email_form&Itemid=73

Ask her to contact Chairman Peterson

Our US Senators:
US Senator: Charles E. Schumer
Address: 757 3rd Avenue Suite 17-02/ New York NY, 10017
Phone: (212) 486-4430
Fax: (212) 486-7693
Web Email Form: http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/contact/webform.cfm

US Senator: Hillary Rodham Clinton
Address: 780 3rd Avenue Suite 2601/ New York NY, 10017
Phone: (212) 688-6262
Fax: (202) 228-0406
Web Email Form: http://clinton.senate.gov/email_form.html

Ask them to contact: Senator Harkin

When it comes to food, nutrition and support of small farmers, know where your Presidential candidate stands! Look at these great PDFs provided by Just Food. Any information missing? Let Just Food know!

Democrats

Republicans

It might seem like any old Bill running around Washington, but the Farm Bill affects your life, our farmers, and needs your help! From the Food & Water Watch newsletter:

The Farm Bill took a break over the holidays, but is back now and ready for action! After months of legislative gridlock, the Senate passed a Farm Bill just before they left in December that made several important improvements over the House bill. Senate and House negotiators are hammering out the differences between the two Farm Bills, and we need to make sure they adopt the key improvements that were included in the Senate bill, especially the livestock reforms and food safety measures. Can you make a quick call, or send an email to your Representative and Senators?
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Organophosphorus poisoning most often occurs in farm workers spraying pesticides on conventional fruit and vegetables. In large doses, these pesticides have been known to harm the general public, especially those with weaker immune systems (pregnant mothers, infants, children and the elderly). Symptoms are often similar to the common flu with vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and nausea, and can cause hospitalization in extreme cases. Contaminated food most often include grains, cereals, fruits and vegetables.

While severe outbreaks in the public are low (food poisoning is more common), it is best to reduce overall exposure to possible contamination. A 2006 study, conducted in Seattle, Washington, tested urine samples of preschoolers over a 15-day period eating conventional and organic foods. Results found that eating an organic fruit and vegetable diet greatly reduces exposure and therefore the risk of organophosphorus poisoning.

Follow this link to see the Environmental Health Perspectives Website for the full report.