Hundreds of Iowans to U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn: Pass a Fair Farm Bill
Petition urges Congress to end corporate-controlled farm policy, transform food system
Published Oct 30, 2023
Petition urges Congress to end corporate-controlled farm policy, transform food system
Des Moines, IA — Today, nearly 400 constituents wrote to U.S. Representative Zach Nunn, urging passage of a fair Farm Bill that ends corporate-controlled farm policy and transforms the food system. The petition was organized by Food & Water Watch and delivered to Rep. Nunn’s Des Moines office this morning by members of Food & Water Watch and the Des Moines branch of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, who asked for a meeting with the Representative’s office to discuss these Farm Bill demands.
“Big Ag corporations’ endless thirst for profit is running Iowa farmers out of business, gutting our rural communities, driving up the cost of food, polluting our water, and making us sick,” said Food & Water Watch Iowa Organizer Michaelyn Mankel. “Iowa needs a fair Farm Bill that ousts corporate policymaking in favor of bold solutions that support farmers, consumers, and a healthy environment — Representative Nunn must stand up for his constituents and fight for a fair Farm Bill for all.”
The petition states that, “since the last Farm Bill’s passage in 2018, food and agriculture policy has been dominated by a handful of industrial agriculture corporations that have raked in enormous profits at the expense of animal welfare, the environment, workers, families, and rural communities.” Since 2018, the cost to feed a family of four on a thrifty food plan has increased 51% while top meat and poultry companies have raked in double digit revenue increases.
“From the state fair to RAGBRAI and farmers markets statewide, we’ve heard from Iowans loud and clear that we need a fair Farm Bill,” said Jan Corderman, Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom, Des Moines Branch. “Iowans agree that we cannot prioritize environmentally destructive agricultural practices that threaten human health. The Farm Bill should support crops for people, like the Red Delicious apple born in Iowa decades ago, not just corn and beans for livestock and engines.”
Letter signatories are calling for passage of a fair Farm Bill “that would let the people who grow our food earn a living, practice environmental stewardship, and rebuild the infrastructure that consumers need to access sustainably grown, regionally produced food.”
Press Contact: Phoebe Galt [email protected]
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