TAKE ACTION

Make the Switch to Green Energy

Organizer Nella Parks and Communications Director Shaun Daniel are coming clean. Though they try where they can to save energy, they weren't getting their power from renewable sources. Until now... Join them in making the switch to green energy.

Will You Help Support Safe, Fresh Local Food?

The U.S. Senate will soon vote on S. 510, the Federal Food Safety Modernization Act. Senator Jon Tester of Montana plans to offer an amendment to ensure that food safety rules do not undermine the resurgence of vital local food systems across the country. We need your help to gain support for these amendments so as to improve food safety without unnecessarily burdening and handicapping small-scale, local food producers!

Help Us Bring Road to Solar to Northeastern Oregon

--Deadline Passed-- Oregon Rural Action is teaming up with Solar Oregon to bring renewable energy and energy conservation programs to northeastern Oregon and other parts of the state through the Road to Solar program. But we need your help in securing program funding from Brighter Planet. Vote for the Road to Solar project!

Urgent Action Needed on Food Safety Bill: Call Senator Merkley Today!

Thanks to your calls and emails, Senator Merkley is responding to concerns over a one size fits all food safety bill. He has shown that he is willing to listen to your concerns with the current bill - which is why it is imperative that you call him before November 18 (a second time, if you have already called or emailed) to let him know that the amendments he is proposing to S.510 do not go far enough.

Why Senator Merkley Needs to Hear from You on S.510

S.510, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, the Senate's version of the food safety bill, has entered the markup stage in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and will be up for a vote next week on November 18. Oregon's own Senator Merkley sits on this committee, which makes this an important stage in which to introduce amendments before it hits the Senate floor. ACTION NEEDED BEFORE NOVEMBER 18!

Tell the Senate we need a strong energy bill

---DEADLINE PASSED--- As health care has dominated the Congressional agenda for months, a rush to push through other legislation is likely once a decision is reached. We don't want the energy and climate bill to get lost in the rush. We need to act now to let our Senators know that we want a strong energy and climate bill.

Contact your Senators about S.510, the Food Safety Bill

Local foods businesses are not the same as animal factories or mega-farms that sell products into industrial scale national and international markets. Let your Senators know that one size doesn't fit all when it comes to food safety legislation.

Ask Congress to remember small producers in the Food Safety bill!

-- Deadline Passed, See S.510 Action Alert -- Though the attempt to suspend the rules and pass HR 2749 failed, it is expected to be resurrected for another vote again soon. Contact your Representative and ask them to make the distinction between the differing needs and food safety requirements for small producers and industrial scale agribusinesses.

Ask Your Senators to Support Critical Anti-Hunger and Nutrition Programs

---DEADLINE PASSED--- Thanks to your efforts in support of food and nutrition spending legislation in Oregon the State Legislature funded breakfast co-pay and WIC/Senior. Now we need to urge federal support of such programs.

What are your thoughts on the American Clean Energy and Security Act?

There are compelling arguments on both sides of the debate over the Waxman-Markey climate change bill, and we want to know what you think.

Tell Congress One Size Doesn't Fit All When Considering Food Safety Bills

-- Deadline Passed -- H.R. 2749, the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 - despite its good intentions - threatens to undermine the best things in U.S. agriculture – small farmers producing for local markets.

Tell Legislators to Fund School Breakfasts, WIC/Senior Farm Direct

-- Deadline Passed -- Oregon Rural Action is joining with Oregon Hunger Relief Task Force to urge our state legislators to pass two important bills to address hunger: SB 695 and HB 2924.

Action Needed on La Grande Livestock Ordinance

-- Deadline Passed -- On June 3, the La Grande City Council will be voting on the Planning Commission's recommendations, including a newly revised livestock ordinance.

BPA Fee Increase Could Quash Community Wind - Your Comments Needed

-- Deadline Passed -- Bonneville Power Administration is proposing rate hikes that include a fee increase on wind integration that may severely undercut small-scale community wind development. May 15 is the deadline for public comment on the proposal.

How Is Rural Oregon Being Impacted by the Economic Crisis? Share Your Story

Oregon Public Broadcasting wants to know how Oregon's small towns are being affected by the continuing recession. Share your story with them now.

Comment on the USDA's National Animal ID System

-- Deadline Passed -- Comment on NAIS, a program designed to identify and track each and every individual livestock and poultry animal owned by family farm producers or hobby farmers across the country.

Urge President Obama to Invest in Renewable Energy

Join thousands of citizens on Wednesday, January 21st to say YES to renewables, YES to energy efficiency, NO to carbon capture and sequestration, and NO to nuclear power.

Thank Local Papers for Articles on Local Economy and Food Policy

Thank the East Oregonian for its editorial on the importance of a sustainable food policy and/or thank The Observer for its editorial on buying locally this holiday season.

Take Action on Hunger in Oregon

Oregon's rate of hunger is one of the worst in the nation and is increasing midst the economic downturn. Here are six actions that you can take to improve the situation.

Offer Your Comments on the B2H Transmission Line Project

Your comments are needed on the proposed transmission line project from Boardman, OR to Hemingway, ID. Deadline is Friday, November 14.