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USDA Proposes New Rule for Animal ID

Having dropped the plans for the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), USDA is back again for Round Two. The agency has proposed a rule that would require livestock producers, related businesses, and state agencies to incur significant expense tracking animals that cross state lines – all for the benefit of large Agribusiness.

Tell President Obama to implement anti-monopoly rule

A year after the USDA proposed a rule to restore fairness to the livestock industry and three years after the Farm Bill directed the USDA to create the rule in the first place, nothing has been done to implement it. Meanwhile, four multi-national corporations control over 85% of the market. Your calls are needed to urge President Obama to use his authority to see that the anti-monopoly rule is implemented.

Time running out for the State Bank bill

For months we've been working to support the creation of an Oregon State Bank. After thousands of emails and calls, the momentum for this common-sense approach keeps building. But now we're down to the last few days of the Oregon Legislative Session and the word in Salem is that legislators intend to pack up early and go home by the end of this week, leaving the bill we've fought so hard for dead in the water. We need you to contact your legislator again and ask them no to go home until they vote on the State Bank bill.

Your calls needed: Clean energy funding in jeopardy in Oregon budget

Right now the Oregon Legislature is looking at cuts to the state's budget, and under the knife are the BETC (Business Energy Tax Credits) and RETC (Residential Energy Tax Credits) programs, which have each been instrumental in developing Oregon's renewable energy economy. Your calls can help keep the Oregon Legislature from killing these vital stepping stones to a clean energy future.

Your calls needed: Key vote on State Bank TODAY in Senate

Two weeks ago the public hearings on a bill that would establish a 'virtual' Oregon State Bank drew more than a hundred supporters, flooding the hearing rooms beyond capacity. Now things are moving forward quickly. Today at 1pm the Senate Committee on General Government, Consumer and Small Business Protection will hold a work session on bills including SB 889, the Oregon State Bank bill, and decide whether to kill it or move it along. Your calls are needed to ask them to advance the bill.

Put Oregon money to work for us, not Wall Street

We bailed out Wall Street after the economic collapse that brought our economy to its knees. Now why aren't they doing their part to get Oregon's economy back on track? We need a bank that is accountable to the citizens of Oregon, not Wall Street executives. Oregon State Treasurer Ted Wheeler has already announced his support for a State Bank of Oregon, as have both Republicans and Democrats in the State Legislature. Sign our online petition to help keep building momentum and support.

Why we can't have local chicken in Oregon and what you can do about it

UPDATE: THE HOUSE PASSED THE BILL 58-2 ON MARCH 3 AND THE SENATE PASSED IT 24-2 ON MAY 9! Did you know it's currently against the law in Oregon for a farmer to raise, process and sell their own chicken to a neighbor without going to the only USDA certified plant in the state? This makes it extremely difficult to purchase (or sell) locally raised chicken. But there's an easy legislative solution to get local poultry and you can help.

Call your State Rep. to support farmers markets

UPDATE: HOUSE PASSES BILL 45-13! On Wednesday, February 16th, the Oregon House will vote on HB 2336, the Farm Direct Bill. In order to ensure that family-scale farmers can remain viable and sell you some of the freshest, healthiest food available, we need you to call your representative today and ask them to support HB 2336.

Call the White House by Tuesday to support Fair Farm Rules

For too long, big industrial agriculture companies have been trampling on local farmers and ranchers, paying them unfairly low prices, forcing them to sign exploitative contracts in order to sell their products, or lobbying for policies that favor industrial agriculture. That's why we've been working to tip the scales. Now we need your help in securing Fair Farm Rules for the livestock industry.

Why You Should Care About Fairness in the Livestock Market

This is Packers vs. Cowboys folks, but it ain't football. It is the future of our food system, our local economy and our rural communities. But the Cowboys can’t do it alone; they need consumers, workers and the public on their team to ensure a fair livestock market and thriving rural economies.

URGENT: Senate Voting on S. 510!

Tomorrow, Nov. 17th, we are told that the Senate is finally set to vote on the controversial food safety bill, and we urgently need two important amendments so the new regulations don't place huge financial burdens on small farmers. Call your Senators today!

Keep Our Food Safe

Although the food safety bill could still get hung up (which wouldn't be surprising considering how long it's lingered in the Senate), it stands ready to roll at a moment's notice. You've been working on this issue for over a year, so we didn't want to ask you to take action again until it looked like things were moving. It looks like that moment might be now.

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.