April, 2009: Growing Just and Sustainable Agriculture in North Carolina

The North Carolina General Assembly is in session now, and they are considering some important bills that could help boost sustainable farming and farm worker justice in our state:

Protect farm land and invest in local economic development
Agricultural Development & Farmland Preservation Trust Fund

North Carolina has the dubious distinction of being tied for first place in farm land loss among US states.  We need to keep farms working in order to feed our state and meet consumer demands for locally-produced foods.
H 618, and H 684 / S 846 – These bills would provide $4 million in funding for farmland preservation in 2009-10, and make some technical improvements in the trust fund’s wording.  Bill sponsors:  Rep. Pricey Harrison (House), Sen. Charlie Albertson (Senate).
Update:  The Senate did not include any funding for the Farmland Preservation Trust Fund in its budget.  The House is working on their budget now – this is a critical time to contact your NC House member to let them know that funding for farmland preservation and agricultural development is important to you. 

Build state support for locally-produced, sustainably-grown foods
Create a Sustainable Local Food Policy Council

Food Policy Councils convene citizens and government officials in order to comprehensively evaluate a state or local food system. They bring together a diverse array of people involved in the food system to set the course for food and agriculture policy into the future.
S 1067 / H 1163 - The bills would create a North Carolina Sustainable Local Food Policy Council whose purpose is to “contribute to building a local food economy” that protects the environment and increases food security and access to locally-grown fresh foods for everyone in North Carolina.  One of the Council’s tasks will be to take a baseline assessment of how much sustainably- and locally-produced food is currently purchased in North Carolina.  Bill sponsor:  Charlie Albertson (Senate), Ray Rapp (House).

Provide better protections for farm workers who work around pesticides
Strengthen Pesticide Law for Workers

Farm workers face short-term risks and long-term health problems from exposure to pesticides on the job.  The worker protection standards currently in place are very difficult to enforce, and penalties – even for the most serious violations – are shamefully low.
H 1052 – This legislation would allow workers to make confidential reports of pesticide problems at work; require employers to keep records of when workers are sent back into fields after spraying; and strengthen the penalties for the most serious pesticide violations.  Bill sponsor:  Rep. Dan Blue.

Let your legislator know how important just and sustainable agriculture is to you!  They need to hear from you as they consider these issues.  Click here to find your representative.

>>Be an Ambassador for Just & Sustainable Agriculture, and we'll help you organize a meeting with your representatives about these issues.
>>More about our work for Just & Sustainable Agriculture in North Carolina.