PRESS CONFERENCE TUESDAY - No Cost Solutions to Renew Iowa RURAL ADVOCACY 2004 News Advisory Contact: Kari Carney, Iowa CCI, a member group of Rural Advocacy at (515)282-0484 LaVon Graffon, 1,000 Friends of Iowa, a member group of Rural Advocacy at (515)288-5364 Tarah Heinzen, Sierra Club, a member group of Rural Advocacy at (515)251-3995 Rural Advocacy coalition presents nine ways to renew Iowa's rural communities Success stories show that there are "no-cost" solutions to the state's rural problems, from health care to farming to environmental protection DES MOINES, IA On Tuesday, February 3, at 10:00 a.m. in room 116 of the Iowa State Capitol, Rural Advocacy 2004 will be urging lawmakers to take simple no-cost steps to help rural Iowans. Three speakers will share success stories regarding rural health, renewable energy and sustainable agriculture, demonstrating that the current budget crisis should not need stand in the way of policies that support the renewal of Iowašs rural communities. In addition, the coalition will release statements the group feels are imperative to help rural Iowa and provide solutions to many of Iowa's rural problems. Who: Sarai Beck, Ecumenical Ministries of Iowa, speaking on rural health Greg Heide, a family farmer and wind energy advocate, speaking on renewable energy Chris Peterson, a family farmer and member of Iowa Farmers Union, speaking on sustainable agriculture What: Press conference to release Rural Advocacy 2004's issue statements on: rural health, community development, environmental and health standards for industrial livestock production, land use policy, energy policy, agricultural workers' rights, genetically modified organisms, community food security, and antibiotics use in agriculture. When: Tuesday, February 3, 2004, at 10:00 a.m. Where: The Capitol, room 116 This event will feature excellent photo opportunities. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Make your voice heard! Find out how to get Take Action Alerts and other important Sierra Club messages by email at: http://www.sierraclub.org/email