>Food, Farms and the Environment >Impacting the 2007 Farm Bill > >Thursday, February 8, 2007 >1 pm to 4 pm >St. James Lutheran Church >5665 Merle Hay Road >Johnston, Iowa > >Will authorization of the Farm Bill maintain the >conventional policies of the past? Or can we set >a course for more innovative farm, food and environmental policies? > >How can citizens support sustainable agriculture >here at home while also respecting the needs of our global community? > >This forum will address these questions and >offer necessary reforms in the next Farm Bill. >Learn about food, farm and environmental >policies within the context of social and economic justice for all. > >Iowa is a crucial player in the next Farm Bill: >Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) is chair of the Senate >Agricultural Committee. Congressmen from Iowa >are also expected to be on the House Agriculture >Committee once final appointments are made. > >So join with us in our efforts to advocate for >fair and equitable farm policies as Congress writes new legislation in 2007. > >This forum is free and open to the public. >Please let us know if you plan to attend >informational materials will be distributed and refreshments served. > >If you are coming from outside the Des Moines >area and need travel support, please contact us. >We will help cover your gasoline costs. > >For more information and to RSVP, contact: >Robert Gronski at 515-270-2634 or e-mail [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> >Russell Melby at 515-274-2224 or toll free in >Iowa, 1-888-297-2767, or by e-mail [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> > >Sponsoring organizations and presenters include: >Br. David Andrews, CSC, executive director, and >Robert Gronski, policy coordinator, National Catholic Rural Life Conference > >Rev. Russell Melby, regional director, Church World Service > >Rev. Kathy Gerking, Bishop's assistant, >Southeastern Iowa Synod, ELCA Rural Ministry Team > >Daniel Owens, rural policy program organizer, Center for Rural Affairs > >The National Catholic Rural Life Conference, >headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, is the major >voice of the Catholic Church on rural life >concerns. Visit www.ncrlc.com<http://www.ncrlc.com/> to learn more about their Farm Bill campaign. > >Church World Service is a cooperative ministry >of 35 Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican >denominations working for trade justice and >reform of the Farm Bill. Visit www.churchworldservice.org<http://www.churchworldservice.org/> > >The mission of the Rural Ministry Team of the >Southeastern Iowa Synod is to assist rural and >small town ELCA congregations in the >Southeastern Iowa Synod to become more effective >followers of Jesus. Visit www.seiasynod.org<http://www.seiasynod.org/> > >The Center for Rural Affairs, based in eastern >Nebraska, is working to strengthen small >businesses, family farms and ranches, and rural >communities. Visit www.cfra.org<http://www.cfra.org/> to learn more >about their issues and program work. > >Directions to St. James Lutheran Church: >St. James Lutheran is located in Johnston, Iowa, >just north of I-35/80 on Merle Hay Road. Exit at >Merle Hay Road (Exit 131) and head north about a >half mile. St. James Lutheran is located at 5665 >Merle Hay Road (east side). Ample parking in back of the church. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/