It's Time to Stand Up With Family Farmers by Willie Nelson

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http://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/09/23-0


John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson, Pete Seeger, Dave Matthews, and Neil Young perform at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center for Farm Aid 2013 in Saratoga Springs, NY. (Photo: Paul Natkin/Photo Reserve, Inc.)

Every year, come harvest season, we gather for the annual Farm Aid concert. Artists, farmers, activists and eaters, we come together to recognize the crucial importance of family farmers. We take account of how far we've come and we renew our spirits for the fights ahead.

We stand with family farmers.

This strength is what's grown the Good Food Movement. Today, we're at our strongest. More people than ever are seeking out family farm food. Businesses sourcing from family farmers are searching for new farmers because demand exceeds supply. Entrepreneurs are making new connections between eaters and farmers. Community organizations and passionate volunteers are bringing good food to neighborhoods that need it most. Together, all of these people are building communities centered on a family farm economy. They're linking eaters with farmers, building relationships and nourishing bodies and souls. Their actions are transforming food and agriculture, from the ground up.

But even still, a handful of corporations dominate our food system.

There are good folks in Congress who are fighting for a family farm food system that benefits family farmers and all Americans. But they're blocked by a majority that lets corporate power, partisan politics and big money get in the way of progress. Their votes have reinforced a dominant, chemical-dependent food system that is harmful to our environment, our health and local economies, while cutting billions from nutrition and food programs for people who need food.

[Recursion]

1. Pete Seeger is still alive?

I don't mean that mockingly. We should all do whatever he's doing.

That said, we should all stand up for small farmers. A good way is to find your closest CSA. Another way is to keep Republicans out of the White House. I don't think small farmers can survive another GOP-controlled USDA tenure.

[LuvNewcastle]

4. I just saw something about him recently; he's around 95 now.

He loves to perform, and it looks like he's going to do it until he just absolutely can't do it anymore. The poor man's wife died pretty recently and she's the one who held things together for him all those years. He was friends with Woody Guthrie and Eleanor Roosevelt! He's certainly lived a full life, and he's been a rock solid socialist the whole time.

[Recursion]

5. As a clawhammer banjo player I have to express a debt to Mr. Seeger

I had I think his niece as a prof. back in undergrad (Judy); she was amazing.

[LuvNewcastle]

6. I wish I could go see you, but I ain't going all the way to Mumbai.

Do you get to play for people in India? Do they like banjo music?

[LuvNewcastle]

2. We need a lot more of them.

People in this country, although they appear to be over-fed, are seriously lacking nutrition. The family farmers are the ones producing the foods humans need and they should be encouraged. Thanks to those performers for their dedication to this issue.

[Berlum]

3. "Support Big Ag, Big Chem, Big GMO & Big Meat." - Republicons, Inc. (R)