January 12 ‘We Are All Farmer Brown’ Rally Postponed

Due to a poor weather forecast tomorrow’s State House rally and ‘Drop the Farmer Brown Lawsuit’ petition delivery is being postponed. Stay tuned for the alternate date.

If you haven’t already signed the petition to Gov. LePage calling for the State of Maine to drop its lawsuit against Blue Hill Farmer Dan Brown you can sign it below or at www.localfoodlocalrules.org.

Thanks for the support!

Food for Maine’s Future

“Gov. LePage: Stop Criminalizing Small Farmers”

FOOD FOR MAINE’S FUTURE NEEDS YOU TO JOIN OUR CALL FOR GOVERNOR LEPAGE TO DROP THE LAWSUIT AGAINST FARMER DAN BROWN

Sign Food for Maine’s Future’s petition here

Help Food for Maine’s Future deliver the petition to the Governor at 11am Thursday, January 12 at the State House in Augusta!

January 3, 2012

Governor Paul LePage
Office of the Governor
1 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0001
governor@maine.gov
(207) 287-3531

Dear Gov. Paul LePage,

We, the undersigned, call on you and your administration to withdraw the lawsuit against Blue Hill farmer Dan Brown of Gravelwood Farm. Recent rule changes by the Maine Department of Agriculture – including poultry processing and raw milk sales – are making criminals out of hard-working Mainers who are growing and processing food to share in their communities. Now the Department of Agriculture and State of Maine are suing a man milking one cow and selling jams, pickles, and other prepared foods from his farmhouse kitchen. If successfully pursued, this lawsuit will have a chilling effect on Maine’s growing local food movement and the promise of real economic development in our rural communities. Shouldn’t Maine’s small-scale, diversified farms and cottage businesses have the same opportunities generations before us had, without the threat of lawsuits or armed raids as we are witnessing around the U.S.?

In addition:

*Dan Brown’s farmstand sales for which he is being sued are all legal under the Local Food & Community Self-Governance Ordinance passed nearly unanimously at Blue Hill’s town meeting April 4, 2011. Five towns in Maine have passed this and similar ordinances, inspiring others in Vermont, Arizona, California, and Utah to adopt ordinances and resolutions that encourage “local rules for local food”. Once again Maine is leading the nation, finding creative solutions to complex problems. Yet rather than being celebrated, our five pioneering Maine towns are being treated as though the Ordinances do not exist. Through this lawsuit the State of Maine is attempting to undermine our time-honored town meeting process and the Maine Constitution Article IV Part Third Section 21 by usurping local decision-making and direct democracy.

*By seeking an injunction to stop Dan Brown from selling milk and milk products from his farm without a license, the Department of Agriculture is holding him to a different standard than licensed dairy producers in Maine. According to Hal Prince, director of Quality Assurance and Regulations, the State had to act because Dan’s milk posed “a significant health risk to consumers”, citing test results from three different dairy products taken from Gravelwood Farm’s farmstand on July 26, 2011. Yet, had Dan held a license he would have had to have three bad tests before the Department of Agriculture would take such drastic action as to seek an injunction. We also have concerns about the test results which reveal the samples from July 26 were not taken by a dairy inspector and did not reach the laboratory until the following morning. There exists no temperature log that would have regularly recorded the temperatures during the nearly 20 hours the milk was in transit. The samples were also taken without Dan’s knowledge.

*Long-time customers of Gravelwood Farm have gone on record to say the milk and milk products from the farm are high-quality and have asked for the lawsuit to be dropped. In July when the samples were taken, four families, all with young children, were happily enjoying milk, butter, and cheese from Gravelwood Farm. To Dan’s knowledge no one has been sickened by his dairy products or any of the other foods offered for sale at the farmstand in his five years of operation. Contrast this with the recent Hannaford ground beef recall, where four Mainers were sickened by salmonella-tainted beef. Nearly three weeks later, we still do not know where the beef came from or if the problems that led to the contamination have been corrected. Despite the USDA claiming Hannaford’s “limited records” have hindered the investigation, the company has faced no recourse from the State of Maine for their part in the distribution of this ground beef. Nor is there any indication they will, aside from the costs associated with the recall. The State of Maine’s decision to prosecute Dan Brown is one example of a long-standing bias against small producers who are not making people sick, and in favor of big agribusiness companies who are. Small-scale farmers feeding their neighbors and communities deserve more than to be treated like criminals and second-class citizens.

During a 2008 candidates forum in Brooksville you told the crowd assembled that you would not tolerate federal agencies shutting down or raiding Maine farms. Our organization and our members have been told repeatedly that the hands of the Maine Department of Agriculture are tied when it comes to creating scale-appropriate regulation, and that should Maine do so we would be at risk of losing federal funding or having our state meat inspection program shut down by the USDA. We have been told that Maine has a good raw milk program and we must not anger the FDA, whose stated goal is the elimination of all raw milk consumption. Shouldn’t your campaign promise to protect Maine farmers also apply to our state agencies working at the behest of the FDA and USDA to do exactly what you said would not happen?

We strongly urge you to side with small farmers, their willing patrons, and the Maine Constitution. Drop the lawsuit against Dan Brown and respect the authority of the Local Food & Community Self-Governance Ordinance.

Sincerely,

Food for Maine’s Future

Why is the State of Maine suing a man milking one cow? Read the latest issue of Saving Seeds and our special section “We Are Farmer Brown” to gain important insights into the on-going escalation against community food sovereignty.

Maine Rep. Chellie Pingree’s Letter to FDA on Raw Milk & Food Safety Czar Michael Taylor

On Nov. 18, Maine 1st Congressional District Chellie Pingree sent a letter to Margaret Hamburg, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration questioning their support of farm raids and the arrests of farmers. Rep. Pingree also questions whether Food Safety Czar Michael Taylor is an appropriate person for his position given his close ties to Monsanto.

Read Rep. Pingree’s letter to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg.

Read Jeffrey Smith’s 2009 article about Pres. Obama’s appointment of Taylor.

 

MEDIA ADVISORY — PRESS CALL ON LAWSUIT AGAINST BLUE HILL MAINE FARMER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 14, 2011

**MEDIA ADVISORY**

BLUE HILL MAINE FARMER BEING SUED BY STATE OF MAINE AND AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER
Town and supporters to rally this Friday

On Wednesday, November 9, Dan Brown, owner of Gravelwood Farm in Blue Hill, Maine, was served notice that he is being sued by the State of Maine and Walter Whitcomb, Maine Agricultural Commissioner, for selling food and milk without state licenses. Blue Hill is one of five Maine towns to have passed the Local Food and Community Self-Governance Ordinance, a local law that permits the types of sales Brown was engaged in. By filing the lawsuit, the State of Maine and Whitcomb are disregarding the Local Food and Community Self-Governance Ordinance passed nearly unanimously by the citizens of Blue Hill at their town meeting on April 4. Residents of Blue Hill will be attending the Selectmen’s meeting on Friday, November 18 to enforce the provisions of the Ordinance by instructing the Town of Blue Hill to send a letter to the Maine Department of Agriculture requesting the State withdraw the lawsuit and recognize the authority of the Local Food and Community Self-Governance Ordinance.

A rally and press conference will take place Friday at the Blue Hill Town Hall beginning at noon.

Follow us on http://www.facebook.com/WeAreFarmerBrown

MEDIA CALL
Thursday, November 17 10am-11am EST
866.305.2467
code 260454#
Dan Brown will make a statement and cover the counts listed in the summons. Bob St.Peter, family farmer from Sedgwick, Maine and director of Food for Maine’s Future will discuss the campaign calling on the State to withdraw the lawsuit.

Blue Hill Maine Farmer Being Sued By State of Maine & Agricultural Commissioner — Local Food & Community Self-Governance Ordinance Challenged

**CALL TO ACTION**

Blue Hill Maine Farmer Being Sued By State of Maine & Agricultural Commissioner
Local Food & Community Self-Governance Ordinance Challenged

We Are All Farmer Brown!

TAKE ACTION BELOW!

www.facebook.com/WeAreFarmerBrown
www.localfoodlocalrules.org

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Since March of this year five towns in Maine have passed the Local Food & Community Self-Governance Ordinance, creating legal protections for direct food and farm sales and food shared at bake sales and community meals. From the beginning, Maine Agricultural Commissioner Walter Whitcomb has been telling our towns that State law preempts the authority of municipalities to make local laws that conflict with state and federal laws and regulations. In a letter dated April 6, 2011 that was sent to Maine towns where the Ordinance was passed, Commissioner Whitcomb stated “Department personnel are instructed to work with unlicensed food processors or manufacturers to gain their voluntary compliance with the law.” The letter goes on to say, “However, persons who fail to comply will be subject to enforcement, including the removal from sale of products from unlicensed sources and/or the imposition of fines.” Now in the case of one of our local family farmers, subject to lawsuit and injunction.

On Wednesday, November 9, Dan Brown, a family farmer in Blue Hill, Maine, was served a summons to answer three charges being filed against him by the State of Maine and Commissioner Whitcomb. The charges all stem from his selling food without licenses, in his case that’s milk, assorted dairy products like ice cream and cheese, and processed items like pickles and jams. He is also being charged with failure to label his alleged illegal milk “Not Pasteurized.” The safety or quality of Farmer Dan Brown’s food is not being questioned. What is being questioned, or rather challenged, is the right of the citizens of Blue Hill to operate in this manner.

Blue Hill Maine Farmer Being Sued By State & Agricultural Commissioner

Town Residents to Rally Behind Farmer and Local Food Ordinance

On Wednesday, November 9, Dan Brown, owner of Gravelwood Farm in Blue Hill, Maine, was served notice that he is being sued by the State of Maine for selling food and milk without State licenses. Blue Hill is one of five Maine towns to have passed the Local Food and Community Self-Governance Ordinance, a local law that permits the types of sales Brown was engaged in. By filing the lawsuit, the State of Maine and Walter Whitcomb, Maine Agricultural Commissioner, are disregarding the Local Food and Community Self-Governance Ordinance passed nearly unanimously by the citizens of Blue Hill at their town meeting on April 4. Residents of Blue Hill will be attending the Selectmen’s meeting on Friday, November 18 to enforce the provisions of the Ordinance. The Blue Hill residents will be instructing the Town of Blue Hill to send a letter to theMaine Department of Agriculture requesting the State withdraw the lawsuit and recognize the authority of the Local Food and Community Self-Governance Ordinance.

A rally and press conference will take place Friday at the Blue Hill Town Hall. Details about this event and schedule for press calls will be released Monday, November 14.

Follow us on http://www.facebook.com/wearefarmerbrown

A rally and press conference will take place Friday at the Blue Hill Town Hall. Details about this event and schedule for press calls will be released Monday, November 14.

Food & Farm Activist Retreat Registration

Food & Farm Activist Retreat
Saving Seeds Farm
Segdwick, Maine
August 10-16

Space is limited. Register today!

Food for Maine’s Future is pleased to host an informal gathering of food and farm activists from around the U.S. and Canada at Saving Seeds Farm in coastal Sedgwick, Maine. The 2011 Food & Farm Activist Gathering is a hands-on leadership camp that promises valuable learning and networking opportunities for young food and farm activists. There will be ample time for formal and informal discussions, skill sharing, internal reflection, and for convening with the natural world.

EXPECTATIONS
Participants are expected to assist with farm chores, preparation of meals, and camp maintenance. Daily skill shares, discussions, and presentations will be open space format. Each participant is required to come prepared to lead one skill share, make a presentation to the group, or facilitate one group discussion. Suggested topics for group discussions and/or presentations include farmland access, farmworker justice, building urban/rural alliances, movement building across borders, grassroots political strategies, organizational profiles, etc.

Participants are expected to participate on at least one work crew per day. Work crews include:

Farm Crew – AM farm chores and work projects at Saving Seeds Farm
Meal Crew – Preparation of two-three meals per day
Sanitation Crew – Ensure a clean, healthy camp environment, including cleaning up after meals
Safety Crew – Responsible for basic first aid

The gathering will include tours of local farms and volunteer work projects. Come prepared with clothing and footwear appropriate for farm work and visits. Expect to have your senses stimulated by the beauty of the area and the intelligence and commitment of your hosts and fellow campers. Come prepared for work and play.

View program information here

Registration form

Local Food Local Rules

Thursday, July 15 MBPN’s Maine Watch will feature a story about the Local Food & Community Self-Governance Ordinance passed by four Maine towns since March. The show includes FMF director and Sedgwick resident Bob St.Peter and FMF board member and farmer Ryan Parker.

Maine Watch will air the piece Thursday, July 14 at 8:00 pm, Friday, Ju1y 15 at 8:30 pm, and Sunday, Ju1y 17 at 5:00 pm.

You can also view it at http://www.mpbn.net/Television/LocalTelevisionPrograms/MaineWatch.aspx

Learn more about the Local Food & Community Self-Governance Ordinance at www.localfoodlocalrules.wordpress.com.

Presentation on Global Farmers Movement La Via Campesina

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 9, 2011

My Two Years with La Via Campesina
Presentation by farmer-activist Bob St.Peter
Howard Room, Blue Hill Public Library
Friday, July22, 7PM

La Via Campesina is a global movement of small and medium-sized food producers, peasants, indigenous people, women, and youth. One of the largest and most powerful social movements in the world, La Via Campesina represents 250,000,000 families from 140 organizations in 70 countries. This presentation will include the history and purpose of La Via Campesina and an outline of its current campaigns. The presentation will include photos from Bob’s travels with La Via Campesina around the U.S. and Mexico.

Bob St.Peter is the director of Food for Maine’s Future and serves on the boards of La Via Campesina member organizations National Family Farm Coalition and Family Farm Defenders. As an activist and farmer living in Sedgwick, Maine, Bob works with family farmers, peasants, and indigenous people worldwide who are struggling to preserve their cultures and traditional foodways.

Bake sale fundraiser featuring hand-crafted cookies from Poppaloona’s Cookie Club.

Proceeds from this event will benefit Food for Maine’s Future’s. Learn more at www.savingseeds.wordpress.com and www.viacampesina.org.

AND CHECK OUT THIS FUN & TASTY UPCOMING EVENT!
Public Supper, Sunday, August 14, Halcyon Grange, North Blue Hill, 5PM
Pig roast! Fresh fruit and veggies! Lots of pies! Food from farm and sea! Dinner begins at 5PM at Halcyon Grange in North Blue Hill. Suggested donation $10-$50. Families welcome and encouraged. Please RSVP by calling 244-0908 or email bobstpeter@gmail.com.

Food & Farm Activist Retreat August 10 – 16 Sedgwick, Maine

Due to funding shortfalls and travel restrictions the August, 2011 North America Food Sovereignty Training Camp hosted by Food for Maine’s Future, La Via Campesina North America, and the Greenhorns has been postponed until summer 2012. Food for Maine’s Future will still host a small number of people for the week for farmwork, workshops, farm tours, and really good food. The Food & Farm Activist Retreat will take place in Sedgwick, Maine, from August 10 -16. Contact Food for Maine’s Future for program information. 207-244-0908 or bobstpeter@gmail.com.

The Blue Hill Peninsula has a lot to offer for the food and farm enthusiast. The area is home to Eliot Coleman & Barbara Damrosch’s Four Season Farm and a host of small, diversified farms and fishing communities. Three towns in the area — Sedgwick, Penobscot, and Blue Hill — recently received international attention when their citizens voted at town meeting to adopt the Local Food & Community Self-Governance Ordinance.

A community dinner will take place Sunday, August 14 as a fundraiser for the 2012 camp. The meal will feature food from local farms and waters. Donations for our silent auction are welcome. Please contact Bob St.Peter at 207-244-0908 or bobstpeter@gmail.com to donate to the auction, RSVP for the community dinner and/or to discuss alternative plans for August 10-16.