Proposition 23 Saves Jobs:

We need to address global warming. However, California global warming law won't solve global warming, but it will result in higher energy costs and lost jobs unless we pass Proposition 23. Proposition 23 will suspend this costly law and protect more than one million jobs. It will also prevent a tax increase, as well as higher energy, transportation fuel and food costs. Prop 23 is necessary for all Californians right now. With persistent and nagging unemployment at 12% plus, almost 2.3 Californians out of work, and $20 billion budget deficit, we can't afford expensive regulations that will lead to even more job losses in this tough economic time.

Studies show that Prop 23 will stop the following:

-Up to 60% higher electricity rates

-Up to a 57% increase in natural gas costs

-$3.7 billion a year higher gasoline and diesel costs

-$143 billion cap and trade tax

-Over a million lost jobs

Prop 23 also helps small businesses that will be hit esp. hard by these new regulations. One study estimated that the average cost of California's global warming law to small businesses will be about $50,000 a year.

It is vital to our industry, our families and our state that voters say YES to Prop 23 in the November Election.

Please visit www.yeson23.com to learn more about Proposition 23.

For Immediate Release  

Aug. 24, 2010   

NFU Calls its Members to Action on Farmer and Rancher Bill of Rights

WASHINGTON (Aug. 24, 2010) – As the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Justice (DOJ) workshop on livestock approaches, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson urges NFU members and all livestock producers to attend. The workshop is scheduled for August 27, in Fort Collins, Colo. The workshop’s timing is ideal, as the comment period on the proposed rule published by the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) in the Federal Register of June 22, 2010 (75 Fed. Reg. 35338) has been extended. “U.S. farmers and ranchers should attend this workshop to have their voices heard directly by USDA and DOJ staff,” said Johnson. “We must be sure that the packer-producer organizations are not the only people at the table when discussing this important issue.”

The proposed rule, essentially a Farmer and Rancher Bill of Rights, addresses concerns that have been discussed for many years and were developed at the direction of the 2008 Farm Bill, which requires USDA to carry out specific rulemaking to improve fairness in the marketing of livestock and poultry. Recent appeals court decisions have ruled against the intent of the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921, much to the detriment of livestock producers. GIPSA’s proposed rule changes will bring clarity to the regulations, so that farmers and ranchers are able to take action if they are victims of market abuses by packer-processors. The rules will also allow for more transparency in price and contract negotiations.

“The Farmer and Rancher Bill of Rights will ensure livestock producers the right to access competitive markets,” said Johnson. “These proposed changes are vital to U.S. farmers and ranchers, and I urge USDA to adopt and implement them promptly.”
National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being
and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-
driven policy positions adopted by its membership.

Please copy and paste this into the web bar and this should take you to register for the USDA/DOJ workshop:

 https://regstg.com/Registration/RegForm.aspx?rid=d91b419b-cf8e-43e9-8f20-919ca06562dc&action=add

All California Farmers Union (CFU) members are invited to participate in the Biogas USA Conference in San Francisco on October 13 – 14. The organizers are waiving the registration fees for CFU members.

If you are interested in participating, please contact CFU Executive Director Lynne McBride at 925-385-0217 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Background about Biogas USA Conference

Following successful editions in Austria, Belgium, the UK and USA, Green Power Conferences are pleased to announce that the 8th international biogas networking conference will take place in San Francisco. 

There are currently more than 100 on-farm anaerobic digesters in operation in the U.S and more than 80 new anaerobic digesters are in the planning stage. In addition, more than 420 operating landfill gas recovering plants are running and 82 new plants are under construction. While a handful of large well established landfill gas projects are very well run, the market for anaerobic digesters is far less competitive.

This key event will bring together leaders of the US biogas industry to examine how to develop commercially successful biogas projects and address the latest technological advances in production.

Delegates will learn from best practice case studies from government representatives, biogas producers, utilities and biogas users to gain a clear understanding of the current federal policy framework, investment criteria, project start up requirements, plant optimization and upgrading biogas for injection into national gas grids.

The event webpage too (www.greenpowerconferences.com/biogasusa) contains additional details about the conference.

**ACTION ALERT**

TO ALL CDC MEMBERS

CALL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TODAY!

Members of Congress will be back in their districts during the month of August meeting with constituents. It is critical that CDC members meet with their federal lawmakers to call for comprehensive dairy policy reforms including: the establishment of a nationwide inventory management program, an effective dairy price safety net that incorporates the dairy producer’s cost of production, reform of the dairy pricing system to make it more competitive and transparent, and the implementation of effective tariffs on imports of concentrated dairy solids.

CDC supports the “Dairy Price Stabilization Act” introduced by Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif., in the U.S. House and Senators Bernie Sanders and Patrick Leahy, of Vermont, in the Senate. The legislation, H.R. 5288 and S. 3531, would establish a nationwide inventory management program that would provide incentives to producers to balance milk supply and market demand. An effective dairy safety net based on cost of production is critical to prevent another dairy crisis. CDC testified before the USDA and DOJ calling for reform of the dairy pricing system. It is critical that members of Congress urge DOJ to act immediately to restore competition in dairy markets. CDC strongly supports the Milk Import Tariff Equity Act (MITEA), S 1542 and HR 3674, to apply effective tariffs to dairy imports and the bill currently has no cosponsors from California.

DISTRICT OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION:

REPRESENTATIVE DENNIS CARDOZA, D-18             Phone: 209-527-1914

Cities include Merced, Modesto, Stockton   

REPRESENTATIVE JIM COSTA, D-20                           Phone: 559-495-1620                    

Cities include Fresno, Bakersfield                      

REPRESENTATIVE DEVIN NUNES, R-21                      Phone: 559-733-3861         

Cities include Visalia and Clovis             

REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN MCCARTHY, R-22             Phone: 202-225-2915

Cities include Bakersfield and Atascadero

Senator Boxer Phone: 559-497-5109       Senator Feinstein Phone: 559-485-7430

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) unveiled a 40-page dairy proposal earlier this summer. CDC commends NMPF for recognizing the need for comprehensive dairy policy reform, but after careful analysis has concluded that the NMPF plan is in need of substantial improvement.

Other interests including NMPF are lining up to let their views be known about federal dairy policy and it is critical that lawmakers hear directly from dairy producers. The message that lawmakers hear back home in August will decide what type of action they take on dairy policy for the rest of 2010 and beyond.