Farmers, Workers, Processors Fear Unfair Competition from New Zealand Dairy Industry

(WASHINGTON) Congress should not approve the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal without carefully considering the impact on vulnerable U.S. dairy farms and workers. That was the message delivered today by 11 national organizations representing dairy farmers and dairy industry workers in a letter to eight key members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

The TPP has the potential to become the biggest trade deal in history.  As the 16^th round of talks gets underway today  in Singapore, negotiators now include Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, Singapore, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, the United States and Vietnam.  Other Pacific Rim nations - notably Japan, the Philippines and Thailand - are watching the talks closely, with an eye to joining the controversial trade pact.

U.S. dairy interests are especially concerned that the trade deal will damage family farmers, dairy processors and consumers.

The letter states the pending trade deal could have tremendous impact on where and how dairy products are produced and processed.

"New market access for New Zealand's monopolistic dairy sector would be especially damaging to U.S. dairy farmers and those who produce and process nonfat dry milk, butterfat or cheese," the letter states.

To make sure the U.S. dairy industry won't be decimated by the TPP, the letter urges Congress to adopt new trade policymaking procedures rather than reinstating so-called "fast-track" authority.

"Congress must make sure this trade deal doesn't open the door to unfair competition," said Rome Aloise, international vice president for the Teamsters and head of the union's dairy conference, which represents 30,000 dairy workers throughout the supply chain. "The dairy industry is too important to our economy and to our food supply."

Aloise added the Teamsters would not support any trade deal that provides lesser protections to workers than to corporations.

Ben Burkett, a farmer and the president of the National Family Farm Coalition, explained why his group joined the call to Congress, "This letter elevates an issue so important to our dairy farmer members and to all consumers. The future of our nation's 60,000 dairy farmers is at stake."

"National Farmers Union supports trade agreements that benefit U.S. agriculture and promotes societal goals of healthy communities, feeding the poor, economic justice, human rights, and a sound environment. If those high standards are to be met in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Congress needs to weigh in on the terms of the agreement now, before the negotiations are concluded," said Roger Johnson, president of the National Farmers Union.

"It's especially important that Congress review the impact of the TPP on the U.S. dairy industry because the deal has been negotiated in complete secrecy," said James P. Hoffa, general president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

The letter was sent to House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas of Oklahoma and Ranking Member Collin Peterson of Minnesota; House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp and Ranking Member Sander Levin, both of Michigan; Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow of Michigan and Ranking Member Thad Cochran of Mississippi; and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus of Montana and Ranking Member Thad Cochran of Mississippi

The letter was hand-delivered today to Capitol Hill by representatives of the ad-hoc national "fair trade" coalition, consisting of the Citizens Trade Campaign, Family Farm Defenders, Food & Water Watch, the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/ Land Assistance Fund, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, League of Rural Voters, the National Farmers Union, and Rural Coalition/Coalicion Rural.

An example of the letter can be found here.

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KERRVILLE, TX (03/04/2013)(readMedia)-- The Schreiner University Chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta welcomed Samuel Kuznetsov of Bettendorf, IA into the Freshman Honor Society at the February induction ceremony held at the Floyd & Kathleen Cailloux Campus Activity Center. Alpha Lambda Delta is a national honor society recognizing students who have achieved outstanding scholarship status during their freshman year at the college and university level.

Schreiner University is an independent coeducational liberal arts university related by choice and by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). For more information, visit Schreiner's website at www.schreiner.edu or call the Office of Admission at 830-792-7217.

Since 2009, government funding to non-profit organizations that provide human services has been in steady decline, forcing these service organizations to change much of their funding strategies or face a reduction in their ability to provide critical services to their communities. Competition amongst non-profits for the "donated" dollar is extreme: How can an individual not-for profit make itself standout from the crowd to garner more support and exposure plus increase donor dollars?

Known for their "outside the box" fundraising programs, senior center CASI (Center for Active Seniors, Inc.) in Davenport, Iowa, has" brewed" the prefect fundraising plan. CASI has teamed up with a regional microbrewery, Great River Brewery, to create a new beer dedicated to seniors and senior services. The results: Owney Irish Red Ale. Owney, an old Irish name for "elderly" is on shelves now at retail locations throughout the Quad Cities. Proceeds from the sale of Owney Irish Red Ale will be used by CASI to fund services for seniors in the Quad City community.

Additionally, distributors Vanguard Distributing Co. and Stern Beverages are providing marketing materials used to promote awareness of CASI's programs and services.

On March 9, a formal tapping event is planned at Great River Brewery (332 E 2nd St., Davenport) beginning at 1:00 p.m. Area senior centers and the general public are invited to join in the festivities. Food will be provided by The Fountains Senior Living Community of Bettendorf.

We all have a senior in our life that needs our help. So toast CASI with a pint of Owney and support our senior services!

Founded in 1973, CASI is a multi-service nationally accredited senior center providing a variety of social, educational, support and wellness programs and activities designed for adults over the age of 60 and their families/caregivers.

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February 26, 2013 (Dubuque, Iowa) - Dubuque County Fine Arts Society is pleased to announce that it will act as an umbrella 501c3 organization for an up and coming creative program: Rogue Collections.

Rogue Collections, created by Samantha Jones, of Dubuque, is designed to give cosmetologists an opportunity to showcase a unique art form and express creative potential through accessible runway shows. By connecting passionate artists in a community setting, Rogue Collections offers inspiration for local stylists while continuing to showcase Dubuque as a creative leader and arts destination.

On April 21st, 2013, Rogue Collections will present its inaugural hair/art runway show titled ELEMENTS. The show welcomes five creative local stylists presenting artistic collections based on the elements Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water.

The show is set for 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 21 at Eronel - 285 Main St. There will be a cover of $10 at the door with VIP advance tickets available.

In order to increase community outreach, and to impact women, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Opening Doors: Maria House & Teresa Shelter.

"Becoming a partner of the DCFAS was the first step in the right direction for Rogue Collections. We are very excited to work with the organization and learn as much as we can from them, and their affiliates. Rogue Collections and the DCFAS is the perfect partnership.  We are bringing an underrepresented art form to the forefront of Dubuque, as well as giving back to the community. Thanks to the DCFAS, we will have an opportunity to expand, and really start out the first year of production the best way possible." - Samantha Jones - Director - Rogue Collections

The Dubuque County Fine Arts Society, a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit arts organization, has enriched the Dubuque community through the arts for the past 33 years. DCFAS serves as an "umbrella" organization for a range of affiliate groups and programs and is governed by an active volunteer board and several committees. The group's mission is "to encourage, promote, and present local and regional arts including music, writing, theater, and fine art."
Bringing music, writing, theater, and fine art to the Dubuque community since 1976