Take a farm picture and go to jail -- Big Ag has plans for us

Imagine you’re a person who cares about people and animals so you take pictures of abuse and negligence. Then you share them with others who care.  Then you’re arrested, pay fines, and possibly spend some time in jail.  This is what Big Ag has planned in Florida, Iowa, and Minnesota.

People like you and me know about the nasty side of industrial food because insiders and those who work undercover share their images and knowledge.  And because we know, we think and decide for ourselves what is best. Increasingly, many decide Big Ag is not for them.  This scares the agricultural powers-that-be so they use their money and influence to change the laws, infringe on our right to know, and penalize those who are willing to speak out.  This is nothing new; it’s just the politics of money and influence throughout human history.

Why do Nevadans care about this?  Because law and legislation creeps state by state. What happens elsewhere shows up at our family dinner table. Then it could be illegal in Nevada.

Thanks to the Internet, We the People know about this before anything is final and we can try to impose our own influence. Numbers and timing count.

An Iowa bill supporter offers the draft bill in defense of the proposal. His position is that those opposed misunderstand section 717A.2A (Animal facility interference) and are misrepresenting the intentions.

Other opinons are here and here.  Decide for yourself and then take some online action, or not. 

Another great way to get involved is to become a farmarazzi.  Here’s a Slow Food email excerpt explaining the details.  I’ll be exercising my rights at GirlFarm this Sunday!

“But that’s not all. We don't just want to stop Big Ag's attempt to restrict consumers' right to know — we also want to use this as an opportunity to lift up the good, clean and fair farmers who like consumers to come and see exactly how their food is produced.

So join the farmarazzi! In the next few days we'll be calling on you for help. Plan a visit to a nearby farm (or just step outside, farmers) because we'll be holding a contest for the best farm photos, and sending a flipbook of the winning photos to the legislators in question. Can't wait to get started? Share your favorite farm photos by uploading and posting them on our Facebook wall here”