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Dozens of CA events this weekend honor Latino Conservation Week; Kamala Harris joins Oprah Winfrey in emotional campaign event; Report finds poor working conditions in Texas clean energy industry; AI puts on a lab coat, heads to technical schools.

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Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

“FRESH” Approach on the Table for Farming in VA

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Wednesday, October 24, 2007   

Richmond, VA – It's fresh, and it's on the table for Congress to consider. The Farm, Ranch, Energy, Stewardship and Health Act, or "FRESH," is an alternative to the next U.S. Farm Bill, and it already has Virginia family farmers, taxpayer watchdogs, and health experts on board.

Jim Lyons, with Oxfam America, says the bill does the tough job of reforming the controversial commodity payment system, which has historically sent most of the Farm Bill money to corporate farms in just a few states.

"Everybody supports family farms, but it is a misrepresentation to say that current farm policy, and this Farm Bill, is going to benefit family farmers –- it's not."

Lyons says giving billions in taxpayer money to farm corporations that already are profitable violates a basic sense of fair play in the marketplace.

"They compete with small, family farmers for land purchase and for rents, and as a result, many small farmers can't continue to compete."

Lyons explains the "FRESH" Act would create an insurance-based system to cover all producers, including ranchers and farmers who grow fruits and vegetables. Right now, only farmers of grain and cotton receive the commodity payments, but supporters of the current system say the subsidies help keep prices low for consumers. The Senate Agriculture Committee votes on its version of the next Farm Bill today.


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