This posted from the organic farmers group:

From: “Lindsey Lusher Shute, National Young Farmers Coalition” <info@youngfarmers. org>
  Date: September 24, 2013 12:51:34 PM CDT
  Subject: National Day of Action to Save Local Farms
  Help us mobilize to change FDA food safety rules.
 
 
  Dear Supporter,
 
  The FDA’s proposed food safety rules—written for large, corporate farms—threaten to shut down small farms and cut off America’s access to local food. Think: waiting nine months to harvest after manure application or grazing; water testing once a week; spending $5k-35k extra to comply. The list goes on and on.
 
  We have only a little over a month to submit comments to the FDA and win new rules that will protect food safety, local farms and organic agriculture.
 
  On Sunday, October 20th, we ask you to join a National Day of Action to Save Local Farms. To make it a success, we need you to sign up to host a letter writing party, tell us how the new rules will affect your farm and help us spread the word! Get started now:
 
  The FDA will only consider personal responses to their draft rules – no form letters or petitions – so we need you to help us deliver a huge stack of hand written letters to DC.
 
  Sign up now to host a letter writing party! All you have to do is gather your friends and neighbors to sit down and write to the FDA on or around October 20th. When you sign up to host we’ll mail you posters, plain language summaries of the rules for reference, ideas about how to respond, and some party planning advice. We’re also available to help you troubleshoot, reach NYFC’s network and talk through the details on two upcoming Google Hangouts.
 
  Visit the Food Safety action page or contact Tracy at tracy@youngfarmers. org to get more info and to sign up.
 
  To help NYFC respond to the FDA as a network and to help everyone understand how the rules will affect real farms, we need your input.
 
  Please take a few minutes now to take our farmer survey.
 
  Let’s work together to ensure the Food Safety rules protect a healthy food system, not compromise it.
 
  Events
 
  PROVIDENCE, RI: Young Farmer Nights Farm Tour – September 24th
  Join other young farmers for a tour of City Farm in Providence, RI. Contact youngfarmernight@ gmail.com for details.
 
  ARUNDEL, ME: Southern Maine Young Farmers Coalition Kick-off Mixer! – September 28th
  Come learn how to build a high tunnel at Frinklepod Farm at 12pm and join us for a potluck celebration with Allagash beer, Green Bee Soda, live music, a bonfire and fellow young farmers! 5pm at Neverdun Farm in Arundel. Click here for more info.
 
 ATLANTA, GA: Southeast Young And Beginning Farmer Alliance Lunch Mixer – September 28th
  Join us for a series of monthly post-market lunches on Saturdays. The first one is at the Wrecking Bar Brewpub in Atlanta, GA.
 
  FRANKFORT, KY – Kentucky Beginning Farmers Conference- October 5th
  A one-day statewide event for beginning farmers, including workshops, great food, and networking opportunities. Stay tuned for more details!
 
  OKANOGAN, WA: Washington Young Farmers Mixer – October 6th
 Fourth annual WAYFC Mixer, to be held at Filaree Farm, in Okanogan, WA. Details to be released soon. Visit the Washington Young Farmers Coalition website for more information.
 
  BURLINGTON, VT Vermont Young Farmers Coalition Tractor Maintenance Workshop and Mixer at the Intervale Center – October 6th
  Join VYFC in gathering for a tractor maintenance workshop and mixer. Starts at 3pm. Email Brittany at bdooling@uvm. edu to get involved.
 
  SEBASTOPOL, CA: North Coast Young Farmers Guild Meeting – October 8th
  Join other farmers from the North Coast for the monthly Guild meeting at GrowKitchen, 245 Ferguson Rd. Sebastopol, CA.
 
  JOHNSTON, RI: Young Farmer Nights Farm Tour – October 10th
  Join other young farmers for a tour of Tour of Freedom Food Farm in Johnston, RI. Contact youngfarmernight@ gmail.com for details.
 
  PALISADE, CO: Beginning Farmers and Ranchers of Mesa County Hoe Down and Harvest Party – October 13th
  An end of season celebration with the Beginning Farmers and Ranchers of Mesa County! Food donated by Field to Fork CSA and Roan Creek Ranch. Wine provided by Mesa Park Vineyards. Apples for bobbing, pumpkins for picking. Live music, fun and games. Contact Brooke at pricebrooker@ aol.com for more info.
 
  WILLITS, CA: Mendocino County Young Farmers Guild Meeting – October 15th
  Get together with other young farmers in Mendocino County for this inaugural guild meeting! At the Willits Grange Hall.
 
  AUSTIN, TX: Texas Young Farmers Coalition Meetup – October 16th
  Blackstar Coop. Come join us for our monthly- 3rd Wednesday farmer meetup! Beers and conversations abound. Contact info@texasyoungfarm ers.org for more info.
 
  AUSTIN, TX: Texas Young Farmers Coalition Farm Tour – October 19th
  Join us as we head to A+S Farm and Ranch for a skill building workshop on sheep. Sean will cover grazing,processing and shearing topics among others. Contact info@texasyoungfarm ers.org for more info.
 
  JAMESTOWN, RI: Young Farmer Nights Farm Tour – October 22nd
  Join other young farmers for a chicken processing training with Pat’s Pastured at Windmist Farm, Jamestown, RI. Contact youngfarmernight@ gmail.com for details.
  CONNECTICUT: Farmland Access and Affordability Forum – October 25th
  The purpose of the forum is to brainstorm strategies to address farmland access and affordability in Connecticut and to engage an expanded coalition of key individuals, businesses, organizations and agencies in developing a common agenda around these issues. For more information contact Susan Mitchell, New Connecticut Farmers Alliance, at smitchell123@ yahoo.com.
 
  SOUTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA: Young Farmers Mixer – October 26th
  In the Harrisburg area, details TBA. Contact Emily at emilycgb@gmail. com to get involved!
 
  SONOMA COUNTY, CA: Sonoma County Young Farmers Guild Meeting – October 27th
  Get together with other young farmers in Sonoma County for this inaugural guild meeting!
 
  FALKVILLE, AL: Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network Young and Beginning Farmer Potluck – October 27th
  Join other young and beginning farmers for ASAN’s potluck! Click here for more info.
 
  AUSTIN, TX: First Annual Moontower Agricultural Coop Harvest Party – November 9th
  Grab your ticket and join farmers and farmer friends alike for a dinner and homebrew beer feast. Other events include Farmer Olympics and a panel discussion involving inspiring people in the Texas farming and food community. Contact info@texasyoungfarm ers.org for more info on tickets.
 
  In Solidarity,
 
  Lindsey, Wes, Sophie, Kate, Eleanor, Tracy & Debbie
 
 
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  Copyright © 2013 National Young Farmers Coalition. All rights reserved.
 
NATIONAL YOUNG FARMERS COALITION
  PO BOX 292, Tivoli, New York 12583