ORGANIZATIONS OPPOSE PENDING FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS - Fair Trade, Not Free Trade, Should Be Basis of Food and Agriculture System. The National Family Farm Coalition and 56 allied organizations representing family farmers, ranchers, fishermen and advocates signed a letter to Congress condemning the pending free trade agreements (FTAs) with South Korea, Colombia and Panama. As the letter states, more FTAs will only accelerate the economic disasters in agriculture already at hand, including industrial farms dependent on massive amounts of petroleum-based inputs, low-paying, exploitative jobs in processing and packing plants, and increased consolidation throughout the agricultural supply chain. Read the letter here.

DAIRY FARMERS: FAIR MILK PRICES NEEDED TO STOP THE BLEEDING IN RURAL AMERICA
Dairy Farmers Call for Congress to Reject Industry Influence and Co-Sponsor Key Legislation: The Federal Milk Market Improvement Act of 2011 (see below). Full press release here. Letter to the Senate with bill summary here.

CALIFORNIA FARMERS UNION AND CALIFORNIA DAIRY CAMPAIGN SUPPORT LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE DAIRY PRODUCER PRICES (6.27.11)- CFU and CDC presidents sent a letter to NFFC President Ben Burkett in support of legislative reforms called for in the NFFC-backed "Federal Milk Marketing Improvement Act." Letter here.

LETTER CALLS ON A.G. HOLDER AND SEC. VILSACK FOR WORKSHOP RESULTS (5.11.11) - More than 160 Groups Urge U.S. Departments of Justice and Agriculture to Issue Action Plan on Consolidation in Agriculture and Food Industries. Letter here.

NEW REPORTS DISPEL NOTIONS OF A BOOMING FARM SECTOR (04.11.11) - Barriers to Credit and Low Net Cash Farm Income Erode Viability of Farms During “Great Recession.”