Category: Uncategorized

The Federal District court dismissal of our case denied that family farmers had standing under the Declaratory Judgement Act. We have identified numerous legal and factual errors in the ruling. The sum result of these errors was an errorneous decision. Exposure of these errors will be the substance of our appeal to the Federal Court of Appeals in Washington D.C. Jim

Huffington Post “Monsanto Lawsuit: Organic Farmers Appeal U.S. District Court Decision” Coverage by Carey Gillam

ScienceInsider “Supreme Court Rejects Key Biotech Patents” Unanamous Ruling Against Biotech

Excellent background article about very hopeful news coming out of Vermont on their mandatory GMO labeling bill, amid biotech lobbying, a process scheduled to conclude within 6 weeks. “Some, like Margaret Laggis, lobbyist for the Biotechnology Industry Organization, and Tim Buskey, with the Vermont Farm Bureau, dismissed consumers’ concerns as stemming from ignorance. ‘Consumers know nothing about agriculture,’ Laggis told the committee. She formerly lived on a Hardwick dairy farm, and she called visitors ‘retarded’ who would come by and ask questions like, ‘What’s the ratio of boys to girls that you milk here?'” Here’s a link where we can help Vermont counter biotech’s disinformation with our donations. Jim

VTDigger “Bill requiring labeling of genetically engineered food saved from procedural death” Background Article on VT GMO Labeling Bill.

Excellent article from the National Catholic Reporter which lends movement perspective to the organic community lawsuit, OSGATA v. Monsanto. “In his book, Hawken quotes the late Utah Phillips, folk singer, labor organizer and storyteller. ‘The earth is not dying – it is being killed. And the people who are killing it have names and addresses.’ Funny how Monsanto, the corporate genetically modified organism (GMO) giant that has given us Roundup weed killer, Frankenfoods and lawsuits against struggling farmers, seems to stand at the top of so many of these address lists.” Jim

National Catholic Reporter “Farmers, protestors struggle against GMO giant Monsanto” Good Article Provides Perspective on Movement Resisting Monsanto

We should have an announcement about the Organic Seed Growers and Trade Assn et al v. Monsanto lawsuit next week. In the meantime, our legal team, led by Dan Ravicher of the Public Patent Foundation, has posted on its website a focused version of Jim’s recent lawsuit interview (9:28) on Maine Public television, in his role as president of OSGATA. Jim & Megan

PUBPAT “OSGATA v. Monsanto: Protecting Farmers From Seed Patents” Lawsuit portion of MPBN television interview (9:28)

Dr. Vandana Shiva is full of hope as well as good works. For all of us, and most especially anyone discouraged by the environmental problems around us, this is a MUST watch interview (22:35) on CBC’s ‘George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight’ program. This interview was recorded on March 9, 2012 as part of Vandana’s recent visit to Canada. She is a depthful and articulate spokesperson extolling the virtues of seed freedom and the error of patenting seeds and life. Vandana’s organization, Navdanya International, is one our plaintiffs in the organic community lawsuit, OSGATA et al v. Monsanto. Watching this uplifting interview will be the best 23 minutes you spend today. Jim & Megan

George Stroumboulopoulos “FULL (EXTENDED) INTERVIEW: Vandana Shiva.” Excellent interview (22:35) by George Stroumboulopoulos.

Here is a good background article on Vernon Hershberger, the Wisconsin dairy farmer who is potentially facing jail time and fines of being pursued by Wisconsin officials for selling raw milk to members of a buying club. “There is one member of Congress who is questioning the role of the FDA after a spate of raids from coast to coast. Small farm and raw milk advocates have support from U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine…” Chellie is considering running for Maine Senator Olympia Snowe’s seat now that Olympia has decided to retire. Chellie is the best. Jim & Megan

The Rock River “To Your Health!: Small farmers, beware of Big Government” Background on Farmer Threat

A wonderful letter from supporters of OSGATA v. Monsanto in Australia has been turned into a petition by Change.Org. “We read of your case being thrown out by judge Naomi Buchwald. We know the system is broken. and we know you are trying, however desperately, to stitch a portion of democracy and justice back together again.” Please ‘Like’ and sign and circulate the petition widely. We have been monitoring and logging media reports since this lawsuit was filed one year ago. We have received coverage and correspondence from around the world and we know that millions are following our efforts. We are farmers. We feed the people. We do not give up. Jim & Megan

Wake Up World “Heartfelt Letter to the Farmers, Seed Growers and Farm Groups Whose Court Battle Was Dismissed Against Monsanto” Letter of Support From Australia

‎”From an upper floor of a building just a couple blocks northeast of the White House, Monsanto runs a well-greased lobbying shop. At a cost of $1.21 million last quarter, the effort is not lacking in people power for its work in the nation’s capitol.” Before Citizen’s United, there was the traditional route of gaining preferential treatment in government. This article lists Washington lobbying firms working under contract to Monsanto. Lobbying activities exposed are lobbying activities weakened. Jim

Food Safety News “Monsanto Is a Lobbying Powerhouse” List of Contracted Lobbying Firms

Portland Press Herald “Organic farmers lament dismissal of lawsuit” Article on MTD Ruling