Speakers to discuss path to passage, amidst mounting public support
DES MOINES, IA — On Tuesday, Iowa state legislators will announce new legislation to establish a statewide moratorium on factory farms. The announcement comes amidst overwhelming public support for a moratorium. 63% of Iowa voters stand behind legislation to stop factory farm expansion and corporate monopolies in our food system, and recent polling suggests that these numbers have only surged in rural communities. Nationally, 88% of young rural voters and 82% of independent rural voters support moratoriums on factory farms.
Since the first introduction of a factory farm moratorium in 2017, the Iowa legislature has failed to rise to the urgency of the moment. As constituent demand mounts, Iowa bill sponsors Rep. Art Staed and Sen. Pam Jochum will speak Tuesday on the bold moves necessary from colleagues to stop factory farms. Fourth generation farmer Barb Kalbach, and local environmental activists from Food & Water Watch and the Sierra Club will also speak on the urgency of this moratorium.
Following the event, impacted citizens will hold a virtual rally in support of the factory farm moratorium. Rural community leaders, farmers, and impacted Iowans will share frontline experiences with the factory farm industry, including how corporate agriculture has ravaged and divided rural communities, created a breeding ground for public health concerns, and created long-lasting damage to our environment.
WHO: Representative Art Staed (D-Cedar Rapids) and Senator Pam Jochum (D-Dubuque);
Barb Kalbach, farmer and Iowa CCI member;
Emma Schmit, Food & Water Watch, and Jess Mazour, Sierra Club.
WHAT: (Virtual via Zoom) Press roundtable with citizen rally to follow.
WHEN: Tuesday, February 9th, 11:30AM (rally to start at 12:30PM)
WHERE: https://sierraclub.zoom.us/j/2155594191
This event is a joint effort of concerned citizens represented by Food & Water Watch, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement Action, Iowa Citizens for Responsible Agriculture, Iowa Alliance for Responsible Agriculture, Iowa Farmers Union, Poweshiek CARES, and the Sierra Club.
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