Bowing to pressure from former USDA Secretary, now Senator Johanns, the USDA has added a NAIS Listening Session in Omaha. See the USDA web site:
June 30
Embassy Suites Omaha – LaVista
12520 Westport Parkway
La Vista, NE 68128
Be aware that it appears that the USDA is trying to limit the input of smaller farmers, consumers and such by using ‘lotteries’ for choosing speakers, pre-registration, shortening of the session times, intimidation and other tactics. Virtually everyone who has spoken at the sessions has been against NAIS. The USDA doesn’t like what they’re hearing. They’re looking to somehow get pro-NAIS input. Adding a session in Omaha is one tactic. If there then why not Wisconsin? Inquiring minds want to know…
walter,just a small report on the alb.nm meeting.there were 120 to 140 ranchers,farmers,poultry owner,business people at this meeting. the usda did every thing they could to make it hard for people to get there,it was 200 miles away from any place in the state,had to register between 8 and 9. so people had to leave early to get there,but they made it. they did use the lottery system but every one that wanted speak did get get too.some 50 or 60 did speak,and guess what,the usda did get hammered and hammered hard.all but one was nonais. if they truly listen and still dont get it,they never will.
Comment nick — June 17, 2009 @ 9:51 pm
walter,one of the problems i see with these meetings is that those people (usda)that do the listening,the ones that are going to report to the powers to be are young and have no clue what real life on a farm or ranch is realy like. after taking with a few of them during break i believe they have never ever even had a dog or cat to take care of. the crew putting these listening sessions on have been the same ones from the start and one did say the message has been the same from the very first meeting ,NO NAIS,that is why i say if they dont have it by now,they are not going to get it.i feel that they dont get it, and that they think we might be a group of crazy people trying to catch the wind .hope i am wrong.
Comment nick — June 18, 2009 @ 4:48 am
nebraska meeting. if you are going to the nebraska meeting i need to talk with you.might give a few things for you to ask them if you are lucky enough to get to talk.leave message here on walters site.
Comment nick — June 19, 2009 @ 9:34 pm
Hello, I sent this twice to your email address but each time received a delivery failure notice: :
Remote host said: 550 No such person at this address” I hope you don’t mind me posting this here.
Hi Walter,
I hadn’t heard of this legislation until a friend posted the piece about Walter Berry on her facebook page. Wow, is all I can say. More people have to learn about this.
I think it would be great if you start a cause page on fb that people can join to keep up on news. Also you should start a petition at the petitionsite.org You’d be amazed at the number of people who go there to sign them. Tens of thousands!!
Keep up the great work. Long live small farms and their farmers,
Elizabeth
[Elizabeth, I’ll look into the 550 error. Please do go ahead and start a page on FaceBook to spread the word. You may use artwork from here, articles, link to pages, etc to fight NAIS. See the copy usage in the left column for details. Cheers, -WJ]
Comment elizabeth mcmahon — June 20, 2009 @ 12:04 am