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Farm Bill is a missed opportunity.

Member Group News Mine zoning goes to court – Dakota Resource Council chapter challenges zoning approval for coal mine. (Bismarck Tribune, April 30, 2008) Rockefellers’ stance has impact – Western Colorado Congress welcomes Rockefeller family’s denouncement of Exxon Mobil “failure to embrace” renewable energy. (Denver Post, April 30, 2008) Scrutinizing severance taxes – Powder River Basin Resource Council believes severance tax rates could increase without hurting production or jobs. (Casper Star-Tribune, April 21, 2008) More Member Group News... Factory Farms CAFOs Uncovered – The Untold Costs of Confined Animal Feeding Operations, a new study by the Union of Concerned Scientists. Putting Meat on The Table: Industrial Farm Animal Production in America, a recently released report by the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production. Court Rulings require water law clarification – WORC supports the Clean Water Authority Restoration Act WORC and Dakota Rural Action testimony tells Senate Committee to keep protecting clean air and water from factory farms Read DRA news release More Factory Farms... GM Crops Wheat and rice growers tell Congress about USDA’s failure to study economic impacts of genetically modified crops. Testimony of Todd Leake, Dakota Resource Council Testimony of Harvey Howington, Arkansas Rice Growers Association WORC submits comments on scope of study to evaluate deregulation of genetically modified alfalfa (pdf 46k) Is Roundup Ready alfalfa growing near you? USDA has listed counties where Roundup Ready alfalfa is grown, or call USDA, 866-724-6408, to find out Monsanto appeals court order banning Roundup Ready alfalfa Judge Blocks GM Alfalfa, Issues Permanent Injunction against sales, planting to prevent contamination More GM Alfalfa... More GM Crops... Energy WORC criticizes plans for massive oil shale leasing program Western Resource Associates report addresses resource planning for generation and transmission cooperatives (pdf 2MB) House votes to boost renewable energy and protect western waters and landowners Learn how your representative voted Read summary of key provisions Stripmine Act 30 years later – Is it working? See testimony of rancher Ellen Pfister See WORC news release More on Energy... Clean Water Background briefing on Clean Water Restoration Act More on Clean Water... Biofuels WORC releases new report Biodiesel Benefits for Cattle Producers: Feeding Byproducts of Biodiesel Production News release Executive summary Growing Sustainable Biofuels: Common Sense on Biofuels, by Patrick Mazza Union of Concerned Scientists releases new report, “Biofuels: An Important Part of a Low-Carbon Diet” WORC signed on to a fact sheet urging House leaders to "Get Biofuelsl Right: Fix the Senate RFS" WORC posts a new fact sheet addressing concerns related to "Biofuels: Food vs. Fuel" John Farrell, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, comments on why energy policies should encourage “better” rather than “more” Read report “Locally owned wind and ethanol – better, not bigger” The Senate voted on June 20 to encourage new biofuels technologies WORC's biofuels policy recommendations to Congress stress stewardship, open and fair markets, and sound community development (pdf 113k) More on Biofuels... Trade Peru Pact Senate Vote Lets Down Western Agricultural Producers Read WORC Press Release WORC urges Senators to oppose Peru trade pact (pdf 16kb) Peru Trade Agreement Vote Ignores Public Sentiment New report by Public Citizens says pending trade agreements will worsen imported food safety program by increasing food imports while replicating limits on U.S. food safety policy from past trade deals (pdf 639k) WORC Calls on USTR to stop imports from countries with animal disease More on Trade... Family Farms WORC joins in opposition to JBS Swift merger. Farm bill seeks fairer livestock markets – commentary by WORC’s Mabel Dobbs WORC Praises Livestock and Renewable Energy Provisions in Senate Farm Bill WORC urges Congress to pass water protection legislation. Tell Your Senators to Return Fairness & Competition to Livestock Markets Livestock Title Voting Guide Packer Ban Fact Sheet Captive Supply Myths & Facts Captive Supply Fact Sheet WORC and allies urge Senate to support Livestock Title in Farm Bill Commentary outlines risk to local foods in Farm Bill debate WORC, the member groups, and more than 175 organizations reiterate need for a livestock title in Senate Farm Bill Read letter Read news release Factsheet lists key provisions of the Farm Bill passed by the House of Representatives (pdf 76k) Chart compares 2002 Country-of-Origin Labeling law to changes in House Passed Farm Bill pdf 35k) Why Competition Reforms Are Needed in the 2007 Farm Bill, an R-CALF USA Fact Sheet More on Captive Supply... More on Family Farms...

Features Way Out West Cookbook Order your Way Out West Cookbook today! Cook, bake, eat and enjoy!! Cowboys Don't Walk Cowboys Don't Walk: A Tale of Two - a memoir of life in the 20th Century West and the emergence of the environmental movement among farmers and ranchers in eastern Montana. Published by WORC in 1999. Read what Robert Redford says about this book.   Donate to WORC Donate to WORC - support our efforts to make the voices of family farmers and ranchers, rural residents, and working families heard in Washington. WORC is a regional network of seven grassroots community organizations that include 9,700 members and 44 local chapters. WORC helps its member groups succeed by providing training and coordinating issue work.