The Farmer's Daughter USA

Hi, I'm Amanda! My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm also a practicing attorney.

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No More EPA Spending to Attack Family Farmers

April 4, 2017

There used to be a time, not that long ago, that it was seen as completely plausible for a federal agency to give away taxpayer dollars to a program slandering farmers.

Not so anymore.

At least not according to Ray Sterling, who is currently serving as special assistant to President Trump for agriculture, trade, and food assistance. In a speech to the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., Mr. Starling said: “This administration will not allow the EPA to give taxpayer dollars to activist groups who then turn around and put up billboards that attack our farmers and ranchers.”

Mr. Starling’s comments were directed at the EPA’s “What’s Upstream” scandal. Last spring, we learned that a significant portion of a $3 million grant from the Agency was being used to fund an advocacy campaign aimed at animal agriculture. Billboards, bus placards, radio ads, and an interactive website were purchased with the money. The “What’s Upstream” campaign’s purpose was to bring awareness to the alleged water pollution caused by “unregulated” agriculture. In particular, the billboards showed photographs of cows standing in a stream of water (something not allowed in the State of Washington) and stated: “Unregulated agriculture is putting our waterways at risk!”

After Senators James Inhofe and Pat Roberts called out the EPA for its funding of the campaign, the Agency admitted it had improperly funded the billboards and they were voluntarily taken down. The Senators called for a full investigation into the EPA’s grant and how the money was spent. According to Capital Press, we’re still waiting for a final report.

For farmers, Mr. Starling’s remarks are refreshing and, hopefully, the administration will keep this promise.

When non-farmers want to know why there seems to be such animosity between the agricultural community and the EPA, this is it right here. Of course, the EPA does a lot of good and worthwhile things. The oversight and regulation of pesticides is an important framework that allows farmers to use pesticides safely, protects our environment, and instills confidence in consumers. But that doesn’t mean we cannot have a nuanced approach that recognizes the EPA does some good things, and needs to be reigned in other ways (despite what partisanship might tell us). We can have it both ways.

Programs like the one that financed the “What’s Upstream” propaganda are the type of federal spending that deserves to be axed. We do not need a federal agency funding attack campaigns against family farmers. The campaign never should have received funds from the EPA. Nor should it take a couple Senators causing a ruckus for the Agency to realize this was a bad idea and stop it.

Farmers need to stay vigilant, despite these promises, but it sure would be nice for the EPA to work on our side for a change.

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Filed Under: Animal Agriculture Tagged With: animal agriculture, EPA, federal government, regulation, regulations

Comments

  1. Karen says

    April 4, 2017 at 3:09 pm

    My fingers are crossed,too.

  2. Lana says

    April 5, 2017 at 7:16 pm

    Thank you for posting this. The mainstream media would never consider this news, but we need more advocates like you!

  3. Lori says

    April 10, 2017 at 1:26 pm

    So refreshing to be in the midst of a conversation and actually be able to state facts in a calm and confident manner, knowing Your Right and therefore I’m right. Sometimes its stunning, with some silence before the next opinion comes about…
    Love,Lori

Hi, I'm Amanda. My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm an attorney and I'm passionate about agriculture!

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thefarmersdaughterusa

I'm Amanda. My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm an attorney by day, and "agvocate" at night.

Amanda Zaluckyj
Some of the #soybeans are starting to turn--finall Some of the #soybeans are starting to turn--finally!
Green soybeans as far as the eye can see. I took Green soybeans as far as the eye can see. 

I took this photo over the weekend. These beans should be turning yellow and drying for harvest. So why aren't they? Because...the spring drought.

Seeds need water to germinate. But after we planted we didn't have rain for weeks. So those seeds just sat in the dirt and never sprouted. Then, finally, it rained. And the tiny plants started popping up.

The problem? It was several weeks too late for planting. The question is whether they'll be ready to harvest before the snow flies. We have shorter seasons in Michigan, so it'll be close.
Sunsets on the #farm are the best. 😍 Sunsets on the #farm are the best. 😍
💜💜 💜💜
Don't let anyone make you feel bad about not purch Don't let anyone make you feel bad about not purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables. It all counts.

#modernagriculture #foodproduction #usfarmers #usagriculture #usfarms #food #knowyourfarmer #knowyourfood #modernag #farms #sustainableagriclture #sustainablefarming
I visited one of my favorite local farm stands ove I visited one of my favorite local farm stands over the weekend. I thought I'd buy a couple zucchini and cantaloupe. But the zucchini looked more like clubs, and the cantaloupe was too ripe for my taste. So I passed on those and bought some tomatoes that maybe cost more than I would have preferred.

But you know what I didn't do? I didn't complain about the zucchinis' size. I didn't fuss about the melons' ripeness. I didn't criticize the tomatoes' price. Instead, I smiled at the lovely lady and made small talk as I paid and went about my day. 

Why? Because I remember what it was like being out by the side of the road hot day after hot day. I know that we all poured everything we had into that produce. I remember how defeating it felt when some criticized it. I know that the price is probably around market value, even if it's cheaper in the grocery store. And I know that the farm family behind that cash register is giving everything they have to chase a dream.

I won't be the one to rain on their parade. 

#Respect
Happy #nationaldogday from Mischa! #nationaldogda Happy #nationaldogday from Mischa!

#nationaldogday🐶 
#pittiemix 
#blacklab 
#mischa
Mischa and I are home on the farm for the weekend. Mischa and I are home on the farm for the weekend. And we're loving it.
It isn't one or the other. Farmers care about all It isn't one or the other. Farmers care about all of it.

#agriculture #farming #sustainablefarming #sustainability
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