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For a full list of ALBA’s media impacts, click on “ALBA in
the news” at left.
ALBA’s comments about the Farm Bill
Over the past two years, ALBA has helped
local farmers to understand and get involved in the federal Farm
Bill. We emphasized support for programs to benefit beginning
farmers. In fact, farmers at ALBA who received
Individual Development Accounts (IDA) called and wrote to
Congressman Joe Baca to encourage his support for the Beginning
Farmer and Rancher Development Program and the expansion of IDA
programs.
ALBA’s comments about the Farm Bill were broadcasted on
local television news (in Spanish/en Espaņol) on April 30, 2008.
On May 24, 2008, the Monterey County
Herald published a guest opinion by Brett Melone of ALBA and
Steve Schwartz of California FarmLink. Together they described
beginning farmer victories in the Farm Bill as well as farmers’
involvement in the process and shortcomings in the overall bill.
Read the article by clicking on
Praise for Failed Farm Bill
Also, beginning organic farmer Miguel Martinez as well as Brett
Melone had an opportunity to comment about the Farm Bill’s
provisions for beginning farmers on KSMS-67, the local Univision
television affiliate in Monterey County.
Click here to see the story posted on YouTube.
Local food systems covered in consecutive cover articles in
the
Monterey
County Weekly (November – December
2007)
Local food and farming in Monterey County
took center stage in recent cover articles by the Monterey
County Weekly. First, there was
“In the push to eliminate E. coli risk, produce handlers are
forcing local farmers to unravel conservation practices,”
which featured commentary from ALBA. The following week, Mark C.
Anderson reported on his two-week locavore experience in,
“The journey to consume local foods is fraught with fresh
ingredients, inspiring insights and local stories.”
Farmer featured in Steps to a Healthier Salinas “What’s Your
Next Step” community health promotion program (Spring - Summer
2007)
Juan Perez, who farms at ALBA with his
father, Pablo, was chosen as one of four community leaders
featured in bilingual T.V. ads to promote healthful living.
Widely known as “JP,” his television commercials have aired
extensively in the region. On June 12, 2007, the Monterey
County Herald reported that, “he’s…become one of the most
visible faces in local agriculture.” JP emphasizes the
unparalleled freshness of foods grown in our local communities.
You can view his Steps program videos
here, and find a newspaper article
here. To learn more about JP’s achievements and family
involvement in agriculture, visit CSU-MB
here
along with his
J&P
Organics farm web site.
To learn more about the Steps to a Healthier Salinas program,
please visit the program’s web site
here.
KCBA television news covers beginning farmers and the Farm
Bill (July 13, 2007)
Leading off the 6 pm news on
local Fox affiliate KCBA on July 13th was story about the need
for more young farmers. It detailed ways that farm bill
provisions can expand opportunities for beginning farmers. In
order to demonstrate a local example, they interviewed Juan “JP”
Perez, a 23-year-old farmer who has been operating his own farm
at ALBA since 2006. We are grateful for JP’s leadership and
involvement in this important issue. Thank you!
Associated Press article profiles ALBA and marketing
strategies for small farmers (June 20, 2007)
There is growing interest in
the role of Latinos and immigrants in U.S. agriculture, and the
aging of the farm population nationwide. ALBA works at the
intersection of these issues, with an emphasis on creating
access to fresh foods for everyone. The Associated Press
recently did an article profiling ALBA farmers and innovative
marketing strategies they are using to increase everyone’s
access to high quality, locally grown and organic fruits and
vegetables.
The following article appeared
in the San Jose Mercury-News, Fresno Bee, Madera Tribune, Los
Angeles Times, Watsonville Register-Pajaronian, San Luis Obispo
Tribune, Press-Enterprise (Riverside), North County Times (San
Diego County), Houston Chronicle, Philadelphia Inquirer,
Charlotte Observer, and many more publications nationwide.
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