The 3-Bell Ranch - 3-Bell Blog

Environmental Threats... A Letter to Congress

Wed, 09 May 2012 08:48:23 -0800

As a farmer, I'm closer to the Earth than you are. Yesterday I came across nearly a dozen honey bees who were disoriented. One flew into my glove and stung me. Another flew onto my shirt and stung it. Another clung to the pig's feeder which was dusted with Diatomaceous Earth- which kills parasites in the pigs... but is lethal to honey bees who walk across it. Bee after bee after bee was behaving in a very un-bee-like fashion... they're disoriented, and lethargic.

I realize ya'll are mighty busy, what will all that eminent Terrorist Threat stuff and all. But do you realize that if you don't get aggressively motivated to restore balance to our Earth, you will facilitate the end of countless species... and that includes the human race? The ocean ph is dropping. Do you understand the implications of this one fact? It's profound. It is a genuine, white-knuckle threat. Honey bees are dieing. Do you know what honey bees do? They pollinate plants. Without them there will be crop failures the likes of which you cannot begin to fathom. Do you realize that genetically modified genes, once released into our world cannot be "recalled"? And a number of these crops contain their very own pesticides. This has been devastating to the Monarch Butterfly- another pollinator-- to name just a few beneficial insect fatalities due to the hubris efforts of Man over Nature.

The Deepwater Horizon oil spillin the gulf was grossly underplayed. Mr. Obama swimming in the Gulf with his little children did little to allay my fears that the long-term damage of this spill would haunt us for decades if not centuries. Today the list of animals who still suffer the effects of the "not-so-big-a-deal" oil spill in the Gulf grows and I've seen photos of grotesquely deformed shrimp and other sea animals.

It is past time to become as vigilant in your efforts to protect the environment as you say you are protecting Americans from those terrible terrorists you seem to think are all around. And a good place to start is with the BP suit.

Before your administration reaches a settlement with BP, the public needs to have access to everything else BP and government scientists saw. What else have we not seen?

It's important that the public know exactly what BP is being held accountable for and that the White House is holding the oil giant to it in the settlement.

I call on you to publicly release everything you have around the Gulf disaster, make BP pay what they really owe and put a stop to ALL new offshore drilling right now.

Let's Drop the Money Bomb on Monsanto

Tue, 08 May 2012 07:20:38 -0800

Mercola.com, the largest alternative health website in the world, along with a group of leading organic companies including Nature's Path, Lundberg Family Farms, and Eden Foods, pledged another one million dollars to the campaign - but only if we reach our goal of $1 million by May 26.

Please help us raise $1 million by May 26 for the California Right to Know GMO Labeling Campaign so we don't miss out on this $1 million matching gift! You can donate online, by phone, or by mail.

Where California leads and succeeds, the rest of the States take courage. See my letter to the Governor of Vermont (Below)... VT could not stand the pressure of the law suit threat by Monsanto and folded. Let us support California and then other States will follow.

Letter to Washington Senators, RE: SB 1813

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 07:54:22 -0800

Patty Murray! Cathy McMorris!

I am appalled by the degree to which our very own government is willing to degrade The Home of The Free.

A week ago I was chatting with a young man I know who told me he had a DUI a month or so ago. He'd been jailed. Then fined. Then told he had 90 days to acquire a car, purchase a "blow and go" breath analyzer, install it, get insurance and hit the road again. ... Or face jail again. If returned to jail he said, he'd be charged $50 per day for his jail time. That on top of the fines.

Now mind you, the good people (and not so good ones, and ones with really poor judgement-- the latter being his category) are stripped down pretty hard financially in this region. A lot of them struggle to pay the $4.10 per gallon to get to a job that pays $9.00 per hour if they're lucky. (A lot of jobs, like picking apples, are by the lot-- a bin of apples, for example, paying out $17.00 per bin and the bin weighs out at around a thousand pounds I believe.) Most will travel no less than 20 miles to get to and from work, and if they have to go as far as Omak for work which many do, (that's the big city in Okanogan County-- the one with 3 stoplights now... the ONLY 3 stoplights in the county)... for those folks, they might travel 80 or more miles. 80 miles for a $9 / hour job. $72 per day. Before taxes. Before paying for fuel, insurance, and mechanical breakdowns.

I know another man in this county who was accused of a heinous crime that he did not commit, yet he has been shuffled around from one State-appointed attorney to another for 2 full years now. There have been around eight "Readiness Hearings" over these past two years. Each time the day goes like this: I accompany him to the Readiness Hearing. His name is called and he and his attorney stand before the judge. The attorney tells the judge that he is not ready for trial, that there's one more witness to track down, or a key witness is on vacation. Once the attorney stood up to tell the judge he'd just been assigned the case and had no idea what it was about and would need time to do the work to defend his new client. In the most recent Hearing, the judge told my friend that his attorney was no longer working for the State and that he had been appointed a new attorney with whom he would meet soon. (His attorney had been fired when he told the court his caseload was too high and he could not represent his clients competently given the allotted time.)

Two years. No trial. Two years during which time an innocent man could easily be further victimized by a law such as the one proposed in Senate Bill 1813, for in this bill, one could lose his ability to travel for reasons that include the examples above as well as for having the IRS claim there's an issue around one's tax return.

With laws such as those you have passed in the name of "National Security" under the so-called "Patriot" Act, We the People are quickly becoming puppets and prisoners of our jailers-- And those jailers are the very men and women we "elected" to represent us.

I implore you to stand up for the Constitutional Rights of ALL Americans. Stand up against the Senate Bill 1813. Vote it down.

Tara Felder

Letter to Vermont's Governer

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:07:14 -0800

Dear Governor Schumlin:

I'm not from VT, but I am 1000% cheering you on, hoping you can stand up against Monsanto's law-suit threat and succeed in labeling of GMO frankenfoods.

I am a small rancher in North Central Washington, so I have a vested interest in preserving our farm land. I know that GMO residues in soil can sterilize the soil. GMO frankenfoods cause massive health issues for animals we eat. In as short a time as several months, farmers are seeing animals becoming sick, sterile or dead.

Nice 'guinea pigs', those cows and pigs and chickens... and... our own children.

Please stand firm in your resolve to label GMO frankenfoods. . Our lives and livelihoods depend on the brave warriors such as yourself.

With considerable thanks and appreciation,

Tara Felder
Owner-Operator of The 3-Bell Ranch, LLC

...............................................................................

The response from the Governor's office says it all: The United States Government kowtows to Monsanto:

Dear Tara,

Thank you for contacting me about labeling genetically modified foods.

As you know, we're in the middle of an agricultural renaissance in Vermont because more and more Vermonters care about where their food comes from, what's in it, and who grew it. Many Vermont consumers are making concerted efforts to support businesses that are sustainable and socially responsible, and many Vermont businesses are taking the initiative to market their products in ways that allow their customers to make informed decisions. I think Vermont is moving in the right direction.

I agree with those who advocate for clear labeling of genetically modified foods. GMO labeling makes sense and would give Vermonters key information about their food choices. However, we know from attempts to pass similar legislation in the past, that such a requirement would not stand up to federal legal scrutiny. I don't think it is fair to ask Vermonters to bear the burden of the cost of those legal challenges.

I encourage all Vermonters to continue to support local growers and food producers who are upfront about the origin of their products. I thank you for your advocacy and encourage you to continue it at the local, state, and federal level. I'm confident Vermont can continue to lead the way when it comes to local, sustainable foods. Please don't hesitate to contact my office if I can be of further assistance.

109 State Street, Pavilion
Montpelier, Vermont 05609
802-828-3333

Easter Bunny ... wishing you a happy Easter Sunday!

Sun, 08 Apr 2012 09:04:42 -0800

WWOOFer, Mike, spent an hour or so yesterday with a litter of bunnies. Look what he discovered. The Easter Bunny IS alive and well!!!

Will she hatch chicks or bunnies?

New Endangered Species: Sustainable Farms

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 04:52:17 -0800

Submitted to Wenatchee World on 3/28/2012:

Your local small farm is under siege. The threats are many and varied.

As the owner and operator of The 3-Bell Ranch, I am dedicated to growing GMO-free, pasture-fed beef, pork, chicken and rabbit. I screen all supplemental feed to be sure it's GMO free; this usually necessitates buying certified organic feed. I was dismayed when Monsanto succeeded in pushing GMO Alfalfa through this fall. Another threat, you know? Right now, my hay is safe; my neighbors have not planted GMO alfalfa, so my plants will not be contaminated by cross pollination. Down the road I may have to find a replacement legume for I simply refuse to feed my animals FrankenGenes.

Threats. In Michigan, the small farm Bakers Green Acres, is fighting the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) which is using the state Invasive Species Act to expand its jurisdiction beyond hunting and fishing to farming operations. They claim the Bakers Green Acres' heritage pig is a "feral" breed and must be destroyed or else DNR will arrest the farm family on felony charges and the DNR will shoot the pigs.

Threats. Just last month the FDA won its two-year fight to shut down an Amish farmer who was selling fresh raw milk in the Washington, D.C., region.

Threats. Farmers all around this country and Canada are facing law suits waged by Monsanto who claims that the farmers harmed the mega corporation when the farmer's seeds became contaminated by the patented GMO frankencrop genes. Some of these farmers had been carefully saving seeds for decades. Now their seed is ruined and Monsanto is suing them. What's wrong with this picture?

You can say, "I don't drink raw milk, so I don't care. You can say, "I don't eat pork, so I don't care." You can say, "I don't know that there's anything wrong with eating genetically modified food, so I don't care."

But we small farmers need you to care. Your voice will assure that we will continue to have food grown locally under sustainable practices. Your voice will protect our small farms from extermination.

We need you. Please speak.

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 15:03:42 -0800

Wouldn't it be fun to make a few videos like this one using the ranch as a backdrop? Hee hee hee...

USDA Supports GMO milk, but not raw milk?

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 06:36:20 -0800

The FDA won its two-year fight to shut down an Amish farmer who was selling fresh raw milk to eager consumers in the Washington, D.C., region after a judge this month banned Daniel Allgyer from selling his milk across state lines and he told his customers he would shut down his farm altogether.

But the USDA sanctions the consumption of GMO's claiming there is "no significant difference" between plants whose genes have been violated with E. coli, shards of gold, or electrocution in order to lower that cell's defenses long enough to introduce a gene foreign to that plant (or animal now). Yet, we know from scientific studies that GMOs do harm those who ingest them (and, oh yeah, the environment):

"Published in the journal Reproductive Toxicology, the study explains that Bt toxin enters the body not only through direct consumption of GMOs, but also from consumption of meat, milk and eggs from animals whose feed contains GMOs. Among all women tested, 80 percent of the pregnant group tested positive for Bt toxin in their babies' umbilical cords, and 69 percent of non-pregnant women tested positive for Bt toxin."

If this video does not load here, simply go to You Tube and do a search for "Hidden Dangers in Kids' Meals."

The full version of this video is available for sale online from several web sites. One, Seeds of Deception, is Jeffery Smith's. Jeffrey is a tireless warrior whose life mission is to expose the true and inherent dangers GMO crops pose to our health and the health of our planet.

Suffice it to say: if you're not eating organic food-- strictly organic food-- you're eating "food" created with genetically modified organisms. By definition, "organic" crops cannot be grown from genetically modified seeds.

I have spoken to you, dear reader, regarding the zest with which the government regulates our choices in the name of "safe food." A couple of years ago, the Senate Bill, 510 was offered to "keep food safe." One of these safety regulations would have the power to prohibit all movement of all food within a geographic area. Under S.B. 510’s House counterpart bill, H.R. 2749 (Section 133b, “Authority to Prohibit or Restrict the Movement of Food”), sponsored by Congressman Dingell, the Secretary of Health and Human Services. FOR THE TIME BEING, these bills have not passed. But these ideas do seem to have a way of squirming back into legislation in different or new bills. Like NAIS (National Animal Identification System) and Arnold as The Terminator, I have a feeling the food safety bill will soon say, "I'll be baaaaack."

Apples are Next: Request GMO Labeling

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:00:59 -0800

Two state bills, SB 6298 and HB 2637, were recently introduced to label genetically engineered foods in Washington. Thousands of people have emailed the state legislature to support these bills, but we need one last push to support them.

Please call the following House and Senate members and ask them to move the bills to Rules:

Tell the following Senators to move the GMO labeling bill #6298 to Rules.

Senate Majority Leader, Lisa Brown (360) 786-7604, lisa.brown@leg.wa.gov
Senate Agriculture Committe Chair, Senator Brian Hatfield, (360) 786-7636, brian.hatfield@leg.wa.gov

Tell the following House Representatives to move the GMO labeling bill #2637 to Rules.

House Speaker, Frank Chopp, (360) 786-7920, frank.chopp@leg.wa.gov
House Agriculture Committee Chair, Rep. Brian Blake, (360) 786-7870, brian.blake@leg.wa.gov

Talking Points:

I am calling (writing) to ask you to move (Senate Bill 6298 / House Bill 2637) to Rules, a bill to label genetically engineered foods in Washington. Consumers have a right to know what’s in the food we eat and feed our children, including whether food is genetically engineered. Labeling is imperative in Washington given FDA’s pending approval for a GE salmon, which poses a number of concerns for human health and the health of our wild salmon, and to protect our vital wheat exports. We all should be able to make informed choices, and have the ability to choose whether to buy genetically engineered food or not.Until FDA does the right thing, it is up to states like Washington to take action to protect the rights of their citizens. Please support (Senate Bill 6298 / House Bill 2637) by moving it to Rules.

Ask Your Rep to Vote for GMO Labels - Urgent Alert!

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:13:42 -0800

If you don't know who your state reps are, enter your zip code here:

Urgent! Call Your State Reps to Ask Them to Vote for HB 2637! The Senate Bill is SB 6298.

Want to learn why we need GMO labels? Scroll down to read ten scary reasons.

Momentum is on our side. I was thrilled to read in the AP article, "Some Wash. wheat farmers throw support behind required labeling of genetically modified foods,"(published here in D.C. in the Washington Post and across the country in 152 different news outlets!) that the hearings were "packed!"

You all made national news! Not only in the AP, but also:

Food Safety News: Calls for GMO Labeling Keep Cropping Up

There are also lots of great stories that ran locally around Washington State:

Seattle, WA (KOMO 4 TV): Lawmakers take up issue of genetically-altered foods

Seattle, WA (PubliCola): Bill Would Require Labeling of GMOs

Sequim, WA: Sequim woman to testify in favor of genetically engineered food labeling

Spokane, WA: Bill Proposed To Label Genetically Modified Food

The Senate bill to label GMOs, SB 6298, had a public hearing in the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Water & Rural Economic Development at 10:00 AM on Thursday, January 26, 2012. Click here to watch the hearing.

The House bill, HB 2637, had a public hearing in the House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources at 8:00 AM on Friday, January 27, 2012. Click here to watch the hearing.

So far, of the 12,000 Organic Consumers Fund supporters in WA, more than a thousand of you have contacted your state legislators.

Votes in the agriculture committees could happen as soon as tomorrow! We need your help to get these bills passed! Please take action:

    1.    Write your state reps to ask them to support the bills.
    2.    Write your state senators to ask them to support SB 6298.
    3.    Call your state reps to ask them to support HB 2637.
    4.    Call your state senators to ask them to support SB 6298.
    5.    Donate to the Organic Consumers Fund so we can reimburse the travel costs of supporters who couldn't otherwise have attended the hearings.
    6.    Learn more and get involved at GMOFreeWashington.com.

Getting tough questions from your reps about SB 6298/ HB 2637? Click here for the FAQ.

If you need some ammunition and inspiration to inspire you to spread the word, look no further than these 10 scary reasons to label GMOs:

#1 Monsanto's Bt-toxin, in its Bt-producing GMO corn and cotton (used in food in the form of cottonseed oil), was found by Canadian doctors in the blood of 93% of pregnant women and 80% of the umbilical blood of their babies.

#2 The authors of the Canadian study conclude that the women and their babies were exposed to Monsanto's GMO Bt-toxin through a "normal" non-organic Canadian diet, including non-organic (so-called "natural" and "conventional") meat, egg, and dairy products from animals fed Bt corn.

#3 Monsanto's GMO "Bt" corn and cotton plants are engineered to produce a insecticide in every cell of the plant that kills insects by breaking open their stomachs.

#4 Mice fed Monsanto's Bt corn had elevated levels of immune system substances that are also higher in humans who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, cancer, allergies, Lou Gehrig's disease, autoimmune disease, and colitis.

#5 Young mice in the same study had elevated T-cells, which are increased in people with asthma, and in children with food allergies, juvenile arthritis, and connective tissue diseases.

#6 Monsanto's GMO Bt-toxin has properties of known allergens - it actually fails the World Health Organization's allergen screening tests.

#7 Monsanto's GMO Bt-toxin has been found to bind with the small intestines in mice and with intestinal tissue in rhesus monkeys.

#8 In addition to its GMO "Bt" crops which are engineered to produce insecticide, Monsanto also produces GMO "RoundUp Ready" crops, engineered with a bacterial DNA that allows it to survive otherwise deadly doses of its herbicide RoundUp.

#9 In the only human feeding study ever published on GMOs, Monsanto's GMO "RoundUp Ready" soybeans were found to transfer Monsanto's "RoundUp Ready" DNA to the bacteria living inside human intestines.

#10 According to Jeffrey Smith of the Institute for Responsible Technology, the transfer of Monsanto's GMO Bt DNA to human digestive bacteria could create a "living pesticide factory" that could be responsible for the "increase in gastrointestinal problems, autoimmune diseases, food allergies, and childhood learning disorders - since 1996 when Bt crops came on the market."

Learn More About the Health Dangers of GMOs

Thanks! 
Alexis

Alexis Baden-Mayer 
Organic Consumers Fund 
alexis@organicconsumers.org