Jackson County family farmers speak out against threats of genetically engineered crops: launch group to support County ballot measure protecting local farms from genetically engineered crops

Press Release:



Jackson County family farmers speak out against threats of genetically engineered crops: launch group to support County ballot measure protecting local farms from genetically engineered crops
  
-  Jackson County Press Conference -
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
  
TIME AND LOCATION: 11 a.m., Fry Family Farm, (2184 Ross Lane, Medford)
  
CONTACT: Elise Higley, Oshala Farm (949) 292-5960
   
Medford, OR – A group of Jackson County family farmers gathered on the fields of the Fry Family Farm on Wednesday to announce that in order to protect their farms and livelihoods from genetically engineered crops, they were forming a political action committee and launching a campaign to support Jackson County Ballot Measure 15-119. The measure would make Jackson County the first in Oregon where farmers were protected from contamination by genetically engineered crops. The “Our Family Farms Coalition” filed formal state paperwork on Tuesday with the goal of educating voters about the risks that genetically engineered crops pose for local farmers. With major campaign spending expected from Monsanto and longtime allies of other global chemical companies such as the Oregon Farm Bureau, the farmers were aware that they are walking into a David and Goliath style fight. They are calling Measure 15-119 “the Family Farms Measure” and say the measure is critical to protecting the future of farming in Jackson County.  
  
“We have no choice but to try to let people know just how serious of a risk genetically engineered crops pose to family farms and the ability to make a living as farmers,” says Jackson County farmer Elise Higley, director of the Our Family Farms Coalition. “If our crops get contaminated with genetically engineered seed or pollen then we’re out of business. It’s not complicated- many U.S. consumers, as well as those in Asia and Europe will simply not buy a product that is contaminated by genetically engineered crops.”
  
Anna Boesch with Wandering Roots farm, who is another of the founding members of the Coalition agrees, “When Monsanto’s genetically engineered wheat was found in just one Oregon wheat field, Oregon wheat growers were devastated by export bans and were left with a crop they couldn’t sell. We have to stand up to Monsanto and the other corporate chemical giants and pass this ballot measure to protect our long-term ability to farm in the Rogue Valley.”
  
“Genetically engineered crops are great if you’re a chemical company looking to sell more herbicides; but if you’re an organic farmer, you see the end of your industry,” says Steve Fry an organic vegetable and flower grower who farms 90 acres in the Rogue Valley.
  
The Our Family Farms Coalition says it will cooperate with other groups that have already been working to support the Family Farms Measure.