This week in Iowa organizing…

Written By Katie Bryan

I was visiting family in New Mexico last week, which of course is basically a desert. That means water is pretty important, and over the years (and generations) residents have employed various means of conserving water from xeriscaping lawns to recycling grey water on gardens and more.

But that hasn't stopped corporate power from disregarding centuries of tradition in honoring our most valuable resource. Intel, Facebook, and others have come here recently and set up data centers that threaten to deplete precious aquifers.

It reminded me of our challenges in Iowa as it relates to corporate factory farms, and of course Bruce Rastetter's proposed CO2 pipeline. The threats loom large, yet we also have numerous examples of people throughout history coming together, speaking out, and figuring out how to preserve our natural resources for future generations.

So let's keep at it. Please read on for ways to take action, some exciting events coming up, and more,

 

Matthew Covington
Strategic Operations Director

 

Member spotlight  

Barb Kalbach
Adair County

What got you involved with CCI? What keeps you engaged/motivated? Who are you fighting for? 

"In 2002 a man came to my rural community from 60-miles away to build a factory farm for 7,200 adult sows by my house!! I had just read a little article in the Des Moines Register about Iowa CCI stopping a factory farm near Elk Horn. I called the office about my problem on a Friday and within 2 days a CCI organizer met with our community members in our small local church. The thing about CCI was that they didn't come to tell us what to do. They asked us what we wanted to do, then worked with us to figure out a way to meet that goal.

People from all over Adair County & Madison County got involved in our fight. We did everything we could think of to stop that factory farm: petitions, meetings with boards of supervisors, meetings with legislators & DNR staff. And, a protest at the perpetrator's house. And, oh, the research & implementation of every angle we could find. And CCI was with us every step of the way. Their support was consistent and amazing. We fought that factory farm for months. In the end, we had to appeal to the Environmental Protection Commission and we won! After 9-months of hard work, we stopped that factory farm!!

This would never have been possible without the support and work of Iowa CCI and its members from around the state who pitched in and helped out wherever they could. I could have gone back to life as normal after our victory. But I was so thankful for all that this amazing organization had done for me & my community that I wanted to be there to help the next community that had major problems that developed in their lives. I have now been a CCI member for 22 years and have served in every way I could. And I expect to continue serving!

Thank you Iowa CCI for all that you have given and done for so many Iowa citizens!"

 

Take action

 

September 24: Public School Strong Iowa (bonus Sept. 21 in Burlington!)

We believe that every child – no matter their zip code, background, race, gender, identity, or ability – has an equal right to a quality education. That means fully funding our public schools, urban and rural, and it means we need local school boards free from partisan politics.

And it's why we're part of Public School Strong - a national movement of parents, teachers, students, and community members pushing for honest, equitable, safe, and fully-funded public education. For our launch on August 27 & 28, nearly 100 of you joined us to learn more and discuss ways to take action to defend and strengthen Iowa’s public schools - thank you! Couldn't make it? Then join us on Tuesday, September 24 @ 6pm to be part of the growing movement! More info and RSVP here.

Bonus! Do you live in the Burlington area or will you be nearby on Saturday, September 21 at 10am? We'll be there along with the League of Women Voters of SE Iowa for a community meeting focused on this effort. RSVP here if you think you can join!

 

September 25 & 26: public health impacts of factory farms in the spotlight

Calling all factory farm watchdogs! The Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement will be hosting a two-day conference exposing factory farms and the harms they pose to public health and our environment.

The event coincides with a new book being released from CCI allies Bob Martin (Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future) and Jim Merchant (former Dean, University of Iowa School of Public Health), and will feature panels chock full of leading movement thinkers and researchers.

Registration for the event is $100, with a $20 virtual option. But because you are a CCI member, you can use discount code ICCI and get $50 off the registration fee. If that wasn’t enough to sweeten the pot, everyone who attends will get a copy of the new book: Industrial Farm Animal Production, the Environment, and Public Health. More details and registration info here. Don’t forget to use code ICCI for that discount!

 

Beginning October 5: 'The Education Wars' book tour

We love our public schools! But in Iowa (and across the country), extremist groups want to ban books, limit what educators can teach, and push private school vouchers. What’s behind these efforts threatening the foundations of public education?

Join CCI Action and author Jennifer Berkshire for a conversation on what we can do together to win honest, equitable, and fully-funded public education here in Iowa. Books will be available for purchase and author signing. We'll be criss-crossing the state from Ankeny to Tama to Cedar Rapids and more - check out dates and locations here.

 

Support independent family farms - contact the USDA today

CCI members are organizing with other grassroots groups across the country to rein in the power of corporate meatpackers. Family farmers have been under the thumb of corporate ag bosses and the big meatpackers for too long.  

Just four multinational companies now control 87% of cattle slaughter and packaging capacity. That hurts family farmers and consumers.

In June, the Biden/Harris Administration announced its “Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets” proposed rule. It will address burdensome “proof of harm to competition” standards that make it hard for family farmers to hold big meatpackers accountable.  

It’s a good rule. It’s an important step in pushing for stronger enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act (PSA), which will help family farmers and consumers alike. Learn more and sign our petition today!

 

Water Talk

 

Let's talk about water! Below we have a selection of some stories that caught our eye relating to water quality and ways to take action for our water.

Articles of interest:

  • Yeah, we all want clean water. Somebody in Iowa actually needs to make it happen [Des Moines Register]

  • Latest drinking water research highlights need for better testing [Morning AgClips]

 

The time to test water is now! Only 2 months left for testing.

We've learned that our volunteer water testing efforts have an impact and can create change.

September and October are the last 2 months that are really good for testing water -

  • If you are testing regularly - THANK YOU and keep up the great work! Your data is valuable.

  • If you have fallen off testing - no worries. There is still plenty of time to get good data.

  • If you haven't tested yet - now is a good time to start. Again - plenty of time to get good data!

  • If you have questions or need help - please reach out to kim@iowacci.org for any testing support.

Thank YOU for being a part of the work to bring broad awareness to Iowa's water quality issue!

Don't miss our next monthly call Thursday, September 26!

 

What We're Reading

 

These are a few links that are informing our work - we've shared them so that you can read, too!

Katie Bryan
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