This week in Iowa organizing…

Written By Guest User

Hey everybody! This is Caitlin, obviously not Matthew. I snuck in and took over our enews this week because I really wanted to make sure you knew we're pumping up our Clean Water Fight this summer!!

I love the outdoors. When I'm not organizing with folks like you to build power for our people and planet, you'd probably find me outside in a prairie or along a creek bed looking for fossils. Anywhere in nature really.

But as you likely know all too well, factory farm and corporate ag polluters impact our ability to enjoy the outdoors, especially our lakes, rivers and streams. Not to mention the water we drink.

That ain't right! So this summer, we're re-energizing our fight for clean water and doubling down on ways to take action locally and hold polluters accountable. We won't stop until they clean it up.

You can check out a bit more from me and why I care in a short video here!

I hope you keep reading for ways to take action this summer for our water and the people and places we love. And for other exciting updates and ways to plug in on other issues too!

Maybe you'll hear from Matthew next week!


Caitlin Golle (she/her)
Farm & Environment Team

Take action 

This Wednesday: June 14 - Iowa CCI Summer Jamboree in Dubuque! 

Join CCI members and others for a music and spoken word fundraiser at the Smokestack in downtown Dubuque! For just $10 you can see artists from Dubuque and across Iowa. Kids 12 and under enter free!

We have Dick Hubert, Iowa Rock Hall of Famer Dartanyan Brown, spoken word poet Christine Baker, and Young Forgi. We'll also have free tarot readings, informational booths, opportunities to connect, and two sunny patios to enjoy on Smokestack's rooftop.

Let us know if you can join us by clicking here!

June 22 - CCI meetup w/ guest Chris Jones 

We're excited to announce the first CCI Member Meetup of the summer! Iowa CCI is hosting Chris Jones as guest speaker on Thursday, June 22 at 5:30pm in Des Moines!

Clean water is vital to healthy people and a healthy planet. Research Engineer and author Chris Jones knows the importance of clean water, having spent years researching and writing about Iowa’s water quality. He recently published a book, The Swine Republic: Struggles with the Truth about Agriculture and Water Quality, wherein he confronts the pollution of Iowa's waterways.

We're thrilled to have Chris Jones join us in the Barrel Room at Confluence Brewing in Des Moines to talk about his work and his new book, which will be available for purchase and signing.

Venue capacity is limited - register to attend here.

We hope you'll join us on June 22 to hear from Chris Jones, learn more about water quality in Iowa, and ways to take action!

Iowa CCI's Clean Water Fight summer! 

At Iowa CCI, we believe clean water is a human right. And it's why we're calling for a Clean Water Fight this summer to highlight the need to crack down on factory farm polluters.

This August the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is set to respond to a legal rule-making petition from Iowa CCI and ally organizations demanding they enforce the Clean Water Act for factory farms in Iowa.

Clean Water Act permits create higher standards for factory farms, a track record of pollution by factory farms, and the ability to shut repeat offenders down!

Here are ways you can take action in our Clean Water Fight:

June 28 - Legislative Session Debrief & Look-ahead 

We're not sure how you would describe it, but we think it's safe to say the recent Iowa legislative session was. . . rough. And that would be to put it mildly.

It was a flurry of activity, and the dust is still settling. The aftermath and full impacts of the legislation passed will likely be felt for months and years to come.

But we're not ones to sit back, let alone throw in the towel. That's why we're asking you to join other CCI members for a 'Legislative Session Debrief & Look-ahead' online meeting Wednesday, June 28 at 6:30pm.

We'll come together over Zoom to:

  • review key legislation that was passed, and unpack how this is part of a long-term agenda pushed by corporate power,

  • provide space to process what these policies could do to the people and places we love, and

  • discuss ways we can reach more everyday Iowans, take action locally, and harness the fight-back energy we'll need going into the next legislative session.

Register to join us on June 28 here!

The costs of factory farms are too high, contact the DNR today 

As part of Governor Reynolds’ plan to consolidate state agencies, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has drafted rules to regulate factory farms in Iowa.

Iowa CCI and allied organizations are submitting comments because the DNR’s proposed rules just don’t cut it. The Governor is ordering departments to consider the cost-benefit of proposed rules and regulations during this process.

The costs of factory farm pollution on Iowa’s water is much, much too high. At Iowa CCI we know:

  • ALL Iowans deserve clean water! But poor water quality, particularly nitrate pollution, increases risk of cancer, birth defects, and other health problems. These problems are not just theoretical; long-term medical research has revealed these effects specifically in Iowans.

  • Polluters need to pay to clean up the mess they made! Poor water quality forces water utilities to increase treatment and reduces positive water-based tourism and recreation. Iowa DNR has previously identified 260 communities that face increasing nitrate in their drinking water supplies. The burden of cleaning up this pollution should not fall on taxpayers in local communities.

  • Protecting water quality is essential to healthy ecosystems! The factory farm system isn’t just a health and economic hazard, it degrades our natural resources. The Iowa DNR needs to do its job and protect our natural resources from factory farm pollution. A livable future for us and the people that we care about depends on it.

Read more about the costs of factory farm pollution on Iowa’s water and submit a comment to the Iowa DNR here.

Issue updates

LGBTQ 101 Training Recap 

On Thursday, June 8, CCI Action hosted a virtual training by One Iowa covering some LGBTQ basics. We learned about:

  • LGBTQ terms, including who might use those words to describe themselves and what they mean.

  • How to "mirror language" - using the words someone uses for themselves so we aren't making assumptions.

  • How sexual orientation differs from gender, and gender expression doesn't have to be tied to gender identity.

  • Best practices for respecting pronouns and how to give a sincere, concise apology when you get it wrong.

P.S. You can support the great work One Iowa Action is doing for LGBTQ Iowans by donating to our fundraiser. Every donation gets you a special CCI Action sticker, and half of your donation will go to support One Iowa Action's mission.

August 19 - CCI Action's Summer Membership Meeting 

On August 19 you'll want to be in the Des Moines metro to reconnect with friends and meet other CCI Action members from across the state for a day of information, inspiration, and action.

And we're excited to begin announcing featured speakers for the day!

  • Sarah Trone-Garriott, a faith leader, high-profile State Senator and progressive champion at the Iowa Statehouse

  • Sylvia Secchi, a well-known University of Iowa professor, fearless truth-teller and ally on clean water and CO2 pipeline issues

  • Lori Young, a long-time grassroots leader on racial justice and police accountability issues

  • Jon Green, a Johnson County Supervisor working to put people before profits and communities before corporations

At this day-long meeting, we'll hear updates about our top-tier issue organizing campaigns, educate ourselves on some Iowa history and deepen connections with key allies in our fight for justice, and enjoy some good, local food! Full program and speaker lineup coming soon.


Register today to save your spot!

Join the CCI/CCI Action team - we're hiring 

We are looking for a new Community Organizer to join the Farming & Environment team. 

Come work with our outstanding people and planet first staff!

Apply by June 30. More info/apply here. 

What We're Reading

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

Guest User
Previous

This week in Iowa organizing…
Next

This week in Iowa organizing…