For immediate release: January
10, 2006
For more information, contact:
Barb Kalbach: 515-523-2863 or
Gary Larsen: 712-764-8361 or
Iowa CCI: 515-282-0484
Des Moines- Iowans fighting
factory farms and corporate concentration in agriculture gathered
at the state capitol today to rally for family farms, rural communities,
and the environment. 120 members of Iowa Citizens for Community
Improvement (CCI) kicked off the day at a high-energy rally with
five speakers calling for clean air and water, tough controls on
factory farms and corporate agriculture, and voter-owned elections.
“We are here today to make our voices
heard,” said Iowa CCI board member and Audubon County farmer
Gary Larsen. “We expect the state legislature to stand up
for us, not factory farm special-interest groups.”
After the rally, the group spent the day
lobbying top officials for policies that promote vibrant rural communities
and a clean environment. The call for local control over factory
farm siting was a strong demand called for at the meetings. “We
ought to have local control on this issue,” DNR Director Vonk
responded during CCI’s meeting with him.
“Local communities know better than
anyone what is right for their communities. The local people must
be involved in economic development decisions for their communities,”
said Iowa CCI member and Dexter family farmer Barb Kalbach.
The various meetings throughout the day
included:
- Governor Tom Vilsack
- Department of Natural Resources’
Director Jeff Vonk
- Deputy Attorney General Eric Tabor
- State legislators
Iowa Citizens for Community
Improvement is a 30 year old organization with thousands of members
across the state from all walks of life who talk, act and get things
done on critical issues affecting everyday Iowans. For more information
or a complete copy of Iowa CCI’s 2006 legislative agenda,
visit www.iowacci.org.
Click
here for a complete copy of CCI's 2006 Legislative Agenda
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