Great Causes to Consider

There are a few causes going on lately that are close to my heart and in truth they are all inter-related. If one touches you I hope you will help them out in any small way you can, even to share their story.


Landreth Seed Company:


"Landreth Seed Company is America's oldest seed house. It has been around since 1784 and is the most historically important small business that is still operating! It is the only American company, still operating daily, that existed when this country became a nation. Its founders were
honorable men who helped establish and guide the agricultural and horticultural industries of this country in the 1700s, the 1800s and the 1900s. Landreth exemplifies American business and the ethics and integrity that built this nation.

On Wednesday, August 31, 2011, the Company’s accounts were frozen by a garnishment order initiated by a Baltimore law firm. If this garnishment order is not satisfied within the next 30 days, Landreth will cease to exist and a part of America’s history will be lost forever. I need to sell 1 million 2012 catalogs to satisfy this garnishment and the cascade of other indebtedness which this order has now initiated.

If you want to help save this piece of America, if you love gardening and heirloom seeds, if you care about righting the injustices of a legal system badly in need of repair, then please help Landreth. Please purchase a Landreth catalog, and if you can afford it, purchase several for your friends. Please send this link to everyone you know, www.landrethseeds.com. One million catalogs is a big number, but with the internet it is achievable. Please help us to save Landreth."


www.landrethseedco.com


Landreth is asking that people buy a catalog, or store items and share their story with others.




Michael Schmidt's Hunger Strike:


(from his website: http://thebovine.wordpress.com/ )


A message from Mr. Schmidt:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzPkDCf7pYw&feature=player_embedded

"UPDATE, Oct. 9, 2011: Because in Canada one can only buy pasteurized milk, those of us who believe in the nourishing value of raw milk from grass-fed cows go to great lengths to access to this food. The BC government promised to leave our cow share alone until we got through our constitutional challenge, but a couple of weeks ago they broke that promise and charged our agister, Michael Schmidt, and one of the cow share members with contempt of court again.

Furthermore, Michael’s case that he had won in Ontario was overturned on appeal, so now Michael has been charged in two Provinces. He is appealing the Ontario case again, and is currently on a hunger strike, only drinking one glass of raw milk a day." (Continued at website above).

Michael is as of this writing on day 26 of his hunger strike. His only wish is to be able to speak with the Canadian Premier Dalton McGuinty and to bring public attention to the plight of raw milk drinkers and producers.

One of many articles: http://www.mnn.com/food/healthy-eating/stories/support-food-freedom-and-help-stop-the-hunger-fast-of-michael-schmidt#

Michael Schmidt lives and farms in Canada, however this issue is raging in the US as well. 

http://foodfreedom.wordpress.com/2011/10/11/%E2%80%98no-food-rights%E2%80%99-judge-quits-to-work-for-monsanto-law-firm/

 "But in the Wisconsin case, Judge Fiedler ruled that humans:

• “Do not have a fundamental right to own and use a dairy cow or a dairy herd;”
• “Do not have a fundamental right to consume the milk from their own cow;”
• “Do not have a fundamental right to board their cow at the farm of a farmer;”
• “Do not have a fundamental right to produce and consume the foods of their choice;” and
• Cannot enter into private contracts “outside the scope of the State’s police power.”

This case begs for competent legal counsel who can get the outrageous decision overturned."

Ruling against raw milk forces consumers to drink genetically modified, antibiotic-laden milk from cows fed an unnatural diet of pesticide-loaded feed.  No doubt that makes Monsanto a major fan of Patrick Fiedler.  His decision was rendered on Sept. 9 and he stepped down from the bench on Sept. 30.

If we as American citizens want the freedom to choose our own food, we all need to be aware of the issues and take appropriate action to preserve that right. 

Heifer International:

And, on a similar note, I feel we should all do our part to feed the hungry, not junky processed food but real, whole, nutritious food. This is a concept that Heifer International has taken to heart and accomplishes very well.

http://www.heifer.org/

"Each animal in our catalog represents an opportunity for self-reliance for a family living in poverty."

"Heifer has a proven approach--more than 65 years in the making--to empowering families around the world to become self-reliant through our sustainable development projects."

Check them out and see if you agree!

Thank you for allowing me to share the causes and needs of the world that are on my heart, 

Liz