Iowa CCI, National, & Local Orgs to hold Food & Agriculture Justice Summit

Event to counter Bruce Rastetter’s Corporate Ag Summit on March 7, 2015

Des Moines, Iowa –Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (Iowa CCI) members and a broad coalition of national and state partners today announced plans to counter Bruce Rastetter’s Corporate Ag Summit on March 7, 2015 with their own Food & Ag Justice Summit. 

“We hold a deep moral and ideological opposition to Bruce Rastetter’s vision for food and agriculture in Iowa and our nation.” said Iowa CCI Board President Cherie Mortice. “While Iowa’s self appointed kingmaker is on stage advocating continued reliance on policies that benefit Corporate Ag, we’ll be lifting up our vision for a Food & Ag system that puts people and planet first.” 

Iowa CCI members will be joined by leading experts and organizers in the Food & Ag Justice Movement from around the country, including notable national organizations Food & Water Watch, The Oakland Institute; and the National Family Farm Coalition. Iowa CCI organizers are planning three events to coincide with Rastetter’s Corporate Ag Summit at the Iowa State Fairgrounds:

  •       “People and Planet First Social” Friday, March 6, 6PM - 8:30PM

  •       “Food & Ag Justice Speakout” Saturday, March 7, 8AM - 11AM

  •       “Food & Ag Justice Teach-In” Saturday, March 7, 11:30AM – 3PM.

Iowa CCI members point to Rastetter’s extensive ties to factory farm and ethanol industries, and his failed corporate land grab in Tanzania as evidence of his promotion of food and farm policy driven by greed, rather than a diversified and resilient vision of farming and land stewardship that values people and planet. 

“Real food security is about local control of agriculture using methods that sustain the health of soil, water, communities, and rural economies for future generations. This model of agriculture works for all people, and recognizes the dignity of farmers at home and across the globe.” said Iowa CCI member Barb Kalbach, a 4th generation family farmer and nurse from Dexter, IA. 

Iowa CCI organizers will release more details for March 6th and 7th as the events near. 

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement is a group of everyday people who talk, act and get things done on issues that matter most. With thousands of members from all walks of life -- urban and rural, black and white, immigrants and lifelong Iowans -- CCI has been tackling tough issues and getting things done for 40 years. 

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Rastetter's Ag Summit: a corporate ag celebration