This month we are highlighting the work of part-time consultant, Sara Lavenhar, who is affectionately called CAGJ's Tech Goddess by Heather; Sara supports CAGJ operations and organizational development. Sara first joined CAGJ as an intern in 2011, coordinated registration as a SLEE volunteer for several years, and was hired to coordinate the 2020 SLEE Dinner. Sara does the nitty gritty, foundational stuff. From records to website to accounts, Sara makes sure things run smoothly. She has background in environmental science and sustainable development, utilizing her many skills to keep us up-to-date. Sara is a vital part of CAGJ’s leadership! When not working, Sara focuses on writing and crafting, and hopes to expand writing into a career over the next few years. In response to the question 'What does Food Sovereignty mean to you?' Sara replied, “...the fact that everyone eats, and therefore everyone has a vested interest in food systems, is a great point of joy for me. There are so many ways for individuals to engage and support this forward vision in their community, and that gives me hope.” Read Sara’s full profile here.

TUES JAN 17, 6:30 - 8:00 PM PST

CAGJ Monthly Organizing Meeting

Orientation for new Members at 6pm: RSVP

Please register to receive the ZOOM link.

Join us for our first Monthly Organizing Meeting of the year! We want to start the year off strong by setting communal intentions, and hearing what projects you are excited about! We have started planning art workshops for this Spring - we will be silk-screening and print-making with our new part-time organizer, Lisa Colligan! We will also discuss updates and how to get involved in the #BlockCorporateSalmon campaign, farmworker organizing, the AGRA Watch film series, and upcoming Seed Sovereignty meeting (more info below). Your ideas are welcomed for community art workshops, teach-in’s and other coming-together activities for 2023!

As always, new folks are invited to our orientation via ZOOM at 6pm: Please email us to let us know you're attending the orientation. All are welcome! For more info, email [email protected]

AGRA Watch announces 2-part virtual series:

Building Africa-US Food Sovereignty Movement Solidarity

Part 1 : Report-back from Africa Food Systems Conference

Part 2: Africa-US Seed Sovereignty Strategy Meeting (Date TBD)

WED Feb. 1st, 12-1 PST/3-4 EST

Report-back from Cameroon & Africa Food Systems Conference

Hosted by US Food Sovereignty Alliance & CAGJ/AGRA Watch

Via Zoom: please register to receive the Zoom link

Presenters:

Malik Yakini - Detroit Black Community Food Security Network

Heather Day - Community Alliance for Global Justice/AGRA Watch

At the end of November 2022, Malik and Heather joined Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) as it hosted its 4th biennial Africa Food Systems Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon. AFSA represents over 200 million small-scale farmers, fisherfolk, pastoralists, and indigenous peoples. The conference participants came from 30 African countries, and shared experiences over three days, including visits to the Cameroonian host organization's farm, market and training center. AFSA launched its Pan-African campaign during the conference, "My Food is African/Je Mange Africain" which aims to inspire people in Africa to desire and demand traditional foods, dishes, diets and cuisines.

Malik and Heather will share highlights and photos from the trip, and share their reflections on how the US and African food sovereignty movements can continue to work in solidarity with each other. Malik brings his perspective as a lifelong Pan-Africanist, and Heather as a campaigner against philanthrocapitalism through AGRA Watch, a program of Community Alliance for Global Justice that counters the Gates Foundation's funding of a so-called "green revolution" for Africa.

Part 2: Africa-US Seed Sovereignty Strategy Meeting

March, 2023 via Zoom: Dated TBD

The forthcoming Africa-US Seed Sovereignty Strategy Meeting will include members of AFSA's Seed Working Group in conversation with US activists aiming to work together transnationally. We will hold the meeting in March, exact date TBD.

Presenters:

Frances Davies, Zambia Alliance for Agroecology and Biodiversity

Famara Diédhiou, Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa

Please register for the meeting at this link, and we will send specifics once the date is set.

Watch AGRA Watch Short Film Series!

Rich Appetites: How Big Philanthropy is Shaping the Future of Food in Africa

AGRA Watch and the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa are excited to have completed our five-part short film series last month! We are now applying to film festivals and planning premieres of the full series, both online and in-person, with the assistance of Theo Calhoun, who recently joined CAGJ as a part-time consultant.

Rich Appetites explains how American billionaires and philanthrocapitalists like Bill Gates and his Foundation are underwriting the corporate control of African food systems under the guise of philanthropy. Please watch and share the 2 minute trailer, and see the 5 films on our website richappetitesfilm.com where you will also find companion guides and extra interviews.

AGRA Watch & Block Corporate Salmon Actions

Shining a Light!

CAGJ participated in two light projection actions in the fall. AGRA Watch gathered at the Gates Foundation during the November climate meetings (photo album), to shine a light on false climate solutions. We joined BlockCorporateSalmon in December to call out GMO salmon at the epicenter of local producer power - Pike Place Market (photo album).

TAKE ACTION

FDA's 2nd Environmental Assessment Insufficient, Ignores Tribal Concerns

Tell the FDA: Protect Wild Salmon! No GE Salmon!

In November 2022, the FDA published an amended environmental assessment of genetically engineered (GE) salmon, as ordered by the court. The FDA is accepting public comment on the assessment this week, and our Block Corporate Salmon allies shared multiple concerns at the December hearing. CAGJ’s comment emphasizes how Northwest tribes will be harmed by the approval of GE salmon, and that the FDA's repeated failure to consult tribes is unacceptable.

Friends of the Earth’s petition to the FDA reads (in part): “While the FDA’s new environmental assessment of the GE salmon is an improvement on its original assessment, the FDA’s environmental assessment of GE salmon at the Prince Edward Island facility fails to fully assess the impacts of GE salmon on surrounding watersheds and on endangered species. The assessment fails to discuss potential impacts on the increasing population of Atlantic Salmon around PEI, fish mortality statistics for GE salmon, and information on antibiotics and antivirals being used in their production.

…GE salmon could impact the survival of wild salmon. When GE salmon escape or are accidentally released into bodies of water, the new species could threaten native fish populations, such as wild salmon populations, by mating with endangered salmon species, outcompeting them for scarce resources and habitat, and introducing diseases, such as Infectious Salmon Anemia Virus (ISAV).”

Take Action:

Make your voice heard by signing the Friends of the Earth petition.
Submit your comment on the amended environmental assessment! Comments are accepted until 9PM on TUES January 17th.

Tell Congress to keep their promises to farmers of color and small-scale farmers in the 2023 farm bill here.

The current farm bill, enacted in December of 2018, is expiring in 2023. The drafting for the 2023 farm bill has already begun, and it is crucial that we make our voices heard in support of farmers of color and small-scale farmers.

The Farm Bill represents the interest of various food system stakeholders, from workers to corporate lobby groups. We must be louder than agribusiness interests, to ensure small-scale farmers and farmers of color get the protections they deserve in the face of climate change and economic instability. Let’s show up for those who feed us!

TAKE ACTION

Send an email to your legislator, using resources provided by National Farm Coalition; it just takes a few minutes to let your legislators know you stand with farmworkers!
Share this action alert widely: https://nffc.net/act/take-action/

CAGJ NEWS & ANALYSIS

New Pesticide Action Network North America Report

Pesticides and Climate Change: A Vicious Cycle

This month PANNA is publishing the first-ever, in-depth scientific review of how pesticides contribute to climate change, and how climate change impacts in turn lead to increased pesticide use, creating a vicious cycle. The report also outlines how policymakers can help break this cycle by supporting agroecological farming practices and pesticide reduction targets, and promoting the rights of people most impacted by pesticide use.

Part I: Tuesday, January 17th from 9-10am PT: Report findings

Part II: Tuesday, January 24th from 9-10am PT: Climate change solutions in agriculture)

Both Parts I and II will feature a Q&A session, and by RSVPing you ensure you’ll receive a copy of the report as soon as it’s released on January 17th. Once registered, you’ll receive the webinar Zoom link via email. Spanish and French translation will be available for the report and both webinars.

No Basis for U.S. to Dispute Mexico's GM Corn Import Ban

Timothy Wise and Sharon Anglin Treat, IATP

Three years ago, the Mexican government announced its intention to phase out the use of the herbicide glyphosate and the importation of GM corn, citing both public health and environmental reasons. U.S. and Mexican agribusiness interests responded with a demand that the U.S. government threaten Mexico with a NAFTA 2.0 trade dispute, arguing that the new USMCA provisions guarantee their rights to export GM corn to Mexico. According to senior trade attorney Sharon Anglin Treat, this industry argument lacks merit. Read the full article.

And follow IATP's coverage of Food Sovereignty, Trade and Mexico’s GMO Corn Policies.

UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas (UNDROP)

La Via Campesina: Special Procedure urgently needed to achieve social justice, equity and equality

On the fourth anniversary of the international adoption and recognition of the human rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas, we reflect on the strides we have taken towards full implementation and enforcements of peasants’ rights. On December 17, 2018, the UN General Assembly adopted the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas (UNDROP), beginning a new chapter to address peasants’ claims and interests and to ensure respect of their rights. Considering the gross injustices against peasants, their families, and other people working in rural areas, La Via Campesina (LVC) calls upon governments to accelerate the implementation of UNDROP at all levels. LVC is thus putting forth concrete demands in making UNDROP a lived reality for our communities. Read more.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Recurring opportunities to support food justice organizing in Seattle:

Get to know Beacon Food Forest by volunteering at 10am on the 3rd Saturday of every month! You can learn more about volunteering here.

WED January 11, 2-3PM

Washington State Organic & Sustainable Farming Fund Info Session

Zoom Event. Tune in to learn how to apply for the Washington State Organic and Sustainable Farming Fund, a grant program for Washington farmers using organic and sustainable practices and seeking financial assistance. We are seeking projects that improve the economic viability, social impact, or environmental sustainability of your farm businesses and/or community. In this info session, we’ll discuss eligibility requirements, funding priorities, review criteria, and answer questions you might have about applying. Spanish interpretation available. Registration is required! More info: See link.

SUN January 22, 1 - 3PM PST

Tilth Alliance Community Kitchen: Coast Salish Luncheon

Join us this January to learn more about and enjoy Coast Salish foods with chef and artist, Lisa Jackson. Lisa is a tribal member of the Suquamish Tribe, whose ancestral home is located across the Kitsap peninsula and Bainbridge Island. Born and raised on the Suquamish reservation, Lisa’s inspiration comes from her Native American roots and upbringing. We’ll be serving up some modern and traditional Coast Salish delicacies. This will be a pescatarian meal containing fish. More details to come. Please RSVP for this event.

WEDS, January 25, 7:30-9PM PST

White fragility: An adaptation for Young Adults by Dr. Robin DiAngelo with Erin Jones

Dr. Robin DiAngelo, author of White Fragility, will chat with public speaker and writer Erin Jones, who is the first Black woman to run for office in Washington state. The event comes following the new edition of White fragility, adapted for Young Adults.The book examines systemic racism and teaches readers how to recognize the ways it shows up in themselves and the world around them. The event is in person and online, with sliding scale tickets priced at $5-$20. For more info.

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