USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a recent speech that rural America is “becoming less and less relevant” in agricultural politics. While we agree that the USDA and farm legislators need a more “proactive message, not a reactive message,” as Vilsak pointed out, the reason we don’t have farm legislation for the upcoming 5 years is because it is precisely farm-state, rural legislators who are standing in the way. 
Well folks, it’s over. The flurry of nonstop campaign ads, tele-campaign calls and colorful glossy mailings has ceased, and it’s now time to move forward. While we’re disappointed that California voted down Proposition 37, we’re optimistic about other elements that unfolded on Tuesday.
For many, Halloween is about embracing our more secretive sides and seeing what lurks among the shadows. The one thing I don’t want veiled in mystery, however, is the content of my food. OFRF believes that we have a right to know what’s in our food. Giant agri-corporations, on the other hand, want to keep us all in the dark about whether the food they produce contains ingredients that have been genetically modified. That’s why they are spending tens of millions of dollars to oppose California’s Proposition 37, which would require not only that foods containing GMOs be labeled, but that any such products would no longer be allowed to be labeled as “natural”. 
As people all over the U.S. gather to celebrate good food, we here at OFRF are excited about a great opportunity to get YOU engaged in calling for reforms at the federal level in support of organic farmers.
According to the 
The 2008 Farm Bill expired yesterday, Sept. 30. As of today, the U.S. is operating without direction for a modern agricultural system driven by unprecedented consumer demand. With an election coming up, Congress has chosen a sketchy path of neither passing a 2012 Farm Bill, nor extending the 2008 Farm Bill. Thus far, Congress has failed to do their job... worse, they have failed American farmers and we'll be paying for it.
It makes sense that with growing organic consumer demand, we should be growing future organic farmers, right? 
With Congress in your districts on recess during August and some of September, it's the perfect time for you to meet with your Representative and staff. We've been telling our Representative how important organic agriculture is for our region, economy and families for the past several days.
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