Iowa Activists Are "Ready to Rumble" with Factory Farms

by Taylor Leake · 2010-12-15 06:52:00 UTC
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Elections bring a change of regime. It's not just the politicians who get voted in that matter, but their advisors and the appointments they make to various government agencies at all levels. In Iowa, Governor-Elect Terry Branstad just appointed a new head of the state's Department of Natural Resources (DNR). There are some serious questions being raised about Roger Lande, a lawyer and industry insider, who is set to take the post. Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (ICCI) intends to keep a close eye on Lande and make sure he is keeping a close eye on polluting factory farms.

Lande is a shareholder and director of the law firm Stanley, Lande, and Hunter, which has represented some pretty bad agribusiness actors like Monsanto and the Iowa Farm Bureau. Lande is also the former chair of ABI, a lobbying firm that recently called for the de-regulation of the factory farm industry. So ICCI has some legit concerns about Lande. Vern Tigges, ICCI's Board President, says that the group intends to make sure Lande's past work "won’t prevent him from fulfilling the DNR’s primary mission to protect the environment...We expect Lande to stand up for clean air and water and to crack down on factory farm polluters."

One of the ways ICCI will do that — aside from being a pretty stellar watchdog organization — is with its "Ready to Rumble" Rally and Lobby Day. On January 25th, ICCI members from across the state will descend on the statehouse to tell the new administration "to put people first over profits, politics, and polluters." They will hold meetings throughout the day with key committee chairs, agency heads such as Lande, the Governor’s staff, and other decision makers. Then members will end the day with some direct action and a street protest.

Sounds pretty great, huh? If you live in Iowa and want to get involved, it's as easy as popping over to ICCI's Web site and becoming a member. Then you can hop on one of the buses ICCI has going to the statehouse from all over Iowa on the 25th. You can also register online for the lobby day and rally, or call ICCI's office for more info.

Photo Credit: jimbowen0306

Taylor Leake is a foodie and activist. He's previously worked for Food and Water Watch and Wake Up Walmart.
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