Halcyon Grange Resolves

Due to USDA and State Department of Agriculture rules/proposed rules and “Food Safety Legislation” small farmers are increasingly being faced with new regulations with which they can not afford to comply. And there is no evidence that any illnesses have resulted from consumers buying from local farms at farmers markets, road side stands, etc. Laws in some states already ban church/Grange suppers because of the same misguided concerns. As a result, some local farmers have written a proposed Local Food Ordinance which will be voted on at town meetings in Blue Hill, Sedgewick, Brooksville and Penobscot. We at Halcyon Grange #345 in Blue Hill have taken an active role in promoting this movement to help preserve our small farms and the consumer’s right to choose. We have passed the following resolution in support of this movement:

Halcyon Grange #345 Resolution For Food Sovereignty

WHEREAS All people are endowed with certain inalienable rights, and among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; and

WHEREAS Food is human sustenance and is the fundamental prerequisite to life; and

WHEREAS The basis of human sustenance rests on the ability of all people to save seed, grow, process, consume and exchange food and farm products; and

WHEREAS We the Members of Halcyon Grange #345 have an obligation to protect these rights as is the Common and Natural Law; and in recognition of the Grange’s proud agricultural heritage; and the necessity of agricultural, ecological and economic diversity and sustainability to a free and healthy Society;

THEREFORE Be it resolved, that We the Members of Halcyon Grange #345, stand on our rights under the 10th Amendment to the US Constitution and reject such Federal and State of Maine decrees, statutes, regulations or corporate practices that threaten our basic human right to save seed, grow, process, consume and exchange food and farm products within the state of Maine; and

Be it further resolved that We the Members of Halcyon Grange #345, shall resist any and all infringements upon these rights, from whatever sources that are contrary to the rights of the People of the State of Maine; and

Be it further resolved that we the Members of Halcyon Grange #345 support the Local Food and Community Self-Governance Ordinance of 2011 which will be on the town warrants at the annual meetings of the towns of Blue Hill, Brooksville, Penobscot and Sedgwick, in Hancock County, Maine.

Resolution passed by unanimous vote on Friday, February 4th, 2011.

We have also picked up seven new members! It is exciting to see the Grange being rejuvinated! Any questions/comments may be addressed to John M. Gandy, Master, Halcyon Grange #345.

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