Joining Jackson and Benton counties in efforts to address GMO agriculture concerns at the local county level is a wonderful group of folks from Josephine County.   Check them out online: http://www.gmofreejosephinecounty.org/ for more info.   Send them a message on facebook https://www.facebook.com/GmoFreeJosephineCounty and let them know you support them.  

As you all likely noticed, there was no measure on the ballot here in Oregon this election for requiring labels on foods made with GMO ingredients.   We had hoped to be there for sure, but we never really got a chance.   During the initiative process here in Oregon, there are two opportunities for public comments and an opportunity to challenge the constitutionality of an initiative being submitted.   

Kelly has been an instrumental volunteer in our organization here at GMO Free Oregon and we are proud to endorse her in her efforts to run for an elected position on the Board of Director for the East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District.  The EMSWCD focuses on clean water and healthy soil, two topics intertwined deeply in tha balance of pesticide/herbicide use.  If you weren't aware, GMO crops have all been engineered to tolerate heavy spraying of, or even produce their own, pesticides and/or herbicides.  As a result, the cultivation of GMO crops are now making it exceedingly difficult to maintain and protect clean water and healthy soil.  

Having someone as knowledgeable, caring, and devoted as Kelly is to these topics serving on the board would undoubtably be a boon to EMSWCD and we encourage everyone in that are of Oregon to get out and vote for her.  

You can read more about the EMSWCD here: http://www.emswcd.org/about-emswcd

and read more about Kelly here: http://www.gmofreeoregon.org/kelly_caldwell

Concerned about canola being grown in the Willamette Valley?  Hundreds of vegetable seed, clover seed, what and fresh vegetable farmers are.

 Our event this week on May 3rd served as our official launch of the labeling campaign.   Press release went out on Wednesday... 

Grassroots group GMO Free Oregon has launched its campaign to put an initiative on the ballot this November that would require food containing genetically engineered ingredients to be clearly labeled as such. The group will need to collect the signatures of 100,000 registered Oregon voters to get the initiative placed on the ballot this November. 

Read the full press release

We are now working hard on planning the signature gathering efforts that will take place this June.   We need your help!  If you'd be willing to gather signatures at your local farmers market, or gather at your church, volunteer and let us know so we can make sure you get the petitions and info.   

Thursday May 3rd will mark the official launch of our statewide labeling initiative campaign.  Come out for an important fundraising and knowledge-building event!  We will be screening the groundbreaking film "the Future of Food" and will have a special international guest!  It's a great opportunity to learn about the intiative and why it's important.

Look here for more info on the event.

You can find out more about the labeling initiative here.