Our farming practices must be part of the solution to climate change. The US agriculture sector contributes 11% of total US greenhouse gases. UUs are joining allies in the faith and farming communities to redirect 2023 Farm Bill funding to promote conservation and climate-smart regenerative farming practices that protect the health of our soil and food, redirect funds to small… Read More »The Farm Bill and Climate
The Biden administration has created the American Climate Corps, a New-Deal-inspired service program that is said will employ 20,000 in conservation, clean energy, and climate resilience in the first year. The experience and skills members will gain by participating in the corp will be crucial in filling the fast-growing number of green jobs in the nation. It will provide a… Read More »Thank You President Biden
Community newspapers have been disappearing as print ads and subscriptions collapse. The U.S. has witnessed the demise of over 2,500 local papers since 2005, and that has resulted in “news deserts”. Research shows that without local newspapers, voter turnout in local elections and other forms of civic participation decline. Without local journalist watchdogs, local governments’ corruption increases. Without a reliable source of local information, residents turn… Read More »Community Newspapers Build Connections
Legislation creating the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies (SF1723) will be voted upon in the upcoming Senate session. From the late 1870s to the 1960s, the U.S. Government collaborated with Christian churches to remove native children from their homes in order “to civilize them” away from the influences of their families. Schools operated under the motto… Read More »Learn the Truth about Indian Boarding Schools
The city of Elko New Market is rushing through plans for California-based Niagara Bottling to build a factory in Elko New Market, with the intent to sell 310 million gallons each year of groundwater from the Prairie du Chien Jordan aquifer, all in single use plastic bottles. Before an amendment to the Elko New Market water appropriation permit is granted,… Read More »Save Our Water
Message: THANK YOU for legislation to: improve education help the environment protect and expand human rights improve public safety Thank you for this and all of your work for the common good. Please contact: Minnesota State Representatives – DON’T KNOW YOUR REP? Look her/him/them up here: https://www.gis.leg.mn/iMaps/districts/ Minnesota State Senators – DON’T KNOW YOUR SENATOR? Look her/him/them up here: https://www.gis.leg.mn/iMaps/districts/ Minnesota Speaker… Read More »Thank You, Minnesota Lawmakers!
The Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) plays a critical role in addressing emerging challenges to our natural resources. This funding supports crucial projects across our state that enhance outdoor recreation, support agriculture, create environmental equity, and protect habitats critical to wildlife. It is vital that we renew the constitutional dedication of a portion of lottery funds to the… Read More »Support the Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund
The judiciary and public safety budget bill being finalized by a bicameral committee of lawmakers includes a provision for expanded background checks and a red flag law. The background check provision would require a permit-to-purchase or a valid permit-to-carry in order to receive a pistol or semiautomatic military-style assault weapon. Under the red flag law, family members or law enforcement… Read More »Support Provisions for Gun Safety
In two of the past six presidential elections, the candidate who won the most popular votes lost the election. Currently, most states use a “winner takes all” approach and award all their electoral votes to the candidate who wins the most votes in their state regardless of the overall vote across the country. Given this, candidates tend to focus on… Read More »Let’s Join the National Popular Vote Interstate Agreement
Neonicotinoids are a group of insecticides used widely on farms and in urban landscapes. They can persist in soil for months or years after a single application. Neonicotinoids are absorbed by plants and can be present in pollen and nectar, making them toxic to bees. A current bill in the Minnesota Legislature (HF2805 and SF1915) would ban the sale, possession, or use… Read More »Support Our Pollinators
