This week in Iowa organizing…
Thanks to all of you who were able to join us in Des Moines this past weekend for our 50th anniversary statewide convention! It was a jam-packed two days of community, information, and inspiration.
We're rested and recharged for the work ahead. So let's get back to it - please read on for lots of ways to take action in the coming weeks, what we're reading, and more!
In solidarity and community,
Matthew Covington
Strategic Operations Director
Take action
July 29 & 31: food bank drive actions
Republicans in Congress and the Legislature are making massive cuts to SNAP and other food assistance programs. Iowa CCI, Iowa Hunger Coalition, Escucha Mi Voz Iowa and the Fighting Oligarchy project are holding a food drive to bring attention to these cuts.
We're collecting nonperishable food items and marching them directly to decision-makers making these cuts in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday and Des Moines on Thursday.
Tuesday, July 29: 111 7th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids. More information and RSVP here.
Thursday, July 31: corner of E. 10th & Des Moines St, Des Moines. RSVP to join us here. Can't make it? Feel free to drop off a non-perishable food item to the CCI office between 9am - 5pm before the end of the month.
July 30: "The big betrayal and how we fight forward" livestream
The big, bad, terrible bill recently signed into law by Trump gave billionaires a $300,000 tax break—while slashing Medicaid, housing, and food aid.
On July 30, join organizers, impacted people, and movement leaders for a livestream that breaks down the truth behind the Big Ugly Bill—and lays out the path to fight back. More info and RSVP to join here!
August 4: in-person and online - Harkin Institute presentation on water quality
Join representatives from The Harkin Institute for a presentation of findings from the Central Iowa Source Water Research Assessment (CISWRA) report—a groundbreaking scientific study that provides the most comprehensive analysis of water quality in the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers to date.
This event will feature a panel of scientists who were directly involved in creating the 227-page assessment, and provide an opportunity for residents of Polk County to get the information firsthand and to share their reactions. Event will be August 4 at 6pm on the Drake campus in addition to an online option to join, info and RSVP here.
August 5: Let's get "back to school" ready
Thanks to your signatures, our Public School Strong school board resolution petition to win full funding for public schools and rein in private school vouchers is gaining momentum! We are poised to get funding resolutions on school board agendas this fall but we need your help, voices, and ideas!
Join us Tues, Aug 5 at 6:30 pm on zoom to hear exciting updates from leaders across the state, share strategies and timelines for the work, and more. Register to join us here!
August 14: virtual farm tour series
Water quality continues to dominate the headlines. Politicians continue to stay silent or point fingers and rarely offer real solutions to the problem.
But we know better! It's part of the reason we're hosting a Virtual Farm Tour to uplift the folks who are implementing real solutions on their farms.
RSVP to join the third and final stop on our tour here!
Episode 3: Rotational Grazing and combating climate change!
Featuring: John Hogeland, who moved back to Lovilia, Iowa, from California with his wife, Beth Hoffman, to take over as the fifth generation on the family farm. With a background as a butcher and chef, John has transitioned the 570 acres of the farm to a grass-fed cattle and goat operation. They use rotational grazing practices and are continuing to add native forages to their system.
It's going to take all of us to create a better food and farm system - one that works for farmers, workers, eaters, and the environment. Register to join us here!
Cancer Gag moves forward in the House
Last week, the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee passed a budget package on Tuesday that included a rider to limit the EPA’s ability to update pesticide labels and give user guidance. You can read more about it here.
After being defeated in Iowa, Bayer and other corporate lobbyists have turned to the federal level to try to pass the Cancer Gag Act. As the U.S. House is on Congressional recess for the month of August, look for opportunities to engage with Iowa's Representatives over the coming weeks and urge them to vote NO on any bill when they return to D.C. that gives pesticide companies immunity for harming Iowans.
Water Talk
Join CCI's citizen scientists July 31 at 5pm
The water testing crew meets on the last Thursday of the month. Click here to get registered for our monthly Zoom this Thursday, July 31 at 5pm.
Our guest speaker is Matt Russell - a fifth-generation farmer and the Interim Executive Director at the Iowa Farmer's Union. Matt co-owns and operates Coyote Run Farm in Lacona, Iowa. We hope you can join us to hear a farmer’s perspective!
Last week a group of 15 toured the Des Moines Water Works facility. The science of Iowa’s water is fascinating. Our biggest takeaways – treatment for safe drinking water is extensive, a reverse osmosis system can also remove good things like minerals, and Iowans LOVE to water their lawns! Efforts to impose voluntary water restrictions actually saw water usage increase! This consumer behavior helped drive the central Iowa lawn watering ban.
Join CCI’s Citizen Science – click here for more info and to order a Nitrate Watch test kit
Resources:
Record your data on the Clean Water Hub
Helpful EPA map for finding waters to test
Deltares app for recording nitrate data
Articles of Interest
What We're Reading
These are a few links that are informing our work - we've shared them so that you can read, too!
Iowa Republicans are erasing the state's history [Barn Raiser]
'Not a dollar more': Community speaks out against voucher programs at 'Save our Schools' town hall [Idaho State Journal]
Immigration agents told a teenage US citizen: 'You've got no rights.' He secretly recorded his brutal arrest [The Guardian]
A Democrat for the Trump era [The Atlantic]
Medicaid anniversary is no time to celebrate [Cedar Rapids Gazette]