This week in Iowa organizing…
We're still riding the wave of energy delivered at our 50th anniversary statewide convention from two weeks ago! If you weren't able to join, or want to relive some of the highlights, check out this jam-packed 90 second highlight video.
Whether you're a long-timer or new to the organization, we hope you found connection, learned something new, gained a deeper understanding of CCI and community organizing, and are ready to plug in on the work ahead.
And a big thanks to all of you who brought non-perishable food items to donate for our food bank drive in protest of the SNAP cuts recently enacted in the Big, Bad, Terrible bill. Together we were able to donate 798 pounds of food to local food banks, and you can check out coverage of our action here.
Hope you all had a good weekend and enjoyed the reprieve from the heat and humidity, and that you're ready for the week ahead.
Let's go,
Matthew Covington
Strategic Operations Director
Take action
Tonight - August 4: Harkin Institute presentation on water quality (online option available)
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.
Tomorrow - August 5: Let's get "back to school" ready
Our Public School Strong school board resolution petition to win full funding for public schools and rein in private vouchers is gaining momentum! We're poised to get resolutions on school board agendas this fall but we need your help, voices, and ideas!
Join us Tuesday, Aug 5 at 6:30 pm on zoom to hear exciting updates from leaders across the state and share strategies and timelines for the work. And we'll be joined by state Senator Herman Quirmbach who will show how Iowa public schools have been deeply underfunded since 2017. Register to join us here!
August 7: Tariffs and trade disputes webinar
The Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment (CFFE) brings together community organizing groups from the midwest and allies at the Institute for Ag and Trade Policy and Food & Water Watch to fight back against the stranglehold corporate ag has on our food and farm system. On August 7 at 2 PM, CFFE will provide updates on the status of tariffs and trade disputes impacting our food & farm system. RSVP here to join us.
About the photo – In the 1990’s CCI and other member groups of CFFE joined Farm Aid in Louisville, KY to highlight the fight to stop factory farm production of hogs and to achieve equitable pricing for their production. Willie Nelson & Neil Young joined us for the rally and march.
August 14: Virtual Farm Tour series
Get ready for our third and final stop on the Virtual Farm Tour!
Thus far we've learned about restoring native grasslands and cover crops as solutions to soil health, water quality and climate change.
Join us on Thursday, August 14 at 6:00pm on Zoom!
Whether or not you were able to attend our first stops, please join for our final stop of the summer to learn about pasture management!
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!
Update
"The big betrayal and how we fight forward"
In case you missed it, or had problems getting registered, you can check out the recording of "The Big Betrayal" livestream from last week here.
People of every race, background, and type of community are rising up against the Big Betrayal. If the bullies and the bosses think we’re going to roll over for them, they’ve got another thing coming.
Water Talk
Recap of our July 31 zoom w/ Matt Russell
Thanks to everyone who joined our monthly water testing meeting last Thursday! If you didn't make the Zoom, here's what you missed and a link to the recording.
Our guest speaker was Matt Russell - a fifth-generation farmer and the Interim Executive Director of Iowa Farmers Union. Some of what he shared about farming and water quality:
We need to change the economic dynamics to support farmers who practice innovation and stack conservation practices. It is complicated but can be done.
There is more demand than resources. Those resources that have been available are frozen under the current administration, including the technical staff to help administer resources.
Farming practices good for climate action - those that promote resiliency and reduce emissions - also have benefits for water quality.
Practices that are good for better water quality include integrating crops and livestock, and crop rotations
Click here to get registered for our next monthly zoom on Thursday, August 28 @ 5pm here.
Articles of Interest
Des Moines banned lawn watering, but polluted tap water keeps flowing: inside Iowa's nitrate problem
This bill in Congress would make Iowa's water problems much worse
What We're Reading
These are a few links that are informing our work - we've shared them so that you can read, too!
The class politics of idleness [Truthdig]
The long-time organizer leading a new wave of rural organizing [Barn Raiser]
The enforcers of Iowa RightThink have a new target [Along the Mississippi]
Pesticide manufacturer spent more than $200k lobbying in Iowa [Iowa Capital Dispatch]
U.S. Senate candidate says GOP's bill misses hog farmers' real dilemma [Radio Iowa]