Welcome to SLO GE Free
SLO Gardeners' Seed Exchange
Click here for a printable flyer
Featuring Barbara Spencer of Windrose Farms
Monday October 22 from 7-9 pm in the SLO City/County Library Community Room
Corn Survey Online
The 2007 Corn Survey is now available online.
BUYER BEWARE: GMO Corn in SLO County
When you go to buy corn, ask what kind it is. Genetically engineered seed and crops are not allowed under the organic standard. No Certified Organic corn can be genetically engineered. When buying from other than a certified organic grower, ask whether the corn has been genetically engineered or GMO.
The Avila Valley Barn, owned by Dr. John DiVencenzo, did not respond to the survey. He has stated publicly that he grows genetically engineered Bt sweet corn and that he will begin labeling this year.
Cal Poly Crops Department did not respond to the survey. Dr. John Peterson, Department Head, said: “It is a horribly biased survey and I’m not in a position to respond to it” Dr. Jeff Wong, who is in charge of Cal Poly’s genetically engineered crops, said that Cal Poly is growing 20 acres of genetically engineered Roundup Ready silage corn. The corn will pollinate before it is harvested. Proximity to Cal Poly’s sweet corn and the potential for contamination is unknown.
Hayashi & Sons of Arroyo Grande did not respond to the survey or a phone call.
On Thursday September 27, 2007, we learned that Hayashi & Sons was selling genetically engineered Bt sweet corn at San Luis Obispo Farmers Market. The corn was not labeled as being genetically engineered.
For further information call Jesse Arnold at 927-3096
Avila Valley Barn and GMOs
Since at least 2004, the Avila Valley Barn has been growing and selling GMO corn without labeling the produce. This corn has a pesticide, Bt, engineered into every cell of the plant. In 2006, the owner of the Avila Valley Barn informed SLO GE Free that he would voluntarily label his GMO produce. He refused to do so. It's time for citizens to take action. People have a right to know what they are eating - especially those with small children who are most likely to be affected by any adverse affects from the GMO corn.
Please contact the barn and tell them not to grow or sell GMO corn or, if they do, to label it so people know what they are eating. You can either call or email the barn. If you call, you can just leave a message as someone will likely not answer the phone.
805.595.2810 or customer_support@avilavalleybarn.com
Be sure to tell your friends why they should not shop at the barn - especially if they have young children.
49,300: Reponse to Farm Bureau Viewpoint
Why is 49,300 important? It's the number of experimental field tests of GMO crops that the Farm Bureau wants you to ignore.
Read our response to the Farm Bureau Viewpoint for more information.
Woodbury County, Iowa
Visit Woodbury County's website to view their Organic Conversion Policy and Local Purchase Policy programs.
USDA Audit
With more than 49,300 open-air experimental GE crop test notifications since 1987, the USDA’s rubber-stamp regulations and lax enforcement have allowed the United States to literally become a dumping ground for GE experiments.
A 2005 USDA audit found that its own monitoring for GE crop experiments "lacks basic information about the field test sites it approves ... including where and how the crops are being grown, and what becomes of them at the end of the field test."
Read the APHIS Audit executive summary
Citizen Report Submitted on the Health Effects of GMO crops
(San Luis Obispo, Calif.) On August 1st, a group of SLO County citizens submitted a report on the health concerns of GMOs to the SLO County Health Commission. The report provides an overview on the regulatory, food safety, and field test requirements for GMOs along with recommendations to the SLO County Health Commission.
Two steps to stop the spread of GMO's
Tired of the political battles surrounding GMO's that seem to go nowhere? Take control of the situation everytime you eat!
Contact SLO GE Free
If you would like more information, please email us at: info@slogefree.org.
SLO GE Free Introduces Labeling Resolution
SLO GE Free has introduced a resolution supporting labeling of GE foods to the SLO County Board of Supervisors. The goal of the resolution is to ask our federal representatives to support Dennis Kucinich's Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act.
If you are interested in speaking at meetings in support of this resolution or wish to work on getting your local city or town council to pass a similar resolution, please contact the drafter of the resolution, Mark Phillips, at mark@slogefree.org.
Signs at Farmer's Market
SLO GE Free has received permission for the North Coast Farmer's market vendors to put up voluntary signs. If you would like to approach your local market assocation with this idea, drop us an email and we will send you the materials.
You can also click the image to the right and print out your own sign.
Volunteer
Visit the Volunteer page, email mark@slogefree.org, or call 805-927-0714 or 805-924-1393 to get involved or for more information.
89% of Americans want GM labeling
