Michael Swayze's Community Resources

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  • Farm Aid 2013: A Message With Music

    Farm Aid held its 28th annual music event in support of family farmers in Sarasota Springs, New York yesterday. Founded by Willie Nelson and supported by fellow board members Neil Young, Dave Matthews and John Mellencamp, the 501(c)3 nonprofit promotes organic and sustainable farming and provides help to family farmers. The highlight of the event included a surprise visit by folk legend Pete Seeger who lead the crowd of 25,000 in a singing of “This Land Is Your Land”.

    A quote, summarizing the intent of Farm Aid, by Dave Matthews, appears in today’s edition of The Saratogian . It reads:
    “What we eat is the first medicine,” said Matthews, who grew up in the lower Hudson Valley. “We can eat well if we just know what we’re eating. Our mainstream media and big government are owned by big money and they won’t help us. It has to be grass roots. It has to be us spreading the word. We have to fight on the ground.”

    For additional information visit Farm Aid’s Action Center and HOMEGROWN.org.

  • Factory Farming And Public Health

    Federal health officials yesterday released an alarming report about the threat posed by the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions’ findings, “Each year in the United States, at least 2 million people become infected with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics and at least 23,000 people die each year as a direct result of these infections.” The alert is contained in the report, Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2013.

    A few other aspects of the problem were cited in the report and in related news articles. For example:

    • 70% of the antibiotics sold by pharmaceutical companies in the United States go into livestock production (animal feed for hogs, poultry, cattle, etc.)
    • The amount of antibiotics fed to healthy animals is eight times greater than the amount given to sick people, based on a 2001 2001 Scientific American article, “Most U.S. Antibiotics Fed to Healthy Livestock”
    • Agribusiness is reluctant to allow scientific studies of their factory farming practices as it relates to the antibiotic-resistance health threat

    In lieu of being exposed to antibiotic laced meat or poultry consider purchasing organically raised meat or produce which do not contain unnecessary drugs.

    The full CDC report is available online at http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/threat-report-2013/pdf/ar-threats-2013-508.pdf.

  • Fugitive Safe Surrender Program: September 16 Community Info Meeting, Jersey City

    From the Desk of Freeholder Bill O’Dea –
    Community Meeting: Monday, September 16th
    Time: 6:30 p.m.
    Location: The Hank Gallo Center in Lincoln Park next to the West Side Playground

    Subject: Fugitive Safe Surrender Program

    In late Fall there will be a 4 day program run out of the Jersey City Armory. Come learn more about the program. Representatives of the Attorney General’s Office, JCPD and HC Prosecutor will be in attendance to make a presentation and answer questions.

    You can also learn more by calling 855-377-6512 or on line at fssnj@lps.state.nj.us.