Maine coverage of the Appeal by Avery Kamila. "'A year ago we filed the lawsuit because farmers deserve justice and we haven't yet received it, so we're going to keep fighting until we get it.' Gerritsen said. 'That's why we had to appeal. We're not asking for any monetary settlement. We simply want the right to be free to grow how we want on our farms without being faced with a patent-infringement lawsuit should we be contaminated by Monsanto.' Jim

Maine's largest newspaper, the Bangor Daily News with Jen Lynds' article on the Appeal filed Wednesday in OSGATA et al v. Monsanto. "'We want to believe that the system will work for us,' Gerritsen said Thursday....Gerritsen maintained that growers have a right not to be invaded by something that would be catastrophic to their businesses and families. He also said that virtually all of the 83 farmers represented in the initial suit are joining the appeal." Jim & Megan

Reuters "UPDATE 1-US Organic Growers Appeal Lawsuit Against Monsanto" International Coverage.

The Federal District court dismissal of our case denied that family farmers had standing under the Declaratory Judgement Act. We have identified numerous legal and factual errors in the ruling. The sum result of these errors was an errorneous decision. Exposure of these errors will be the substance of our appeal to the Federal Court of Appeals in Washington D.C. Jim

"Both of the Science studies looked into the effects of neonicotinoid pesticides, which were introduced in the early 1990s and now have become one of the most widely used crop pesticides in the world." Chemicals endangering food security. Jim

Family farmers will continue the fight. "'Farmers are under threat. Our right to farm the way we choose, and to grow pure organic seed and healthy food on our farms for our families and for our customers is under assault,' said Maine organic seed farmer Jim Gerritsen of Wood Prairie Farm, President of lead Appellant OSGATA. 'We are honor-bound to challenge an erroneous ruling which denies family farmers the protection the law says we deserve. We're not asking for one penny from Monsanto. Ultimately, our fight is for justice and is waged to defend the right of the people to have access to good and safe food.'"

Good news. "EPA first registered methyl iodide as a pesticide in October 2007, despite a letter from more than 50 scientists, including five Nobel Laureates raising significant concerns: 'It is astonishing then that the office of Pesticide Programs is working to legalize broadcast releases of one of the more toxic chemicals used in manufacturing into the environment.' National approval came at the end of the Bush administration." Coordinated resistance from the public is credited with the withdrawal. Jim

Excellent background article about very hopeful news coming out of Vermont on their mandatory GMO labeling bill, amid biotech lobbying, a process scheduled to conclude within 6 weeks. "Some, like Margaret Laggis, lobbyist for the Biotechnology Industry Organization, and Tim Buskey, with the Vermont Farm Bureau, dismissed consumers' concerns as stemming from ignorance. 'Consumers know nothing about agriculture,' Laggis told the committee. She formerly lived on a Hardwick dairy farm, and she called visitors 'retarded' who would come by and ask questions like, 'What's the ratio of boys to girls that you milk here?'" Here's a link where we can help Vermont counter biotech's disinformation with our donations. Jim

Excellent article from the National Catholic Reporter which lends movement perspective to the organic community lawsuit, OSGATA v. Monsanto. "In his book, Hawken quotes the late Utah Phillips, folk singer, labor organizer and storyteller. 'The earth is not dying - it is being killed. And the people who are killing it have names and addresses.' Funny how Monsanto, the corporate genetically modified organism (GMO) giant that has given us Roundup weed killer, Frankenfoods and lawsuits against struggling farmers, seems to stand at the top of so many of these address lists." Jim

We should have an announcement about the Organic Seed Growers and Trade Assn et al v. Monsanto lawsuit next week. In the meantime, our legal team, led by Dan Ravicher of the Public Patent Foundation, has posted on its website a focused version of Jim's recent lawsuit interview (9:28) on Maine Public television, in his role as president of OSGATA. Jim & Megan

Dr. Vandana Shiva is full of hope as well as good works. For all of us, and most especially anyone discouraged by the environmental problems around us, this is a MUST watch interview (22:35) on CBC's 'George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight' program. This interview was recorded on March 9, 2012 as part of Vandana's recent visit to Canada. She is a depthful and articulate spokesperson extolling the virtues of seed freedom and the error of patenting seeds and life. Vandana's organization, Navdanya International, is one our plaintiffs in the organic community lawsuit, OSGATA et al v. Monsanto. Watching this uplifting interview will be the best 23 minutes you spend today. Jim & Megan

Explosive MUST read research published in the journal Current Microbiology reveals the destructive effect on crucial soil microorganisms of Monsanto's Roundup (glyphosate) herbicide - used extensively in transgenic/GMO ag as the joined-at the-hip partner to herbicide-resistant 'Roundup Ready' crops like corn, soybeans, cotton, sugar beets and now alfalfa. "Based on an ever-increasing body of scientific evidence showing glyphosate biodegrades slowly, sinks down through the topsoil where it accumulates in the groundwater (source for drinking water, e.g. aquifers, springs) and is found in nearly all air and rain samples in the U.S..." Jim

Good article on the OSGATA v. Monsanto lawsuit from Natural News includes links to two petitions which folks can sign to support our family farmers challenging Monsanto's transgenic/GMO patents. "And as an expression of unified solidarity for the cause of food sovereignty, Jack Weber from Wake Up World has created a hopeful petition letter to the farmers that conveys support and appreciation for their work, and encourages them not to give up - and he is asking everyone who appreciates clean, organic food to show their support by signing it." Jim & Megan

Astute, concise and well-footnoted history of Organic Seed Growers and Trade Assn et al v. Monsanto, the organic community lawsuit seeking court protection for family farmers and challenging Monsanto's transgenic/GMO patents. "The OSGATA plaintiffs, who are mostly organic farmers, should be able to satisfy the relevant criteria for maintaining a regulatory judgement action....The fact that the plaintiffs have taken steps to prevent contamination in order to prevent a Monsanto-initiated lawsuit should do nothing to inhibit their cause of action."

Maine Public television has posted last night's 'Maine Watch' program (26:26) in their archives. The nine minute interview about the Organic Seed Growers and Trade Assn el al v. Monsanto lawsuit with Jim begins at minute 16:25. Monsanto has brought 144 lawsuits against farmers for patent infringement. Another 700 farmers settled out of court rather than face Monsanto's litigious actions. American farmers do not believe Monsanto. Jim & Megan

Valuable article discusses the broader implications of the organic community OSGATA v. Monsanto lawsuit. "Monsanto's corporate website admits that since 1997 they have filed suit against farmers 145 times in the United States. But in 1999 the Washington Post reported that Monsanto already had more than 525 cases pending or unsettled against farmers in the United States or Canada for patent infringement. The total number now is unknown, but a 2005 CFS report reviewed evidence suggesting the numbers reach into the thousands." You will want to read this one. Jim

Here is a good background article on Vernon Hershberger, the Wisconsin dairy farmer who is potentially facing jail time and fines of being pursued by Wisconsin officials for selling raw milk to members of a buying club. "There is one member of Congress who is questioning the role of the FDA after a spate of raids from coast to coast. Small farm and raw milk advocates have support from U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine..." Chellie is considering running for Maine Senator Olympia Snowe's seat now that Olympia has decided to retire. Chellie is the best. Jim & Megan

Update on Vernon. Please join us and show your support for this American hero by 'Liking' this post. "Currently out on bail, Hershberger has disavowed the terms, which called for him to refrain from providing his members with food, or involving others' in doing his farming, by telling the judge, 'If our farm stopped feeding its' owner families, there will be literally hundreds of children who will suffer malnutrition and even starvation. Your honor, I would much rather spend the rest of my life behind bars or even die than to be found guilty of such a gross sin before the Almighty God.'"