MEDIA ADVISORY: February 22, 2022

WHAT: Impacted farmers, lawmakers, and advocates to speak out about the dangers of PFAS contaminated sludge in Maine and dispelling myths around LD 1911. 

In the wake of breaking news regarding farms across the state having to pull their products from shelves after discovering “forever chemicals” in their water, soil and products — health advocates, community leaders, public officials, and impacted farmers will be speaking at an in-person press conference both urging action from Maine lawmakers in support of LD 1911 and addressing misinformation being shared about the bill. 

WHEN: TOMORROW – 8:30 a.m. ET, Wednesday February 23, 2022

WHERE: Maine State House between the State House and the Cross Building

                Also available via Facebook livestream: https://fb.me/e/4AJJ8Xr4w

SPEAKERS: 

• Farmers who are pulling their products from store shelves after learning of high PFAS levels in their soil, water, products and blood serum.
  • New Beat Farm in Knox
  • Misty Brook Farm in Albion
  • Ironwood Farm in Albion 
• Rep. Bill Pluecker (I-Warren), will address concerns about the battle between small farmers against out-of-state corporations impacting their land and their business.
• Sarah Woodbury, director of advocacy at Defend Our Health, will provide facts on landfill capacity and impacts on municipalities. 
• Amy Fisher, president and CEO of Maine Farmland Trust, will talk about the critical need to protect Maine’s farms and farmland from further contamination, as our farmland is the foundation of a healthy local farm and food economy in Maine.
• Sarah Alexander, executive director of Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, will explain how this legislation, along with many other important Maine laws and proactive initiatives, will help position Maine’s food system as the safest and healthiest in the country.
• Sharon Treat, senior attorney at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, will address legal issues related to the proposed ban on spreading sludge and sludge-derived compost.

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Defend Our Health is a nonprofit public health organization working to create a world where all people are thriving, with equal access to safe food and drinking water, healthy homes, and products that are toxic-free and climate-friendly.

The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) is a national nonprofit that works locally and globally at the intersection of policy and practice to ensure just, fair and sustainable food, farm and trade systems. 

Maine Farmland Trust is a member-powered organization that protects farmland, supports farmers, and advances the future of farming in Maine. Since its founding in 1999, MFT has helped to keep over 60,000 acres of Maine’s precious farmland in farming, and has supported over 1,000 farmers with the critical services they need to get on the land and grow thriving businesses. More at mainefarmlandtrust.org. 

The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) is a broad-based community that educates about and advocates for organic agriculture, illuminating its interdependence with a healthy environment, local food production, and thriving communities. Through education, training and advocacy MOFGA is creating a food system that is healthy and fair for all of us.

Download a copy of the media advisory.