Your Signature is Needed: Big Ag ripping off small farmers

Got milk, Friend? We’ve all seen the ads. I’m sure you’re more than familiar with their gleaming smiles and milk mustaches. But have you ever wondered where these “Got Milk?” ads came from? Who funded them? The answer may surprise you… Farmers and ranchers are FORCED TO PAY into programs to fund marketing campaigns that often work against small and sustainable farmers and support lobbying for Big Ag interests. These “checkoff” programs are essentially a tax on farmers, sending funds to industry-specific boards that have a track-record of misusing and abusing their power. Farmers want to rein in this corrupt program, and there’s a simple way you can help make it happen! >> [Tell your Members of Congress to pass the OFF Act to STOP corporate abuse of farmers, hard-earned money! Add your name now!]( [Sign the petition]( About 83% of the money that cattle farmers are required to pay through the checkoff program ends up with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, which lobbies on competition and fair-trade practices for the world’s largest meatpacking corporations. As a result, many small and independent farmers are essentially being taxed to support their biggest competitors. No farmer or rancher should be required to pay into a program that harms their own market. Every second we wait to act, more money is being funneled into Big Ag lobbyist groups -- [take action now and help pass the OFF Act to protect small and independent farmers!]( [Sign the petition]( Standing with you, Chloë Waterman Climate-friendly food senior program manager, Friends of the Earth Contact Us: Friends of the Earth U.S. Washington, D.C. | Berkeley, CA 1-877-843-8687 [Contact us](foe.org/about-us/contact/) Email Preferences: [Click here to unsubscribe]( Learn more: www.foe.org/news www.foe.org/about-us www.foeaction.org Connect: [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Flickr]( © 2021, Friends of the Earth. All Rights Reserved. [supporter]