an unusual update
Dear Readers,
Here’s the update: we’re suing Trump.
The funding freeze remains in place; we still owe about $36,000 to our solar company. After much emailing and calling, it became clear that our representatives in Congress could (or would choose to) do nothing about it.
I understand there are worse things happening, far worse; but this is the issue I can speak knowledgeably about. So, I spoke to anyone who would listen. NBC, Washington Post, Bloomberg, CNN, the Banner - so many newspapers gave our story some space in this crowded atmosphere.
All of this speaking actually led somewhere. Through a series of surprising coincidences, I got an email from Earthjustice. They call themselves “lawyers for the earth.” Pretty quickly, we agreed to be plaintiffs in a lawsuit with a small group of farmers and nonprofits affected by the freeze.
On Thursday, the lawsuit was filed. It’s called Butterbee Farm vs. USDA. When asked if we were okay with the title, Jascha and I looked at each other in wonder. It was an out-of-body moment: this is happening. Little farmers on a little farm with a little dog and no aspirations to be in the public eye are suing Donald J. Trump.
You can read the full thing if you like, but basically: a group of us are suing the USDA, the Secretary of Ag, the OMB, the Director of the OMB, and Trump. All we’re asking: for the funding freeze to be lifted. We don’t want extra money. We just want what was promised in our contract.
Our hope is that this lawsuit will relieve thousands of farmers and nonprofits nationwide, many of whom already invested heavily in their projects and are relying on the government to hold up their end of the bargain. I have no idea if we will win. The result could be quick; or it could take years.
It feels good to take action, and we could not have done it without lawyers. Earthjustice does all their work pro bono. Not to mention, they have been an absolute dream to work with. We don’t know the first thing about being a plaintiff, and they have kindly held our hand every step of the way.
I’m sad that our elected officials can’t perform basic tasks like, you know, making government function. I’m happy that some people give their professional lives to lawyering for the earth. I’m overwhelmed by the strangeness of this situation; I’m terrified that we’ll be doxed or harassed. I’m thrilled to be part of some action, and hopefully some change.
Here’s what you can do:
1) Donate to Earthjustice. Never once have they asked me for money, and never once have they asked me to ask others to donate to them. I’m suggesting them because, in my personal experience, they are doing important, critical work with their funding.
2) Call your representatives in the House and Senate. Call as often as you’re able; voice your concerns about the future of small farmers and the future of food if critical funding goes away. Exhaustion might set in; that’s okay! Take a week off, don’t be a hero. Then, get back on the phone.
3) Buy a CSA for food, flowers, meat, dairy, whatever you need. Farmers need money this time of year, and with the funding freeze, the uncertainty weighs heavy. If you’re looking for a specific product (for example, a veggie CSA to pick up only once a month), please email me- I can help connect you with great farms.
4) Try to buy locally whenever you can. Wegman’s, Mom’s, and farmers markets are great places to find local goods. Did you know Wegman’s has their own small farm in upstate New York? They also buy from small farmers for certain goods. Try to avoid Whole Foods when possible- they used to buy a lot of local, but they are not leading the charge anymore.
5) Do kind things for strangers. I can’t tell you how good it was to hear from people I’ll never meet about how they’re with me in spirit, and how they love their farmers.
Thank you for reading, and for all your kind words. I’ll keep you posted as things develop. In the meantime, take good care of yourselves!
Warmly,
Laura Beth