Thread by @GGunthorp

I had an op-ed in @capitalpress a couple months ago asking @SecVilsack to not divert allocated funds for little processors to "mid scale" plants. Today, he did exactly that. Diverted funds to build facilities and brands the bigs will buy for pennies on the dollar in a few year.1

And they did announcement with a beautiful picture of a small family farm with 50 so beef cows as the background. The very farms being run out of business by concentration and consolidation. I'd recommend 50 organic dairy cows on grass next time for the background picture. 2

The meeting was very disrespectful of attendees and the five presenters. It started an hour late. And get this, they said they were taking a break and they never came back. Reminds me of a Denver Very Small Plant meeting after Bart Riley spoke. 3

I've done advocacy around rebuilding local and regional food systems for a couple decades. I do not believe there was a niche or commodity farmer that was happy about the plan unveiled today. 4

We could do better as a nation. Both sides of the aisle are sold out to corporate power and money. How did this happen? He backed down from committed funding, backed down from antitrust enforcement in Packer and Stockyards Act, and backed down from meaningful Product USA labels.5

I've followed Presidents and Secretary of Ag's since serving on @BillClinton and @DanGlickman_ USDA Small Farm Commission. Honestly can't say I've felt more stabbed in the back than today. Lets be honest both sides of the aisle have stood up for production over people. 6

So if today you see @CNN or @thehill or @FOXTV or @nbcsnl or @TheOnion or any other press saying family farmers got a big win from @potus today please have that one farmer that thinks that give me a call. I'd like to know WTF they are thinking. 7

If you really want to do something to rebuild local and regional food systems, implement this not just an executive order. And NFU, OCM, RCALF, etc will give you a list for independent commodity farmers. It’s not rocket science.