• Beth Dalbey
• News
• November 2, 2010

Today, We Speak As A Group

by Beth Dalbey

Countdown to Victory: Today’s Our Day

When you elect him today, Francis Thicke will redefine what the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture position should be. He has been leading an important conversation with you over the past year. You’ve called his vision bold, fresh and a clear choice over small twists – or no twists at all – on the same old policies that put Iowa agriculture and food production on a path that is not sustainable over time.

You know that Francis Thicke’s vision offers opportunity throughout Iowa’s strong agricultural sector, a place at the table for everyone. He owns the issues you care about. So when a Democratic politics powerhouse like Monsanto lobbyist and DeCoster lawyer Jerry Crawford endorses the opposition, you know that Francis Thicke is saying something right.

And you know what Francis Thicke is saying threatens their enormous financial interest in maintaining policies that aren’t sustainable, inflict economic harm on family farmers’ by limiting their ability to compete in the marketplace, decimate local communities with odoriferous CAFOs, and pollute rivers, lakes and streams to the point that 434 of them in Iowa are now impaired.

And when you look at all the endorsement implies – incumbent Ag Secretary Bill Northey and Jerry Crawford are looking out for Big Ag’s interests over Iowa’s independent family farmers – you know that it’s a great compliment to Francis Thicke’s campaign.

You also know that it means winning this race is in our grasp, that what’s at stake today transcends politics and the Big Ag boosters know it. Whether Democrat, Republican or independent, your vote today is about the best way to protect the natural resources and make our agricultural tradition sustainable over time, and to carve new opportunities for family farmers from the challenges inherent in industrial agriculture and food production.

Today, we speak as a group. If you haven’t voted, make sure you do so before the polls close at 9 o’clock tonight. Register at the polls if you aren’t already. Canvass your neighborhood for people who haven’t voted, or who may need a ride to the polls. Share your vote for Francis on your Facebook page and encourage your friends to do the same. Tweet about him. Pull out all the stops and send Big Ag a message that a clarion call that Francis Thicke answered can no longer be marginalized in public policy. Send a message that true grassroots campaigns win and that positive messages and policy specifics prevail.

Iowa needs Francis Thicke’s vision, wisdom and leadership, and it’s in your power to make that happen.

Tags: Francis Thicke secretary of agriculture