By Daisy Luther
If you buy organic products, chances are you have heard of Azure Standard, which is sort of like a mobile co-op that delivers well-priced organic food and products in bulk to drop-off points around the country.
Now that idyllic 2000-acre organic farm, which has produced reasonably priced organic wheat, field peas, barley, Einkorn, and beef for thousands of people across the country, is about to be sprayed against their will with Roundup and other harmful pesticides, due to a ruling from their local municipality about invasive plants.
Oregon state law requires farms to control noxious weeds. In this case, the weed in question is the Canadian Thistle. Sherman County appears to be concerned that Azure has not taken enough steps to eradicate the weed and decided they’ll do it themselves, to the detriment of Azure’s long-standing, 18-year organic certification and their livelihood as organic farmers.
Just in case you were under the misconception that we actually own our land and can decide what happens to it in this country, it appears that we’re tenant farmers with no options if the local government decides to wipe us out:
“Sherman County may be issuing a Court Order on May 22, 2017, to quarantine Azure Farms and possibly to spray the whole farm with poisonous herbicides, contaminating them with Milestone, Escort and Roundup herbicides.
This will destroy all the efforts Azure Farms has made for years to produce the very cleanest and healthiest food humanly possible. About 2,000 organic acres would be impacted; that is about 1.5 times the size of the city center of Philadelphia that is about to be sprayed with noxious, toxic, polluting herbicides.
The county would then put a lien on the farm to pay for the expense of the labor and chemicals used.” (source)
So not only will they poison the crops and kill off Azure’s livelihood, they’ll charge them for it. That’s a brazen insult on top of the injury.
Here’s how you can help Azure Standard.
There is just under a week before this would occur. Here’s what WE can all do.
If you are concerned about where your food comes from, enjoy Organic and non-GMO food grown in the United States, and support organic farmers, contact Sherman County Court before May 22, 2017 (and preferably before May 17 when the next court discussion will be held).
Contact info:
- Via email at [email protected] or…
- Call Lauren at 541-565-3416.
Raise your voice and speak up for you and your families and communities.
This proposed action is completely unreasonable and would destroy an organic farm and pollute a massive area. If enough voices that benefit from organic produce speak up, the county will understand that there are people that care about their food NOT containing toxic chemicals. And if the supporters of healthy food can have a louder voice than the supporters of toxic chemicals, every politician will listen. PLEASE take action today and share this message. Overwhelm the Sherman County representatives with your voice. (source)
I’ve already sent my email and will be making a call later today. Get on board and do the same. And share this article with everyone you know so that we can make our voices heard.
Update: Here are the email addresses of the entire county commission. Please be civil when you contact them, as swearing, threatening, and being rude means your message is lost to the delete bin.
County Commissioners Tom McCoy & Joe Dabulskis along with Administrative Assistant
Sign the petition.
There is a petition you can sign that will be sent to the people in charge of this act of sabotage. Go here – it only takes a moment to sign it.
[thrive_link color=’red’ link=’https://www.change.org/p/lauren-hernandez-stop-sherman-county-from-destroying-organic-farm’ target=’_blank’ size=’medium’ align=’aligncenter’]Sign the Petition to Save Azure Standard Farm[/thrive_link]
It’s bad enough that everything in the grocery store is already tainted. Actions like this take away our choice to avoid toxic pesticides and poisons in our food. We should have the right to buy organic, but if local governments take away the right to grow organic, we’ll have nothing left to eat than the standard fare.
If we stand by and do nothing but shake our heads sadly, we’ll soon be stuck without dietary options.
Interesting work being done at the Oregon State University on cattle grazing on Canadian thistle. And, apparently, the thistle is a safe and tasty option for human consumption as well. We don’t have Canadian thistle in the east where I live, but I can attest other thistles are delicious…taste a bit like celery. A very clean “spring” taste. There are several natural control options against thistle that do not include pesticides. Readers looking to support the farm by calls and emails might like to cite those.
http://onpasture.com/2013/03/19/canada-thistle/
[REDACTED BY THE EDITOR] the planes down that are spraying or the people that are doing the spraying. Protect your land and livelihood.
Just a quick note that the opinions and suggestions expressed by readers are not the opinions or suggestions of this website or the author.
Daisy — can you post the link for the petition here? https://www.change.org/p/lauren-hernandez-stop-sherman-county-from-destroying-organic-farm?recruiter=6382450&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition
This is so WRONG, that they would even consider doing this.
I have sent an email to the Governor of Oregon and to Sherman County. I will share this article.
January 31, 2017 New court documents reveal EPA to be Monsanto’s prostitute… one more reason to shut down the Environmental “Pollution” Agency
A probe is currently underway to determine just how cozy the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is with world’s most evil corporation, Monsanto. And thus far, it is becoming more than apparent that the EPA functions as little more than a pimp for the biotechnology industry, routinely approving chemicals like Roundup (glyphosate) without proper safety assessments.
http://www.newstarget.com/2017-01-31-new-court-documents-reveal-epa-to-be-monsantos-prostitute-one-more-reason-to-shut-down-the-environmental-pollution-agency.html
It’s one more reason to shut down this entire “government”. Everything about our government is fake: fake rights, fake political system, fake financial system …. and it’s all run by psychopaths.
It’s way past time to reclaim our liberties.
Right on Darius! Mar 20, 2017 MONSANTO HELPED WRITE CANCER STUDIES ON ROUNDUP, EMAILS INDICATE
The documents, which were unsealed by U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria, include Monsanto’s internal emails and also emails between the company and federal regulators.
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/03/15/Monsanto-helped-write-cancer-studies-on-Roundup-emails-indicate/2171489581696/
Email sent! To all 3 addresses given. Here it is…
Your proposed action against this farm is wrong, and seems unconstitutional. How dare you force those chemicals upon ANYONE! I, like many others, care about where my food comes from, and how it is grown. I seek out organic, and non-GMO foods, so as not to poison my family with the toxic substances used in conventional farming. Pesticides don’t belong in our food, or our bodies.
I will keep this short, but please know I stand with Azure, and organic farming practices.
Well put!!
Monsanto Is Scrambling To Bury This Breaking Story – Don’t Let This Go Unshared!
http://beforeitsnews.com/alternative/2017/03/monsanto-is-scrambling-to-bury-this-breaking-story-dont-let-this-go-unshared-3492371.html
Hi Daisy:
Unfortunately the noxious weed control program implemented by the State of Oregon condones using Roundup and other chemical and biological means to control a huge list of noxious weeds. If you do a search on State of Oregon noxious weed control, you can read their government bill which was enacted I believe in 1999. They state in the document that due to these weeds their economy suffers along with their natural resources due to invasion by these particular weeds. I think it is truly sad that they use chemicals to control weeds as the chemicals eventually destroy all natural resources and get into our food supply. Ignorant people continue to do stupid things and don’t care about the consequences or are just plain ignorant; only God knows. I called Sherman County but I doubt it will change a thing as this is a state mandate and the county is just enforcing the theth
Makes one wonder how much money Monsanto is giving the state of Oregon.
Hi Daisy:
My computer would not let me finish my statement. Being that this is a state mandate, Sherman County is only doing the bidding of the state.
“Tenant Farmers” = politically correct verbiage for “SERFS”.
Your ONLY protection from the slavery of imposed SERFDOM is self imposed poverty by staying small enough to escape the notice of the (be)Knighted Bureaucracy…and even that strategy won’t work much longer.
All you “christians” living in fear of the coming Beast System of Revelation can stop worrying! You were BORN INTO IT and have been slaves to it all your lives! Welcome to the late wake-up call!
This is exactly why we won’t be selling any of our organic produce. We don’t WANT to be noticed!
Oregon is the most liberal state next to cali. This is too funny!
I’m not seeing the humor, Dave.
IF the children of america more valueable then dirt,BUT THEIR sadly of ZERO VALUE to the people of america,otherwise those government officals would be found hanging from a tree limb,LIKE they used to be when they pulled this kind of crap..BUT because americans are the worse cowards on earth ,all your children will be poisoned and die,unless the Russians and chinese want them,they’ll take all the young girls for sure….
At least in Australia the government lets you choose how you control weeds and supports organic. I mean come on! You can easily control weeds with hard work and elbow grease. Sure, it takes longer and is harder than using pesticide, but it isn’t impossible! >:(
This is what is missing from this discussion, what was the farm requested to perform in the matter and when. If given enough time to take care of it themselves and they did not, well what would you expect. What is the rest of the story.
But Australia has gun control and forced vaccinations so we all suffer somewhere somehow!!! Until we ALL stand up and say enough is enough, they’ll destroy everything little by little til we’ve lost everything.
You say this, but have you ever lived in Australia? Do you know it’s laws? It’s history? It’s culture? Or it’s politics? A wise saying is that you only need weapons on par with your attackers. It’s knowledge which will give you the edge. Anyway, if you know how (and I’m guessing you don’t), it’s actually quite simple to acquire a firearm and ammunition. Sure, you’ll be limited to bolt and lever action rifles, single or double barrel shotguns and semi-automatic pistols, but so will your attackers. To get a gun licence, you need to be in a gun club, or regularly using it hunting, or using it to kill pests on your land. So… you will be well trained with your weapon. And before a SHTF or WROL situation, that gun control prevents mass shootings, like the ones that happen every TWO MONTHS in the US. Also, with vaccines… you can still reject them if you want. No mandatory vaccines or forced vaccinations here. What you’re probably thinking about are laws that ban unvaccinated children from pre-school (as it reduces the chances of things like, you know, OUTBREAKS OF MEASLES, by the way, how are you handling that), and laws that reduce Centrelink payments (kind of like social security) to unvaccinated families. So if you’re going to say we have forced vaccinations, why not say that we have forced drug tests too, as they are rolling out drug tests for people on Centrelink too. So please, take the advice of Daisy and actually bother to learn the truth before you open your mouth and spout garbage. 😉
Your Local County Sheriff has the authority and responsibility to protect your rights, your property. The organic farmers need to go to the county sheriff and demand that he protects their property. He is the supreme law enforcement officer of the county so call upon him and you will have all the enforcement you will ever need. If he will not help you there’s nothing that can be done. Because no matter what kind of outcry the public has they’re going to steamroll you.
Does the state government have the right to destroy a business? The weed is not endangering the public. Something smells fishy. It is like burning private property for personal gain. Someone covets the land they have. If the government burns the field (with fire or chemical) then they cannot make their livelihood. Then the land will surely be put to sale and whoever wanted to move Azure Standard away can now purchase the land.
GOOD POINT Lindy
The county is not doing it, the municipality, state, statute is not doing it. A man or woman is doing it, a public servant. Make a claim , write down on paper that a man or woman ACTING as (public servant) is administering a man/woman (‘s) property without right. Send that claim to the “head clerk” and “head judge” at the “court house” where the order is to come from. Let them know through writing that a man or woman makes a claim the man or woman signing an order to harm the PROPERTY OWNER of said farm will be held liable. This is still a common law land.
Here’s a web page on controlling weeds from the perspective of a well-known Montana organic farmer, Bob Quinn:
http://bobquinnorganicfarmer.com/chapter-6/
Does Azure practice these or similar methods? Has the county been cooperative in working with Azure? What steps occurred before this seemingly scorched-earth solution by the county? Does the OR law provide for control, or is it eradication?
Seems like there’s more information that would be helpful to know to write a clear and convincing message to the county officials noted on this page. I wrote a detailed message, but all along felt I was a bit in the dark as to what to emphasize, given the information provided.
I have lived in Oregon for many years and although it is beautiful, it has one of the most repressive and intrusive state governments in the country. I became aware some years ago that the state tells farmers what they can grow on their land every year and having a long, long farming ancestry, I would NEVER farm in Oregon. My partner and I bought some rural land a few years ago and we bought in Washington because of Oregon’s problematic government and tax situation.
When I look on Google Maps for Azure Farms (and also separately look up the address from the farm’s website), it appears the farm itself lies in Wasco County OR; only the warehouse is located in Sherman County. I just want to be sure I contact the right officials.
Great presentation, right on point. Azure Standard Farms should be treated as a jewel of Sherman County and an example for the production of safe, healthy food and products. Only totally ignorant people would force this on Azure Standard. Or those doing the bidding of Agenda 21-30 that want to compromise all of our food sources to reduce population in the long run. Commercial wheat is, for the most part, Monsanto/GMO hollow nutrition grain that is every where and in everything…have another Oreo! The commercial wheat producer want a high yield stand with as easy production as possible for maximum return and Monsanto and like minded chemical companies deliver right to their door. I often wonder what the chemical composition of a wheat farmer is? They probably have not even thought about that…it’s about yield and money… Support Azure Standard Farms, support life! Monsanto/GMO grains kill and you are totally ignorant if you think they don’t.
As of last week, Azure Standard farms is safe. The Sheriffs office got a great big dose of the serious need of organic foods. They have backed off their hardstand after being buried by calls and e-mails and are working with ASF for a workable solution. Power to the people!
Not only is this a violation of our property rights, if they spray Azure Standard, it violates the NDAA. Forcibly spraying chemicals on Americans and their property is considered an act of terrorism. Now if we get together on the chemtrail (poisons) spraying under their own law…
Here is the back story to this issue and the events before and since May 12, 2017.
http://www.opb.org/news/article/weed-issue-in-oregons-sherman-county/
Always look for the back story. Keep an open mind and use critical thinking skills.