Background and Method
(2000 Election Effort)
- Friends of Ag was started in 1996. We got 2,000 signatures on a petition
explained in a top-of-page article in the 9/16/96 St. Louis Post Dispatch.
On 9/21, heads of the Clinton and Dole campaigns abruptly canceled the debate
scheduled for St. Louis.
- The present petition was started in February at the National Farm Machinery
Show in Louisville, KY. A 2/18/00 Louisville Courier-Journal article ("Farm
Petition To Candidates") helped. But a press conference announcing our effort,
featuring Brent Blackwelder, president of Friends of the Earth, and Bud Kerr,
retired head of USDA's Office on Small Farms, drew little notice. And fine-tuning
the petition's wording took until August.
- Expenses so far are still under $1,000. (The largest donation we'd had
- and we don't expect more such from others - is $250 from the American
Ag Movement.) Have only recently seen its success, I suggest this funding
method: Tell potential signers that their 50 cent donations help us remain "grassroots." From
what's raised, keep what you've spent in photocopying and time - all legitimate
expenses - and send the rest to us, check payable to Friends of Ag. (Our
books are open for view, and if we raise over $5,000, we'll do a Federal
Elections Commissions filing.)
- Our goal of building awareness of policy history is met with each person
reading of the petition. But imagine our question being asked in a presidential
debate! We think 100,000 signers may be enough to achieve that. And we'll
get near that number if 300 circulators get 300 signers.
- Please let us know ASAP if you'll be one of the 300 local circulators who'll
make 300 signers your goal. We'll need signature by September 11 (first batch)
and the rest by September 30.
- Tips:
1) It's quicker to go to neighboring town - not just friends & family - for
signers.
2) Don't take time with anyone who's reluctant to sign. Just thank them, and
move on.
3) This is nonpartisan and non-biased. Which candidate benefits from it depends
on their answers to our question.
4) Tell news media when you have first 50 names, and send us copy of resulting
item.
- Please direct any questions to dondeichman@hotmail.com or suebuckler@washington.dc.us
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