By Marty Dagoberto, NOFA/Mass Policy Director

Watch a personal video message from Policy Director Marty Dagoberto regarding this month’s policy newsletter article.

Dear NOFA/Mass friends,

It’s been quite a summer/year/decade so far, hasn’t it?… As I write this I hear the birds singing and see the green glow of lush vegetation bouncing through my window. I hope you are finding ample opportunities to recharge in the garden or in your favorite wilder place, to remember that together, we are growing that better world we know is possible. I bring you some good news about some encouraging progress in NOFA Policy land and ask for you to join in one final push before the state legislative session ends on July 31st. 

Please find some time this week or next to pick up the phone and contact your state senator and representative. Legislators are rushing to wrap up the session and they need your help prioritizing what’s most important. Every session over 5000 bills are introduced and at this stage in the cycle, we need to focus on the handful of measures which have the best chance of making it to final passage. Fortunately we’ve seen some encouraging movement on our priority bills. Thank you for sticking with us and for adding your heart and voice to this collective effort toward creating a society which values biodiverse, healthy living landscapes and food justice.

First, some GOOD NEWS: On June 30th, the House passed H.4931, “An Act Relative to Pesticides.” This bill, championed by Rep. Hawkins, will modernize pesticide reporting in the state, requiring an online database rather than the paper-only system currently in use. This is critical for better tracking pesticide use and creating accountability. The bill is now before Senate Ways and Means, so we’ll want you to THANK your Representative and ASK your Senator to keep it moving!…

Below are some simple scripts for suggested messages for both your legislators. (Of course, feel free to improvise and add personal stories/perspectives on why these issues are important to you!). Below you’ll find the basic details of our priority bills. Full details on these and all the bills we are tracking can be found on our policy page. 

Please find 5 minutes by mid-July to make 2 very important phone calls: 

Find the phone number of your state senator and representative, here.

When you call, you’ll either be leaving a voicemail or speaking with a staffer (or a receptionist, in which case be sure to let them know what office you’re trying to reach). 

Here is what we suggest for saying to each of your legislators 

1. To your State Representative: 

“My name is [your name]. I live in [your town] and I’m calling as a member of NOFA/Mass.* I want to start by saying ‘thank you’ for recently passing H.4931, “An Act Relative to Pesticides.” This law will help the state get a handle on how much pesticides are being used. 

We not only need to track pesticides, we need to pass legislation that will actually reduce pesticides and protect pollinators. Please encourage House leadership to advance H.926, the Schoolchildren Pesticide Protection Act (by Rep. Gentile). This bill would limit what pesticides can be sprayed where children learn and play and has been endorsed by the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Massachusetts Medical Society and the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. The bill was placed in “Orders of the Day,” in May and is awaiting a vote by the House.

Rep. Keefe’s Pollinator Habitat bill, H.4603, would create a commission to study statewide opportunities for improving pollinator health by increasing and enhancing native pollinator habitat in both developed and natural areas. The bill is currently before House Ways and Means.

Can you please let me know if [Rep. X] is able to help with either of these bills? [They should ask for your contact information. This is a good strategy to emphasize the importance of your request and how important it is to you.]

Thank you so much for your time.”

2. To your State Senator:

“My name is [your name]. I live in [your town] and I’m calling as a member of NOFA/Mass.* I’d like to bring your attention to three priority pieces of legislation that I hope you can help with. 

At the end of June, the House passed H.4931, “An Act Relative to Pesticides.” This measure will modernize pesticide reporting in the state, requiring an online database rather than the paper-only system currently in use. This is critical for better tracking pesticide use and creating accountability. I’m asking that you contact Senate Ways and Means to have the bill advanced to the Senate floor before the end of the session. 

I’m also calling to ask that the Senator support S.2880, “An Act Advancing Food & Agricultural Equity,” championed by Senators Comerford and Gobi, specifically the Local Garden Agriculture Program. This program would improve access to food in low-income communities by producing food locally, while implementing practices which improve soil health and nutritional value of crops. Please encourage Senate Ways and Means to advance Food and Agricultural Equity language which includes the Local Garden Agriculture Program. 

Can you please let me know if [Sen. Y] is able to help with either of these bills? [They should ask for your contact information. This is a good strategy to emphasize the importance of your request and how important it is to you.]

Thank you so much for your time.” 

If you’re not able to make the calls (no worries!), you can still take action by sending a quick message using our action pages listed below. 

Click to send a quick message to your legislators:

Thank you again for being a part of this regenerative movement. 

We hope to see you at the NOFA Summer Conference, next month!

*Our numbers give us our power. Membership starts at just $10/year and the more people we have on our rolls, the more collective power we have to influence policy. Please consider joining or renewing your membership and magnify the people power of our movement! Find more info and join/renew, here.