General Social Action News and Updates

by Brian Dugas

Community Justice Alliance 1st Work session, Monday, October 13th at 6:00PM, The Peace and Justice Center’s Office 57 North Franklin St, WB, Kirby Health Center Annex, 3rd floor

October 18th No Kings National Day for Mobilization

• Wilkes Barre, Public Square, 11:00AM to 1:00PM
• Scranton, Courthouse Sq, 2:00PM to 5:00PM
• Tunkhannock. Feed Mill Park, 3:00PM to 4:30PM

Food Pantry - Food getting close to expiration, don’t want to waste, 6 months in advance of expiration. Food needed.

Food prices soaring increase of 3.19% year after year due to inflation, but now additional stresses on the system. Including: lingering supply chain issues, high energy costs, labor shortages, conflicts around the world, and of course our import tariff’s - significant increases in coffee, sugar, and bananas. Going to get worse. Need to ensure the Food Pantry stays well stocked.

Community Garden update: November 2nd after the service workday and discussion of next year's community garden plans. Bring your own tools and dress for the weather.

Positive update: The PA Department of Agriculture has purchased the development rights for 2079 acres of farmland across 14 counties in Pennsylvania. Through the purchase of preservation easement, farmers profit from their land without selling it for commercial or residential projects. A total of 5.7 million dollars will ensure 24 properties stay farmland, mainly in Central PA where there is enormous pressure to develop their land.

Criteria:

• At least ½ of the land must either be harvested cropland, pasture, or grazing land and must contain 50% soil capability.
• Minimum of 50 acres with some exceptions, must use conservation practices, nutrient management and control of soil erosion and sedimentation. 

Since 1988 the program has protected 6621 farms and 658,681 acres in 58 counties from future development.

With all of the things happening in this country right now, it is more important than ever that we relearn how to live with nature and grow our own food. Please join us on November 2nd at the garden.

Declaration of Independence: Talks about something called the Unalienable Rights - Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That whenever any Form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government,....... which is most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Vote November 4th!