The big land rush

In today's world, we have a plethora of sources for obtaining our news - television, newspaper, mobile applications, social media, text messages, et cetera. These sources often condense the relevant information into an article, 2 minute news segment, or-in the case of Twitter-140 characters! It's usually enough to relay the main message with a few details. But, that's about it.

That's why I love documentaries! Sometimes to really get at the heart of a story, you have to delve into the world that's just beyond the article. For an hour or so, documentaries transport you into the world of experts, opinions, facts, etc. Sometimes they make you happy. Many times they make you furious. The very best ones inspire you to change yourself or call for change in others.

As Oxfam supporters all over the globe gear up for awareness activities surrounding World Food Day 2013, it's important that we take a look at the issues that surround hunger. One such and often misunderstood issue is land grabs. I bet you can see where I'm going with this...

Why Poverty? has a great 1 hour documentary on their website (for free) that helps to explain the complicated issue of land grabs through the eyes of an American sugar farmer looking to acquire 200 square km of land for development in a partnership with the Mali government. That is, until a military coup takes place...

So, for World Food Day 2013...please share this film and encourage people to ask tough questions about poverty and why nearly 1 in 8 people is trapped in a cycle of constant hunger.

How will you jam with Oxfam?

Wilco. Ra Ra Riot. Calexico. Cayucas.

What do these musical groups all have in common?

Apart from their totally awesome music – these groups, along with many others, support Oxfam’s work around the globe to help “Right the Wrong” of hunger, poverty, and injustice. By raising awareness and leveraging their “fandom” to use their voices for change, the movement grows ever stronger. This summer, add your voice to the growing community of people who believe: women deserve fairer treatment, farmers shouldn't lose their livelihoods to big corporations stealing their land, and that no person deserves to go without food. Changing the world isn't easy and that's why we need your help. From tabling at concerts, to meeting with congressional staff, volunteering at food banks, and raising awareness about the plight of poverty - the big question of the summer is: How will you jam with Oxfam?

Click here to show your support for the Behind the Brands campaign - it's quick and simple or click here to email the Iowa Oxfam Action Corps to find out how you can get involved.

Click here to download the Oxfam Summer Jams 2013 soundtrack (17 tracks) – completely free.

Jam on!

Oxfam at 80/35

The Iowa Oxfam Action Corps is gearing up for the big holiday weekend! As part of our ongoing music outreach, we will be mingling with the community at this weekend’s 80/35 music festival right here in downtown Des Moines! We had such a great time last year at 80/35 that we decided to do it again.

This Saturday, the Action Corps will be collecting signatures, interacting with festival goers and spreading awareness about Oxfam. Our booth will be located in the YPC Do More Village. The Do More Village will be showcasing all things Des Moines, featuring interactive exhibits and unique demonstrations, all provided by local organizations and non-profits on Locust St. In addition to visiting our booth, you can check out the more than 40 musical acts on three stages (two of which are FREE!), including David Byrne & St. Vincent, Wu Tang Clan and local favorites H.D. Harmsen. For more information on 80/35, click here.

Interested in volunteering with Oxfam at 80/35? There are still spots available! You can contact us at iowa@oxfamactioncorps.org.

Swing by the Oxfam table at 80/35 this Saturday, and say hi! Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!

-Kelly

Nothing Loco about being a Locavore.

Hello Iowans! This is Aaron blogging today so prepare yourself for links... links are fun!

Our local Farmers' Markets are back in business and now is a great opportunity to discuss Oxfam's Grow Method. These neighborhood markets allow local farmers to sell their meat & produce directly to consumers. Doing some of your grocery shopping at your local Farmers' Market is directly in-line with 3 Grow Method principles.

• SUPPORT - You're supporting small-scale food producers close to home.
• SEASONAL - We waste lots of energy trying to grow food in the wrong place, at the wrong time of year. The produce available at your local Farmers' Market reflects the growing season in your area.
• SAVE FOOD - About a third of the food produced for people's plates ends up lost or wasted between farm and fork. Sometimes cutting the distance between farm & fork can cut food waste too!

Here are some additional resources for finding out what is in season where you live.

• Natural Resources Defense Council - Iowa Seasonal Foods
• Seasonal Ingredient Map from Epicurious.com 

For more information on where to find the closest market to you, Iowa Oxfam Action Corps has put together a Foursquare list of Farmer's Markets in the greater Des Moines area. Enjoy!

If you're looking for recipes I've got a link for that. Oxfam America has a great Pinterest where you can follow & pin delicious Grow Method Recipes.  Check it out!

And if you've got a fully stocked kitchen but you're stumped on what to make for dinner, there's another kind of online resource that you can use to SAVE FOOD. You can find several different special recipe websites online by searching for "what to cook with ingredients you have" - on these sites you tell them some of the ingredients you have available and they will search for recipes that you'll be able to use them with. We are living in the future and it is amazing. I can personally recommend My Fridge Food for having saved a few dinners in my household through its ease of use. 

Enjoy your Summer, Iowa!

Poverty as a Puzzle

Earlier today, the Royce/Engel amendment to the 2013 Farm Bill was defeated on the floor of the House of Representatives. This amendment would have given an enormous boost to helping to lessen the effects of poverty worldwide by extending the flexibility and appropriate market mechanisms to meet emergency needs. In short, it would have allowed the United States to respond to disaster with food aid that is more cost effective (a plus for U.S. taxpayers) and faster (a plus for those experiencing famine). Sadly, it was supported by many of both major political parties but lost due to special interest lobbying and the spread of misinformation. With so many moving parts, how can we ever hope to end poverty?

Sounds a bit like a puzzle, no?

Rest assured, this is a solvable puzzle. We can and will solve hunger. We know what the pieces are: sustainable farming; empowering women, farmers, and communities; giving youth a chance at an education; fixing an outdated food aid system; and ending conflicts over natural resources, etc. And, we know that the pieces do fit together! Read this incredible story about Laura Chavez, a Guatemalan, who has inspired women in her community to stand up against gender-based violence. Through training she receives from Oxfam, she empowers women and makes her community stronger.

Organizations like Oxfam America work tirelessly to bring all of these pieces together. Let's continue to put pieces together, one-at-a-time, until the ending puzzle is a picture of a world where people have the power to make the changes they need to live smarter, healthier, and safer lives.

Sometimes a puzzle piece falls off the table and onto the floor, just like the Royce/Engel amendment did today. It doesn't mean the puzzle is over - let's pick up that piece, search for a new piece if need be, and finish the puzzle.

GROW with Local Farmers Markets

It’s that time of year again…May marks the official start to farmer’s market season! Visiting a local farmer’s market is a great way to follow a part of the GROW method. By purchasing goods at a market, you are supporting your local farmers. You can find homemade items like preserves and baked goods as well as produce. The produce ranges from apples to kale to peppers and much more, all fresh and grown locally!

There are several markets in the Des Moines area for you to choose from, and they are held at a variety of times. The Downtown market is held every Saturday morning from 7a.m. until noon. Plus, if you ride your bike to the market you can park in the Free Valet Bike Parking at Second and Court. Another popular market is the Valley Junction Farmer’s Market, held every Thursday (May 2-Oct. 3, excluding July 4) from 4 to 8 p.m. Live music plays in the Junction from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Drake Neighborhood holds their market every Wednesday, June through September from 4 to 7 p.m. It is held at 25^th and University, in the parking lot of First Christian Church. A complete list of area farmer’s markets can be found here. Are you big on social media? On Foursquare, we have a great map of Des Moines Area Farmers Markets here.

As the season progresses, the Iowa Oxfam Action Corps will be making volunteer opportunities at farmer’s markets available. As these opportunities become available, we will let you know by posting on our Facebook page and by email. Feel free to contact us at iowa@oxfamactioncorps.org if you have any questions or would like to volunteer. We’d love to see you!

Happy Farmer’s Market Season!

-Kelly

And we're back...

Hello Des Moines!

This is Aaron Schlumbohm, one of your two new Action Corps Organizers for this next year, the other being my esteemed colleague Kelly Buffalo. We are both recently returned from a 4 day training with Oxfam America staff in Washington D.C. Present were volunteers from 15 cities that Oxfam America has identified as important in the global fight against poverty, hunger, & injustice... and we're proud that Des Moines, IA is one of them. While there we had the opportunity to learn more about Oxfam's mission & ongoing campaigns, and to talk with staff from the offices of Congressman Latham and Senators Grassley and Harkin about the President's proposals to Reform US Food Aid. It was a great experience and I hope that if you're reading this you'll consider seizing this opportunity to take a leadership role in Oxfam Action Corps next year!

Since we've been back we had the opportunity to table at Earth Day in the Junction talking about Oxfam with the community and collecting petitions supporting food aid reform. We're also transitioning with last year's organizers Amy & Lance. We're hoping to continue the outstanding work they've done organizing events & volunteer opportunities, and to build on the volunteer base they've developed here in the Des Moines area. We're also planning to develop a more active online presence with regular updates on Facebook, Twitter, and Foursquare so look for us there! Additionally, Kelly and I have committed to regular blog posts on the 7th and 21st of each month (as I type this on April 24th) under the direction of former organizer Lance Massey as Blogger-in-Chief. :)

We've got a volunteer opportunity Thursday April 25th from 6:30-8:30 at St. Timothy's and a meeting coming up on Friday May 3rd. We'll keep you up to date and we hope to see you soon!