WASHINGTON - JUNE 11 - Stonyfield Farm and Environmental Defense today launched a petition drive to urge Congress to expand farmland stewardship and protection programs in the 2007 Farm Bill.

This month, a message printed on over eight million Stonyfield Farm yogurt lids will tell consumers: “In the time it takes to eat this yogurt, ten acres of farmland will be lost to development” and urge consumers to take action such as signing a petition to Congress seeking more funds for USDA programs that reward farmers when they help preserve open spaces and provide a healthier environment.

Stonyfield Farm has been a leader in public outreach on health and the environment using its yogurt lids, website and consumer events to reach millions of consumers to build awareness and action on healthy food choices, climate change, and organic and family farming.

Congress will renew farm and food policies this year in the 2007 Farm Bill.

“Renewal of farm and food policies impacts all Americans,” said Gary Hirshberg, Stonyfield President and CE-Yo. “We’re losing farmland to development at a rate of two acres per minute. More than 80 percent of fruits and vegetables, and 60 percent of our dairy products, are in the path of the sprawl.”

More than 200 members of Congress have already co-sponsored legislation to boost USDA programs to reward farmland stewardship and protection. Currently, two out of three farmers and ranchers offering to share the cost of clean water and wildlife habitat are turned away due to funding shortfalls.

“The next Farm Bill is a chance to reward – not reject – farmers when they offer to meet our environmental challenges,” said Scott Faber, Campaign Director for Environmental Defense’s Healthy Farms, Healthy Food Campaign. “Now is the time for all Americans to add their voices to those who are calling for farm and food policies that help meet America’s energy, environment and health challenges.”

For more information, visit www.environmentaldefense.org/go/farms/

###

Environmental Defense, a leading national nonprofit organization, represents more than 500,000members. Since 1967, Environmental Defense has linked science, economics, law and innovative private-sector partnerships to create breakthrough solutions to the most serious environmental problems.

Stonyfield Farm, celebrating its 24th year, is the world’s leading organic yogurt manufacturer, and produces all natural and organic yogurt, smoothies, cultured soy, frozen yogurt, ice cream and milk. The company advocates that healthy food can only come from a healthy planet. It was the nation’s first dairy processor to pay farmers not to treat cows with the synthetic bovine growth hormone rBGH. Stonyfield donates 10 percent of its profits to environmental causes; was America’s first manufacturer to offset 100 percent of its CO2 emissions from its facility energy use; and recently installed the fifth largest solar array in New England to help power its production plant -- all efforts to reduce global warming. Stonyfield Farm is also a proud sponsor of Live Earth: 7.7.07 - The Concert for a Climate Crisis, the worldwide July 7 concert event that brings attention to global warming.
For more information about Stonyfield Farm, its products and initiatives, visit www.stonyfield.com or call 1-800-PRO-COWS.

www.environmentaldefense.org