Students to Meet with Department of Agriculture Officials

Unity College Students to Advocate for Change in Maine’s Farm Policy on Genetically Engineered Food

Unity, Maine – April, 2007 –  A group of students from Unity College will lead a three day bike ride to the Maine State Capital in Augusta to demand that Maine change its farm policy on genetically engineered food.  The bike ride will originate at 8 a.m. on April 17 outside the Student Center of the Unity College campus, 90 Quaker Hill Road, Unity, Maine. 

     The three day ride will include stops at Maine organic farms to gather concerns from organic farmers about liability issues involving genetically engineered crops and provide free manpower to assist farmers during the visits. 

     The ride will conclude at 7 a.m., April 19, with a rally on the steps of the Deering Building in Augusta.  “Participants in the ride and members of the general public will rally to call attention to problems with Maine’s genetically engineered faming policy,” said Jake Harr, a second-year Unity College student and ride organizer.

    At 1 p.m. Harr and Zoe Turcotte, a second-year Unity College, will meet with officials from the Department of Agriculture to present information gathered from organic farmers and urge policy change.

     Unity College is a small private college in rural Maine that provides dedicated, engaged students with a liberal arts education which emphasizes the environment and natural resources.  Unity College graduates are prepared to be environmental stewards, effective leaders, and responsible citizens through active learning experiences within a supportive community.