To learn more about SHA's work on NAIS and the history of that work, click here to the archival Index page.

SmallHolders Alliance (SHA) started 6 years ago, with the onset of the USDA Scrapie Eradication Program. It was to unite small farmers in MA, so we could speak as a unit and not fight our battles alone. After a brief burst of action, SHA became idle. However, with the advent of the USDA's National Animal Identification System, I brought it back to life. SHA will continue to serve as a loosely based grassroots communication system between New England's small livestock farmers, but we will also use this site to communicate activities on the struggle against NAIS.

I am the Massachusetts State Coordinator for Liberty Ark Coalition, and am willing to speak to any group that wants to learn more about this program. If you'd like more information about Liberty Ark, or NAIS, check out the links on this page.

Attention Massachusetts Residents!
Join the SHA email list. No dues, no meetings, just networking, and a voice. Horses? Alpacas? Goats? Cows? Poultry? Just good food? Join SmallHolders Association in showing just how many people are involved in agriculture in Massachusetts. You decide what type of farming you want to do.

es
10/23/07 - The Senate Agriculture Commitee has released its rough language for the Farm Bill, and it includes NAIS. The Committee will discuss the bill this week. Act Now.
10/21/07 - No Action Taken on MA SB 475 yet. Contact your State Senator and express your support for 475, which stops NAIS in all its forms, including coersion such as has been done in NC and CO.
Looking to Connect with other Small Holders? Join our Discussion email list. (This is a private list,
not Yahoo.)
Need hay? Just want to vent? Want some advice?
Have some animals for sale? Join SHA, no expense.

1/1007 - Senator Brewer sponsors Anti-NAIS Bill
(Senate Bill 475)

Based on the Liberty Ark Coalition's "Livestock Farms Freedom Act" this bill is modified for Massachusetts. If it passes in its current form it will stop any mandatory NAIS program in MA, from Premises to Tagging to Tracking. Complete wording for the proposed bill can be found here. For more information on citizen action in MA, click here. To see who has signed to support anti-NAIS legislation in MA, click here.

If you do not wish to join the SHA mailing list, but wish to be counted among SHA members, please email us. We will keep your name, address and contact information on file, but not on the web, to protect you. This is simply to demonstrate to the "Powers that Be," that SHA represents many individuals in MA, though we are not an incorporated organization. Liberty Ark is represented throughout the nation. SHA is that voice in the Bay State.

Thank you. Pat and Dave

**A lot is happening around the nation regarding NAIS. I've kept only the most pertinent information on this page, but the original SHA index page is accessible. Just click here.

10/23/07 - Farm Bill Includes NAIS in Senate Version. Click Here to Learn How to Take Action!
House Ag Commitee Passes Farm Bill with Provisions Open for Mandatory NAIS. Contact Your Congressional Rep, Senators and Members of the Senate Agriculture Committee. For more information visit this link

11/28 - MDAR has a new Commissioner, Mr. Douglas W. Peterson. SHA and LAC have sent a letter to Commissioner Peterson regarding the recent "Opt Out,"instructions sent by MDAR. If you'd like to see the letter, please click here. We encourage you to contact the Commissioner with your own views, as well as your State Senators and Representatives.

Read the Press Release here.

11/10 - Letters arrive from MDAR stipulating that Premises Program is being reinitiated. Those not wanting to be included must contact MDAR. MDAR announced on 11/20/07 that they will honor requests prior to 12/15/07 due to confusion in the text and delays in mailing. Click here to learn more about Opting Out.