Objective: To conduct a joint analysis and reflection of the impacts of NAFTA on family agriculture in both countries and, as farmer organizations from the U.S. and Mexico, begin working toward a common agenda of organized responses and alternatives to the current model of free trade.

Convened by: The Mexican Bishops Social Pastoral Commission, The National Catholic Rural Life Conference, and Catholic Relief Services/Mexico Program

Participating Farm Organizations:

México:	"The Countryside Can’t Take it Anymore" Farmers’ Movement
U.S.	Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Women, Food and Agriculture, Community Food Security Coalition, Iowa Governor's Food Policy Council, Dairy Farmers' Family Farm Defenders, National Family Farm Coalition, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, Iowa Farmers Union, National Farmers Union, American Corn Growers Association

Tuesday, February 10
• Arrival of participants
• Working session with Mark Ritchie

Wednesday, February 11
• Introduction of participants and organizations
• Presentation of agenda
• Review of proceedings from 1st US-Mexico Farmers Forum; Des Moines, Iowa

I. IMPACTS OF NAFTA ON OUR LIVELIHOOD AND COMMUNITIES

10:00 Panel Discussion: Impacts of NAFTA on the Countryside
Facilitated by: The Countryside Can’t Take it Anymore" Movement, Mexico

Panelists:
Researchers
José Luís Calva, Mexico
Mark Ritchie, U.S.

Family Farmers/Producers
Representative from "The Countryside Can’t Take it Anymore" Movement, Mexico
Representative from the National Indigenous Congress, Mexico
U.S. Farm representative

Catholic Church
U.S. and Mexican church representatives

1:00 Break-out groups:

1. Impacts of NAFTA on economic, social, and cultural rights in U.S. and Mexico
2. The case of basic grains under NAFTA

2:00 Lunch
3:45 Plenary session


II. OUR RESPONSE

4:45 Panel: Resistance and Response to the Current Free Trade Model
Facilitated by: CRS and National Catholic Rural Life Conference.

Panelists:
• Armando Bartra, Mayan Institute for Rural Development Studies
• Luis Hernández Navarro, Editorial Board of La Jornada Daily
• Víctor Quintana, Adviser to "The Countryside Can’t Take it Anymore"
• U.S. farm representative

6:00 Break-out Groups: What kinds of resistance and responses to the current model of free trade have developed in our own countries and communities?

7:00 Plenary Session
8:00 Dinner



Thursday, February 12

III. BUILDING A COMMON AGENDA TO STRENGTHEN AND UNITE OUR RESISTANCE AND RESPONSES TO THE GLOBALIZATION OF AGRICULTURE

9:00 Plenary Discussion: Strategies, Goals, and Development of a Joint Action Plan

11:00 Strategies discussion continues

1:00 Joint Press Conference

2:00 Closing Remarks and Lunch