LOCAL FARMERS MEET WITH LEGISLATORS ABOUT FARM BILL CONCERNS

 

Bringing the concerns of area farmers to national legislators is vital, and even more important when a Farm Bill is being discussed. This federal bill comes up every 5 years, and details are available here.  Topics in this bill include all of our core priorities: addressing corporate consolidation and abuses by big business, reforming regulations to be scale-appropriate, and supporting local food systems.

Earlier this month, through the annual National Family Farm Coalition Fly-In program, we sent 5 farmers plus 1 FARFA staff member to join dozens of other farmers and advocacy groups in Washington D.C. Attendees met with 75 Congressional offices, both scheduled and impromptu visits, discussing issues that impact small farmers and local food systems – everything from protecting on-farm processing options, to mandating country of origin labels on meat, to providing fair access to credit for all, and more. 

We witnessed what we thought would hold true... that connecting real farmers with lawmakers would open the opportunity for progress that otherwise may not have happened.

We want to express a big thank you to everyone who donated to last year's "Send Farmers to Washington" campaign! You made it possible for FARFA to be well-represented, and we appreciate farmers Marcella, Marty, Manuel, Pier Anne, plus Agtivist Christiana, for taking days out of busy schedules to share their stories and passion to make real change possible!

Whether it's a phone call or a trip to D.C., taking time to share your story with lawmakers really does make a difference. Sign up for our Action Alerts and make your voice heard on these vital issues!

Farm Bill negotiations will continue throughout the coming months, so stay tuned for updates.

- - - - Comments from our Fly-In Farmers - - - -

 

"It was important for us to travel to Capitol Hill to share our stories and advocate for policy changes that directly affect our livelihood as young farmers as well as our ability to feed our communities. This is a critical time for Congress to shape the future of our nation's food system via the Farm Bill, and it is important for us as under-represented small farmers on the South Texas border to make our voices heard. We are so grateful for the opportunity to meet with our representatives and advocate for policies that will better support small farmers and local food around the country. Thank you!" 

Manuel Juarez & Marcella, Palo Blanco Farm and Ranch near Laredo, TX

-----

"The limitations on our rights to access foods directly from a farmer is not only a local but also a nationwide issue. The fly-in allowed me to understand the issues further and see other perspectives. I came back from the experience hopeful for the future and change. I also felt empowered that by taking some time out of my schedule and sharing my experiences can have an impact, where before I felt powerless to evoke change. 

It was amazing to be part of a diverse group that shares a common goal. As a beginning farmer, I aim to improve the health and lives of my community by providing food that can be trusted to be grown sustainably and as naturally as possible, the fly in was an opportunity to lobby for my community to make those products more accessible to them." 

Pier-Anne Lachance, Yellow Bird Creek Restoration Farm in East Texas

------

"There are so many issues pressing for the attention of each legislator. As citizens, it is our job to remind them that we demand transparency in Mandatory Country of Origin labeling (MCOOL) for all products sold in the USA, especially food products – with no exceptions.  It also seems that we must remind them that their legislative role serves first, the interest of its citizens before that of multinational businesses or the World Trade Organization.

 It is time, now more than ever, for US consumers to remind their legislators that bowing to outside interest over those of citizens is unacceptable and to reinstate MCOOL for all food products."

Marty French, Sunset Springs Ranch / Direct to Consumer – Beef, Lamb & Poultry

---

SUPPORT FARFA

Never has our work been more important than now! More and more people are awakening to the fact that our food systems are broken. There is no better time to change the rules that favor Big Agribusiness and Big Food over small-scale, local producers.

Your support for our work TODAY can make an enormous – and long-lasting – difference!  Please consider joining or making a donation to FARFA and protect a healthy and productive food supply for everyone.

Also, you can make sure we have your correct zip code so we can provide you with alerts that are specific to your state or legislative district. And when we send out email alerts to contact your legislators, a simple click on a link in that email will show you the names and contact info for YOUR specific legislators ... all because we have your zip code. Just go to our Self-Service Portal to check your contact record.