USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack appeared before the House Agriculture Committee last week to discuss the state of the rural economy and field questions on the implementation of the Farm Bill. Over the past few weeks USDA officials have appeared before the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to discuss USDA’s proposed budget for FY2015. And as always, bills are being introduced on the Hill that would have real impacts on the lives of farmers. Here are some key highlights:
“Meat” the author: NFFC talks with Chris Leonard about his new book “The Meat Racket”
Our Meeting with Christopher Leonard and a discussion about his book, The Meat Racket: The Secret Takeover of America’s Food Business. Leonard, a former AP agribusiness reporter, discussed what he learned about the meat industry and the struggles of livestock growers in the business. It was an honor and a privilege to have this conversation with him over dinner, which included sustainably, family farm raised ham from Patchwork Family Farms and cheese from Cheddar Grove.
NFFC Board President Notes Progress and Setbacks in 2014 Farm Bill
Read NFFC’s President Ben Burkett Review of 2014 Farm Bill
NFFC Dairy Leader Proposes Milk Price Proposal to Agriculture Committees
To: Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chair of the Senate Ag Committee,
Senator Thad Cochran, Minority Chair of the Senate Ag Committee
Rep. Frank Lucas; Chair; House Ag Committee
Rep. Colin Peterson, Minority Chair; House Ag Committee
Save Our Safeguards: An Update on the TAFTA Negotiations
This week has been a busy week in DC. The TAFTA negotiators were in town and NFFC, along with other members of the Citizens Trade Campaign, greeted them on gray Monday morning.
Down to Earth: Small Farm Issues In a Big Farm World
Students at Ball State University created this excellent short documentary on the state of small farms in the U.S., thanks in no small part to insights imparted by NFFC director Kathy Ozer. The film focused on the story of the Becker Family Farm and featured interviews with Kathy and other notable individuals, including Will Allen of Growing Power and Senator Joe Donnelly (D-IN).
Updates on Two recent Protests in DC
NFFC joined Friends of the Earth in a protest outside of the Charlie Palmer’s Steak House where USTR Mike Froman had lunch with “green groups” to discuss the Trans Pacific Partnership.
Growing Food and Justice Initiative Debrief
Immediately after the Food Sovereignty Prize, Rachel flew to Taos, New Mexico to represent NFFC and USFSA at the Growing Food and Justice Initiative Gathering. She attended the Intensive Leadership Facilitation Training as well as the main conference to join the conversation about racism and structural inequality in our food system.
The Food Sovereignty Prize from New York Debrief
On October 15th, the US Food Sovereignty Alliance hosted the 5th annual Food Sovereignty Prize at Cooper Union in New York City. Representatives of the honorees and USFSA opened the ceremony with a Mystica, wearing flags that represented the honorees as well as other liberation fighters. The Mystica participants carried bowls of seeds, water, soil, and aspirations through the audience to join Mother Earth center stage. Chants and a song of struggle and liberation were shared with the audience before moving into the formal ceremony.
What’s wrong with the current Farm Bill?
The goal of food and farm policy should be a sustainable and adequate supply of wholesome food at affordable prices.
Food Crisis
Food Crisis News
Land Monitor – Help us document land grabs!
Land Monitor – Help us document land grabs! Are you a family farmer or ally? Check out NFFC’s new Farmland Monitor website, a farmer-powered hub for information on investments practices that are undermining family farmers’ ability to stay on their land.