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Farm & Food Policy Project
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--Blueprint for the Future of Farm and Food Policy
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The Farm and Food Policy Project is a collaborative of diverse organizations united by
the common vision of a more sustainable agriculture and food system for the United
States. The Project’s goal is to advance farm and food policy reforms that:
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Enhance farm, ranch, and rural community economic opportunity and viability,
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Reward environmental stewardship,
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Promote new markets and rural entrepreneurship, and
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Combat hunger by increasing access to healthy food.
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--Opportunities
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The 2007 Farm Bill is an unprecedented opportunity for farm and food policy change
due to:
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Rising federal deficits, the threat of trade sanctions, and the continuing unmet
needs of farmers and ranchers,
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Increasing public concern about the environment, food security, and diet-related
health issues, and
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Burgeoning consumer demand for fresh, local, and sustainably produced foods.
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--Four Interlocking Policy Initiatives
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The Farm and Food Policy Project will advance four interlocking policy initiatives:
New Agricultural Markets – More training and incentives to stimulate rural entrepreneurship and small businesses, enhanced alternative food processing and distribution systems, and expanded community-based food systems and markets.
Healthy Foods and Communities – Expanded access of low-income consumers to healthy foods by integrating local and regional agriculture more closely with community food and nutrition assistance efforts.
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Farm and Ranch Stewardship – Increased stewardship on farms and ranches through adoption of sustainable systems, rewards for environmental performance, targets for priority protection and restoration areas, streamlined programs, and opportunities for innovation and partnerships.
Family Farm Revitalization – Improved access to capital and credit, innovative insurance and safety net programs, research targeted to sustainable food and agricultural systems, and strengthened programs for beginning and limited resource farmers and ranchers.
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--Organization
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American Farmland Trust, the Community Food Security
Coalition, Environmental Defense, the Sustainable Agriculture
Coalition, and the Northeast-Midwest Institute serve as
coordinating organizations for Project.
A Coordinating Council represents the interests of partner
organizations and oversees the work groups. It also provides
a forum for establishing common ground on processes, policy
issues, and strategies.
Policy Work Groups for New Agricultural Markets, Healthy
Food and Communities, Farm and Ranch Stewardship, and
Family Farm Revitalization are developing policy platforms
that embody our vision for the farm and food system.
The Project Coordination Team plans, schedules, and
facilitates project activities; manages project evaluation.
The Communications work group develops messages and
strategic outreach strategies.
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--Moving Forward
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Seeded by a three-year grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation,
the Farm and Food Policy Project has launched a groundswell of
support among nutrition, environmental, conservation and agriculture
groups across the country. Already more than 300 individuals and
organizations are seeking to participate. With additional financial
support, many of these organizations could strengthen their
involvement, and other organizations could also join as allies,
creating a much more powerful collaboration.
To be successful the Farm and Food Policy Project needs
additional support to
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Develop innovative policy solutions
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Expand the growing coalition
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Increase the diversity of groups represented
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Create effective legislative strategies, and
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Develop breakthrough communications strategies at the
national and grassroots level.
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To learn more about or get involved in the Farm and Food
Policy Project, contact Allen Hance at ahance@nemw.org.
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Farm & Food
Policy
Project
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Partners
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American Farmland Trust
California Coalition for Food
and Farming
Center for Rural Affairs
Community Food Security
Coalition
Congressional Hunger
Center
Consensus Building
Institute
Environmental Defense
Land Stewardship Project
Michael Fields Agricultural
Institute
Midwest Sustainable
Agriculture Working Group
Minnesota Project
National Campaign for
Sustainable Agriculture
National Catholic Rural Life
Conference
National Council of
Churches
National Family Farm
Coalition
Northeast-Midwest
Institute
Northeast Sustainable
Agriculture Working Group
Organic Farming Research
Foundation
Soil and Water
Conservation Society
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