The U.S. farm bill is up for renewal this year. It's a sweeping piece of legislation comprising 12 titles that contain provisions for food stamps, disaster aid, and agricultural subsidies. Lawmakers have until September 30th to complete the legislation, but the Senate Agriculture Committee requires Farm priorities to be submitted by March 31st for consideration in the earliest draft of the Farm Bill.
We have proudly partnered with National Family Farm Coalition to combat the high cost of land, one of the greatest obstacles facing small #farmers, beginning farmers & #Black farmers. They are competing for land with multi-million/billion $$ investment funds.
Read More>> https://rebrand.ly/NFFC_Delta
fellowship
partnership renewal
We are excited to partner for the 3rd year in a row with Soul Fire Farm on the Braiding Seeds Fellowship project & provide beginning BIPOC farmers with resources, professional development, and mentors.
The fellowship is an 18-month long program open to beginning BIPOC farmers from the northeast and southeast of the US. The program provides 10 selected cohort members with $50,000 stipends, 1:1 mentorship and coaching, professional development, business acumen, and community-building opportunities.
Family farmers and rural communities suffer disproportionately in times of disaster and economic hardship. Rural communities have less developed infrastructure, greater distances between people & services and fewer resources. These communities suffer more because the impact of disaster hurts twice as much because limited resources can't support the assistance needed and whatever support available takes twice as long to reach those in need.
Family farmers in rural communities are usually the ones positioned to assist urban communities and populations severely affected by disasters, such as COVID-19 and other economic hardships. The greatest needs in times of peril are food, water and shelter. Farmers and cooperatives are the first responders to meet these needs.
Farmers produce and distribute fresh fruits & vegetables through local cooperatives. Cooperative facilities serve as staging areas and storage for relief items sent from across the country. By working with community-based organizations such as cooperatives, farmers have the capacity to organize, coordinate and monitor these efforts via established partnerships. Additionally rural communities often serve as refuge for evacuees during various disasters.
To prosper as a country and respond effectively and equitably to natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and economic turmoil, we have to industriously utilize and equip farmers as first responders. To achieve tour collective goal please see the following recommendations as solutions:
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Better policies that focus on rural infrastructure and disaster pre such as local farmers, cooperatives, and CBOS/regional systems should be identified, listed, and used as first responders in their respective communities.
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Local and regional distribution systems should be developed and/or supported via local, state, and/or government funding.
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Direct disaster payments to farmers and fishermen.
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Cost-share programs to rebuild farm structures and infrastructure (i.e. barns, boats, docks, value-added facilities, equipment, materials, etc.)
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Local disaster plans/models should be required for all counties/communities.
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Greater CBO and minority-serving land grant university support to include disaster training as part of programs.
March is Women's History Month!
We honor the generations of women who have shown us the meaning of excellence by constantly pushing forward for civil rights and equity. Join us throughout the month as we recognize and celebrate women.
