LFG joins National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition in DC

*NSAC’s annual winter meeting, along with nearly 100 member organizations, discussing how to better support beginning farmers, farmers of color, and equity/fair competition in agriculture.*

Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA) presented with a Champion of Sustainability Award for his hard work on 2018 Farm Bill and championing MA Agriculture, beginning farmers, conservation, and organic research -by Jim Hafner, Land For Good, Alicia Harvie, Farm Aid, and World Farmers.

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) was acknowledged for her support of family farmers and presented with a Champion of Sustainability Award -by Coastal Enterprises Inc., Maine Farmland Trust, Maine Organic Farmers And Gardeners Association, and Land For Good.

Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), a key ally in the 2018 Farm Bill fight, was presented with a well-deserved Champion of Sustainability Award -by Ariana Taylor-Stanley, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, and Jim Hafner, Land For Good.

Photos: National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)

We were honored to be invited to Capitol Hill to celebrate wins for land access and transfer in the recent Farm Bill. Jim Hafner, LFG’s Executive Director, had the opportunity to represent New England in presenting Champion of Sustainability Awards to members of Congress who helped secure these wins.

On January 28-29, Jim attended the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) annual winter meeting in Washington DC. The meeting focused on celebrating and understanding the recently passed Farm Bill, and the process and issues around implementation based on the priorities put forth by NSAC on behalf of its membership.

As a result of the hard work and advocacy of family farmers, agricultural advocates, and champions in Congress, the 2018 Farm Bill contained many big wins for the sustainable agriculture community, including programs that support farmland access and farm transfer challenges. Read more on NSAC

On January 30, Jim joined other organizations to visit with seven members of New England state congressional delegation and who serve on either House or Senate Agriculture or Appropriations Committees. Several members received Champion of Sustainability Awards on behalf of NSAC, and discussions centered on work of Land For Good on the ground, as well as related Farm Bill implementation priorities including support for new, beginning and diverse farmers, farm transfer and succession, and relevant research and data initiatives.

Meetings were held with Jim McGovern (D-MA), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), and the staff of Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Representatives Annie Kuster (D-NH) and Jahana Hayes (D-CT).

Thanks to their support, access to fresh nutritious food will be increased, family farmers will be able to more easily grow their businesses and take advantage of new market opportunities, and struggling rural economies will receive a much-needed boost.

They are champions for New England’s food system, farmers, and farmland.