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Mobilizing family farmers, fishers, and ranchers for fair prices, vibrant communities, and healthy foods free of corporate domination.
 

September Newsletter

 

News From the Field

 

Photo by Rural Vermont.

LOCAL Foods Act Introduced - Here's How You Can Help!

Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) have introduced the Livestock Owned by Communities to Advance Local (LOCAL) Foods Act (S.5106) to protect on-farm slaughter practices. The act updates the personal-use exemption in the Federal Meat Inspection Act to align with current USDA guidance. NFFC worked with Rural Vermont, Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, and the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund to advocate for this bill. Learn more about it here!


The LOCAL Foods Act will help strengthen the connections between livestock farmers, their customers, and itinerant slaughterers. By making local meat more accessible and affordable, this legislation will build more sovereign and secure communities.


You can help get the LOCAL Foods Act passed! Please take a moment to call and email your federal legislators and ask them to support this bill. We also encourage you to share this information with others! Click below to get started:

Take Action Here

New Comments Submitted for Important USDA Changes


Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets Rule: As RAFI explains, this new rule provides clearer guidance for livestock and poultry producers who sue meat companies for violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act. As a member of the Campaign for Contract Agriculture Reform, NFFC has a long history of advocating for better enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act. We submitted comments to the USDA supporting this new rule and its protections against unfair treatment.


Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) Changes: The USDA proposed a number of changes to the FMMO system, which regulates milk pricing across the majority of the dairy sector. We submitted comments to the USDA about each specific recommendation, and are continuing to raise our voices in support of price floors and supply management for dairy. Click here to read more about why we need the Milk from Family Dairies Act for a long-term solution to the dairy crisis!


NFFC's Advocacy for Debt Relief Pays Off


For years NFFC has called for debt relief for farmers and its fair and transparent implementation, including it as a top priority in our Farm Bill platform. The advocacy efforts and accomplishments by NFFC, our members, and our allies have helped secure billions in funding for tens of thousands of farmers! Years of groundwork paved the path to the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which dedicated $5.3 billion to loan forgiveness for farmers. Most recently, we celebrated the final payments made to 43,000 farmers through the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP) established in the IRA!


We continue to fight for federal policies that support farmers' financial health, especially through fair pricing and better farm credit opportunities. Read more here about our historic work to achieve debt relief, and what's next.


P.S. - Some DFAP applicants have recently been targeted by scammers who are taking money to "re-submit" applications. The USDA has confirmed that the program closed on July 31 and will not be re-opened for new applications.


NFFC staff, members, and allies pose for a photo at Farm Aid!

🤘We had a blast at Farm Aid 2024!🎶


NFFC was well-represented at this year's Farm Aid in Saratoga Springs, NY! Fourteen of our member organizations joined festival and pre-concert events, including the Farmer Forum (which you can watch on Youtube), Farm Aid Eve, speaking on the FarmYard Stage, and tabling at the Homegrown Village! We are always impressed with Farm Aid's ability to put on a rocking show every single year, and remain grateful for their continued partnership and dedicated support of independent farmers. As always, we had a great time!


Keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram accounts and our website for a recap and photos coming this week.

 

News From Our Members & Allies

ALERT: Resources for Farmers Affected by Hurricane Helene


Hurricane Helene has caused devastation for entire communities across the Southeast US, and widespread damage to many farms. Our hearts are with all of those affected, both within our network and beyond. We hope you are staying safe.


RAFI has information on their website dedicated to disaster relief programs available for farmers. They also have a new form online for Hurricane Helene, so you can get more updates as additional resources become available. Their top advice to farmers experiencing storm damage is extensive documentation - photos and notes!

John Kinsman Beginning Farmer Food Sovereignty Prize


Nominate a farmer today for Family Farm Defenders John Kinsman Beginning Farmer Food Sovereignty Prize! The final winner(s) receive a $2,500 cash prize, as well as public recognition at an award dinner and ceremony at Family Farm Defenders' annual meeting in November. Find eligibility guidelines and instructions for nominations online. TODAY, September 30, is the last call for nominations!

Photo by Family Farm Defenders

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National Family Farm Coalition
110 Maryland Ave NE #307
Washington, DC 20002

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