Farmland Investments Further Scrutinized

NFFC's National Programs and Policy Coordinator, Jordan Treakle, shared concerns from NFFC and our members about the rapidly increasing rate of US farmland investment in this story by NewsNation. While farmers continue to see land prices rise to historic amounts, a massive barrier to new and beginning farmers looking to enter the sector, investment firms are seeing record returns on the farmland they're buying up across rural America.

The Financial Times completed an analysis in February that shows an eightfold increase in the value of farmland held by investment groups since 2008. The report also predicts that, as land becomes more scarce from the effects of climate change, investment will only surge.

Jordan highlighted the Farmland for Farmers Act as one solution to this crisis - the bill would curtail speculative investment in US farmland, helping protect this resource for farmers who need it.

Click here to support the Farmland for Farmers Act!

New USDA Rules Promote Fair Competition, Transparency Updates

The USDA finalized a rule aligning the “Product of USA” label with consumer understanding of what the claim means. Meat companies can now use the voluntary "Product of USA" label only for products that are born, raised, slaughtered, and processed in the US. Previously, companies were allowed to use the label for products born, raised, and slaughtered elsewhere and simply processed in the US. NFFC and our members advocated for this rule and are pleased to see it's finalization!

More good news followed when USDA released the second in its series of rules strengthening the Packers and Stockyards Act, which protects integrity and fair competition within the meat industry. The new rule aims to address abusive and deceptive practices used by dominating meatpacking and poultry companies to exert control over livestock and poultry markets. NFFC celebrates this new rule, which is now open for public comments in the Federal Register!

April 17 - International Day of Peasant's Struggles

Join NFFC and La Via Campesina (LVC) to build solidarity on April 17, the International Day of Peasant Struggles!

LVC hosts this annual action day on the anniversary of the Eldorado do Carajás massacre in 1996, honoring the persistence of global peasants in their movement towards a future based on food sovereignty and justice for all! Visit LVC's website to learn more about the actions YOU can take to advance this global movement.

This call to action follows LVC's 8th International Conference in December 2023, which NFFC staff and members attended.

(Graphic by La Via Campesina)

Pointing the Farm Bill Toward Racial Justice Toolkit

In 2023, the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund, American University, and the Berkeley Food Institute hosted the Pointing the Farm Bill Towards Racial Justice Summit to explore what it would take to advance equity via the Farm Bill. NFFC and RAFI both participated during the summit in Washington, DC.

The organizing committee just released a robust toolkit informed by the event! The interactive toolkit includes a wealth of resources to support racial justice advocates working towards equity in our food system. The toolkit also highlights the crucial coalition building work that NFFC advances, as well as our Farm Bill platform and the Disparity to Parity Project!

(Photo by the Federation of Southern Cooperatives)