The U.S. Congress is currently writing a new version of the Farm Bill, a massive piece of legislation that will determine the future of food and agriculture for the next four years. Senator Pat Roberts, the Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, could use his position to undermine the power of the National Organic Standards Board. The Board is a valuable source of democratic representation in the regulatory process for agriculture across the United States.
Policy and Organizing
Supporting Organic Agriculture “is truly putting America first”
Mendenhall is a farmer and advocate. OFA, sponsored by the Rodale Institute, works to build and support the organic farmer movement and national policy platform in the United States.
New Report Seeks Justice in 2018 Farm Bill
The Farm Bill Law Enterprise’s series of reports call upon Congress to diversify the agricultural economy, improve food access and nutrition, and encourage productivity and risk management in new farm bill.
Good Food Advocates to Converge in D.C. to Oppose Draft Farm Bill
Food Policy Action is mobilizing stakeholders from across the United States to voice their united opposition to the draft 2018 Farm Bill released by the House Agriculture Committee. Advocates have a narrow window in which to convince House members that supporting a Farm Bill that cuts support for SNAP, small farmers, and the working class is not only irresponsible, but will lose them support at the ballot box, says FPA executive director Monica Mills.
New Global Report Reveals Crucial Connections Between Food, the Environment, and Human Health
Renowned resource economist Dr. Anil Markandya discusses the methodologies used by TEEBAgriFood Report, and their role in addressing the challenges of monetizing non-economic aspects of the food and agriculture system.
Making Rural Mexico Great Again: Leading Candidate Endorses Farmers’ Reform Program
Andrés Manuel López Obrador of the National Regeneration Movement leads the political race to be the next President of Mexico and has endorsed a far-reaching set of reforms to improve Mexico’s rural sector. The program centers on the idea of “food sovereignty” and is sharply critical of NAFTA.
“The Environment is our Economy”
Focusing on food waste, biodiversity, and externalities. Dr. Abdou Tenkouano discusses how the new TEEB AgriFood report optimizes all three.
Opinion: The Republican Farm Bill is as Broken as our Food System
As Congress battles over this year’s Farm Bill — the massive US$87 billion a year legislation dictating the nation’s food and farming policies — it’s critical we spend all this money wisely. As taxpayers and eaters, everyone has a stake in making sure this huge investment results in a healthier food system for the future.
#EarthDay2018: Eating as if the Planet Mattered
In honor of Earth Day, April 22nd, Food Tank is highlighting five high-impact actions each person can take to eat as if the planet mattered. Eating as if the planet matters means eating more healthful foods, wasting less food, helping reverse climate change, and reducing the rates of overfishing and overexploitation of soils. These changes can also help consumers save money and build more resilient, fun, and beautiful communities.
Op-ed: Can Food Retailers Develop Policies That Drive Sustainable Agriculture?
While U.S. retailers have struggled to create policies that drive sustainability on the farm, a recent Stanford study reports on the success of one South African retailer.
Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition YES! Finalist Chris Maughan on Agroecology Innovations for Social Justice and Sustainability
BCFN Alumni Chris Maughan describes the rise of the agroecology movement, the biggest obstacles to agroecological development, and how the SHIFFT project is working to support agroecological innovations across Europe.
New Australian Alliance Building Farmers Markets
The Farmers Market Alliance of New South Wales, Australia, is working to protect the reputation and integrity of Australian farmers markets and support local farmers and artisan producers.
Jeremiah Lowery: “Food Insecurity Was a Recurring Theme in my Life”
Highlighting personal experience, Lowery encourages an intersectional approach to food policy and understanding of current food issues in the D.C. area.
New Report: Rural American Workers Still Struggle to Recover from Great Recession
President Trump’s Task Force on Agricultural and Rural Prosperity reveals hardships of rural life after the Great Recession.
The U.N. General Assembly Officially Declares the Decade of Family Farming
The U.N. General Assembly passed a resolution aiming to ignite international efforts to support family farmers and their roles in developing hunger and poverty solutions.
To Save Family Farms, We Must Oppose Monsanto-Bayer Merger
The pending Monstanto-Bayer merger will increasingly limit farmers choices while increasing the price of required agricultural inputs. Congressional candidate Austin Frerick is out to right this wrong, restore competition within the market, and save family farms.
2017 Round of Global Climate Change Talks Sees First-Ever Progress on Agriculture
For the first time in the 25-year history of international climate negotiations, the 197 member countries of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) have reached an agreement on agriculture. The milestone came near the close of the 23rd Conference of Parties (COP23) of the UNFCCC and formally establishes a process called the Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture.
Building a Sustainable Food Future in Santee Sioux Nation
New research by the Center for Rural Affairs explores how the Santee Sioux people wish to rebuild a sovereign food system and build a healthier and more resilient Nation.
Keep Your Eyes on the Price: WTO Remains Blind to Agricultural Dumping
Farm leaders from around the world were greatly disappointed in the outcome, or lack thereof, at the biennial World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires. If the WTO is to fulfill its mandate to support development and reduce unfair trade, it has to keep its eyes on the prize of fair prices and address illegal dumping.
U.S. Law Schools Launch Healthy Food Policy Project to Support Local Policies/Legislation
A team of leading food lawyers and legal scholars in the United States (U.S.) is launching the Healthy Food Policy Project (HFPP), a collaborative initiative working to identify and elevate effective local food laws as examples for advocates in communities across the country. The website features a searchable database of local laws that seek to promote access to healthy food while contributing to strong local economies, an improved environment, and health equity.