Dear Hilde,

Thanks to Farm Aid for all the great work you are doing to support dairy farmers. I signed the petition to Secretary Vilsack, but am wondering what else I can do personally to raise awareness in my community. I am not a dairy farmer, but care deeply about this issue. How do I get involved at the grassroots level?

Thanks,
Chris K.
Springfield, MO

Dear Chris,

Great question! We're glad you've noticed our many efforts to address the dairy crisis – and even happier to hear that you've taken part in the petition. For those who have yet to sign on, go to www.farmaid.org/dairyfarmers to do so - we have just a few more days to gather as many supporters as possible before we hand deliver the petition to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on June 18.

Realizing meaningful change in the dairy industry is going to take the sustained efforts of all stakeholders. Too often we leave the solutions to problems to the market or the government and we forget about our own powerful voices. By participating at the “grassroots” level, ordinary people can do extraordinary work to raise awareness and advocate for positive solutions, from the ground up. Real change happens when everyday citizens from all over the country speak out and tell their stories. Whether you are a dairy farmer or simply a milk drinker – you are an essential part of the solution.

Grassroots campaigns can be local to a small town or they can be about national issues, like the dairy crisis. The single commonality is that "grassroots" means the work of many toward a mutual goal. Change on this level is not accomplished through high budget campaigns or lobbying; instead many hardworking people distribute flyers, hold town meetings, go door to door to talk with their neighbors and call friends and family to educate interested parties. This work is not glossy. However, it does create widespread visibility and it is often quite compelling because the issues are close to home and the representatives are telling their story. The best solution is often found among the very people who are experiencing the symptoms of a public problem.

Much activity has been taking place at the grassroots level in recent months around the dairy crisis. There have been rallies from Colorado to Vermont (and internationally from France to Bangladesh), California dairy farmers and others are coordinating a two-day milk dump on May 31st and June 1st, and lively, music-filled benefits are being thrown to raise money and consciousness for the cause.

For almost twenty-four years, Farm Aid has been working with and funding groups organizing grassroots campaigns to inform people about the potential damages of industrial agriculture and the benefits of family farming. Our work is made possible by the continuing generosity of donors across the country and by the commitment of these hard-working organizations.

Farm Aid has teamed up with a number of our funded organizations including Center for Rural Affairs, Family Farm Defenders, and the National Family Farm Coalition to support the organizing efforts of dairy farmers on the ground. All of these groups will gather together with dairy farmers on Saturday, May 30th to rally for fair dairy prices. The event takes place at an auction barn in Manchester, IA, and will highlight a series of speakers, including Farm Aid's own Joel Morton, Hotline and Resource Network Coordinator. If you are within driving distance, we encourage you to stop by and bring a truck-full of friends. Participation is a core component of any grassroots effort, and dairy farmers need all the support they can get during these devastating times.

One of the best things about grassroots work is that anyone can get involved. Look around your own community. Are there opportunities to educate others and advocate for positive solutions to the dairy crisis? If so, chances are good that other people are thinking the same thing. So get out there, get involved! And please keep us informed. We want to hear about the extraordinary work you do now that you know some of the important opportunities for grassroots participation.

- Hilde

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