Have you ever read an article about food and noticed that not a single farmer is mentioned? Sometimes the word “farmer” isn’t even used! Have you attended an event celebrating agriculture and food and realized that there isn’t a single farmer present—or even invited?
Since Farm Aid started, our goal has been to give farmers the microphone. That remains our goal today— not just on the Farm Aid stage, but in all the important conversations involving our farm and food system.
With your support, Farm Aid ensures that the voices of family farmers are heard loud and clear. Our Farmer Leadership Fund provides farmers with scholarships to participate in leadership trainings, policy advocacy and other gatherings where farmers’ perspectives are essential as we tackle some of our nation’s biggest farm and food challenges. On behalf of everyone at Farm Aid, thank you for keeping our family farmers on the land and part of the conversation.
Top: Farmer, Rachel Weiner, in Washington D.C. with other organic supporters getting ready to meet with Senator Wyden, D-OR. Bottom row: Photos from Rachel’s farm. Photos: OFRF, Rachel Weiner.
Recently, Farm Aid’s Farmer Leadership Fund gave a scholarship to Rachel Weiner, a family farmer in Eugene, Oregon. The scholarship helped Rachel participate in a “farmer fly-in” to meet with members of Congress in Washington, DC. On Capitol Hill, Rachel was able to talk with her elected officials about the importance of political support for organic agriculture.
“As a farmer in DC, I was in the minority. As a small, first-generation farmer I was almost alone,” she says. “The visit was a good reminder of the need for voices like mine to be heard by those who wield the power of legislation. I hope to continue to add my voice to the work currently being done in Oregon and across the nation.”
Will you give a gift to Farm Aid’s Farmer Leadership Fund? We need the voice of family farmers to speak up about the farm and food challenges we face today, from our own health, to the health of our soil and water, to the strength of our local economies.
Farm Aid’s Farmer Leadership Fund:
*Supports farmer fly-ins to educate lawmakers about good farm and food policies;
*Trains farmers to be effective organizers and leaders in their communities; and
*Ensures the farmer voice is a key part of the conversations moving our country forward.
Please, click here to make your donation now. Let’s make sure family farmers are heard and that they play a critical role in shaping the future of our farm and food system.
