Rural Advancement Foundation International - USA

About Us


RAFI cultivates markets, policies and communities that support thriving, socially just and environmentally sound family farms.

Farmer holds purple sweet potatoWe work nationally and internationally, focusing on North Carolina and the southeastern United States.

Our vision: Family farmers have the power to earn a fair and dependable income. Everyone who labors in agriculture is respected, protected, and valued by society. Air, water and soil are preserved for future generations; the land yields healthy and abundant food and fiber that is accessible to all members of societ. The full diversity of seeds and breeds, the building blocks of agriculture, are reinvigorated and publicly protected. >>Learn more.


Fracking & NC Landowners: Know Your Rights


Thinking about leasing your mineral rights? Take your time, know your rights, and understand what it means for your land and your finances. Always talk to a lawyer first! Learn more and get involved...

a fracking drill rig in Pavilion WY

Farmer Voices


Farmer Voices is a collection of stories - in photographs,sound, and video - about projects that are leading models for agriculture in North Carolina. These farmers are innovators, entrepreneurs, and small business owners on the frontier of agricultural innovation. We believe the wisdom of farmers is one of the most powerful tools we have to bring economic growth to North Carolina. Explore their stories!

Shannon Roberts Farm Portrait

Managing Risk on an Organic Farm

Crop insurance is a hot topic in this year's Farm Bill debate. Which farms get coverage - and which farms don't - plays a key role in shaping American agriculture.

John and Russ Vollmer talk to RAFI's Scott Marlow about their life on their farm, the risk of natural disasters, and how risk management affects the growth of local and organic food. Read more.

Get Involved


Your call or letter can make the difference for family farms. Volunteer with RAFI.


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NC Farm Innovators


A grantee holds fresh berries from her farmThe Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund aims to assist farmers and rural communities to develop new sources of agricultural income through provision of cost-share grants.  Learn more about our state's creative farmers and their enterprises.