Benny Bunting has served as RAFI-USA’s Lead Farm Advocate for over 20 years. In the course of his remarkably successful career as an advocate, Benny has assisted hundreds of family farmers. In 2008, Benny was awarded the prestigious Nancy Susan Reynolds Award for Personal Service. The organization produced a short video about Benny and his truly tremendous impact on the lives and livelihoods of family farmers. >> Click below to watch the video.
Impacting the Bottom-line for Family Farmers
Between 2010 and 2013 alone, Benny helped to preserve an estimated $50 million in assets for farm families. Benny provides farmers with a broad array of advocacy services including expert advice, financial counseling, and technical assistance. Averaging 100 cases a year and devoting 60 hours per each case that goes through an appeals process, Benny patiently works with farmers through all stages of their financial situation. In 90% of the cases he works on, he succeeds in helping farmers reach their goals.
Winning Appeals & Setting Precedents
Benny also regularly represents farmers in proceedings at the National Appeals Division of USDA, an entity established in 1994 to manage claims and disputes concerning the decisions made by various USDA agencies. His efforts have resulted in several precedent-setting judgements. For many years, Benny has collaborated with the Land Loss prevention Project, a nonprofit law firm based in Durham, NC. Benny also works closely with Farm Aid and serves on the Board of Directors of the Farmers’ Legal Action Group (FLAG) based in Minneapolis, MN.