The Farmstand is a blog written by the staff and guests of the Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA covering key issues relevant to the development of markets, policies, and communities that support thriving, socially just, and environmentally sound family farms.
Recent Posts
- A Message from Edna Rodriguez, RAFI-USA’s Executive Director (5/21/2020) - In this time of uncertainty, RAFI-USA's work continues. Our staff are carrying out our programs while also responding to COVID-19, a crisis unlike any we’ve seen in recent times. ...>Read More
- CTTT Technical Assistance Spotlight: Red Oak United Methodist Church (5/21/2020) - RAFI-USA's Come to the Table program interviews Reverend David Joyner of Red Oak Methodist Church to learn more about their food ministry and the impact of the grant they received. ...>Read More
- Support the ‘Relief for America’s Small Farmers’ Act (5/12/2020) - RAFI-USA endorses the Relief for America’s Small Farmers Act to provide debt relief to small family farms. The most rapid way to ease financial pressures on farmers who are most at risk is forgiveness of USDA direct loan debt. ...>Read More
- Farmer Eligibility for SBA COVID-19 Relief Programs (4/23/2020) - The Small Business Administration (SBA) opened the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program specifically for agricultural businesses. RAFI-USA recommends that farmers and ranchers in need apply as soon as possible, since demand for the funds will be high. ...>Read More
- Take Action: Ask the NC General Assembly to expand Medicaid (4/13/2020) - The COVID-19 pandemic is a crisis on a scale we haven’t seen before. As those who have the ability and means to self-isolate stay at home, essential workers continue to keep our health care, food, transportation and other systems running. ...>Read More
- Crop Insurance and COVID-19 (4/13/2020) - The current COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted production and marketing of agricultural goods globally. It is critical that producers understand eligible causes of loss in crop insurance when making difficult production decisions. ...>Read More
- Applications Now Open! – Emergency Relief Mini-Grants for NC Farmers (4/8/2020) - As the impacts of COVID-19 continue to unfold day to day, RAFI-USA recognizes that farmers across the country are facing extreme difficulties. To help lessen the financial toll of this outbreak, RAFI-USA is distributing emergency relief grants in the amount of $500 for NC farmers who have seen drastic impacts to their business and household as a result of COVID-19. ...>Read More
- Take Action: Relief Should Support Farm Families – Not Big Ag (4/7/2020) - The USDA is deciding how to spend the more than $23.5 billion earmarked for farmers impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. They have already had discussions with Corporate Agriculture representatives on how to spend the money, dividing up what was meant for small, independent family farmers. RAFI-USA encourages everyone to email their Congressional representatives and ask for help. ...>Read More
- RAFI-USA COVID-19 Policy Response Recommendations (4/6/2020) - RAFI-USA continues to monitor the evolving impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on farmers and farmworkers. The policy recommendations within are in response to what we know so far. This post will grow and change as the situation changes and we continue to hear from those who keep us fed. ...>Read More
- COVID-19 Response & Resources (3/25/2020) - Last Updated: 4/23/2020. RAFI-USA staff continue our current work on issues affecting farmers and rural communities. As the impacts of the coronavirus continue to unfold, we are evaluating what other work may be needed to mitigate the health and economic impacts of the pandemic. This post will be updated as we have new information. ...>Read More
- Take action TODAY to support farmers during COVID-19 (3/24/2020) - The impacts of coronavirus on agriculture and our food system are still evolving, but you can make a difference today. Congress is currently debating a coronavirus economic stimulus bill, and you can help make sure that the farmers and farmworkers who keep us fed are included in that support. This legislation is moving quickly, so today is your best window to make an impact. ...>Read More
- Supporting Alternative Sales Options for Direct-to-Market Farmers (3/16/2020) - An evolving overview of alternative sales options for direct-to-market farmers. ...>Read More
- Spirit, Power, and Connection: Community Conversations (3/11/2020) - Introducing RAFI-USA's 2020 Come to the Table Community Conversations Series. ...>Read More
- Farmer Leader Profile: Neil Moye (2/25/2020) - Profile for farmer leader, Neil Moye. ...>Read More
- Funding Available from RAFI-USA (2/21/2020) - This page includes a list of funding and grants RAFI-USA currently has available to farmers and rural communities. ...>Read More
- Food Solutions Forum Toolkit (2/21/2020) - Our partners at National Family Farm Coalition have created the Food Solutions Forum Toolkit to walk 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations through hosting a Food Solutions Forum to educate those running for public office, the media, and the public. ...>Read More
- Welcome to Our New Fellows! (2/18/2020) - RAFI-USA's Come to the Table program welcomes its newest members of the Fellowship for Rural Faith Leaders. ...>Read More
- Action Alert: Submit Comment on Undue Preference Rule (2/17/2020) - A call to action to ask the USDA to stand up for farmers, rather than protect industry, by submitting comments on this undue preference rule. ...>Read More
- New Plant Breeder’s Guide Helps Keep Crop Genetics in the Public Domain (1/29/2020) - Vermont Law School’s Center for Agriculture and Food Systems (CAFS) and the Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI-USA) are pleased to share a new free resource for plant breeders: a guide to defensive publication, offering a way to keep genetic resources in the public domain. ...>Read More
- New Livestock and Poultry Competition Rules Published (1/13/2020) - The Federal Register published a rule set forth by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), which intends to satisfy provisions of the 2008 Farm Bill, written to establish criteria for the Secretary of Agriculture to use in determining whether meat packers are giving undue preference or advantage to specific producers. ...>Read More