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
- Come to the Table program offers mini-grants supporting faith communities, farmers, and food insecure communities (1/15/2021) - Come to the Table program is pleased to once again offer technical assistance grants to support up to 30 rural United Methodist churches throughout North Carolina that are engaging in emergency hunger relief efforts. ...>Read More
- Rural Advancement Foundation International – USA Announces an Expanded Second Round of Grants from its Farmers of Color Network Infrastructure Grants Fund (1/13/2021) - Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI-USA) is pleased to announce the second round of grants from its Farmers of Color Network Infrastructure Fund. The program provides grants of up to $10,000 to farmers for projects to increase farm viability, support farmers’ local food economies, and preserve traditional farming practices. ...>Read More
- Job Posting: Operations Coordinator (1/5/2021) - RAFI-USA is looking to hire a full-time Operations Coordinator to assist with managing technology, office space and grounds, supplies and printed materials, HR, and other administrative tasks. ...>Read More
- Farmers of Color Network Grants Coordinator (1/4/2021) - Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI-USA) seeks an organized and efficient individual to provide high-level grants coordination for RAFI’s Farmers of Color Network (FOCN) Infrastructure Fund. This individual will work as part of the Farmers of Color Network team to support the administrative and programmatic needs associated with the FOCN Infrastructure Grants. ...>Read More
- Farmers of Color Network Project Coordinator (1/4/2021) - RAFI-USA seeks an organized and efficient individual to assist the Farmers of Color Network (FOCN) team with administrative and program support functions. ...>Read More
- RAFI-USA 2020 Impact Report: Working Together, Making a Difference (12/22/2020) - 2020 was certainly a year of challenges, although we are encouraged and humbled by the outpouring of generosity and support from our community. Please take a few minutes to read our 2020 Impact Report to see all the ways your support helped us help farmers and communities. ...>Read More
- RAFI-USA Announces an Expanded Second Round of Grants from its Farmers of Color Infrastructure Grants Fund (12/21/2020) - RAFI-USA is pleased to announce the second round of grants from its Farmers of Color Network Infrastructure Fund. Farmers, submit an interest farm if you would like to receive an application in January. ...>Read More
- Farmer Hotline Holiday Schedule (12/21/2020) - As we experience the year-end holidays, we understand that for some, these can be hard times. From December 24 through January 4, the Hotline will be open, but will be taking messages and returning those calls as soon as we can. We're here for you, so please don't hesistate to call us at 866-586-6746. ...>Read More
- 2019 Annual Report and Financials (12/21/2020) - RAFI-USA's 2019 audited financial statement, 990, and annual report are now available to review on our website. Read about all of RAFI-USA's achievements in 2019. ...>Read More
- USDA Harms Farmer and Rancher Protections in Final Rule on Undue Preference (12/10/2020) - The long-delayed rulemaking process for the so-called "Undue Preference" rule delivers a win to powerful meatpacking companies after a nearly 15-year fight to level the playing field between farmers and big meatpacking companies. ...>Read More
- RAFI-USA’s Latest E-Newsletter (12/1/2020) - Here's a link to our latest E-Newsletter! Please take a look and if you enjoy it, we encourage you to sign up for the email list. ...>Read More
- [CLOSED] Job Posting: Part-Time Bookkeeper (11/20/2020) - RAFI-USA seeks a part-time bookkeeper with previous experience working for a nonprofit organization. Duties include accounts payable and receivable, payroll, monthly reconciliations, and a host of customary bookkeeper duties. ...>Read More
- CTTT Technical Assistance Spotlight: Anointed Ones Church of Deliverance International (11/2/2020) - RAFI-USA’s Come to the Table program has been providing mini-grants to churches throughout North Carolina who have been responding to the increased hunger in their communities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These mini-grants provide funding to churches who are purchasing food from local growers or local restaurants to distribute in their community. Come to the Table is uniquely situated to connect faith communities with farmers and farmers markets in their communities. Please contact Michelle Osborne ([email protected]) for more information. We had a conversation with one grantee, Julie Fujita of Anointed… ...>Read More
- SAAFON & RAFI-USA Partner in Supporting NC BIPOC Farmers (10/30/2020) - Southeastern African American Organic Network (SAAFON) and the Rural Advancement Foundation International’s (RAFI-USA) Farmers of Color Network (FOCN) are working together this fall to facilitate farmer brigades/workdays to support infrastructure needs on BIPOC farms in North Carolina. ...>Read More
- Job Posting: Expanding Farmers Market Access Program Coordinator – Alternative Local Food Markets (10/27/2020) - RAFI-USA seeks a talented individual to provide high-level technical assistance and program coordination for North Carolina farmers markets and participating farmer vendors. ...>Read More
- Announcing the School for Food Justice, Faith, and Storytelling (10/21/2020) - RAFI-USA is pleased to announce a new fellowship program. This fellowship will bring together faith leaders from across North Carolina to learn about the root causes of hunger, uncover and challenge the dominant narrative around why people are hungry, and learn how story-based strategies can transform the conversation on hunger in communities. ...>Read More
- CTTT Technical Assistance Spotlight: Norman UMC and Richmond Fresh (10/13/2020) - RAFI’s Come to the Table program has been providing mini-grants to rural United Methodist Churches throughout North Carolina. We had a conversation with one grantee, Dave Clark of Norman UMC and God’s Garden and Davon Goodwin of the Sandhills AgInnovation Center to discuss their food ministry and the impact of the grant. ...>Read More
- Grant Opportunities for Farms (10/6/2020) - In this post, we share information about three grant opportunities for farms: USDA's second round of CFAP funding, NCDA's reimbursement for organic certification, and FACT's Fund-a-Farmer grants for livestock and poultry farmers. ...>Read More
- Political Violence, Community Safety, and Faith Leadership (10/6/2020) - With the 2020 election nearing, the U.S. is in danger of experiencing political violence, which is sadly nothing new for our country. In this blog, we discuss how faith leaders and communities can work together to take concrete, proactive steps to both prevent and if necessary respond, to political violence. ...>Read More
- Oct. 5-8, 7-8 p.m. Community Conversation: “What Can Rural Communities and People of Faith Do to Prevent Suicide?” (10/1/2020) - Join RAFI-USA, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - North Carolina, Partners in Health and Wholeness, and North Carolina Agromedicine Institute for this series of events focused on the intersection of mental health, faith communities, and rural communities. ...>Read More