This has been a crucial year for the fight against an agribusiness-dominated food system. Looking back over 2014, we are reminded of how many people have come together to help create the just and sustainable agricultural community that we envision. We are proud of the accomplishments that came out of our work this year, and we will continue to work together to cultivate markets, policies, and communities that support thriving, socially just, and environmentally sound family farms. 2015 will be essential in our efforts to challenge the influence of big agribusiness and sustain our growing movement for just and sustainable agriculture. This will require courage and persistence across the board, on all levels…
Yearly Archives: 2014
73 posts
The Come to the Table Project presents its fifth regional conference series on how people of faith can relieve hunger and support local agriculture in North Carolina. Three regional daylong events are scheduled to take place in early 2015 in Lumberton, Elon and Sylva, North Carolina.
The 2015 Final Annual Appropriations Bill passed by Congress late last week held more losses than wins for sustainable agriculture. The losses suffered by the sustainable agriculture community were deep and, in some cases, reversed progress gained over more than two decades of advocacy. Those gains had been made by outspoken farmers like Craig Watts, […]
Charlotte based artist Antonio Livingston was commissioned by RAFI to produce the theme artwork for the 2015 Come to the Table Conference Series. In this post, Antonio reflects on the inspiration behind his work. Head, Heart & Hands: Description of a Watercolor by Antonio Livingston When the opportunity to do the painting for the 2015 […]
Our grant program assists farmers and rural communities to develop new sources of agricultural income through the provision of cost-share grants. The program awards grants of up to $8,000 to individual farmers, or $10,000 for collaborative farmer projects in North Carolina.
Farmers, cast your ballots for FSA county committee members by this Monday, December 1st! If you are in Orange County, meet another candidate we support, Jillian Mickens of Open Door Farm. What is your name, and where do you farm? Jillian Mickens. I farm in Cedar Grove in Orange County. How long have you been farming? […]
Since 2011, North Carolina has engaged in a legislative and administrative process designed to establish a system of governance for natural gas development, known as fracking. During this process, North Carolina officials studied the issues, heard expert testimony, reviewed BMPs from other states, and heard concerns from citizens and community groups. On November 14th, the […]
In our “Every (Farmer’s) Vote Counts” series, we here at RAFI have been spreading the word about ongoing FSA county committee elections. As part of our Farmer Leadership Network, we support family farmers to become more involved in the groups that make decisions about their farms and their livelihoods.
As part of our Farmer Leadership Network, we support family farmers to become more involved with the groups that make decisions that affect their lives. Currently, one group up for election are FSA county committees. For a refresher on these committees, click here. Are you ready to vote in your FSA county committee election but […]