The Farmstand: RAFI’s Blog

693 posts

A Victory for NC Farmers

The new state budget officially preserves the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission. The Commission's funding for the next year is limited to $2 million. The budget passed in mid-June, when the legislature overrode the Governor's veto. Saving the Trust Fund is a significant victory for all of North Carolina's small and mid-scale farmers.
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Senate Agriculture Committee Celebrates 20 Years of Organic Law

On September 15, the US Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry held a hearing to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Organic Food Production Act. RAFI's Michael Sligh testified at this week's hearing about the past and the future of organic agriculture in the United States.
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A Great Day for North Carolina Farmers

In suits and slacks and big smiles, last Monday TCRF field coordinators joined Executive Director Linda Shaw and Program Director Joe Schroeder for a trip to Raleigh. We were honored guests at the Family Farm Innovation Fund Award Ceremony, where RAFI’s Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund was awarded an additional $730,000, half of which came in the form of a matching grant from the Tobacco Trust Fund.
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Gas Leases & North Carolina Landowners

Farmers and rural landowners in this area of North Carolina are being approached to sell rights to companies that want to tap the natural gas deposits that may lie in the shale below their land. If you are approached about leasing the mineral rights to your land, consult with a lawyer before signing the contract.
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Secretary Vilsack and Attorney General Holder Hear Growers' Concerns

Friday, May 21, 2010 in Huntsville, Alabama, the United States Justice Department and the United States Department of Agriculture held a hearing on competition and concentration of ownership in the poultry industry. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack moderated the morning panel, and Attorney General Eric Holder spoke as well.
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Wilson County Farmers' Market Big Check Presentation

Wilson Farmers’ Market received a grant from RAFI-USA to promote and advertise the market. The funding will be used for promotional tools such as radio announcements, newspaper and billboard advertisements. In addition the market has printed canvas bags with the Wilson Farmers’ Market logo to hand to customers as they purchase their merchandise.
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Creating an Environment Where Farmers Thrive

This week, I find myself at the Drake Forum on America’s New Farmers. This great conversation is drawing people from across the US, as well as members of the current administration to engage in this conversation about how we can bring new farmers to the land. It is inspiring to hear Tom Vilsak, the USDA Agriculture Secretary, speak directly to the issues that many of us have worked on our whole careers.
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RAFI Store

We're pleased to present our new RAFI t-shirts designed by Flytrap Studios. Get yours and show your support for RAFI and family farmers in style!
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