Rooted in Strength

Spring 2024

Rooted in Strength

From the Executive Director

Dear Living Roots Readers,

With the arrival of spring all around, I’m excited to share this new issue of Living Roots which highlights some recent RAFI moments and shares some insights that validate the significance of our work and illuminate the path forward.

We launched our new strategic plan in January, a collective effort by the RAFI board and staff. Serving as a guiding star for our direction and aspirations, this plan focuses on the urgent issues we face today, builds upon the achievements of our previous plan, and makes thoughtful adjustments to reflect our deepening commitment to climate-focused initiatives. The plan also reinforces our ongoing dedication to equity and strengthening farm viability.

In this issue, we merge global insights with local impact. Earlier this year, I was pleased to represent RAFI at a USDA event at the White House with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and others, where I provided direct input on issues that will shape the future of our industry. We also highlight our journey to the Oxford Real Farming Conference in January, explore the pivotal roles of female farmers, and share a special piece by A-dae Romero-Briones, a keynote speaker at our upcoming Come to the Table Conference Sept. 30 – Oct. 1.

We aim to inform, inspire, and empower you to implement positive changes in your farming practices. Together, we can create a sustainable and fair future for agriculture. Thank you for your support.

Warm regards,

Edna Rodriguez

Executive Director

Climate’s Toll on Agriculture

by Cathy Day
From droughts to flooding to intense heat, the impacts of climate change on agriculture are becoming ever more extreme. This summary of the Fifth National Climate Assessment outlines the impacts of climate change on agriculture in the South and U.S. Caribbean islands.
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Rooted in Strength

by Jaimie McGirt, Carolina Alzate Gouzy, Beth Hauptle, and Lisa Misch
Across generations and geographies, women have shaped agriculture through resilience, creativity, and care — and today they are redefining that legacy. These stories from women farmers in Puerto Rico, North Carolina, and Florida reveal shared themes of perseverance, ancestral wisdom, and community-centered innovation.
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The Eldests

by A-dae Romero-Briones
The way we tell our stories influences how we view our lives in relation to our world. When we talk about economies, we are still telling a story. Whether our characters are data points or monetary values represented by numbers or by animals and stars, the story is one of management and redistribution of resources that helps us conceptualize what is possible.
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Q & A

Farming Across Borders

by
RAFI staff members reflect on the 2024 Oxford Real Farming Conference (ORFC) in the U.K., featuring lessons from farmers, activists, policymakers, and researchers from around the world who are transforming our food system.
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Field Notes

Cultivating Trust

by A Greener World
As a farmer, using label claims effectively helps ensure that your products are appropriately valued. This article surveys some of the most commonly used labels and discusses how to determine whether a label or certification might be a good fit for your farming operation.
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