Thanks for all that you are doing – in your work, immediate circles and communities – to keep us all safe and help us get through these unprecedented times. We see you and appreciate you.
We are all concerned about the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on farmers and farm businesses of all types across the country, especially during this prolonged downturn in the overall farm economy. This situation presents needs, both immediate and longer-term, for us to act on. It’s a time that demands urgent community-level and policy action to support and sustain farmers and food systems, especially those people and sectors that are the most vulnerable.
We are all operating in a new and challenging time – and we are still here for you. Our entire team, including our state-based field agents, continues to work remotely. Contact us via our website, email (info@landforgood.org) or phone (603-357-1600). You can find a full staff directory here. We especially encourage you to connect with us on Facebook and Twitter, to keep up with the latest news, resources and comments.
Tell us how we can best serve you, our farmers, by filling out this survey. We’re committed to serving you through the difficult road ahead – and seizing the opportunities to create a more vibrant, secure, resilient, just and equitable farming and food system.
At this time of coming together and providing mutual support, we will do our part to share resources of value to farmers across the New England region, as well as resources for supporting your farmers and staying connected to the food system. Find COVID-19 Farm & Food System Resources for farmers, farm supporters, policymakers, and more.
Support your local farmers. It can only make us stronger – and more resilient – if we continue to grow healthy local food. Many farms, markets, and local businesses are now offering home delivery that you can take advantage of, if you’re buying groceries anyway. See the links in our resources page.
Steps we’re taking:
- Advising and support. We continue to serve farmers across New England. Our field agents are available by phone, email or video chat. While you may experience a delay in response time amid the COVID-19 pandemic, rest assured that we continue to provide advising services. Contact us
- Education. We continue to be a conduit for your resources over the short term. Sharing and advancing community-based support, aiding efforts in our own communities, and gathering critical resources to share. We have curated a list of COVID-19 Farm & Food System Resources for farmers, farm supporters, policymakers, and more.
- Advocacy is more important now than ever. We want to know of specific challenges and possible solutions that can help farmers during this time of crisis. We share your concerns, and will continue to help address immediate needs and push for longer term structural change. As an active member of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), we are eager to serve as a channel for your concerns just as we did in advocating around the last Farm Bill – and continue to do at state and federal levels. There will be opportunities – small and large, short and longer-term – to make policy recommendations and lay groundwork for bigger picture structural changes. The economic recovery needed from the Coronavirus pandemic will require ongoing fiscal stimulus over several bills. Those resources should be directed in part to making our food and agriculture systems more resilient, equitable, and sustainable. We can all raise our voices to ensure that farmers are considered in fast-moving policy development. We’ll start sharing more of these action opportunities in the days and months to come.
Our mission has always been to help farmers, farmland owners and those who serve them, and right now this kind of guidance feels more crucial than ever.
So we’re going to keep doing what we do best to serve you. We encourage you to stay in touch and stay connected – find us on Facebook and Twitter for updates and resources.
We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you. Be safe. Be hopeful.
In solidarity,
The entire Land For Good Team
(Abby, Cara, Dakota, Jae, Jan, Jim, Kate, Kathy, Lisa, Mike, Shemariah, Tess, Will)
