Welcome to our week in review, a digest of noteworthy items that we are seeing, sharing, and saying on social media. We’re sharing it here to our farmers, supporters, and fellow farming advocates who may not follow us on all social platforms. If you do follow us on one social platform you might not be seeing all that we share, so this blog digest is a good place to get access to highlights from across platforms.
Below you’ll find opportunities to play a role in protecting our farm and food system. Read the letter Land For Good signed urging Congress to provide targeted pandemic relief to the small and mid-scale New England farmers and rural and agricultural communities we serve in New England. Take action to support this letter with Rural Coalition’s Week of Action.
The coronavirus pandemic has exposed the vulnerabilities of our rural and agricultural communities and systemic inequities leading to the inaccessibility of resources for immigrants, farmworkers, and small-scale farmers.” Rural Coalition
Read on for a special thank you to Tess Brown-Lavoie, our former Rhode Island Field Agent, and the excitement we have for the next chapter of work in Rhode Island — we look forward to hiring a new Rhode Field Agent to help us address the many farmland challenges that new, beginning, and exiting farmers face amid fluctuating markets and agricultural land conversion. Lastly, we invite you to explore ways to create more equity in our farm and food system. Engage with ideas and solutions from three Black women including Soul Fire Farm’s Leah Penniman, 40 Acres & A Mule Project’s Adrian Lipscombe, and Grow a Young Black Farmer’s Elizabeth Bryant.
Protecting our Farm and Food System
- Read: Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, Rural Coalition, and allies’ (including Land For Good) letter urging Congress to provide targeted pandemic relief
- Take Action: Participate in Rural Coalition’s Week of Action, share the letter, contact representatives, tell your story
- Reminder: The Local and Regional Farmer and Market Support Act has been introduced. Read more about Representative Alma Adams’ bill in last week’s post and take action with Farmers Market Coalition
Looking ahead in Rhode Island
- Read: Our farewell to Tess Brown-Lavoie, LFG’s former Rhode Island Field Agent, and our excitement for the inspired work that lies ahead
- Spread the word: We’re hiring a new Rhode Island Field Agent
Continuing the work towards Racial Equity
- Learn: About two campaigns in the Midwest fueling the movement to get more Black farmers on land
- Engage: Work through National Young Farmers Coalition’s discussion questions for the 4th and 5th resource in their Racial Equity Toolkit, to which our former Rhode Island Field Agent, Tess Brown-Lavoie contributed
- Pass on: The Northeast BIPOC Farmers Survey. Help Black Farmer Fund, Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust and Soul Fire Farm learn what BIPOC farmers need for land access, farming education, and financial tools
If you’d like more, you can find the rest of what we’re saying and sharing on social media — Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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