You did it! Farmer training + land access win in Farm Bill
Our coalition was founded in 2010 in large part to help ensure that our needs as new, young and sustainable farmers are represented in public policy. And today, although we’re not happy with all aspects of the new farm bill, we are proud to say that many of the challenges that we face in starting […]
NYFC October Newsletter: Jobs, Forum Experts, Farm Hack, Food Safety Action
This has been an incredible month for our coalition. We took a stand on affordable land access in the NY Times, we are working together to change new food safety rules that threaten our farms and Farm Hack is now its own organization! We’re gathering this weekend for Farm Hack Colorado and are gearing […]
REPORT: YOUNG FARMERS NEED NEW FARMLAND CONSERVATION
HUDSON, NY – The National Young Farmers Coalition released a report today that reveals how current farmland conservation practices are failing working farmers. Farmland Conservation 2.0: How Land Trusts Can Protect America’s Working Farms surveyed 200 land trust leaders from across the United States and found that one-quarter of land trusts have seen protected farmland move out of production. Land is going fallow as non-farmers purchase farms at prices beyond what farmers can afford. As a result, farmers are being pushed hundreds of miles from urban markets as they look for land to buy.
NYFC to represent young farmers on multi-stakeholder group on water in the West
Open up your fridge and chances are you’ll find some of the Colorado River. Whether you’re in Florida, Wisconsin or California, or any state in between, you most likely rely on the Colorado River for part of your daily grub. Over 15% of our nation’s fruits and vegetables, much of our meat and the majority […]
Farmers & Consumers join together to support healthy water resources
Last month NYFC launched the Colorado River & Western Water Pledge, an opportunity for farmers and consumers to join together to help ensure healthy water resources now and into the future. It is no question that we face significant threats to our fresh water in the west. Dwindling surface water supply matched with increasing demand, […]
Mayors, farmers across the west stand together for Colorado River Day
“Essentially if we didn’t have this river and this water, we wouldn’t have agriculture in this state [of Colorado],” says Brad Webb, a local farmer and business owner of Mesa Park Vineyards in western Colorado. Brad spoke on behalf of beginning farmers for Colorado River Day in Grand Junction, one of five events held yesterday […]
When policy puts water back into streams & farms, the benefits are tangible
Farming is one of the most tangible professions there is. The product of a farmer’s labor is apparent at the end of every work day, with ripening tomatoes on the vine or gallons of milk in the fridge. Policy, on the other hand, is often the opposite: a handful of law makers gathering in an […]
Farming and water in the West: An Intro
You may be noticing our posts on water issues, or our recent Op-Ed on Colorado farmers and water conservation, and perhaps are wondering why NYFC is diving into western water. As the first of many blog posts on this topic, the following paragraphs offer some background. In most of the U.S., water is relatively abundant. […]
Young Farmers in the House at NSAC winter strategy meeting
Last month, the Young Farmers’ Coalition took part in the semi-annual planning meeting of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC). NYFC is a member group of NSAC, which advocates nationally for agricultural reform and also coordinates the advocacy efforts of nearly 100 member organizations. The winter meeting – this most recent one held in Haines […]
RELEASE: YOUNG FARMERS WIN IN PROPOSED FARM BILL EXTENSION
Key farmer training, cost share and farm business support programs would be extended for one year in House proposal
TIVOLI, NY — The National Young Farmer’s Coalition (NYFC) supports the proposed extension to the 2008 Farm Bill, as filed by the House of Representatives on Saturday. This last minute measure will provide funding for critical farm programs that lost all funding when the Bill expired in October of this year.