FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: https://www.youngfarmers.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Screen-Shot-2021-08-17-at-2.19.49-PM-2-1.png, Communications Director
press@youngfarmers.org, 518-643-3564 x 722
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 9, 2019) The National Young Farmers Coalition is partnering with Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture to fly the Center’s inaugural cohort of Regenerative Farming Fellows from the Midwest and Northern Plains to Washington D.C. to advocate for issues impacting medium-scale young farmers transitioning to regenerative practices.
“Young farmers are leading the way in adopting farming methods that increase farm viability and ensure the long-term productivity of their lands. These young farmers from the middle of the country are adopting regenerative methods to ensure a brighter future for their family farms,” said Sophie Ackoff, National Young Farmer Coalition’s Co-Executive Director. “We’ve partnered with Stone Barns, General Mills, and former Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan to train these new leaders in farm policy, and to help them advocate for support as they tackle the important work of stewarding our shared natural resources.”
“Policymakers need to hear ideas from these young farmers about how the government can do a better job,” said Merrigan. “They will share their farm realities and advocate for policies that support regenerative agriculture.”
Regenerative Farming Fellowship fly-in participants include:
● Drew Blankenbaker, Lifeline Produce in Hamilton, MT
● Damon DeSutter, Hoosier Grassfed Beef in Attica, IN
● Drew Gaugler, Grant County, ND
● Graham Nelson, Nelson Farms in Minneapolis, MN
● Kelly Placke, Placke Organic Acres in Cuba City, WI
● Justin Zahradka, The Zahradka Farm in Grafton, ND
The farmers are scheduled to meet with their full delegations while on the Hill Wednesday December 11, 2019, including: Representative Jim Baird (R-IN-4), Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and Senator John Tester (D-MT).
The Regenerative Farming Fellowship provides medium-scale farmers seeking to transition to regenerative farming practices with education, a supportive peer network, and the inspiration, leadership, and advocacy skills they need to bring about structural change. The fellowship, which is being piloted in 2019, is developed and programmed by the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in partnership with the National Young Farmers Coalition and Arizona State University, with generous support from the General Mills Foundation.
To learn more about each of the fellows, please visit Stone Barns’ website.
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The National Young Farmers Coalition (Young Farmers) is a national advocacy network of young farmers fighting for a brighter future for agriculture.