CFAP2 Was a Rare Bright Spot for Beginning Farmers in 2020
COVID-19 upended the plans and businesses of many young farmers across the country this year. Although some were already operating Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs that were able to continue with social distancing, farmers markets and restaurants closures had a major impact on sales. And since farmers had no choice but to adapt their operations […]
RELEASE: CFAP2 is more accessible for young farmers, but federal assistance is still needed for farm workers
The second round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program is more accessible for small, diversified producers, but farm workers are still waiting for federal support. 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, National Young Farmers Coalition press@youngfarmers.org , 518-643-3564 ext. 722 Washington, D.C. (September 23, 2020) – The National Young Farmers Coalition commends USDA for its efforts to expand aid to […]
Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 is a win for young farmers!
Our voices were heard! Yesterday, the USDA released the application for the second round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (“CFAP2”). CFAP2 directly reflects the asks we made of Congress and USDA to create an aid program that better supports small, diversified, and direct-market growers. It’s a huge win for our coalition. Thousands of young farmers who […]
Farm Aid COVID-19 Farm Resilience Grantees
COVID-19 has challenged our agricultural system in an unprecedented way. Young farmers and ranchers have shown an unparalleled resiliency. They are keeping food banks stocked, creating new CSAs, and trying out online markets. All that while still moving us towards a farm future that is just and sustainable. While federal relief efforts have overlooked […]
COVID-19 Farmer Stories: Better Together CSA
Farmers have always been reliant on friends and neighbors to help out during hard times. With the COVID-19 pandemic shifting market outlets, halting sales to schools and restaurants, and drastically changing the landscape of local farmers markets, members of the Rio Grande Farmers Coalition jumped to action to create an aggregated, farmer-run Community Supported […]
COVID-19 Farmer Stories: Tianna Neal, Keysville, Georgia
Located on several acres of the once renowned Boggs Academy, now Boggs Rural Life Center, in Burke County, Georgia, Starlit Roots is an organic vegetable farm in its first year of operation. Hoping to grow into a wholesale business that provides local schools with fresh produce for their students, Starlit Roots business has adjusted to […]
COVID-19 Farmer Stories: Haley Miyaoka, Honolulu, HI
Haley Miyaoka owns and operates Ahiki Acres in Honolulu, HI, a quarter-acre diversified vegetable CSA, committed in mission to responsible land stewardship and increasing food security on Oahu. Haley is one of the many young farmers who has been forced to turn their business model on its head to meet the evolving needs of […]
Young Farmers COVID-19 Survey Summary
In February 2020, the National Young Farmers Coalition (Young Farmers) distributed a survey to farmers and ranchers across the country to learn more about the challenges they are facing on their farms and in their communities as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The following is a summary of our survey results. The Coalition will […]