|
In the Northeast-Midwest region dense urban areas exist in close proximity to farms. The diversity of the region’s agricultural producers, as well as its consumers, has been a source of many innovative practices in the areas of agricultural production and marketing, resource conservation, food distribution, and food assistance.
The Institute takes a systems approach to farm and food policy. We actively develop policy recommendations that build links between producers and consumers. We focus on sustainable agriculture and water quality protection, while seeking to develop sustainable farm practices that provide adequate income to farmers while providing access to healthy food for low-income urban, rural, and tribal residents. The goal of this work is to advance a more equitable and sustainable farm and food sector.
The Institute works closely with members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, as well as members of the Congressional Black and Hispanic Caucuses, and the Northeast-Midwest Coalitions. During the 2008 Farm Bill process, the Institute served as coordinator of a three-year nonprofit policy collaborative and advanced policies to facilitate the production and distribution of locally produced foods and improve the food retail environment in underserved communities nationwide.
Projects |
|
Federal policy related to agriculture and food has evolved significantly over the last several decades. While the roughly twice per decade Farm Bill still addresses commodity price supports, it also provides significant federal funding for food stamps and farm conservation programs. Because the northeastern states and the midwestern states contain a distinct mix of urban and rural/agricultural areas, the Institute has played a unique role in bringing together regional interest groups from both worlds to address critical issues such as: urban food access, sustainable farming practices, the proliferation of markets for locally grown food, childhood obesity and rural water quality protection.
|
|
Farm and Food Policy Project |
|
The Farm and Food Policy Project was one of two major policy reform collaboratives organized by the nonprofit sector for the 2007-2008 Farm Bill. Undertaking a strategy to pursue incremental reforms for a more sustainable and equitable farm and food system by working with the House and Senate Agriculture Committee members, the project’s consensus policy recommendations resulted in significant structural reforms for marginalized producer groups, as well as a funding increase totaling $7 billion over five years for sustainable agriculture, locally-led conservation projects, local food production and marketing, and development of new and beginning farmers.
|
|
For many communities nationwide, farmers’ markets have become a visible, tangible link with local farmers. While farmers’ markets have come to symbolize many different things – health, community, farmer support, environmentalism – they have uniquely been able to facilitate 1) direct connections between farmers and customers, allowing for a great deal of transparency, feedback, and trust; 2) greater earning potential of agricultural producers, many of whom rely on relatively small acreages at the urban fringe; and 3) greater public awareness of how food and farming relate to diet and health.
|
|
Building Urban and Rural Linkages for a Healthy, Affordable Food Environment |
|
At the heart of the movements for a more sustainable, local food system and for healthier food retail options in historically marginalized communities is the desire for greater equity: equity in a producer’s income potential, in a consumer’s choice, in a food worker’s treatment, and in access and affordability of food for all.
|
|
The conservation of natural resources generally requires policy to incentivize sustainable management practices so resources remain for future generations. The Institute has approached water quality conservation systemically through its outreach to Congress through watershed-oriented task forces, support for federal on-farm soil and water conservation programs, and market development for business models that have high positive environmental impacts.
|
|
“Local” Foods Initiatives summary of policies in the 2008 Farm Bill
|
|
