Working for the Change We Want

Barack Obama promised that as President he would be an agent for change in this country. Many sustainable agriculture supporters find reason for great hope in the campaign platform on which Obama and Biden ran. It says all the right things, highlighting support for family farms, organic and sustainable agriculture, local foods and regional food systems, and the regulation of CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations).

The first steps toward making good words become real will come as the new administration makes appointments within the Department of Agriculture. The Secretary of Agriculture is key, of course, but so are the many other political appointments who play significant roles in how programs are designed and administered. The recently-named USDA Transition Team is working to achieve a smooth change from the Bush Administration to the Obama Administration. The new administration will inherit the task of implementing a brand new farm bill.

Other elections are also bringing changes for those of us working on federal agricultural policy. As a new Congress is seated next year, there will be many new faces, and key leadership positions will change. Since House and Senate Committee Chairs are so important for moving any legislative agenda–authorization or appropriation–many people are speculating about who will move to what positions. One thing that will not change is that Southern legislators will continue to be important in any effort to improve federal policies. Change brings opportunities, and challenges. Every change of leadership or membership on key committees brings the need for new strategies for establishing relationships and finding common ground. These strategies will require work in the countryside, and work in Washington.

The Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and their weekly e-mail update keeps us informed about what is happening within the Congress and the federal agencies, and helps us identify how we need to be working in our home states to make the changes we want. 

Learn and share policy information and experiences in the South--join us for Southern SAWG's monthly policy calls.

Give a "growing gift" that keeps on giving season after season, with a registration to the Southern SAWG conference for your favorite producers or community food organizers. Your recipient will experience “high yields” with the abundance of new information, connections, and inspiration that they will gain at the conference, and you will be contributing to the growth of a sustainable food system in your community.

Click here for complete conference details. Treat yourself too and sign up now!

Meeting and Merging:  Sustainable Agriculture Prepares for the Future

Excelsior Springs, Missouri, a historic resort and spa once famous for its healing waters, was the gathering site for the Sustainable Agriculture Leadership Gathering, hosted by the National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture on November 13-15, 2008. Springs that once soothed Civil War wounds and offered relief to a campaign-weary Harry Truman provided the setting for 112 sustainable agriculture advocates from across the U.S. who were both recovering from and celebrating recent farm bill fights, engaging in implementation of the new farm bill, and anticipating the inauguration of a new President. They were also preparing for another historic event--the merger of the National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture (NCSA) and the Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (SAC).

Over 30 plenary and small-group sessions throughout the two-day conference offered topics ranging from prairie poetry to commodity policy reform. The event encompassed information sharing, strategy sessions, and relaxed networking opportunities for community activists and policy wonks representing organizations from every corner of the country. One highlight for those of us involved with one of the regional SAWGs (Midwest, Northeast, Southern, Western) was an information session where we came to realize how similar our SAWGs are in goals, but how different in structure and methods.

The ongoing effort to merge two national organizations that are focused on federal sustainable agriculture policy received considerable attention during the gathering. The NCSA and SAC have been working as partners around federal policy issues for many years, and both organizations have agreed that they should merge. A merger should result in greater effectiveness and less identity confusion among funders and the public. The new organization will be designed to support both the narrow focus on specific legislative goals that is needed for success in changing federal policy, a hallmark of the SAC, and broad grassroots engagement around policy issues, which has been a priority for the NCSA.

A small working group is now hammering out details for the merger process. A proposed blueprint will be distributed in early December to the governing bodies of the NCSA and the SAC, with votes on the proposal promised before January 1.

Many of us are eagerly awaiting the new organization. Hundreds of hours have been invested in carefully working toward this merger, and if the upcoming proposal is approved, the bigger body of work lies ahead. Not every detail can, or should be, planned in advance. A great deal of trust in both the process and the people will be required for a successful merger. Each of the current organizations has its own culture, staff, and considerable history. SAC emerged in 1988, while NCSA was formed in 1994. After the anticipated merger, both of these organizations will be gone. But the spirit and essence of each of the original organizations will live on in the new National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.

A Gift to Southern SAWG for the Holidays

Are you in search of a last minute gift during this holiday season?

Give the gift of healthy food, a clean environment, viable family farms, and thriving communities by donating to Southern SAWG in the name of a family member, friend, or colleague!

Help us to reach our $25,000 campaign goal by the end of this year. Donate by January 31, 2009 and your gift will be equally matched by our anonymous donors!

To make a donation online or download a form to mail to us with your check, click here.

Taste of the South January 8-10, 2009 Walland, Tennessee

A Southern Foodways Alliance benefit, and the annual gathering of the Fellowship of Southern Farmers, Artisans, and Chefs at Blackberry Farm in the foothills of the Great Smokies. For reservations call 865.380.2271.

Texas Conference on Organic Production Systems   From the Ground Up! February 6 - 8, 2009 Killeen, Texas

Hosted by the Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, featuring Joel Salatin. Conference includes half-day workshops, trade show, and dozens of seminars!  For more info…  

Find more events on Southern SAWG's website!