Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s Post

In a new blog post, Food and Agriculture Program Director, Patty Fong, explains how #philanthropy can advance more #climate-friendly food systems, along with what challenges and opportunities she sees for the field. https://lnkd.in/gxScQMD4

Land-grants use a variety of NIFA programs, including both competitive and capacity funding, to strengthen farmers and local food systems. A University of Maryland Eastern Shore program helped small farmers produce more than 378,000 pounds of fresh food. Farmers sold their produce to local markets, farm gates, pick-your-own products, contract customers and at street festivals. Read more on this project and others helping develop stronger food systems▶️ https://lnkd.in/eHFXwckS

Funders and Grant Makers who want to know more about the policy structures that are holding the current industrial food system in place, please join Philanthropy Missouri and Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems Funders (SAFSF) for a two part series. The first virtual meeting will cover the Farm Bill and a then the second virtual meeting will screen and discuss the documentary Digging In about Land Access, Corporate Consolidation and Climate Change. Missouri Foundation for Health team members will be there. Join us in the learning to accelerate positive change in our state! Even if you're not a PhilMO member, let me know and I'll get you on the list. #FoodJustice #HealthEquity

When a farm gate opens to the public, great things happen. Farmers play a vital role in providing everyone with food, but they impact upon society in many other ways too. From the rights of way that criss-cross farmland helping people get out into nature, to community engagement events fostering greater understanding about agriculture, providing a first-hand experience of the farming process can: -Help people appreciate where food comes from, encouraging advocacy for farmers. -Preserve local heritage by highlighting farming traditions. -Boost the local economy by encouraging visitors to buy farm products and support local businesses.   From food production to land access, we’ve introduced a swathe of new metrics to the Soil Association Exchange platform, to help farmers understand and measure the impact they can have on people and society. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e8pqExbJ

Jeanine Seabrook, founder of Ohio's Glass Rooster Cannery and two-time SARE grantee, partners with local farmers to repurpose their seconds and surplus produce, helping them generate extra income and reduce waste. https://ow.ly/AfLb50Tumox

Food insecurity affects 22% of families with children in BC. This initiative invites others to both help local families and educate youth about BC agriculture. The goal is to raise $10,000 to provide affordable produce and resources for K-12 students. Contributions will make a meaningful impact on the community. #food-sovereignty #communitysupportedagriculture #sustainableagriculture #cpg #knowwhereyourfoodcomesfrom #grocery

Check out this article featuring NEDPA director Shane St. Cyr and Jon Rulfs of ADK Farms that highlights dairy industry challenges resulting in consolidation and opportunities for dairies to continue to be leaders in environmental stewardship. https://lnkd.in/eumBQNFf

FoodCycle is excited to begin working on our project "Directing Surplus Food to Los Angeles Food Deserts". Thanks to our new grant from the USDA, we will be addressing gaps in food recovery that are preventing surplus food from reaching the communities that need it the most. "In the latest effort in reduction activities, the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program is leading a national Community Foods Project (CFP) Food Loss and Waste Training and Technical Assistance Grants Program, funded through USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). A total of $8 million is being provided to 14 organizations across the nation."

🌱 Ancestors in Training: Loving Every Generation in the Movement for a Just Food Future 🌱 A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to participate in an incredibly meaningful session facilitated by Lakisha McZeal of the San Diego Food System Alliance. The session explored the idea of being “ancestors in training.” The choices we make, the words we speak, and the values we hold will resonate far beyond our lifetimes, shaping a just and sustainable food future. Too often, our society divides us into generational silos, missing out on the essential wisdom that each age group brings. But in the work for food justice, we know our true power lies in unity, connection, and purpose. We need both youth and elder voices to keep our continuous history and the land’s knowledge alive. Together, we are lovingly planting seeds of hope for a better tomorrow despite the challenges we have yet to overcome. It was an honor to share this space with powerful changemakers, including Ian Moreland from Project New Village, Mario Ceballos of the POC Fungi Community, Andres Milan from Second Chance, and Emalyn Leppard from The Sage Garden Project. Let’s keep pushing forward, nurturing our connections across generations. Together, we can build an inclusive and equitable food system for all. 🌍💚 #JustFoodFuture #FoodJustice #AncestorsInTraining #GenerationalStrength #SustainableFoodSystem #PublicHealth

Wonderful to be at the Groundswell Agriculture Festival today, speaking on a panel entitled Resistance to Change on the Family Farm – Why Does It Happen & What Can We Do About It? I was invited to talk about the value of systemic constellations for surfacing hidden dynamics and transforming conflict situations, particularly between generations of the same family. Family farms, like any family business, present quite specific challenges due to their straddling of both family and organisational dynamics. Other topics touched on, in response to questions from the audience, included: - dealing with peer pressure - the selection of the best person to lead succession planning - the challenges of passing on money - finding the right place for younger generations returning to a family farm - handling 'endings' for older generations stepping back. As a result of the high level of interest in the application of systemic constellations to family farm issues I intend to explore options for running some focused workshops. DM me if you'd like to be kept in the loop. Meanwhile, thanks to Amelia Terrapin for introducing me to Joanna Bowen from the Groundswell team, and to Edward Rowland for connecting the three of us through The Whole Partnership's COLPI practitioner training. #constellations #systemicconstellations