FARM AID INC
Programs
Program 1 [2020]
HELPING FARMERS THRIVE - THROUGH ITS TOLL-FREE NUMBER, 1-800-FARM-AID, AND ONLINE FARMER RESOURCE NETWORK DIRECTORY, FARM AID REFERS AND CONNECTS FARMERS TO AN EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT HELP FARMERS FIND THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO ACCESS NEW MARKETS, TRANSITION TO MORE SUSTAINABLE AND PROFITABLE FARMING PRACTICES, AND RECEIVE IMMEDIATE SUPPORT SERVICES IN TIMES OF CRISIS. THE ORGANIZATION MAKES GRANTS TO FARM AND RURAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS AND COLLABORATES WITH SERVICE PARTNERS TO HELP BUILD THEIR CAPACITY FOR ADDRESSING FARMER CHALLENGES AND NEEDS. FARM AID GRANTS ALSO SUPPORT THE FARM ADVOCATE LINK, A NATIONAL NETWORK OF FARM ADVOCATES WHO PROVIDE ONE-ON-ONE SERVICES TO FAMILY FARMERS. THE FARM ADVOCATE LINK'S MISSION IS TO TRAIN, SUPPORT AND RECRUIT A NEW GENERATION OF FARM ADVOCATES. WHEN NATURAL DISASTERS STRIKE AND AFFECT FARMERS, FARM AID'S FAMILY FARM DISASTER FUND RAISES FUNDS TO HELP FARMERS IN THE IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH AND PROVIDE TRAININGS TO FARMERS FOR ACCESSING DISASTER AID AND FOR BUILDING ON-FARM RESILIENCE TO PREPARE FOR FUTURE DISASTERS.WITH THE ONSET OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN MARCH, 2020 BECAME A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER. ALREADY ENDANGERED BY FIVE YEARS OF LOW PRICES, TRADE DISRUPTIONS, FREQUENT NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE CHANGE, FARMERS FACED MYRIAD IMPACTS FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. THESE INCLUDE LOSS OF DIRECT MARKETS FROM THE CLOSURE OF RESTAURANTS, SCHOOLS AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS; INCREASED INFRASTRUCTURE AND LABOR COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH ADAPTING TO CREATE NEW MARKETS; SUPPLY CHAIN AND LABOR DISRUPTIONS; AND EVEN GREATER DECLINES IN PRICES FOR THEIR PRODUCTS.QUICKLY SEEING AND UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 AND ITS RELATED SHUTDOWNS OF MARKETS THAT FAMILY FARMERS DEPEND ON, FARM AID LEAPT INTO ACTION. ON APRIL 11, AT HOME WITH FARM AID RAISED MORE THAN $500,000 IN FUNDS THAT WERE QUICKLY DISTRIBUTED TO FARMERS IMPACTED BY COVID-19. THE ONE-HOUR LIVE-STREAMED ONLINE CONCERT FEATURED FARM AID BOARD ARTISTS NEIL YOUNG, JOHN MELLENCAMP, DAVE MATTHEWS AND WILLIE NELSON WITH HIS SONS LUKAS AND MICAH NELSON. AS A RESULT OF AT HOME WITH FARM AID, FARM AID LAUNCHED THE NATIONAL COVID-19 FARMER RESILIENCE INITIATIVE, WORKING WITH MORE THAN 130 LOCAL, STATE AND REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN ALL 50 STATES AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS TO DELIVER IMMEDIATE FARMER RELIEF EFFORTS AND LONGER-TERM RESILIENCE STRATEGIES. GRANTS, DISTRIBUTED IN $500 INCREMENTS, HELPED NEARLY 1,000 FARMERS MEET HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES AND WERE PAIRED WITH RESOURCES PUBLISHED IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES AND DEVELOPED BY FARM AID'S NATIONAL PARTNERS, INCLUDING FARMERS' LEGAL ACTION GROUP (FLAG), RURAL ADVANCEMENT FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL-USA (RAFI-USA), INDIGENOUS FOOD AND AGRICULTURE INITIATIVE, INTERTRIBAL AGRICULTURE COUNCIL, AND THE NATIONAL SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE COALITION. ONLINE, FARM AID SHOWCASED THE STORIES OF FAMILY FARMERS AND RANCHERS ADAPTING TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF COVID TO KEEP FEEDING THEIR COMMUNITIES. WE SHINED A SPOTLIGHT ON FARMERS CREATING ONLINE MARKETPLACES THAT AGGREGATED AND MARKETED PRODUCTS FROM MANY FARMS WITH CONTACT-LESS HOME DELIVERY, INCLUDING ENSURING THAT THOSE FAMILIES UTILIZING FEDERAL NUTRITION PROGRAMS COULD ACCESS AND AFFORD QUALITY LOCAL FOOD. WE HIGHLIGHTED FARM ORGANIZATIONS THAT ORGANIZED FEEDING PROGRAMS THAT ENSURED FARMERS HAD MARKETS FOR THEIR PRODUCTS WHEN THE SUPPLY CHAIN COLLAPSED AND THAT LOCAL FAMILIES COULD ACCESS HEALTHY FOOD; AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT CREATED VIRTUAL TRAINING PROGRAMS TO ENSURE FARMERS AND FARMWORKERS COULD SAFELY WORK DURING COVID, AS WELL AS ONE-ON-ONE BUSINESS CONSULTING. TO SUPPORT EATERS LOOKING TO SUPPORT LOCAL FARMS, FARM AID CREATED AN ONLINE RESOURCE TO FIND FAMILY FARM FOOD DURING THE PANDEMIC. THROUGHOUT 2020, FARM AID WORKED TO ENSURE EQUITABLE PANDEMIC RELIEF FOR THE PEOPLE WHO GROW OUR FOOD AND THE WORKERS WHO BRING IT TO OUR TABLES. THROUGH PUBLIC CALLS TO ACTION, MEETINGS WITH MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, AND OUR WORK IN BROAD COALITIONS, WE PRESSURED CONGRESS TO INCLUDE POLICIES IN FEDERAL RELIEF PACKAGES THAT SUPPORT FARMERS IN FINANCIAL CRISIS, INVEST IN LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEMS THAT GALVANIZED TO FEED COMMUNITIES IN THE WAKE OF MASSIVE FOOD SUPPLY DISRUPTIONS, PROTECT WORKERS AT THE FRONTLINES OF THE PANDEMIC, AND ENSURE FOOD SECURITY FOR MILLIONS OF LOW-INCOME AMERICANS. FARM AID WORKED WITH SENATOR KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND IN DRAFTING THE RELIEF FOR AMERICA'S SMALL FARMERS ACT, WHICH PROVIDES DEBT RELIEF FOR THE SMALL FARMERS AND RANCHERS WHO CONTINUE TO FEED US, STEWARD OUR LAND, AND BOLSTER OUR LOCAL ECONOMIES. THESE ARE THE VERY FARMERS WHO ARE WORKING HARD AND COMING UP WITH CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO BRING FRESH, HEALTHY FOOD TO COMMUNITIES IN NEED DURING THE PANDEMIC. IN EACH CONSECUTIVE COVID RELIEF PACKAGE, FARM AID'S VOICE WAS LOUD AND CLEAR, CALLING FOR EQUITABLE SUPPORT OF FARMERS AND RANCHERS.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$1.3MProgram 2 [2020]
TAKING ACTION TO CHANGE THE SYSTEM (TACS)- FARM AID SEEKS TO ADVANCE THE POWER AND PARTICIPATION OF FARMERS TO CHANGE THE AMERICAN FARM AND FOOD SYSTEM. FARM AID PROVIDES GRANTS TO LOCAL, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO PROMOTE FAIR FARM POLICIES AND GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING CAMPAIGNS DESIGNED TO DEFEND AND BOLSTER FAMILY FARM-CENTERED AGRICULTURE. FARM AID'S ACTION CENTER ENGAGES PEOPLE TO BECOME ADVOCATES FOR CHANGE. THE ORGANIZATION HAS WORKED SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH FARMERS TO PROTEST FACTORY FARMS AND INFORM FARMERS AND EATERS ABOUT ISSUES LIKE GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD, GLOBAL TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION. FARM AID SERVES AS A LEADER AND CONTRIBUTING MEMBER OF COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS TO BRING ATTENTION TO THE VARIED CHALLENGES FACED BY FAMILY FARMERS AND TO ENCOURAGE COLLABORATION AND COLLECTIVE PROBLEM SOLVING.FARM AID'S FARMER LEADERSHIP FUND DEFRAYS EXPENSES FOR FARMER LEADERSHIP TRAININGS, STRATEGY MEETINGS AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO ELEVATE THE VOICES OF FAMILY FARMERS.IN MAY, WHEN GEORGE FLOYD WAS MURDERED AND A NATIONAL MOVEMENT FOR RACIAL JUSTICE WAS GALVANIZED, FARM AID AFFIRMED OUR SOLIDARITY WITH BLACK COMMUNITIES WORKING FOR JUSTICE IN THE FACE OF SYSTEMIC RACISM AND VIOLENCE, AND OUR OPPOSITION TO ALL RACIST ACTS OF VIOLENCE, AND THE INSTITUTIONS THAT PERPETUATE WHITE SUPREMACY. IN A STATEMENT ISSUED ON JUNE 4TH, FARM AID COMMITTED TO LISTENING, LEARNING AND DEEPENING WORK TO ADVANCE RACIAL EQUITY AND JUSTICE.IN THE FALL, FARM AID ENGAGED WITH SENATOR CORY BOOKER'S OFFICE TO HELP SHAPE THE JUSTICE FOR BLACK FARMERS ACT, A LANDMARK BILL CO-SPONSORED BY SENATORS BOOKER, WARREN AND GILLIBRAND, AIMED AT ADDRESSING HISTORIC DISCRIMINATION IN USDA PROGRAMS THAT CAUSED BLACK FARMERS TO LOSE MILLIONS OF ACRES OF FARMLAND AND ROBBED THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES OF HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF INTER-GENERATIONAL WEALTH. THROUGHOUT 2020, FARM AID CONTINUED WORK TO TAKE INITIATIVE AND EDUCATE OURSELVES IN PROMOTING RACIAL JUSTICE AND INCLUSIVITY. WE CONTINUED OUR WORK TO AMPLIFY THE VOICES OF BIPOC FARMERS IN OUR COMMUNICATIONS, FORM DEEPER COLLABORATIONS AND NETWORKS WITH ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO PROMOTE A DIVERSE AND EQUITABLE FOOD SYSTEM, ENGAGE IN A BROAD RANGE OF POLICY PROMOTION AND ADVOCACY, PRIORITIZE GRANTMAKING TO IMPACT INDIGENOUS AND BLACK FARMERS, AND FEATURE BLACK, INDIGENOUS AND PEOPLE OF COLOR (BIPOC) ARTISTS AND FARMERS AS PART OF FARM AID 2020.INTERNALLY, FARM AID MADE A RENEWED COMMITMENT TO UNDERSTANDING MORE ABOUT DISCRIMINATION AND RACISM, LISTENING TO AND TAKING CUES FROM BIPOC THOUGHT LEADERS, AND MAKING SPACE TO PROCESS RELEVANT CURRENT EVENTS IN REAL TIME. WE ENGAGED AN OUTSIDE CONSULTANT FOR AN ALL-STAFF WORKSHOP FOCUSED ON RACE AND WHITE PRIVILEGE, ESTABLISHED AN INTERNAL RACIAL JUSTICE COMMUNICATION PLATFORM FOR SHARING MEDIA POSTS AND STAFF THOUGHTS ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS, AND PARTICIPATED IN THE 21-DAY RACIAL EQUITY HABIT BUILDING CHALLENGE. FARM AID MAINTAINS A WEEKLY DISCUSSION GROUP TO CONTINUE FOCUSED EXPLORATION AND LEARNING, AS WELL AS TO EXAMINE ORGANIZATIONAL PRACTICES THROUGH A DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI) LENS. OUR 2020 LEARNINGS LED TO UPDATING OUR EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK WITH AN EXPANDED EQUAL EMPLOYEE OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT AND THE ADDITION OF GUIDELINES AROUND THE USE OF PERSONAL PRONOUNS, BROADENING RECRUITMENT EFFORTS TO ATTRACT A LARGER NUMBER OF DIVERSE CANDIDATES FOR OPEN POSITIONS, AND BEGINNING TO ARTICULATE FRAMEWORKS FOR DECISION-MAKING AROUND OUR BUSINESS VENDORS AND HOW TO CREATE INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROMOTING AND SUPPORTING MINORITY- AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES.IN ADDITION TO ENGAGING WITH NATIVE-LED ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COVID-19 FARMER RESILIENCE INITIATIVE, FARM AID UNDERSTOOD THE NEED FOR A MORE FOCUSED RESPONSE DEDICATED TO NATIVE FARMERS, WHICH LED TO THE FOOD 4 FAMILIES INITIATIVE, LED BY INTERTRIBAL AGRICULTURE COUNCIL, WITH PARTNERSHIP FROM FARM AID, INDIAN LAND TENURE FOUNDATION AND FIRST NATIONS DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE. THE FOOD 4 FAMILIES INITIATIVE IS DEDICATED TO 4-H, FFA GROUPS AND INDEPENDENT YOUTH ACROSS INDIAN COUNTRY WHO SHOW LIVESTOCK BY PARTICIPATING IN ANNUAL MARKET ANIMAL AUCTION SALES. THE REALITIES OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THE MEASURES NEEDED TO PROTECT TRIBAL COMMUNITIES MADE LIVE ANIMAL AUCTION SALES IMPOSSIBLE IN 2020. THE FOOD 4 FAMILIES INITIATIVE PROVIDES COUPONS THAT COVER THE PROCESSING FEES FOR ANIMALS RAISED FOR LIVESTOCK SHOW AND MARKET SALE BY TRIBAL YOUTH IN ORDER TO HELP YOUTH MARKET THEIR ANIMALS ONLINE OR BY OTHERWISE SUPPORTING THEIR LOCAL FOOD ECONOMIES, WHERE MEAT SHORTAGES WERE AN IMMEDIATE CONSEQUENCE OF THE PANDEMIC. FARM AID COMMITTED $75,000 TO THIS INITIATIVE FROM FUNDS RECEIVED FROM THE NATIVE AMERICAN AGRICULTURE FUND THROUGH THE SETTLEMENT OF KEEPSEAGLE V. VILSACK (A CIVIL RIGHTS LAWSUIT AGAINST THE USDA WHICH FOUND THAT IT SYSTEMATICALLY DISCRIMINATED AGAINST NATIVE AMERICAN FARMERS AND RANCHERS.)GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$308.5KProgram 3 [2020]
PROMOTING FOOD FROM FAMILY FARMS - FARM AID STAGES AMERICA'S LONGEST RUNNING ANNUAL MUSIC EVENT WITH A MISSION, WHICH UNITES FARMERS, ARTISTS, MUSIC LOVERS AND EATERS TO CELEBRATE FAMILY FARMERS AND MOBILIZES PEOPLE TO BUILD A POWERFUL MOVEMENT FOR GOOD FOOD FROM FAMILY FARMS. THE ORGANIZATION'S ANNUAL FESTIVAL FEATURES FAMILY FARM FOOD THROUGHOUT THE VENUE WITH FARM AID'S HOMEGROWN CONCESSIONS, FOSTERING STRONG RELATIONSHIPS AMONG FARMERS, FOOD COMPANIES, CONCESSIONAIRES AND FESTIVALGOERS. THE HOMEGROWN YOUTHMARKET SELLS LOCAL PRODUCE FROM FAMILY FARMERS AND IS STAFFED BY LOCAL YOUTH ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE. IN THE HOMEGROWN VILLAGE, DOZENS OF FARM AND FOOD GROUPS ENGAGE FESTIVALGOERS IN HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES ABOUT FARMING, FOOD, SOIL, WATER, AND RENEWABLE ENERGY. IN ADDITION TO ITS ANNUAL FESTIVAL, FARM AID ENGAGES PEOPLE IN THE CULTURE OF AGRICULTURE THROUGH SMALLER REGIONAL EVENTS AND WITH ITS INSPIRING AND INFORMATIVE SOCIAL AND MEDIA CAMPAIGNS THAT CONNECT EATERS AND FARMERS THROUGH COOKING, EATING, AND GROWING.SINCE 2013, AMERICA'S FARMERS AND RANCHERS HAVE WEATHERED A 50 PERCENT DROP IN NET FARM INCOME. THE STRAIN IN TODAY'S FARM ECONOMY IS NO ACCIDENT; IT'S THE RESULT OF POLICIES DESIGNED TO ENRICH CORPORATIONS AT THE EXPENSE OF FARMERS AND RANCHERS. IN 2020, COVID-19 SPARKED FURTHER LOSSES AND CHALLENGES FOR FARMERS. IN RESPONSE, FARM AID CONTINUED TO EXPAND OUR DIRECT FARMER RESPONSE AND INCREASED OUR ADVOCACY OF SOLUTIONS TO FARM POLICY THAT NEEDS A MASSIVE SHIFT IN DIRECTION - ONE THAT DELIVERS FAIR PRICES TO FARMERS THAT ALLOW THEM TO MAKE A LIVING. THROUGH THE 1-800-FARM-AID HOTLINE AND [email protected] EMAIL SERVICE, FARM AID'S HOTLINE MANAGER AND OUR TEAM OF HOTLINE OPERATORS REFER FARMERS TO AN EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF FAMILY FARM AND RURAL SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. REFERRALS PROVIDE IMMEDIATE SUPPORT TO FARM FAMILIES IN CRISIS AND FARMERS SEEKING TO TRANSITION TO MORE SUSTAINABLE FARMING PRACTICES, AS WELL AS TO PROSPECTIVE AND BEGINNING FARMERS. MORE THAN 900 CONTACTS WERE MADE TO THE 1-800-FARM-AID HOTLINE AND [email protected] EMAIL SERVICE IN 2020, REPRESENTING A 20% INCREASE OVER 2019. FARM AID ISSUED 70 EMERGENCY GRANTS TO FARM FAMILIES IN CRISIS, TOTALING $40,500, A 15% INCREASE OVER 2019. RECOGNIZING THE INCREASING NEED FOR A TEAM APPROACH TO THE HOTLINE, FARM AID HIRED TWO PART-TIME HOTLINE OPERATORS AT THE END OF 2020 AND PLANS TO FURTHER INCREASE HOTLINE STAFFING IN 2021. FARM AID'S RESOURCE NETWORK (FARMAID.ORG/IDEAS) OFFERS AN INTERACTIVE WEBSITE AND DATABASE OF MORE THAN 700 ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE GUIDANCE FOR NEW FARMERS, DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS IN CRISIS, AND SUPPORT FOR FARMERS LOOKING TO TRANSITION TO MORE SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION METHODS AND MARKETS. THROUGH THE FARMER RESOURCE NETWORK (FRN), FARM AID MAKES CONNECTIONS BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS, FARM SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, AND BUSINESSES TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES AND CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FARMERS. FARM AID POINTS FARMERS AND ADVOCATES TO OUR MOST TRUSTED RESOURCES, NEW OFFERINGS AND TIMELY OPPORTUNITIES VIA OUR CURATED RESOURCE GUIDES. IN 2020, FARM AID WORKED TO REVAMP THE FRN TO BETTER SERVE THE NEEDS OF FARMERS AND RANCHERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. SINCE 2017, FARM AID HAS HELPED BRING AWARENESS AND ACTION TO THE ISSUE OF FARMER MENTAL HEALTH VIA ADVOCACY ON THE FARM AND RANCH STRESS ASSISTANCE NETWORK (FRSAN), WHICH WAS AUTHORIZED IN THE 2018 FARM BILL. THE BILL CALLS FOR $10 MILLION IN ANNUAL FEDERAL FUNDING TO SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES TO FARMERS AND AGRICULTURAL WORKERS. IN 2020, FARM AID CONTINUED OUR WORK AS PART OF A COALITION OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT WON A FRSAN GRANT TO BUILD A FARMER SUPPORT NETWORK IN THE NORTHEAST. "BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK FOR FARM AND RANCH STRESS ASSISTANCE IN THE NORTHEAST" CONVENES A NETWORK OF FARMER SERVICE PROVIDERS TO BUILD CONNECTIONS AND COLLABORATION. IN 2020, THE NORTHEAST REGION GROUP PREMIERED AN UPDATED FARMER RESOURCE CLEARINGHOUSE, HOSTED ON FARM AID'S WEBSITE, HELD THREE NETWORK-WIDE MEETINGS, AND HOSTED MULTIPLE TRAININGS FOR THE NETWORK. IN MARCH, FARM AID ENGAGED WITH USA TODAY FOR AN IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATION ON RISING SUICIDE RATES IN FARM COUNTRY AND THE UNDERLYING STRESSORS OF FARM DEBT, TRADE WARS AND THE CLIMATE CRISIS. THE FRONTPAGE STORY UNLOCKED ADDITIONAL COVERAGE OF THE ISSUE, INCLUDING IN THE AMERICAN INDEPENDENT, WHICH NOTED THE RESOURCES FARM AID PROVIDES FOR FARMERS IN STRESS. FARM AID ALSO SPOKE TO THESE ISSUES ON NPR'S NATIONALLY SYNDICATED SCIENCE FRIDAY. FARM AID WORKED WITH SENATOR TESTER (D-MT) ON A BILL TO ADDRESS STRESS, DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE IN FARM COUNTRY. IN OCTOBER, FARM AID ENDORSED THE SEEDING RURAL RESILIENCE ACT, WHICH WOULD IMPLEMENT A STRESS MANAGEMENT TRAINING PROGRAM AT USDA; PROVIDE USDA AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES WITH $3 MILLION FOR A FARMER STRESS PSA CAMPAIGN; AND DIRECT THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE TO DETERMINE BEST PRACTICES FOR FARM STRESS RESPONSE.IN RESPONSE TO NATURAL DISASTERS IN PUERTO RICO (EARTHQUAKE), IOWA (A DERECHO) AND IN CALIFORNIA (WILDFIRES), FARM AID MADE GRANTS TO FARM ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTING ON-THE-GROUND RELIEF EFFORTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $61,500.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$158.8K
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