Family Farm-Oriented Organizations to Join and Support

National Farmers Union

A great starting point is the National Farmers Union, and its state affiliates. For almost 100 years, the national and state Farmers Unions have been grassroots activists for economic prosperity and social justice for farm families and their communities. The National Farmers Union has a wonderful newsletter and website and scads of information on new developments and progress toward the NFU’s long-standing goals. Its website (nfu.org) has a membership map so you can join a state organization, or join NFU directly. By paying annual dues (even if you aren’t a farmer), you will be able to help give a voice to family farmers at the national, state and local levels.

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One feature I always check out on the NFU website is a chart on the Farmer’s Share of the food dollar spent by American consumers. A typical loaf of bread costs a US consumer $3.99 but the farmer gets only $0.14! A typical box of cereal costs $4.99, but the farmer only gets $0.07! Overall, farmers get only 14.8% of the food dollar of the American consumer. Something is very wrong in the marketplace for farmers to receive so little. The system is rigged, and NFU is working at the national level to un-rig that system.

FLAG

As a lawyer practicing farm law, I’ve grown to rely on the Farmers Legal Action Group, or FLAG. It is located in Minnesota, but has a national reach. Farm law is complex, difficult, detailed and ever-changing. Having FLAG as a resource over the years made a huge difference for me. FLAG is a unique law firm, not only because it focuses exclusively on legal issues and services for family farmers and family farmer-based advocacy organizations, but because it is a nonprofit law firm (imagine that!).

Since 1986, FLAG lawyers have been legal warriors and guides for countless farmers and farm organizations. They have provided essential support for small town lawyers—like me—who represented farmers. Now, with the current farm crisis and aftershocks of the pandemic, FLAG’s services and support are needed more than ever.

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One of their special skills is their ability to take almost indecipherable laws and regulations and translate them into plain language. FLAG lawyers have prepared guides on topics such as estate planning, food safety, alternative energy, civil rights, credit, appeals, marketing, tax and many others that have been used by many thousands of farmers. FLAG’s organizational commitment to racial justice has been unwavering and they played key roles in discrimination lawsuits against USDA for Black, Native American, women and Hispanic farmers.

Recently, FLAG rode to the rescue of farmers who faced ruin because of the Covid-19 Pandemic and wrote plain language guides for farmers on how to navigate the Covid-19 Pandemic and how to qualify for the Paycheck Protection Plan, and other Covid relief. As they say on their website, corporate agriculture may have their armies of lawyers; but family farmers have FLAG!

You can donate to help support their important work on their website.

Farm Aid

Farm Aid, founded by Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews in 1986, is another charity that I admire and support.

Farm Aid is best known for its annual concerts, at which all the performers donate their time and expenses and the money raised goes to help farmers. The organization works year round for family farmers to build a system of agriculture that values family farmers, good food, healthy soil, clean water, and strong communities. When I was Commissioner of Agriculture for North Dakota, I made Willie Nelson an honorary Centennial Farmer (an award given to farmers who had kept their farms going for 100 years or more). As far as I know, Willie Nelson is the only Texan who is an honorary North Dakota Centennial Farmer!

Farm Aid is an essential link to the survival of thousands of farmers and the capacity of hundreds of small farm advocacy groups to keep their doors open and pay their phone bills. Because of its support hotline (1-800-FARM AID), it has saved many lives. With a tiny staff, Farm Aid fights against industrial agriculture, for justice for Black, Indigenous, Hispanic and women farmers, and for methods of farming that support saving our soil, water, air and climate. Their music festival was the first to use only organic, farmer produced foods.

On their website, you can donate to the organization, and learn how to take action. The need is great.

Subscribe to my newsletter below for more information about additional farm advocacy groups and their vital work in today’s countryside.

Farm Action

Farm Action leverages its research, policy development, advocacy campaigns, and political expertise to create a food and agriculture system that works for everyday people rather than a handful of powerful corporations. We are joined in our movement by farmers, ranchers, rural communities, food system workers, policymakers, advocates, and anyone who eats.

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

NSAC (National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition) is an alliance of grassroots organizations that advocates for federal policy reform to advance the sustainability of agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and rural communities. NSAC’s vision of agriculture is one where a safe, nutritious, ample, and affordable food supply is produced by a legion of family farmers who make a decent living pursuing their trade, while protecting the environment, and contributing to the strength and stability of their communities. NSAC member groups advance common positions to support small and mid-size family farms, protect natural resources, promote healthy rural communities, and ensure access to healthy, nutritious foods by everyone.

The Rural Coalition

The Rural Coalition is a vibrant alliance of more than 50 rural community-based organizations of African-American, Asian-American, American-Indian, Euro-American, Latinx and women farmers, farmworkers and rural communities in the United States. Together, the Rural Coalition and its member’s work to ensure that organizations serving historically underserved farm communities in the food system have the opportunity to develop and support their own initiatives to improve equity in food and farm policy.

Union of Concerned Scientists

UCS (Union of Concerned Scientists) is a national organization with 50 years of experience putting science into action to build a healthier planet, a safer world, and a more equitable society. Our half-million members and supporters include everyday people as well as some of the nation’s top scientists, and our distinctive UCS Science Network draws upon nearly 23,000 scientists and technical experts across the country to assist our local, state, and national efforts. Working together, we advance science-based solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems, conducting rigorous technical analyses and mobilizing our supporters to build powerful coalitions, educate decisionmakers, and advocate for change.

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