Farm Bureau is a non-governmental, volunteer organization financed and controlled by families for the purpose of solving economic and public policy issues challenging the agriculture industry. Farm Bureau's "grass roots" policy development process continues to ensure that the organization represents the majority position of its membership. Policy development begins at the county level with problem identification and culminates at the New York Farm Bureau Annual Meeting with a resolution addressing the issues. Our success in implementing the enclosed policies depends upon our active, well informed membership guided by the efforts of many dedicated volunteer leaders. With a growing membership of nearly 30,000 member families, it is evident that Farm Bureau is the voice of New York agriculture. Farm Bureau will continue to meet the needs of those who make farming their livelihood and rural New York their home.
This is a 4-state, multi-institutional, farm-to-fork effort designed to improve the profitability and competitiveness of small and mid-size farms in the Midwest. Key and unique to the North Central Initiative for Small Farm Profitability are farmer clusters working with researchers to put science-based, market-driven results into action in the 4-state North Central region. The clusters are made up of farmers and ranchers in Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin who have an idea or product, or who are already working on an idea or product, for increasing small farm profitability. Local resource providers support the clusters, and it is hoped cluster members will help apply knowledge learned from this initiative into their local communities.
Ken Wurdeman, Initiative Coordinator
58 Filley Hall - East Campus
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, NE 68583-1772
Phone: (402) 426-0807
Northeast Organic Farming Association, Massachusetts chapter The goal of the alliance is to bring together those who wish to practice small scale dairying with those who wish to buy farmstead-produced dairy products. The alliance will be gathering information to facilitate farmstead dairy production, make available equipment making and knowledge for dairy operators, and support the right of the small holder to exist in an increasingly urban environment. The alliance is open to all small scale dairy operators; those with a family cow, goats, or sheep. Organic practices are not required, just an openness and enthusiasm for the work at hand.
E-mail: SHA@smallholdersalliance.org
NY Farms! is a broad coalition focused on tapping the power of consumer choice and citizen support to ensure the future of farming in New York State. The coalition works together with the community in collaborative grassroots projects to create public awareness on the importance of farming, promote agriculture and food system literacy, and foster consumer loyalty to New York farm products.
Regional marketing of farms and foods, farm tours, "Ag in the Cafeteria," food tasting events, and a consumer push for more NY food in grocery stores are examples of NY Farms! projects. The Taste, Face & Place of NY Farms! Photo Contest and Exhibit Tour brings down-to-earth images with stories about agriculture and food in New York State to urban and suburban dwellers.
Martha Goodsell
P.O. Box 1491
Auburn, NY 13021
Phone: (315) 255-9267
E-mail: nyfarms@baldcom.net
NESAWG is a regional network of organizations and individuals working together toward a more sustainable and secure regional food system -- one that is economically viable, environmentally sound, and socially just and produces safe and healthful food. Its mission is to strengthen the work of its members by providing active support and assistance in achieving shared food system goals. NESAWG's agenda reflects a "systems approach" to addressing the root causes and full spectrum of farm and food system problems.
NESAWG embraces Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia. It is one of 5 regional sustainable agriculture working groups in the US. NESAWG also works closely with the other SAWGS (Western, Midwest, Southern, California) and the National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture to develop federal policies that benefit small-scale and sustainable farmers throughout the country.
NESAWG is governed by Articles of Association, and guided by a Steering Committee elected by the membership. Its activities are carried out through partnerships with member and other organizations and by a part-time staff.
NESAWG is a special program of the New England Small Farm Institute, its fiscal sponsor and organizational host.
Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group
P.O. Box 608
Belchertown, MA 01007
Phone: (413) 323-4531
Fax: (413) 323-9594
E-mail: nesawg@smallfarm.org
