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Dear Local Food Leader,
Welcome to the December 2020 edition of The Buzz. To say it has been quite a year is the understatement of the year. When I started in February, I had no idea what was to come and am grateful for all of my incredible co-workers, CFSA members, and too many organizations and agencies to list in this space.
This year, I'm proud to be part of supporting farmers markets, pushing for direct COVID-19 aid for small farms, advocating for online SNAP and SNAP increases, and joining so many allies to host a virtual candidate forum connecting issues of farms, food, and hunger in a socially-distanced election year.
There is a lot to be excited about in 2021 and many challenges ahead as the pandemic continues. Further COVID-19 response and issues of climate—and the role of sustainable agriculture as a solution—will continue. For CFSA members (I encourage all of you to join!), be on the lookout for information about the forthcoming 2021 CFSA member advocacy program!
Happy Holidays from the CFSA Policy Team!
Nick
Nick Wood, CFSA Policy Director
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Today is our season finale! We're chatting with the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition's Wes King, senior policy specialist, to have a conversation about the latest developments on COVID-19 relief, new leadership in Congress, the White House, and the USDA, and opportunities for change in 2021. This is for anyone who is concerned about sustainable agriculture and food.
Most Recent Episode:
Justice for Black Farmers Act
with CFSA member, Kamal Bell of Sankofa Farms (Efland, NC)
Don't do social media? Starting in 2021, we'll also post these videos to YouTube.
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IF YOU READ ONE FOOD/FARMING
POLICY ARTICLE THIS MONTH...
Here are the top reads from CFSA's policy team
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 Matt Kneece, South Carolina Policy Coordinator
S.C. Growers Find Increased Stability in New and Existing Farmers Markets
As restaurants continue hurting and grocery stores endure unstable supply chains, attendance at local and regional farmers markets has soared. This trend is not necessarily new during the pandemic but it was explored in-depth earlier this week in a State House Report article. From well-established markets to pop-up neighborhood fruit stands, farmers markets of all sizes are providing a reliable market for local growers and producers.
The article correctly notes that the COVID-19 upheaval is only the latest disruption in the world of S.C. agriculture, following the devastating floods and hurricanes of the last five years. The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, which CFSA pushed policymakers hard to include a revenue payment option, is also spotlighted. As we move into 2021, CFSA will continue helping our member farms build the resiliency they need to survive and thrive.
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Nick Wood, Policy Director
Justice for Black Farmers Act Announced
Little has changed in the 23 years since the Pigford decision proved systemic racial discrimination within the United States Department of Agriculture. One hundred years ago, there were nearly one million Black farmers. Today, there are only 45,000. The Justice for Black Farmers Act (JBFA), to be introduced by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), would address these past injustices through a number of means including Black farmers being allowed to claim up to 160 acres of land at no charge.
This ABC News story featuring CFSA member Kamal Bell, CEO of Durham’s Sankofa Farms, includes information about the JBFA and focuses on his efforts to “create pipelines for African Americans to be educated on a 21st-century farm.” Currently, Sankofa Farms is working with six students aged 11-18 years. Check out our Dece. 4 "This Week at CFSA" for more from Kamal (above).
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 Jared Cates, Community Mobilizer
Reframing the USDA
The core of our work at CFSA is centered around reimagining and redesigning food systems that are healthy for people and the planet. As 2020 winds down, I am ever so grateful for all of my passionate coworkers who have risen to this past year's many challenges with innovative ideas for unique problems.
In this article, Ricardo Salvador and Mark Bittman do the same. They rise to a unique challenge using their expertise and passion to present an innovative idea: Get rid of the USDA and establish a Department of Food and Wellbeing. They point out that the American model of agribusiness profits from low-value commodities and a system of overproduction that works so badly for farmers that the entire system has to be propped up by federal subsidies.
Here’s to 2021, to fresh ideas, and to innovative thinkers who are willing to push the boundaries of what's “doable” or “possible.”
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