National Young Farmers Coalition Report

The summer growing season is in full swing and temperatures are soaring across the country. Please stay safe and hydrated out there! Take a break from the heat and read on for Young Farmers’ July updates, including state wins in NY and PA, a student loan bill introduction in the Senate, our 2019 Pennsylvania Young Farmers Report release, and more.

‘Farming is Public Service’ Reaches the Senate 

Last week, Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) introduced the Student Loan Forgiveness for Farmers and Ranchers Act (S.2168). This bill will bolster the nation’s agricultural economy and provide security to its food supply by creating the Agricultural Student Loan Forgiveness Program specifically for farmers and ranchers.

Take action! Text “student loans” to 40649 or click here to ask your Members of Congress to co-sponsor the Student Loan Forgiveness for Farmers and Ranchers Act because #farmingispublicservice!

Policy Wins in New York State

With support from the National Young Farmers Coalition New York chapters and leadership from Senator Jennifer Metzger (D) SD-42, and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D) AD-123, we passed a bill in New York State this session that will increase access to the New Farmers Grant Fund Program. Our bill will improve this important program by establishing additional award tiers to allow projects of less than $15,000, and to fund projects worth $5,000 or less in an up-front payment instead of reimbursement. This change will reduce barriers to participating in the program and will help farmers receive small grants to increase farm profitability. 

Our bill to increase access to the Young Farmers Loan Forgiveness Program was passed by the Senate but did not make it through the Assembly. We will continue to advocate for all young farmers to qualify for this program. For more information check our latest blog post!

Young Farmers are on their way to DC!

This week we welcome 10 of our farmers from nine states to Washington, D.C. to speak with their Members of Congress about the issues young farmers are facing, including land access and student loan debt. And as the Senate drafts its appropriations bill, our farmers will be asking for full funding for key farm bill wins. 

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for photos, video, and audio interviews from the fly-in!

2019 Pennsylvania Young Farmers Report

 We’re excited to share our new 2019 Pennsylvania Young Farmers Report! The report is a first-of-its-kind look at the challenges that young and beginning farmers face in Pennsylvania, and the policies and programs they need to ensure a successful, sustainable future for agriculture. The report pulls from a statewide survey of young farmers, as well as listening sessions in Westmoreland, Chester, and Juniata Counties. The report is a roadmap for legislators, technical service providers, and partner organizations working to build a brighter future with Pennsylvania farmers.

Are you our new Federal Policy Director?

Young Farmers seeks an experienced and strategic Federal Policy Director who can lead and grow our policy initiatives in Washington, D.C. We are looking for a candidate who feels comfortable representing the voices of young farmers—someone who can connect with our diverse farmer members, hear their concerns, and fight for their priorities. Our ideal candidate feels equally comfortable lobbying a Representative, visiting a farm, leading a Coalition call, and briefing funders. 

 

Young Farmers is partnering with the Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture on the new Stone Barns Center Regenerative Farming Fellowship. The fellowship provides mid-scale farmers transitioning to regenerative farming practices with education, a supportive peer cohort, and the inspiration, leadership, and advocacy skills they need to bring about structural change.  As part of the fellowship, Young Farmers will be hosting a DC fly-in and advocacy training in December. 

Applications are now open through August 7th! Apply here. 

Say hello to our Summer Fellow, Faith!

Faith Shaeffer returns to the Coalition as 2019 Summer Fellow after interning with us last year. Faith will help our farmers across the country engage in grassroots actions. In May she graduated from Oberlin College with a BA in Economics and Comparative American Studies, with minors in Rhetoric & Composition and Law & Society. Before joining Young Farmers, Faith spent her last few summers farming at an organic vegetable farm in the Hudson Valley. She intends to pursue a career in public policy.