First Nations Development Institute’s Post

Join me tomorrow - Sept. 3rd - for an open discussion on how to put this vital tool to work to increase your community’s food security!

Jen Falck and Dan Cornelius of the Oneida Nation facilitated the Tribal Producer Information Session webinar on December 5, 2024 with Stephanie Dodge, the Intertribal Food Coordinator of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin. The virtual meeting offered a space for Tribal food producers from across the Great Lakes Midwest to gather and learn together. Jen is the owner of Kahulahele Farmstead and the Partnership Program Coordinator of the Menominee Tribe’s Department of Agriculture and Food Systems. Dan is the owner of Yowela Farms, a grower of heritage Indigenous crops, and the Outreach Program Manager for the Great Lakes Indigenous Law Center at the University of Wisconsin Law School and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. They were joined by Jamie Rahrig and Julie Jesmer of the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems and Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center who shared more about the upcoming USDA Business Builder grant program. The first phase of the Business Builder grant program will soon open for food and/or farm businesses in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. Over $10 million dollars will be distributed across the region to assistance providers and through the grant program over the next four years. Additional sessions for Tribal producers will be held throughout 2025. Stay tuned for more information. Find the recording of the December webinar here: https://loom.ly/5xnIjtw #LocalFood #FarmBusiness #FoodBusiness #GreatLakes #SmallBusinessSupport #IndigenousFood

New York is fortunate to have access to diverse, locally produced food in local stores and farm markets. New York farms contribute to our quality of life and billions of dollars to the economy. Yet, challenges have forced nearly 5,000 farms out of business over the past decade. State Comptroller DiNapoli's new agriculture report examines the health of the industry and what the State can do to strengthen our food supply to benefit all New Yorkers.  New York is fortunate to have access to diverse, locally produced food in local stores and farm markets. New York farms contribute to our quality of life and billions of dollars to the economy. Yet, challenges have forced nearly 5,000 farms out of business over the past decade. State Comptroller DiNapoli's new agriculture report examines the health of the industry and what the State can do to strengthen our food supply to benefit all New Yorkers.  Read the report here: profile-of-agriculture-in-nys.pdf

Over the next few weeks, we will highlight our crucial work through a video series. We hope the upcoming series provides an enlightening insight into how our amazing team impacts the lives of farmers and eaters alike, and inspires you to support us during this giving season. To kick off the series, we are showcasing how our team is supporting farmers while fighting hunger. Since May, through the monumental support provided by the USDA Local Food Purchase Assistance Program, Farmers Rising has purchased $500,000 worth of food from local farmers and delivered it to food pantries in Winnebago and Boone County....with more to come! This work is resulting in the real-time growth of our local food system. Help grow local farming and regenerative food systems by supporting Farmers Rising today.

🍏 Richard Kipling, the SFT’s Senior Research Advisor, takes an in-depth look at how we can work towards flourishing local food systems that build communities, increase food security for all, and provide a fair return to farmers and growers. Richard outlines some of the latest work of the #LocalFoodPlan – a collaboration between The Landworkers' Alliance, Food, Farming and Countryside Commission, Pasture for Life and Sustain: The alliance for better food and farming – which will be releasing its next report in the coming weeks. ➡️ Scroll through to explore the importance of local food systems, or read the full article: https://lnkd.in/ecmeAmum 🔗 You can also find out more about the Local Food Plan by visiting https://lnkd.in/ea_ti-72. #LocalFood #LocalFoodSystems #Localised #FoodSecurity

The Scottish government is consulting on options for phasing out the use of enriched cages to house laying hens for egg production in Scotland. Three options have been proposed: *A 2030 ban on enriched cage production *A 2030 ban on installing new cages leading to a 2034 ban on enriched cage production *An information campaign to encourage all retailers to commit to stop stocking/selling eggs or egg products from enriched cages by 2034.

In 2023, 93% of the 882,692 cattle and calf operations in the United States were family-owned and operated. This goes beyond statistics—its a way of life. Ranching is a difficult calling, but like farming, its rewards lay in being part of rural America and feeding our neighbors and nation. 40% of ranchers work over 200 days at another job to make ends meet, piling work on weekends when the entire family is home to help. Ranching is an endless balancing act. So who should we trust to shoulder the burden of U.S. agriculture—families who care for the land or corporations slave to quarterly earnings and Wall Street cycles? I mean, it's only our food. For every dollar a ranch generates, $1.50 to $2.00 flows into the local economy. For every $1 spent on an iPhone within the US we see around $0.30 to $0.40. One ranching job creates 2.2 additional jobs in businesses like feed stores, equipment repair, transportation, and local restaurants. Family ranches manage 35% of the total U.S. land area, including some of the most ecologically significant grasslands and rangelands. They're not thinking about next quarter—they're thinking about the next generation and the one after. Ranches and rural America face economic and cultural collapse. Over 46 million people live in rural America, many of whom are tied directly to agriculture and ranching. If ranching disappears, 9 to 23 million people could face economic displacement. That's more than job loss—schools closing, businesses shutting down, and entire towns emptying. I've lived it, the misunderstanding of urban America about the fragility of rural America. When the Pacific Northwest logging industry collapsed due to Spotted Owl regulations, entire communities disappeared, and wildfires now ravage forests. The beef industry faces similar risks if we don't stand up for family ranches. Key facts about U.S. beef production: - 98-87% of beef consumed in the U.S. is raised domestically - Beef cattle are raised on 731,000 operations nationwide, 93% family-owned - The average herd size is just 44 head - The beef industry contributes over $167 billion annually to the U.S. economy - The industry supports approximately 3.8 to 4 million jobs nationwide - Workers earn an average income of around $50,000 annually Family ranches are more than beef. They're preserving rural America, keeping land healthy, and ensuring food security. As rural America future evolves, we must find ways to make living on the land viable again—for the ranchers, the communities they support, and the nation. We should not confuse the sins of corporate agriculture with the economic struggle of the rancher. One changes when the market dictates, the other charges for their children and grandchildren if they can get returns that will get them out of survival mode.

Did You Know? Over 90% of beef farms and ranches in the United States are family-owned and operated. These families aren’t just producing beef—they’re preserving traditions, stewarding the land, and driving local economies. When you choose beef, you’re supporting a legacy of care and craftsmanship. It’s not just about the product; it’s about the people behind it—families who’ve worked tirelessly, often for generations, to provide high-quality food for our tables. Let’s celebrate and advocate for these family ranchers who are the heart of the beef industry. Their work feeds us all and keeps rural communities thriving. What’s one way you support or connect with local agriculture? I’d love to hear your perspective! #BeefAdvocacy #FamilyRanching #RanchToFire #LocalAgriculture #Sustainability

The Hope Farm statement offers a watershed moment - urging the next government to prioritise an ambitious food and farming strategy within its first 100 days. Signatories include food business leaders, farmer organisations, civil society, and campaigning groups.  The Food, Farming and Countryside Commission, through #TheFoodConversation have been asking citizens what they want from food and unlike the much rolled out 'nanny state' narrative that the government are determined we don't want, it turns out that we do. We need a government willing to take ambitious and immediate action. This statement is timely and calls for six clear actions, drawing on a wealth of evidence, including the National Food Strategy. Read the statement 👇 https://lnkd.in/eBm2AX7y

🌾 **Celebrating Local Agriculture in Guymon, Oklahoma** 🌾 Guymon, Oklahoma, is a hidden gem in the heartland of America, and its local agriculture plays a pivotal role in our community's vitality and sustainability. Here’s why local agriculture is so crucial to Guymon: 1. **Economic Backbone**: Agriculture is a cornerstone of our local economy, providing jobs and supporting businesses throughout the region. 2. **Sustainable Practices**: Our local farmers are committed to sustainable practices that preserve the land for future generations, ensuring a healthy environment for all. 3. **Community Resilience**: By supporting local farms, we build a resilient food system that can withstand global disruptions and provide fresh, nutritious food to our tables. 4. **Cultural Heritage**: Agriculture is deeply woven into the fabric of Guymon’s heritage. Our farms and ranches are a testament to the hard work and dedication that define our community. 5. **Local Flavor**: There's nothing quite like the taste of fresh, locally-grown produce. From farmers markets to farm-to-table restaurants, we enjoy the best flavors right from our backyard. Let’s continue to champion and support our local agriculture in Guymon, celebrating the farmers and ranchers who sustain us and our way of life. 🌱💚 #LocalAgriculture #GuymonOklahoma #SupportLocal #SustainableFarming #CommunityStrength