NATIONAL YOUNG FARMERS COALITION INC

POLICY CAMPAIGNS AND LAND: YOUNG FARMERS WORKS TO ADVOCATE FOR POLICIES THAT ADDRESS THE STRUCTURAL CHALLENGES PREVENTING YOUNG PEOPLE FROM SUCCEEDING IN FARMING, SUCH AS ACCESS TO LAND, CREDIT, SKILLED LABOR, CLIMATE CHALLENGES, RACIAL INJUSTICE, AND STUDENT LOAN DEBT. IN 2024, WE SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATED FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF MARKER BILLS LIKE THE FARM OWNERSHIP IMPROVEMENT ACT AND THE LAND ACCESS, OPPORTUNITY, AND SUSTAINABILITY (LASO) ACT. THESE EFFORTS STREAMLINE USDA LOAN PROCESSES AND TACKLE STRUCTURAL BARRIERS TO FARMLAND OWNERSHIP, PROVIDING CRITICAL PATHWAYS TO LAND EQUITY FOR YOUNG AND BIPOC FARMERS. TO UPLIFT THE STORIES AND NEEDS OF FRONTLINE FARMERS, WE HOSTED A FARM BILL ADVOCACY DAY AND BROUGHT 15 FARMERS TO WASHINGTON D.C. TO MEET WITH SENATE AND HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEES. WE ALSO HOSTED A VIRTUAL POLICY BRIEFING WITH MORE THAN 200 REGISTRANTS. TO EXPAND ACCESS TO CAPITAL, YOUNG FARMERS MAINTAINS A FIVE-YEAR COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE USDA TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS IN ACCESSING FARM SERVICE AGENCY (FSA) PROGRAMS. THROUGH THIS RELATIONSHIP, WE AIM TO ADDRESS LONG-STANDING STRUCTURAL INEQUITIES AND ESTABLISH MORE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO THE USDA FOR FARMERS MOST MARGINALIZED IN THE FOOD SYSTEM. BUILDING UPON THIS WORK, IN 2024, WE PROVIDED DIRECT ASSISTANCE, SUPPORTING OVER 400 FARMERS IN ACCESSING THE USDA'S DISCRIMINATION FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SECTION 22007 OF THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT), WHICH OFFERED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN CRITICAL FINANCIAL RELIEF TO PRODUCERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED PRIOR DISCRIMINATION FROM THE USDA.

FARMER MENTAL HEALTH: CULTIVEMOS, ALSO KNOWN AS THE FARMER AND RANCHER STRESS ASSISTANCE NETWORK (FRSAN-NORTHEAST), IS BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE NETWORK OF SERVICE PROVIDERS DEDICATED TO ADVANCING THE MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, AND FINANCIAL WELL-BEING OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS, WORKERS, AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE NORTHEAST. CULTIVEMOS IS A PARTNERSHIP LED BY NATIONAL YOUNG FARMERS COALITION, UNIVERSITY OF MAINE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, THE MIGRANT CLINICIANS NETWORK, NORTHEAST FARMERS OF COLOR LAND TRUST, FARM FIRST, AND FARM AID. RECOGNIZING THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF FARMER MENTAL HEALTH, OUR EFFORTS IN 2024 SIGNIFICANTLY EXPANDED THESE INITIATIVES. TOGETHER WITH 160+ MEMBERS ACROSS 90 ORGANIZATIONS, THE NETWORK FOCUSES ON SERVICE PROVIDERS WORKING WITH A WIDE RANGE OF FARMERS, INCLUDING FARMWORKERS, YOUNG FARMERS, AND BIPOC FARMERS, THROUGH PROGRAMMING INCLUDING PEER GROUPS, A RESOURCE CLEARINGHOUSE, TRAININGS, AND HOTLINE SERVICES IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH. SIMULTANEOUSLY, OUR GRASSROOTS ORGANIZERS LED A SERIES OF WELLNESS-CENTERED EVENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ENGAGING OVER 1,000 ATTENDEES AND SHOWCASING THE BENEFITS OF FARMER-TO-FARMER EDUCATION. ONE POWERFUL EXAMPLE OF THIS WORK WAS THE BASAL STAGE GRAZING CLINIC WE HOSTED IN DECORAH, IOWA, WHERE YOUNG AND BEGINNING FARMERS PRACTICED HANDS-ON SKILLS SUCH AS SETTING UP ELECTRIC LIVESTOCK FENCING AND HELD PEER-LED WELLNESS SESSIONS.