Local Foods

A growing number of consumers doubt the safety, nutrition and sustainability of our agriculture and food system.

At the same time, more and more young people are turning to farming, communities across the nation are exploring ways they can support local food production and farmers are creating thriving food businesses.

The interest and demand for local foods provides our members with many opportunities to develop the infrastructure for local food sourcing, like farmers markets, co-ops and food hubs as well as address regulatory and policy obstacles to local food and value-added production.

Organizing at the community level to support local food infrastructure increases income and jobs, especially in rural communities that lack food security, and replaces food imports with fresh, wholesome locally grown and processed food supplies.

Four things to know about the Farm Bill

How the 2018 Farm Bill impacts your table, your community, and our country. Chances are, you’ve seen a bit of news about the Farm Bill…

Wins, Losses and Lessons Learned – Dakota Rural Action Wraps Another Legislative Year

Dakota Rural Action racks up some wins as well as some lessons on winning future legislative fights. Dakota Rural Action continued its lobbying and coalition-building…

Mega-dairy, big ag risk groundwater in eastern Oregon

By Mitch Wolgamott The permit for the Lost Valley Ranch mega-dairy, issued by the Oregon Department of Environment Quality, my former employer, and the Oregon…