SAFSF Inaugural Policy Briefing

BUILDING POWER
From Kitchen Tables to Capitol Hill

December 9-11, 2014
Washington, D.C.

The Farm Bill reauthorization is now in the political rear-view mirror and while not all appetites were satisfied with the law that was enacted, the reauthorization process revealed that the path to federal legislation is never straight. It veers to the left and right and has become increasingly narrow. However, new paths to food and farm policy are under construction and being enacted at the local, state and regional levels. SAFSF’s 2014 Inaugural Policy Briefing in Washington, D.C. will focus on power building and how grassroots organizing, storytelling and unlikely alliances can and are leading to important shifts in policy across the country. This year’s keynote speaker, Jane Kleeb of BOLD Nebraska, will share stories from her work: organizing farmers and ranchers in Nebraska who oppose the Keystone XL pipeline and building their capacity to engage in policy work.

The Policy Briefing event will offer multiple learning opportunities including introductory 101 workshops on policymaking and organizing and two plenary panels focused on building the base for social change and how policy shapes the health of our food system. Concurrent workshops on topics such as land conservation, trade pacts, corporate concentration in the food system, food safety regulations, immigration, and the power of media in influencing policy will whet your appetite for more. We hope you will plan to take part in the optional Capitol Hill visits* with Congressional representatives and key committee members.

We look forward to seeing you in Washington D.C. in December.

*Hill Visits organized in partnership with the National Sustainable Agriculture Association (NSAC).