— Analysis by Traci Bruckner, SAFSF Policy Program Director —

The President-elect and Vice President-elect are well underway with their transition. The priorities announced look to provide windows of opportunity for policy ideas that  can support a just, equitable and sustainable food and agriculture system. These include:

• COVID-19 calls for a comprehensive approach to the pandemic, including a renewal fund to assist state and local governments prevent budget shortfalls.
• Economic Recovery includes assistance for state and local governments, families, main street businesses and entrepreneurs.
• Racial Equity includes specifically addressing the longstanding inequities in agriculture.
• Climate Change includes a call for creating jobs in climate-smart agriculture, resilience and conservation.

In addition, their agency review teams are gathering policy ideas for the new administration to consider. This is the time for all organizations –  including yours and your grantee partners’ – to communicate your ideas to members of the agency review teams. The administration has enormous power to shape policy and how it plays out on the ground. SAFSF is looking to track these administrative policy recommendations so if you or your partners submit recommendations to the agency review team, please share with me via email. And remember, administrative policy work is all non-lobbying, which means even foundations are free to engage!

VISIT OUR BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION TRANSITION RESOURCES PAGE FOR UPDATED INFORMATION ON APPOINTMENTS, TRANSITION PRIORITIES, POLICY PRIORITY STATEMENTS FROM THE FIELD AND MORE AS WE HAVE IT.

In Solidarity,
Traci