The results of the 2013 policy priority survey, this year included within a larger member survey, have come in!
Top 10 priorities, in order:
Beginning farmers and ranchers
Local food system development
GMO labeling
Farmland preservation
Access to Fresh Food for Children & Seniors
Farm Bill
Research and Education
Conservation
Organic Standards
Climate
Other priorities, in order: Socially disadvantaged farmers, Rural economic development, Food safety regulation, Fair competition, Immigration reform, Organic research and promotion order (aka “check-off program”), Renewable energy, Commodity and crop insurance reform
Primary differences from last year’s survey results:
– Beginning farmers and ranchers, which tied for third last year, is this year’s first priority
– Local food system development and GMO labeling, which were first and second, respectively, last year, moved to second and third
– Access to fresh food for children & seniors and Farm Bill, which took 7th and 9th last year, moved up to 5th and 6th
– Climate replaced renewable energy in the top 10
– The differences between categories are more subtle this year – perhaps due to the lack of a “high priority” option
Other points of interest:
– In a question which asked respondents to identify their “one top issue”, local food system development, which ranked second over all, was identified the most
– Both GMO labeling and GMO regulation were included as priority options, and GMO labeling score slightly higher
– The issue to which the most respondents (2.5%, twice as many as any other issue) responded “Not Applicable” was food safety regulation
View a summary of survey results here.