Thanks to all of you who joined us for our 2014 Food & Agriculture Policy Party! It was a lovely evening with fabulous food and drinks, great people, and rich information sharing.
In this year’s (still open!) policy priority survey, members currently choose “direct advocacy by Tilth” as the top-ranking way for us to work towards better sustainable agriculture policy. We can’t do direct advocacy without your financial contribution! It’s not too late to contribute, so please consider making a donation to support our crucial policy efforts.
Pictures from the event:
A rapt audience learns about Tilth Producers of Washington’s policy advocacy work.
Thank you to all our amazing food donors!
Including:
Bainbridge Vineyards
Boldbrook Farm
City Grown Seattle
Delridge Grocery
Fish Tale Brewery
Flying Cow Creamery
Ralph’s Greenhouse
Second Spring Farm
Starvation Alley Farms
Nate Lewis of the Organic Trade Association, Justin McClane, and Tilth Producers of Washington board member Addie Candib.
Thanks to Second Spring Farm for the beautiful flower arrangements!
Tierney Creech of Common Ground Farm, the Washington Young Farmers Coalition, and the National Young Farmers Coalition; and Sophie Kauffman of the Washington State Farmers Market Association.
The National Young Farmers Coalition took some video footage of young farmers at the party for a forthcoming short film on the Washington Young Farmers Coalition.
Guests enjoying delicious fare and stimulating conversation.
Tilth Producers of Washington’s Member Services Coordinator, Kate Nagle-Caraluzzo, introduces the organization.
Tilth Producers of Washington Policy Coordinator Ariana Taylor-Stanley discusses Tilth’s role in connecting farmers to legislators to advocate for sustainable agriculture policy.
“My job is to pay attention to what’s happening in the policy realm which concerns Washington’s organic and sustainable farmers, and help farmers’ voices be heard. I’m not a lobbyist and I’m not even full time, but with Tilth’s hundreds of smart, savvy members, we get a lot done!”
Tilth Producers of Washington board member Addie Candib shares her own experiences with policy work.
“Advocacy changes lives, and it changed mine. So if farmers are going to advocate for ourselves at the policy level, we need coaches. Someone to tell us where and when to show up and what to say. That’s why Tilth’s policy work is so important.”
Jim Goche makes an impromptu pitch asking other attendees to join him in pushing the state and county Farm Bureaus to support small and sustainable farms.
Sophie Ackoff of the The National Young Farmers Coalition.
Tilth Producers of Washington’s Member Services Coordinator, Kate Nagle-Caraluzzo, talks with board member and WSDA Organic Program Manager Brenda Book.
Thanks for your support!