Big thanks to the roughly 15% of Tilth Producers membership who responded to our 2014 Policy Priority Survey! We asked members to rate about 20 policy priorities from “not a priority” to “top priority.” Members were also asked to select ways in which they would like to engage in policy advocacy.
Summary of the results:
Top 10 Policy Priorities for Tilth Producers of Washington Members, 2014:
Beginning farmers and ranchers
Farmland Preservation
Local food system development
GMO regulation
Access to fresh food for children & Seniors
Conservation
Research and Education
Farm Bill
Climate
Renewable Energy
Beginning farmers and ranchers ranked as the top priority issue, with 98% of survey respondents listing it as a top or medium priority. Farmland preservation came in as a close second. Local food system development ranked third, but was identified by the most respondents as their “one top issue.” GMO regulation ranked fourth, four places above GMO labeling (not included in this list).
Other priorities, in order: Rural economic development, Organic standards, Fair competition, Organic research and promotion order (aka “check-off program”), Food safety regulation, Immigration reform, Socially disadvantaged farmers, Commodity and crop insurance reform.
Engaging in policy:
94% of members surveyed saw direct advocacy by Tilth Producers as an “important” or “very important” advocacy opportunity. 87% saw in-person meetings with legislators the same way. This was closely followed by local activities in my community, and then action alerts. 52% of members reported that our policy blog was “important” or “very important”.
Looking back:
This year’s top priority issue result, beginning farmers and ranchers, remains the same as in 2013. Farmland preservation, which ranked second this year, jumped from fourth place last year. Local food system development fell from top priority in 2012 to second priority in 2013 to third priority in this year’s survey, but continues to be identified as the most respondents’ “one top issue.”
Direct advocacy by Tilth Producers and in-person meetings with legislators continue to be ranked, respectively, as the most and second-most important ways to engage in policy advocacy. This year, local activities in my community surpassed action alerts for third place.
Moving forward:
Our forthcoming Advocacy Platform will include further details on how to engage with these priority issues in 2015. You can also get up-to-speed at the policy briefing session at the Tilth Producers conference in Vancouver. That session will be held Saturday, November 8, from 3:30 to 5:00 pm. To learn more, contact Policy Coordinator Ariana Taylor-Stanley, [email protected].