Every year, we ask Tilth Producers members to weigh in on the policy issues that matter most to them. We then use that information, combined with an analysis of which issues will move forward in the next year, to build … Continue reading
Policy
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A Visit to Cloudview Ecofarm with Congressman Newhouse’s DC Agriculture Staffer
Kyle Kunkler, DC Agriculture Staffer for Congressman Dan Newhouse, listens to farmer Jim Baird Congress on the Farm While Congress was on August recess, Tilth Producers hosted Kyle Kunkler, DC Agriculture Staffer for Congressman Dan Newhouse, for a tour and … Continue reading
Farming Is Public Service: A Visit to Boldbrook Farm with Senator Patty Murray’s State Director
A group of a dozen farmers and advocates met with Washington Senator Patty Murray’s State Director, Mindi Linquist (holding the yellow “Farming is Public Service” sign above), for a tour and conversation at Boldbrook Farm in July. We discussed the importance of … Continue reading
Farming is Public Service
Tilth Producers has endorsed The National Young Farmers Coalition’s (NYFC) campaign to forgive the student debt of new farmers in the form of marker bill, “Young Farmer Success Act”. NYFC is asking Congress to include farming in the list of … Continue reading
Take Action for Farm to School!
Building Support for Farm to School In Congress: How to Call Your Legislator! The Farm to School Act of 2015 was introduced in late February 2015 by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Thad Cochran (R-MS) in the Senate and Representatives … Continue reading
Farmers: Act now for climate change policy in WA!
Tilth Producers of Washington and the Washington Environmental Council are teaming up to talk about climate change, the policies to address and limit future carbon emissions, and what can you can do as an advocate to protect the climate to … Continue reading
Tilth Producers Joins the Organic Trade Association
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. OTA is the leading voice for the organic trade in the United States, representing over 8,500 organic businesses across 50 states. Its … Continue reading
Farmland Preservation and Policy
Farmland preservation rose to a close second on Tilth Producers’ 2014 policy priority survey. Why is this issue so important and what can we do about it? Here is an overview of farmland preservation policy basics. How much farmland is … Continue reading
Farmers Market Nutrition Programs: A Primer
What is the FMNP program? The Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) offers low-income families access to fresh fruit and vegetables at farmers markets. WIC-FMNP, which serves participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, and the … Continue reading
Beginning Farmers Top the List Again: 2014 Policy Priority Survey results
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 … Continue reading
Genetic Engineering Regulation Roundup
An Overview of Genetic Engineering Regulations: Washington State and Around the Country Advocacy efforts around the country have sparked action on county-, state-, and federal-level regulations of genetically engineered (GE) food. So far in 2014, 35 bills have been introduced … Continue reading
Tilth Producers Policy Party 2014
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 … Continue reading
Got farm interns? Small Farm Internship Pilot Project Now Open!
Beginning July 1, 2014, Washington farms in Chelan, Grant, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Lincoln, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, Whatcom, and Yakima counties, with annual sales of less than $250,000, may apply to enroll in the Small Farm Internship Pilot … Continue reading
From the marble halls to the field: Ben Barasky visits Local Roots Farm
Last April, Tilth Producers of Washington and the Northwest Farm Bill Action Group, in partnership with the Washington Young Farmers Coalition, hosted Congresswoman Suzan DelBene for a listening session and tour of Local Roots Farm. She liked it so much that she sent her D.C.-based … Continue reading
Earth Day Reflections on Silent Spring and the Organic Movement
Happy Earth Day! Since the first Earth Day in 1970, April 22 has served as a reminder to consider how our actions can make the earth a healthier place for all its inhabitants. We also celebrate the victories of the … Continue reading
Agriculture Policy Updates – Spring 2014
from the Spring 2014 Tilth Producers Quarterly “Policy Update” Policy Party—Save the Date: July 27, 2014 Join Tilth Producers for our third annual Policy Party. Share appetizers and local beer and wine, hear updates on farm policy issues, and support … Continue reading
What does the 2014 Farm Bill mean for a sustainable food and farm future?
Wondering about the new 2014 Farm Bill? Check out this helpful info graphic from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition! More information on the new bill from NSAC: Just want the broad basics of how the bill stacks up for … Continue reading
Tilth Producers tells USDA: It takes more than education to prevent GE contamination
Tilth Producers submitted the following comment to USDA in response to their request for comments on the issue of “agricultural coexistence”. Submit your own comment online here (deadline: March 4, 2014). Resources for submitting a comment: National Organic Coalition alert The … Continue reading
Agriculture Policy Updates – Winter, 2014
from the Winter 2014 Tilth Producers Quarterly “Policy Update” Good Food and Farming Action Day: February 13 Have a say in state policy! Join us in Olympia on February 13, 2014 for the second annual Good Food and Farming … Continue reading
Congresswoman Suzan DelBene continues to champion organic, local food, and beginning farmer issues
Tilth Producers applauds first district Congresswoman and House Agriculture Committee member Suzan DelBene for standing up for local and organic farms as well as beginning farmers by signing on to three(!) recent “Dear Colleague” letters to fellow Representatives on those … Continue reading