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 … Continue reading
Policy
Please support our policy advocacy work
Tilth Producers endorses I-522, the Washington State campaign to label genetically engineered foods
In two separate recent surveys1, 2, Tilth Producers members identified genetic engineering as one of our highest policy priority issues. In accordance with this priority, Tilth Producers has officially endorsed Initiative 522 to label genetically engineered foods. (Visit yeson522.com/endorse to do … Continue reading
Revelations at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Summer Meeting
The Meeting After a year and a half hiatus, Tilth Producers was able to send a representative (me, Ariana, our Policy Coordinator) to the summer meeting of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC). The last NSAC meeting we attended was … Continue reading
Second Annual Policy Party a Success!
Thank you to all who attended Tilth Producers’ second annual Policy Party on July 29th! It was a great success, from the weather to the food. We mingled with a wonderful group of attendees: from farmer pioneers of the organic … Continue reading
Congresswoman DelBene Listens
There are a myriad of laws and policies at all levels of government which affect agriculture. Unfortunately, it’s easy for farmers to feel disenfranchised from engaging in advocacy because the issues are complicated, numerous, and shrouded inside the complicated systems … Continue reading
Voice your support for SB 5123, establishing a farm internship program in WA
Guest post from Chrys Ostrander, Executive Director and Farm Manager, Pine Meadow Farm Center: A Charitable and Educational Farm. Voice your support TODAY for SB 5123, establishing a farm internship program. This bill will help grow new farmers from the ground up. Please! … Continue reading
FDA Extends FSMA Comment Period by 120 Days
At a Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on April 18, 2013, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Margaret Hamburg announced that FDA intends to extend the comment period for the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) proposed rules by another 120 days. … Continue reading
Sat. April 13, Duvall: Farm-Based Listening Session with Congresswoman Suzan DelBene
Join us for a Farm-Based Listening Session with Congresswoman Suzan DelBene! Saturday, April 13th, 10 AM – 12:30 PM Local Roots Farm, Duvall Share your thoughts on the Farm Bill and other federal policy issues that affect Washington farmers with our new … Continue reading
Call today – ask for full funding for the Small Farm Direct Marketing and Farm to School Programs
Update on Tilth’s top priority policy issue: restoring funding for the Small Farm Direct Marketing and Farm to School Programs! The Senate voted this week to fund the programs with a total of $250,000 (good news!). But this is only … Continue reading
Tilth Producers Comments on Proposal re: Fire Blight Controls
At the upcoming NOSB meeting in Portland, OR on April 9 – 11, 2013, there will be discussion and a decision regarding the Crops Subcommittee proposal to remove the current expiration date for oxytetracycline of October 21, 2014 and replace … Continue reading
Good Food and Farming Lobby Day: Feb 4, 2013
Tilth Producers is joining forces with the Washington Sustainable Food and Farming Network and the Good Food Coalition to ask our state legislature to restore funding for the WSDA’s Small Farms and Farm-to-School Programs. Join us at Good Food and Farming … Continue reading
2013 Policy Platform
What policy issues will Tilth Producers of Washington be working on this year? These ones! Download a PDF of the 2013 Policy Platform here. Tilth Producers of Washington 2013 Policy Platform Local Food System Development: Budget Support for WSDA Farm-to-Market, … Continue reading
Tell Congress: Pass an Equitable, Sustainable 2012 Farm Bill!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FcARQjdgc4 The Northwest Farm Bill Action Group (with Tilth Producers Policy Intern Ariana Taylor-Stanley) got together to mourn the death of the 2008 Farm Bill at the end of September. Now let’s ask Congress to get to work to finish … Continue reading
Urban Farm Tour with Rep. Adam Smith
On September 4th, I (Ariana Taylor-Stanley, Tilth Producers Policy Intern) joined fellow organizers from the Northwest Farm Bill Action Group (NWFBAG) in hosting U.S. Congressman Adam Smith for a tour of Marra Farm in Seattle’s South Park neighborhood. Congressman Smith … Continue reading
Help label GMOs in Washington!
Washington groups are collaborating to pass a ballot initiative (I-522) that would require all genetically engineered foods sold in Washington to be labeled as such. Why label GMOs? GMOs pose direct and indirect threats to the health of people and the … Continue reading
Stop the House from abandoning Farm Bill reform!
It’s the height of farming season, so here’s the short version: Leadership in the House of Representatives is trying to undermine Farm Bill reform efforts with a last-minute extension bill that includes sneaky cuts to conservation and other important programs. CLICK HERE NOW to … Continue reading
Policy priority survey results are in!
Last month, I asked Tilth Producers members for feedback on what policy issues matter to them. 10% of our membership – 60 members – responded (including 3 lucky winners of a tee shirt, farm walk admission, and year of membership), … Continue reading
Senate Farm Bill Passes
After a marathon three day session, the U.S. Senate passed its Farm Bill on June 21st. The final Senate version includes several provisions to help small and sustainable farms, many of which Washington Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell supported. … Continue reading
Farm Bill on Senate Floor Now!
Let our WA Senators know what issues are important to you in this critical piece of legislation! Debate has begun on the Senate’s Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2012 (S. 3240), otherwise known as the Farm Bill. The … Continue reading
Rep. McDermott Co-Sponsors Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act
Thanks to Tilth Producers’ advocacy work, in partnership with the Northwest Farm Bill Action Group, Seattle-area U.S. Congressman Jim McDermott has signed on as a co-sponsor of the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act. The Local Farms, Food, and Jobs … Continue reading