Can direct-market vegetable farmers make a middle-class income?

By VABF AdminSeptember 23, 2021Articles and Research, VA Farming Resources, Virginia Farming Resources

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VABF Virginia Association for Biological Farming

7 hours ago

🌾🐝Special One Day Screening of "Into the Weeds" on Tuesday, October 3rd at locations all over the US! This documentary follows the story of groundskeeper Lee Johnson and his fight for justice against agrichemical giant Monsanto (now Bayer, which bought the company in 2018), the manufacturer of the weed killer, Roundup.Watch the Trailer: youtu.be/Yx3ixLoJn3M?si=Fbu0Bn8QAr7ScD0I"Blending interviews, testimonials, trial footage, news coverage, and vérité, the film follows the progression of this groundbreaking lawsuit, while also stepping back to consider the systemic impact of glyphosate-based herbicides on human health, our food systems, and the biodiversity of our planet."This special event screening of "Into the Weeds" will also feature exclusive follow-up bonus footage exploring the question: “Can there be a future without pesticides and if so, how do we get there?” Featuring findings and expert testimony from scientists, doctors, policymakers, farmers, environmentalists, food safety advocates, and concerned public figures, audiences will leave the screening both informed and inspired to take action at home, at work, and in their communities.🌿 2 Free Tickets Available! 🌿 We’ve partnered with Into the Weeds for a special ticket giveaway at participating AMC, Cinemark, or Regal theaters all over Virginia and beyond.To enter:1️⃣Follow us @vabfarming and Into the Weeds @intotheweedsdoc2️⃣Tag a friend who would watch this documentary with you in the comments below.3️⃣Share this post in your story.Check your direct messages on Monday to see if you've won the tickets!Buy tickets online for a screening near you at www.fathomevents.com/events/Into-the-Weeds#IntoTheWeedsDoc ... See MoreSee Less

Into the Weeds | October 3

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⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ “Terrifying, tremendous courtroom drama” - The Globe and Mail“First-rate nonfiction storytelling.” - VarietyDoes the most widely used weed kill...

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VABF Virginia Association for Biological Farming

1 week ago

This week is Climate Action WeekCall your Representative and Senators today It is the time to urge our Senators and Representatives to ensure that the next Farm Bill truly helps our farmers and ranchers cope with climate change. For those of you in Abigail Spanberger’s district (7th): she serves on the House Agriculture Committee and has been a strong advocate for climate-friendly and regenerative agriculture – so be sure to thank her and encourage her to continue working for the best possible farm bill for organic and sustainable agriculture and for climate-smart conservation. For those of you in other districts, your Representative does not serve on the Ag Committee, yet they will play an important role during floor debate – through amendments and final decision on voting on a draft bill – in ensuring that the new Farm Bill will help protect climate, soil, and farmers alike, will promote racial equity, and will support the growth of the organic sector. Similarly our two Senators – Mark Warner and Tim Kaine – do not serve on the Senate Ag Committee, yet both are committed to protecting the Chesapeake Bay’s water quality. Urge them to further this goal by supporting a climate smart farm bill that supports organic farming and best conservation for climate mitigation and resilience. Emphasize that a climate-friendly farm bill will simultaneously support policies and practices (like perennial buffers, cover cropping, and nutrient management, and perennial buffers) that protect the Chesapeake as well. What to Ask For when You Call your Representative and Senators: Top Priority: Ensure that all $20 billion in Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding that was put into USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs be made a part of permanent baseline conservation funding and that it continues to support climate smart and climate resilient practices. For more information, see NSAC’s IRA conservation funding blog, their recent analysis of IRA impacts on expanding conservation, and new IRA funding available through this year’s conservation innovation grant funding. Organic Research: urge your Representative to support the Strengthening Organic Agriculture Research (SOAR) Act and call Senators Tim Kaine (tel 202-224-4024) and Mark Warner (tel 1202-224-2023) and ask them to cosponsor the Organic Science and Research Investment (OSRI) Act. For more information, see OFRF’s action alerts and information on these bills atofrf.org/news/osri-act-introduced/ for the Senate bill, and ofrf.org/news/soar-act-announcement/ for the House bill. Small Farms Conservation Act would create a separate section within the Environmental Quality Incentives Program designed for smaller operations, including a streamlined (simpler) application process, bonus payments for soil health practices on operations of 50 acres or less, and additional training for NRCS field staff in working with smaller and more diversified operations. Marker bills have been introduced in both chambers of Congress. For those of you who use social media To contact your legislators via social media to urge them to to act on climate in this farm bill, find their social media handles at bit.ly/mocsocials. In all social media communications to Members of Congress or others, use the NSAC climate campaign hashtag: #farmersforclimateaction ... See MoreSee Less

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Can direct-market vegetable farmers make a middle-class income?

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