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PUBLIC POLICY

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute- East Troy, WI

Why does sustainable agriculture policy matter?
In a word, leverage.  In a representative democracy, government policies and programs reflect society’s values and can accomplish change on a scale greater than what Michael Fields Agricultural Institute or any other individual organization or advocate can accomplish.  By steering government programs and policies, policy advocates can guide whether those resources leverage change in favor of or opposition to a sustainable agriculture.

What does good sustainable agriculture policy look like?
Sound sustainable agriculture policies are designed around defined needs of farmers, consumers and other stakeholders to support aspects of an environmentally sound, socially responsible, profitable agriculture. 

They might be federal marketing programs like the Farmers Market Promotion Program or Conservation Stewardship Program .  Or possibly policies such as measures to reform the direct farm payments in the federal commodity programs.  At the state level, sustainable agriculture policy might be a grants program that supports rotational grazing practices, or a program to help schools purchase local fruits and vegetables.  Sustainable agriculture policy can even be local, such as farmland preservation initiatives or tax programs to support value-added businesses. 

No single policy is designed to address all aspects of sustainable agriculture, and many serve farmers who would not characterize themselves as sustainable agriculture adherents as well as those who would.  But taken as a whole, these and other policies help move the nation toward a more environmentally, economically and socially sustainable future.
 
What does MFAI do to support such policies?
Our policy program empowers citizens to use democratic processes to direct government resources to support sustainable agriculture’s many objectives.   For example, Michael Fields coordinates the national sustainable agriculture movement’s annual grassroots campaign to obtain funding for sustainable agriculture programs.  We meet with agency staff to encourage proper administration of programs we have helped create and improve.  In Wisconsin, we advance programs such as the new Buy Local Buy Wisconsin program, whose legislative passage Michael Fields coordinated and led.  

Michael Fields also works to build the capacity of the sustainable movement.  For example, we cultivate new leadership through our policy internships, build the grassroots power base that helps our movement achieve its many victories, and offer grantwriting workshops to help farmers and ranchers nationwide access federal programs’ resources.   

What can you do?
We want sustainable agriculture supporters to recognize their tremendous power.  Here’s what you can do:

• Sign up to receive our electronic newsletter, Fields Report and occasional action alert updates.  We also urge you to sign up to receive updates and alerts from the national sustainable agriculture movement’s principal policy voice, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.

• When you get an Michael Fields or NSAC alert, act on it!! 

• Use our guide to federal programs, Building Sustainable Places, to identify programs that could be useful to you, and then use them!  Ask us to conduct a grantwriting workshop. 

• Finally, please contact MFAI’s policy program staff to let us know how we can help you use the force of government to advance a sustainable agriculture in your lives.