New England Farmers Union—E-News Archive: Early June 2010

A Note from NEFU President, Annie Cheatham
Hello Friends and Founding Members of NEFU!
A little over a year ago, I got a call from the National Farmers Union (NFU) asking me if I would be interested in helping to launch a New England chapter of the NFU. Jeff LaFleur, Executive Director of the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association, was the current president and was ready to turn the reins over to someone else. I like start ups, and I like working for farmers, so after learning more about the task, I said "Yes." I haven't looked back.

The Farmers Union tradition is rich in history of farmers helping farmers, and communities building and rebuilding their rural centers. It is the story of farmers working cooperatively to maximize their clout in the marketplace, and speaking collectively to those in power in Washington, DC. Leaders of the organization have written and seen through to passage and implementation policies and laws that still govern farmers' (and others') rights to organize and form cooperatives. It has fought against the monopolization of agriculture by agribusinesses, and NFU has consistently argued that small, family farmers, when working in solidarity, can beat the big guys on big issues.

Most recently National Farmers Union advocated for the public option during the health care debate, and has been a pioneer in developing opportunities for farmers to get carbon credits (and dollars) in exchange for their "ecological services" of protecting air, water, and open space. Throughout its history, the Farmers Union has been active on the global stage. It was a founding member of CARE which has administered food programs in over 100 countries since the mid-1960s. And it was a founder of Agricultural Cooperative Development International which carries on cooperative agricultural projects around the world.

And now, Farmers Union is coming to New England. With a vote by the national board of directors at the end of 2009, National Farmers Union will invest nearly $1.4 million in cash and business development in the six New England states over the next five years. In exchange, we are charged with building a membership base that will be active, involved and engaged in national policy, in education for farmers, consumers and youth, and that will explore ways to support, sustain and even develop cooperatives through which farmers and others can amplify their voices in the marketplace and in halls of power.

You are a Founding Member of this organization. Thank you for your confidence as we bring our local New England voice to the national table in Washington, DC. New England farmers, fishermen, forest landowners, nurserymen, and passionate supporters of local food and farming are often at the end of the line in DC. We aim to change that by developing a collective, regional voice that forces those in power to look east as well as west when they consider farm policy. With your help, your passion, your involvement, and your voice, we will be heard and respected at the national table. Thank you for dining with us.

Building the Team

NEFU staff (L to R): John Ferris, Michele Marotta, Annie Cheatham, Cayte McDonough

A strong organization that can speak with one voice to policy makers in Washington is made up of people committed to that mission. With support from National Farmers Union, we have assembled an experienced team to launch NEFU. Read their profiles on our website. They are passionate about fostering strong, local economies in which food production, fisheries, forestry, horticulture, and fiber production are supported by all citizens and by New England-friendly federal government policy. They are:

Kalista Aird, food cooperative memberships (not pictured)

Annie Cheatham, president

John Ferris, program development

Gina Gigante, financial management (not pictured)

Michele Marotta, membership infrastructure

Cayte McDonough, administrative development

Winton Pitcoff, policy development (not pictured)

Bob Wagner, policy development (not pictured)

Cameron Weimar, energy and climate consultant (not pictured)

Everybody Pulls the Oars

If we are similar to Lewis and Clark who had a grant from Thomas Jefferson (NFU, in our case) to chart new territory (New England instead of a water route to the Pacific), who will pull the oars? The Missouri River (or the Connecticut River if we want to use our own waterway) was the quickest way west for Lewis and Clark. What is our quickest and easiest path to a powerful new regional organization?

You, a Founding Member, have an oar in your hand. You have stepped up to move the boat forward. But how do we know we are all pulling in the same direction? First, we need to find out who we are, what we believe is important, and how we see the potential of this new territory. Help us. Fill out this Founding Member Survey covering areas of interest, communications preferences, NEFU program and policy work, and membership benefits. Let us know what is important to you, and how you would like to be involved in growing NEFU.

New England Goes to DC: Taking a Seat at the Table

Most people agree that New England farmers and fishermen are not well represented in Washington during the most important discussions of farm, food, forestry and fisheries policies. As our friend Jay Healy says, "The square states get all the attention." How can we change that? How can we get our voices heard in policy centers in Washington? One way is to go to Washington, walk the halls, talk with members of Congress and their staffs, meet with administration employees who run programs that impact New England every day. Until they hear the power of our collective voice, New England won't have a say in agriculture policy making.

From September 12-15, the National Farmers Union is inviting farmers, fishermen, and consumers from all 25 Farmers Union chapters to meet with lawmakers and tell them, firsthand, how national policies affect farms, farmers markets, greenhouse operations, livestock production, dairy farmers, orchardists, and forest management. Join us for these advocacy sessions. Go beyond buying local, beyond the farmers market, beyond the CSA or the CSF, beyond state policy. Bring your New England voice to the national table.

We have some funds to defray travel and housing expenses, available on a first-come, first-served basis.If you are interested in taking our local voice to the national table, please email Cayte McDonough, at NewEnglandFarmersUnion@gmail.com or call us at 413-625-3051.

Working for Our Members

Hook fisherman and his catch

Because of our connections to and knowledge of funding sources from the USDA and other sources, we helped our Affiliate Members, the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen apply for and receive a long-term low interest loan of $500,000 to buy a new building, and a $10,000 grant to develop a Community Supported Fisheries program.

Recent Stops

NEFU President Annie Cheatham addresses Massachusetts Agriculture Commission

Massachusetts Town Agriculture Commissions Annual Meeting, Worcester, MA
In 1998, three agricultural commissions were organized in Massachusetts.Today 131 municipalities have agricultural commissions or committees that represent farmers and farm businesses in their communities. Over 100 AgComs have worked with their towns to pass Right to Farm Bylaws to educate citizens and town boards about the rights of farmers. AgComs resolve conflicts between farms and their neighbors, work to protect farmland, and support farm businesses through farmers markets, local food guides, zoning, and processing regulations.At an annual meeting in Worcester, Massachusetts, representatives from AgComs around the state voted to establish a Massachusetts Association of Agricultural Commissions. Annie Cheatham, NEFU President, was invited to address the group about the goals and values of the Farmers Union in New England.

Working Lands Alliance Annual Meeting, New Haven, CT
The Working Lands Alliance's annual meeting in New Haven was highlighted by the presence of Deputy Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture, Kathleen Merrigan. Also present was Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro from Connecticut, and other leaders of Connecticut agriculture. Three of NEFU's board members were present. To learn about WLA and its work to protect farmland in Connecticut, visit www.workinglandsalliance.org.

Jean Jones of Jones Family Farm in CT, NEFU Board Member Cris Coffin, and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) at Working Lands Alliance

Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan and NEFU Board Member Ida DeFrancesco at Working Lands Alliance

NEFU President Annie Cheatham and Massachusetts Agriculture Commissioner Scott Soares

Massachusetts Agriculture Day, Boston, MA
New England Farmers Union had its first display at the Massachusetts State House on Agriculture Day. At this event, hundreds of Massachusetts farmers and agricultural activists showcased the rich diversity of agriculture throughout our state. We also discussed important agricultural issues and advocated for progressive policies. Several new members joined NEFU that day, and many people expressed interest in taking our local voice to the national table.

Massachusetts State Representative Steve Kulik, NEFU's Annie Cheatham, and Senator Scott Brown

A Visit with Senator Scott Brown, R-MA
Founding NEFU Member Steve Kulik (MA State Representative) and Annie Cheatham, President of NEFU, visited with Senator Scott Brown on his first trip back to Boston since his election in January. Representative Kulik and Annie talked with Senator Brown about Massachusetts dairy farmers and their plight and the need for supply management, about food safety legislation and the importance of protecting small farm processors, and about climate change legislation and NEFU's support for cap-and-trade for agricultural offsets. We also invited the Senator to spend a day in western Massachusetts on a farm tour sometime during the summer of 2010.

How can you make a difference? There are many ways!
Help us grow New England Farmers Union:
If you are not a member, please join!
If you are a founding member, please invite your friends and co-workers to join.
Take our survey to let us know what is important to you.
Contact us about volunteer opportunities at NEFU.
Contact us to share your ideas or questions. We invite dialogue.

Add your voice to our collective, regional chorus so the agriculture policy makers in DC hear it
loudly and clearly. Together we will be heard.

Thank you for your support, energy, and voice!