Field Notes: A Blog With Views From Our Members

February 9, 2012: Ohio Farmer’s Union Field Report Blog By Rural Coalition’s Bryn Bird: It felt like home for me to be sitting in a room with a hundred Ohio farmers January 27-28, 2012 at the 78th Annual Ohio Farmer’s Union Convention. I was lucky enough to be invited by Rural Coalition’s Emeritus Board Member, Marge Townsend and I am really glad I took her up on the offer. I have been to more meetings and conferences than I can count around the country regarding farmers and farm policy but I have never been in a room where almost 100% of the attendees were actually farmers. Usually, especially it seems in Washington, people who are not actually farming do most of those talking about what is best for the farmer and what policy changes will help farmers. It was exciting to walk up to each attendee and ask what are they growing or hear them on the phone talking about who would feed the cows that night. MORE >

January 10, 2012: Climate Change and YOU Can Make a Difference! Blog by Rural Coalition’s Bryn Bird: I returned from a wonderful time in Costa Rica with Molly Meehan and her group, Centro Ashe. It was certainly life affirming. The experience reminded me again why I am so passionate about my work with Rural Coalition and about the consumer choices I make every day that affects millions around the world. It was really amazing to see the parallel issues affecting Costa Rica and the United States. Molly took us to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica and we learned of the racial tensions that remain and the struggle for the region’s indigenous farmers. It was unreal talking to farmers who have watched climate change in the past 10 years drastically affect their lives. MORE >

Check back soon for more blogs. 

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