Our Current Programs

What We Are Doing Now

Since 1978, our Coalition has helped family farmers and their communities address structural injustices and speak out in the policy making process.  We have helped them to identify and find solutions to the environmental health problems they face.  But our work is far from over.  The industrialization of agriculture, unfair immigration policies and lack of worker protections, unfair and unsustainable trade agreements are daily bringing new and even greater problems for rural communities. 

The Rural Coalition provides a place for small farmers, farm workers, and rural and tribal communities across the US and Mexico to come together.  Representing what someone once called “the grassiest of the grassroots” organizations, we work not only on changing and improving policies that impact lives, but also on economic and cooperative alternatives that bring resources to our communities.

Our members are our Coalition, and it is only through our shared wisdom and power that we are able to bring about the systemic change that our communities need.  By joining or renewing your membership, you join with the other diverse members of our coalition, and add your voice and support to theirs for the mutual goals we seek.

Our Issues

In 2007 and 2009, the Rural Coalition helped facilitate the work of Farm and Food Policy Diversity Initiative to secure more equity in the 2008 Farm Bill.  More than 30 sections of policy proposals emerging from the DI Agenda were included in the final 2008 Bill.  We continue our work to assure the full implementation of these landmark policies and to prepare for the 2012 Farm Bill Debate.

Other ongoing efforts include:

• Training and capacity-building for small farmers and farmworkers in how to access programs and secure justice.
• International solidarity through our membership in the North American Region of Via Campesina and activities in international movements to promote food sovereignty and trade equity.
• Continuing to work for fair agriculture policy to build a more just and sustainable food system.
• Developing new positions on critical issues like immigration and promoting the role of community based organizations in the leadership of movements for social change.

Current Programs

Our current programs include:

• Our Farm, Food and Rural Policy Initiatives including upcoming work on the 2012 Farm Bill and continuing work on the implementation of the 2008 Farm Bill.
• Risk Management and Training for Small & Socially Disadvantaged Producers - Partnership with USDA Risk Management Agency.
• It’s Our Farm Bill: Let’s Use It – Partnership with the USDA-National Institute for Food and Agriculture Outreach and Technical Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Program.
• Making Conservation Work – Partnership with USDA Natural Resources and Conservation Service.
• Making Rural Communities and Producers Count in the US Census and the Census of Agriculture – Partnership with the USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service.
• Animal and Plant Disease Traceability and Eradication - Partnership with the USDA Animal and Plant Inspection Service).
• Rural Coalition Assembly (Summer 2011, Shawnee, OK)