Dear Rebecca,

Welcome to the September 2020 edition of The Buzz. We are now six months into the COVID-19 pandemic and devastating market disruptions continue, with no end in sight. Despite this, all indications are that Congress will not manage to pass a stimulus package before the election. CFSA, however, is continuing to advocate for legislation for direct aid for small and mid-scale farms through the Local Farm Act (HR 8096) introduced by Congresswoman Alma Adams and featured in the Charlotte Post. Outreach continues at the state and federal level on this issue.

With the election around the corner, it is more important than ever for people to engage with the candidates around local food topics, and ask them questions to ensure that issues impacting local food systems are on their minds. I’d also like to encourage folks to check out the Farms, Food, and Hunger virtual candidate forum (in Spanish here), attended by close to 400 people and five statewide candidates for office.

In solidarity,

Nick

Nick Wood, CFSA Policy Director

PS – The farmer letter on climate change was delivered to Congress a few weeks ago. Out of 2,100 signatures, North Carolina features the second-largest representation of any state in the letter! We’re proud to have participated in the campaign to recruit farmers as signatories and thank each of you who helped us spread the word.