Latino Community Foundation’s Post

With the farm bill expiring, our key priorities remain the same, advocating for policies that provide farmers with the knowledge and resources they need to make their operations sustainable and profitable. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eZnNGArX

"While conservation land trusts have been instrumental in protecting natural landscapes, Farmland Commons focuses on maintaining the active, sustainable use of agricultural land. This approach emphasizes shared ownership and cooperative management, allowing multiple farmers and stakeholders to work together, thereby preserving both the land’s ecological health and its role in supporting local food production. Farmland Commons not only safeguards farmland from development but also ensures its continued productivity, facilitating generational farm transitions and promoting community resilience. By choosing a Farmland Commons model, we can strike a balance between environmental conservation and sustainable food production, effectively addressing the pressing issues of land loss, aging farmers, and equitable land access in our rapidly changing world." - Tallahassee May, "Revolutionalizing Land Trusts" >>> Read the full article on the Women, Food, and Ag Network Blog! https://lnkd.in/eEjGHgWJ Tallahassee May #farmlandcommons #landaccess #farmlandtrust #landtransition #farmlandprotection

‼️🌍 Drained Peatlands, found in nearly every country, occupy approx .3% of global landmass. This irreversible damage contributes to *5% of CO2 of emissions per year (IUCN, 2017). 5%!! Protecting and restoring peatlands are essential for the shift towards a zero-carbon society and biodiversity conservation. 🌱 Action: RE-PEAT seeks funds for Mapping Peatland Justice, vital for their EU Peatland Justice campaign. Through innovative mapping, they aim to reveal the hidden narratives of Europe’s peatlands, addressing ecological and social imbalances in peat trade and usage. With Europe responsible for 80% of global peat extraction, their project sheds light on its significant environmental impact, advocating for systemic change. Your vote supports their mission for more equitable peatland management, fostering a healthier planet and society. Vote here: https://lnkd.in/e43VQYcX Stats from: https://lnkd.in/e-QwmwM7

Leon LaSalle and the Chippewa Cree Tribe are leading a groundbreaking grant project to enhance conservation grazing practices and overcome barriers faced by tribal producers in accessing USDA programs. Motivated by the struggles of tribal producers with USDA programs, Leon catalyzed change through innovation, exemplifying tribal sovereignty in negotiating alternative funding arrangements (AFAs) under the 2018 Farm Bill. “The AFAs can enable tribes to address the distinctive priorities of their communities. Considering the diverse cultures and environmental factors inherent to each sovereign tribal nation, it is imperative that tribes are at the forefront of decision-making in these processes, ensuring the implementation of programs align with the cultural values and needs of their tribal producers and community members.” –Native American Agriculture Fund Moving forward, several policy changes are still needed for equitable access to Farm Bill Programs. Hear from the field how the upcoming Farm Bill can further enhance equitable access to funds for climate resilience: 👉 https://lnkd.in/gVbkiJ4m #BuildingAmbitionUSN4C #FarmBill #ClimateSmartAg #ClimateAction #TribalProducers #RegenerativeAgriculture

#ICYMI: The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $325 million for 21 projects focused on environmental justice & climate resilience. These projects are the first to be allotted funds from the $2 billion Community Change Grant Program under the #InflationReductionAct – the largest US investment in environmental justice. These new projects will go to planting thousands of trees in Houston, training residents to install solar panels in Bakersfield, engaging historically underserved neighborhoods in park planning in the City of Cleveland, and more. Each grant is geared toward projects in historically disadvantaged communities that will boost climate resilience and provide greater investment. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ebSiWeiB

Local advocates and policymakers are vital to a future that reflects the values of equity and diversity in our society, in our landscape, and in the ecosystems where we live. What conservation-related policy priorities are being addressed by state governments across New England? Read the Policy Chronicle, collected and summarized by Alex Redfield, in the latest issue of From the Ground Up to find out. Here’s a peek: >>Connecticut: A “Green Amendment” that would provide constitutional recognition of clean water and air as fundamental rights is under consideration. >>Maine: How should the state manage lands and waters contaminated by PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, “forever chemicals” that are dangerous to human health even in unimaginably small quantities)? >>Massachusetts: The state has expanded a set of cost-share programs that support private landowners in improving climate and habitat outcomes in their woodlots. >>New Hampshire: The state legislature is considering a number of bills intended to clarify the future of landfills and disposal in the state. >>Rhode Island: Legislative and conservation advocates are rallying around a bill to address the Green Bond funding gap. >>Vermont: The General Assembly is working out the details of the first significant reform in decades to its statewide growth management framework. https://buff.ly/3X6HKZY #policy #localpolicy #landscape #equity #diversity #ecosystems #maine #vermont #connecticut #massachussetts #newhampshire #rhodeisland #conservation #newengland #northeast #landconservation #wwfc #fromthegroundupne

IMPORTANT UPDATE for today's Farm-acy!

🐨 Inside the Great Koala National Park Process 📆Last year, it was exclusively reported by Wood Central that 106 coups within the proposed park area have already been closed for harvesting. This move has sparked a debate over the balance between conservation efforts and the economic implications for local communities and industries, particularly the hardwood industry, which is crucial for NSW's electricity infrastructure. 💬 In a new opinion article, legal expert Jack Rodden-Green unpacks the NSW government process to establish a Great Koala National Park. 🔍 Key Points of Contention: 1️⃣ Policy and Transparency: There is growing unease about the NSW Government's transparency and accountability in the park's creation process. The hardwood industry's supply chain has expressed concerns over potential impacts, emphasising the need for clear communication and stakeholder involvement. 2️⃣ Community and Stakeholder Engagement: Critics, including Michael Kemp, the NSW State Member for Oxley, argue that the process has been dominated by a select few, sidelining genuine community voices from the affected regions. There is a call for a more inclusive consultation that genuinely reflects the diverse views of the local population. 3️⃣ Composition of the Community Committee: The selection of the committee members has drawn criticism for being skewed towards environmentalists, with a lack of representation from local businesses, community services, and broader community interests. This composition raises questions about the committee's ability to represent the varied interests of the North Coast community fairly. 🗣️ #questionforgroup: In light of these concerns, how can government bodies ensure that processes like the establishment of the Great Koala National Park are transparent, inclusive, and truly reflective of community needs and interests? 💬 Join the Conversation: Discuss the importance of genuine stakeholder engagement and transparency in governmental processes. Share your thoughts on achieving a balanced approach to environmental conservation that respects the needs of local communities and industries. 🔗 For more detailed insights into the Great Koala National Park debate and the concerns raised, visit: https://lnkd.in/gTUw7R7Q #koalapark #nswpol #enviromental #forestry #forests #powerpoles #timber #greenenergy #renewableenergy #auspol #woodcentral #woodcentralau1 #koala #nswpol #nswdecides #politics #law #transparency #auspol #ausdecides #transparency #accountability #publicpolicy

Did you know the federal government has set aside $3.1 billion for agricultural producers to implement climate-smart projects. Unfortunately, as Paige Wyler explains in the clip below, many producers simply don't know about the available programs. One such program is the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQUIP), which helps agricultural producers implement conservation practices on working lands. For ideas on how to apply for an EQUIP grant and what you might be able to do with it, check out our recent webinar with Paige and the owner of Four Ridge Orchards. The webinar focuses on how Four Ridge Orchards secured EQUIP funding to implement a water conservation program: https://lnkd.in/g6bfmEDv Depending on the state where you live, EQUIP application deadlines are coming up fast throughout November and December and even the end of October. You can find a comprehensive list of upcoming deadlines here: https://lnkd.in/gSc-GRmh

Protecting farmland and ecosystem land is one of the most vital challenges of our times. Small farmers are the backbone of a functioning society. Healthy food produced locally is the backbone of a functioning society. I'm all for global trade and a global food system too BUT local food systems have to be stabilized and allowed to thrive. We are in a current reality where lots of people want to farm, ranch, homestead and make a go of it full time or as supplementary way of life. But acres are too expensive and out of reach for most being gobbled up by wealthy developers who will build junky houses that will fall apart in a generation. We have to, as a society, think longer term and shorter term. We have to love the lands, the ecosystems, fresh wholesome food, and the people with the wisdom to grow it and the people with the desire to gain that wisdom, to protect it, to devise ways to keep farms in the hands of the small farmers, especially the ones who have some sense of protecting the ecosystems while they're at it. The story of our society is we find a place. we love it for it's abundance, it's wild foods, the hunting, the fishing, the foraging, the rich soils for growing food… and then we build and build and build and build and destroy the place and destroy what made it habitable in the first place. It's time to stop this mad trajectory and restore the most natural and vital of human needs - wholesome, real food - into our fabric and functions...