The Food and Farm Movement

Workshop Session I: 8:30-9:30 a.m.

A Safety Net for Every Farm

Julia Barton, Organic Farmers Association, Scott Myers, Woodlyn Acres Farm

Every farm deserves a safety net. As extreme weather events and markets become more unpredictable, crop insurance becomes a key risk management tool for farmers. Gain basic information about crop insurance and related risk management tools for organic and transitioning producers. Members of the Organic Farmers Association’s Crop Insurance Workgroup are uplifting farmer voices in this topic, and will offer insights, observations, and needs.

Workshop Session II: 9:45-10:45 a.m.

From Policy to Plate: Can MAHA Deliver a Healthy Food System?

Angela Huffman, Joe Maxwell, Farm Action

The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement began with a bold promise: to put farmers at the center of the nation’s health. Its first reports named real problems—corporate consolidation, chemical dependence, and the loss of local food infrastructure—but recent actions have raised questions about whether those goals will be realized. At its best, MAHA creates a political opening to align food and farm policy with public health, shifting support away from chemical- and commodity-driven systems toward foods and farming that make Americans healthier. Explore where MAHA stands today, what it means for independent farmers and local food systems, and where grassroots advocacy can make the biggest impact over the next three years and beyond.

Workshop Session III: 11-Noon

Federal Agriculture Policy: Learning from 2025 and Looking Forward in 2026

Nick Rossi, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

Last September, the federal government shutdown for a record 43 days. The shutdown of government operations brought real impacts to farm country, adversely impacting countless farmers and ranchers who rely on county-level USDA offices. Get a brief overview of the current state of federal agriculture policy, explore some of the ways the USDA supports farmers and ranchers, and learn how NSAC is advocating for getting more funding in farmers’ pockets. During the second half of the workshop, there will be an interactive discussion about how Congress can address on-the-ground funding needs.