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The interview is part of a week-long C-SPAN series on food and agriculture.  Also appearing this week are Chandler Goule (National Farmers Union), Sarah Klein (Center for Science in the Public Interest), and Tracy Fox  (Food, Nutrition, and Policy Consultants, LLC).

Prolman discussed NSAC’s recent accomplishments in the food safety and child nutrition bills.  The segment also featured NSAC’s grassroots and direct advocacy work relating to diverse issue areas, including competition, rural development, conservation, and beginning farmer and rancher programs.  Susan fielded questions from viewers around the nation, including farmers, who had a special call-in line.

To watch this Washington Journal interview, click here.

A new NSAC program aims to tap into this force for change:  Farm & Agriculture Resources for Media (FARM).

FARM is an innovative venture that connects journalists with farmers and NSAC member organizations.  FARM also provides free tools and training for farmers to share their stories effectively with the press.  FARM provides critical resource for spreading a collective vision for sustainable agriculture and our Farm Bill priorities.

Personal stories of farmers form the compelling heartbeat of the sustainable agriculture movement.  Three key elements of the free FARM toolkit include:

1. Media & Public Relations Tool Kit for Farmers
Downloadable materials that provide practical tips and tactics for generating media coverage, including identifying your compelling story and writing a press release.  Materials also include a sample farm media kit with starter templates.

2.  Media Training for Farmers Webinar
One hour session providing media tips enhanced with examples of farmers who successfully use these strategies.

3.  NSAC FARM Database
If you are a farmer, please join this internal NSAC database of farmers in sustainable agriculture who are available to reply to media inquiries as they come up specific to a farmer’s background and business.

NSAC is particularly interested in connecting with farmers who have used and can speak about their experiences with various federal programs that champion sustainable agriculture like the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, the Value Added Producer Grant Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program, and USDA beginning farmer programs.

Please help spread the word about FARM; both to farmers to take advantage of the free resources and journalists who want to connect with growers and NSAC member organizations as interview sources.

Lisa Kivirist is coordinating FARM for NSAC and welcomes your ideas and suggestions – sent them to media@sustainableagriculture.net.

Open Forum: Invest in the next generation of farmers

By Rebecca King

As a fledgling 30-something female sheep farmer, I rack up more than my share of Little Bo Peep jokes. In reality, I haven’t lost my sheep.I know exactly where to find them because they’re the key to my successful cheese-making start-up enterprise and my farm outside Watsonville.

But the success of my venture — and those of thousands of beginning farmers across the country — relies on support from federal Farm Bill programs that Congress needs to prioritize in the upcoming fiscal year 2011 budget recommendations, efforts like the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Individual Development Account Program.

Left to right: Brett Malone (ALBA), Eleazar Juarez (Farmer), Devin Rhinerson (Sen. Feinstein - CA), Steve Schwartz (CA Farmlink), and Rebecca King (Farmer) meeting in Sen Feinstein's office on March 3 to talk about beginning farmer issues.

The program is based on “Individual Development Accounts,” a competitive savings plan that matches funds saved by individual farmers. California FarmLink independently administers an individual development account program in which farmers like me commit to saving a set amount every month for two years. This program matched my contribution 3 to 1: every $100 I saved each month equaled $300 in my account. The money saved can be used after two years toward specific business investments, such as a farm down payment or to purchase farm equipment.

To further ensure long-term business success, as a program participant I was required to complete financial training programs such as business planning and market development as well as develop a savings and business plan before the funds could be used. At the end of two years I received back almost $10,000 in capital as well as a strong foundation for my business fiscal success.

I’m not alone. Participants in IDA programs designed to start up small enterprises across various business categories are 84 percent more likely to become profitable business owners than those who have not participated. Funding such entrepreneurial programs means the cost of other line items, like unemployment benefits, goes down as well.

The Farm Bill created the first ever IDA program specifically for farmers, called the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Individual Development Account Program. Unfortunately, Congress did not appropriate funds for the program in last year’s budget. We can start fresh right now for the 2011 fiscal year.

Our nation looks to California for its vision on how best to cultivate healthy, sustainable farms to feed future generations. Our California delegation, particularly with the leadership of Sen. Barbara Boxer (D) and Representative Sam Farr, D-Carmel, stand in a strong position to recommend $5 million in beginning farmer funding. If funded at this level for the remaining four years of this farm bill, this program could still assist approximately 3,200 new farmers like me to establish farming livelihoods across the country.

Yes, we live in a time of extreme budgetary pressures. But no, we can’t short-change the future of our children or the sustainability of our food system. It’s a matter of reinvesting in the long-term viability of vibrant agricultural enterprises and farms that feed our nation.

Congress: Invest in and grow the next generation of farmers like me and you won’t be lost like Bo Peep. Instead we’ll be eating cheese, meat and other locally raised, healthy food made with pride by America’s farmers.

Rebecca King is a dairy sheep farmer and cheese-maker in northern Monterey County. She sells raw milk sheep cheese through farmers markets, specialty shops and restaurants.