Published in March 2016
We affirm that racial equity – an understanding and acknowledgement of historical and ongoing racial inequities and a commitment to actions challenging those inequities – is a core tenet of our coalition’s outlook and will be embedded in its structure, analysis, and policy development and advocacy process.
Sustainable agriculture has been a long-standing practice in the communities of people of color, migrants, and indigenous groups. We believe that participation and leadership from sustainable agriculture pioneers as well as newer practitioners – diverse farmers, ranchers, and farm workers – is vital to building the power of the sustainable agriculture movement and increasing its influence on federal policy.
Because of our commitment to a racially just and equitable food and farm system, we are working strategically and collaboratively to:
We recognize that our objectives require ongoing reflection and action. We also recognize the need for adaptation as we encounter new perspectives and additional information; as such, this statement must be a “living” statement, able to be amended as we gain new understandings.
We also know that we are part of a larger network of like-minded organizations and coalitions striving to fulfill the goals of racial equity within the food and farming system. It is our intent that our member groups and allies hold us – and each other – accountable to these goals and that we work together to collaboratively address the racial equity issues that most affect farmers, ranchers, workers, and communities.
Related NSAC Resources: There is No Future for Sustainable Food and Farming Without Racial Justice