NFFC Member Groups

American Raw Milk Producers Pricing Association (WI): The American Raw Milk Producers Pricing Association is an organization of dairy farmers dedicated to establishing a raw milk price which returns to dairy producers their cost of production plus a profit. ARMPPA is a milk-marketing agency that holds no allegiance to any existing milk handler, cooperative or corporation. Through ARMPPA, small and moderate-sized dairy producers can survive as independent businesses and avoid vertical integration.

Ashtabula Lake Geauga Counties Farmers' Union (OH): The Ashtabula Lake Geauga Counties Farmers' Union works to sustain economically viable family farms, sustainable agriculture and fair trade. The organization represents farmers in three counties of Northeast Ohio. These farmers advocate for fair prices.

California Dairy Campaign: The CDC is a statewide membership association of family dairy farmers that is recognized as a non-profit corporation. The CDC was formed to build a movement of dairymen who, by working together, can move the dairy industry to be more responsive to the needs of the family farm in this state. The goals of the CDC are to achieve an equitable dairy system that will return to dairymen a price that is fair, based on the cost of production and return on investment and management; to promote policies and husbandry practices that will lead to the responsible care of cattle and land to ensure safe and healthy food; to work at all levels to enhance the economic viability of the dairy industry for future generations; and, to support general farm policies that will maintain rural incomes at a viable level. Website: www.californiadairycampaign.com

Community Alliance for Global Justice: Community Alliance for Global Justice strives to strengthen the self-determination of local communities everywhere and to transform unjust trade and agricultural policies and practices imposed by corporations, large-scale philanthropic institutions and governments by supporting alternatives that embody social justice, environmental sustainability and democracy. CAGJ is now focused on bringing anti-corporate analysis of the global economy to the burgeoning local foods and sustainability movements.

Community Farm Alliance (KY): Community Farm Alliance (CFA) is a statewide grassroots organization of persons committed to family-scale farming as the most efficient and sustainable form of producing the best quality food, while protecting the environment and strengthening rural community life. CFA believes that family-scale farming and people working together lay a foundation for community life. Current economic and political conditions eroded family scale farming so significantly that a new system of agriculture is needed-one that keeps people on the land. CFA seeks to ensure the health and well being of rural communities by advocating rural economic development whose first priority is the protection of family-scale farming. Website: www.communityfarmalliance.org

Dakota Resource Council: In 1978, founders formed the Dakota Resource Council, a nonprofit, grassroots activist organization, to protect North Dakota's land, air, water, rural communities and agricultural economy. DRC's mission is to form enduring, democratic local groups that empower people to influence decision-making processes that affect their lives. DRC works for preservation of family farms, enforcement of corporate farming laws, soil and water conservation, regulation of coal mining and oil and gas development, protection of groundwater and clean air, renewable energy, and sound management of solid and toxic wastes. Website: www.drcinfo.com

Dakota Rural Action: Dakota Rural Action (DRA) formed in 1987 to create a better future for South Dakota's rural communities, family farms, ranches, and main street businesses while preserving natural resources and a clean environment. DRA is working towards: opening and freeing livestock markets, challenging the spread of large scale corporate farming, protecting groundwater resources, and creating new opportunities for family farmers. Website: www.dakotarural.org

Family Farm Defenders (WI): Family Farm Defenders (FFD) incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1994 and was granted permanent 501(c)(3) status by the IRS in 1999. FFD began as an outgrowth of two national grass-roots campaigns: demanding a national referendum to end the mandatory check-off on raw milk that funds the lobby and propaganda efforts of the corporate dairy industry; and to defend consumer "right to know" in response to the stealth introduction of recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) into the nation's milk supply. Our mission is to create a farmer-controlled and consumer-oriented food and fiber system, based upon democratically controlled institutions that empower farmers to speak for and respect themselves in their quest for social and economic justice. FFD has worked to create opportunities for farmers to join together in new cooperative endeavors, form a mutual marketing agency, and forge alliances with consumers through providing high quality food products while returning a fair price to farmers. Family Farm Defenders (FFD) is committed to building a farmer-controlled and consumer-oriented food system. FFD developed its own cheese label: Family Farmer Cheese. Milk for its cheese comes from small dairy farms in South-central Wisconsin that use no artificial hormones. Cedar Grove Cheese Co. makes this cheese and pays farmers "the cost-of-production plus profit price."

Farmer Veteran Coalition (CA): Formed in 2005 as Farms Not Arms by farmers who wanted to take a more active role in the broader social and political life of the country, and specifically to add a farmer's perspective to the movement for peace, social justice, and a healthy environment starting with a handful of people from different political, religious and social backgrounds, FVC has now grown to over three hundred farmers and food industry people, with enthusiastic support and participation from the leaders of our nation's family farm organizations. Website: www.farmsnotarms.org

Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund: The Federation of Southern Cooperatives is the only organization in the Southeast that has as its primary objectives the retention of black owned land and the use of cooperatives for land-based economic development. Its thirty-five year history has successfully provided self-help economic opportunities and hope for many low-income communities across the South. In fact, the Federation is the only organization in the Cooperatives of businesses that is locally controlled to build wealth through the participation of people. The Federation assists in the development of cooperatives and credit unions as a collective strategy to create economic self-sufficiency. The Federation strives toward developing self-supporting communities with programs that increase income and enhance other opportunities, focusing on assistance in land retention and development, especially for African Americans, but essentially for all family farmers. Website: www.federationsoutherncoop.com

Food for Maine's Future: Food for Maine's Future is a state-wide food and farm advocacy organization working to raise awareness about the problems of industrial agriculture and fishing, genetic engineering, and the corporate control of our food system. We seek to work with creative, impassioned people and organizations who are dissatisfied with the destructiveness of industrial food production, who recognize that the current way of distributing food is unfair and promotes crisis and famine, and who are ready to make positive food system changes in their personal, community, and political lives. FMF is working to connect and learn from the struggles of people fighting for food sovereignty around the world with our own on-the-ground struggles in Maine to resist the corporate control and consolidation that undermine efforts to build just and sustainable local food economies. Through our activities, FMF is working to build a food sovereignty movement in Maine and to bring democracy to the food system at all levels. Website: http://savingseeds.wordpress.com/

Idaho Rural Council: Idaho Rural Council (IRC) is committed to preserving the economic well-being of Idaho's family farms and rural communities; to building a more sustainable society which will guarantee positive economic and social choices for present and future generations; to achieving good stewardship of humanity, land, air and water. IRC endeavors to educate, organize, and empower farmers and the general public to develop community and state leadership, to build coalitions and to employ only legal and ethical means, consistent with democratic principles to achieve this mission. Website: www.idahoruralcouncil.org/

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement: Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (Iowa CCI) is a 27-year old membership-based organization whose mission is to empower and unite grassroots people of all ethnic backgrounds to take control of their communities; involve them in identifying problems and needs and in taking action to address them; and be a vehicle for social, economic, and environmental justice. Iowa CCI began organizing family farmers and rural residents in 1981 to fight for fair farm prices and address problems associated with high interest rates and rapidly increasing farm foreclosures. Since then, Iowa CCI has focused on a variety of economic and environmental issues, including sustainable agriculture, credit and lending policies, conservation, and corporate concentration in agriculture. It works with farmers and other rural residents on a variety of local, statewide and national issues. Some of the main issues it is currently working on include federal farm policy, promoting family farms, stopping factory farms, protecting the environment, and working for healthy rural communities. Website: www.iowacci.org

Land Loss Prevention Project (NC): The Land Loss Prevention Project (LLPP) is a non-profit, public interest law firm created by the North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers in 1983 to respond to the unprecedented decline in the number of family farmers and low income and minority landowners. LLPP's mission is to use legal expertise, community education, and advocacy skills to help landowners who face legal, economic, and environmental challenges to their land ownership. The overarching mission of the organization is to re-enter African-American farmers into the food system. Website: www.landloss.org

Midwest Organic Dairy Producers Association: An organic dairy producers group dedicated to improving communication, enhancing farm gate price and consumer confidence while upholding the highest organic dairy standards. Midwest Organic Dairy Producers Association works in conjuction with fellow NFFC member group Family Farm Defenders on food sovereignty and other issues.

Mississippi Association of Cooperatives: The Mississippi Association of Cooperatives (MAC) was established in 1972 as an affiliate of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund (1967). A nonprofit organization, MAC serves farmers, their families and communities in increasing their livelihood security and improving quality of life. Building from a tradition steeped in the Civil Rights Movement, MAC provides technical assistance and advocates for the needs of its members in the areas of cooperative development and networking, sustainable production, marketing and community food security.

Missouri Rural Crisis Center: The Missouri Rural Crisis Center is a nonprofit organization founded in 1985. It is a progressive, statewide membership organization that works to empower farmers and other rural people. The mission of MRCC is to preserve family farms, promote stewardship of the land and environmental integrity, and strive for economic and social justice by building unity and mutual understanding among diverse groups, both rural and urban. MRCC's membership includes over 4,000 farm families. Most recently, MRCC led the fight to end the Pork check off.

Mvskoke Food Sovereignty Initiative: Mvskoke Food Sovereignty Initiative works to enable the Mvskoke people and their neighbors to provide for their food and health needs now and in the future, through sustainable agriculture, economic development, community involvement, and cultural and educational programs. Mvskoke Food Sovereignty Initiative (MFSI) is a grassroots, Native American led organization located in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, capitol of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Website: http://www.mvskokefood.org/

National Hmong-American Farmers, Inc.: The National Hmong American Farmers Inc. (NHAF) is a spin-off of the Hmong American Community and was formerly known as the Small Farm Resource and Training Center. It was created to help small and minority farmers (Southeast Asian, African American, Latino) in Fresno County, California become economically self-sufficient while preserving their culture and communities. Its programs include a marketing and technical assistance cooperative, a farmer training program, health and safety workshops and business seminars. Website: http://www.nhaf.org

National Young Farmers' Coalition: The National Young Farmers' Coalition is an organization created by and for young and beginning farmers in the United States to help them get started and to succeed in farming careers. Specific issues of concern include land tenure, access to capital, training and direct marketing opportunities. NYFC works for young farmers by strengthening social networks, helping them hone their skills through peer-to-peer learning, and fighting for the policies that will keep them farming for a lifetime.

Northern Plains Resource Council (MT): Northern Plains Resource Council organizes Montana citizens to protect our water quality, family farms and ranches, and unique quality of life. We are a grassroots conservation and family agriculture group that gets the job done - protecting the Northern Plains and the people who make their home here. Other issues the NPRC supports include: fighting for reforms to stop price-fixing and other monopolistic practices by the meatpacking industry; exposing schemes to locate unsafe waste disposal facilities in Montana communities; standing up to the use of eminent domain by the Tongue River Railroad to seize control of private property for private gain; finding solutions to out-of-control growth and seeking ways for farmers and ranchers to stay on the land; working for trade policies that allow American agriculture to compete fairly; and defending the interests of citizens in the face of corporate political pressure.

Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance: The Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance was born in 1995 because, at the time, there was a critical mass of people in New England who believed there had to be a better approach to protect our oceans and manage marine resources. NAMA’s mission is to restore and enhance an enduring marine system supporting a healthy diversity and an abundance of marine life and human uses through a self-organizing and self-governing organization. For the past decade, we have set the standard for effective collaboration in the pursuit of one question: if we truly care about the health of our oceans does it matter how, where and when we fish; and, who catches the fish that end up on our dinner plates? The answer is, Definitely! Website: www.namanet.org

Powder River Basin Resource Council (WY): The Powder River Basin Resource Council formed in 1973 in response to unplanned rapid energy development and supports the conservation of Wyoming's land, minerals, water and clean air consistent with responsible use of those resources. Powder River Basin Resource Council is committed to: the preservation and enrichment of Wyoming's agricultural heritage and rural lifestyle; the conservation of Wyoming's unique land, mineral, water, and clean air resources consistent with responsible use of those resources to sustain the livelihood of present and future generations; and the education and empowerment of Wyoming's citizens to raise a coherent voice in the decisions that will impact their environment and lifestyle. Powder River Basin Resource Council is committed to the empowerment of people through community organizing. More than ever, it is crucial that Wyoming's voice for responsible development, PRBRC, be a part of the debate that will determine Wyoming's future. Website: www.powderriverbasin.org

Progressive Agriculture (PA): Profile coming soon... (contact sparky566 at windstream dot net)

Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI-USA): RAFI-USA is dedicated to community, equity and diversity in agriculture. While focusing on North Carolina and the southeastern United States, RAFI-USA also works nationally and internationally. In a world where government farm programs are being phased out, RAFI-USA is playing a leadership role in responding to major agricultural trends and creating something new: a movement to create unity among environmental, consumer farm groups in order to foster balanced agriculture. Our aims include: promoting sustainable agriculture--that is, systems of agriculture that strengthen the environment, family farms and rural communities; promoting crop genetic diversity and responsible use of new technologies; and reforming contract agriculture. RAFI-USA's programs address the trends and changes in agriculture that affect us from the local to the global levels. Working with a variety of farm, community, university and government groups, RAFI-USA promotes sustainability, equity and diversity in agriculture through policy changes, practical assistance, market opportunities, and access to financial and technical resources. RAFI-USA's goals include maintaining a reliable supply of safe, healthy food that depends on: strong family farms and rural communities; close connections between consumers and food producers; and environmentally sound farming and safeguarding agricultural biodiversity. Website: www.rafiusa.org

Rural Vermont: At the heart of Vermont's future, Rural Vermont is a statewide grassroots organization dedicated to building a prosperous rural life. Rural Vermont supports a rural economic policy for Vermont that recognizes the importance of agriculture and natural resource based industries, support for small rural businesses, along with jobs, fair wages, and decent health care, housing and transportation for all rural citizens. We are committed to a broad-based sustainable agriculture in harmony with the needs of the family, community, and the environment for future generations. Our work includes promoting the Northeast Dairy Compact, fighting the use of rBGH, and adopting the rBGH labeling law. Today Rural Vermont is leading the fight against corporate farm proliferation. Last year, Rural Vermont led the Town-to-Town Campaign to restrict GE crops in the state. This campaign effort resulted in over 70 Vermont towns passing resolutions to restrict GE crops in the state. Now the Campaign is pushing for a state moratorium against planting GE seeds in Vermont.

Western Colorado Congress: WCC is an alliance for community action empowering people
to protect and enhance their quality of life in western Colorado. WCC is comprised of eight community groups that work on local issues as well as participating in regional campaigns. Their issues include working with surface landowners faced with drilling proposals on their land as well as working to protect roadless areas like the Roan Plateau from drilling; working to conserve, protect and restore Colorado's water resources; developing an alternative management for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests based on the principles of conservation biology; Implementing strategies to increase the use of renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar; and, winning wilderness designation for lower elevation canyon country areas like the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area in Mesa County. Website: www.wccongress.org