Farmers as first responders are mobilizing to feed their communities

The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund recognizes the urgency of the government shutdown and its impact on nutrition programs such as SNAP, which millions depend on for food access, and has built infrastructure to address crises like this.

For nearly six decades, the Federation's mission has been to be a catalyst for the development of self-supporting communities through cooperative economic development, land retention and advocacy. We remain committed to protecting Black landownership and ensuring our member farmers, landowners and co-ops have the resources they need to survive and sustain our communities when systems fail.

Family farmers-especially small to mid-sized farms and particularly farmers of color, including Black producers-have been left out of decisions and investments, isolated from markets, and disenfranchised from the resources they are owed. That neglect is a root cause of today's food and pricing crisis.

Farmers are first responders™. Even in a government shutdown and turbulent political climate, Black farmers, landowners and co-ops continue to feed our people, often without the policy support or investment their work deserves. Right now, communities-including furloughed government employees and families in need-are facing food insecurity.

In response, we are in active discussions with our partners, including Feeding America and regional food banks, to connect Black farmers directly with food distribution systems and bridge the gap between producers and those they serve.

We are doubling down on support in our focus areas: cooperative economic development, land retention and advocacy, with an emphasis on expanding market access, capital access and emergency assistance so farmers can keep producing and families can keep eating. Through our Revolving Loan Fund and Regional Marketing System, two key strategic priorities advancing sustainability, we are helping Black farmers and cooperatives secure financing, strengthen operations, increase visibility and build long-term economic stability.

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