FDF Progress Report Highlights Climate-Smart Program Launch

Farmers for Sustainable Food (FSF) announced the release of its 2023 Progress Report, an annual publication that outlines the organization’s significant milestones and achievements in the past year.

One of the most significant achievements was the launch and implementation of the FSF Climate-Smart Sustainability Program. This program is managed in collaboration with Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative and also funded through the USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program. It builds on the learnings over the past eight years of working with farmer-led watershed conservation groups. The report highlights the results of the farmer-led groups and the impact their conservation practices are making.

“This past year has provided many opportunities for our organization to grow and expand on our mission to empower farmers in their conservation journeys,” said Lauren Brey, FSF Managing Director. “The launch of our Climate-Smart Program was a pivotal moment for us in 2023. We’re excited to continue supporting more farmers in the future.”

Other key highlights of the 2023 Progress Report include:

• 2023 Farmer-led group survey results — In 2023, 254 farmers from six farmer-led groups supported by FSF participated in the annual survey, encompassing 249,628 acres and 353,037 head of livestock. The results capture farmers’ conservation efforts statewide, demonstrating continued progress and environmental benefits.
• Farmer-led group media training —FSF hosted a message and media training workshop for farmer-led watershed conservation group members to build confidence and practice sharing their stories with the media.
• Sustainability projects update —TheLafayette Ag Stewardship Alliance completed its fourth year of its ongoing sustainability project and Peninsula Pride Farms completed its third year. The results show the continued conservation efforts of these farmer-led watershed conservation groups.

Read a digital version of the 2023 Progress Report here and find more information at farmersforsustainablefood.com.