The event emphasized a holistic approach to building resiliency in our local food system and empowering local producers.
Workshops with industry leaders like Nathanael Siemens of Rodale Institute, Harvestly, and the Farm Service Agency provided practical tools for producers, covering everything from direct-to-consumer marketing to wraparound support for loans, grants, housing, and essential services.
I’m inspired by the success of our first Small Farmer-Rancher-Fisherfolk Forum, highlighted by the keynote from Undersecretary of the USDA, Jennifer Lester Moffit, whose address sparked critical conversations on federal support for local food systems and underscored the efforts of the SBC Food Action Network.
Hancock is committed to providing a starting point for careers in sustainable agriculture, and we were thrilled to host this forum for such a vital and vibrant part of the ag sector.
The forum allowed Hancock to showcase our ag programs to friends and neighbors from near and far — from local FFA youth and regional farmers/ranchers/fisherfolk to top leadership at the USDA in Washington.
