This month we reflect on the collective power of our most recent DC fly-in. Here's our recap, followed by other updates and helpful links.

2025 DC Fly-In

Photo: NFFC fly-in delegates and staff pose with Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC-12) at an opening dinner.

Our Coalition of Family-Scale Farmers Is Stronger Than Ever!

We just returned from our annual fly-in, held from February 25-27 in Washington, DC - every year, we invite farmers and advocates from across the country to share their stories, challenges, and aspirations with Congress. Click here to see photos from the fly-in on Facebook!

This is an especially important moment for democratic engagement with our elected officials. Fortunately, NFFC is supported by an incredible group of dedicated members excited to take the next level of action! This year we welcomed 26 delegates to our fly-in from 17 member organizations – some seasoned veterans with decades of experience and others bringing fresh, youthful energy to our coalition. In total, we met with 50 Congressional offices on five topics from our member-driven Farm Bill Platform.

While we hope to push legislators for fair farm policy, our most important goal of the fly-in is building power among our coalition. Those with us in DC brought a wide range of experiences and knowledge with them to every office visit from across agricultural sectors, race, gender, and age. As we continue our policy work post-fly-in, we will keep working to find common ground and bridge collaboration among our membership and beyond!

Photo: NFFC fly-in on-farm slaughter group.

NFFC's Farm Bill Priorities and Platform

#1: Fair Prices for Dairy Farmers

NFFC's Milk from Family Dairies Act would pair price floors with supply management to address the root causes of dairy market volatility, helping to keep US dairy farmers in business!

#2: Fair Credit Terms

We advocated for the Fair Credit for Farmers Act in the 118th Congress, which improves fairness and transparency of USDA Farm Service Agency loan programs.

#3: Protecting Farmland for Farmers

We advocated for the Farmland for Farmers Act in the 118th Congress, which blocks corporate investors from purchasing farmland, instead keeping land in local community control.

#4: Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL)

With our members and allies, NFFC supports reinstating MCOOL for beef through the American Beef Labeling Act.

#5: Clarifying On Farm Slaughter

We advocated for the LOCAL Foods Act in the 118th Congress, which revises the Federal Meat Inspection Act and protects traditional on-farm slaughter practices, to expand local market access and consumer choice.

Clockwise from top: NFFC fly-in dairy group; land group; MCOOL group, and credit group.

Read member reflections from the fly-in!

Other News & Updates

L-R: Chef Cassandra Loftlin (Goodness Gracious Grocery ), William "Bubba" Green, Jr (Gullah Man Oysters / Gullah Grub); Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA); Jim Goodman (Family Farm Defenders & NFFC Board Pres).; Antonio Tovar (NFFC Senior Policy Analyst). (Official U.S. Senate photo by Rosa Pineda)

DCO2 Fly-In

Earlier this month, members of of NFFC and NAMA's Don't Cage Our Oceans (DCO2) coalition flew to Washington, DC, for DCO2's annual fly-in. On March 5th, they met with Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) to advocate for small fishers and fishing communities, and to raise alarm on the harmful impacts of offshore factory fish farms that operate in federal waters.

Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) Now OPEN! $10 billion in emergency relief available to eligible farmers

Farmers of eligible commodities for the 2024 crop year may be eligible for one-time direct payments from the USDA's Farm Service Agency to mitigate the impacts of higher input costs and falling commodity prices. The FSA is accepting applications now through the deadline on August 15, 2025.

Click here to view the full list of covered commodities and determine your eligibility. Due to the Trump administration's firing of 24,000 federal employees - 6,000 of whom were USDA hires - applicants should expect prolonged processing times.

What We're R/W/L

What we're reading...

• Food & Power | How gutting the CFPB will hurt rural America
• Congressional Progressive Caucus Center | Explainer: Capitol Hill Jargon

...watching...

• Farm Commons | Updates on the USDA Federal Funding Freeze and its Effects (March 13, 2025 Webinar)

...and listening to!

• NPR | This is why Canada has plenty of eggs, and why the U.S. doesn't
• ILSR | Ron Knox Talks Small Businesses on You're Probably Getting Screwed

Donate now to ensure farmers can keep feeding us!

Help us push back against corporate domination in our food system! Your gift fuels the fight for policies that put farmers, family farming, and healthy land ahead of corporate profits.

Follow Us on Social Media!