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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250403T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250403T113000
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CREATED:20250320T170059Z
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UID:10000667-1743674400-1743679800@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Navigating the Current Political Landscape: A Cross-Sector Town Hall for Private Funders and Partners Across CEFG\, FORA\, HEFN\, SAFSF
DESCRIPTION:In today’s rapidly evolving political landscape and the administration’s intentional “flood the zone” strategy\, private funders and partners face unprecedented challenges in distinguishing between noise and real threats. Navigating these complexities requires not only strategic foresight but also enhanced collaboration across food\, agriculture\, climate\, energy\, health\, and environmental justice networks.  \n\n\n\nThis Town Hall webinar brings together leaders from Climate and Energy Funders Group (CEFG)\, Funders for Regenerative Agriculture (FORA)\, Health and Environmental Funders Network (HEFN)\, and Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders (SAFSF) to provide a candid\, solutions-oriented discussion designed to: \n\n\n\n1) Demystify the Current Landscape: Separate noise from real threats and understand their implications on communities and funding priorities.  \n\n\n\n2) Strengthen Collaboration: Explore opportunities to better support one another\, amplify key issues\, and create more unified impact where we can.  \n\n\n\n3) Balance Defense and Long-Term Strategy: Develop a balanced approach that integrates defensive strategies with long-term planning and movement building.  \n\n\n\n4) Align and Amplify Impact: Identify existing efforts and future avenues to align funding efforts and maximize collective impact.  \n\n\n\n5) Resource Sharing and Coordination: Learn about shared resources\, tools\, and funds being organized to support ongoing collaboration. \n\n\n\nPanelists\n\n\n\n\nSavi Horne\, Executive Director\, North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers Land Loss Prevention Project \n\n\n\nJillian Blanchard\, Vice President of Climate Change and Environmental Justice\, Lawyers for Good Government\,\n\n\n\nMichelle Roos\, Executive Director\, Environmental Protection Network \n\n\n\nDarryl Molina Sarmiento\, Climate Justice Alliance Board Member\, Executive Director of Communities for a Better Environment\n\n\n\nTBD\, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition\n\n\n\nTBD\, Platform for Agriculture and Climate Transformation\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis session is open to all members of funder networks or organizations. Please denote any funder networks your organization belongs to in your registration. Members of the Blue Sky Funders Forum\, Chesapeake Bay Funders Network\, Environmental Grantmakers Association\, Neighborhood Funders Group\, the Fund for Lake Michigan\, and The Funders Network are most welcome. \n\n\n\n\nRegister Here!
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/navigating-the-current-political-landscape-a-cross-sector-town-hall-for-private-funders-and-partners-across-fora-hefn-safsf-cefg/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250415T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250415T235959
DTSTAMP:20250414T160450Z
CREATED:20250414T160349Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250414T160450Z
UID:10000674-1744675200-1744761599@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Deadline: Become an SAFSF Member
DESCRIPTION:For over 20 years\, SAFSF has been the leading national membership organization for philanthropy and impact investors committed to creating an equitable and sustainable food and agriculture system. Our network of nearly 120+ member organizations includes foundations\, impact investors\, community development finance institutions (CDFIs)\, funding collaboratives\, and re-granting organizations. SAFSF membership offers networking\, learning\, professional development\, and strategic collaboration opportunities. We are committed to racial equity and social justice.  Join us for great impact if you are a values-aligned funder supporting sustainable agriculture and food systems. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMember Benefits\n\n\n\nOur network thrives on active member participation. Key benefits include: \n\n\n\n\nMember Portal and Listserv—Access to exclusive recordings\, member rosters\, and a forum to connect with other members.\n\n\n\nCustomized Data Insights—Request customized data reports to inform your funding strategy and identify funders with similar interests.\n\n\n\nCommunities of Practice—SAFSF members can join our Learning Communities. Currently\, we offer groups tailored to Small Funders\, Health Funders\, and Indigenous Food Systems\, led by member co-chairs and supported by SAFSF staff.\n\n\n\nAnnual Forum—Enjoy inspirational learning\, dynamic connections\, and community-building opportunities. Members receive discounted registration for their organization.\n\n\n\nPolicy Insights—SAFSF provides cutting-edge insights on policy change in food and agriculture. Stay informed with our monthly members-only email newsletter on key policy issues in sustainable agriculture and food systems.\n\n\n\nNetworking—Connect with new and experienced funders across various issue areas\, funding types\, and geographies.\n\n\n\nIssues Alignment—Collaborate with strategic partners to co-develop or co-fund impactful projects with SAFSF strategic convenings and working groups.\n\n\n\nProfessional Development—Access growth opportunities\, serve on committees\, or join our Board of Directors.   \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEligibility\n\n\n\nThe missions of our members should be in alignment with SAFSF’s own mission and values\, as well as the SAFSF Commitment to Racial Justice.  \n\n\n\nWe welcome those organizations and individuals who: \n\n\n\n\nOperate in alignment with SAFSF’s core values;\n\n\n\nUse grantmaking\, lending\, or investing as a core strategy to fulfill their mission and relate to SAFSF colleagues as peer funders\, not in a fundraising capacity;\n\n\n\nShare SAFSF’s goal of increasing viability of and funding for sustainable agriculture and food system organizations and enterprises;\n\n\n\nSupport relationship-building\, knowledge-sharing\, and collaboration within SAFSF’s framework;\n\n\n\nShare experiences\, perspectives\, and expertise with SAFSF colleagues;\n\n\n\nProvide financial support for SAFSF\, its programs\, and its initiatives; and\n\n\n\nShow an interest in enhancing the reputation of and expanding opportunities for SAFSF.\n\n\n\n\nParticipation in SAFSF events and committees is open to all individual donors\, executive and program staff\, and members of the Board of grantmaking or investment organizations. Development or fundraising staff are not permitted to participate in SAFSF events or to subscribe to our listserv. \n\n\n\nInterpretation of these criteria is at the discretion of the SAFSF Board of Directors. The Board of Directors also reserves the right to review a member’s fulfillment of these criteria at any time. Members may not use their participation in SAFSF for promotional purposes or for private gain. SAFSF reserves the right to deny membership or remove a member if an applicant’s or member’s actions reflect poorly on the field and might harm SAFSF’s reputation\, staff\, members\, or member organizations. While not an exhaustive list\, lawsuits\, federal or state investigations\, consumer boycotts\, or other significant actions against an applicant\, member\, or affiliated organization would raise such concern.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nApplication Process\n\n\n\nApplications are reviewed quarterly (January 15\, April 15\, July 31\, and October 15) by our Membership Committee and Board of Directors. Eligible organizations use grantmaking\, lending\, or investing as core strategies. We invite organizations to join as collaborative peers\, not for fundraising purposes. \n\n\n\nTo explore SAFSF membership\, please contact membership@safsf.org.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMembership Dues\n\n\n\nMember organization annual dues are based on total grantmaking or investment that supports sustainable agriculture and food systems work.  \n\n\n\nAnnual SAFSF-related grants or investmentsFoundation/InvestorsOther Funders/Intermediaries<$100\,000$1\,200$1\,200$100\,000-$249\,999$1\,500$1\,500$250\,000-$499\,999$2\,500$2\,500$500\,000-$999\,999$5\,000$2\,500$1\,000\,000-$1\,999\,999$7\,500$3\,750$2\,000\,000-$4\,999\,999$10\,000$5\,000>$5\,000\,000$15\,000-$60\,000$7\,500
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/deadline-become-an-safsf-member/
CATEGORIES:Deadlines
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250428T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250428T110000
DTSTAMP:20250502T151226Z
CREATED:20250411T160920Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250502T151226Z
UID:10000672-1745834400-1745838000@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Fighting Exclusion and Expulsion: Protecting the Freedom to Move and to Stay
DESCRIPTION:Hosted by Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees. Co-sponsored by Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders\, SoCal Grantmakers\, and Women’s Funding Network. \n\n\n\nThe U.S. government has a long history of excluding people from entering the United States\, including individuals from China in the 19th century\, most of Asia and southern and eastern Europe in the 20th century\, and Muslim-majority and African nations in the 21st century. There is also a history of expelling people from the United States\, including nearly 2 million people of Mexican descent in the 1930s and at least 1 million people of Mexican descent in the 1950s – including U.S. citizens.   \n\n\n\nThe administration’s current attempt to exclude and expel people through sweeping executive overreach in defiance of the rule of law is separating families and striking fear in communities\, and is part of a broader attempt to criminalize and invisibilize historically marginalized populations\, starting with noncitizens. Join GCIR to learn how advocates are addressing the closure of the border and the resulting denial of access to safety while others are defending people who have made the United States their home. \n\n\n\nSpeakers\n\n\n\n\nLillian Aponte\, Executive Director\, Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project\n\n\n\nErika Pinheiro\, Executive Director\, Al Otro Lado \n\n\n\nFatima Saidi\, Director\, We Are All America \n\n\n\n\nModerators\n\n\n\n\nBasma Alawee\, Deputy Executive Director\, Community Sponsorship Hub\n\n\n\nZenobia Lai\, Executive Director\, Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative  
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/fighting-exclusion-and-expulsion-protecting-the-freedom-to-move-and-to-stay/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250429T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250429T120000
DTSTAMP:20250507T222220Z
CREATED:20250409T163731Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250507T222220Z
UID:10000669-1745924400-1745928000@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Policy Briefing: Threats to Food and Nutrition Programs in Budget Reconciliation
DESCRIPTION:This session is open to members of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders and Grantmakers In Health only. Please register below. \n\n\n\nThe House and Senate continue to work on a budget reconciliation. On April 10\, the House narrowly passed the Senate’s version of a budget blueprint\, calling on Congressional committees to slash billions of dollars from programs within their jurisdictions including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)\, school meal supports like the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)\, and Medicaid in exchange for tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy. The House and Senate will determine the final tax and spending levels by agency and program in committee debates in coming months.In this session\, experts from the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) will provide an up to the moment analysis of how federal budget reconciliation impacts food and nutrition programs\, the tie into Farm Bill negotiations\, and ultimately\, what these policy decisions mean for the health and well-being of children\, families\, and communities across the country. Experts will also highlight how advocates are organizing in support of these crucial programs\, FRAC’s advocacy resources\, and how funders can support this work. \n\n\n\nPlease note this session will not be recorded. Notes and key takeaways will be shared with registrants. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSummary of Notes & Resources\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeakers\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nColleen Barton\, Communications Director\, FRAC\n\n\n\nColleen joined FRAC in October 2014\, as communications director. In this role\, she spearheads the development and implementation of a multi-faceted strategic communications framework to help advance the organization’s mission to end hunger in America \n\n\n\nPrior to FRAC\, Colleen was the founder and principal of Red Jacket Communications\, LLC\, a boutique public relations and event firm. Colleen designed and executed strategic communications plans for global and national policy and program initiatives\, research reports\, brand development\, fundraising promotions\, product launches\, and major events. Her clients included government contractors\, small businesses\, and international and national nonprofits. In her previous work with nonprofits\, including Catholic Charities USA\, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools and Save the Children\, Colleen created and implemented communications efforts that increased awareness\, advocacy and greater investment in programs and services aimed at underserved populations. At Save the Children\, she built a media program in a newly created public affairs department\, and led the U.S. agency’s media response to major humanitarian crises\, including post-9/11\, the Indian Ocean Tsunami and Haiti Earthquake as well as the agency’s first advocacy-awareness campaign\, Every Mother\, Every Child and its signature research report\, The State of the World’s Mothers. \n\n\n\nShe currently serves on the Board of Directors for Homestretch\, a nonprofit in Northern Virginia that helps transition families out of homelessness. \n\n\n\nColleen received her B.A. in English\, with a public relations concentration\, from the State University of New York at Fredonia. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSalaam Bhatti\, SNAP Director\, FRAC\n\n\n\nSalaam joined FRAC in November 2023 as the SNAP Director. In this role\, he works to strengthen SNAP access and benefit adequacy. Salaam works closely with the Interim President to develop\, lead\, and track annual work plans; set and meet unit goals; collaborate with other unit Directors to assist in achieving FRAC’s strategic plan goals; and expand the unit’s innovation and work. \n\n\n\nSalaam joins FRAC after working at the Virginia Poverty Law Center (VPLC). While at VPLC\, he successfully lobbied to fully repeal the drug felon ban for SNAP and TANF\, twice achieved record increases to TANF cash benefits\, subsidized reduced-priced school meals\, repealed the TANF family cap\, ended lunch shaming policies in schools\, and received a unanimous vote to expand SNAP for over 20\,000 families. Salaam also helped develop a mobile-friendly\, SNAP screening tool which is used by tens of thousands of people & multiple non-profits and has been rolled out to be available for all states and D.C. He received the Young Alumni Achievement Award from Albright College for his work in alleviating poverty and promoting Muslim-Jewish relations. Salaam also received the inaugural Stuart A. Freudberg Award for Regional Partnership for his work with Maryland and DC Hunger Solutions to address food insecurity across the metropolitan Washington area from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. \n\n\n\nSalaam has a J.D. from Touro Law School\, is barred in New York and Virginia\, and received his Bachelors in Political Science and International Relations from Albright College (with a year abroad in the University of Aberdeen). \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCrystal FitzSimons\, Interim President\, FRAC\n\n\n\nCrystal FitzSimons is the Interim President for the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC)\, leading the organization to achieve its vision: A nation in which all people have the nutritious food they need to lead healthy and productive lives; and mission: To improve the nutrition\, health\, and well-being of people struggling against poverty-related hunger in the United States through advocacy\, partnerships\, and by advancing bold and equitable policy solutions.  \n\n\n\nPrior to taking on the Interim President role\, Crystal oversaw FRAC’s work to improve and strengthen the school\, summer\, and afterschool nutrition programs. She analyzed policy to advocate for legislative and regulatory improvements to increase children’s access to the child nutrition programs. She helped develop strategy and direct national partnerships and field efforts to achieve program improvements through legislative and administrative changes. Recent successful efforts include the Pandemic and Summer EBT Programs; the child nutrition waivers during the pandemic that allowed schools to offer school meals to all their students at no charge\, the nationwide expansion of the Afterschool Meal Program; and the Community Eligibility Provision.  \n\n\n\nShe led FRAC’s efforts to provide technical assistance on the school\, summer\, and afterschool nutrition programs to national\, state\, and local partners. Crystal also has helped develop successful partnerships to support increased access to the child nutrition programs including the National Healthy School Meals for All Coalition; Partners for Breakfast in the Classroom\, a project with the National Association of Elementary School Principals Foundation\, the National Education Association Healthy Futures\, and the School Nutrition Foundation; and CHAMPS (Cities Combating Hunger through the Afterschool Meal Program and Summer) with the National League of Cities.   \n\n\n\nCrystal is a sought-out policy expert for briefings\, webinars\, conferences\, and state legislative hearings. She also is regularly quoted in the media\, such as The New York Times\, NPR\, PBS NewsHour\, Politico\, the Washington Post\, USA Today\, and local media.  \n\n\n\nCrystal is the author or co-author of numerous reports. Recent publications include: The Reach of School Breakfast and Lunch During the 2022-2023 School Year; The Case for Healthy School Meals for All; Community Eligibility: the Key to Hunger-Free Schools\, School Year 2022-2023; Large School District Report Operating School Nutrition Programs as the Nation Recovers From the Pandemic; and Hunger Doesn’t Take A Vacation: Summer Nutrition Status Report.   \n\n\n\nHer previous work experience includes the Center for Community Change and Housing Comes First. She holds a BA in Philosophy and Sociology from Carroll College in Wisconsin and an MSW from Washington University in Missouri. 
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/policy-briefing-threats-to-food-and-nutrition-programs-in-budget-reconciliation/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Kentucky/Louisville:20250429T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Kentucky/Louisville:20250429T210000
DTSTAMP:20250415T171232Z
CREATED:20250320T010203Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250415T171232Z
UID:10000666-1745953200-1745960400@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:SAFSF On the Road: Atlanta
DESCRIPTION:Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders (SAFSF) hosts regional community building events for members and partners through our popular series “SAFSF On The Road.” Our next gathering will be a special dinner in Atlanta\, Georgia to explore funding strategies in food justice throughout the state of Georgia. Join us for an intimate dinner in community with diverse capital partners and local leaders.  \n\n\n\nSince early 2024\, SAFSF has convened a cohort of funders and leaders at the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to explore ways to unlock more investment for historically underserved producers and communities in the South. Our guest speakers Dr. Veronica Womack and Amber Bell will highlight the challenges and opportunities for public-private investment in food system infrastructure that supports Black farmers\, their supply chain partners\, and the communities they serve across the state. SAFSF will also share insights from our listening sessions with community-based organizations throughout Georgia\, and future plans for regional funder collaboration.  \n\n\n\nTickets for the dinner are $75 for funders and $25 for current SAFSF members. \n\n\n\nThis dinner will follow the opening day reception of Women Transforming Food & Finance\, hosted by Regenerative Food Systems Investment. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSAVE YOUR SEAT\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAmber M. Bell is the Director of the Southwest Georgia Project and the President and CEO of Bell and Co. Consulting\, LLC. With over ten years of experience in the food and agriculture sector\, she has dedicated her efforts to addressing systemic inequalities and promoting social justice. Amber holds a Master’s degree in Public Health and is nearing the completion of her doctorate in Public Health from the Jian Ping Hsu College of Public Health at Georgia Southern University.  \n\n\n\nShe is passionate about developing sustainable\, self-reliant local food systems aimed at improving the overall quality of life for Black and Brown communities in the rural South. By fostering collaboration among local farmers\, stakeholders\, and community organizations\, Amber works to create resilient food networks that support economic development and enhance the well-being of communities in Southwest Georgia and beyond. Her work embodies a holistic approach to food access\, equity and community empowerment. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Veronica L. Womack serves as the inaugural Executive Director of the Rural Studies Institute at Georgia College and Professor of Political Science and Public Administration. She hails from the Alabama Black Belt region and currently works in the Georgia Black Belt. She received her BA of Communications\, MPA and Ph.D.\, in Political Science from the University of Alabama. \n\n\n\nAn advocate and researcher of the Southern Black Belt region\, Dr. Womack’s work highlights the rich history\, foodways\, socioeconomic and political culture and traditions of rural people in the American South. She is a noted author\, practitioner and researcher of the region. She is the founder of the Blackfarmersnetwork.com\, a website that highlights the legacy of African American farmers\, within the Black Belt region. \n\n\n\nShe has been featured on various media outlets including The New York Times\, The WashingtonPost\, NPR\, GPB\, The Nation\, and Georgia Trend for her work in the region. Funders of her research include USDA\, the Robert W. Johnson Foundation\, and the Southern Economic Advancement Project (SEAP).
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/safsf-on-the-road-atlanta/
CATEGORIES:In Person Gathering,Meetings
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250430T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250430T123000
DTSTAMP:20250807T191354Z
CREATED:20250409T211729Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250807T191354Z
UID:10000671-1746010800-1746016200@www.agandfoodfunders.org
SUMMARY:Protecting Federal Farm Funding and Programs: Legal Action & Philanthropy's Role
DESCRIPTION:Cohosted by Climate and Energy Funders Group (CEFG)\, Funders for Regenerative Agriculture\, (FORA)\, Health and Environmental Funders Network (HEFN)\, and Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders (SAFSF). \n\n\n\nThe courts remain an essential avenue to thwart the Trump administration’s agenda to dismantle the federal government and slash federal spending. Almost three months into Trump’s second term\, there are over 135 legal challenges to the administration’s actions.  \n\n\n\nIn this webinar\, lawyers at Earthjustice\, the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF)\, Democracy Forward\, Farmers’ Legal Action Group (FLAG)\, and the Southern Environmental Law Center will discuss the landscape of litigation on behalf of farmers and nonprofits working in food and agriculture\, what’s at stake\, and philanthropy’s role in resourcing legal defense.  \n\n\n\nThis session is open to all members of funder networks or organizations\, please denote any funder networks your organizations belong to in your registration. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSummary of Notes & Resources\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeakers\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCarrie Apfel\, Deputy Managing Attorney at Earthjustice \n\n\n\n\nCarrie Apfel is the deputy managing attorney of the Sustainable Food and Farming Program. She is based in Washington\, D.C. \n\n\n\nPrior to joining Earthjustice\, Carrie was a litigation partner at Jenner & Block. One of the more notable cases she worked on was a class action on behalf of Native American farmers and ranchers challenging discrimination in USDA’s farm loan program. The team won an enormous\, and unprecedented\, settlement for her clients. She also maintained a very active pro bono docket at Jenner. Prior to joining Jenner\, Carrie clerked on the Fourth Circuit\, and graduated from University of Virginia Law School and Duke University\, both with many honors. She also worked for several years at women’s advocacy organizations in DC. \n\n\n\nWhen she is not busy practicing law\, Carrie enjoys spending time with her family\, running long distances\, watching Duke basketball and Nationals baseball\, cooking and reading. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSophia Kruszewski\, Deputy Policy Director at National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition\n\n\n\n\nSophia (she/her) leads NSAC’s cross-team policy coordination and strategy efforts. She returned to NSAC after 4 years leading the Food and Agriculture Clinic at Vermont Law School\, where she directed a team providing law and policy services to farmers\, food entrepreneurs\, and food system organizations. During that time\, Sophia led the launch of the Vermont Legal Food Hub\, a program that connects farmers and local food businesses with free legal assistance. Sophia previously served as a Senior Policy Specialist at NSAC; her DC experience also includes the Center for Food Safety\, the White House Council on Environmental Quality\, and the federal district court. She holds a BS in Environmental Science from the University of Michigan and a JD from Vermont Law School. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMary Egan\, Senior Program Coordinator for the Legal Food Hub at Conservation Law Foundation\n\n\n\n\nMary was most recently employed at Harvard Business School as a project coordinator. She has spent most of her public health career at Boston’s Massachusetts General Hospital as a database manager and community health worker. \n\n\n\nMary also brings great experience as a crops team member and food entrepreneur. She worked at Drumlin Farm and started her own dried fruit business\, aptly named Cut&Dried. She is ecstatic to find a position where she can support individuals who are taking on these challenges themselves. \n\n\n\nIn her free time Mary enjoys trail running\, rock climbing\, backpacking\, cooking\, and baking. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nScott Carlson\, Executive Director and Attorney at Law at Farmers’ Legal Action Group\n\n\n\n\nScott W. Carlson is FLAG’s Executive Director. Raised on a family farm\, Scott has maintained life-long connections to agriculture and family farmers. With his personal background and extensive professional experience in state and federal farm policy and complex litigation\, Scott brings a deep commitment to protecting family farms and to achieving legal\, social\, and economic justice for family farmers and their communities. \n\n\n\nScott served as the North Dakota Department of Agriculture Policy and Communications Director under Commissioner Sarah Vogel. He was also U.S. Senator Kent Conrad’s Legislative Assistant for Agriculture\, which included staffing Sen. Conrad on the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee. Scott also served as Senior Professional Staff on the U.S. Senate Budget Committee. As a U.S. Senate staff member\, Scott worked regularly with Congressional leadership\, the U.S. Department of Agriculture\, and the White House on agriculture and food legislation\, regulation and public policy. During his career in Washington\, D.C.\, farmers across the country faced numerous and repeated natural disasters. Scott worked to ensure that Congress and the Administration provided fair disaster funding and helped create responsible and responsive public policy to help keep family farmers on the land. Ultimately\, Scott served as one of the top U.S. Senate staff negotiators during the conference committee policy negotiations over the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000\, which overhauled the federal crop insurance program\, expanded it to include new crops and farmers\, and set the foundation for modern federal farm risk management programs. \n\n\n\nAn honors graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School\, Scott served as Managing Editor of the Minnesota Law Review. He then practiced law for more than twelve years before joining FLAG. He is rated by Super Lawyers\, and was named to the list of outstanding attorneys as a “Rising Star” in 2014. Scott served as trial counsel in In re High Pressure Laminates Antitrust Litigation\, a six-week federal trial in the Southern District of New York\, and in In re Polyester Staple Antitrust Litigation (W.D.N.C.)\, a federal antitrust case that settled with the last remaining defendant on the eve of trial\, ultimately recovering more than the single damages suffered by the class. Scott has extensive experience in complex litigation\, including In re Rail Freight Fuel Surcharge Antitrust Litigation (D.D.C.) (claims alleging conspiracy among major domestic railroads to fix prices for rail freight surcharges); In re Titanium Dioxide Antitrust Litigation (D. Md.) (price-fixing claims against manufacturers of titanium dioxide); In re Lawnmower Engines Horsepower Marketing & Sales Practices Litigation (E.D. Wis.) (alleging consumer fraud\, civil conspiracy and unjust enrichment claims against manufacturers of lawn mowers and lawn mower engines); In re AOL Time Warner Securities Litigation (S.D.N.Y.) (securities fraud claims against AOL and Time Warner on behalf of shareholders); In re Guidant Corp. Implantable Defibrillators Products Liability Litigation (D. Minn.) (product liability claims on behalf of patients with implanted defibrillators); In re Monosodium Glutamate Antitrust Litigation (D. Minn.) (price-fixing claims on behalf of business purchasers of MSG); In re Fiber Optic Cable Litigation (N.D. Ill.) (claims on behalf of property owners alleging that telecommunication companies installed facilities within rights of way without consent); and other complex litigation. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMegan Uzzell\, Director of Impact and External Affairs at Democracy Forward\n\n\n\n\nMegan joined Democracy Forward after having served eight years at the U.S. Department of Labor\, where she most recently was the Associate Deputy Secretary for Policy. In this role Megan led Departmental efforts on regulatory\, policy and agency matters such as wage standards\, work and family policy\, enforcement\, immigration and worker safety. Prior to joining the Labor Department\, Megan served in the U.S. House of Representatives\, working as Legislative Director for a member from Southern California and handling energy\, environment\, appropriations and transportation matters. In 2005\, Megan was named one of the Hill’s top 35 staffers under 35. \n\n\n\nOriginally from Kansas City\, Kansas\, Megan has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics\, Political Science and International Affairs from Drake University\, and a Master of Arts in International Affairs from George Washington University. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIrena Como\, Senior Attorney at Southern Environmental Law Center\n\n\n\n\nACLU of North Carolina\, deputy legal directorNew York City Legal Aid Society\, Juvenile Rights Practice\, staff attorneyJ.D.\, Notre Dame Law School\, London Law ProgrammeM.A.\, Central European University\, with honorsB.A.\, Earlham College\, with highest honors
URL:https://www.agandfoodfunders.org/event/fora-safsf-hefn-cefg-protecting-federal-farm-funding-and-programs-legal-action-philanthropys-role/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
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