March Picks of the Month
Monthly in our News & Resouces funder newsletter one staff shares a few media pieces that they have been reading, watching, or listening to. March featured “picks” from finance associate Ian McHugh. A Green New Deal for Agriculture: the financial arithmetic of a modern food system depends on a permanent exploitation of soil, atmosphere, and labor. at the moment, those who want to farm with dignity in the web of life plead a case for which there is no business logic. As We Have Always Done by author, Leanne Betasamosake Simpson and this Pacific Standard article featuring her led me to this question: scientific…
Note from Board Chair on Executive Director Transition
After over twenty years of dedicated service at SAFSF, Virginia Clarke has decided to step down as Executive Director and will transition out of her role at the end of December 2023.20+ years is a phenomenal run at any organization, and Virginia’s contributions to SAFSF and the broader field cannot be overstated. SAFSF’s stature and reach has grown under Virginia’s leadership – from a staff of a single part-time coordinator with a budget of $125,000 with five supporting funders to a membership of 105 (and growing), 11 staff in eight states, and a budget of over $2 million. My time working…
Virginia’s Note on Stepping Down in December 2023
Dear SAFSF Network, When I started with SAFSF in 2003 I would never have imagined—even in my wildest dreams—that I would still be here some twenty plus years later. I look back and wonder how so many years have flown by and how I came to be blessed with work and relationships that would captivate my attention – and my heart—for over two decades! This has been such a joyful, soulful ride – such an incredible honor and opportunity to work and learn alongside you. I write now to let you know I will step down from my role as…
Member Spotlight: Thornburg Foundation
“I serve as the Thornburg Foundation’s Food and Agriculture Policy Officer, located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Thornburg Foundation bases its work in food and agriculture on a vision wherein all New Mexico’s residents are able to benefit from robust food and agricultural systems that are locally embedded. As a newcomer to philanthropy, SAFSF has helped me in understanding this sector by fostering new connections and gaining perspective on policy. I have found a lot of pathways to expand my work by working with SAFSF staff. Virginia’s connections helped us find a program evaluator that fit our needs. We just completed the evaluation…
SAFSF Policy Staff on the Move in Washington, D.C.
Last week, Traci Bruckner, SAFSF, senior director, public policy, and Maggie Mascarenhas, SAFSF, public policy associate were in D.C. for Foundations on the Hill (FOTH) and Environmental Grantmakers Association’s (EGA) 2023 Federal Policy Briefing. Left to right: Ansje Miller, HEFN Executive Director, Kalila Booker-Cassano, HEFN Director of Programs, Traci Bruckner, SAFSF Senior Director of Public Policy, Maggie Mascarenhas, SAFSF Public Policy Associate, Ann Mills, Agua Fund Executive Director. During FOTH, they took the opportunity to schedule meetings with several Senate Agriculture Committee member offices, as well as Senate Agriculture Committee professional staff, and share SAFSF 2023 Farm Bill Principles and…
February 2023 Policy Connection
The Policy Connection is a regular digital publication for SAFSF members, providing insights into key policy issues for sustainable agriculture and food systems. Blog post will now be embedded within the recurring publication to provide space for deeper sharing of news and resources. Congressional News Nutrition Programs in the 2023 Farm Bill Stacy Dean, Deputy Under Secretary for USDA’s Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, and Cindy Long, USDA Food and Nutrition Service Administrator, took the witness stand at the Senate’s 5th hearing on programs in the 2023 Farm Bill. The conversation focused largely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), both in…
February Picks of the Month
Monthly in our News & Resouces funder newsletter one staff shares a few media pieces that they have been reading, watching, or listening to. February featured “picks” from Holly Enowski, Events and Administrative Associate. The 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge from Food Solutions New England—I learn something different each year participating in this online challenge and think it’s a value-add at an individual, organization, and food system-wide level. For 21 days, participants receive morning daily email prompts, resources, and activities geared toward building racial equity in our food system. Highly recommend! Raw Deal by Chloe Sorvino—I just started this book and…
Call for 2023 Board Nominations
Hi everyone! I’m Jen Zuckerman, chair of the SAFSF Nominating Committee. I’m reaching out to invite you to nominate either yourself or another member for one of four open Director positions on the SAFSF Board. As you know, SAFSF is an ever-evolving organization. We are seeking Board leadership that understands where we’ve been, who we are, and seeks to grow into who we hope to become in the next decade. I’ve had the amazing experience of serving on both the SAFSF Steering Committee and on the Board of Directors for the past seven years. This experience has offered me the…
January 2023 Policy Connection
The Policy Connection is a regular digital publication for SAFSF members, providing insights into key policy issues for sustainable agriculture and food systems. Blog post will now be embedded within the recurring publication to provide space for deeper sharing of news and resources. Congressional News Republican Members of the House Agriculture Committee Confirmed House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson (R-PA) announced the Republican members that will sit on his committee, as recommended by the House Republican Steering Committee. Rep. David Scott (D-GA) will serve as ranking member on the committee but the Democrats have not yet announced their party’s committee…
2022 Network Update
The SAFSF Network Update call held on August 17, 2022 allowed us to share data points from across our member network. We compared data from new and renewing members across a 6-year period, which shows that our members’ funding has grown by 69% since 2017. In 2022, our 102 members collectively project making grants and investments of more than $221,317,000 to food systems and sustainable agriculture-related work. We were pleased to learn that 40% of members anticipate giving $1 million or more in 2022, compared to only 28% in 2017. Members represent many types of funding organizations. Private foundations make…
