Family Farm Defenders
The mission of FFD is to create a farmer-controlled and consumer-oriented food system based upon democratic institutions that respect and empower local people in their quest for justice and dignity. To this end, FFD supports sustainable agriculture, farm worker rights, animal welfare, consumer safety, fair trade, and food sovereignty.
Domestic Fair Trade Promotion: In 1996 FFD launched its Family Farmer Cheese project in an effort to guarantee family farmers a just return for their hard work through direct marketing efforts. As far as we know, this remains the only domestic fair trade dairy initiative in the country. Currently, we are paying farmers $20/100# for their rBGH-free milk - what they consider a fair trade or parity price. In the last year this effort has grown significantly as part of a broader fair trade fundraising initiative in local schools, and is also now serving as a role model for other domestic fair trade initiatives. The creation of the Dane County Food Policy Council this year, the first of its kind in Wisconsin and which FFD was instrumental in establishing, will also foster a political climate that is more receptive to local fair trade food. Consumer Education: FFD continues its popular educational outreach to consumers on a wide range of issues - from the dangers of factory farming and milk protein concentrat
Location(s)
FFD is a national grassroots organization based in Madison, Wi with thousands of inidividual members in all 50 states, plus Canada and Mexico, as well as several state chapters and other affiliates. While the majority of our membership is farm-based, we also have members who are consumer advocates, environmentalists, labor rights, global justice, and animal welfare activists, as well as those involved with faith-based communities.
We will be participating in a food/farm workshop with other panelists from Growing Power, National Family Farm Coalition, and the Community Food Secuirty Coalition. We also hope to have a lit table.
