NESAWG convenes a group of food systems organizations and leaders who engage collectively with the Northeast Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NEASDA) at their annual meeting and throughout the year. We can’t engage in person this year, so we are compiling an online publication to show our state Departments of Agriculture how sustainable agriculture and food systems stakeholders use federal, state, and local programs in innovative ways to improve our regional food system.

This year, we are particularly looking for stories that highlight:

• Food chain pivots, resilience, or adaptations in response to COVID-19
• Equity and racial justice in the food system and efforts to use government programs in support of equitable practices
• Climate change responses, impacts, and mitigation as they interact with state and federal programs
• Communities most impacted by COVID-19 and/or climate change leading solutions

We want to hear your stories! How has a local farm, food business, fishing enterprise, food hub, emergency food program, food security initiative, urban farm, food justice effort, or any other aspect of the food system in your area used a government program to help it grow or thrive? How have local, state or federal laws, policies, and programs helped farmers, farm workers, young people, seniors, families, food chain workers or food entrepreneurs thrive, advanced racial or social equity in your region, addressed environmental issues connected to food production, or spurred farm and food related economic development or growth?

If you have a story about a federal, state, or municipal program or policy, fill out this form to tell us briefly about your effort and we will be in touch to discuss how we can share your story. Drop us a line at [email protected] if you would like to ask questions, talk through an idea, or would like to learn more about our NEASDA organizing group.

Please submit stories by August 31st.