RAFI

RAFI challenges the root causes of unjust food systems, supporting and advocating for economically, racially, and ecologically just farm communities.

RAFI's mission is to challenge the root causes of unjust food systems, supporting and advocating for economically, racially, and ecologically just farm communities. We envision a thriving, sustainable, and equitable food system: where farmers and farmworkers have dignity and agency; where they are supported by just agricultural policies; where corporations and institutions are accountable to their

community. Since our founding in 1990 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, RAFI has recognized that our food system is deeply inequitable, where rural communities — their land, animals, and people — are exploited to benefit corporate power structures. Working across agricultural sectors and collaboratively through coalitions, we combine on-the-ground practical services and policy advocacy to ensure farmers have access to the tools they need to make the right choices for their farm and families as well as for their communities and the environment.

06/19/2026

Fannie Lou Hamer once stated, “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.” This Juneteenth, we reflect on our shared freedom while continuing the struggle for a more equitable food system that serves both farmers and consumers.
We lift up the farmers of today who choose the land, on their own terms. Not to repeat the past, but to rewrite the future.
Check out our blog, which honors the legacy of Black foodways and emphasizes the significance of celebrating freedom, here: https://bit.ly/4aEDbfo

06/15/2026

The Roselle Hibiscus: A Celebration of Caribbean Culture

Introduced to Florida in the late 1800s from Jamaica, the Roselle Hibiscus (also known as Sorrell or Florida Cranberry) is a remarkable plant that embodies the rich flavors and cultural heritage of the Caribbean.

Many farmers in our region are cultivating and selling this extraordinary crop, which arrived in the Western Hemisphere through the transatlantic slave trade.

They are sharing tradition and flavor, offering a superfood that allows people in the Southeast U.S. to celebrate Caribbean culinary practices, one delicious sip at a time.

06/13/2026

USDA has lost roughly 1 in 5, or 20,000 employees, in just one year, according to a new analysis from our partners at NSAC. Staff reductions have affected every USDA agency and the farmers in the local communities they serve, raising serious concerns about the agency's capacity to support farmers in growing our food. >>>bit.ly/USDA-staffing-crisis

06/12/2026

North Carolina farmers: If drought is impacting your operation, now is the time to document and report losses.

The most important step you can take right now is to contact your local FSA office and notify them of any drought-related crop, forage, or livestock losses as soon as possible.

Don't miss the July 15, 2026, acreage reporting deadline. Producers who do not file an acreage report by that date will not be eligible for the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP).

Timely reporting can help you ensure eligibility for disaster programs as they become available. If you're experiencing drought impacts, reach out to your local FSA office and keep record of any losses.
Read our blog 📖 Drought Conditions and Disaster Support for Southeast US Farmers https://bit.ly/43sVSin to be more informed and ready when you speak to your local agent.

06/08/2026

The latest RAFI e-newsletter is in your inbox! This month's issue is as bright as the summer sun! 🌞 Check your email or click the link here: https://bit.ly/4g82ZUI to catch up on stories from the field, upcoming events, and opportunities for farmers and food system advocates. 💚

05/26/2026

Silvopasture integrates trees🌳, livestock 🐮, and pasture🌾 to make farms more resilient - and more profitable, too! RAFI asked agroforestry experts and practitioners for the secrets to designing a successful silvopasture system at any scale. Read their words of wisdom in the latest issue of LIVING ROOTS. https://bit.ly/4e25BlD
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05/19/2026

The state of North Carolina has a federal disaster relief program for farmers and timber landowners who experienced losses because of Hurricane Helene. This relief program is specifically for losses that were NOT already covered by crop insurance or other USDA programs.
Farmers, agricultural producers, and timber landowners in the 39 counties that received a federal disaster declaration are eligible to apply. This program includes coverage for infrastructure losses like high tunnels, culverts, irrigation, and more.
The deadline for all four categories has been extended to June 12, 2026.
Note: This is a separate application from earlier state disaster programs. Even if you applied for NC disaster aid before, you still need to apply again for this federal block grant.
The full details and application link for the USDA/NCDA Block Grant Disaster Relief Program is available here: https://bit.ly/3RmZ9gc

05/15/2026

Keeping accurate crop records helps you manage your farm business — but did you know it can also help unlock access to USDA programs, loans, crop insurance, and disaster assistance? Check out RAFI’s guide to record keeping and reporting for small and beginning farmers. >>> https://bit.ly/3Pkqdw2

05/14/2026

📝Having a written plan in place before disaster strikes is crucial for safeguarding your farm. When you find yourself in the midst of a crisis, it can be challenging to remember all the necessary steps to take. This is why pre-planning is essential. A detailed plan allows you to:
✔️Ensure the safety of both people and livestock
✔️Thoroughly document any losses
✔️Understand how federal programs can assist with your short- and long-term recovery efforts
Our Disaster Preparedness Guide offers a practical, farmer-focused roadmap for developing a proactive and realistic hurricane preparedness and recovery plan.
This resource serves as a step-by-step toolkit to help you create a hurricane resilience strategy well in advance of any disaster.

https://www.rafiusa.org/farm_advocacy/disaster-assistance/disaster-preparedness

05/12/2026

🚨 Deadline approaching! Apply to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) by May 29 to access funding for the 2026 fiscal year. This program helps landowners, land trusts, and other entities:
✅Protect, restore, and enhance wetlands
✅Protect working farms and ranches for agricultural use through conservation easements

>>>Learn more: https://bit.ly/4nIHJXH
Apply through NRCS at your local USDA Service Center.

Address

PO Box 640
Pittsboro, NC
27312

Website

http://www.rafiusa.org/

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