Josh Snedden of Fox at the Fork Farm in Monee, Illinois is among a delegation of seven Illinois farmers headed to Washington, D.C. to meet with members of Congress and advocate for climate action in the upcoming Farm Bill.
The delegation will participate in the Farmers for Climate Action: Rally for Resilience event, a mass mobilization of farmers and farm allies organized by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and Farm Aid. The event aims to urge Congress to prioritize climate change policy in the 2023 Farm Bill.
The upcoming Farm Bill, which is up for renewal this year, presents an opportunity for legislators to address the severe challenges facing the farming community due to the climate crisis. The Illinois farmers are calling for the next Farm Bill to provide resources, assistance, and incentives for farmers to lead the way in implementing proven climate solutions.
They also want policies that promote racial equity and address the history of discrimination against Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color.
The Rally for Resilience will take place on March 6-8 in Washington D.C. and will include a rally, march, grazing demonstrations, press events, and a lobby day. Musical performances by John Cougar Mellencamp, Shirlette Ammons, Chicago indie pop duo Lil Idli, and a special guest performance via video from Willie Nelson, who founded Farm Aid in 1985, are also planned.
The Illinois delegation will meet with Rep. Jackson and Sen. Durbin, among other Illinois members of Congress, to advocate for climate action in the Farm Bill. They are part of a grassroots alliance of farmers, farmworkers, and farmer allies who want to ensure that the next Farm Bill is a climate bill.
