Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I am a constituent of [CONGRESSPERSON’S NAME]. I am calling in support of [BILL NUMBER & NAME] and would like to leave a comment.

Legislative Staff Person will offer to transfer you to an answering machine or take down your message. Use the following to leave your message:  

Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I live in [YOUR CITY, STATE]. I am calling in support of [BILL NUMBER & NAME] and to communicate the importance of sustainable agriculture. Shifting to sustainable agriculture practices is key to improving soil health, managing freshwater use (particularly in drought-prone regions), and minimizing pollution—all of which benefit the health and well-being of our [STATE] communities. Food and clean water security is a problem for tens of millions of Americans, and that’s simply unacceptable; especially when there’s something that can be done about it.

As my representative in the [HOUSE/SENATE], I hope I can count on you to support [BILL NUMBER] and the transition to more sustainable agriculture. It’s essential if we want a healthy future for the next generation of Americans.

Legislative Staff Person will ask if you want a response. You can politely decline, or say:

Yes. Please have a response sent to my email at [YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS] or by phone at [YOUR PHONE NUMBER]. Thank you for your assistance. Goodbye.  

Dear Congressperson [NAME], 

As a citizen of [YOUR STATE] and one of your constituents, I urge you to support the passing of [BILL NUMBER & NAME]. Shifting to sustainable agriculture practices is key to improving soil health, managing freshwater use (particularly in drought-prone regions), and minimizing pollution—all of which benefit the health and well-being of our [STATE] communities. Food and clean water security is a problem for tens of millions of Americans, and that’s simply unacceptable; especially when there’s something that can be done about it.

I strongly support this piece of legislation that prioritizes the health of our farmlands, our agricultural systems, our communities, and our planet. I ask that you do the same and use your influence to advance this bill to a vote in the [HOUSE/SENATE].

Please let me know what action you intend to take on this bill. I appreciate your consideration and look forward to hearing from you. 

Sincerely, 

[YOUR NAME]  

It’s important to remember that agriculture has a very long history and it’s culturally significant, not just in the United States, but all over the world. Yes, we have come to realize the way that modern agriculture is conducted is not sustainable, but villainizing existing farmers is not an effective way to move forward.

The truth is, there are many people and entities resistant to changing current agricultural processes for reasons that are financial, cultural, differences in ideology—the list goes on. To justly and equitably address these concerns, we need to be compassionate while still moving toward a sustainable future. 

Fossil fuels are used to power nearly every aspect of modern farming today; particularly for large farms where significant automation and machinery are present. For example, grain drying, transportation, and irrigation (among others) all have carbon footprints due to the energy they require. Nitrogen fertilizers are also fossil fuel-intensive to develop. 

A carbon sink is any place or ecosystem that captures carbon dioxide from our atmosphere and stores it—or transforms it—through natural processes. Soil and trees are both incredible carbon sinks, storing carbon and using it as a nutrient.

Agricultural practices can be adjusted to maximize the carbon absorption of our land, crops, and trees—even our water! Visit EarthShare’s Nonprofit Partner Project Drawdown to learn more about carbon sinks.

A “value chain” is the process of a business taking raw materials and transforming them into a product or service of value to the consumer. This includes everything from sourcing the materials to design to manufacturing.

A “supply chain” is what comes next. It is the steps taken to get a product or service from the producer to the consumer. This includes suppliers, distributors, retailers, and—of course—the customer.

In agriculture, there are many roles that fall within these two stakeholder groups. From crop consultants to processors to transportation and ingredient manufacturers, sustainability needs to be prioritized at each stage to be truly effective.

The role of extension offices is to provide people in their community with resources and non-formal learning opportunities. This can include farm visits and consultations to help farmers resolve a particular issue (e.g., pest control), soil testing to check overall soil health, financial literacy support, and even youth programs. Almost every county in the United States has an extension office. 

In the early 1860s, the Morrill Act passed in the U.S., establishing institutions of higher learning (universities) in the United States. 30,000 acres were given to each state per congressional representative, and these lands were used to establish places of education focused on agriculture and mechanics. Today, these universities are pioneers in science, agriculture, and medicine, and their influence is significant. A prioritization of sustainable agriculture practices at this level would be highly transformative, enabling future farmers and educators to better understand and implement these techniques.

An agricultural association is a nonprofit or cooperative of farmers, ranchers, and/or growers that promotes education, networking, and the overall improvement of agriculture. These associations can be specific to a particular kind of livestock, phase of agriculture, species of crop, location—the list goes on. The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance is an example of one of these associations.

The process of determining who should do what when it comes to implementing a mass transition to sustainable agriculture is no small feat. It is going to require identifying representatives in all these roles to collaborate on how to make the transition equitably and fairly. Government groups and agencies also play a critical role as laws evolve and regulations change.

So, where do we begin? Luckily, it’s already happening. Grassroots organizations and associations (like National Young Farmers Coalition) are already in place, helping to educate farmers and other stakeholders on sustainability, necessary practices, and where changes can be made—initiating a positive shift within the industry. The next step is to do this on a much larger scale.

National Young Farmers Coalition is an EarthShare Nonprofit Partner dedicated to championing policies that recognize farming as a public service and building connection between people and the land in the face of our ongoing climate crisis. By supporting young farmers with resources and training, and by sharing their stories, National Young Farmers Coalition strives to remake our food systems to be more equitable, just, and sustainable—ideal for both people and planet.

Meet the folks behind National Young Farmers Coalition and learn about the work they’re doing every day to help young farmers and our environment.

Used heavily in modern agriculture, monocropping is the practice of planting one type of crop repeatedly on the same land. This practice was created to address food supply needs for growing global populations in the mid-20th century. While profitable for farmers in the short term, it ultimately leads to severe nutrient depletion in the soil, resulting in worsened crop yields over time, increased pest and disease pressure, and a global food supply that is continually at risk.¹“How Industrial Agriculture Affects Our Soil,” Foodprint ≫

As the name suggests, for lands to be habitable by humans and other living organisms, they must be able to produce and support life. Today, 29% of land on earth is barren and unable to support life (microbes not withstanding); either covered by glaciers or made up of rocky or sedimentary terrain such as deserts, salt flats, sand dunes, and beaches.

Regenerative agriculture is the practice of enriching the land through farming and other agricultural practices; an effort that has been led by Indigenous Communities for thousands of years. Rather than stripping the ground of its nutrients, regenerative practices add to the health and strength of the soil and the overall ecosystem. In essence, it’s a decolonization of agriculture. ²“Regenerative Agriculture 101,” Natural Resources Defense Council ≫; “Native Growers Decolonize Regenerative Agriculture,” Green America ≫

Regenerative agriculture, as noted by One Earth, is “a pathway to an abundant and resilient future . . . shifting from the narrative of human dominion to one of healing our relationship with the Earth.” As a result, farms become more resistant to climate-related threats such as drought, flooding, and extreme shifts in temperature.³“Regenerative Agriculture and Food Systems,” One Earth ≫

The 30×30 (pronounced “thirty by thirty”) target is a goal set by the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in 2022 to protect 30% of ecologically representative terrestrial lands and 30% of ecologically representative waters, both marine (sea) and fresh, by 2030 with the specific intent of protecting global biodiversity.