The Ag Equity Network is made up of and led by Massachusetts farmers who identify as BIPOC. The Network advocates for state public policy that supports equitable land access, jobs, education, and other resources that are vital for BIPOC farmers to be sustainable in their businesses, and for the food system in Massachusetts to be more equitable and robust; the more food being locally grown, the better it is for Massachusetts. BIPOC farmers account for roughly 3% of farmers statewide, but smart public policy can help increase that number. Please reach out to Norris Guscott with any questions, [email protected].
Highlights of our work
S.41/H.87 An Act Promoting Equity in Agriculture
The Network helped craft a bill to address core areas of equity in Massachusetts’s agricultural landscape. The bill will create a commission comprised of BIPOC farmers and leaders that would look at:
See the bill’s progress here.
Ag Equity Network Meetings, also called CAFE (Coalition for Agriculture & Food Equity) Chats
The goal behind Network Meetings is to provide a forum for the Network members to discuss important issues relevant to equity in agriculture and to build relationships among each other. Ultimately, the conversations guide the Network’s direction in regards to policy, programming, and advocacy, and ensure the network is grassroots based. CAFE sessions are held bi-monthly, and all members are encouraged to attend.
The network grows day by day, and includes more than 30 BIPOC farmers, organizations, and leaders from across the state. While newly launched, there is growing recognition of the value and importance of this effort. If you are interested in participating, contact Norris Guscott at [email protected].
Being an Ally: Collaborating with and Empowering BIPOC Partners
In well-intentioned efforts to provide assistance, ally organizations face issues around partnerships, stake-building, and communication with BIPOC communities, farmers, and the organizations that support and represent them. The Ag Equity Network draws on its vast network of successful BIPOC farmers, organizations, and leaders to provide impactful, relevant, and up to date strategies to support partnerships with BIPOC partners.
Our most recent workshop was held on December 9 during the Collaborative’s 2021 Food System Forum, attended by more than 80 people from public and private institutions and organizations. Post-session feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with participants indicating that they are actively implementing strategies in their work.
Watch a video of the workshop here.
Ag Equity Network Engagement with Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
After engaging in direct advocacy with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (hereinafter, MDAR), the Ag Equity Network was able to secure the Commissioner’s commitment to attend bi-annual meetings with the network. In addition to opening up direct channel of information flow to the upper echelons of department, these meetings represent and symbolize stake building- which is a core tenet of equity. Check out the Network discussing the issues of equity in Agriculture here
The Ag Equity Network is also one of the main collaborator of the MDAR’s equity strategy. In 2023, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) released its draft environmental justice strategy for comment, and the Network took the lead in organizing farmers of color to discuss the draft and develop feedback to submit. Through this submission, the Ag Equity Network encouraged MDAR to include equity in its mission statement. The Ag Equity Network looks forward to regular future engagement with MDAR.
If you’d like more information or to sign up for the Ag Equity Network’s email list and Listserv, Contact Norris for more information
Data showing national and state disparities for BIPOC farmers:
Readings:
Other important organizations:
