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In the final episode of our limited series podcast, our host Ron Kroese moderates a discussion on the 1980s farm crisis. This is a continuation of the roundtable discussion from the last two episodes. Each individual played an important role in the work of National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) and its predecessor efforts. During the first week, we focused on the formation, development, and accomplishments of NSAC over the past three decades, through 5 farm bills and 27 appropriation bills. Last week, we focused on successes, challenges, and took a deeper look at the organization. This week, participants also share stories about those who made an impact on sustainable agriculture policy along the way. Discussion participants and their positions and locations at the time of the interview include: Fred Kirschenmann: affiliated with the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University, and also the Stone Barn Center for Food and Agriculture in New York. Lives in Ames, Iowa. Ann Robinson: Midwest regional office director for the National Center for Appropriate Technology. Located in Des Moines, Iowa. Michael Sligh: with the Rural Advancement Foundation International in Pittsboro, North Carolina. Chuck Hassebrook: Formerly with the Center for Rural Affairs in Nebraska. Mary Fund: with the Kansas Rural Center and also a certified organic farmer. Ferd Hoefner: policy director for the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition in Washington, D.C. Margaret Krome: policy director for the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in East Troy, Wisconsin. Frances Thicke: farmer from southeast Iowa. Owns and operates an organic dairy farm, processes milk on the farm and markets it all locally. Amy Little: policy director for the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group. Duane Sand: on the staff of Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Des Moines, Iowa. Teresa Opheim: with Practical Farmers of Iowa. Located in Ames, Iowa. Duane Havorka: executive director of the Nebraska Wildlife Federation. Lives near Elmwood, Nebraska. The roundtable was conducted on Aug. 2, 2015. Link this episode: National Sustainable Agriculture Oral History Archive (video link) -------- Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Audible, Apple, Google, and more. Catch past episodes, a transcript, and show notes at cfra.org/SustainbleAgPodcast.
This week, we focus on successes, challenges, and take a deeper look at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC). This is the second of three episodes of a roundtable discussion moderated by host Ron Kroese. Next week, we'll talk about the 1980s farm crisis and share stories about those who made an impact on sustainable agriculture policy along the way. Last week, we focused on the formation, development, and accomplishments of NSAC over the past three decades, through 5 farm bills and 27 appropriation bills. Each individual played an important role in the work of NSAC and its predecessor efforts. Discussion participants and their positions and locations at the time of the interview include: Fred Kirschenmann: affiliated with the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University, and also the Stone Barn Center for Food and Agriculture in New York. Lives in Ames, Iowa. Ann Robinson: Midwest regional office director for the National Center for Appropriate Technology. Located in Des Moines, Iowa. Michael Sligh: with the Rural Advancement Foundation International in Pittsboro, North Carolina. Chuck Hassebrook: Formerly with the Center for Rural Affairs in Nebraska. Mary Fund: with the Kansas Rural Center and also a certified organic farmer. Ferd Hoefner: policy director for the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition in Washington, D.C. Margaret Krome: policy director for the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in East Troy, Wisconsin. Frances Thicke: farmer from southeast Iowa. Owns and operates an organic dairy farm, processes milk on the farm and markets it all locally. Amy Little: policy director for the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group. Duane Sand: on the staff of Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Des Moines, Iowa. Teresa Opheim: with Practical Farmers of Iowa. Located in Ames, Iowa. Duane Havorka: executive director of the Nebraska Wildlife Federation. Lives near Elmwood, Nebraska. The roundtable was conducted on Aug. 2, 2015. Link this episode: National Sustainable Agriculture Oral History Archive (video link) -------- Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Audible, Apple, Google, and more. Catch past episodes, a transcript, and show notes at cfra.org/SustainbleAgPodcast.
In the final three episodes of our limited series podcast, our host Ron Kroese moderates a discussion. Each individual played an important role in the work of National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) and its predecessor efforts. This week, we focus on the formation, development, and accomplishments of NSAC over the past three decades, through 5 farm bills and 27 appropriation bills. Next week, we'll focus on successes, challenges, and take a deeper look at the organization. In the final week, we'll talk about the 1980s farm crisis and share stories about those who made an impact on sustainable agriculture policy along the way. Discussion participants and their positions and locations at the time of the interview include: Fred Kirschenmann: affiliated with the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University, and also the Stone Barn Center for Food and Agriculture in New York. Lives in Ames, Iowa. Ann Robinson: Midwest regional office director for the National Center for Appropriate Technology. Located in Des Moines, Iowa. Michael Sligh: with the Rural Advancement Foundation International in Pittsboro, North Carolina. Chuck Hassebrook: Formerly with the Center for Rural Affairs in Nebraska. Mary Fund: with the Kansas Rural Center and also a certified organic farmer. Ferd Hoefner: policy director for the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition in Washington, D.C. Margaret Krome: policy director for the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in East Troy, Wisconsin. Frances Thicke: farmer from southeast Iowa. Owns and operates an organic dairy farm, processes milk on the farm and markets it all locally. Amy Little: policy director for the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group. Duane Sand: on the staff of Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Des Moines, Iowa. Teresa Opheim: with Practical Farmers of Iowa. Located in Ames, Iowa. Duane Havorka: executive director of the Nebraska Wildlife Federation. Lives near Elmwood, Nebraska. The roundtable was conducted on Aug. 2, 2015. Links this episode: National Sustainable Agriculture Oral History Archive (video link) “A Time to Choose: Summary Report on the Structure of Agriculture” "Report and Recommendations on Organic Farming" “The Unsettling of America: Culture and Agriculture” by Wendell Berry “Who Will Sit Up With the Corporate Sow?” -------- Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Audible, Apple, Google, and more. Catch past episodes, a transcript, and show notes at cfra.org/SustainbleAgPodcast.
Margaret Krome has spent 30 years developing state and local programs and policies supporting environmentally sound, profitable, and socially responsible agriculture. On this week's episode, Ron talks with Margaret about her life's work and the experiences that shaped her. Her interest in ag began in childhood, as the grandchild of a Florida avocado and citrus farmer. She served in agroforestry in the Peace Corps in Cameroon. She then began graduate school and worked at the Wisconsin Rural Development Center during the 1980s farm crisis. In 1995, Margaret joined the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in East Troy, Wisconsin, where she serves as policy director today. For years, she led the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition's annual national grassroots campaign to fund federal programs prioritized each year by NSAC's member groups; she continues to assist NSAC with this campaign. ln Wisconsin, Margaret has been instrumental in helping to create several significant programs, including the UW-Madison center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, the Pesticide Use and Risk Reduction program, the state's Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin program, the state's farm to School program, and others. She conducts workshops and webinars nationwide on grant writing, using federal programs to support sustainable agriculture, and on new USDA crop insurance programs supporting diversified farms. Margaret has invested a dozen years in building the next generation of sustainable agriculture leaders, including more leaders of color. The interview was conducted on Feb. 16, 2016. Links this episode: National Sustainable Agriculture Oral History Archive National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Michael Fields Agricultural Institute -------- Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Audible, Apple, Google, and more. Catch past episodes, a transcript, and show notes at cfra.org/SustainbleAgPodcast.
We're wrapping up with Margaret Krome and focusing on the good things that happen when women have mentors. She shares how her mentoring has had a ripple effect over the years, reaching far beyond the women she has mentored. Her advice to interns could apply to all of us: Don’t take it too personally and surround yourself with good-energy people.
We’re continuing with Margaret Krome, Policy Program Director for the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute. Today we're discussing how we as women working in sustainable agriculture can keep up our resilience in advocating for good food. Are you new to policy? This is the episode for you as Margaret gifts us with an accessible navigation of how Farm Bill programs are funded and how we can have our farmer voices heard.
Today we dig in with Margaret Krome discussing her passion to increase stakeholder diversity among those affected by agriculture policy. Stretch outside of your comfort zone, find new partners, and make sure you consider all of your stakeholders. True representation is what real democracy is all about.
Today we sit down with Margaret Krome to hear her inspiring story of how she has become a national leader in sustainable agriculture policy, from her family's citrus farm in Florida to the Peace Corps to eventually rooting in Wisconsin, thanks in part to a night of polka dancing. Listen in and hear why it's so important for farmers to take an active advocacy role. Margaret Krome is Policy Program Director for the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in East Troy, Wisconsin. She also conducts workshops nationwide on grant writing and using federal programs to support sustainable agriculture. Since October 2018, Margaret has served as Interim Coalition Director for the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)She works with the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition to support environmentally sound, profitable, and socially responsible agriculture.
For this episode, two agriculture policy experts discuss the importance of local, grassroots organizing AND national lobbying when it comes to getting federal funding appropriated for sustainable agriculture programs. Margaret Krome works as the Public Policy Program Director for the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in East Troy, WI. She'll be speaking with Paul Wolfe, Policy Specialist at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC).
Looking to the Future
Margaret Krome of the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is bringing farmers and fishermen together to support sustainable agriculture practices in the Midwest, which, in turn, will protect the fisheries in the Gulf. Stewardship of land in the upper Midwest directly affects the livelihoods of fishermen in the gulf, because poor farming practices dump excess nutrients into the streams and rivers that make their way to the ocean. Knowing this, Margaret wondered if she could take her work in supporting sustainable agriculture practices a step further. "What about creating a cultural relationship between these genuinely great conservation farmers in the upper Midwest and the end users of their water -- namely fishermen in the gulf who are dealing with the dead zone?"
Margaret Krome, public policy program director for Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, speaks with us about sustainable agriculture initiatives and MFAI's fascinating corn breeding program.