Major
Accomplishments
A Few of Southern SAWG's Major Accomplishments
Annual Conference
Southern SAWG
created a nationally-recognized
conference, now entering its 17th year, that attracts over 1200
participants from across the South. The conference is unmatched
in educational and networking opportunities for Southern producers,
researchers, educators and supporters who are searching for concrete tools
and strategies to build a more sustainable society on the farm and
in our communities.
Community
Food Systems
Southern SAWG has developed a Community
Food Systems Manual and helped dozens of organizations in the
South to create community-based food systems. Southern SAWG
has established or supported over 30 school and neighborhood garden
projects in 10 states. Southern SAWG projects have taught youth
about gardening, nutrition, resource conservation and the concepts
of sustainability.
Sustainable Farming Enterprise Development
Southern SAWG's Natural Farming Systems in the
South training
and video series has provided practical
tools and resources to help farmers innovate and implement a
variety of sustainable farming systems.
Networking
and Leadership Development
Southern SAWG has helped hundreds of family farmers and ranchers
become leaders in the sustainable agriculture movement. These
individuals have served on bodies such as the USDA Southern Region
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)
program Administrative Council and the National
Organic Standards Board. Southern SAWG has created avenues and
tools such as farmer
stories, videos,
and discussion
forums for farmers to exchange innovative ideas. Southern SAWG
has featured hundreds of successful family farmers and ranchers
as presenters at our annual
conference and in SSAWG enterprise
development training manuals, farmer
stories, and e-newsletter articles. These producers serve as
models for others who are working toward sustainability.
Policy
Education
Southern SAWG has helped ensure that the Farm
Bill and specific federal programs are supportive of sustainable
agriculture. Through regular conference
calls, meetings, and action
alerts, Southern SAWG has empowered its constituents to educate
and motivate their legislators to support the valuable programs
whose futures are subject to the Farm Bill and the yearly appropriations
process. Southern SAWG has successfully championed the National
Organic Program, Outreach
and Technical Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers &
Ranchers, Farmers
Market Nutrition Program, Community
Food Projects Program, Conservation
Security Program, Value-Added
Producer Grants Program, and ATTRA
- a national sustainable agriculture information service. By building
collaborative relationships with federal program administrators,
Southern SAWG has worked to ensure transparency and accountability.
Disaster
Relief & Local Food System Recovery
Southern SAWG has continued to partner on disaster
relief efforts, and to ensure that local family farmers and community
food systems are rebuilt in the areas devastated by the hurricanes.
Southern SAWG partnered with several organizations to host multiple
disaster preparedness and relief workshops for Southern farmers.
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