Farmers & Rural Communities

Rural communities need fair markets to thrive. In fair markets, independent farmers and ranchers are compensated well for their work, and farmers of all backgrounds have what they need to take care of the land, air, and water. But Big Ag, often with government backing, uses its power to put farmers out of business and extract resources from rural communities. FarmSTAND works to disrupt the systems that promote consolidation in the industry and put corporate agriculture over independent farmers.

When our government agrees to provide grant funding to a farmer or nonprofit group, it should hold up its end of the bargain. But Trump’s USDA and Department of Government Efficiency did the opposite, illegally terminating hundreds of grants to organizations across the country that counted on these funds to advance sustainability and support farmers building a fair food system. We’re suing to restore this funding.

Factory farms cause direct harm in the communities they’re placed in. When factory farms move into rural communities, neighbors often pay the price in polluted air and water, asthma and other serious health risks, and a dramatically diminished quality of life. The stench from massive amounts of manure can be so overwhelming that people cannot open their windows, sit outside, or fully enjoy their own homes. Agribusinesses target historically disempowered communities where they can place their facilities and expect not to be challenged by nearby residents. FarmSTAND works with these communities to make sure everyone has access to clean air and water, can feel safe in their home, and has a say in what happens in their neighborhoods.

Many communities don’t want the pollution and market-shrinking impacts of factory farms, and push back when industrial ag comes to set up shop. Big Ag relies on political influence, hidden permitting processes, and infrastructure that locks communities into being economically dependent on polluting industries to get around the will of rural people. These tactics essentially weaken democratic processes for Big Ag’s benefit. FarmSTAND works nationwide to help communities assert their legal and constitutional rights to control how food is produced where they live.