by Rochelle Sparko, CFSA’s Policy Director
Rather than providing your standard recipe, this month we’re trying something new: an easy recipe you can follow to help change food and agriculture policy in your town, your state or the United States. Give it a try and see how many people benefit from the fruits of your labor!
Step 1. Marinate on some policy publications. Digest CFSA’s Questions for Candidates, and stir in the Policy Team’s monthly ag policy news round up, The Buzz, for the most robust flavor.
Step 2. Sprinkle with membership in your county or region’s food council. If your community doesn’t have one, substitute starting a local food council in your community.
Step 3. Bring candidates for public office and elected officials to a low boil for one minute by sending them an email or by calling them about an agriculture policy issue you care about. If you’re not sure how to do this, or what to say, check out this video and sign up for CFSA’s Action Alerts to hear about timely ag policy actions you can take.
Step 4. Increase heat and whisk in an office visit to an elected official to talk face to face about an agriculture policy that affects you. This step adds intense flavor to the recipe for change; use it often!
Step 5. Garnish with your vote. Find out where candidates stand on the agriculture policy issues that matter to you, and make sure you tell them that their positions on these issues influence how you vote. If candidates know you care about ag policy, this recipe set up just right!
Don’t forget to register to vote! The deadline to register to vote in SC is October 8, and the deadline in NC is October 14. Note that in NC, you may REGISTER TO VOTE AFTER THE DEADLINE by voting early.