The Farm Journal Foundation (FJF) rose to the challenge in 2020 to partner with farmers and engage with consumers, college students and policymakers on issues related to global food security, agricultural research and development, nutrition and conservation.
Farmer Ambassadors
The FJF Farmer Ambassadors, representing 26 states, showcase the depth and breadth of U.S. agriculture. Ambassadors engaged national-level policymakers in nearly 100 virtual meetings to discuss agricultural policy issues.
In addition, three socially distanced on-farm state dialogues were held in New York, Pennsylvania and Kansas, where FJF ambassadors connected with members of Congress, land-grant university leadership, industry thought leaders and local community members to discuss global food security and agricultural research — leading to tangible policy outcomes.
A Living Museum
The Voice of the Farmer Garden, a permanent garden space located adjacent to the Jamie L. Whitten Building on the USDA campus and the National Mall in Washington, D.C., showcases the strength of U.S. agriculture though 12 raised beds and containers representing small fields, pollinator and wildlife habitats. This exhibit allows visitors to experience major agronomic crops in addition to a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs.
To ensure continued accessibility to the exhibit during COVID-19 travel restrictions, the FJF team transported the garden into consumer homes through virtual reality video, creating a 3-D tour and other digital experiences at fjfgarden.org.
Virtual Learning
With educators and parents scrambling to find engaging resources to supplement homebound learning, the garden became a virtual learning laboratory through The Voice of the Farmer Garden E-Learning Tools. These included four homebound learning modules designed for middle and high school grade levels.
Teachers in 49 states have used the modules and 8,000 3-D goggles have been provided to students.
Speaker Series
The FJF speaker series reached thousands of students through a program that encompassed three virtual panel discussions, in partnership with Auburn University; Cornell University; Duke University; Iowa State University; Penn State University; Tuskegee University; Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Science; Universities Fighting World Hunger and Global TeachAg.
“Revisioning the Global Food System” featured panel discussions with leading global food security experts representing government, industry and academia.
Agricultural Policy Papers
FJF authored three peer-reviewed policy papers in partnership with the Eleanor Crook Foundation, Tufts University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, IHS Markit and American Farm Bureau Federation. The policy papers addressed timely issues relative to global food security, nutrition and agricultural research and development. The papers will be rolled out on the FJF website (FarmJournalFoundation.org) and through upcoming virtual events.
Join Our Mission
Today, more than ever, the FJF mission of advocating on behalf of modern agriculture’s leadership role in meeting the vital needs of a growing population is important in global food security. Please consider supporting the foundation’s ongoing work.
Join Fellow Farmers In Giving Back
Thank you for supporting the Farm Journal Foundation, an independent 501(c)3 organization. Your donation supports its mission of advocating for agriculture’s role in and ability to meet the vital needs of a growing population.
Text “FJF Donate” on your smartphone to 44-321 to donate or visit, FarmJournalFoundation.org
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