Cedar Circle Farm is an active part of the worldwide movement advocating for a new form of agriculture—

a production system that works to preserve, rather than degrade, environmental resources so that future generations have the same opportunities to grow good food. We work with many farm, environmental and social justice organizations, and countless farmers to establish a farming system that provides quality, healthy food for local communities. With the growing awareness and concern about global warming, more and more people are convinced that local economies based on renewable resources are the answer.

The managers at Cedar Circle Farm have been involved with social change organizations for many years, such as:

Farm Aid: Each year, a group of CCF staff travels to the concert site to enjoy music and learn more about how a national organization works to promote sustainable, family farming and the burgeoning good food movement. Farm co-manager Will Allen has been featured several times on the telecast during the “Farm Aid moments” that highlight the important work of farm leaders.

Organic Consumers Association: Will serves on the advisory committee of this organization, which deals with critical issues of food safety, industrial agriculture, genetic engineering, children’s health, corporate accountability, Fair Trade, and environmental sustainability.

Farms Not Arms: Will and Kate are founding members of this organization that began in 2005 as a vehicle for farmers to speak out against the Iraq war. Farms Not Arms (FNA) began by bringing together people from the farming community to oppose the war. But as the organization developed, the focus has been on the positive things we can do to effect change, especially in rural America. These efforts include supporting local agriculture, growing bio-fuels as a way to lower the carbon footprint of farming while providing economic opportunities for farmers, and creating work opportunities on farms for returning Afghan and Iraq war veterans.

Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont: Kate has served on the board of directors of NOFA/VT, which is one of the most important organic farming organizations in the northeast. The organization oversees all organic certification in the state of Vermont and takes a leadership role in promoting agriculture in schools, farmers markets, the transition to organic dairy and vegetable production, and many other program areas.

Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group: Kate is a member of the steering committee of this coalition which is a regional network of member organizations and individuals working together to create a more sustainable and secure regional food system—one that is economically viable, environmentally sound and socially just, and that produces safe a nd healthful food. They work at local, state, and regional levels to redirect public policy, foster market-based innovation and generate an informed and active citizenry. Both Kate and Will have been involved with the promotion of sustainable agriculture federal policy through the National Coalition on Sustainable Agriculture.

Rural Vermont: Will has served on the board of directors and Kate worked in the early 1990s for this organization, which believes that family farms and the local food they provide are at the heart of thriving communities and environmental sustainability. Rural Vermont works for fair prices for farmers and to counter corporate consolidation of agriculture and the food supply.

Cedar Circle Farm organizes public events such as lectures, discussions, and films each year in order to help raise awareness about the issues that are important to the future of our food system.