History

NYSAWG began in 1991 as part of a growth across the country in Sustainable Agriculture Working Groups which for the first time forged coalitions between farmers, environmental advocates, consumer groups, faith-based organizations, labor activists, farm workers' advocates and anti-hunger organizations. The core members of NYSAWG felt that New York State needed its own statewide coalition because of the significant role that agriculture and food systems play in the state's economy, different from that of other Northeastern States. Soon after the formation of NYSAWG, members joined others in the formation of the New England Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (NESAWG).

Accomplishments

Statewide Level Advocacy

We developed strong vehicles for communication with NYS policy makers.

Our members advocated for legislation to provide tax relief and rural revitalization to help farmers' markets and grassroots rural economic development projects.

National Level Advocacy

For the 2002 Farm Bill, NYSAWG coordinated grassroots action across New York State in partnership with the National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture. This campaign resulted in significant changes in the 1992 Farm Bill, including the Conservation Security Program, Value-Added Producer Grants, and increases in funding for Community Food Project Grants. We have also taken the lead in developing proposals for federal legislation supporting the rebuilding of regional food system infrastructure and promoting the formation of AgriCorps, a national service corps for new farmers analogous to AmeriCorps.

Marketing and Small-Scale Food Processing

We launched the NY Small-Scale Food Processors Association in collaboration with Cornell's Community Food and Agriculture Program funded by USDA's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program.

Preservation of Farming, Farmers and Farmland

NYSAWG initiated a coalition of agricultural organizations, consumer groups and environmental advocates that became NY Farms!, a consumer campaign to build loyalty to NY products as well as an educational program in the public school system that works to build awareness of the food system through farm-to-school partnerships.

Community Food Security

We co-sponsored the first Northeast Community Food Security Conference in Hartford, Connecticut in 1997, leading to "Community Food Security Hubs"- dialogues with farmers, farmworkers and urban low-income residents to advocate for mutual concerns and shared justice within our food system. Furthermore, we brought NYS food system stakeholders together for New York State Sustainable Agriculture and Regional Food Systems Summits in 2004 and 2005.

Local Food System Assessment

NYSAWG has conducted a series of community food assessments in Cattaraugus County, Binghamton, Poughkeepsie and Red Hook, Brooklyn in collaboration with the Hunger Action Network of New York State (HANNYS) and with The Center for Popular Research, Education and Policy.

Cross-constituency Organizing

Over the years NYSAWG has organized across agriculture, environmental, faith, farmworker and consumer constituencies to foster and promote sustainable agriculture, regional food systems and community food security.