A Dialogue on Food and Agriculture in the 21st Century
Frequently asked questions
What is the Dialogue Project?
Organized and lead by FarmFoundation, NFP, the DialogueProjectwillgenerate opportunities for stakeholders across a broad spectrumof perspectivesto deliberate on food and agriculture issues, and the alternative policies and approachesto deal with those issues. The intent is to reduce polarization of issues by creating opportunities for participantsto expand their understanding of and respect for differing approaches to and opinionson agricultural and food systemissues. Dialogue Project tools may include such tools as blogs, communitymeetings, issue papers and conferences.
Who will bepart of the Dialogue Project?
The full range of stakeholders will beencouraged to participate, including:
Active leaders across the entire food and agricultural value chain, regardless of size or type of operation.
NGOs with missions related to food and agriculture, and actively engaged in the food and agriculture systembecause of interest in such issues as protection of natural resources, or social justice, such as poverty, labor and global and domestic food security, food safety and quality, and animal welfare.
Active and engaged citizens concerned about food, how it is produced, and the environmental, social, cultural and economic effects of food and agricultural systems. They may or may not be
directly involved in either of the two groups above.
Young citizen leaders, including college and university students outside ofcolleges of agriculture, with a passion for specific issues related to food and agriculture.
What are the goals of the Dialogue Project?
Engage individuals in varied activities that provide opportunitiesto expand understanding of or possibly gain first-hand experience with food systemchallenges.
Help reduce polarization of issues by creating opportunities for participants to expand their understanding of and respect for differing approaches to and opinions on agricultural and food system issues.
Generate opportunities to expandappreciation ofthe diversity and complexity of agricultural and food systemissues.
Encourage deliberations on how public policies may shape agriculture and food systems in the decades ahead.
Identify areas of common ground on food and agricultural policies for the 21stcentury to help the full range of stakeholders focus attention onkey challenges that must be addressed to feed
the world over the next 40 years.
Why was this project developed?
By 2050—a mere 39 years away—the world’s population is forecast to increase 50%, with the demand for agricultural production expectedto double. It is critical that attention be focused now on how to produce adequate food supplies while protecting natural resources. The challenge is not an issue for
the future but a clear and presentconcern. Failure to meet this challenge will mean a future of increased hunger, poverty and environmental degradation.
The United States cannot meet this challenge alone.Yet as the world’s leading agricultural producer, the nation has a moral responsibility to lead the way with a coherent food and agricultural policy focused on the needs of the 21stcentury. Regrettably, discussion about the future of agriculture and the food systemhas generated a discordant choir of voices, posing a critical barrier to the development of the policies needed to meet thechallenge of providing food, feed, fiber and fuel to a growing world population.
At present, the debate appears centered around two alternative visions for the future of agriculture:
Large-scale farms driven by science and technology connectedto consumers through global supply chains, and
Small-scale farms connected to consumers through local food networks.
In reality, both visions will shape the future. All agree that the best use must be made ofall natural resources if agriculture is to meet the challenges agriculture faces in the 21stcentury. Local food systems and small-scale farming play a critical role in keeping good farmland in production in the shadow of the nation’s urban areas, and in meeting the rising demand for fresh, locally-produced food. At the same time, an assessment of the distribution of global population and arable-land resources make it clear that the challenges ahead cannot be met without trade andlarge-scaleagriculture.
As an alternative to the increasingly polarized debate which has emerged, FarmFoundation, NFP has is launching this initiative.
How will the Dialogue Project be carried out?
FarmFoundation, NFP brings to this project 78 years of experience in non-advocacy public policy education on issues related to food, agriculture and rural communities.Activities of the project are expected to include such tools asa food and agriculture blog to encourage debate and discussion, and a network of regional discussion groups, as well as seminars and conferences. For each activity, the full range ofstakeholders on an issue will be encouraged to participate.
The Foundation has named a Project Steering Committee toensure a diversity of ideas and approaches are incorporated in the initiative. While it is not feasible for every sector or geographic region to be represented on the Steering Committee, a full rangeof stakeholders will be involved in specific activities. Steering Committee members are:
Tim Amlaw, Sustainable Food Development, Ltd.
Bo Beaulieu, Southern Rural Development Center
James Borel, DuPont/Pioneer
Lynn Broaddus, Johnson Foundation at Wingspread
Bill Buckner, Bayer CropScience
JimChristenson, University of Arizona
Jason Clay, World Wildlife Federation
Jeff Conrad, Hancock Agricultural Services
Billy Cordasco, Babbitt Ranches
Jack Fisher, Ohio FarmBureau
Maurice Foxworth, Joyner-KerseeFoundation
Bob Frazee, Mid-Atlantic FarmCredit System
Corny Gallagher, Bank of America/Merrill Lynch
Ralph Grossi, California farmer
Michael Jacobson, Center for Science in the Public Interest
Larry Kaagan, Kaagan Research Associates
A.G. Kawamura, Orange County Produce
Ejnar Knudsen, Passport Capital
Jeremy Kranowitz, Keystone Center
David Lee, Feeding America
Jo Luck, formerly of Heifer International
Gary MacDonald, MacDon Industries
Klaas and Mary Howell Martens, Martens Farmand Lake View Organic Grain
Larkin Martin, Martin Farm
West Mathison, Stemilt Growers
Ted McKinney, Elanco
Jimmy McWilliams, Texas State University
Paul Muller,Full Belly Farm, California
Rich Musselman, American Humane Association
Amy Mydral Miller, Culinary Institute of America
WilliamNelson, CHS Foundation
Jack Odle, Progressive Farmer
Robert Paarlberg, Wellesley College
Jane Preyer, Environmental Defense Fund
Cheryl Queen, Compass Group North America
Beth Sauerhaft, Pepsico
Mark Scholl, Entira
Andrew Wainer, Bread for the World
Who is funding the Dialogue Project?
To maximize the project’s impact, financial supportwill be needed fromall sectors of the food and agriculture value chain. As is the practice for Foundation projects receiving outside funding assistance, the project activities are directed by the Foundation, not the project funders. Objectivity is always at the forefrontof FarmFoundation work.
Why is Farm Foundation, NFP leading this project?
Farm Foundation, NFP, is uniquely positioned to lead this Dialogue Project. The Foundation serves as a catalyst for sound public policy by providing objectiveinformation to foster deeper understanding of issues shaping the future for agriculture, food systems and rural regions. Farm Foundation does not lobby or advocate. The Foundation’s 78-year reputation for objectivity allows it to bring together diversestakeholdersfordiscussionsonevolving, complex and controversial issues.
Much of the Foundation’s funding is fromits endowment. But as demand increases for the Foundation’s work, support fromprivate individuals, other foundations, businesses and government partners is critically important.
September2011
