{"id":125388,"date":"2025-03-11T02:03:03","date_gmt":"2025-03-11T02:03:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/agriculture\/advocates-from-18-states-strategize-and-connect-for-climate-soil-solutions-in-washington-dc-calcan\/"},"modified":"2025-03-11T02:03:03","modified_gmt":"2025-03-11T02:03:03","slug":"advocates-from-18-states-strategize-and-connect-for-climate-soil-solutions-in-washington-dc-calcan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=125388","title":{"rendered":"Advocates from 18 states strategize and connect for climate soil solutions in Washington DC – CalCAN"},"content":{"rendered":"


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In mid-February, the National Healthy Soils Policy Network gathered in Washington, DC\u2014on the ancestral lands of the Nacotchtank and Piscataway peoples\u2014at a time when the Trump administration\u2019s freeze on federal funding and government staff layoffs were having immediate impacts on agriculture organizations and farmers across the country.<\/span><\/p>\n

A project of CalCAN<\/span><\/a>, the National Network supports sustainable agriculture and family farm organizations in advancing state policies that accelerate the adoption of healthy soils practices as a climate solution. With state-level action more critical than ever, this summit provided a much-needed space for strategizing, learning, and solidarity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Building Power in Challenging Times<\/span><\/h2>\n

Twenty-six organizers from 18 <\/span>member organizations<\/span><\/a> convened for two days, joined by DC-based organizers, policy experts, legislative staffers, and journalists. The in-person gathering offered an invaluable complement to the Network\u2019s regular Zoom meetings, allowing for deeper strategy-building and connection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some members arrived fresh from the <\/span>National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition<\/span><\/a>\u2019s winter meeting, grounding discussions in the latest policy challenges (see CalCAN\u2019s recent blog post <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>). The weight of the moment was palpable\u2014news of <\/span>mass firings at the USDA <\/span><\/a>broke as members debriefed meetings on Capitol Hill, and others received sobering updates about funding cuts to their organizations and from farmers who are learning that reimbursements they were promised by federal conservation programs may go unfulfilled.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet, amid the turbulence, the summit fostered a sense of resilience and camaraderie. As much as it was about strategic planning and training, it was also about strengthening a community of practice, where members uplifted one another in their shared mission.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Attendees connect during a group-building session in the comfort of the lounge at the Friends Place (Photo credit: Dago Driggs)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Space for Peer Mentorship and Strategy<\/span><\/h2>\n

The gathering was held at <\/span>Friends Place on Capitol Hill<\/span><\/a>, a Quaker learning center and guesthouse just four blocks from the U.S. Capitol. With its longstanding tradition of supporting civic engagement and justice-oriented advocacy, the space provided an intentional setting for members to deepen relationships, share lessons, and strategize for collective impact.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The impact of the National Network\u2019s tradition of peer mentorship was evident as members workshopped their campaigns\u2014trading insights, strategies, and lessons learned from their respective states. These discussions showcased the diverse ways advocates are pushing for soil health policies, from long-term legislative planning to securing funding and mobilizing grassroots power. Across the country, Network members are meeting the moment with bold, strategic action.<\/span><\/p>\n