The Farmstand Blog
Transitioning to Organic: Lessons from TendWell Farm
April 9, 2026
Getting your farm certified as USDA Organic takes time, investment, and careful planning — but can bring big payoffs for your farm. Danielle Hutchinson of TendWell Farms, the largest organic farm in Western NC, shares some lessons learned about organic certification.
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A Reflection on the Food & The Common Good Panel
April 6, 2026
“What I’d like to see is a shared vision and strategy of how we are going to end hunger with good food together.” The conference opened with a panel who answered the question “where are we seeing threats to the common good? And where are we seeing glimpses of hope?” Panelists included Patrick Brown, Dr. Derek Hicks, and Wendy Peters Moschetti. Each brought their own perspectives on the food system to the conversation.
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2026 Come to the Table Conference Retrospective
April 1, 2026
This March, RAFI held its tenth Come to the Table Conference in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, tackling the theme “Food & The Common Good.” Through keynote conversations, panels, workshops, and a storytelling night, the conference was a place for stakeholders to discuss the ways in which our food systems are failing to meet this shared goal and how to take steps together to make a difference.
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USDA Moves to Delay Long-Awaited Poultry Grower Protections
March 19, 2026
USDA has proposed delaying a rule that sets fair payment standards for poultry growers by 18 months, pushing implementation to the end of 2027. The rule aims to improve transparency and income stability for contract farmers. Advocates warn the delay would postpone long-awaited protections despite evidence these standards can work.
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Update: Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers, Deadline Extended
March 9, 2026
Farmers who planted specialty crops in 2025 may be eligible for one-time payments through the USDA’s Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) program. To participate, producers must report their 2025 planted acreage to their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office by 5:00 p.m. EDT on March 13, 2026.
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Four-Season Market Garden Workshop
March 5, 2026
On the brink of the 2026 growing season, RAFI teamed up with Faithfull Farms to host an in-person Four-Season Market Garden Planning Workshop led by Howard Allen.
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Job Opening: Data Manager
March 5, 2026
RAFI is hiring a Data Manager to help tell the story of our work through data. This role will strengthen how we collect, manage, and use information across programs, communications, and development to better understand our impact and engagement.
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Job Opening: Southeast (SE) Cohort Project Manager
February 17, 2026
The Southeast Cohort Project Manager is a full-time RAFI role leading a regional cohort of Direct Service Providers who help Southeastern farmers navigate financial distress. Reporting to the DBAN Project Manager, duties include supervising DSPs, coordinating trainings, managing operations, and planning events.
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