For Immediate Release 6/8/11
Contacts:
FFD Board Member, Rebecca Goodman #608-489-2291
FFD Board Member, Hiroshi Kanno #608-253-7266
FFD Executive Director, John Peck #608-260-0900
Family Farm Defenders, a national farmer and consumer advocacy group, known and based in Wisconsin for espousing the principles of food sovereignty, is seeking to give a cash award to a beginning farmer who best up holds those principles. The award is named in honor of FFD’s founder and long time activist, John Kinsman.
FFD is a national and international leader in the Food Sovereignty movement. Last year it was awarded the Food Sovereignty Prize by the Community Food Security Coalition. Food sovereignty encompasses seven principles — food as a basic right, agrarian reform, protecting natural resources, reorganizing food trade, ending the globalism of hunger, social peace and the democratic control of agricultural policies.
FFD President, John Kinsman, has said that, “The seven principles of food sovereignty are the finest recipe for global food, social and environmental justice that exist today. Food sovereignty can enhance the dignity of every person in the world, and these principles now inspire and guide Family Farm Defenders in all our plans and actions.”
The Family Farm Defenders is starting the John Kinsman Beginning Farmer Food Sovereignty Prize to encourage young farmers to adhere to the principles of food sovereignty as they begin their careers in agriculture.
Winners of the 2011 John Kinsman Beginning Farmer Food Sovereignty Prize will be announced on Sat. October 1st and receive their award at an FFD fundraising reception and local food banquet at the Goodman Center (149 Waubesa in Madison) on Sat. November 12th.
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Specific criteria for nominating a beginning farmer include:
Farming for 5 years or less
Small scale livestock and/or vegetable and/or fruit farm
Market products locally
Practice sustainable management of natural resources
Promote healthy soil
Conserve biodiversity
The deadline for nominations is Fri. June 24th.
Nominations should be sent to Rebecca Goodman, E103 Cty. Rd. Q, Wonewoc, WI 53968 [email protected]
Nominees will be contacted by FFD and asked to submit a more detailed written application.
A committee will then review all submitted applications to determine the finalist(s).
Winner(s) of the prize will be honored at a ceremony and banquet held in Madison at the Goodman Community Center (149 Waubesa St.) on Sat. November 12 and receive a cash award of $2000 or more.
Those wishing to sponsor this annual prize honoring John Kinsman should contact Hiroshi Kanno [email protected] for more details. Sponsors will be acknowledged in all publicity materials and at the award ceremony itself.
Stay tuned for more details on ordering advance tickets for the award ceremony and local food banquet on Sat. Nov. 12th at the Goodman Community Center (149 Waubesa St.) in Madison.
