“Deep Dive” into the check off program
Farmers and ranchers have beef with the checkoff.
At FarmSTAND, we’re fighting in courtrooms and communities to dismantle the barriers to a better food system led by independent food producers — including by taking on USDA’s unfair checkoff programs. Many Americans may have never heard the word “checkoff” before, but these shadowy government programs are a major problem for farmers and ranchers. They stack the odds even more in favor of Big Ag by taxing farmers and then using the money collected to promote a corporate-controlled version of agriculture.
Independent farmers are struggling. Every year, it gets harder and harder for small and mid-sized farmers to compete with the handful of enormous, consolidated corporations that dominate our current food system. If we want a fair food system, one that nourishes communities and protects our air, water, and land, we need to fight for a fair playing field so that independent farmers can survive and thrive.
Published earlier this week by farmSTAND – a “Deep Dive” into the Beef Check Off program. This resource is the result of a many years long legal battle against the administration of the Beef Check Off program. Through depositions and expert reports, our legal team uncovered proof of deep-seated corruption and mishandling of Check Off funds that negatively impact independent ranchers who pay into the program – these findings are revealed in the “Deep Dive”, linked below for you and your networks to be able to share and use as a resource. We have developed this resource to be a launching point for shifting narratives and effecting wider change in the food system, especially regarding how our current system works to serve Big Ag at the expense of independent producers. We believe change is possible, and hope that this resource can help to spread awareness and inspire action.
Deep Dive: Checkoff – FarmSTAND
The Deep Dive itself: farmstand.org/checkoff
Our Google Site toolkit, to facilitate easy sharing of the resource.
Brianna Crowley
Food Systems and Rural Communities Organizer
brianna@farmSTAND.org
farmSTAND.org
952.688.3805