Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group Website

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WHO ARE WE?

History: In 1992, a small group of people concerned about the full range of food system issues -- from field to table -- gathered in a farmhouse in western Massachusetts. From that meeting, the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group was born. Since that time NESAWG has grown to nearly seventy member organizations with over three thousand activist participants in twelve states, with a strong regional voice and support network for food systems change.

Systems approach: From field to table, our food system is incredibly and increasingly complex. It's not just about farming, or about food consumption. It's not only about food! The food system embraces everything from production through processing and distribution to consumption and recycling. There are profound environmental, economic and social consequences to every aspect, from the way farming is conducted -- how, where, and by whom, to the ways agricultural products are processed, distributed and sold, to the food choices we make every day. There are many issues from natural resource protection to diet and nutrition, from community quality of life to trade and globalization. And these issues are all connected -- all part of a system, and to address the range of problems we need to generate system-based solutions.

Structure, Members, and Mission: NESAWG is a regional network of organizations and individuals working together toward a more sustainable and secure regional food system -- one that is economically viable, environmentally sound and socially just and produces safe and healthful food. Its mission is to strengthen the work of its members by providing active support and assistance in achieving shared food system goals. NESAWG's agenda reflects a "systems approach" to addressing the root causes and full spectrum of farm and food system problems.

NESAWG embraces Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia. It is one of five regional sustainable agriculture working groups in the US. NESAWG also works closely with the other SAWGS (Western, Midwest, Southern, California) and the National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture to develop federal policies that benefit small-scale and sustainable farmers throughout the country.

NESAWG is an unincorporated association. It is governed by Articles of Association, and guided by a Steering Committee elected by the membership. Its activities are carried out through partnerships with member and other organizations and by a part-time staff. NESAWG's fiscal sponsor and organizational host is the New England Small Farm Institute.