08. Ferd Hoefner, Founding Policy Director of NSAC

Sustainable Agriculture Policy with Ron Kroese

In this episode, Ferd Hoefner outlines the role of sustainable agriculture in each farm bill from the early 1970s to the present, and talks about policy that was enacted—and advocated for—in between farm bill years.

He tells Ron about his start in Washington (an unusual first day of work), a “commandeered” report, the beginning of the organization now known as the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), and more. Yes, this is an extended listen, and sometimes gets wonky, but you want to tune in.

Ferd is the Founding Policy Director at NSAC, and has been a leader in the sustainable agriculture community for over 30 years. He led NSAC’s federal policy work as Policy Director from 1988 through 2016 and served as Senior Strategic Advisor from 2017 to 2020. He continues to mentor and advise the coalition in a consulting role.

NSAC is a leading voice for sustainable agriculture in the federal policy arena, joining together the interests of over 100 grassroots farm, food, conservation, and rural member organizations to advocate for federal policies supporting the long-term economic and environmental sustainability of agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities. Among the many federal programs that NSAC has successfully developed and championed are Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, Wetlands Reserve Program, Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program, Beginning Farmer Down Payment Loan Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, Farm to School Grants, Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, Whole Farm Revenue Protection, National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program, and Value-Added Producer Grants, among others.

Prior to NSAC, Hoefner for nearly a decade represented Interfaith Action for Economic Justice and its predecessor, the Interreligious Taskforce on U.S. Food Policy, on federal policy on farm, food, and international development issues. He has also served as a policy consultant to numerous faith-based organizations and NGOs. He did his undergraduate studies at Oberlin College and graduate work at Wesley Theological Seminary.

The interview was conducted on Dec. 6, 2015.

Links this episode:
National Sustainable Agriculture Oral History Archive (video link)
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)
Center for Rural Affairs
USDA Economic Research Service
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)
Farm Service Agency (FSA)
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
--------

Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google, and more. Catch past episodes, a transcript, and show notes at cfra.org/SustainbleAgPodcast.