The Rodale Institute Southeast Organic Center welcomed Congressman David Scott, U.S. Representative of Georgia’s 13th District and chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, on May 4, 2022 to discuss the role of regenerative organic agriculture in strengthening the nation’s food supply and to highlight the research being conducted within Rodale Institute’s network of farms.
As the Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, Congressman Scott is a key policy maker who is working to advance regenerative organic agriculture in a year leading up to the 2023 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill determines federal policy in agriculture for the next five to ten years following its passage. Regenerative organic agriculture presents an opportunity to heal many broken dimensions of our society including social inequities, human health epidemics, supply chain disruptions, and climate. Congressman Scott was joined at the Southeast Organic Center by Jeff Moyer (Rodale Institute CEO), Jeff Tkach (Rodale Institute Chief Impact Officer), CheFarmer Matthew Raiford (Co-Owner of Strong Roots 9, Gilliard Farms, and Board Chair for Georgia Organics), Steve Nygren (Serenbe Founder & CEO), and several local farmers.
“It was a pleasure meeting with the farmers and researchers right here in my district, who are at the tip of the spear when it comes to regenerative organic agriculture,” stated Congressman David Scott. “American families rely on agricultural infrastructure for their produce and groceries every day, and it is imperative for our nation’s food supply that we continue to implement policy at the federal level that not only bolsters sustainable farming practices, but also mitigates the effects of climate change.”
Representative Scott also invited Rodale Institute to testify in front of Congress, stating: “They need to hear, and the nation needs to hear, what Rodale is doing. We have a couple of hearings coming up that I think will fit, but I want this to be about regenerative organic farming. I think I laid the table with the hearing I had on climate change, but you all have the solution.”
“The greatest benefit of putting more carbon into the soil is that we can actually increase crop productivity and the resilience of agroecosystem services. That alone would be enough reason to make it a global priority,” said Jeff Moyer. “We know farmers are the backbone of our country, and they are struggling in this new paradigm of uncertainty. We have the uncertainty of weather, markets, and supply chains. Yet, we have the tools in our very hands to make change and we need to bring back predictability and resiliency into the farm community so we can have a brighter future.”
“We’re just so proud and so delighted that Chairman Scott is in this leadership role at this key time for our food systems,” said Steve Nygren.
“Life begins on the farm,” said Matthew Raiford. “We need to work now to regenerate the soil under our feet, just as my family has nurtured our farm for 6 generations. It’s important work that we can all do together, to make a healthier future for everyone.”
