Dear Friends and Supporters of SFL,
Happy Thanksgiving! There are years that pass by with unexpected challenges and difficulties and we are grateful to turn the page and leave those times behind. With COVID 19 we can all agree that 2020 and 2021 were years that we will remember as frightening, disruptive and life changing. For those who work in agriculture and within the food chain, we found encouragement in the fact that a troubled world finally acknowledged that the important work we and others do became a welcome designation of essentiality. Agriculture is essential…how simple…and yet how easily forgotten when our mouths are full and the abundance we produce is taken for granted. We recognize that many things have changed in the way we live and work and that our capacity to adapt, turn and pivot to new ways of doing things expanded our horizons and life goals. But in 2022, we will remember it as a year of staying focused on our crops and animals through the challenges and opportunities that we face with each season, grateful for another year’s harvest.
At COP 27 in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt we witnessed the continued disconnect between nations and global stakeholders hoping to navigate forward through changing climate patterns, the impacts of war and supply chain shortages and the mixed proclamations of crises vs solutions. We witnessed the historic inclusion of a ‘day for agriculture’ at the climate conference and participated in good dialogue with our expanding alliance of agriculturists from around the world. And we experienced in the rhetoric, debate and discussions the many opinions for sustainable agricultural activity as it applies to the UN’s climate change agenda and the importance of “showing up” and voicing our convictions through experience.
As we celebrate Thanksgiving this year, it is with great appreciation and inspiration that we thank the many farmers, ranchers, foresters and world renowned experts who helped us spread the message that the solutions coming from agriculture are many and on the increase! Thank you to each and every one of you that supported our little, but mighty organization! We embrace the “do tank” discipline of getting things done…and continue to believe in the possibilities that come from supporting farmers, ranchers and foresters in their stewardship and transformation of large working landscapes. We appreciate the generosity of our donors and give thanks for your continued support!
With Gratitude and Appreciation,
A.G. Kawamura, Fred Yoder & Howard Shapiro
Solutions From the Land, Co-Chairs
