This month we’re highlighting our partners at RAFI, where current corps member Drew Rosemond is serving. He writes about the fantastic work the organization is doing to support family farms, as well as the role that he plays.
My placement for my service year has been with Rural Advancement Foundation International. People usually refer to them as RAFI (rah-fee). The mission of RAFI is to cultivate markets, policies, and communities that support thriving, socially just, and environmentally sound family farms. RAFI’s program work covers a variety of farmer and farmworker related issues. Some of these areas include building networks for farmers of color, aiding contract farmers through USDA processes, providing disaster relief for farmers in crisis, and creating markets for organic seeds in the southeastern market. RAFI also organizes a statewide conference every two years called Come To The Table. They are well-known in the area for their work with farmers and the local community.
My role at RAFI primarily entails assisting in Development and Communications. Some of the tasks I do include managing donation entry, drafting appeal letters and newsletters, creating social media posts, and managing contacts in their donor matrix SalesForce. I also do a variety of other tasks for a few of the programs like the Farmer of Color Network.
Before my time with RAFI I had no knowledge of the agricultural sector or the struggles of farmers and farmworkers. Since then I have learned a great deal about both. RAFI has done a great deal to assist farmers throughout North Carolina. Still, so much is required to ensure the mission of RAFI succeeds. I’ve taken great pride in helping RAFI achieve its goals. The moments I’ve spent with the people of RAFI and all the lessons I’ve learned through my placement will stay with me long after the service year is over.