About the AFA/FSA
The AFA leadership network emerged from the model pioneered in Ventura County since 2000. The Ventura County AFA resulted from a decision by Ventura County Farm Bureau and other agricultural leaders who realized that their future depended on broad-based buy-in from the community. Years of struggle in courts, legislative chambers, and the media had proven ineffective at maintaining and enhancing agriculture. Looking ahead, industry leaders felt that a continuous war of attrition with critics or competing interests would not achieve a viable and healthy agricultural system. A new approach, based on shared interests, dialog and collaboration was needed.
Since inception, Ag Innovations Network (AIN) has facilitated the Ventura AFA process. Since 2003, with the generous support of Roots of Change, Ag Innovations has sought to develop an AFA network, based on the Ventura model, with the goal of linking up county leadership roundtables across California.
This vision is based on the belief that a network of leadership networks will give local communities the ability to more effectively improve local, state and federal policies that impact agriculture, the food system, and the environment.
In 2006, we expanded the vision of the Alliance to include more stakeholders in a healthy food system, including public health, food security advocates, chefs and school garden programs, and consumers. We call these roundtables Food System Alliances. We now focus exclusively on creating these broad alliances.Ag Futures Alliances are now operating in Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Yolo Counties. Food System Alliances are operating in San Mateo and Sonoma Counties. Our goal is to launch one new Food System Alliance a year.
If you are interested in bringing an Food System Alliance to your County, please see our introductory presentation and our Starting an AFA Frequently Asked Questions.