Dear John,

We've been so inspired by stories from innovative farmers and local food systems activists who are using ingenuity, creativity, resilience and determination to keep their food system afloat during the coronavirus pandemic. We'll be bringing you farmer hero stories like these all summer long.

One of our heroes is long-time Farm Aid friend Sabine Carey (a farmer who has also been photographing Farm Aid festivals since 2012). When COVID-19 struck, she leapt into action to ensure farmers could safely feed her local community by starting a new online farmers market in Centre County, Pennsylvania, called CentreMarkets.

We've committed $400,000 to launch a national COVID-19 Farmer Resilience Initiative. Together with more than 100 local, state and regional organizations across the country, we'll pair immediate relief efforts with longer-term resilience strategies. Farm Aid is proud to invest in our farm and food system, from farm to plate, and take care of the farmers and ranchers who are providing essential services by feeding their communities.

Last month, we were proud to support landmark legislation introduced by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) to provide debt relief to small farmers across the country. At a time when farmers are enduring unprecedented threats to their livelihoods, The Relief for America’s Small Farmers Act will strengthen the resilience of the farmers and ranchers who feed us and stem further economic decline in rural economies.

Join us in supporting this legislation. Take action by telling your senators to support The Relief for America's Small Farmers Act!