Email from Rural Coalition Rural Voices in Washington Photo/Lilly Bennett Winter Forum Recap January 30, 2026 Rural Coalition successfully convened its 17th Annual Winter Forum January 21–23, 2026, in Washington, D.C.. As a coalition rooted in rural organizing, the gathering brought advocates, farmers, ranchers, and rural community leaders from around the nation for a power-packed 3 days. Guided by the theme “Where Love Is at the Table,” the Winter Forum served as a strategic assembly to align farmers, farmworkers, and rural advocates around shared priorities at a moment of heightened economic pressure, policy uncertainty, and administrative changes affecting USDA programs and rural communities. Despite severe winter weather, this year's Winter Forum marked our highest in-person participation since COVID, with 251 participants onsite and an additional 83 participants joining virtually. We marked Rural Coalition’s 48th anniversary, celebrating nearly five decades of rural-centered policies rooted in unity, hope, people, and land. Key Outcomes Strengthened cross-regional alignment among farmers, farmworkers, and advocates Increased preparedness among participants for Hill visits and policy engagement Improved participant understanding of USDA appeals, legal resources, and risk management Reaffirmed intergenerational leadership and youth engagement in justice-centered policy visioning View 2026 Winter Forum Photos   Programming centered the urgent realities facing rural communities, including access to land, labor rights, farm viability, conservation, climate resilience, credit, and the shifting federal policy landscape. The day centered on strengthening farm businesses and collective action through panel discussions and workshops. Participants explored an integrated approach to building lasting farm businesses, covering insurance, markets, planning, credit, profitability, and community ties. Sessions focused on using personal stories and relationships to push for concrete action, preparing for policy visits in Washington, and sharpening storytelling skills for advocacy. Participants also received guidance on navigating federal grants.   Bad River Film Screening We wrapped up Wednesday evening with a film screening of Bad River, a documentary focused onthe Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, a Native American tribe in northern Wisconsin. The film shows their fight to protect their land, water, culture and sovereignty against outside threats, especially an aging oil pipeline (Enbridge’s Line 5) that runs through their reservation and could spill into the Bad River and Lake Superior The screening was followed by a discussion highlighting Indigenous-led resistance and resilience in defense of land and water, grounding policy and organizing work in history, culture, and lived experience. Panel discussion with Members of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (Ojibwe) Participants listening to a panel discussion on building lasting farm businesses   Thursday focused on grounding the gathering in shared purpose, farmer- and worker-led analysis, and practical tools for resilience. The day opened with registration, exhibits, and a formal welcome, followed by a panel assessing current conditions facing farms and rural workers across regions and communities. Programming moved into risk management and borrower support, emphasizing strategies to protect assets and manage uncertainty. After lunch and group recognitions, sessions addressed conservation, regenerative agriculture, and land retention, with attention to heirs’ property and succession planning. The afternoon emphasized skill building, including record keeping, income strategies, soil health, and food safety. The day concluded with a leadership session on collaboration as a critical response to economic and political uncertainty. Farmer Panel Rural Coalition Executive Director, Lorette Picciano addressing participants Dr. Cathy Royal leading a workshop on collaborative strength   Friday centered on policy, legal strategy, and forward-looking action in response to ongoing challenges facing farmers and food systems. The day opened with a legal briefing on how attorneys are responding to administrative changes at USDA, including updates on litigation, appeals processes, and where producers can find legal support. Sessions then focused on policy solutions to weather the farm and food crisis, with attention to economic relief, credit, and strengthening local food systems. A film screening of Tractorcade 1979 and discussion revisited historic farmer organizing and resistance, drawing clear parallels to current struggles. The day closed with practical strategies for navigating USDA systems and youth presentations offering justice-centered policy visions rooted in lived experience and hope for the future.   Rural Coalition’s Rooted Futures Youth Institute met during the Winter Forum for three days of immersive learning about how conservation, land stewardship, farming, food systems, and public policy connect in real life. Through hands-on workshops, simulations, and group activities, participants explored soil health, water protection, pollinators, livestock, climate impacts, and cultural food traditions. They looked at how access, environment, and policy shape outcomes for different communities, and why conservation is both an ecological and justice issue. Advocacy was a core focus. Youth met with congressional representatives and/or their staff to share their stories and priorities around land, farming, and food systems, gaining direct exposure to how policy decisions are made. The Institute wrapped with a “Fix the Farm” design challenge where teams proposed solutions to real-world problems facing farms and communities. Presenting their ideas to Winter Forum participants, they received a standing ovation that highlighted the strength of youth leadership. By the end, participants left with stronger leadership and public speaking skills, a clearer systems view, and the confidence to move from learning to action in support of fair and sustainable food and farm systems. Youth Denver Winston reads her Ag-based poem   We honored those in our communities whose work has contributed to the growth of not only Rural Coalition, but the wider rural agriculture community. Check out a few highlights below. Honoring Rel Bender Missouri Rural Crisis Center honored for 40 years of service Farm Aid honored for 40 years of serving farmers Rural Newspaper Greene County Democrat Recognized   We closed out this year's Winter Forum with cultural performances featuring Larry Long, Mitch Walking Elk, and Robby Romero, followed by a closing circle that created space for reflection, connection, and recommitment to the work ahead. Watch the video.   Thank you to our supporters and sponsors! Your generosity made this event possible and helped bring our collective communities together for a meaningful and successful gathering.     Join Now Donate Visit Our Website Rural Coalition / Coalición Rural is a 48-year old alliance of more than 60 grassroots member organizations across the United States working to protect and sustain land, food, and rural communities. The Coalition includes diverse family farmers, ranchers, farmworkers, tribal communities, and rural advocates.  We bring our combined experience to bear on: ● Advancing policy responsive to the needs in these communities. ● Growing and sustaining community based groups trusted in their communities. ● Working to sustain justice, fairness, and economic dignity in rural communities. ● Providing effective outreach and technical assistance related to USDA programs. ● Elevating the lived experiences and collective voices of rural communities through communications and advocacy. We remain steadfast in our mission to build a society grounded in unity, hope, people, and the land. Rural Coalition | 1029 Vermont Ave NW 601 | Washington, DC xxxxxx US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice