Dear Family Farm Supporter,

None of us could have imagined what 2020 would bring, and where we'd be right now. It can feel hard to be thankful in times like these; and finding hope can take some serious searching. This is something family farmers and ranchers have always known. So much work goes into farming, and yet so many essential factors – from weather to pests to prices – are outside of farmers' control. The COVID-19 pandemic is no different.

Still, family farmers carry on. They’re resilient, determined, and hopeful. And they’re essential to us all. This season, we're continuing to give thanks for all that they do.

One way we can demonstrate this appreciation is by supporting them at local farms or farmers markets. Try buying your holiday meals directly from a family farmer this year! Another way is by making a donation to Farm Aid to support our mission to keep farmers on the land, protecting our soil and water and strengthening our communities. GivingTuesday is just around the corner (Tuesday, December 1st) and your gift shows family farmers we are there for them, just as they’ve been there for us this year, and every year.

In this video, which debuted as part of Farm Aid 2020 On the Road in September, Dr. Mike Kotutwa Johnson tells us he farms because farming is part of his Hopi culture and tradition. 

"I farm because it's who I am. It's my life. It's what I believe in. It's the faith."

Earlier this fall, we debuted an interactive map to let you click around the country or use filters to search through our extensive collection of Farmer Hero profiles. But, we can't meet all the incredible family farmers and ranchers out there alone, so we started soliciting nominations from you, our wonderful readers.

This month we received a few amazing nominations: From a farmer training veterans on how to become small farmers in Fort Bragg, North Carolina; to a retired Indiana farmer who helped teach children the value of growing good food at a school in his community; and to a first generation flower farmer in California who is determined to build a bigger, better domestic flower industry in the United States.

Check out these farmers and please keep the nominations coming!