Farm Bill Policy and Communications Series

To create a transformative 2023 Farm Bill, those directly impacted by the legislation must be at the forefront of Farm Bill advocacy campaigns, engaging with key legislators and creating and disseminating compelling messaging. Join us for a multi-part training to strengthen your knowledge of and capacity for crafting effective messaging that shifts your audiences’ perspective, builds allies, and advances favorable legislation.

Wallace Center is partnering with communications firm Spitfire Strategies and food systems organizations to bring you the tools and skills you need to develop and deploy compelling messaging to create an equitable and sustainable 2023 Farm Bill. Register here and walk away with a valuable tool for creating compelling messages, applied examples for how it’s been used, and tips for effectively engaging in Farm Bill advocacy efforts with key partners and decision makers. 

Session 1: Engaging Policymakers and Messaging 101 with Spitfire Strategies

February 22, 2023 | 2-3pm CT

Melanie Moon from Spitfire Strategies will help participants learn how to build strategies for creating productive, lasting relationships with policymakers on the upcoming Farm Bill – based on the participants’ existing skill-level and expertise in advocacy. Participants will get a preview of Spitfire’s Message Box tool and how to create messages that channel  the core values, concerns and challenges of priority audiences. The Message Box will help participants create compelling messages that focus on their unique policy platforms and build champions among their priority legislators. 

Session 2: Messaging in Action featuring partner organizations

March 1, 2023 | 2-3pm CT

Partner organizations walk through how they leveraged key communications techniques and deployed messaging that created change. They will share challenges and tips for reaching your audience in accessible and compelling ways, and answer questions about developing your own messaging campaigns. Guest speakers include:

• Leah Kabran Eden (Equity Advocates)
• Tamara Hobbs (District of Columbia Public Schools)
• Karen Spangler (National Farm to School Network)

Session 3: Office Hours Coaching Session, limited to 30 people

March 15, 2023 | 2-3pm CT

Using the Message Box tool introduced in Session 1, participants will work with a Spitfire coach and peers to workshop tailored messages and gain support on how/when to deploy their messaging effectively. In small groups, participants will craft language and messaging for two different audiences specific to the Farm Bill. As a group, we will share back our work and receive live feedback and suggestions from Spitfire coaches. This session will help participants practice using the Messaging Box and equip them with ideas and tips for applying it to your own work. Registration coming soon for this session.

This Farm Bill Policy and Advocacy Communications Training series is offered by the Wallace Center through the Food Systems Leadership Network and Regenerative Ag Idea Network. It is made possible through the Regenerative Ag Foundation and National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.