“Policy, partnership, and participation are key. Our greatest impact lies in moving beyond rhetoric and committing to the real, often messy work of building solutions—together.”
— Diane Christofore, Executive Director, Regenerative Agriculture Alliance
RAA Joins National Advocacy Trip to DC
This June, our Executive Director, Diane, traveled to Washington, DC to advocate for something at the core of the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance’s work: animal welfare. Because let’s be clear—no animal based agricultural system can truly call itself regenerative if it doesn’t prioritize the wellbeing of the animals within it.
Diane joined a national delegation organized by the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) to speak with lawmakers and staffers about the urgent need to support higher-welfare and farmer-first livestock systems. The visit included farm tours, a panel discussion, and a day on Capitol Hill where advocates spoke directly with congressional offices about how policy can support better outcomes—for animals, for farmers, and for our shared food system.
What We Were There to Say
As federal funding programs face increased uncertainty, it’s more important than ever to show what’s working—and to advocate for the systems we want to see grow. At RAA, we’re building those systems every day through Poultry-Centered Regenerative Agroforestry (PCRA)—a model rooted in care, respect, and resilience. Diane shared how our ecosystem is scaling alternative value chains that put animal welfare and farmer livelihoods front and center.
The trip, hosted by the ASPCA, included visits to two standout farms implementing higher-welfare practices: Whiffletree Farm and Kinloch Farm. These weren’t just scenic tours—they were working examples of what’s possible when animals are treated with dignity and farmers have the tools to succeed.
“Farmers want out of industrial agriculture, they want to raise animals or grow crops in healthier ways that don’t leave them desperately buried under debt, but there is no off ramp. We need federal policies like the Industrial Agriculture Conversion Act to save farmers from exploitative contracts and help them farm with dignity and security.” – Craig Watts
On the bus ride between farms, conversations flowed about market access, regenerative breed development, and how we bring these values to scale. Diane later joined a panel moderated by the ASPCA to connect what was seen on the land to what’s happening—or not happening—in public policy. The room was packed, with bipartisan interest in hearing more about real-world alternatives to industrial models.
Why Does This Matter Now?
This was more than just a trip. It was a moment of connection—between regions, organizations, and visions for a food system rooted in something better. Diane met with national humane farming advocates such as Craig Watts, a former contract grower that exposed the harsh realities of the industrial poultry system, as well as key USDA officials. These conversations come at an inflection point for our organization and for federal programs that impact all of us.
What You Can Do
Policy change happens when people stay involved. Here are a few ways you can take action:
- Oppose the EATS Act. This legislation would strip states of the ability to regulate the animal welfare standards of food sold within their borders. Learn more and contact your representatives to ask them to keep the EATS Act out of the Farm Bill.
- Explore ASPCA’s Policy Work. They’re doing powerful work to connect farmers and advocates with tools to engage directly.
🔗 Read their recap of the DC trip
🔗 Learn more about their work with farmers - Support organizations advocating for animal welfare and regenerative systems. That includes us. When you support RAA, you’re helping farmers who care about their animals access the infrastructure, markets, and community they need to thrive.
🔗 Donate here
We’ll Keep Showing Up
This work isn’t easy—and in times of violence, climate crisis, and political uncertainty, it can feel overwhelming. As Diane shared after returning from DC:
“Throughout my time in D.C. I felt the weight of juxtaposition—feeling encouraged and believing that my voice matters, while also holding space for the darkness that occurred in Minnesota this month. As we continue to navigate this complex landscape, I find solace in the relationships built across the value chain and in our innate ability to recognize the importance of humility, healing, and showing up for one another.”
The trip to Washington was a reminder that change doesn’t happen in isolation. It takes policy, partnership, and participation—and above all, a willingness to stay engaged, even when the work feels heavy.
The regenerative system we’re building isn’t theoretical. It’s happening, every day—in fields and forests, in meetings with lawmakers, and in communities rising to do things differently. It’s grounded in care, driven by farmers, and rooted in justice for all living beings. We’ll keep showing up—and we hope you will too.
