Throughout September, 10% of sales – up to $1.6 million – from Tillamook products will go toward grants that will save farms and farmland, provide financial relief directly to farmers and support sound farming practices.

"At Tillamook, our purpose is to nourish lives in a growing world, and we want to support all farmers who share that mission," said Patrick Criteser, TCCA president and CEO. "We are launching the Tillamook 'All For Farmers' campaign and grant program by partnering with American Farmland Trust (AFT) and farmworker advocate, Eva Longoria, to raise awareness and dollars to help farmers survive a multiyear downturn and thrive in the future."

An award-winning actor, producer, director and activist, Eva Longoria brings her star power and passion for American agriculture and the farmworker community to the Tillamook All For Farmers effort. Longoria is a longtime advocate for farmers and farmworkers and is committed to doing her part to address the challenges facing agriculture today.  

"I am thrilled to join forces with Tillamook and American Farmland Trust to support this new initiative and continue to advocate on behalf of farmers and farmworkers," said Longoria. "While the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the fact that farmers and farmworkers are now 'essential,' they have always been essential to our food supply, and they deserve our continued support and protection."

AFT is a not-for-profit national organization with a mission to protect farmland, promote sound farming practices and keep farmers on the land. About half of the Tillamook All For Farmers grants will go to preserve land on at-risk farms. The remainder of the funds will be used to award grants directly to farmers to help them access land that is ready for farming, improve land security, enhance farm viability and/or adopt new farming practices.

"An average 2,000 acres of rich farmland is being lost each day to commercial development," said Beth C. Sauerhaft, Ph.D., vice president – programs, American Farmland Trust. "An important step in supporting farmers and preserving the farming way of life in America is to protect the land itself. The financial commitment from TCCA will help to do just that and so much more."

American agriculture in financial peril

The COVID-19 pandemic is placing a spotlight on a complex U.S. food system that disconnects consumers and farmers and worsens the plight for many who raise crops and livestock. It also comes at a time when many farmers were already financially struggling.

An estimated 580 farmers filed for Chapter 12 bankruptcy protection in the 12-month period ending June 30, 2020, translating into an 8% increase from a year earlier. Additionally, U.S. farm debt has grown to more than $425 billion – the largest since the farm crisis in the 1980s.

Criteser explains that when the pandemic forced restaurants, hotels and schools to close, the rigid multistage food supply chain made it difficult for farmers who supply those food service sectors to pivot and get their products directly to people. In many parts of the country, farmers were forced to give away or even destroy the goods they produced.

The U.S. government is providing billions of dollars to farmers this year to help those financially hurt by the coronavirus, but more has to be done and more have to step up to fight for the future of farming.

"The unpredictability of the pandemic and the complexities of the supply chain are squeezing the economics for many producers and putting many multigenerational farms at risk," said Criteser. "This year's unique challenges have accelerated and intensified the hardships that many farmers across the country were already facing."

Tillamook gives back

Being a farmer-owned and farmer-led co-op gives TCCA a resilient edge. TCCA farmer-owners direct the entire production chain and are accountable to consumers. In other words, the business model brings farmers and people closer together, while the opposite typically happens with corporate food production where farmers simply supply goods and are then removed from the decision-making process.

"Our business model enables responsible growth, sustains the farming way of life for our owners and allows us to give back with initiatives like All For Farmers," said Criteser.

Five years ago, people would have found Tillamook cheese, ice cream and other premium dairy products primarily in the Pacific Northwest. Today, Tillamook products can be found throughout the country.

Dairy lovers can take action

This fall, Tillamook is encouraging people everywhere to help support farmers from across the country in three easy ways.

• Buy Tillamook. Every Tillamook product purchased at grocery retail locations in September will support America's farmers, with 10% of all sales being donated to AFT.*
  
  
• Get informed. Everyone should educate themselves about farming and those who produce food today. All month long, Tillamook will share farmer profiles at the All For Farmers website and at @Tillamook on social media. The unique stories and interviews will demonstrate that farmers are:

o Technologically and business savvy

o The original environmentalists, committed to protecting the air, land and water

o Diverse in age, gender, ethnicity and in size of farm – because all types of farmers and farms are needed to provide a robust and sustainable food supply

• Say thanks. Tillamook is inviting consumers to join in thanking farmers this harvest season by using the hashtag #AllForFarmers on social media. Tillamook will award free ice cream for a year to 10 randomly selected consumers who share their thanks for farmers using both the #AllForFarmers and #Sweepstakes hashtags Sept. 1 through Sept. 30.

Tillamook will announce its total donation to AFT on Oct. 12, National Farmers' Day. On the same day, AFT will open the grant application to farmer applicants. More details about the TCCA All For Farmers initiative can be found at the All For Farmers website.  

*Tillamook will donate 10% of sales, up to $1.6 million.

—From a Tillamook County Creamery Association news release