As we reflect on the incredible events and partnerships of 2024, we are filled with gratitude and excitement for the future, as 2025 brings the 25th anniversary of the Global Farmer Network! What a milestone – a quarter century of bringing together outstanding farmers around the world to tell the story of the importance of trade, technology, sustainable farming, economic growth, and food security. Thank you for being part of this worthwhile organization!
The need for farmer voices remains critical today in forums around the world, sharing their knowledge and from-the-field perspective with other farmers, consumers, opinion and policy leaders. The Global Farmer Network amplifies the farmers’ voice in promoting trade, technology, sustainable farming, economic growth, and food security.
The Global Farmer Network Foundation is organized as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, and donations are tax-deductible.
Key Highlights of 2024:
- Global Farmer Network® (GFN®) membership has now reached 279 farmers from 67 countries following the addition of 15 new farmer-members added to the network through the 2024 cohort.
- A strategic review of GFN was completed as well as a road map for the next three years.
- Experts delivered 13 webinars reaching 1,585 people (83% identifying themselves as farmers) from 61 countries. Topics focused on knowledge sharing among GFN members on a variety of timely issues.
- Three farmers were highlighted during the World Food Prize events in October as panel discussion presenters and in a special performance during the Laureate ceremony.
- In partnership with the World Wildlife Fund, GFN co-led a group focused on how best to catalyze action that would empower and enable producers and policymakers to collaborate 1) to protect land, 2) to support the restoration of degraded land, and 3) to encourage sustainable land management that promotes and supports production of nutritious food. The final product was captured on a white paper, The Vision for Adaptive Crops and Soils.
- Global Farmer Network members gathered in Iowa on the side of the Farm Progress Show 2024 to reconnect and build relationships.
- Two programs focused on agriculture in Africa with knowledge transfer:
- Africa Farmers Roundtable hosted by the Pontifical Academy of Life Sciences
- Africa Agriprenuer Accelerator Program in Nairobi hosted by GFN.
These activities were a true team effort – from farmers stepping up to use their voices around the world to the generous donations from a variety of partners that ensured farmers had the resources to show up where they were needed, financial support made a difference!
To learn more about the GFN, or any of our farmer members, check out globalfarmernetwork.org or contact Mary Boote, Chief Executive Officer, at mboote@globalfarmernetwork.org or Kellie Bray, Director of Partnerships, at kbray@globalfarmernetwork.org. We look forward to sharing more about the impactful projects GFN is planning for 2025 in the New Year!
Global Farmer Network and GFN are registered trademarks of Global Farmer Network.
