Join us on Thursday, March 16, 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT, for a presentation entitled “Advocating Together for Our Farm Bill” by Mary Kate Costello, Director of International Policy and Relations at Church World Service, and Eric Mitchell, Executive Director of the Alliance to End Hunger.
Overview: The Farm Bill is one of the oldest and ever-evolving pieces of legislation since its original passage in 1933. The Farm (or “Food”) Bill is a bedrock policy for US and global food security, our farmers’ and ranchers’ wellbeing and relationship with the environment and markets, and nutrition assistance. The Farm Bill is updated every five years, but the latest version is a unique and critical opportunity for widespread advocacy from all of us. If the latest version does not pass through Congress it will default to the 1949 version, which is outdated and would threaten the sustainability of our food security system. We are excited to discuss the value and details of the Farm Bill and answer questions to equip as many people as possible to reach out to their Congressional Representatives and help get it passed!
About the speakers: Eric Mitchell is the Executive Director of the Alliance to End Hunger. In his role, he leads the Alliance’s strategic direction, including expanding and mobilizing its network of companies, nonprofit organizations, universities, foundations, and individuals. Eric began his political career on Capitol Hill, serving as Policy Advisor to civil rights icon, U.S. Congressman John Lewis (D-GA), and Legislative Assistant to U.S. Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA). Eric was included in The Root 100 most influential African Americans under the age of 40. He was also recognized as a “Top Lobbyist” from 2014-2019 by The Hill newspaper.
Mary Kate Costello is the Director of International Policy and Relations at Church World Service (CWS). Mary Kate is a government relations and global policy specialist with over ten years of experience in foreign development assistance. Before joining CWS, Mary Kate was the Senior Policy Analyst and UN Representative of The Hunger Project for six years. Mary Kate has spoken on countless high level panels sharing her expertise – particularly around youth, gender and food security – at UN Headquarters in NYC, UN Office of Geneva, Women Deliver, Annual InterAction Forum, Global Health Council Forum, the International Food Policy Research Institute, and George Washington University.