In mid-February, the National Healthy Soils Policy Network gathered in Washington, DC—on the ancestral lands of the Nacotchtank and Piscataway peoples—at a time when the Trump administration’s freeze on federal funding and government staff layoffs were having immediate impacts on agriculture organizations and farmers across the country.

A project of CalCAN, the National Network supports sustainable agriculture and family farm organizations in advancing state policies that accelerate the adoption of healthy soils practices as a climate solution. With state-level action more critical than ever, this summit provided a much-needed space for strategizing, learning, and solidarity.

Building Power in Challenging Times

Twenty-six organizers from 18 member organizations convened for two days, joined by DC-based organizers, policy experts, legislative staffers, and journalists. The in-person gathering offered an invaluable complement to the Network’s regular Zoom meetings, allowing for deeper strategy-building and connection. 

Some members arrived fresh from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition’s winter meeting, grounding discussions in the latest policy challenges (see CalCAN’s recent blog post here). The weight of the moment was palpable—news of mass firings at the USDA broke as members debriefed meetings on Capitol Hill, and others received sobering updates about funding cuts to their organizations and from farmers who are learning that reimbursements they were promised by federal conservation programs may go unfulfilled. 

Yet, amid the turbulence, the summit fostered a sense of resilience and camaraderie. As much as it was about strategic planning and training, it was also about strengthening a community of practice, where members uplifted one another in their shared mission.

A Space for Peer Mentorship and Strategy

The gathering was held at Friends Place on Capitol Hill, a Quaker learning center and guesthouse just four blocks from the U.S. Capitol. With its longstanding tradition of supporting civic engagement and justice-oriented advocacy, the space provided an intentional setting for members to deepen relationships, share lessons, and strategize for collective impact. 

The impact of the National Network’s tradition of peer mentorship was evident as members workshopped their campaigns—trading insights, strategies, and lessons learned from their respective states. These discussions showcased the diverse ways advocates are pushing for soil health policies, from long-term legislative planning to securing funding and mobilizing grassroots power. Across the country, Network members are meeting the moment with bold, strategic action.

• In Montana, the Northern Plains Resource Council is playing the long game. With the legislature convening only in odd-numbered years, they are leveraging the state’s annual “Montana Soil Health Week” to build relationships between producers and elected officials and set the stage for a legislative push in 2027. 
• The Illinois Stewardship Alliance (ISA) is actively elevating the importance of soil health in the state legislature through an effort to establish their own Soil Health Week. They are also working alongside the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts to restore critical funding for conservation programs. 
• In Texas, the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance (FARFA) is mobilizing grassroots support to strengthen the state’s “On the Ground” Conservation Program. Their efforts aim to secure additional funding and staffing, ensuring that more farmers and ranchers can access vital conservation resources.

Beyond structured sessions, organic connections flourished over refreshments at nearby taverns and meals sourced from local farms, crafted by DC-based chef “Veggie Annie.” These moments of informal exchange—whether over coffee, dinner, or a late-night strategy chat—were just as valuable as the formal programming, reinforcing the sense of community and shared purpose that defines the Network.

Clarifying Core Values

That shared purpose was brought to further light as members distilled the core values that guide the Network’s collaboration and advocacy.

Through reflection and dialogue, attendees distilled the values that drive their work:

• Trust enables members to work across differences, navigate complex policy landscapes, and stay committed to transparency, teamwork, and inclusion.
• Persistence fuels organizing efforts, enabling advocates to remain adaptable and steadfast in the face of challenges.
• Transformation drives the push for policies informed by lived experience, dismantling barriers to access, and reshaping the role of agriculture in climate action—even when it means challenging entrenched systems with courage (and a little spite).

Looking Ahead

As the Network moves forward, the relationships, strategies, and shared wisdom from this summit will fortify the movement for healthy soils and climate action. Despite the challenges ahead, one thing is clear: this work is powered by people—organizers, farmers, and advocates—who continue to push for policies that honor land, sustain communities, and protect the future of agriculture.