Farmers, food advocates, environmentalists and local officials came together in force for the No Farms No Food Rally at the State Capitol in Albany March 15^th.  Over 140 individual participants and 70 supporting organizations joined forces and met with more than 100 state legislators. We spoke out for state programs that: help protect farms in Long Island, the Hudson Valley, the Finger Lakes and Western New York from becoming subdivisions; feed thousands of state residents in New York City, Buffalo and communities across the state with healthy foods grown in New York; help farmers keep our drinking water clean; and sustain tens of thousands of jobs and economic opportunities at farms and food businesses. Watch the video and slideshow below to see just how many people came together for this cause: You can also hear me discuss the Rally on Heritage Radio's program, The Farm Report.  Listen here Last week we sent an important message but our work is not done. This week the legislature is in negotiations about the restoration of funding to the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and other programs advocated for at the No Farms No Food Rally.  If you are a New Yorker, join the EPF Call-In Day today, Thursday, March 25^th. Call the offices of State Senate Leader Sampson and Assembly Speaker Silver and tell them to restore New York’s Environmental Protection Fund to $222 million.  Restoring the EPF will provide critical funds to protect farmland and help farmers protect water quality.  Thousands of calls from New Yorkers like you can make a difference.  Thanks! Senator John Sampson: Albany Office: (518) 455-2788 District Office, Brooklyn: (718) 649-2788 Assemblyman Sheldon Silver: Albany Office: (518) 455-3791 District Office, New York: (212) 312-1420

About the Author: David Haight is New York Director of American Farmland Trust.