Family Farm Action Alliance (FFAA) is the charitable arm of Family Farm Action, a left-of-center nonprofit organization that campaigns in favor of regulations that would restrict large food corporations. It also campaigns in favor of subsidies that would support smaller farms. ¹

FFAA claims to be an “inclusive” organization and supports for policies that would provide government aid prioritizing giving to ethnic minorities and “rural America.” ²

Background

Family Farm Action Alliance was founded in 2019 as the 501(c)(3) arm of Family Farm Action, a left-progressive nonprofit advocacy organization. FFAA President Joe Maxwell announced it as a collaboration between the Organization for Competitive Markets and Family Farm Action. Both groups advocate for policy that would decrease the market share of the largest food companies. ^{3 4}

FFAA advocates for ending corporate welfare for the largest corporations in the food industry so that only smaller business can benefit from it. Additionally, it claims that it is an “inclusive” organization, so it advocates that corporate welfare is prioritized for ethnic minorities and “rural America.” ⁵

Advocacy

In March 2020, Family Farm Action Alliance published policy recommendations for Congress to adopt in response to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It advocated in support of economic stimulus that would go to the workers of the larger food corporations and to smaller farmers, including money to subsidize increased prices and lost wages. Additionally, it recommended stimulus money for “essential workers” to include “lost income especially from becoming ill, extended healthcare for themselves and their families, … basic family support services such as childcare as schools are being closed,” and healthcare for unemployed persons. FFAA also states that stimulus funding should give priority to ethnic minorities and “rural America” under the guise of being “inclusive.” ⁶

In November 2020, FFAA published a report stating the largest corporations have become a monopoly and argues that they do not seek to be profitable. Instead, it argues that the corporations are seeking to “amass power” through mergers and acquisitions, criticizing a lack of restrictions on “unbridled capitalism.” The report concludes that Congress should implement policy aimed at limiting major businesses’ market share in the global economy, implement an undefined “anti-racist” policy, and transition to a “just” food system. ⁷

In April 2021, FFAA published an article supporting the Climate Stewardship Act, arguing that the environmentalist policy would benefit farmers, protecting them from so-called climate change, and support “socially disadvantaged” farmers. ⁸

In December 2021, FFAA submitted a request to the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate the corporations raising fertilizer prices. The request alleges that corporations are unilaterally raising fertilizer prices to increase profits, burdening farmers, and claims that market conditions are not requiring the companies to do so. ⁹

People

Joe Maxwell is the president and cofounder of Family Farm Action Alliance and Family Farm Action. As of October 2022, Maxwell has written six policy briefings arguing that large corporations in the food industry are monopolies, and according to the FFAA website, has helped congressional and presidential candidates develop antitrust, agriculture and food policy positions. ¹⁰

Prior to forming the Family Farm Action groups, Maxwell worked with the Humane Society of the United States and served in elected office in Missouri, most notably as Lieutenant Governor. Maxwell served as a member of the Democratic Party. ¹¹

Financials

According to Family Farm Action Alliance’s tax returns, in 2020, it received a total of $182,220 in revenue, all of which came in the form of contributions. It also reported spending $88,613 on salaries and $25,029 on professional fees out of $141,071 in total expenses. ¹²

1. “Farmers Bill of Rights: Family Farm Action.” Family Farm Action Alliance, December 30, 2020. https://farmaction.us/farmers-bill-of-rights/.
2. Davis, Chelsea. “Family Farm Action Alliance’s Response Covid-19: A Stronger, More Inclusive Economy for All Americans.” Family Farm Action Alliance. Family Farm Action Alliance, March 25, 2020. https://purple-prism-elff.squarespace.com/family-farm-voice/family-farm-action-alliance-joins-the-fight-dbc6l.
3. “Concentration in the Marketplace.” Organization for Competitive Markets, January 3, 2020. https://competitivemarkets.com/concentration-in-the-marketplace/.
4. Davis, Chelsea. “Family Farm Action Alliance Joins the Fight.” Family Farm Action Alliance. Family Farm Action Alliance, March 25, 2020. https://purple-prism-elff.squarespace.com/family-farm-voice/family-farm-action-alliance-joins-the-fight.
5. Davis, Chelsea. “Family Farm Action Alliance’s Response Covid-19: A Stronger, More Inclusive Economy for All Americans.” Family Farm Action Alliance. Family Farm Action Alliance, March 25, 2020. https://purple-prism-elff.squarespace.com/family-farm-voice/family-farm-action-alliance-joins-the-fight-dbc6l.
6. Davis, Chelsea. “Family Farm Action Alliance’s Response Covid-19: A Stronger, More Inclusive Economy for All Americans.” Family Farm Action Alliance. Family Farm Action Alliance, March 25, 2020. https://purple-prism-elff.squarespace.com/family-farm-voice/family-farm-action-alliance-joins-the-fight-dbc6l.
7. “The Food System: Concentration and Its Impacts.” Farm Action, February 8, 2022. https://farmaction.us/concentrationreport/.
8. “WNAX: Family Farm Action Alliance Backs Climate Stewardship Act Legislation.” Farm Action, January 6, 2022. https://farmaction.us/2021/04/14/wnax-family-farm-action-alliance-backs-climate-stewardship-act-legislation/.
9. Maxwell, Joe. Letter to The Honorable Jonathan Kanter. Mexico, Missouri, December 8, 2021. https://farmaction.us//wp-content/uploads/2021/12/FFAA_DOJ_Fertilizer_Investigation_Final.pdf
10. Family Farm Action Alliance. Accessed October 17, 2022. https://purple-prism-elff.squarespace.com/.
11. Carter, Zachary D. “While Trump Was Dominating in Deep-Red Oklahoma, This Democrat Won a Landslide.” HuffPost. HuffPost, March 10, 2017. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/democratic-party-future-rural_n_58b7089ee4b019d36d0fecb4.
12. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Family Farm Action Alliance. 2020. Part I, lines 1-17.