FAMILY FARM ALLIANCE
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FAMILY FARMS
A powerful advocate for family farmers, ranchers, irrigation districts, and allied industries in 17 Western states.
Registration Is Open: 2026 Annual Conference
Growing the Pie: Innovation for the Next 100 Years
October 28–30, 2026 • Silver Legacy Resort Casino • Reno, Nevada
Join farmers, ranchers, irrigation district managers, and national policy leaders from seventeen Western states for two days focused on what comes next: innovation and technology, new water storage at every scale, desalination, groundwater recharge, and the future of Western water infrastructure. Register today!
ARE YOU WITH US? JOIN TODAY!
Supporter $275
PARTNER $550
DEFENDER $1,100
ADVOCATE $5,500
CHAMPION $11,000
IRRIGATION DISTRICT
President
executive director
Mark Hansen, President
“The Family Farm Alliance is dedicated to protecting western agricultural production and, where possible, keeping the American farmer families on the farm. This requires our membership to engage government and well meaning conservation groups in a collaborative and non-partisan effort to protect and enhance American food production and agricultural landscapes.”
Sam Barncastle, Executive Director
“Thanks for visiting our site. Here you will find loads of useful information regarding our continued effort to protect water for Western farmers and ranchers. Welcome to the cause!”
The Patrick O’Toole Young Conservationist Scholarship
Click here to learn more about the new scholarship set up in memory of our past president. The scholarship was established to provide funding for young farmers and ranchers to attend the Family Farm Alliance Annual Conference.
The Facts
$172 Billion
According to our 2015 Economic Report, this is the sizeable financial impact in 17 Western states of irrigated agriculture, associated service industries, and food processing sectors.
Top US Profession: Farming
Farming is now the most respected profession in the U.S., garnering the highest rating of any industry in a 2020 nationwide poll.
Spending Less on Food
Americans pay a smaller amount of their disposable private income on food than any other country. They are able to direct more dollars toward houses, automobiles, and an ever-growing array of consumer goods.
Western Ag Producers Face Many Challenges…
Regulatory & Policy Assaults
Regulatory and policy challenges – if left unchecked – can quickly diminish formerly plentiful water supplies.
Litigious Activists
Destructive tactics employed by litigious activists can harm progress on regulatory reform and obstruct efforts to modernize infrastructure that farmers and communities depend upon.
Western Water Infrastructure
Our water infrastructure is aging and in need of rehabilitation. Less progress has been made at the federal level toward developing new and improved water infrastructure. We need these projects to keep up with the growing water demands of the West.
We are the Problem Solvers
We support all efforts to secure a stable water supply for farms and ranches. Our philosophy is simple: the best solutions come from the ground up and are driven locally by real people with a grasp of reality “on-the-ground.” We work across the federal government to find solutions through education on a policy level and in full partnership to fully use available funding and cost-share opportunities.
Grassroots Activism
The individual family farmer is the most effective voice for preserving Western water. With the Alliance, these individuals have a voice in Washington.
Coalition builders
We have a frequent presence in Washington, DC and bring together other organizations from other sectors to tackle challenges we all have in common.
Innovative Solutions
We seek innovative solutions to recover water supply certainty through modernizing and expanding infrastructure.
Curb Environmental litigation
We work with the executive branch and Congress to find ways to mitigate litigation and encourage collaboration and cooperation: critical elements to ensure that federal environmental laws are properly and effectively implemented on the ground.
Modernize antiquated laws
We work to streamline and modernize implementation of federal environmental laws written nearly 50 years ago, so they work better for food production, ecosystems, and rural communities.
GET INFORMED
Monthly Briefings
Don't miss our Monthly Briefing e-newsletter containing the perfect mix of news, events, and analysis on Western Water issues that you won’t find anywhere else.
Water Reviews
When you subscribe, you will also receive our periodic Water Review providing coverage of local and regional projects and profiles of individual Family Farm Alliance members.
September/October 2026 Monthly Briefing Now Available
The September/October 2026 Family Farm Alliance Monthly Briefing is now available. Download the PDF here. This combined issue follows more than 30 farmers, ranchers and irrigation managers to...
2025 Annual Report
The Latest
$7 Billion in Western Water Infrastructure is currently underway
Reliable water infrastructure is the foundation of thriving communities, productive agriculture, and a strong Western economy. That's why Family Farm Alliance is encouraged to see significant progress on water infrastructure investments across the West. The U.S....
DONATE
Are you committed to protecting and preserving Western irrigated agriculture?
For as low as $5, your kind donation supports domestic food production by family farmers and ranchers, and the resulting important benefits to economic, sociological, environmental, and national security matters.
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CUSTOM
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Federal Expertise
Testifying on Capitol Hill
In the last fifteen years, we have testified before the U.S. Congress more than 80 times. Our power comes from bringing Western farmers and water managers to Washington who can share the impact of water policies on the ground.
Read Past testimony