This is a significant event we shall look back upon with great pride- the home of a long awaited organization is being opened that will truly make a difference in the world... because of its commitment to ending hunger and pesticide abuse through the creation of agricultural systems that are ecologically sound, economically viable, socially just and humane.
- Frances Moore Lappe, "Diet for a Small Planet" , 1983

Background on the International Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture

In the early 1980's, the International Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture germinated from seeds sown around the world by a diverse group of farmers, consumers, business leaders, environmentalists, development workers, educators and researchers. This group shared a common vision: The worldwide realization of sustainable agriculture- food systems which are ecologically sound, economically viable, socially just and humane.

At the time, no active, worldwide organization existed to promote sustainable agriculture and share information. Members of the Third World Institute, a citizens' study-action group based in the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota, which began the Instant Formula Action Coalition and the Nestle boycott, read David Weir and Mark Shapiro's The Circle of Poison. They decided to hold a conference and help create the International Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture as a non-profit, tax-exempt organization in the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota on May 18, 1983.

Hunger expert and Diet for a Small Planet author Frances Moore Lappe officially launched the Alliance and continues to serve as an Advisory Board member. The original founders included: Organic farmer Nicky Perlas from the Philippines; Minnesota environmental management and cooperative business consultant Nacy K. Herzberg; German-born appropriate technology expert Thomas Fricke; Dr. Stuart Hill of McGill University and Ecological Agriculture Projects in Canada; and Minneapolis-based agricultural economist Terry Gips.

To achieve its mission of bringing about the worldwide realization of sustainable agriculture, the International Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture focused on four goals:

1. A strong sustainable agriculture industry and movement through organizational support and network building.
2. Widespread understanding of and participation in sustainable agriculture through education and information sharing.
3. Universal adoption of governmental and institutional policies that implement sustainable agriculture.
4. Organizational sustainability of the International Alliance.

The Alliance has been successful in accomplishing a great deal with minimal financial resources because of a strong management by its 12-member Board of Directors, a capable professional staff, and an active volunteer program. According to its 1991 audit an the official report of the State of Minnesota, only 6% of contributions were spent on fundraising and only 17% was spent on both management and fundraising combined.

In its first decade, the International Alliance has many accomplishments, including:

·         The historic adoption of sustainable agriculture as a goal by 170 countries attending the June 1992 U.N. Earth Summit in Brazil, based on more than two years of work with numerous groups.

·         Publishing its newsletter Manna and numerous books: Breaking the Pesticide Habit; Planting the Future; Healthy Harvest III; Humane Consumer and Producer Guide (with the Humane Society of the U.S.) and the Minnesota Green Pages.

·         Working with environmental groups and developing the CERES Principles for Corporate Environmental Responsibility and getting more than 50 corporations to sign them.

·         The Humane Sustainable Agriculture Project's (HSAP) successful dialogue between polarized farmers and animal protection groups, development of a definition and set of HSA principles and inclusion of HSA principles in National Organic Standards.

·         Overseeing Skiers Ending Hunger, an educational and fundraising organization that had raised $500,000 for local food shelves and Sustainable Development Partnerships with groups in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, as well as Hopi Indians in Arizona.

·         Facilitating the Sustainable Agriculture Policy Group for the past five years, which has helped pass Minnesota's landmark Ground Water Protection Act, ban the hazardous pesticides chlordane and heptachlor, and develop a billion dollar low-interest revolving loan program for farmers to change over to sustainable practices (the nation's first).

·         Conducting a major public education campaign with several slide shows (such as "A Grain of Hope"), numerous articles, radio/TV interviews and more than 75 talks to 5,000 people worldwide annually. In addition, the Alliance's Resource Information Center handles approximately 2,000 information requests a year.

In addition, the Alliance is noted for developing a holistic definition of sustainable agriculture and empowering its members and the public to change their lifestyles and influence fundamental changes in existing food systems throughout the world. As an independent, nongovernmental organization, the Alliance has no formal connection with either the University of Minnesota or the Hillel Foundation. However, the Hillel Foundation has provided inexpensive office space as well as numerous volunteers, donations and in-kind support. Volunteers and interns contribute thousands of hours a year.

The Alliance sustains itself through the volunteer, in-kind, and financial support from its membership, foundations, donor, corporations, and religious groups, including: The Ahimsa Foundation, the Arenberg Trust, Aveda Corporation, Cracker Barrel Restaurants, The Gerardine R. Dodge Foundation, Give to Earth Foundation, Alida R. Messinger, Mary Morgan through Rockefeller Family and Associates, Minnesota Environmental Fund, Charlotte and William Parks Foundation, Partners in the Environment, Skiers Ending Hunger, Lawson Valentine Foundation, anonymous donors and numerous individuals. The Alliance holds fundraisers and additional revenue is received from public speaking honoraria and the sale of publications, shirts, buttons, and related items.

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