Honoring Kathy Ozer

Here at Food First, we are celebrating the life and contributions of comrade Kathy Ozer, who was the Executive Director of the National Family Farm Coalition (NFFC).

We will remember Kathy for her unwavering commitment to all forms of social justice from a farm justice position. She was a dear friend and mentor to many of us. Her compassion and clear political vision was an inspiration and a tremendous source of reassurance for the difficult work of alliance-building and political action. Her work lives on through the National Family Farm Coalition, the US Food Sovereignty Alliance, and the many other organizations and people who were touched by her and her work.

Kathy Ozer ¡PRESENTE!

From NFFC’s executive committee and staff:

“For those of you who do not already know, we are deeply saddened to report the passing of our beloved, courageous and steadfast leader and friend, Kathy Ozer. Her indefatigable optimism and resolve eventually were not enough to overcome her cancer, and she died peacefully…

In the words of our friend and ally, Doug Gurian-Sherman, “Her contributions, her dedication to small farms and people of color, her kindness, and her incredible knowledge and wisdom will be greatly missed by all of us who knew here, and those that did not.”

She was a beacon of light and a rock of determination. Although we can never fill her shoes, we will honor her many years of service to bettering this world – especially for all the people who nurture and support us through good food – by staying in the fight. We hope you are inspired to do the same.

Even though Kathy’s no longer with us physically, we know she’s with us in spirit and that her commitment to NFFC’s mission lives on. Members of NFFC’s executive committee are working on plans to make sure NFFC continues to do the work that Kathy so fearlessly led through the years. Anyone interested in supporting the future of Kathy’s work may make a donation to NFFC at https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/kathyozerfund.”

For an example of Kathy Ozer’s inspiring work with the National Family Farm Coalition, see the below video:

Video by Food First Senior Fellow Leonor Hurtado