Since 2005, Food & Water Watch has grown from a dozen organizers to a network of more than 2,500 volunteers across the country fighting for our food, water, and climate. Thanks to folks who dedicate their time, talents, and energy to these issues, we’ve been able to protect our shared resources and win real improvements in people’s lives.

To celebrate this work, Food & Water Watch held its third annual Volunteer Convergence in December. The event brought together volunteers from across the country. Together, we reflected on our incredible wins and set strategies for the upcoming year. 

This gathering could not have come sooner, as we were all still coming to terms with a new President in the White House. Already, Trump has imperiled our food, water, and climate for the sake of corporate profits. Many of his policies endanger our communities, especially the most vulnerable among us. 

But the Volunteer Convergence reminded us that we can find strength in each other, the community we’ve built, and the progress we’ve made. Together, we can prepare for the fights ahead, and we can win them.

Celebrating Successes Spearheaded by Volunteers

In 2024, the Food & Water Volunteer Network collectively dedicated over 11,000 hours fighting for sustainable food, clean water, and a livable climate.

In California, volunteers stopped an industry-backed ballot initiative that would have allowed Big Oil to put oil rigs right next to homes and schools. We also passed Prop 4, the state’s Climate Bond, which will dedicate $10 billion to water and climate resilience projects. This funding could not have come sooner after devastating, climate change-fueled wildfires in Los Angeles County.

On the other side of the country, we thwarted an NJ Transit gas plant and shut down a water privatization scheme in Gloucester County, NJ. In New York, we pushed elected officials to pass the Climate Superfund Act. Now, oil and gas giants must pay damages for their role in creating the climate crisis.

In Iowa, Food & Water volunteers led the charge against three hazardous carbon pipelines. By December 2024, the second of three developers announced it would cancel its pipeline plans. By shutting down these projects, we’re protecting our communities from dangerous infrastructure that will only serve to enrich Big Ag and dirty energy companies.

Thanks to all the Food & Water Watch volunteers who made these victories possible!

Looking Forward to Victories in 2025 and Beyond

Already, the Trump administration has moved to sacrifice our food, water, and climate for corporate profits. “The work ahead is daunting,” said volunteer leader Katie Olsson. “But I realize we can still get lots of good policies enacted at the state and local levels.” With volunteers like Katie, Food & Water Watch has built the power needed to win incredible victories in the year ahead. 

We’re working to pass Climate Superfund laws in New Jersey, California, and more, and we’re fighting to end state subsidies for dirty factory farm biogas in California and New Mexico. We’re protecting our water from factory farm pollution in Oregon and stopping fossil fuel projects in Pennsylvania, New York, and beyond.

At the same time, resisting the worst of Trump’s pro-polluter agenda is paramount, as is blocking bad policies in Congress. To that end, Food & Water Watch volunteers have already sprung into action. Right now, we’re fighting Republican lawmakers’ efforts to keep toxic lead pipes in our homes. They’re working to roll back a Biden administration rule mandating replacements.

Our nationwide network of supporters has allowed us to quickly and powerfully pressure key representatives who could break party lines and oppose the rollback. This would get us enough votes to shut it down and finally get toxic lead pipes from our communities. By showing up with grassroots power, we can successfully fend off Trump’s dangerous policies.

How You Can Contribute to Big Wins In Your Community

So, how do volunteers build power to win? One key is getting to know our elected officials and strategically pressuring them to take action. 

To do that, we spread the word about an issue and build a large, broad community of supporters. Then, we use tactics like rallies and petitions to show elected officials that a critical number of their constituents demand action.

For example, as Congress negotiated the Farm Bill, Katie tabled at farmers’ markets to help educate her community in Michigan on food policy. Then, she organized lobby meetings with her elected officials — including Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow — to show support for Farm Bill issues like ending subsidies for factory farms. 

Jan Corderman, a member of Food & Water Watch and Women’s International League For Peace & Freedom, has also tabled with us on food policy issues. It’s one of her favorite ways to get involved. 

“Everybody brings their kids and their pets. It’s the vibe and the relaxed time together,” she said. “Sharing, being with people, checking out what everybody else has got going on, and everybody stopping by where you are.”

These small moments of connection are some of the most joyous parts of our work. They’re also critical for building the relationships and power we need to bring about huge change. Every conversation and every action can contribute to victories that snowball into even bigger wins.

For example, years ago, we built support for statewide fracking bans in New York and Maryland by first passing city and county-wide fracking bans in those states. Those local bans were, in turn, based on local connections, education, and organizing.

Together, We Will Protect Our Food, Water, and Climate!

Members of the Food & Water Volunteer Network work side-by-side with staff organizers to create strategies and take action. We wouldn’t be celebrating these wins without the dedicated people who help plan events and tactics, host events, table at farmers’ markets, speak with news outlets, and educate their community members. 

The chaos of the second Trump era makes isolation and despair understandable. However, connecting and working with people who share our values is pivotal to fighting back. Last December’s volunteer convergence was a wonderful reminder of just that.

“My favorite part of the convergence was being with a lot of people who are as passionate about protecting the environment as I am!” said Katie. 

Jan felt similarly. “We think we just have it so bad here in Iowa, and we do in a lot of ways, but there’s a lot going on elsewhere,” she said. “So it helps to have that grounding; that we’re not alone out here.”

No one is in this fight alone. We all have the power to connect with folks who are moved to act, just as we are. Together, we can win the major changes we need to protect our families, communities, and health and to defend our food, water, and climate.