Mission & Goals
Mission
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is an alliance of family farm, food, conservation, rural and urban organizations that take common positions on critical farm, food, environmental and rural policy issues. NSAC advocates for federal policy reform supporting the long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability of agriculture, natural resources, rural and urban food systems and communities.
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (“NSAC”) is founded upon two shared, integrated, and equal priorities. These are:
- to support, build, develop and engage the grassroots of sustainable agriculture for the health and vitality of the sustainable agriculture movement; and
- to research, develop and advocate federal policies relating to farm, food, and environmental issues, appropriations, and implementation to support and advance sustainable agriculture.
Committed to diversity, NSAC builds capacity among members at the grassroots to develop leadership. It is a coalition with political, media, communications, and collaboration expertise that employs effective and experienced staff.
NSAC advocates for federal policy reform supporting federal farm, food, rural and environmental policies in three areas:
1.Enhance Natural Resources and Protect the Environment
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Conserve and improve precious natural resources including soil, water, air, energy, wildlife, and biodiversity
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Combat climate change and promote sustainable farm-based energy strategies
2.Sustain and Regenerate Family Farms and Rural Communities
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Create a level playing field for small and medium-size family farms and diversified, resilient,
and sustainable farming systems -
Increase opportunities for beginning farmers and ranchers to enter into farming
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Enhance the ability of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to stay in farming
- Keep family farmers and ranchers on the land and improve public health by increasing accessto new markets for healthy food
3.Build Food Systems that Produce Healthful Food for All
- Encourage farmers and ranchers to transition to sustainable and organic production systems
- Ensure fair and competitive agricultural markets
- Promote equitable and sustainable rural and agricultural economic development
- Build robust local and regional food systems while improving food access, safety, and
affordability
Principles
NSAC’s policy development and advocacy work is grounded in six key principles:
1.Widespread control of farm and ranch land by family-run proprietorships and fair and competitive agricultural markets support healthy socioeconomic conditions in rural communities.
2.Value-adding enterprises and improved access to and utilization of new markets for sustainably-grown products facilitate enhanced farm viability.
3.Farming systems are more resilient when they use methods that are resource-enhancing and in concert with nature.
4.Farming systems that restore and conserve natural resources provide a determinable public benefit.
5.Sustainable food systems embrace equity and diversity.
6.Strong local and state-based organizations promote sustained grassroots engagement in the policymaking process.