Mission
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) is an alliance of grassroots organizations that advocates for federal policy reform to advance the sustainability of agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and rural communities.
NSAC was 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.
Guiding Principles
NSAC’s policy development and advocacy work is grounded in six key guiding principles:
- Widespread control of farm and ranch land by family-run proprietorships and fair and competitive agricultural markets support healthy socioeconomic conditions in rural communities.
- Value-adding enterprises and improved access to, and utilization of, new markets for sustainably grown products facilitate enhanced farm viability.
- Farming systems are more resilient when they use methods that are resource-enhancing and in concert with nature.
- Farming systems that restore and conserve natural resources provide a determinable public benefit.
- Sustainable food systems embrace equity and diversity.
- Strong local and state-based organizations promote sustained grassroots engagement in the policy-making process.
Core Values
NSAC supports:
- independent family farm agriculture
- new farmers and farming opportunities
- diversity in agriculture, from farmers to farming systems
- agro-ecological approaches to farming
- high level farm conservation and land stewardship
- sustainable strategies to address climate change
- fair and competitive markets
- equitable access to good food
- new markets and diverse supply chains
- local and regional food system development
- vibrant rural and urban communities