Key Amendments Debated During Farm Bill Markups This Week
May 18th, 2013
Both the Senate and House Agriculture Committees held their respective committee “markup” sessions this week. Initial drafts of the 2013 Farm Bill written mainly by the Chairs and Ranking Members of each committee were presented to members and modified through several hours of debate and committee votes through the amendment process. While the Senate markup Read the Rest…
USDA Announces Improvements to Organic Crop Insurance
May 18th, 2013
This week, USDA Secretary Vilsack announced additional crop insurance options for organic farmers available in 2014. Earlier this year, USDA made progress on organic crop insurance options by removing the premium surcharge for organic producers and making other adjustments. In this week’s announcement, Vilsack discussed plans for releasing additional organic price elections as well as Read the Rest…
More Time and More Funding for Farm Energy Grants and Loans
May 17th, 2013
USDA has announced that the deadline for applying for FY2013 Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants, loans, and feasibility studies has been extended to May 31, 2013. The deadline is extended because USDA has additional funds provided for in the FY2013 Appropriations. In the announcement of the extension, USDA indicated it would issue another Read the Rest…
Release: NSAC Comments on House Farm Bill Markup
May 16th, 2013
For Immediate Release NSAC COMMENTS ON HOUSE FARM BILL MARKUP Washington, DC, May 16 – The House Agriculture Committee late last night voted a new five-year farm bill out of committee by a vote of 36-10. The bill includes a variety of major priorities of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, along with several serious setbacks Read the Rest…
USDA Taking Rural Business Opportunity Grant Applications
May 15th, 2013
USDA has issued a notice that the Rural Development Agency is taking applications for Rural Business Opportunity Grants (RBOG). RBOG funds feasibility studies, strategic planning, leadership training and other services and activities that can foster the creation of businesses and jobs in rural areas. Eligible applicants include public entities, non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, Read the Rest…
Release: NSAC Comments on Senate Farm Bill Markup
May 14th, 2013
For Immediate Release NSAC COMMENTS ON SENATE FARM BILL MARKUP Washington, DC, May 14 – The Senate Agriculture Committee today voted a new five-year farm bill out of committee by a vote of 15-5. The committee bill maintains the historic reforms to commodity subsidies included in last year’s bill that limit payments to the operator Read the Rest…
NSAC Endorses the Farm Program Integrity Act of 2013 in the House of Representatives
May 10th, 2013
For Immediate Release May 10, 2013 Contact: Ferd Hoefner, 202-547-5754 NSAC Endorses the Farm Program Integrity Act of 2013 Washington, DC – On Thursday, May 9, Representative Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) introduced the Farm Program Integrity Act of 2013 (H.R. 1932) in the House of Representatives to restore integrity and fiscal responsibility to the commodity program Read the Rest…
2013 Farm Bill Doubleheader
May 10th, 2013
Next week is a big week for the 2013 Farm Bill. Both the House and the Senate Agriculture Committees will be debating and voting on their respective versions of the 2013 Farm Bill next week. The Senate Agriculture Committee will markup its farm bill on Tuesday, May 14, at 10 AM. Chairwoman Stabenow (D-MI) released Read the Rest…
NSAC Adopts Immigration Reform Principles
May 10th, 2013
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition this week adopted a statement of NSAC Principles for Immigration Reform and Agriculture. NSAC and its member groups recognize the importance of agricultural workers to the food system. We are encouraged that both chambers of Congress are pursuing immigration reform. In some major respects, however, the proposals put forth so Read the Rest…
Representatives Introduce Bill to Improve Farm Bill Conservation Programs
May 9th, 2013
Today, Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), along with eleven additional cosponsors, introduced a bill to improve current farm conservation programs. The Balancing Food, Farm, and the Environment Act (H.R. 1890) aims to help farmers and ranchers improve their environmental performance and reward them for the conservation benefits they produce. The other cosponsors of the bill are Representatives Read the Rest…
