NSAC Archives for September, 2010
Reid Files Cloture on Food Safety Bill
Thursday, September 30th, 2010
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) signaled his intent late Wednesday night to move the Food Safety Modernization Act forward when Congress returns to session in mid-November. The bill, which has strong bi-partisan support, has been held up for weeks by the objection of one lone Senator, Tom Coburn (R-OK). Reid filed for “cloture,” a Read the Rest…
Child Nutrition Reauthorization on Hold until at least November
Thursday, September 30th, 2010
With the adjournment of Congress late last night, among the pieces of legislation left unresolved is the Child Nutrition reauthorization bill. The bill inched closer to passage in past weeks, and the White House continues to urge lawmakers to act — see Politico’s recent article on Michelle Obama’s involvement — but those watching the progress Read the Rest…
Congress Extends FY2010 Spending Levels through December 3
Thursday, September 30th, 2010
Just before midnight this morning, Congress passed a continuing resolution to extend this year’s federal spending levels into fiscal year 2011. The Senate approved the continuing resolution yesterday evening before sending it to the House for a final vote. The House sent the bill to the President early this morning. The continuing resolution will fund Read the Rest…
USDA Announces 2010 Recipients of Specialty Crop Block Grants
Wednesday, September 29th, 2010
On Friday, September 17th, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan announced the awards made under this year’s Specialty Crop Block Grant program. The grants to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops are made in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Read the Rest…
Update: Pigford Settlement Letter Sent to Senate
Tuesday, September 28th, 2010
On Monday, September 27, the Network of Black Farm Groups and Advocates delivered a letter to all Senators urging “immediate action” regarding the passage of a measure providing funding for the settlement of Pigford vs. Vilsack, a class-action lawsuit filed by Black farmers against USDA more than a decade ago. The current measure, which has Read the Rest…
Four RBOG Grants Support Local and Regional Food
Tuesday, September 28th, 2010
On Thursday, September 23, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the recipients of USDA’s 2010 Rural Business Opportunity Grants (RBOG), which support regional planning activities to improve economic conditions in rural areas. Out of 27 total funded projects, the program awarded grants to four projects pertaining to local and regional food system development: California Association of Read the Rest…
USGS Releases National Analysis of Nutrients in Streams and Groundwater
Monday, September 27th, 2010
On Thursday, September 23, the USGS National Water-Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA) released a comprehensive national analysis of the occurrence and distribution of nutrients in streams and groundwater based on water-quality data collected from 1992 through 2004. The report indicates that despite major federal, state, and local efforts to control point and non-point sources and transport Read the Rest…
Photos: Michelle Obama and UN Spouses Visit Stone Barns Center
Monday, September 27th, 2010
First Lady Michelle Obama treated the spouses of world leaders participating in the UN General Assembly to a local, organic luncheon at the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, an NSAC member group (see last week’s post). The 31 “first spouses,” representing a diversity of countries including Cameroon, Estonia, Gabon, Norway, Panama and Sierra Read the Rest…
Rural Community Development Grants Available
Friday, September 24th, 2010
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced yesterday the availability of $6.2 million in grant funding through the USDA’s Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) for fiscal year 2011. The RCDI program funds non-profits and other qualifying organizations that provide financial and technical assistance to recipients in rural communities to develop their capacity and ability to undertake economic Read the Rest…
NSAC Delivers AFRI Recommendations to USDA
Friday, September 24th, 2010
At its annual summer meeting, the member organizations of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition adopted a set of eight recommendations in support of USDA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI). Those recommendations were forwarded to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and his agricultural research leadership team today. NSAC has been a key supporter of AFRI and of Read the Rest…
