January 9, 2015
On January 5, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) mailed the much anticipated 2014 Organic Survey to organic farmers all across the country. This survey is a follow-on to the 2012 Census of Agriculture and focuses exclusively on issues and trends facing organic producers. This survey was mandated by a provision of the Fiscal Year 2014 omnibus […]
January 9, 2015
On Tuesday, January 6, the 114th Congress convened for the first time, after the 113th Congress officially adjourned on January 5. The new Congress takes over following the November election, in which Republicans expanded their majority in the House and won control of the Senate. For more information on the election results and what they […]
January 8, 2015
The Conservation Stewardship Program needs your help TODAY!
December 31, 2014
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has posted a final rule codifying a variety of changes to the farm loan programs as directed by the 2014 Farm Bill. Several of the rule changes were championed by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) and Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Representative Tim Walz (D-MN), the lead congressional sponsors […]
December 30, 2014
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), a farm bill energy title program, is open for applicants at any time, but application cut-off dates are announced annually. For 2015, the dates range from February through June, as detailed below and in the Federal Register of December 28, 2014. REAP provides two types of funding assistance […]
December 23, 2014
On Tuesday, December 23, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) published a Final Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (SPEIS) examining the changes made to the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) through the 2014 Farm Bill. FSA will accept public comments on the final SPEIS through February 15, 2015. NSAC submitted comments on the Draft […]
December 22, 2014
On Tuesday, December 23, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) extended the comment period on the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Interim Final Rule until January 20. The original 60-day comment period was scheduled to close on January 5, 2015; however, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) concluded that more time is needed “to ensure that the […]
December 22, 2014
As 2014 comes to a close, we thought we would take a moment to recognize and celebrate this year’s victories for sustainable food and farming. Among the successes? From new or restored farm bill programs that are up and running, important progress on our campaign priorities, hill visits and hearings, and the release of our […]
December 19, 2014
Last week, the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders met in Washington, DC for their inaugural annual policy briefing, this year bearing the title “Building Power from Kitchen Tables to Capitol Hill.” The Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders (SAFSF) is an international network of nearly 100 grantmakers that works to foster communication, shared learning, […]
December 18, 2014
Finding a way to finance a new farming operation before money starts coming in at the end of the growing season is a challenge that all new farmers face. And while some farmers are able to save enough before they start farming, there are always inevitable start-up and annual operating expenses – like seeds, inputs, […]
