On September 22, 2025, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) submitted comments opposing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s proposal to rescind the 2009 Endangerment Finding – one of the United States’ most critical tools in the fight against climate change. The Endangerment Finding established the scientific and legal basis requiring Clean Air Act regulation of […]
NSAC’S Blog
Release: NSAC Presses for More Details, Better Process on USDA Reorganization
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Laura Zaks National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition press@sustainableagriculture.net Tel. 347.563.6408 Release: NSAC Presses for More Details, Better Process on USDA Reorganization Washington, DC, October 1, 2025 – Yesterday, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) submitted a comment outlining concerns with the proposed US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reorganization plan detailed in Secretary […]
Comment: NSAC Laments Government Shutdown as It Harms Farmers, Halts Progress
Washington, DC, October 1, 2025 – Today, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) issued the following comment in response to the government shutdown after Congress failed to reach a funding agreement, attributable to Mike Lavender, NSAC Policy Director. “In a challenging moment for farmers and the farm economy, the government shutdown will further destabilize – […]
USDA Staffing Crisis: Farm Service Agency Staff Losses Put Farm Safety Net at Risk
On July 24, 2025, US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins released memorandum SM-1078-015 announcing a proposed reorganization of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The proposal was drafted without consultation with farmers or other key stakeholders. Since the beginning of 2025, the agency has already lost more than 20,000 employees, and if implemented, the restructuring […]
A Potential Opportunity for Small Processors and Rural Jobs
Small and mid-sized meat and poultry processors play a critical role in supporting resilient regional food systems by providing livestock farmers with a wider range of processing options and by providing more local and regional animal products for consumers. On April 30, 2025 a bipartisan group led by Senator John Thune (R-SD), Senator Tina Smith […]
USDA Staffing Crisis: Conservation Staff Losses Will Further Undermine Services to Farmers and Ranchers
On July 24, 2025, US Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, issued memorandum SM-1078-015 outlining a proposed restructuring of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The plan was developed without meaningful engagement from farmers or other stakeholders. Since January 2025, USDA has already shed more than 18,000 employees, and the reorganization as proposed will likely drive […]
Release: USDA Disburses Funds for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program
After a Monthslong Delay, USDA has Unfrozen Funds for Its Flagship Farmer-Led Research Program Washington, DC, September 24, 2025 – This week, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) disbursed funds for the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE). SARE funding – which is normally made available in March – was first made available […]
Release: Over 500 Farmers Rally Behind the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program
Washington, DC, September 23, 2025 – This week, over 500 hundred farmers from every state, US Territory, and several Tribal Nations delivered a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) stressing the importance of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE). While SARE funding is normally made available in March, the RFA’s […]
Release: Nearly 600 Groups Deliver Joint Letter to Congress Urging a Strong and Fair Farm Bill
For Immediate Release Contact: Laura Zaks National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition press@sustainableagriculture.net Release: Nearly 600 Groups Deliver Joint Letter to Congress Urging a Strong and Fair Farm Bill Washington, DC, September 22, 2025 – Today, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) and nearly 600 national, state, and local organizations delivered a joint letter to Congressional leaders […]
Release: NSAC Welcomes the Reintroduction of the Bicameral Capital for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Act
Washington, DC, September 17, 2025 – This week, Representatives Marilyn Strickland (D-WA-10), Alma Adams (D-NC-12), and Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) reintroduced the Capital for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Act in the House and the Senate. The Capital for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Act directs the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to develop a multi-year operating loan […]
September in Washington, DC: FY26 Appropriations, Shutdown, and Farm Bill
When Congress returned from its August recess, it faced a long to-do list and little time to act. On the September list is to fund the government by September 30, when current funding expires for the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and across the federal government. A failure to fund the government by September 30 […]
USDA Staffing Crisis: Research Agencies Face Steep Losses as Reorganization Advances
On July 24, 2025, Secretary Rollins released a memo (SM-1078-015) describing the planned reorganization of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) staff, drafted without any consultation with farmers or other stakeholders. USDA has already lost more than 20,000 staff since January 2025 and if the reorganization moves forward as planned, it will result in the […]
Congress Wants Local Food Back on the Menu
While global supply chains have brought year-round abundance to families at the grocery store, it has come at a cost, particularly for small and mid-sized farmers right here at home. Consolidation of food distribution and retail has forced farmers to consider higher volume sales at lower prices, which can be difficult to consider while maintaining […]
USDA Staffing Crisis: Mass Departures Undermine Local Ag Support
On July 24, 2025, US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins released a memo (SM-1078-015) describing the planned reorganization of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) staff. This reorganization plan was drafted without any consultation with farmers or other stakeholders. While the reorganization plan does not directly include planned layoffs or reductions in force (RIF), USDA […]
Creemees, Community, and Coalition: NSAC’s Summer Meeting in Stowe, Vermont
As we do every summer, NSAC coalition members recently gathered for our summer meeting, from August 4-7, in Stowe, Vermont. Located some 25 miles east of Vermont’s largest city, Burlington, and about 40 miles from the US-Canada border, we met at the Trapp Family Lodge (yes, that’s right – owned by the Von Trapp Family, […]
Cross Post: Impacts of Budget Reconciliation and Colorado Farms: Hurt for Farmers and Farm Communities, and the Need for a New Farm Bill
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Nourish Colorado, an NSAC member. This is part three of a five part series. See part one, Budget Reconciliation: An Unwanted Outcome for Coloradans, and part two, Impacts of Budget Reconciliation and Coloradans’ Health. “Welcome” is an odd word to use to begin this post, given the profoundly and universally negative […]
Release: Bipartisan House Bill Connects Local Farmers to Food Insecure Communities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Laura Zaks National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition press@sustainableagriculture.net Tel. 347.563.6408 Release: Bipartisan House Bill Connects Local Farmers to Food Insecure Communities Washington, DC, July 30, 2025 – On Tuesday, July 29, Representatives Robert Bresnahan (R-PA-8), David Valadao (R-CA-22), Chellie Pingree (D-ME-1), Josh Riley (D-NY-19), Tony Wied (R-WI-8), Dan Newhouse (R-WA-4), Zachary Nunn […]
Comment: Without Input from Farmers and Experts, USDA Reorganization Would Close Offices and Lead to Staff Reductions
Contact: Laura Zaks National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition press@sustainableagriculture.net Tel. 347.563.6408 Comment: Without Input from Farmers and Experts, USDA Reorganization Would Close Offices and Lead to Staff Reductions Washington, DC, July 24, 2025 – On Thursday, July 24, the US Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, announced a reorganization of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The […]
Release: Bipartisan Senate Bill Boosts Local Farmers and Expands Access to Healthy Food for Families
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Laura Zaks National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition press@sustainableagriculture.net Tel. 347.563.6408 Release: Bipartisan Senate Bill Boosts Local Farmers and Expands Access to Healthy Food for Families Washington, DC, July 22, 2025 – On Friday, July 18, Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Jim Justice (R-WV) introduced the Strengthening Local Food Security (SLFS) Act of […]
Release: Strong Farms, Strong Futures Act Introduced
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Laura Zaks National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition press@sustainableagriculture.net1 Tel. 347.563.6408 Release: Strong Farms, Strong Futures Act Introduced Washington, DC, July 18, 2025 – On Wednesday, Representatives Lauren Underwood (D-IL) and Zach Nunn (R-IA) introduced the Strong Farms, Strong Futures Act. This bill directs NRCS to establish region and production-specific climate change mitigation […]
What’s Really Inside the Final Budget Reconciliation Bill: A Breakdown of Food and Agriculture Provisions
On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB, P.L. 119-21) into law. Spanning nearly 900 pages of legislative text, OBBB relies on draconian cuts to the American social safety net – including Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – in order to fund an extension of 2017 […]
Comment: NSAC Responds to Termination of Regional Food Business Centers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Laura Zaks National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition press@sustainableagriculture.net Comment: NSAC Responds to Termination of Regional Food Business Centers Washington, DC, July 15, 2025 – The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) issued the following comment, attributable to Hannah Quigley, NSAC Policy Specialist, in response to the termination of cooperative agreements with Regional Food […]
Release: Congress Sends Reconciliation Bill to President’s Desk, Cannibalizing American Food and Farm System
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mike Lavender National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition mlavender@sustainableagriculture.net Tel. 734.417.8710 Release: Congress Sends Reconciliation Bill to President’s Desk, Cannibalizing American Food and Farm System Washington, DC, July 3, 2025 –– The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) issued the following comment, attributable to Mike Lavender, NSAC Policy Director, following the House of Representatives’ […]
Comment: NSAC Laments Senate’s Passage of Budget Reconciliation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mike Lavender National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition mlavender@sustainableagriculture.net Tel. 734.417.8710 Comment: NSAC Laments Senate’s Passage of Budget Reconciliation Washington, DC, July 1, 2025 –– The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) issued the following comment, attributable to Mike Lavender, NSAC Policy Director, following the Senate’s 51-50 approval – with Vice President J.D. Vance […]