NSAC's Blog
New Team At USDA To Help New Farmers
June 4, 2020
USDA has finally filled key new positions to ensure beginning farmers are fully supported and able to get the help they need to grow their farm.
Inaugural Urban Agriculture and Community Compost Funding Opportunities Announced
May 28, 2020
Americans’ interest in knowing more about where, how, and by whom their food is produced has been growing for many years and the coronavirus pandemic has shown new light on the serious shortcomings in our highly concentrated food production system. Along with the rise of the local food movement there has also been a building […]
Farmers Impacted by COVID-19 Now Eligible to Defer FSA Loan Payments
May 28, 2020
USDA recently announced changes to federal farm loan programs that may provide immediate, short-term relief to some farmers impacted by the COVID pandemic. However, there are important details and restrictions that farmers need to know about to see if they are eligible for relief.
Building a Resilient Future in Food and Farming
May 28, 2020
Editor’s Note: This is the first blog in a series that focuses on the provisions of the Agriculture Resilience Act (ARA) introduced by Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) in February 2020. ARA represents the first comprehensive piece of legislation introduced in the House of Representatives addressing climate change and agriculture. The first blog focuses on the […]
Healthy Food Financing Initiative Now Accepting Applications
May 27, 2020
The Reinvestment Fund (RF) recently announced the opening of 2020 applications for financial and technical assistance through the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) Targeted Small Grants program. Funding for the HFFI is provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), authorized by the Farm Bill to offer $3 million in grant funds for food […]
What Farmers Need to Know About the USDA COVID-19 Aid Program Opening Next Week
May 22, 2020
USDA recently announced details of the new Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) which will open for enrollment on May 26, 2020. CFAP will provide $16 billion in aid to farmers who suffered economic losses due to the pandemic. NSAC is glad to see relief begin to flow to farmers, but there are several shortcomings in the program that will make it more difficult for some farmers to seek relief. In this blog, we break down what farmers need to know about this new program.
$15 Million Available for Conservation Innovation Grants
May 21, 2020
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently announced the availability of $15 million for the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. This is in addition to the $25 million announced in March for on-farm trials. This funding announcement is the traditional CIG option that has been offered in the past and is referred to as […]
Meat and Poultry Supply Chain Complications & COVID-19
May 21, 2020
There is more meat available than it seems, and that is thanks to farmers and ranchers, plant workers, small plant operators, and others working throughout the food supply chain.
Farmers Feeding Families Act Would Prioritize Local Relief Efforts
May 20, 2020
With the official unemployment rate approaching 15 percent, the number of food insecure families is growing. This can be seen in a dramatic increase in applications for SNAP benefits and in the long lines at food banks and emergency feeding sites across the country. This difficult situation is made even worse because as the demand […]
RELEASE: USDA’s COVID-19 Farmer Relief Will Leave Out Farmers Most Impacted by Crisis
May 20, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Eric Deeble, Policy Director National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition USDA’s COVID-19 Farmer Relief Will Leave Out Farmers Most Impacted by Crisis Thousands of Farmers and Ranchers Working to Feed their Communities Will Not be Fairly Compensated for Losses Washington, DC, May 20, 2020 – Yesterday, the Trump Administration announced the impending opening […]