On Tuesday, August 31, USDA’s Risk Management Agency announced that it would eliminate the 5 percent surcharge imposed on organic producers for certain tree crops and would offer an organic price election for cotton, corn, soybeans and processing tomatoes. NSAC members and allies fought hard to remove unjustified barriers to participation in crop insurance programs […]
Archives for August 2010
Livestock Market Concentration Workshop Held in CO
On Friday, August 27, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, presided over joint USDA and Department of Justice hearings to examine competition in the livestock market. Held in Fort Collins, Colorado, this was the fourth in a series of workshops to discuss market consolidation and market transparency. According to the […]
Farmers Ask for Fair Markets and Contracts
In June, the USDA’s Office of Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards (GIPSA) issued a proposed rule that promises to finally rein in some of the worst anti-competitive abuses of meat packers and impose a measure of contract fairness for poultry producers. Lauded by NSAC and many major farm organizations the rules have the potential to […]
EPA Releases Clean Water Act Strategy
On Friday, August 20, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a draft strategy for improving clean water goals. The new draft strategy is open for public comment until September 17. A final strategy is expected before year’s end. Comments may be read and made here. According to the draft, “Despite our best efforts and many […]
National Organic Program News
The August edition of the National Organic Program newsletter features stories on the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program and its new program manager, as well as news on the upcoming National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) meeting in October. The NOP also released news this week on the use of methionine in organic poultry production. […]
Senators Urge Implementation of USDA Rules to Address Corporate Control and Restore Competitive Markets and Contract Fairness in Livestock and Poultry Markets
USDA’s Grain Inspection and Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) issued proposed rules in June that promise to outlaw preferential pricing, expand producer rights to sue over unfair and deceptive practices, and compel contract fairness for poultry producers. The rules have been widely praised by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), NSAC member groups from all parts of the country, and many other farm organizations…. Read More →
Revised Senate Food Safety Bill Includes Important Amendments
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee released a copy of the “manager’s amendment” to the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (S. 510) which is, in essence, the bill as reported out of the HELP Committee late last year as modified by a long and arduous set of negotiations that have taken place […]
Senators Support USDA’s Comprehensive GIPSA Proposed Rule
On Friday, August 13, twenty-one Senators from joined on a letter to USDA Secretary Vilsack in support of a proposed rule to clarify and strengthen the protections for farmers and ranchers provided in the Packers and Stockyards Act. The letter was sponsored by Senators Tom Harkin (IA) and Tim Johnson (SD). A copy of the letter […]
USDA Grants for Renewable Energy Systems Feasibility Studies
On Friday, August 6, USDA announced that $3 million in FY2010 funding is available for grants to conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy systems for agriculture producers and rural small businesses. The grants are part of the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Grant applications must be submitted to your state Rural Development office by […]
Senate Passes Child Nutrition Bill
On Thursday, August 5, the Senate passed a child nutrition program re-authorization bill by unanimous consent. The bill provides a 6-cent per meal increase in school lunch reimbursements, expands school meal eligibility, and establishes stronger nutrition standards for all foods sold in schools. It also includes $40 million in mandatory funding for the Farm to […]
Grassley-Feingold Re-Introduce Commodity Cap Bill
On Wednesday, August 4, Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Russ Feingold (D-WI) introduced legislation to reduce farm program payment limits and close the loopholes that are being used by mega farms to game the system and soak the taxpayer. The Rural America Preservation Act (bill number not yet assigned) would cap commodity payments at not […]
Farmers Markets Week and New Resources
Farmers markets improve access to the freshest possible fruits and vegetables while providing direct market farmers with an important source of income. To celebrate the bountiful services they provide, the USDA has declared August 1-7, 2010 as National Farmers Market Week. As USDA Secretary, Tom Vilsack declared, “farmers markets play a key role in developing […]
Take Advantage of the Summer Congressional Recess
ACTION ALERT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SUMMER CONGRESSIONAL RECESS TO TELL YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES TO SUPPORT USDA’S PROPOSED RULES FOR FAIR PLAY IN LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY MARKETS You don’t have to go all the way to Washington DC to meet with your Congressman, Senators or their staff. Five times a year your legislators come […]
Know Your Farmer Blog and Agency Guides
USDA programs can often seem enigmatic and confusing. Many farmers, rural development and conservation groups in need of financial or technical assistance are often either unaware of what USDA programs exist, or lack access to the assistance they seek. The USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative seeks to remedy this disconnect by strengthening […]