Thanks to all of you that watched the beginning farmer and rancher video below and shared it through your social networks! The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2011 will be introduced in Congress next week! This is our chance to ensure food security for future generations and new farming enterprises that can bring […]
Archives for September 2011
USDA Announces 2011 Beginning Farmer Awards and 2012 Request for Applications
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition For Immediate Release September 30, 2011 Contact: Ferd Hoefner, Juli Obudzinski, 202-547-5754 USDA Awards $18 Million to Support Beginning Farmers Washington, D.C. September 30, 2011 – Today, USDA announced $18 million in grants to beginning farmers and ranchers at a press conference held in Washington, D.C. USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan […]
Farm Bill – Regional Food System Webinar
by Margaret Krome Sign up to participate in a webinar on Monday afternoon, October 10, entitled, “What You Need to Know about the Farm Bill—Important Updates and Information Related to Community and Regional Food Systems.” Join us on Monday, October 10, 4:00 Eastern, 3:00 Central, 2:00 Mountain, and 1:00 Pacific time zones. Space is limited, so please email fooddaywi@gmail.com […]
October is National Farm to School Month!
October is National Farm to School Month, a time to celebrate the connections that are happening around the country between schools and local food! NSAC is among the partners for the inaugural event. In November 2010, Congress approved a resolution introduced by Representative Rush Holt (D-NJ) to officially designate October as National Farm to School […]
USDA Releases FY2012 Request for Applications for AFRI Program
This week the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) released four Requests for Applications (RFAs) for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) research program for Fiscal Year 2012. AFRI is USDA’s largest competitive grants program, funding extramural research conducted at federal research agencies, land-grant institutions and other colleges and universities, state agricultural experiment […]
56 Groups Release Conservation Principles to Guide Farm Bill Debate
On Wednesday, September 28, a national coalition of 56 policy and advocacy organizations, including NSAC, released a set of key principles to help guide lawmakers as they write the Conservation Title of the 2012 farm bill and seek ways to trim the federal deficit. According to the group’s press release, the 56 organizations are asking […]
This is Our Chance – Last Chance
Only once every 5 years do you have the opportunity to truly change our food and farm system through the farm bill! The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2011 will be introduced in Congress next week – this is our chance to ensure food security for future generations and new farming enterprises that […]
New ERS Report on Nitrogen Loss and Conservation Policy
Last week, USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) released a new report entitled, Nitrogen in Agricultural Systems: Implications for Conservation Policy. The 89-page report “explores the use of nitrogen in U.S. agriculture and assesses changes in nutrient management by farmers that may improve nitrogen use efficiency.” It “reviews a number of policy approaches for improving nitrogen […]
An Extraordinary Opportunity
Who will grow food for future generations? Act now to help launch a new generation of sustainable farmers and ranchers! The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture called attention to a real worry when he asked: “Why not place the nation’s attention on the need for young farmers on the same plane as police officers and teachers? […]
Future of Food, Farming, and the Environment At Stake
Photo Credit: NRCS Working together, we have achieved important successes for sustainable agriculture through our advocacy on past food and farm bills. Much could be lost, or gained, now that Congress has established the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, also known as the “Super Committee.” The Super Committee is tasked with cutting at least […]
Obama Announces Deficit Reduction Plan
On Monday, September 19, President Obama unveiled a new deficit reduction plan that will reduce the deficit by an additional $3 trillion over the course of the next 10 years through a combination of spending cuts and tax increases. You can find the full report, “Living Within Our Means and Investing in the Future-The President’s […]
Rural Development Campaign Announces Priorities for 2012 Farm Bill
On Thursday, September 22, the Campaign for a Renewed Rural Development released its campaign principles statement regarding the 2012 Farm Bill. The campaign sent out identical letters to both Senate and House Agriculture Committee members, along with key USDA Rural Development contacts, outlining their recommendations for improving the Farm Bill’s Rural Development Title. NSAC is […]
FDA Announces Traceback Pilot Projects
by Steve Warshawer The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve methods for tracing products in the food system, especially for high risk foods. Prior to developing rules and regulations on traceback, Congress is requiring FDA to conduct pilot projects on these traceback methods. FDA has chosen to […]
Second Round of FY2011 Rural Energy for America Program Awards
Back on September 16, USDA announced the second round of FY2011 Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants and loans, with over $27 million to fund more than 500 energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. REAP funding is provided to farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses. REAP grants can fund up to 25-percent of a […]
NSAC Releases Letter to the Super Committee and Farm Bill Budget Views; Comments on Obama Farm Budget Proposals
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition For Immediate Release September 20, 2011 Contact: Ferd Hoefner 202-547-5754 NSAC Releases Letter to the Super Committee and Farm Bill Budget Views; Comments on Obama Farm Budget Proposals Washington, D.C. September 20, 2011 — The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition urged the congressional deficit reduction or super committee today to take a […]
New Project Priority for Biomass Crop Assistance Program
On September 15, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) issued an Interim Rule, effective immediately, that gives Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) “Projects” a funding priority over funding for “Collection, Harvest, Storage & Transportation” (CHST) activities. The BCAP project component provides for establishment and annual payments to agricultural and forest landowners who are participating in BCAP […]
Appropriations and Deficit Reduction Move Forward Together
House Continuing Resolution With the end of the fiscal year approaching quickly, Republicans in the House of Representatives intend to vote next week on a two-month “continuing resolution” (CR) to keep the government funded through November 18. Congress has yet to pass any of the twelve appropriations bills for fiscal year (FY) 2012, which begins […]
Final RCA Appraisal and New Data Viewer Released
On Thursday, September 15, USDA announced the creation of an interactive website that allows the public to view and download a variety of data from the Resource Conservation Act (RCA) Appraisal of 2011. The Appraisal, part of USDA’s implementation of the Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act of 1977, assesses the status of soil, water, […]
USDA and FDA Data on Antibiotic Resistance Is Deficient
Industrialized livestock and poultry operations are the major users of antibiotics and related drugs in the U.S. A Food & Drug Administration (FDA) assessment estimated that in 2009, 29 million pounds of antibiotics were given to food-producing animals. These drugs are routinely used at low doses in overcrowded Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) to […]
Congressional Supercommittee Will Shape Future of Food, Farming, and Conservation
NSAC policy associate Greg Fogel writes for Rodale Voices about the threats to organic and sustainable agriculture and the food systems movement. To find out you can stand up for the health, prosperity, and security of our food and farming system sign up for our action alert list today!
Rural Business Enterprise Grant Awards Announced
On Wednesday, September 14, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced grant awards to development organizations and producers in 40 states and Puerto Rico to promote rural job growth and business development. All together, 69 Rural Business Enterprise Grants (RBEGs) and Intermediary Relending Program loans, totaling a combined $14.7 million, will be granted through USDA to stimulate […]
2011 Healthy Food Financing Initiative Awards Announced
On Wednesday, September 14, the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) announced the award of $25 million in grants through the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) to a variety of organizations serving “food deserts” throughout the United States. A total of 12 Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) in nine states will receive funding. These […]
Senate Agriculture Spending Bill Unveiled
On Wednesday, September 7, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed its fiscal year (FY) 2012 Agriculture Appropriations bill by voice vote. The Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee received an overall allocation of $19.78 billion for discretionary spending in FY 2012, translating to a $192 million reduction below the already low FY 2011 levels. The House bill passed earlier […]
2011 National Organic Certification Cost Share Program
The National Organic Certification Cost Share Program (NOCCSP) is now accepting State applications for 2012. States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, are eligible to apply for the program funds. Participating States will then accept applications from organic producers and handlers who need financial assistance for organic certification. The cost-share program will reimburse up […]