The Senate Agriculture Committee is on track to meet its timeline for marking up a farm bill later this month. Agriculture staffers in the Senate have been meeting throughout the two-week Congressional Easter recess to discuss issues and proposals. The Senate Agriculture Committee leadership is writing a draft of the farm bill – known as […]
Archives for April 2012
GAO Report Triggers Crop Insurance Debate
On Thursday, April 12, the U.S. Government Accountability Office released a report detailing ways to better target federal crop insurance subsidies. The targeting would aim to get some control on rapidly escalating taxpayer costs while also reducing the program’s impact on subsidizing the destruction of family farming and reducing new farming opportunities. The report, “Crop […]
Loan Programs that Help Farmers Bridge the Conservation Cost-Share Gap
Background – Why there is a Gap USDA’s conservation programs, as well as numerous state conservation programs, provide financial resources for farmers to implement conservation practices that protect natural resources and the environment. Many of these programs fund only a share of the cost of implementing the practices, and hence are referred to as cost […]
A new farm bill in two weeks? Show Congress your support for a better farm bill today!
If you’re like most Americans, you want our farm and food policies to support strong family farms and rural communities, healthy eating, and protection of our natural resources. The Senate is crafting a 2012 Farm Bill right now that makes just a relatively tiny investment in beginning farmers, sustainable and organic agriculture, economic development, and […]
Risk Management Education and Outreach Partnerships Program Request for Applications
The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), operating through the Risk Management Agency (RMA), has announced available funds totaling approximately $3 million for the Risk Management Education and Outreach Partnerships Program. The Risk Management Education and Outreach Partnerships Program is a competitive cooperative partnership agreement program that provides crop insurance education and risk management training. It aims […]
AMS announces National Organic Standards Board Meeting
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced its upcoming National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Meeting set for May 22-25 in Albuquerque, NM. The NOSB meets twice annually to discuss allowed and prohibited substances in organic production, help develop standards, and advise the Secretary on standards implementation. NOSB is also responsible for maintaining the National List of […]
Conservation Loan Program Final Rule Shows Need for Revisions in the Next Farm Bill
Conservation Loan Program Final Rule This month, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) issued a final rule, effective May 18, 2012, for the Conservation Loan Program (CLP). The CLP was included in the 2008 Farm Bill as a stand-alone program to provide guaranteed and direct loans to farmers and ranchers to implement conservation practices. It has […]
Apply Now for 2012 Farmers’ Market Promotion Program
On April 6, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will publish the 2012 Notice of Funds Available (NOFA) for the Farmers’ Market Promotion Program (FMPP) in the Federal Register. For 2012, $10 million dollars in competitive grant funds are available for projects that expand direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities. Grant funds may be used for the establishment […]
Shifting Ground for Water Quality Regulation Demonstrates Need for Conservation in California’s Salinas Valley
By Gary Peterson (Editor’s note: We thank Gary Peterson, Development and Communications Director with the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA), an NSAC member organizations, for reporting on recent developments concerning agriculture and water quality in California’s Salinas Valley and Monterey Bay region. ALBA brings a unique perspective to this issue with its mission to […]
UPDATE – CRP General Sign Up Ends on Friday, April 13
UPDATE: Since this blog was posted on April 3, USDA has extended the CRP sign up deadline by one week to Friday, April 13. The fiscal year (FY) 2012 general sign up for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) ends on Friday, April 6. You can read our blog post from late January for more information […]
30 Organizations Deliver Letter to Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittees
On Wednesday, March 28, 30 national conservation organizations delivered a letter to the House and Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittees, urging members to “oppose cuts to mandatory agricultural conservation programs in the fiscal year 2013 agriculture appropriations legislation.” The letter notes that since 2002, “the Conservation Title has been uniquely and disproportionately targeted for appropriations cuts” and […]
National Public Health Week: April 2-8, 2012
April 2 marks the beginning of National Public Health Week, organized annually by the American Public Health Association to bring attention to current issues in public health. The first day’s “tools and tips” from APHA focus on healthy eating and supporting local food efforts. With alarming trends in overweight and obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related […]