On Monday, August 31 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the final Preventive Controls Rules for Human and Animal Food have been submitted to the Federal Register for publication, which means farmers and processors are one step closer to new food safety standards that will shortly go into effect. It will likely […]
Archives for August 2015
Millions Available for Production of Second-Generation Biofuels
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the availability of $7.7 million through the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) for producers to grow biomass for bioenergy production within four existing BCAP “project areas.” Project areas are geographic areas within which producers can establish and produce perennial biomass such as poplar, switchgrass, and […]
Members of Congress Call on FDA to Begin Outreach and Education to Farmers on New Food Safety Rules
With the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) poised to release new food safety rules for produce growers and food facilities this fall, Members of Congress are drawing attention to the urgent need for outreach, education, and training – particularly as faced by small-scale farms newly subject to food safety requirements. Members of both the House […]
RMA Announces that Whole-Farm will be the First Universally Available Crop Insurance Policy
On August 27, USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced the expansion of the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) crop insurance policy to every state and every county, making WFRP the first crop insurance policy to be universally available nationwide. WFRP is a single crop insurance policy that insures all of a farmer’s crops and animals under […]
RELEASE: USDA announces that Whole-Farm will be the first universally available crop insurance policy
Contact: Paul Wolfe, 202-547-5754 Washington D.C. August 27, 2015 — Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the expansion of the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) crop insurance policy to every state and every county; making Whole-Farm the first crop insurance policy to be universally available. “NSAC would like to thank Secretary Vilsack and RMA Administrator Willis […]
New Farm Storage Financing Options For Meat, Dairy, and Eggs
For most farmers, on-farm storage is essential to keeping food fresh and safe prior to marketing. Whether a grain bin, cold storage for fruits and vegetables, refrigerated milk tank, or even a Used Stainless Steel Three Door Commercial Freezer for meat and dairy products, all farmers need a temperature-stable environment like the ones offered by […]
To Till and to Keep: Towards a New Agriculture
Guest Blog by Robert Gronski, Policy Coordinator for Catholic Rural Life and a long-time NSAC member and contributor After the release of Laudato Si: On Care of Our Common Home earlier this summer, Pope Francis has said on occasion that this is a social encyclical, not an ecological one. I believe it can also be […]
Guest Blog: New Study Points to Benefits of Conservation for Food Safety
Editor’s Note: This blog was co-authored with Jo Ann Baumgartner. Jo Ann, formerly an organic farmer, is executive director of the Wild Farm Alliance. She works on conservation-based agriculture and is the author of A Farmer’s Guide to Food Safety and Conservation: Facts, Tips and Frequently Asked Questions. Wild Farm Alliance is a represented NSAC […]
National School Food Survey Reveals Strong Support for Farm to School
A new national survey that was released Tuesday, August 18, commissioned by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), shows strong support for the current U.S. school nutrition standards as well as farm to school. The 2015 School Food Poll was a follow up to a similar survey administered by WKKF in 2010 to find out if American […]
Release: New Farm Storage Financing Options for Meat, Dairy, and Eggs
Washington, DC, August 18, 2015 – Just weeks after expanding financing options for produce growers, USDA’s Farm Service Agency this week expanded the Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) program to provide very low-interest financing to farmers to build or upgrade storage for meat, dairy, and eggs. The FSA notice to its field offices also covers flowers, hops, and […]
Farm to School in PA: Blossoming and Ready to Expand
“A vital part of our mission involves educating future consumers about the many benefits of locally grown food. [We have been] designing curriculum for 3rd and 4th grade classes, bringing local farmers into classrooms, and providing students with “market bucks” to encourage farmers market purchasing. It’s a start, but this is just the beginning for […]
FDA Funding Available to Build Food Safety Training Infrastructure
On August 10, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the availability of funding to establish two Regional Centers for food safety training, education, outreach, extension, and technical assistance. These centers will work in tandem with the yet-to-be-named National Coordination Center as part of a joint effort between the USDA’s National Institute for Food […]
NSAC Members, Farmers Meet in Iowa
Last week, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) held our bi-annual meeting in Iowa City, Iowa. Representatives of NSAC member organizations, including farmers, convened to review coalition priorities, plan for next steps, and reconnect and engage with fellow members. The meeting was hosted by two NSAC member organizations located in Iowa: Practical Farmers of Iowa and the Women, […]
Program Roundup – SARE Funding Available around the Country
Editor’s Note — This is the latest in a series of periodic blog posts on the latest happenings in each of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) regions as they roll out project solicitations and announce grant awards. The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education or SARE program is a farmer driven research and education competitive grants […]
USDA Awards $63 Million for Renewable Energy Generation and Energy Conservation
On August 7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced $63 million in grants and loans to 264 renewable energy generation and energy conservation projects through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Projects and Funding Breakdown Of the $63 million, USDA awarded $3.6 million as grants and $59.3 million as loan guarantees. According to […]