The ongoing legislative battle around the labeling of genetically engineered (GE) or genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has reached a turning point. Despite serious concerns about confusing, inconsistent language and potential loopholes that would limit the bill’s scope being raised in a June 27 Food and Drug Administration’s Technical Assistance document prepared for Congress, a GMO […]
Archives for June 2016
Farmers Push for Action on Agriculture Funding Bill
If you want to gain some real insight into agricultural policies, your first stop should be one of America’s 2.1 million farms – a majority of which are small and medium-sized family farms. Though we can’t always get Congress to the farm, we can bring the farm to Congress. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) regularly […]
PRESS COMMENT: Poultry Industry Reforms Must Consider Farmer Welfare, Too
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana Kovalcik, 202-547-5754, Rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net Poultry Industry Reforms Must Consider Farmer Welfare, Too In any conversation about chicken farming, there ought to be concern equally for the welfare of the chickens and for the farmers who raise them. We at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) welcome the recent news of proposed animal welfare upgrades from […]
New Report Highlights Need for Organic Seed Breeding
The fresh produce from your local grocery store or farmers’ market may be certified organic, but anywhere from 25-80 percent of it might not have started out that way. A recent report from the Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) reveals that the organic seed industry is far from keeping pace with the growth in demand for […]
Funding Available to Support Outreach to Underserved Farmers
For decades, the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (also known as the “2501 Program”) has served as the only farm bill program dedicated to addressing the needs of family farmers and ranchers of color. Over the past 20 years, the 2501 program has invested millions of dollars into […]
Key Senators Reach Deal on GMO Labeling
Despite what feels like endless “controversy”, national polls have overwhelmingly shown that the vast majority of American consumers want the use of genetically engineered or genetically modified organisms (GMOs) noted on their food labels. Last year, however, the House of Representatives chose to disregard the overwhelming support for GE/GMO labeling and passed a bill to […]
Appropriations Bills Would Block Clean Water and Farmworker Safety Rules
Last year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it had finalized the Clean Water Rule, a rule intended to clarify the scope of the agency’s jurisdiction over the “waters of the U.S.” under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The rule, which has significant benefits for agriculture, clean water, and public health, went into […]
How Well Is the Farm Credit System Serving Young, Beginning, and Small Farmers?
One hundred years after Congress first created the Farm Credit System (FCS), a national network of financial institutions owned by farmers and their cooperatives and focused on providing credit to farmers, FCS remains an important source of capital for young, beginning, and small farmers across the country. Last week, the Farm Credit Administration (the regulatory […]
RELEASE: Poultry Farmer Stands Up for Contract Growers, Delivers Petition on Capitol Hill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Paul Wolfe, 202-547-5754, PWolfe@sustainableagriculture.net Ferd Hoefner, 202-547-5754 FHoefner@sustainableagriculture.net Poultry Farmer Stands Up for Contract Growers, Delivers Petition on Capitol Hill Contract Poultry Farmer Joins Ag and Government Accountability Groups to Deliver 60,000+ Signature Petition to Congress in Support of Rights for Contract Farmers Washington, DC, June 16, 2016 – Nestled […]
Comprehensive verification toolkit is needed domestically, too
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared as an Op-Ed piece in Food Safety News (FSN) on June 11, 2016. The piece was written by NSAC Policy Staffer, Sophia Kruszewski in response to a June 6, 2016 piece by FSN Editor, Dan Flynn. Dan Flynn’s June 6 article in Food Safety News, “Third-party auditor certification: Not the only tool […]
Value-Added Grant Proposals Due Soon!
Whether helping farmers turn organic grains into shelf-ready items or providing capital for the creation of farm-identity preserved regional supply chains, the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program has served as a valuable resource for farmers looking to grow their businesses through value-added products. Back in April, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the availability of $44 million in funding […]
USDA Awards $16.8 Million to Increase Healthy Food Access for Low-Income Americans
Eating a nutritious diet is the cornerstone of any healthy lifestyle, but for many Americans healthy foods may seem hopelessly out of reach. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) bridges the gap between lower-income families, but benefit levels are low and make purchase of nutritionally important items like fresh fruits and vegetables difficult. The Food […]
Carbon Farming as Climate Solution
Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Margaret Reeves Ph.D, and was originally posted on the Pesticide Action Network’s (PAN) website on June 6, 2016. Margaret is a PAN Senior Scientist with expertise in agroecology and soil ecology. As a long-time farmworker advocate, Margaret serves on the Board of the Equitable Food Initiative and works with partners […]
New Rules for USDA Local Food Enterprise Loans
Access to capital is important for all small businesses, including the food and farm businesses that bring locally and regionally produced food into rural communities, schools, and markets. Fortunately, there is a federal loan guarantee program, the Business and Industry (B&I) Loan Guarantee Program, which specifically supports these types of local entrepreneurs. Qualified projects […]
Consumer Sentiment and Supply Scalability Will Determine Future of Organic Price Premiums
Editor’s Note: For more information on the state of organic agriculture, see this article’s companion post: “Inter-Agency Blockages Threaten to Halt Further Progress on Organic Crop Insurance“ Consumer demand for organic products has been growing steadily – U.S. organic food sales approached an estimated $37 billion in 2015, up 12 percent from the previous year. […]
Inter-Agency Blockages Threaten to Halt Further Progress on Organic Crop Insurance
Editor’s Note: For more information on the state of organic agriculture, see this article’s sister post: “Consumer Sentiment and Supply Scalability Will Determine Future of Organic Price Premiums“ In just one year’s time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) has more than doubled the number of organic crops that are able to […]
RELEASE: Farm Groups and Farm Lenders Appeal for Assistance During Credit Crunch
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Juli Obudzinski, 202-547-5754, jobudzinski@sustainableagriculture.net Ferd Hoefner, 202-547-5754, fhoefner@sustainableagriculture.net Farm Groups and Farm Lenders Appeal for Assistance During Credit Crunch Washington, DC, June 2, 2016 – Operating loans are the lifeblood of farming. They help farmers get crops in the ground, by financing needed supplies and equipment, and when necessary, refinancing earlier loans. The federal government […]
Seven Major FSMA Rules Now Final
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently finalized two of the remaining major rules required by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA): one governing shippers, carriers, and any other entity involved in transporting food (the “Transport Rule”), and another overseeing intentional acts of adulteration in the food supply (the “Intentional Adulteration Rule”). These […]