The coming of spring has more than just the bees buzzing; activity on Capitol Hill is also shifting into high gear as the deadline for the 2018 Farm Bill approaches. This week represents perhaps one of the few quiet periods left in the capital as Congress takes a two-week recess back in their districts – […]
Archives for March 2018
Spring 2018 RFA Roundup: Deadlines for Funding Opportunities
As part of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition’s (NSAC) ongoing efforts to help farmers and advocates stay up to date with federal policy and funding opportunities, we have provided a detailed list of open Request for Applications (RFA) that may be of interest to the sustainable agriculture community. For more information on U.S. Department of […]
Wins for Sustainable Agriculture in FY 2018 Omnibus
Early this morning, Congress passed a government spending package (the “omnibus appropriations bill”) to fund federal programs through the end of September, which is when the current fiscal year expires. The House passed the package 256-167 on Thursday, the Senate passed the bill 65-32 Friday morning, and the President signed the bill into law that […]
COMMENT: Appropriations Wins for Sustainable Agriculture in FY 2018 Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana Kovalcik National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition 202-547-5754, rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net Appropriations Wins for Sustainable Agriculture in FY 2018 Bill National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition urges Congress to pass omnibus swiftly Washington, DC, March 21, 2018 – “Congress, in particular the members of the House and Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittees, have produced an agriculture appropriations […]
A Conservation Blueprint for the Next Farm Bill
When it comes to federal support for conservation activities, family farmers have a lot at stake in the 2018 Farm Bill. Conservation programs make up one of the largest slices of the farm bill pie (third to nutrition programs and the federal crop insurance program), and support a wide range of farm, ranch, and forest […]
Final Round of “Section 2501” Funding Before Farm Bill Expires
Historically, farmers of color and military veterans have had inadequate access to and less than average rates of participation in programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). These disparities have existed for a number of reasons, including inadequate outreach to these communities by USDA, and institutional discrimination. In order to better serve farmers […]
$50 Million Available for Rural Energy Projects
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a request for applications for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), a farm bill energy title program. REAP provides two types of funding assistance: Grants and guaranteed loans for renewable energy production and energy efficiency improvements for farms and rural small businesses Grants for energy audits and […]
New Report Exposes Over $1 Billion in Bad Loanmaking at SBA
Last week, the exploitative business practices of multinational poultry processing companies – and the role of the Small Business Administration (SBA) in facilitating that exploitation – were put on display by a shocking report from the SBA’s own Office of Inspector General (OIG). The report reveals that SBA has in recent years made an increasing […]
Less than One Month to Renew Expiring CSP Contracts
Farmers who enrolled in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) in 2014 have less than one month to renew their existing contracts for an additional 5 years. Applications for renewal of expiring contracts are due April 13, 2018. CSP, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), provides financial […]
RELEASE: GROW Act to Strengthen Conservation Programs in Farm Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana Kovalcik 202-547-5754, rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net GROW Act to Strengthen Conservation Programs in Farm Bill National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition endorses conservation bill Washington, D.C. March 15, 2018 – Today, Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the Give our Resources the Opportunity to Work (GROW) […]
RELEASE: Explanation Demanded on SBA’s Exploitative Loan Practices in Chicken Industry
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana Kovalcik National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition 202-547-5754, rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net Explanation Demanded on SBA’s Exploitative Loan Practices in Chicken Industry National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition applauds Senator Booker for introducing transparency amendment Washington, DC, March 15, 2018 – Yesterday, during consideration of S. 2283 by the Senate Small Business Committee, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) offered […]
Farmers Fly-in to Advocate on Farm Bill and Appropriations
Capitol Hill was buzzing last week with hundreds of people in town for meetings with their Congress members in advance of the next farm bill and upcoming fiscal year (FY) 2019 appropriations decisions. Among the crowds and long lines were 20 farmers and farm advocates in town for NSAC’s March “farmer fly-in” – grassroots events […]
$89 Million in Funding Available to Support Local Food Systems
Editor’s Note: USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service is hosting two webinars to help prospective applicants better understand the application process and requirements. The first webinar is on Tuesday March 27 at 2 p.m. ET and will cover how to use Grants.gov. The second webinar will be held the following day, March 28 at 2 p.m. ET and will focus specifically […]
RELEASE: Family Farmers Deliver Farm Bill Priorities to Congress
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana Kovalcik, 202-547-5754, rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net Family Farmers Deliver Farm Bill Priorities to Congress National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition brings 20 farmer advocates to Capitol Hill Washington, D.C., March 9, 2018 – With the next farm bill and annual agriculture funding decisions actively being debated, now is the time to amplify the voices of […]
“Section 2501” Grants Provide Essential Support to Military Veterans, Farmers of Color
Farmers of color and military veteran farmers face particularly challenging obstacles when it comes to starting and sustaining successful farm operations. One of the factors hampering the success of these farmers has been their historically limited access to federal grant, training, and resource programs. Many U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) programs exist at the federal level […]
RELEASE: Seeding a Sustainable Future for American Agriculture
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana Kovalcik National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition 202-547-5754, rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net Seeding a Sustainable Future for American Agriculture Seeds for the Future Act will increase support for and access to public seed breeding programs Washington, DC, March 8, 2018 – The relationship between seed and crop is a simple one – no seeds means no […]
RELEASE: NSAC Endorses SOIL Stewardship Act of 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana Kovalcik 202-547-5754, rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Endorses SOIL Stewardship Act of 2018 Washington, D.C. March 6, 2018 – Few things in agriculture are more fundamental to success than healthy soil. Today, Representative Tim Walz (D-MN) introduced a bill that will make on-farm conservation easier and more accessible for family […]