Due to Congressional inaction, the 2008 Farm Bill has expired without a new bill or extension to take its place. In the absence of a farm bill, numerous innovative programs that invest in sustainable agriculture systems are shut down and left without mandatory funding. This is the eighth post in our 10-week “What’s at Stake?” […]
EPA Update with Focus on Water Quality and Agriculture
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued two announcements this week concerning coordination and partnership with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to protect the nation’s water quality. Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Guidelines Highlight USDA The EPA released a draft revision of Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution (NPS) Program […]
Another Dust Bowl? Lessons from the Past
The Dust Bowl, a film by noted filmmaker Ken Burns, will premier this Sunday and Monday, November 18 and 19 on PBS stations nationwide. On Sunday, the first 2-hour film, “The Great Plow-Up” will air from 8:00 to 10:00 pm ET. On Monday evening, the second 2-hour film, “Reaping the Whirlwind” will air during the […]
Stories from the Field: Making Sustainable Ag Information Accessible to Underserved Farmers
Due to Congressional inaction, the 2008 Farm Bill has expired without a new bill or extension to take its place. In the absence of a farm bill, numerous innovative programs that invest in sustainable agriculture systems are shut down and left without funding. This post is part of our 10-week blog series which will feature […]
First Round of Farm to School Grants Announced!
On November 14, USDA announced the recipients of the first-ever round of Farm to School Grants. The awards span 68 projects in 37 States and the District of Columbia and total $4.5 million in funding. The Farm to School Grant Program provides competitive grants to schools, nonprofits, state and local agencies, agricultural producers, and Indian […]
For Immediate Release: USDA Announces First-Ever Round of Farm to School Grants
For Immediate Release November 14, 2012 Contact: Helen Dombalis 202-547-5754 USDA Announces First-Ever Round of Farm to School Grants Washington, DC November 14, 2012 – Today USDA announced the recipients of the first-ever round of Farm to School Grants. The awards span 68 projects in 37 States and the District of Columbia and total $4.5 […]
What’s at Stake: Support for Socially Disadvantaged Producers
Due to Congressional inaction, the 2008 Farm Bill has expired without a new bill or extension to take its place. In the absence of a farm bill, numerous innovative programs that invest in sustainable agriculture systems are shut down and left without funding. This is the seventh post in our 10-week “What’s at Stake?” series […]
Over 40 Groups Urge Congress to Fund Conservation, Reverse CSP Cut
On Monday, November 12, NSAC and 42 other organizations sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) urging the House to work with the Senate to complete a full five-year Farm Bill this year — one that, among other things, sustains the effectiveness of the Conservation Title of the bill in continuing what is a […]
Election Returns Spell Some Changes for Congressional Agriculture Makeup
With election returns beginning to firm up, it is now clear there will be a modest number of changes to the congressional committees that deal directly with agricultural issues. This post summarizes the basic nuts and bolts of those changes. What the agriculture committees look like for the next session of Congress looms large if […]
What’s at Stake: Rural Economic Development
Due to Congressional inaction, the 2008 Farm Bill has expired without a new bill or extension to take its place. In the absence of a farm bill, numerous innovative programs that invest in sustainable agriculture systems are shut down and left without mandatory funding. This is the sixth post in our 10-week “What’s at Stake?” […]
EPA’s Halloween Surprise – Another CAFO Comment Period
On October 31, 2012, the EPA announced yet another round of comments on the Clean Water Act regulation for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). This time, EPA has issued a notice that it is reviewing, under Section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the Clean Water Act CAFO regulation as issued in 2003. The Regulatory […]
NRCS Releases National Guidance on FY13 Conservation Initiatives
On Friday, October 26, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provided its state NRCS offices with national guidance on when and how to administer 16 conservation initiatives for fiscal year (FY) 2013. The national guidance covers a number of initiatives that NSAC tracks closely, including the National Organic Initiative (NOI), National Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative […]
Stories from the Field: Growing Organic Fruit In Michigan
Due to Congressional inaction, the 2008 Farm Bill has expired without a new bill or extension to take its place. In the absence of a farm bill, numerous innovative programs that invest in sustainable agriculture systems are shut down and left without funding. This post is part of our 10-week blog series that features both […]
What’s at Stake: Organic Food Production
Due to Congressional inaction, the 2008 Farm Bill has expired without a new bill or extension to take its place. In the absence of a farm bill, numerous innovative programs that invest in sustainable agriculture systems are shut down and left without mandatory funding. This is the fifth post in our 10-week “What’s at Stake?” […]
FDA, Congress, and Courts Take Up Aresenic in Rice Issue
Background The November 2012 issue of Consumer Reports includes a report on arsenic in rice products that concludes that the levels of inorganic arsenic in rice products, including baby food, are at levels that trigger public health concerns. Ingestion of inorganic arsenic can result in cancer and other health disorders. There are federal drinking water […]
Celebrate Farm to School Programs through Kids Dig Farmers Day!
To commemorate National Farm to School Month, NSAC is sponsoring Kids Dig Farmers Day – a time to celebrate the connections happening around the country between schools and local food producers! NSAC advocates for farm to school policies that increase the supply of fresh, local food to schools – a win for farmers and for […]
Stories from the Field: “New Farmer’s Guide: Cultivating Success at Farmers Markets”
Due to inaction in Congress, the 2008 Farm Bill expired on September 30. While the big ticket items such as food stamps, crop insurance, and commodity support will continue to receive funding in the interim, there is no support for the lower profile programs that drive innovation, create jobs, and support the next generation of […]
What’s at Stake: Direct Farmer-to-Consumer Marketing
Due to Congressional inaction, the 2008 Farm Bill has expired without a new bill or extension to take its place. In the absence of a farm bill, numerous innovative programs that invest in sustainable agriculture systems are shut down and left without mandatory funding. This is the fourth post in our 10-week “What’s at Stake?” […]
New $22 million Investment in Organic Farming Research
On October 22, USDA announced the latest round of awards for organic research, education, and extension as part of two competitive grant programs administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Over $22 million in federal grants were awarded under the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) and Organic Transitions Program to […]
Farm Energy: USDA Announces $16 Million in Rural Energy Grants
On Friday, October 19, USDA announced that it is awarding $16 million in grant and loan awards in FY 2012 through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The award will fund 244 projects aimed at helping farmers, ranchers, and small businesses conserve energy and produce renewable energy. In August of this year, USDA awarded […]
Stories from the Field: Breeding Seeds of Success
Due to Congressional inaction, the 2008 Farm Bill has expired without a new bill or extension to take its place. In the absence of a farm bill, numerous innovative programs that invest in sustainable agriculture systems are shut down and left without funding. This post is part of our 10-week blog series which will feature […]
Calling All Researchers!: AFRI RFA Finally Released, Warts and All
On Monday, October 15, USDA announced the availability of $136 million in funding for basic and applied research as the “foundational program” portion of its Agriculture, Food, and Research Initiative (AFRI). The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is the federal agency that has overseen and administered this grant program since its creation in […]
What’s at Stake: Organic Research
Due to Congressional inaction, the 2008 Farm Bill has expired without a new bill or extension to take its place. In the absence of a farm bill, numerous innovative programs that invest in sustainable agriculture systems are shut down and left without funding. This is the third post in our 10-week “What’s at Stake?” series […]
Stories from the Field: Seizing Economic Opportunities
Due to Congressional inaction, the 2008 Farm Bill has expired without a new bill or extension to take its place. In the absence of a farm bill, numerous innovative programs that invest in sustainable agriculture systems are shut down and left without funding.* This post is part of our 10-week blog series which will feature […]