All across the country today, communities are celebrating Food Day 2013, a day to support and celebrate healthy, affordable, and sustainable food. But much of the progress we’re making towards a better food and farm system is being threatened by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations – new rules currently proposed by the Food […]
It’s Time to Fix FDA’s Proposed Food Safety Regulations
Today, NSAC launched a campaign to improve deeply flawed federal food safety regulations that will have a huge impact on farmers and the availability of high-quality local food products. The NSAC campaign provides farmers, concerned consumers, and farm, food, and public health organizations with information and resources to be able to effectively comment on the […]
Release: FDA Still Sitting on Rule for Local Food Farmers
FDA Still Sitting on Rule for Local Food Farmers On the heels of its release of two new proposed rules for imported food, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given no indication of when it plans to implement a critical piece of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) meant to clarify rules for local […]
Food Safety Comment Deadline Extended; NSAC Releases FSMA Issue Analysis for Farmers
Earlier this year, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released new proposed regulations detailing standards for food safety on produce farms and in facilities that process food for people to eat. The rules are not yet final, and FDA is seeking comments from producers, processors, and stakeholders to help shape the final rules before […]
For Immediate Release: Conservation Stewardship Program Deadline Extended to June 14
For Immediate Release: Conservation Stewardship Program Deadline Extended to June 14 Deadline Extended: On May 28, USDA/NRCS extended the deadline for the filing of the initial application form to participate in CSP for 2013 until June 14, 2013. Washington, D.C., May 28, 2013 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) today announced […]
Release: NSAC Comments on House Farm Bill Markup
For Immediate Release NSAC COMMENTS ON HOUSE FARM BILL MARKUP Washington, DC, May 16 – The House Agriculture Committee late last night voted a new five-year farm bill out of committee by a vote of 36-10. The bill includes a variety of major priorities of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, along with several serious setbacks […]
Release: NSAC Comments on Senate Farm Bill Markup
For Immediate Release NSAC COMMENTS ON SENATE FARM BILL MARKUP Washington, DC, May 14 – The Senate Agriculture Committee today voted a new five-year farm bill out of committee by a vote of 15-5. The committee bill maintains the historic reforms to commodity subsidies included in last year’s bill that limit payments to the operator […]
Guest Post: An Alabama Farmer’s Perspective on Policies that Promote Healthy Food and Healthy Economies
Today on Capitol Hill, farmers, business owners and community advocates shared their stories and knowledge of critical farm bill programs with Congressional staff. Sponsored by the Congressional Tri-Caucus – made up of Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) – the collaborative briefing “Policies that […]
For Immediate Release: Lawmakers Reintroduce Bill to Expand Opportunities for the Next Generation of Farmers
Lawmakers Reintroduce Bill to Expand Opportunities for the Next Generation of Farmers Washington, D.C., April 25, 2013 – Today, Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa and Representative Tim Walz of Minnesota announced the introduction of the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2013 in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The two identical […]
For Immediate Release: Resources Available for Farmers and Ranchers Interested in Conservation Stewardship Program
New Information Available for Farmers and Ranchers Interested in 2013 Enrollment in the Conservation Stewardship Program Washington, D.C. April 16, 2013 – USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will very shortly begin the 2013 enrollment process for farmers and ranchers who want to participate in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Over 12 million acres of […]
For Immediate Release: Conservation Stewardship Program Back on Track With Passage of Government Funding Bill
For Immediate Release: Conservation Stewardship Program Back on Track With Passage of Government Funding Bill Washington, D.C. March 21, 2013 – A bill to fund the federal government for the remaining six months of fiscal year 2013 is now awaiting the President’s signature. The House of Representatives passed the government funding bill on Thursday morning […]
For Immediate Release: Senate Budget Plan Includes Fix to Farm Bill Extension Fiasco
For Immediate Release February 14, 2013 Contact: Ferd Hoefner, 202-547-5754 Senate Budget Plan Includes Fix to Farm Bill Extension Fiasco Washington, DC – The fiscal package announced today by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) proposes to correct the disastrous farm bill extension measure agreed to by the White House and Senate Minority Leader behind […]
For Immediate Release: NSAC Endorses Farm Program Integrity Act
For Immediate Release February 12, 2013 Contact: Ferd Hoefner, 202-547-5754 NSAC Endorses Farm Program Integrity Act Washington, DC – On Tuesday, February 12, Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Mike Enzi (R-WY), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced a bipartisan bill that would restore integrity and fiscal responsibility in federal farm policy during this time […]
Action Alert: Where do we go from here?
This update was sent to supporters on February 1, 2013 – stay tuned for more details and opportunities to take action soon! We made major progress last year on the food and farm policy front. While they weren’t perfect, draft versions of the 2012 Farm Bill in Congress included long-overdue reforms, investments in the future […]
NSAC Members Set Comprehensive 2013 Agenda
Last week, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) held its semi-annual member meeting near Haines City, Florida. Every winter, NSAC members discuss, debate, and vote on the coalition’s priorities for the year. Amidst abundant sunshine, lunchtime canoe trips, and late-night bonfires, the coalition came to consensus on a wide-ranging slate of priorities for 2013. This […]
For Immediate Release: NSAC Statement on FDA Release of Food Safety Rules
For Immediate Release January 4, 2013 Contact: Ariane Lotti, 202-547-5754 NSAC Statement on FDA Release of Food Safety Rules Washington, DC – Today, the Food and Drug Administration released much-anticipated proposed rules detailing standards for produce safety and preventive controls for human food production. Releasing these rules is a major step in the implementation of […]
January 1 Farm Bill Extension Deal is a Disaster for Farmers
For Immediate Release January 1, 2013 January 1 Farm Bill Extension Deal is a Disaster for Farmers Washington, DC – The farm bill extension deal reached in negotiations between Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Vice President Joe Biden is a disaster for farmers and the American people. The nine month extension measure was attached […]
20,000 Citizens and 60 Organizations Call for a Sustainable, Equitable 2012 Farm Bill
“It’s time for an equitable, sustainable 2012 Farm Bill – NOW!” – this week, we learned that over 20,000 people across the country agree! Farmers, advocates, and 60 organizations from across the country joined forces this week to deliver a petition to Congress demanding a full, five-year 2012 Farm Bill that: invests in the future […]
Isn’t it time to get back to work?
Dear Supporter, No more elections. No more endless campaign commercials, debates, and discussions. Finally, Congress is back on Capitol Hill – let’s hope they’re ready to get to work! What’s on the legislative agenda for the lame duck session? Together, we can make sure the 2012 Farm Bill is on that list. Because there’s too […]
One More Vote
Dear Supporter, Now that you’ve cast your ballot in the 2012 election, it’s time to vote once more – only this time, for a better food and farm system for our nation! We’re delivering thousands of signatures to Capitol Hill next week – will yours be one of them? By signing your name to this […]
Stories from the Field: Boosting the Economy in Rural Nebraska
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 […]
The scariest thing you’ll read all day
Dear Supporter, What’s scarier than a food system built on industrial mega-farms that’s rigged to favor corporations and processed junk over family farmers and healthy local food? Not much. Last month, Congress left town just as the current farm bill expired, leaving critical farm programs high and dry with no funding – and dodging the […]
Make Food Day Matter
Today is Food Day — a nationwide celebration and a movement toward healthy, affordable, and sustainable food. Today we join citizens from across the country in celebrating farmers who produce food sustainably, rural and urban communities that are rebuilding their food systems, and individuals who are working to improve the health of their families and […]
A Food Day they won’t forget.
Dear Supporter, Our message to Congress has been clear all year: we need an equitable, sustainable farm bill, and we need it this year. Unfortunately, either Congress didn’t hear us, or they just didn’t listen. Congress left town just as the current farm bill expired, and they didn’t bother to finish a new bill or […]