FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Laura Zaks, Associate Director of Communications and Development National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition lzaks@sustainableagriculture.net Tel. 347.563.6408 President Announces FY 2022 $6 Trillion Budget RequestThe request would significantly increase USDA funding and advance infrastructure and jobs Washington, DC, May 28, 2021 – Today, the Biden-Harris Administration released the President’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 budget request. […]
NSAC’S Blog
RELEASE: More Than 450 Organizations Urge Congress to Invest $200 Billion in Climate-Focused Agriculture Improvements in the American Jobs Plan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Laura Zaks, Associate Director of Communications and Development National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition lzaks@sustainableagriculture.net Tel. 347.563.6408 More Than 450 Organizations Urge Congress to Invest $200 Billion in Climate-Focused Agriculture Improvements in the American Jobs Plan Letter to Congressional Leadership Addresses Agriculture, Climate and Infrastructure Needs Washington, DC, May 25, 2021 – Today […]
$15 million Now Available to Support Regional Food Economy Development Projects
On May 5, 2021 USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced the availability of $15.3 million in funding for the second ever Request for Applications (RFA) for the Regional Food Systems Partnership (RFSP) Program. RFSP is a new program that supports foodshed-level approaches to developing regional food economies. RFSP was launched in the 2018 Farm Bill […]
$25 MILLION AVAILABLE FOR ON-FARM CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANTS
On April 21, 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced the availability of $25 million in funding to advance the adoption and evaluation of innovative conservation practices on agricultural lands. The funding is for on-farm trials, a sub-program of the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. CIGs are designed to support collaboration between NRCS and […]
$76.9 million in Local and Regional Food Project Grants Now Available
On May 5, 2021 USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced the availability of $76.9 million in funding for the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP). FMLFPP has two subprograms – the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) and the Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) – with a separate Request for Applications (RFA) for each […]
Regional Conservation Partnership Program: Funding Available and Awards
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced its list of fiscal year (FY) 2021 Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) awards. In addition, USDA announced the availability of up to $75 million for Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFAs) under RCPP. Applications for RCPP AFA will be accepted until May 28, 2021. In this blog post, we […]
Farm Debt Relief Now Available for BIPOC Producers
USDA recently released more information on how COVID debt relief funds would be distributed and what BIPOC farmers need to know about accessing this relief…. Read More →
Recapping the Federal Farm and Food Policy Pandemic Response
Because so much has been happening in pandemic-related farm policy, this post recaps the federal response to the pandemic, including the new Producer Assistance Program, and looks forward towards what policies may determine the ‘new normal’ in our food system… Read More →
RELEASE: Kids Eat Local Act Expands School Food Options, Opportunities for Farmers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts:Wes KingNational Sustainable Agriculture Coalitionpress@sustainableagriculture.net Anna MullenNational Farm to School Networkanna@farmtoschool.org / (515) 210-2483 Kids Eat Local Act Expands School Food Options, Opportunities for Farmers National Farm to School Network and National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition welcome this legislation, which will make it easier for school meal programs to purchase from local farmers […]
RELEASE: Farm to School Act of 2021 Will Support Child Nutrition Programs and Local Food Systems In Rebuilding From Pandemic
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts:Anna MullenNational Farm to School Networkanna@farmtoschool.org Wes KingNational Sustainable Agriculture Coalitionpress@sustainableagriculture.net Farm to School Act of 2021 Will Support Child Nutrition Programs and Local Food Systems In Rebuilding From Pandemic National Farm to School Network and National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition urge support for the Act, emphasizing farm to school’s proven impacts for […]
RELEASE: Agriculture Resilience Act Delivers Bold Vision for Net Zero Agriculture
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Eric Deeble National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Email: edeeble@sustainableagriculture.net Agriculture Resilience Act Delivers Bold Vision for Net Zero Agriculture National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Applauds Trailblazing Climate and Agriculture Bill Washington, DC, April 22, 2021 – Today, Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) introduced the Agriculture Resilience Act (ARA), which […]
COMMENT: Conservation Reserve Program Expanded and Renewed
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Eric Deeble, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalitionpress@sustainableagriculture.net COMMENT: NSAC Commends Expansion and Enhancement of Conservation Reserve Program Higher payment rates, new incentives, and a greater focus on climate change mitigation better support farmers and ranchers Washington, DC, April 21, 2021 – In response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announcement on the changes made to the […]
Farmers Care About SARE: NSAC Hosts Virtual Annual Appropriations Fly-in
Every year, NSAC partners with coalition members to organize dozens of farmers and ranchers across the country to share their stories, ideas, and needs with Congressmembers. Marking one year since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, NSAC gathered once again this spring to host our third virtual farmer fly-in here (and everywhere) in DC.! Last […]
Unpacking Land Policy and What is Needed for a More Equitable Farming Future
The National Young Farmers Coalition released a new report that illustrates the critical connection between land, policy and power. The report highlights the challenges young farmers, and in particular, Black, Indigenous, and other farmers of color (BIPOC), face accessing land and provides a detailed path forward through policy change…. Read More →
RELEASE: Annual Cynthia Hayes Memorial Scholarships Awarded to Three Rising Stars in Sustainable Agriculture
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kelsey Watson, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition press@sustainableagriculture.net Annual Cynthia Hayes Memorial Scholarships Awarded to Three Rising Stars in Sustainable Agriculture 2021 scholars exemplify Hayes’ commitment to racial equity and advancing opportunities for farmers of color Washington, DC, April 8, 2021 –In partnership with Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) and Southeastern […]
USDA Invests Over $11 Million in Research for Small and Mid-Sized Farms
Twenty-four grants have been awarded to 20 institutions for research that would help small and medium-sized farm operators increase their competitiveness in local markets while providing greater access to food in their communities. The awards, totaling $11.5 million, are provided by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) […]
Guest Post: New Pasa Report Unearths Soil Health Insights
Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Franklin Egan, Director of Education at Pasa Sustainable Agriculture, an NSAC member organization. This article originally appeared in March 2021 on Pasa’s blog. Our new report offers fresh insights into how farmers can improve soil stewardship to more effectively protect ecosystems and communities, better withstand severe weather, and […]
$76 MILLION AVAILABLE FOR VALUE-ADDED AND LOCAL FOOD PROJECTS
On March 5, 2021, USDA Rural Development announced the availability of at least $76 million in total funding for VAPG projects. The application window to apply is open now and online applications are accepted until April 29, 2020 through grants.gov, and paper applications must be postmarked by May 4, 2021. We encourage all readers to […]
Farm Bill Program Addresses the Nation’s Biodiversity and Climate Crises
The Conservation Stewardship Program As our nation’s largest working lands conservation program, the Farm Bill’s Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), can and should be a boon for wildlife. But cuts in program funding under the previous administration left limited resources that farmers can use to enhance their conservation efforts on the lands they steward. During these […]
Top Sustainable Ag Priorities for 2021
As a new Congress and new Administration begin moving forward their top priorities for the coming year, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition stands ready to engage our grassroots base to push for top issues – like climate change and COVID relief – facing farmers and food system leaders across our membership and the broader sustainable […]
RELEASE: New Farmers’ Guide to the Value-Added Producer Grant Program Published
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Wes King, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition press@sustainableagriculture.net New Farmers’ Guide to the Value-Added Producer Grant Program PublishedNational Sustainable Agriculture Coalition announces updates to free guide, including new COVID-19 resources Washington, DC, March 12, 2021 – In conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recent announcement of at least $76 million in […]
RELEASE: Farm to School Act of 2021 Would Strengthen Support For Local Food Systems And Child Nutrition Programs As Communities Rebuild From Pandemic
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts:Anna MullenNational Farm to School Networkanna@farmtoschool.org / (515) 210-2483 Wes KingNational Sustainable Agriculture Coalitionpress@sustainableagriculture.net Farm to School Act of 2021 Would Strengthen Support For Local Food Systems And Child Nutrition Programs As Communities Rebuild From PandemicNational Farm to School Network and National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition urge support for the Act, emphasizing farm […]
Congress Clears Another Round of Pandemic Aid with Historic Support for BIPOC Farmers
This week, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan, which will provide relief for farmers and strengthen food supply chains and processing capacity disrupted by the pandemic…. Read More →
The Climate Crisis Needs More Than a Silver Bullet
Energy and momentum to address the climate crisis is building under the Biden-Harris Administration. Many parts of the agriculture sector, previously opposed to climate action, have shifted their stance as agricultural soils come into focus as potentially powerful carbon sinks – and source of profit. Legislators, farm groups, advocates, and corporations have been churning out […]