The 2015 Certified Organic Survey, which collects data on acreage, production, and sales for a variety of certified organic crop and livestock commodities, is now underway via the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Certified organic crop and livestock producers have until February 19, 2016 to submit their data by mail or to complete the […]
NSAC’S Blog
Soil Health Emerges as Global Priority to Address Climate Change
Agricultural production accounts for nearly ten percent of all greenhouse gas emissions, and farmers and ranchers are among those who will most immediately and dramatically suffer the consequences of climate change. Agriculture has a substantial role to play in global mitigation efforts, and we at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) work closely with the U.S. […]
NSAC Members Set 2016 Priorities for Sustainable Agriculture
Last week, over 100 representatives of 50 member organizations of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) gathered in Davis, CA for their annual Winter Meeting to discuss, debate, and vote on the coalition’s policy priorities for the coming year. NSAC’s meeting was hosted by the California Caucus, a set of 15 NSAC member groups based […]
Conservation Stewardship Program 2016 Sign-Up Opens
Farmers and ranchers interested in enrolling in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) this year have until March 31 to submit their initial applications to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). USDA will enroll 10 million acres of farm and ranch land in the program this year, with payments to farmers and […]
RELEASE: USDA Announces Conservation Stewardship Program Sign-up for 2016
Over 20 million acres of farm and ranch lands eligible for conservation support… Read More →
Direct Marketing and Local Food the Focus of House Agriculture Committee Hearing
Farmers, ranchers, and advocates from across the country gathered yesterday, February 2, 2016, to speak with members of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research about their experiences in direct farmer to consumer marketing, farm to institution marketing, and other local food strategies. The subcommittee convened six expert witnesses, with support from […]
RELEASE: National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Honors Sustainability Champion, Mark Lipson
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ferd Hoefner (NSAC) 202-547-5754 National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Honors Sustainability Champion, Mark Lipson Washington, DC, February 2, 2016 – At its annual Winter Meeting, this year hosted in Davis, California, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) honored farmer and former Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Policy Advisor for the Office of the Secretary […]
New Mitigation Program Will Help Offset Wetland Losses
In an effort to offset the widespread draining of wetlands for agricultural production, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has begun to fund wetland “banks” to help landowners compensate for negative impacts made to wetlands on their properties. On Thursday, January 28, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service began soliciting proposals from states, local governments and […]
Local Foods, Local Places Energizes Food Economies in 27 New Communities
The United States farm sector has been steadily shrinking for years. According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture the farming population shrunk by 4 percent between 2007 and 2012, while new farmers (farming for 5 years or less) declined by as much as 23.3 percent. And as the farmers go, so goes farmland; recent estimates […]
Innovative Grazing Apprenticeship Program Attracts Young Farmers
The aging of America’s farmer population has become of increasing concern in the last several decades as older farmers retire without a new generation ready to take their place. Given the challenges inherent in farm life– hard work, high risk, and unreliable earnings– younger generations have been leaving rural areas for more secure career opportunities, […]
Expanded USDA Microloans Program Increases Opportunity for Small and Beginning Farmers
Access to credit continues to be an urgent need for farmers across the country, especially for small and beginning farmers. Starting a new farm is not unlike starting any other small business–it can require significant upfront capital to get off the ground. USDA recently announced exciting changes to their Microloan Program, including launching a new […]
Senate Agriculture Committee Unanimously Approves Child Nutrition Bill
Senate Agriculture Committee takes a critical step forward by voting on the Child Nutrition Reauthorization… Read More →
RELEASE: Senate Bill Offers Hope for a Child Nutrition Act reauthorization in 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ferd Hoefner (NSAC) 202-547-5754 Erin McGuire (NFSN) 207-749-7249 Senate Bill Offers Hope for a Child Nutrition Act reauthorization in 2016 Washington, DC, January 20, 2016 – In a critical first step forward, the Senate Agriculture Committee will today begin markup of their draft of the long-delayed Child Nutrition Act reauthorization. The […]
Final Guidance on National Organic Program Provides Clarity for Farmers and Certifiers
Preservation of natural resources and the promotion of biodiversity and animal welfare are core principals of organic production. In order to support these principals and help farmers and certifiers to comply with organic requirements, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program (NOP) released its final guidance, Guidance on Biodiversity and Conservation, on Friday, January […]
New Guidebook Helps Farmers Promote Conservation and Food Safety at the Same Time
A brand new handbook by NSAC member organization Wild Farm Alliance (WFA) explains how farmers can implement conservation activities while also complying with new food safety regulations. The guidebook, entitled Co-Managing Farm Stewardship with Food Safety GAPs and Conservation Practices, A Grower and Conservationist’s Guidebook, addresses the misconception that conservation efforts, such as installing buffers […]
Congress Disapproves of Clean Water Rule Despite Clear Benefits for Agriculture
Turning aside the opportunity to protect clean water protections for agriculture and public health, Congress has decidedly rejected the EPA’s attempt to clarify long-confusing jurisdictional definitions within the Clean Water Act. On Wednesday, January 12, the House voted to overturn the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Clean Water Rule and prevent any similar rules from […]
Child Nutrition Act Markup Finally On the Calendar
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Ranking member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) have announced the highly anticipated Senate markup for the Child Nutrition Act Reauthorization (CNR). The markup of the Senate’s draft bill, the Improving Child Nutrition Integrity and Access Act of 2016, is scheduled for next Wednesday, January 20th at 10 a.m. […]
USDA Revokes Grass Fed Meat Labeling Standard
On Tuesday, January 12, the USDA AMS rescinded the labeling standard for grass fed meat… Read More →
RELEASE: USDA Revokes Grass Fed Label Standard
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ferd Hoefner 202-547-5754 USDA Revokes Grass Fed Label Standard Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Speaks Out Against Decision Washington, DC, January 12, 2016 – Today in the Federal Register, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) rescinds the labeling standard for grass fed meat that was developed over the course of […]
$3.8 Million Available for Organic Farming Research Grants
On Thursday, January 7, USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) released Request for Applications (RFA) for the Organic Transitions Research and Extension Program (ORG), making $3.8 million in funding available in FY 2016. The deadline for FY 2016 submissions is April 15, 2016. NSAC supports NIFA’s decision to not require any notification of […]
Declining Wild Bee Population Worrisome for Agriculture
Wild bees pollinate many of the country’s most important farmlands, but a new national study suggests that these crucial pollinators are disappearing in the agricultural areas where their services are needed most. The study, Modeling the status, trends, and impacts of wild bee abundance in the United States, was published on December 21 in the Proceedings of […]
USDA Finds Conservation Adoption Lagging
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Economic Research Service (ERS) recently released a report on conservation practice adoption, highlighting the fairly low adoption rates for specific practices that play a critical role in mitigating environmental impacts, improving soil health, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The report, “Conservation-Practice Adoption Rates Vary Widely by Crop and Region” […]
Organic Exemption from Checkoff Programs Expanded
The 2014 Farm Bill directed USDA to expand the rule that exempts organic farmers, handlers, and manufacturers from paying into commodity promotion (checkoff) programs to advertise, research, and promote conventional products. Under the old rules based on a 2002 Farm Bill provision, only farms and businesses producing 100 percent organic goods and no conventional goods […]
10 Ways USDA Can Address Climate Change in 2016
The new year presents a final window of opportunity for the Administration to act upon climate change … Read More →