ICYMI – On Wednesday January 21, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), and the Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI-USA) presented a national webinar on the Risk Management Agency’s new Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) insurance policy, a new risk management product designed for diversified farms. Crop insurance specialists with […]
NSAC’S Blog
New Year, New USDA Farm to School Webinars
Farm to school activities connect school children with healthy foods from local farmers. These efforts include bringing locally produced food into school cafeterias, integrating lessons in agriculture, food, and nutrition into the school day, and establishing school gardens. Farm to school also provides new economic opportunities for local farmers, ranchers, and fishers. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) supports […]
Funding Available to Establish a National Center for Food Safety Training
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a request for applications (RFA) to establish a National Coordination Center as part of the Food Safety Training, Education, Extension, Outreach, and Technical Assistance Grants Program. The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), signed into law in 2011, authorized the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute for […]
USDA Announces $370 Million in Conservation Partnership Awards
Secretary Tom Vilsack announces awards for the recently created Regional Conservation Partnership Program…. Read More →
Act Now: Comments on Conservation Stewardship Program are Due January 20!
Using sustainable farming methods to grow food and fiber is nothing new – in fact, sustainable farming is the foundation of growing practices in our nation and around the world. Although many of today’s farmers know more than a thing or two about feeding our nation’s families while conserving soil for future generations, keeping our […]
Institute of Medicine Releases Food Systems Framework
On Tuesday, January 13, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the National Research Council published A Framework for Assessing Effects of the Food System to aid in food and agriculture decision making. Sponsored by the JPB Foundation, this report outlines guiding principles and practical steps for stakeholders to weigh the varying tradeoffs associated with the vastly […]
Release: Farmers and the public must act to help improve nation’s largest conservation program
January 13, 2015, Washington, D.C. – The nation’s largest federal conservation program that helps working farmers manage their land sustainably – the Conservation Stewardship Program – is in major need of improvements, says the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, reflecting the views of farmer constituents of their member organizations. Problems with the program are making it […]
Release: NSAC, NCAT and RAFI to Host National Webinar on New Whole Farm Revenue Protection Policy – January 21, 2015
Release: NSAC, NCAT and RAFI to Host National Webinar on New Whole Farm Revenue Protection Policy – January 21, 2015 January 12, 2015, Washington, D.C. — There’s a new crop insurance option now available for diversified farmers – Whole Farm Revenue Insurance – and an upcoming webinar will help farmers understand whether it’s right for them. […]
Beginning Farmer Training Grants Now Available!
The USDA announced the availability of nearly $19 million to support new farmer training programs…. Read More →
Important Organic Survey Hits Farm Gates
On January 5, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) mailed the much anticipated 2014 Organic Survey to organic farmers all across the country. This survey is a follow-on to the 2012 Census of Agriculture and focuses exclusively on issues and trends facing organic producers. This survey was mandated by a provision of the Fiscal Year 2014 omnibus […]
The 114th Congress: What to Look Out for in 2015
On Tuesday, January 6, the 114th Congress convened for the first time, after the 113th Congress officially adjourned on January 5. The new Congress takes over following the November election, in which Republicans expanded their majority in the House and won control of the Senate. For more information on the election results and what they […]
Take Action for Farmers, Clean Water, Healthy Soil!
The Conservation Stewardship Program needs your help TODAY!… Read More →
Farm Bill Changes to Farm Loan Programs Go Final
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has posted a final rule codifying a variety of changes to the farm loan programs as directed by the 2014 Farm Bill. Several of the rule changes were championed by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) and Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Representative Tim Walz (D-MN), the lead congressional sponsors […]
Farm and Rural Small Business Energy Grant Deadlines Announced
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), a farm bill energy title program, is open for applicants at any time, but application cut-off dates are announced annually. For 2015, the dates range from February through June, as detailed below and in the Federal Register of December 28, 2014. REAP provides two types of funding assistance […]
USDA Releases Final Environmental Impact Analysis of 2014 Farm Bill Changes to CRP
On Tuesday, December 23, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) published a Final Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (SPEIS) examining the changes made to the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) through the 2014 Farm Bill. FSA will accept public comments on the final SPEIS through February 15, 2015. NSAC submitted comments on the Draft […]
USDA Extends Comment Period for Conservation Stewardship Program Rules
On Tuesday, December 23, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) extended the comment period on the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Interim Final Rule until January 20. The original 60-day comment period was scheduled to close on January 5, 2015; however, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) concluded that more time is needed “to ensure that the […]
Top 14 of 2014: A Look at This Year’s Key Victories for Sustainable Food and Farming
As 2014 comes to a close, we thought we would take a moment to recognize and celebrate this year’s victories for sustainable food and farming. Among the successes? From new or restored farm bill programs that are up and running, important progress on our campaign priorities, hill visits and hearings, and the release of our […]
Sustainable Food Funders Discuss Critical Issues with Policymakers
Last week, the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders met in Washington, DC for their inaugural annual policy briefing, this year bearing the title “Building Power from Kitchen Tables to Capitol Hill.” The Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders (SAFSF) is an international network of nearly 100 grantmakers that works to foster communication, shared learning, […]
Farm Microloans Big in 2014
Finding a way to finance a new farming operation before money starts coming in at the end of the growing season is a challenge that all new farmers face. And while some farmers are able to save enough before they start farming, there are always inevitable start-up and annual operating expenses – like buying seeds, […]
It’s a Wrap – This Congress is Over – Final Bills and Letters
Both the House and Senate have now finished, bringing this Congress to a close. A new Congress — the 114th — begins in January. This post summarizes some end of session activity. Legislation Government Spending Bill — The Senate approved the so-called “cromnibus” appropriations bill on Saturday, December 13 and the bill was signed into […]
Environmental Quality Incentives Program Rules Revised
On December 12, 2014 the US Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) published revised rules for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). EQIP is a voluntary conservation program that provides farmers and ranchers with financial cost-share assistance and technical assistance to implement conservation practices on working agricultural land. EQIP funds are available through […]
Release: NSAC Comments on FDA’s Revised Draft Food Safety Rules
December 15, 2014, Washington, DC – The public comment period on the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) supplemental proposed rules under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) closes today. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) and its member organizations led a national effort to analyze and comment on the revised proposed rules so that […]
New Organic Price Elections for 2015 Crop Insurance Announced
December 15, The Risk Management Agency (RMA) recently released 10 new organic price elections for the 2015 crop insurance year. This brings the total number of organic price elections to 26 for the 2015 crop year. While this represents progress there is a long way to go since RMA offers over 100 individual crop policies. […]
Improved Insurance Option Available for Underserved Crops and Farms
On December 12, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced an interim final rule implementing the changes to the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) made by the 2014 Farm bill. The release of the interim rule means the changes go into effect immediately, but public comments will be accepted on the rule through February 23, […]