National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

Supporting the economic and environmental sustainability of agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities.

NSAC News

Release: NSAC Publishes Newly Revised Growing Opportunity Guide

For Immediate Release

Contact: Laura Zaks

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

lzaks@sustainableagriculture.net 

Tel. 347.563.6408

Release: NSAC Publishes Newly Revised Growing Opportunity Guide 

Guide Simplifies Federal Programs for Farmers

Washington, DC, March 24, 2022 – Today, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) announced the publication of its brand new, fully updated Growing Opportunity: A Guide to USDA Sustainable Farming Programs. This free, comprehensive, practical guide is for farmers and ranchers who want to better understand which key federal programs offered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) can help them meet their needs and support their diversified, sustainable farming operations. The guide distills technical programs in a way that is accessible, serving as a valuable resource for farmers as they look for opportunities and financing to grow their farms and businesses and help build a more sustainable farming system. 

USDA is partnering with farmer-serving organizations like NSAC and its members to better reach and serve an increasingly diverse farmer and rancher constituency for USDA programs. NSAC originally partnered with USDA in 2017 to produce the first edition of this guide to USDA programs for farmers and ranchers. This new edition has been updated to reflect program changes made since the 2018 Farm Bill. 

The new guide is a resource for current farmers or would-be farmers seeking to: 

  • access capital, land, infrastructure, or technical assistance to begin or expand an operation;  
  • pursue new markets and sell fresh or value-added products directly to consumers, wholesalers, restaurants, schools, and food hubs; and/or 
  • consider diversification options, comprehensive conservation systems, and organic farming practices. 

The guide includes detailed and concise program summaries, reference links, and key resources related to dozens of USDA programs that are designed to help farmers and ranchers start, maintain, and grow successful operations. These programs include: 

In the guide, programs are broken down by USDA agency and labeled by the type of service offered such as loans, rental payments, insurance, cost-share, auditing services, technical and financial assistance, and grant programs. The guide includes a matrix to help farmers easily match up their interests, such as value-added programs or cover crops, to programs that might help them, as well as a matrix highlighting programs with prioritized funding for beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, and military veterans.  

The guide is available for download on NSAC’s website. 

This material is based upon work supported by the US Department of Agriculture, under agreement number NR203A750001C038. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the US Department of Agriculture. In addition, any reference to specific brands or types of products or services does not constitute or imply an endorsement by the US Department of Agriculture for those products or services. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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About the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is a grassroots alliance that advocates for federal policy reform supporting the long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability of agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities. Learn more: https://sustainableagriculture.net/