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NSAC News

Beginning and Minority Farmers

Release: New bill introduced in the US House and Senate proposes bipartisan solution to the farmland access crisis

April 1, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASELaura Zaks, Associate Director of Communications and Development Tel: 347.563.6408 Email: press@sustainableagriculture.net Release: New bill introduced in the US House and Senate proposes bipartisan solution to the farmland access crisis Washington, DC, April 1, 2025 – Today, the bipartisan New Producer Economic Security Act was introduced in the U.S. House and Senate by […]

Filed Under: Beginning and Minority Farmers, Press Releases

Release: Cynthia Hayes Memorial Scholarship Now Accepting Applications

March 31, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Laura Zaks, Associate Director of Communications and Developmentpress@sustainableagriculture.net Release: Cynthia Hayes Memorial Scholarship Now Accepting Applications The Cynthia Hayes Memorial Scholarship honors the co-founder of the first network for African American organic farmers in the United States. Washington, DC, March 28, 2025 —Last week, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) and the […]

Filed Under: Beginning and Minority Farmers, Press Releases

Stewarding Success: Enhancing Access for Underserved Farmers in CSP

October 22, 2024

EDITOR’S NOTE: On October 9, 2024, NSAC released “Stewarding Success: CSP Under the 2018 Farm Bill”, a comprehensive analysis of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) over the course of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill). The report offers an in-depth analysis of CSP’s enrollment trends, conservation practices supported, and funding impacts, including […]

Filed Under: Beginning and Minority Farmers, Carousel, Conservation, Energy & Environment, Farm Bill

Release: Senate Hearing Highlights Need for Broader View of Beginning Farmer Challenges

June 5, 2024

Yesterday, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry’s Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade held a hearing entitled, “Pathways to Farming: Helping the Next Generation of Farmers.” The almost two-hour hearing featured four witnesses who spoke to their experiences as beginning farmers and ranchers. In response to the hearing, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) and National Young Farmers Coalition (Young Farmers) issued the following statements…. Read More →

Filed Under: Beginning and Minority Farmers, Competition & Anti-trust, Press Releases

Release: NSAC Welcomes Bicameral Capital for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Act

June 3, 2024

Representatives Marilyn Strickland, Alma Adams, and Jimmy Panetta, alongside Senator Peter Welch, introduced the Capital for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Act in the House and the Senate, which directs FSA to develop a multi-year operating loan pilot for beginning farmers to finance initial assets and the development of production and management systems…. Read More →

Filed Under: Beginning and Minority Farmers, Commodity, Crop Insurance & Credit Programs, Press Releases

Funding Available to Support Underserved Farmers: A Look at USDA’s 2501 Grants

May 16, 2024

The USDA announced $22.3 million in funding for 2501 grants to support socially disadvantaged farmers through targeted outreach and technical assistance programs, with applications due by July 5, 2024. The program aims to address historical disparities faced by farmers of color by providing resources and opportunities for success in agriculture. Despite challenges such as funding cuts and delays, ongoing advocacy efforts seek to improve program accessibility and ensure equitable support for underserved farming communities, with potential enhancements outlined in upcoming farm bill proposals…. Read More →

Filed Under: Beginning and Minority Farmers, Grants and Programs, Research, Education & Extension

Examining the Latest Agricultural Census Data

March 8, 2024

Last month, USDA released the 2022 Census of Agriculture. The Census of Agriculture, which has been conducted since 1840 and currently is updated once every five years, serves as perhaps the primary data source for understanding the state of US food and agriculture and is a critical tool for farmers, researchers, and stakeholders because of the wealth of data it contains about everything from farmer demographics to cover crop acreage. This post is the first in a two-part series through which NSAC examines the latest Census of Agriculture in detail. This post explores some of the high-level themes from across the Census…. Read More →

Filed Under: Beginning and Minority Farmers, Carousel, Organic, Research, Education & Extension

From the Field – Meat Processing Technical Assistance Success

February 22, 2024

The guest post from the Flower Hill Institute outlines progress made in diversifying and strengthening the meat and poultry processing industry in the US through the Biden Administration’s funding initiatives, such as cooperative expansions, regional enterprises, and tribal initiatives. Despite significant demand for resources, the post highlights challenges and emphasizes the importance of sustained funding, technical assistance, and regulatory support for small processors to ensure continued growth and resilience in the sector…. Read More →

Filed Under: Beginning and Minority Farmers, Carousel, Local & Regional Food Systems, Sustainable Livestock

RFA Roundup: Spring 2024 Sustainable Agriculture Funding Opportunities 

February 15, 2024

USDA has announced several funding opportunities for sustainable agriculture. This blog post outlines the funding guidelines, application deadlines, and program requirements for a range of food and farm system grants funded through USDA that are currently accepting applications. The funding opportunities fall into three categories: Research and Education, Local Food (including urban and rural-focused programs) and Nutrition, Climate, Conservation, and Energy…. Read More →

Filed Under: Beginning and Minority Farmers, Carousel, Conservation, Energy & Environment, Grants and Programs, Local & Regional Food Systems, Research, Education & Extension

More Than $27 Million in Grants Awarded to Support Historically Underserved Farmers 

October 19, 2023

USDA announced over $27 million in grants to 41 organizations across the country for outreach and technical assistance to underserved and veteran farmers and ranchers. The Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program, more commonly known as the “2501 Program,” and administered by USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE), helps to ensure that historically underserved producers have equitable access to the information, programs, and opportunities that will help them to find success in agriculture…. Read More →

Filed Under: Beginning and Minority Farmers, Carousel, Grants and Programs, Research, Education & Extension

USDA Announces $300 Million in Awards to Support Access to Land, Capital, and Markets for Beginning and Undeserved Farmers

July 28, 2023

This month, the USDA Farm Service Agency announced more than $300 million in awards to 50 projects focused on increasing underserved farmers and ranchers’ access to land, markets, and capital. This post details some of the projects that were awarded under the Increasing Land, Capital, and Market Access (Increasing Land Access) Program (LCM), which funds cooperative agreements or grants for projects that help move underserved producers from surviving to thriving. … Read More →

Filed Under: Beginning and Minority Farmers, Carousel, Grants and Programs

Guest Post: USDA Discrimination Financial Assistance Program Details for Growers

July 28, 2023

This is a guest post written by our partners at the Farmers’ Legal Action Group (FLAG). On July 7, 2023, the USDA announced the opening of the USDA Discrimination Financial Assistance Program, authorized by Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). The Farmers’ Legal Action Group has published a Brief Farmers’ Guide to USDA Discrimination Financial Assistance Program, this post outlines key information also available in the free guide…. Read More →

Filed Under: Beginning and Minority Farmers, Carousel, Grants and Programs

Release: NSAC Praises Introduction of the Supporting Urban & Innovative Farming Act of 2023 

July 26, 2023

Senators John Fetterman (D-PA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ed Markey (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the Supporting Urban & Innovative Farming Act. This bill expands support for urban, suburban, and rural farmers through programmatic reforms to improve the content and delivery of technical assistance to urban and innovative producers, increases access to grant funds among farmers, and scales composting and food waste initiatives spearheaded by the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production…. Read More →

Filed Under: Beginning and Minority Farmers, Local & Regional Food Systems, Press Releases

Release: Cynthia Hayes Memorial Scholarship Recognizes Outstanding Leadership in Sustainable Agriculture

June 20, 2023

The Southeastern African American Farmers’ Organic Network (SAAFON), the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), and Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) announced the names of three students selected to receive the 2023 Cynthia Hayes Memorial Scholarship. Three students: Zymora Davinchi, Miles Lee, and Rodnisha Owens will each receive $5,000 awards to support their studies and bolster their ongoing efforts to advance racial equity in the food and farm system. … Read More →

Filed Under: Beginning and Minority Farmers, Press Releases

Why Congress Should Mandate a Farm Credit Grant

May 15, 2023

The Farm Credit System (FCS), agriculture’s government sponsored enterprise (GSE), is a nationwide network of customer-owned lenders with a mission to support rural communities and agriculture. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) 2023 Farm Bill Platform includes a proposal that requires FCS, agriculture’s GSE, to grant 15 percent of its annual profits to support underserved producers and food systems enterprises. These grants will build upon successful programs already facilitated by some Farm Credit associations and help fulfill its mission and public mandate to serve young, beginning, and small farmers and ranchers. … Read More →

Filed Under: Beginning and Minority Farmers, Carousel, Commodity, Crop Insurance & Credit Programs, Farm Bill, Local & Regional Food Systems, Rural Development

Historical Perspectives on Food System Transformation

May 12, 2023

This blog post is the culmination of a fellowship research project by NSAC Grassroots Fellow Anthony Singh-Reynoso and highlights three case studies: the struggle for farmworker justice and the United Farm Workers; the necessity of community-based methods of self-sufficiency and the Freedom Farm Cooperative; and the origins of the Farm Bill and the farmer response to the Dust Bowl…. Read More →

Filed Under: Beginning and Minority Farmers, Carousel, Farm Bill, Local & Regional Food Systems, Rural Development

$45 Million Available for Outreach and Assistance to Underserved Producers

May 5, 2023

The USDA announced $45 million in funding for 2501 grants, almost $10 million more than was available last year, to help organizations conduct targeted outreach and provide technical assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers. This post details the program, eligibility requirements and features some of the 2022 projects. … Read More →

Filed Under: Beginning and Minority Farmers, Carousel, Grants and Programs, Research, Education & Extension

Funding available for rural farmers and cooperatives

March 29, 2023

On March 17, 2023, USDA Rural Development announced the availability of at least $31 million in total funding for Value-Added Producer (VAPG) projects and $3 million for Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG). The application window to apply is now open. Online applications will be accepted until May 11 for VAPG and May 16 for SDGG through grants.gov. Additional information on paper application deadlines is below. We encourage all readers to help get the word out to qualified individuals and groups…. Read More →

Filed Under: Beginning and Minority Farmers, Carousel, Grants and Programs, Local & Regional Food Systems, Marketing and Labeling

RFA ROUNDUP: SPRING 2023 SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

February 28, 2023

This post shares all the information that food and farm organizations might need to best utilize the newly released funding resources. From funding guidelines, application deadlines, and program requirements, NSAC covers everything needed for the latest round of Requests for Applications (RFAs) to support your community of farmers and advocates…. Read More →

Filed Under: Beginning and Minority Farmers, Carousel, Grants and Programs

NSAC’s Top 10 of 2022: A Year in Review

December 22, 2022

The end of a year signifies a time to reflect on all the most important accomplishments and tribulations of the past year. At NSAC, we had the opportunity to celebrate and find new reasons to expand our advocacy to support sustainable agriculture practices, small-scale producers, diversified farming, local food systems, and beginning and underserved farmers and ranchers. This post shares NSAC’s Top 10 accomplishments of 2022. … Read More →

Filed Under: Beginning and Minority Farmers, Budget and Appropriations, Carousel, Commodity, Crop Insurance & Credit Programs, Competition & Anti-trust, Conservation, Energy & Environment, Coronavirus, Farm Bill, Food Safety, Grants and Programs, Local & Regional Food Systems, Organic, Research, Education & Extension, Rural Development

NSAC’s 2023 Farm Bill Platform: Advancing Racial Equity Across the Food System

December 21, 2022

This is the fifth post in our series covering key pillars of NSAC’s 2023 Farm Bill Platform which discusses the need to craft a farm bill that advances racial equity by improving access to USDA funding and programs for underserved individuals and communities, and particularly farmers of color; increasing funding for programs and policies that support underserved communities and particularly farmers of color; and strengthening data collection, analysis, reporting, and transparency to inform racial equity-driven decision-making…. Read More →

Filed Under: Beginning and Minority Farmers, Carousel, Farm Bill

NSAC’s 2023 Farm Bill Platform: Leveling the Playing Field

December 15, 2022

This is the third post in our series covering key pillars of NSAC’s 2023 Farm Bill Platform, which advances recommendations that would level the playing field for small and mid-sized farms by supporting beginning farmers’ access to land and capital; fixing the flawed farm safety net and improving access for diversified farmers; and addressing corporate consolidation and restoring fair competition. … Read More →

Filed Under: Beginning and Minority Farmers, Carousel, Commodity, Crop Insurance & Credit Programs, Farm Bill

NSAC’s 2023 Farm Bill Platform: Investing in Healthy Communities

December 9, 2022

This is the second post in NSAC’s series covering key pillars of NSAC’s 2023 Farm Bill Platform, focusing on how the Farm Bill can invest in healthy rural and urban communities by strengthening the resilience of local and regional supply chains, increasing market opportunities for small and mid-sized farms and processors, enhancing job growth and local economic development through workforce development and training, and ensuring the most vulnerable have ample access to nutritious, culturally-relevant, locally-produced foods…. Read More →

Filed Under: Beginning and Minority Farmers, Carousel, Farm Bill, Local & Regional Food Systems, Nutrition & Food Access, Rural Development

Release: Groups Share Bipartisan Principles for 2023 Farm Bill

November 29, 2022

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), R Street Institute, Taxpayers for Common Sense (TCS), and U.S. PIRG released a joint set of farm bill reform principles in preparation for the 2023 Farm Bill reauthorization. … Read More →

Filed Under: Beginning and Minority Farmers, Farm Bill, Press Releases

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