The USDA announced the availability of nearly $19 million to support new farmer training programs…. Read More →
Beginning and Minority Farmers
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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, […]
Much Needed Funding Will Support Outreach to Minority and Veteran Farmers
Farming is a risky business and has become increasingly difficult to enter over the past few decades. However, for the growing number of racially and culturally diverse or veteran farmers and ranchers in this country, starting and managing a successful farming operation is fraught with even greater challenges. That’s why NSAC is especially excited about […]
New USDA Assistance for Farmer Veterans
More and more military veterans are trading in their combat boots for cowboy boots and transitioning into a career in agriculture. Many of the men and women who have served our country come from rural or agricultural backgrounds, and are either interested in returning to the family farm or pursuing farming as a therapeutic career that […]
New Guide Available on Matched Savings Accounts for Beginning Farmers
When Congress returns next month, they will debate whether to provide first time funding for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Individual Development Account program… Read More →
NSAC member organizations receive Rural Business Enterprise Grants from USDA
On Tuesday, October 21, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced 50 new Rural Business Enterprise Grants (RBEG) for the 2014 fiscal year, including awards for two NSAC member organizations. Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) and National Hmong American Farmers (NHAF) each received RBEG awards from USDA’s Rural Development agency. The announcement follows an earlier […]
Congress Extends 2014 Funding Levels through December 11
On Thursday, September 18, the Senate passed a short-term funding extension, known as a “continuing resolution” (CR), to fund the federal government through December 11. The CR extends fiscal year (FY) 2014 funding levels as well as policy provisions known as appropriations “riders.” The House passed this temporary funding measure earlier this week, and the […]
Farm Aid 2014: Making Policy Connections on North Carolina Farms
Decisions that legislators make in Washington, DC have real impacts on the ground in communities and on farms around the country. On Friday, September 12, 2014, several NSAC staff members toured several farms in and around Raleigh, North Carolina hosted by Farm Aid (an NSAC member) ahead of their 2014 Farm Aid Benefit Concert. The […]
Funding Now Available for Farmer Risk Management Education
On Monday, September 16, four regional Extension Risk Management Education Centers jointly issued this year’s Requests for Applications (RFA) for their competitive grants program that provides funding for farmer-based risk management education, outreach and training. The Risk Management Education program offers a funding opportunity for projects led by cooperative extension, non-profit and community-based organizations that […]
4 Important Policy Decisions that Will Impact Farmers, Food, and the Environment in 2015
Taking a look at Congress’ work over the next few months, here are four appropriations decisions that will have a major impact on farmers, food, and the environment…. Read More →
Deadline for Applications for Minority Farmer Assistance Grant Program
On Thursday, August 21st, the Department of Agriculture’s Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO) hosted a listening session on available funding for the Outreach and Technical Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers program – also known as the Section 2501 program. The listening session provided organizations from across the country the opportunity to directly engage […]
White House and USDA Honor Beginning Farmer “Champions of Change”
On Tuesday, July 29, the White House honored 15 “Champions of Change” working to build a strong foundation for the next generation of farmers and ranchers. The champions were also recognized at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Monday, July 28. The White House Champions of Change programs honor everyday Americans doing extraordinary things […]
Funding Restored for Outreach and Assistance for Underserved Farmers
Funding available to support programs for minority, tribal, and veteran producers… Read More →
USDA Releases Final Rule to Expand Nondiscriminatory Protections
On Wednesday, July 16, 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published its final rule, “Nondiscrimination in Programs or Activities Conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture.” It follows the proposed rule, published in the Federal Register on December 27, 2013 for public comment. The USDA regulation on nondiscrimination was last revised in 1999. […]
New Beginning Farmer and Conservation Crop Insurance Changes Announced
On Monday June 30, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) released an interim rule outlining seven actions it is taking to modify crop insurance inline with the requirements of the 2014 Farm Bill, to increase access for beginning farmers and encourage natural resource conservation. NSAC supported the inclusion of several […]
Seasonal High Tunnels Support Conservation and New Farmers
New updates on how the Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative has benefited new farmers and encouraged additional conservation efforts…. Read More →
Melone Testifies at House Agriculture Committee in Support of New Farmers
On Wednesday, June 25, the House Agriculture Committee’s subcommittee that deals with rural development and farm credit issues held an oversight hearing on credit availability in rural America. As is so often the case in these types of hearings, it quickly turned into a slug fest between the Farm Credit System and the banking industry […]
New USDA Website, Rules for Beginning Farmers
On Monday, June 23, U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden announced the implementation of several 2014 Farm Bill measures as well as other policy initiatives to help support new and beginning farmers and ranchers. Harden made the announcement at the inaugural meeting of the reconvened Beginning Farmer and Rancher Advisory Committee in Davis, […]
Down Payment Loans Help Beginning Farmers Buy Farmland
USDA’s Down Payment Loan Program has been around for over 20 years, and this post is the second in a two part series that examines the impact this program has had on growing new farmers over the past 20 years. To read the first post in the series, click here. To learn more about credit programs to […]
Federal Farm Loans Have Increased Access to Land for New Farmers Over the Past 20 Years
USDA’s Down Payment Loan Program has been around for over 20 years, and this post is the first in a two part series that examines the impact this program has had on growing new farmers over the past 20 years. Stay tuned for our second installment later this week! Access to affordable farmland is one […]
Funding Available to Conserve Sensitive Land and Support Beginning Farmers
New conservation opportunities for beginning, socially disadvantaged, or veteran farmers to access land through the Transition Incentives Program (TIP)… Read More →