On April 29, the House Agriculture Committee convened a hearing to discuss challenges facing pollinator populations, with the honey bee as the focal point. Throughout the hearing, the increased incidence of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) was discussed, and the current research available to identify causes of the devastating decrease in honey bee populations and economic […]
Conservation, Energy & Environment
Conservation and Consumer Interests Again Excluded from Ag Research Advisory Board
After a lengthy nomination process, USDA announced yesterday the appointment of eight new members to serve on the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics (NAREEE) Advisory Board. The NAREEE Advisory Board advises the Secretary of Agriculture, USDA’s research agencies, and land-grant colleges and universities on agricultural research, extension, education, and economics policies and priorities. […]
Senators Speak Up for Conservation Funding in 2015
On Friday, April 4, 26 Senators delivered a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittees urging them to oppose cuts to conservation programs in fiscal year (FY) 2015 appropriations legislation. Senator Chris Coon (D-DE) led the letter. Among the many other signers were Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) […]
Groups Urge Congress to Protect Conservation Funding
On Thursday, April 3, NSAC and 28 other national organizations delivered a letter to members of the House and Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittees urging them to oppose cuts to conservation programs in fiscal year (FY) 2015 appropriations legislation. The letter was delivered as the Subcommittees are considering the President’s FY 2015 Budget Request, funding requests from […]
NSAC, Farmers Partner to Advocate on Sustainable Agriculture Funding
This week, a dozen family farmers and sustainable agriculture advocates from eight states traveled to Washington, DC to share their stories with the members of Congress who will decide on the coming year’s agricultural budget. In meetings Wednesday and Thursday, farmers called upon their legislators to invest in a more sustainable food and farm future […]
Protecting Streams and Wetlands Under the Clean Water Act
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) have released a much-anticipated proposed rule to clarify Clean Water Act protections for small streams and wetlands. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition applauds EPA and the Corps for moving forward with this important rule, which will bolster the Clean Water Act’s legal and […]
New Targeted Conservation Partnership Projects Coming Soon
The recently enacted 2014 Farm Bill includes a new Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). RCPP allows farmers to sign-up for conservation technical and financial assistance through targeted regional or thematic projects that are organized by farm and conservation organizations, state agencies, conservation districts, or others with an interest in partnering with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation […]
Environmental Impacts of Produce Safety Regulations
Earlier this week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) extended the comment period on the scoping process for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that is part of the agency’s process for developing new produce safety regulations. The original deadline for submitting comments on the environmental impact scoping process was November 15, 2013, but FDA extended the […]
National Conference on Cover Crops and Soil Health
Last month, 300 agricultural innovators, experts, and leaders convened in Omaha, Nebraska for the National Conference on Cover Crops and Soil Health. This conference was organized to provide a national forum to discuss moving the dial toward a more sustainable American agricultural system by focusing on improving soil health. Organized by the Sustainable Agriculture Research […]
What Does the President’s 2015 Budget Mean for Sustainable Agriculture?
President Obama sent his budget proposal for 2015 to Capitol Hill yesterday. The overall spending number in the proposed budget for the next fiscal year (FY) would match the two-year budget deal Congress reached last year, though the President also includes an aspirational $56 billion add-on, which he calls the Opportunity, Growth, and Security (OGS) […]
USDA Pollinator Protection Initiative Leaves out CSP
New EQIP Initiative The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) this week announced the availability of $3 million to protect vulnerable pollinators through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). These targeted funds will support conservation practices that both foster environmental benefits and provide habitat and forage for pollinating species. Farmer applications for this special EQIP initiative […]
Congress Extends Automatic Spending Cuts
Last week, the Senate voted 95-3 to pass a House-passed bill that reverses a $6 billion cut to cost-of-living increases (COLA) in military pensions. The cut was included in last year’s bipartisan budget deal. To pay for the restoration of funds, Congress chose to extend automatic, across-the-board cuts to direct spending (also known as mandatory […]
2014 Farm Bill Drill Down: Conservation – Easements, CRP, and Energy
With the 2014 Farm Bill recently signed into law, NSAC is doing a blog series that delves into the details of the bill for sustainable food and farming systems. Our coverage of the conservation title is divided into three parts: working lands conservation programs; the linkage between conservation and crop insurance; and this one on […]
2014 Farm Bill Drill Down: Conservation – Crop Insurance Linkages
With the 2014 Farm Bill recently signed into law, NSAC is doing a blog series that delves into the details of the bill for sustainable food and farming systems. Our coverage of the conservation title is divided into three parts: working lands conservation programs; this one on the linkage between conservation and crop insurance; and […]
2014 Farm Bill Drill Down: Conservation – Working Lands Programs
With the 2014 Farm Bill recently signed into law, NSAC is doing a blog series that delves into the details of the bill for sustainable food and farming systems. Our coverage of the conservation title is divided into three parts: this one on working lands conservation programs; the linkage between conservation and crop insurance; and […]
Apply Now for Conservation Innovation Grants
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced the availability of funding (PDF) for FY 2014 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). The CIG program is a voluntary effort to promote science-based solutions for the benefit of both farmers and the environment. CIG applicants are typically non-governmental organizations, State or local governments, or […]
2014 Farm Bill Drill Down: The Bill by the Numbers
With the 2014 Farm Bill recently signed into law, NSAC is doing a seven-part series here on our blog that delves into the details of the bill for sustainable food and farming systems. This first post summarizes the big picture funding decisions reflected in the final bill. Coming posts will look at specific issues within […]
Last Chance to Sign Up for the Conservation Stewardship Program
Farmers and ranchers interested in participating in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) for the 2014 fiscal year have until this Friday, February 7, to complete the initial application to enroll. The initial application is easy to fill out, and can be done at your local NRCS office. To locate the NRCS office nearest to you, […]
What is in the 2014 Farm Bill For Sustainable Farms and Food Systems?
At the start of this long and twisted farm bill reauthorization process, NSAC released an ambitious farm bill platform with the goal of expanding opportunities for family farmers to produce good food, sustain the environment, and contribute to vibrant communities. Reflecting input from sustainable and organic farmers, rural and urban communities, and food entrepreneurs, the […]
Cover Crop Webinar Recording Now Available
The National Center for Appropriate Technology and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition held a webinar yesterday that addressed when and how to terminate cover crops and maintain eligibility for crop insurance coverage of subsequently planted cash crops. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has developed cover crop termination guidelines that were recently updated to address this […]
Congress Outlines 2014 Funding Package
Update: Both the House and Senate passed the omnibus package this week, and the President is expected to sign the bill shortly. For a detailed breakdown of the funding levels provided in the bill, see our updated appropriations chart. On Monday, January 13, House and Senate appropriators released the text of the fiscal year (FY) 2014 […]
CSP Sign Up Extended Until February 7
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has extended the deadline for applications to participate in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Farmers and ranchers interested in enrolling in CSP now have until February 7 to submit their initial applications to NRCS. The original deadline was January 17, which gives producers an extra […]
Inside the Nation’s Largest Conservation Program – Part III
This blog post highlights participation of beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers as well as organic and transitioning-to-organic farmers and ranchers in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and looks at trends in program participation unique to these categories of farmers. CSP rewards farmers, ranchers, and foresters for how they grow what they grow. […]
USDA extends “coexistence” comment period
On Tuesday, December 31, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced plans to extend a public comment period by 60 days to March 4, 2014 to allow for additional input on “how agricultural coexistence in the United States can be strengthened.” More specifically, USDA seeks comments to help further agricultural coexistence by identifying “ways to […]