Last week we tried to briefly summarize the options remaining for Congress on the farm bill. Since then, there have been some new signs of progress on getting a full five-year bill finished this month, though also signs of continuing confusion and uncertainty. Last week we rated that option as possible, but did not give […]
Farm Bill
What’s at Stake: Energy Savings and Renewable Energy for Producers and Rural Businesses
Due to Congressional inaction, the 2008 Farm Bill has expired without a new bill or extension to take its place. In the absence of a farm bill, numerous innovative programs that invest in sustainable agriculture systems are shut down and left without mandatory funding. This is the ninth post in our 10-week “What’s at Stake?” […]
Path to the 2012 Farm Bill: Farm Bill and Agriculture Appropriations Options Heading Into December
As we close out on two full weeks of the lame duck session of Congress and head into the final three-week December marathon, there has been lots and lots of talk about farm bill options but little-to-no action. By contrast, there has been some action on the appropriations bills to fund the government, including USDA, […]
Stories from the Field: Farmland Access in South Dakota
Due to Congressional inaction, the 2008 Farm Bill has expired without a new bill or extension to take its place. In the absence of a farm bill, numerous innovative programs that invest in sustainable agriculture systems are shut down and left without funding. This post is part of our 10-week blog series which will feature […]
The Five “Ds” of a Farm Bill Extension
This post was originally published by the Farm Foundation’s AgChallenge2050 blog on November 27, 2012 and is reposted here with permission. The AgChallenge2050 blog is one element of Farm Foundation, NFP’s initiative, A Dialogue on Food and Agriculture in the 21st Century, creating opportunities for a full range of stakeholders to discuss the critical issues of how […]
New Environmental Benefits Scores for CSP
Farmers and Ranchers who are interested in applying for enrollment in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) for fiscal year (FY) 2013 can now determine how many points the various conservation activities offered under the program will be worth. Remember, however, that the FY 2013 sign up is currently on hold due to a hopefully temporary […]
What’s at Stake: Support for the Next Generation of Farmer-Stewards
Due to Congressional inaction, the 2008 Farm Bill has expired without a new bill or extension to take its place. In the absence of a farm bill, numerous innovative programs that invest in sustainable agriculture systems are shut down and left without mandatory funding. This is the eighth post in our 10-week “What’s at Stake?” […]
Another Dust Bowl? Lessons from the Past
The Dust Bowl, a film by noted filmmaker Ken Burns, will premier this Sunday and Monday, November 18 and 19 on PBS stations nationwide. On Sunday, the first 2-hour film, “The Great Plow-Up” will air from 8:00 to 10:00 pm ET. On Monday evening, the second 2-hour film, “Reaping the Whirlwind” will air during the […]
Stories from the Field: Making Sustainable Ag Information Accessible to Underserved Farmers
Due to Congressional inaction, the 2008 Farm Bill has expired without a new bill or extension to take its place. In the absence of a farm bill, numerous innovative programs that invest in sustainable agriculture systems are shut down and left without funding. This post is part of our 10-week blog series which will feature […]
20,000 Citizens and 60 Organizations Call for a Sustainable, Equitable 2012 Farm Bill
“It’s time for an equitable, sustainable 2012 Farm Bill – NOW!” – this week, we learned that over 20,000 people across the country agree! Farmers, advocates, and 60 organizations from across the country joined forces this week to deliver a petition to Congress demanding a full, five-year 2012 Farm Bill that: invests in the future […]
Over 160 Organizations Urge Congress to Support New Farmers
On Tuesday, November 13, more than 160 organizations from around the country delivered a letter to House and Senate Agriculture Committee members and Congressional leaders in support of robust funding for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) and the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Program (2501). The letter also […]
What’s at Stake: Support for Socially Disadvantaged Producers
Due to Congressional inaction, the 2008 Farm Bill has expired without a new bill or extension to take its place. In the absence of a farm bill, numerous innovative programs that invest in sustainable agriculture systems are shut down and left without funding. This is the seventh post in our 10-week “What’s at Stake?” series […]
Over 40 Groups Urge Congress to Fund Conservation, Reverse CSP Cut
On Monday, November 12, NSAC and 42 other organizations sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) urging the House to work with the Senate to complete a full five-year Farm Bill this year — one that, among other things, sustains the effectiveness of the Conservation Title of the bill in continuing what is a […]
Stories from the Field: Boosting the Economy in Rural Nebraska
Due to Congressional inaction, the 2008 Farm Bill has expired without a new bill or extension to take its place. In the absence of a farm bill, numerous innovative programs that invest in sustainable agriculture systems are shut down and left without funding. This post is part of our 10-week blog series that features both […]
Election Returns Spell Some Changes for Congressional Agriculture Makeup
With election returns beginning to firm up, it is now clear there will be a modest number of changes to the congressional committees that deal directly with agricultural issues. This post summarizes the basic nuts and bolts of those changes. What the agriculture committees look like for the next session of Congress looms large if […]
What’s at Stake: Rural Economic Development
Due to Congressional inaction, the 2008 Farm Bill has expired without a new bill or extension to take its place. In the absence of a farm bill, numerous innovative programs that invest in sustainable agriculture systems are shut down and left without mandatory funding. This is the sixth post in our 10-week “What’s at Stake?” […]
Stories from the Field: Growing Organic Fruit In Michigan
Due to Congressional inaction, the 2008 Farm Bill has expired without a new bill or extension to take its place. In the absence of a farm bill, numerous innovative programs that invest in sustainable agriculture systems are shut down and left without funding. This post is part of our 10-week blog series that features both […]
What’s at Stake: Organic Food Production
Due to Congressional inaction, the 2008 Farm Bill has expired without a new bill or extension to take its place. In the absence of a farm bill, numerous innovative programs that invest in sustainable agriculture systems are shut down and left without mandatory funding. This is the fifth post in our 10-week “What’s at Stake?” […]
Stories from the Field: “New Farmer’s Guide: Cultivating Success at Farmers Markets”
Due to inaction in Congress, the 2008 Farm Bill expired on September 30. While the big ticket items such as food stamps, crop insurance, and commodity support will continue to receive funding in the interim, there is no support for the lower profile programs that drive innovation, create jobs, and support the next generation of […]
Make Food Day Matter
Today is Food Day — a nationwide celebration and a movement toward healthy, affordable, and sustainable food. Today we join citizens from across the country in celebrating farmers who produce food sustainably, rural and urban communities that are rebuilding their food systems, and individuals who are working to improve the health of their families and […]
What’s at Stake: Direct Farmer-to-Consumer Marketing
Due to Congressional inaction, the 2008 Farm Bill has expired without a new bill or extension to take its place. In the absence of a farm bill, numerous innovative programs that invest in sustainable agriculture systems are shut down and left without mandatory funding. This is the fourth post in our 10-week “What’s at Stake?” […]
Stories from the Field: Breeding Seeds of Success
Due to Congressional inaction, the 2008 Farm Bill has expired without a new bill or extension to take its place. In the absence of a farm bill, numerous innovative programs that invest in sustainable agriculture systems are shut down and left without funding. This post is part of our 10-week blog series which will feature […]
What’s at Stake: Organic Research
Due to Congressional inaction, the 2008 Farm Bill has expired without a new bill or extension to take its place. In the absence of a farm bill, numerous innovative programs that invest in sustainable agriculture systems are shut down and left without funding. This is the third post in our 10-week “What’s at Stake?” series […]
Stories from the Field: Seizing Economic Opportunities
Due to Congressional inaction, the 2008 Farm Bill has expired without a new bill or extension to take its place. In the absence of a farm bill, numerous innovative programs that invest in sustainable agriculture systems are shut down and left without funding.* This post is part of our 10-week blog series which will feature […]