National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition For Immediate Release October 27, 2011 Contact: Helen Dombalis, Ferd Hoefner, 202-547-5754 Local and Regional Food Bill Prepared for Inclusion in New Farm Bill Washington, D.C. October 27, 2011 – Today Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Representative Chellie Pingree of Maine announced that next week they will introduce the Local […]
General Interest
USDA Accepting Applications for Agricultural Trade Advisory Committees
The face of America – and of American agriculture – is changing. The number of farms in the United States has grown 4 percent and the operators of those farms have become more diverse in the past five years, according to results of USDA’s most recent Census of Agriculture. According to the Census, the numbers […]
Today is Food Day! Join us in this call to action
Today, Monday 24th 2011, is Food Day. Please join the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) in answering this call to action. Healthy, green, fair, and affordable food is important to all Americans. Today we come together with people across the country who are hosting Food Day events in homes, schools, churches, farmers markets, city halls, […]
Conservation Ranks High in Public Survey of Farm Bill Priorities
In a recently released survey of public opinion on agriculture and the environment, the majority of people surveyed approved of priorities that are in line with the NSAC agenda for the next Farm Bill and for federal funding for agriculture. The survey was the third annual survey on behalf of The David and Lucille Packard […]
You watched it, passed it on, now you can take action!
Thanks to all of you that watched the beginning farmer and rancher video below and shared it through your social networks! The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2011 will be introduced in Congress next week! This is our chance to ensure food security for future generations and new farming enterprises that can bring […]
USDA Announces 2011 Beginning Farmer Awards and 2012 Request for Applications
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition For Immediate Release September 30, 2011 Contact: Ferd Hoefner, Juli Obudzinski, 202-547-5754 USDA Awards $18 Million to Support Beginning Farmers Washington, D.C. September 30, 2011 – Today, USDA announced $18 million in grants to beginning farmers and ranchers at a press conference held in Washington, D.C. USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan […]
This is Our Chance – Last Chance
Only once every 5 years do you have the opportunity to truly change our food and farm system through the farm bill! The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2011 will be introduced in Congress next week – this is our chance to ensure food security for future generations and new farming enterprises that […]
An Extraordinary Opportunity
Who will grow food for future generations? Act now to help launch a new generation of sustainable farmers and ranchers! The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture called attention to a real worry when he asked: “Why not place the nation’s attention on the need for young farmers on the same plane as police officers and teachers? […]
Future of Food, Farming, and the Environment At Stake
Photo Credit: NRCS Working together, we have achieved important successes for sustainable agriculture through our advocacy on past food and farm bills. Much could be lost, or gained, now that Congress has established the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, also known as the “Super Committee.” The Super Committee is tasked with cutting at least […]
NSAC Releases Letter to the Super Committee and Farm Bill Budget Views; Comments on Obama Farm Budget Proposals
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition For Immediate Release September 20, 2011 Contact: Ferd Hoefner 202-547-5754 NSAC Releases Letter to the Super Committee and Farm Bill Budget Views; Comments on Obama Farm Budget Proposals Washington, D.C. September 20, 2011 — The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition urged the congressional deficit reduction or super committee today to take a […]
USDA and FDA Data on Antibiotic Resistance Is Deficient
Industrialized livestock and poultry operations are the major users of antibiotics and related drugs in the U.S. A Food & Drug Administration (FDA) assessment estimated that in 2009, 29 million pounds of antibiotics were given to food-producing animals. These drugs are routinely used at low doses in overcrowded Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) to […]
Congressional Supercommittee Will Shape Future of Food, Farming, and Conservation
NSAC policy associate Greg Fogel writes for Rodale Voices about the threats to organic and sustainable agriculture and the food systems movement. To find out you can stand up for the health, prosperity, and security of our food and farming system sign up for our action alert list today!
Watch and Pass It On: Who Will Grow Food for Future Generations?
To create a revitalized, healthier, and safer U.S. food and farm system we need to cultivate a new generation of farmers and ranchers – and quickly. The current farm population is aging rapidly, and while there are many people that want to farm and ranch they face tremendous obstacles entering this field. In the coming […]
USDA Announces $3.2 Million in 2011 Rural Business Enterprise Grants
On Thursday, August 18, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the award of $3.2 million in grants to a variety of investments in rural and Tribal community development across the nation. A total of 32 projects in 15 states will receive funding. These grants are awarded annually by USDA’s Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) program, […]
USDA Announces $55 Million in Nationwide Community Facilities Grants
On Thursday, August 18, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the award of $55 million in loans and grants to a variety of investments in rural community development across the nation. A total of 107 projects in 31 states and Puerto Rico will receive funding. These loans and grants are awarded annually by USDA’s Community […]
USDA Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Grants
On Wednesday, August 17, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the award of $11.6 million in FY2011 Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants to over 900 agricultural producers and rural small businesses across the country. The grants can be used to finance up to 25-percent of the project costs, not to exceed $500,000 for renewable […]
2011 Healthy Food Enterprise Awards Announced
In mid-July the Healthy Food Enterprise Development (HUFED) Center announced its 2011 HUFED awards. The Center is administered by the Wallace Center at Winrock International, an NSAC member organization. A total of $630,000 will be awarded to 17 enterprises over the next two years for “innovative and entrepreneurial approaches to resolve barriers to healthy food […]
New Report On Economic Benefits of Local Food Systems
On August 4, Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) released the report “Market Forces: Creating Jobs through Public Investment in Local and Regional Food Systems” by UCS agricultural economist Jeffrey O’Hara, an analysis of the growth, economic benefits, and challenges to expansion of local and regional food systems. O’Hara also makes policy recommendations to help local […]
Celebrate National Farmers Market Week – August 7-13
On July 20, 2011, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack proclaimed August 7th to the 13th, 2011 as National Farmers Market Week. This marks the twelfth year that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proclaimed a National Farmers Market Week. All across the country next week, non-profit organizations, USDA agencies, farmers, and consumers will […]
People’s Garden Grant Program
On Tuesday, July 26, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) of USDA announced the availability of grants of up to $150,000 through its People’s Garden Grant Program. The program will fund projects to facilitate the creation of produce, recreational, and/or wildlife gardens in urban and rural areas, which will provide opportunities for food […]
Eat Locally, Comment Thoughtfully
Is supporting your local farmer by visiting your farmers market, CSA, food coop, or other local food source important to you? Well, this is an exceptional opportunity to make sure your local farmers have the resources they need to continue to grow the local food economy. All you have to do is write a short […]
Rural Coalition’s National Rural Gathering
From June 22 through 26, Rural Coalition/Coalición Rural held its National Rural Gathering: Water, Land, Energy, and Food in Shawnee and Wewoka, Oklahoma. Located in the heart of the Seminole Nation, better supporting socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers was the major focus of the gathering. NSAC works with the Rural Coalition to advocate for […]
Oklahoma’s Sustainable Agriculture
Last month, NSAC Policy Associate Helen Dombalis traveled to Oklahoma where she explored the state’s many sustainable agriculture endeavors. Policy Advocacy and Research: GIPSA, Conservation, and Beyond – Yukon and Oklahoma City Helen was joined by sustainable agriculture advocate and farmer Kathy Moore of Anichini-Moore Ranch & Farm and co-founder of the Oklahoma Composting Council. […]
Articles of Note in Latest JAFSCD Issue
Among the many excellent articles contained in the latest issue of the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development are three with special relevance to NSAC’s work. An article highlighting African American farmers is available without a subscription until July 16. Access to the full issue requires a subscription, but the abstracts can be […]