On May 5, 2021 USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced the availability of $15.3 million in funding for the second ever Request for Applications (RFA) for the Regional Food Systems Partnership (RFSP) Program. RFSP is a new program that supports foodshed-level approaches to developing regional food economies. RFSP was launched in the 2018 Farm Bill […]
General Interest
$76.9 million in Local and Regional Food Project Grants Now Available
On May 5, 2021 USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced the availability of $76.9 million in funding for the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP). FMLFPP has two subprograms – the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) and the Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) – with a separate Request for Applications (RFA) for each […]
RELEASE: Kids Eat Local Act Expands School Food Options, Opportunities for Farmers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts:Wes KingNational Sustainable Agriculture Coalitionpress@sustainableagriculture.net Anna MullenNational Farm to School Networkanna@farmtoschool.org / (515) 210-2483 Kids Eat Local Act Expands School Food Options, Opportunities for Farmers National Farm to School Network and National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition welcome this legislation, which will make it easier for school meal programs to purchase from local farmers […]
RELEASE: Annual Cynthia Hayes Memorial Scholarships Awarded to Three Rising Stars in Sustainable Agriculture
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kelsey Watson, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition press@sustainableagriculture.net Annual Cynthia Hayes Memorial Scholarships Awarded to Three Rising Stars in Sustainable Agriculture 2021 scholars exemplify Hayes’ commitment to racial equity and advancing opportunities for farmers of color Washington, DC, April 8, 2021 –In partnership with Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) and Southeastern […]
$76 MILLION AVAILABLE FOR VALUE-ADDED AND LOCAL FOOD PROJECTS
On March 5, 2021, USDA Rural Development announced the availability of at least $76 million in total funding for VAPG projects. The application window to apply is open now and online applications are accepted until April 29, 2020 through grants.gov, and paper applications must be postmarked by May 4, 2021. We encourage all readers to […]
Top Sustainable Ag Priorities for 2021
As a new Congress and new Administration begin moving forward their top priorities for the coming year, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition stands ready to engage our grassroots base to push for top issues – like climate change and COVID relief – facing farmers and food system leaders across our membership and the broader sustainable […]
The Climate Crisis Needs More Than a Silver Bullet
Energy and momentum to address the climate crisis is building under the Biden-Harris Administration. Many parts of the agriculture sector, previously opposed to climate action, have shifted their stance as agricultural soils come into focus as potentially powerful carbon sinks – and source of profit. Legislators, farm groups, advocates, and corporations have been churning out […]
COMMENT: Agriculture Needs Multifaceted Climate Solutions
Contact: Eric Deeble, Policy Director,National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)edeeble@sustainableagriculture.net Agriculture Needs Multifaceted Climate SolutionsCongress and USDA Should Prioritize Existing Conservation, Agricultural Research, and Rural Economic Development Programs Washington, DC, February 25th, 2021 – This comment was issued on Thursday, February 25, 2021 in response to the hearing “Climate Change and the U.S. Agriculture and Forestry […]
Contract Farmers Now Eligible for CFAP Aid
Update 3/1/21: USDA has announced that the application deadline listed below of February 26 has been eliminated and USDA’s Farm Service Agency will continue to accept applications while the agency undergoes a review of the CFAP program. Interested applicants will have at least an additional 30 days to sign up after any decision is announced. […]
The Time is Ripe for Competition and Antitrust Reform in Agriculture
This is the first of several blogs which will explore the impacts of consolidation and concentration in the agriculture industry on farmers and the broader food system, as well as a path forward. The blog series is authored by NSAC Policy Associate Billy Hackett with meaningful contributions by farmers and experts. Read the second entry […]
Funding Now Available to Help Farmers with FSMA
Farmers are working to improve food safety on the farm, and prepare for Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) inspections, but this requires both assistance and resources. We are excited that the Food Safety Outreach Program (FSOP) applications have just opened up and will provide organizations with funding to assist and help farmers and small food businesses with […]
RELEASE: Cynthia Hayes Memorial Scholarship Now Accepting Applications
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Daniela Solis, Communications and Development FellowThe National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)press@sustainableagriculture.net 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, February 10th, 2021, —Yesterday, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), in partnership […]
RELEASE: House Agriculture Committee Includes Needed Aid in Budget Reconciliation Provisions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Eric Deeble, Policy DirectorNational Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) edeeble@sustainableagriculture.net House Agriculture Committee Includes Needed Aid in Budget Reconciliation ProvisionsCOVID-19 Funding Will Assist with Farm and Food System Response and Recovery February 9th, 2021, Washington, DC — Today, the House of Representatives released the Agriculture and Nutrition title of the FY2021 Budget Reconciliation […]
RELEASE: USDA Secretary of Agriculture Nominee Tom Vilsack Clears First Step Toward Senate Confirmation
Contact: Daniela Solis, Communications and Development Fellow The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) press@sustainableagriculture.net USDA Secretary of Agriculture Nominee Tom Vilsack Clears First Step Toward Senate ConfirmationNSAC Issues Comments on Secretary Vilsack’s Imminent Confirmation Washington, DC, February 2nd, 2021—Today, the Senate Agriculture Committee favorably reported out the nomination of Tom Vilsack to serve again as the Secretary […]
Government Funding Bill – Sustainable Agriculture Wins
With the country facing an imminent government shutdown, the President finally signed the $2.3 trillion Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act of 2020 on December 28th. This bill includes both badly needed emergency COVID-19 relief aid as well as regular fiscal year (FY) 2021 appropriations. For more information on the COVID-19 relief aspects of the bill check […]
Coronavirus Bill Contains Billions for Farmers and Farm Programs
The New Covid Bill On December 28th, President Trump signed the Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act of 2020, averting a looming government shutdown. This $2.3 Trillion dollar, 5,500 page, package of funding and legislation combined a $900 billion Coronavirus response bill and a $1.4 Trillion annual appropriations bill for FY21 into a single, must-pass “omnibus.” The […]
New Funding Opportunity for Organic Transition and Education Research for 2021 and 2022
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced the Request for Applications (RFA) for the Organic Transitions Program (ORG) in late 2020. Like its counterpart, the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI), ORG supports research to improve the competitiveness of organic farming. However, ORG is distinct from OREI […]
Top 20 Wins (and Fights!) for Sustainable Agriculture in 2020
The end of the year is just around the corner – and what a year it has been! In these times of pain, uncertainty, reflection, and action, two things are certain: (1) our country and our world as we know it will never quite be the same, and (2) the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) […]
Over $61 Million Invested in Value-Added Agriculture Entrepreneurs
Editor’s note: as we were preparing this blog for publication, the USDA announced the next round of funding through the program, with a 90 day application window. NSAC will be updating and publishing our farmers guide to applying for the program first thing in the new year. “Value-added” foods and goods are made from raw […]
$150M for Sustainable Agriculture Research, Impacts, and Assessment
Long-term sustainable agriculture research is critical to growing and supporting every American farm, especially as farmers across the country continue to address the challenges posed by a changing climate. USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Sustainable Agriculture Systems (SAS) program – initiated to enhance the sustainable production of food in the face of […]
RELEASE: Fair Competition Livestock Rule Fails to Advance Needed Reforms
Contact: Eric Deeble, Policy DirectorNational Sustainable Agriculture Coalitionedeeble@sustainableagriculture.net Fair Competition Livestock Rule Fails to Advance Needed ReformsUSDA fails to address major issues with its “undue preference” rule Washington, DC, December 10th, 2020 – Today, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) released a final rule to attempt to satisfy 2008 Farm Bill requirements to […]
RELEASE: NSAC Releases Farmers’ Guide to Conservation Stewardship Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Michael Happmhapp@sustainableagriculture.netNational Sustainable Agriculture Coalition NSAC Releases Farmers’ Guide to Conservation Stewardship Program Publication helps farmers apply for nation’s largest working lands conservation program Thursday, November 19th, 2020 — As farmers start signing up for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) across the country, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) today released its […]
RELEASE: USDA REVERSAL ON PAYMENT LIMITS SELLS OUT FARMERS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Eric Deeble, Policy DirectorNational Sustainable Agriculture Coalitionedeeble@sustainableagriculture.net USDA Reversal on Payment Limits Sells Out Farmers Trump Administration’s Reversal on Commodity Subsidy Payment Limits Will Promote Abuse of the System and Lead to Greater Consolidation Washington, DC, November 18th, 2020 – Today, the Trump Administration announced its intention to reverse a key reform element of the […]
Inaugural Regional Food Systems Partnership Program Awards Announced
In October, the U.S. The Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced the inaugural round of grant awards for the Regional Food Systems Partnership (RFSP) program, providing $9.3 million in competitive grant funding for 23 projects. RFSP supports the formation of public-private partnerships working at the foodshed-level to transform local and regional food […]