At its annual summer meeting, the member organizations of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition adopted a set of eight recommendations in support of USDA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI). Those recommendations were forwarded to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and his agricultural research leadership team today. NSAC has been a key supporter of AFRI and of […]
Grants and Programs
Conservation Stewardship Program 2011 Sign-Up News
NSAC learned today (September 24) that the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) plans to hold the farmer and rancher sign-up for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) between October 1 and December 31, 2010. CSP is a continuous sign-up program, meaning that farmers and ranchers can apply to participate in the program at any time. However, […]
Secretary Vilsack Announces Recovery Act Funding to Improve Water Quality
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced this week that the USDA will disperse $445.3 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funding to 89 projects to improve water quality and sanitation. The USDA has provided $3.26 billion in Recovery Act funding for water quality and environmental projects since the Act was enacted in […]
USDA Invites States to Apply for Organic Certification Cost-Share Programs
On Wednesday, September 8, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) issued a Federal Register notice inviting states to apply for the National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program (NOCCSP). As part of the 2008 Farm Bill, NSAC succeeded in securing $22.0 million for the NOCCSP, and these funds will be allocated annually as needed until the next farm […]
USDA Calls for Community Food Project Grant Applications
USDA’s National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has issued a Request for Applications for the Community Food Project Grants Program (CFP). CFP is a grant program that addresses food insecurity in low income communities by supporting the development of community-based food projects including projects that address nutritional needs by promoting local, food and farm […]
USDA Announces 2010 Recipients of Rural Business Enterprise Grants
On Tuesday, August 31, USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Dallas Tonsager announced the 61 recipients of its Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) program. According to the USDA news release, “the RBEG program helps to finance and facilitate the development of new and existing businesses in rural America. Funds can be used for start-up and working […]
Farmers Markets Week and New Resources
Farmers markets improve access to the freshest possible fruits and vegetables while providing direct market farmers with an important source of income. To celebrate the bountiful services they provide, the USDA has declared August 1-7, 2010 as National Farmers Market Week. As USDA Secretary, Tom Vilsack declared, “farmers markets play a key role in developing […]
Know Your Farmer Blog and Agency Guides
USDA programs can often seem enigmatic and confusing. Many farmers, rural development and conservation groups in need of financial or technical assistance are often either unaware of what USDA programs exist, or lack access to the assistance they seek. The USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative seeks to remedy this disconnect by strengthening […]
Update on USDA Hoop House Pilot Program
In December, the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) launched a 3-year pilot program to provide cost-share funding to farmers who want to extend the growing season on their farms by using high tunnels (sometimes referred to as hoop houses). Read NSAC’s last update on the program. A big ‘thank you!’ to all the NSAC […]
Specialty Crop and Organic Producers Testify
Specialty crop and organic producers are “classic entrepreneurs” said Subcommittee Chair, Dennis Cardoza (D-CA). Rep. Cardoza spoke on Wednesday, July 21st at the House Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture hearing to review specialty crop and organic programs in preparation for the 2012 Farm Bill. Cardoza began the hearing with praise for specialty crop producers, […]
USDA Boosts Assistance to Socially Disadvantaged Farmers
The USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO) is requesting a second round of applications for the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Competitive Grants Program (OASDFR), a program that seeks to ensure equitable participation in USDA programs for minority producers. The OAO will fund up to $4.7 million in grants to […]
Resources and Showcase for Local and Regional Food Systems
This week, as part of the USDA Know Your Farmer Know Your Food initiative, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack reported on investments in rural economies through development of local and regional food systems. As Vilsack said, “By connecting farmers and ranchers more closely with consumers of food, we are creating new economic opportunities for producers […]
FSA Programs Get USDA Push
USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative recently highlighted Farm Service Agency (FSA) resources that can be used to expand and diversify farm businesses, preserve natural resources critical to future farm income and create links with local and regional food systems. The Farm Storage Facility Loan program was expanded by the 2008 Farm Bill […]
Rural Coop Development Grants Available
On Friday, June 25, USDA announced the availability of almost $8 million in competitive grant funds through the Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program (RCDG). The RCDG program is designed to improve the economic conditions in rural areas by funding the establishment or operation of Coop Development Centers that can help start up, expand or improve […]
Farmers Fly to Washington D.C. to Have Their Voices Heard
On June 23rd, 11 farmers from around the country flew to Washington D.C. to have their voices heard. NSAC hosted the Budget and Appropriations “Fly-In” at a critical juncture as the USDA prepares it’s budget proposals for the Fiscal Year 2012 and Congress starts work to finalize 2011 agricultural appropriations. The farmers and NSAC staff […]
Controversial House Subcommittee Hearing on Crop Insurance
On June 17, in preparation for the 2012 Farm Bill, the House Agriculture General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee held a hearing on U.S. farm safety net programs. Jim Miller, Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services testified along with Jonathan Coppess, Farm Service Agency, and Bill Murphy, Risk Management Agency. You can view […]
Comments Invited on the Value-Added Producer Grant Program
Family farm advocates have an important opportunity to help shape the Value-Added Producer Grant Program (VAPG). USDA has requested comments on the administrative rules that will govern the implementation of this important program. VAPG offers competitive grants to farmers and ranchers developing new farm and food-related business enterprises that boost farm income, create jobs, and increase […]
Applications Invited for the Rural Microentreprenuer Assistance Program
USDA’s Rural Business – Cooperative Service has issued a Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) for the Rural Microentreprenuer Assistance Program (RMAP). Published on Thursday June 3, in conjunction with the National Rural Summit, the NOFA announces the availability of $45.1 million in support for Microenterprise Development Organizations to provide loans and technical assistance and training […]
2009 Value-Added Awards Announced
As part of today’s activities associated with the National Rural Summit hosted by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack in Hillsboro, Missouri, USDA announced the long-awaited awards for the 2009 round of Value-Added Producer Grants. Read the full press release here. Some $22.5 million in grants were available. Grants were made in 45 states, with Wisconsin, California, […]
30 Days To Comment on VAPG Rule
The long anticipated proposed rule for the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program was published in today’s Federal Register. The comment period for the proposed rule is only 30 days with comments on the regulatory provisions due by June 28, 2010. We expect the announcement of VAPG awards from the 2009 competition next week, and will […]
Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program Rule is Out with NOFA to Follow
Today’s Federal Register included the interim final rule for the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP), one of NSAC’s 2008 Farm Bill priority program. The interim rule goes into effect on June 28, 2010, but the USDA will be taking public comments until July 27, 2010. RMAP is a new program created in the 2008 Farm […]
Mobile Slaughter Units and Untapped Markets
On Tuesday USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) published a compliance guide to help operators of mobile slaughter units understand the regulatory requirements that pertain to them. It should also be must reading for entrepreneurs considering building a mobile slaughter facility. FSIS is requesting feedback on the guidance by July 26 and will incorporate […]
Help for Farmers in Accessing CSP
Thirty more days remain before the June 11th deadline for applications to the 2010 round of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). A number of NSAC member groups have resources to help producers sign up for CSP (with more to follow soon): ATTRA recently posted an updated step-by-step guide to the CSP application process to their […]
USDA Reallocates Funding for Agricultural and Forest Land Protection
On Tuesday, May 11, USDA announced the reallocation of over $80 million in FY2010 funding to 37 states for the Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program (FRPP), the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP), and the Healthy Forest Reserve Program (HFRP). Reallocation occurs when some states do not use all of the money originally allocated to them, […]