Independent family farms are the mainstay of American agriculture, the stewards of our land and natural resources, and central members of our rural communities. The recent comments made by U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, which harken back to the “get big or get out” mantra that catalyzed the 1980s Farm Crisis, were disrespectful and irresponsible to say the least. … Read More →
Press Releases
RELEASE: National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Urges Congress Not to Shortchange Farmers in FY 2020 Appropriations Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana KovalcikNational Sustainable Agriculture Coalition202-547-5754, rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Urges Congress Not to Shortchange Farmers in FY 2020 Appropriations Bill Washington, DC, September 20, 2019 – Yesterday, the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced their funding priorities for several spending bills (including agriculture) for fiscal year (FY) 2020. Disappointingly, the Senate bill […]
COMMENT: New Changes to Whole Farm Revenue Protection Will Make Program More Accessible
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana Kovalcik National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition 202-547-5754, rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net New Changes to Whole Farm Revenue Protection Will Make Program More Accessible Washington, DC, August 20, 2019 – Following approval by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) Board in June, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) today announced important […]
COMMENT: OIG Report Fuels Foul Play Claims in USDA Research Agency Relocation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana Kovalcik National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition 202-547-5754, rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net OIG Report Fuels Foul Play Claims in USDA Research Agency Relocation Washington, DC, August 5, 2019 – Following the release of a report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Office of the Inspector General concluding that the USDA may have broken the […]
COMMENT: Mandatory Farm Bill Funds Traded Away in Budget Negotiations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana Kovalcik National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition 202-547-5754, rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net Mandatory Farm Bill Funds Traded Away in Budget Negotiations Washington, DC, August 1, 2019 – After months of handwringing and tense negotiations, today Congress passed – and the President is expected to sign – a two-year budget deal that sets overall funding levels […]
RELEASE: Farm to School Act of 2019 Introduced with Bipartisan, Bicameral Support
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts:Anna MullenNational Farm to School Networkanna@farmtoschool.org / (515) 210-2483 Reana KovalcikNational Sustainable Agriculture Coalitionrkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net / (202) 547-5754 Farm to School Act of 2019 Introduced with Bipartisan, Bicameral Support National Farm to School Network and National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition urge support for the Act, emphasizing farm to school’s proven impacts on health and […]
Appropriations Victories in Sight, Farmers Flock to DC to Keep Momentum Going
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana KovalcikNational Sustainable Agriculture CoalitionP: 202-547-5754, E: rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net Appropriations Victories in Sight, Farmers Flock to DC to Keep Momentum GoingNational Sustainable Agriculture Coalition fly-in participants hope to secure FY 2020 appropriations wins in final spending package Washington, D.C., June 27, 2019 – With big wins already secured for sustainable agriculture in […]
RELEASE: Senior Grassroots Staff Member Steps Up as New Coalition Director for National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana KovalcikNational Sustainable Agriculture Coalition202-547-5754, rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net Senior Grassroots Staff Member Steps Up as New Coalition Director for National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Washington, DC, June 17, 2019 – Chair of the Organizational Council of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), Eowyn Corral, announced today the selection of the organization’s new Coalition Director. […]
RELEASE: Kids Eat Local Act Expands School Food Options, Opportunities for Farmers
Contact:Reana KovalcikNational Sustainable Agriculture Coalition202-547-5754, rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Anna MullenNational Farm to School Network515-210-2483, anna@farmtoschool.org Kids Eat Local Act Expands School Food Options, Opportunities for Farmers National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and National Farm to School Network welcome the introduction of legislation that will make it easier for schools to make institutional purchases from local […]
COMMENT: USDA Disregards Congress, Plans to Relocate Research Agencies to Kansas City
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana KovalcikNational Sustainable Agriculture Coalition202-547-5754, rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net USDA Disregards Congress, Plans to Relocate Research Agencies to Kansas City, MONSAC urges Senate to take a final stand against relocation of ERS and NIFA Washington, DC, June 13, 2019 – Despite ongoing opposition from core stakeholders and multiple warnings from Congress not to proceed, […]
RELEASE: House Appropriators Advance FY 2020 Agriculture Spending Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana Kovalcik National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition 202-547-5754, rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net House Appropriators Advance FY 2020 Agriculture Spending Bill National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition applauds House appropriators for advancing FY 2020 spending bill that invests in critical priorities and would block proposed relocation of USDA research agencies Washington, DC, June 4, 2019 – This morning […]
RELEASE: FY 2020 House Agriculture Appropriations Bill Proposes to Block ERS NIFA Relocation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana Kovalcik National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition 202-547-5754, rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net FY 2020 House Agriculture Appropriations Bill Proposes to Block ERS NIFA RelocationNSAC applauds agriculture appropriators for proposal to block ERS NIFA relocation and realignment, investments in sustainable agriculture priorities Washington, DC, May 22, 2019 – This morning the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee released […]
COMMENT: Renewed Focus on Climate Change Presents Opportunities for Sustainable Agriculture
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana Kovalcik National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition 202-547-5754, rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net Renewed Focus on Climate Change Presents Opportunities for Sustainable AgricultureNational Sustainable Agriculture Coalition applauds Senate Agriculture Committee for underscoring the important role of producers in climate change mitigation and adaptation Washington, DC, May 21, 2019 – Today, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, […]
RELEASE: Cynthia Hayes Scholarship Awarded to Three Rising Stars in Sustainable Agriculture
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana KovalcikNational Sustainable Agriculture Coalition202-547-5754, rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net Cynthia Hayes Scholarship Awarded to Three Rising Stars in Sustainable Agriculture Scholars exemplify Hayes’ commitment to racial equity and advancing opportunities for farmers of color Washington, DC, May 9, 2019 – In partnership with Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) and Southeastern African American […]
RELEASE: Administration Continues to Strong-Arm Relocation of Core Research Agencies
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana Kovalcik National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition 202-547-5754, rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net Administration Continues to Strong-Arm Relocation of Core Research AgenciesNational Sustainable Agriculture Coalition urges Congress to protect family farmers, stop proposed moves Washington, DC, May 3, 2019 – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its list of finalists for the proposed relocation […]
RELEASE: Agricultural Census Shows Continued Shrinking of Ag of the Middle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana Kovalcik National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition 202-547-5754, rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net Agricultural Census Shows Continued Shrinking of Ag in the MiddleNational Sustainable Agriculture Coalition expresses concern about increasing consolidation in agriculture, urges increased investment in Census “bright spots” like growing organic and local food sectors Washington, DC, April 11, 2019 – A new census […]
RELEASE: Conservation Stewardship Program Enrollment Opens
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana KovalcikNational Sustainable Agriculture Coalition202-547-5754, rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net Conservation Stewardship Program Enrollment Opens National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition urges farmers to apply before the May 2019 deadline, releases updated program resources Washington, DC, April 5, 2019 – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced that farmers and ranchers […]
RELEASE: Leading Farm, Conservation, and Wildlife Groups Unite to Protect Conservation Funding
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana Kovalcik Associate Director for Communications, NSAC 202-547-5754; rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net Leading Farm, Conservation, and Wildlife Groups Unite to Protect Conservation Funding Appropriators urged to build on the farm bill’s commitment to conservation Washington, DC, April 2, 2019 – Having succeeded in protecting funding for the Conservation Title in the 2018 Farm Bill, […]
RELEASE: Farmers Look to Appropriators to Build Upon 2018 Farm Bill Victories
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Reana KovalcikNational Sustainable Agriculture CoalitionP: 202-547-5754, E: rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net Farmers Look to Appropriators to Build Upon 2018 Farm Bill VictoriesNational Sustainable Agriculture Coalition helps farmers become champions of sustainability Washington, D.C., March 28, 2019 – Having helped successfully deliver major victories for sustainable agriculture in the 2018 Farm Bill, family farmers are keeping […]
COMMENT: “Flawed Science” Delays Roll Out of Food and Drug Administration’s “Water Rule”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana KovalcikNational Sustainable Agriculture CoalitionP: 202-547-5754, E: rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net “Flawed Science” Delays Roll Out of Food and Drug Administration’s “Water Rule” National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition praises the decision to revisit and rethink rule Washington, DC, March 15, 2019 – Produce farms regulated under the Food Safety Modernization Act’s (FSMA) Standards for the […]
RELEASE: President’s Budget Puts Agriculture Back on the Chopping Block
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana KovalcikNational Sustainable Agriculture Coalition202-547-5754, rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net President’s Budget Puts Agriculture Back on the Chopping BlockFamily farmers, rural communities, and food insecure families face $2 billion cut to services Washington, DC, March 11, 2019 – Seemingly unphased by Congress’ resounding rejection of his previously proposed budget cuts to agriculture spending, today the President recommended […]
RELEASE: Long-awaited Wins for Sustainable Agriculture Finally Delivered in FY 2019 Appropriations Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana Kovalcik National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition 202-547-5754, rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net Long-awaited Wins for Sustainable Agriculture Finally Delivered in FY 2019 Appropriations Bill “Minibus” increases funding for core sustainable agriculture programs, rejects Administration’s planned relocation of USDA research agencies Washington, DC, February 14, 2019 – After months of suffering through the longest government shutdown in history, America’s family farmers and ranchers are finally seeing movement on […]
COMMENT: Latest Attempt by House to Reopen Government Includes Language to Delay Reorganization of Core USDA Research Agencies
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana Kovalcik National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition 202-547-5754, rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net Latest Attempt by House to Reopen Government Includes Language to Delay Reorganization of Core USDA Research Agencies NSAC Praises House Effort, Urges Senate to Support Previously Conferenced Appropriations Language Washington, DC, January 18, 2019 – Yesterday, in the midst of the largely stalemated […]
COMMENT: Just in Time for the New Year, a New Farm Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Reana KovalcikNational Sustainable Agriculture Coalition202-547-5754, rkovalcik@sustainableagriculture.net Just in Time for the New Year, a New Farm Bill National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition applauds swift action on final 2018 Farm Bill,readies for next stages Washington, DC, December 20, 2018 – Following nearly two years of intense debate and several suspenseful months in farm […]