If you eat and live in America, you should be concerned about the future of farming in this country. The average age of our nation’s farmers is 57 years old, with more than a quarter of all farmers 65 or older. There are many people inspired to farm, but as recent studies show, our nation’s […]
Rural Development
Food and Farm Bill Alive in 2012!
Dear Supporters, We previously reported to you that a 2011 Food and Farm Bill appeared imminent. Days before Thanksgiving the Congressional “Super Committee” failed to reach agreement on $1.2 trillion in budget cuts. With that, the 2011 Farm Bill proposal intended for inclusion in the Super Committee’s deficit reduction bill is thus no more. The […]
The Farm Bill is Dead! Long Live the Farm Bill! – Part Two
In part one of this post, we discuss what might be next for the ongoing congressional budget debate and in turn for the new farm bill. In part two we turn to details about what was in the short-lived and now dead 2011 Farm Bill deal. What We Know About the Farm Bill that Did […]
Final FY 2012 Agriculture Funding Levels Agreed Upon
On Tuesday, November 15, House and Senate negotiators reached a compromise deal on a fiscal year (FY) 2012 appropriations “minibus” (H.R. 2112) which includes the FY 2012 agriculture appropriations bill. The minibus will now be sent back to both chambers of Congress for a final vote before being sent to the President for his signature […]
Vilsack Announces Funding for Rural Micro-Enterprise Programs
On November 9th, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the selection of 35 rural micro-development organizations in 22 states to receive loans and grants to support rural business development, create jobs, and strengthen local communities. “These investments will bring increased economic opportunity to rural residents and communities,” said Vilsack. “They will help organizations expand job and […]
USDA Releases Report on Marketing of Local Foods in the US
On Friday, November 4, USDA’s Economic Research Service released a report entitled “Direct and Intermediated Marketing of Local Foods in the United States” that assesses the relative scale of local food marketing channels throughout the country. This report provides new information on marketing channels based on the 2008 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS). The research […]
Farmers Visit DC to Advocate for the Local Food Bill
On November 3rd, 50 farmers and local food advocates from across the country traveled to Washington DC to meet with their Congressional members to advocate for the recently introduced Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act. NSAC hosted the Local Farm and Food “Fly-in” at a critical juncture for agriculture policy, as the 2012 Farm Bill […]
Chicago Council Releases Farm Bill White Paper
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs has released a white paper on the next farm bill that the co-chairmen of the council’s agriculture project presented to staff members of the House and Senate agriculture committees and the super committee on September 23. The Council’s proposal is estimated to save $7.5 billion per year, or $75 […]
Senate Passes FY2012 Agriculture Appropriations Package
On Tuesday, November 1, the Senate passed its fiscal year 2012 (FY12) agriculture appropriations bill as part of an appropriations “minibus,” which combined the Commerce-Justice-Science and the Transportation-Housing and Urban Development funding bills as well as the agriculture bill. The minibus passed 69-30, with 16 Republicans, 49 Democrats, and one Independent voting aye. The House […]
Local and Regional Farm and Food Bill Introduced in Congress
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition For Immediate Release November 1, 2011 Contact: Helen Dombalis, Ferd Hoefner, 202-547-5754 Local and Regional Farm and Food Bill Introduced in Congress Washington, D.C. November 1, 2011 – Today Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Representative Chellie Pingree of Maine and 35 original co-sponsors introduced the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs […]
Senate Votes to End Debate on Agriculture Appropriations Bill
Early in the morning of Friday, October 21, the Senate voted (83-16) to end debate on a fiscal year 2012 (FY12) appropriations package of bills including the FY12 Senate agriculture appropriations bill. No more than 30 more hours of debate will be allowed before the bill is voted upon once the Senate returns from its […]
What? Food and Farm Bill Over in 9 days?
Only once every 5 years do you have the opportunity to truly transform our food and farm system through the federal farm bill. Last Monday the Agriculture Committee leadership proposed to rewrite the food and farm bill in 2 weeks – yes you heard that right, 2 weeks – this is usually a year plus […]
Agriculture Committee Leader Letter Sent to Super Committee
Over the weekend we reported the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees had not finalized their letter to the congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (also known as the Super Committee) recommended cuts to farm bill programs. That letter became final today and has been sent to the Super […]
No Agriculture Committee Farm Bill Letter Yet
The October 14 deadline for the authorizing committees of Congress to send their deficit reduction recommendations to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (often referred to as the Super Committee) has passed without a letter from the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. Word from the House and Senate Committees with jurisdiction over the farm […]
Four RBOG Grants Promote Local and Regional Food Systems
On October 3, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced recipients of USDA’s 2011 Rural Business Opportunity Grants (RBOG), which support regional planning activities to improve economic conditions in rural areas. Thirty-seven awards totaling more than $2.5 million were granted to various organizations in 27 states. Out of the 37 awards, the program granted five of the […]
Request for Applications for the Rural Micro Lending Program
On Monday, September 26, the Federal Register published a Request for Applications (RFA) for the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP). Applications for this program will be accepted on a rolling basis, with funding awarded once each Federal fiscal quarter. Applications submitted now would normally be considered for awards in the first quarter of Fiscal Year […]
White House Rural Council Releases its “Feedback from Rural America” Report
On June 9, 2011, President Obama signed an Executive Order establishing the White House Rural Council. Since the establishment of the Council, the President, the Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and various senior Administration officials have established an open dialogue with rural America through making nearly 200 visits to rural communities throughout the country. These […]
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 […]
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 […]
Rural Development Campaign Announces Priorities for 2012 Farm Bill
On Thursday, September 22, the Campaign for a Renewed Rural Development released its campaign principles statement regarding the 2012 Farm Bill. The campaign sent out identical letters to both Senate and House Agriculture Committee members, along with key USDA Rural Development contacts, outlining their recommendations for improving the Farm Bill’s Rural Development Title. NSAC is […]
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!
Senate Agriculture Spending Bill Unveiled
On Wednesday, September 7, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed its fiscal year (FY) 2012 Agriculture Appropriations bill by voice vote. The Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee received an overall allocation of $19.78 billion for discretionary spending in FY 2012, translating to a $192 million reduction below the already low FY 2011 levels. The House bill passed earlier […]
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 […]