The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced $33.5 million in awards that will strengthen and improve access to local and regional food markets by investing in a diverse range of businesses, organizations, markets, and communities. This latest announcement of funds for 113 projects across 43 states is a part of the Agricultural Marketing Service’s […]
USDA
Census of Agriculture Reveals the Promise of Regional Food Systems
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has promoted the sale of foods locally for over two decades via business and community investments made by Value-Added Producer Grants, Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Grants, and most recently Regional Food System Partnership grants. However, the impact of these investments has only recently been better understood […]
Guest Post: Is the Future of Organic Food at Risk? Research Funding Holds the Answer
Editor’s Note: This blog post is a guest post authored by Gordon Merrick, Senior Policy and Programs Manager at the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) and Mark Schonbeck, Research Associate, also at OFRF, which is an NSAC member. The world is increasingly recognizing the value of sustainable food systems, and organic agriculture plays a vital role in […]
A Regional Approach Creates Fairer Competition
Editor’s Note: This blog post is the third in a series taking a deeper look at how federal market opportunities support the success of efficient regional food systems. Part one details USDA’s recent supply chain infrastructure investments and how they have equipped regional processors and distributors. Part two describes the essential role that community partners […]
Stewarding Success: How Did CSP Perform in My State?
EDITOR’S NOTE: On October 3, 2024, NSAC released Stewarding Success: CSP Under the 2018 Farm Bill, a comprehensive analysis of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) over the course of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill). The report offers an in-depth analysis of CSP’s enrollment trends, conservation practices supported, and funding impacts, including […]
Stewarding Success: CSP Renewals Suffered in the 2018 Farm Bill Period
EDITOR’S NOTE: On October 9, 2024, NSAC released “Stewarding Success: CSP Under the 2018 Farm Bill”, a comprehensive analysis of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) over the course of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill). The report offers an in-depth analysis of CSP’s enrollment trends, conservation practices supported, and funding impacts, including […]
Stewarding Success: Enhancing Access for Underserved Farmers in CSP
EDITOR’S NOTE: On October 9, 2024, NSAC released “Stewarding Success: CSP Under the 2018 Farm Bill”, a comprehensive analysis of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) over the course of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill). The report offers an in-depth analysis of CSP’s enrollment trends, conservation practices supported, and funding impacts, including […]
Stewarding Success: Conservation Stewardship Program
EDITOR’S NOTE: On October 9, 2024, NSAC released Stewarding Success: CSP Under the 2018 Farm Bill, a comprehensive analysis of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) over the course of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill). The report offers an in-depth analysis of CSP’s enrollment trends, conservation practices supported, and funding impacts, including […]
Release: NSAC Publication Analyzes Conservation Stewardship Program Data Since the 2018 Farm Bill
For Immediate Release Contact: Laura Zaks National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition press@sustainableagriculture.net Release: NSAC Publication Analyzes Conservation Stewardship Program Data Since the 2018 Farm Bill Washington, DC, October 9, 2024 – The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) recently published a new report: Stewarding Success: CSP Under the 2018 Farm Bill. This comprehensive analysis delves into Conservation […]
Release: To Meet Farmers’ Diverse Recovery Needs, Disaster Relief Must Include Revenue-Based Assistance
For Immediate Release Contact: Laura Zaks National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition press@sustainableagriculture.net Release: To Meet Farmers’ Diverse Recovery Needs, Disaster Relief Must Include Revenue-Based Assistance From drought and wildfire to hurricanes, an array of natural disasters throughout 2024 highlight the need for disaster assistance to reach all farmers Washington, DC, October 8, 2024 – As the […]
Release: NSAC Members and National Stakeholders applaud USDA’s commitment to local and regional supply chains
For Immediate Release Contact: Laura Zaks National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition press@sustainableagriculture.net Release: NSAC Members and National Stakeholders applaud USDA’s commitment to local and regional supply chains Secretary Vilsack’s recent announcement for additional funding for local food purchases ensures farmers, food pantries, and schools don’t experience an abrupt cutoff Washington, DC, October 1, 2024 – The […]
Path to the Farm Bill: Expanding Access to Credit
Editor’s Note: This post is the sixth post in a multi-part series exploring some of the key sustainable agriculture and food systems challenges that the farm bill can address. Through a series of posts comparing the House and Senate Agriculture Committees’ proposals, we provide an assessment of how each chamber’s bill would address a given […]
Release: NSAC Welcomes Further Investments in Local Meat Processors Markets
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Laura ZaksNational Sustainable Agriculture Coalitionlzaks@sustainableagriculture.netTel. 347.563.6408 Release: NSAC Welcomes Further Investments in Local Meat Processors Markets Washington, DC, September 20th, 2024 – Yesterday, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced further projects from the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program. The investments were targeted at small to midsize operations with an emphasis […]
Release: Farmers and Food Pantries Seek Secretary Vilsack’s Help Avoiding a Funding Cliff
For Immediate Release Contact: Laura Zaks National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition lzaks@sustainableagriculture.net Release: Farmers and Food Pantries Seek Secretary Vilsack’s Help Avoiding a Funding Cliff Groups Urge USDA to Sustain Local Food Purchase Assistance Program Funding Washington, DC, September 19, 2024 – Today, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) delivered a letter to Secretary of Agriculture […]
Path to a New Farm Bill: Sustainable and Organic Research
Editor’s Note: This post is the fifth post in a multi-part series exploring some of the key sustainable agriculture and food systems challenges that the farm bill can address. Through a series of posts comparing the House and Senate Agriculture Committees’ proposals, we provide an assessment of how each chamber’s bill would address a given […]
Promising Conservation Results in the 2022 Agricultural Census
Editor’s Note: This post is part of a multi-part blog series. Our first post in this series explored initial themes from the Census, while this post offers a deeper dive into conservation practices. Our next post in the series will explore what the Census shows us about local and regional food systems. In early 2024, […]
Government Funding and Farm Bill’s Future Top Congress’ September To-Do List
On September 9, 2024, Congress will be back in session in Washington, DC for the first time since early August. Yet, their return will be short lived. In an election year, Members of Congress spend all of October and early November in their states and Congressional districts. In total, Congress will be in session for […]
Path to a New Farm Bill: Increasing Access and Affordability in Local Food Systems
Editor’s Note: This post is part of a multi-part series exploring some of the key sustainable agriculture and food systems challenges that the farm bill can address. Through a series comparing the House and Senate Agriculture Committees’ proposals, we provide an assessment of how each chamber’s bill would address a given challenge, and our recommended […]
Digging into the House Farm Bill: Part 4
Editor’s Note: This is the fourth post in a multi-part blog series analyzing the Farm Food and National Security Act of 2024 (FFNSA), which was reported out of the House Agriculture Committee on Friday, May 24. The first post details an overview of the markup process, the bill as a whole, and its likely (or […]
Summer in Saint Paul: NSAC Members Meet, Reenergize in Minnesota
NSAC members gathered once again for our annual summer Coalition meeting, this time on the banks of the Mississippi River in Saint Paul, Minnesota on August 5-8, 2024. Over the course of the meeting, NSAC members and staff strategized collectively about current campaigns and future Coalition activities. NSAC members also had the chance to hear […]
Release: New Lending Rule Signals More Savings for Farmers
For Immediate Release Contact: Laura Zaks National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition press@sustainableagriculture.net Tel. 347.563.6408 Release: New Lending Rule Signals More Savings for Farmers Washington, DC, August 7, 2024 – The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) applauds Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Zach Ducheneaux for the announcement of a new final rule: Enhancing Access and Delivery for […]
Path to a New Farm Bill: Crop Insurance Access
Editor’s Note: This post is part of a multi-part series exploring some of the key sustainable agriculture and food systems challenges that the farm bill can address. Through a series of posts comparing the House and Senate Agriculture Committees’ proposals, we provide an assessment of how each chamber’s bill would address a given challenge, and […]
Path to a New Farm Bill: Local and Regional Market Access
Editor’s Note: This post is the first post in a multi-part series exploring some of the key sustainable agriculture and food systems challenges that the farm bill can address. Through a series of posts comparing the House and Senate Agriculture Committees’ proposals, we provide an assessment of how each chamber’s bill would address a given […]
Agriculture Spending Bills Must Address Broad Demand for Research and Conservation Programs
The post highlights the critical need for increased funding in the FY2025 Agriculture Appropriations Act to support research and conservation programs vital for addressing climate challenges and supporting diverse farming operations. The post emphasizes the critical need for funding to support Conservation Technical Assistance, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE), and the Office of Urban Agriculture to enhance resilience, profitability, and equitable access across agricultural sectors…. Read More →