The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) has helped conserve thousands of acres of land across the United States. This program focuses on protecting watersheds by promoting soil health, well-managed working farmland, and general good conservation practices. In order to apply for RCPP’s Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFAs) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, applications should be submitted […]
water
$34 Million Available for Projects that Enhance Sustainable Usage of Water on Farms
Water is one of the building blocks of life. No one knows that better than farmers and ranchers for whom access to a consistent and clean water supply is critical. Last week (the same week that the United Nations celebrated “World Water Day”), the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) Agriculture and Food Research […]
Food and Drug Administration to Simplify FSMA Water Standard
Easily the most confusing aspect of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) new food safety regulations for produce farms are the requirements relating to agricultural water use. Even with the extra time that FDA has given for producers to come into compliance with the new standards, farmers and educators alike continue to struggle with understanding […]
New Conservation Initiative Will Combat Dead Zones and Help Keep Waterways Healthy
Our rivers, lakes, and oceans are teeming with life, and just like the human body they require oxygen to sustain that life and stay healthy. Many waterways in the U.S., however, suffer from hypoxia – a condition in which oxygen levels are depleted to such a degree that fish and other wildlife are stressed or […]
New Report Raises Concerns about Health Impacts from Nitrate in Drinking Water
Editor’s Note: We are pleased to share the following guest post from National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) member organization, the Iowa Environmental Council (IEC). IEC’s new report provides a critical look at nitrogen pollution and public health in Iowa. As concerns around nutrient pollution and water quality continue to grow, NSAC recognizes and advocates for […]
Appropriations Bills Would Block Clean Water and Farmworker Safety Rules
Last year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it had finalized the Clean Water Rule, a rule intended to clarify the scope of the agency’s jurisdiction over the “waters of the U.S.” under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The rule, which has significant benefits for agriculture, clean water, and public health, went into […]
Clean Water Rule Escapes Shutdown in Senate
By voting down an amendment yesterday, April 22, that would have halted the implementation of the “Waters of the United States” rule, the Senate has provided much needed clarity for farmers and ranchers regarding which waters on their land are subject to permitting requirements. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) and our member organizations […]
Stories from the Field: New Mexico Acequia Association
This spring, NSAC is featuring stories from the field that highlight how organizations and the farmers they serve are building more sustainable food and farm systems with support from federal programs. This week’s post provides an in-depth look at how one community-based organization is utilizing federal conservation programs to improve water usage on farms in […]
Congress Disapproves of Clean Water Rule Despite Clear Benefits for Agriculture
Turning aside the opportunity to protect clean water protections for agriculture and public health, Congress has decidedly rejected the EPA’s attempt to clarify long-confusing jurisdictional definitions within the Clean Water Act. On Wednesday, January 12, the House voted to overturn the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Clean Water Rule and prevent any similar rules from […]