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For Immediate Release

Contact: Laura Zaks

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

press@sustainableagriculture.net

Release: New JAFSCD Commentary Highlights Urgent Need for Federal Investment in Urban Agriculture

Washington, DC, October 31, 2024 – In a new commentary published in the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development (JAFSCD), authors Hagan Capnerhurst of Michigan Food and Farming Systems, Hannah Quigley of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), and Jake Hawes of the University of Wyoming (UW), emphasize the vital role of urban agriculture in fostering local food sovereignty, driving economic development, and enhancing community well-being.

“Despite the significant growth of urban farming, federal support has not kept pace, with funding remaining critically low in relation to the pressing needs of urban growers,” said Hannah Quigley, NSAC Policy Specialist, adding that “NSAC Urban agriculture initiatives, often led by communities of color, have become essential

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Stewarding Success: How Did CSP Perform in My State?

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Each State Tells a Story

Generally, CSP fared well during the 2018 Farm Bill despite enduring significant budget cuts and a difficult transition to competitive contract renewals. NRCS staff continued to serve American farmers and ranchers, enrolling 49 million new acres into CSP between fiscal years (FY) 2019 to 2023. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) injected an additional $ 3.25 billion into CSP and increased both contracts and acres enrolled by nearly a quarter during FY2023. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) met and exceeded the set-asides for both beginning farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged producers and, despite a rocky start, renewed 12,479 CSP contracts to support long-term conservation.

However, each state had its own experience with CSP during the 2018 Farm Bill. This variation reflects the diversity of agriculture across states and the different resource concerns and priorities …

A Regional Approach Creates Fairer Competition

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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 and people play in connecting producers to markets.

As described in the first part of this series, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched a framework and series of investments targeting regional supply chains to promote a more fair, competitive, and resilient food system. These investments focus on production, processing, aggregation/distribution, market opportunities, and consumer access.

Each year, USDA spends billions purchasing food for schools, food pantries, and community nutrition programs across rural and urban settings. The USDA’s purchases are sourced from American producers …

Stewarding Success: Enhancing Access for Underserved Farmers in CSP

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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 the effects of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022. This post is the third in a series of five blog posts highlighting the key findings of the report and offers a detailed look at the engagement of historically disadvantaged populations with CSP during the 2018 Farm Bill cycle.

The Conservation Stewardship Program

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is a voluntary program run by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). CSP aims to …

Stewarding Success: IRA Funding is Cultivating New Conservation Acres and Farmers

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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 the effects of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022. This post is the second in a series of five blog posts highlighting the key findings of the report and offering a deep dive into the success of the IRA within CSP.

The Conservation Stewardship Program

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is a voluntary program run by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). CSP aims to enhance natural resources while maintaining profitable agricultural production. It does this by …

Stewarding Success: Conservation Stewardship Program

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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 the effects of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022. This blog post is the first of a series of five posts highlighting the key findings of the report and offering a national overview of this vital farm bill conservation program.

What is the Conservation Stewardship Program?

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is a voluntary program run by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). CSP aims to enhance natural resources while maintaining profitable agricultural production. It does …

Release: To Meet Farmers’ Diverse Recovery Needs, Disaster Relief Must Include Revenue-Based Assistance

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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 second major hurricane in as many weeks approaches the Southeast United States, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) has maintained close contact with member organizations from western North Carolina to the Florida peninsula. Initial reports of total loss from farmers in the region are sobering and still emerging. As the Administration and Congress chart a path toward disaster relief, NSAC strongly believes that any approach must include a revenue-based disaster assistance option.

“Natural disasters indiscriminately and increasingly impact countless farmers and ranchers every year, regardless

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Release: NSAC Members and National Stakeholders applaud USDA’s commitment to local and regional supply chains

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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 National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) celebrates the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement of $ 500 million in additional funding for the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA). Earlier this month, NSAC delivered a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack signed by nearly 600 food banks, hubs, pantries, farmers, and organizations requesting that the USDA continue funding the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program after stakeholders began expressing serious concern of the program’s anticipated end. Congressional delegations in both the House and Senate…