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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Laura Zaks
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
press@sustainableagriculture.net
Tel. 347.563.6408

Comment: Farm Assistance Framework Signals Need and Opportunity to Build More Robust Support

Washington, DC, January 15, 2026 – Today, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) issued the following comment in response to the House Agriculture Committee Minority’s unveiling of a farm assistance framework, attributable to Mike Lavender, NSAC Policy Director.

“The past year has brought unprecedented uncertainty, pushing countless farmers and ranchers to the brink. The Farm and Family Relief Act gets the urgency of this moment right – robust financial relief is long overdue. NSAC urges Congressional leaders to build on this framework toward an outcome that delivers for farmers and families. This includes making sure any financial assistance is available to all farmers who need it, keeping farmers on the land

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USDA Staffing Crisis: Mass Departures Undermine Local Ag Support

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| Sustainability

On July 24, 2025, US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins released a memo (SM-1078-015) describing the planned reorganization of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) staff. This reorganization plan was drafted without any consultation with farmers or other stakeholders. While the reorganization plan does not directly include planned layoffs or reductions in force (RIF), USDA has already lost at least 18,000 staff since January 2025. If the reorganization moves forward as planned, it will likely result in the loss of thousands more staff.

After swift bipartisan pushback to the proposed reorganization, USDA opened an impromptu and unofficial public comment opportunity. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) encourages organizations and individuals to submit their comments, questions, and concerns regarding the reorganization to USDA at reorganization@usda.gov by August 31, 2025. NSAC also notes our concern that the …

Support for Farmer-Led Research Hinges on SARE Funding

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| Sustainability

Cover crop, diakon radishes. Photo credit: Edwin Remsberg

Recently, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), alongside 100 food, farm, conservation, and rural organizations, delivered a letter to Congressional appropriators urging them to fully fund the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE) at $ 60 million in fiscal year (FY) 2026.

SARE was one of NSAC’s first legislative accomplishments over 35 years ago, and to this day, it remains one of our Coalition’s top funding priorities. However, after more than 35 years of proven on-the-ground results, the program has yet to reach its fully authorized funding amount of $ 60 million. Under current law, SARE is funded at $ 48 million. In May, the President’s Budget suggested funding SARE at $ 40 million for FY2026, and last week, the House FY26 Agriculture Appropriations Bill proposed $ 40 million for …

Release: Funding Deal Delivers Disaster Relief but Fails to Support Farmers in Building Resilience Against Future Crises

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| Sustainability

For Immediate Release

Contact: Laura Zaks

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

press@sustainableagriculture.net

Release: Funding Deal Delivers Disaster Relief but Fails to Support Farmers in Building Resilience Against Future Crises

Washington, DC, December 18, 2024 – Yesterday, Congressional leaders reached an agreement to fund the government, extend the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill), and provide disaster relief funding for areas hit by natural disasters. The deal, which would extend fiscal year (FY) 2024 funding through March 14, 2025, and the 2018 Farm Bill through September 2025, does not incorporate Inflation Reduction Act conservation investments into the farm bill extension.

“While NSAC is heartened that Congressional leaders reached agreement on much-needed funding for revenue-based agriculture disaster relief that includes non-insured farms, we are deeply discouraged by the political decision to limit countless farmers’ ability to build both their

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Funding Available to Support Underserved Farmers: A Look at USDA’s 2501 Grants

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| Sustainability

Last week, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced $ 22.3 million in funding for 2501 grants to help organizations conduct targeted outreach and provide technical assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers.

The Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program, more commonly known as the “2501 Program” and administered by USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE), helps to ensure that historically underserved producers have equitable access to the information, programs, and opportunities that will help them find success in agriculture. While 2501 typically has a 90-day application period, this year’s window is only 60 days.

All applications must be submitted via grants.gov by 11:59 pm EDT on July 5, 2024.

USDA will host two upcoming webinars to answer questions from potential grantees.

Session 1: May 22, 2024, …

Globally representative evidence on the actual and perceived support for climate action

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| Climate

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 09 February 2024; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-01925-3

Global support and cooperation are necessary for successful climate action. Large-scale representative survey results show that most of the population around the world is willing to support climate action, while a perception gap exists regarding other citizens’ intention to act.
Nature Climate Change…

Release: USDA Updates Good Farming Practice Definition, Strengthening Support for Conservation Practice Adoption

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| Sustainability

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Laura Zaks

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

lzaks@sustainableagriculture.net

Tel. 347.563.6408

Release: USDA Updates Good Farming Practice Definition, Strengthening Support for Conservation Practice Adoption

Washington, DC, December 6, 2023 – Today, USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced important updates to the definition of Good Farming Practices (GFPs), removing a longstanding obstacle to the adoption of Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)-approved conservation practices and enhancements for insured producers.

“The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) applauds this decision from RMA to update the definition for GFPs, which has been a priority for our coalition members for more than a decade,” said Billy Hackett, NSAC Policy Specialist. “This represents an important step that removes a persistent disincentive against the voluntary adoption of good soil health practices for farmers enrolled in the crop insurance program, or seeking enrollment.”

Previously, the …

RELEASE: Farmer Letter in Support of Agriculture Resilience Act Delivered to Bill Sponsor Representative Pingree

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| Sustainability

For Immediate Release

Contact Laura Zaks

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)

lzaks@sustainableagriculture.net

RELEASE: Farmer Letter in Support of Agriculture Resilience Act Delivered to Bill Sponsor Representative Pingree

Washington, DC, April 21, 2023 – Yesterday, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) delivered to Representative Pingree (D-ME) a letter in support of the Agriculture Resilience Act. Signed by over 1,000 farmers from 48 states and Puerto Rico, the letter outlines the fundamental threat that climate change presents to agriculture. However, it also points to the ways in which agriculture offers solutions to climate change.

“Through its support for agriculture research, conservation, pasture-based livestock, farmland preservation and viability, on-farm renewable energy, and managing food loss and waste, the Agriculture Resilience Act invests in reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions,” said Cathy Day, Climate Policy Coordinator. “The investments provide farmer-led and incentive-based

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