Today, Monday 24th 2011, is Food Day. Please join the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) in answering this call to action. Healthy, green, fair, and affordable food is important to all Americans. Today we come together with people across the country who are hosting Food Day events in homes, schools, churches, farmers markets, city halls, […]
Action Alerts
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 […]
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 […]
An Extraordinary Opportunity
Who will grow food for future generations? Act now to help launch a new generation of sustainable farmers and ranchers! The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture called attention to a real worry when he asked: “Why not place the nation’s attention on the need for young farmers on the same plane as police officers and teachers? […]
Future of Food, Farming, and the Environment At Stake
Photo Credit: NRCS Working together, we have achieved important successes for sustainable agriculture through our advocacy on past food and farm bills. Much could be lost, or gained, now that Congress has established the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, also known as the “Super Committee.” The Super Committee is tasked with cutting at least […]
Eat Locally, Comment Thoughtfully
Is supporting your local farmer by visiting your farmers market, CSA, food coop, or other local food source important to you? Well, this is an exceptional opportunity to make sure your local farmers have the resources they need to continue to grow the local food economy. All you have to do is write a short […]
Big Ag To Write Food-Safety Rules
Did you hear about this new unnecessary and damaging food safety rule we sent an alert about a few weeks ago? A new rule is being proposed for spinach, lettuce, and cabbage by a “marketing agency” that doesn’t have food safety jurisdiction or staff. But that’s not the worst of it. The most powerful “Big […]
Forget Your Farmer, Forget Local Food
The agriculture appropriations bill the House of Representatives just passed slashes $1 billion from mandatory farm bill conservation funding and tells USDA to drop the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative (KYF, KYF). The House measure would slash programs that support farmers who protect the soil and water on which our nation’s future productivity […]
We’ve Waited Long Enough….
THREE YEARS AGO, Candidate Barack Obama promised to stand up for open and fair markets for family farm livestock producers. THREE YEARS AGO, Congress passed a farm bill directing USDA to write rules to end price discrimination against small and mid-sized farmers by corporate meatpackers and processors and to ensure fair production contracts for poultry […]
Act Now to Rebuild the Food System
Looking for an opportunity to help rebuild the local and regional food system? The Farm Credit Administration (FCA) — the federally chartered agency that oversees the nationwide network of locally-controlled and borrower-owned cooperative lending associations that make up the Farm Credit System (FCS) — is asking the public to comment on a proposed rule that, […]
“Big Ag” at it Again
Last year we won a hard fought battle, securing appropriate food safety rules in the Food Safety Modernization Act for small-to-midsized farms and processors producing fresh and healthy food for local and regional markets. Now, out of left field, a marketing agency – the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) — has issued a proposed national […]
Breathtaking in its Recklessness
. If passed this bill will endanger our nation’s supply of clean water, increase the already alarming levels of soil erosion, and sell our farmers out to multinational meat and poultry conglomerates … to name just a few. ACT NOW Tell the Senate to Reject this Reckless Bill Yesterday afternoon, the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee […]
Don’t Sign This
A small handful of giant meatpackers and processors have been underpaying and unfairly treating farmers and ranchers for decades. 10 months ago USDA issued a proposed livestock and poultry rule (also called the “GIPSA” rule) that would rein in some of their worst practices The big meat packers and processors have lobbied hard against these […]
Stop Cuts to Conservation
Think this might be a good time to cut spending on soil conservation? Think Again. The New York Times recently reported that higher prices for corn and soy coupled with severe storms fueled by climate change were producing unsustainable levels of soil erosion in Iowa and other Corn Belt states. That same week Congress approved […]
Urgent: Act Today to Protect Conservation Funding
Senator Schumer urgently needs to hear from you today — before it’s too late! On Sunday, the number three ranking Democrat in the Senate, Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, went on national TV to tell the country that Senate Democrats want to cut mandatory spending from the 2008 Farm Bill farm programs. The only cuts […]
Farm Bill Over?
BREAKING: A Budget deal reached as soon as Monday will shape the future of farm conservation programs into the next decade! This is a critical moment. The White House and House Republican leadership are negotiating a budget deal that would effectively rewrite the next Farm Bill now by taking a huge bite out of Farm […]
You’ve Got Mail
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack’s inbox was brimming this week with letters from farmers and advocates for USDA Conservation Programs. Hundreds responded to our action alert calling for letters to the Secretary asking him to stand up for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the Wetlands Reserve Program(WRP). As the Obama Administration negotiates with the House over […]
Voice of Reason
*Action Alert* You already know that if the House gets its way programs that are building a healthier, more just, and environmentally sustainable food and farming system will get thrown under the bus. But guess what? The Obama Administration appears ready to propose even deeper cuts to conservation programs than the Republican House! Someone has […]
Agriculture Issues Featured at Clean Water Week
The Clean Water Network held its biennial Clean Water Week gathering in Washington, D.C. last week, which brought together representatives of organizations from around the U.S. The Conference featured updates on and discussions on a wide array of policies that impact the nation’s water quality. Agricultural issues had a prominent place on the agenda. On […]
Take Action: Oppose Reckless Spending Cuts
Call Your Senators In the early hours of Saturday, February 19, the House of Representatives approved a government funding bill that would slash more than $60 billion from the federal budget for the last half of fiscal year 2011. The bill (H.R. 1) unfairly targets programs that serve sustainable and organic farmers. It makes steep […]
A Valentine for Farmers and Ranchers
Fighting against the corporate concentration of our food supply is an ongoing battle. Today, you can make a difference. A small handful of giant meatpackers and processors have been underpaying and unfairly treating farmers and ranchers for decades. Please take a few moments of your day this Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday to call the White […]
Organic Initiative Sign-up Deadline is May 20, 2011
The deadline to apply for the Environmental Quality Incentives (EQIP) Organic Initiative Program is coming up fast. USDA has allocated $50 million for the Organic Initiative Program in 2011, which is available for all three of the following: certified organic growers, those transitioning to organic farming systems, and farmers exempt from formal certification.* The Organic […]
Take Action: Local and Regional Food at Risk
Action Alert December 8, 2010 Local and Regional Food at Risk Call Your Representative Food Safety Legislation passed by the Senate and to be considered by the House as early as this week is in trouble. Big Ag is out in force, lobbying House members to ditch provisions that are friendly to small and mid-size […]