Weekly Sustainable Agricultural Policy Update July 12th

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From the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: NSAC seeks a Policy Associate to advocate before Congress and federal agencies, particularly USDA.  Minimum of three years Hill/lobbying or agricultural policy experience required.  Please send resume, cover letter including an explanation of your interests in sustainable agriculture, writing sample, salary history, and references to Susan Prolman at sprolman@sustainableagriculture.net. Visit the job description on our website.

TAKE ACTION Urge Your Representative to Move Forward Now on Farm to School Funding in the Child Nutrition Bill! If your Congressman sits on the House Education and Labor Committee, please make a call in support of a healthy school lunch. Time is running short for Congressional re-authorization of the federal school lunch and breakfast programs.  The House must take action soon to ensure this critical first line of defense against childhood hunger doesn’t expire on September 30th.

USDA NEWS

USDA Program for Voluntary Public Access on Farm, Ranch & Forest Land On Thursday, July 8, USDA issued an interim rule for the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP), which was established in the 2008 Farm Bill.  The basic goal of the program is to increase public access for wild-life dependent recreation on farm, ranch, and  forestland whose owners and operators voluntarily make the land available for recreation.

Farmers Agree, Mr. Vilsack: Farm Bill Should Emphasize Beginning Farmers On July 1st, NSAC posted a blog to applaud Secretary Vilsack’s plea to Congress to support beginning farmers and to encourage USDA to walk the talk.  Farmers agree.  Click the link above to read how Anna Jones-Crabtree from Vilicus Farm’s responded to our blog. 

DULY NOTED

California Bans Battery Cage Eggs As of 2015 The State of California will end the sale of eggs from out-of-state battery cage facilities beginning January 1, 2015.