USDA Grant Funding for Organizations and More

Posted on July 24, 2019 by Taylor in Farming Resources, Food Systems, Law, News, Policy, Politics, Sustainable Agriculture // 0 Comments

This week’s news from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) includes information about USDA Grant Funding, Livestock Rulemaking, Child Nutrition, Cover Crop Termination, and Jobs at NSAC!

USDA GRANT FUNDING NEWS

USDA Grant Funding Now Available to Support Farmers of Color and Military Veterans

In the latest USDA grant funding news, the organization last week announced the availability of over $16 million in Section 2501 grants to help organizations conduct targeted outreach and provide technical assistance to veterans and farmers of color. This year’s FOA is largely unchanged from previous years with two significant changes to the grant award and project term. The maximum amount that organizations can apply for is now $250,000 per year for a total project length of three years. All applications must be submitted by August 15, 2019.

LIVESTOCK NEWS

Taking Matters into Their Own Hands: Farmers Urge USDA to Ensure Rights in Upcoming Rulemaking

Poultry, hog, and cattle growers from across the country stepped off their farms and stood up this week to consolidation, grower exploitation, and market manipulation by large meatpackers and processors (also called integrators). Meeting in Washington D.C. earlier this week, growers traveled from North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, West Virginia, Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota as part of Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI-USA), the Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM), and the Government Accountability Project (GAP)’s Stand With Family Farmers campaign fly-in.

FARM TO SCHOOL NEWS

Child Nutrition Reauthorization on the Horizon

2019-2020 may just turn out to be the year that Congress finally rewrites the nation’s outdated child nutrition laws. Congress typically revisits child nutrition programs and policies every five years in a single omnibus bill known as the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act, or “Child Nutrition Act Reauthorization” (CNR) for short. This bill authorizes a litany of programs, including school feeding and farm to school programs. Those interested in joining the fight for farm to school and local food in schools in the next CNR can check out NSAC’s CNR campaign page, which includes CNR updates and opportunities to take action.

COVER CROP NEWS

USDA Updates Options for Cover Crop Termination

USDA cover crop termination guidelines have presented major roadblocks for farmers concerned about maintaining their eligibility for federal crop insurance. In response to a 2018 Farm Bill directive, that roadblock was largely removed by USDA last week. Key provisions that we backed and were included in the final bill have now been incorporated into updated cover crop termination guidelines from USDA. NSAC applauds USDA for quickly moving forward to ensure these changes were in place for the 2020 crop year and for incorporating our feedback as they worked to update the guidelines.

NSAC NEWS

NSAC is seeking a Policy Director!

Are you deeply committed to sustainable agriculture and experienced in federal policy? Would you enjoy charting the next phase of NSAC’s policy work and leading our passionate, high-performing, member-engaged, and collaborative policy team that is dedicated to working for racial equity? If so, please consider stepping up to be NSAC’s new Policy Director! NSAC offers competitive non-profit salary and benefits and is an equal opportunity employer.

Last day to apply to be NSAC’s Fall Policy or Grassroots Fellow!

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) is currently seeking a Policy and a Grassroots Fellow for the Fall/Winter term beginning in early September 2019 and lasting until mid-May 2020. Both positions are paid, full-time, include benefits, and are located at NSAC’s Washington, D.C. office on Capitol Hill.