News: Agriculture and Climate Change, Contract Ag, More

Tweet

The latest news from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) including Agriculture and Climate Change, USDA realignment for underserved farmers, and a Capitol Hill discussion on contract agriculture…

Agriculture and Climate Change: How Can Agriculture Address the Growing Economic and Environmental Pressures of Climate Change? – Agriculture has an important role to play in helping us mitigate and adapt to climate change, and as we approach a major administrative transition and early discussions around the 2018 Farm Bill, the connection between agriculture and climate change will need to be further explored. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) and our members believe that by giving farmers the tools to invest in their soil and become an active part of climate change mitigation, we can develop effective strategies that work for farmers, the environment, and the economy.

USDA’s Agency Realignment is a Good Move for Historically Underserved Farmers – This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a major change, one for which many have been waiting for eight years. USDA’s Office of Advocacy and Outreach has announced that the office will now reside with in report directly to the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture. NSAC applauds this important change and the signaling by USDA of its rededication to serving beginning, veteran, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

Press Release: Representative Chellie Pingree Hosts Poultry Farmers and Advocates for a Capitol Hill Discussion on Contract Agriculture – On December 5, United States Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME) will host a “Stand With Contract Farmers” event at the South Orientation Theater in the Capitol Visitor Center. This event will draw attention to the difficulties and unfair treatment many contract poultry farmers face and will serve to encourage USDA’s completion of the Farmer Fair Practice rules. She will be joined by contract poultry farmers, the Campaign for Contract Agriculture Reform, Food & Water Watch, the National Farmers Union, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, the Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA, R-CALF USA, and the Western Organization of Resource Councils.