Agriculture Research Grants and More News…

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Sustainable Agriculture News Featuring: Rural Development, Agriculture Research Grants, Organic Agriculture Research, Crop Diversification, and More…

CONGRESSIONAL NEWS 

USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue Defends Elimination of Rural Development Mission Area – Last week, NSAC reported on Sonny Perdue’s plan to reorganize USDA by eliminating the Rural Development Mission Area and moving NRCS from the Natural Resources and Environment Mission Area to a newly created “Farm Production and Conservation” Mission Area shared by the FSA and RMA. This week, Secretary Perdue was the star witness at a House Ag Committee hearing, where Representatives shared several questions and concerns over the proposed reorganization.

USDA Announces $17.5 Million in Agriculture Research Grants – On May 16, USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture announced 47 grants totaling $17.5 Million for research projects to improve sustainable agriculture in rural communities. These grant recipients applied for funding through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative program. These grants, which are funded through AFRI’s Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities (AERC) area, provide funding for projects that improve agricultural sustainability, protect the environment, and work towards poverty alleviation in rural communities.

RESEARCH NEWS 

Bipartisan Legislation Proposes Funding Boost for Organic Agriculture Research – This week, Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) introduced the “Organic Agriculture Research Act of 2017,” which will spur innovative research and extension programs by increasing funding for the Organic Agriculture Extension and Research Initiative and extending the program’s authorization. NSAC is committed to supporting the organic sector and will continue to work to ensure that the 2018 Farm Bill increases its investment in programs like OREI.

Increasing Yield and Enhancing Natural Resources Through Crop Diversification – NSAC member group Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) recently released a report, “Rotating Crops, Turning Profits: How Diversified Farming Systems Can Help Farmers While Protecting Soil and Preventing Pollution,” which details the benefits of diverse rotations to on-farm yields and profit. Beyond the farm, this report also highlights how on-farm diversification can drastically improve environmental and economic conditions for an entire community. To find out more, check out our blog.

NSAC NEWS

NSAC is Hiring! Seeking a Northeast Grassroots Organizer – NSAC is currently seeking a full-time Field Organizer to work on the ground in six New England states along with New York, coordinating grassroots advocacy campaign efforts on behalf of NSAC and the American Farmland Trust (AFT). This position is projected to last for a minimum of two years. To read more about the position, click here.