A Tale of Two Farm Bills and More

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The latest news from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) featuring A Tale of Two Farm Bills, Action Alert, Nutrition and Food Access Research Award Winners, and More…

CONGRESSIONAL NEWS

A Tale of Two Farm Bills – Given the wildly different approaches taken by the two chambers to the farm bill,  agreeing upon a conferenced bill is likely to be an uphill battle. For the Senate, bipartisan agreement is likely to be a must, while in contrast House leadership has had no qualms with forcing through bills strictly along party lines. The Senate bill largely protects programs for working lands conservation, local/regional food systems, and beginning farmer and rancher programs, while the House bill eliminates, cuts, or diminishes the strength of many critical farm and food programs.  Read more about a tale of two farm bills in this post…

Senate Rejects Rescissions Cuts to Farm Bill Programs – On June 20, the Senate rejected the Administration’s rescissions package – an attempt to cut billions of much-needed dollars from vital programs, including farm bill programs – by a vote of 48-50. Had the rescissions package made it through this initial procedural vote and been passed by the Senate, it would have undermined efforts to help American family farmers to tap new markets, grow rural jobs, and conserve soil, water, and other resources on their land. 

ACTION ALERT: Reforms for a Stronger Food & Farm System – The 2018 Farm Bill is on the move again! We have a chance this week to achieve reforms that will stop corporate giveaways, limit land ownership consolidation, and ensure a more level playing field for farmers nationwide. The two positive amendments with the most bipartisan support are being offered on the Senate floor this week by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL). Can you take 60 seconds to call your Senators in support of the Grassley and Durbin amendments? Call the Congressional switchboard to get connected directly: (202) 224-3121.  

USDA NEWS

$4.4 Million for 2018 Nutrition and Food Access Research Award Winners  = On May 21, 2018, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) celebrated its members and partners who received funding through the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research. Five grants funded through the foundation were announced this May, totaling $4.4 million, for research in community food system interventions. These awards also came with an $8.9 million match by companies, universities, and organizations. Currently, many nutritional security programs and food system interventions operate in isolation; research projects like these seek to change that.  

NSAC JOB NEWS  

NSAC is hiring an Operations Coordinator!  We are seeking an Operations Coordinator to join our team. This position is located at NSAC’s DC office on Capitol Hill and is a full-time exempt position. See the position description for more information and instructions on how to apply.

 

Learn more about farm policy and agricultural politics from beginningfarmers.org at https://www.beginningfarmers.org/farm-policy-agricultural-politics/