Beginning Farmer Analysis and More

Posted on October 16, 2019 by Taylor in Beginning Farmers, Farming Resources, First Generation Farmers, Funding, Local Food, News, Organic, Policy, Politics, Publications, Research, Sustainable Agriculture, Young Farmers // 0 Comments

In the latest news from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), a New Beginning Farmer Analysis Highlights the Value of ERS, $24 Million Awarded for Organic Research, and Farm to School Month!

USDA NEWS

New Beginning Farmer Analysis Highlights Value of USDA’s Economic Research Service ERS is the primary federal research agency for economic and statistical information about our country’s food and farm sector and related policies within USDA. The agency has been publishing data and analyses on beginning farmers and ranchers since 2009, and recently released a new report that provides important updates on the state of new farmers and highlights the value of this important agency, which is being targeted for funding cuts and downsizing through a short-sighted and disastrous relocation proposal by USDA. See the full report on the ERS’ Beginning Farmer Analysis HERE.

Over $24 Million Awarded to Support Organic Research, Farmers Last week, however, the research community got some good news as NIFA announced that $24.1 million in OREI and ORG grant funding has been awarded to 30 grantees across the country. These grants will support research to improve the quality and sustainability of organic production, including research on soil microbial management and cover crops. Of the total awards, 19 were OREI grants ($18.8 million) and 11 were awarded to ORG projects ($5.3 million).

LOCAL FOOD NEWS

Farm to School Advocates Kick Off Farm to School Month in DC!

In September, NFSN brought three farm to school advocates to Capitol Hill to share the amazing farm to school work they’ve been doing with lawmakers in Congress. Much of the work that these advocates have been engaged in to source more local, healthy food into schools across Arkansas and Kansas is supported by USDA’s Farm to School Grant Program. A central goal of their visit was telling decision makers in Congress why healthy food, family farm, and anti-hunger advocates want the next CNR to include the Farm to School Act of 2019.