Conservation Reserve Program Signup and More

Posted on February 22, 2021 by Taylor in Farming Resources, Funding, News, Policy, Politics // 0 Comments

Conservation Reserve Program Signup Extended, Undo The Packers and Stockyards “Undue Preference” Final Rule, and NSAC Communications and Development Coordinator Position in This Weeks News from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)

Conservation Reserve Program Signup Extended

For almost 35 years, the farm bill’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) has compensated farmers and landowners for taking highly erodible and other environmentally sensitive lands out of crop production and enrolling them instead in conserving practices. Through CRP, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) pays farmers to set aside land for grass or tree cover for a period of 10 or 15 years. This set aside period helps keep soil in place, reduce nutrient runoff, sequester carbon, and create beneficial wildlife and pollinator habitats.

Under the terms of the 2018 Farm Bill, USDA must hold a general signup enrollment each year. The 2021 CRP general signup period opened on January 4, 2021 and was set to close on February 12, 2021. However, on February 5, USDA extended the general signup period for CRP indefinitely, demonstrating the incoming Biden Administration’s desire to increase enrollment in the program.

Undo The Packers and Stockyards “Undue Preference” Final Rule

In the waning days of the Trump Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a final rule on the undue or unreasonable preference provision, Section 202(b), of the Packers & Stockyards Act of 1921 (P&SA). Unfortunately, the rule fails to protect livestock and poultry farmers from the abusive and exploitative practices that have become customary in the meat industry. USDA refused to adopt NSAC’s recommendations to the final rule, which would have afforded accountability to, and explicit protection for, farmers in an otherwise arcane, subjective process. Learn more about what comes next in our blog:

Deadline Extended: NSAC Communications and Development Coordinator Position

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) is seeking a Communications & Development Coordinator to advance our policy and grassroots work through strategic communications efforts and expanded development capacity. If you’re a systems thinker, amazing communicator, and enthusiastic collaborator who is passionate about putting your skills to work toward building a more just, sustainable farm
and food future, and tackling major issues like climate change, this is the job for you. In this role, you’ll help tell our story to current and potential funders, the media, and the public and help steward deeper relationships across our community.
The deadline to apply has been extended to February 28th, 2021.