How Farmers are Denied Access to Conservation Programs and More
How Farmers are Denied Access to Conservation Programs, NSAC Response to the House Budget Reconciliation Markup, Advancing Racial Justice and Equity through USDA and More from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)
Closed Out: How U.S. Farmers Are Denied Access to Conservation Programs
According to data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), between 2010 and 2020, just 31% of farmers who applied to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and only 42% of farmers who applied to the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) nationwide were awarded contracts. Over the span of 10 years, EQIP turned down 946,459 contracts and CSP denied access to conservation programs for 146,425 contracts, at least partially for lack of funds. These numbers vary widely by state, but some of the lowest approval rates occurred in major agriculture states.
Comment: NSAC Responds to House Agriculture Committee FY22 Budget Reconciliation Markup
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) commends the House Agriculture Committee for strong investments in sustainable agriculture research, extension, education, rural development, and urban agriculture programs. This is an important first step in what represents a once in a generation opportunity to invest in addressing the climate crisis.
Advancing Racial Justice and Equity Through the USDA
NSAC recently submitted a response to USDA’s request for comment on how the department can advance racial justice and equity for underserved communities. USDA is hoping to identify barriers that Black, Indigenous, and other BIPOC communities and individuals may face in accessing, enrolling, and participating in USDA programs and services, and engaging with USDA staff. It was the first public opportunity in this new Administration to provide feedback on USDA shortfalls when it comes to serving BIPOC farmers.
NSAC firmly believes that there cannot be a just, resilient, and sustainable food system without meaningful action by the Biden Administration to meet its commitment to racial equity at USDA, in every Agency, and across every program and administrative action.
What We’re Reading
In this space we share suggested readings that NSAC staff find relevant to the Coalition’s mission and work. The opinions expressed in these readings are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect an official NSAC policy or position.
“India’s farming protests resonate with U.S. agriculture communities”
The images of farmers marching through New Delhi recall similar scenes in Washington, D.C., during the farming crisis of the late 1970s and early 1980s, when hundreds of trucks and tractors flooded the National Mall.
California’s sustainable farms offer lessons in climate resilience, but the agricultural system still favors industrial operations.
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