The Numbers Behind the Farm Bill and More

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 The latest news from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition including The Numbers Behind the Farm Bill; Agriculture Appropriations; Organics and Specialty Crops; and More…

BLOG SERIES: THE NUMBERS BEHIND THE FARM BILL 

What the New CBO Baseline Means for the 2018 Farm Bill  –  This blog is the first of a four-part series of blogs examining the numbers behind the Farm Bill for 2018. Every year, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) publishes its ten-year projection (baseline) for government spending – including farm bill spending. The current baseline can provide us with important insights into the coming farm bill debate. 

The Commodity and Conservation Titles  –  This is the second of a four-part series explaining the background budget information that will be used to craft the upcoming 2018 Farm Bill. In this post we look in more detail at the commodity and conservation titles of the farm bill. 

A Little-Known Factor for the Fate of Sustainable Ag Programs  –  This is the third of a four-part series explaining the background budget information that will be used to craft the upcoming 2018 Farm Bill. In this post we look in more detail at the smaller, more innovative programs that receive direct farm bill funding but will need to have their funding renewed in the next farm bill.

CONGRESSIONAL NEWS

House Makes Improvements, But Agriculture Appropriations Bill Still a Work in Progress  –  On July 12, 2017, the House Appropriations Committee advanced their agriculture appropriations funding measure for fiscal year (FY) 2018, which was drafted originally by the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. This appropriations bill funds the major programs and functions of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Commodity Future Trading Commission (CFTC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Organics, Specialty Crops, and Local Food on Display in Senate Hearing  –  This week, Senate Agriculture Committee held a hearing to discuss opportunities and challenges facing the organic, specialty crop, and local and regional food markets as Congress prepares to reauthorize the farm bill.The hearing, entitled Opportunities in Global and Local Markets, Specialty Crops and Organics: Perspectives for the 2018 Farm Bill, is part of a larger process undertaken by both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees with the goal of analyzing and understanding US Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs before they begin drafting the next federal farm bill.

 

NSAC NEWS 

NSAC is Seeking a Policy Intern for Fall 2017!  –  The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is currently seeking a Policy Intern starting mid August through January 2018. This position is paid, full time, and is located at NSAC’s DC office on Capitol Hill. The Policy Intern will have the opportunity to work on a range of issues and campaigns, including local food systems, working lands conservation, beginning farmer issues, and sustainable agriculture research and will work closely with NSAC’s policy and grassroots staff. Click the link below for more details!