Sustainable Agriculture and COVID-19

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The rapidly developing COVID-19 pandemic is already causing significant impacts across the entirety of our US food and agriculture system. Necessary measures to contain the spread of the virus have resulted in restaurant, school, and institution closures and farmers losing critical markets and revenue. NSAC released a statement on COVID-19 this week, highlighting the impacts of the pandemic on the food and farm system. The statement includes policy recommendations that we hope Congress will consider as the next stimulus package moves forward. Additionally, the statement includes recommendations and action steps for community organizations, philanthropies, and some resources for reference. NSAC will update the statement regularly with additional resources, action opportunities, and materials as the situation evolves. READ MORE

This week, the Senate voted on and passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which includes an additional $1.25 billion for nutrition programs. As Congress begins to work on a larger economic relief package, NSAC urges Congress to support farmers who have already been heavily impacted by the pandemic. “It is vital that Congress and the Administration work together to support those farmers and ranchers especially vulnerable to impacts, including farmers who rely on direct markets and institutional buyers, small and mid-scale farmers, beginning farmers, and farmers of color. They must also strengthen and preserve the integrity of our direct market, local, and regional food systems that work to make safe and nutritious food available in every community,” said Eric Deeble, Policy Director at NSAC. READ MORE

NRCS is currently accepting applications for EQIP. This working lands conservation program helps farmers and ranchers pay for conservation practices – like improving irrigation efficiency, restoring pasture, or nutrient and pest management – on their land, and deadlines are coming up soon. EQIP signup deadlines vary by state and while some may have already passed, there are many more deadlines coming up at the end of March or even later in the Spring. Read our post to learn more about how to sign-up and the advance payment option available to historically underserved producers. READ MORE

Are you passionate about creating a more just, sustainable food and farm future? Are you an organizer with a commitment to grassroots leadership? Want to help build national grassroots campaigns around issues like climate change, local food, and beginning farmers, and explore how these issues intersect with racial equity? Are you a creative communicator excited to translate complex policy work into compelling narratives? NSAC is hiring for multiple roles:

Grassroots Director: This role represents a unique opportunity to work with hundreds of sustainable food and agriculture community leaders nationwide on shared campaigns that build grassroots power, achieve NSAC’s federal policy goals, and advance racial equity in agriculture and food systems. Learn more about the position and apply here; application deadline is April 3. 

NSAC is also hiring for two temporary roles that are a great fit for folks looking to learn and grow their skills: a Grassroots Intern to join our team for summer 2020 and a Communications & Development Fellow to work with us through the end of 2020. Both are paid, full time, and based in our Washington, DC office. Learn more about the position and apply here; application deadline is March 30.

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• Learn more about Farm Policy and Agricultural Politics at https://www.beginningfarmers.org/farm-policy-agricultural-politics/

• Find tons of other useful farming resources at https://www.beginningfarmers.org/additional-farming-resources/