Sustainable Agriculture News, January 2013

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Important News from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition – January, 2013

FARM BILL NEWS

The 2012 Farm Bill (that never was) Year in Review
Although 2012 ended on a sour note for farmers and ranchers across the country, there were some notable moments to celebrate for the sustainable agriculture movement, amidst all the ups and downs of the 2012 Farm Bill debate.

USDA NEWS

Rural Development Progress Report for Fiscal Year 2012
On January 9, USDA released their Rural Development Progress Report for Fiscal Year 2012.  The report highlights success stories from USDA Rural Development’s active portfolio, including the following rural business development programs.

OTHER NEWS

President’s Council Report on Agriculture — What About Ecology?
The new report from the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) addresses the state of U.S. agriculture research.  The report notes that public funding for agricultural research has stagnated, while industry sources have increased greatly to 61 percent of the total—three times the amount from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Read more of this guest blog from Doug Gurian-Sherman at Union for Concerned Scientists…