National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

?? ?? ???????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????? ?????????????? ?????? ?????????? ?????????????????????? While the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has not confirmed the number of employees that have already been laid off or their plans for a forthcoming “reduction in force”, staffing chaos has reigned at the agency for the past several weeks. The?firing of nearly 6,000 probationary employees?was ruled illegal and extensive terminations are being reported across agencies including the?Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), and Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), among others. USDA even?mistakenly fired key staff?responding to the current bird flu outbreak. USDA staff in all agencies provide essential services to farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. They administer and manage a wide range of programs and technical assistance that keep farms working and the agricultural economy functioning. In many cases, they are hard working, valued members of the rural communities they serve all across the country. NSAC's recent blog post examines what is at stake if USDA staffing cuts continue. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eaEnQ74Z

??????????????: ???????? ???????????????? ?????????????? ???? ?????????????? ???????????? ?????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????????? Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-2), alongside others, introduced the?Honor Farmer Contracts Act of 2025?in response to the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) ongoing federal funding freeze, staff layoffs, and office closures. The bill would require USDA to unfreeze all signed contracts, make past due payments as quickly as possible, and prohibit USDA from canceling contracts absent a failure to comply with the terms of the contract. It would also prohibit USDA from closing county and field offices without justification to Congress. “The Honor Farmer Contracts Act unequivocally reiterates a bedrock principle – USDA must honor its word, and swiftly meet its legal obligations to farmers and organizations by immediately releasing funding on all signed contracts. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition thanks Senator Booker and all Members of Congress standing alongside farmers in asking USDA to honor its commitments,” - NSAC Policy Director, Mike Lavender ??? Read the full release: https://lnkd.in/eKMTqSFB

Civil Eats Exclusive: Cory Booker Introduces Bill to "Honor Farmer Contracts." The bill would require the USDA to release frozen grant funds, while also prohibiting the agency from terminating existing contracts or closing local field offices without notifying Congress. Lisa Held has the scoop. https://lnkd.in/gG7bFtYQ

From #farmers in New York to Massachusetts, they are angry and disappointed on the #federalfundingfreeze and USDA contracts cancelations. "Farmers and their allies crowded the lawn of the Hadley Town Hall Sunday afternoon, backed by a line of farm machinery decked out with large protest signs. The messages decried cuts to programs needed to maintain the country’s food supply and keep farmers in operation." https://lnkd.in/eY4yKyHn

???????? ?????? ????????!?? We are hiring! NSAC seeks a Program Associate to support our administrative and program functions across the organization. In this role, you will support key cross-team scheduling, note-taking, data management, logistical, and office management functions. This is your opportunity if you thrive in roles that focus on supporting a team’s administrative functions and care about building a more sustainable, equitable farm and food system. Apply by April 18! Details: https://lnkd.in/euAt4C5x #foodjustice #foodpolicy #sustainableagriculture #foodsystemjobs #policyjobs #dcjobs #jobopening #foodpolicyjobs #foodjusticejobs #farmpolicy

Always great reporting on issues that matter by Leah Douglas ??

If you've worked with livestock at all, you're probably familiar with the electric fence, and have maybe even bumped into it once or twice. After that, you avoid it at all costs. Seems like those in power are grabbing the fence on purpose and sending shocks through the farm economy. I wrote an article diving into the ways, one month in, the new administration has done this. Grateful for all of the farmers who have told their stories, and sending love to all the public servants who are now jobless for no good reason. https://lnkd.in/e-t_RdTc #Farmers #NRCS #USDA #FoodAid #USAID #Conservation #Trump #DOGE

Developing: More cuts on USDA funding, harm to farmers, food enterprises and rural communities.

??? ??????????????: ???????? ???????????????? ???? ?????????????????????? ???? ???????????????? ?????????? ???????? ??????????????, ?????????????????? ???????????? ?????? ?????????????? ?????????????? “USDA’s decision to re-initiate reimbursements on signed LFPA and LFS contracts is a welcome development, yet the termination of the LFPA25 cooperative agreements misses a key opportunity to bolster opportunities for farmers seeking financial stability through new and expanded domestic markets. LFPA is an incredibly popular program, generating enormous economic opportunities by fostering regional supply chains and investing in local farmers. We’re eager to get to work envisioning a future for these essential investments that support direct purchases and allow farmers to retain a larger share of the dollar,” said?Mike Lavender, NSAC Policy Director. “The decision to terminate the latest round of LFPA and LFSCC funding will have profoundly harmful economic impacts nationwide. Farmers and businesses have invested their own resources to scale operations to respond to local need and meet demand. This decision comes at a time where many have already planted for the upcoming season and may leave a substantial market gap for producers,” commented?Hannah Quigley, MPH, NSAC policy specialist. ??? Read the full release: https://lnkd.in/eWDyJT2m #sustainableagriculture #foodpolicy #localandregionalfoodsystems #LFPA #LFSCC

???????????? ????????????????: ???????? ????,?????? ?????????????? ???????????? ?????????? The USDA is withholding promised payments to farmers, breaking legal agreements tied to voluntary conservation contracts. With the pause in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), farmers who already invested their own money in critical conservation and energy projects are now left bearing the financial burden. NSAC's recent blog post dives into the impact on rural communities and highlights the urgent need for the USDA to honor its commitments. ?? ?? Read more on how this decision threatens farm businesses and rural economies: https://lnkd.in/eNM_szXt #SustainableAgriculture #Farmers #Conservation #RuralEconomy #AgriculturePolicy #FarmFunding #IRA #FarmersDeserveBetter