Overview
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) is an alliance of over 116 member groups that work collectively with NSAC's Washington, D.C.-based staff to promote and enhance sustainable food and farm policy at the federal level. NSAC aims to promote healthy rural and urban communities, support small-medium family farms, and protect natural resources. NSAC's definition of a sustainable agricultural system is one that produces readily available, affordable, nutritious food; provides farmers and laborers a high standard of living; and promotes the health of the environment and of communities.
NSAC’s advocacy begins with input from sustainable and organic farmers, ranchers, and member organizations that work closely with producers. With this information in mind, NSAC develops policy priorities through its member-based issue committees. While NSAC staff conduct direct advocacy and education on policy issues to legislators and federal agencies on Capitol Hill, member organizations lead outreach and implementation work on the local, state, and regional levels.
NSAC has been involved in the creation of federal programs, including: Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), and Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI) as part of the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS); Value-Added Producer Grants Program (VAPG) as part of USDA Office of Rural Development; Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) as part of USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA); Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP) as part of USDA Agriculture Marketing Service; National Organic Certification Cost Share Program (NOCCSP) as part of the National Organic Program (NOP); and Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE).
History
NSAC was formed in 2009 after the respective governing bodies of Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (SAC) and National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture (NCSA) voted to merge. SAC was originally a midwest-based organization that formed as a direct result of the mid 1980's farm crisis. In 2003, SAC members voted to form a national coalition in order to expand their representation in Washington, D.C. NCSA formed in 1994 with a mission of bringing together diverse voices to influence federal food policy. Their community ties and more than 100 member organizations brought a grassroots voice to the NCSA - SAC merger. As an equal product of both of these organizations, NSAC aims to equally prioritize supporting, building, developing and engaging the grassroots of sustainable agriculture with researching, developing and advocating federal policies.
Organizational structure
NSAC’s member organizations represent the interests of almost all 50 states and the District of Columbia and are supported by a core staff in Washington, D.C. NSAC staff work with represented and participating members on issue-based councils and committees, which meet regularly via conference call and at biannual meetings.
NSAC is overseen by three distinct governing councils: the Organizational Council, Grassroots Council, and Policy Council. The Organizational Council oversees development, membership, planning, and execution of NSAC mission. All potential NSAC members must first be approved by the Organizational Council before joining the coalition. The Grassroots Council coordinates NSAC’s advocacy efforts among member organizations, including media messaging and action alerts pertaining to campaigns. Within the Grassroots Council, the Diversity Committee works to ensure NSAC actively practices its commitment to equity and raising social justice concerns in relation to NSAC’s policy priorities and advocacy strategies. The Policy Council sets NSAC's yearly policy priorities after taking into consideration recommendations from each of NSAC’s issue committees.
Unlike the three governing councils, NSAC Issue Committees focus on research and development of specific federal farm and food policies in accordance with the annual priorities set by the Policy Council. Issue Committees meet monthly to discuss policy strategies and coordinate action across states and regions. There are currently five Policy Issue Committees that work on diverse, but often overlapping, topics:
- Research, Education and Extension (REE) focuses on USDA and other public agricultural research and extension programs as well as the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE).
- Marketing, Food Systems, and Rural Development Committee (MFSRD) explores value-added marketing channels for sustainably-produced farm goods as well as economic strategies that build the vitality and sustainability of rural communities.
- Conservation, Energy, and Environment (CEE) helps formulate policy options and positions on a broad array of agricultural conservation programs, renewable energy policy, and environmental policy issues.
- Farming Opportunities and Fair Competition (FOFC) aims to improve market conditions for farmers by advocating for commodity program reform, farm credit, and beginning farmer and rancher provisions, among others.
- Food System Integrity (FSI) develops and advances policies that ensure a safe food supply and support family farms, healthy food systems, and opportunities for sustainable farmers.
Members
Potential NSAC member organizations can apply to be either Represented Members or Participating Members. Represented Members receive formal representation by NSAC before government agencies and Congress. These member groups serve on the NSAC Issue Committees as well as the Policy Council and Organizational Council. Participating Members can serve on NSAC Issue Committees and attend NSAC events, but do not receive formal representation by NSAC on the Hill.
Publications
Grassroots Guide to Federal Farm and Food Programs
Organic Farmers’ Guide to the Conservation Reserve Program Field Border Buffer Initiative
Farm Storage Facility Loans Fact Sheet
Farmers' Guide to Applying for the Value-Added Producer Grant Program
Farmers' Guide to the Conservation Stewardship Program
"Am I Affected?" - A Flowchart for Farmers on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
Special Report: UNDERSTANDING FDA’S FSMA RULE FOR PRODUCE FARMS
Special Report: UNDERSTANDING FDA’S FSMA RULE FOR FOOD FACILITIES
Media coverage
Choices, "Beginning Farmer Policy Options for the Next Farm Bill", October, 2016
Public News Service, "USDA to Give Organic Farmers New Conservation Tool", October 26, 2016
Morning Ag Clips, “NSAC Applauds Grassfed Label Moveâ€, October 2, 2016
New Beginning Farmers, “NSAC’s Special Reports on New Food Safety Rulesâ€, September 18, 2016
Politico, "A 2017 Farm Bill?", September 16, 2016
Politico, "Sustainable Farm Group Playing Offense on GIPSA", May 13, 2016
Southeast Green, "NSAC Statement on Passage of Harris Amendment", April 19, 2016
UC Food Observer, "Q&A: Ferd Hoefner, Policy Expert, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition", February 23, 2016
The Huffington Post, "Eating Right Can Save the World", January 20, 2016
The Washington Times, "Golden Hammer: Thanksgiving Dinner 'Speciality Crops' Brought to You By Your Tax Dollars", November 26, 2015
Horti Daily, "NSAC Comments on Farm to School Grant Awards", November 19, 2015
Vegetable Growers News, "USDA provides 2016 guidance for conservation initiatives", November 12 ,2015
Modern Farmer, "This New Technology Treats Manure So Well You Can Drink It", October 6, 2015
Southwest Farm Press, "What happens to agriculture if U.S. Government shuts down?", September 28, 2015
Food Quality News, “NSAC analyses produce and preventive controls FSMA rulesâ€, August 22, 2016
Food Tank, "30 Incubators and Funding Resources for Farms and Food", July 13, 2015
Growing Virginia, "NSAC Recommends Improvements to Beginning Farmer & Rancher Program", June 5, 2015
The Daily Dispatch, "Editorial: Growing our Future", February 21, 2015
The New York Times, "Farm Bill Reflects Shifting American Menu and a Senator's Persistent Tilling", March 8, 2014
Agri-View, “NSAC Statement on Farm Bill payment limit reformâ€, January 29, 2014
National Public Radio, "Farm Bill Critics Claim Partial Victory Despite Stalemate", January 8, 2013
Wallaces Farmer, “NSAC Not Satisfied With House Farm Billâ€, July 9, 2012
Food Safety News, "Q&A: NSAC Policy Director on S. 510, 11", April 29, 2010
References
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