New York City Residents Join Farmers in Calling for a Fair Farm Bill
New York City residents are joining the fight for a fair farm bill, coming together in an organization called the New York City Food and Farm Bill Working Group. The group–which views the upcoming bill as the most important piece of federal legislation impacting what farmers produce and what Americans eat–is looking to connect with […]
USDA Announces Value-Added Producer Grants
Earlier this month, the USDA announced the awarding of over $40 million in grants through the Value-Added Producer Grant Program. The funds went to 298 recipients in 44 states. In announcing them, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan drew a connection between the grants and President Obama’s call for promoting American jobs and economic growth, but […]
Beginning Young Farmer and Rancher Development Program at Work in Washington
Seattle Tilth Farm Works, a new farm business incubator program for immigrants, refugees, and other underserved communities, was recently awarded $483, 160 by the USDA NIFA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. Farm incubators like Seattle Tilth Farm Works play an essential role in establishing new farmers and, importantly, support a diversity of new farmers, […]
GIPSA Rule Survives Senate Appropriations Committee
One small victory for small-scale agriculture has been achieved on the legal front. Two weeks ago, the Senate Appropriations Committee did not include language previously proposed in the House of Representatives’ 2012 Agriculture Appropriations Bill that would prevent the USDA’s Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) from enacting a competition rule known as the […]