Tag Archives: USDA

Secretary’s Column: Ready to Help Pass a Food, Farm and Jobs Bill


Posted by HFHP Coalition
Cross-posted from USDA

By Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack

In recent months, the Federal budget has dominated the conversation here in Washington. At the U.S. Department of Agriculture, we have been working hard on mission critical priorities, even as we implement mandatory across-the-board budget cuts.

The good news is that our proactive efforts to cut costs have saved more than $828 million in recent years, putting us in a better position to deliver important programs.

But we also have not lost sight of a key requirement for these programs to continue: passage of a comprehensive, multiyear Food, Farm and Jobs Bill.

In January, Congress took short-term action to extend many 2008 Farm Bill programs for nine months. Those programs will expire in September, limiting their effectiveness and providing no long-term certainty for farmers, ranchers and rural communities.

As Congress returns to Washington in the coming days, leaders from both parties have signaled a willingness to come together and get a Food, Farm and Jobs Bill passed. That is promising news. USDA intends to provide whatever technical assistance we can to help Congress pass a long-term, comprehensive bill.

A Food, Farm and Jobs Bill would allow USDA to continue our record accomplishments on behalf of the American people, while providing new income opportunities across rural America.

It would enable USDA to further expand markets for agricultural products at home and abroad, strengthen conservation efforts, create new opportunities for local and regional food systems and grow the biobased economy.

It would maintain important agricultural research, and ensure access to safe and nutritious food for all Americans. A comprehensive bill would also continue programs that directly help rural communities – such as the 110 grants USDA awarded this week under our Value-Added Producer Grant program to help rural small businesses manufacture new products, expand local food systems and create jobs.

We have not lost sight of the importance of a long-term Food, Farm and Jobs Bill – and I know folks across rural America are counting on Congress to get the job done as soon as possible. We stand ready to help in any way we can.

For the original posting and an audio version, click here.


Conservation Stewardship Program Funding Fixed


Posted by HFHP Coalition
Cross-posted from Center for Rural Affairs

By Traci Bruckner

The Center for Rural Affairs Farm Bill Helpline is ready to assist farmers and ranchers to take advantage of one of the nation’s best conservation programs.

Farmers and ranchers will again be able to apply for the Conservation Stewardship Program. CSP rewards producers for conservation practices on working lands. Funding for enrollments was accidentally cut off in the government spending bill passed last October. Congress recently passed legislation to fix that right before their Easter recess.

The legislation removes the remaining obstacles to CSP sign-up this year. It is a welcome move, as farmers and ranchers have been waiting to sign up. Each year more apply than can receive contracts, nearly twice as many.

USDA can now proceed with enrolling just over 11 million acres of farm and ranch land. This will bring the program to a grand total of 62 million acres by year’s end. The fix came in a bill to continue funding for the federal government for the next six months. We’ve pressed for this result since last October when the first government funding bill accidentally shut off CSP enrollment for 2013.

Potential applicants, move forward now, before planting season is underway and you get too busy in the field to get away. CSP is a continuous signup program, so producers can apply to enroll at any time of year. But USDA applies a cut-off date for applications to be considered during a particular fiscal year. Once the cut-off date is past, producers can continue to apply, but you won’t be considered for entry until the spring of the following year, in this case spring of 2014.

Click here to keep reading.


DEADLINE EXTENDED: Hispanic and Women Farmers and Ranchers Claims Must be Filed by MAY 1, 2013


Posted by HFHP Coalition
Cross-posted from the United States Department of Agriculture

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2013- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the extension of the voluntary claims process for Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who allege discrimination by the USDA in past decades. All claims must now be filed by MAY 1, 2013.

“Hispanic and women farmers who believe they have faced discriminatory practices in the past from the USDA have additional time to file a claim in order to have a chance to receive a cash payment or loan forgiveness,” said Secretary Vilsack. “USDA urges potential claimants to contact the Claims Administrator for information and to file their claim packages on or before May 1, 2013.”

The process offers a voluntary alternative to litigation for each Hispanic or female farmer and rancher who can prove that USDA denied his or her application for loan or loan servicing assistance for discriminatory reasons for certain time periods between 1981 and 2000.

As announced in February 2011, the voluntary claims process will make available at least $1.33 billion for cash awards and tax relief payments, plus up to $160 million in farm debt relief, to eligible Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers. There are no filing fees to participate in the program.

Website: www.farmerclaims.gov
Phone: 1-888-508-4429
Fax: (855) 626-8343
Email: claims@hwfr.org
Claims Period: September 24, 2012 – May 1, 2013.

Click here for more information and the full posting.


Public Health Institute and California Project LEAN Applaud USDA Proposed Nutrition Standards for Foods Sold in Schools


Posted by HFHP Coalition
Cross-posted from Public Health Institute

Joint Statement from Cyndi Guerra Walter, California Project LEAN, and Gabrielle Serra, Public Health Institute

“Public Health Institute (PHI) and California Project LEAN (Leaders Encouraging Activity and Nutrition) applaud the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposal, ‘Smart Snacks in Schools,’ to establish minimum nutrition standards for foods and beverages sold in schools.

“ ‘Smart Snacks in Schools’ is a significant step toward ensuring children across the nation have greater access to fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and  lean protein, and less access to sugar-sweetened beverages.

“These proposed standards are part of a comprehensive effort required by the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 to ensure that healthy food and beverages are available in schools for all children, whether they participate in the federally subsidized school meals or purchase foods and beverages from snack bars, student stores or vending machines.

“Good nutrition is a critical factor in promoting children’s health, and their success in and out of the classroom. Establishing minimum national nutrition standards for foods and beverages sold in schools is an important step to help ensure that healthy choices are the default option for our children. Research shows that competitive food and beverage standards can help reduce the risk for obesity-related chronic diseases. In California–where competitive food standards have been in place since 2007– high school students consumed fewer calories, less fat and less sugar at school than students in states with no competitive food standards in place.

“PHI and California Project LEAN look forward to working with USDA, states and local school districts to ensure the implementation of strong, science-based nutrition standards for foods and beverages sold in schools. We also underscore our commitment to support innovation and leadership in communities across the United States to establish and implement nutrition standards that go above and beyond the federal guidelines for foods and beverages sold outside the school meal programs to improve nutrition and prevent childhood obesity.”


Ask the Experts Web Forum: Is the Price Right? Understanding the economics of healthy food for consumers and farmers


Posted by HFHP Coalition

Thursday, February 7, 11 AM PT/2 PM ET

Register here today!

Have a question about the price of healthy food that you’ve always wanted to ask an economist? Curious about ways to increase demand for farm products at a local level? Then this webinar is for you! It is a follow-up to Healthy Farms Healthy People’s August webinar, in which the panelists explored how the price of food affects the health of consumers and the economic viability of farmers. We are bringing back those same panelists to spend an hour answering your questions about the economics of healthy food.

We strongly encourage participants to watch the previous webinar on the price of healthy food before attending this webinar. The previous webinar will provide a quick grounding in the economics of healthy food and a few ways that organizations around the country are trying to make food affordable for consumers and economically viable for producers. Bring your questions about the previous webinar or healthy food pricing from the consumer or producer perspectives to the February 7 webinar. The entire discussion will be devoted to your questions!

Speakers:

Dr. Andrea Carlson is an economist with USDA’s Economic Research Service where her main areas of research include the economics of nutrition and organic foods. Last year, she released a report that examined whether healthy foods are more expensive than less healthy foods.

Dr. Chad Hellwinckel is a research assistant professor at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, where he focuses on agricultural land use policies, climate change mitigation, biofuels analysis and defining appropriate long-term agricultural policy in a post peak-oil world. He is also a member of the Knoxville Food Policy Council.

Dr. Jennifer Obadia has worked with farmers markets in Massachusetts in various capacities over the years. She conducted her dissertation research on the efficacy of markets from the farmer and consumer perspectives. She has also provided technical assistance to market managers while working at the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. In 2011, she conducted an evaluation of the use of SNAP at Massachusetts farmers markets, including the impact of financial incentives for SNAP participants to purchase fruits and vegetables at farmers markets.

Alexa Delwiche is the Food Policy Coordinator for the Los Angeles Food Policy Council. In this capacity, she manages the large network of individuals working collaboratively to build a Good Food system for Southern California. Most recently, her work with the LAFPC has focused on developing and advancing the Good Food Purchasing Pledge and Guidelines for Food Service Institutions in partnership with a diverse group  - including labor and environmental organizations, businesses, school food service, public health advocates, and many more.

Michael O’Gorman has been a pioneering organic farmer for over forty years. The last twenty years he has been the production manager for some of the nation’s largest organic vegetable companies. Michael is the founder of the Farmer Veteran Coalition, where he helps farmers plan and operate economically-viable businesses.

This Healthy Farms Healthy People web forum is organized by Coalition Steering Committee member, ChangeLab Solutions, and will be moderated by Christine Fry.


Secretary’s Column: The Importance of a Strong Safety Net


Posted by HFHP Coalition
Cross-posted from the United States Department of Agriculture

By Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack

At the beginning of this New Year, we at USDA are redoubling our efforts to achieve an adequate, defensible safety net for producers, more economic opportunity through the biobased economy, safe and nutritious food for Americans, robust efforts to carry out research and greater conservation of our natural resources.

To further our efforts in these areas, I hope to work with Congress this year to secure passage of a comprehensive, multiyear Food, Farm and Jobs Bill.

One very important part of a Food, Farm and Jobs Bill is to provide a safety net for America’s producers, who face a great deal of uncertainty in their work – both from Mother Nature and market prices. Historically, the Farm Bill authorizes USDA to provide disaster assistance for producers and step in with help when they face volatile markets.

For example, prior to the expiration of the 2008 Farm Bill disaster programs, USDA was able to provide more than 400,000 disaster payments totaling more than $4 billion in assistance. In fact, had the programs not previously expired, we would have been able to provide an estimated $500 million dollars in additional help for drought-impacted livestock producers in 2012.

This safety net assistance helps our farmers and ranchers focus on growing more for our nation – and it ensures that farm families have somewhere to turn when the going is especially tough.

But the importance of these programs doesn’t stop at the edge of the farm field. A strong agriculture sector impacts every American. American agriculture provides more than 80 percent of our food supply here at home. Our prosperity enables the U.S. to export billions of dollars worth of agricultural products around the world, supporting more than one million jobs. Our productivity means that American families pay less for their food at the grocery store than the people of any developed nation.

One in 12 jobs is related to agriculture – including in our biggest cities. When the business of agriculture is thriving, more jobs are created in transportation, packaging, processing and sales. And when farmers and ranchers are successful, they invest in their operation, spurring manufacturing and greater business opportunity.

At USDA we are committed to doing everything we can to support a thriving agriculture sector. Unfortunately, without a comprehensive, multiyear Food, Farm and Jobs Bill, it’s tougher to provide a smart and defensible safety net. This isn’t just critical for farmers – it’s important for every American. That’s why I’ll continue to work with Congress over the coming year to secure a five year Food, Farm and Jobs Bill that will give our producers the tools they need to grow and thrive.

Click here for the original post.


USDA Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Seeks Membership Nominations


Posted by HFHP Coalition

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for its Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers. This Committee advises the Secretary of Agriculture on matters broadly affecting new farmers and ranchers–leveraging best practices to enhance Department goals for new farming and ranching operations. The period for submitting nominations has been extended to January 16, 2013.

Click here for more information.


Is the Price Right? Download the Web Forum


Posted by HFHP Coalition

The Healthy Farms Healthy People Coalition hosted a web forum on Thursday August 2, exploring the price of food, as it affects health of consumers and the economic viability of farmers. We had a great panel of agriculture economists and leaders working to increase demand for and supply of fruits and vegetables including:

The forum was organized by Coalition Steering Committee member ChangeLab Solutions and moderated by Christine Fry.

If you missed any of the web forum, you can view or download a recording of it here. Additionally, you can view the presentation slides without the audio here.

This forum was part of a series of Healthy Farms Healthy People educational web forums bringing together Coalition members and partners for a cross-sectoral analysis of issues at the intersection of agriculture and public health. Stay tuned for details on our next forum.


2012 Farm Bill Clears House Hurdle


Posted by HFHP Coalition

Cross-posted from Fair Food Network

By Kate Fitzgerald

In the early hours of July 12, the House Agriculture Committee passed the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act (H.R. 6083 AKA the Farm Bill) on a bipartisan vote of 35-11. The bill cuts total spending by $35 billion over ten years, with $16 billion of the cut coming from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps.  One of the few bright spots in the bill is a provision for an incentive program inviting SNAP participants to purchase more locally-grown fruits and vegetables.

Advocates for sustainable local food systems have an interest in a Farm Bill passing soon because many of the USDA programs that support this work will expire on September 30, the end of both the 2012 fiscal year and the current farm legislation. USDA has made great strides in the last four years: farmers’ markets are growing; new markets that accept SNAP and WIC benefits are being established; food hubs are making it easier for farmers to sell to schools, hospitals and regional grocery chains; hoop houses are being constructed to extend farmers’ seasons in rural communities and on urban city blocks; and beginning farmers are getting the support they need to be successful. (USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food COMPASS is an excellent tool to learn about funding opportunities at USDA and connect with organizations and farmers doing interesting work around the country.)  A new Farm Bill can provide the statutory support for USDA to continue these programs.

Click here to read the full article.


USDA Announces Funding to Increase SNAP Redemptions at Farmers’ Markets


Posted by HFHP Coalition

By Holly Calhoun

Wednesday May 9, the USDA announced $4 million in funding to increase the number of farmers’ markets accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, formerly known as food stamps. The funding could increase revenues for farmers, improve fresh food access, and stimulate local economies by providing technology to farmers’ markets to allow SNAP customers to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables directly from the farmers who grow them. Lack of technology has been a major barrier for farmers’ markets to accept SNAP since the shift from paper food stamps to Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. The USDA has long provided EBT terminals to brick and mortar stores. Farmers’ markets (many of which lack electricity and phone lines) require wireless terminals. Currently less than 25 percent of farmers’ markets are authorized to accept SNAP.

The Healthy Farms, Healthy People Coalition launched in November 2011 with the goal of boosting the agriculture sector and improving the health of the nation by forming cross-sectoral partnerships. The Coalition worked together with 40 public health, agriculture, and anti-hunger organizations to deliver a letter on November 18 urging the USDA to fund EBT technology in farmers’ markets. The Coalition commends the USDA’s leadership and is excited to see an early success in working with key partners across sectors for the mutual benefit of farmers and human health.

Enabling farmers’ markets to accept EBT increases revenue in direct to consumer sales for farmers and allows low-income shoppers who are at disproportionately high risk for preventable chronic disease to eat a healthier diet. The Healthy Farms, Healthy People Coalition applauds the USDA for providing funds that directly support the economic viability of farmers and health of communities. The Coalition thanks all 40 organizations that worked together for this important gain. The Coalition looks to build and grow these collaborations in a continued effort to better support America’s farmers and the health of the nation.

Read the full letter to the USDA with the list of signatories by clicking here.

To learn more, we encourage you to read the blog posts by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) and the Farmers’ Market Coalition (FMC).

Click here for the official announcement from the USDA and here for a blog post from Under Secretary Kevin Concannon.