National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

Overview

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) is a national alliance of over 100 member groups across the United States. NSAC members and Washington DC-based staff work collectively at the national level to reform federal farm and agriculture policy. NSAC is committed to promoting healthy rural communities, ensuring universal access to healthy, nutritious food, supporting small family farms, and protecting natural resources. A sustainable agriculture system as defined by NSAC is one in which food is available, affordable, nutritious and produced by farmers and laborers that make a decent living in their trade. This work should promote both the health of the environment and the health and stability of the community.

NSAC’s advocacy begins with input from sustainable and organic farmers, ranchers, and organizations that work with producers. With this information, member organizations and NSAC staff develop policy through issue committees. Members conduct outreach and implementation work on the local/state/regional level while NSAC staff provide direct representation on these issues to the federal government and agencies such as the USDA and EPA.

NSAC has played a central role in the creation of many federal programs, including: the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) buffer initiative; the Wetlands Reserve Program; Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative; Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP); Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP), Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP); National Organic Certification Cost Share Program (NOCCSP); 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. Since it’s creation during the mid 1980’s farm crisis, SAC had championed multiple federal programs such as the Value-Added Producer Grants Program, Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, and the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program. NCSA’s strong community ties and over 100 member organizations brought a strong grassroots voice to the NCSA - SAC merger. Since then, 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. The members are supported by a core staff based in Washington, DC. Staff work with representatives member and participating organizations on different councils and committees that meet via conference call and at the yearly Summer and Winter meetings.

NSAC is overseen by three distinct governing councils. The Organizational Council oversees the development, membership, planning, and mission of NSAC. New members must first be approved by the Organizational Council before joining the coalition. The Grassroots Council coordinates NSAC’s advocacy efforts among member organizations. This includes media messaging and action alerts pertaining to campaigns. Within the Grassroots Council, the Diversity Committee works to ensure NSAC’s commitment to equity as defined in their equity statement (SITE). This includes raising social justice concerns in relation to NSAC’s policy priorities and advocacy strategies. Policy priorities are set by the Policy Council after taking into consideration recommendations from each of NSAC’s issue committees.

NSAC Policy Issue Committees meet monthly to discuss policy strategies and coordinate action across states and regions. Policy issues are overseen by the relevant committee. 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. 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 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 aims to improve market conditions for farmers by advocating for commodity program reform, farm credit, and beginning farmer and rancher provisions among others. Finally, Food System Integrity develops and advances policies that both ensure a safe food supply and support thriving family farms, healthy food systems, and opportunities for sustainable farmers.

Members

NSAC member organizations can choose to be either NSAC 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 serve on the Policy and Organizational Councils. Participating Members can serve on NSAC Issue Committees and other NSAC events, but do not receive formal representation by NSAC in Congress.

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

Morning Ag Clips, “NSAC Applauds Grassfed Label Move”, October 2, 2016

New Beginning Farmers, “NSAC’s Special Reports on New Food Safety Rules”, September 18, 2016

Food Quality News, “NSAC analyses produce and preventive controls FSMA rules”, August 22, 2016

Agri-View, “NSAC Statement on Farm Bill payment limit reform”, January 29, 2014

Wallaces Farmer, “NSAC Not Satisfied With House Farm Bill”, July 9, 2012

References

1. http://sustainableagriculture.net/