Other Ag News:
(Washington, D.C., February 20, 2026) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is opening the enrollment period for the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program, providing $11 billion in one-time bridge payments to row crop producers in response to temporary trade market disruptions and increased production costs. The FBA enrollment period opens Feb. 23 and closes April 17, 2026.
(Washington, D.C., February 19, 2026) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) intent to purchase up to $263 million in dairy and agricultural products from American farmers and producers to distribute to food banks and nutrition assistance programs across the country. These purchases are being made through USDA’s authority under Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935 and will assist producers and communities in need.
(Washington, D.C., February 18, 2026) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, alongside U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., together are taking historic actions to hold chronic companion animal welfare violators accountable and prosecute those who fight dogs to the highest extent of the law in an effort to end this horrific practice once and for all.
(Washington, D.C., February 17, 2026) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced proposed updates to federal line speed regulations in poultry and pork establishments operating under modern inspection systems.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Laura Zaks
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
press@sustainableagriculture.net
Comment: In Moment of Need, House Farm Bill Underdelivers with Empty PromisesWashington, DC, February 14, 2026 – The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) released the following statement attributable to Mike Lavender, NSAC Policy Director, in response to the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, House Agriculture Committee Republican’s draft farm bill text released yesterday:
“More than seven years since the last farm bill, and in a moment of need for farmers, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act lacks the robust investments and reforms necessary to propel American agriculture forward. The bill takes no meaningful steps toward building a fair, responsible, and accessible farm safety net while needlessly siphoning funding away from popular and effective conservation programs.
It does, however, create opportunities for important steps forward, particularly for local and regional food systems – by connecting local farmers to nearby communities and expanding meat processing capacity. Unfortunately, these investments lack mandatory funding, severely stunting their potential to improve farmer viability and community health.
Moreover, dozens of critical programs, including those that support beginning farmers and ranchers, organic agriculture, and vital farmer-driven research, are both unimproved and level-funded, representing a roughly twenty percent cut due to seven years of inflation. NSAC will continue its review of legislative text in the days ahead. Farmers deserve a farm bill that delivers a fair farm safety net, builds climate resilience, and invests in strong local supply chains – anything less would fall short of what American agriculture actually needs.”
Stay tuned to NSAC’s blog for deeper analysis and coverage of the farm bill reauthorization, including the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026.
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About the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is a grassroots alliance that advocates for federal policy reform supporting the long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability of agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities.
Learn more and get involved at: https://sustainableagriculture.net
The post Comment: In Moment of Need, House Farm Bill Underdelivers with Empty Promises appeared first on National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.
(Washington, D.C., February 13, 2026) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing $1 billion in Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program assistance for specialty crops and sugar, commodities not covered through the previously announced Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program. These one-time bridge payments will help address market disruptions, elevated input costs, persistent inflation, and market losses from foreign competitors engaging in unfair trade practices that impede exports.
(Washington, D.C., February 13, 2026) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) has issued final Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments totaling more than $1.89 billion. Eligible applicants who applied for ELRP 2023 and 2024 Flood and Wildfire (ELRP 2023 and 2024 FW) assistance will receive 100% of their eligible calculated payment in a single lump sum.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Laura Zaks
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
press@sustainableagriculture.net
Release: Farmers and Advocates Converge in DC for NSAC Lobby DayWashington, DC, February 12, 2026 – Yesterday, nearly 150 farmers, ranchers, and food system advocates from Alaska to Florida, joined the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) in Washington, DC to press for action on federal agriculture and food policy. Participants held more than 150 meetings with members of Congress, congressional staff, and USDA, nearly doubling farmer participation from recent years and underscoring mounting frustration across farm country.
Farmers and ranchers representing a wide range of regions, production types, and farm sizes met with decision-makers to share firsthand accounts of how they’re leveraging federal programs to build thriving farm businesses and feed their communities.
“We came directly to Capitol Hill to educate lawmakers on issues important to our farm and the farms of our neighbors. We shared personal stories that highlight the impact recent and current investments in conservation and local food systems have made in our community and why continued support for these programs is needed” said Ed Dubrick of DuChick Ranch, LLC and the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, an NSAC member.
Participants emphasized the need for a farm bill that meets the moment by making long overdue, robust investments in farmers and their communities. They called on Congress and USDA to restore stability to and funding for federal food and agriculture programs that support conservation efforts, local food access, and the economic health of farmers and the communities they call home.
“Storytelling has the power to bridge divides, change minds, and inspire real progress. Today, we saw this power in action as 50+ farmers took precious time away from their farms and families to travel to DC and share how federal food and farm policies have hit home. These farmers aren’t just articulating hardships they’ve faced, they are offering Congress a roadmap for practical solutions and opportunities that would benefit all farms,” said Stef Funk, NSAC Grassroots Co-Director.
Earlier in the day, a letter signed by 500 farmers and ranchers from across the country, some of whom attend NSAC’s Lobby Day, was delivered to key members of Congress urging immediate action to address the ongoing financial crisis facing America’s farmers and ranchers. The letter outlined the severe challenges facing farmers, including high production costs, volatile markets, low prices, and overproduction, and warns that without meaningful congressional action, more farmers will be forced out of business, putting rural communities at risk.
NSAC has been a leader in agricultural policy for more than 35 years and has been instrumental in helping to develop some of our nation’s most successful agricultural programs for conserving natural resources, advancing the next generation of farmers, supporting agricultural research, and creating sustainable market connections.
NSAC is grateful to all of the farmers and advocates for taking time out of their busy lives to join Lobby Day, as well as the Senators, Representatives, USDA officials, and staff members.
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About the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is a grassroots alliance that advocates for federal policy reform supporting the long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability of agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities.
Learn more and get involved at: https://sustainableagriculture.net
The post Release: Farmers and Advocates Converge in DC for NSAC Lobby Day appeared first on National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.
Washington, DC, February 11, 2026 – Today, a letter signed by 500 farmers and ranchers from across the country was delivered to key members of Congress urging immediate action to address the ongoing farm crisis.
The letter outlines the severe challenges facing farmers, including high production costs, volatile markets, low prices, and overproduction. Signatories warn that without meaningful congressional action, more farmers will be forced out of business, putting rural communities at risk.
“Farmers want an honest opportunity to build their business while supporting their community. Congress can provide that opportunity by making urgently needed farm assistance investments that build reliable domestic markets and local supply chains for wholesome food, and expanding access to conservation practices that help farmers reduce persistently high input costs. As these investments take root, financial assistance should be designed to stave off foreclosures and reflect a farmers’ expected revenue,” said Mike Lavender, Policy Director at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.
In the letter, farmers call on Congress to deliver comprehensive farm and ranch assistance that keeps producers on the land, strengthens domestic markets and local supply chains, expands access to conservation practices that reduce costly inputs, and prevents another wave of farm foreclosures. The letter emphasizes that short-term relief alone is insufficient and urges investments that support long-term viability and resilience.
Read the full letter here.
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About the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is a grassroots alliance that advocates for federal policy reform supporting the long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability of agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities.
Learn more and get involved at: https://sustainableagriculture.net
The post Release: 500 Farmers Urge Congress to Act Amid Growing Farm Crisis appeared first on National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.
(Washington, D.C., February 3, 2026) – On January 31st, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of State welcomed a new commitment between the United States and Mexico that strengthens implementation of the 1944 Water Treaty, providing greater certainty for farmers, ranchers, and producers in South Texas who rely on consistent water deliveries from the Rio Grande.
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