Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops “TASC” AFA recommends increasing funding of the program titled “Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops” (TASC) in order to expand export opportunities for agricultural producers of fiber-rich food crops. Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) (§3201e) provides funding to eligible U.S. organizations for projects that address existing and potential sanitary, phytosanitary, […]
The following recommendations prioritize sustainable fiber-rich foods in nutrition programs. Create a task force whose mission is to strategically guide implementation and expansion of a nutrition incentives model into SNAP. Update eligible SNAP-authorized retailer definitions to include more accessible models like mobile markets and health food trucks. Permanently increase SNAP benefits. Prioritize a Child Nutrition […]
The Rural Development Policy Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-355) named USDA as the lead federal agency for rural development. RD is the mission area within USDA responsible for rural infrastructure and economic development assistance. Three agencies comprise RD: the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, the Rural Housing Service, and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS). RD programs are […]
AFA recommends prioritizing fiber-rich foods in the research programs of Title VII. Increase funding for the Specialty Crop Research Initiative. Increase funding for the Urban, Indoor, and Emerging Agricultural Initiative. Increase funding for Sustainable Agriculture and Research Education (SARE). Prioritize projects under SARE whose research would advance understanding of farm transitions toward sustainable fiber-rich food […]
The following recommendations prioritize fiber-rich foods in title 10 ‘Horticulture’ programs. Permanently lower match requirements for FMPP and LFPP to no more than 10% in the next farm bill. Authorize & appropriate at least $200 million per year for LAMP. Increase resources for no-cost grant application assistance for LAMP programs. The Horticulture title (title 10) […]
The following are recommendations that can prioritize sustainable fiber-rich foods in farm policy. Add fiber-rich food crops to eligible crop insurance list. Encourage crop diversity by incentivizing the Whole Farm Revenue Protection program. Over the past decades, efforts have been made to expand federal crop insurance. Measures such as the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and […]
The following comments were made by Senator Leahy of Vermont on November 2, 2021, at a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing titled “The State of Nutrition in America in 2021.” Even when I became chairman of the agriculture committee quite a few years ago it was called the Senate agriculture and forestry committee. I changed the […]
Amend the FOTO subsection to include a program to assist livestock farmers seeking to transition to or diversify with plant crops (the FARMS Act). Appropriate $100 million or more per year for the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. Pay Office of UAIP advisors an annual stipend. Offer matching grants for the purchase of […]
On December 13th, the Agriculture Fairness Alliance “AFA” is hosting a listening session with Members of Congress and leaders at the USDA to present the case for prioritizing dietary fiber across USDA farm programs. The Agenda & Powerhouse Panelists The Nov 12, 2021 Letter to Tom Vilsack
The following is a letter sent to Secretary Vilsack making the case for the USDA to prioritize fiber-rich foods across all farm programs.