Sign-on to Support Robust Funding for Key Programs

The US Congress is now working on the annual appropriations process for Fiscal Year 2026 (= Oct 1, 2025 – Sept 30, 2026).  This is an opportunity for farmers and organizations to tell Congress – and especially Senators and Representatives serving on the Agricultural Appropriations subcommittee (in Virginia, Congressman Ben Cline, 6th District) – that we want full funding for Conservation Technical Assistance, Grazing Lands Conservation (technical assistance for graziers), Urban Agriculture, and the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program.  Sending this message to Congress is especially important in this time of extraordinary Administrative efforts to gut USDA programs and disrupt funding.

In addition, Senator Fetterman is planning to reintroduce a bill to expand organic agriculture research in the next Farm Bill.

Below are brief program descriptions from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and a link to sign onto each letter. This is for those of you who operate a farm – selling $1,000 or more per year in produce, eggs, or other farm products – or for those of you who are part of an organization working in any aspect of sustainable agriculture or food systems.

Conservation Operations – FY2026 Appropriations Letter
First and foremost, we are partnering with the National Association of Conservation Districts on a Conservation Operations sign on letter. This is the larger account that is made up almost entirely of Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) funding, which pays for NRCS staff time and cooperative agreements with 3rd parties. We are asking Congress to provide $1.2 billion for conservation operations in FY 26. Please share with your networks, we are accepting organizational and farm sign ons, no individuals at this time.

Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) – FY2026 Appropriations Letter
GLCI provides funding for technical assistance, training, and outreach specifically to graziers. Delivered by NRCS and third party organizations, this assistance includes planning, peer-to-peer learning, and classic education for graziers improving their operations through the use of rotational or prescribed grazing and other beneficial grazing practices. We are asking Congress to provide $30 million for conservation operations in FY 26. Please share with your networks, we are accepting organizational and farm sign ons, no individuals at this time.

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program – FY2026 Appropriations Letter
SARE is a top Appropriations priority for NSAC. There is currently no deadline to sign-on to this letter. We are requesting the full authorized amount of $60 million. 

Support the Reintroduction of the Organic Science and Research Investment Act!
We are excited to announce Senator Fetterman is planning to reintroduce the OSRI Act in the 119th Congress during the first full week of April!
Sign-on deadline is April 7th, 2025

Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP) – FY2026 Appropriations Letter
Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP) offers programs and services that support the development of urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural methods in urban, suburban, and rural settings. Since OUAIP received its first appropriation in FY2020, it has quickly responded to nationwide interest by investing over $85 million through 199 grants and 146 cooperative agreements that increase the capacity of urban agriculture, innovative producers, and municipal composting initiatives in local communities across 43 states and Puerto Rico. We are requesting $25 million for the OUAIP in FY26, as well as an additional $5 million for the urban agriculture and innovative production data collection initiative. 
Sign on deadline is April 4th.