FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laura Zaks
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
press@sustainableagriculture.net
Tel. 347.563.6408
Comment: NSAC Welcomes FY24 Agriculture Appropriations Bill
Washington, DC, March 4, 2024 – Yesterday afternoon, Congressional leaders released the text of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Agriculture Appropriations bill. The bill would fund the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at a total of just over $26 billion through September 30, 2024.
“NSAC members are relieved to have in hand a final FY2024 bill that will at last bring stability. Under tremendous constraints, appropriators delivered a bill that has some bright spots alongside painful cuts. Importantly, the bill rejects harmful policy riders, including those that would have stifled fair competition and hampered USDA’s ability to respond to emergent agricultural needs. While the bill protects the Organic Transition Research Program at $7.5 million, it also slashes the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) by nearly 30%, Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) by 3.5%, the Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program (SARE) by 4%, and the Office of Urban Agriculture & Innovative Production (OUAIP) by 18% compared to FY2023. These cuts are disappointing even considering the fiscal constraints. We encourage Congress to swiftly approve this bill and look ahead to FY2025,” said Mike Lavender, NSAC Policy Director.
“Going forward, it is essential for the stability and success of our farms and communities that Congress begin the critical work of drafting and passing responsible FY2025 legislation on time. This starts with ensuring that the agriculture bill receives a fair allocation to meet demand and counteract the impacts of reduced funding for many important programs for FY24 ,” Lavender added.
For more detailed information about the FY24 Agriculture Appropriations Bill, see our updated appropriations chart.
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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
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