Federal Food Programs Explained in New Farm Bill Guide

By: Dan Blaustein-Rejto, policy intern       Posted On: December 4, 2014

Farmers markets, vendors and partners now have an accessible guide to federal sustainable farming and food programs.  Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches and Communities outlines 63 programs including the newly established Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) and restructured Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP).

The guide was published by the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI) to reflect changes made in the 2014 Farm Bill. It includes information on program basics, examples of past projects, eligibility criteria, financial information, and websites where readers can find additional information.

“We introduce the programs that can be useful to your work, including some you might not otherwise have thought to pursue,” the Guide reads.  “It is not the definitive guide to any program, but an introduction.”

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), and USDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program all collaborated on the publication with MFAI.

Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches and Communities can be downloaded, or purchased here. To order a printed copy over the phone, call the ATTRA/National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service at 1-800-346-9140.