NSAC Ensures Better Loan Access for Farmers through Federal Budget “Anomaly”

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) has won a victory in a trying time in the US Federal Government.  Without a comprehensive budget for fiscal year 2017 passed, most funding is stagnated in the continuing resolutions (CRs) the congress passes (temporary budget extensions) to keep the government open until a new budget can be passed in the next session of Congress.  NSAC, along with their bi-partisan coalition in both houses including Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Representatives Robert Aderholt (R-AL) and Sam Farr (D-CA), has succeeded in changing the budget extension’s policy on  the USDA’s farmer and rancher loan program.  The change, called an anomaly in political jargon because of its rarity in the CR process, has given the agency the ability to give loans based on demand.  This means that more money can be leant in the Winter and Spring when loan demand is high without running out of funding.  While the rest of the budget and farmers’ concerns therein wait for the 115th Congress to convene for answers, NSAC has brightened the future for beginning farmers and ranchers who will need these loans to start their operations by the spring.  To read more on this policy change and the farm policy goals of 2017, check out NSAC’s blog.