This Advisory Team helps Farm Commons understand the latest issues affecting farmers, food producers, and our community during this time.

The Racial Equity committee of NSAC regularly meets to discuss ways of advancing racial equity in sustainable agriculture.

This Advisory Team helps Farm Commons understand the latest issues affecting farmers, food producers, and our community during this time.

This Advisory Team helps Farm Commons understand the latest issues affecting farmers, food producers, and our community during this time.

This comprehensive one-day program is designed for farmers who currently employ labor or are considering hiring help. This workshop focuses on practical, actionable tools for farm operations. It will equip participants with the confidence and knowledge necessary to make informed labor decisions that contribute to a more sustainable farm.

The H-2A visa program makes it possible for farmers to bring in citizens of other countries for agricultural work in the United States. With a tight labor market, the visa program is experiencing a lot of growth – farmers who have never considered it before are taking a closer look. This program will help farmers assess whether H-2A might help address their labor shortage issues. We’ll also go over the extensive regulatory obligations that come with participation in this program. With human trafficking also on the rise, we’ll address key ways producers can guard against worker vulnerability in this program.

Join us for this webinar to take a closer look at what federal law says about ICE access to farm property, including fields, homes, and other non-public areas. We’ll go beyond the simple directive that ICE can’t enter non-public areas by putting the law in context of the open fields doctrine and regulatory limitations. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of what options are available when officers arrive, where legal uncertainties currently stand, and opportunities to hold government accountable if ICE overreaches. We will also discuss practical steps for preparing your farm or organization. Last but certainly not least, we’ll hear how Idaho Organization of Resource Councils is serving farmworker needs and responding to ICE in their community, as an inspiring example that others might follow. Whether you are a farm owner, farm worker, or work for a nonprofit organization, folks will leave better equipped to make informed, thoughtful decisions with tools grounded in both the law and care for agricultural communities. This program is a follow up to our December 4, 2025 webinar on I9s, Immigration, and ICE Raids on the farm, as attendees requested more in-depth information on ICE at the farm. We hope to see you there! Something specific you’re hoping we’ll cover? Take the opportunity when registering to tell us about it. Can’t make the date or time? Go ahead and register. This program will be recorded and a link will be sent to all registrants.

This session will explain how the National Appeals Division works and how farmers can use this office to appeal an agency decision.

USDA has introduced new standardized general terms and conditions for grants and cooperative agreements (referred to as GT&Cs). Some of the updated language related to DEI and gender asks applicants to “certify” compliance with federal civil rights laws. Here, “certify” simply means confirming–honestly and in good faith–that your program follows federal civil rights laws. Many farmers and organizations are asking: What do these changes actually mean? Can we sign in good faith? Do we need to change our programs or messaging? This 60-minute webinar offers a plain-language overview of the DEI and gender-related portions of the new terms and introduces a practical toolkit to help you evaluate your situation calmly and confidently. We’ll cover: What has changed—and what hasn’t—under federal civil rights law What it means to “certify” (confirm) compliance in practical terms When targeted outreach or mission language raises questions (and when it doesn’t) How to use the toolkit’s decision guides to identify next steps This session is educational, it does not provide legal advice, and it is designed for farmers, nonprofits, and ag service providers navigating USDA funding decisions in a shifting policy environment. We will not cover other parts of the new USDA general terms and conditions including audit, payment, and foreign ownership provisions. During registration, look for the opportunity to tell us what you are hoping to learn in this program. We’ll do our best to address your concerns regarding the DEI, gender and civil rights elements of the new terms and conditions. This program will be recorded and a link to the recording will be sent to everyone who registered as well as posted at our website. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/u6OAARXUS4qQbAmi_tYr1A