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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2012
Contact: Melisa Augusto, 202-314-3191
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Tony Jarboe, 202-314-3104
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WASHINGTON (May 15, 2012) – National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson issued the following statement in recognition of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s 150th Anniversary:
“It was 150 years ago today that President Abraham Lincoln had the foresight to establish the USDA to acquire information through ‘practical and scientific experiments’ and to collect and propagate ‘new and valuable seeds and plants’ and distribute these to the nation‘s agriculturists.
“Since that time, USDA has served the family farmers and ranchers of this country very well. With their help, U.S. farmers and ranchers are able to produce the safest, most affordable, most abundant food supply in the world.
“USDA will continue to lead us into the future as we deal with issues such as climate change and into a 21st century Green Revolution. Renewable energy is critical to creating and keeping jobs in rural America and has the potential to help America become more energy independent.
“For 150 years, USDA has been serving all Americans, both rural and urban. We must remember the department’s past contributions and recognize the significance of its continued leadership on critical issues.”
National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2012
Contact: Melisa Augusto, 202-314-3191
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Tony Jarboe, 202-314-3104
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WASHINGTON (May 11, 2012) – National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson issued the following statement today in anticipation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations that will take place in Dallas on Saturday:
“NFU supports fair trade that mutually benefits all nations involved and allows agriculture to compete on a level playing field. NFU strongly supports the Trade Reform, Accountability, Development, and Employment (TRADE) Act, which requires that all trade agreements include provisions that ensure other countries have environmental, food safety, health, and labor standards equal to or greater than those in the United States.
“The United States must be able to write a farm bill that provides family farmers and ranchers with an ample safety net under any trade agreement. Time and again the World Trade Organization has denied us the right to protect farmers and ranchers because of the structure of our trade agreements. It is critical for the survival of family farms and rural America that we are able to write a farm bill that helps farmers in times of need, when prices collapse and disaster strikes.
“NFU supports trade agreements that benefit U.S. agriculture and promotes societal goals of healthy communities, feeding the poor, economic justice, human rights, and a sound environment. We encourage the delegates meeting to discuss the TPP to ensure these critical aspects are included in any multilateral trade agreement.”
National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2012
Contact: Melisa Augusto, 202-314-3191
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Tony Jarboe, 202-314-3104
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WASHINGTON (May 7, 2012) – National Farmers Union (NFU) and a coalition of agricultural, conservation, environmental, energy, forestry, hunger, and rural stakeholders sent a letter to Senate leadership today urging them to bring the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 to the Senate floor as soon as possible. NFU led the effort, which was supported by more than 125 organizations.
“This is one piece of legislation upon which all Americans depend, urban as well as rural,” stated the letter. “With limited time remaining before the expiration of current program authorities, time is of the essence.”
The Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 passed the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on April 26 by a 16-5 vote. The broad range of the 125 cosigners emphasizes the expansive reach and impact of the farm bill.
“This strongly bipartisan bill ensures that agriculture does its part to reduce the deficit, cutting spending by $23 billion, while still maintaining a safety net that family farmers and ranchers need,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “Some farm bill programs have already expired, and the rest expire on Sept. 30. It is critical to pass a farm bill as soon as possible so that Americans have the agriculture, conservation, environmental, forestry, hunger, and rural development programs that they need. While many of us will continue to work for improvements in the bill, we all agree that we need a farm bill this year.”
National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.
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Click here to view the letter
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2012
Contact: Melisa Augusto, 202-314-3191
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Tony Jarboe, 202-314-3104
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WASHINGTON (May 7, 2012) – National Farmers Union (NFU) Vice President of Government Relations Chandler Goule discussed antibiotic use in animal agriculture today in a presentation at a national stakeholder meeting hosted by the Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics in Washington, D.C.
“NFU supports measures that continue to allow the Food and Drug Administration to permit the use of therapeutic antibiotics approved for use in livestock unless valid scientific evidence proves that the product is unsafe,” said Goule. “NFU believes that antibiotic treatment should be reserved for clinical treatment of illness and for judicious use in preventing illness during periods of stress and supports the right of producers to treat their animals with antibiotics to address herd health issues while opposing the constant sub-therapeutic use of antibiotics.”
More research is needed to determine the links between antibiotic use for animal health and antibiotic resistance in humans according to two separate GAO reports.
“What is clear is that there is a need for additional research and for carefully crafted legislation that is evidence-based,” said Goule.
National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2012
Contact: Melisa Augusto, 202-314-3191
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Tony Jarboe, 202-314-3104
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WASHINGTON (May 4, 2012) – Families, communities, and businesses large and small depend on the spirit of cooperation to succeed. National Farmers Union (NFU) is introducing a special curriculum to highlight 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives.
“Cooperation is at the heart of America, from its largest cities to its smallest towns,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “Schools, organizations, and community leaders are invited to use these lessons. The co-op curriculum is available to everyone for free.”
A White House Community Leaders Briefing hosted by the National Cooperative Business Association was held today where NFU Director of Education Maria Miller and others raised awareness of the cooperative business model. Farmers Union members have helped organize hundreds of successful cooperative businesses, some of which are among the Fortune 500 companies.
The curriculum provides six separate lessons each for collegiate and adult students. The lessons are written to introduce how cooperation works to help individuals accomplish as a group what they could not on their own.
To download the curriculum, visit www.nfu.org/education/education-materials. To learn more about ways to use the curriculum, contact Miller at
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The curriculum was developed with support from CHS Foundation in cooperation with the NFU Foundation.
National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.
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