By: Billy Mitchell and Kathryn Kavanagh As spring turns to summer in 2023, we wanted to reflect back on a conversation we had with farmer market farmers on the first day in 2022 at the Wednesday night farmers market at Creature Comforts Brewery in Athens, GA. With psychedelic music wafting through the air – this … Read More
NFU Statement on Xochitl Torres Small Confirmation as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
WASHINGTON – Today, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew issued the following statement on the confirmation of Xochitl Torres Small to serve as the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). “NFU welcomes the confirmation of Deputy Secretary Torres Small in her new role. Rural communities are stronger and … Read More
Biofuel, Farm, Fuel Marketer Groups Urge Fairness in Tailpipe Emissions Standards
America’s farmers, fuel marketers and retailers, and renewable fuel producers today called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to adopt a market-oriented, technology-neutral approach to transportation decarbonization in its upcoming final tailpipe emissions standards for 2027-2032 light- and medium-duty vehicles. In a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, seven national associations representing the full spectrum … Read More
NFU Releases 2023 Farmer’s Share of Fourth of July Food Dollar
WASHINGTON – Today, National Farmers Union (NFU) released the 2023 numbers of the Farmer’s Share of the food dollar for several items typically served at a Fourth of July cookout. “Year after year we’re seeing a troubling trend of farmers earning less and less of the dollars that Americans spend at the grocery store,” said … Read More
NFU Foundation Announces 2023 Scholarships to Young Agricultural Leaders
WASHINGTON – To support the next generation of agricultural professionals, National Farmers Union Foundation (NFUF) today announced the 2023 recipients of its annual scholarship awards. Every year, the organization presents several scholarships to students in any area of study attending a two- or four-year accredited college, university, or technical school who have demonstrated academic excellence and a … Read More
NFU Statement on EPA Blending Volumes for Renewable Fuels
WASHINGTON – Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced biofuel blending volumes for 2023, 2024, and 2025 that included volumes for advanced biofuels like biodiesel, renewable diesel, and corn ethanol. “Today’s modest increase in advanced volumes is a step in the right direction for family farmers and the biofuels economy, but also a missed opportunity to further incentivize carbon reductions,” said NFU President … Read More
NFU Statement in Support of Landowner Rights and Community Input
MINNEAPOLIS – Today, the National Farmers Union (NFU) Board issued the following statement in support of landowner rights, expressing the need for community input throughout the process of infrastructure and development projects: The rights of landowners and their communities to make decisions for themselves are a core principle for our organization. Local control is a core … Read More
Washington Corner June 2023
June 2023 There has been a lot of smoke in Washington over the past month – both literally and figuratively. For most of May, Congress was bogged down due to intense and painstaking negotiations over the debt ceiling. Coverage of the negotiations featured a significant amount of “smoke”– with both sides portraying the negotiations as … Read More
Community-Focused Aerated Static Composting
By: Billy Mitchell and Hayley Wood Maria and Michael of Code of Return (COR) Compost turn food scraps from businesses and homes into compost that feed the soils of the local farms that in turn feed their communities. On a peaceful afternoon out at their operation, Maria looked out over a beautiful pile of composted … Read More
NFU Opposes FY 2024 Agriculture Appropriations Bill as Passed by House Subcommittee
WASHINGTON – Today the U.S. House of Representatives Agriculture Appropriations subcommittee passed its Fiscal Year 2024 agriculture funding bill. The legislation includes harmful provisions that would prevent USDA from completing long-awaited Packers and Stockyards Act rules to protect family farmers and ranchers from abuses of market power by the meat industry. The bill also makes unacceptable … Read More
NFU Champions Farmers First Act to Increase Resources to Address Farm Stress
WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) is proud to endorse the Farmers First Act of 2023, which aligns with our commitment to address the mental health crisis in farm and rural communities. The bipartisan bill, introduced today by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Joni Ernst (R-IA), would reauthorize the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) … Read More
Washington Corner May 2023
May 2023 The cherry blossoms have bloomed, and the paddleboats are out on the Tidal Basin, as spring is in full swing in Washington, DC. The season’s usual batch of visitors have started to arrive in droves – tourists, middle and high school students on their Washington field trips, and most importantly, quite a few … Read More
NFU President Rob Larew Asks EPA to Promote Higher-Level Ethanol Blends
WASHINGTON – NFU President Rob Larew advocated for ethanol to play a larger role in the transition to low-pollutant vehicles during an Environmental Protection Agency hearing today. “NFU has long urged EPA to support rural America by promoting higher-level blends of ethanol as a cost-effective means of achieving required and improved octane levels, and we ask … Read More
NFU Welcomes Major USDA Funding to Strengthen Food Supply Chain Infrastructure
WASHINGTON – Today, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the creation of 12 new USDA Regional Food Business Centers that, according to a release from USDA, will “provide national coverage coordination, technical assistance, and capacity building to help farmers, ranchers, and other food businesses access new markets and navigate federal, state, and local resources, … Read More
NFU President Rob Larew Highlights Farm Bill Priorities in Senate Ag Hearing
WASHINGTON – Today, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew appeared before the United States Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade for a hearing titled “Commodity Programs, Credit, and Crop Insurance – Part 1: Producer Perspectives on the Farm Safety Net”. In his testimony, President Larew highlighted Farmers Union priorities for the 2023 Farm … Read More
NFU Statement on EPA E15 Announcement
WASHINGTON – Today, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew issued the following statement in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement on E-15 to be sold during the summer driving season: “Today’s announcement from EPA is good news for farmers and consumers heading into the summer travel season. Drivers will see increased choice and competition, farmers will see more … Read More
Colorado Right to Repair Law a Win for Farmers Across the Country
WASHINGTON – Today, after months of work from National Farmers Union (NFU), Rocky Mountain Farmers Union (RMFU), PIRG, and Right to Repair advocates around the country, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed into law the Consumer Right to Repair Agricultural Equipment Act (HB 23-1011). This law will give farmers and ranchers in the state of Colorado the … Read More
NFU Issues Letter of Support for Xochitl Torres Small as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
WASHINGTON – Today, National Farmers Union (NFU) released a letter in support of the nomination and confirmation of Xochitl Torres Small to serve as the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). “Under Secretary Torres Small has tirelessly served family farmers and ranchers, not only in New Mexico, but throughout … Read More
NFU Announces 2023-2024 Beginning Farmer Institute Cohort
WASHINGTON – To support the next generation of American agriculture, National Farmers Union (NFU) today announced the eleven participants selected for its eleventh Beginning Farmer Institute (BFI) cohort. Over the course of nine months, attendees will participate in four sessions focused on technical training, mentorship, and leadership development. Established in 2011, BFI was created to help … Read More
Washington Corner April 2023
April 2023 Fresh off our 121st Anniversary Convention in San Francisco, NFU returned to Washington with a fresh policy book and a slate of special orders to champion. This year, the appropriations timeline has tightened considerably, as pressure builds on Capitol Hill for spending cuts amidst divided government and the upcoming budgetary and farm bill … Read More
NFU Supports Reintroduction of Next Generation Fuels Act in the House
WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks reintroduced the Next Generation Fuels Act in the United States House of Representatives, which increases gasoline octane to a minimum standard through low-carbon, renewable fuels, like ethanol. Farmers and consumers stand to gain from the economic and environmental benefits brought about by this legislation. “When it comes to renewable energy, … Read More
NFU Supports Reintroduction of Next Generation Fuels Act
WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota reintroduced the Next Generation Fuels Act in the United States Senate, which increases gasoline octane to a minimum standard through low-carbon, renewable fuels, like ethanol. Farmers and consumers stand to gain from the economic and environmental benefits brought about by this legislation. … Read More
Washington Corner March 2023
March 2023 Throughout February and early March, NFU was busy preparing for our annual convention. The convention was a success, with nearly 500 family farmers and ranchers and guests in attendance. Farmers Union delegates and members from across the country gathered to set NFU’s policy priorities for the year and heard from agricultural experts and … Read More
NFU Concludes 121st Anniversary Convention, Looks to Have Major Impact on 2023 Farm Bill
SAN FRANCISCO – Today, National Farmers Union (NFU) concluded their 121st Anniversary Convention held in San Francisco, California. With an agenda that was focused on the ability of NFU and Farmers Union members to create change, delegates and attendees heard from United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, keynote speaker Dr. Glenda Humiston, Speaker Emerita … Read More
NFU Presents Luke Runyon of KUNC with Milt Hakel Award for Excellence in Agricultural Journalism
SAN FRANCISCO – At the 121st Anniversary Convention of National Farmers Union (NFU), Luke Runyon of Greeley, Colorado was awarded the 2023 Milt Hakel Award for Excellence in Agricultural Journalism. Luke Runyon is a reporter covering the Colorado River Basin for public radio station KUNC. His investigations show how water issues can both unite and divide communities … Read More