FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2018
Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106
[email protected]
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Farmers Union (NFU) 116th Anniversary Convention concluded today following the adoption of the organization’s policy book and special orders of business. Nearly 500 family farmers and ranchers convened in Kansas City, Missouri, to engage in thoughtful policy deliberations and celebrate family agriculture.
Delegates to the convention adopted the NFU Policy Book and nine special orders of business that will guide the organization’s government affairs priorities over the course of the next year, especially as they relates to the current farm economic crisis and upcoming deliberations on the 2018 Farm Bill. Delegates also reelected Roger Johnson as NFU President, and elected Patty Edelburg of Scandinavia, Wisconsin, to serve as NFU Vice President.
“Our members put their heart and soul into this organization and into the advocacy we do for family farmers and ranchers across the country. So our grassroots policy adoption process is the main focus of our annual convention,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “This year’s deliberations had a clear emphasis on providing meaningful support to farmers struggling amidst a sharp decline in profitability. Delegates also passed policy and special orders of business focusing on supporting family farmers’ ability to earn an honest living, protect natural resources, build up their communities, and provide for the nation.”
Convention attendees were treated to keynote remarks from Jason Kander, president of Let America Vote, and Art Cullen, Pulitzer-prize winning editor of The Storm Lake Times. NFU President Roger Johnson delivered his annual State of the Farmers Union, focusing on the upcoming Farm Bill, state of the farm economy, and organizational priorities moving forward. Johnson also joined a panel on the opioid crisis with American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall and U.S. Department of Agriculture Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett.
“Our programming provides members with the opportunity to learn more about the issues facing their operations and communities, and it sets the stage for how the national organization should address those issues back in Washington,” said Johnson. “With deliberations beginning on the upcoming farm bill, this year’s speakers and focus provided valuable insight, important context, and diverse viewpoints that will shape the debate.”
In order to provide the national organization a set of priorities for the coming year, 194 delegates from 33 states approved nine special orders of business:
~ Family Farming and Cooperatives
~ Family Farming and Crop Insurance Enhancement
~ Family Farming and Farm Bills
~ Family Farming and Immigration
~ Family Farming and Leading the Way on Climate Change
~ Family Farming and Livestock Production
~ Family Farming and Trade Policy
Full text of the adopted policy manual will be available soon at www.nfu.org.
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To download an audio file of Roger Johnson’s quote, visit our website at nfu.org/audio.
Stay Connected
Follow along with NFU’s 116th Anniversary Convention using the hashtag #NFU2018, and follow NFU on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also download the NFU Convention app here.
About NFU
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.