FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 26, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – In oral arguments scheduled for Tuesday morning, four agriculture and biofuel organizations will argue that the U.S. Supreme Court should affirm a unanimous 2020 decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, which heldthat only small refineries that have remained continuously … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 22, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – On Earth Day, Representative Chellie Pingree and Senator Martin Heinrich introduced the Agriculture Resilience Act (ARA), which sets a number of environmental targets for the agriculture sector to reach by 2040, including net zero greenhouse gas emissions. In order to reach those goals, the … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 20, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – 330 days after Minnesota resident George Floyd’s death, a jury today found former police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of murder. National Farmers Union (NFU) called the act “an abuse of power and a horrifying act of violence,” and said it underscored the “urgent … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 20, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – In the midst of Earth Week, Senators Debbie Stabenow, John Boozman, and Mike Braun reintroduced the Growing Climate Solutions Act, which aims to provide certainty to farmers and ranchers seeking compensation for climate-smart agricultural practices through carbon markets. To achieve this end, the bill … Read More
By Billy Mitchell, NFU Food Safety Training Coordinator If you have a community-based farm and want to identify ways to strengthen your operation, there’s no better place to go for suggestions and solutions than other farmers— alongside some back up from educators who know your area well. Pennsylvania Farmers Union (PAFU) created a virtual space for urban growers to gather, learn, diagnose, and discuss areas for potential improvement on their farms at the Mid-Atlantic Produce Safety Clinic for Growers. The clinic … Read More
After a year riddled with pandemic-related challenges, farmers were hoping for an easy, uncomplicated growing season. Unfortunately, for many that dream seems unlikely, as much of the Western half of the country is experiencing severe to exceptional drought conditions. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the dry conditions can be attributed to “a weak summer … Read More
A day before the Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was set to expire on March 31, President Joe Biden signed a two-month extension into law. The program, which provides forgivable loans to cover businesses’ payroll and other costs, is now open for applications through May 31, 2021. Though the term “paycheck” is used in the program name, businesses are not … Read More
By Tricia Wancko, Food Safety Grant Coordinator Many small-scale farms and food businesses—whether they are chopping, canning, preserving, aggregating, or dehydrating value-added products—might not know where to begin when navigating the Preventive Controls Rule (PCR) of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). While many of these small processors may be exempt from parts of the rule, they still must comply with Current Good Manufacturing Processes (cGMPs). CGMPs are the foundation for … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 31, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden today unveiled a blueprint to “create millions of good jobs, rebuild our country’s infrastructure, and position the United States to out-compete China.” Known as the American Jobs Plan, the proposal outlines a $2.25 trillion investment over eight years to repair our … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 31, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The Renewable Fuels Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, and American Coalition for Ethanol (collectively referred to as the “Biofuels Coalition”) thanked the states of Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, South Dakota, and Virginia for filing an amicus curiae brief … Read More
By Hannah Packman, NFU Communications Director You’ve likely heard the buzz that Bill Gates, in addition to being one of the wealthiest men in the world, is now also the largest private owner of farmland in the United States. Over the past several years, the billionaire has amassed a portfolio of 242,000 acres of cropland across … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 24, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the creation of the Pandemic Assistance for Producers, a new initiative to offer financial assistance to farmers and ranchers affected by pandemic-related disruptions. This endeavor will direct about $6 billion towards new outreach and support programs, … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 24, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Today, the Renewable Fuels Association, the American Coalition for Ethanol, the National Corn Growers Association and the National Farmers Union, working together as the Biofuels Coalition, filed their response brief in the Supreme Court case HollyFrontier Cheyenne Refining, LLC, et al., v. Renewable Fuels Association, … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 18, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – In an effort to improve the American agricultural labor system, the U.S. House of Representatives today voted in favor of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. The chamber passed an earlier version of the bipartisan bill in late 2019. At the organization’s convention earlier this … Read More
By Billy Mitchell, NFU FSMA Training Coordinator “Camaraderie with the whole team.” “Much more fun!” “Peace of mind.” For most farmers, those phrases may conjure up memories of early fall picnics with staff, family, and friends after the season has slowed down. But for growers Kim Butz, Nathan Vannette, and Roberto Meza, those were the phrases that came to … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 16, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – To feed National Guard troops on duty in our nation’s capital, Farmers Union Enterprises (FUE) donated $50,000 to provide roughly 5,000 meals from D.C.-based restaurants Farmers Fishers Bakers and Founding Farmers, both of which are part of Farmers Restaurant Group. FUE is made … Read More
By Hannah Packman, National Farmers Union Communications Director Last week, President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package. At the organization’s convention in early March, National Farmers Union (NFU) members urged lawmakers to “enact much-needed short-term Covid-19 relief” and outlined their priorities for such an endeavor. Among other things, they recommended measures … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 11, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Four witnesses representing the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance’s (FACA) founding organizations and co-chairs – American Farm Bureau Federation, Environmental Defense Fund, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives and National Farmers Union – testified today in front of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 11, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Like nearly all American farmers and ranchers, Clay Pope has experienced more frequent and severe weather extremes in recent years as a result of climate change. But with the support of voluntary, incentive-based government programs, the Oklahoma Farmers Union member and sixth-generation rancher has made … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 10, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives today voted in favor of the American Rescue Plan, sending it to the White House for President Joe Biden’s signature. The $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package includes benefits for unemployed workers, stimulus payments up to $1,400 per person, and supplemental … Read More
By Melody Aufill, AFR/OFU Member, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Ag in the Classroom Coordinator As I sat down to write this article, Oklahoma was in the middle of a massive weather event! An ice storm raced across the prairie bringing wide-spread devastation to trees, power lines, and structures. In Oklahoma, we talk about the weather often … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 6, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – After a full day and night of deliberation, the U.S. Senate today narrowly passed a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill. The package, known as the American Rescue Plan, will extend federal unemployment benefits, offer up to $1,400 in direct payments to individuals earning less than … Read More
By Billy Mitchell, NFU FSMA Training Coordinator One of the many lessons I’ve learned, or I should say re-learned, over the past year is how important titles can be. I’ve gone from searching “15-minute yoga” on YouTube to the more specific “15-minute Zoom fatigue yoga.” It may be mostly the same content, but if “Zoom” … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 2, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The National Farmers Union (NFU) 119th Anniversary Convention concluded today following the enactment of policy positions and priorities that support American farm and ranch families and strengthen rural communities. For the first time in the organization’s history, the event was held entirely online – a fact that did not … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 1, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – For his seminal coverage of farm stress and rural mental health, National Farmers Union (NFU) today awarded farm broadcaster Don Wick with its 2021 Milt Hakel Agriculture Communications Award. Wick, who is currently the president of Red River Farm Network, has worked for a number of mega-stations over the course of … Read More