The Resource Stewardship Evaluation Tool (RSET) is a free program offered through National Farmers Union (NFU) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). It is available to help Iowa farmers, ranchers and land owners improve their working lands conservation efforts, and consequently improve topsoil and nutrient retention, as well as safeguard Iowa’s waterways. Will Cannon … Read More
By Jeanne Janson, NFU Intern America’s infrastructure has a climate change problem. The Edenville Dam in central Michigan collapsed in May after heavy rain—nearly five inches in 48 hours—falling on already saturated land pushed the Tittabawasse River to record heights. The torrent poured into the surrounding area, destroying roads, homes, businesses, dams and farmland in … Read More
June 4, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – A bipartisan bill introduced today by Sens. Mike Braun (R-IN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Lindsay Graham (R-SC) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) would help provide certainty for farmers as they look to participate in carbon markets in their efforts to adapt to and mitigate the … Read More
June 3, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Four current and former executives at Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. and Claxton Poultry Farms, both of which produce chicken, were indicted today for colluding to inflate the prices of birds sold to grocery stores and restaurants. The latest of several price-fixing allegations against meat … Read More
May 29, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The killing of Minnesota resident George Floyd – the latest instance in a long and disturbing history of police brutality towards people of color – underscores the urgent need for racial justice and equity in the United States, according to National Farmers Union … Read More
By Jenny Hopkinson, NFU Senior Government Relations Representative The Senate Democrats’ Special Committee on the Climate Crisis is seeking input on how the federal government can best assist and support farmers, ranchers, and rural communities as they respond to and mitigate the effects of climate change. The committee is asking for details on changes needed … Read More
By Jeanne Janson, NFU Intern National Farmers Union (NFU) represents a diverse group of 200,000 family farmers and ranchers and food advocates, united by the belief that strong farm families and rural communities are vital to the health, security and economic well-being of our nation. In our Member Spotlight series, we will be sharing stories … Read More
May 15, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Amid the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, the U.S. House of Representatives today passed a $3 trillion relief and stimulus bill, known as the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act. The legislation would provide funding for health services, … Read More
By Jeanne Janson, NFU Intern National Farmers Union (NFU) represents a diverse group of 200,000 family farmers and ranchers and food advocates, united by the belief that strong farm families and rural communities are vital to the health, security and economic well-being of our nation. In our Member Spotlight series, we will be sharing stories … Read More
The Resource Stewardship Evaluation Tool (RSET) is a free program offered through National Farmers Union (NFU) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). It is available to help Iowa farmers, ranchers and land owners improve their working lands conservation efforts, and consequently improve topsoil and nutrient retention, as well as … Read More
The Resource Stewardship Evaluation Tool (RSET) is a free program offered through National Farmers Union (NFU) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). It is available to help Iowa farmers, ranchers and land owners improve their working lands conservation efforts, and consequently improve topsoil and nutrient retention, as … Read More
May 1, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – A coalition of ethanol and farm groups today sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency opposing the American Petroleum Institute’s (API) recent petition requesting reconsideration of the 2020 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) final rule. API claims reconsideration of the 2020 RFS … Read More
Editor’s note: This is the first in what will be an ongoing series that highlights the work farmers and ranchers are doing to adapt their land and operations to the effects of climate change. For more information on climate change and agriculture, check out NFU’s new climate website here. April was unseasonably cold in Central … Read More
April 28, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Invoking the Defense Production Act, President Donald Trump today announced that he plans to sign an executive order requiring meat processing facilities to continue operating through the coronavirus pandemic. The order, which designates such facilities as “critical infrastructure,” is expected to absolve … Read More
By Rob Larew, NFU President Today, National Farmers Union is unveiling to our members a new climate change resource center as part of our effort to support sound federal policy and the efforts of U.S. family farmers and ranchers in responding to the effects of global warming. Through this new website, we hope to share … Read More
April 17, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – As the food and agriculture industries experience significant disruptions due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released initial details for a $19 billion emergency aid package to support farmers and ranchers and bolster food security. The … Read More
April 7, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Following the recent passage of the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, National Farmers Union (NFU) is urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to “swiftly and efficiently implement assistance and distribute resources” to family farmers and ranchers and rural communities. In … Read More
April 2, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Today, 76 leading farm, conservation and wildlife groups delivered a letter to Congress requesting full funding for conservation programs and technical assistance in fiscal year (FY) 2021 appropriations. In the letter, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), National Farmers … Read More
March 31, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – In the final Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today relaxed fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards for model year 2021-2026 passenger vehicles. When the rule was initially proposed over a year ago, National Farmers … Read More
March 25, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – To alleviate the current and potential economic fallout from the global COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. lawmakers are poised to pass a response, relief, and stimulus package with a nearly $2 trillion price tag. The bill, which is the most expensive in the country’s … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 25, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Ethanol and farm groups today welcomed the Trump administration’s decision not to seek a re-hearing of a recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit that struck down certain small refinery exemptions (SREs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard. On … Read More
By Hannah Packman, NFU Communications Director Under ordinary circumstances, National Agriculture Day is an opportunity to celebrate the family farmers and ranchers who feed, fuel, and clothe our country. But these are no ordinary circumstances: a global pandemic has upended modern life as we know it. To slow its spread, millions of Americans are staying … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 19, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – As rural communities brace for the arrival of the novel coronavirus, a coalition of organization representing rural communities is urging the administration to ensure that the rural health care system has adequate resources and support to respond to this crisis. In a … Read More
To our Farmers Union family: This is a strange and difficult time. We are all concerned about what the coronavirus pandemic means for our health, our livelihoods, our food system, and our communities, both in the short and long term. There is still a great deal of uncertainty, but National Farmers Union’s staff is, as … Read More