USDA Announces Temporary Reopening of FSA Offices – Farmers Union Urges Members to Take Advantage of Services

January 16, 2019Press Releases
USDA Announces Temporary Reopening of FSA Offices – Farmers Union Urges Members to Take Advantage of Services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 16, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced it would reopen Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices for three days to provide farmers with select services amidst a government shutdown that has closed agency offices. National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson sent … Read More

Environmental Sustainability in the 2018 Farm Bill

January 16, 2019Blog
Environmental Sustainability in the 2018 Farm Bill

By Matt Perdue, NFU Government Relations Director Environmental sustainability is critical for the future of family farming and ranching and for the health of our rural communities. As concerns over water quality, soil health and the wide-ranging effects of climate-change mount, incentives-based conservation programs are more important now than ever.   The 2018 Farm Bill maintains … Read More

USDA to Send Trade Relief to JBS, Brazil’s Largest Meatpacker – Farmers Union Says Funds Should be Targeted to American Farmers and Ranchers

January 10, 2019Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 10, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will purchase roughly 1.8 million pounds of pork products from Brazilian firm JBS, one of the world’s largest meatpackers, using funds appropriated by the Trump Administration to help American family farmers and ranchers weather the administration’s … Read More

USDA to Send Trade Relief to JBS, Brazil’s Largest Meatpacker – Farmers Union Says Funds Should be Targeted to American Farmers and Ranchers

January 10, 2019Press Releases
USDA to Send Trade Relief to JBS, Brazil’s Largest Meatpacker – Farmers Union Says Funds Should be Targeted to American Farmers and Ranchers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 10, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will purchase roughly 1.8 million pounds of pork products from Brazilian firm JBS, one of the world’s largest meatpackers, using funds appropriated by the Trump Administration to help American family farmers and ranchers weather the administration’s … Read More

Diverse Market Opportunities and the 2018 Farm Bill

January 8, 2019Blog

By Aaron Shier, NFU Government Relations Representative Though traditional commodity markets remain a large source of revenue, the market for locally or regionally produced food, value-added products, and organic agriculture are becoming increasingly important for farmers. Why are diverse market opportunities so important? Local and regional marketplaces, with their shorter supply chains, can help farmers … Read More

Diverse Market Opportunities and the 2018 Farm Bill

January 8, 2019Blog
Diverse Market Opportunities and the 2018 Farm Bill

By Aaron Shier, NFU Government Relations Representative Though traditional commodity markets remain a large source of revenue, the market for locally or regionally produced food, value-added products, and organic agriculture are becoming increasingly important for farmers. Why are diverse market opportunities so important? Local and regional marketplaces, with their shorter supply chains, can help farmers … Read More

EPA Continues to Undermine RFS with Hardship Waivers

December 20, 2018Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 20, 2018 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – According to recent reports, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a “financial hardship waiver” to a refinery owned by Exxon Mobil Corp, exempting it from requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).  Exxon Mobil is the largest American oil and gas … Read More

Farmers Union Applauds 2018 Farm Bill Approval

December 20, 2018Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 20, 2018 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump today signed the 2018 Farm Bill into law, authorizing and funding America’s farm and food programs through fiscal year 2023. National Farmers Union (NFU), on behalf of its nearly 200,000 farm family members, supported passage of the bill, as it provides some … Read More

EPA Continues to Undermine RFS with Hardship Waivers

December 20, 2018Press Releases
EPA Continues to Undermine RFS with Hardship Waivers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 20, 2018 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – According to recent reports, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a “financial hardship waiver” to a refinery owned by Exxon Mobil Corp, exempting it from requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).  Exxon Mobil is the largest American oil and gas … Read More

Farmers Union Applauds 2018 Farm Bill Approval

December 20, 2018Press Releases
Farmers Union Applauds 2018 Farm Bill Approval

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 20, 2018 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump today signed the 2018 Farm Bill into law, authorizing and funding America’s farm and food programs through fiscal year 2023. National Farmers Union (NFU), on behalf of its nearly 200,000 farm family members, supported passage of the bill, as it provides some … Read More

What Do Farmers Need to Know About Climate Change? Noble Research Institute’s Environmental Services Markets Plan 

December 19, 2018Climate Column

By Tom Driscoll, Director of NFU Foundation and Conservation Policy While farmers have profound respect for the land and natural resources, the farm economy does not always adequately align profitability and stewardship. However, we are growing in our understanding of farmers’ ability to help address climate change and other environmental challenges through production and conservation practices. Noble Research Institute (NRI) is currently working to advance ecosystem service markets (ESM) specifically … Read More

NFU Backs USDA-FDA Joint Oversight of Cell Culture Technology

December 19, 2018Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 19, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The nation’s second largest general farm organization today backed efforts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish a joint regulatory framework overseeing production and sale of animal cell culture technology. National Farmers Union … Read More

NFU Backs USDA-FDA Joint Oversight of Cell Culture Technology

December 19, 2018Press Releases
NFU Backs USDA-FDA Joint Oversight of Cell Culture Technology

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 19, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The nation’s second largest general farm organization today backed efforts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish a joint regulatory framework overseeing production and sale of animal cell culture technology. National Farmers Union … Read More

What Do Farmers Need to Know About Climate Change? Transportation and Climate Initiative

December 18, 2018Blog, Climate Column

By Tom Driscoll, Director of NFU Foundation and Conservation Policy The Georgetown Climate Center, as the facilitator of the Transportation and Climate Initiative on behalf of participating state agencies, has secured a formal commitment among the District of Columbia and nine states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic to significantly decrease greenhouse gas emissions in their … Read More

NFU Women’s Conference:  Ten Reasons to Attend in 2019

December 14, 2018Women Farmers Weekly
NFU Women’s Conference:  Ten Reasons to Attend in 2019

By Lisa Kivirist, author, co-owner and operator of Inn Serendipity Farm and B&B The winter season ushers in space for reflection and big picture thinking on where we see  our farm businesses, communities and lives overall heading into 2019. That’s exactly what’s on the menu for women farmers at this year’s National Farmers Union Women’s Conference, … Read More

Farmers Union Insists Trade Payments Happen Immediately

December 13, 2018Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 13, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Amidst reports that the White House is delaying the second round of Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments, National Farmers Union (NFU) is insisting the administration move forward with the payments and develop a long-term solution to mitigate substantial market loss for U.S. … Read More

Farmers Union Insists Trade Payments Happen Immediately

December 13, 2018Press Releases
Farmers Union Insists Trade Payments Happen Immediately

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 13, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Amidst reports that the White House is delaying the second round of Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments, National Farmers Union (NFU) is insisting the administration move forward with the payments and develop a long-term solution to mitigate substantial market loss for U.S. … Read More

NFU Statement on 2018 Farm Bill Compromise

December 11, 2018Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 11, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The Farm Bill conference committee conferees today released the text of a compromise Farm Bill, largely the effort of House and Senate Agriculture Committee leadership resolving differences between the House and Senate versions of the 2018 Farm Bill. If approved by both … Read More

Mid-Level Ethanol Blends Are the Transportation Fuel of the 21st Century, NFU Says

December 11, 2018Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 11, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – As Congress looks to revamp and coordinate federal-level policies that govern the transportation fuels and vehicles sectors, National Farmers Union (NFU) is urging legislators to expand use of high-octane, mid-level blends of ethanol in the transportation fuel supply. In doing so, policymakers … Read More

NFU Statement on 2018 Farm Bill Compromise

December 11, 2018Press Releases
NFU Statement on 2018 Farm Bill Compromise

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 11, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The Farm Bill conference committee conferees today released the text of a compromise Farm Bill, largely the effort of House and Senate Agriculture Committee leadership resolving differences between the House and Senate versions of the 2018 Farm Bill. If approved by both … Read More

Mid-Level Ethanol Blends Are the Transportation Fuel of the 21st Century, NFU Says

December 11, 2018Press Releases
Mid-Level Ethanol Blends Are the Transportation Fuel of the 21st Century, NFU Says

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 11, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – As Congress looks to revamp and coordinate federal-level policies that govern the transportation fuels and vehicles sectors, National Farmers Union (NFU) is urging legislators to expand use of high-octane, mid-level blends of ethanol in the transportation fuel supply. In doing so, policymakers … Read More

GIPSA Agency Elimination a Blow to Competitive Markets for Family Farmers, NFU Says

November 30, 2018Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 30, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it will be eliminating the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) as a standalone agency and consolidate its functions into the work of the Agricultural Marketing Service. National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson … Read More

USMCA Deal Falls Short of Fair Trade Framework for Family Farmers, NFU Says

November 30, 2018Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 30, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Officials from the United States, Canada and Mexico today signed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the renegotiated trade deal formerly known as the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The agreement will not have binding force in the United States until it is … Read More