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

November 30, 2018Press Releases
GIPSA Agency Elimination a Blow to Competitive Markets for Family Farmers, NFU Says

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

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

NFU Encouraged by Farm Bill Deal, Urges Swift Passage

November 29, 2018Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 29, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Agriculture committee leadership today announced that they have reached an agreement in principle on the farm bill. While the final details of the bill have yet to be released and negotiators wait on cost estimates from the Congressional Budget Office, National Farmers … Read More

What Do Farmers Need To Know About Climate Change? National Climate Assessment

November 29, 2018Climate Column
What Do Farmers Need To Know About Climate Change? National Climate Assessment

By Tom Driscoll, Director of NFU Foundation and Conservation Policy Last week, the U.S. Global Change Research Program released the Fourth National Climate Assessment Volume II: Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States (NCA4) detailing the existing and incoming impacts of climate change. Chapter 10 of the report, titled Agriculture and Rural Communities, covers the … Read More

NFU Encouraged by Farm Bill Deal, Urges Swift Passage

November 29, 2018Press Releases
NFU Encouraged by Farm Bill Deal, Urges Swift Passage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 29, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Agriculture committee leadership today announced that they have reached an agreement in principle on the farm bill. While the final details of the bill have yet to be released and negotiators wait on cost estimates from the Congressional Budget Office, National Farmers … Read More

A Deeper Look at the CDC Findings on Farm Suicides

November 27, 2018Blog

By Matt Perdue, NFU Government Relations Representative Those of us who work with farmers on a daily basis know that mental and behavioral health is a major concern in farming communities. Over the past couple years, as family farmers’ and ranchers’ typical stresses have been compounded by the state of the farm economy, the issue … Read More

A Deeper Look at the CDC Findings on Farm Suicides

November 27, 2018Blog
A Deeper Look at the CDC Findings on Farm Suicides

By Matt Perdue, NFU Government Relations Representative Those of us who work with farmers on a daily basis know that mental and behavioral health is a major concern in farming communities. Over the past couple years, as family farmers’ and ranchers’ typical stresses have been compounded by the state of the farm economy, the issue … Read More

Farmers Receive 11 Cents of the Thanksgiving Food Dollar, NFU Farmer’s Share Shows

November 21, 2018Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 21, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Farmers and ranchers take home just 11.3 cents from every dollar that consumers spend on their Thanksgiving dinner meals, according to the annual Thanksgiving edition of the National Farmers Union (NFU) Farmer’s Share publication. The popular Thanksgiving Farmer’s Share compares the retail … Read More

Farmers Receive 11 Cents of the Thanksgiving Food Dollar, NFU Farmer’s Share Shows

November 21, 2018Press Releases
Farmers Receive 11 Cents of the Thanksgiving Food Dollar, NFU Farmer’s Share Shows

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 21, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Farmers and ranchers take home just 11.3 cents from every dollar that consumers spend on their Thanksgiving dinner meals, according to the annual Thanksgiving edition of the National Farmers Union (NFU) Farmer’s Share publication. The popular Thanksgiving Farmer’s Share compares the retail … Read More

Growing for the Future Prepares Beginning Farmers for a Career in Agriculture

November 14, 2018Blog
Growing for the Future Prepares Beginning Farmers for a Career in Agriculture

By Liza Ayres, NFU Intern Curious about resources available to get your new farm up and running? Want to gain business skills and exchange stories with fellow beginning farmers, all from the comfort of your own home? Join National Farmers Union for Growing for the Future, a FREE, interactive, virtual conference   December 3-6! This four-day … Read More

Over 200 Farm, Food and Rural Groups Endorse Agribusiness Merger Moratorium Bills

November 1, 2018Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 1, 2018 WASHINGTON — Today, a broad-based coalition of 213 farm, food, rural, faith and consumer advocacy organizations delivered a letter to Congress endorsing food and agribusiness merger moratorium bills and urging members of the House and Senate to cosponsor the legislation. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Mark Pocan (D-WI) … Read More

Over 200 Farm, Food and Rural Groups Endorse Agribusiness Merger Moratorium Bills

November 1, 2018Press Releases
Over 200 Farm, Food and Rural Groups Endorse Agribusiness Merger Moratorium Bills

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 1, 2018 WASHINGTON — Today, a broad-based coalition of 213 farm, food, rural, faith and consumer advocacy organizations delivered a letter to Congress endorsing food and agribusiness merger moratorium bills and urging members of the House and Senate to cosponsor the legislation. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Mark Pocan (D-WI) … Read More

Markets and Infrastructure: The Montgomery Farm Women’s Cooperative Market

October 31, 2018Women Farmers Weekly
Markets and Infrastructure: The Montgomery Farm Women’s Cooperative Market

By Liza Ayres, NFU Intern The Montgomery Farm Women’s Cooperative Market is a landmark on Bethesda’s Wisconsin Avenue. For decades, it has not only served as a hub for residents looking to purchase fresh produce and artisanal products but has also represented Montgomery County’s abundant agricultural history and continued support of local farmers. Amid the Great … Read More

NFU Urges Administration to Honor Commitment to Biofuels

October 29, 2018Press Releases

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 29, 2018 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Throughout his campaign for and tenure as president, Donald Trump has consistently pledged to support American-grown biofuels. However, his administration has too often failed to follow through on those promises in a timely fashion. In the most recent of such instances, President … Read More

NFU Urges Administration to Honor Commitment to Biofuels

October 29, 2018Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 29, 2018 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Throughout his campaign for and tenure as president, Donald Trump has consistently pledged to support American-grown biofuels. However, his administration has too often failed to follow through on those promises in a timely fashion. In the most recent of such instances, President … Read More

NFU Encourages Move to High Octane Fuels; Public Comments Highlight Environmental, Economic and Energy Security Benefits

October 26, 2018Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 26, 2018 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – In response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s proposed rule to amend certain existing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) and greenhouse gas emissions standards, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson today submitted public comments highlighting the importance and value of moving to … Read More

Confronting Consolidation: How Congress Proposes to Fight Mergers in Ag

October 22, 2018Blog
Confronting Consolidation: How Congress Proposes to Fight Mergers in Ag

By Liza Ayres, NFU Intern  Consolidation has long been one of the greatest challenges for family farmers and ranchers. Agribusiness mergers reduce innovation, limit choice and increase prices for farming inputs and make it increasingly difficult for farmers to receive a fair price at market. A selective group of firms dominate the processing of every … Read More

Skills and Knowledge: Succession Planning

October 10, 2018Blog, Women Farmers Weekly
Skills and Knowledge: Succession Planning

By Sophie Neems, Communications Specialist at Farm Credit Succession planning is a delicate business; few people get excited to come to terms with mortality and create a plan for how land and personal assets will be passed from one generation to the next. However, succession planning is about more than just that. It is about … Read More

White House Announces E15 Waiver, RIN Transparency — Farmers Union Encouraged by Move to Higher Levels Blends of Ethanol, But Says “Compromise” is Net Loss for Family Farmers

October 9, 2018Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 9, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump today announced the administration’s intentions to allow the use of E15 gasoline in summer months and bring greater transparency to the trading of biofuel credits, known as Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs). The announcement is an attempt to mitigate a … Read More

White House Announces E15 Waiver, RIN Transparency — Farmers Union Encouraged by Move to Higher Levels Blends of Ethanol, But Says “Compromise” is Net Loss for Family Farmers

October 9, 2018Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 9, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump today announced the administration’s intentions to allow the use of E15 gasoline in summer months and bring greater transparency to the trading of biofuel credits, known as Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs). The announcement is an attempt to mitigate a … Read More

Regional Food System Leaders Unite at Chesapeake Food Summit

October 9, 2018Blog
Regional Food System Leaders Unite at Chesapeake Food Summit

By Liza Ayres, NFU Intern  On September 24 and 25, National Farmers Union was pleased to help sponsor the Chesapeake Food Summit, which united key players in the region for a conference on innovation, equity, and sustainability in the food system. The summit celebrated the region’s diversity and discussed ways to accelerate food system growth … Read More

Skills and Knowledge: Hiring and Management Strategies

October 3, 2018Women Farmers Weekly
Skills and Knowledge: Hiring and Management Strategies

By Sophie Neems, Communications Specialist at Farm Credit Meet Stacey Carlberg who, along with her husband Casey Gustowarow, manages The Farm at Sunnyside, a 15-acre, certified organic vegetable farm with 250-300 laying hens. Stacey and Casey sell at Farmers Markets, as well as through wholesale and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). While I worked for Stacey … Read More

Farm Bill Expiration Impacts on Conservation

October 2, 2018Blog

By Matt Perdue, NFU Government Relations Representative The Farm Bill Conference Committee remains squarely focused on getting a bill passed before the end of the calendar year. Bringing together the significant differences between the House and Senate bills was an already difficult task that received an extra layer of pressure Sunday night when the 2014 … Read More

Farm Bill Expiration Impacts on Conservation

October 2, 2018Blog
Farm Bill Expiration Impacts on Conservation

By Matt Perdue, NFU Government Relations Representative The Farm Bill Conference Committee remains squarely focused on getting a bill passed before the end of the calendar year. Bringing together the significant differences between the House and Senate bills was an already difficult task that received an extra layer of pressure Sunday night when the 2014 … Read More

Farmers Union Hails Cooperatives and the Empowerment They Bring to Family Farmers, Rural America

October 1, 2018Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 1, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) today joined the cooperative community in kicking off National Cooperative Month. NFU President Roger Johnson hailed the nation’s many and varied cooperatives, highlighting the political and economic might that they have brought to family farmers, ranchers and rural … Read More