FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 21, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – On behalf of its nearly 200,000 farm family members, the National Farmers Union (NFU) Board of Directors today unanimously approved a resolution in support of the Senate’s bipartisan efforts to advance a farm bill. The NFU Board urged the Senate to quickly … Read More
By Sophie Neems, Previous NFU Intern & Current Communications Specialist at Farm Credit The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) supports American farmers in a myriad of ways, primarily by offering services such as crop insurance, organic certification cost share, farmers market promotion, and rural development initiatives. But how does the USDA support women farmers specifically? The … Read More
By Chelsea Matzen, FSMA Project Director On June 5, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., and U.S Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced a joint effort to simplify produce safety requirements for farmers by aligning the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Harmonized Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Audit Program with the requirements of the Food and Drug … Read More
By Tom Driscoll, Director of NFU Foundation and Conservation Policy, and Jake Stukenberg, NFU Intern Here on the Climate Column, we have discussed the impacts climate change will have on your farm as well as management decisions you can make to cope with these changes. Longtime Climate Leaders know that there are many climate impacts … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 15, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump today announced that his administration will impose 25 percent tariffs on Chinese technology imports to the tune of $50 billion. The first round of tariffs, worth $34 billion, are set to take effect on July 6. National Farmers Union, … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 15, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump today announced that his administration will impose 25 percent tariffs on Chinese technology imports to the tune of $50 billion. The first round of tariffs, worth $34 billion, are set to take effect on July 6. National Farmers Union, … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 14, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) today announced 20 beginning farmers and ranchers from across the United States to take part in the 2018-19 Beginning Farmer Institute (BFI) program. The Institute empowers the success of America’s next generation of farmers by providing mentorship, technical … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 14, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) today announced 20 beginning farmers and ranchers from across the United States to take part in the 2018-19 Beginning Farmer Institute (BFI) program. The Institute empowers the success of America’s next generation of farmers by providing mentorship, technical … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 13, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee today advanced its version of the 2018 Farm Bill by a vote of 20-1. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell signaled he intends to bring the bill up for a vote on the floor prior to the Senate’s … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 13, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee today advanced its version of the 2018 Farm Bill by a vote of 20-1. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell signaled he intends to bring the bill up for a vote on the floor prior to the Senate’s … Read More
By Sophie Neems, Previous NFU Intern & Current Communications Specialist at Farm Credit There’s a noticeable new trend in farming demographics: the number of farmers coming to agriculture as a second career – many of whom are women – is growing. These female, first-generation producers must secure land, build an enterprise, and establish themselves within … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 12, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – In advance of Wednesday’s Senate Agriculture Committee markup of the 2018 Farm Bill, National Farmers Union (NFU) highlighted positives in the current draft of the bill and sent vote recommendations on amendments to members of the committee. “Farmers Union appreciates the hard … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 12, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – In advance of Wednesday’s Senate Agriculture Committee markup of the 2018 Farm Bill, National Farmers Union (NFU) highlighted positives in the current draft of the bill and sent vote recommendations on amendments to members of the committee. “Farmers Union appreciates the hard … Read More
Historical Document Curated by Tom Giessel, NFU Honorary Historian It is abundantly clear to anyone who has seen National Farmers Union’s Farmer’s Share that farmers receive only a small portion of every dollar spent on food at the grocery store. Farmers Union has been sounding the alarm about this issue throughout its entire history, as … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 11, 2018 CONTACT National Farmers Union: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106, [email protected] Canadian Federation of Agriculture: Janice Hall, 613-236-3633 x2322, [email protected] WASHINGTON – The leaders of the U.S. National Farmers Union (NFU) and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) in a joint statement today urged Canadian and U.S. officials to preserve the strong, … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 11, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently considering a proposed rule that would ban use of E16 or higher blends of ethanol in non-flexible fuel vehicles. The rule is raising flags amongst farm groups who are concerned such a rule would … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 11, 2018 CONTACT National Farmers Union: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106, [email protected] Canadian Federation of Agriculture: Janice Hall, 613-236-3633 x2322, [email protected] WASHINGTON – The leaders of the U.S. National Farmers Union (NFU) and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) in a joint statement today urged Canadian and U.S. officials to preserve the strong, … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 11, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently considering a proposed rule that would ban use of E16 or higher blends of ethanol in non-flexible fuel vehicles. The rule is raising flags amongst farm groups who are concerned such a rule would … Read More
By Alexis Dunnum, NFU Executive Assistant Land management practices have the capacity to either mitigate climate change or to exacerbate its negative impacts. As landowners, farmers have the opportunity to participate in conservation efforts and directly protect the land, water, and wildlife. However, owning and managing property is not the only way to ensure lands … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 8, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee leadership today released draft text of a new farm bill. National Farmers Union president Roger Johnson issued the following statement in response to the draft text: “Farmers Union appreciates the hard work of Chairman Roberts and Ranking Member … Read More
By Melissa Miller, Owner & Operator of Ladybell Farms As a farm educator and advocate, I am lucky enough to travel the country to visit with dozens of women in agriculture every year. From Virginia to Oklahoma, Oregon to Wisconsin, these women never cease to amaze me with their innovative ideas and consistent hard work. I … Read More
By Jake Stukenberg, NFU Intern Nationwide, farmers are beginning to age out and retire from their service to produce. Are young people turning to farming to as the established generation steps back? According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, only 5.1 percent of the 2.1 million principal owner farmers are younger than 35. This is … Read More
By Janan Lenzy, Information Systems Coordinator The proliferation of weeds on farmland can impede the growth of crops and forage. As the climate continues to change, longer seasons and warmer temperatures will likely encourage the propagation of invasive species. There are a number of methods by which farmers and ranchers can combat weed pressures. Here … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 31, 2018 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – In a move that has already provoked retaliatory measures, the Trump administration today announced its intention to impose a 25 percent tariff on steel and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum imports from the European Union, Canada, and Mexico, effective midnight Thursday. … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 31, 2018 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – In a move that has already provoked retaliatory measures, the Trump administration today announced its intention to impose a 25 percent tariff on steel and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum imports from the European Union, Canada, and Mexico, effective midnight Thursday. … Read More