FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 4, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – In the latest of a series of tariff threats between the United States and China, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOC) this morning announced plans to impose a 25 percent tariff on $50 billion worth of U.S. goods, including soybeans, corn, beef, … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 3, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – According to Reuters, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) exempted one of the nation’s largest oil refining companies from having to comply with the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in 2016. The agency granted “hardship waivers” to three of the refiners’ operations despite … Read More
By Janan Lenzy, NFU Intern The nursery tree and greenhouse industry is rapidly growing and contributing to the agricultural economy. However, climate change does not discriminate – irregular and extreme weather events interfere with anticipated growing seasons and production yields for essentially all agricultural sectors. When such events occur, farmers and ranchers largely rely on government-run … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 3, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – According to Reuters, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) exempted one of the nation’s largest oil refining companies from having to comply with the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in 2016. The agency granted “hardship waivers” to three of the refiners’ operations despite … Read More
By Nate Brownlee, Co-Owner and Operator of Nightfall Farm When you start a farm, there’s no definite starting point. Well before you ever have plants in the ground or animals to graze, you’re already deep into planning and dreaming. By the time we moved home from New England, we already knew (roughly) what we wanted … Read More
By Janan Lenzy, NFU Intern In 2017, flooding, wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters accounted for approximately $5 billion worth of economic losses in the US agriculture sector. The toll is expected to increase as climate change intensifies the strength and duration of these weather events. As a direct result, the amount of physical damage … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 22, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The Trump administration today unveiled trade actions against China that will likely spur significant retaliatory measures aimed at U.S. agricultural products. The move is in response to a U.S. Trade Representative office investigation on China’s violations of intellectual property rights. National Farmers … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 22, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The Trump administration today unveiled trade actions against China that will likely spur significant retaliatory measures aimed at U.S. agricultural products. The move is in response to a U.S. Trade Representative office investigation on China’s violations of intellectual property rights. National Farmers … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 21, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Congressional appropriators revealed an omnibus appropriations bill today that includes significant and harmful modifications to an important tax break for farmers and agricultural cooperatives, known as Section 199A. The tax break was included in last year’s tax overhaul, the Tax Cuts and … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 21, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Congressional appropriators revealed an omnibus appropriations bill today that includes significant and harmful modifications to an important tax break for farmers and agricultural cooperatives, known as Section 199A. The tax break was included in last year’s tax overhaul, the Tax Cuts and … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 20, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – As the national agriculture community joins together to celebrate National Agriculture Day, National Farmers Union (NFU) is recognizing family farmers and ranchers for the wide array of contributions they make to consumers’ everyday life. This year’s National Ag Day theme is “Food … Read More
By Sherri Dugger, Indiana Farmers Union Media and Outreach Director, Co-owner and Operator of Dugger Family Farm If you asked me whether you should become a farmer, on my worst days, I might tell you “no.” Or, first, I might ask several questions: Do you know what products you will sell? Do you have access … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 20, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – As the national agriculture community joins together to celebrate National Agriculture Day, National Farmers Union (NFU) is recognizing family farmers and ranchers for the wide array of contributions they make to consumers’ everyday life. This year’s National Ag Day theme is “Food … Read More
By Janan Lenzy, NFU Intern Abnormal weather patterns have increasingly made livestock producers vulnerable to reduced outputs. Previously on the Climate Column, we’ve discussed tools developed by the U.S. Department Agriculture (USDA) that assist farmers with preparations for droughts and higher temperatures, but there are also programs that provide financial compensation and assistance for extreme … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 14, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The STRESS Act, introduced by U.S. Reps. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Tom O’Halleran (R-Ariz.), Rick Nolan (D-Minn.), David Young (R-Iowa), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.), John Katko (R-N.Y.), and Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), would provide vital assistance to family … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 14, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Members of Congress are proposing to undo a newly instated tax break that is meant to level the playing field between agricultural cooperatives and corporations who received a dramatic tax break under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. National Farmers Union (NFU) … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 14, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The STRESS Act, introduced by U.S. Reps. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Tom O’Halleran (R-Ariz.), Rick Nolan (D-Minn.), David Young (R-Iowa), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.), John Katko (R-N.Y.), and Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), would provide vital assistance to family … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 14, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Members of Congress are proposing to undo a newly instated tax break that is meant to level the playing field between agricultural cooperatives and corporations who received a dramatic tax break under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. National Farmers Union (NFU) … Read More
Transcribed by Tom Giessel, NFU Historian, and Sheryl Giessel; Commentary by Tom Giessel, Sherly Giessel and Tom Driscoll, Director of NFU Foundation and Conservation Policy National Farmers Union’s mission is to advocate for the economic and social well-being and quality of life of family farmers, ranchers, fishermen and consumers and their communities. Very frequently in contemporary times, … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 12, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today withdrew the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) final rule, a set of standards that organic producers would have had to meet to qualify for the voluntary organic label for livestock and poultry. USDA’s move … Read More
By Tom Driscoll, Director of NFU Foundation and Conservation Policy A 2013 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) bulletin notes that ongoing monitoring of climate data has led experts to anticipate “an increase in areas experiencing droughts and the occurrence of more intense precipitation events.” It’s self-evident to farmers and ranchers that greater incidence of these … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 12, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today withdrew the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) final rule, a set of standards that organic producers would have had to meet to qualify for the voluntary organic label for livestock and poultry. USDA’s move … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 9, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Trump Administration officials will meet leaders from biofuel and oil companies on Monday to end the current impasse over the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). One proposal being floated by oil company representatives would put a cap on prices for Renewable Identification Numbers, … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 9, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Trump Administration officials will meet leaders from biofuel and oil companies on Monday to end the current impasse over the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). One proposal being floated by oil company representatives would put a cap on prices for Renewable Identification Numbers, … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 6, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union’s (NFU) Board of Directors today urged President Trump to adopt a new, positive approach to establishing fair trade relationships with U.S. trading partners. The organization, a longtime “fair trade” proponent, is concerned the administration’s tactics threaten U.S. relationships with … Read More