FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 11, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture today released the results of the 2017 Census of Agriculture, the most complete set of data for American agriculture available. The Census, taken every five years, provides an abundance of information about land use, farm ownership and decision-making, demographics, … Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 3, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – Amidst escalating rhetoric and threats from President Donald Trump to close the U.S.-Mexico border, National Farmers Union (NFU) today insisted the President avoid such a “disastrous” decision, which would effectively cripple trade with U.S. agriculture’s top trading partner. NFU President Roger Johnson … Read More

Washington, DC, April 2, 2019 – Having succeeded in protecting funding for the Conservation Title in the 2018 Farm Bill, more than 140 leading farm, conservation, and wildlife groups are once again joining together to protect those hard-fought conservation funds and programs in the fiscal year (FY) 2020 appropriations process. In a letter delivered today, … Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 27, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – Highlighting concerns among legislators, farmers, rural residents, consumers and researchers for the proposed reorganization and relocation of two U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) research agencies, the U.S. House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee today held a hearing to examine the impacts of such a move. USDA … Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 25, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – In an effort to improve mental health support for farmers, ranchers and farmworkers, National Farmers Union (NFU) and a broad coalition of leading farm and rural advocacy groups are urging Congress to fully fund the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) in fiscal … Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 14, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – For the first time in two decades, ethanol consumption declined in the United States from 2017 to 2018, according to the Renewable Fuels Association. The decline follows two years of a dramatic spike in waivers being provided to oil refiners by EPA … Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 12, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – In a move to expand use of higher level blends of ethanol, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today issued a proposed rule to allow the year-round sale of E15, or gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol. The timing of the proposed … Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 11, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump today revealed his proposed fiscal year 2020 budget, proposing cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other federal agencies in order to increase spending on a proposed border wall and defense initiatives. National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger … Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 7, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) joined the Carbon Capture Coalition in submitting a letter to leaders in Congress to highlight the importance of “carbon capture research, development, and commercial deployment as an essential component of a broader strategy to decarbonize power generation and … Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 5, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106 ajerome@nfudc.org BELLEVUE, Wash. – The National Farmers Union (NFU) 117th Anniversary Convention concluded today following the adoption of the organization’s policy book and special orders of business. More than 460 family farmers and ranchers convened in Bellevue, Washington, to set organizational policy positions that seek … Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 4, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106 ajerome@nfudc.org BELLEVUE, Wash. – Family farm agriculture endures in the social fabric of the United States and as the backbone of a safe and secure national food system because of the tireless advocacy and hard work of men and women across the industry. National Farmers … Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 4, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106 ajerome@nfudc.org BELLEVUE, Wash. – For well over a decade, broadcaster Joel Heitkamp of North Dakota has given agriculture and rural issues a significant platform on his live, three-hour radio program, “News and Views.” For his work in elevating the issues facing family farmers, ranchers, and … Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 3, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106 ajerome@nfudc.org BELLEVUE, Wash. – National Farmers Union (NFU) officially convened its 117th Anniversary Convention this afternoon in Bellevue, Washington, to celebrate American farm families and set the organization’s policy for the coming year. More than 460 Farmers Union members from across the country are gathered … Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 26, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – As the troubled farm economy pushes more and more American family farmers and ranchers into significant financial stress, National Farmers Union (NFU) today urged U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to work with Congress to make significant enhancements to the farm safety net. … Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 19, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) hosted 71 students in Minneapolis, Minnesota, last weekend for its annual College Conference on Cooperatives (CCOC). The three-day conference provides an interactive learning experience for American agriculture’s next generation on the importance, structure and operations of various types … Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 7, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts and U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York today released a framework for what they call a “Green New Deal.” The resolution is meant to kickstart broad discussions on how the U.S. will both mitigate and … Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 7, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) mourns the loss of former NFU President Cyril H. Carpenter, who passed away on February 4, 2019. Carpenter grew up on a family farm in Sauk Centre, Minnesota, joining Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) as a lobbyist and secretary … Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 5, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – U.S. President Donald J. Trump delivered his second State of the Union address tonight to a joint session of Congress, calling for renewed bipartisanship in the coming year to “break decades of political stalemate.” The president also touted gains for the U.S. … Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 4, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – Family farmers and ranchers traveling to Bellevue, Washington, for the National Farmers Union (NFU) 117th Anniversary Convention will have the opportunity to hear from top speakers in American and international agriculture during the four-day conference. Andrew Winston, a globally recognized expert on … Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 5, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) today announced the opening of the application period for its Beginning Farmer Institute (BFI) program class of 2019-2020. NFU encourages new farmers of any age from operations of any size, type or geography to apply for the class. … Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 29, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – As the slump in farm commodity prices persists and trade disputes compound these market challenges, family farmers’ and ranchers’ economic security is at significant risk, according to the National Farmers Union (NFU) Board of Directors. The NFU Board passed a resolution calling … Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 29, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – As the slump in farm commodity prices persists and trade disputes compound these market challenges, family farmers’ and ranchers’ economic security is at significant risk, according to the National Farmers Union (NFU) Board of Directors. The NFU Board passed a resolution calling … Read More