WASHINGTON – Today, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew issued the following statement in support of the finalized “Transparency in Poultry Grower Contracting and Tournaments” rule from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Packers & Stockyards Act (P&S Act): “For far too long, monopolies across agriculture have put the squeeze on … Read More
WASHINGTON – Today, President Biden visited Minnesota Farmers Union member Dutch Creek Farms in Northfield, MN, to announce $5 billion in investments in rural communities, ranging from rural infrastructure, economic development, sustainability, and climate-smart agricultural practices. “Today’s announced investments in Rural America is more hard evidence the Biden-Harris Administration remains committed to our communities,” said NFU President … Read More
WASHINGTON, October 23, 2023 – The Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA) is encouraged by the release of USDA’s General Assessment of the Role of Agriculture and Forestry in the U.S. Carbon Markets. The release of this report marks the first step in USDA’s implementation of the bipartisan Growing Climate Solutions Act, which was included in … Read More
October 2023 October is sometimes a quiet month on Capitol Hill, as Congress usually leaves town for a 2-3 week district work period. While the Senate conformed to this tradition, the House has remained in DC since early September, and it has been tumultuous time on that side of the Hill. The House has been … Read More
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s proposed new fuel economy standards “greatly missed the intent” of the Corporate Average Fuel Economy program to enhance energy security, according to technical comments filed today by the Renewable Fuels Association, National Farmers Union and National Corn Growers Association. The proposal, they assert, will lead to an overreliance on foreign critical … Read More
Co-ops are often central pieces in their communities, especially in rural areas. But a healthy co-op community can only form when members fully understand the basic structures of the co-op, the purpose, and how they themselves can benefit. Let’s explore some key information to provide your members to strengthen your co-op. 1. Inclusivity Co-ops often … Read More
DES MOINES, IOWA – On Friday, October 6th and Saturday, October 7th, National Farmers Union (NFU) convened the in-person programming for the Beginning Farmer Institute (BFI) in Des Moines, Iowa. On Friday, October 6th, participants engaged in farm business trainings, starting with a session on credit and business planning with Farm Credit Council’s Gary Matteson, … Read More
It is important to stay up to date with legislative changes that may affect the operations and success of your co-op. Let’s explore a few resources and tips to ensure you are ready to inform your members of important legislative updates. 1. Stay Engaged and Create a Network Co-ops thrive off the support of their … Read More
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL FARMERS UNION FLY-IN From September 11-13, 300 Farmers Union members from across the country joined together in Washington, DC to advocate for NFU’s farm bill priorities. Since 1909, we have gathered in the Nation’s capital to make our voices heard and lobby for a fairer, more equitable food and agricultural system, and this … Read More
WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew issued the following statement in support of the Agricultural Right to Repair Act introduced by Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez in the House of Representatives, along with co-leads Reps. Neguse, Slotkin, and Spanberger: “The introduction of the Agricultural Right to Repair Act is an important step in our fight to ensure farmers … Read More
By: Vern Grubinger, Billy Mitchell, and LFSC editor After three years, the SCRUB project – formally known as Sanitization and Cleaning Resources for your Business – project has wrapped up. The project, funded by a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Food Safety Outreach Program (FSOP) grant, was … Read More
WASHINGTON – Today, 300 Farmers Union members from across the country joined together in Washington, DC to advocate for family farmers as part of the National Farmers Union (NFU) Fall Legislative Fly-In. Over the course of the week, Farmers Union members will attend hundreds of Congressional meetings and meet with fifteen federal agencies. “Our legislative fly-in … Read More
By: Billy Mitchell, edited by Hayley Wood The International Association for Food Protection, a member-based association of more than 4,500 food safety professionals, hosted its annual meeting this past July in Toronto. The conference is a chance for food safety professionals, students, industry members, and enthusiasts to immerse themselves in current food safety issues and information. … Read More
By: Billy Mitchell and Kathryn Kavanagh “Being outside and working with my hands – it’s the best thing.” The first year working on a farm is always going to be hard, but Katherine – a farmer who just wrapped up her first season – shared during a recent farmers market that, despite all the hard … Read More
By: Billy Mitchell If you think about small-scale farming, you may think of tiny plots in large cities, like the half acre farms of Seattle, Houston, Chicago, or Atlanta. Perhaps you picture the small farms in peri-urban areas that help supply big city farmers’ markets —farms that exist close enough to the city to access … Read More
August 2023 After a busy month of July, Congress has left town for the annual August district work period with the unfinished appropriations process for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) and the farm bill taking center stage. Despite the Senate advancing their respective bills, the House passed only one of the twelve annual appropriations bills, greatly … Read More
Photo acquired from Deposit Photos, Photo ID #47064127. By: Billy Mitchell Sometimes, two great things go together incredibly well. Like Dolly Parton and roller coasters, puffins and rocky shorelines, or Wall Drug and homemade doughnuts. Personally, I find the duo of Good Agricultural Practices and Nicolas Cage movies to be a perfect fit. When … Read More
August 8, 2023 Contact – [email protected] WASHINGTON – In a letter to National Farmers Union (NFU), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) affirmed that the Clean Air Act (CAA) cannot be used as a basis to restrict independent repair of farm equipment. In their opposition to Right to Repair legislation, equipment manufacturers and dealers have invoked EPA regulations and … Read More
By: Billy Mitchell; edited by Hayley Wood Justin “MasterPeace” Nickelson is an Atlanta based farmer, educator, and drummer who currently works as the AgLanta Grown Local Foods Promotion Program Coordinator for the city of Atlanta’s Department of City Planning Office of Housing and Community Development. The AgLanta Grown program works to meet the City of … Read More
By: Billy Mitchell and Hayley Wood Patty, the founder of Bed Head Plant Nursery, is a first generation nursery and medicinal herb grower. When asked to define her her role in the farming community, she focuses first on the connecting before the growing. “First and foremost,” she said, “I feel like a connector. I feel … Read More
HIGHWOOD, MT – Youth members of Farmers Union from around the country participated in the 85th National Farmers Union (NFU) All-States Leadership Retreat. This year’s event was held at Montana Farmers Union’s Arrowpeak Lodge in Highwood, MT. Participants in the retreat ranged from ages 18 to 22 and heard from speakers including Montana Farmers Union … Read More
July 2023 Congress has returned to Washington for the month of July following the Independence Day break, with a busy docket before the upcoming district work period in August. Lawmakers have been turning their attention to farm bill reauthorization and the annual appropriations process, with the September 30 deadline for both fast approaching. NFU continues … Read More
WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew issued the following statement commending the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for their denial of 26 Small Refinery Exemption petitions for the Renewable Fuel Standard: “We are grateful EPA is preserving the intent of the RFS and not granting additional waivers. The Renewable Fuel Standard is good for … Read More
WASHINGTON – Today, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew participated in a meeting hosted by the White House and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to discuss competition priorities in the farm bill. “We need a farm bill that prioritizes fair and competitive markets. Today’s meeting shows the continued commitment from this administration on competition in … Read More
By: Billy Mitchell and Kathryn Kavanagh As spring turns to summer in 2023, we wanted to reflect back on a conversation we had with farmer market farmers on the first day in 2022 at the Wednesday night farmers market at Creature Comforts Brewery in Athens, GA. With psychedelic music wafting through the air – this … Read More