FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 24, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Today, the Renewable Fuels Association, the American Coalition for Ethanol, the National Corn Growers Association and the National Farmers Union, working together as the Biofuels Coalition, filed their response brief in the Supreme Court case HollyFrontier Cheyenne Refining, LLC, et al., v. Renewable Fuels Association, … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 18, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – In an effort to improve the American agricultural labor system, the U.S. House of Representatives today voted in favor of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. The chamber passed an earlier version of the bipartisan bill in late 2019. At the organization’s convention earlier this … Read More
By Billy Mitchell, NFU FSMA Training Coordinator “Camaraderie with the whole team.” “Much more fun!” “Peace of mind.” For most farmers, those phrases may conjure up memories of early fall picnics with staff, family, and friends after the season has slowed down. But for growers Kim Butz, Nathan Vannette, and Roberto Meza, those were the phrases that came to … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 16, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – To feed National Guard troops on duty in our nation’s capital, Farmers Union Enterprises (FUE) donated $50,000 to provide roughly 5,000 meals from D.C.-based restaurants Farmers Fishers Bakers and Founding Farmers, both of which are part of Farmers Restaurant Group. FUE is made … Read More
By Hannah Packman, National Farmers Union Communications Director Last week, President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package. At the organization’s convention in early March, National Farmers Union (NFU) members urged lawmakers to “enact much-needed short-term Covid-19 relief” and outlined their priorities for such an endeavor. Among other things, they recommended measures … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 11, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Four witnesses representing the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance’s (FACA) founding organizations and co-chairs – American Farm Bureau Federation, Environmental Defense Fund, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives and National Farmers Union – testified today in front of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 11, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Like nearly all American farmers and ranchers, Clay Pope has experienced more frequent and severe weather extremes in recent years as a result of climate change. But with the support of voluntary, incentive-based government programs, the Oklahoma Farmers Union member and sixth-generation rancher has made … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 10, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives today voted in favor of the American Rescue Plan, sending it to the White House for President Joe Biden’s signature. The $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package includes benefits for unemployed workers, stimulus payments up to $1,400 per person, and supplemental … Read More
By Melody Aufill, AFR/OFU Member, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Ag in the Classroom Coordinator As I sat down to write this article, Oklahoma was in the middle of a massive weather event! An ice storm raced across the prairie bringing wide-spread devastation to trees, power lines, and structures. In Oklahoma, we talk about the weather often … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 6, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – After a full day and night of deliberation, the U.S. Senate today narrowly passed a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill. The package, known as the American Rescue Plan, will extend federal unemployment benefits, offer up to $1,400 in direct payments to individuals earning less than … Read More
By Billy Mitchell, NFU FSMA Training Coordinator One of the many lessons I’ve learned, or I should say re-learned, over the past year is how important titles can be. I’ve gone from searching “15-minute yoga” on YouTube to the more specific “15-minute Zoom fatigue yoga.” It may be mostly the same content, but if “Zoom” … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 2, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The National Farmers Union (NFU) 119th Anniversary Convention concluded today following the enactment of policy positions and priorities that support American farm and ranch families and strengthen rural communities. For the first time in the organization’s history, the event was held entirely online – a fact that did not … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 1, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – For his seminal coverage of farm stress and rural mental health, National Farmers Union (NFU) today awarded farm broadcaster Don Wick with its 2021 Milt Hakel Agriculture Communications Award. Wick, who is currently the president of Red River Farm Network, has worked for a number of mega-stations over the course of … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 1, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) officially convened the final portion of its 119th Anniversary Convention this morning to celebrate American farm families and to set the organization’s policy positions and priorities for the coming year. More than 500 farmers, ranchers, food advocates, industry professionals, policymakers, and reporters from across the country … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 25, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – For three months, hundreds of thousands of Indian farmers have been protesting policies that will eliminate commodity price floors and allow corporations to play a more significant role in the food system – issues that are all too familiar to farmers in … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 25, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The final two days of National Farmers Union’s (NFU) 119th Anniversary Convention will bring together members, industry professionals, policymakers, and reporters for remarks from Congressional leadership and administration officials, award presentations, and the organization’s signature grassroots policy adoption process. Held on Monday, March 1st and Tuesday, March 2nd, … Read More
By Tricia Wancko, Food Safety Grant Coordinator Punxsutawney Phil has decreed six more weeks of what has shaped up to be a frigid winter, but there are plenty of food safety projects to catch up on while the fields are frozen and you’re keeping toasty inside your burrow. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety Outreach Program … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 23, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – In a 92-7 vote, the U.S. Senate today confirmed Tom Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture, demonstrating strong bipartisan support for President Joe Biden’s pick. Vilsack previously held the position for eight years under President Barack Obama. National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob … Read More
By Darrin Williamson, Region V FFA Officer and Chapter Vice President, Minnesota Farmers Union Youth Advisory Council Member Happy FFA Week, an annual celebration of FFA and the impact it has on members like me. I am interested and involved in agriculture – including FFA and Farmers Union – because it’s something we do as … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 22, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it is supporting the Tenth Circuit Court’s January 2020 decisionin Renewable Fuels Association et al. v. EPA. After careful review of the decision, EPA’s new leadership agrees with both the court and the biofuel litigants … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 22, 2021 WASHINGTON – The Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA) today announced expanding membership and new policy working groups focused on developing a set of more specific policy proposals that drill down on the 40+ recommendations released by FACA in November 2020. FACA’s eight founding members — American Farm Bureau Federation (co-chair), Environmental … Read More
By Aaron Shier, NFU Senior Government Relations Representative and Billy Mitchell, Food Safety Training Coordinator The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is opening their virtual doors to everyone, including the farming community, to comment on the proposed food traceability rule. National Farmers Union (NFU), which regularly comments on federal rulemakings important to its members, will certainly … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 10, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – In a step towards passing a $1.9 trillion relief package, the House Agriculture Committee voted 25-23 in favor of the bill’s food and nutrition title. If passed, the legislation would set aside a total of $16.1 billion worth of support for farmers, hungry … Read More
By Hannah Packman, NFU Communications Director Following his inauguration last Wednesday, President Joe Biden has wasted no time implementing his agenda. In the last week, he has issued more than three dozen executive orders, proclamations, and memoranda on a wide range of issues. Many of these actions have implications for agriculture. Here’s a brief summary … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 27, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – In accordance with his campaign promise to aggressively address the climate crisis and create new jobs, President Joe Biden today issued several executive orders outlining actions the administration will take to cut greenhouse gas emissions, conserve natural resources, invest in renewable energy, advance … Read More