FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 3, 2017 CONTACT National Farmers Union: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106, [email protected] American Farm Bureau Federation: Will Rodger, 202-406-3642, [email protected] WASHINGTON – As farming communities face mounting challenges with the nation’s opioid epidemic, the nation’s two largest general farm organizations are teaming up to confront the issue. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) … Read More
Farm Groups Launch “Farm Town Strong” Campaign to Address Rural Opioid Epidemic
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 3, 2017 CONTACT National Farmers Union: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106, [email protected] American Farm Bureau Federation: Will Rodger, 202-406-3642, [email protected] WASHINGTON – As farming communities face mounting challenges with the nation’s opioid epidemic, the nation’s two largest general farm organizations are teaming up to confront the issue. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) … Read More
Access to Efficiency: CSP Bundles and Regional Initiatives
By Tom Driscoll, Director of NFU Foundation and Conservation Policy As discussions on the next farm bill challenge us to think about how the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) can best assist farmers and landowners in reaching conservation goals, here on the Beginning Farmer Column, we’ve been focusing on the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). CSP … Read More
Tax Reform Must Not Jeopardize Farm Program Funding, NFU Says
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 20, 2017 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives today voted to approve the conference Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a sweeping tax system overhaul that will now go to the President’s desk for signing into law. National Farmers Union (NFU) staunchly opposed the Act because … Read More
Tax Reform Must Not Jeopardize Farm Program Funding, NFU Says
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 20, 2017 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives today voted to approve the conference Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a sweeping tax system overhaul that will now go to the President’s desk for signing into law. National Farmers Union (NFU) staunchly opposed the Act because … Read More
House Disaster Aid Package Offers First Steps to Fixes for Cotton and Dairy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 19, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. House Appropriations Committee last night unveiled an $81 billion disaster aid package that includes important provisions for cotton growers and limited support for dairy producers. Farmers in both industries are in need of appropriations fixes prior to the start of … Read More
Access to Efficiency: CSP Bundles and Soil Health
By Tom Driscoll, Director of NFU Foundation and Conservation Policy For the past few weeks on the Beginning Farmer Forum, as discussions on the next farm bill challenge us to think about how the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) can best assist farmers and landowners in reaching conservation goals, we have focused on the Conservation … Read More
NFU Urges Congress to Vote Against “Severely Flawed” Tax Reform Conference Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 19, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – As the U.S. Congress readies to vote on a major overhaul of the nation’s tax system, National Farmers Union (NFU) is urging lawmakers to vote against the current plan because of its regressive structure and devastating implications for the nation’s financial standing, … Read More
House Disaster Aid Package Offers First Steps to Fixes for Cotton and Dairy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 19, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. House Appropriations Committee last night unveiled an $81 billion disaster aid package that includes important provisions for cotton growers and limited support for dairy producers. Farmers in both industries are in need of appropriations fixes prior to the start of … Read More
NFU Urges Congress to Vote Against “Severely Flawed” Tax Reform Conference Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 19, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – As the U.S. Congress readies to vote on a major overhaul of the nation’s tax system, National Farmers Union (NFU) is urging lawmakers to vote against the current plan because of its regressive structure and devastating implications for the nation’s financial standing, … Read More
What Do Farmers Need to Know About Climate Change? United States Drought Monitor
By Tom Driscoll, Director of NFU Foundation and Conservation Policy On the Climate Column, we have noted that drought is expected to become more frequent, severe and damaging to farmers as the climate continues to change globally. Farmers with operations of all types and sizes need to be aware of drought. The length and intensity of … Read More
USDA to Rescind Organic Livestock and Poultry Rules to Detriment of Family Organic Producers and Consumers, NFU Says
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 15, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today its intent to withdraw the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) final rule. The rule was finalized in January 2017, but placed on hold when the new administration took office. National Farmers Union (NFU) … Read More
USDA to Rescind Organic Livestock and Poultry Rules to Detriment of Family Organic Producers and Consumers, NFU Says
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 15, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today its intent to withdraw the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) final rule. The rule was finalized in January 2017, but placed on hold when the new administration took office. National Farmers Union (NFU) … Read More
Access to Efficiency: CSP Bundles and Water Quality
By Tom Driscoll, Director of NFU Foundation and Conservation Policy In our previous post on the Beginning Farmer Forum, we introduced the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). CSP can help beginning farmers achieve efficiencies in their business by providing technical assistance and incentive payments to establish installations or enhance practices that can reduce input costs or … Read More
What Can Farmers Do About Climate Change? Soil Health and Drainage
By Tom Driscoll, Director of NFU Foundation and Conservation Policy Extreme precipitation is a serious concern for farmers as the climate continues to change. In many areas, downpours will be concentrated earlier in the year. Standing water and moist soil will work against farmers trying to get into the fields in time for crop insurance … Read More
Senate Passes Tax Cuts for the Wealthy on Backs of Family Farmers and Future Generations, NFU Says
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 2, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate today voted 51-49 to approve its version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. National Farmers Union (NFU) staunchly opposed the legislation because it would increase the federal deficit by $1.5 trillion, jeopardize funding for farm safety net programming, … Read More
Senate Passes Tax Cuts for the Wealthy on Backs of Family Farmers and Future Generations, NFU Says
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 2, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate today voted 51-49 to approve its version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. National Farmers Union (NFU) staunchly opposed the legislation because it would increase the federal deficit by $1.5 trillion, jeopardize funding for farm safety net programming, … Read More
Tax Cuts for Wealthy Shouldn’t Occur at Expense of Family Farmers and Ranchers
By Zack Clark, NFU Director of Government Relations Over the summer and into the fall, National Farmers Union has, as part of coalitions and on its own, lobbied Congress regarding tax reform. In the early stages, we advocated for what should be included in the bill. When details emerged, we voiced concern and advocated for … Read More
Tax Cuts for Wealthy Shouldn’t Occur at Expense of Family Farmers and Ranchers
By Zack Clark, NFU Director of Government Relations Over the summer and into the fall, National Farmers Union has, as part of coalitions and on its own, lobbied Congress regarding tax reform. In the early stages, we advocated for what should be included in the bill. When details emerged, we voiced concern and advocated for … Read More
RFS Volume Obligations a “Missed Opportunity,” NFU Says
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 30, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced final 2018 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The agency will maintain the corn ethanol requirement at its current levels, and increase cellulosic and advanced biofuel requirements slightly from their … Read More
RFS Volume Obligations a “Missed Opportunity,” NFU Says
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 30, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced final 2018 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The agency will maintain the corn ethanol requirement at its current levels, and increase cellulosic and advanced biofuel requirements slightly from their … Read More
Survey Shows Massive Opioid Impact in Farm Country; Farm Groups Call for Dialogue, Action
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 30, 2017 CONTACT National Farmers Union: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106, [email protected] American Farm Bureau Federation: Will Rodger, 202-406-3642, [email protected] WASHINGTON – The opioid crisis has struck farm and ranch families much harder than the rest of rural America, a Morning Consult survey shows. While just under half of rural Americans say they … Read More
Survey Shows Massive Opioid Impact in Farm Country; Farm Groups Call for Dialogue, Action
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 30, 2017 CONTACT National Farmers Union: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106, [email protected] American Farm Bureau Federation: Will Rodger, 202-406-3642, [email protected] WASHINGTON – The opioid crisis has struck farm and ranch families much harder than the rest of rural America, a Morning Consult survey shows. While just under half of rural Americans say they … Read More
Current Tax Reform Plan Disadvantages Family Farmers and Ranchers, NFU Says — Organization Urges “NO” Vote, Will Score the Vote
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 29, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – As the U.S. Senate readies to vote on a major overhaul of the nation’s tax system, National Farmers Union (NFU) is urging lawmakers to vote against the current plan because it benefits the nation’s largest corporations and wealthiest citizens at the expense … Read More
Current Tax Reform Plan Disadvantages Family Farmers and Ranchers, NFU Says — Organization Urges “NO” Vote, Will Score the Vote
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 29, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – As the U.S. Senate readies to vote on a major overhaul of the nation’s tax system, National Farmers Union (NFU) is urging lawmakers to vote against the current plan because it benefits the nation’s largest corporations and wealthiest citizens at the expense … Read More