Access to Capital: Kiva Microloans

June 27, 2017Beginning Farmers, Blog

By Steven Emmen, NFU Intern Access to capital is one of the toughest hurdles a beginning farmer will overcome. Beginning producers frequently don’t have collateral to offer lenders. And it can be hard to build a good credit score as a farmhand or apprentice. New farms may also lack accurate income projections that are used … Read More

What Should Farmers Know About Climate Change? Irrigation Water Management

June 26, 2017Blog, Climate Column

By Skylar Schneider, Executive Assistant, National Farmers Union Climate change presents a multitude of challenges for farmers, as extreme temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns can negatively impact crops. In order to prepare for these extreme conditions, such as drought, farmers can adopt energy-conserving practices. For example, water is a valuable natural resource that is absolutely … Read More

NFU Commends USDA Decision to Authorize Emergency Grazing

June 23, 2017Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 23, 2017 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today authorized the release of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota for emergency haying and grazing. The announcement came just days after a number of elected officials, National Farmers Union, … Read More

NFU Commends USDA Decision to Authorize Emergency Grazing

June 23, 2017Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 23, 2017 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today authorized the release of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota for emergency haying and grazing. The announcement came just days after a number of elected officials, National Farmers Union, … Read More

Access to Efficiency: Conserving Water Q&A With Blake Osborn

June 22, 2017Beginning Farmers

By Steven Emmen, NFU Intern Blake Osborn is a water resources specialist at Colorado State University (CSU) Extension in Pueblo, CO. On Tuesday, June 20, we had the opportunity to discuss how beginning farmers can conserve water. Q: For a beginning farmer, what are the first steps to ensure you are conserving water? A: In … Read More

Access to Efficiency: Conserving Water Q&A With Blake Osborn

June 22, 2017Beginning Farmers

By Steven Emmen, NFU Intern Blake Osborn is a water resources specialist at Colorado State University (CSU) Extension in Pueblo, CO. On Tuesday, June 20, we had the opportunity to discuss how beginning farmers can conserve water. Q: For a beginning farmer, what are the first steps to ensure you are conserving water? A: In … Read More

NFU Requests Emergency Release of CRP Land Amid Drought Conditions

June 21, 2017Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 21, 2017 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – In response to persistent drought conditions in the Upper Great Plains, NFU President Roger Johnson joined North Dakota Farmers Union, South Dakota Farmers Union, Minnesota Farmers Union, and Montana Farmers Union to urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to release Conservation … Read More

NFU Requests Emergency Release of CRP Land Amid Drought Conditions

June 21, 2017Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 21, 2017 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – In response to persistent drought conditions in the Upper Great Plains, NFU President Roger Johnson joined North Dakota Farmers Union, South Dakota Farmers Union, Minnesota Farmers Union, and Montana Farmers Union to urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to release Conservation … Read More

Access to Efficiency: Climate Change & Water

June 20, 2017Beginning Farmers

By Steven Emmen, NFU Intern Farmers and ranchers who are feeding a growing population often think about more. The more crops planted and the more they yield, the more mouths are fed, right? However, when speaking in terms of efficiency, whether it’s inputs, land, or water, farmers and ranchers need to think about less. In … Read More

Access to Efficiency: Climate Change & Water

June 20, 2017Beginning Farmers

By Steven Emmen, NFU Intern Farmers and ranchers who are feeding a growing population often think about more. The more crops planted and the more they yield, the more mouths are fed, right? However, when speaking in terms of efficiency, whether it’s inputs, land, or water, farmers and ranchers need to think about less. In … Read More

What Should Farmers Know About Climate Change? Livestock & Carbon Sequestration

June 19, 2017Climate Column

By Jonathan Reinbold, Sustainability, Research & Grant Manager at Organic Valley Here’s an interesting paradox: livestock is both a major contributor to and a solution for excess carbon in the atmosphere, which is intensifying climate change. The most conservative estimates suggest that raising livestock accounts for nearly 15% of global greenhouse gases emitted each year; the … Read More

What Should Farmers Know About Climate Change? Livestock & Carbon Sequestration

June 19, 2017Climate Column

By Jonathan Reinbold, Sustainability, Research & Grant Manager at Organic Valley Here’s an interesting paradox: livestock is both a major contributor to and a solution for excess carbon in the atmosphere, which is intensifying climate change. The most conservative estimates suggest that raising livestock accounts for nearly 15% of global greenhouse gases emitted each year; the … Read More

U.S. Policy Reversal on Cuba Eliminates Opportunity for Family Farmers

June 16, 2017Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 16, 2017 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1654 [email protected] WASHINGTON – During a speech today in Miami, Florida, President Donald Trump announced plans to roll back an Obama-era detente with Cuba, a move that will tighten export restrictions and create roadblocks in the distribution of goods, complicating agricultural trade with Cuba Highlighting the … Read More

U.S. Policy Reversal on Cuba Eliminates Opportunity for Family Farmers

June 16, 2017Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 16, 2017 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1654 [email protected] WASHINGTON – During a speech today in Miami, Florida, President Donald Trump announced plans to roll back an Obama-era detente with Cuba, a move that will tighten export restrictions and create roadblocks in the distribution of goods, complicating agricultural trade with Cuba Highlighting the … Read More