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
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
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
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 Applauds Decision to Suspend Importation of Fresh Brazilian Beef
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 22, 2017 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON –The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the suspension of all imports of fresh beef from Brazil due to food safety and animal health concerns. The announcement came on the heels of a scandal in which Brazil’s largest food-processing giants JBS and … Read More
NFU Applauds Decision to Suspend Importation of Fresh Brazilian Beef
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 22, 2017 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON –The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the suspension of all imports of fresh beef from Brazil due to food safety and animal health concerns. The announcement came on the heels of a scandal in which Brazil’s largest food-processing giants JBS and … Read More
Access to Efficiency: Conserving Water Q&A With Blake Osborn
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
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
Farmers Union Makes Rural Voices Heard on Healthcare
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 21, 2017 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – As Senate Republicans rush to pass the American Health Care Act (AHCA) before the Fourth of July recess, National Farmers Union (NFU) continues to urge Congress to consider the needs of rural Americans in health care reform. Today, NFU President Roger Johnson … Read More
NFU Requests Emergency Release of CRP Land Amid Drought Conditions
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
Farmers Union Makes Rural Voices Heard on Healthcare
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 21, 2017 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – As Senate Republicans rush to pass the American Health Care Act (AHCA) before the Fourth of July recess, National Farmers Union (NFU) continues to urge Congress to consider the needs of rural Americans in health care reform. Today, NFU President Roger Johnson … Read More
NFU Requests Emergency Release of CRP Land Amid Drought Conditions
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
NFUF Launching Needs Assessment Survey to Inform Food Safety
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 20, 2017 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1654 [email protected] WASHINGTON (June 20, 2017) – The Local Food Safety Collaborative, a collaboration between National Farmers Union Foundation (NFUF) and the U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA), today launched a nationwide food safety survey. The results will help the organization address the needs of small … Read More
NFUF Launching Needs Assessment Survey to Inform Food Safety
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 20, 2017 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1654 [email protected] WASHINGTON (June 20, 2017) – The Local Food Safety Collaborative, a collaboration between National Farmers Union Foundation (NFUF) and the U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA), today launched a nationwide food safety survey. The results will help the organization address the needs of small … Read More
Access to Efficiency: Climate Change & Water
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
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
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
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
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
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
NFU Supports Bill to Add USDA to Foreign Investment Committee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 15, 2017 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1654 [email protected] WASHINGTON – U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) today introduced a bill to add the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). The bill, known as the … Read More
NFU Condemns Trump Administration Approval of Dow-DuPont
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 15, 2017 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Perpetuating the disturbing consolidation trend in the agriculture sector, the U.S. Department of Justice today approved the $142 billion merger of Dow Chemical Co. and DuPont Co. The deal will create the largest agriculture biotechnology and seed firm in the United States. … Read More
NFU Supports Bill to Add USDA to Foreign Investment Committee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 15, 2017 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1654 [email protected] WASHINGTON – U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) today introduced a bill to add the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). The bill, known as the … Read More
NFU Condemns Trump Administration Approval of Dow-DuPont
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 15, 2017 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Perpetuating the disturbing consolidation trend in the agriculture sector, the U.S. Department of Justice today approved the $142 billion merger of Dow Chemical Co. and DuPont Co. The deal will create the largest agriculture biotechnology and seed firm in the United States. … Read More
NFU, Farm Groups Push for Strong Farm Safety Net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 14, 2017 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Amidst the sharpest decline in the farm economy in well over a decade, National Farmers Union and a coalition of 21 prominent farm groups are urging Congress to provide a strong safety net for family farmers and ranchers. In a letter to … Read More