By Kathryn Kavanagh, Food Safety Project Coordinator Since 1915, Iowa Farmers Union (IFU) members have worked together to strengthen Iowa independent family farms through education, legislation, and cooperation by supporting sustainable production, safe food, a clean environment, and healthy communities. Among the grassroots producers and advocates is Christina Dexter, Communications and Outreach Director at IFU. … Read More
By Kathryn Kavanagh A global pandemic, fragile supply chains, and rising food prices may sound all doom and gloom, but they’ve also sparked a new wave of interest in local food, with small-scale growers and processors busier than ever growing and providing food for their communities. Food safety is a top priority, as integrating best … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 7, 2022 Contact: [email protected] Chippewa Falls, WI – Last week, youth members of Farmers Union from around the country participated in the 84th National Farmers Union (NFU) All-States Leadership Retreat. This year’s event was held at Wisconsin Farmers Union’s Kamp Kenwood on the shores of Lake Wissota near Chippewa Falls, … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 22, 2022 Contact: Lyndsey Medsker [email protected], (202) 557-5328 WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Senate Agriculture Committee favorably reported S. 3870, the Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2022 and S. 4030, the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2022. Both NFU-supported bills will foster much-needed competition in the meat … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 16, 2022 Contact: Lyndsey Medsker [email protected], (202) 557-5328 Passage of Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act will provide fairness for farmers and lower prices for consumers WASHINGTON, DC – Today, by a vote of 221 to 204, the U.S. House passed H.R. 7606, the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act, which … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 15, 2022 Contact: Lyndsey Medsker [email protected], (202) 557-5328 Urges Members to support bill that will provide fairness for farmers and lower prices for consumers WASHINGTON, DC – In a letter to Congress today, National Farmers Union (NFU) expressed support for the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act and urged Members to … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 10, 2022 Contact: Lyndsey Medsker [email protected], (202) 557-5328 BUDAPEST – Earlier this week, NFU President Rob Larew participated in the 2022 General Assembly of the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) in Budapest, Hungary. The WFO General Assembly convened farmers’ leaders from all over the world, representatives of international organizations, governments, and the … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 9, 2022 Contact: Lyndsey Medsker [email protected], (202) 557-5328 WASHINGTON, DC – To support the next generation of agricultural professionals, National Farmers Union Foundation (NFUF) today announced the 2022 recipients of its annual scholarship awards. Every year, the organization presents several scholarships to students in any area of study attending a two- … Read More
September 20-23, 2021 Farmers Union members from across the country will gather online for the 2021 Fall Legislative Virtual Fly-In! Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from U.S. Department of Agriculture officials about current events, opportunities, and other initiatives the department is undertaking on behalf of farmers. We expect to meet with officials from … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 3, 2022 Contact: Lyndsey Medsker [email protected], (202) 557-5328 Brings relief at gas pumps and increases America’s energy independence WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Biden announced an increase in ethanol blending mandates for 2021. The increase is above the figure proposed in December and will more accurately align with U.S. consumption levels. … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 1, 2022 Contact: Lyndsey Medsker [email protected], (202) 557-5328 Calls the effort, “A great step towards a more secure food supply chain and a fair agricultural economy” WASHINGTON, DC – In a speech today at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced the framework for a broad … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 26, 2022 Contact: Lyndsey Medsker [email protected], (202) 557-5328 NFU welcomes the rule and awaits additional actions to strengthen Packers & Stockyards Act enforcement WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Agriculture today released a proposed rule to establish greater transparency in poultry growing contracts and tournaments. This is the first of … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 25, 2022 Contact: Lyndsey Medsker [email protected], (202) 557-5328 WASHINGTON, DC – In a letter to President Biden sent today, NFU expressed concern with an amicus brief submitted by the U.S. Solicitor General to the Supreme Court on the labeling of glyphosate and regulation of crop protection products. The letter calls for … Read More
By: Kathryn Kavanagh, Food Safety Project Coordinator Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) works to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life of family farmers, ranchers, and rural residents, incorporating legislative advocacy, education, and cooperation into all they do. Their work ranges from programs like Minnesota Foodshed, Minnesota Cooks, and youth summer camps all … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 18, 2022 Contact: Lyndsey Medsker [email protected], (202) 557-5328 WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House Agriculture Committee approved H.R. 7606, the Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2022. The bill would increase enforcement of competition laws and boost USDA’s resources to investigate abusive market practices. “Passage of this bill is a … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 11, 2022 Contact: Lyndsey Medsker [email protected], (202) 557-5328 WASHINGTON, DC – During a farm visit today in Illinois, President Biden announced new actions to give farmers the tools and resources they need to help respond to continuing supply chain problems and rising input costs for farmers. Speaking in support of today’s … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 9, 2022 Contact: Lyndsey Medsker [email protected], (202) 557-5328 WASHINGTON – Earlier today, the White House launched the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a new program intended to close the U.S. digital divide by making reliable, high-speed internet affordable to many families in rural and urban communities. The program will provide an estimated … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 28, 2022 Contact: Lyndsey Medsker [email protected], (202) 557-5328 WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union and Farmers Union Enterprises, owned by the state Farmers Union organizations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana, are donating $125,000 to help with the humanitarian and agricultural crisis in Ukraine. The contribution was directed through … Read More
By: Katherine Olvera, NFU Intern How do you learn best? Some of us turn to workshops hosted by experts where we can see things firsthand and ask questions. Others like to do some learning from the comfort of our own home (or farm!), turning to online resources. As the Local Food Safety Collaborative (LFSC), a … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 26, 2022 Contact: Lyndsey Medsker [email protected], (202) 557-5328 WASHINGTON – Representing National Farmers Union (NFU) in a hearing today before the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Shelly Ziesch testified in support of S.4030, the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2022 and S.3870, the Meat and Poultry … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 12, 2022 Contact: Lyndsey Medsker [email protected], (202) 557-5328 WASHINGTON – During a visit to Iowa this afternoon, President Biden announced an emergency waiver allowing year-round E15 sales, intended to provide economic savings for consumers and a boost for America’s corn farmers and rural communities. Additionally, the Administration outlined new provisions including … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 28, 2022 Contact: Lyndsey Medsker [email protected], (202) 557-5328 WASHINGTON – Today, the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2022 was publicly released, led by Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). The bill is a revised version of similar legislation introduced last year. … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 22, 2022 Contact: Lyndsey Medsker [email protected], (202) 557-5328 WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) is joining the American agriculture community today to celebrate National Ag Day. “Family farmers and ranchers work hard to feed, fuel, and clothe our nation and world,” said NFU President Rob Larew. “We honor the commitment they … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 18, 2022 Contact: Lyndsey Medsker [email protected], (202) 557-5328 WASHINGTON – To support the next generation of American agriculture, National Farmers Union (NFU) today announced the eleven participants selected for its eleventh Beginning Farmer Institute (BFI) cohort. Over the course of nine months, attendees will participate in four sessions focused on technical … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 1, 2022 Contact: Lyndsey Medsker [email protected], (202) 557-5328 DENVER – The National Farmers Union (NFU) 120th Anniversary Convention concluded today following the adoption of the organization’s policy book and special orders of business. More than 450 members and guests convened in Denver, Colorado, to set policy positions and priorities that support … Read More