By Lura Roti, South Dakota Farmers Union Looking for a career path off the farm, Doug Sombke headed to college in 1978. However, only a few weeks into his freshman year, he was ready to pack up and head back to his family’s Conde farm. “Sitting in class I began to think of how many … Read More
By Lura Roti, South Dakota Farmers Union Looking for a career path off the farm, Doug Sombke headed to college in 1978. However, only a few weeks into his freshman year, he was ready to pack up and head back to his family’s Conde farm. “Sitting in class I began to think of how many … Read More
Policy of the National Farmers Union Click here for the PDF version Enacted by delegates to the 117th anniversary convention Bellevue, WA | March 3-5, 2019 National Farmers Union Mission and Vision Statements Our Mission is to… Advocate for family farmers, ranchers, fishers, and their communities through education, cooperation, and legislation. Our Vision is of… A … Read More
By Jimmy Dula, NFU Intern Diversity may be the hottest buzz word for agriculture, both large and small. Relying on one product or commodity to support the entire farm can be a gamble, putting the operation at higher risk. As farmers, we need to expand our approach to diversifying farm revenue to access as many potential markets as possible. We have … Read More
By Laura Lengnick, founder of Cultivating Resilience, LLC This story is excerpted from Resilient Agriculture: Cultivating Food Systems for a Changing Climate (New Society Publishers, 2015). Resilient Agriculture explores climate risk, resilience, and the future of food through the adaptation stories of 25 award-winning sustainable farmers and ranchers growing fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, and livestock across … Read More
By Lura Roti, South Dakota Farmers Union Shadowing an engineer for a few days his sophomore year of college was all the exposure Scott Kolousek needed to realize he would be happier building a career on his family’s Wessington Springs cattle and crop farm. “That experience saved me a lot of time pursuing the wrong … Read More
By Lura Roti, South Dakota Farmers Union Shadowing an engineer for a few days his sophomore year of college was all the exposure Scott Kolousek needed to realize he would be happier building a career on his family’s Wessington Springs cattle and crop farm. “That experience saved me a lot of time pursuing the wrong … Read More
By Hannah Packman, NFU Communications Coordinator Farmers markets can be an important source of supplementary income and public exposure for both small scale producers and beginning farmers and ranchers. Not only do they provide access to additional markets and new consumers, but they also eliminate the costs of processing, storage, wholesale, and distributing associated with traditional … Read More
2016 Congressional Scorecard Click on a state to learn how congress members voted on NFU’s most important issues.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 21, 2016 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON (October 21, 2016) – As the weakened farm economy continues to take a toll on family farmers and ranchers, National Farmers Union (NFU) is criticizing meatpackers for driving down prices for independent beef producers. Data released last week showed that family cow-calf producers … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 21, 2016 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON (October 21, 2016) – As the weakened farm economy continues to take a toll on family farmers and ranchers, National Farmers Union (NFU) is criticizing meatpackers for driving down prices for independent beef producers. Data released last week showed that family cow-calf producers … Read More
NFU makes audio from its officials and representatives available to the media and public for their use. Feel free to download the linked audio files by clicking the “Download the Audio” button, or by right clicking that button and selecting “Download Linked File.” For any questions or concerns, please contact NFU’s Digital Media Director Hannah … Read More
By Kriss Marion, Circle M Market Farm, Wisconsin Even though I’m one of those first-generation “niche” farmers, I always vowed I’d never do a farmers’ market. I got into farming because I like playing in the dirt and listening to frogs and crickets while I work. My dream revolved around shepherding animals, growing plants, shaping … Read More
Policy of the National Farmers Union Click here for the PDF version Enacted by delegates to the 114th anniversary convention Minneapolis, MN March 5-8, 2016 National Farmers Union Mission and Vision Statements Mission – To advocate for the economic and social well-being, and quality of life of family farmers, ranchers, fishermen and consumers and their … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 8, 2015 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (March 8, 2015) – Family farmers and ranchers are the best advocates for agriculture, and over the last four days, the National Farmers Union (NFU) has provided more than 500 members and delegates of the 114th Anniversary Convention with the advocacy tools … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 8, 2015 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (March 8, 2015) – Family farmers and ranchers are the best advocates for agriculture, and over the last four days, the National Farmers Union (NFU) has provided more than 500 members and delegates of the 114th Anniversary Convention with the advocacy tools … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 18, 2015 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON (December 18, 2015) – National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson praised parts of the omnibus-tax extenders package that was passed today by both chambers of Congress, offering tepid approval of Congress’ work to fund the government and extend important tax credits for … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 18, 2015 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON (December 18, 2015) – National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson praised parts of the omnibus-tax extenders package that was passed today by both chambers of Congress, offering tepid approval of Congress’ work to fund the government and extend important tax credits for … Read More
Farmers Union Member Benefits When you join NFU you benefit from a variety of member services and discounts. If you’re not already member, you can join today for just $60 per year. That’s only $1.15 a week to support family farmers, expand sustainable agriculture and ensure the next generation of farmers will be there to grow the food, fuel and fiber … Read More
COOL in Jeopardy of Straight Repeal: Tell Your Elected Officials to Oppose COOL Riders on the Omnibus Bill On Monday, the World Trade Organization (WTO) authorized Canada and Mexico to impose $1.01 billion in retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods as part of a dispute over the the U.S. Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) law. As of right now, Congress … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 9, 2015 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON (December 9, 2015) – National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson called on Congress to pass a clean funding bill and uphold its promise for regular order. Reports of an omnibus impasse have largely hinged on an estimated forty riders including agricultural provisions … Read More
COOL in Jeopardy of Straight Repeal: Tell Your Elected Officials to Oppose COOL Riders on the Omnibus Bill On Monday, the World Trade Organization (WTO) authorized Canada and Mexico to impose $1.01 billion in retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods as part of a dispute over the the U.S. Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) law. As of right now, Congress … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 9, 2015 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON (December 9, 2015) – National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson called on Congress to pass a clean funding bill and uphold its promise for regular order. Reports of an omnibus impasse have largely hinged on an estimated forty riders including agricultural provisions … Read More
By Janna Raudenbush, Public Affairs Specialist, Food and Nutrition Service, United States Department of Agriculture Four years ago, vegetable farmer Chuck McCool of Rover, Arkansas read an article in his local newspaper about a nearby school that had received a local grant to incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into their meal programs. Over the next few … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 18, 2015 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON (September 18, 2015) – Following three days of meetings with U.S. Department of Agriculture leaders, key White House staff and nearly every Congressional and Senatorial official on Capitol Hill, the 275 Farmers Union members participating in the organization’s annual fall fly-in are returning … Read More