FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 22, 2021 Contact: Lyndsey Medsker [email protected] 202-557-5328 Washington – Today, National Farmers Union, a national organization advocating on behalf of nearly 200,000 American farm families and their communities, launched Fairness for Farmers. This campaign seeks to rally Americans to urge their Congressional leaders and the Biden administration to take concrete steps … Read More
The politics of new trust-busting The price of meat is going up. Ranchers and corporations are split on why White House blames meat industry consolidation for higher food prices NFU calls on USDA to support competition in meat and poultry processing Guest view: Farmers need fair prcies, freedom from conglomerates USDA to address Packers and … Read More
By Billy Mitchell & Tricia Wancko Missouri Farmers Union (MOFU) works to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life of agricultural producers—whether they are long-established or new to their agricultural journey—and provides a home for those producers who are committed to conserving their state’s natural bounty. As part of that work, MOFU … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 10, 2021 Contact: David Schuller [email protected] WASHINGTON – In a letter sent today to House and Senate leadership, NFU commended Congress for its work to secure historic investments through the budget reconciliation process. The letter highlighted the importance of these investments for strengthening the American economy. However, it also reiterated NFU’s … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 9, 2021 Contact: David [email protected] WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced two new grant programs intended to provide financial assistance for farmers and ranchers as they adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic in the workplace. The grant programs, Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant and Seafood Pandemic Response Safety (SPRS) Block … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 31, 2021 WASHINGTON – Earlier this week, National Farmers Union (NFU) submitted formal comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in response to a request for information on “Investments and Opportunities for Meat and Poultry Processing Infrastructure.” In the wake of the July 9, 2021 Executive Order on Promoting Competition in … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 31, 2021 Contact: David Schuller [email protected] Today, National Farmers Union Vice President Patty Edelburg provided remarks during a public stakeholder meeting hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers regarding the agencies’ intention to revise the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the … Read More
Working to Fight the Monopoly Crisis in American Agriculture Decades of consolidation in the agriculture industry have devastated family agriculture. Through the Fairness for Farmers campaign, National Farmers Union advocates for fair agriculture markets and supports specific policy actions. – Reforming the Packers and Stockyards Act – Allowing for the Right to Repair equipment – … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 26, 2021 WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos introduced the Next Generation Fuel Act, which increases gasoline octane to a minimum standard through low-carbon, renewable fuels. Farmers and consumers stand to gain from the economic and environmental benefits brought about by this legislation. National Farmers Union has long supported higher level … Read More
FARMERS UNION DIVISION OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES Every Farmers Union office at the local, county, state or national level is critical to the success of the organization. As an officer of Farmers Union, you have the responsibility of representing a farm organization that has been instrumental in positively impacting the lives of farmers and ranchers and rural America. Below are … Read More
WELCOME This resource will introduce you to the concepts and information you will need as a state president, a member of the National Farmers Union (NFU) board, or a member of a Farmers Union division board or staff. The purpose of this resource is to provide you with basic information and emphasize the areas of greatest importance. Ultimately, the success you … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 24, 2021 Contact: David Schuller [email protected] WASHINGTON – Today, USDA issued a guidance document on how the Department will enforce the final rule on “Undue and Unreasonable Preferences and Advantages” under the Packers and Stockyards Act as it composes new rules to bring fairness to the marketplace for farmers and ranchers. … Read More
“BFI is an incredible opportunity for any farmer who is considering starting or has recently started a farming business. The program embodies all different aspects and scales of agriculture, and it is such an amazing way to learn about how important farmers from all walks of life and regions are to our communities.” –Olivia Soller, … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 10, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – In a 69-30 vote, the U.S. Senate today passed the INVEST in America Act, which would allocate $1.2 trillion towards updating national infrastructure. The package would benefit family farmers and rural communities by improving roads and bridges, expanding broadband access, protecting watersheds, and … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 9, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303.819.8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – On Friday, Growth Energy, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Biodiesel Board, National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, and the Renewable Fuels Association sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance and the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 6, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303.819.8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – In its proposed its greenhouse gas emissions standards for passenger cars and light duty trucks, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) neglected to create a pathway to high octane, low carbon fuel, as National Farmers Union (NFU) and more two dozen other farm, … Read More
By Billy Mitchell, NFU Food Safety Training Coordinator Lowering produce safety risks. Growing great food. Building community. Growers and service providers have a long list of top priorities. The voluntary Community Accreditation for Produce Safety (CAPS) program of the Vermont Vegetable and Berry Growers’ Association—with operation coordinated by University of Vermont (UVM) Extension—aims to help growers adopt … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 28, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303.819.8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Family farmers and ranchers have suffered fewer choices, less innovation, lower prices, and poorer treatment due to “domination and market manipulation of multinational meat companies,” National Farmers Union (NFU) President today told the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. In verbal testimony presented … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 27, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303.819.8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The House Agriculture Committee today approved a disaster bill that would broaden the assistance available to farmers and ranchers affected by extreme weather events. In addition to extending the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+), the WHIP+ Milk Loss Program, and the … Read More
By Billy Mitchell, NFU Food Safety Training Coordinator “Representation matters.” “Meaningful collaboration.” These simple yet powerful sentiments were shared by Armitra Jackson-Davis (Alabama A&M University) and Kranti Yemmireddy (University of Texas Rio Grande Valley) during the International Association for Food Protection’s conference session, “If You Want to Go Fast, Go Alone; But If You Want … Read More
By Hannah Packman, NFU Communications Director To address corporate consolidation in nearly every sector, President Joe Biden last week signed a sweeping executive order aimed at promoting competition and fairness throughout the economy. The order includes 72 directives that will be carried out by 12 federal agencies, many of which target the agricultural sector: It will offer … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 12, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303.819.8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – As the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updates its greenhouse gas emissions standards for passenger vehicles and light duty trucks, a coalition of farm, biofuels, and environmental organizations is urging the administration to propose a higher octane fuel standard. In a letter sent today … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 9, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303.819.8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – With nearly every industry enduring crushing levels of corporate power, President Joe Biden today signed an executive order aimed at promoting competition and fairness throughout the economy. The order includes 72 directives that will be carried out by 12 federal agencies, many of … Read More
By Billy Mitchell, NFU Food Safety Training Coordinator, & Tricia Wancko, NFU Food Safety Grant Coordinator The Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training provides an excellent opportunity both for growers to learn about the Food Safety Modernization Act’s (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) and for trainers to build community as they enhance their skills teaching food … Read More
By Danielle Endvick As we head into the holiday weekend, many families will be firing up the grill and celebrating with burgers and steaks cooked to sizzling perfection. Or, in sadder cases, charred to an unrecognizable blackened blob. Whether you’re one of the lucky folks feasting on a grillmaster’s handiwork or instead find yourself chomping … Read More