WASHINGTON— The Senate Appropriations Committee yesterday passed its Fiscal Year 2025 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) funding bill, which included robust funding for the Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division and restored a critical component of the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act (MFFMA) that had been rescinded in the Fiscal Year 2024 funding bill. NFU is … Read More
Press Releases
Farmers Union Member Joseph Childs Selected for Prestigious International Program
WASHINGTON- Wisconsin Farmers Union member Joseph Childs has been selected to participate in the prestigious World Farmers’ Organization (WFO) Gymnasium Program for 2024-2025. Launched in 2017, the WFO Gymnasium Program aims to train young farmers to fulfill their potential as future leaders and advocates of modern agriculture. The Gymnasium Program is a series of activities focused … Read More
Clean Fuel Tax Credits Out of Reach for Many Farmers
Sustainable aviation fuel and clean fuel production tax credits have the potential to benefit farmers while lowering America’s carbon emissions, but shortcomings in the provisions could put the benefits out of reach for many farmers in the U.S. Four groups, including the National Farmers Union, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association and National Corn … Read More
National Farmers Union Vice President Jeff Kippley Testifies at House Agriculture Committee Hearing on EPA’s Impact on American Agriculture
WASHINGTON – NFU Vice President Jeff Kippley represented family farmers and ranchers today at a House Agriculture Committee hearing. “Examining the Consequences of EPA’s Actions on American Agriculture” provided a platform for discussing various concerns related to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulations and their impact on the agricultural sector. In his testimony, Kippley emphasized … Read More
NFU Hosts 86th All-States Leadership Retreat, Announces 2024-25 National Youth Advisory Council
Erskine, Minnesota – Farmers Union youth from across the nation recently gathered for the 86th National Farmers Union (NFU) All-States Leadership Retreat, held at the Lake Sarah Campground, managed by the Minnesota Farmers Union in Polk County, Minnesota. The retreat provided an immersive experience for participants, aged 18 to 22, who engaged in a variety … Read More
National Farmers Union Foundation (NFUF) Announces 2024 Annual Scholarship Awards Recipients
WASHINGTON – To support the next generation of agricultural professionals, the National Farmers Union Foundation (NFUF) proudly announces the 2024 recipients of its annual scholarship awards. Each year, NFUF awards scholarships to students in various fields of study who are attending accredited two- or four-year colleges, universities or technical schools. These students have demonstrated academic excellence … Read More
National Farmers Union Serves Up the Farmer’s Share of July 4th Cookout Costs
WASHINGTON – As Americans prepare to celebrate Independence Day with family gatherings and festive cookouts, National Farmers Union (NFU) released the updated “Farmer’s Share of the Food Dollar” for items typically enjoyed during a Fourth of July cookout. These figures reveal how much family farmers earn compared to the amount consumers pay at the grocery … Read More
NFU Commends Continued Packers and Stockyards Act Progress
WASHINGTON— Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced additional updates to the Packers and Stockyards Act (P&S Act) rules at an event with Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust Jonathan Kanter. The “Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets” proposed rule is meant to strengthen P&S Act enforcement by creating a framework to assess “unfair practices” claims … Read More
National Farmers Union Applauds DOJ Expansion to Focus on Agriculture Issues
WASHINGTON— The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division announced a significant expansion of its efforts to address agricultural issues, with a plan to increase staffing dedicated to civil and criminal enforcement in the sector. Michael Kades, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the DOJ Antitrust Division, made this announcement on Friday at R-CALF USA’s 2024 … Read More
NFU Welcomes USDA’s Launch of the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Grant Program
WASHINGTON- National Farmers Union (NFU) welcomes the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement of the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Grant Program (FLSP) awards. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that $50 million will be distributed to 141 awardees across 40 states and Puerto Rico. Goals of the voluntary program include increasing access to … Read More
RFA, NFU File Petition for Review of EPA’s Tailpipe Rule for Light and Medium Duty Vehicles
WASHINGTON- The Renewable Fuels Association and National Farmers Union filed a petition for review Monday in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recently finalized tailpipe rule for light- and medium-duty vehicle emissions standards. RFA and NFU filed the suit because EPA clearly lacked the authority to adopt the regulation, … Read More
NFU Statement on Ranking Member Boozman’s Farm Bill Framework
WASHINGTON – Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) today released a framework for the 2024 Farm Bill. National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew issued the following statement: “I appreciate Senator Boozman’s work on advancing the farm bill and look forward to continuing the process. Farm bills do best when they are the … Read More
Farmers Union Member Testifies at Senate Hearing on Beginning Farmers
WASHINGTON – Farmers Union member Tessa Parks, a beginning farmer from Northfield, Minnesota, testified today before the Senate Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade. The hearing focused on “Pathways to Farming: Helping the Next Generation of Farmers,” and Parks delivered a message on behalf of National Farmers Union’s (NFU) more than 230,000 members … Read More
NFU Welcomes Third Proposed Packers and Stockyards Act Rule to Promote Fair Markets
WASHINGTON – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) today issued the third proposed rule in a series of updates to the Packers and Stockyards Act (P&S Act). The rule addresses abuse by the poultry industry of broiler chicken producers under the “tournament” ranking system as well as situations where poultry companies make coercive facility … Read More
House Agriculture Committee Approves Farm Bill, NFU Seeks Further Improvements
WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew issued the following statement after the passage of the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2024 out of the House Agriculture Committee. “A successful farm bill needs broad bipartisan support. We applaud today’s progress, but we know that significant improvements will be needed to advance this … Read More
NFU Statement on Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 17, 2024 [email protected] WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew issued the following statement on the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2024, released today by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA). “Family farmers and ranchers need a strong farm safety net and opportunities for … Read More
Farm Bill Proposals Show Progress, More Work Needed for Bipartisan Support
WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew issued the following statement on the 2024 Farm Bill overviews issued by the Senate and House Agriculture Committees. “A farm bill needs bipartisan support in order to become law. I appreciate the work that the House and Senate Ag Committees have put into the current proposals. There’s … Read More
NFU Statement on Treasury Guidance for Sustainable Aviation Fuel
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 1, 2024 Contact: [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Treasury Department yesterday released long-awaited guidance updating the Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Technologies (GREET) model for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) credits under Section 40B of the Inflation Reduction Act. NFU President Rob Larew issued the following statement in response … Read More
NFU Statement on EPA E15 Announcement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 19, 2024 Contact: [email protected] WASHINGTON – Today, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew issued the following statement in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement on E15 summer blending: “Heading into another summer travel season, today’s announcement from EPA helps consumers by reducing their costs and increasing their … Read More
Senate Action to Reinstate Ban on Beef Imports from Paraguay Good News for Family Farmers
WASHINGTON – Yesterday, the United States Senate passed a bipartisan Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution authored by U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) that would reinstate a long-standing ban on beef imports from Paraguay. The ban, which was lifted in November of 2023, was in place due to concerns about foot and mouth … Read More
NFU Statement on EPA Tailpipe Emissions Standards
WASHINGTON – Following the 2027-2032 tailpipe emissions standards released today by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew issued a statement addressing the need for immediate reductions to greenhouse gases and the role that ethanol can play in those reductions: “We share EPA’s mission to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but today’s finalized tailpipe emissions … Read More
NFU Closes 2024 Convention, Outlines Policy Priorities and Special Orders of Business
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – National Farmers Union (NFU) closed its 2024 Convention by adopting the organization’s grassroots policy book, laying the foundation for advocating on behalf of family farmers and ranchers across the country. Convention delegates also adopted six special orders of business focused on issues of particular importance in the coming year. “With a projected decline … Read More
Rob Larew and Jeff Kippley Re-Elected as NFU President and Vice President
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Delegates to National Farmers Union’s 122nd Anniversary Convention today cast a unanimous ballot to reelect Rob Larew and Jeff Kippley as the organization’s President and Vice President, respectively. Each will serve another two-year term. “It’s an honor to have the trust and confidence of Farmers Union members across the country and a … Read More
NFU Presents Bill Zortman of KELO-AM with Milt Hakel Award for Excellence in Agricultural Journalism
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – At National Farmers Union’s (NFU) 122nd Anniversary Convention, the organization awarded Bill Zortman of radio station KELO-AM, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the 2024 Milt Hakel Award for Excellence in Agricultural Journalism. Zortman is the host of It’s Your Business, covering business issues for the Sioux Falls community with a strong focus on … Read More
NFU Awards Highest Honor to Leaders from Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin at 122nd Anniversary Convention
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – At the opening banquet of the 122nd Anniversary Convention, National Farmers Union (NFU) presented Rodney Allebach of Minnesota, Linda Jones Borton of Ohio and Dennis Rosen of Wisconsin with Awards for Meritorious Service to Farmers Union and to American Agriculture, the highest honor presented by Farmers Union. “The 2024 class of Meritorious … Read More