FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 25, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, [email protected] WASHINGTON – In an effort to improve mental health support for farmers, ranchers and farmworkers, National Farmers Union (NFU) and a broad coalition of leading farm and rural advocacy groups are urging Congress to fully fund the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) in fiscal … Read More
Press Releases
U.S. Ethanol Consumption Declines for First Time in 20 Years
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 14, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – For the first time in two decades, ethanol consumption declined in the United States from 2017 to 2018, according to the Renewable Fuels Association. The decline follows two years of a dramatic spike in waivers being provided to oil refiners by EPA … Read More
NFU Applauds Release of E15 Waiver Proposal
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 12, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – In a move to expand use of higher level blends of ethanol, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today issued a proposed rule to allow the year-round sale of E15, or gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol. The timing of the proposed … Read More
President’s Budget Yet Again Neglects Severity of Farm Economy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 11, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump today revealed his proposed fiscal year 2020 budget, proposing cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other federal agencies in order to increase spending on a proposed border wall and defense initiatives. National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger … Read More
NFU Joins Coalition in Highlighting Importance of Carbon Capture
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 7, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) joined the Carbon Capture Coalition in submitting a letter to leaders in Congress to highlight the importance of “carbon capture research, development, and commercial deployment as an essential component of a broader strategy to decarbonize power generation and … Read More
NFU Concludes 117th Anniversary Convention
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 5, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106 [email protected] BELLEVUE, Wash. – The National Farmers Union (NFU) 117th Anniversary Convention concluded today following the adoption of the organization’s policy book and special orders of business. More than 460 family farmers and ranchers convened in Bellevue, Washington, to set organizational policy positions that seek … Read More
Gene Paul, Paul Symens Awarded Farmers Union’s Highest Honor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 4, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106 [email protected] BELLEVUE, Wash. – Family farm agriculture endures in the social fabric of the United States and as the backbone of a safe and secure national food system because of the tireless advocacy and hard work of men and women across the industry. National Farmers … Read More
Farmers Union Honors Joel Heitkamp for Excellence in Agriculture Communications
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 4, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106 [email protected] BELLEVUE, Wash. – For well over a decade, broadcaster Joel Heitkamp of North Dakota has given agriculture and rural issues a significant platform on his live, three-hour radio program, “News and Views.” For his work in elevating the issues facing family farmers, ranchers, and … Read More
NFU Kicks Off 117th Anniversary Convention
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 3, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106 [email protected] BELLEVUE, Wash. – National Farmers Union (NFU) officially convened its 117th Anniversary Convention this afternoon in Bellevue, Washington, to celebrate American farm families and set the organization’s policy for the coming year. More than 460 Farmers Union members from across the country are gathered … Read More
NFU Urges Secretary Perdue to Work with Congress on Improvements to the Farm Safety Net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 26, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – As the troubled farm economy pushes more and more American family farmers and ranchers into significant financial stress, National Farmers Union (NFU) today urged U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to work with Congress to make significant enhancements to the farm safety net. … Read More
NFU’s College Conference on Cooperatives Continues Excellence in Cooperative Education
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 19, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) hosted 71 students in Minneapolis, Minnesota, last weekend for its annual College Conference on Cooperatives (CCOC). The three-day conference provides an interactive learning experience for American agriculture’s next generation on the importance, structure and operations of various types … Read More
NFU Applauds Congressional Impetus on Climate Change
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 7, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts and U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York today released a framework for what they call a “Green New Deal.” The resolution is meant to kickstart broad discussions on how the U.S. will both mitigate and … Read More
Statement on Passing of Former NFU President Cyril H. Carpenter
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 7, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) mourns the loss of former NFU President Cyril H. Carpenter, who passed away on February 4, 2019. Carpenter grew up on a family farm in Sauk Centre, Minnesota, joining Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) as a lobbyist and secretary … Read More
President’s State of the Union Neglects Dire Farm Economy Conditions, NFU Says
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 5, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – U.S. President Donald J. Trump delivered his second State of the Union address tonight to a joint session of Congress, calling for renewed bipartisanship in the coming year to “break decades of political stalemate.” The president also touted gains for the U.S. … Read More
NFU Announces Featured Speakers, Themes for 117th Anniversary Convention in Bellevue, WA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 4, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Family farmers and ranchers traveling to Bellevue, Washington, for the National Farmers Union (NFU) 117th Anniversary Convention will have the opportunity to hear from top speakers in American and international agriculture during the four-day conference. Andrew Winston, a globally recognized expert on … Read More
NFU Beginning Farmer Institute Accepting Applications for Class of 2019-2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 5, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) today announced the opening of the application period for its Beginning Farmer Institute (BFI) program class of 2019-2020. NFU encourages new farmers of any age from operations of any size, type or geography to apply for the class. … Read More
NFU Board Urges Significant Strengthening of the Family Farm Safety Net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 29, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – As the slump in farm commodity prices persists and trade disputes compound these market challenges, family farmers’ and ranchers’ economic security is at significant risk, according to the National Farmers Union (NFU) Board of Directors. The NFU Board passed a resolution calling … Read More
NFU Board Urges Significant Strengthening of the Family Farm Safety Net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 29, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – As the slump in farm commodity prices persists and trade disputes compound these market challenges, family farmers’ and ranchers’ economic security is at significant risk, according to the National Farmers Union (NFU) Board of Directors. The NFU Board passed a resolution calling … Read More
NFU Board Calls for Immediate End to Government Shutdown
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 18, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The partial government shutdown—soon to enter its fifth week—is causing harm and exacerbating issues already facing American family farmers and ranchers as they look to sell their crops, acquire financing and prepare for the coming year. As such, the National Farmers Union … Read More
NFU Board Calls for Immediate End to Government Shutdown
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 18, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The partial government shutdown—soon to enter its fifth week—is causing harm and exacerbating issues already facing American family farmers and ranchers as they look to sell their crops, acquire financing and prepare for the coming year. As such, the National Farmers Union … Read More
USDA Announces Temporary Reopening of FSA Offices – Farmers Union Urges Members to Take Advantage of Services
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 16, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced it would reopen Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices for three days to provide farmers with select services amidst a government shutdown that has closed agency offices. National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson sent … Read More
USDA Announces Temporary Reopening of FSA Offices – Farmers Union Urges Members to Take Advantage of Services
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 16, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced it would reopen Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices for three days to provide farmers with select services amidst a government shutdown that has closed agency offices. National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson sent … Read More
USDA to Send Trade Relief to JBS, Brazil’s Largest Meatpacker – Farmers Union Says Funds Should be Targeted to American Farmers and Ranchers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 10, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will purchase roughly 1.8 million pounds of pork products from Brazilian firm JBS, one of the world’s largest meatpackers, using funds appropriated by the Trump Administration to help American family farmers and ranchers weather the administration’s … Read More
USDA to Send Trade Relief to JBS, Brazil’s Largest Meatpacker – Farmers Union Says Funds Should be Targeted to American Farmers and Ranchers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 10, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will purchase roughly 1.8 million pounds of pork products from Brazilian firm JBS, one of the world’s largest meatpackers, using funds appropriated by the Trump Administration to help American family farmers and ranchers weather the administration’s … Read More
EPA Continues to Undermine RFS with Hardship Waivers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 20, 2018 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – According to recent reports, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a “financial hardship waiver” to a refinery owned by Exxon Mobil Corp, exempting it from requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Exxon Mobil is the largest American oil and gas … Read More