June 4, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – A bipartisan bill introduced today by Sens. Mike Braun (R-IN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Lindsay Graham (R-SC) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) would help provide certainty for farmers as they look to participate in carbon markets in their efforts to adapt to and mitigate the … Read More
June 3, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Four current and former executives at Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. and Claxton Poultry Farms, both of which produce chicken, were indicted today for colluding to inflate the prices of birds sold to grocery stores and restaurants. The latest of several price-fixing allegations against meat … Read More
May 29, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The killing of Minnesota resident George Floyd – the latest instance in a long and disturbing history of police brutality towards people of color – underscores the urgent need for racial justice and equity in the United States, according to National Farmers Union … Read More
May 15, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Amid the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, the U.S. House of Representatives today passed a $3 trillion relief and stimulus bill, known as the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act. The legislation would provide funding for health services, … Read More
May 1, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – A coalition of ethanol and farm groups today sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency opposing the American Petroleum Institute’s (API) recent petition requesting reconsideration of the 2020 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) final rule. API claims reconsideration of the 2020 RFS … Read More
April 28, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Invoking the Defense Production Act, President Donald Trump today announced that he plans to sign an executive order requiring meat processing facilities to continue operating through the coronavirus pandemic. The order, which designates such facilities as “critical infrastructure,” is expected to absolve … Read More
April 17, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – As the food and agriculture industries experience significant disruptions due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released initial details for a $19 billion emergency aid package to support farmers and ranchers and bolster food security. The … Read More
April 7, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Following the recent passage of the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, National Farmers Union (NFU) is urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to “swiftly and efficiently implement assistance and distribute resources” to family farmers and ranchers and rural communities. In … Read More
April 2, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Today, 76 leading farm, conservation and wildlife groups delivered a letter to Congress requesting full funding for conservation programs and technical assistance in fiscal year (FY) 2021 appropriations. In the letter, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), National Farmers … Read More
March 31, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – In the final Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today relaxed fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards for model year 2021-2026 passenger vehicles. When the rule was initially proposed over a year ago, National Farmers … Read More
March 25, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – To alleviate the current and potential economic fallout from the global COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. lawmakers are poised to pass a response, relief, and stimulus package with a nearly $2 trillion price tag. The bill, which is the most expensive in the country’s … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 25, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Ethanol and farm groups today welcomed the Trump administration’s decision not to seek a re-hearing of a recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit that struck down certain small refinery exemptions (SREs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard. On … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 19, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – As rural communities brace for the arrival of the novel coronavirus, a coalition of organization representing rural communities is urging the administration to ensure that the rural health care system has adequate resources and support to respond to this crisis. In a … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 13, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – A rule proposed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) would undermine the intent of the Packers and Stockyards Act, according to comments submitted today by National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew. Established in 1921, the Packers and Stockyards Act exists … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 11, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] SAVANNAH – As part of the organization’s broader initiative to address a growing farm stress crisis, National Farmers Union (NFU) last week hosted a two-day, in-person session to train community mental health advocates across the country. More than 30 Farmers Union members from 19 … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WASHINGTON – On March 9, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit approved requests by the U.S. Department of Justice, HollyFrontier, and CVR Energy for an extension of the deadline to file motions asking for a rehearing en banc of Renewable Fuels Association et al. v. EPA, in which the Court … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 3, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] SAVANNAH – The National Farmers Union (NFU) 118th Anniversary Convention concluded today following the adoption of the organization’s policy book and special orders of business. More than 500 family farmers and ranchers convened in Savannah, Georgia, to set policy positions and priorities that support … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 2, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] SAVANNAH – Delegates to the National Farmers Union (NFU) 118th Anniversary Convention today elected Rob Larew to succeed Roger Johnson as the organization’s president. Patty Edelburg, a Wisconsin dairy farmer, was reelected to serve a second term as vice president. Larew and Edelburg’s two-year terms begin … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 2, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] SAVANNAH – For her work investigating the effects of consolidation and monopolization in the food and agriculture sectors, National Farmers Union (NFU) today awarded Leah Douglas with its 2020 Milt Hakel Agriculture Communications Award. Douglas, who is currently an associate editor and staff writer … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 1, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] SAVANNAH – Family farm agriculture endures 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 Union (NFU) today presented its highest honor, the Meritorious Service … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 1, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] SAVANNAH – National Farmers Union (NFU) officially convened its 118th Anniversary Convention this afternoon in Savannah, Georgia, to celebrate American farm families and to set the organization’s policy positions and priorities for the coming year. More than 500 Farmers Union members from across the … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 21, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Amidst reports that recent trade deals may have a more gradual and modest impact on agricultural exports than initially thought, President Donald Trump today tweeted that “aid will be provided by the federal government” if necessary. Though National Farmers Union (NFU) appreciates … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 20, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Responding to mounting environmental challenges confronting American food production and security, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced a new, department-wide innovation initiative “to align resources, programs, and research to position American agriculture to better meet future global demands.” In broad … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 19, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON –National Farmers Union (NFU) hosted 75 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 of … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 18, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – As the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues 2018 Farm Bill implementation with the release of its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Interim Rule, National Farmers Union (NFU) is urging the agency to strengthen the conservation program to better support farmers … Read More