Press Releases

SAN FRANCISCO – At the 121st Anniversary Convention of National Farmers Union (NFU), Luke Runyon of Greeley, Colorado was awarded the 2023 Milt Hakel Award for Excellence in Agricultural Journalism. Luke Runyon is a reporter covering the Colorado River Basin for public radio station KUNC. His investigations show how water issues can both unite and divide communities … Read More

SAN FRANCISCO –  At the 121st Anniversary Convention of National Farmers Union (NFU), Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced a proposed rule regarding the voluntary “Product of USA” label for meat, poultry and egg products. NFU applauds this proposed rule which will close loopholes that allow meat from imported animals to be labeled as “Product of … Read More

SAN FRANCISCO – At the opening banquet of the 121st Anniversary Convention, National Farmers Union (NFU) presented Sarah Vogel of North Dakota and Doug Peterson of Minnesota with the 2023 Meritorious Service Awards, the highest honor presented by Farmers Union. Sarah Vogel was presented with the award for Meritorious Service to Farmers Union and to World … Read More

SAN FRANCISCO – National Farmers Union’s (NFU) 121st Anniversary Convention kicked off today in San Francisco, California where the programming is highlighting the ability of Farmers Union members to make change at the local, state, and federal level. “Our members are leading the way on farm policy from the local to federal level,” said NFU … Read More

WASHINGTON – Following a proposed rule from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Farmers Union (NFU) issued a statement in support of expanded access to E15 for consumers set to take place before the summer driving season next year. “We appreciate EPA’s efforts to increase the use of ethanol in this proposal.  Expanded availability and adoption of … Read More

WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew today testified before the United States House Committee on Agriculture for a hearing titled “Uncertainty, Inflation, Regulations: Challenges for American Agriculture.” In his testimony, Larew addressed the themes of the hearing. On inflation:  “Family farmers and ranchers are particularly vulnerable to the effects of inflation. Supply … Read More

WASHINGTON, February 22, 2023 – The Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance today released policy recommendations for the 2023 farm bill. The farm bill is essential legislation that impacts every family in America and has enormous potential to help the food, agriculture and forestry sectors achieve their climate mitigation potential while preserving and creating new economic opportunities. Further … Read More

WASHINGTON – Today, National Farmers Union (NFU) announced support for a petition to require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enforce provisions in the Clean Air Act (CAA) that allow farmers and ranchers to repair their own equipment. “Farmers need the Right to Repair. We face all sorts of challenges, and the freedom to repair our … Read More

WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) will be hosting the College Conference on Cooperatives (CCOC) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from February 16 – 19. Over the course of this three-day conference, participants will hear from experts in the field of cooperatives, participate in interactive learning activities and workshops, and tour co-ops in the Twin Cities. The event … Read More

WASHINGTON – Today, Sens. Deb Fischer (R-IA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Jon Tester (D-MT), along with 18 other cosponsors, reintroduced the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act, a bill that would bring greater fairness to the cattle sector. “Family farmers and ranchers need open and transparent cattle markets in order to receive … Read More

WASHINGTON, December 13, 2022 – After five years of outreach and education by farm groups, a new poll shows increased awareness and willingness to talk about the opioid crisis among rural adults, compared to 2017. Sixty percent say adults in their community are more aware of the crisis than they were five years ago, and … Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 1, 2022 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a decision to allow canola to be used as a feedstock for renewable diesel, which National Farmers Union (NFU) has advocated for. “This administration gets it – biofuels are good for the environment, good for the farmer’s bottom … Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 1, 2022 [email protected]   WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its 2021, 2022, and 2023 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) SET proposal. As proposed, the new standards raise volumes moving forward. A strong proponent of biofuels for their economic and environmental benefits, … Read More

November 21, 2022 Contact: [email protected]   Record corporate profits outpace farmer’s share of food dollar and lead to higher prices for consumers WASHINGTON – Today, National Farmers Union (NFU) released the 2022 Farmer’s Share of the food dollar for several items typically served for the Thanksgiving holiday. “Corporate profits and consumer food costs continue to … Read More

November 15, 2022 Contact: NFU: Ross Hettervig, [email protected] R-CALF USA: CEO Bill Bullard, Phone: 406-252-2516; [email protected]   Nov. 15, 2022 – MINNEAPOLIS – Several large retailers and wholesalers (including Sysco, US Foods, Kroger, Hy-Vee, Albertson, Associated Grocers, Subway, SuperValu, and Cheney Brothers) recently filed claims similar to those brought originally in April 2019 by R-CALF … Read More

November 14, 2022 Contact: [email protected] WASHINGTON – This week, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew participated in the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP27) summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. In addition to serving as an official observer of the proceedings as a representative of the World Farmers Organization, Larew also joined the … Read More

WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew released the following statement in response to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announcing major investments in local and regional meat and poultry processing around the country. “For decades, consolidation in meat processing has put the squeeze on farmers, ranchers, and consumers while corporate monopolies rake in record … Read More

October 18, 2022  Contact: [email protected]  WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew released the following statement in response to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issuing information on critical new debt relief programs. These programs will help distressed borrowers holding Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans and are primarily funded through the Inflation … Read More

WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew participated in the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health today. This historic conference is the first of its kind since 1969. “Family farmers and ranchers work hard to feed their communities, and Farmers Union is proud to stand together in this fight to –– … Read More

WASHINGTON – This week over 250 Farmers Union members from across the country arrived in Washington, DC to advocate for family farmers. Over the course of the week, Farmers Union members attended hundreds of Congressional meetings, met with over a dozen federal agencies, and directly participated in discussions with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Federal … Read More

WASHINGTON, DC – National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew issued the following statement in response to the U.S. House of Representatives passing the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022: “The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act is cause for optimism for farmers and ranchers across the country, with historic investments in voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs that are … Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 29, 2022 WASHINGTON, DC – National Farmers Union (NFU) strongly supports the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 as currently presented by the Senate. Overall, this bill invests $40 billion in agricultural and rural communities. “NFU welcomes the major investments in voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs for agriculture included in the Inflation Reduction … Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 26, 2022 WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa introduced the Next Generation Fuels Act in the United States Senate, 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. … Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 7, 2022 Contact: [email protected]   Chippewa Falls, WI – Last week, youth members of Farmers Union from around the country participated in the 84th National Farmers Union (NFU) All-States Leadership Retreat. This year’s event was held at Wisconsin Farmers Union’s Kamp Kenwood on the shores of Lake Wissota near Chippewa Falls, … Read More