NFU Announces Featured Speakers, Themes for 117th Anniversary Convention in Bellevue, WA

February 5, 2019Press Releases
NFU Announces Featured Speakers, Themes for 117th Anniversary Convention in Bellevue, WA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 4, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202.314.3106 ajerome@nfudc.org 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 Board Urges Significant Strengthening of the Family Farm Safety Net

January 29, 2019Press Releases
NFU Board Urges Significant Strengthening of the Family Farm Safety Net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 29, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org 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

January 18, 2019Press Releases
NFU Board Calls for Immediate End to Government Shutdown

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 18, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org 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

January 16, 2019Press Releases
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 ajerome@nfudc.org 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

Environmental Sustainability in the 2018 Farm Bill

January 16, 2019Blog
Environmental Sustainability in the 2018 Farm Bill

By Matt Perdue, NFU Government Relations Director Environmental sustainability is critical for the future of family farming and ranching and for the health of our rural communities. As concerns over water quality, soil health and the wide-ranging effects of climate-change mount, incentives-based conservation programs are more important now than ever.   The 2018 Farm Bill maintains … 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

January 10, 2019Press Releases
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 ajerome@nfudc.org 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

Diverse Market Opportunities and the 2018 Farm Bill

January 8, 2019Blog
Diverse Market Opportunities and the 2018 Farm Bill

By Aaron Shier, NFU Government Relations Representative Though traditional commodity markets remain a large source of revenue, the market for locally or regionally produced food, value-added products, and organic agriculture are becoming increasingly important for farmers. Why are diverse market opportunities so important? Local and regional marketplaces, with their shorter supply chains, can help farmers … Read More

EPA Continues to Undermine RFS with Hardship Waivers

December 20, 2018Press Releases
EPA Continues to Undermine RFS with Hardship Waivers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 20, 2018 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 hpackman@nfudc.org 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

Farmers Union Applauds 2018 Farm Bill Approval

December 20, 2018Press Releases
Farmers Union Applauds 2018 Farm Bill Approval

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 20, 2018 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump today signed the 2018 Farm Bill into law, authorizing and funding America’s farm and food programs through fiscal year 2023. National Farmers Union (NFU), on behalf of its nearly 200,000 farm family members, supported passage of the bill, as it provides some … Read More