FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 5, 2019 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
By Tom Driscoll, Director of NFU Foundation and Conservation Policy While farmers have profound respect for the land and natural resources, the farm economy does not always adequately align profitability and stewardship. However, we are growing in our understanding of farmers’ ability to help address climate change and other environmental challenges through production and conservation practices. Noble Research Institute (NRI) is currently working to advance ecosystem service markets (ESM) specifically … Read More