By Zack Clark, government relations representative, National Farmers Union Last week, two major reports were released that further cemented what we already know – oversupply in the marketplace is driving commodity prices further and further downward, and after three years of declining prices, real estate values and credit conditions are beginning to deteriorate. The glut … Read More
Why Do Farmers Care About Climate Change? Extreme Precipitation
By Tom Driscoll, NFU Director of Conservation Policy and Education For farmers, rain is generally a good thing. Crops don’t grow without water, and other NFU Climate Column posts discuss the problems farmers do and will encounter getting enough rain and water as climate change progresses. But farmers also know that too much rain all at … Read More
The Farmers Market Miracle on Main Street
By Kriss Marion, Circle M Market Farm, Wisconsin Even though I’m one of those first-generation “niche” farmers, I always vowed I’d never do a farmers’ market. I got into farming because I like playing in the dirt and listening to frogs and crickets while I work. My dream revolved around shepherding animals, growing plants, shaping … Read More
NFU Letter to Secretary Vilsack Urges USDA to Provide Immediate Support for Dairy Farmers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 8, 2016 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON (August 8, 2016) –Today, National Farmers Union (NFU) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack, requesting much needed relief for U.S. dairy farmers. The letter echoes a request made to USDA late last month by more than 60 Congressional … Read More
Climate Column: Why Do Farmers Care About Climate Change? Drought
By Tom Driscoll, NFU Director of Conservation Policy and Education Crops won’t grow without rain, and livestock producers remember the enormous problems experienced with the severe drought in 2012. Drought is frightening for farmers and expensive for consumers. USDA’s Southern Plains Assessment of Vulnerability and Preliminary Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies for Farmers, Ranchers and Forest Land … Read More
USDA Dairy Payments Are ‘An Important First Step,’ NFU Says
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 4, 2016 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON (August 4, 2016) – U.S. dairy farmers have been financially stressed by a significant decline in milk prices, and National Farmers Union (NFU) is relieved to see the first significant set of payments by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Margin … Read More
Climate Column: Why Do Farmers Care About Climate Change? Heat Stress on Livestock
By Tom Somrack, NFU Government Relations Intern As the previous Climate Column noted, rising temperatures resulting from climate change can have serious repercussions for both crop growers and livestock producers. According to the National Climate Assessment: Climate Change Impacts in the United States, “Summer temperatures are projected to continue rising, and a reduction of soil moisture, which exacerbates heat waves, … Read More
NFU Applauds Congressional Action Requesting Immediate Support for U.S. Dairy Farmers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 28, 2016 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON (July 28, 2016) – As the dairy industry faces significant market and policy setbacks, National Farmers Union (NFU) applauded today’s action by members of Congress requesting immediate support for U.S. dairy farmers. In a letter sent to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Vilsack, 27 … Read More
Climate Column: Why Do Farmers Care About Climate Change? Rising Temperatures
By Tom Driscoll, NFU Director of Conservation Policy and Education According to the USDA-led report Climate Change and Agriculture in the United States: Effects and Adaptation, “The entire United States is likely to warm substantially over the next 40 years, with an increase of 1° to 2° C over much of the country.” USDA’s Regional … Read More
FWW, NFU Appeal to Foreign Investment Oversight Committee to Block ChemChina/Syngenta Acquisition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 21, 2016 Contact: Food & Water Watch: Kate Fried, 202-683-4905, kfried@fwwatch.org National Farmers Union: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106, ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON (July 21, 2016) – Given the latest effort in an alarming trend of Chinese government-owned entities acquiring other agriculture companies, Food & Water Watch (FWW) and National Farmers Union (NFU) are urging the Committee … Read More