Congress Must Act to Combat the Deteriorating Farm Economy

August 17, 2016Blog

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

August 15, 2016Climate Column

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

August 9, 2016Blog

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

August 8, 2016Press Releases

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

August 8, 2016Climate Column

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

August 4, 2016Press Releases

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

August 1, 2016Climate Column

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

July 28, 2016Press Releases

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

FWW, NFU Appeal to Foreign Investment Oversight Committee to Block ChemChina/Syngenta Acquisition

July 21, 2016Press Releases

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