FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2016

Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106
ajerome@nfudc.org

WASHINGTON (September 12, 2016) – Today, 275 Farmers Union members gathered in Washington D.C. for the National Farmers Union (NFU) Fall Legislative Fly-In. The annual event allows Farmers Union members from across the country to meet directly with lawmakers, USDA leaders and other administration officials to discuss issues important to family farmers and ranchers.

“Family farmers and ranchers are the best advocates we have for agriculture, and NFU’s annual legislative fly-in is an important part of our ongoing grassroots advocacy efforts,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “We emphasize to our members the importance of having open dialogue and building relationships with their elected officials in order to have their viewpoints represented in food and farm policy discussions.”

The four-day event began today with a briefing at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). NFU members heard from USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, USDA Chief Economist Robert Johansson, Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Jason Weller and USDA Risk Management Agency Administrator Brandon Willis. President Johnson and NFU government relations representatives also provided remarks.

NFU members will be meeting with lawmakers over the next several days to advocate for legislative priorities that will affect their operations and communities, including: Farm Bill programs and the farm safety net, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Renewable Fuel Standard and corporate consolidation in agriculture.

“NFU’s annual fly-in is a good opportunity for our members to follow up on the conversations they’ve had with their elected officials during the August congressional recess. There are several issues still on the table this fall that NFU members will be advocating to lawmakers this week,” Johnson said.

NFU’s Legislative Fly-In will run through September 14th. More information about the fly-in is available on the NFU website.

National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.

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