March 2021 | New England Farmers Union

Scaling Good Manufacturing Processes Education to Small-Scale Processors

March 31, 2021Food Safety

By Tricia Wancko, Food Safety Grant Coordinator Many small-scale farms and food businesses—whether they are chopping, canning, preserving, aggregating, or dehydrating value-added products—might not know where to begin when navigating the Preventive Controls Rule (PCR) of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). While many of these small processors may be exempt from parts of the rule, they still must comply with Current Good Manufacturing Processes (cGMPs). CGMPs are the foundation for … Read More

Farmers Union Encouraged by American Jobs Plan

March 31, 2021Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 31, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden today unveiled a blueprint to “create millions of good jobs, rebuild our country’s infrastructure, and position the United States to out-compete China.” Known as the American Jobs Plan, the proposal outlines a $2.25 trillion investment over eight years to repair our … Read More

Biofuels Coalition Welcomes Amicus Briefs in Supreme Court RFS Case

March 31, 2021Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 31, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – The Renewable Fuels Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, and American Coalition for Ethanol (collectively referred to as the “Biofuels Coalition”) thanked the states of Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, South Dakota, and Virginia for filing an amicus curiae brief … Read More

Why Farmers Are Worried About Bill Gates (And Other Non-Farming Land-Owners)

March 29, 2021Blog

By Hannah Packman, NFU Communications Director You’ve likely heard the buzz that Bill Gates, in addition to being one of the wealthiest men in the world, is now also the largest private owner of farmland in the United States. Over the past several years, the billionaire has amassed a portfolio of 242,000 acres of cropland across … Read More

New Initiative Will Offer Pandemic Relief to Previously Overlooked Farmers, NFU Says

March 24, 2021Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 24, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the creation of the Pandemic Assistance for Producers, a new initiative to offer financial assistance to farmers and ranchers affected by pandemic-related disruptions. This endeavor will direct about $6 billion towards new outreach and support programs, … Read More

Good Practices Bring Great Results for Small Farms

March 18, 2021Blog, Food Safety

By Billy Mitchell, NFU FSMA Training Coordinator “Camaraderie with the whole team.” “Much more fun!” “Peace of mind.” For most farmers, those phrases may conjure up memories of early fall picnics with staff, family, and friends after the season has slowed down. But for growers Kim Butz, Nathan Vannette, and Roberto Meza, those were the phrases that came to … Read More

What the American Rescue Plan Means for Food and Farmers

March 15, 2021Blog

By Hannah Packman, National Farmers Union Communications Director Last week, President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package. At the organization’s convention in early March, National Farmers Union (NFU) members urged lawmakers to “enact much-needed short-term Covid-19 relief” and outlined their priorities for such an endeavor. Among other things, they recommended measures … Read More

Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance Members Testify on Opportunities to Tackle Climate Change in Senate Hearing

March 11, 2021Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 11, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – Four witnesses representing the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance’s (FACA) founding organizations and co-chairs – American Farm Bureau Federation, Environmental Defense Fund, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives and National Farmers Union – testified today in front of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and … Read More

Farmers Need Support to Mitigate Climate Change, Farmers Union Member Tells Senate Ag Committee

March 11, 2021Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 11, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – Like nearly all American farmers and ranchers, Clay Pope has experienced more frequent and severe weather extremes in recent years as a result of climate change. But with the support of voluntary, incentive-based government programs, the Oklahoma Farmers Union member and sixth-generation rancher has made … Read More

American Rescue Plan a Step Towards a Fair, Stable Food System

March 10, 2021Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 10, 20201 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives today voted in favor of the American Rescue Plan, sending it to the White House for President Joe Biden’s signature. The $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package includes benefits for unemployed workers, stimulus payments up to $1,400 per person, and supplemental … Read More