April 2021 | New England Farmers Union

Biden Outlines Priorities for Economic Recovery, Immigration Reform, and Climate Action During Congressional Address

April 29, 2021Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 28, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – During his first joint address to Congress, President Joe Biden tonight highlighted the progress the United States has made on pandemic recovery and laid out his strategy to create additional jobs and lift more families out of poverty. The linchpin of that strategy is … Read More

Food Safety Spotlight: Good Design for Good Practices

April 28, 2021Blog, Food Safety

By Billy Mitchell, NFU Food Safety Training Coordinator On a recent episode of the Tilth Alliance Farm Walks Podcast, Ryan Lichttenegger of Steel Wheel Farm in Fall City, Washington, and Andy Chamberlin, Agricultural Engineering Technician at the University of Vermont (UVM) Extension, dove into some of the ins and outs of DIY hygienic design. Lichttenegger recently … Read More

Food Safety Spotlight: Take 5 with Michigan Farmers Union

April 28, 2021Blog, Food Safety

By Billy Mitchell, NFU Food Safety Training Coordinator Over the past year, Mary Mcgraw and Blain Becktold provided outreach and education with the Michigan Farmers Union as part the Local Food Safety Collaborative, a cooperative agreement with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We asked them to take a break to reflect back on this … Read More

Biofuels Coalition Readies for Oral Arguments in Supreme Court

April 26, 2021Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 26, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – In oral arguments scheduled for Tuesday morning, four agriculture and biofuel organizations will argue that the U.S. Supreme Court should affirm a unanimous 2020 decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, which heldthat only small refineries that have remained continuously … Read More

Agriculture Resilience Act a Thoughtful, Nuanced Approach to Climate Action

April 22, 2021Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 22, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – On Earth Day, Representative Chellie Pingree and Senator Martin Heinrich introduced the Agriculture Resilience Act (ARA), which sets a number of environmental targets for the agriculture sector to reach by 2040, including net zero greenhouse gas emissions. In order to reach those goals, the … Read More

Chauvin Verdict a Relief, but the Fight for Racial Equity is Far from Over

April 20, 2021Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 20, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – 330 days after Minnesota resident George Floyd’s death, a jury today found former police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of murder. National Farmers Union (NFU) called the act “an abuse of power and a horrifying act of violence,” and said it underscored the “urgent … Read More

Growing Climate Solutions Act Improves Credibility of Carbon Markets, NFU Says

April 20, 2021Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 20, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – In the midst of Earth Week, Senators Debbie Stabenow, John Boozman, and Mike Braun reintroduced the Growing Climate Solutions Act, which aims to provide certainty to farmers and ranchers seeking compensation for climate-smart agricultural practices through carbon markets. To achieve this end, the bill … Read More

 Diagnose and Discuss: Food Safety Clinic Benefits Growers

April 15, 2021Food Safety

By Billy Mitchell, NFU Food Safety Training Coordinator If you have a community-based farm and want to identify ways to strengthen your operation, there’s no better place to go for suggestions and solutions than other farmers— alongside some back up from educators who know your area well. Pennsylvania Farmers Union (PAFU) created a virtual space for urban growers to gather, learn, diagnose, and discuss areas for potential improvement on their farms at the Mid-Atlantic Produce Safety Clinic for Growers. The clinic … Read More

Drought Grips Western U.S.

April 8, 2021Blog

After a year riddled with pandemic-related challenges, farmers were hoping for an easy, uncomplicated growing season. Unfortunately, for many that dream seems unlikely, as much of the Western half of the country is experiencing severe to exceptional drought conditions. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the dry conditions can be attributed to “a weak summer … Read More

Small Business Loans Extended

April 1, 2021Blog

A day before the Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was set to expire on March 31, President Joe Biden signed a two-month extension into law. The program, which provides forgivable loans to cover businesses’ payroll and other costs, is now open for applications through May 31, 2021. Though the term “paycheck” is used in the program name, businesses are not … Read More