By Harrison Topp, Membership Director, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union When people ask what I grow, my first response is usually trees. Really, I’m an orchardist who produces stone-fruits, predominantly cherries and plums. But I have the closest relationship with my trees and with the ecosystem around them. From the “understory,” to the canopy, to the … Read More
Blog
Applications are Now Open for the Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Program
By Katie Fisher, government relations intern, National Farmers Union The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development’s (RD) Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program is now accepting applications for fiscal year 2016. The application is due by July 1, 2016 and has approximately $44 million in funds available to producers who are entering into value-added … Read More
Opportunities for Military Veterans in Agriculture
By Katie Fisher, government relations intern, National Farmers Union On Tuesday afternoon, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies met to discuss the opportunities for military veterans in agriculture. Chairman Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) called upon five witnesses to testify about their personal experiences with veterans in agriculture, … Read More
Farmers Union Continues Excellence in Co-operative Education
As supporters of cooperative businesses and young professionals, the nation’s second largest general farm organization hosted more than 110 students from 15 colleges and universities in Minneapolis, MN, in late February. The 2016 National Farmers Union (NFU) College Conference on Cooperatives (CCOC) provided a three-day interactive learning experience designed to help shape the next generation … Read More
Producers Doing Their Part For Lake Erie; More Conservation Opportunities Now Available
By Tom Driscoll, government relations representative, National Farmers Union The Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB) is very sensitive to pollution and subject to sediment, phosphorus and nitrogen loading from a variety of sources. A recent study found that producers are taking the lead in cleaning up the Basin, and new efforts announced by the Natural … Read More
Time to Consider the Conservation Stewardship Program
By Tom Driscoll, government relations representative, National Farmers Union Would you like to improve soil health, water and air quality, wildlife and pollinator habitat or energy efficiency on your land? The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offers farmers and ranchers technical and financial support to achieve these goals … Read More
Finding Innovative Farm Transition Solutions
One of the biggest struggles beginning farmers face is access to farmland, and in particular, affordable farmland. Over 90 million acres of farmland are expected to turn over to new owners in the next decade. The USDA released the results of the latest TOTAL survey in November of 2015. This survey reached 400,000 landowners, leasers … Read More
Gaps Remain in Support for Urban Farms
By Dana Rushovich, production manager, Boone Street Farm When I first started working at Boone Street Farm over two and a half years ago, I was looking for a way to connect with my local community around food. I had just returned from my first full time farming experience in North Carolina and knew that … Read More
Are We Prepared for Foot and Mouth Disease?
By Katie Fisher, government relations intern, National Farmers Union The Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture held a hearing this morning about foot and mouth disease. National Farmers Union members place a tremendous amount of emphasis on maintaining domestic animal health. NFU even adopted a special order of business on animal disease protection at its … Read More
Food Incentive Programs take the Frontline on the Fight Against Hunger
By Katie Fisher, government relations intern, National Farmers Union Last week was a busy week for the House Committee on Agriculture as they had two subcommittee meetings in two days. Wednesday morning, the Subcommittee on Nutrition, led by Chairwoman Jackie Walorski, met to discuss food incentive programs and how they can be improved. Five panelists … Read More