By Katie Fisher, government relations intern, National Farmers Union Yesterday, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture and Research held a hearing examining the opportunities and challenges in direct marketing. It provided first-hand accounts from farmers and ranchers involved in direct marketing ventures, such as local farmers markets, direct to restaurant or grocery store sales, value … Read More
Blog
Direct Marketing is Invaluable for Consumer Education on Agriculture
GUEST BLOG POST By Katie Fisher, government relations intern, National Farmers Union On Feb. 2, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture and Research held a hearing examining the opportunities and challenges in direct marketing. It provided first-hand accounts from farmers and ranchers involved in direct marketing ventures, such as local farmers markets, direct to restaurant or … Read More
National Farmers Union Helps Provide Beginning Farmers With The Tools They Need
By Roger Johnson, president, National Farmers Union The demographics of American agriculture tell it all. Fully 57 percent of the nation’s 3.2 million farmers are within 10 years of retirement age or older, according to the 2012 Ag Census. That means agriculture will see a huge transition in the next decade or so, as retiring … Read More
Microloan Expansion A Boost for Underserved, Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
A federal microloan program designed to assist underserved farmers – including beginning farmers and ranchers, veterans, small producers and other underserved communities in agriculture – was expanded today. And that is great news for rural America, says National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson. “Beginning and underserved farmers face the same financial challenges when entering … Read More
Understanding AMS’ Withdrawal of Two Voluntary Marketing Claim Standards
NFU Note: USDA AMS withdrew their grass-fed standard earlier this week and there were a lot of questions from NFU members. NFU reached out directly to the source to find out more about how this impacts producers. FSIS has committed to ensuring that all grass-fed claims remain truthful. Read more from AMS Deputy Administrator Craig Morris in … Read More
Women Are Vital to the Continued Success of American Agriculture
By Roger Johnson, president, National Farmers Union There are many promising trends in agriculture, but certainly the growing number of women who are using their talents to help strengthen the viability of the family farm is one that stands out above many others. As America’s role in supplying food, feed, fuel and fiber to both … Read More
The End of COOL
By Roger Johnson, president, National Farmers Union Dating back to 1984, National Farmers Union (NFU) policy has supported country of origin labeling (COOL). Our producers have always known that they raise the best beef and pork in the world, and they believe consumers should be able to know where the meat at the grocery store … Read More
150 Meet in Greenfield for New Farmer Gathering
New farmers assembled the Arts Block in Greenfield, Massachusetts, on Dec. 12 from all over New England, New York state, and even Canada for the Northeast New Farmer Winter Gathering. Roughly 150 attendees arrived with enthusiasm and energy to participate in an anti-oppression training facilitated by representatives of Springfield-based Gardening the Community. Liz Wills-O’Gilvie and … Read More
Farmers and Ranchers Have Been Dealing with Climate Change for Decades
By Roger Johnson, president, National Farmers Union The Earth’s climate is changing – temperatures are rising, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, and precipitation patterns are shifting dramatically. While some in Washington like to spend their time debating the notion of climate change, there is little debate about the subject in rural America. And … Read More
From Lake to Field: Fair Lake Farm transforms invasive species into sustainable fertilizer
By Brian Shultz, board member, Michigan Farmers Union Fair Lake Farm consists of two separate parcels of land in Barry County, Michigan. One of these is a 43-acre parcel located on the shores of Fair Lake near the small town of Delton. This farm produces hay for winter cattle feed. Just two miles away is … Read More