Guest blog post by: Farmers Union member, Spoiler Alert Healthy Acadia is a Maine-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to build healthy communities. In partnership with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Healthy Acadia coordinates gleaning opportunities throughout Hancock and Washington counties, a region characterized by significant levels of poverty and food insecurity. Healthy Acadia connects volunteers … Read More
Farm Economics
Understanding the Challenges of a Slumping Farm Economy and its Impact on Connecticut
Guest Blog Post: By Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) Agriculture in the Northeast contributes $103 billion to local economies and supports roughly 480,000 jobs across the region. But like the rest of the farm economy, producers in Connecticut have been negatively impacted by slumping commodity prices and weak demand for their products. Nationally, net farm income … Read More
Member Profile: Spoiler Alert
Ugly but lovely, imperfect, misfit, cosmetically challenged, produce with personality — whatever you call it, the wonky fruits and vegetables movement has gained traction within the last year, and Spoiler Alert is working to help farmers make the most of their oddly shaped and blemished product. We all know that a lot of great produce … Read More
Convention Paints Strong Picture of Local Agriculture
New England Farmers Union’s sixth annual convention, Gearing Up for Success, drew roughly 60 members of the farming community when it met on Nov. 6-8 at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, NH. Attendees heard from national, regional, state, and local agricultural leaders on subjects such as federal agricultural policy, food safety, local and regional … Read More
U.S. Poultry Farmers’ Rights Are Under Siege
GUEST BLOG POST By Willie Nelson and Rep. Marcy Kaptur. This originally ran as an editorial in the Washington Post on July 7, 2015. As Americans, we cherish our rights to speak freely, to assemble peacefully and to address our government representatives without fear of retaliation. But for tens of thousands of America’s poultry farmers, … Read More
Legal Concerns Around Farm Workers and Employees
GUEST BLOG POST By Sanne Kure-Jensen Farming is hard work and many farmers seek help from volunteers, compensated volunteers (trade food and/or housing for labor) and paid employees. Farmers want their workers to be happy and productive. Rachel Armstrong led an informative webinar on the legal considerations around unpaid and compensated volunteers. “Ag. law is … Read More
Farm Credit East Releases 2015 Outlook Report for Farmers
GUEST BLOG POST by Farm Credit East Farm Credit East, a farmer-owned cooperative, recently released its 2015 industry outlook report. This report examines challenges and opportunities for Northeast agriculture, as well as the impact of broader economic trends and conditions on our region’s farm businesses. “Farming, forestry and fishing businesses have rapidly become knowledge-based businesses,” … Read More
NRCS Reminds Vermont Farmers of March 20th EQIP Signup Deadline
New England Farmers Union advocates for programs in the farm bill such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Recently, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Vermont announced an EQIP signup deadline of March 20, 2015. Farmers are reminded that the deadline to apply is approaching and they are encouraged to submit applications by this … Read More