$1.5 Million Grant Awarded to NEFU & Partners by FDA to Help Underserved Groups Implement FSMA, Improve Food Safety

September 15, 2016Farmers, Farming Practices, FSMA, National Farmers Union, NEFU Members

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is currently being implemented and will have a significant impact on many food producers and processors. On August 23, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a $1.5 million grant to the National Farmers Union (NFU) Foundation to deliver outreach and training on FSMA to underserved growers … Read More

Farm Safety Education Should Reach Beyond the Farm Gate

June 3, 2016Farm Safety, Farm Workers, Farmers, Farming Practices, National Farmers Union, NEFU Members

Nearly 500 farm work-related deaths occur annually, according to a 2013 study from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). As farmers and ranchers are more active on and around their operations this time of year, National Farmers Union (NFU) is raising awareness about farm safety issues and best practices through a series of 10 … Read More

Shaping the Next Generation of Co-operators

May 17, 2016Cooperatives, Educational Opportunities, National Farmers Union, Regional Food Systems

GUEST BLOG POST By Marcus Smith In February, I had the opportunity to participate in the 2016 National Farmers Union (NFU) College Conference on Co-operatives (CCOC) in Minneapolis, MN. This annual event is designed to help shape the next generation of co-operative leaders, and my exposure to the co-ops, speakers, and other participants was a learning … Read More

Farmers Union Continues Excellence in Co-operative Education

March 28, 2016Beginning Farmers, Cooperatives, National Farmers Union, NEFU Members

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

Spirited Convention Includes Keynotes from Sec. Vilsack, Gen. Clark

March 16, 2016Conservation, Consumers, Country of Origin Labeling, Direct to Consumer, Farming Practices, GMO, Grass Roots Policy, National Farmers Union, NEFU Members, Trade, Transparency in Labeling

Family farmers and ranchers are the best advocates for agriculture, and over the last four days, the National Farmers Union has provided more than 500 members and delegates of the 114th Anniversary Convention with the advocacy tools they need to be better informed about topics important to farm policy and the industry. “We came to … Read More

Secretary Vilsack, General Clark to Keynote NFU Convention

February 11, 2016Farm Tours, Farmer Leaders, Grass Roots Policy, National Farmers Union, NEFU Members, USDA

Farmers and ranchers attending the National Farmers Union (NFU) 114th Anniversary Convention will have the opportunity to hear from high-ranking experts in food and ag policy. NFU is pleased to announce U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and General Wesley Clark as keynote speakers at the annual convention, which kicks off March 5 and … Read More

Direct Marketing is Invaluable for Consumer Education on Agriculture

February 3, 2016Beginning Farmers, Consumers, Direct to Consumer, Farm Bill, farm-to-school, Farmer Leaders, Farmers Markets, Grass Roots Policy, House Agriculture Committee, Meat and Poultry, National Farmers Union, NEFU Members, USDA

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

Women’s Conference Informs, Inspires

February 1, 2016Agritourism, Direct to Consumer, Educational Opportunities, Farm Demographics, Farm Tours, Farmers Markets, National Farmers Union, Women Producers

National Farmers Union’s Women in Agriculture conference ended last week, and New England Farmers Union Membership and Administrative Coordinator Emma Sabella reports the event, held in Clearwater, FL, was informative and inspiring. Kriss Marion of Circle M Market Farm in Blanchardville, WI, shared her story about how she built a network of strong women in … Read More

Women Farmer Leaders Meet in Florida

January 25, 2016Farmer Leaders, National Farmers Union, Women Producers

National Farmers Union’s Women’s Conference, Women Making Moves, in Clearwater, Florida, began this weekend! We have one New England member attending: New England Farmers Union staffer Emma Sabella. Travel plans for dairy farmer Allie Bates from Springside Farms in New Vinyard, Maine, were thrown off by the snowstorm and she couldn’t attend.   Sabella reports on several sessions … Read More