GUEST BLOG POST By Roger Johnson, President, National Farmers Union Oftentimes, it’s not until life presents us with new obstacles that we reassess the situation, discover untapped resources, unused talent or new approaches that could be harnessed to meet the challenge. The lack of abundant rainfall for farming certain crops, for example, has led to … Read More
National Farmers Union
Farmers Union Applauds House’s Inability to Pass Fast Track
National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson applauded today’s House vote that effectively kills – at least for now – Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), also known as fast track authority. TPA would grant the administration the ability to secretly negotiate trade deals and only permit an up or down vote by Congress, with zero amendments. … Read More
COOL Supporters Mount Last-Ditch Effort to Sidetrack Repeal
GUEST BLOG POST By Spencer Chase at Agri-Pulse. Reprinted by permission. As the House of Representatives readies a vote to repeal mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL), supporters of the controversial rule are making a last-ditch effort to save it from full repeal. Today, a coalition of 283 agricultural, environment, consumer, and faith-based organizations sent a letter … Read More
Grants Available to Fund Rural Business Development
GUEST BLOG POST By Barbara Patterson, government relations representative, National Farmers Union The renewal of rural America through increased business and agriculture cooperative development remains at the forefront of Farmers Union’s mission. One program for these purposes is the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG), something NFU has been an advocate for since the mid-1990s. NFU voiced its support for the program … Read More
Dairy Farmer Chelsea Kruse on Finding Farming
Chelsea Kruse delivered this talk at the National Farmers Union convention in Wichita, Kansas, in March. My name is Chelsea Kruse, I’m a member of New England Farmers Union and a student of the 2014 Beginning Farmers Institute. I grew up in a very rural and unknown corner of New Hampshire, but I have no … Read More
Maine Farmer Reflects on NFU Convention
GUEST BLOG POST By Margaret Hathaway, Ten Apple Farm When I was elected to be one of New England’s delegates to the National Farmers Union convention this March, I was honored by the trust placed in me, but unsure what to expect from the convention. Our Ten Apple Farm is on a small scale, our … Read More
Educational Opportunities Abound at Farmers Union
Do you or does someone you know plan to study agriculture this fall? Would a scholarship help? New England Farmers Union Education Foundation is offering its first $500 scholarship to a student who will study any agriculture-related field at an accredited college or university. Returning and nontraditional students are eligible. Applicants must be a member … Read More
EPA Official Discusses Water Rule at NFU Convention
GUEST BLOG POST By Dan Voorhis of the Wichita Eagle U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy said Monday that she regretted how her agency handled the rollout of the controversial “Waters of the U.S.” rules that have many farm leaders complaining about federal infringement on private property. She spoke at the National Farmers Union convention … Read More
Secretary Vilsack: $97 Million for New Programs for Farmers
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack today announced $97 million in programs to support the continued development of farmers markets, farm to school efforts and rural economies and will also expand risk management tools for specialty crops and limited-resource farmers. “Increasing market opportunities for local food producers is a sound investment in America’s rural economies, … Read More
Shaping the Vision of Family Farming from the Grassroots Up
Many Washington, D.C.-based organizations brag about their grassroots membership, either implying or outright claiming that they understand and are in constant contact with the pulse of the people. But at National Farmers Union, we not only claim to be committed to being a grassroots organization, our structure and bylaws are completely written and voted on … Read More