$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

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

Grow Local, Eat Local … Invest Local

February 11, 2016Cooperatives, NEFU Members

Artisan Beverage Cooperative, a Greenfield, Mass.-based maker of high quality beverages, a worker-owned co-operative, and a New England Farmers Union member, recently secured approval of its Direct Public Offering (DPO) to Massachusetts residents. This method of “investment-based crowd-funding” is not widely known, but is being pioneered by socially-responsible, mission-based companies such as Equal Exchange, Real … Read More

Member Profile: Crave Food Services

February 11, 2016Cooperatives, Farm to Institution, farm-to-school, Farm-to-Table, Farmer Profile, NEFU Members, Product Marketing, Regional Marketing

What happens when a chef, obsessed with using local ingredients finds he’s spending more time finding and ordering food than actually cooking it? If the chef is Matt Tortora, he starts a tech company and builds an online platform to connect food service workers and chefs directly to local producers. Tortora and his team at Crave … 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

150 Meet in Greenfield for New Farmer Gathering

December 14, 2015Beginning Farmers, Cooperatives, Educational Opportunities, Farm Transfer Issues, Farm Workers, Food Desert, Food Justice, Grass Roots Policy, NEFU Members, Regional Food Systems, Regional Policy, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers, Urban Agriculture, Women Producers

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

Two Win Pumpkinfest $50 Gift Certificates

December 9, 2015NEFU Members

The Franklin County Pumpkinfest was the site of a new type of New England Farmers Union booth this year. While usually we’re tabling at farm shows throughout New England, this time we were close to home — right outside our office, in fact — in downtown Turners Falls, Massachusetts. The family-friendly Halloween-themed event was a … Read More