FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 30, 2019 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON– On behalf of its nearly 200,000 family farmer and rancher members, National Farmers Union (NFU) today submitted public comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), urging the agency to adjust their proposed Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) volume obligations for 2020. Though the … Read More
Press Releases
Escalating Trade War Exacerbates Weak Farm Economy, Farmers Union Says
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 23, 2019 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON– In retaliation against the United States’ most recent escalation in an ongoing trade war, China today announced that it will increase tariffs on $75 billion worth of American goods, including a number of agricultural products. Starting on September 1, the country plans raise … Read More
NFU Welcomes Thirteen New Participants for its 2019-2020 Beginning Farmer Institute
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 19, 2019 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON– Building on over a century of agricultural education, National Farmers Union (NFU) today announced its ninth Beginning Farmer Institute (BFI) cohort. Thirteen beginning farmers and ranchers from across the United States will take part in the education program, which promotes the success of … Read More
Trump Gave Green Light for Hardship Waivers: Reuters
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 16, 2019 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump directly authorized the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) issuance of 31 small refinery exemptions (SREs) last Friday, per a Reuters report. The action will eliminate demand for biofuels by an estimated 1.43 billion gallons, bringing the total losses due to … Read More
Coalition Pushes EPA to Reconsider Limits on Higher Ethanol Blends
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 12, 2019 WASHINGTON –In a joint petition filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals, a broad alliance of ethanol, agriculture, and clean fuel organizations requested judicial review of a recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rulemaking that would limit ethanol blending and restrict the use of blender pumps. The Urban Air … Read More
EPA Grants 31 Hardship Waivers, Undermining the Renewable Fuel Standard
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 9, 2019 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON– According to a recent Reuters report, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved 31 of its 38 pending small refinery exemptions (SREs) for 2018. Recipients of the exemptions are not required to comply with renewable volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). … Read More
Bankruptcy Bill Will Help More Family Farmers Access Relief
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 2, 2019 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON– The U.S. Senate yesterday passed the Family Farmer Relief Act of 2019, a bill that will expand family farmers’ access to relief under Chapter 12 farm bankruptcy rules by increasing the debt limit from $4.2 million to $10 million. The bill, which was … Read More
RFS Obligations Must Account for Hardship Waivers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 31, 2019 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 hpackman@nfudc.org YPSILANTI– Following the release of its disappointing 2020 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today hosted a public hearing to gather feedback from farmers and other stakeholders on the proposed rule. The proposal would maintain … Read More
Currency Realignment Would Boost Economic Outlook for Family Farmers and Ranchers, NFU Says
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 31, 2019 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON– With little relief in sight for persistently low commodity prices, U.S. family farmers and ranchers are facing a bleak economic future. But a bipartisan bill introduced today by Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) would help restore prosperity to rural America … Read More
USDA Releases Details for Market Facilitation Program; NFU Urges Long-Term Solutions for Oversupply and Low Prices
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 25, 2019 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON– Two months after announcing its intentions to provide a new package to assist family farmers and ranchers coping with trade damages, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released finalized details about the timing and calculation of direct payments to producers through the … Read More