FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 12, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303.819.8737 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – As the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updates its greenhouse gas emissions standards for passenger vehicles and light duty trucks, a coalition of farm, biofuels, and environmental organizations is urging the administration to propose a higher octane fuel standard. In a letter sent today … Read More
Executive Order a “Monumental Step” Towards Fairer Economy, According to Farmers Union
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 9, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303.819.8737 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – With nearly every industry enduring crushing levels of corporate power, President Joe Biden today signed an executive order aimed at promoting competition and fairness throughout the economy. The order includes 72 directives that will be carried out by 12 federal agencies, many of … Read More
Food Safety Spotlight: Preparing to Lead
By Billy Mitchell, NFU Food Safety Training Coordinator, & Tricia Wancko, NFU Food Safety Grant Coordinator The Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training provides an excellent opportunity both for growers to learn about the Food Safety Modernization Act’s (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) and for trainers to build community as they enhance their skills teaching food … Read More
Reversal of Year-Round E15 a Blow for Farmers, Rural Communities, and the Environment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 2, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – Ruling in favor of American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit today overturned part of a 2019 rule that permitted the year-round sale of gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol. The decision comes as a blow to … Read More
Blistering Temperatures Scorch Crops, Threaten Farmers and Workers
This week, the Northwestern U.S. has experienced some of its hottest temperatures ever, with some cities and towns surpassing previous record highs by double digits. The heat wave, which is unquestionably related to anthropomorphic climate change, is deeply concerning for a number of reasons. For one, heat can be extremely deadly, especially in regions that don’t experience it often … Read More
USDA’s Reassessment of “Product of USA” Label is Encouraging, Farmers Union Says
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 1, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – To complement the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) efforts to strengthen the enforcement of “Made in the USA” standard, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that it would conduct a “top-to-bottom review” of the voluntary “Product of the USA” label. National Farmers … Read More
Growing Climate Solutions Act Will Help Farmers Mitigate Climate Crisis
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 24, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate today overwhelmingly passed the Growing Climate Solutions Act, which aims to help farmers and ranchers participate in carbon markets. To achieve that, the bipartisan legislation would establish a certification program for third-party technical service providers as well as create … Read More
Gullah Geechee Cooperative Builds with Food Safety Focus
By Billy Mitchell, NFU Food Safety Training Coordinator, & Tricia Wancko, NFU Food Safety Grant Coordinator A visit to the Gullah Farmers Cooperative processing, packing, and distribution facility on St. Helena Island, South Carolina, fills you with the same sense of promise as a freshly tilled field in spring—all the pieces are in place and … Read More
Farmers Union Opposes Longer Mail Delivery Times
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 22, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – A proposal to permanently slow down First-Class Mail delivery would be “catastrophic” for family farmers, National Farmers Union (NFU) indicated in comments submitted today to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). Because rural areas often lack both services like banks, pharmacies, polling places, … Read More
Beekeepers Work to Protect Hives By Keeping Them Local
With honey bee populations declining at rapid rates, beekeepers, farmers and consumers alike are grasping for solutions that will tackle the big picture problems like climate change. Ang Roell, however, believes change starts on a much smaller scale – one the size of a thumbnail. Ang is the author of Radicalize the Hive and founder … Read More