USDA to Rescind Organic Livestock and Poultry Rules to Detriment of Family Organic Producers and Consumers, NFU Says

December 15, 2017Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 15, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today its intent to withdraw the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) final rule. The rule was finalized in January 2017, but placed on hold when the new administration took office. National Farmers Union (NFU) … Read More

Access to Efficiency: CSP Bundles and Water Quality

December 12, 2017Beginning Farmers

By Tom Driscoll, Director of NFU Foundation and Conservation Policy In our previous post on the Beginning Farmer Forum, we introduced the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). CSP can help beginning farmers achieve efficiencies in their business by providing technical assistance and incentive payments to establish installations or enhance practices that can reduce input costs or … Read More

What Can Farmers Do About Climate Change? Soil Health and Drainage

December 11, 2017Climate Column

By Tom Driscoll, Director of NFU Foundation and Conservation Policy Extreme precipitation is a serious concern for farmers as the climate continues to change. In many areas, downpours will be concentrated earlier in the year. Standing water and moist soil will work against farmers trying to get into the fields in time for crop insurance … Read More

Senate Passes Tax Cuts for the Wealthy on Backs of Family Farmers and Future Generations, NFU Says

December 2, 2017Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 2, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate today voted 51-49 to approve its version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. National Farmers Union (NFU) staunchly opposed the legislation because it would increase the federal deficit by $1.5 trillion, jeopardize funding for farm safety net programming, … Read More

RFS Volume Obligations a “Missed Opportunity,” NFU Says

November 30, 2017Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 30, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced final 2018 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The agency will maintain the corn ethanol requirement at its current levels, and increase cellulosic and advanced biofuel requirements slightly from their … Read More

Survey Shows Massive Opioid Impact in Farm Country; Farm Groups Call for Dialogue, Action

November 30, 2017Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 30, 2017 CONTACT National Farmers Union: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106, ajerome@nfudc.org American Farm Bureau Federation: Will Rodger, 202-406-3642, willr@fb.org WASHINGTON – The opioid crisis has struck farm and ranch families much harder than the rest of rural America, a Morning Consult survey shows. While just under half of rural Americans say they … Read More

Current Tax Reform Plan Disadvantages Family Farmers and Ranchers, NFU Says — Organization Urges “NO” Vote, Will Score the Vote

November 29, 2017Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 29, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – As the U.S. Senate readies to vote on a major overhaul of the nation’s tax system, National Farmers Union (NFU) is urging lawmakers to vote against the current plan because it benefits the nation’s largest corporations and wealthiest citizens at the expense … Read More

Growing for the Future Prepares Beginning Farmers for a Career in Agriculture

November 28, 2017Blog

By Sophie Neems, NFU Intern ‘Tis the season. . . for agricultural conferences! The harvest is done and the cows have been moved to winter pasture, which means that educational opportunities for farmers and ranchers abound. However, here at National Farmers Union, we understand that it’s not always possible to leave the farm unattended and … Read More