FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 17, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON –The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced it would be terminating the Farmer Fair Practices Rule on Competitive Injury, a rule that would have provided the most basic of protections to American family farmers and ranchers as they endure increasingly concentrated markets … Read More
Access To Markets: Virginia Grown and State Labels
By Tom Driscoll, Director of NFU Foundation and Conservation Policy The market for local and regional food is an important one for beginning producers. A January 2015 report to Congress issued by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) notes that “producer participation in local food systems is growing, and the value of local food sales…appears to be … Read More
What Do Farmers Need to Know About Climate Change? Including Lentils in Crop Rotation
By Tom Driscoll, Director of NFU Foundation and Conservation Policy Here on the Climate Column, we have discussed the climate benefits that can be achieved through extending crop rotations. A longer rather than shorter rotation can mitigate erosion if the rotation reduces or eliminates time that soil lays bare; assist with pathogen, pest and weed … Read More
Joint statement from the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association and National Farmers Union regarding Sage Grouse Plans
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 5, 2017 CONTACT National Farmers Union: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106, ajerome@nfudc.org U.S. Cattlemen’s Association: Lia Biondo, 202-870-1552, lia@wssdc.com The agriculture and conservation communities spent recent years working together on management plans that successfully prevented a non-listing of the Greater Sage Grouse, while providing grazing management flexibility for livestock producers and land managers. … Read More
NFU President Offers Trump Administration a Pathway to Expanded Use of Ethanol
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 5, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – As American family farmers struggle amidst a global glut of grain supplies and a severely depressed U.S. farm economy, the Trump Administration has a significant opportunity to provide meaningful relief that benefits not only farmers, but also rural communities, consumers and the … Read More
Over 200 Groups Urge Congress to Level the Playing Field for Farmers, Workers and Consumers; Diverse Coalition Calls for Farm Bill to Address Competition in the Food System
For Immediate Release Wednesday, October 4, 2017 Washington, DC — Today, a broad-based coalition of 210 farm, rural, worker and consumer advocacy organizations released principles for a fairer farm bill that would address the lack of competition in every link in the food chain. The groups point out that growing consolidation in the agribusiness, food … Read More
Farmers Union and Cattlemen’s Association Urge USDA to Finalize Farmer Fair Practices Rule
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 4, 2017 CONTACT National Farmers Union: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106, ajerome@nfudc.org U.S. Cattlemen’s Association: Lia Biondo, 202-870-1552, lia@wssdc.com WASHINGTON – In less than three weeks, a rule to protect family farmers and ranchers from the worst abuses of concentrated markets will go into effect, barring any setbacks from the U.S. Department of … Read More
Access to Capital: Farm Ownership Loans
By Natalie Grote, NFU Intern The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers both direct ownership loans as well as guarantees for ownership loans from private banks. Direct loans have lower income requirements and generally do not require as extensive farm practice as private loans. Additionally, unlike most private lenders, FSA will work … Read More
NFU, Biofuels Industry Call on Trump Administration to Honor Commitment to RFS and Rural America
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 3, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – Following a recent set of proposals by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to weaken the nation’s premier renewable fuels law, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), National Farmers Union and 10 prominent biofuel organizations are calling on the administration to honor its … Read More
What Do Farmers Need to Know About Climate Change? EQIP
By Tom Driscoll, Director of NFU Foundation and Conservation Policy On the Climate Column, we have discussed many conservation practices, such as cover crops and stripcropping, that help farmers mitigate climate change, either by reducing emissions related to farming or by storing carbon in the soil. Many of these practices not only cut carbon emissions, but they … Read More