By Tom Somrack, NFU Government Relations Intern Climate change affects the rate and spread of pathogen and parasitic diseases. According to the USDA Regional Vulnerability Assessments, warmer temperatures have resulted in insects, weeds, and crop diseases moving north and to higher elevations, or surviving winters that used to keep them in check. Overall, pest, weed, and … Read More
Guest Blog Post by: New England Farmers Union Member, Britt Lundgren, Stonyfield’s Director of Organic and Sustainable Agriculture This year has been devastating for many dairy farmers in the Northeast. Low prices for conventional milk and a severe drought have delivered a one-two punch that many dairies have been unable to withstand, with 16% of … Read More
The first key compliance date for the Preventive Controls Rule, one of the main provisions of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), is just around the corner. This rule, which will largely impact food processors and manufacturers, and may impact some farms engaged in value-added processing and related activities, will require compliance for many businesses … Read More
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
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 14, 2016 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON (September 14, 2016) – Having champions in Congress to ensure Americans have strong food and farm policies is important, and National Farmers Union (NFU) proudly recognized 44 outstanding Senators and Representatives who have demonstrated leadership and support for family farmers and ranchers and … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 14, 2016 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON (September 14, 2016) – In response to today’s announcement of a $66 billion merger deal between Bayer AG and Monsanto Co., National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson issued the following statement: “Consolidation of this magnitude cannot be the standard for agriculture, nor should … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 13, 2016 Contact: National Farmers Union: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106, ajerome@nfudc.org Farm Aid: Brittany Vanderpool, 202-248-5487, bvanderpool@vancomm.com WASHINGTON– Bolstered by National Farmers Union (NFU) and Farm Aid, 275 family farmers are uniting this week at the U.S. Capitol to ask for emergency assistance and increased funding to address the harsh economic realities brought on by historically … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 12, 2016 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON (September 12, 2016) – National Farmers Union (NFU) today hired a veteran agriculture policy specialist to lead the organization’s policy team through the upcoming Farm Bill. Robert Larew will join NFU as Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Communications on November 14. … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 12, 2016 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON (September 12, 2016) – Today, 275 Farmers Union members gathered in Washington D.C. for the National Farmers Union (NFU) Fall Legislative Fly-In. The annual event allows Farmers Union members from across the country to meet directly with lawmakers, USDA leaders and other administration … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 12, 2016 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON (September 12, 2016) – National Farmers Union’s (NFU) Beginning Farmer Institute (BFI) convened this weekend in Washington, D.C., for the first of three learning sessions that will take place during the next year. Seventeen beginning farmers, representing demographical, geographical and production diversity in … Read More