By Steven Emmen, NFU Intern Access to capital is one of the toughest hurdles a beginning farmer will overcome. Beginning producers frequently don’t have collateral to offer lenders. And it can be hard to build a good credit score as a farmhand or apprentice. New farms may also lack accurate income projections that are used … Read More
By Skylar Schneider, Executive Assistant, National Farmers Union Climate change presents a multitude of challenges for farmers, as extreme temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns can negatively impact crops. In order to prepare for these extreme conditions, such as drought, farmers can adopt energy-conserving practices. For example, water is a valuable natural resource that is absolutely … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 23, 2017 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today authorized the release of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota for emergency haying and grazing. The announcement came just days after a number of elected officials, National Farmers Union, … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 22, 2017 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON –The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the suspension of all imports of fresh beef from Brazil due to food safety and animal health concerns. The announcement came on the heels of a scandal in which Brazil’s largest food-processing giants JBS and … Read More
By Steven Emmen, NFU Intern Blake Osborn is a water resources specialist at Colorado State University (CSU) Extension in Pueblo, CO. On Tuesday, June 20, we had the opportunity to discuss how beginning farmers can conserve water. Q: For a beginning farmer, what are the first steps to ensure you are conserving water? A: In … Read More
By Steven Emmen, NFU Intern Blake Osborn is a water resources specialist at Colorado State University (CSU) Extension in Pueblo, CO. On Tuesday, June 20, we had the opportunity to discuss how beginning farmers can conserve water. Q: For a beginning farmer, what are the first steps to ensure you are conserving water? A: In … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 21, 2017 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – As Senate Republicans rush to pass the American Health Care Act (AHCA) before the Fourth of July recess, National Farmers Union (NFU) continues to urge Congress to consider the needs of rural Americans in health care reform. Today, NFU President Roger Johnson … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 21, 2017 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – In response to persistent drought conditions in the Upper Great Plains, NFU President Roger Johnson joined North Dakota Farmers Union, South Dakota Farmers Union, Minnesota Farmers Union, and Montana Farmers Union to urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to release Conservation … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 20, 2017 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1654 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON (June 20, 2017) – The Local Food Safety Collaborative, a collaboration between National Farmers Union Foundation (NFUF) and the U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA), today launched a nationwide food safety survey. The results will help the organization address the needs of small … Read More
By Steven Emmen, NFU Intern Farmers and ranchers who are feeding a growing population often think about more. The more crops planted and the more they yield, the more mouths are fed, right? However, when speaking in terms of efficiency, whether it’s inputs, land, or water, farmers and ranchers need to think about less. In … Read More