FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 20, 2017 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is authorizing the release of additional Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota for emergency haying and grazing. The decision will allow … Read More
Month: July 2017
U.S. Should Enforce Trade Agreements, NFU Says
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 19, 2017 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1654 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) joined a number of other manufacturing and agricultural organizations to support the U.S. Department of Commerce’s decision to investigate aluminum and steel imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Should the investigation determine that … Read More
What Can Farmers Do About Climate Change? Crop Rotation and Pest Management
By Adam Pauley, NFU Intern According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report Climate Change and Agriculture in the United States: Effects and Adaptation, temperatures in the next 40 years are expected to rise 1-2 degrees Celsius. This will increase pest pressure because insects that are frost sensitive will be able to survive milder winters. … Read More
NAFTA Objectives a Missed Opportunity for Family Farmers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 18, 2017 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) this week released its Summary of Objectives for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Renegotiation, a document that will guide talks with Canada and Mexico expected to begin in mid-August. In response to the objectives, National … Read More
Access to Efficiency: USDA Programs and Services Benefit New and Beginning Producers
By James Tillman, Acting Associate Chief for Conservation, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service Are you interested in protecting the soil, water, plants, and air and achieving economic sustainability on your newly acquired farm, ranch, or forest? Would you like to increase your marketing and income potential while focusing on increasing wildlife habitat on some of … Read More
Amidst a Severe Economic Downturn for Farmers, Congress Must Create a Functional, Adequately Funded Farm Safety Net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 13, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – As American family farmers and ranchers navigate the most severe economic downturn since the 1980s farm crisis, the National Farmers Union (NFU) Board of Directors is urging the U.S. Congress to allocate more money to the farm safety net to make it … Read More
NFU Appreciates House Appropriations Committee Partial Restoration of Farm Service Agency Loan Program Funding
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 12, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – Today the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations advanced its Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Agricultural Appropriations Bill, restoring $190 million to the Guaranteed Operating Loan account through an amendment offered by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME). Despite significant financial hardship occurring in the farm … Read More
NFU Celebrates Youth Leadership and Cooperative Education at 81st Annual All-States Leadership Camp; New National Youth Advisory Council Elected
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 6, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org BAILEY, Colo. – Farmers Union youth members from across the country gathered here last week for the 81st annual National Farmers Union (NFU) All-States Leadership Camp. Hosted each June at the NFU Education Center, All-States Camp encourages youth to explore their leadership potential, discuss … Read More
From the Field: Farming is a Risky Business
By Matt Perdue, NFU Government Relations Representative Farming is a risky business. A sudden storm, enduring drought, or proliferation of crop disease can decimate a crop. Even when farmers produce a bumper crop, market downturns can still make it a struggle to make ends meet. In Montana’s “Golden Triangle,” farms of all sizes and types … Read More
NFU Statement on EPA’s RFS Volume Targets
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 5, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released the Trump Administration’s first proposed set of volume obligations for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The proposal maintains the conventional biofuel amount at 15 billion gallons, yet lowers obligations for advanced biofuels, including biodiesel, … Read More
12