FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 20, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – 330 days after Minnesota resident George Floyd’s death, a jury today found former police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of murder. National Farmers Union (NFU) called the act “an abuse of power and a horrifying act of violence,” and said it underscored the “urgent … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 20, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – In the midst of Earth Week, Senators Debbie Stabenow, John Boozman, and Mike Braun reintroduced the Growing Climate Solutions Act, which aims to provide certainty to farmers and ranchers seeking compensation for climate-smart agricultural practices through carbon markets. To achieve this end, the bill … Read More
By Tricia Wancko, NFU Food Safety Grant Coordinator If you have a community-based farm and want to identify ways to strengthen your operation, there’s no better place to go for suggestions and solutions than other farmers— alongside some back up from educators who know your area well. Pennsylvania Farmers Union (PAFU) created a virtual space for urban growers to gather, learn, diagnose, and discuss areas for potential improvement on their farms at the Mid-Atlantic Produce Safety Clinic for Growers. The clinic … Read More
After a year riddled with pandemic-related challenges, farmers were hoping for an easy, uncomplicated growing season. Unfortunately, for many that dream seems unlikely, as much of the Western half of the country is experiencing severe to exceptional drought conditions. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the dry conditions can be attributed to “a weak summer … Read More
A day before the Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was set to expire on March 31, President Joe Biden signed a two-month extension into law. The program, which provides forgivable loans to cover businesses’ payroll and other costs, is now open for applications through May 31, 2021. Though the term “paycheck” is used in the program name, businesses are not … Read More
By Tricia Wancko, Food Safety Grant Coordinator Many small-scale farms and food businesses—whether they are chopping, canning, preserving, aggregating, or dehydrating value-added products—might not know where to begin when navigating the Preventive Controls Rule (PCR) of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). While many of these small processors may be exempt from parts of the rule, they still must comply with Current Good Manufacturing Processes (cGMPs). CGMPs are the foundation for … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 31, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden today unveiled a blueprint to “create millions of good jobs, rebuild our country’s infrastructure, and position the United States to out-compete China.” Known as the American Jobs Plan, the proposal outlines a $2.25 trillion investment over eight years to repair our … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 31, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – The Renewable Fuels Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, and American Coalition for Ethanol (collectively referred to as the “Biofuels Coalition”) thanked the states of Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, South Dakota, and Virginia for filing an amicus curiae brief … Read More
By Hannah Packman, NFU Communications Director You’ve likely heard the buzz that Bill Gates, in addition to being one of the wealthiest men in the world, is now also the largest private owner of farmland in the United States. Over the past several years, the billionaire has amassed a portfolio of 242,000 acres of cropland across … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 24, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the creation of the Pandemic Assistance for Producers, a new initiative to offer financial assistance to farmers and ranchers affected by pandemic-related disruptions. This endeavor will direct about $6 billion towards new outreach and support programs, … Read More