Diagnose and Discuss: Food Safety Clinic Benefits Growers

April 15, 2021Food Safety No Comments
 Diagnose and Discuss: Food Safety Clinic Benefits Growers

By Billy Mitchell, NFU Food Safety Training 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

Drought Grips Western U.S.

April 8, 2021Blog No Comments
Drought Grips Western U.S.

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

Small Business Loans Extended

April 1, 2021Blog No Comments
Small Business Loans Extended

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

Scaling Good Manufacturing Processes Education to Small-Scale Processors

March 31, 2021Food Safety No Comments
Scaling Good Manufacturing Processes Education to Small-Scale Processors

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

Farmers Union Encouraged by American Jobs Plan

March 31, 2021Press Releases No Comments
Farmers Union Encouraged by American Jobs Plan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  March 31, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737  [email protected]  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

Biofuels Coalition Welcomes Amicus Briefs in Supreme Court RFS Case

March 31, 2021Press Releases No Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  March 31, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737  [email protected]  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

New Initiative Will Offer Pandemic Relief to Previously Overlooked Farmers, NFU Says

March 24, 2021Press Releases No Comments
New Initiative Will Offer Pandemic Relief to Previously Overlooked Farmers, NFU Says

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  March 24, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737  [email protected]  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

Good Practices Bring Great Results for Small Farms

March 18, 2021Blog, Food Safety No Comments
Good Practices Bring Great Results for Small Farms

By Billy Mitchell, NFU FSMA Training Coordinator “Camaraderie with the whole team.”  “Much more fun!”  “Peace of mind.”  For most farmers, those phrases may conjure up memories of early fall picnics with staff, family, and friends after the season has slowed down. But for growers Kim Butz, Nathan Vannette, and Roberto Meza, those were the phrases that came to … Read More

What the American Rescue Plan Means for Food and Farmers

March 15, 2021Blog No Comments

By Hannah Packman, National Farmers Union Communications Director Last week, President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package. At the organization’s convention in early March, National Farmers Union (NFU) members urged lawmakers to “enact much-needed short-term Covid-19 relief” and outlined their priorities for such an endeavor. Among other things, they recommended measures … Read More