By Billy Mitchell, NFU Food Safety Training Coordinator Bags of asparagus. Hot pepper jams. Turkey tail mushrooms. Over the past year and half, consumers recommitted to sourcing locally and discovered diverse and delicious food close to home. They also turned to virtual options to learn how to cook, preserve, and source those local ingredients. Farmers … Read More
Farmers Deserve the Right to Repair Their Tractors
By Hannah Packman, NFU Communications Director Thanks in large part to the introduction of machinery like tractors and combines, farms today are far more efficient and productive than they were a handful of generations ago. Though these time- and labor-saving technologies can run tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, farmers often aren’t able … Read More
Dr. Jewel Bronaugh Confirmed as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 14, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 [email protected] WASHINGTON – In a voice vote, the U.S. Senate last night confirmed Dr. Jewel Bronaugh to serve as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, making her the first Black woman to hold the position. Dr. Bronaugh brings upwards of two decades worth of experience in food … Read More
Food Safety Spotlight: The ABCs in School Gardens
By Billy Mitchell, NFU Food Safety Training Coordinator Farm to school programs continue to grow in popularity, with some schools taking part in hyper-local sourcing by using school gardens and farms to provide students with opportunities for taste testing and hands-on learning. Teachers tending these school plots may ask themselves, “how do we grow the best tasting produce while following food safety practices to keep our kids safe?” Thankfully, teachers are well-primed to … Read More
Farmers Union Encouraged that Agriculture is Incorporated into Biden Administration’s Conservation Principles
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 6, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The Biden administration today released a report providing more details on how it plans to meet its earlier goal to conserve at least 30 percent of the nation’s lands and waters by 2030. Entitled “America the Beautiful,” the 22-page document outlines principles that … Read More
During Days of Advocacy, Farmers Union Members Advocate Immediate Climate Action
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 5, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – As climate change poses an increasingly serious threat to farmers’ livelihoods and global food security, a group of National Farmers Union (NFU) members will be discussing meaningful legislative solutions with their elected representatives. “Farmers are no stranger to big challenges, but climate change is … Read More
FACA Recommends USDA Use Pilot Projects to Build Toward a Carbon Bank
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 3, 2021 WASHINGTON – The Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA), now more than 70 members strong, has worked over the past three months to develop specific recommendations for how the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) should approach a potential carbon bank. FACA began sharing those recommendations with USDA and Congress today. … Read More
USDA Must Prioritize Climate Change Across All Programs, NFU Says
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 29, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Agriculture is uniquely positioned to mitigate climate change – but farmers need the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) support to fully realize that potential, according to National Farmers Union (NFU). In comments submitted today, the family farm organization outlined ways UDSA could better … Read More
Biden Outlines Priorities for Economic Recovery, Immigration Reform, and Climate Action During Congressional Address
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 28, 2021 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 [email protected] WASHINGTON – During his first joint address to Congress, President Joe Biden tonight highlighted the progress the United States has made on pandemic recovery and laid out his strategy to create additional jobs and lift more families out of poverty. The linchpin of that strategy is … Read More
Food Safety Spotlight: Good Design for Good Practices
By Billy Mitchell, NFU Food Safety Training Coordinator On a recent episode of the Tilth Alliance Farm Walks Podcast, Ryan Lichttenegger of Steel Wheel Farm in Fall City, Washington, and Andy Chamberlin, Agricultural Engineering Technician at the University of Vermont (UVM) Extension, dove into some of the ins and outs of DIY hygienic design. Lichttenegger recently … Read More