By Hannah Ruth Tabler, NFU Intern For beginning farmers, getting a foothold in the agriculture industry can be difficult. One of the foremost challenges facing beginning farmers today is a lack of access to appropriate markets. Many farmers, young and old, have turned to the cooperative business model to increase their profit and reap the … Read More
EPA Administrator Issued RFS Waivers to Large Refiner: Reuters — Action Undermines American Biofuel Industry, Farm Prices and Rural Economies, NFU Says
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 3, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – According to Reuters, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) exempted one of the nation’s largest oil refining companies from having to comply with the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in 2016. The agency granted “hardship waivers” to three of the refiners’ operations despite … Read More
What Should Farmers Know About Climate Change? Tree Assistance Program
By Janan Lenzy, NFU Intern The nursery tree and greenhouse industry is rapidly growing and contributing to the agricultural economy. However, climate change does not discriminate – irregular and extreme weather events interfere with anticipated growing seasons and production yields for essentially all agricultural sectors. When such events occur, farmers and ranchers largely rely on government-run … Read More
Access to Efficiency: Learning As You Go
By Nate Brownlee, Co-Owner and Operator of Nightfall Farm When you start a farm, there’s no definite starting point. Well before you ever have plants in the ground or animals to graze, you’re already deep into planning and dreaming. By the time we moved home from New England, we already knew (roughly) what we wanted … Read More
What Should Farmers Know About Climate Change? ELAP
By Janan Lenzy, NFU Intern In 2017, flooding, wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters accounted for approximately $5 billion worth of economic losses in the US agriculture sector. The toll is expected to increase as climate change intensifies the strength and duration of these weather events. As a direct result, the amount of physical damage … Read More
Soil Amendments and Produce – What’s Your Risk?
By Hannah Ruth Tabler, NFU Intern Soil amendments are a common way to improve the development of produce. While they may help your plants grow and reduce soil erosion, they can also present a safety risk. By assessing soil amendments and implementing a safety plan, growers can avoid contamination of their produce. The term “soil … Read More
Trump Administration Unveils Trade Actions Against China — NFU Laments Administration’s ‘Bull in a China Shop’ Approach, Urges Tactful Process to Address Trade Woes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 22, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The Trump administration today unveiled trade actions against China that will likely spur significant retaliatory measures aimed at U.S. agricultural products. The move is in response to a U.S. Trade Representative office investigation on China’s violations of intellectual property rights. National Farmers … Read More
NFU Disappointed by Harmful Modifications of Section 199A in Omnibus Package
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 21, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Congressional appropriators revealed an omnibus appropriations bill today that includes significant and harmful modifications to an important tax break for farmers and agricultural cooperatives, known as Section 199A. The tax break was included in last year’s tax overhaul, the Tax Cuts and … Read More
NFU Celebrates National Agriculture Day — Recognizes Family Farmers’ Full Breadth of Contributions to Everyday Life
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 20, 2018 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – As the national agriculture community joins together to celebrate National Agriculture Day, National Farmers Union (NFU) is recognizing family farmers and ranchers for the wide array of contributions they make to consumers’ everyday life. This year’s National Ag Day theme is “Food … Read More
Access to Efficiency: Infantry on the Farm
By Sherri Dugger, Indiana Farmers Union Media and Outreach Director, Co-owner and Operator of Dugger Family Farm If you asked me whether you should become a farmer, on my worst days, I might tell you “no.” Or, first, I might ask several questions: Do you know what products you will sell? Do you have access … Read More