FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 15, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today its intent to withdraw the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) final rule. The rule was finalized in January 2017, but placed on hold when the new administration took office. National Farmers Union (NFU) … Read More
Access to Efficiency: CSP Bundles and Water Quality
By Tom Driscoll, Director of NFU Foundation and Conservation Policy In our previous post on the Beginning Farmer Forum, we introduced the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). CSP can help beginning farmers achieve efficiencies in their business by providing technical assistance and incentive payments to establish installations or enhance practices that can reduce input costs or … Read More
What Can Farmers Do About Climate Change? Soil Health and Drainage
By Tom Driscoll, Director of NFU Foundation and Conservation Policy Extreme precipitation is a serious concern for farmers as the climate continues to change. In many areas, downpours will be concentrated earlier in the year. Standing water and moist soil will work against farmers trying to get into the fields in time for crop insurance … Read More
Senate Passes Tax Cuts for the Wealthy on Backs of Family Farmers and Future Generations, NFU Says
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 2, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate today voted 51-49 to approve its version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. National Farmers Union (NFU) staunchly opposed the legislation because it would increase the federal deficit by $1.5 trillion, jeopardize funding for farm safety net programming, … Read More
Tax Cuts for Wealthy Shouldn’t Occur at Expense of Family Farmers and Ranchers
By Zack Clark, NFU Director of Government Relations Over the summer and into the fall, National Farmers Union has, as part of coalitions and on its own, lobbied Congress regarding tax reform. In the early stages, we advocated for what should be included in the bill. When details emerged, we voiced concern and advocated for … Read More
RFS Volume Obligations a “Missed Opportunity,” NFU Says
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 30, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced final 2018 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The agency will maintain the corn ethanol requirement at its current levels, and increase cellulosic and advanced biofuel requirements slightly from their … Read More
Survey Shows Massive Opioid Impact in Farm Country; Farm Groups Call for Dialogue, Action
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 30, 2017 CONTACT National Farmers Union: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106, [email protected] American Farm Bureau Federation: Will Rodger, 202-406-3642, [email protected] WASHINGTON – The opioid crisis has struck farm and ranch families much harder than the rest of rural America, a Morning Consult survey shows. While just under half of rural Americans say they … Read More
Current Tax Reform Plan Disadvantages Family Farmers and Ranchers, NFU Says — Organization Urges “NO” Vote, Will Score the Vote
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 29, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – As the U.S. Senate readies to vote on a major overhaul of the nation’s tax system, National Farmers Union (NFU) is urging lawmakers to vote against the current plan because it benefits the nation’s largest corporations and wealthiest citizens at the expense … Read More
Growing for the Future Prepares Beginning Farmers for a Career in Agriculture
By Sophie Neems, NFU Intern ‘Tis the season. . . for agricultural conferences! The harvest is done and the cows have been moved to winter pasture, which means that educational opportunities for farmers and ranchers abound. However, here at National Farmers Union, we understand that it’s not always possible to leave the farm unattended and … Read More
Access to Efficiency: Conservation Stewardship Program
By Tom Driscoll, Director of NFU Foundation and Conservation Policy NFU’s Climate Column has covered a number of farming practices, including conservation tillage and rotational grazing, that can help farmers increase profits by saving money on inputs, energy, and labor. Beginning farmers can receive assistance to implement such practices, as well as incentive payments for the environmental benefits … Read More