By Lura Roti, South Dakota Farmers Union As its mother protectively stands guard, her newborn calf, supported precariously by its wobbly legs, looks curiously at its surroundings and then begins nursing. For four generations, this heart-warming scene has signaled spring on the Wonnenberg Ranch near Dallas, Texas. And even though it’s been a part of … Read More
By Stephanie Syson, Lead Grower & Owner of Biodynamic Botanicals The United States is a large consumer of medicinal herbs, mainly in the form of value-added products such as dietary supplements, teas, personal care products, cosmetics, and other nutraceuticals. However, many of the herbs used to make these products are imported from foreign markets. In … Read More
April 27, 2017 By Skylar Schneider, Executive Assistant Contact: Chelsea Matzen, 202-554-1600 [email protected] This week the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced $4.8 million in available funding through the Food Safety Outreach Program. Per NIFA, the purpose of this funding is to “develop and implement food safety training, … Read More
By Jimmy Dula, NFU Intern Although you might not know it, cooperatives are woven throughout every industry in the United States, including housing, banking, agriculture, food retail, and healthcare, providing people with basic goods and services through collectively owned and democratically organized businesses and organizations. Opportunities for cooperatives exist when a group of people or organizations share a … Read More
April 25, 2017 By Skylar Schneider, Executive Assistant Contact: Chelsea Matzen, 202-554-1600 [email protected] In September 2016, 42 states received federal funding through the State Produce Implementation Cooperative Agreement Program (CAP) to be used for development of produce safety programs that provide education, technical assistance, inspection, compliance, and oversight regarding the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 24, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate today confirmed former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson released the following statement in response to the announcement: “Having endured months of the current farm crisis and drastic … Read More
By Beth Mason, NACD North Central Region Representative In 2014, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) began a three-year project to increase the adoption of soil health practices across the United States. The project consists of two initiatives – one focused on quantifying the monetary benefits of using soil health practices, and the other on … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 22, 2017 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON – Marching in cities across the United States, members of National Farmers Union (NFU) joined the world’s first-ever March for Science today, emphasizing the vital role that science should play in everyday life and in federal policymaking. NFU President Roger Johnson, a third-generation … Read More
Introduced by: Sen. Jim Smith of Omaha (Dist. 14) and contains provisions of Governor Ricketts tax package related to income taxes and agricultural land valuation. Status: • Slated for first round floor debate Fri., April 21 (9 a.m. – with 3 hour limit on debate) • Advanced from Revenue Committee with Amendment o Yes – … Read More
April 18, 2017 By Skylar Schneider, Executive Assistant Contact: Chelsea Matzen, 202-554-1600 [email protected] The Food Safety Modernization Act, also known as FSMA, may at times feel cumbersome or confusing. To make it simpler, the FDA developed the Technical Assistance Network (TAN), a central area for questions related to FSMA. TAN recently shared a list of … Read More