Spring 2024 Farmers Union members from across the country will be in Washington, DC this Spring to make their legislative priorities heard. Family farmers, ranchers, and our communities not only need a farm bill now, but they also need the right farm bill now. Since 2017, approximately 150,000 farms have gone out of business. We … Read More
This page is a repository of all food safety resources generated by the Local Food Safety Collaborative. It will be updated periodically as new educational materials are created. If you have difficulty accessing any of these resources, please contact the food safety team here. To view upcoming food safety events, visit the LFSC Facebook Events … Read More
March 2024 The big event on the Farmers Union calendar in March was NFU’s annual convention. Nearly 500 Farmers Union delegates, members, and guests from across the country gathered in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona to set NFU’s policy priorities for the year and hear from agricultural experts and political leaders on various issues facing American family … Read More
WASHINGTON – Yesterday, the United States Senate passed a bipartisan Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution authored by U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) that would reinstate a long-standing ban on beef imports from Paraguay. The ban, which was lifted in November of 2023, was in place due to concerns about foot and mouth … Read More
WASHINGTON – Following the 2027-2032 tailpipe emissions standards released today by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew issued a statement addressing the need for immediate reductions to greenhouse gases and the role that ethanol can play in those reductions: “We share EPA’s mission to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but today’s finalized tailpipe emissions … Read More
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – National Farmers Union (NFU) closed its 2024 Convention by adopting the organization’s grassroots policy book, laying the foundation for advocating on behalf of family farmers and ranchers across the country. Convention delegates also adopted six special orders of business focused on issues of particular importance in the coming year. “With a projected decline … Read More
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Delegates to National Farmers Union’s 122nd Anniversary Convention today cast a unanimous ballot to reelect Rob Larew and Jeff Kippley as the organization’s President and Vice President, respectively. Each will serve another two-year term. “It’s an honor to have the trust and confidence of Farmers Union members across the country and a … Read More
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – At the opening banquet of the 122nd Anniversary Convention, National Farmers Union (NFU) presented Rodney Allebach of Minnesota, Linda Jones Borton of Ohio and Dennis Rosen of Wisconsin with Awards for Meritorious Service to Farmers Union and to American Agriculture, the highest honor presented by Farmers Union. “The 2024 class of Meritorious … Read More
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – National Farmers Union (NFU) today kicked off its 122nd Anniversary Convention, where programming will focus on the importance of strong democratic institutions, both within Farmers Union and across the country. “In an era where public trust in institutions is waning, it’s crucial for Farmers Union to reinforce our governance principles and the … Read More
WASHINGTON – Today, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued its second final rule in a series of updates to revitalize the Packers and Stockyards Act (P&S Act). Today’s rule establishes clearer standards for prohibited practices under the P&S Act, including discrimination, retaliation and deception in contracting. “Family farmers and ranchers deserve the right … Read More
This opinion piece originally ran on Agri-Pulse on March 1st, 2024. By: Jeff Kippley, Vice President, National Farmers Union The recent opinion piece by the President of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) on USDA efforts to bring fair rules to livestock markets was not just inaccurate but also dangerously misleading. As a cattle producer … Read More
WASHINGTON – Today, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew was appointed by President Biden to the White House Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations (ACTPN). “I am deeply honored to represent family farmers and give them a seat at the table during important trade negotiations,” said Larew. “I would like to thank President … Read More
WASHINGTON –National Farmers Union (NFU) hosted 76 students and educators in Minneapolis, Minnesota, last weekend for its annual College Conference on Cooperatives (CCOC). The three-day conference provides an interactive learning experience for American agriculture’s next generation on the importance, structure, and operations of various types of cooperative groups. “Cooperatives have long played a vital role … Read More
WASHINGTON – Following a petition from eight Governors requesting year-round sales of higher blends of ethanol, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced the approval of year-round E15, in those states, beginning in 2025. “While this announcement should have come much earlier, year-round E15 is great news for farmers and consumers alike,” said NFU President … Read More
The American Farm Bureau Federation and National Farmers Union sent a letter today requesting that USDA bring stability to Class I milk prices. The letter, sent jointly by AFBF President Zippy Duvall and NFU President Rob Larew, asks Secretary Tom Vilsack to issue an interim final decision to return the Class I mover formula to … Read More
WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) will host the organization’s 122nd Anniversary Convention in Scottsdale, Arizona, from March 10 through March 12. The NFU Convention is the annual opportunity for Farmers Union members from across the country to set the organization’s grassroots policy priorities for the coming year, informed by the elected officials and policy … Read More
WASHINGTON – Today, National Farmers Union (NFU) sent a letter to Appropriations Committee leadership opposing harmful restrictions that would undo important work to revitalize the Packers and Stockyards Act (P&S Act) to better protect family farmers and ranchers. The letter, signed by national, regional, and state organizations, points out that “opponents of competitive agricultural markets … Read More
January/February 2024 The calendar has flipped over following a productive year for competition in agriculture in 2023. The previous year featured major Fairness for Farmers priorities sharing time in the spotlight, including efforts to strengthen the Packers and Stockyards Act, Right to Repair, and legislation resembling a farm bill competition title. NFU intends to carry … Read More
National Farmers Union recognizes that farming is a stressful line of work, and far too often, our communities don’t have adequate resources to meet the mental health needs for farm families. Working with a variety of organizations, NFU is proud to have a variety of resources available to our members and their families to help … Read More
WASHINGTON – This week, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) made key procedural moves on several Packers and Stockyards Act (PSA) rulemakings by submitting them to the Office of Management and Budget for review. Additionally, this week, the Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department jointly issued the 2023 Merger Guidelines, signaling more scrutiny … Read More
2024 PREVIEW: PRIORITIES FOR FARMERS UNION The 2023 calendar year is ending without a new farm bill, after being extended until September 30, 2024. Last month’s extension came on the heels of a tumultuous year on Capitol Hill. The main events of the 118th Congress to date have been a historic speaker election that lasted … Read More
Today 62 organizations sent a letter to President Biden expressing concern “that the pace of USDA’s progress on its [Packers and Stockyards] Act rulemakings could put them in jeopardy.” President Biden’s historic executive order on competition (EO) directed USDA to revitalize the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act by issuing new rules to strengthen it. The P&S Act, a … Read More
NFU Scholarships Stanley Moore Scholarships Stanley Moore was born into two prominent Farmers Union families, the Moores and the Talbotts. As a young boy, he traveled with his grandfather, C.C. Talbott, a principal organizer and the first President of the North Dakota Farmers Union. After his education and military service in the Pacific during WWII, … Read More
November 2023 November arrived in full force inside the beltway. At this time of year, theatrics in Washington feature sporadic chilly days, fallen orange foliage and empty tree branches, and dark skies by 5 p.m. These were all once again on full display but were relegated to a supporting cast, as this November featured a … Read More
