By Barbara Patterson, government relations representative, National Farmers Union Last week, the House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2017 Agriculture Appropriations bill, which once again included the controversial GIPSA rider, a provision that proactively limits farmers’ basic rights and protections. Accompanying this bill was report language (this is guidance on the bill, but it … Read More
NFU Pleased by White House Efforts to Improve Competition in U.S. Industries
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 22, 2016 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON (April 22, 2016) – Several industries have been on a decades-long trajectory towards increased market concentration, according to a recent report from the Council of Economic Advisers. Last week, the White House expanded their efforts by issuing an Executive Order, requesting that government agencies recommend … Read More
Earth Day Should Inspire Strengthened Focus on Climate Change, NFU Says
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 22, 2016 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON (April 22, 2016) – Climate change is a shared problem that requires a collaborative solution, and the National Farmers Union (NFU) is commending the continued progress towards environmental sustainability in observance of Earth Day. “From farms and rural communities to urban centers across … Read More
Earth Day 2016: Through the Eyes of an Orchardist
By Harrison Topp, Membership Director, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union When people ask what I grow, my first response is usually trees. Really, I’m an orchardist who produces stone-fruits, predominantly cherries and plums. But I have the closest relationship with my trees and with the ecosystem around them. From the “understory,” to the canopy, to the … Read More
NFU “Appalled” by Latest GIPSA Stall Attack
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 19, 2016 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON (April 19, 2016) – After several years of proactively limiting farmers’ basic rights and protections, Congress appeared poised to finally let the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) implement a provision included in the 2008 Farm Bill to provide needed marketplace protections to contract … Read More
NFU Audio: Barbara Patterson on House Appropriations GIPSA Rider
NFU Government Relations Representative Barbara Patterson talks about NFU’s objection to the House Appropriations Committee GIPSA rider that proactively limits farmers’ basic rights and protections. Read more about the subject on this NFU release: NFU Appalled by Latest GIPSA Attack
Applications are Now Open for the Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Program
By Katie Fisher, government relations intern, National Farmers Union The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development’s (RD) Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program is now accepting applications for fiscal year 2016. The application is due by July 1, 2016 and has approximately $44 million in funds available to producers who are entering into value-added … Read More
NFU President Encourages House Ag Subcommittee to Consider Challenges Facing Family Farmers and Ranchers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 14, 2016 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON (April 14, 2016) – The lagging farm economy was a top focus today for the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management. National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson joined a panel of industry leaders to testify on behalf of … Read More
Value Added Producer Grants
Opposed to Further Rail Consolidation, NFU Pleased by Withdrawal of Canadian Pacific Railway Merger
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 11, 2016 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON (April 11, 2016) – The National Farmers Union (NFU) was pleased to hear today’s announcement that Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. (Canadian Pacific) was terminating its efforts to merge with Norfolk Southern Corp. (Norfolk Southern). NFU has been very concerned over the prospects of … Read More