By Sophie Neems, Communications Specialist at Farm Credit Meet Stacey Carlberg who, along with her husband Casey Gustowarow, manages The Farm at Sunnyside, a 15-acre, certified organic vegetable farm with 250-300 laying hens. Stacey and Casey sell at Farmers Markets, as well as through wholesale and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). While I worked for Stacey … Read More
By Jake Stukenberg, LFSC Intern, National Farmers Union As we mentioned last week, produce safety risks can come in many different forms on a farm. Farmers must be aware of these risks and work hard to minimize them. With knowledge, education, and action, a farmer can take easy steps to reduce risk on their operation. … Read More
By Matt Perdue, NFU Government Relations Representative The Farm Bill Conference Committee remains squarely focused on getting a bill passed before the end of the calendar year. Bringing together the significant differences between the House and Senate bills was an already difficult task that received an extra layer of pressure Sunday night when the 2014 … Read More
By Jake Stukenberg, LFSC Intern, National Farmers Union Regardless of a farm’s size or scale, food safety is a priority on every operation. All farmers have an obligation to provide the safest product possible, and while many may think their current practices are sufficient in preventing foodborne illness, there is always new information or research … Read More
By Liza Ayres, NFU Intern The farm bill is the most important and comprehensive piece of federal farm and food legislation. Its value extends beyond family farmers and ranchers to consumers, rural communities, and the environment, playing a central role in establishing a secure food supply, keeping food prices fair for farmers and consumers, and … Read More
Editor’s Note: Guest posts do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of National Farmers Union. By Charlotte Smith, President of Northwest Farmers Union If you had told me 15 years ago that I’d have a thriving raw milk dairy and diversified farm, I’d have laughed in your face! I grew up working on my … Read More
By Tom Driscoll, Director of NFU Foundation and Conservation Policy Regular readers of NFU’s Climate Column know there are many ways farmers can mitigate the negative effects of climate change. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers farmers technical and financial support to help interested farmers mitigate climate change and … Read More
Dr. Richard Gilmore, President/CEO of GIC Group Do any of us recall that U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiated the Climate Change Impacts and Risks Analysis Project (CIRA) in 2015? Absent new technologies and risk mitigation production strategies, the analysts forecast a decline of irrigated soybeans by 23 percent, sorghum by 22 percent, and wheat … Read More
By Laura Funk Kopecky, Iowa Farmers Union The sound of insects buzzing filled the air as nearly 20 participants – farmers, Iowa Farmers Union staff, and Iowa State University Extension personnel – crowded curiously around a high tunnel building bursting with the vibrant greens, yellows, and reds of a robust tomato crop. They had gathered … Read More
Editor’s Note: Guest posts do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of National Farmers Union. By Vickie Dunnum, Co-Owner of Dunn-Hill Farm Spring is a beautiful time on the farm. It is a time of new life, new growth and something farmers look forward to all winter long. As farmers, we know that this season’s … Read More