By Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) Agriculture in the Northeast contributes $103 billion to local economies and supports roughly 480,000 jobs across the region. But like the rest of the farm economy, producers in Connecticut have been negatively impacted by slumping commodity prices and weak demand for their products. Nationally, net farm income has dropped 56 … Read More
Blog
Farm Safety Education Should Reach Beyond the Farm Gate
By Roger Johnson, president, National Farmers Union Nearly 500 farm work-related deaths occur annually, according to a 2013 study from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). As farmers and ranchers are more active on and around their operations this time of year, National Farmers Union (NFU) is raising awareness about farm safety issues and … Read More
Senate Appropriators Consider Blocking Organic Livestock and Poultry Proposed Rule
By Barbara Patterson, government relations representative, National Farmers Union This week, the Senate Appropriations committee will take up consideration of the Agriculture Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2017. Just as in every year in recent memory, National Farmers Union is working to defeat legislative riders. Riders are a tool that appropriators use to block funds … Read More
FOIA and the Agricultural Checkoff Programs
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
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
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
Opportunities for Military Veterans in Agriculture
By Katie Fisher, government relations intern, National Farmers Union On Tuesday afternoon, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies met to discuss the opportunities for military veterans in agriculture. Chairman Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) called upon five witnesses to testify about their personal experiences with veterans in agriculture, … Read More
Producers Doing Their Part For Lake Erie; More Conservation Opportunities Now Available
By Tom Driscoll, government relations representative, National Farmers Union The Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB) is very sensitive to pollution and subject to sediment, phosphorus and nitrogen loading from a variety of sources. A recent study found that producers are taking the lead in cleaning up the Basin, and new efforts announced by the Natural … Read More
Time to Consider the Conservation Stewardship Program
By Tom Driscoll, government relations representative, National Farmers Union Would you like to improve soil health, water and air quality, wildlife and pollinator habitat or energy efficiency on your land? The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offers farmers and ranchers technical and financial support to achieve these goals … Read More
Finding Innovative Farm Transition Solutions
One of the biggest struggles beginning farmers face is access to farmland, and in particular, affordable farmland. Over 90 million acres of farmland are expected to turn over to new owners in the next decade. The USDA released the results of the latest TOTAL survey in November of 2015. This survey reached 400,000 landowners, leasers … Read More