By Hannah Packman, NFU Communications Director As Black History Month comes to a close, National Farmers Union (NFU) is celebrating its own piece of black history: its first predominantly African American chapter. It’s no secret that American agriculture – and, by extension, general farm organizations like NFU – is disproportionately white. According to the most … Read More
By Charlie Michel, NFU Intern China appears to be moving ahead with implementing some of the commitments it made as part of the so-called “phase one” trade deal with the Trump Administration in mid-January. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Trade Representative announced on Feb. 25 that China has lifted some restrictions on the … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 21, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – Amidst reports that recent trade deals may have a more gradual and modest impact on agricultural exports than initially thought, President Donald Trump today tweeted that “aid will be provided by the federal government” if necessary. Though National Farmers Union (NFU) appreciates … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 20, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – Responding to mounting environmental challenges confronting American food production and security, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced a new, department-wide innovation initiative “to align resources, programs, and research to position American agriculture to better meet future global demands.” In broad … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 19, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON –National Farmers Union (NFU) hosted 75 students 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 … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 18, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – As the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues 2018 Farm Bill implementation with the release of its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Interim Rule, National Farmers Union (NFU) is urging the agency to strengthen the conservation program to better support farmers … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 10, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump today released his proposed spending for fiscal year 2021. The $4.8 trillion budget would cut both mandatory and discretionary funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other federal agencies while boosting spending on infrastructure and defense initiatives. … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 4, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202-554-1600 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – Citing stock market gains, recent trade deals, and low unemployment rates, U.S. President Donald J. Trump tonight touted a “great American comeback” in his third State of the Union address. But as rural communities lag behind in many respects, this hardly paints … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 3, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – In an effort to assist farmers and ranchers affected by international trade disputes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that it will issue the third and final tranche of 2019 Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments. As family farmers face record … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 29, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 202.554.1600 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – During a ceremony held today at the White House, President Donald Trump signed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) into law. Though the agreement has already been approved by Mexico, it will not be fully implemented until it is ratified by the Canadian government. … Read More