WASHINGTON – A delegation of National Farmers Union (NFU) representatives are in Rome this week to participate in the World Farmers Organization’s (WFO) second general assembly. The assembly kicks off today and will continue through Saturday, June 9. NFU Secretary and Minnesota Farmers Union President Doug Peterson is leading the delegation representing NFU at the event. The group also includes NFU General Counsel Dave Velde, South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke, North Dakota Farmers Union President Woody Barth, and Montana Farmers Union President Alan Merrill. NFU Vice President of International Relations Robert Carlson serves as president of WFO.
Ohio Environmental Council schedules several informational meetings on fracking
From the Ohio Environmental Council:
Learn about the current state of laws and science of high-volume, horizontal hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and how it affects you and your community.
Representatives from the Ohio Environmental Council also will discuss air, land, and water quality concerns.
FREE to attend but please RSVP to the OEC at (614) 487-7506 or OEC@theOEC.org. Complimentary food and beverages provided.
Dates & Details
| Date | Time | Address |
| June 21 | 3 – 7 p.m. | Reed Memorial Library Haymaker Room 167 E. Main St Ravenna, 44266 |
| June 23 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
Stark County District Library North Branch Basement 189 25th Street NW Canton, 44709 |
| June 27 | 3 – 7 p.m. | Columbiana Public Library Salchow Room 332 N. Middle Street Columbiana, 44408 |
| June 27 | 4 – 8 p.m. | First Congregational United Church of Christ Social Hall 200 N Main Street Mt. Vernon, 43050 |
| June 30 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
Newark Public Library Meeting Room A 101 West Main St Newark, 43055 |
| July 7 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
St.James Episcopal Church 155 North Sixth Street Zanesville, 43701 |
| July 10 | 3 – 7 p.m. | Coshocton Public Library 655 Main Street Coshocton, 43812 |
| July 12 | 4 – 8 p.m. | New Philadelphia Public Library Main Branch 121 Fair Avenue Northwest New Philadelphia, 44663 |
| July 19 | 4 – 8 p.m. | Youngstown Public Library Main Branch, Basement 305 Wick Ave Youngstown, 44503 |
| July 21 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
Carroll County District Library 70 Second Street NE Carrollton, 44615 |
| July 25 | 4 – 8 p.m. | Public Library of Steubenville & Jefferson County Schiappa Branch 4141 Mall Drive Steubenville, 43952 |
Streamlined trade of organics between U.S. & European Union countries begins
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced today that organic products certified in the United States or European Union may now be sold as organic in either market, as trade opened up on Friday, June 1, under a new U.S.-EU equivalency partnership. Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan signed formal letters creating the partnership in February, along with Dacian Cioloş, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, and Ambassador Isi Siddiqui, U.S. Trade Representative Chief Agricultural Negotiator.
“This partnership will open new markets for American farmers and ranchers, create more opportunities for small businesses, and result in good jobs for Americans who grow, package, ship, and market organic products,” said Merrigan. “In the months ahead, USDA will continue to work hard to expand opportunities for all U.S. products, including organics. Equivalency arrangements such as this are critical to growing the U.S. organics industry—they require careful negotiation to ensure that we maintain existing U.S. trade policies while ensuring that U.S. agricultural products will compete on a level playing field in world markets.”
The United States signed a similar partnership with Canada in July 2009, and additional equivalency arrangement conversations have begun with South Korea, Taiwan and Japan.
Previously, producers and companies wanting to trade products on both sides of the Atlantic had to obtain separate certifications to two standards, which resulted in a double set of fees, inspections, and paperwork. The partnership existing now eliminates these significant barriers, which is especially helpful for small and medium-sized organic farmers. During negotiations, both parties conducted thorough on-site audits to ensure that their programs’ regulations, quality control measures, certification requirements, and labeling practices were compatible.
Ohio Farmers Union & others urge Senate to add ‘Packer Ban’ to 2012 Farm Bill
The Ohio Farmers Union and other family farming boosters are urging Congress once again to look out for smaller producers in the nation’s meat production system.
At issue is a proposed amendment to the 2012 Farm Bill, set to move to the floor of the U.S. Senate next week, which would ban meat packers from owning the livestock they process for more than fourteen days. OFU signed on to a letter sent to Senate agricultural staffers and senators laying out the case for the so-called “Packer Ban.”
Sponsored by Food and Water Watch, the letter was signed onto by OFU and 107 other organizations nationwide.
From the letter:
Mega-meatpackers such as Tyson, Cargill, JBS and Smithfield Foods use packer-owned livestock as a major tool for exerting unfair market power over farmers and ranchers. This practice fosters industrial livestock production and freezes independent farmers out of the markets. Packer ownership of livestock has been proven to artificially lower farmgate prices to farmers and ranchers while consumer food prices continue to rise.
By prohibiting direct ownership of livestock by major meatpackers, a ban on packer ownership would reduce the anticompetitive effects of captive supplies, which packers use to manipulate markets, and would help increase market access for America’s independent producers who currently experience significant market-access restrictions due in large part to packer ownership of livestock.
U.S. Ag exports bright spot in sluggish economy
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the following statement regarding USDA’s third-quarter forecast released today showing U.S. farm exports reaching the second-highest level on record at $134.5 billion in fiscal year 2012:
“With the release of today’s most recent export forecast, we can expect American agriculture to remain a bright spot in our nation’s economy in the months to come, supporting more than 1 million American jobs in communities across our country. Since 2009, our farmers and ranchers are set to deliver three of the four highest levels of U.S. agricultural exports in our nation’s history. In fiscal year 2012, the latest forecast sees $134.5 billion in U.S. farm exports, the second highest level ever and $3.5 billion greater than the previous forecast. The reason for this success is the productivity of our farmers and ranchers, as much as President Obama’s leadership on trade.
USDA targets six more strains of E. coli in food safety program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) next week will begin instituting a zero-tolerance policy for six additional strains of E. coli that are responsible for human illness. Beginning Monday, FSIS will routinely test raw beef manufacturing trim, which is a major component of ground beef, for the six additional strains of E. coli. Trim found to be contaminated with these pathogens will not be allowed into commerce and will be subject to recall.
“These strains of E. coli are an emerging threat to human health and the steps we are taking today are entirely focused on preventing Americans from suffering foodborne illnesses,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “We cannot ignore the evidence that these pathogens are a threat in our nation’s food supply.”
The additional strains that will be treated as adulterants beginning today are Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) serogroups O26, O45, O103, O111, O121 and O145. Like E. coli O157:H7, these serogroups can cause severe illness and even death, and young children and the elderly are at highest risk.
Today’s action is in addition to other significant public health measures FSIS has put in place during President Barack Obama’s Administration to date to safeguard the food supply, prevent foodborne illness, and improve consumers’ knowledge about the food they eat. These initiatives support the three core principles developed by the President’s Food Safety Working Group: prioritizing prevention; strengthening surveillance and enforcement; and improving response and recovery.
NFU supports grain sorghum as biofuel
National Farmers Union applauds the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent publication of data concerning biofuels produced from grain sorghum under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Program.
“This announcement by EPA is a step in the right direction,” NFU President Roger Johnson. “U.S. farmers can create an opportunity to make a tremendous positive impact on the environment by producing advanced biofuel from grain sorghum.”
In 2007, Congress passed the Renewable Fuels Standard 2 (RFS2), which requires the production of 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2022 from both conventional and advanced sources of biofuel. NFU policy encourages full implementation of the RFS2 and requires any revisions to be based on the best available science subject to public review.
“NFU policy supports the increased usage of renewable fuels, as it will increase domestic demand for surplus farm commodities, lower federal outlays of federal farm subsidies, and decrease our reliance on foreign oil,” said Johnson. “It will also create vital opportunities in rural communities across the nation, which might otherwise not be realized.”
NFU will submit comments to the EPA supporting the approval of grain sorghum for use as an advanced biofuel.
Hemp History Week Starts June 4
The Hemp Industries Association (HIA) and Vote Hemp have announced plans for the 3rd Annual Hemp History Week to be held on June 4-10, 2012. A national grassroots education campaign designed to renew strong support for hemp farming in the U.S., Hemp History Week 2012 will feature events in cities and towns throughout all fifty states. The multi-faceted campaign will feature grassroots volunteer-led events, retail promotions, a restaurant program, a day of action and an online petition drive to encourage the Obama Administration and Congress to change federal policy and allow American farmers to once again grow industrial hemp. A new Web site, along with a promotional video for the 2012 campaign, is viewable at www.HempHistoryWeek.com.
The theme of the 2012 campaign is Hemp for a Healthy Future: Healthy Lifestyles, Healthy Economy, Healthy Planet. “As more Americans recognize the health and environmental benefits of hemp products, hemp farming promises job creation and economic opportunity for farmers and manufacturers and ensures that nutritious foods and sustainable goods are more accessible and affordable for consumers,” says Eric Steenstra, President of Vote Hemp. “In turn, this means healthier lifestyles, a stronger economy and a more sustainable world. Through Hemp History Week 2012, we’re spreading the message that we need to change federal policy on industrial hemp to reflect today’s realities and ensure a better tomorrow for America’s families and farmers, the economy and our planet.”
SB 315 – ‘Fracking Bill’ – Clears Ohio General Assembly
Bill that adds some regulations to Ohio oil & gas industry on Kasich’s desk
Here’s a quick update on the bill that supporters say creates the toughest regulatory environment for fracking in the U.S. and that detractors say does not and is riddled with loopholes.
SB 315, Gov. John Kasich’s mid-budget energy bill, cleared the final hurdle in the Ohio General Assembly yesterday when it was voted out of the House. The governor is expected to sign the bill into law.
For more background on the bill, check out the OFU notes on SB 315. Here are a few events related to the legislation from the past week:
- SB 315 passed the House 75-20 with 18 Democratic votes.
- Amendment approved in House that gives standing to landowners and neighbors in court to challenge a drilling company on disclosure of a chemical that it will not disclose as a ‘trade secret.’
- Amendment approved in House loosens the gag on doctors regarding chemicals disclosed to them by drilling companies.
- Democratic amendments that would have strengthened transparency on chemicals used in fracking and protecting landowner rights were defeated.
Deadline extended to sign up for NFU Women’s Conference
WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union announced today that the deadline has been extended to sign up for its upcoming Women’s Conference. Based on the well-respected “Annie’s Project” education program, it is a conference for farm and rural women. The event, set for June 21-23, will provide participants with tools and information to confidently manage risks in their farm or ranch operations. Registration is open to anyone who is interested. Registration materials must be postmarked by June 7.
“Women have been the cornerstones of family farm agriculture, going back to the days of homesteading,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “This conference gives women the opportunity to gain an understanding of and experience in farm risk management.”
A variety of trained instructors will teach family farm finances, budgeting and cash flow, cooperatives, marketing, farm transfer and estate planning, business planning, leadership assessment and skills, generational issues, and action planning.
The conference will be held at the NFU Education Center at Bailey, Colo. The $150 registration will cover camp-style lodging in the Rocky Mountains, catered meals, and conference materials. U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Rebecca Blue has also been invited to speak at the conference. More information and registration details are available at www.nfu.org/education.
“Annie’s Project” also helps women find new ways to balance the demands of family, community and professionalism within the agricultural community. The conference is sponsored by Farm Credit, CoBank, FUI Foundation and the NFU Foundation.
