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.
“Feeding a growing world population is the mission of farmers, of course, but it is both a magnificent opportunity and a major challenge,” said Carlson. “We are going to need technology and information to use our resources more efficiently in order to feed a growing world with fewer and more expensive farm inputs. A number of experts will advise on these complex issues.”
In addition to expert panels on key issues facing farmers, the assembly will also feature numerous guest speakers, including Giorgio Napolitano, president of the Italian Republic.
“This is a great opportunity to hear from farmers from around the world about what works and does not work for their agriculture community,” said Peterson. “Leading the NFU delegation on this trip will include telling other attendees about the plights of the small family farmer across the United States and how we fight for prosperity for rural folks.”
WFO gives farmers from around the world a voice in dealing with issues and brings farmers together to deal with international issues such as feeding a growing population, market price fluctuation, and climate change. WFO is also working on empowering women around the world with the tools necessary to succeed in agriculture. WFO has worked with many global organizations, including the World Economic Forum, the World Trade Organization, and the World Food Program, in addition to many United Nations organizations.
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