OFU Blog

May 6: Call President Obama – Ask Him to Stand Up For COOL

May 5, 2015 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

Ohio Farmers Union Members:

National Farmers Union, in partnership with a coalition of other groups, has organized a White House call in day. We’d like to flood the White House with as many calls as possible. Please call President Obama at 888-793-4597 tomorrow, Wednesday, May 6. Please send this along to all members/contacts/friends/family.

Call the White House at 888-793-4597
When you are connected, tell the person who answers:

Hi, my name is _______ and I’m from ______. I urge President Obama to stand up for my right to know where my food comes from by protecting country of origin labels.

That’s it! The whole process should take no more than 60 seconds. The White House tracks every call they get on an issue, so volume of calls matters.

Thanks for your help and continuing concern for public policies that benefit Ohio’s family farmers and consumers.

Farmers Union Membership Urged to Voice Fast Track Trade Authority Opposition

April 20, 2015 By Ron Sylvester 1 Comment

A message from the National Farmers Union is alerting all members that legislation is before Congress to grant President Barack Obama ‘fast-track’ trade authority. Both the National and Ohio Farmers Union have come out against fast track authority for any president.

“We oppose fast-track negotiating authority for the president,” said NFU President Roger Johnson earlier this year.

“Trade agreements must be a fair deal for all parties – farmers, workers, and consumers, both in the United States and abroad. Previous trade deals haven’t lived up to this standard, so Congress should have full opportunity to review and amend provisions of a trade agreement, consistent with the U.S. Constitution,” Johnson said.

The Ohio Farmers Union passed a ‘special order of business’ at its annual convention in January coming out against fast track authority. From our special order on trade concerns:

The Ohio Farmers Union opposes congressional passage of so-called Trade Promotion

Authority, also known as “Fast Track” trade authority. Fast Track allows for executive branch negotiation of trade agreements and constrains Congress to a simple, up and down vote on the entire agreement with no chance for amendments. The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the “power … to regulate commerce with foreign nations.” Congress should not relinquish this authority and push the multitude of economic and human rights issues inherent in today’s trade agreements further away from being influenced by the American people through their representatives to Congress.

And, here’s what the NFU Action Alert has to say:

Congress has just introduced Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation. This bill will all but ensure that the Trans-Pacific Partnership would go through. It hands over the Constitutional authority of Congress to review trade agreements to the President. Many members of Congress have yet to declare their position on TPA. They need to hear from their constituents, like you, that TPA is the wrong course for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.

Promises of expanded trade benefiting U.S. farmers and rural communities have been made during the debates for NAFTA, CAFTA, and the U.S.-Korean Free Trade Agreements and now the Trans-Pacific Partnership. These benefits have failed to materialize. Instead, rural communities have been roiled by profound economic instability. The trade deficit was $505 billion in 2014, a full 3 percent drag on our nation’s GDP.

Even agriculture, which typically has a surplus in trade, has suffered the consequences of free trade. On the three year anniversary of the U.S.-Korean Free Trade Agreement, agricultural exports to Korea have stagnated, growing an estimated zero percent, yet agricultural imports from Korea have increased 28 percent under the free trade agreement.

Because of the secrecy of the negotiating process, it is impossible to know whether domestic laws such as Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) and other policies to strengthen rural economies, including vital reforms that would reduce our existing trade deficit, are being traded away.

We urge lawmakers to reject fast track and ensure all future trade agreements address the substantial trade deficit.

Do you agree? Let your representatives know! Find your Representative(s) here and your Senators here.

NFU Explains Opposition to Federal Estate Tax Repeal

April 17, 2015 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson opposed Thursday’s action in the U.S. House of Representatives that would repeal the estate tax, stating the move would place a larger tax burden on American family farmers and ranchers.

“Repeal of the estate tax puts a larger tax burden on those that are currently exempted from the tax,” said Johnson. “Over 99 percent of small farms do not face the tax, as estates under $5.43 million, $10.86 million for couples, are exempted from it. As a result, NFU opposes completely eliminating the tax.

Johnson noted that Congress has repeatedly decreased the tax rate and increased the exemptions, making it increasingly unlikely for family farms to face the tax.

“The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that only 0.6 percent of farms have to pay an estate tax, and that another 2.1 percent would have to file returns but would not owe any taxes,” said Johnson. “It is not the estate tax that hurts family farmers. It is repealing the tax that would give them an increased share of the overall tax load.”

Johnson also noted that the move would add to the nation’s debt. “The Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that repealing the estate tax without offsetting revenue or spending will increase the deficit by $269 billion over 10 years. This drag on the U.S. economy will bring rural America down with it.”

Ohio Dept of Ag Accepting Specialty Crop Grant Proposals

April 8, 2015 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

The Ohio Department of Agriculture is now accepting proposals for the 2015 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which will provide funding for projects to enhance the competitiveness of crops such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and nursery crops.

Grant funding is provided by the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service. The deadline for online grant proposal submissions is June 1, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. Grants will range from a minimum of $25,000 to a maximum of $150,000. In addition, all applicants must provide a minimum match of 25 percent of the requested grant amount.

Project proposals are sought that will advance the long-term economic viability of the state’s specialty crop industry while increasing the marketability of specialty crops. Higher rankings will be given to projects that demonstrate profit potential for growers and that could boost employment opportunities in the specialty crop industry.

Food and agricultural non-profit organizations, cooperatives, associations or commodity groups, universities and research institutions are eligible to submit specialty crop proposals.

For more information, available forms, or a copy of the request for proposals, visit the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s website at: http://www.agri.ohio.gov/Grants/Grants.aspx.

National Farmers Union: Mandatory GMO Labeling Must Be Part of New Legislation

April 3, 2015 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union delegates recently reiterated their support for the mandatory federal labeling of food products containing GMO traits at its annual convention. As such, NFU opposes the voluntary standard set out in Congressman Pompeo’s, R-Kan., Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015 (H.R. 1599).

“Consumers increasingly want to know more information about their food, not less,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “NFU policy supports mandatory labeling for food products throughout the processing chain, seeking to reduce consumer confusion and allowing producers to differentiate their products.”

Johnson noted that the bill has changed from the one introduced last Congress. “NFU appreciates Congressman Pompeo’s efforts to reduce consumer confusion and standardize a GMO label, but cannot support a bill that lacks mandatory labeling. We now call on Congress to bridge the numerous proposals that are currently pending for the benefit of producers and consumers.” said Johnson.

NFU’s Johnson Cautions on Pending Trade Deals

April 3, 2015 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

from the National Farmers Union

WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson today cautioned the American public – rural and urban alike – to be very leery of the rhetoric being used to sell upcoming trade deals and to insist that any agreement signed by this country has the primary goal of reducing the overall trade deficit.

“Trade is neither inherently good nor is it inherently bad,” said Johnson. “And the string of deals that have been signed into law over the past decade, including the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the more recent Korean trade deal have failed to deliver prosperity and instead have exported good American jobs while growing the overall trade deficit,” he said.

Johnson noted that in 2014, the trade deficit increased to $505 billion, representing nearly 3 percent of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and slowing growth for the overall economy. “Yes, the positive trade balance of U.S. agriculture trade is good news – but it is massively overshadowed by the alarming overall U.S. trade deficit,” he said.

“And all family farmers and ranchers should take note of that,” he said.

Johnson said that Congress should deny the request of the president, and any president in the future, who asks for Trade Promotion Authority — also known as Fast Track.

“Fast Track allows the president to negotiate these agreements in secret and then present them to Congress for an up or down vote, with any and all amendments forbidden. Trade agreements that lack transparency should raise everyone’s eyebrows,” said Johnson.

[Read more…]

Vilsack, McCarthy Hit on WOTUS, Rural Development in Remarks to NFU Convention

March 17, 2015 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack speaks before the National Farmers Union Annual Convention in Wichita, KS, March 16. Photo: NFU

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy both made news and spoke frankly to the delegates and attendees of the 113th National Farmers Union Annual Convention in Wichita, Kansas.

NFU’s national convention kicked off this past Saturday and ends today. Nearly 500 members were in attendance.

McCarthy spoke to conventioneers on Monday and thanked NFU for not “having a knee-jerk reaction” to EPA’s roll out of a draft Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.

McCarthy said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and EPA are working on details of the final rule and appreciated the comments submitted by NFU. On the subject of ditches, she said that EPA needs to make the definitions clearer. “Most farm ditches were never covered before, and they won’t be in this new rule,” she promised.

Another EPA hot topic for farmers has been the lack of action on setting up to date requirements for the nation’s Renewable Fuel Standard.

“The RFS is a complicated program, and we weren’t able to accomplish what we needed to do last year,” she said. “Implementing the RFS as Congress intended has been challenging,” McCarthy said.

U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy also spoke to NFU conventioneers on Monday. Photo: NFU

Vilsack also spoke to NFU on Monday and announced $97 million in programs to support the continued development of farmers markets, farm to school efforts and rural economies and will also expand risk management tools for specialty crops and limited-resource farmers.

“Increasing market opportunities for local food producers is a sound investment in America’s rural economies, while also increasing access to healthy food for our nation’s families,” Vilsack said.

“There are over 400 school systems in this country that are purchasing locally and this is a tremendous opportunity to help rebuild the rural economy,” Vilsack said. He noted that the 2012 Census of Agriculture indicated more than 160,000 farmers and ranchers nationwide are tapping into growing consumer demand by selling their products locally.

“Consumer demand for local, healthy food is skyrocketing in schools, hospitals and wholesalers. These grant opportunities allow farmers and ranchers to meet this demand, and feed our nation’s kids.”

[Read more…]

NFU Supports Efforts on More Study of Effects of Climate Change by Agencies

March 4, 2015 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

National Farms Union President Roger Johnson today submitted comments today highlighting why the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) efforts to mitigate and learn more about climate change are important to America’s family farmers and ranchers.

“Family farmers and ranchers across the U.S. are already feeling the impact of increasing weather volatility,” noted Johnson in the comments submitted to the CEQ on the Revised Draft Guidance for Federal Departments and Agencies on Consideration of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and the Effects of Climate Change in NEPA Reviews. “A compilation of the economic impact of extreme events with an economic impact in excess of $1 billion shows an increase in this extent of economic damage over the last 30 years,” he said.

Johnson noted that family farmers are good stewards and seek opportunities to work to mitigate climate change, as demonstrated by NFU’s policies supporting acknowledgment of carbon sequestration and emission reductions through agricultural practices, biofuels and renewable energy. “The CEQ revised draft guidance will encourage assessment and discussion on GHG emissions, potentially leading to decisions that will mitigate climate change or increase climate resilience.”

Johnson commended CEQ for assisting agencies in making decisions when considering climate change implications, and contributing to cost-effectiveness and efficiency in government.

[Read more…]

NFU Strong Opposition to Fast Track – Calls for Transparent Trade Deals

March 2, 2015 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson urged members of Congress to oppose trade promotion authority – also known as fast track – noting that trade agreements should be fair to all parties involved, and the process should be transparent.

“Trade promotion authority (“fast track”) would remove an important constitutional check on the president’s power to negotiate trade agreements,” noted Johnson in a letter sent to all members of Congress today. “Trade agreements must be fair for all parties involved and should therefore be subjected to review by the Congress – not conducted secretly.”

Johnson reminded members of Congress that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) was negotiated behind closed doors with little input from the public or Congress. “Congress should have full opportunity to review the provisions of a trade agreement, consistent with the authority and power endowed by the U.S. Constitution,” he said. “The lack of transparency in negotiating TPP is particularly egregious, considering its expansive scope.”

[Read more…]

OFU Forum Demonstrates Hope for Lake Erie

February 26, 2015 By Ron Sylvester Leave a Comment

Attendees listen to Dr. Jeffrey Reutter of Ohio Sea Grant in Ottawa.

OTTAWA – State and federal experts on agriculture and water quality gathered in Ottawa today to explain what’s causing harmful algal blooms (HAB) in the western basin of Lake Erie and what farmers can do to help alleviate the problem.

The Ohio Farmers Union and the Ohio Environmental Council sponsored the forum. Farmers in attendance were from northwest and west central Ohio in the heart of the Maumee River watershed.

“These gatherings are important to keep getting the message that Lake Erie can be restored and farmers will do their part,” said Ohio Farmers Union President Joe Logan.

“Farmers also come away with a great deal of information about best management practices in dealing with nutrients and keeping as much as fertilizer on their fields and out of our streams and lakes,” Logan added.

Dr. Jeffrey Reutter, director of Ohio Sea Grant and a researcher who has studied Lake Erie since the 1970s, told the gathering that Lake Erie is unique among the Great Lakes due to its relatively shallow depth and the rate at which water flushes out of the lake. In the western basin, where the algal blooms generally begin and are at their worst, Reutter said the flush out rate is 20 to 50 days.

He demonstrated that phosphorous overload in Lake Erie is indeed at the root of the HAB problem and that reducing the amount of phosphorous by 40 percent would curtail the blooms.

Another unique aspect of Lake Erie is the sheer amount of agricultural land that is encompassed by watersheds draining into its western basin Reutter said. The Maumee River watershed drains 4.5 million acres of agricultural land directly into the Maumee Bay near Toledo. In all, there are 7 million acres of agricultural land that drain into the western basin.

Reutter points to the fact that the lake was cleaned up in the 1970s and told the forum that it can happen again.

Also presenting was Greg LaBarge from the Ohio State University Extension. LaBarge explained the state’s new fertilizer applicator certification that must be completed by producers farming more than 50 acres by Sept. 30, 2017. To date well over 1,000 farmers have completed the training and in the coming months another 7,000 are expected to get certified. LaBarge said there are approximately 40,000 farmers with more than 50 acres in production in the state.

An agronomist who specializes in fields, LaBarge gave examples of several best practices already in use by many Ohio farmers. He said that there are a few other items that should get more attention by producers. Among these are efforts to slow down the movement of water off of a farmer’s land, looking at each field and its risk profile separately and building up soil quality.

Also speaking at the forum were Jocelyn Henderson, Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources; John Wilson, Natural Resources Conservation Service; Christopher Gibbs, Mercer County FSA and Marla Koerner, USDA.

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