Serving Family Farmers and Consumers Since 1934
We all know … Ohio Farmers Union members save on insurance. If you’re the online type and curious today, why not head over to the OFU portal at Medical Mutual and request a quote?
Need to set up your Health Savings Account? Ohio Farmers Union members can simply go online with HealthEquity and get it done!
WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union and a coalition of agricultural, conservation, environmental, energy, forestry, hunger, and rural stakeholders sent a letter to Senate leadership today urging them to bring the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 to the Senate floor as soon as possible. NFU led the effort, which was supported by more than 125 organizations.
“This is one piece of legislation upon which all Americans depend, urban as well as rural,” stated the letter. “With limited time remaining before the expiration of current program authorities, time is of the essence.”
The Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 passed the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on April 26 by a 16-5 vote. The broad range of the 125 cosigners emphasizes the expansive reach and impact of the farm bill.
“This strongly bipartisan bill ensures that agriculture does its part to reduce the deficit, cutting spending by $23 billion, while still maintaining a safety net that family farmers and ranchers need,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “Some farm bill programs have already expired, and the rest expire on Sept. 30. It is critical to pass a farm bill as soon as possible so that Americans have the agriculture, conservation, environmental, forestry, hunger, and rural development programs that they need. While many of us will continue to work for improvements in the bill, we all agree that we need a farm bill this year.”
WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union Vice President of Government Relations Chandler Goule discussed antibiotic use in animal agriculture today in a presentation at a national stakeholder meeting hosted by the Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics in Washington, D.C.
“NFU supports measures that continue to allow the Food and Drug Administration to permit the use of therapeutic antibiotics approved for use in livestock unless valid scientific evidence proves that the product is unsafe,” said Goule. “NFU believes that antibiotic treatment should be reserved for clinical treatment of illness and for judicious use in preventing illness during periods of stress and supports the right of producers to treat their animals with antibiotics to address herd health issues while opposing the constant sub-therapeutic use of antibiotics.”
More research is needed to determine the links between antibiotic use for animal health and antibiotic resistance in humans according to two separate GAO reports.
“What is clear is that there is a need for additional research and for carefully crafted legislation that is evidence-based,” said Goule.
WASHINGTON (April 26, 2012) – National Farmers Union (NFU) issued the following statement after today’s announcement by the Department of Labor (DOL) regarding its withdrawal of a proposed rule dealing with children who work in agricultural vocations:
“NFU is glad to see the DOL and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) continued commitment to the safety of children, particularly on farms, which can be dangerous work environments.
WASHINGTON (April 26, 2012) – National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson issued the following statement after the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry passed the 2012 Farm Bill out of committee by a 16-5 vote:
“NFU is pleased to see the 2012 Farm Bill voted out of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry in a bipartisan vote. This represents progress toward providing a fiscally responsible farm safety net directed to family farmers and ranchers. The bill’s investment in rural America will create jobs and opportunities for farmers to continue providing energy and conservations benefits to all Americans.
Last Friday, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture sent out a press release announcing the publication of the latest Food Hub Resource Guide. I thought it might be a good time to talk about what a regional food hub is and where one might find a hub in Ohio.
The USDA defines a food hub as:
… businesses or organizations that connect producers with buyers by offering a suite of production, distribution, and marketing services. It’s an innovative business model that allows farmers of all sizes to meet the growing consumer demand for fresh, local food by gaining entry into commercial and larger volume markets such as grocery stores, hospitals and schools.
In other words, if you’re a farmer or someone who produces an agricultural-related product, these are the people who can help you get what you produce into a local market. Yes, there is marketing help out there if you want to produce for and participate in the growing local and regional food market.
WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson issued the following statement in response to the 2012 Farm Bill Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Draft:
“NFU is pleased with the efforts of Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Ranking Member Pat Roberts, R-Kan., to write a bipartisan bill under difficult budgetary constraints. This is an important step in a long process for writing the omnibus agricultural legislation, and it increases the likelihood that a bipartisan farm bill can pass the Senate in the near future.
This is a column from USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack provided by the agency.
By Secretary Tom Vilsack
Since taking office, President Obama has been committed to an all-of-the-above approach that expands production of American energy resources. Already, there are signs that this strategy is making an impact. Last year, domestic oil production reached the highest level in nearly a decade. Imports of foreign oil fell to the lowest level in 16 years. We’re producing more natural gas than at any time in our history. Since 2008, renewable energy generation from sources like wind, solar, and geothermal has nearly doubled. And the Obama Administration has supported the first nuclear power plant in thirty years.
Strengthening the domestic biofuels industry has been another critical component of this overall strategy. And today, U.S. biofuel production is at its highest level in history. In fact, average monthly production increased more than 40 percent between 2008 and 2011. That means more jobs – especially in rural America – and greater energy security.
At USDA, we continue to support cutting-edge efforts to reduce America’s reliance on fossil fuel. For example, earlier this month, USDA announced approval of a $5 million payment to Western Plains Energy, LLC to support the construction of a biogas anaerobic digester in Oakley, KS. The completed project will utilize waste energy resources from a local cattle feedlot to replace almost 90 percent of the fossil fuels currently used by Western Plains Energy. In Blairstown, Iowa, USDA funding will be used to construct a 55,000 square foot facility that will produce cellulosic ethanol by converting municipal solid waste and other industrial pulps into advanced biofuels, as well as using conventional renewable biofuel derived from seed corn waste. When operational, the facility is expected to produce approximately 3.6 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol per year. Support for renewable energy projects such as these is an example of the many ways USDA is helping revitalize rural economies.
Yesterday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued guidance to the livestock, drug and medical communities on what it termed the “judicious use of medically important antibiotics in food-producing animals.”
Although FDA guidance to industry is voluntary, the agency said a voluntary approach is a recognition of the “need to collaborate” with all parties and not disrupt animal health or the agricultural industry. FDA said it will monitor the effectiveness of its voluntary strategy for three years and determine whether further regulatory action is needed at that time.
The public health issue FDA is trying to address is the growth of antimicrobial resistance in animals as well as humans. Once animals or humans develop a resistance to an antibiotic various illnesses or infections may no longer be cured by that drug. A focus of the new guidance to producers, drug makers and veterinarians is that antimicrobials or antibiotics should only be used when medically necessary. On some farms, especially in so-called factory farms, antibiotics are added to animal feed to promote faster growth and prevent infections among livestock when no illness exists. Essentially, FDA would like to see these drugs used only when vets believe they are necessary to stop infection or illness and for drug companies to not promote antibiotics for animal growth or most preventive uses.
Three documents were published to the Federal Register outlining FDA’s action. You can read them by following the links:
The ideas described in this video will not hold up in court against a polluter should your well water be contaminated by frack waste, but this technique – and working with your neighbors – could give you an affordable way to track one aspect of water quality. An increase in the level of chlorides in your water over time could be the canary in the coal mine telling you to get professional testing done.
