WASHINGTON – Missouri Farmers Union member Steve Flick testified today in front of the Senate Committee on Agriculture on behalf of National Farmers Union. Flick, the board chairman of Show Me Energy Cooperative, discussed the importance of federal renewable energy programs such as the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), and the Biorefinery Assistance Program to his cooperative and to rural development as a whole.
Video: NFU’s President Roger Johnson Talks About Political Climate in Washington, Farm Bill
The following video was recorded at the Ohio Farmers Union 2012 Convention at the end of January. President Johnson’s comments are still very relevant today …
National Farmers Union All States Leadership Camp
Save the Date
Volunteer, Internship opportunities at the National Farmers Union
Are You Looking For Work Experience? Check out NFU’s Internship Program
Grad Students: When can a 3-5 month job change your life? When it’s a Farmers Union internship on Capitol Hill! NFU is now accepting applications: http://www.nfu.org/education/internships. Extended internships available during the fall/winter/spring sessions.
Farmer-to-Farmer Exchange – Horticulture Experience Needed
The Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer program is looking for someone to help the women’s groups in Senegal get access to new horticultural techniques and manage the surface under cultivation they have available. If interested, send an e-mail to mmiller@nfudc.org and we’ll put in contact with the National Cooperative Business Association.
Passage of currency reform will make trade agreements more fair
WASHINGTON (Oct. 11, 2011) – National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed S. 1619, the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act of 2011:
“We are very pleased that the Senate passed the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act, because it is a comprehensive piece of legislation that uses U.S. trade law to counter the economic harm caused to U.S. farmers, ranchers and manufacturers due to currency manipulation. Before our trade can truly be fair, we need to ensure that all countries are playing by the same rules.
NFU Opposes Changes to Renewable Fuels Standards
WASHINGTON (Oct. 5, 2011) – National Farmers Union (NFU) and a coalition of organizations joined today in a letter opposing legislation from Reps. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., and Jim Costa, D-Calif., that would arbitrarily reduce or eliminate the volumes of renewable fuel use required by the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) based upon corn stocks-to-use ratios.
“American farmers have met, can and will continue to meet our domestic and international commitments for food and feed while still making a significant and growing contribution to lessening our dependence on imported oil,” the coalition wrote.
According to researchers at Iowa State University and the University of Wisconsin, ethanol has proven beneficial to the economy, reducing the price consumers pay at the pump by 89 cents per gallon in 2010 alone.
“This legislation represents backward-looking thinking regarding our economic and energy security,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “We need policy that continues to transition our economy away from imported fossil fuels and towards homegrown biofuels.”
NFU policy supports an expanded RFS and ambitious mandates for production of biofuels.
National Farmers Union Calls on President Obama to Deny Keystone XL Pipeline Project
NFU’s Johnson says current route could damage freshwater resources
WASHINGTON (Oct. 4, 2011) – National Farmers Union (NFU) submitted comments today on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline project, urging the Department of State (DOS) to deny issuance of a Presidential Permit.
“NFU policy opposes any infrastructure or resource development that jeopardizes the health, safety and quality of the Ogallala and other freshwater aquifer resources,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “NFU continues to have serious concerns regarding the proposed Keystone XL pipeline and the agency-preferred route as outlined in the FEIS.”
In the letter, NFU expressed concerns over the environmental impact of the proposed pipeline route.
“Pursuit of the agency-preferred route places in serious jeopardy the groundwater resources in the Ogallala aquifer and related natural resources upon which our nation and our family farmers, ranchers and rural residents depend,” said Johnson.
NFU’s Johnson says pending free trade agreements lack protections for American workers, farmers
National Farmers Union says Congress should oppose FTAs until the playing field is level
WASHINGTON (Oct. 3, 2011) – National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson issued the following statement in regard to the submission of the Korea, Panama, and Colombia Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) for consideration by Congress:
“These three agreements are similar to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). Both of those agreements have worsened the U.S. trade deficit, because the U.S. does not compete on a level playing field with other nations. America adheres to higher labor and environmental standards than other nations, so U.S. companies incur costs that companies in other nations do not.
Market Competition is good for consumers and family farmers & ranchers
GIPSA rule would protect basic rights of family farmers – and maintain choices for consumers
It’s rather unbelievable that an administration in Washington which talks every day about “fighting for the middle class” has delayed implementing the GIPSA rule. Please find below a clear explanation of the issue from the National Farmers Union. The Ohio Farmers Union is joining NFU in urging our members – and others who support us – to contact their elected representatives in Washington and tell them you want the GIPSA rule implemented now. Follow this link to find your member of Congress and U.S. Senators and use the contact forms on their websites to ask them to tell the Obama Administration that GIPSA should be implemented now.
From the National Farmers Union:
In June 2010, the U.S. government provided some simple clarifications to the law that governs the relationship between livestock producers and the meatpackers and processors who buy their animals. This proposed change, known as the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (or GIPSA) rule, would help to ensure fairness and bargaining rights for individual producers and restore competition to agricultural markets. Predictably, it prompted immediate and vigorous backlash from meat processors.
What does the GIPSA rule, so demonized by packers and processors, actually do?
It protects the basic rights of family farmers. It ensures farmers are able to have their contracts reviewed by an attorney or financial specialist so they know they’re not being cheated, and it protects farmers who speak out against unfair practices from retaliation from packers and processors. It allows a poultry farmer, previously denied the opportunity to watch his chickens being weighed after purchase, to make sure the weights recorded are accurate. Hog farmers who were kept in the dark about each others’ contracting agreements could compare their contracts and other vital documents to make sure they are being treated fairly.
Join the Ohio Farmers Union now through February and NFU will donate $10 to feed America’s hungry
If you are concerned about rural Ohio, America’s family farmers and the quality of the food you eat there are many reasons to join the Ohio Farmers Union. From now until February 29, 2012 you can add helping to end hunger in America.
National Farmers Union and Feeding America have partnered to help fight hunger throughout the United States. According to Feeding America, one in six Americans struggles with hunger, including one-fourth of all children. When you join the Ohio Farmers Union, you are also joining NFU. National Farmers Union has pledged $10 to Feeding America for each new membership through next February. Additionally, OFU/NFU members’ direct donations to Feeding America qualify for a matching grant provided by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation. Existing members should visit Feeding America’s NFU page for information and to donate.
“We are very proud to work with Feeding America to tackle this important issue,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “Now, Farmers Union members can make an even bigger impact. The Howard G. Buffett Foundation has challenged Farmers Union members to raise $50,000 by providing a matching grant. Every dollar donated by Farmers Union members will be matched by the foundation, up to $50,000.”
