FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 8, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released a final rule detailing updates to its Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) as directed by the 2018 Farm Bill. In comparison to the interim rule, the final version places a greater emphasis on soil health – … Read More
Farmers Union Rebukes Trump’s Refusal to Consider Pandemic Relief
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 6, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737hpackman@nfudc.org Though millions of Americans are enduring unemployment, food insecurity, the possibility of eviction, and other hardships because of the pandemic, President Donald Trump today indicated that he would not consider another stimulus package until after the election. Out of concern for hungry Americans, struggling rural communities, … Read More
Proposed Rule Would Deter Organic Fraud, Strengthen Label’s Integrity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 5, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – The National Organic Program (NOP) opens economic opportunities and new markets for American farmers – but in the last several years, millions of dollars of non-organic products have been intentionally mislabeled and sold as organic, eroding consumer confidence in the certified organic … Read More
Stimulus Package Includes Critical Relief for Hungry Americans, Struggling Businesses
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 1, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – Four and half months after the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act stalled in the Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an amended version of the legislation. The $2.2 trillion stimulus package incorporates many provisions National Farmers Union … Read More
Continuing Resolution Averts Government Shutdown, Provides Support for Hungry Americans and Farmers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 30, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – With just hours to spare, the Senate today narrowly avoided a government shutdown by passing a continuing resolution to fund federal agencies through December 11. The bill, which now awaits President Donald Trump’s signature, would also provide nearly $8 billion for nutrition assistance … Read More
Food Safety Spotlight: Kansas Farmers Union Connects with Urban Growers On-Farm and Online
By Charlie Michel, National Farmers Union Education and Outreach Coordinator When a statewide COVID-19 lockdown upended their food safety event planning, Mary Howell and Mercedes Taylor-Puckett of Kansas Farmers Union (KFU) were quick to respond with creative solutions for delivering on-farm education to Kansas growers. A primary challenge was reaching producers in cities like Wichita, … Read More
Pandemic Revealed Need for Structural Reform in the Food and Farm System, NFU Testimony States
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 30, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – Pandemic-related disruptions have exposed underlying weaknesses in our food and farm system, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew told the House Small Business Committee today during a hearing. In both verbal and written testimony, Larew highlighted the need for significant structural … Read More
NFU Welcomes Introduction of Next Generation Fuels Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 24, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – Higher octane fuels like mid- and high-level ethanol blends are mutually beneficial for drivers, farmers, and the environment. Recognizing this, Representative Cheri Bustos today introduced the Next Generation Fuels Act, which would increase gasoline octane to a minimum standard of 98 Research Octane Number … Read More
Farm Preparedness Checklist for Covid-19
By Melanie Arthur, NFU Intern The Covid-19 pandemic has created new challenges for our food system, especially for those operating or working on farms or in food facilities. To simplify and streamline pandemic-related decisions, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released a new resource, the Employee Health … Read More
Stopgap Funding Provides Important Relief for Farmers, Hungry Americans
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 22, 2020 Contact: Hannah Packman, 303-819-8737 hpackman@nfudc.org WASHINGTON – With government funding due to run out next week, the U.S. House of Representatives today passed a continuing resolution that would keep federal agencies running through December 11. In addition to preventing a government shutdown, the stopgap measure would provide nearly $8 billion for … Read More