For Immediate Release: Feb. 17, 2012
Contact: 202-554-1600

WASHINGTON (Feb. 17, 2012) – National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson issued the following statement after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released an evaluation of the health effects data requirements for registration of E15:

“Today’s decision by EPA to accept the health effects information submitted by the Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy clears a major hurdle for E15. Now manufacturers who wish to register E15 may choose to rely on this data for completing their applications.

“We are one step closer to having E15 available for widespread distribution in the U.S. American consumers deserve a choice at the pump. According to Growth Energy, the average price of a gallon of E15 is 76 cents cheaper than a gallon of gasoline. E15 is a homegrown fuel that saves consumers money and helps wean us off of our addiction to foreign oil. Today’s decision is a win for rural America, a win for national security, and a win for the environment.”

National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.

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For Immediate Release: Feb. 15, 2012
Contact: 202-554-1600

WASHINGTON (Feb. 15, 2012) – Missouri Farmers Union member Steve Flick testified today in front of the Senate Committee on Agriculture on behalf of National Farmers Union (NFU). 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.

“Show Me Energy’s use of BCAP is a compelling example of how farm bill energy title programs are incentivizing the production of dedicated energy crops,” said Flick. “We need to be increasing those programs that will help revitalize rural America and help America become more energy secure. The United States is a country with unlimited potential to do great things. I believe that America’s farmers, ranchers and rural residents have a bright future ahead of them with the right incentives. Renewable energy is the future of rural America.”

Show Me Energy Cooperative is owned by 612 farmers in Western Missouri.

“We greatly appreciate Steve taking the time to come out to Washington, D.C., and sharing his story with the Senate Committee on Agriculture,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “It is important for Congressional leaders to see that programs like BCAP are not expenditures, but rather investments that help us reach a new era in renewable energy. We were pleased to hear bipartisan support on the committee for the inclusion of funding for flex fuel pumps in REAP. The secretary also reiterated his strong support for this in order to meet the administration’s goal of installing 10,000 flex fuel pumps nationwide.”

National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.

For Immediate Release: Feb. 13, 2012
Contact: 202-554-1600

WASHINGTON (Feb. 13, 2012) – National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson issued the following statement after President Barack Obama unveiled his budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2013:

“The president’s budget proposal for FY 2013 would cut agriculture programs by $32 billion over ten years, which is $9 billion more than the agreement reached late last year in a bipartisan, bicameral manner by the House and Senate Agriculture Committees.

“Agriculture has and continues to do more than its fair share toward reducing the federal deficit. Efforts to cut even more by slashing support for family farmers should be directed elsewhere. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the closing of 259 facilities across the country because of these draconian budget cuts. The ‘cut-first, ask questions later’ attitude in Congress is now showing its true costs.

“These budget cuts highlight a reality that we must look for new solutions within the agriculture industry to ensure that farmers and ranchers are protected even as the available funds diminish. Farmers need a safety net for difficult times – when markets collapse and when disaster strikes. The Market-Driven Inventory System (MDIS), which NFU and the University of Tennessee have been recently developing, would help to do just that. Had it been in place from 1998 to 2010, the federal government would have saved about 60 percent in farm program spending compared to the costs of the programs that were actually implemented during that period.

“NFU appreciates that the proposed FY 2013 budget maintains strong support for natural resource conservation and environmental issues, but we are concerned that funding is permanently reduced for many key conservation programs. Because we are in a farm bill reauthorization year, this will further exacerbate the budget hole for agriculture programs. This makes the passage and completion of a farm bill in 2012 an imperative but difficult task for the Congress and the administration.

“While we were not pleased with the decrease in funding levels, we were pleased with the renewable energy initiatives and the drive to increase America’s energy independence. The president’s budget also emphasizes food safety, food security, and increased nutrition and obesity reduction.

“Our nation’s family farmers and ranchers provide us with the safest, most affordable, most abundant food supply in the world. As a matter of national security we must support them.”

National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.

For Immediate Release: Feb. 8, 2012
Contact: 202-554-1600

WASHINGTON (Feb. 8, 2012) – National Farmers Union (NFU) encourages individuals who are contemplating starting a career in farming or ranching to apply for the Beginning Farmer Institute. The program is also open to those across the nation who have just begun farming or are in the process of transferring an operation from a parent, relative, or non-relative.

Beginning farmers and ranchers face a seemingly unlimited number of decisions to make, from drawing up a business plan and arranging financing to learning what programs are available to make it easier to start up and sustain a successful operation.

“This program will answer the questions new farmers have, and more importantly share our expertise to answer questions that people do not always think of asking when they begin farming,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. "The Beginning Farmer Institute underscores our commitment to growing family agriculture."

Applicants accepted into the 2012 program will attend three separate education sessions, to be held in April in Washington, D.C., November in Minneapolis, Minn., and at the NFU Convention in March 2013 in Springfield, Mass. Program topics will cover business planning, understanding U.S. Department of Agriculture programs, tax and record keeping, and marketing.

A $25 registration fee is required for accepted candidates. The NFU Foundation will cover the costs of materials, transportation, and lodging. This program is supported by the NFU Foundation, Farm Credit and CHS Foundation.

To apply, visit www.nfu.org/education, fill out the form and return it by the March 14, 2012, deadline.

National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.

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