NFU Fly-In Brings 320 Farmers to D.C.

NFU E-News

Issue 340 ~ September 14, 2017

Featured


NFU Honorary Historian Tom Giessel addresses administration officials at a briefing at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

320 Farmers Union Members ‘Fly-In’ to D.C.

It’s been a busy week in Washington, D.C.! 320 farmers from across the country came to the nation’s capital for NFU’s Fall Legislative Fly-In, which gives Farmers Union members the opportunity to directly participate in NFU’s grassroots policy making process.

The event kicked off early Monday morning with a briefing at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Participants heard from USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue, USDA Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett, National Resources


	U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue addresses the Farmers Union crowd.

Conservation Service Acting Chief Leonard Jordan, and USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Administrator Hubert Hamer on a variety of farm and agriculture issues, including the farm economy, conservation issues, health care, and the farm bill. In the afternoon, U.S. Senate and House of Representatives agriculture committees’ staff members spoke to the crowd about the committees’ fall agendas.

For the next two days, teams of Farmer Union members stopped by the offices of all 535 members of Congress to highlight the key objectives for the organization, struggles they are facing, and goals for future legislation, including the 2018 Farm Bill. This year’s priorities included farm safety net, access to health care, and renewable energy. Read more about what they’ve been up to in the NFU release.

On Tuesday evening, NFU recognized 33 outstanding U.S. Senators and Representatives who have demonstrated leadership and support at the federal policymaking level for family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities with the Golden Triangle Award, the organization’s highest legislative honor. Find a list of recipients here.

For more photos from Fly-In, visit NFUs flickr account.

Representative Cheri Bustos of Illinois accepts NFU’s Golden Triangle Award.

Beginning Farmer Institute Holds First Learning Session

BFI participants visited Common Good City Farm in Washington, D.C.

NFU’s 2017-2018 Beginning Farmer Institute met in Washington, D.C., last weekend for the first of three learning sessions that will occur in the coming year.

Twenty beginning farmers from diverse backgrounds, locations, and operations attended the two-day event. They heard from industry experts, leaders, policymakers, and one another


This year’s BFI class spent their first learning session hearing from industry experts, leaders, and policymakers.

about a number of agricultural issues, including advocacy, conservation, and farm credit. The session’s curriculum was developed with the input of the participants to address their priorities and interests.

Participants also toured Common Good City Farm, a local urban operation, to learn about sustainable farming practices, business management, and community engagement.

Read more about BFI’s first session in the NFU release, and find pictures from the session here.

Reminders

Share What You Know About Food Safety!

Calling all produce growers, farmers, and food hubs: how can we help you with food safety? The Local Food Safety Collaborativewants to know. Take their survey here, and be entered to win one of twenty $100 gift cards.

Your responses to this survey will help LFSC enhance food safety knowledge and support local farmers and processors to comply with applicable Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations.

Read more in the NFU release.

Apply for a Value-Added Producer Grant

The Rural Business Cooperative Agency is accepting applications for the Value-Added Producer Grant Program (VAPG), for which $18 million is currently available.

VAPG provides key financial assistance to help producers generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, increase income, and improve their operations’ resilience.

Applications for VAPG are due by January 31, 2018. Learn more about the program here and learn how to apply here.

NFU in the News

Farmers ride into D.C., push safety net in 2018 Farm Bill

Teaganne Finn – Bloomberg

Read it here

NFU Beginning Farmer Institute holds first learning session in Washington, D.C.

Farm Forum

Read it here

Perdue talks deregulation to National Farmers Union members

Jerry Hagstrom – The Fence Post

Read it here

NFU adding health care push to fly-in efforts

Spencer Chase – Agri-Pulse

Read it here

Farmers Union takes ethanol issue to Washington, D.C.

Renée Jean – Williston Herald

Read it here

Farm groups largely agree with president over burdens of estate tax

Chris Clayton – The Progressive Farmer

Read it here

Ohio Farmers Union event to hear from farmers

Norwalk Reflector

Read it here

Wisconsin dairy farmers consider risk management options

The Associated Press – McClatchy D.C. Bureau

Read it here

State Convention Schedule

State/Region	Dates	Location
Hawaii	October 6-8, 2017	Oahu, HI
Northwest	October 14, 2017	Walla Walla, WA
Montana	October 21-22, 2017	Great Falls, MT
Alaska	TBD	TBD
Indiana	TBD	TBD
Rocky Mountain	November 17-18, 2017	Denver, CO
Minnesota	November 17-19, 2017	Minneapolis, MN
Iowa	November 30-December 1, 2017	Greenfield, IA
South Dakota	November 30-December 1, 2017	Huron, SD
Kansas	December 1-2, 2017	Emporia, KS
Missouri	December 2, 2017	TBD
Michigan	TBD	TBD
New England	TBD	TBD
Nebraska	December 8-9, 2017	Grand Island, NE
North Dakota	December 15-16, 2017	Bismarck, ND
Arkansas	TBD	TBD
Utah	TBD	TBD
Texas	January 26-27, 2018	Abilene, TX
Ohio	January 27-28, 2018	TBD
Wisconsin	February 2-4, 2018	Wisconsin Dells, WI
California	TBD	TBD
Pennsylvania	February 8, 2018	State College, PA
Illinois	TBD	TBD
Oklahoma	February 16-18, 2018	Norman, OK

Membership

Member Benefit Highlight: Working Person’s Store

The Working Person’s Store carries a full lineup of work wear, footwear, outerwear, from many brands including; Carhartt, CAT, Champion, Dickie’s, John Deere, Harley Davidson and many more. NFU members receive 10% off online purchases.

Visit nfu.org/join to become a member and start saving today.

Visit nfu.org/benefits for a complete listing of all NFU membership benefits.

Call a Doctor 24/7 with Telemedicine

National Farmers Union and Sprint have teamed up to bring you discounted cell service!

The best value in wireless just got even better. As an NFU member you are now eligible for savings up to 15% off of your monthly bill and up to 20% off select Sprint products

when purchased through a Sprint retailer. Both new and current Sprint users can take advantage of these terrific savings.

Visit Sprint and use the “upload” option to upload your membership card and start saving!

Insurance

Farmers Union Insurance

Farmers Union Insurance has always been a community-based insurance provider. Founded by Farmers Union leaders in 1945, the company offers personalized, relationship-based service to farmers and rural residents across the Rocky Mountain and upper Midwest states. Last year alone Farmers Union Insurance provided more than 90,000 policies.

Looking to get the most out of your insurance policy or know a farmer who is? Remember that by choosing a Farmers Union Insurance product you are supporting your state Farmers Union as well as National Farmers Union’s 114 year old effort to advocate on behalf of the American family farm.

Learn more about Farmers Union Insurance – A QBE Group Partner.

Hastings Mutual Partnership

Hastings Mutual provides members top farm insurance products as well as other great coverages including home, auto and commercial insurance. The company operates in six Midwestern states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. Last year alone, the partnership garnered over 500 new memberships in those states.

Know a farmer in one of these six states? Tell them to contact their state farmers union or a Hastings insurance agent in their area to receive discounts on their farm owners policy premium.

Watch the Hastings Mutual/NFU partnership video here.

Visit our website to learn more about your state farmers union. Call Hastings Mutual at 1-800-442-8277 to find an agent near you.

NFU Fly-In Brings 320 Farmers to D.C.