NFU Releases August Congressional Recess Priorities 

During the month of August, Congress typically recesses, and elected officials return home to their districts and states to meet with constituents, sometimes referred to as the “district work period.” This is an important time to advocate for Farmers Union’s policy priorities and make your voice heard about the importance of family farm agriculture. Join with other Farmers Union members in your state to attend town hall meetings or to schedule meetings with your elected officials. 

Our top issues during this district work period are: 

1.Pass a Strong Farm Bill 

• Ensure Fairness for Farmers by addressing the monopoly crisis in agriculture 
• Strengthen farm programs, disaster assistance, and risk management 
• Address USDA staffing shortfalls 
• Enact the Dairy Revitalization Plan 
• Help farmers tackle climate change 

2. Support an American-Grown, Renewable Energy Future 

3. Preserve Local Control and Landowner Rights  A full version of these priorities is linked here as a webpage and pdf.

This week, NFU had the opportunity to join Rep. Greg Casar of Texas to introduce his Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers & Ranchers Act. Of the announcement, NFU President Rob Larew said “National Farmers Union is happy to support the Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers & Ranchers Act. Through our Fairness for Farmers campaign, NFU has been fighting for a more competitive and fairer farm economy and a farm bill that promotes competition. We’re going to work with Rep. Casar to push this bill forward.”    NFU Senior Government Relations Representative Layla Soberanis spoke at a Capitol Hill news conference with the bill’s cosponsors and other organizations.