National Family Farm Coalition (NFFC) is outraged that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) renewed registration of Xtendimax, Monsanto’s (now Bayer) dicamba-based herbicide. The controversial pesticide is extremely prone to drift and as a result has damaged millions of acres of crops and pollinator habitat in the two seasons since its approval.
Family Farmers: New Trade Deal Is More of the Same
National Family Farm Coalition (NFFC) is disappointed that the renegotiation of the trilateral North American trade deal now known as the US-Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) has again put the financial interests of multi-national corporations ahead of family farmers, workers, and the environment.
Family Farmers Urge New Direction for Farm Bill
National coalition praises details, criticizes big picture as conference committee begins deliberations.
Farmers Need Fair Prices, Not NAFTA-Lite and Meager Tariff Aid
Trump Administration measures announced this week will not return prosperity to rural America.
Comments on USDA Milk Purchasing Program
In response to USDA’s announcement of a new program to purchase fluid milk for distribution to The Emergency Food Assistance Program, National Family Farm Coalition sent a letter to USDA and Congressional agriculture leaders that included a Section 32 milk purchasing initiative among a list of suggested actions to address the urgent dairy crisis. NFFC applauds the agency’s decision to establish this purchasing program. It will provide a much-needed market for some of the surplus milk contributing to low farmer prices while putting wholesome dairy products into the hands and stomachs of people in need. However, NFFC’s proposal of the program was intended as a temporary measure, and we hope that USDA and Congress will take the additional steps outlined in our letter.
NFFC Statement on $12 Billion Trade Bailout
Family Farmers and Ranchers Seek Economic Empowerment, not Taxpayer Bailout
Diverse Rural Farmer and Community Groups Praise Bipartisan Senate Agriculture Committee Farm Bill
A joint statement by NFFC and Rural Coalition on the Senate farm bill.
Family Farmers Applaud Defeat of Regressive House Farm Bill
NFFC statement on the defeat of the regressive House farm bill.
National Family Farm Coalition and Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance to Share Leadership
As of May 1, Niaz Dorry will lead the work of both organizations.
Farmers and Allies Urge Immediate Government Action to End Dairy Crisis
More than 50 family farmer, labor, and consumer organizations urged federal agriculture policymakers to take immediate steps to help US dairy farmers, who have struggled for years with milk prices that are well below their costs of production.
Demand Food Sovereignty to Commemorate April 17th
On April 17th each year, members of La Via Campesina – the largest umbrella organization in the world for family farmers, fisher and herder folk, hunters/gatherers/foresters, and indigenous peoples – commemorate the massacre of landless peasants in 1996 in the Amazonian state of Pará, Brazil. Nineteen members of the Landless Workers Movement (MST) were attacked and killed while hundreds more peasants were injured by Brazilian military police during their protest for comprehensive agrarian reform. This struggle for justice continues in Brazil today. Events planned for April 17th worldwide may be viewed online (http://bit.ly/2GUu8Y0April17th).
Rural Farmer, Community Orgs Alarmed by D.C. Announcements
We would like the 2018 farm bill to reach and support everyone, but evidence so far suggests a callous and divisive intent.