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We’re working our way through the 800-page Farm Bill compromise bill. The legislation will cost $867 billion over 10 years. We expect to see it pass as early as this week and no later than next week. Then it’s on to Trump’s desk for signature into law. Of course, Trump could veto the measure, but […]

Posted on December 11th, 2018 by Rural Outlook
Filed under: Agriculture, Farms & Farmers | No Comments »

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“Major changes need to be made to this bill. Farmers Union urges the House to send it back to committee to make significant improvements worthy of the men and woman who feed, fuel and clothe our nation.”

Posted on May 18th, 2018 by Debby
Filed under: A Better Deal, Agriculture, Farm Bill 2018, Farms & Farmers, Food | No Comments »

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A bad idea just doesn’t make for sound public policy; uniformed, chaotic government doesn’t make wise choices; and it is self-destructive for people to allow ignorant and intolerant politicians to lead. For a moment try to forget about the tawdry sex scandals, suspected election subterfuge and signs of using the presidency of the United States […]

Posted on April 13th, 2018 by Rural Outlook
Filed under: Agriculture, Economy, Farms & Farmers, Food, Poverty in America, Trade War | No Comments »

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WASHINGTON – Farmers and ranchers take home just 11.4 cents from every dollar that consumers spend on their Thanksgiving dinner meals, according to the annual Thanksgiving edition of the National Farmers Union (NFU) Farmer’s Share publication. The popular Thanksgiving Farmer’s Share compares the retail food price of traditional holiday dinner items to the amount the […]

Posted on November 22nd, 2017 by Rural Outlook
Filed under: Agriculture, Economy, Farms & Farmers, Food, Labor, Rural Issues | No Comments »

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As Republicans in Congress begin to try to steamroll through their $1.5 trillion tax cut plan for corporations and the super-rich, Rural middle and working class Americans should be prepared to take a hit in the wallet if the bill passes. While the bottom line numbers being floated by the GOP might sound seductive, take […]

Posted on November 7th, 2017 by Rural Outlook
Filed under: A Better Deal, Economy, Farms & Farmers, Republicans, Rural Life, Taxes | No Comments »

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WASHINGTON (Jan. 28, 2014) – The National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson, under direction from the NFU Board of Directors, sent a letter today to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker of the House John Boehner calling for the 2014 Farm Bill to be called up and voted on this week. “Farm bill […]

Posted on January 28th, 2014 by Debby
Filed under: Agriculture, Farm Bill 2012, Farms & Farmers, House of Representatives, Rural Issues, Senate | No Comments »

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National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson agrees. WASHINGTON (Oct. 17, 2013) – National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson issued the following statement today, after the end of the U.S. federal government shutdown: “Last night’s action by Congress ended a shutdown of our government and will return agencies back to normal operating status. This is […]

Posted on October 17th, 2013 by Debby
Filed under: Agriculture, Economy, Farm Bill 2012, Farms & Farmers, Federal Budget, POTUS, Rural Issues, US Congress | No Comments »

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Growing up in Massachusetts means a special kind of connection to the Fourth of July. Along with Thanksgiving, the Fourth of July is one of two holidays all Americans can claim as our own. Both were born in Massachusetts: Thanksgiving in Plymouth around a communal dining table and the American Revolution, which started with the […]

Posted on July 4th, 2013 by Debby
Filed under: Agriculture, Childhood Hunger, Farm Bill 2012, Farms & Farmers, Food, House of Representatives, House of Representatives, Nutrition, Public Option, Rural Urban Partnerships, US Congress | No Comments »

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Agribusiness food giant Monsanto took on Indiana farmer Vernon Hugh Bowman (NPR photo by Dan Charles) in a dispute over a patent to grow genetically modified soybeans. The case went all the way to the top, with the Supreme Court ruling unanimously yesterday that Bowman violated Monsanto’s patent. Monsanto’s soybeans are resistant to the weed killer […]

Posted on May 15th, 2013 by Debby
Filed under: Agriculture, Farms & Farmers, Genetically modified foods | No Comments »

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A massive fire tore through the Golonka farmhouse in Whately, Massachusetts last week. Sonia and Mary Golonka died. A sad day for the Golonka family, the Pioneer Valley agricultural community and the never ending stream of customers who visit the Golonka Farm produce stand all season long. Most farms and ranches in the United States […]

Posted on April 8th, 2013 by Debby
Filed under: Agriculture, Buy Local, Farms & Farmers, Rural Life, Uncategorized | No Comments »