National Farmers Union (United States) - Current Activities

Current Activities

The National Farmers Union is active in promoting renewable energy sources such as ethanol, biodiesel and wind energy. They were influential in the passing of the Renewable Fuels Standard in 2005. This standard mandates the use of 8 billion US gallons (30,000,000 m3) of renewable fuels by 2012, which represents a doubling of domestic renewable fuel production. The organization has also been supportive of legislation promoting gas stations that carry E-85. The organization is in favor of an ethanol fuel tax incentive. The NFU is taking an active part in making sure that the agricultural sector address global climate change.

The NFU also supports policies that improve quality of life in rural areas. Some areas they concentrate on are transportation, utilities, health care, and education. On most of these issues it aims to maintain a thriving rural environment where farming businesses can continue to prosper.

For transportation, the NFU supports “a well-maintained system of waterways, railways and roads works to ensure the free low of products to the market”. The organization also supports the continued expansion of telecomm utilities into rural areas, as well as adequate health care, including increased funding for emergency response personnel and greater access to prescription drugs. The NFU also supports full funding of the nation’s rural school districts.

The organization is opposed to the privatization of Social Security, citing the fact that rural America is aging faster than the rest of the nation while economic growth has been significantly slower.

The NFU makes a distinction between “Free Trade” and “Fair Trade”, and is in favor of policies that protect family farms and ranches. In the marketplace today, it has become difficult for these family farms to compete with countries with lesser environmental and labor standards.

Concerning tax policy, the NFU is in favor of a more progressive tax structure and are opposed to a flat tax. The organization is also in favor of limited income tax refunds for lands used for agricultural purposes. The NFU also supports estate tax relief for family farms and ranches. Environmental concerns also play a big part in the NFU’s policy. They are in favor of Safe Water Drinking Act, which would help protect ground water in rural areas. It is also in favor of conservation, responsible use of public lands, responsible use of chemical agents, and protection of wildlife and endangered species.

In light of rising food prices, many in the media have criticized and blamed farmers. The NFU has tried to fight these criticisms, with president Tom Buis claiming that over 80% of the retail price of comes after the food item has left the farm.

The election of Barack Obama in November 2008 was largely seen as a win for the NFU, who had graded each of the candidates based on their policies. Obama received a perfect 100% rating, based on his support of the 2008 Farm Bill and a renewable fuel standard. On the other hand, the organization gave John McCain a grade of zero percent, in part because he was in favor of reducing subsidies for ethanol and food products.

Another project that the NFU is currently working on is a carbon credit program. It allows farmers to earn income by storing carbon in their soil through “no-till crop production, conversion of cropland to grass, sustainable management of native rangelands and tree plantings”. In the program’s first two years of operation, it has earned over $8 million for participating producers.