Ten members of the Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) recently converged in Scottsdale, Arizona, for the annual National Farmers Union (NFU) Convention, held from March 10 to March 12, 2024.
Reflecting on the convention, President John Hansen remarked, “Our members were privileged to engage with a diverse array of leaders and experts, delving into the multifaceted challenges confronting family farm agriculture today.”
The convention featured a series of enriching workshops, covering topics ranging from “Food Safety in the Southwest” to “Managing the Stress and Stressors of Agriculture.”
One of the highlights was a presentation by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, which spanned an hour and a half. Secretary Vilsack unveiled two market reform initiatives, including the “Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity rule,” slated to take effect on May 6. This rule encompasses a comprehensive suite of livestock market reforms fervently endorsed by both National and Nebraska Farmers Union.
Furthermore, Secretary Vilsack announced another significant meat market reform initiative, emphasizing, “This final rule will ensure that when consumers see ‘Product of USA,’ they can trust the authenticity of that label, knowing that every step, from birth to processing, was carried out here in America.”
Farmers Union delegates from around the country re-elected Rob Larew President and Jeff Kippley Vice President without opposition, adopted NFU Policy, and approved six Special Orders of Business:
- Fairness for Farmers
- Family Farming and the 2024 Farm Bill
- Family Farming and the Farm Safety Net
- Family Farming and Conservation
- Family Farming and Dairy Policy Reform
- Support for the Cooperative Business Model and the International Year of Cooperatives
The 2025 NFU’s 123rd Anniversary Convention will be held March 9-11, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
