2024 NFU convention charts course for farming advocacy

Mar 14, 2024

By Farms.com

Concluding its 2024 Convention, the National Farmers Union (NFU) has laid down a robust framework of policies and special orders of business, charting a course for effective advocacy on behalf of the nation's family farmers and ranchers. In a year anticipated to bring significant challenges, including declining commodity prices and the impacts of climate change, the NFU's actions are timely and crucial.

NFU President Rob Larew underscored the importance of the organization's grassroots policy-making process, which allows for a member-driven approach to shaping the NFU's advocacy efforts. This year, the delegates' focus resulted in the adoption of six special orders of business that include:

Advocating for fairness in the agricultural sector
Influencing the 2024 Farm Bill to support family farming
Enhancing the farm safety net for robust support
Emphasizing conservation practices in family farming
Seeking dairy policy reform for family farms
Promoting the cooperative business model in line with the International Year of Cooperatives

These targeted priorities reflect the NFU's commitment to addressing the nuanced needs of family farmers and ranchers. By focusing on policy changes that promote fairness, sustainability, and resilience, the NFU aims to ensure that family farmers and ranchers not only survive the present challenges but thrive in the years to come. The adopted policies and orders are a testament to the NFU's strategic approach to advocacy, poised to make significant impacts on the agricultural landscape.

Video: FLEECED! Sheep Shearer Hands Over Clippers!

It's sheep shearing day at Ewetopia Farms! ?? Our Dorset lambs and ewes are getting fleeced — and for the first time, our shearer hands over his clippers to a beginner. We finish shearing the last of our adult ewes and this year’s Dorset ewe lambs.

From moving the sheep between barns, loading them into chutes, and watching the wool come off, this is always one of the most satisfying days on the farm. But this video has a twist — we welcomed a new helper, Gian, who’s not only lending a hand but also learning how to shear! With guidance from our experienced shearer, he got a crash course in sheep shearing and even tried his hand at shearing a couple of lambs himself.

You’ll see firsthand how both teacher and student handled this unique challenge. Shearing is more than just removing wool — it’s about sheep health, comfort, and giving us a closer look at the flock. It’s always amazing to see the transformation from woolly sheep to freshly shorn ewes and lambs.