Nebraskans Attend NFU's 121st Anniversary Convention

Monday, March 13, 2023

Nine Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) members attended the National Farmers Union (NFU) Convention in San Francisco, Calif. NeFU President John Hansen and Vern Jantzen, Plymouth represented the NeFU Board. Delegates representing membership were: Don Schuller, Wymore, Marcia Regier, Beatrice, and Keith Dittrich, Tilden.

Farmers Union Midwest Agency LLP General Manager Jeff Downing of Elkhorn, Gayland Regier of Beatrice, Tammy Dittrich of Meadow Grove, and Julie Schuller of Wymore also attended.

NeFU President John Hansen said, "It is always good to get together with fellow family farmers from around the country who share our passion for preserving and growing our traditional system of independent family farm and ranch owned food, fiber, and fuel production. This year's convention featured an outstanding speakers and workshop presenters on the issues facing family farmers."

Secretary Vilsack's announcement that USDA was releasing the voluntary "Product of USA" or "Made in the USA" label claim to be used on meat, poultry and egg products only when they are derived from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States received a standing ovation. Farmers Union has long championed Country of Origin Labeling (COOL). NeFU first pioneered COOL in 1984. Vilsack also announced that USDA will spend an additional $89 million to expand independent meat and processing capacity, and that USDA will partner with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to take a look at the concentration and pricing of the seed industry while taking many questions from the crowd. All three issues are included in the National Farmers Union's "Fairness to Farmers" ag market reform campaign that continues to gain traction as elements to be included in the next Farm Bill. Farmers Union members from around the country met in San Francisco for the NFU Convention. The grassroots elected delegates approved three special orders of business: - Fairness for Farmers

- Family Farming and the 2023 Farm Bill

- Family Farming and Dairy Policy Reform Full text of the adopted policy manual will be available soon at www.nfu.org. The 2024 National Farmers Union 122nd Anniversary Convention will be held March 10-12, 2024 at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort in Arizona.