The National Farmers Union officially kicked off its 116th annual convention on Sunday in Kansas City.  Over 450 members have come in from all over the country to attend the annual event.  Farmers Union President Roger Johnson said the convention is the number one event of the year for the family farmer-driven organization.

 

Over the next few days, Farmers Union members will engage with industry experts, policymakers, thought leaders, and their fellow farmers on topics of vital importance to family farm agriculture.  Among the more important topics, members will discuss the depressed farm economy, negotiations on the upcoming farm bill, extreme consolidation in the agricultural sector, and the success of the next generation of family farmers.

 

Johnson said this year’s policy deliberations at the convention will be especially important as family farmers and ranchers face a dismal economy, waves of consolidation, and upcoming farm bill negotiations. “That’s in addition to the normal volatility that they deal with on a day-to-day basis,” Johnson says, “and we look forward to our members setting positions that are representative of policy solutions that work for family agriculture and rural communities.”

 

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