National Farmers Union holds annual convention

OKLAHOMA CITY — The National Farmers Union held its 123rd annual convention in Oklahoma, where members finalized the organization’s upcoming policy priorities.

Delegates approved three special orders of business.

1. Fairness for farmers: “The campaign gives voice to those being harmed by economic concentration and corporate monopolies and calls for the revival of strong antitrust and competition law enforcement, the breakup of corporate monopolies and the creation of new and diverse market opportunities for farmers.”

2. Farming and the farm bill: “As the farm economy continues to weaken, we urge Congress to act quickly to pass a robustly funded, comprehensive farm bill in 2025 that strengthens the farm safety net, improves disaster protections, establishes policies that make markets more competitive, enhances farmer-friendly conservation programs and that provides food and nutrition security for all Americans.”

3. Family farming and the federal government: “During times of low commodity prices and high input costs, federal programs meant to maintain a farm safety net, ensure competitive markets, provide access to credit, protect against disease and pests and support the stewardship of our natural resources through conservation are vital to the survival of family farms and ranches and our communities.”

At the convention, the organization announced a Farmers Union Week of Action on May 5-9. Members will join together across the nation to call on Congress to make farmers, ranchers and rural Americans a priority.

“This is a challenging moment for family farmers,” said Rob Larew, president of NFU. “Rising costs, corporate consolidation and uncertainty around federal programs — including the lack of a renewed farm bill — are creating real hardships.

“Yet through it all, the state of Farmers Union remains strong, resilient and prepared to turn the policies set at this convention into action for a stronger future in agriculture.”

Next year’s convention will be held March 7-9 in New Orleans.