| Affiliation with other organizations: |
Agricultural Safety and Health Coalition of America (ASHCA)
National Consumers League (NCL)
Consumer Federation of America (CFA)
Organizations Concerned about Rural Education (OCRE)
National Coalition for Food and Agriculture Research (National C-FAR)
Alliance to End Hunger
National Cooperative Business Association |
| Publications: |
E-newsletter: The e-newsletter is received by individuals, including Farmers Union members, friends, and media, who request to be added to the list. The e-newsletter is sent to 3,798 recipients.
Government Relations Update (GRU): The GRU is received primarily by NFU and state Farmers Union staff and presidents. In July 2011 the GRU was opened to the public and is now able to be shared with Farmers Union members and friends. The GRU is sent to 188 recipients.
News Clips: The news clips are sent to all individuals who request to be subscribed to NFU’s news clips list. The News Clips are sent to 445 recipients
NFU News: NFU News is sent primarily to NFU members with a few additional complimentary subscriptions sent to select individuals and institutions on a bi-monthly basis. (Paid subscription for the mailed version)
Press Releases: Press releases go primarily to media members, as well as NFU and state Farmers Union and staff. Farmers Union members and friends can also request to be added to the press release list. |
| Purpose of the organization: |
Founded in Point, Texas, to help the family farmer address profitability issues and monopolistic practices, National Farmers Union has been working to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership. |
| Activities relevant to the conference of States Parties to the convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: |
NFU has a strong history of supporting cooperatives in the United States. NFU helped form many of the farm coops in operation today. In fact, the organization's philosophy is centered on cooperatives. Many of NFU's state divisions have their own cooperative development centers which support cooperatives. Cooperative education is also a strong focus. NFU hosts an annual conference call the College Conference on Cooperatives which educates college students on cooperative principles. Finally, NFU's robust youth education program teaches kids to principles of cooperatives. |
| Confirmation of the activities of the organization at the regional, national or international level: |
Farmers Union is active at the regional, national and international levels. At the state and regional levels, state Farmers Union divisions carry out activities related to cooperative development, education of members and the public, and government relations. At the national level, Farmers Union advocates on behalf of its grassroots membership in Washington, DC. Farmers Union also seeks through educate the public at large on issues related to agriculture,cooperative development, climate change and renewable energy. At the international level, Farmers Union promotes its principles in forums such as the UN. In fact, we were a founding member of the International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP) which is now the World Farmers Organization (WFO). |
| A list of members of the governing body of the organization, and their countries of nationality: |
NFU’s Board of Directors consists of the president of each state/regional organization, President Roger Johnson and Vice President Claudia Svarstad. All but one member are Americans.
Alaska - Robert Shumaker
Arkansas - David Coker
California - Joaquin Contente (Portugal)
Idaho - Gary Turner
Illinois - Norbert Brauer
Indiana - James Benham
Iowa - Chris Petersen
Kansas - Donn Teske
Michigan - Dr. Sandra Nordmark
Minnesota - Doug Peterson
Missouri - Richard Oswald
Montana - Alan Merrill
Nebraska - John K. Hansen
New England - Annie Cheatham
North Dakota - Elwood "Woody" Barth
Ohio - Roger Wise
Oklahoma - Terry Detrick
Oregon - Dan Joyce
Pennsylvania - Larry Breech
Rocky Mountain - Kent Peppler
South Dakota - Doug Sombke
Texas - Wes Sims
Utah - Kent Bushman
Washington - Jim Davis
Wisconsin - Darin Von Ruden |
| Description of the membership of the organization, indicating the total number of members: |
National Farmers Union's membership includes farmers, ranchers, fishermen, rural residents and members of the general public. We currently have roughly 200,000 members. |
Quadrennial report due? Read more on our updated page.
Questions on applications, reports, or other inquiries
Applying for ECOSOC Consultative Status?
Obtaining a UN Grounds Pass
Registering for a UN Conference?