In keeping with the Bylaws of the National Farmers Organization, these resolutions and
statements of position constitute an ongoing expression of the will of the members, as reviewed
and modified or reconfirmed in the most recent National Convention.
Preamble
The National Farmers Organization is committed to the collective bargaining concept authorized
for farmers and ranchers by the Capper-Volstead Act of 1922. The American family farm or
ranch is the most efficient food producing unit in the world. It is a basic source of support for
our social, religious and political traditions in the rural communities throughout our country.
We call upon all farmers and ranchers to join in the advancement of our bargaining program as
an honorable action in pursuit of an acceptable farm economy.
<< back to top
National Farmers Organization 2018 Recommendations For the 2018 Farm Bill
National Farmers Organization believes that Farm Legislation should provide an adequate safety
net in times of natural disaster or severe market volatility.
The National Farmers Organization further urges Congress not to use the “Pay As You Go Act
of 2010” to reduce or eliminate funding of agricultural programs in the next Farm Bill.
Members of the National Farmers Organization believe Americans deserve more transparency
from Congress as it moves forward with legislation. As a democracy, citizens deserve adequate
time to review proposals and make comments on legislation that affects their daily lives.
Grain Policy
Price support levels for major storable commodities should be based at 85% of the cost of
production. We would urge that the USDA loan rates be set at $4.00 per bushel on corn, $6.00
per bushel on wheat, and $9.00 per bushel on soybeans.
For national security purposes, National Farmers Organization supports re-enactment of a
farmer-owned grain reserve program with the following provisions: The reserve should be
isolated from the market, it is the supply of last resort; and, reserves should be released only at
120% of the above proposed loan rates.
As a method of protecting Farm income and controlling the supply of grain National Farmers
Organization supports the Soil Health and Income Protection Program (SHIPP) as proposed by
U.S. Senator John Thune.
Crop Insurance
National Farmers Organization supports current funding levels for this program. Because of its
effectiveness in protecting farm incomes and its importance in securing operating loans,
affordable crop insurance should remain an important part of agricultural policy.
We recognize that more and more organic producers are relying on crop insurance protection.
We support the concept that premium rates be commensurate with the payments available for
losses incurred.
Conservation Reserve Program
National Farmers Organization strongly supports the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
However, to be effective and fair, it must be fully funded with mandatory funds to enable the
program to make competitive payments for the land enrolled in the program.
CRP should be operated in a manner that assures participation up to the maximum acreage
allowed by law on highly erodible and other environmentally sensitive land and early-outs
should be strongly discouraged. Sod-busting of native grassland should be ineligible for soil
conservation cost programs.
The National Farmers Organization supports the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) as
an important component of the upcoming farm bill to receive sufficient and major funding to
support stewardship and conservation farming practices on working farmland.
Dairy Policy
National Farmers Organization continues to support the following concepts in future dairy
policy.
1) Implementation of a growth management program that uses price as an incentive to manage
production (a form of two-tier pricing).
2) Eliminate end product pricing as a base price for milk.
3) Eliminate make allowances in the Federal Orders.
4) Establish a broadly based competitive price system as the base price for milk, rather than just
a few select plants that meet a certain criteria such as size of plant or product manufactured.
5) As a method of balancing supply with domestic usage, National Farmers Organization
supports the current CWT export assistance program and urges its continuation in the future.
National Farmers Organization supports other legislative actions.
Reinstate Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL). Mandatory Country of Origin
Labeling (COOL) must be included in all trade agreements so U.S. producers can compete
against the growing tide of undifferentiated products imported into their domestic market.
1) Full implementation of the Grain Inspection Packers Stockyard Act (GIPSA) rules and
mandatory funding.
2) Supports the elimination of packer ownership of livestock production operations, which
would help restore competition to the livestock industry.
3) Trade agreements must adequately address labor and environmental issues, country-of-origin
labeling, dispute resolution, currency fluctuations, proper reporting of agriculture import and
export data, and food safety standards
4) National Farmers Organization recommends eliminating the Trade Embargo with Cuba.
5) Whereas grain imports proven to be fraudulent have flooded the U.S. organic grain markets
depressing prices to U.S. producers, and whereas organic imports have originated from countries
where organic fraud has been cited by both USDA and the European Union, National Farmers
Organization goes on record as requesting a full investigation by the respective Senate and
House Agriculture committees of lax oversight as cited by the USDA’s Office of Inspector
General (OIG) report of September 2017 and USDA take the actions it agreed to in the OIG’s
findings to protect U.S. farmers from potentially fraudulent imports.
6) Whereas many National Farmers producers of organic grain, dairy and livestock depend on
the integrity of the organic products they produce for the prices they receive, National Farmers
Organization goes on record as supporting USDA maintaining strict enforcement of organic
standards as set out in the Organic Food Production Act including feed standards for livestock
and poultry.
National Farmers Organization opposes the practice of the current administration of installing
former industry advocates into regulatory roles, putting them in charge of rules they advocated
for on behalf of their previous employers.
Commodity Futures Trading
1) National Farmers Organization supports legislation that will add transparency to futures
markets and close the door to excessive speculation by tightening key investment laws and
clarifying the oversight mission of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
2) National Farmers Organization along with the Organic Farmers Agency for Relationship
Marketing is opposed to attempts to allow commodity futures trading in organic commodities,
especially due to lack of regulation. Futures trading would expose the organic markets and
producers to the potential for price volatility, speculation and manipulation.
Energy
It is of vital importance to our country that we develop a long-range energy policy.
There must be a proper balance of energy sources. A mix of alternative fuels should include
grain alcohol, biomass, solar, wind turbines and the tides to relieve our high dependency on
imported petroleum products. We strongly support import fees on imported oil and bio fuels,
the income to be earmarked for development of alternative fuels in the United States.
National Farmers Organization opposes the exporting of domestic crude oil.
National Farmers Organization opposes any changes to the Renewable Fuels Act (RFA).
Taxation: Estate and Income
Members of the National Farmers Organization, in anticipation of possible modifications of the
Tax Code by Congress during 2018, request that the effect of any and all changes on the strength
of one of our most basic industries – American family farms – be thoughtfully contemplated
before any such changes are enacted.
On December 22, 2017 Public law no. 115-97 (commonly, although not officially, referred to as
the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) was signed into law by President Trump. We, the members of the
National Farmers Organization, realize this tax legislation is the most complex U.S. tax law
change since 1986. As such, it will take some time before all of the ramifications of this tax bill
will be apparent and the position of the National Farmers Organization on many of these details
will therefore develop in the future.
The National Farmers Organization commends Congress’s increase of the combined Estate and
Gift Tax exemption to $11.2 million while maintaining the stepped up basis for inherited
property. This stepped up basis benefits many producers including those many families with
estates that are lower than the exemption amount, contributing to the ability to keep these farms
within the family through generations.
We, the members of the National Farmers Organization, are aware that the Act as passed leaves
references to paragraphs that were left unwritten or unintentionally unchanged from old law,
resulting in confusion and conflicting or unintended results. As taxpayers, we need immediate
answers and guidance to make prudent business operating decisions.
The National Farmers Organization therefore resolves that Congress should quickly pursue and
pass a 2018 Technical Corrections Act to enable taxpayers to understand, interpret and
implement fully the provisions of PL No. 115-97.
National Farmers Organization recognizes that one major example of the unintended
consequences which must be resolved in 2018 by Technical Corrections legislation includes Sec
199A(a)(1) which, as written, apparently gives a much larger pass-through deduction for farmers
selling through cooperatives over those selling their production elsewhere. National Farmers
Organization agrees with USDA Undersecretary for Marketing Greg Ibach’s statement that the
“unintended consequences of the current tax code language disadvantage independent operators
in the same industry. The Federal Tax Code should not pick winners and losers in the
marketplace”. We strongly agree that Congress should act quickly to eliminate this inequity in
the new Tax Act.
Highway and Transportation
National Farmers Organization strongly supports efforts to update and repair our roads, bridges,
rail and shipping.
Rail
National Farmers Organization urges US Congress to require railroads to provide and maintain
adequate and affordable transportation for the movement of agricultural commodities.
Rivers—Locks—Canals and Levees
National Farmers Organization strongly urges the US Congress to support full mandatory
funding for the Army Corps of Engineers backlog of water infrastructure projects, including
much needed repairs to our dams, levees, and locks. We also ask for funding for current and
future projects to ensure our water supply and flood control.
Ports
National Farmers Organization encourages the government to immediately embark on a
program to rebuild the port system of the United States to meet today’s needs. We believe that
this should be accomplished by using tax and investment incentives from private investors as
well as public monies.
Food Labeling
National Farmers Organization
1) Believes it is important for consumers to know when and how their food is grown and
processed. Food should be labeled as to its country of origin and also whether it contains GMO
products.
2) Opposes any action by the United States Department of Agriculture to change standards for
food and feed products that would be detrimental to farmers, and supports raising the quality
standards for all imports to the same high levels as American agriculture. All imported food
products must be labeled as to country of origin.
3) Supports the efforts of all its departments to develop the market for NON GMO products.
We encourage our members to look for and purchase products bearing the label “Always Family
Farms”.
Food and Drug Administration Process
The Food and Drug Administration needs to be funded at a level that will allow it to truly
function as a regulatory agency.
It is not reassuring to consumers to have people in charge at the FDA approve their own
research. The revolving door policy from the corporate world to the FDA, and back to the same
corporation whose product was just approved, must end.
Check-Off
National Farmers Organization supports opportunities for the organic community to exempt
itself from payments to conventional commodity check-off orders.
National Farmers Organization is opposed to efforts by the NCBA to double the mandatory Beef
check-off. National Farmers Organization is opposed to efforts by NCBA state affiliates to add
or to increase check-offs at the state level.
Capper-Volstead Act
National Farmers Organization opposes any action which might otherwise alter the provisions of
the Capper-Volstead Act of 1922, which may threaten the rights of producers to act in
association for their mutual benefit in marketing and bargaining initiatives.
[End of National Farmers Organization 2018 recommendations for Federal Farm Policy]
<< back to top
Bargaining
A) Agriculture is the largest industry in the nation. The production of all raw food and fiber
logically constitutes the base upon which other agricultural sectors are dependent. Because
weather, wars, and other factors beyond the producers’ control directly affect prices and
availability of markets, the capability to bargain for fair prices is of vital importance.
B) This commitment to producer bargaining presumes competition among both buyers and
sellers in the marketplace and freedom to act without undue interference by any government
agency. National Farmers Organization continues its steadfast opposition to legislation that
would authorize additional federal supervision of bargaining. The Organization supports federal
bargaining legislation that has the potential to improve and enhance the market position of
contract growers.
C) The National Farmers Organization continues to support the concept of Marketing Agencies
in Common by legally organized cooperatives and farmer associations to increase their
collective bargaining power on behalf of their farmer members.
<< back to top
Grain
National Farmers Organization
A) Supports the continuation of exemption from OSHA grain bin regulations if the farm
employs fewer than 10 people and does not provide housing for temporary workers.
B) Supports the continuation of a low interest loan program by the USDA expressly for the
purpose of construction of on-farm grain storage facilities.
C) Supports efforts to make firms creating biotech products accountable to all grain producers
for damaging U.S. grain exports through the release of seed unapproved in world markets, and
the farmers’ consequent lost revenue from grain sales. Supports the “Know Before You Grow”
program being endorsed by other organizations to ask farmers to make sure they are only
planting seed varieties that are approved by the European Union and other countries to help
protect our export market from losses due to co-mingling of unapproved products.
D) Supports an effort to promote transparency and fair action in the grain and livestock markets
by causing legislation to amend Section 8 of the Commodity Exchange Act, whereby the CFTC
would disclose the position of large traders, as defined by the CFTC, in futures markets.
E) Supports federal grain inspection and opposes privatization of such grain inspection.
F) National Farmers Organization believes that the methodology used by the USDA to obtain
Crop Reports should be revised to accurately report actual bushels available to the market or for
feed use, or should be postponed until that report can better be attained.
<< back to top
Dairy
The National Farmers Organization members interpret current efforts of Congress as not
effective in adequately raising prices paid to producers. The Organization has consistently
undertaken to work within the federal milk marketing order system.
More specifically, the National Farmers Organization
A) Urges USDA to establish a $20.00 hundredweight (cwt.) floor in the Class III price.
B) Urges that in order to best represent the views of constituents, all promotional board members
are to be elected by dairy farmers, not appointed by government.
<< back to top
Livestock
The National Farmers Organization supports the following concepts:
A) Labeling of all imported meats showing country of origin and entry date.
B) Mandatory price reporting of all livestock sales, boxed beef, pork and lamb.
C) Legislation and regulatory action to reimburse farmers and ranchers for livestock lost to nondomestic
predators, especially in areas where such predators are deliberately introduced.
D) Legislation that would indemnify contract growers in the cases where a disease or natural
disaster causes them the loss of income.
E) Opposes the importation of livestock and meat from any country which does not prohibit
animal protein in animal feedstuffs and does not have, and enforce, an animal and feed
inspection and testing system certified as equivalent to that of the United States.
<< back to top
Concentration Issues, Anti-Trust and Packers and Stockyards Act Enforcement
The National Farmers Organization supports:
A) Requiring all large confinement entities to be bonded and financially responsible for any
environmental damage and subsequent clean-up.
B) Stronger investigation by the appropriate U.S. government agency(ies) of possible violations
of Sherman Anti-Trust Laws regarding agri-business corporate mergers.
C) Enforcement of provisions and regulatory authority of USDA under the Packers and
Stockyards Act should be extended for segments of the livestock industry, such as poultry, to be
brought up to standards currently in the Act for beef, swine and sheep.
<< back to top
Check-offs
National Farmers Organization urges that:
A) Check-offs be authorized only by a referendum of producers affected before implementation
of the check-off and that enabling legislation on all check-off programs be changed to mandate a
producer referendum to be held every five years or less on the continuation of the program.
B) Block voting be eliminated on all matters relating to activities covered under the Capper-
Volstead Act, governmental referendums, and agricultural promotion plans to give producers an
opportunity to vote individually.
C) Commodity check-off should be assessed only once, at the time product is sold for
processing. Commodity check-off programs should provide for a simple refund arrangement
when applicable.
D) Check-offs must apply equitably to the imported commodities.
<< back to top
International Trade
National Farmers Organization supports efforts by organizations, including Ranchers-Cattlemen
Legal Action Foundation (R-CALF), to have U.S. trade regulations enforced to the intent of the
U.S. Congress and to make sure that trade relief laws are implemented promptly when U.S.
agriculture is threatened. The International Trade Commission, USDA, other appropriate
agencies and Congress should take immediate action to protect U.S. agricultural producers from
undue harm from dumping actions by other nations.
<< back to top
Credit
FSA programs should furnish funds for the smaller borrowers and beginning family farmers as
contemplated in the original authorization for the program.
<< back to top
Rural America and Communities
A) Rural communities are entitled to communication technology access such as the Internet and
other new and emerging technologies at reasonable cost.
B) National Farmers Organization encourages farmers, rural people and businesses to support
the Institute for Rural America, created to bring attention to the mutual importance and
interdependence of farmers, rural people, businesses, schools, churches and communities.
<< back to top
Conservation, Environment and Technology
Programs such as USDA’s Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) and other agency
programs should be targeted specifically to benefit independent farm operators and should be
adequately funded.
The recent vote by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission which ends the classification
which provided Net Neutrality:
This reversal of policy removed Internet Service Providers from the “common carriers”
classification, thus exempting them from the requirement as common carriers to provide equal
access to all consumers and all businesses.
The National Farmers Organization believes this action can result in reduced access and/or lack
of affordable access to rural farms, businesses and residents. This would have a negative effect
on rural Americans due to prohibitive costs, thus reversing the prior “level playing field” of the
internet under the previous FCC policy.
Therefore the National Farmers Organization urges the U.S. Senate and House of Representative
to enact legislation to reverse the recent Federal Communications Commission vote by
reinstating internet service providers (ISPs) as common carriers, thru reinstating Net Neutrality.
The National Farmers Organization also advocates caution, however, in the following areas, and
A) Opposes addition of large tracts to the national wilderness without due consideration of the
interest of adjoining landowners who are dependent upon grazing rights.
B) Proposes that federal or state established wetlands that contain public drainage should be
managed in such a way as to maintain the public drainage and protect the rights of land owner to
public drainage.
C) Supports the elected Farm Service Agency county committee system of administration and
believes this is a proper local point at which all price support and conservation activities should
be coordinated.
D) Supports those producers currently enrolled in the CRP (10-year) program. As these
contracts mature, producers should be given the option to renew those contracts for a similar 10-
year period. The payment should reflect the increase in taxes on the acreage from the time of
initial sign-up, or allow the producer to re-bid.
<< back to top
Land Ownership
National Farmers Organization supports:
A) State and Federal legislation prohibiting the investment of pension funds in farmland or
livestock production.
B) Legislation designed to obtain comprehensive data on absentee, corporate and foreign
ownership.
C) Members of the National Farmers Organization are deeply concerned that the tax code,
coupled with the concentration of capital, are unfairly favorable to investors who are in a
position to buy our farmland. National Farmers Organization favors the elimination of the
Section 1031 tax exchange for non-farmers, but retention for active farmers.
D) Urges the states’ legislatures to grant counties local control in siting of animal confinement.
E) Index exemption levels that reflect increases in asset values due to inflation.
F) Simplify the rules and requirements that must be met to be eligible for the full level of estate
tax exemption.
G) Increase the annual limit on individual gifts to $25,000.
<< back to top
Food Quality and Consumer Issues
The National Farmers Organization supports accurate labeling of all meat products with added
water.
The National Farmers Organization has deep concern that use of synthetic Bovine Growth
Hormone/Bovine Somatotropin (rBGH/BsT) or similar agents may induce an unneeded surge in
production and reduce consumer confidence in milk quality. We will continue to oppose its use.
Be it resolved that the National Farmers Organization opposes the practice of putting industrial
toxic waste in commercial fertilizers or in any other products which are intended to be applied to
farm land, lawns, and/or gardens.
The National Farmers Organization goes on record requesting the Congress to retain the school
lunch program at a high nutritional level and to make available additional dairy products for our
armed forces.
The National Farmers Organization supports federal legislation requiring all imported food be
inspected and required to meet FDA and USDA consumer food standards.
The National Farmers Organization recognizes the usage of pesticides, herbicides and food
additives but these products should not be utilized until proven safe and accurately labeled.
<< back to top
Transportation
Farm producers’ interests are best served by truly competitive, balanced transportation networks,
including efficient use of railroad, truck and barge systems.
National Farmers Organization calls for uniform maximum gross vehicle weights in all states.
In addition to an 80,000 pound GVW maximum, a standard maximum length should be adopted
for all states.
The National Farmers Organization strongly objects to any attempt by Congress to grant
eminent domain power to private firms for any purpose that would divert critical water from our
farms, ranches and waterway navigation because:
A) Water supplies are essential for irrigation and livestock production.
B) National policy should balance the needs of all users of navigable rivers.
C) Power interests seek federal eminent domain powers to move coal through pipelines from
mines in the West to utilities in the South and Southeast.
D) Proposed legislation would bar state legislatures and courts from protecting the water rights
of farmers and ranchers and other traditional users.
E) National Farmers Organization opposes utilizing eminent domain power being afforded to
any entity without adequate compensation for both landowners and tenants.
<< back to top
Rural Utilities
A) The National Farmers Organization supports annual Rural Utility Service (RUS, formerly
REA) electric and telephone loan levels for both the new insured and guaranteed loan programs
that adequately meet the capital needs of rural electric and telephone systems in order to insure
dependable electric and telephone service in rural areas at reasonable cost.
B) The National Farmers Organization supports federal financing for research, development and
expansion of broadband communication technology over electric transmission lines as well as
any other realistic technology for broadband services to rural areas.
C) National Farmers Organization also reaffirms its support for supplemental financing through
the rural electrics’ self-help lending institutions, the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance
Corporation and the Rural Telephone Bank.
D) National Farmers Organization supports limiting the role of the Federal Government and
keeping control of the electrical power generation and distribution and the process of
deregulation in the hands of the states.
<< back to top
Energy
A) National Farmers Organization supports the creation and maintenance of hydro-electric
plants where feasible and practical.
B) National Farmers Organization strongly supports the concept of energy independence for the
United States along with the plan to produce as much energy as possible from renewable
products raised on farms and ranches. However, this plan must not be based on a program in
which the grain or other farm-produced commodities are made available at a price which does
not cover the cost of production.
<< back to top
Public Relations and Political Activity
The National Farmers Organization encourages objective analysis and teaching of the values
of Collective Bargaining and pricing in our educational institutions.
A hand of cooperation is extended to Dairy Cooperatives, the National Farmers Union, the
American Farm Bureau Federation, the Grange, the American Agriculture Movement, National
Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), National Family Farm Coalition (NFFC), Rural
Cattlemen’s Action Legal Fund (R-CALF), Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM),
Green Ribbon Campaign and other farm producer organizations when their goals and proposals
are compatible with ours.
National Farmers Organization leaders at the state and Local Membership Unit (LMU) levels
are urged to establish specific programs for the members to exchange views periodically with
members of Congress on issues of vital importance to the membership of this organization as
required in the By-Laws “to work for the election of candidates regardless of party affiliation”
(National Farmers Organization By-Laws Art. II Section 3) and “the state organization may
assist LMUs…the viewpoints of candidates running for political offices may be distributed to
the membership in order that they may make an intelligent decision” (National Farmers
Organization By-Laws Art. V, Section 3A (2).
National Farmers Organization encourages contacting our representatives to ask them to support
legislative action for a single payer plan for health insurance for the American people similar to
Medicare.
<< back to top
Miscellaneous
The National Farmers Organization seeks redirection in tax provisions and the credit agencies to
assist young farmers to prosper in family farming and ranching.
The National Farmers Organization is opposed to:
A) Deregulation of natural gas prices.
The National Farmers Organization supports:
A) The principle of various Sunshine Laws and urges a periodic review of the semi-autonomous
regulatory agencies and their rulings.
B) Efforts in establishing industrial hemp as an alternative cash crop.
<< back to top
Appreciation
The Resolutions Committee compliments the staff on keeping members up-to-date on current
issues of agricultural importance.
The National Farmers Organization members greatly appreciate the hospitality and kindness that
the officials and citizens of Cincinnati, OH manifested on many occasions during our national
convention. We appreciate the efforts made by news media who gave accurate and full accounts
of our activities, deliberations and discussions.
The members of The National Farmers Organization in session in Cincinnati, OH do hereby
commend, express our appreciation and say thank you to the officers of our organization, to the
National Board, and to all personnel of our Organization who have worked so diligently to make
the National Farmers Organization what it is today and for making this convention such an
outstanding event.
National Farmers Organization
800.247.2110
PO Box 2508
Ames, IA 50010-2508