The National Farmers Union (NFU) recently concluded its 123rd Anniversary Convention in Oklahoma City. Over 450 family farmers, ranchers, and supporters attended the three-day event where delegates voted on NFU’s policy priorities for 2025.
NFU President Rob Larew addressed the challenges facing family farmers, including rising costs, corporate consolidation, and uncertainties surrounding federal programs due to the absence of a renewed farm bill. Despite these issues, Larew emphasized that "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."
Delegates approved several policy priorities focusing on key areas: Fairness for Farmers, Family Farming and the Farm Bill, and Family Farming and Our Federal Government. NFU Vice President Jeff Kippley highlighted the organization's long-standing tradition of grassroots decision-making: “NFU’s democratic, grassroots efforts that determine the organization’s policy priorities each year have unified family farmers and ranchers for 123 years.” He added that attendees were leaving Oklahoma City "feeling energized and ready to tackle the challenges ahead."
Notable attendees included U.S. Representative Angie Craig (MN-02), Jon Doggett (former CEO of the National Corn Growers Association), Vanessa Maria Graber (Journalism and Media Education Director at Free Press), R.J. Gray (President and CEO of Oklahoma Agriculture Cooperative Council, Inc.), Chuck Hoskin Jr. (Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation), Sarah Melotte (Staff Writer at The Daily Yonder), Harrison Pittman (Director of National Agriculture Law Center), Jim Schultz (CEO of Open Prairie), Todd R. Vogts, Ph.D. (Assistant Professor of Media at Sterling College), as well as majority and minority staff from Senate and House Agriculture Committees.
In addition to concluding its annual convention activities, NFU announced a Farmers Union Week of Action scheduled for May 5-9. During this period, members will gather in Washington D.C., as well as in their local communities nationwide to advocate for prioritizing farmers, ranchers, and rural Americans in congressional agendas.
Looking forward, NFU plans to host its next annual convention in New Orleans from March 7-9, 2026.
