National Farmers Has Always Worked For Producers

By Dave Kaseno

From the founding of our nation up to the 1950s, agriculture received a lot of political attention. A majority of the people were farmers and ample food was a top priority.

Then, as agriculture’s sons and daughters left rural America for what they thought was a better financial opportunity, politicians realized the farm voter base was shrinking and their priorities became lower food prices for voters.

In 1955, National Farmers Organization was chartered. A membership agreement was drafted and a national office was established in Corning, Iowa. Provisions in the membership created member structure at county, district, state and national levels. The goal was to unite all farmers under one organization regardless of where they lived or what they produced.

The creation and growth of the nationwide all-commodities marketing structure began in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Staff were hired to procure and negotiate prices for that production, arrange transportation and compile accounting records and reports to send to members.

National Farmers has adjusted to changing times. However, we cling to most of the values that assure producers’ best interests are maintained.

In 1988, seven young dairymen with a dream asked National Farmers if we could help them with their plan to market organic milk. It was a rough start, but today Organic Valley has producers from Maine to the state of Washington and their products are available almost everywhere.

National Farmers has also been reported to be the largest handler of certified organic milk.
We have been able to assist family dairy farms through the certification process for non-GMO, as well as find a market and handle their milk.

As mega dairies grow, milk buyers have been releasing family dairies—often with nowhere to ship their milk. We have had success in helping some of those dairies maintain their herd and stay in business.

Because we are a member organization determined to preserve family farms, we have overcome many obstacles. We will continue to do everything we can to not only maintain the family farming structure, but also to help producers gain market access and the ability to grow their operations.