For Immediate Release: December 6, 2006    

Contact: Emily Eisenberg
202-314-3104, eeisenberg@nfudc.org
    
Contact: Liz Friedlander
202-314-3191, lfriedlander@nfudc.org

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 6, 2006) - The National Farmers Union Board of Directors approved the formation of the New England Farmers Union (NEFU), its newest chapter that will bring six new states to the organization.With the adoption of NEFU's charter, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut and Rhode Island will now have official representation within NFU. It will also work to represent New England agriculture to Congress via NFU's legislative affairs department.

"We are particularly excited about this new NFU chapter," NFU President Tom Buis said. "New England has a strong tradition of family farming, but will add a new dimension to our organization due to its vast reliance on the fishing industry. The issues and challenges that family-run fishing operations face dramatically overlap with the ones our family farm members face in the land-locked states of the Midwest and the great plains."

For the last several years NFU has worked closely with the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association (CCCGA) and the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen's Association (CCCHFA). CCCGA Executive Director Jeff LaFleur, will serve as the new chapter's president, and CCCHFA Executive Director Peter Baker will serve as Vice President.

"I look forward to bringing New England's agricultural issues to the table at one of our nation's oldest and largest farm organizations," LaFleur said. "NEFU will represent the interests of farmers, fisherman and consumers, as these groups are intricately connected and face many common challenges."

LaFleur said that NEFU will focus on increasing the economic viability of family farms and fishing operations, and fostering the development of sustainable food production in New England.

"I would also like to emphasize nutrition education to consumers, and work to foster the connection between food producers and consumers," LaFleur said.