As a global pandemic and extreme weather events batter an already weak agricultural economy, hundreds of farmers, ranchers, and rural residents will gather online next week to speak directly with their elected representatives and administration officials as part of National Farmers Union’s (NFU) virtual legislative fly-in.

Advocates from across the country will campaign for policies that support pandemic recovery, reduce chronic overproduction, restore competition to agricultural markets, strengthen rural healthcare, improve access to broadband internet, ensure the success of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), help farmers and ranchers implement climate-smart practices, and expand the market for homegrown biofuels. The NFU Fly-In will also cover a variety of topics; additional information is available at https://nfu.org/FLY-IN/

NFU will kick off the virtual fly-in on Monday, Sept. 14, with a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) briefing, during which participants will hear from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand.

The event will continue the following day with a Congressional briefing featuring Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture Collin Peterson, Senator Debbie Stabenow, Senator Jon Tester, and Representative Frank Lucas. Throughout the week, participants will also join small-group meetings with congressional offices, a panel discussion on USPS, and a virtual social gathering.