Eventually they recognized the potential for a national front and, at a joint meeting in Winnipeg in March 1968, they passed a motion to develop a constitution.

Soon after, in July 1969, the direct membership National Farmers Union was formed.

[7] The NFU has since focused its efforts on a wide range of issues affecting farmers under the title of food sovereignty including justice, sustainability, and equity, all while pushing for a vibrant network of family farms across Canada.

The National Farmers Union and other family farm/peasant, indigenous and rural workers organizations work within the global movement, La Via Campesina, to resist the global trade agreements and the World Trade Organization, stop the destruction of communities, cultures and environments, and build an alternative: food sovereignty.

The mandate of the National Farmers Union is:[11] The NFU offers an annual award to young writers for an essay on an assigned farm-related topic, the Paul Beingessner Award.