Minnesota Farmers Union

Mark Thell, Carlton County Farmers Union President, did a nice job talking about the hay shortage. Check it out here

http://www.fox21online.com/news/video/gov-dayton-looks-help-cattle-farmers

http://www.nfu.org/images/06%2012%2013%20Senate-PassedFarmBillSummary.pdf

ST. PAUL (June 11, 2013) – Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) is pleased the United States Senate passed the farm bill, and is optimistic the House of Representatives Republican leadership, with the help of the Democratic minority, will use common sense to compromise and negotiate a farm bill that benefits American family farmers and consumers.  

“The Senate passing the farm bill is a step in the right direction, and one that family farmers have been waiting for and deserve, so in the next five years they can be certain there will be stability for programming for farmers while they provide food, fuel, and fiber to our nation,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “Minnesota Farmers Union is pleased this legislation provides a strong safety net for farmers, a solid crop insurance program, as well as protections for livestock farmers.  We will continue to work with members of Congress to get this farm bill done before extensions expire September 30.”

ST. PAUL (June 6, 2013) – Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) signed a letter, along with other farm groups, to United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack requesting a waiver for the November 1 date linked to harvesting or grazing cover crops on prevented plant acres.  This is needed for the farmers who cannot plant corn due to the wet spring, as well as cattle and dairy farmers who are experiencing severe forage shortage. 

“This letter is urging the Administration to relieve people from the severe weather conditions that have ripped through southeast Minnesota and challenged farmers,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “Mother Nature always bats last and has served up conditions that may jeopardize many dairy farmers and cow-calf operations in Minnesota, and certain crop deadlines with regard to haying and grazing need to be extended.”

 The letter asks Secretary Vilsack for, “Your immediate action to lift the November 1 date linked to Risk Management Agency (RMA) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) policies would serve as an incentive for all farmers to plant cover crops on prevented acres which will have multiple benefits, ranging from soil and water conservation to providing much needed forage for livestock farmers.”

ST. PAUL (May 30, 2013) – Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) applauds action of Legislature.

“MFU thanks the legislature and Governor Dayton for passing a strong agriculture budget,” said Doug Peterson President of the Minnesota Farmers Union. “MFU is also pleased that the Farmer-Lender Mediation Act was extended for an additional three years, allowing time for farmers and lenders to find solutions when financial stresses hit rural Minnesota.” 

Key legislative actions:

ST. PAUL (May 28, 2013) – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a final rule governing Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) to meet compliance requirements set forth by a recent World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling.  

“We are very pleased that the USDA has decided to stand strong and keep COOL. The decision to bring the law into compliance with the WTO’s ruling is a win-win situation for all interested parties,” said Roger Johnson, National Farmers Union President.

“COOL gives consumers the information they want, and deserve, so they can make an educated decision about the food they are buying,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “Moms and dads need to feel good about what they are feeding their families and when products are labeled with the country of origin, that job is made easier.”

Both Minnesota and National Farmers Unions’ policy call for country of origin labeling.  USDA’s final rule will require labels for certain foods, particularly muscle cuts of meat, to include the countries in which the animal was born, raised and slaughtered. Legal analysis has found that this will satisfy WTO’s requirements and meets the compliance deadline of May 23, 2013.

ST. PAUL (May 23, 2013) – Minnesota Farmers Union would like to congratulate Alexis Lee Strong, daughter of Pete and Jennifer Nelson of Sauk Centre, for winning the Minnesota Farmers Union’s (MFU) FFA essay contest.  Alexis was awarded $1,000 for the Sauk Centre Area FFA Chapter, and a trip to Washington, D.C. when MFU goes on their annual fly-in in September.  A parent or her advisor will be accompanying her to Washington, D.C. A thank you and congratulations also goes out the Sauk Centre FFA Advisor, Mr. Duane Lichy, for his guidance.

MFU asked FFA students statewide to write a 500-750 word essay in response to this question, “How can farmers and rural communities work toward implementing a national food security policy to combat hunger on a regional and national level? “

St. Paul (May 22, 2013) - Have your child join Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) for a day camp in your area this summer. MFU professional camp counselors will be traveling around the state teaching the difference between cooperatives and cooperation, while most importantly having fun! Each day camp is unique, with a different combination of crafts, games, lessons, songs, and skits all in the great outdoors. These activities are designed to enhance each day-camper’s leadership skills—the building blocks of strong rural communities—in an entertaining and engaging setting outside of the classroom.

"Kids love to do hands-on activities, and the Minnesota Farmers Union day camps are a great opportunity for kids to get their hands dirty, learn something about farms and rural communities and have some fun this summer,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President.  “The kids will be enjoying themselves so much, they won’t even know they are learning!”

MFU holding day camps throughout the state, and they are:

Saturday, June 8         1 – 4 p.m.       Lake Crystal Area Rec. Center