Minnesota Farmers Union

 ST. PAUL (May 10, 2012) – Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) saw many positive movements on key legislative initiatives this legislative session which concluded Thursday, May 10, 2012. Included among them were key extensions for Minnesota’s ethanol, biodiesel, and wind industries to ensure they are moving forward; $33 million for the Rural Finance Authority, which partners with local lenders to provide affordable credit to eligible farmers; and the creation of a wolf hunting and trapping season, as well as key components to the state wolf management plan.

“MFU thanks the legislature and Governor Dayton for working to pass these key pieces of legislation” said Doug Peterson President of the Minnesota Farmers Union.  Peterson added, “MFU also was pleased to see legislation defeated that would have impacted local control by cities, counties and townships by changing the way interim ordinances are used.”

MFU was disappointed that no legislative action was taken to address surging rural and agriculture property taxes. MFU will work with policy makers to address this situation as the next session approaches.

ST. PAUL (April 27, 2012) – The Department of Labor had proposed rules that restricted farm kids from doing simple farm chores on family farms.  After thousands of comments against these rules, the Department of Labor has decided to withdraw the proposed rules.

“Minnesota Farmers Union is glad that the Department of Labor listened to the concerns of Minnesota Farmers Union members and rural folks and decided to withdraw the rule changes,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “Farm safety is a top priority for all farmers and it is great to see that the Department of Labor has decided to preserve the traditions of family farms and the rural way of life, and let family farms be run by family farmers who use common sense when it comes to farm work and farm safety.”

In November, Minnesota Farmers Union members overwhelmingly passed a Special Order of Business against the proposed Department of Labor rule changes.  MFU also sent comments in opposition to these proposed rule changes.

ST. PAUL (April 24, 2012) – Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) announces the 2012 FFA Renewable Energy Essay Contest, with a scholarship award of $1,000 to the winning chapter.  The essay must address the current and future state of renewable energy and its impact on the economy of rural Minnesota. FFA chapters are allowed one entry submission.

“Educating Minnesotans by focusing on the importance, and impact, of homegrown and renewable energy and its role in a strong rural economy is important to the Minnesota Farmers Union family, and we invite all FFA chapters in Minnesota to participate in this exciting new opportunity,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President.

The winning FFA chapter will receive $1,000 toward activities benefitting their chapter. The winning essay writer and their advisor will also be invited to participate in an educational forum which will include meeting senators and representatives in Washington, D.C., sponsored by Minnesota Farmers Union.  During the trip, they will get the opportunity to report their essay, as well as speak on the issues surrounding renewable energy.  Essays are due Friday, June 1, 2012.

For more information on this opportunity, contact MFU Education Director Glen Schmidt, glen@mfu.org or 651.288.4066. 

ST. PAUL (April 23, 2012) – Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) members just returned from Washington, D.C. where they met with their senators and representatives to discuss farm policy.

“These fly-ins are so important because it gives the Minnesota Members of Congress an opportunity to hear what is really going on in the countryside,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “Our members get some one-on-one time with their representatives and senators to tell them why it is important to have a farm bill done this year, how a strong energy policy helps sustain rural Minnesota, the importance of crop insurance and how decisions they make in Washington, D.C. impact folks in rural Minnesota.”

Agriculture is a primary driver of our rural and national economy, providing employment for one in 12 Americans, and is a job-creating industry based upon sustained production by approximately 2.2 million family farmers and ranchers.

Topics discussed during the fly-in were:

ST. PAUL (April 5, 2012) – Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) has been hosting summer camps in Minnesota for more than 60 years. This year five week-long educational and leadership summer camps have been planned to encourage youth to get involved. Campers have the chance to develop self-esteem, team building and leadership skills, all for under $100. 

“Minnesota Farmers Union is very proud of its leadership camp.  Every year we hear stories about how much the kids learn and how much fun they have at the same time,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “That fact that kids come back year after year is a testament to the great program we have, and you cannot beat the rates!” 

Kids gather from all across Minnesota to learn about cooperatives, how legislation is formed, the importance of being an active and responsible citizen, how to be a team player, develop leadership skills and build self-esteem. Campers also learn a lot about themselves as well as make lifelong friends with the other campers in attendance. There are also a lot of camp activities, from swimming to hiking to arts and crafts, campfires to theme nights. There is always something for every camper to enjoy.

As a long time camper Chandler Winkels Muff put it: “Camp is the experience of a lifetime.”

St. Paul (March 8, 2012) – Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) members return from the National Farmers Union (NFU) Convention held in Omaha, Nebraska. 

“The National Farmers Union Convention is important because it is a great display of grassroots policy-making,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “National Farmers Union members from throughout the country decide policies important to farmers, and give direction to Congress.”

Farmers Union delegates re-elected President Roger Johnson and Vice President Claudia Svarstad and passed special orders of business relating to investment priorities in the 2012 Farm Bill, the Market-Driven Inventory System, Country-of-Origin Labeling, dairy, beginning farmer programs, the beef checkoff, and cuts to rural U.S. Postal Service offices.  You can view each Special Order here, http://nfu.org/policy-nfu/special-orders-of-business.

Members heard from numerous speakers, including U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Reps. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., and Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb., and Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis.

Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) members will be attending the National Farmers Union (NFU) Convention in Omaha, Nebraska, March 4-7. 

“The National Farmers Union Convention is important because it is a great display of grassroots policy-making,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “National Farmers Union members from throughout the country decide policies important to farmers, and give direction to Congress.”

Minnesotans attending:

Jake Hanson-Flores of Woodbury will be attending as part of the National Youth Advisory Council (NYAC).  He was one of only six people elected by his peers to be on NYAC. Jake will make a presentation to the entire convention body, and help plan next year’s NFU All-States Leadership Camp. 

Mike and Jessica Ratka of Foley will be attending as members of the Farmers Union Leadership Couples' Program, developed to empower future leaders in Farmers Union and rural communities.

Delegates to the NFU Convention are Lee Johnston of Swanville; Pat Irrthum of Wanamingo; Alton Walker of Bagley; Ted Winter of Fulda; MFU Executive Board Member Larry Jacobson of Hitterdal; MFU Executive Board Member Bessie Klose of Atwater; and MFU President Doug Peterson.