Advocacy
Notes from the MN Farmers Union 4-12-10
Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Monday April 12, 2010
Spring Meetings underway
The dates, time and location of the meetings are as follows:
Notes from the MN Farmers Union 3-26-10
Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Friday March 26, 2010
MFU members return from NFU convention
MFU members recently returned from the annual NFU Convention held in Rapid City, South Dakota. Policy was set, Special Orders were passed, awards were given and speakers spoke about the status of the agriculture community and where it is heading. NFU President Roger Johnson and NFU Vice President Claudia Svarstad were re-elected to their positions. "The National Convention is a place where all the state Farmers Union organizations come together to work on policy that puts farmers first," said Doug Peterson, MFU President. "Now that the convention is over, we can take that policy and let our elected federal officials know where National Farmers Union stands on the issues important to farmers."
NFU Presents awards
Notes from MN Farmers Union 2-16-10
Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Tuesday February 16th, 2010
Secretary Vilsack in Minnesota
This afternoon, MFU President Doug Peterson, and four other MFU members are meeting with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and Rep. Collin Peterson and other ag leaders in Morton to discuss agriculture issues. Big issues on the plate include the 2011 budget, crop insurance, dairy and climate issues. Vilsack was in Minnesota where he was a guest at Rep. Peterson's annual Homegrown Economy conference.
MFU to talk dairy with Oberstar
Thursday, MFU will also meet with Rep. James Oberstar to discuss dairy issues and pricing. Rep. Oberstar and his staff have met with MFU several times this past year as the dairy industry has struggled. Oberstar was very involved in pushing Congress to pass assistance for dairy farmers this past year in what was known as DELAP.
Pawlenty Releases Budget
Notes from the MN Farmers Union 2-5-10
Notes from the MN Farmers Union Friday, February 5th, 2010
MFU sets Legislative priorities
Notes from the MN Farmers Union 12-18-09
Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Friday December 11th, 2009
MFU applauds timely assistance to dairy producers
After months of putting the dairy crisis in front of Congress and the Administration, Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) is pleased to see that Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack just announced a new Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Payment (DELAP) program for dairy farmers that would give eligible producers a one-time direct payment based on the amount of milk produced and commercially marketed by their operation during the months of February through July, 2009. "The dairy industry has been dealing with high input costs and low dairy prices and MFU has been calling for action for a long time and it is nice to see our efforts are starting to pay off," said Doug Peterson, MFU President. "This is not to say that the Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Payment program will solve all the problems facing dairy farmers, but it is a start. Farmers Union will continue to fight for the promotion, stabilization and strengthening of the dairy industry."
Notes from the MN Farmers Union 12-02-09
Notes from the MN Farmers Union Wednesday December 2nd, 2009
Peterson re-elected MFU President; Wertish elected MFU Vice President
MFU held its 68th annual state convention on Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22. Delegates re-elected President Doug Peterson, and elected Gary Wertish of Renville as the new MFU Vice President. Dennis Sjodin, the previous Vice President for 14 years, decided not to seek re-election. "I congratulate Gary for his election as Vice President to Minnesota Farmers Union," said Doug Peterson, MFU President. "Gary is a life-long Farmers Union member, so he understands the importance of the organization and the voice we give to our members. I look forward to working with Gary and promoting Farmers Union policy. Wertish is a full-time farmer who previously worked as an MFU Field Representative; and worked for Senator Mark Dayton as his Agricultural Director. He farms with one of his sons raising corn, soybeans, navy beans and finishes out cattle and hogs. Gary and his wife Jeanne have four grown children and four grandchildren. "I am humbled to be elected by the MFU membership as the new Vice President," said Wertish.
Special Orders Passed
Notes from the MN Farmers Union 11-10-09
Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Tuesday November 10th, 2009
MFU convention nearing
Notes from the MN Farmers Union 10-30-09
Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Friday October 30, 2009
Convention shaping up
MFU President Doug Peterson is pleased to announce that Rep. James Oberstar will be the keynote speaker for the 68th annual MFU State Convention Banquet on November 21st. The convention runs November 21-22 at the Ramada Hotel (same place as usual, new name) in Mpls. Members who have questions about registration or hotel rooms can contact the MFU office at 651-639-1223; we are expecting a great turnout based on the number of delegate forms already received. Now let's hope it stops raining! A full agenda for the convention can be found at www.mfu.org
MFU members named to state FSA Committee
Notes from the MN Farmers Union 10-14-09
Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Wednesday October 14, 2009
New Ag Chair Lincoln in town
MFU President Doug Peterson participated in a roundtable on Agricultural issues with the new Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AK), Sens. Franken and Klobuchar, and a few other ag leaders on Monday of this week. Peterson questioned Sen. Lincoln on dairy and anti-trust issues. Lincoln also spent a lot of time on pork, climate and issues with the sugar industry.
Ag Aprops bill passes sent to President
The House and Senate have approved the conference report on HR 2997, the FY 2010 Agriculture Appropriations Bill. The bill is now headed to the President's desk for his signature. The conference agreement appropriates $121.2 billion--$264 million more than the current level, including $12.5 billion in emergency appropriations.
Notable provisions:
Notes from the MN Farmers Union 9-09-09
Notes from the MN Farmers Union Wednesday September 9th, 2009
MFU heads to DC next week