The Latest
Tim Henning posthumously receives Excellence in Membership and Policy Award
ST. PAUL (November 29, 2011) –
Tim Henning of Adrian posthumously received the Excellence in Membership and
Policy Award from Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU). His wife, Bridget, accepted
the award. 
“Tim was a very passionate and dedicated individual and fought tirelessly for small family farmers and for Minnesota Farmers Union,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “Tim was one-of-a-kind, and will be terribly missed. We were incredibly lucky to have him on our side fighting for rural Minnesota.”
Tim was President of Nobles County Farmers Union since 2001. He grew up on a farm north of Adrian. In 1978 he married Bridget and they made their home in Lismore where they raised their four children. In 2004 they moved the family farm north of Adrian. Tim won multiple Silver Star and North Star Farmers Union Recruitment Awards. eHH He represented Farmers Union on several task forces dealing with issues such as transportation, eminent domain, farm bill, and livestock issues. Tim passed away on Tuesday, September 6th, at the age of 53.
John and Laureen Borden receive Lifetime Family Achievement Award
ST. PAUL (November 29, 2011) –John
& Laureen Borden of Merrifield received the Lifetime Family Achievement Award
from Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU). 
“John and Laureen Borden have been dedicated, lifetime Farmers Union members,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “They promote the Farmers Union message and fight for small family farmers. They are well-deserving of this award, and I thank them for being strong Farmers Union members.”
Hergert receives Outstanding Agricultural Reporting Award
ST. PAUL (November 29, 2011) –Mike Hergert of the Red River Farm Network received the
Outstanding Agricultural Reporting Award from Minnesota Farmers Union at their
state convention. 
“Mike knows how to ask the right questions in order to get to the issues that really matter to rural America,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “He has been serving the radio agriculture world for 40-years, and his professionalism and dedication to rural America shows, and is a great asset for all of us in farming.”
Mike graduated from Brown Institute. His first radio job was in 1970 at KFIL in Preston, Minnesota. From there he worked for KATE, KCMT, and in 1985 he became the first Executive Director of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association. Since 1986 Mike has worked for KNOW, KKXL and the Red River Farm Network. Currently they produce six radio farm programs a day, carried in 17 rural radio markets in Northwestern Minnesota, Eastern North Dakota, and South Dakota. He and his wife Linda have three grown children and ten grandchildren.
Local youths receive Torchbearer Award
ST. PAUL (December 2, 2011) – Minnesota Farmers Union gave out its Torchbearer award at their 70th annual state convention.
The award winners were: Andrea Tauber, daughter of Jeff & Connie from Olivia; Jasmyne Cardinal, daughter of Marc & Alisa from Crookston; Trina Park, daughter of Todd & Tammy from Bird Island; Jacob Hanson-Flores, son of Glen Hanson & Lourdes Flores-Hanson from Woodbury; Breanna Holmin, daughter of Carrie Plouffe & Mark Weaver from Brainerd; Janelle Amacher, daughter of John & Gina from St. Paul; Lindsey Atchison, daughter of Richard & Charlene Friedlein from Maplewood; Amanda Steffes, daughter of Robert & Brenda from Hendricks; Alissa Hilleren, daughter of Randy & Deb from Benson; Alicia Moen, daughter of Shari Halling & Rick Moen from Ivanhoe; and Stephanie Smith, daughter of Cindy & Craig from Chaska.
“In order to receive the Torchbearer Award, you have to show a commitment that a lot of kids their age would not be able to do,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “It is a great honor to receive the Torchbearer Award, and I would like to congratulate each one of them on their achievement, and thank them for being a dedicated member of the Minnesota Farmers Union family.”
Alan & Karen Perish receive Outstanding Leadership Award
ST. PAUL (November 29, 2011) –Alan
and Karen Perish of Browerville received the Outstanding Leadership Award from
Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU).
“Alan and Karen are always there when you need someone to promote Farmers Union,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “They have worked on the state and federal levels to advocate for family farmers, and help get legislation passed. Minnesota Farmers Union is lucky to have such strong and dedicated members as Alan and Karen, and we thank them for their years of service and dedication to Farmers Union.
Minnesota Farmers Union convention a success
ST. PAUL (November 22, 2011) – The Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) held its 70th annual state convention on Saturday, November 19 and Sunday, November 20. Doug Peterson was re-elected as President and Gary Wertish was re-elected Vice President by acclamation; policy and special orders were passed, and delegates were elected for the National Convention in Omaha, Nebraska in March.
This policy is what MFU, as an organization, advocates for in the upcoming year. Among the special orders of business passed include one on the farm bill, which calls for meaningful payment limitations, a strong safety net for all crops when prices are low, as well as for dairy farmers when the farm gate price falls below production. A second special order calls for the reinstatement of the Homestead Credit (Homestead Market Value Credit). The third special order calls for MFU to send comments opposing the proposed rule to the Department of Labor that could prohibit certain children from farm activities and could negatively impact 4-H, FFA, and youth who wish to work on farms and in agriculture.
President Peterson re-elected, addressed attendees at banquet
Minnesota Farmers Union state convention was recently held. Doug Peterson was re-elected President and Gary Wertish was re-elected Vice President. Policy was debated and passed as were Special Orders of Business, and delegates were elected to the National Farmers Union convention to be held in Omaha, Nebraska in March.
There were great speakers throughout the convention, including National Farmers Union Prresident Roger Johnson and Governor Mark Dayton. President Peterson addressed the banquet attendees Saturday night His speech began with his poem titled, "You are a farmer," and the speech had six major themes, which can be read below:
You are a farmer by Doug Peterson
If your passion stirs your rural roots, if landscapes dotted with animals planted fields and harvested crops excite you. You are a farmer.
If the smell of dirt lifts your spirit, and the feel of rain on your shoulders and field calm you. You are a farmer.
If the heritage of your parents and grandparents settles your soul as you walk your fields. You are a farmer.
If the peace of the morning sun warms your heart, you have farmed.
Congratulations to the following MFU members who were elected by their peers to serve as delegates to the National Farmers Union convention in Omaha, NE in March
District 1:
Delegate: Alton Walker of Bagley
Alternate: Alan Perish of Browerville
District 2:
Delegate: Ted Winter of Fulda
Alternate: Ross Eischens of Minneota
District 3:
Delegate: Lee Johnston of Swanville
Alternate: Mark Thell of Wrenshall
District 4
Delegate: Pat Irrthum of Wanamingo
Alternate: John Larsen of Mantorville
NFU will work with the Administration to ensure COOL compliance with WTO rules
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Farm bill and farm policy to lead the agenda at Minnesota Farmers Union state convention
St. Paul (November 11, 2011) – Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) is having their annual state convention Saturday, November 19 and Sunday, November 20 at the Ramada Plaza in Minneapolis. At the convention, delegates will be elected to represent Minnesota Farmers Union at the National Farmers Union convention in Omaha, Nebraska in March, 2012. Also, hot topic issues will be discussed like the farm bill, loss of market value homestead credit, and renewable and natural resource management policy changes.
“Our state convention is grassroots and since there is always a sense of urgency when it comes to farm policy, it gives our Farmers Union members an opportunity to debate and change state and national policy on the items they find important and pressing,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “MFU policy calls for support of local foods and we put our food where our mouth is and serve Minnesota-grown food at most of our meals during the convention - showcasing the fine food right here in Minnesota!”