MFU members talk farm policy in Washington, D.C.
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:
- the importance of getting a farm bill done this year;
- implementation of a Market-Driven Inventory System (MDIS), which is designed to help rural America during a long-term market collapse (more information found at http://nfu.org/study);
- a strong energy policy; and
- a livestock title that protects livestock
producers.
MFU members who were in Washington, D.C. were Marvin Jensen of Kensington; Tim Velde of Granite Falls; Merlyn Hubin of Westbrook; Alan Perish of Browerville; Gene Paul with National Farmers Organization of Delavan; MFU President Doug Peterson of Madison; MFU Vice President Gary Wertish of Renville; and MFU Government Relations Director Thom Petersen of Pine City.