Notes from MN Farmers Union 3-6-09
Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Friday March 6, 2009
MFU members heading to Washington, D.C.
Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) members will be attending the National Farmers Union Convention where a new National Farmers Union President will be elected. There will also be policy discussions, and speakers. The Convention will be held March 8 - 10 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia, with a lobby day on Capitol Hill on the 11th.
The schedule is as follows:
- Sunday, March 8th: Convention banquet; candidates for NFU President speak; and NATFARMPAC live auction;
- Monday, March 9th: USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack; Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND); Renewable energy discussion with Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD); Farm Bill discussion with Senate Ag Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) and House Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN); National Youth Advisory Council Presentations; House Ag-FDA Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT); and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
- Tuesday, March 10th: Policy discussion; Pam Jahnke, National Association of Farm Broadcasting President; NFU Presidential election; and the awards ceremony.
- Wednesday, March 11th: Meetings with MN Congressional delegation.
You can find the full convention agenda at www.nfu.org .
ND Ag Commissioner a candidate for NFU President
The following are excerpts from the statement of candidacy from Roger Johnson, Commissioner of Agriculture for North Dakota who has declared his candidacy for NFU President to replace Tom Buis. "I am announcing today that I am a candidate for the presidency of the National Farmers Union. If elected, I will resign as North Dakota agriculture commissioner. It was not a decision made lightly. As agriculture commissioner I have had the opportunity to meet and work with producers from every part of our state - let everyone know they are the trusted providers of the finest quality food, fiber and fuel, and that they are dedicated to feeding, and fueling our nation and the world. I have also had the opportunity to work for North Dakota producers on the national level, as president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. With family farmers at its core, the National Farmers Union is this country's most effective progressive farm organization. It has taken the lead role in the development of policy contained in the new Farm Bill; it is a leader in the development and production of farm-based renewable energy and in conservation through carbon sequestration. During the development of the recent Farm Bill, I worked closely with National Farmers Union on the permanent disaster program, interstate shipment of state-inspected meat products, country-of-origin labeling for food and the establishment of a strong safety net for American farmers. I grew up in a Farmers Union family and have been a member of Farmers Union all my life. I am determined that Farmers Union will remain the leading voice for agriculture in the United States.
President's Budget
Last week, the White House and OMB released an outline of President Obama's FY2010 budget proposal... The Administration planned to release this budget outline and provide additional details in April. Below is a list of highlights/lowlights.
HIGHLIGHTS
- 1. Competition - Provides resources to improve enforcement of Packers & Stockyards Act; increased funding for National Organic Program through education/outreach and provides resources for enforcement of COOL.
- 2. Direct Payments- Direct program payments would be phased out over 3 years for farms with gross annual sales of more than $500,000.
- 3. Crop Insurance- Reduces the crop insurance premium subsidy to farmers and underwriting gains for insurance companies.
- 4. Payment Limit Reform - Establishes $250,000 payment limit on all agriculture program payments. Under the 2008 Farm Bill, payment limits are $40,000 on direct payments/$65,000 on counter-cyclical payments and no limit on marketing loans.
- 5. Cotton Storage Payments - Eliminates requirement for USDA to pay the storage costs of cotton put under loan.
- 6. Market Access Program Reform - Reduce funding by 20% ($40M/yr) and place greater emphasis on promoting generic American products overseas.
- 7. Broadband - Provides $1.3 billion in loans and grants to increase broadband capacity and improve telecommunication services/opportunities in rural areas.
- 8. Rural Development - Provides $61 million for micro-entrepreneur assistance program; rural cooperative development grants; value-added producer grants; grants to minority producers; and cooperative research agreements.
- 9. Renewable Energy - Includes $250 million for loans and grants to advance production of renewable energy.
- 10. Research - $70 million available for increased competitive research grants.
- 11. Forests - $50 million increase for national forest operations and fully funds the 10-year average suppression costs for forest fire management.
- 12. Reauthorize Child Nutrition & WIC - Increase of $1billion aimed at improving access, enhancing nutritional quality, expanding research and evaluation
Direct Payments raises eyebrows
President Obama's proposal to phase out direct program payments over 3 years for farms with gross annual sales of more than $500,000, has definitely generated a lot of discussion. MFU's current policy supports eliminating payments to individuals who report an adjusted gross income in excess of $500,000 in the prior year. What do you think of the proposal? Please send along your thoughts to me!
MFU scheduling spring meetings
Mark your calendar and save the date for MFU spring district meetings. MFU will offer legislative and membership updates among other items at these meetings, locations to follow shortly, or check out www.mfu.org for more info.
April 7 - 8:30/9 AM - Fertile
April 7 - 2 PM - Sauk Centre
April 8 - 9:30 AM - Slayton
April 8 - 2:30 PM - Waseca
April 9 - 9:30/10:00 AM - Moose Lake
Budget Deficit not as bad?
The updated Minnesota budget forecast was released this week at a $4.57 billion deficit, down from the previous $4.85 billion projection. Much of that is due in part to the recently passed federal stimulus money that will come to the state.
MFU testifies of Farmer-Lender Mediation
MFU testified this week in favor of bills in both the House and Senate in favor of extending the sunset date for the Minnesota Farmer Lender Mediation Act which helps farmers facilitate discussions on credit problems. HF 841 is authored by Rep. Al Juhnke passed the House Agriculture Committee, and SF 289 authored by Sen. Sharon Erickson-Ropes passed the Senate Agriculture Committee. In the Senate the "trigger" for mediation was increased from $5,000 to $10,000. Lobbyists representing banking interest argued for raising it as high as $50,000. MFU opposed raising the limit right now; asking the committee what has changed since four years ago when the legislature passed the extension without a single no vote? Commodity prices are similar if not worse, and input costs are very high.
Farm Advocates
MFU spoke this week with some of the Minnesota Farm Advocates about the raising of the "trigger" in Farmer-Lender mediation, and what they are seeing with the economy. Farm Advocates provide one-on-one assistance for Minnesota farmers who face crisis caused by either a natural disaster or financial problems. The advocates we spoke with said that their work load is unfortunately increasing, and that they do see cases at the $5,000 level where mediation helps "keep the farmer farming". For more information on Farm Advocates checkout: http://www.mda.state.mn.us/about/farmadvocates.htm
Green Acres Update
While it has been a light week for Green Acres hearings, there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes. Sen. Rod Skoe has come up with legislation that addresses MFU concerns and has had it amended onto a bill that will be acted on by the full Senate most likely Thursday, MFU is still looking through the language. The House will have a "Green-Acres-a-palooza" hearing on March 17 (how ironic, St. Patrick's Day) where a joint committee of the Property Tax and Tax Committee will hear at least 16 green acres bills! The hearing will be at 6:00 p.m. in room 10 of the SOB.
MFU testifies on depredation
MFU also testified this week in favor of SF 324 authored by Sen. LeRoy Stumpf which would increase the appropriation to the state livestock depredation account that pays farmers for losses associated with wolf and elf damage. The legislation also creates separate accounts for the elk and wolves. MFU is concerned that the account is not keeping up with the claims that have come in.
Hemp, Hemp, Hooray
MFU is a supporter of HF 608 authored by Rep. Phyllis Kahn which would work toward legalizing the production of Industrial Hemp in Minnesota. The Minnesota Independent has a good story on the issue this week, check it out at: Hemp
School start date?
MFU has fielded several calls on the topic of the legislature passing legislation to allow school districts the choice of beginning the school year before Labor Day. The argument, I believe is that Labor Day falls very late this year (Sept. 7th). MFU has heard from members who are opposed to this, with one reason being children who show animals and projects at the Minnesota State Fair, and that those children would have to miss some of the first days of school, what do you think? Let me know.
D.C. Changes for Walz
Jeremy Bratt has announced that he has left Congressman Walz's office to take a senior professional staff position on the House Agriculture Committee. Bratt added that he "greatly enjoyed the opportunity to work for Congressman Walz and my home district for the last two years and I am looking forward to the opportunity to continue working for Minnesota from my new position on the Agriculture Committee with Chairman Peterson". Chris Schmitter, who has been with Congressman Walz for several years, will be serving as the Congressman's new Legislative Director.
MFU presents carbon credit program information at forestry conference
MFU President Doug Peterson led a discussion of how MFU can help farmers and landowners earn carbon credits for certain forestry practices at a "Forest Values & Carbon Markets Opportunities in Minnesota" conference sponsored by the Blandin Foundation. Cosponsors were the Society of American Foresters, the University of Minnesota, and the Minnesota Association of Consulting Foresters. In his remarks to the 175 attendees, Farmers Union President Peterson explained that Farmers Union is an aggregator of carbon credits through the Chicago Climate Exchange. He said, "This is an opportunity for farmers and landowners to explore another revenue stream for their properties. It might not fit everyone, but everyone might want to explore it as an option."
Peterson said the Farmers Union Carbon Credit Program, in addition to forestry, covers certain tillage practices, seeding of long-term grasses, and other means of terrestrial carbon sequestration. The Carbon Credit Program is not only about monetary gain, it is also a demonstration by Minnesota farmers and landowners of how seriously we take our responsibility to be a part of the solution to global warming." Peterson said that all information and enrollment opportunities to participate in the Farmers Union Carbon Credit Program are done via the internet. He said there is a good Q & A section on the Farmers Union website which can be found at http://www.mfu.org/carbon#fragment-4
Corn and Climate Report released
MFU met recently with The Great Plains Institute to learn more about the release of the Corn and Climate Report, which was done in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Iowa State University, and the North Central Bioeconomy Consortium. It is a collection of essays transcribed from presentations given by climatologists at the 2008 ISU Biobased Industry Outlook Conference's Corn and Climate Post Conference Workshop. These essays combine basic climate science that underscores the reality of human-caused global warming with practical advice that farmers can use to help mitigate their greenhouse gas emissions, prepare for a cap and trade system, and adapt to the greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere. Checkout: www.gpisd.net for more information.
Bill Introductions of note
Senators Erickson Ropes, Anderson and Senjem introduced--S.F. No. 1086: A bill for an act relating to waters; appropriating money to monitor agricultural nonpoint source pollution.
Mullery introduced: H. F. 1095, A bill for an act relating to agriculture; classifying certain research, monitoring, and assessment data; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 13.643, by adding a subdivision.
Magnus and Gunther introduced: H. F. 1155, A bill for an act relating to energy; utilities; modifying certificate of need exemption status for large wind-powered electric generation facility; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 216B.243, subdivisions 8, 9.
Senators Bakk and Skoe introduced--S.F. No. 922: A bill for an act relating to taxation; property; delaying the implementation of certain 2008 changes to the green acres program by one year; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 273.111, subdivision 3a.
I never do this, but....
Maybe nothing to do with agriculture, but I had to write this after hearing about it yesterday in committee. As an agriculture lobbyist, I sit through some veterans issues due to the fact that in the legislature the veterans and ag committees are combined. Yesterday I saw a heartwarming presentation by Operation Happy Note, which is a volunteer effort to send musical instruments to deployed service men and women throughout the world. Steve and Barb Baker from Fergus Falls, MN, who run Fergus Music and started Operation Happy Note in March 2005 after their son was deployed to Iraq. They sent him a guitar and one to his friend, too. These soldiers were so pleased to have instruments while deployed that they found a way to get more instruments to our troops hence: Operation Happy Note. Check it out: http://www.operationhappynote.com/
That is all for now, as usual, questions, comments and complaints to me!
Thom Petersen, Director of Government Relations, MN Farmers Union