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."
MFU has been putting the struggles of the dairy industry in the spotlight to try and gain assistance for dairy farmers. MFU held "No Bull" dairy action sessions, bringing attention to the farmgate prices of the dairy farmer; flew dairy farmers out to Washington, D.C. so they could speak directly to their Representative and Senators about their dire situations; participated in dairy meetings with our congressional delegation; and had the MFU Carver County President testify in front of Congress about dairy prices. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), on average, the price U.S. dairy producers received for milk marketed in the summer of 2009 was about half of what it cost the farmers to produce the milk. For more information and eligibility requirements on the new DELAP program, go to www.fsa.usda.gov.
Franken Comment on Dairy Assistance
U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) said yesterday "I have seen firsthand how Minnesota dairy producers have been hit hard by low prices throughout this year," and Franken adds "This program will assist eligible dairy producers during these tough economic times and help stabilize their operations until prices get better." Franken, who cosponsored a dairy price support amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations bill which provided the Department of Agriculture with $350 million in additional funds to buy surplus dairy products off the market, said it is one of the many ways he is working to help Minnesota dairy operators. In October, he also authored a measure to extend mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) to dairy products to give U.S. producers a tool to help them stand out in a crowded marketplace during the current dairy crisis.
Rep. Peterson on Dairy Assistance
Yesterday, Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin C. Peterson (MN) thanked U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack for quickly implementing the Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Payment Program, which will help dairy farmers who are struggling with a severe economic crisis facing the industry. The program will make a payment to eligible dairy farmers, based on their production and marketing for the months of February through July 2009. Funding for these one-time payments was included in the 2010 Agricultural Appropriations Bill. "This is an essential stop-gap measure that will help many dairy farmers stay in business in the short-term," Chairman Peterson said. "Looking forward, it is obvious that our existing dairy programs are not providing an adequate safety net for dairy farmers, and we need to look at ways we can reform dairy policy to ensure that it provides adequate support for the long term success of the industry. There are few easy solutions, but I am committed to working with the dairy industry to consider appropriate changes that we can include in the next Farm Bill."
Farmers Union in Copenhagen
North Dakota Farmers Union President Robert Carlson and S.D. Farmers Union President Doug Sombke have both been in Copenhagen at the UN global climate conference. NDFU has been updating their website with information and audio updates from Robert-check it out if you are interested: http://www.ndfu.org/addPages/index.asp?linkname=unccc.
Anti-Trust Heating up
Anti-Trust has always been a big issue for MFU, and MFU needs to hear NOW from members about their concerns and thoughts. MFU will be submitting official comments to the USDA/DOJ on the following areas below. Please contact me with ideas for our comments. In addition, the Department of Justice and USDA are also asking for comments in advance of the workshops. Interested parties should submit written comments in both paper and electronic form to the Department of Justice no later than Dec. 31, 2009. All comments received will be publicly posted. Two paper copies should be addressed to the Legal Policy Section, Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 450 5th Street, NW, Suite 11700, Washington, D.C. 20001. The electronic version of each comment should be submitted to agriculturalworkshops@usdoj.gov.
The USDA/DoJ's 2010 competition/antitrust workshops will be held:
March 12, 2010 - Issues of Concern to Farmers - Ankeny, Iowa May 21, 2010 - Poultry Industry - Normal, Ala.
June 7, 2010 - Dairy Industry - Madison, Wisc.
Aug. 26, 2010 - Livestock Industry - Fort Collins, Colo.
Dec. 8, 2010 - Margins - Washington, D.C.
Jobs Task Force
A task force charged with finding ways to create jobs in Minnesota now has a list of possible legislative strategies. The House Jobs Task Force unveiled a list of 41 "legislative options" to help create jobs in Minnesota. Nonpartisan research staff compiled the list from suggestions made by economists, business leaders and others during a series of task force hearings that began in September. Follow the link here to "committee minutes" and then scroll to page 19 to see recommendations, which include streamlining environmental permitting process and easing up on energy mandates. http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/comm/committee.asp?comm=86103
Captive rail issue advancing
This week marked an important milestone in the long effort to obtain legislative improvements in the railroad regulatory program to the benefit of captive rail customers. The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, by a unanimous voice vote, ordered reported S.2889, the Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Act of 2009. A copy of the bill, referred to as a committee draft because the Senate bill number had not yet been issued, is on the CURE web site: www.railcure.org . Senator Amy Klobuchar, the only Senator who serves on both the Judiciary and Commerce Committees, stressed the importance of including strong antitrust provisions in the legislation before it is considered by the full Senate; Chairman Rockefeller pledged to work with Senator Kohl and her to achieve those strong antitrust provisions for the bill.
Roadsides for Wildlife
Last week I attended the annual meeting for the Minnesota DNR's "Roadsides for Wildlife" in Sauk Centre. Roadsides represent over 500,000 acres of permanent grassland in Minnesota's pheasant range. The program works on wildlife issue on roadsides for more info checkout: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/roadsidesforwildlife/index.html
MFU supports Oliver Kelley Farm
This past week MFU sent a letter to the Chairs of the House and Senate Capital Investment Committee in support of a bonding request for the restoration of the Oliver Kelley Farm in Elk River. Most people know that Kelley founded the Grange which helped lead to the formation of MFU. Checkout this link for more info: http://www.mnhs.org/places/sites/ohkf/
Hunt retiring
After 44 years, William "Bill" Hunt, MN NRCS State Conservationist is retiring on January 1, 2010. An Open House is being held for Mr. Hunt on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. in St. Paul; MFU President Doug Peterson extends thanks from MFU to Mr. Hunt for his years of service and work with MFU.
Funding still available for sustainable ag grant programs
Don't miss the opportunity to apply for funding that can help you turn your innovative ideas into a sustainable farming practice. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is accepting applications for Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grants through January 15, 2010. These grants are intended for projects that promote environmental stewardship and conservation of resources as well as improve profitability and quality of life on farms and in rural areas. MDA will award up to $90,000 in 2010 for projects such as fruit and vegetable production, livestock production systems, conservation tillage and weed management, organic farming, and alternative energy crop production. The MDA's Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant Program has helped many Minnesota farmers and researchers develop new concepts into viable production practices, such as the use of high tunnel systems to extend the fruit and vegetable growing season. Completed applications must be received by MDA no later than January 15, 2010. Applications are available on the MDA website at www.mda.state.mn.us/esap or contact the Agricultural Development and Financial Assistance Division at 651-201-6012. Projects funded by the MDA's Sustainable Agriculture Grant Program are highlighted in the Greenbook, which is free and available at www.mda.state.mn.us/greenbook or by calling 651-201-6012.
Community Wind Report from MN Project
Lessons & Concepts for Advancing Community Wind, was recently released by The Minnesota Project, seeks to advance the development of community-based wind projects in the United States by drawing keys to success and policy recommendations from three compelling Midwestern case studies. Go here for more info: http://www.mnproject.org/index.html
NFU Convention
The 2010 Convention will be held March 14-16, 2010 at the Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center in Rapid City, S.D. The convention is an opportunity for members to develop the organization's policy for the coming year, reconnect with old friends, meet Farmers Union members from across the country and hear from top-notch speakers. With Rapid City as our host, you will also be able to discover South Dakota's majestic Black Hills, Mt. Rushmore and everything else the area has to offer. Follow this for more info: http://nfu.org/about/convention
That is all for now, as usual questions, comments, and complaints to me! (and Happy Holidays!)
Thom Petersen, Director of Government Relations, MN Farmers Union