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
Yesterday Governor Tim Pawlenty released his plan to fill the $1.2 billion dollar gap in the state budget. Cuts to the Minnesota Dept. of Ag are about a 6.7 percent overall, with big cuts proposed for grant funds which were not encumbered such as ethanol producer payments ($1.67 million), County fairs ($28,000), Livestock Grants ($60,000), Sustainable Grants ($6,000), MAELC ($15,000), and Dairy Programs ($59,000). The ethanol producer payments are technically not a cut but a deferment. The Governor also proposes to cut the Plant Pest Survey and transfer some fees collected by the agency to the state general fund. AURI also takes a huge whack in the Governor's proposal; 50%! The Board of Animal Health is looking at an $87,000 reduction in 2010 and $141,000 in 2011. MFU has been meeting with legislative leaders of both parties on budget recommendations as the process goes forward. For more info check this out: http://www.mmb.state.mn.us/
No room for Ag in Pawlenty's State of the State
It might just be me, but I do not believe that Governor Tim Pawlenty mentioned farmers or agriculture in his 8th and final state of the state delivered last Thursday at the State Capitol. He did talk about "Angel Investor" credits which could apply to some renewable energy projects. He did mention Dairy Queen, CARZ, taxes and his mullet. Check out the speech here and please tell me if I am wrong! http://www.twincities.com/minnesota/ci_14383644
MDA Government Relations
Minnesota Dept. of Ag has a good website to track the goings on at the capitol and issues that the Department is working on. Check it out at: http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/news/government.aspx
Minnesota Health Plan Moving
MFU supports the Minnesota Health Act (SF 118 / HF 135) which would create the Minnesota Health Plan, a comprehensive plan that will cover all state residents is on the move. The plan will have a hearing in the House Health and Human Services Policy and Oversight Committee next Tuesday February 23rd at 2:45 State Office Building Room 200 Chair: Rep. Paul Thissen. The bill recently cleared another committee in the Senate where the Chief Author is Sen. John Marty; Rep. David Bly is the House author.
Eminent Domain bill moves forward
From Session Daily: Modifications to a law that gives public utilities the ability to take private property through a "quick take" process were approved as amended by a House division. The House Energy Finance and Policy Division approved HF1182, sponsored by Rep. David Bly (DFL-Northfield) and referred it to House Civil Justice Committee. A companion, SF1112, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Dahle (DFL-Northfield), awaits action by the Senate Energy, Utilities, Technology and Communications Committee. Rep. Torrey Westrom (R-Elbow Lake) successfully amended the bill so that existing public utility corridors would be given priority consideration when planning for the location of new high-voltage transmission lines. A consortium of utilities known as CapX2020 is proposing a high-voltage transmission line that would run through the state, traversing several counties. MFU has strongly supported this legislation.
DU honors MFU
At their state convention last weekend, Ducks Unlimited awarded their "The Public Policy Champion of the Year" award to Minnesota Farmers Union and their President Doug Peterson to recognize their support and collaboration on several key legislative initiatives. Ryan Heiniger from DU said: "Ducks Unlimited very much appreciates the forward thinking of Doug, his staff and board to help identify areas of overlap and willingness to bring solutions oriented thinking to the discussion."
Board looking for areas short on vets
The Board of Animal Health is asking for input from Minnesota industry groups regarding the state's shortage of veterinarians. The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) have created a new program, the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP), which will offset the cost of educational loans for veterinarians who practice in areas where there is a veterinarian shortage. Animal health officials in every state have been asked to submit nominations for areas in their state where there is a veterinary shortage. Once the nominated areas have been vetted by a NIFA review team, veterinarians may apply for positions within the shortage areas. Approved veterinarians must commit to spend three years in the area in order for NIFA to repay up to $25,000 of student loan debt per year. Preference for these nominations will be given to areas that are in need of food animal veterinarians. MFU members should contact me if you think your area is short of vets.
USDA Releases Pasture Rule on Organics
From MN AG Connection: The USDA issued new rules last Friday meant to settle a dispute in the organic agriculture industry over how much time cows at organic dairies must spend grazing on pasture. The ruling was cheered by many in the organic industry who said it would shore up consumer confidence in organic milk and could force some larger dairies in Western states to change how they operate. The new rules clarify an older requirement that said only that organically raised livestock had to have access to pasture. That left a loophole for some dairies that would put cows out to pasture only during periods when the animals were not giving milk or would feed their animals almost exclusively on grain or other feeds. The new regulations, which go into effect in June, are much more specific. They say that animals must graze on pasture for the full length of the local grazing season. The season will be determined by local conditions and agriculture authorities, like organic certifiers or county conservation officials, not by the dairy alone. While the grazing season must last at least 120 days, in many areas it will be much longer. The rules also say that animals must get at least 30 percent of their food from pasture during the grazing season. Agriculture department data shows that in 2008 there were 2,031 organic dairies in the country, with an average of 108 cows on each one, although many had far fewer. The new rules also apply to cattle raised for beef. In the case of beef cattle, however, the requirement that 30 percent of food must come from pasture is lifted during the so-called finishing period, which is when the animals are being fattened for slaughter and are often fed on grain. During that period they must still be allowed to graze, however.
HSUS ranks Minnesota 23rd on Animal Protection
This is kind of interesting; recently the Humane Society of the US released a report that ranks states on how well HSUS grades them on "animal protection". By my calculations; Minnesota ranks 23rd with the Dakotas ranking among their worst and California ranking first. Check it out here: HSUS rankings
MFU Lobby Day in St. Paul Wed. Feb. 24th
Please consider joining MFU for the "MFU Lobby Day" on Wed. Feb. 24th, 2010. We will begin the day at 10:00 a.m. in room 300 south of the State Office Building with a greeting from MFU President Doug Peterson, and then members and staff will spend the day meeting with legislators, attending committee hearings and also meeting with other elected officials. The day usually ends about 3:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity for MFU members to connect with their legislators and also help MFU make our presence felt at the capitol. Members who have questions about the lobby day or to RSVP contact Tim Schloe at thim@mfu.org or 651-639-1223, MFU will be offering van rides from some areas, will provide free parking for members that drive in, and be arranging car pools.
MFU Board meets this weekend
MFU's Full Board of Directors which includes all County Presidents will meet this weekend in St. Cloud to discuss MFU business, get policy and budgets updates, and elect the Executive Board. The meeting will be Saturday Feb. 20th at the Radisson St. Cloud at 10:00 a.m.
Job Posting
MFU has posted the position of MFU Fulltime Office Manager on the Council of Non-Profits Website. Please forward to anyone who might be interested, Vivian has big shoes to fill! Checkout: www.mncn.org
Bill Intros of Note:
Kahn, Juhnke, Huntley, Rukavina, Abeler and Hornstein introduced: H. F. 2997, A bill for an act relating to agriculture; providing for regulated production of medical marijuana for export; authorizing rulemaking; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 18J.01; 18J.02; 18J.03; 18J.04, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4; 18J.05, subdivisions 1, 2, 6; 18J.06; 18J.07, subdivisions 3, 4, 5; 18J.09; 18J.11, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 18K.
Faust introduced: H. F. 3021, A bill for an act relating to agriculture; establishing a variable rate fertilizer application equipment grant program; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 17.
Drazkowski; Kiffmeyer; Eastlund; Dettmer; Anderson, B.; Shimanski and Davids introduced: H. F. 2886, A bill for an act relating to taxation; property; extending the limited market value for agricultural property; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 273.11, subdivision 1a.
Juhnke introduced: H. F. 2889, A bill for an act relating to agriculture; allowing a temporary lien for livestock production inputs for 30 days following a mediation request; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 514.966, by adding a subdivision.
Howes, Gunther, Ward, Anzelc, Solberg, Garofalo and Davids introduced: H. F. 3000, A bill for an act relating to education; prohibiting pre-Labor Day start date for flexible learning year programs; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 124D.126, subdivision 2; Minnesota Statutes 2009 Supplement, section 120A.40.
Senators Marty and Vickerman introduced--S.F. No. 2632: A bill for an act relating to food safety; authorizing certain beverage production in basements; directing the commissioner of agriculture to amend Minnesota Rules.
Senators Kubly, Dille, Koering and Vickerman introduced--S.F. No. 2637: A bill for an act relating to farm wineries; allowing the holder of an intoxicating liquor license to own and operate a farm winery; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 340A.315, by adding a subdivision.
Senators Kubly, Dille, Vickerman and Skoe introduced--S.F. No. 2641: A bill for an act relating to Canis latrans; providing a coyote conflict management option for counties; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 348.
Senator Murphy introduced--S.F. No. 2658: A bill for an act relating to transportation; authorizing road authority to issue annual permit for overweight vehicle transporting milk under certain circumstances; amending Minnesota Statutes 2009 Supplement, section 169.865, by adding a subdivision.
Norton, Greiling, Mariani and Brynaert introduced: H. F. 2966, A bill for an act relating to education; amending school calendar restrictions; amending Minnesota Statutes 2009 Supplement, section 120A.40.
Eastlund; Davids; Kiffmeyer; Dettmer; Hamilton; Urdahl; Drazkowski; Shimanski; Cornish; Anderson, B.; Murdock; Scott; Gottwalt; McNamara; Anderson, P.; Westrom; Nornes; Severson; Peppin; Lanning; Emmer; Sanders; Hoppe; Holberg; Kohls; Anderson, S.; Kelly; Zellers; Brod; Dean; Torkelson; Garofalo; Beard; Hackbarth and Loon introduced: H. F. 2983, A bill for an act relating to property taxation; repealing changes to the green acres program and agricultural classifications made in 2008 and 2009; amending Minnesota Statutes 2009 Supplement, sections 273.111, subdivisions 3, 11a; 273.13, subdivision 23; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 273.111, subdivisions 8, 11; 273.1384, subdivision 2; Minnesota Statutes 2009 Supplement, sections 273.1108; 273.111, subdivisions 3a, 4, 9; 273.114; Laws 2008, chapter 366, article 6, section 52.
That is all for now, as usual, questions, comments and complaints to me!
Thom Petersen, Director of Government Relations, MN Farmers Union