Minnesota Farmers Union

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Friday March 26, 2010

MFU members return from NFU convention

MFU members recently returned from the annual NFU Convention held in Rapid City, South Dakota.  Policy was set, Special Orders were passed, awards were given and speakers spoke about the status of the agriculture community and where it is heading.  NFU President Roger Johnson and NFU Vice President Claudia Svarstad were re-elected to their positions. "The National Convention is a place where all the state Farmers Union organizations come together to work on policy that puts farmers first," said Doug Peterson, MFU President.  "Now that the convention is over, we can take that policy and let our elected federal officials know where National Farmers Union stands on the issues important to farmers."

NFU Presents awards

One of the NFU Meritorious Awards was given to Roseville resident Dave Frederickson, former MFU, and NFU President, for his dedication and hard work for Farmers Union and American agriculture.  Three other Minnesotans received awards during the Convention:  Bessie Klose of Atwater; Tim Henning of Adrian; and Alan Perish of Browerville.  They received the Membership Award for their hard work of recruiting members to Farmers Union.

Convention passes Special Orders

Convention delegates passed several Special Orders, and they called for the following: in the livestock market there needs to be regulations to protect family farmers along with increased oversight of the commodity markets in order to keep speculators from driving prices to artificial highs; increases in the dairy price support program to account for the total cost of production, and the closing of the trade loophole that allows unlimited imports of MPC, casein and other concentrated dairy imports; the need for any reduction in the agriculture spending budget to be at the same percentage as all other federal programs; a permanent estate tax exemption at $4 million per person; the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act and an additional $10 billion over ten years with an increased emphasis on farm to school programs and improving children's access to nutritious foods; health care reform that includes a publicly-run health insurance plan that would increase availability of health care to rural Americans, an end to the exemption from antitrust laws currently granted to health insurance companies, and support for rural hospitals to ensure they have resources necessary to provide high quality; and support for fair trade, and advocate the structure of future and pending trade language and other acts that will allow U.S. agriculture to be a net exporter as a result of the agreement. Here is a link to the policy and special orders: http://nfu.org/about/policy

MFU supports DNR Gray Wolf de-listing request

The Minnesota gray wolf should be removed immediately from the federal government's endangered and threatened species list and returned to state management, according to a petition filed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). An action supported by Minnesota Farm Bureau, Minnesota Farmers Union, Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association and Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers. "Minnesota Farmers Union strongly supports the petition request from the DNR to de-list the gray wolf and urges the federal government to support the request," said Minnesota Farmers Union President Doug Peterson. According to the DNR, Minnesota's wolf population has more than doubled the delisting goal of 1,252-1,400 wolves with an estimated population of approximately 3,000 wolves. Human-wolf conflicts are on the rise. Since 1978, federal officials have removed more than 3,000 wolves from Minnesota in response to depredation of livestock.

NFU on Health Care Vote

NFU Roger Johnson commended the U.S. House of Representatives on the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590). "This is a historic day," said Johnson. "Today's vote is a huge victory for the nation, especially farmers, ranchers and rural Americans." NFU has long stood behind the need for health care reform. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will bring down the cost of coverage; bring more physicians to rural hospitals; and prevent insurers' discriminatory practices with regards to preexisting conditions. "The United States has a moral obligation to stop insurance companies from dropping coverage on ailing patients," said Johnson. "Rural Americans are among the oldest in the population, and denying them the coverage they need based on preexisting conditions must be stopped." Accessible, affordable coverage for rural Americans will be strengthened through the establishment of health insurance exchanges for the self-employed and small businesses.

Estate Tax Heating Up

Now that health insurance reform is off the floor the Senate is expected to turn its attention to tax legislation. NFU policy calls for a $4 million exemption. N.D. Rep. Earl Pomeroy is the leader on the issue in the House and Sen. Blanche Lincoln form Ark. and Sen. Jon Kyl from Ariz. are leaders on the issue in the Senate. In lieu of estate tax repeal, NFU supports estate tax relief for family-owned farms, ranches and small businesses in order to facilitate the transfer of those enterprises to the next generation. We also support:

1) Increasing the federal estate tax exemption per estate to $4 million permanently;

2) Indexing the exemption annually;

3) Simplifying the exemption qualification rules and requirements;

4) Implementing graduated rates; and

5) Opposition to shifting tax liability from the estate tax to the capital gains tax through the elimination of the "step-up" in basis provision.

NFU asks for help on dairy

National Farmers Union (NFU) sent a letter this week on behalf of its dairy producer members pleading for an increase in the Dairy Product Price Support Program (DPPSP) and help with credit issues the industry is facing. "The dairy crisis has taken a heavy toll on dairy farm families nationwide," said NFU President Roger Johnson. "More than 2,000 dairies have gone out of business due to low producer prices." The letter outlined producer support opportunities U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack may implement without legislative action. One option is a temporary increase in the DPPSP, an action Vilsack took in 2009. Another option included in the NFU letter was to educate lenders that guaranteed loans are available, and encourage them to extend lines of credit to dairy producers.

Session Moving Along

MFU has been busy at the Legislature tracking many pieces of legislation. Budget negotiations are moving along with both the House and Senate passing the Agriculture and related budget bills and currently negotiating them in conference committee.  MFU is also working on bills related to 4-H, Environmental Review, Wind Easements, the corporate farm law, coyotes, gray wolves, horse as livestock, bovine Tb, and many more issues. If MFU members have questions about updates on specific legislation, please contact me.

Eminent Domain

One of MFU's top priorities passed this week, by a large majority. This is from Session Daily:  Property owners would be afforded a few more rights in eminent domain proceedings when their land is needed for the placement of a high-voltage transmission line or natural gas and petroleum pipelines, according to a bill passed 123-5 by the House.HF1182, sponsored by Rep. David Bly (DFL-Northfield), now awaits action by the Senate Rules and Administration Committee. Sen. Kevin Dahle (DFL-Northfield) is the Senate sponsor.  2006 law protected utilities from having to pay for appraisals or property owner's attorney fees. In the wake of a proposed CapX2020 transmission line, property owners in several counties complained that some of the protections were unfair. CapX2020 is a joint initiative of 11 utilities that plan to expand the electric transmission grid from Bemidji to La Crosse, Wis. to ensure ongoing service.  F1182 would allow property owners to recoup some of their costs from the utility seeking eminent domain privileges, but only for the placement of a high-voltage transmission line of 100 kilovolts or more, substations, a natural gas or petroleum products pipeline, or an ancillary station. The House version was amended in committee by Rep. Torrey Westrom (R-Elbow Lake) to include policy language that directs the Public Utilities Commission to give existing public corridors top priority when siting high-voltage transmission lines or natural gas and petroleum pipeline.

Green Acres

MFU took part in a Green Acres Town Hall meeting Tuesday night in Winona that was organized by Sen. Sharon Erickson-Ropes. The meeting was attended by over 150 farmers. MFU is working hard on Green Acres issues, this week MFU was pleased to see both the House and Senate pass legislation that would extend the "opt out date" for landowners on their 2b land with no penalty from May 1, 2010 to Aug. 16^th, 2010. This would give landowners more time to study the options of the new "Rural Preserve Program". MFU is working on many other issues concerning Green Acres; members who have questions should contact me.

Walk-In Access Hunting Program

MFU testified against the creation of a voluntary walk-in access program on private property this week. The legislation authored by Sen. Satveer Chaudhary had a hearing before the Senate Environment Finance Committee, and was laid over for possible inclusion in an Omnibus Game and Fish bill. The legislation would create a pilot scale walk-in program similar to what is known in North Dakota as PLOTS that pays farmers who allow access to their private land for hunting. MFU laid out concerns about private property, trespassing, and liability. The House author is Rep. Tom Hackbarth. Check out the bill here: HF3722

MFU welcomes new Office Mgr.

MFU President Doug Peterson is pleased to announce that MFU has hired Janell Walter to serve as the MFU Office Manager replacing the retiring Vivian Smith. Janell was selected from a large pool of applicants and will be an excellent addition to the staff. Janell is already on the job learning from Vivian and is excited to get to know MFU members.

MFU camp sign up underway

The dates and locations for the 5 MFU summer camps have been announced and more information can be found at http://www.mfu.org/education/programs . MFU has also created a short video highlighting some of the camp activities; you can find it on the MFU YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFxSTwIldKs

MFU supports ethanol legislation

MFU has issued a release supporting federal legislation that would extend the 45-cents per gallon Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) and the tariff on imported ethanol until 2015. "In Minnesota, the ethanol industry provides about $6 billion for our economy and about 26,000 jobs," said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President.  "That is why passing this legislation is so important to continue the development and production of ethanol and support our local economy." The tax credit is set to expire at the end of 2010.  This legislation would extend the tax credit for small producers, and also extend a tax credit for producing cellulosic ethanol, the second generation of ethanol.  Representative Collin Peterson and Representative Tim Walz are cosponsors of this bill. MFU joins groups including the Minnesota Corn Growers and Growth Energy in calling for the extension.

Ditch Mowing

MNDOT reminds farmers that mowing and haying is only allowable by permit on state highway right of way. MN/DOT mows primarily for safety reasons. Safety reasons include shoulder and median mowing. Permit locations for mowing and putting up hay are on a first come, first serve basis. A $100 deposit is required when applying for a permit, which will be returned to the applicant after work completed meets permit requirements. Obtaining a permit is required, according to Mark Renn, Road Regulations. Mowing is prohibited in wildflower areas as well as those harboring noxious weeds, such as leafy spurge, which spreads rapidly when cut. More information on mowing and haying permits may be obtained by contacting Mark Renn, Road Regulations, St. Cloud, at 320-223-6522; or Ken Larson, Road Regulations, Baxter, at 218-828-5777.

Larson passes

Long-time MFU member Wava Jean Larson, 88, died March 19, 2010, at her home in Kasson, surrounded by husband Levern and family, following a lengthy illness. Visitation will be at St. John's Lutheran Church, 301 8th Ave. N.W., in Kasson on Friday, March 26, 2010, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday at the church. Services will be held at St. John's on Saturday, March 27, 2010, at 10 a.m.;

MFU Spring Meetings Set

MFU will be having spring meetings to update and hear from members on issues and organizational matters. More information to come, but here are the dates:

Monday, April 12,  9:30 AM, Evergreen Eating Emporium, 700 Highway 32 South, Thief River Falls, MN,

1:30 PM Eagles Nest Café, 101 1st Avenue Northwest, Twin Valley, MN

Tuesday, April 13, 9:30 AM, Lakeside Café, 180 South Lakeshore Drive, Glenwood, MN,

1:30 PM, Country Kitchen, 610 Hwy 212, Montevideo, MN

Wednesday, April 14, 9:30 AM, Freddie's Restaurant, 825 Hwy 65 South, Mora, MN

Thursday, April 15, 1:30 PM, The Kitchen Restaurant, 329 North Cedar Avenue, Owatonna, MN

That is all for now, as usual, questions, comments and complaints to me!

Thom Petersen, Director of Government Relations, MN Farmers Union