Minnesota Farmers Union

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Monday April 12, 2010

 

Spring Meetings underway

 

MFU President Doug Peterson invites members and friends to attend the annual MFU spring meetings April 12-15.  This is an opportunity for members, rural folk, or anyone, to come see how Minnesota Farmers Union works on the issues that impact our rural community and state and how MFU can make a difference for farmers and rural Minnesotans.  People are encouraged to come discuss their concerns.  MFU will be talking about where issues stand at the State Legislature, as well as on the federal level.  Grab a friend or neighbor and come join MFU.  Coffee is on us!

The dates, time and location of the meetings are as follows:

• Monday, April 12, 9:30 a.m.: Evergreen Eating Emporium in Thief River Falls, 700 Highway 32 South;
• Monday, April 12, 1:30 p.m.: Eagles Nest Café in Twin Valley, 101 1^st Avenue NW;
• Tuesday, April 13, 9:30 a.m.: Lakeside Café in Glenwood, 180 South Lakeshore Drive;
• Tuesday, April 13, 1:30 p.m.: Country Kitchen in Montevideo, 610 Highway 212;
• Wednesday, April 14, 9:30 a.m.: Freddies Restaurant in Mora, 825 Highway 65 South; and
• Thursday, April 15, 1:30 p.m.: The Kitchen Restaurant in Owatonna, 329 North Cedar Avenue.

 

MFU joining Growth Energy for ethanol announcement

 

For the first time ever, the American ethanol industry is launching a sustained, national advertising campaign to extol the benefits of renewable, domestic ethanol as an alternative to imported petroleum. Growth Energy, the coalition of U.S. ethanol supporters that created  the ad buy, hosted a "commercial premiere" event in the State Capitol in St. Paul this afternoon to debut six new commercials that will be running as part of a $2.5 million national advertising effort they are calling  the "America's Fuel" campaign. Joining Growth Energy representatives at the event were several state legislators, the Minnesota Corn Growers Association and the Minnesota Farmers Union. 

"Ethanol is injecting billions each year into Minnesota's economy and rural communities, at the same time it is dropping greenhouse gas emissions and reducing our dependence on foreign oil," said Gary Wertish, Vice President of the Minnesota Farmers Union. The spots are also available for viewing and download on Growth Energy's website at www.GrowthEnergy.org/ads. The event is today at the State Capitol in the Great Hall and begins at 1:30 p.m.

 

Green Acres Deadline Extended

 

Minnesota farmers now have a few more months to decide on property tax treatment for any non-agricultural, class 2b rural vacant land that is currently enrolled in Green Acres but will become ineligible for the program in 2013 (for taxes payable 2014). Landowners now have until Aug. 16 to decide whether they want to withdraw class 2b land from Green Acres immediately (for taxes payable in 2011), thereby avoiding any tax payback.  Landowners may also choose to leave class 2b land in Green Acres for now while they explore and pursue other options, such as the new Rural Preserve program. Taxpayers with questions should contact their county assessor's office.  For general program information, visit the Department of Revenue website at www.taxes.state.mn.us and click "Property Tax" in the top-left navigation menu. MFU thanks the many legislators who worked on this issue and continue to work on other green acre and property tax issues as the session continues.

 

Legislature creeping along

 

Action at the legislature is a little slow as details and information are hammered out on what will be the final pieces of the state budget. MFU continues to work on the omnibus agriculture policy bills (Ag Policy bill ), property tax provisions, and this week the walk-in access hunting program will get some action. MFU is opposed to the creation of a walk-in program, concerns deal with management, enforcement, trespassing, and funding. You can see the bill here: Walk-in bill

 

MFU working with Hmong farmers

 

As it has done it past years, MFU has sent letters to members in the 11 county metro area asking them to keep a look out or assist Hmong farmers who live in the metro area to help find land that they are able to rent. As in previous years, Hmong farmers who sell at the metro farmers' markets were having a hard time finding land near the metro area to rent. The situation this year appears to be even more critical, with more than 80 Hmong farmers still looking for land. If any of you have land that you would be willing to rent to these individuals, please call Ly Vang, Executive Director for the Association for the Advancement of Hmong Women, at 651-255-0799, just as soon as you can.

 

HSUS Downgraded

I thought this was interesting: New ratings from Charity Navigator, an independent charity evaluator, show a downgrade for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). "Charity Navigator now gives HSUS a lower level of trustworthiness than the notoriously radical People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)," the Center for Consumer Freedom points out in a press release. The Center for Consumer Freedom points to this as evidence that HSUS "is not adequately fulfilling its stated charitable purpose." "HSUS's 2008 tax filing shows that the group spent less than one percent of its collected donations on grants to hands-on pet shelters. It put five times as much into its executive pension plan during that year," the Center for Consumer Freedom says.  

NFU Supports Trade with Cuba

NFU President Roger Johnson participated in a press teleconference recently on the importance of trade with Cuba. The call, organized by the Center for Democracy in the Americas, included Representative Jo Ann Emerson; Representative Marion Berry; Secretary John Block; Parr Rosson, Professor at the Department of Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M; and Johnson. "NFU has long stood behind completely lifting the trade embargo with Cuba," said Johnson. "As a result of the United States' onerous rules and procedures, Cuba is trading with everyone but the U.S." Johnson expressed NFU's support of the Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act (H.R. 4645). This bi-partisan legislation is sponsored by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson and is co-sponsored by 30 other Members of Congress, including Representatives Jerry Moran of Kansas, Marion Berry of Arkansas, and Jo Ann Emerson of Missouri. The bill would allow direct financial transactions for Cuban purchases of U.S. agricultural products and would permit U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba. Johnson noted agricultural trade with Cuba has the potential to return approximately $1 billion to the United States.

 

Filing for SWCD Candidates

 

Minnesota citizens interested in influencing natural resources issues at the local level are encouraged to run for supervisor of their local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). SWCD supervisor positions are filled through general elections on November 2.  Individuals who wish to be on the ballot in 2010 must file for the election between May 18 and June 1. More information on the filing process can be obtained at the Minnesota Secretary of State web site, www.sos.state.mn.us.  Persons interested in finding out what nominating district they live in and which supervisor positions are open for election should contact their local Soil and Water Conservation District office.  Additional SWCD election resources have been prepared by the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (MASWCD) and are posted on their web site at www.maswcd.org.

New State Conservationist Named

Minnesota NRCS has a new State Conservationist following the retirement of Bill Hunt.  Don Baloun, Wisconsin Assistant State Conservationist, will be joining the Minnesota NRCS Team on April 26, 2010.  Mr. Baloun comes with extensive knowledge and experience in conservation programs.  We welcome him and look forward to working with him to ensure Federal conservation programs are implemented in a manner that fits within the management of dairy farms. 

 

Jensen Files for State Senate

 

Steele County Farmers Union Secretary-Treasurer Vicky Jensen has filed for the State Senate in District 26 for the seat now held by newly elected Sen. Mike Parry who won a special election to replace retiring Sen. Dick Day. Jensen faces Alex De Marco for the DFL endorsement May 1^st. Her husband Trevor is the Steele Co. MFU President.

Pawlenty to lead trade mission to China and Japan

Governor Tim Pawlenty will lead a trade mission to China and Japan this fall to help Minnesota companies increase exports, build strategic relationships, and explore new business opportunities. The mission takes place September 9-18 and includes stops in Shanghai and Beijing, China and Tokyo and Osaka, Japan for meetings with business leaders and government officials, presentations by market and industry leaders, networking activities and business site visits. The trade mission is being coordinated by the Minnesota Trade Office (MTO). Those interested in applying to join the trade delegation should contact Li King Feng, 651-259-7484 or li.king.feng@state.mn.us , or Jennifer Kocs, 651-259-7488 or jennifer.kocs@state.mn.us.

 

Aitkin Co. Farmers Union hosting "Local Food 101"

 

Local food 101 will be presented on Tuesday, April 13 at the Aitkin City Hall in Aitkin.  Cost will be $5/person.  Speakers include Debbie Botzek-Linn (extension educator in food safety), Hill Herberg and Lowell Urban (Minnesota Department of Agriculture food inspectors), Kent Lorentzen (Grand Rapids Farmers' Market manager) and Joe Riehle (CSA farmer).  This event is sponsored by Aitkin County Farmers Union and Minnesota Grown.  FFI:  Aitkin County President Markell Vogt 218-927-2215.

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

Thom Petersen, Director of Government Relations, MN Farmers Union