Notes from the MN Farmers Union 8-23-10
Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Monday August 23, 2010
State Fair!
MFU President Doug Peterson is out at the Minnesota State Fair as I write this update putting the finishing touches on the MFU booth on Dan Patch Avenue! The Fair begins this Thursday August 26th and runs until Labor Day Monday September 6th. Be sure to stop by the MFU booth to visit or buy a yardstick to lean on! And of course don't forget to get a cup of coffee from the best coffee place at the fair (or a mocha bar). Also, remember maybe the best part of the MFU booth, stop by the back patio to take a break or catch up with old friends.
Minnesota Cooks!
Tuesday August 31st will be the annual MFU sponsored Minnesota Cooks! Event at the Fair. The Minnesota Cooks program is an annual event held at the State Fair in Carousel Park. The program brings together local farmers with some of Minnesota's premier chefs as they demonstrate how they use farm fresh, Minnesota grown ingredients to create award-winning fare for their restaurants. The program runs from 9:00 to 5:00 with new programs on the hour. This year's celebrity tasters include: Sens. Franken and Klobuchar, and Don Shelby. A full listing of the chefs, tasters, and farmers and more info can be found at http://minnesotacooks.net/ .
4-H Livestock Auction
MFU President Doug Peterson will be one of the auctioneers for the annual 4-H blue ribbon livestock auction 2010, which will mark the 31st anniversary of the "Purple Ribbon 4-H Livestock Auction" at the Minnesota State Fair. The 4-H Auction will be held on Saturday, August 28, at 6:00 PM, in the Livestock Judging Arena. According to Kent Thiesse who helps organize the event; a total of about 85 purple ribbon 4-H exhibits will be sold in the 4-H Auction. Several $1,000.00 Scholarships will be awarded at the 2010 Auction to outstanding 4-H Junior Leaders in the Minnesota 4-H Animal Science Program. Twenty percent of the 4-H Auction proceeds are used to fund special 4-H programs during the year throughout Minnesota. MFU, Farmers Union Insurance Agency and Farmers Union Industries also work together to purchase and animal and support the event.
Celebrity Milking Contest
Another fun event MFU is proud to co-sponsor is the "Celebrity Cow Milking" contest which is held Friday August 27th at 2:30 in front of the cattle barn at what is known as the "Moo Booth". Come watch 2 time defending champion from MFU, Vivian Smith defend her title, she is amazing! Other celebrities include politicians, news media, FFA leadership and the newly crowned Princess Kay of the Milk Way! Come show your support for the dairy industry at this fun event.
Milk Run
MFU is also a proud sponsor of the annual milk run race at the State Fair held Sunday August 29th. Watch for retiring Sen. Dennis Frederickson in the crowd of racers and LacQui Parle County President Jon Schmidt as well. For more info checkout: http://www.mnstatefair.org/competition/milk_run.html
MFU members hosting Sen. Franken at dairy farm
Wed. Sept. 1st, MFU members are invited to the Ripka dairy farm and hosts Peter and Stacy Ripka for a visit with Sen. Al Franken to talk dairy and other farm and rural issues. The event starts at Noon and there will be a light lunch served. The Ripka dairy is located at 1375 Delta Street near Ogilvie in Kanabec County. For more info contact MFU Field Rep. Wayne Boettcher at 612-802-3124.
Klobuchar holds farm bill meetings, meets with MFU
Sen. Amy Klobuchar's staff held farm bill meetings around the state the past week in several locations. MFU President Doug Peterson attended one in Willmar; I attended the one in Little Falls where we were able to have a good discussion with Sen. Klobuchar staff members Dave Frederickson and Tristan Brown from her D.C. office. Among the items covered were direct payments, biofuels, and dairy policy. MFU will also meet this week with Sen. Klobuchar in St. Paul to discuss a myriad of issues.
NFU applauds Sens. for supporting GIPSA rule
NFU President Roger Johnson praised the 21 U.S. Senators including MN Sen. Al Franken, who signed a letter recently addressed to U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack with regards to the proposed rule published by the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) in the Federal Register of June 22, 2010 (75 Fed. Reg. 35338). The proposed rules address concerns that have been discussed for many years and were developed at the direction of the 2008 Farm Bill, which requires USDA to carry out specific rulemaking to improve fairness in the marketing of livestock and poultry. "On behalf of U.S. farmers and ranchers, I thank the 21 Senators who have signed onto this letter," said Johnson. "The establishment of greater stability through transparency in the marketplace is of utmost importance for the future of the livestock industry in this country." The letter urges Secretary Vilsack "to issue a final rule as expeditiously as possible once the comment period is closed and the Department (USDA) has reviewed the comments and made any appropriate modifications to the proposed rule." You can see a copy of the letter here: GIPSA Senate letter
MFU attends GIPSA meeting
MFU President Peterson and MFU VP Gary Wertish attended and spoke at a meeting about the proposed GIPSA rule on the livestock industry Tuesday August 17th in Redwood Falls. The meeting was put together by the Landstewardship Project and was well attended by livestock farmers from all over Minnesota who have concerns about packer practices. Attendees heard from farmers and also the Minnesota Attorney General's office, Lynn Hayes from Farmers Legal Action Group, and Bill Bullard from R-Calf USA on the effects of the proposed rule. Here is a link to audio clip of the meeting: http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/15568-1
MFU to have GIPSA petition at fair
Stop by and show your support for livestock producers and sign the MFU GIPSA petition at the Minnesota State Fair. The petition urges the USDA Grain and Inspection and Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) to fully implement the proposed rules to rein in the packers and ensure that farmers are paid a fair price for their livestock and equal access to markets and favorable terms of sale.
Minnesota youth attend all state camp
Youth from across the country spent a week in Colorado at the NFU Leadership Camp including Minnesotans Matthew Anderson, son of Kristy Stoneouse of Trail; Oliver Brase, son of Phillip and Sigrid Brase of Waseca; Ryan Bruns, son of Todd Bruns of Olivia & Jean Duane of Aberdeen, S.D.; Jacob Farmer, son of Pam Farmer of Long Lake; Abby Gebhart, daughter of Brian and Barb Gebhart of Chaska; Kelsey Kasella, daughter of Kevin and Pat Kasella of Royalton; Levi Koenen, son of Lyle and Sandy Koenen of Clara City; Sarah Lundberg, daughter of Julie & Chris Lundberg of Chaska; Sarah Ritter, daughter of Dale Ritter & Gail Doyle of Chokio; and Chandler Winkels Muff, son of Larry Muff & Victoria Winkels of New Richland.
The campers also elected some of their peers to the 2011 National Youth Advisory Council (NYAC), including Chandler Winkels Muff of New Richland, Minn. Chandler will now be one of six to represent Farmers Union youth from around the country at the NFU legislative fly-in in Washington, D.C., in September, and at the NFU convention to be held in San Antonio, Texas, in March 2011. NYAC will help plan and then attend the 2011 NFU All-States Leadership Camp.
MDA offers storage help
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is linking up farmers who lost storage facilities due to summer storms with those who may have storage space available. The MDA has established a free online service where farmers needing storage can find a listing of farmers offering storage bins, buildings or space. MDA officials encourage farmers with available storage to submit their listings to benefit those who need help now and during harvest. Farmers seeking storage or those who have storage to offer should call 1-877-898-6326 (Minnesota Farmer Assistance Network) to provide their information. The online service is available at www.mda.state.mn.us/mfan. MDA does not have responsibility for any agreements and contracts subsequently negotiated by individual farmers and property owners. This listing is a temporary service of the MDA to assist farmers after a natural disaster.
Organic Producers can apply now for cost share
Minnesota organic farmers and processors can now apply for a rebate of up to $750 toward the cost of organic certification. Organic certification assures consumers that products are truly organic, and that they are produced in compliance with federal organic regulations. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is accepting applications for the Minnesota Organic Cost Share Program from now until October 30, 2010. "This program provides some regulatory relief from a financial burden that is unique to organic farms and businesses," said MDA Organic and Diversification Specialist Meg Moynihan. Funds for this program come from a cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Certified operations are eligible for reimbursement of 75 percent of National Organic Program certification-related costs incurred during the period between October 1, 2009 and September 30, 2010, up to a maximum of $750. The MDA has already mailed application packets to more than 800 certified organic operations in the state. Any certified organic farmer or processor who did not receive a packet can obtain the necessary materials on the MDA's web site www.mda.state.mn.us/food/organic or by calling the MDA at 651-201-6012.
BWSR seeking water grant applications
The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) are seeking grant applications from local government units for projects that will protect and restore Minnesota's streams, rivers, lakes and groundwater. Eligible local government units include cities, counties, soil and water conservation districts, watershed districts, and metropolitan watershed management organizations. The deadline to apply is Sept. 15, 2010. BWSR has $12 million available for these projects. Funding for the competitive grants is provided by the Clean Water Fund (from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment). Most of the funded projects also will leverage local or federal dollars.
FLAG released SURE update
Farmers Legal Action Group (FLAG) recently posted to their website a two-page guide to the new Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payment Program (which was somehow given the acronym SURE by USDA). The program was created in the last Farm Bill to provide payments to farmers for crop disaster losses in 2008 through 2011 crop years. The guide is available free at www.flaginc.org .
MFU Facebook-Twitter
MFU is approaching 450 fans on our Facebook page, be sure to become a fan and stop by and see pictures we have added to our Facebook page at MFU Facebook page . MFU also maintains a Twitter Account; you can find it by searching for MNFarmersUnion on Twitter.
MFU Legislative Awards
MFU began rolling out 2009-2010 legislative awards at FarmFest and other events MFU has been at. Among the first legislative award winners are Reps. Juhnke, Koenen, Torklesen, Shimanski, Morrow, Kath, Falk and Sen. Kubly. More awards will be given out in the coming weeks.
Dept. of Revenue appoints property tax working group
The Minnesota Dept. of Revenue has formed a Property Tax working group to look at property tax issues and ideas for the next legislative session. Minnesota Farm Bureau Policy Director Chris Radatz was appointed by the Dept. as a member and I am his alternate but will attend the meetings and encourage members to send thoughts and suggestions to me.
Walk-In Access update
From MDA: FSA recently announced a Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program offering competitive grants to states and tribes to create, enhance or expand public access to private lands for hunting, fishing and other wildlife-dependent recreation. The Minnesota DNR plans to submit a proposal seeking funding for an "Open Fields" program that would encourage owners of private lands enrolled in CRP and other conservation set-aside programs to voluntarily provide public access to these lands. The DNR proposes to pilot the program in approximately 16 southwestern Minnesota counties; the proposal to USDA is due August 23, 2010. Similar programs have been established in several other states, including North and South Dakota. DNR has been working to address many of MFU's concerns into their application.
Martin resigns
Joe Martin has announced his resignation as Assistant Commissioner from the MN Dept. of Agriculture effective August 31, however, his last day in the office was August 24th. He will be launching a new agricultural and rural public affairs, management and consulting business. MFU wishes him well and congratulates him on a tremendous job on behalf of Minnesota farmers working as the "Tb Czar" appointed by Gov. Pawlenty to spearhead Minnesota efforts on working to eradicate the disease from Minnesota. Martin was also a leader on water issues during his time at MDA.
MFU meets with State Patrol
MFU attended a meeting last week in St. Peter with other farm groups and the State Patrol to discuss transportation issues. The meeting was organized by Rep. Terry Morrow, and was an excellent opportunity for both sides to share concerns, frustrations and issues together. Among issues raised were size and weight limits, ticketing procedures, hay moving, and hours of service. Members who have issues with the Patrol (except speeding) should feel free to contact me; I look forward to continuing a dialogue with Rep. Morrow and the Patrol on several issues.
That is all for now, I hope everyone will stop and visit me at the Minnesota Farmers Union booth at the State Fair or in the horse barn the first weekend of the fair and say hello!
Thom Petersen, Director of Gov't Relations, MN Farmers Union