Minnesota Farmers Union

ST. PAUL (April 15, 2011) – Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) applauds the signing today of S.F. 1016, the $76.8 million omnibus agriculture finance and policy bill by Governor Mark Dayton.  The Legislature passed the conference committee bill Thursday on a strong bipartisan vote that reflects support of the legislation. MFU also thanks the work of the Chairs of the Agriculture Committees Senator Doug Magnus (R-Slayton) and Representative Rod Hamilton (R-Mountain Lake). 

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Now in its eighth year, the Minnesota Cooks^TM program (www.minnesotacooks.net) at the State Fair is poised again to host a celebration about the relationships between premier Minnesota chefs and cooks, local farmers, and consumers with a full day of demonstrations, discussions, and sampling of delicious, sustainable cuisine. The program will begin at 9:00 AM and will continue with eight hourly presentations. All shows take place on the Minnesota Cooks Stage in Carousel Park, just south of the Grandstand.

Minnesota Cooks brings together those who value and support our sustainable food system: farmers, consumers, and chefs. Onstage, these chefs will create amazing dishes using fresh ingredients supplied by local stewards of the land. As they prepare their creations, emcees JD Fratzke of The Strip Club Meat & Fish and Lori Sturdevant of the Star Tribune will engage the chefs and a taster panel of farmers and local celebrities in lively and meaningful discussions about their sustainable philosophies. At the end of each demonstration, the panel, as well as fairgoers, will sample the mouthwatering, farm fresh fare.

St. Paul (May 20, 2009) - Minnesota Farmer Union (MFU) saw positive action on many fronts this year at the state capitol during the 2009 legislative session which adjourned on Monday May 18.

"We were pleased that there were positive results for our priorities, including changes to the Green Acres Program; extension of the Farmer-Lender Program; and $35 million for the Rural Finance Authority," said Doug Peterson, MN Farmers Union President.  "However, the fact that the Legislature did not pass an overall budget is of concern.  It is now up to Governor Tim Pawlenty to makes cuts.  Farmers are very concerned about high and rising property taxes, and the Governor needs to consider the impact on landowners when making these budget decisions."

The budget for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, and the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) took reasonable cuts during the legislative session.  Governor Pawlenty will make further cuts to the state budget through the unallotment process, where funding for these departments could be further reduced.  In addition, MFU is very concerned about the impact the unallotment process could have on property taxes; cuts to Local Government Aid (LGA); and assistance for hospitals and nursing homes.