Minnesota Farmers Union

St. Paul (September 17, 2010) - Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) members joined 200 farmers and ranchers from across the country in Washington, D.C., for National Farmers Union's legislative fly-in September 13-15.

"The importance of having Minnesota Farmers Union members out in Washington D.C. is immeasurable because it allows them to speak directly to our representatives and senators about proposed legislation and how that legislation would impact them and ways to make positive changes to the bill in order to create better solutions for rural Minnesota, improving the legislation before it becomes law," said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President.  "We discussed the upcoming farm bill, ending the dairy crisis, the opportunities opening up trade in Cuba would provide to our farmers, and the need for the proposed rule changes on the Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration to be approved.  It was an educational trip for MFU members and Members of Congress alike."

St. Paul (June 17, 2009) - These are tough times in a tough economy, not only for banks and car dealerships, but there are hardships in agriculture as well and one of the hardest hit is the dairy sector. With high input costs and low dairy prices, it is about time some attention is drawn to the dairy crisis. That is why Minnesota Farmers Union is holding two "No Bull" dairy action sessions, to hear from dairy farmers and take suggestions as to what can be done to improve farmgate price and profit. The schedule for the meetings:

• Monday, June 29 from 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Eagles Café, 31 Main Avenue North in New York Mills; and

• Tuesday, June 30 from 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. at John and Kris Miller's dairy farm, 22219 East County Road 8 in Plainview (2.5 miles east of Plainview on County Road 8).

"The dairy industry is in dire straits and action by Congress is immediately needed," said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. "After we hear from farmers, we will ask Congress to act on behalf of dairy farmers. It is unfortunate that society is often times not even concerned about the people that put food on the table, and we are hoping that these meetings will be a step in the right direction in changing that!"

Local and federal officials have been invited to attend the "No Bull" dairy action sessions.