Minnesota Farmers Union

ST. PAUL (July 29, 2010) - It is that time of the year again when farmers, ranchers  and over 40,000 attendees converge at the Gilfillan Estate near Redwood Falls for Farmfest. This year Farmfest will be held August 3-5, and over 500 organizations and companies involved in farming will be there.  Below are some of the highlights of Farmfest, but be sure to check out the Farmfest website, www.farmfest.com, to learn about all the activities.

As in years past, there is a lot of action under the forum tent.  This year the forums include one with the congressional candidates running for federal office; a discussion on carbon credits; a governor candidate's forum; a discussion on the livestock industry; and the auctioneer championship. Farmers Union Agency will once again be sponsoring the Pedal Pull contest every day at 1 p.m. near entrance gate 2.

ST. PAUL (September 11, 2009)  - "Managing Your Woods for Profit" will be the theme for a September 29 farm forestry field day sponsored by the Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU), with cooperation from National Farmers Union (NFU), and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The workshop will be at the Yo-Hawn's Bar & Grill, Grygla, Minnesota, and will include presentations on managing profitable woodlots, carbon credits and forestry offsets, benefits of landowner cooperation, as well as a woodlot tour.

"There are millions of forested land in Minnesota including many that are privately owned acres," said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. "This workshop is designed to help those landowners improve and develop plans for gaining income from their forested land."

Well managed woodlots include measures such as intentionally growing trees and shrubs with growing crops and livestock. In addition, a well-managed agroforestry system improves soil and water quality, provides wildlife habitat, and reaps economic benefits for the land owner.