Minnesota Farmers Union

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Monday February 20, 2012

Lobby Day Complete

MFU President Doug Peterson thanks all of the members who took time out of their busy schedules to attend a very successful MFU lobby day at the Capitol Wednesday Feb. 15^th. MFU members met with Governor Mark Dayton, Attorney General Lori Swanson, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, and nearly 50 legislators including Senate Majority Leader Dave Senjem, House Agriculture Chairman Rod Hamilton and Senate Ag Chair Doug Magnus.  MFU discussed many issues including property taxes, energy, school trust land, drought and fire danger, funding for the Rural Finance Authority. Check MFU’s Facebook page later in the week for pictures.

MFU testifies on wind easements

MFU President Doug Peterson and MFU member Ryan Wolf testified this past week before the Senate Agriculture committee in favor of SF1534 authored by Senator David Brown (R-Becker), which would extend the current law regarding seven-year wind easements another five years. “Some farmers signed wind leases for their land and have seen no development within seven years.

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Monday February 6, 2012

Allebach new Farmers Union Agency President

Rodney Allebach of Menahga will be the new president of Famers Union Agency (www.farmersunionagency.com), the insurance end of Minnesota Farmers Union.  “I am honored to be chosen as the new Farmers Union Agency President. I look forward to working in this position.  Farmers Union Agency has had strong leadership in the past and has a tradition of growth under current President Jim Frederickson. I plan to expand this growth and continue the great partnership we have with Minnesota Farmers Union,” said Rodney Allebach, president-elect.  “Farmers Union Agency has a great team of agents, and a strong office staff and management team.  Congrats to Rodney!

Attend your caucuses!

MFU President Doug Peterson encourages all members of MFU to take time out of their schedules and attend their precinct caucuses Tuesday Feb. 7^th. They begin at 7:00 p.m. and are typically done by 8:00 or so.

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Wednesday January 18, 2012

MFU pleased with Certainty agreement

MFU President Doug Peterson attended the ceremony yesterday that featured USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, Lisa Jackson the Administrator with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Governor Mark Dayton signing a joint agreement known as a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop a new state program called the Agriculture Water Quality Certification Program for farmers designed to increase the voluntary adoption of conservation practices.

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Tuesday December 20, 2011

Happy Holiday from MFU

MFU President Doug Peterson wishes all members and friends of Minnesota Farmers Union Happy Holidays and thanks for a great year and best of wishes in the upcoming year. Take a look at the MFU year in review video produced by Glen Schmidt, MFU Education Director here: http://youtu.be/Uwuu-gfMn1Q

Horse Slaughter

Horses could soon be butchered in the U.S. after Congress quietly lifted a 5-year-old ban on funding horse meat inspections, and activists say slaughterhouses could be up and running in as little as a month. Slaughter opponents pushed a measure cutting off funding for horse meat inspections through Congress in 2006 after other efforts to pass outright bans on horse slaughter failed in previous years. Congress lifted the ban in a spending bill President Barack Obama signed into law Nov. 18 to keep the government afloat until mid-December. It did not, however, allocate any new money to pay for horse meat inspections, which opponents claim could cost taxpayers $3 million to $5 million a year. The U.S.

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Tuesday November 22, 2011

70^th annual convention completed, Peterson, Wertish re-elected

MFU President Doug Peterson and Vice-President Gary Wertish were re-elected by acclamation at the 70^th annual MFU state convention held last weekend in Mpls. Despite what seems to be annual terrible weather, MFU saw a great turnout of delegates, alternates, and friends of MFU. Delegates considered by-law, resolution, and special orders, and heard from speakers including MDA Commissioner Dave Frederickson and Dr. Bill Hartmann, State Veterinarian. MFU delegates also heard from NRCS State Conservationist Don Baloun and Brian Jennings from the American Coalition for Ethanol, they also participated in a question and answer period. Senator Amy Klobuchar and NFU President Roger Johnson also spoke at the banquet. MFU thanks the many sponsors for their contribution to this year’s very successful convention.

Delegates elected

MFU had a great slate of candidates running for delegate to the National Farmers Union convention this year to be held March 4-7^th in Omaha, Nebraska.

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Friday 11-11-11 !

Convention nearing

Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) is having their annual state convention Saturday, November 19 and Sunday, November 20 at the Ramada Plaza in Minneapolis. At the convention, delegates will be elected to represent Minnesota Farmers Union at the National Farmers Union convention in Omaha, Nebraska in March, 2012.  Also, hot topic issues will be discussed like the farm bill, loss of market value homestead credit, and renewable and natural resource management policy changes. “Our state convention is grassroots and since there is always a sense of urgency when it comes to farm policy, it gives our Farmers Union members an opportunity to debate and change state and national policy on the items they find important and pressing,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “MFU policy calls for support of local foods and we put our food where our mouth is and serve Minnesota-grown food at most of our meals during the convention - showcasing the fine food right here in Minnesota!” Governor Mark Dayton will be greeting convention attendees on Saturday.

Notes from the MN Farmers Union Friday October 28^th, 2011

State Convention less than a month away

MFU President Doug Peterson encourages members and friends of MFU to consider attending the 70^th annual state convention November 19-20^th in Mpls.  at the Ramada Plaza hotel.  The festivities start with a welcome reception Friday night the 18^th hosted by Farmers Union Insurance Agency (FarmersUnion Agency ). Saturday’s agenda features many speakers including MDA Commissioner Frederickson and NRCS State Conservationist Don Baloun. Be sure to check out www.mfu.org for a draft agenda and convention info. MFU will again be offering free daycare to convention goers. For hotel info call 612-331-1900 or 1-877-774-4315, be sure to mention you are with MFU for discount.

Jennings to speak at convention

Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), will also be at guest speaker at the MFU state convention on Saturday during the lunch hour. This will be a very timely talk as much is happening right now in the ethanol industry.

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Wednesday October 5, 2011

Peterson returns from Korea    

MFU President Doug Peterson recently returned from South Korea where he was a member of Governor Mark Dayton’s trade mission. Peterson was among a delegation of Minnesota business people, agriculture industry representatives, education and civic leaders. Peterson said the trip was helpful to see the different aspects of South Korea including their health care system, which is a universal-type single payer system which costs the average family $300 per month. Peterson also noted that South Korea imports 50% of their food. Finally, Peterson believes trade with South Korea is very important but the current agreements being considered by Congress are not a good model to use and should be scrapped.  Agriculture has been one of the few sectors of the U.S. trade economy that consistently has a trade surplus. Since 1990, agriculture has had a positive trade balance every year. With countries that the U.S. has a trade agreement with, U.S.

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Wednesday September 7, 2011

Tim Henning passes

On behalf of the members of MFU, President Doug Peterson sends thoughts and prayers to the family of Nobles County Farmers Union President Tim Henning who passed away last night at about 7:00 p.m. surrounded by his family. “Tim was a strong and passionate advocate for farmers and rural Minnesota, and he will be missed” said MFU President Peterson. In addition to serving as County President, Henning served on both the state and a national policy committees for Farmers Union, served on many different committees on behalf of MFU, was a multiple winner or Farmers Union’s Silver Star membership award, and also was mentor to many political candidates. While funeral services are pending, visitation is likely to be Thursday night and funeral Friday; you can visit the Caring Bridge website at: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/timhenning

State Fair complete

MFU wrapped up a very successful 12 days of fun at the Minnesota State Fair Monday. MFU’s coffee shop was very busy and there were always great crowds in the MFU booth.

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Monday August 15, 2011

FarmFest Complete

MFU President Doug Peterson thanks the many members and friends who stopped by the MFU booth at FarmFest in Redwood County. The MFU booth saw lots of activity and visits from Governor Mark Dayton, Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar as well as a visit from new U of M President Eric Kaler. MFU also hosted a first ever watermelon feed on Wednesday that was very successful and MFU President Peterson participated in a panel on the next farm bill. Checkout pictures from FarmFest on the MFU Facebook page at:  http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/mnfarmersunion?sk=photos

FFA members help with watermelon feed

The first ever watermelon feed at Farmfest turned out to be a success thanks to the cooperative work of both Minnesota Farmers Union and FFA members. KMS FFA members Kevin Krieger, Derek Krieger, Jared Krieger, Fred Mansfield, Brett Petersen, and Assistant FFA Advisor Cindy Krieger helped tremendously. Hutchinson FFA members Triston Callentine, Sarah Eggert, Katie Eggert, Alena Ave-Lallemant, and Mitchell Sims also helped a great deal on Wednesday, August 3^rd as MFU hosted their first ever Watermelon feed at Farmfest.