Minnesota Farmers Union

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Friday March 26, 2010

MFU members return from NFU convention

MFU members recently returned from the annual NFU Convention held in Rapid City, South Dakota.  Policy was set, Special Orders were passed, awards were given and speakers spoke about the status of the agriculture community and where it is heading.  NFU President Roger Johnson and NFU Vice President Claudia Svarstad were re-elected to their positions. "The National Convention is a place where all the state Farmers Union organizations come together to work on policy that puts farmers first," said Doug Peterson, MFU President.  "Now that the convention is over, we can take that policy and let our elected federal officials know where National Farmers Union stands on the issues important to farmers."

NFU Presents awards

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Tuesday February 16^th, 2010

Secretary Vilsack in Minnesota

This afternoon, MFU President Doug Peterson, and four other MFU members are meeting with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and Rep. Collin Peterson and other ag leaders in Morton to discuss agriculture issues. Big issues on the plate include the 2011 budget, crop insurance, dairy and climate issues.  Vilsack was in Minnesota where he was a guest at Rep. Peterson's annual Homegrown Economy conference.

MFU to talk dairy with Oberstar

Thursday, MFU will also meet with Rep. James Oberstar to discuss dairy issues and pricing.  Rep. Oberstar and his staff have met with MFU several times this past year as the dairy industry has struggled.  Oberstar was very involved in pushing Congress to pass assistance for dairy farmers this past year in what was known as DELAP.

Pawlenty Releases Budget

Notes from the MN Farmers Union Friday, February 5^th, 2010

MFU sets Legislative priorities

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Friday December 11^th, 2009

MFU applauds timely assistance to dairy producers

After months of putting the dairy crisis in front of Congress and the Administration, Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) is pleased to see that Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack just announced a new Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Payment (DELAP) program for dairy farmers that would give eligible producers a one-time direct payment based on the amount of milk produced and commercially marketed by their operation during the months of February through July, 2009. "The dairy industry has been dealing with high input costs and low dairy prices and MFU has been calling for action for a long time and it is nice to see our efforts are starting to pay off," said Doug Peterson, MFU President.  "This is not to say that the Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Payment program will solve all the problems facing dairy farmers, but it is a start.  Farmers Union will continue to fight for the promotion, stabilization and strengthening of the dairy industry."

Notes from the MN Farmers Union Wednesday December 2^nd, 2009

Peterson re-elected MFU President; Wertish elected MFU Vice President

MFU held its 68^th annual state convention on Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22.  Delegates re-elected President Doug Peterson, and elected Gary Wertish of Renville as the new MFU Vice President.  Dennis Sjodin, the previous Vice President for 14 years, decided not to seek re-election.  "I congratulate Gary for his election as Vice President to Minnesota Farmers Union," said Doug Peterson, MFU President.  "Gary is a life-long Farmers Union member, so he understands the importance of the organization and the voice we give to our members.  I look forward to working with Gary and promoting Farmers Union policy. Wertish is a full-time farmer who previously worked as an MFU Field Representative; and worked for Senator Mark Dayton as his Agricultural Director.  He farms with one of his sons raising corn, soybeans, navy beans and finishes out cattle and hogs.  Gary and his wife Jeanne have four grown children and four grandchildren. "I am humbled to be elected by the MFU membership as the new Vice President," said Wertish. 

Special Orders Passed

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Tuesday November 10^th, 2009

MFU convention nearing

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Friday October 30, 2009

Convention shaping up

MFU President Doug Peterson is pleased to announce that Rep. James Oberstar will be the keynote speaker for the 68^th annual MFU State Convention Banquet on November 21^st.  The convention runs November 21-22 at the Ramada Hotel (same place as usual, new name) in Mpls.  Members who have questions about registration or hotel rooms can contact the MFU office at 651-639-1223; we are expecting a great turnout based on the number of delegate forms already received.  Now let's hope it stops raining!  A full agenda for the convention can be found at www.mfu.org

MFU members named to state FSA Committee

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Wednesday October 14, 2009

New Ag Chair Lincoln in town

MFU President Doug Peterson participated in a roundtable on Agricultural issues with the new Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AK), Sens. Franken and Klobuchar, and a few other ag leaders on Monday of this week.  Peterson questioned Sen. Lincoln on dairy and anti-trust issues.  Lincoln also spent a lot of time on pork, climate and issues with the sugar industry. 

Ag Aprops bill passes sent to President

The House and Senate have approved the conference report on HR 2997, the FY 2010 Agriculture Appropriations Bill. The bill is now headed to the President's desk for his signature. The conference agreement appropriates $121.2 billion--$264 million more than the current level, including $12.5 billion in emergency appropriations.  

Notable provisions:

Notes from the MN Farmers Union Wednesday September 9^th, 2009

MFU heads to DC next week

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Tuesday August 11^th, 2009

FarmFest complete

MFU President Doug Peterson thanks the many MFU members and friends who stopped by the MFU booth at this years FarmFest which wrapped up last week.  In addition, MFU was pleased to have Rep. Collin Peterson and Rep. Tim Walz stop by the booth and visit with members, as well as new FSA State Director Linda Hennen, State Auditor Rebecca Otto, and many other legislators and candidates for Governor.  Among FarmFest activities, MFU participated in two forums, the DNR Buffalo Chip-throwing contest (we lost), sponsored the first-ever Women's Breakfast, and also MFU Insurance Agency sponsored the ever-popular kiddie tractor pull.

Johnson participates in climate debate