Minnesota Farmers Union

ST. PAUL (November 17, 2012) –Maydean Petersen of Willmar received the Youth Education Award from Minnesota Farmers Union at their 71^st annual state convention. 

“Maydean has been serving the youth that attend our education camps at Sibley State Park for twenty-five years, which is an incredibly impressive undertaking,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President.  “Minnesota Farmers Union appreciates the dedication and great care she has given the Farmers Union youth by preparing healthy and nutritious meals and are thrilled to honor her with our Youth Education Award.”

Maydean Petersen began cooking for Minnesota Farmers Union camp at Sibley State Park in 1997. She is the oldest of fifteen children and so she started cooking and canning at age seven, in order to help her mother with the family.

MFU was honored to have the FFA State Officers at the MFU offices today as part of their State Officer Professional Development program. The FFA officers heard from MFU President Doug Peterson; Education Director, Glen Schmidt; Legislative Director, Thom Petersen; and Membership Director, Bruce Miller. It was a great way to continue the cooperation, legislation, and education principles that Farmers Union stands on. MFU staff enjoyed having the FFA officers in the office!

St. Paul (October 9, 2012) - Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) is proud of our 4H organization here in Minnesota and would like to thank them for all their great work during National 4-H week, October 7-13.

“Minnesota Farmers Union has a strong commitment to 4-H and the good that they do. Farmers Union is based on three principles – legislation, cooperation and education, that is why Minnesota Farmers Union and 4-H work so well together because we stand on the same principles – education to further agriculture and our rural communities,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President.

Minnesota Farmers Union supports 4-H in the following ways:

ST. PAUL (July 17, 2012) – Mitchell Farmer-Lies, son of Tim Lies and Kathy Farmer of Belle Plaine was elected to serve on the National Farmers Union’s (NFU) National Youth Advisory Council (NYAC).

NYAC is made up of six youths who were elected by over 70 of their peers from across the country at the NFU All-States Leadership Camp in Bailey, Colorado.  Those Minnesotans attending the All-States Leadership Camp are youths who have completed four years of Minnesota’s Senior High Camp and have shown dedication to working in a cooperative manner with a commitment to bettering themselves through education and leadership.

ST. PAUL (July 17, 2012) – Eight Minnesota teens return from National Farmers Union’s (NFU) All-States Leadership Camp in Bailey, Colorado, where they learned about cooperatives, built on their leadership skills and heard from motivational speakers. 

St. Paul (June 14, 2012) – Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) Foundation is having their 5^th annual golf benefit for Lake Sarah and Farmers Union youth programs.  The golf benefit will be at Oak Lake golf course in Erskine on July 19 at 12:30 p.m.  This year, golfers will also have an opportunity to see what their generous donations have been used for at an open house at Lake Sarah.

“This golf benefit has helped Minnesota Farmers Union Foundation improve member and youth education efforts as well as providing improvements to the Lake Sarah educational campground,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “Lake Sarah is a Farmers Union treasure and a place where thousands of kids have learned about agriculture and cooperatives, made lasting friendships, and life-long memories at our leadership camp.  I thank everyone for their contributions, and look forward to our continued partnership.”

Start time for the two-person scramble is 12:30 p.m. with a cost of $35 for 9 holes and $45 for 18 holes; fees also include a meal at the Lake Sarah campground.  Prizes will be awarded with proceeds going toward Farmers Union youth camps and activities at Lake Sarah. Non-golfers can purchase dinner for $15, and child care is available.

ST. PAUL (April 5, 2012) – Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) has been hosting summer camps in Minnesota for more than 60 years. This year five week-long educational and leadership summer camps have been planned to encourage youth to get involved. Campers have the chance to develop self-esteem, team building and leadership skills, all for under $100. 

“Minnesota Farmers Union is very proud of its leadership camp.  Every year we hear stories about how much the kids learn and how much fun they have at the same time,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “That fact that kids come back year after year is a testament to the great program we have, and you cannot beat the rates!” 

Kids gather from all across Minnesota to learn about cooperatives, how legislation is formed, the importance of being an active and responsible citizen, how to be a team player, develop leadership skills and build self-esteem. Campers also learn a lot about themselves as well as make lifelong friends with the other campers in attendance. There are also a lot of camp activities, from swimming to hiking to arts and crafts, campfires to theme nights. There is always something for every camper to enjoy.

As a long time camper Chandler Winkels Muff put it: “Camp is the experience of a lifetime.”

St. Paul (June 28, 2011) – Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) and Farmers Union Agency are having their 4th annual golf benefit for Lake Sarah youth camp on Thursday, July 28 at the Sandhill Golf Course in Fertile, Minnesota.

“Minnesota Farmers Union has a wonderful leadership camp on Lake Sarah in Erskine where youth develop self esteem, team building and leadership skills in a healthy camp setting. We are pleased to announce our annual golf benefit to support agriculture education,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President.  “Lake Sarah is also used for campsites throughout the summer and all who use this beautiful facility appreciate the support and generosity of the contributors who help continue this tradition.” 

Start time for the golf benefit is 1:30 p.m. and costs $35 for nine holes and $45 for eighteen holes, which includes a buffet supper at the Sandhill Supper Club in Fertile. Non-golfers can purchase dinner for $15. A variety of prizes will be awarded during dinner. 

If you are interested in golfing; sponsoring a hole; or donating a prize to the golf benefit, or to the Lake Sarah campaign fund, please contact Ken Pazdernik at 218-206-4499, or pazdernik@loretel.net.  All donations are tax deductible. The Sandhill Golf Course is located at 44203 State Highway 32 SW in Fertile.

ST. PAUL (February 11, 2011) - On Tuesday, February 8, Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) members were at the state Capitol and visited with Governor Mark Dayton, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, Attorney General Lori Swanson and their local senators and representatives. MFU members also sat in a hearing on the Green Acres program. 

“Our day at the Capitol was very successful, MFU members had the opportunity to tell their legislators what is really going on in rural Minnesota,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “Our members also spoke with Governor Mark Dayton and asked questions about his agriculture policies. It was very refreshing to be able to meet with a Governor that listens to and understands agriculture policy.” 

ST. PAUL (January 4, 2011) - With grassroots input from its farmer-membership, Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) has set priorities for the 2011 legislative session. 

“This legislative session will be about the state’s budget shortfalls and how we improve the economy and create jobs,” said Doug Peterson, MFU President.  “MFU will be at the table when proposed cuts are being discussed to address the over $6 billion budget deficit, and will work with the Dayton Administration and legislators on addressing property tax concerns, promoting local foods, and energy legislation, and ensuring that the needs of rural Minnesotans and the farming sector are addressed.” 

Agriculture makes up a very small part of the state’s budget, yet somewhere between 20-30% of the jobs and wealth in Minnesota are agriculture-related. MFU will work to ensure sound funding for food safety, energy, education, livestock, sustainable and organic programs.

These are just some of the issues MFU will be working on in the 2011 legislative session.  Also, these are the issues MFU members will be talking to legislators about when they head to the state Capitol on Thursday, February 8, 2011, for their annual lobby day. For more information, go to www.mfu.org.