Minnesota Farmers Union

ST. PAUL (February 16, 2012) – Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) President Doug Peterson testified in support of SF1534 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. This legislation simply allows farmers and landowners to seek other wind lease opportunities, and is a fairness issue to landowners because leases should not be held in perpetuity without development. Farmers need options,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President.  “Farmers and landowners should not have their hands tied by wind companies that do not plan on developing the wind lease. This issue is a top priority of MFU and this legislation by Senator Brown would allow farmers to take their land back.  MFU thanks Senator Brown for this legislation and will be fighting hard with him to get it passed this session.” 

St. Paul (May 20, 2010) - Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) saw positive progress on many of its key policy issue areas during the recently completed 2010 legislative session in St. Paul.  Despite the issue of having to work with a large budget deficit, MFU worked to ensure cuts to agriculture were limited.

"MFU made sure that agriculture and rural policy got the attention it needed from the legislature, especially from members of the Agriculture Committees," said Doug Peterson, MFU President.  "In dark budget times, MFU protected the rights of farmers and rural communities."

Some of the key items that are now law due to MFU's work include:

St. Paul (March 1, 2010) - Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) members from all around the state recently went to the State Capitol to discuss Farmers Union policy and the 2010 legislative session with legislators.  Members also met with Attorney General Lori Swanson, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, and attended a House hearing on Governor Pawlenty's recommended budget for the Department of Agriculture.

"The opportunity for our members to speak directly to those who represent them in the State Legislature is so important because it gives the legislator a chance to hear directly from the constituents that are impacted by the votes they make," said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President.  "Minnesota Farmers Union is based on three principles - education, legislation and cooperation and our lobby days are an example of all three of those principles at work as we educate the legislators with what is happening to rural Minnesota, impacting the way they vote on legislation and promoting cooperation in order to get things done for the betterment of everyone.  It is democracy at its finest."

ST. PAUL (February 4, 2010) - With grassroots input from its farmer-membership, Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) has set priorities for the 2010 legislative session.  These include: protecting agricultural portions of the state budget, addressing property tax concerns, and promoting energy legislation.  The 2010 legislative session begins Thursday February 4.

"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 working with our farmers to ensure that rural Minnesota is represented in those discussions."

Agriculture makes up a very small part of the states $36 billion budget, yet agriculture makes up somewhere between 20-30% of the jobs and wealth in Minnesota.  MFU will work to make sure that cuts the state needs to make to address the over $1 billion budget deficit does not do undo harm to rural Minnesota and the farming sector.  MFU will also work to ensure sound funding for food safety, energy, livestock, sustainable and organic programs, and continue our work toward eliminating bovine tuberculosis from Minnesota.