Minnesota Farmers Union

ST. PAUL (November 19, 2012) – The Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) held its 71st annual state convention on Saturday, November 17 and Sunday, November 18.  Policy and special orders were passed, and delegates were elected for the National Farmers Union Convention in Springfield, Massachusetts, March 2-5.

“The delegates at our convention had an opportunity to express concerns and make changes to our policy – everyone has a voice in Minnesota Farmers Union,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President.  “That is why our convention is so important because our members discuss the crucial issues of rural Minnesota and make changes to our policy that will improve the future of family farmers and rural communities.”

The MFU delegates passed a special order of business urging Congress to pass, and the president to sign, a five-year farm bill by the end of the year.  The special order also expressed that MFU is opposed to any extension of the current, expired farm bill. The delegates addressed the expiring estate and depreciation taxes, and passed resolutions in support of local food, renewable energy, and property tax relief.

St. Paul (November 6, 2012) – Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) is having their 71^st annual state convention Saturday, November 17 and Sunday, November 18 at the Ramada Plaza in Minneapolis. The business of the convention is the completion of the MFU grassroots policy, and delegates will be elected to represent Minnesota Farmers Union at the National Farmers Union convention in Springfield, Massachusetts in March, 2013.  Delegate discussion will surround the farm bill, re-instating the Homestead Market Value Credit, federal estate tax levels, and renewable energy.

“Minnesota Farmers Union policy is formed is by our members, they will discuss the crucial issues of rural Minnesota and changes that will improve the future of family farmers and rural communities. Our state convention is truly grassroots and member-driven, where everyone’s voice is heard” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President.

St. Paul (March 17, 2011) – Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) members return from the National Farmers Union (NFU) Convention held in San Antonio, Texas.  

“The focus of the National Farmers Union Convention is NFU policy. It is the platform that we place in front of Congress to represent family farmers,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “In true grassroots fashion, each state delegate has an opportunity to represent family farmers from their state to ensure every Farmers Union member has a voice.” 

Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) members will be attending the National Farmers Union (NFU) Convention in San Antonio, Texas March 13-15.  

“The National Farmers Union Convention is important because it is a great display of grassroots policy-making,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “All the Farmers Union states get together and push for policies their states deem important to get in the National Farmers Union policy. It is farmer-made and farmer-lead policy-making at its finest!” 

Minnesotans attending:

Trevor Jensen of Owatonna is on the National Farmers Union policy committee, which has the task of sorting through all resolutions passed at the many state conventions throughout the NFU organization. The Committee forms a working document, which will be debated and passed at the convention. 

Chandler Winkels-Muff of New Richland will be attending as part of the National Youth Advisory Council (NYAC).  He was one of only eight people elected by his peers to be on NYAC. Chandler will make a presentation to the entire convention body, and help plan next year’s NFU All-States Leadership Camp. 

ST. PAUL (January 20, 2011) – Trevor Jensen, Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) Steele County President from Owatonna, is serving on the National Farmers Union (NFU) Policy Committee. 

“It is a great honor to be chosen to serve on the NFU Policy Committee because Trevor is one of only eight people in the entire NFU organization who was chosen to be a part of this, and Trevor will do an exceptional job in this role” said Doug Peterson, MFU President. “The Policy Committee has the very important task of sorting through all resolutions passed at the many state conventions throughout the NFU organization and form a working document which will be debated and passed at the National Convention in San Antonio, Texas March 13-15.” 

The NFU Policy Committee has already met in the NFU office in Washington, D.C. to review and discuss the entire policy document. They also heard from several presenters, including Doug O’Brien, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Acting Deputy Undersecretary for Rural Development, and Ed Porter, Director of the New Technologies and Production Methods Division of the Office of Science and Technical Affairs at USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.