Minnesota Farmers Union

St. Paul (February 2, 2012) – Minnesota Farmers Union is pleased with the news that the Department of Labor has decided to back off and change a plan that would have restricted children’s work on farms.

“The proposed rules lacked common sense and went too far and I am glad the Department of Labor has listened to the concerns of Minnesota Farmers Union family farmers and National Farmers Union and decided to back off from their original proposal,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. 

In November, 2011, Minnesota Farmers Union submitted comments to the Department of Labor against the proposed rules.  The Department of Labor will propose new rules this summer with another comment period.  MFU will be making meaningful comments to the Department of Labor once the new proposed rules are released.

“Farm safety is a high priority for every farming family and I believe parents know best about the limitations of their children. The Department of Labor should listen to these farm families about their present day labor concerns and work with them on the flexibility needed to run a present day farm.”

St. Paul (February 2, 2012) – 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.  I look forward to developing premium growth and increasing our agency force within the Farmers Union Agency.” 

St. Paul (February 2, 2012) – Yellow Medicine County Farmers Union President Tim Velde of Granite Falls was recently in Washington, D.C. to represent National Farmers Union in a discussion with other general farm and commodity organizations about the budget, appropriations and farm policy. 

“I was impressed with this meeting and the groups’ ability to come to the conclusion that a farm bill needs to be passed this year,” said Mr. Velde. “Agriculture groups are willing to work with House and Senate staff in order to get the farm bill passed, as well as do our part in deficit reduction.  We all need to do our share.” 

“Minnesota Farmers Union is proud to have Mr. Velde at the table as farm bill discussions begin. He understands National Farmers Union policy, the needs of family farmers and the importance of having those needs heard,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President.

The meeting was a discussion of differences and commonalities between agriculture organizations in an effort to bring an understanding and level of cooperation among the groups as farm bill talks begin. 

ST. PAUL (January 24, 2012) - With grassroots input from its family farmer-membership, Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) has set priorities for the 2012 legislative session.  

“Rising property taxes in rural Minnesota were a direct result of the Legislatures removal of the Homestead Tax Credit, and its reinstatement will be the number one issue for Minnesota Farmers Union at the Capitol as we work with the Dayton Administration and legislators to find common sense solutions to address this very serious issue” said Doug Peterson, MFU President. “In addition to addressing property tax concerns, MFU will be working on legislation promoting agricultural rural finance and renewable energy.” 

Now that the gray wolf has been removed from the Endangered Species list, MFU will be working to ensure that depredation caused by wolves will be lessened with a gray wolf hunting and trapping season, which should help family farmers reduce livestock losses.

These are just some of the issues MFU will be working on in the 2012 legislative session.  Also, these are the issues MFU members will be talking to legislators about when they head to the state Capitol on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, for their annual lobby day. 

Click here for an audio clip.

St. Paul (January 17, 2012) - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has signed an Agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state of Minnesota to develop a new state program called the Agriculture Water Quality Certification Program for farmers designed to increase the voluntary adoption of conservation practices.

“Minnesota farmers are great stewards of the land and that is why it is a perfect fit for us to work with the USDA and EPA on this new program regarding conservation practices,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President.  “Farmers will have buy-in and ownership of this program and will be counted on to offer technical advice to the EPA and USDA regarding conservation practices on the landscape of Minnesota.”

This agreement is the first step for formalizing a state-federal partnership and confirms the joint commitment toward developing and implementing the program.  Through this partnership, producers who voluntarily undertake a high level of conservation activities to reduce nutrient run-off and erosion will receive assurance from the state that their farms will meet Minnesota’s water quality standards and goals during the life of the agreement.

ST. PAUL (December 21, 2011) – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that gray wolves in the Western Great Lakes region have recovered and no longer require protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The removal of federal protection will impact wolves in Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and parts of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Ohio.

“Farmers in Minnesota will welcome this decision because it will help protect against predation of farm animals and pets,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “Minnesota Farmers Union worked with Senator Klobuchar, Senator Franken and the congressional delegation on getting the gray wolf de-listed. It shows what can be done when we work together. I thank the senators for their help and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for this decision.”

Minnesota has developed a plan to manage wolves after federal protection is removed. Currently, it is estimated that Minnesota has 2,921 wolves.

ST. PAUL (November 29, 2011) – Tim Henning of Adrian posthumously received the Excellence in Membership and Policy Award from Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU). His wife, Bridget, accepted the award.

“Tim was a very passionate and dedicated individual and fought tirelessly for small family farmers and for Minnesota Farmers Union,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President.  “Tim was one-of-a-kind, and will be terribly missed. We were incredibly lucky to have him on our side fighting for rural Minnesota.”

Tim was President of Nobles County Farmers Union since 2001. He grew up on a farm north of Adrian. In 1978 he married Bridget and they made their home in Lismore where they raised their four children. In 2004 they moved the family farm north of Adrian. Tim won multiple Silver Star and North Star Farmers Union Recruitment Awards. eHH He represented Farmers Union on several task forces dealing with issues such as transportation, eminent domain, farm bill, and livestock issues. Tim passed away on Tuesday, September 6^th, at the age of 53.

ST. PAUL (November 29, 2011) –John & Laureen Borden of Merrifield received the Lifetime Family Achievement Award from Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU).

“John and Laureen Borden have been dedicated, lifetime Farmers Union members,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “They promote the Farmers Union message and fight for small family farmers. They are well-deserving of this award, and I thank them for being strong Farmers Union members.”

ST. PAUL (November 29, 2011) –Mike Hergert of the Red River Farm Network received the Outstanding Agricultural Reporting Award from Minnesota Farmers Union at their state convention.

“Mike knows how to ask the right questions in order to get to the issues that really matter to rural America,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “He has been serving the radio agriculture world for 40-years, and his professionalism and dedication to rural America shows, and is a great asset for all of us in farming.”

Mike graduated from Brown Institute. His first radio job was in 1970 at KFIL in Preston, Minnesota. From there he worked for KATE, KCMT, and in 1985 he became the first Executive Director of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association. Since 1986 Mike has worked for KNOW, KKXL and the Red River Farm Network. Currently they produce six radio farm programs a day, carried in 17 rural radio markets in Northwestern Minnesota, Eastern North Dakota, and South Dakota. He and his wife Linda have three grown children and ten grandchildren.

ST. PAUL (December 2, 2011) – Minnesota Farmers Union gave out its Torchbearer award at their 70^th annual state convention. 

The award winners were: Andrea Tauber, daughter of Jeff & Connie from Olivia; Jasmyne Cardinal, daughter of Marc & Alisa from Crookston; Trina Park, daughter of Todd & Tammy from Bird Island; Jacob Hanson-Flores, son of Glen Hanson & Lourdes Flores-Hanson from Woodbury; Breanna Holmin, daughter of Carrie Plouffe & Mark Weaver from Brainerd; Janelle Amacher, daughter of John & Gina from St. Paul; Lindsey Atchison, daughter of Richard & Charlene Friedlein from Maplewood; Amanda Steffes, daughter of Robert & Brenda from Hendricks; Alissa Hilleren, daughter of Randy & Deb from Benson; Alicia Moen, daughter of Shari Halling & Rick Moen from Ivanhoe; and Stephanie Smith, daughter of Cindy & Craig from Chaska.

“In order to receive the Torchbearer Award, you have to show a commitment that a lot of kids their age would not be able to do,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President.  “It is a great honor to receive the Torchbearer Award, and I would like to congratulate each one of them on their achievement, and thank them for being a dedicated member of the Minnesota Farmers Union family.”