Minnesota Farmers Union

 ST. PAUL (May 10, 2012) – Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) saw many positive movements on key legislative initiatives this legislative session which concluded Thursday, May 10, 2012. Included among them were key extensions for Minnesota’s ethanol, biodiesel, and wind industries to ensure they are moving forward; $33 million for the Rural Finance Authority, which partners with local lenders to provide affordable credit to eligible farmers; and the creation of a wolf hunting and trapping season, as well as key components to the state wolf management plan.

“MFU thanks the legislature and Governor Dayton for working to pass these key pieces of legislation” said Doug Peterson President of the Minnesota Farmers Union.  Peterson added, “MFU also was pleased to see legislation defeated that would have impacted local control by cities, counties and townships by changing the way interim ordinances are used.”

MFU was disappointed that no legislative action was taken to address surging rural and agriculture property taxes. MFU will work with policy makers to address this situation as the next session approaches.

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 (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.

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.

St. Paul (May 20, 2009) - Minnesota Farmer Union (MFU) saw positive action on many fronts this year at the state capitol during the 2009 legislative session which adjourned on Monday May 18.

"We were pleased that there were positive results for our priorities, including changes to the Green Acres Program; extension of the Farmer-Lender Program; and $35 million for the Rural Finance Authority," said Doug Peterson, MN Farmers Union President.  "However, the fact that the Legislature did not pass an overall budget is of concern.  It is now up to Governor Tim Pawlenty to makes cuts.  Farmers are very concerned about high and rising property taxes, and the Governor needs to consider the impact on landowners when making these budget decisions."

The budget for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, and the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) took reasonable cuts during the legislative session.  Governor Pawlenty will make further cuts to the state budget through the unallotment process, where funding for these departments could be further reduced.  In addition, MFU is very concerned about the impact the unallotment process could have on property taxes; cuts to Local Government Aid (LGA); and assistance for hospitals and nursing homes.

St. Paul (February 19, 2009) - Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) members from the northwest, and west central regions of the state recently went to the State Capitol to discuss Farmers Union policy and the 2009 legislative session with legislators.

"This is a chance for the legislators to hear from Farmers Union members about the immediate needs of rural Minnesota," said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President.  "It also gives our members a chance to let the senators and representatives know about our Farmers Union policy, and why it is important to them."

St. Paul (January 29, 2009) - Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) members from the southwest, southeast, and east central parts of the state recently went to the State Capitol to discuss Farmers Union policy and the 2009 legislative session with legislators. Members also met with Attorney General Lori Swanson, and attended a House hearing on the Green Acres Program.

Farmers Union policy issues that came up in discussions with state senators and representatives were: protecting the state agriculture budget; stabilizing property taxes; repealing the changes made last year to the Green Acres Program; supporting universal health care; financial support to those impacted by the bovine tuberculosis outbreak; extension of the 2009 sunset date of the farmer-lender mediation program; support for local control in making siting decisions that deal with livestock facilities; a strong corporate farm law; support to achieve conformity with the Minnesota estate tax, and section 179 of the federal tax code; and bonding requests for the Rural Finance Authority.