Minnesota Farmers Union

St. Paul (September 17, 2010) - Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) members joined 200 farmers and ranchers from across the country in Washington, D.C., for National Farmers Union's legislative fly-in September 13-15.

"The importance of having Minnesota Farmers Union members out in Washington D.C. is immeasurable because it allows them to speak directly to our representatives and senators about proposed legislation and how that legislation would impact them and ways to make positive changes to the bill in order to create better solutions for rural Minnesota, improving the legislation before it becomes law," said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President.  "We discussed the upcoming farm bill, ending the dairy crisis, the opportunities opening up trade in Cuba would provide to our farmers, and the need for the proposed rule changes on the Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration to be approved.  It was an educational trip for MFU members and Members of Congress alike."

St. Paul (March 22, 2010) - Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) members return from the annual National Farmers Union (NFU) Convention held in Rapid City, South Dakota.  Policy was set, Special Orders were passed, awards were given and speakers spoke about the status of the agriculture community and where it is heading.  NFU President Roger Johnson, and NFU Vice President Claudia Svarstad were re-elected to their positions.

"The National Convention is a place where all the state Farmers Union organizations come together to work on policy that puts farmers first," said Doug Peterson, MFU President.  "Now that the convention is over, we can take that policy and let our elected federal officials know where National Farmers Union stands on the issues important to farmers."

ST. PAUL (January 6, 2010) -  Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) will be holding a listening session and issues forum on Monday, January 25, at 10:00 a.m. at the Sandhill Supper Club in Fertile.  Everyone is invited to attend.

"This is a great opportunity for the people in Northwest, Minnesota to have a chance to air their concerns and speak about what is happening in rural Minnesota," said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President.  "Not only will we take what we heard at this forum to the members of the state legislature, but we have also invited area legislators to hear from our members first hand."

Some of the issues to be covered are wind energy and easements; cap and trade; interpretation of the Minnesota electrical codes; estate tax; and property tax concerns.  People should feel free to bring up for discussion issues concerning them.  Thom Peterson, MFU Government Relations Director will be in attendance, and area legislators are invited.

A soup and sandwich luncheon will be provided by MFU.  You do not have to be a member of MFU to attend.

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.