Advocacy

MFU Advocacy

Since 1942, the Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) has worked through its grassroots membership to promote and improve the lives of all people whether you are in a rural community, a farmer or a consumer, urban or rural. MFU works to provide an effective grassroots voice for our members in both St. Paul and Washington D.C., as well as working with all forms of government administrations from the smallest township to the federal government.

MFU policy is set and controlled by our membership. Ideas and support for MFU policy come from resolutions set at local conventions held with in MFU’s over 70 county organizations. Resolutions passed at the county level are then sent to the state level for consideration, and if passed are placed in the permanent policy document.

Advocacy

Notes from the MN Farmers Union 8-23-10

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Monday August 23, 2010

State Fair!

MFU President Doug Peterson is out at the Minnesota State Fair as I write this update putting the finishing touches on the MFU booth on Dan Patch Avenue! The Fair begins this Thursday August 26th and runs until Labor Day Monday September 6^th. Be sure to stop by the MFU booth to visit or buy a yardstick to lean on! And of course don't forget to get a cup of coffee from the best coffee place at the fair (or a mocha bar). Also, remember maybe the best part of the MFU booth, stop by the back patio to take a break or catch up with old friends.

Minnesota Cooks!

Thom's notes

Notes from Mn Farmers Union 7-23-10

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Friday July 23, 2010

MFU President Doug Peterson letter to editor on GISPA rule

John F. Kennedy once said, "The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways." The dinner tables of America need farmers to receive a fair price, and that is why Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) was pleased to hear that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a proposed rule change to the Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA).

The proposed rule would bring common sense to GIPSA and change the current system of how livestock are procured and marketed by meat packers. The rule includes several new provisions that will grant protection to producers from previous marketing barriers, which have favored the packers, with a goal of defining and changing unfair and unreasonable practices in the industry.

Thom's notes

Notes from the MN Farmers Union 6-11-10

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Friday June 11, 2010

MFU President testifies before U.S. Senate Subcommittee

Thom's notes

Notes from the MN Farmers Union 5-13-10

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Friday April 30, 2010

House, Senate pass Agriculture Policy bill

This past week the MN House passed HF 2737 the omnibus agriculture policy bill 127-3, the Senate passed their bill April 19th 66-0. The Senate has already appointed Sens. Skogen, Vickerman and Dille as conferees. The House will likely appoint their conferees on Monday. The bill includes many pieces of legislation MFU has worked on including bovine Tb, the corporate farm law, wind easements, 4-H, ethanol, priority for feed dealers in Farmer-Lender mediation, and the House bill also includes industrial hemp language. Members who have specific questions about the bill should contact me. Here is a link for more info: HF 2737

Tax bills moving

Thom's notes

Notes from the MN Farmers Union 04-30-10

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Friday April 30, 2010

House, Senate pass Agriculture Policy bill

This past week the MN House passed HF 2737 the omnibus agriculture policy bill 127-3, the Senate passed their bill April 19^th 66-0. The Senate has already appointed Sens. Skogen, Vickerman and Dille as conferees. The House will likely appoint their conferees on Monday. The bill includes many pieces of legislation MFU has worked on including bovine Tb, the corporate farm law, wind easements, 4-H, ethanol, priority for feed dealers in Farmer-Lender mediation, and the House bill also includes industrial hemp language. Members who have specific questions about the bill should contact me. Here is a link for more info: HF 2737

Tax bills moving

Thom's notes

Notes from the MN Farmers Union 4-12-10

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Monday April 12, 2010

Spring Meetings underway

MFU President Doug Peterson invites members and friends to attend the annual MFU spring meetings April 12-15. This is an opportunity for members, rural folk, or anyone, to come see how Minnesota Farmers Union works on the issues that impact our rural community and state and how MFU can make a difference for farmers and rural Minnesotans. People are encouraged to come discuss their concerns. MFU will be talking about where issues stand at the State Legislature, as well as on the federal level. Grab a friend or neighbor and come join MFU. Coffee is on us!

The dates, time and location of the meetings are as follows:

Thom's notes

Notes from the MN Farmers Union 3-26-10

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Friday March 26, 2010

MFU members return from NFU convention

MFU members recently returned from the annual 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."

NFU Presents awards

Thom's notes

Notes from MN Farmers Union 2-16-10

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Tuesday February 16^th, 2010

Secretary Vilsack in Minnesota

This afternoon, MFU President Doug Peterson, and four other MFU members are meeting with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and Rep. Collin Peterson and other ag leaders in Morton to discuss agriculture issues. Big issues on the plate include the 2011 budget, crop insurance, dairy and climate issues. Vilsack was in Minnesota where he was a guest at Rep. Peterson's annual Homegrown Economy conference.

MFU to talk dairy with Oberstar

Thursday, MFU will also meet with Rep. James Oberstar to discuss dairy issues and pricing. Rep. Oberstar and his staff have met with MFU several times this past year as the dairy industry has struggled. Oberstar was very involved in pushing Congress to pass assistance for dairy farmers this past year in what was known as DELAP.

Pawlenty Releases Budget