Minnesota Farmers Union

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.

"This is a great opportunity for our members to meet with their legislators, and discuss policies that impact life and farming in rural Minnesota, as well as relaying the Farmers Union position on items that may come before the legislature this year" said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. "Legislators look forward to seeing their constituents because it gives them guidance when they try to find solutions for problems in their districts."

The MFU lobby day for members in the northwest and north central part of Minnesota will be on Wednesday, February 11th. For more information on the lobby days, contact the office at 1-800-969-3380.