Minnesota Farmers Union

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.

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Friday June 11, 2010

MFU President testifies before U.S. Senate Subcommittee

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

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

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:

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

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

Notes from the MN Farmers Union Friday, February 5^th, 2010

MFU sets Legislative priorities

Notes from the Minnesota Farmers Union Friday December 11^th, 2009

MFU applauds timely assistance to dairy producers

After months of putting the dairy crisis in front of Congress and the Administration, Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) is pleased to see that Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack just announced a new Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Payment (DELAP) program for dairy farmers that would give eligible producers a one-time direct payment based on the amount of milk produced and commercially marketed by their operation during the months of February through July, 2009. "The dairy industry has been dealing with high input costs and low dairy prices and MFU has been calling for action for a long time and it is nice to see our efforts are starting to pay off," said Doug Peterson, MFU President.  "This is not to say that the Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Payment program will solve all the problems facing dairy farmers, but it is a start.  Farmers Union will continue to fight for the promotion, stabilization and strengthening of the dairy industry."

Notes from the MN Farmers Union Wednesday December 2^nd, 2009

Peterson re-elected MFU President; Wertish elected MFU Vice President

MFU held its 68^th annual state convention on Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22.  Delegates re-elected President Doug Peterson, and elected Gary Wertish of Renville as the new MFU Vice President.  Dennis Sjodin, the previous Vice President for 14 years, decided not to seek re-election.  "I congratulate Gary for his election as Vice President to Minnesota Farmers Union," said Doug Peterson, MFU President.  "Gary is a life-long Farmers Union member, so he understands the importance of the organization and the voice we give to our members.  I look forward to working with Gary and promoting Farmers Union policy. Wertish is a full-time farmer who previously worked as an MFU Field Representative; and worked for Senator Mark Dayton as his Agricultural Director.  He farms with one of his sons raising corn, soybeans, navy beans and finishes out cattle and hogs.  Gary and his wife Jeanne have four grown children and four grandchildren. "I am humbled to be elected by the MFU membership as the new Vice President," said Wertish. 

Special Orders Passed