Day Two Wraps Up, Much to Report…
Monday, March 3rd, 2008
As day two of our 106th annual convention comes to a close, we have a lot to catch everyone up on! After the risk management panel, USDA Secretary Ed Schafer addressed the attendees and discussed the looming farm bill and the state of agriculture and rural America along with several important issues to Farmers Union members including food safety, trade agreements and renewable energy production. Schafer promised our members to do everything possible in his position at USDA to sign a farm bill into law this year.
The afternoon allowed attendees to hear from experts on three more panels. The first panel was about buying fresh and eating local. On the panel were several farmers who sell their products locally as well as restauranteurs and others who buy local products: Gretel Norgeot, New England Farmers Union; Diana Endicott, Good Natured Family Farms; Larry Yee, Association of Family Farms; Chef Rick Moonen, RM’s Seafood; and Doug Mosel, California Farmers Union. Minnesota Farmers Union President Doug Peterson moderated the panel.
The second panel informed attendees about how to get involved in renewable energy. Brian Jennings with the American Coalition for Ethanol discussed renewable fuel opportunities, specifically ethanol and Lisa Ryan with Alterra Bioenergy discussed ways to become involved with the production of biofuels. Guy Rusche with NFU Service Association told members about wind energy options while Keith Cole of General Motors discussed the ways in which GM is moving forward and improving fuel economies on their cars as well as their developments with flex-fuel and electric vehicles.
The day wrapped up with the presentation of the Milt Hakel Award for Agricultural Communications to John Nichols of the Capital Times in Madison, Wis. Nichols then led a panel on the media’s perspective on the 2008 Farm Bill. The panel featured Chuck Abbott, Reuters; Jerry Hagstrom, National Journal; and Jim Wiesemeyer, Pro Farmer.
Tomorrow we will hold elections and adopt policy, so check back to stay up-to-date!
