The registration deadline for our convention is ONE WEEK away. Have you registered yet?

 

On Feb. 5, the Senate named its conferees for the farm bill. The House has yet to do the same.

 

The administration continues to be steadfast in their veto threats of the bill before the conferees have even met, let alone been named.

 

Contact your Representatives in Congress to urge action on the 2007 Farm Bill before the 2002 Farm Bill's programs expire on March 15. Farm programs will revert to Permanent Law if a new bill is not enacted. NFU has compiled some frequently asked questions to clarify how permanent law will affect farmers and ranchers. Click here to read the FAQs.

 

We will continue to update you on any changes in the 2007 Farm Bill forecast.

 

Read more about the farm bill on NFU's website.

 

On February 4, Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer released President Bush's plans for the FY 2009 USDA budget. The $97 billion budget calls for the elimination of funds for certain programs, the implementation of a user fee for country of origin labeling (COOL) and an increase of only $22 million for the $1.1 billion Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS). NFU President Tom Buis said the budget proposal is misguided as it again puts too much emphasis on reducing programs that benefit rural America.

 

"It's shocking that the President would pledge to veto any legislation that increases taxes, yet propose a new tax to implement country of origin labeling," Buis said. "The administration has threatened to veto the the Senate farm bill for using tax revenues to pay for additional farm bill spending and the House farm bill because it closed loopholes that allowed foreign corporations operating in the United States to avoid paying U.S. taxes, characterizing this as a tax increase."

 

The budget now awaits the approval of Congress, where the Farm Bill is still being discussed. Schafer said that because the new farm bill has not been passed yet, the FY09 budget proposal is based on the 2002 Farm bill.

 

"While I agree with the administration's attempts to balance the federal budget, doing so on the backs of hardworking rural Americans, who depend on many of the successful programs slated to be cut, is not the answer," Buis said.

 

Buis said that while NFU is disappointed in the President's budget proposal, he expects Congress to reject it and ensure the priorities of rural America are met both through the FY09 budget and getting a new farm bill enacted.

 

Read our statement.

Read more about the FY09 Budget.

 

This week we're doing something a little different. We've profiled the two candidates running for the NFU vice president position. Voting for the open seat will take place during our annual convention March 2 - 4.

 

I am running for Vice President of NFU because I care passionately about the future well-being of American farmers and ranchers. Additionally, I believe that the answers to the most grave global problems  - from energy to nutrition - lies within agriculture. As the numbers of farmers and ranchers continue to decline it is critical that our voice remains strong.

 

My varied background of success in business management, insurance, agriculture and advocacy is why I think members should vote for me. I can usefully analyze NFU's business affairs. I can professionally represent the NFU President and board when needed.

 

I listen before I act. I am a team player that works hard at building bridges rather than fences.

 

Strong membership benefits are essential to the future of NFU and its members. Benefits lie in all three parts of the Farmers Union triangle - legislation, cooperation, and education. My business, insurance, and agricultural background will assist this pursuit of greater benefits for more members.

 

Membership benefits can also include the pride of doing the right thing for the world's most disadvantaged - the hungry - both locally and globally. I would be proud to offer additional leadership on nutrition and hunger issues.

I ask for and would be honored by your support for Vice President of National Farmers Union. Working together, NFU has a bright future!

 

EDUCATION: I earned a BA degree, with majors in English and History, from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., and a law degree from the University of Colorado.

 

FAMILY: I was born and raised in South Dakota and have close family members throughout the Midwest. My brother is our fourth generation farmer in Aberdeen, S.D. I have many nieces and nephews who regularly visit and ski in Colorado. I have "adopted" two college age students and one black labradoodle, named Dakota.

 

EXPERIENCE: I am the former President and CEO of National Farmers Union Insurances. I served the NFU insurances for 33 years in marketing and underwriting roles. My insurance roles led me to visit and understand many diverse farms - from orchards to livestock operations across the country. I have also been involved in my family grain and cattle farm in South Dakota all of my life.

 

I have served on several boards, both profit and nonprofits and I currently volunteer for five different hunger and AIDS fighting organizations. I also have state and federal advocacy experience with nutrition and hunger issues.

 

FARMERS UNION INVOLVEMENT: I have been involved with Farmers Union since 1971, in different roles, as an insurance employee, a member, and most recently, as a volunteer. Our family farm is a member and participates in the various insurance programs offered. While representing the insurances I have attended many, many Farmers Union conventions, all over the country, and have become well acquainted with farmers union state organization and leadership. I have represented NFU on the board of the Alliance to End Hunger since 2005.

 

Larry Breech - Millville, Pa.
The question before you as a member today is why I should support Larry Breech for vice president of National Farmers Union. My reply is grassroots member advocacy!

 

I started a successful farm operation from the ground up, literally. I came up through the ranks of Farmers Union starting in the late 1980s with the help of Jim McHale. Starting as a general member, participating in a D.C. fly-in, elected chapter president, then state executive board member, national policy committee, state vice president, membership coordinator, and then elected to four terms as state president. I have experienced the grassroots involvement of Farmers Union at all levels.

 

I have established a solid reputation in Harrisburg, Pa., advocating for my members. I brought together a divergent coalition of organizations to win the fight to protect family agriculture in Pennsylvania from corporate agriculture. I have successfully worked on numerous conservation issues and I have established a solid working relationship with key members of congress including Senator Casey and Congressman Holden on the Ag committees and Senator Specter on the Ag Appropriations Committee.

 

I have been a consistent advocate for my members in all venues and wish to continue promoting the best farm organization in America.

 

EDUCATION: I earned a degree in insurance and business administration in 1972 from Penn State University. I am also a graduate of the Penn State University Pennsylvania Rural Leadership Development Program (RULE VI).

 

FAMILY: My wife, Debbie, and I have three children, Kyra, Tyler and Hayley.

 

EXPERIENCE: I started my own farming operation in 1976 and have been recognized as a state champion corn crower and the largest grower/producer of sunflowers in the Northeast. I have also hosted numerous environmental field days and have been a featured speaker in the United States and Canada to address new methods for composting.

 

I have served and am currently serving on numerous boards and advisory committees in Pennsylvania and I am involved with the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit to provide educational services for special students. In addition I am a certified guest teacher for grades k-12 in four school districts.

 

FARMERS UNION INVOLVEMENT: I am a life member of PAFU, serving my fourth term as president. I previously served as vice president, county president; state executive board; chairman of the Environmental Committee, and membership development director. As a member of the NFU board, I served as chairman of the Water Resources Committee, Membership Committee and am currently serving on the Budget and Audit Committee as well as the steering committee for WoodWorks. I am president of the Pennsylvania Family Farm Foundation and president of Member Service Corp.

 

It's not too soon to start planning for the summer! Those interested in a summer internship with National Farmers Union must have their applications in by next Friday, Feb. 22.

 

NFU's Internship Program offers a "real world" working experience with opportunities available in NFU's Washington, D.C., government relations office or its headquarters near Denver, Colo. Get a feel for what a day in the life of a NFU, D.C. intern is like through this YouTube video.

 

NFU internships typically last two months and may be tailored to the career goals of the individual. Internship areas of interest include communications, cooperative development, economics, education, membership marketing, policy research and political science.

 

Internship applications are available on our website. For more information, contact NFU Education Director Laura Johnston Monchuk at laura.monchuk@nfu.org.

 

Kristen Kvalheim of Sun Prairie, Wis., has been an active Farmers Union youth member for years. He has both attended and staffed Wisconsin Farmers Union summer camp, served on his state Senior Youth Advisory Council and achieved the Farmers Union Torchbearer Award.

 

Kristen attends the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, where he is studying agriculture education. He is involved in Agriculture Education Society and in judging parliamentary procedure contests. He has a work-study job in the meat plant and food science labs, where he processes animals and sets up labs. He is also active in a rock-climbing club, Delta Theta Sigma fraternity and a broom-ball team.

 

A 2007 graduate of Sun Prairie High, Kristen was involved in FFA and wrestling. He was also involved in 4-H, his church youth group, Boys State and Boy Scouts where he became an Eagle Scout. He said his two great loves are farming and playing the guitar.

 

"It is an amazing experience to be on NYAC and have a larger voice in this organization," Kristen said. "I hope to use what I have learned and have experienced from the opportunities provided by the Farmers Union to educate others when I am an agriculture teacher."

 

Have NFU news you want to share? Send any info about meetings, conventions, state fairs, individual members' success, state government news, or anything else relevant to NFU and its members to Amber Birtcher.

 

 

There have been several reports in the media, beginning around the fourth of July, indicating the rise in the cost of beer is due to increased production of ethanol. NFU looked into the issue and here's what we found:

 

A 6-pack of Miller Light cans retails for $5.05 at Safeway -

 

 

View a printable version of Farmer's Share.

 

Taken from "Agricultural Prices," USDA/NASS.

Taken from "Agricultural Prices," USDA/NASS.