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Farm Bill
Update
Congress Returns to D.C.,
Negotiations Continue
 Congress returns
to Washington this week following a two week Easter recess
break. With the 2002 Farm Bill's April 18 expiration date
looming, lawmakers have few legislative work days to come to a
consensus and pass a new farm bill.
This past week a new proposed framework from the House
and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairmen and Ranking Members
was released. In comparison to the previous framework we
reported on last week, this proposal includes $4.05 billion
for a standing disaster program - a top NFU farm bill
priority.
However, a final list of funding sources has yet to be
identified. If an agreement can be reached soon it is possible
for the House to name farm bill conferees as early as this
week. Keep an eye on nfu.org and be sure to read next
week's e-newsletter for the latest
developments. |
| NDFU Holds Farm Bill
Rally with Conrad
Farmers, Ranchers Show Support for Permanent Disaster
Aid
 On March 27, North Dakota
Farmers Union held a rally to show support for a permanent
disaster relief program to be included in the new farm bill.
More than 100 farmers, ranchers and business leaders from
across the state attended the event in Mandan,
N.D. Sen. Kent Conrad
addressed the crowd and said he hopes that a farm bill will be
passed with $4 billion in funding for a permanent disaster aid
provision. "Family farmers and ranchers should not have
to come to Congress hat in hand each time Mother Nature wreaks
havoc," Conrad said. By including a disaster program, we can
ensure that our farmers and ranchers have access to support in
a timely, cost-efficient manner. It makes sense for both our
farmers and the taxpayer." Read NDFU's
release. See pictures
from the
event. | |
| Members'
Corner: Dan Moore, Illinois Farmers
Union
Highlighting Outstanding Members in Our States
Dan Moore grew up on a family farm, so when it came time
for him to choose his career path, farming came quite
naturally to him. Deciding to join Illinois Farmers Union at
the age of 20 seemed to come almost as naturally as his
decision to become a farmer. At the time, there was not a
county chapter in Dan's area, but he knew he wanted to become
a part of the organization. He soon chartered the Tri-County
chapter where he is currently the president. "I joined
Farmers Union because it is the only organization that helps
keep farmers on the farm," Dan explained. "I knew it was an
organization I needed to be a part of." Continue reading Dan's
story.
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Read our previous profiles:
Do you know someone you would like to
feature from your state? Contact Amber
Birtcher. |
|
NFU Poll of the Week
You tell us, what would you like to see
for a future Poll of the Week question?
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State
News
"The linkage between family farmers and consumers is
essential in order to ensure a safe, healthy food supply,"
said MFU President Russ Kremer. "We hope that this donation of
all-natural, locally grown pork products provides relief to
those truly in need."
This donation met an important need of the food pantries
and hunger relief agencies served by the food bank. Executive
Director Peggy Kirkpatrick explained, "Protein is something
that we are always in need of at the food bank. Central
Missouri Food Bank is proud to have Missouri Farmers Union as
a partner and local producer in the fight against
hunger."
"We feel that wholesome, locally produced food should be
accessible to all," said Kremer. "This donation allows family
farmers and MFU to give back to the community."
 Minnesota: On March 28,
Minnesota Farmers Union member and
East Ottertail County President John Swartz, of Henning, was
named to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's
Beef Profitability Strategic Task Force.
"Often times, MFU has to rely on our members to represent
our policies on different task forces, and I want to thank
John for filling that role on the Beef Profitability Strategic
Task Force," said Doug Peterson, MFU president. "John
comes from a strong family farm tradition, that has long
raised registered black angus, and I have no doubt that he
will represent MFU policies well on this task force."
The task force will address several key objectives, such
as determining what role, if any, the state should play in
developing a source/age verification program; identifying the
research needs of the beef industry; reviewing Minnesota's
regulation and taxation of the beef industry; and considering
ways to encourage young farmers to enter into beef production
in Minnesota. The task force will make its recommendations to
the MDA. Non-committee collaborators will include
representatives from the MDA, University of Minnesota, Minnesota Board of Animal Health and
Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency.
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. |
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Upcoming
Events
Farmers Union
Events for April 1-7
Minnesota Farmers Union County
Meetings April
2 8:00
pm Todd - Fire Hall,
Eagle Bend
April
5 9:00
am Chisago &
Isanti - Perkins, North Branch
North Dakota Farmers Union Co-op Annual
Meetings
April 1 7:00
pm FU Oil of Southern
Valley - Eagles Club, Wahpeton
April 3 10:15
am Devils Lake FU Oil - KC Hall,
Devils Lake
Wisconsin/Minnesota Dairy Policy
Conference
April 2 9:00
am Radisson Hotel,
LaCrosse
Have
an upcoming event you would like to share? Send the event, date, time and
location to Amber
Birtcher.
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Farmer's Share
of Retail Food
Dollar
March 2008
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Farm Price
Barometer
March 2008
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