NFU President Tom Buis sent the following letter to the editor of TIME magazine in response to the magazine's April 7 cover story, The Clean Energy Scam:

 

The Clean Energy Scam must be what Dwight Eisenhower was talking about when he said, "farming is mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you're a thousand miles from the nearest corn field."

 

It's easy for those far away from the heartland to point fingers; yet rural Americans are the ones finding the solutions we need to decrease our dependence on oil.

 

Continue reading the letter.

 

On April 3, NFU President Tom Buis sent a letter to Sens. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and John Ensign, R-Nev., who introduced the Clean Energy Tax Stimulus Act of 2008, applauding the Senators for their committment to extend the renewable energy production tax credit. The PTC is set to expire Dec. 31, 2008.

 

"History has taught us that allowing the PTC to expire will halt critical investment in renewable energy projects. As a result, jobs will be lost and the industry's growth will be stalled," Buis said. "Your efforts to secure a one year extension will help ensure continued expansion of the industry as we find ways to more permanently foster renewable energy development."

 

Buis said, "Locally-owned projects generate 2.6 times more jobs and 3.1 times more rural economic benefit than those with outside ownership."

 

Read the Cantwell/Ensign Letter.

Read our release.

 

 

Andrew Vetter grew up on a small family farm outside Linton, N.D., and eventually inherited the land from his parents without much contest when his three other brothers decided to leave farming. Andrew has been keeping the Vetter family tradition going strong for nine years, after his parents retired from the business.

 

Kristen became involved in farming when, well, she married a farmer. She has completely embraced farming as if she were born and raised on a farm, and works right alongside Andrew five days a week. The other two days, Kristen works off the farm for North Dakota State University Extension Service which aims to educate North Dakotans, emphasizing strengthening agriculture and developing the potential of youth, adults and communities.

 

Continue reading the Vetters' story.

 

Each year, the National Farmers Union Foundation awards several $500 scholarships from its Stanley Moore Scholarship Fund to students seeking funding to attend a two- or four-year college, university or technical school.

 

The national Stanley Moore Scholarship is open to Farmers Union members and their children, whether they are high school seniors, traditional or non-traditional college students or adults seeking higher education. The award is to be used for tuition and books.

 

A selection committee will choose finalists based on a written essay or a taped oral presentation outlining personal and professional goals and involvement with Farmers Union, academic record and social and community activities. The committee will interview finalists via phone. Applications must be postmarked by April 17 to be considered.

 

As a young boy, Stanley Moore traveled with his grandfather, C.C. Talbott, a key organizer and first president of the North Dakota Farmers Union. As an adult, Moore rose through the ranks of Farmers Union, becoming NDFU's president from 1975 to 1987. He also served as vice president of National Farmers Union from 1980 - 87, chairman of the NFU Insurance Company board from 1975 - 95 and NFUIC chief executive officer from 1987 - 89. Moore was a strong advocate of education and this scholarship provides a lasting memorial in honor of his achievements and dedication to Farmers Union.

 

Application materials are available on our website. For more information, contact NFU Education Director Laura Johnston Monchuk at (202)741-9410.

 

NFU was among 29 exhibitors at the national Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Conference event held March 25 - 27 in Kansas City, Mo. Kansas Farmers Union President Donn Teske and NFU Director of Economic & Co-op Development Jeff Moser also attended and assisted with the booth.

 

Missouri Farmers Union President RussKremer co-presented a workshop with Ben Burkett from the Federation of Southern Cooperatives. Titled "Getting Cooperative," the workshop highlighted how new, direct product marketing co-ops are proving to be profitable ventures for farmers with a bounty to sell. Kremer told of the successes of Missouri producers banding together to market sustainably produced pork and other natural foods.

 

Photo: Kremer, right, meets with one of the 800 participants attending the conference.

Wisconsin: Improvements are underway at Wisconsin Farmers Union's Kamp Kenwood. The electrical wiring project and the Kamp Kenwood forestry project will continue through this spring, while chimney repairs have been completed in the lodge and staff cabin.

 

The total cost to upgrade the entire camp's electrical system is around $35,000 and members raised $2,255 for the Kamp Kenwood electical wiring project at WFU's annual convention auction. There are several additional needs at Kamp Kenwood, including a $6,000 commercial dishwasher for the camp kitchen that will meet inspection requirements. To make a donation to help with these projects contact the WFU state office at (715)723-5561 or (800)272-5531.

 

Visit the Kamp Kenwood website.

 

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.

Montanta Farmers Union Carbon Credit Sign-up Meetings

April 8        6:00-9:00pm       Havre, Triangle Telephone Meeting Room 

April 9        6:00-9:00pm       Lewistown, Yogo Inn

April 10      6:00-9:00pm       Great Falls, MTFU Office

 

April 10      2:30 pm              Omaha, Henry Doorly Zoo

 

April 8       6:00 pm               Richland - Dakota Valley, Wahpeton

April 8       9:00 am               Rolette - Rolette Cafe, Rolette

April 14     7:00 pm               Mountrail - FUI Office, Stanley

 

April 9       6:00 pm               Farmers Union Oil Company Station, Embden

 

 

View a printable version of Farmer's Share.

 

Taken from "Agricultural Prices," USDA/NASS.

Taken from "Agricultural Prices," USDA/NASS.