Carlson attends forum World Farmers Organization (WFO) President and National Farmers Union Vice President For International Affairs Robert Carlson attended the World Economic (WE) Forum in Davos, Switzerland last week. The forum meets annually to develop strategy to improve the state of the world. The gathering is a high-level assembly of business and government leaders from around the world, and is privately financed.
“The world’s leaders are deeply worried about our ability as farmers to feed a growing world population and they want to hear farmers’ voices to find solutions,” said Carlson. “The good news is that agriculture has never received such prominent attention since the end of World War II, but there are some real challenges for us, too. Water supplies for irrigation are being drawn down faster than they are being recharged and the demands for using fertilizer and pesticides more efficiently and sparingly are real. On top of that, we face the uncertain effects of climate change. We know it is happening, but we don’t really know how it will affect our individual farm production. The bottom line is that we are being asked to produce more with less.”
North Dakota Farmers Union president Woody Barth added, “It is critical that family farmers and ranchers are heard around the world. We will continue to stand up for agriculture not only in North Dakota but for our fellow producers across international lines. We must work together to meet the world’s food, fuel and fiber needs. We should be proud that one of own, Robert Carlson, is leading the charge with his new position with the World Farmers Organization and National Farmers Union.”
Agriculture, water use, energy development, and climate change are interconnected in a complex relationship that demands different solutions in different parts of the world. The WE Forum is dedicated to finding efficient, decentralized and practical solutions as quickly as possible through partnerships between private business and government policy. In the developing countries, that means a combination of many improvements to increase farm production, including sources of credit, property rights, plant and animal research, and a whole series of infrastructure improvements such as road transportation, farm supply businesses, storage for fruit, vegetables and grains and meat, and an extension service, things that already exist for the developed world’s farmers.
“To feed another 2 billion people in the next 40 years is a huge opportunity for agriculture, and we know that we can do it because we have before,” said Carlson. “The main point that I make at these meetings is one that is sometimes overlooked in the larger world view: if the world wants farmers to produce more food and fiber in a more sustainable manner, we will do it if we get a price for our products that yields us a profit. Every farmer, whether they are in a poorer country or a richer country, wants to make a profit and improve the quality of life for her or his family. We will make the investments in assets to improve production and efficiency if we have a price incentive and the ability to control some of our economic risk.”
Department of Labor retracts proposed rule
The U.S. Department of Labor announced that they are reevaluating the parental portion of the proposed child labor safety regulations for agriculture and agriculture-related jobs while moving forward with the hazardous occupation portions of the proposed rules.
National Farmers Union, along with other organizations like North Dakota Farmers Union, sent letters about the ruling in December. NFU president Roger Johnson said, “NFU is pleased that the administration listened to the concerns of the agriculture community and determined that these rules would hinder the ability of young workers to learn about agriculture while doing little to make them safer.”
NDFU president Elwood “Woody” Barth agreed, ““In a farm family, every member plays a valuable role in the economic success of the farm. Farming is not simply an occupation, but a lifestyle that has been passed down from generation to generation. In order to ensure the viability of our family farms for the future, it is critical that farmers are able to teach their children and grandchildren how to perform agricultural work safely and responsibly.”
Farm safety is an issue of the utmost importance to the organization. “NDFU commends the department on its efforts to make workplaces safer for youth. In implementing these efforts. It is good to know the administration responded to the concerns that were communicated on the proposed rules. The department should be able to strike a balance between the safety concerns, what is feasible for family farmers and what is enforceable for the federal government,” concluded Barth. #
Keep it Local North Dakota
Coalition against measure two - the elimination of property taxes
North Dakota Farmers Union is a member of the Keep It Local North Dakota, a non-partisan coalition of concerned citizens, associations and businesses, dedicated to preserving the right of local control over local services.
On June 12, 2012, North Dakotans will be asked to vote on Measure 2 which will amend our state’s constitution by eliminating all property taxes and require the state legislature to replace property taxes with other state tax revenue.
The Keep it Local coalition makes the following points:
Measure 2 mandates that the Legislature replace the revenue lost from the elimination of property taxes from other sources. It would be up to the Legislature to determine how to offset the loss in revenue. As a result, it is likely the burden would simply be shifted to state fees and other taxes, such as income and sales taxes.
If Measure 2 passes and becomes part of the state constitution, it will be extremely difficult to remove or correct.
Tax policy should be made by elected officials and not locked into the state constitution. Measure 2 would make the Legislature reponsible for determining the funding for more than 2,000 political subdivisions.
Measure 2 imposes a one-size fits all government in North Dakota. It will be difficult for the Legislature to determine the specific needs of each community or county. Voters know what's right for Williston is not right for Wishek or what works in Fargo may not work in Fessenden.
Power goes to Legislature. Local citizens now vote on local issues like parks projects, water and street projects and building new schools. Measure 2 takes local power away and puts it in the hands of the state Legislature.
Out of state property owners would pay no tax but still receive services. Currently $126.8 million or 16.7% of all property taxes are paid by non-resident property owners. Measure 2 would leave this property untaxed and create potential problems with recreational use and real estate speculators.
A conference for rural and cooperative leaders is being planned for Monday, Feb. 27 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the North Dakota Farmers Union Conference Center in Jamestown.
The agenda for the upcoming conference entitled, "Rural Leadership: Vision for the Future" has been tentatively set. Please check back to the website for the latest updates. Register online for the February 27 event by calling 1-800-366-8331 ext. 102. Cost is $50 or $75 after Feb. 20.
The conference is free to directors serving on cooperative boards or county NDFU boards. Farmers Union membership is required.
Conference Agenda
8:00 Introduction Current Legislative Issues – President Woody Barth (Measure 2, Right to Farm constitutional amendment)
8:30 CHS: Vision for the Future
9:30 Break
9:45 Breakout Sessions: Problem Solving on Local Co-op Issues
10:45 Debrief on Breakout Sessions
11:30 Lunch
12:15 Social Media Presentation
1:45 NDFU Technology: Website, Co-op Locator, QR codes
2:00 Break
2:15 Effectively Leading Multi-Generations in an Organization Speaker Kathy Ibach
3:45 Wrap-up (iPad 2 drawing and flash drive distribution)
4:00 Adjourn
Women In Leadership Development (WILD)
North Dakota Farmers Union will be hosting two regional Women In Leadership Development (WILD) events across the state in February.
Originally, there were four events scheduled but due to a lack of advance registration, two of the locations were cancelled.
Event registration fee is $20 and includes a lunch or evening meal. This event is open to all North Dakota Farmers Union members.
The two sites will include:
Taube Museum of Art in Minot on Monday, Feb. 6, from 6-9 p.m. central time
NAFUS Center, level 2, at Jamestown College in Jamestown on Wednesday, Feb. 8 from 6-9 p.m. central time
Liz Johnson, the White House Project’s national director, will be the featured keynote speaker. Johnson has coordinated White House Project (WHP) leadership training programs within the Midwest region since 2004. A leader in the design and implementation of rural women’s leadership programs, Liz has worked and trained women from over 250 cities and towns across the Midwest and even more women from across the country. She is a seasoned organizer with over 20 years of community organizing experience who has dedicated her life to building and advancing women leaders in community and politics. Her work is characterized by her asset based approach to training and the number and diversity of women that participate. Since graduating from Grinnell College with a degree in Political Science, she has also served as a Program Officer for the Women's Foundation of Minnesota, and as a Legislative Consultant and staff for several non profit organizations. Johnson is the recipient of the Minnesota Housing Partnership Right to Housing Award and The Minnesota Women's Press Changemaker Award for her work to advance women leaders in Minnesota. Liz is also one of the key leaders in an award winning collaboration with the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service and the Women, Food and Agriculture Network called Plate to Politics. This collaboration seeks to inspire, inform and equip more women leaders from the healthy food and farming movement to advance their leadership. Liz lives in Duluth, Minnesota situated on largest freshwater lake in the world.
Registration fee is $20 and space is limited. For more information, go to Facebook or the website at www.ndfu.org. Call 800-366-8331 ext. 108 to register. Credit cards or checks accepted.
Living Ag
Fourth grade students throughout the state of North Dakota are learning how their food gets from the farmer's fields to the grocery store shelves during special classes. North Dakota Farmers Union outreach coordinators provide instruction for the program. NDFU helps sponsor and operate the classroom across the state, with games and displays showing the step-by-step process.
The Living Ag Classroom has taught over 16,000 students, teachers and parents learn about the food chain since its inception. The Living Ag Classroom illustrates about the production and distribution of our food along with the many by-products of crops and animals that are raised in North Dakota. This year’s classes began with the KMOT Ag Show in Minot on Jan. 25 and 26. Upcoming sessions include the KFYR Ag Expo in Bismarck on Feb. 14-15 and in Fargo on Mar. 5-9.
Go back to camp
North Dakota Farmers Union is seeking enthusiastic summer staff to work with youth in grades 3-12 in a variety of educational and recreational situations. Job Functions include:
• attend a two-week training course
• lead singing and music at camp assemblies
• plan, organize and implement theme nights
• teach classes and lead educational activities
• travel between camp facilities utilized by NDFU for youth camping
• be a positive role model for youth and fellow staffers • safety and well-being of all campers at all times
• positive attitude
• maintain records of accidents and camp sales
• submit written reports and expense statements
• participate in camping activities such as: games, swimming, dances, campfires, etc.
How to Apply:
• Applications will only be accepted through the online application process.
• You will need Adobe Reader software to complete and submit the application. For a free download of Adobe Acrobat Reader go to http://get.adobe.com/reader
• Complete the application online. Click on the SUBMIT FORM button.
Representing producers--- North Dakota Farmers Union member Richard Schlosser has been appointed to the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics (NAREEE) Advisory Board by United States Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
Schlosser will serve on the board for three years, representing plant commodity producers. He was nominated by North Dakota Farmers Union earlier this year. He explained, “I attended my first meeting in November. There was an orientation meeting for new appointees followed by the board’s regular meeting. Secretary Vilsack and Under Secretary for Research, Education, Extension (REE), Dr. Catherine Woteki, addressed the board during the meeting. Both spoke of the board’s congressional mandate of advising the secretary and land grant institutions about top priorities and policies for food and agricultural research, education, extension and economics. We also heard several presentations on the 2012 Farm Bill and how proposed cuts would affect Title VII, the research title. There were several other presentations by staff from National Ag Statistics Service (NASS), Dr. Simon Liu from the National Ag Library (NAL) located in Beltsville, Maryland, and Jim Wiesemeyer from Informa Economics. The board used information from these presentations to begin work on priorities and policies for food and agricultural research, education, and extension.”
The advisory board provides advice to the secretary of agriculture and land-grant colleges and universities on top priorities and policies for food and agricultural research, education, extension and economics. The board is made up of 25 members, each of which represents a specific category of U.S. agricultural stakeholders, as mandated by Congress.
The main objective is to contribute to effective federal agricultural research, education and education programs through broad stakeholder feedback and sound science in its ongoing role as advisor to the Secretary of Agriculture. The advisory board also, by mandate, consults with appropriate agricultural committees of the U.S. Congress. All board meetings are open to the public.
The Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 authorized the creation of the NAREEE Advisory Board, which is composed of 25 members and operates under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area. REE is dedicated to the creation of a safe, sustainable, competitive U.S. food and fiber system and strong, healthy communities, families, and youth through integrated research, analysis and education.
Each NAREEE Advisory Board member represents a specific category related to agriculture. These areas include farming, ranching, food production and processing, forestry research, crop and animal science, land-grant institutions, non-land grant colleges or universities with historic commitments to research in the food and agricultural sciences, food retailing and marketing, rural economic development, and natural resource and consumer interest groups, and others.
SYAC council members take a break
SYAC helps at convention It wasn’t all fun and games for members of the Senior Youth Advisory Council during the North Dakota Farmers Union state convention. All five members of the board participated in sessions, helped with youth activities and worked at various jobs during the two-day event.
The 2012 council members include: Paige Cole, daughter of Jeff and Barb Cote of Casselton; Kerstan Swift, daughter of John and Julie Grimm of Ellendale; Mikaela Long, daughter of Mike and Sue Long of Berlin; Lauren McMillan, daughter of Jeff and Ruleen McMillan of Wimbledon; and Cassidy Weber, daughter of Bradley and Jill Weber of New Rockford.
Paige Cote commented, “I absolutely love everything about Farmers Union. It has helped me get over my fear of public speaking and become a more confident person.” Cote introduced Governor Jack Dalrymple to the stage on Friday during the opening ceremony.
Member Lauren McMillan agreed. She added, “Farmers Union has helped me become a better leader. It’s helped my confidence to speak what I think. Being around all my Farmers Union friends feels like my second family.”
Each council member serves as a liaison for the NDFU youth program and helps define issues that impact youth today. The board was elected by their peers during Farmers Union senior camps throughout the summer. The council meets three times during the year and attend two senior camps the following summer at no cost. During convention, each member introduced one of the key speakers.
