Union Farmer - February 2024

Margi Engelter Agency

I grew up in St. Anthony on a dairy farm with a family of 11. I was exactly the middle child, and have always had a true love for animals. My love for animals has me with them after I go home from work. They are truly a therapy for me

I was more of an outside child, which led to the exposure of running farm equipment and taking care of the farm chores, more than the household chores. I married Lee Engelter in 1992 and moved to New Salem, where I have raised my two sons, Jake and Ray, on our own family farm with beef cattle. Both my sons have farm interests: with one, more for the cows, and one more for the haymaking part of it, running and fixing equipment. They are the future.

I started with Farmers Union Insurance in 2002. My district managers, Neil Ness and Don Folkert, contracted with me and I have never looked back. Many changes have happened since then, and FUI has always been a big part of my life.

I am an EMT with the local ambulance service and have been for over 20 years. I cater weddings/events at our local auditorium, with a 1,500 kids event at a church as my largest event. I took over a failing licensed daycare in 2015 and ran it for eight years to keep the service for the families that were needing it.

President:

Secretary:

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Members attend mini fly-in

NDFU hosts a mini fly-in each year in February. This year, we had 10 people attend and met with our congressional delegation and staffs from the Farm Service Agency (FSA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Our goal is to bring farmer and rancher perspectives to these agencies and to discuss current opportunities and challenges.

Our discussions focused on the farm bill, crop insurance, concentration issues surrounding inputs and sales of agriculture products, renewable fuels, and benefits to farmers for implementing environmental programs.

I was pleased that our group was well received by our representatives and federal employees in D.C. I have found over time that these individuals really do care about the programs they oversee and how they are implemented to meet the needs of U.S. citizens.

Public employees typically are under recognized for the good work they do and, in many cases, are not paid wages equal to what the market is delivering in the private sector. We see this in agriculture as many of our

county FSA offices are having trouble attracting people and talent to carry out farm program implementation. Some of this is related to pay and some is related to pressure from people who treat them poorly or may get angry if a program does not operate as they believe it should.

I personally believe public employees should be given credit for the job they do. They are carrying out the wishes of the people who are elected by citizens to implement programs. Many times, these programs invest back into our communities, helping when people are in need or investing in infrastructure to support the lifestyles we demand. These employees should feel proud of their work, just as employees in the private sector should be

NDFU members traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with the Farm Service Agency, Agricultural Marketing Service and Environmental Protection Agency. They also met with Sen. John Hoeven and Rep. Kelly Armstrong, and with Sen. Kevin Cramer's staff. In back, from left to right, are Jakob Iverson of Langdon, Dalton Wiest of Barney, Jared Johnson of Kenmare, Philip Neubauer of Bottineau and NDFU President Mark Watne. In front are Erin and Mark Hagemeister of Fessenden, and Pat Becker of Selfridge.

proud of what they do.

The legislative priorities we carried this fly-in were to maintain and enhance livestock provisions in crop insurance. We pushed for better options to “buy up” crop insurance coverage. We asked for an increase in reference prices for the PLC program and a dual option for signup in ARC and PLC, which would allow farmers to benefit from the program that works best for them. We identified areas of market concentration and asked AMS to work with the Department of Justice to bring actions to correct the current monopolistic practices that are in many areas of agriculture – harming farmers, ranchers and consumers. We also emphasized the need for conservation programs to remain voluntary, providing incentives for participation rather than penalties.

I believe our mini fly-in was a success. It is true that those who show up and tell their story do influence future direction. We met with leaders in many federal agencies and our elected officials. We were able to tell our stories and encourage them to make changes that will have a positive impact on farms and ranches. Thanks to all who met with us in D.C. We appreciate what you do.

Farm Service Agency administrator Zach Duchineaux (right) meets with NDFU members.

NDFU members met with Sen. John Hoeven (top) and Rep. Kelly Armstrong (bottom) while out in Washington, D.C.

Farmers Union CAMP

GRADES 3-6* (4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS) – $135**

GRADES 7-12* (5 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS) – $175**

*Grade youth will have completed by the end of the school year

**Early bird price. Price will increase $24 after May 15. Register

SENIOR CAMP

• June 11-15 –Heart Butte, grades 7-12

• June 18-22 – James River, grades 7-9

• July 8-12 – James River, grades 7-12

• July 9-13 – Heart Butte, grades 7-9

• July 29-Aug. 2 – James River, grades 10-12

• July 30-Aug. 3 – Heart Butte, grades 10-12

JUNIOR CAMP

Heart Butte ~ near Elgin

• June 17-20 – Bottineau, Burke, Divide, McHenry, Mountrail, Renville, Ward, Williams

• June 24-27 – Adams, Bowman-Slope, Grant, Hettinger, Morton, Sioux

• June 30-July 3 – Statewide

• July 16-19 – Burleigh, Sheridan

• July 23-26 – Billings-Golden Valley, Dunn, McLean, Mercer, McKenzie, Oliver, Stark

James River ~ near Jamestown

• June 10-13 – Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Foster, Grand Forks, Griggs, Nelson, Pembina, Pierce, Ramsey, Rolette, Steele, Towner, Traill, Walsh, Wells

• June 25-28 – Statewide

• June 30-July 3 – Cass, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Stutsman

• July 15-18 – Statewide

• July 22-25 – Barnes, Dickey, Emmons, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh

AWARD TRIPS

(invitation only)

April 27-28

7th & 8th Grade Lock-In (Jamestown)

June 24-28

All-States Leadership Camp (Minnesota)

July 22-25

Third-Year Award Trip (Twin Cities)

NDFU MOBILE APP How to use the

Members can use the same email address and password they use for the NDFU portal to log into the app. If you do not know your password, use the “Forgot Your Password” option. NDFU must have an email address on file for you to use the app. If we do not have an email address for you, please call 1-800-366-6338 or email us at ndfu@ndfu.org to have it attached to your account.

1

Login with your email address and password. Use the email address where you receive your NDFU communications.

If you don’t know your portal password, use the Forgot Your Password option!

2

Follow the on-screen prompts to login. NDFU utilizes two-factor authentication for security purposes.

Choose to receive your two-factor code via text or email!

3

Enter the code to get into the app. If the texting option does not work the first time, try again and choose the email option.

You will stay logged into the NDFU app continually, providing you open the app once a month!

Three of the features of the app include a home screen with notifications, state convention registration and the ability to find and contact your legislators about important issues!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I have to be a member to log into the mobile app?

Yes. The app is for NDFU members. Those who would like to become members can sign up at NDFU.org!

What if NDFU doesn’t have my email address?

Like any online service, we require an email address to use the mobile app. Contact us at 1-800-366-6338 or ndfu@ndfu.org to have an email address added to your account.

Additionally, if we have a different email address on file than the one you’re currently using, you can use the one we have on file or contact us with your new address.

NDFU has my email, but I’ve never used the online portal. What’s my password?

Simply use the Forgot Password link on the login screen and follow the on-screen prompts to set a new password!

What should I do if I have additional problems?

If you continue to have trouble logging in, please contact Chris in the Communications Department at 701-952-0118 or caarhus@ndfu.org.

Producers look for opportunity at NDLA event

BY CHRIS AARHUS, NDFU

As Tom Volochenko of Butte makes plans for retirement, he wants to continue diversifying the family’s operation.

For him and his sons Dan and Tim, adding a small hog operation could be just the ticket.

“We’ve got a nice operation, but we’d like to find something like a small feedlot or a hog operation — something to fill in the gap over the winter.”

To learn a little more about the process and what help is available, Volochenko attended the North Dakota Livestock Alliance’s fifth annual summit Jan. 30 in Fargo.

Volochenko’s family has been on the land for nearly 120 years, as his grandfather homesteaded in 1905. They raise wheat, barley, corn, soybeans, durum, canola and flax, and also have a cow-calf operation.

Adding hogs or a feedlot operation would likely mean the addition of a hired hand to enhance efficiency with the entire operation, but that’s not the only benefit, he said.

“I like hogs or a feedlot operation because you get manure out of it, too, and that adds fertilizer to the farming operation,” he said.

Volochenko said adding a livestock operation could help smaller farmers expand their operations without needing to purchase additional land.

“You shouldn’t have to rely on just grain farming to (expand),” he said. “Let’s diversify. It’s good for your community.”

The livestock summit provided Volochenko with a chance to learn

about programs that could help him get started, as well as an opportunity to network with like-minded producers and industry professionals.

“I’ve been visiting with people, and you can learn from that,” he said. “There are some neat programs that can help, too. It’s quite an (event) they have here.”

NDLA Executive Director Amber Wood said producers like Volochenko are why it’s important for the organization to have education events.

WOOD

“There are so many unique opportunities because you don’t have to do it all by yourself,” she said.

“You can ask your neighbors to be involved. We have so many people who may not have ever raised pigs or haven’t done it in generations. It’s a unique opportunity that can be really beneficial.”

The summit brought to Fargo producers who raise beef, pork, dairy, poultry and turkeys. The event gave producers a chance to talk about their operations and explore possibilities for expansion, she said.

“It’s a diversified group of producers here,” she said. “And it’s not just people who already have livestock, but it’s also people who want to get livestock or even learn how to utilize manure with their crop production. To have (additional soybean crushing plants) and we’ll have all of this feed now, let’s capture that value right here.”

Tom Volochenko of Butte

Nearly 200 attend Evolution Ag Summit

BY CHRIS AARHUS, NDFU

Mike Schlosser of Edgeley shares the concerns of many producers when it comes to implementing farming practices that sequester carbon in the soil. Still, he wants to stay ahead of it.

“I want to be on the front (end) of this — rather than be forced into it — and get paid for what it’s worth,” he said. “I want it done on my terms. I don’t want to have to buy a bunch of new equipment. I don’t have the labor, so it can’t be something that burdens me more.”

Schlosser was one of four on a producer panel at North Dakota Farmers Union’s Evolution Ag Summit Feb. 20 at the state office in Jamestown. The panel, which was moderated by AgWeek’s

Jenny Schlect, also featured Beulah rancher Dawn Martin and Wolford farmer Paul Overby.

The event took attendees through the latest with carbon markets and soil health, with more than 200 on hand including producers and agribusiness, the latter of which was able to hear from producers to cap the event.

“Incentives are always a benefit – more dollars for your operation are a huge help,” Martin said. “But you have to make sure the practice is going to work for your operation. Start small just to make sure it’s something you can make work.”

Other panels included perspectives from food and agribusiness, sustainability at the farm level, putting a price on carbon, and incentivizing onfarm carbon management.

NDFU welcomed 200 attendees for the Evolution Ag Summit on Feb. 20 at the state office in Jamestown.

TOP: Rob Sharkey, known as The SharkFarmer, talks about growing up on his family's farm in Illinois. Sharkey's show on RFD-TV is in its eighth season. Sharkey keynoted the Evolution Ag Summit Feb. 20 at the state office in Jamestown.

AT RIGHT: Farmer Paul Overby speaks about some of the regenerative practices he's implemented on his farm near Wolford. With him on stage are farmer Mike Schlosser of Edgeley, rancher Dawn Martin of Beulah and moderator Jenny Schlecht of AgWeek.

Around the state

Morton County Farmers Union invited members from Sheridan, Grant and Sioux counties for its annual board game night Feb. 3 at the Baymont Inn in Mandan.

Sioux County Farmers Union hosted its annual "Snowflake Jamboree" on Jan. 27. Attendees played games, won prizes and participated in various craft activities!

County calendar

Saturday, March 9

McIntosh County Family Fun Night • Ashley American Legion Hall • 5:30 p.m. meal.

NOTES: $10 adults, free for 18 and under. Purchase tickets in advance. Contact Fern Schauer at 701-426-1805 for more information.

Sunday, March 10

National Farmers Union convention, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Monday, March 11

National Farmers Union convention, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Tuesday, March 12

National Farmers Union convention, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Thursday, March 14

Sioux County EPIC Event

Sunday, March 17

Stark County EPIC event • Paragon Bowl in Dickinson • 1 p.m.

NOTES: Pizza and prizes! RSVP to Sarah Ewoniuk at 701-260-2105.

Friday, April 26

Sioux County Farm and Ranch Day • Selfridge High School • 9 a.m.

NOTES: Sponsored by SCFU and Selfridge Schools. Free event, everyone welcome. Contact SCFU EPIC coach Mary Jean Hunter at 701455-2926 or 701-445-3356 for more information.

A reason for hope

After fighting stage 3 cancer and a rare disease within two years, the Dresser family is thankful for normalcy and community

Story

and photos by Chris Aarhus, NDFU Editor Tina and Brian Dresser with their boys: 8-year-old Joey (front left) and 9-year-old Ben.

Tina Dresser will never forget the day she arrived home after she had undergone her final surgery stemming from a three-year battle with stage 3 colon cancer.

March 30, 2023, should have been a day in which the family from south of Center, N.D., collectively took a sigh of relief.

“I was feeling good, and I was ready to get back to normal,” Tina said.

Instead, the family was blindsided. As Tina was unpacking her clothes, husband Brian received a call to pick up their 7-year-old son Joey from school.

“He was in the office, and his face was droopy,” Brian recalled. “I know the signs of a stroke, so I knew right there I needed to get him to an emergency room.”

It’s been nearly a year since Joey was diagnosed with Moyamoya disease, which is “an extremely rare condition in which the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain become narrowed,” according to Boston Children’s

Hospital (BCH). It’s a disease that Joey will live with the rest of his life and could leave him susceptible to strokes.

The past year has been a rollercoaster of emotions for the Dresser family of four — Brian, Tina, Ben and Joey. They have received a tremendous outpouring of support from their community including help with their cow-calf operation.

HER BATTLE

For Tina, stomach pains started shortly after her mother died. Tina didn’t think twice about it.

“It had to be stress from losing a family member — you just assume that’s what it is,”

she said. “I didn’t think much of it. We had a lot of other things going on and two young boys to take care of.”

The pain became severe enough that Tina drove to urgent care in August 2022. She was referred to a gastrointestinal doctor, who ran tests and suspected she had colon cancer. Three days later, a colonoscopy confirmed it was stage 3.

Tina went through eight rounds of chemotherapy, five days of radiation therapy and surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. She had her final surgery and flew home on March 30, 2023. Brian picked her up and the couple peacefully went home.

“We were getting ready to celebrate and take a big sigh of relief,” Tina said. “I’m done with chemo and radiation, and I’m feeling good.”

HIS BATTLE

As Brian went back to work in his home office and Tina started unpacking her clothes, the school called and needed someone to pick Joey up.

“I grabbed Joey, and we jumped in the

vehicle,” Brian said. “I called Tina and told her that there’s something majorly wrong.”

Brian knew the signs. Before he died, his father had previously had a stroke.

“They took (Joey) back and ran a test and confirmed it was a stroke,” Brian said.

Joey was immediately airlifted to Fargo, where a doctor looked at Joey’s CT scans and recognized it as Moyamoya disease.

“Joey was the third patient he had seen with this in Fargo,” Brian said.

Moyamoya disease occurs in fewer than 1 in 100,000 people, according to Boston Children’s Hospital. With the supply of blood being limited to the brain because of narrowed vessels, the brain grows temporary blood vessels called collaterals. This provides short-term relief, but collaterals eventually stop working.

The name Moyamoya is Japanese and means “puff of smoke,” referring to the “wispy, smoke-like appearance” of the collaterals on an x-ray. Females and people of Asian ethnicity are at a higher risk of the disease. Tina is of

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Asian descent.

A day after the diagnosis, Joey went into surgery to open up the left side of his brain.

“They did kind of like a bypass,” Brian said. “The surgery went well. He did have some aftereffects, but we were able to get him into physical therapy right away to work on his speech and occupation. They did tell us that we would have to do surgery at a later date on the right side. We planned on having it done six weeks later.”

Two weeks later while at home, Joey told his parents he felt a tingling sensation down one side of his body. He’d had a mini-stroke, and he was airlifted to Fargo again.

“You don’t know if this entire thing is happening again, because his symptoms were not as severe,” Tina said. “But he tells you he’s having this tingling feeling and that he feels weird. Your senses kind of go off. It’s pretty scary. Is it happening all over again?”

At that point, the Dressers were still educating themselves on Moyamoya and learning about their long-term options.

“This whole time, we’re trying to get up to speed on what Moyamoya is and trying to reach out and find out who the professionals are and what are some of the recommendations,” Brian said. “In that, we found out that Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) is a leading hospital on this and that they do 50 of these surgeries a year, so they’re on the leading edge with this.”

The Dressers had a virtual consultation with BCH and elected to fly to Boston to continue Joey’s treatment. Three days later, Joey had a second surgery.

The family headed home after the surgery, and follow-up scans were done at Sanford Hospital in Bismarck, with the results being sent to Boston.

Last October, a scan showed an area of concern, so the family flew to Boston in January, and Joey had another operation.

Shortly after the surgery, he suffered another stroke, though it did not require an additional surgery.

“They wanted stable images on consecutive days to make sure that the stroke wouldn’t continue,” Tina said. “Once we got those and he was doing OK, we stayed a couple of extra days outside of the hospital setting. Then we flew home.”

Going forward, the family is optimistic.

Tina’s scans have been clear to this point, and she’ll have her one-year colonoscopy in March.

For Joey, however, the family will always need to have a watchful eye in case of a stroke. Tina said mini-strokes could happen in which he’ll need aspirin and to lay down for an hour while they observe him.

“That should help his blood flow,” Tina said. “If it doesn’t resolve in an hour, then it’s to the ER. … This will be for the rest of his life. So, it’s really important as he goes away from us (when he’s older) that he’s cognitive of it and pays attention to it.”

THEIR COMMUNITY

Between the time spent away from home and trying to manage responsibilities with work and farm life, it’s been anything but normal for the Dressers.

However, they’ve received help with their cattle and medical bills from their community.

Brian’s family has been in the area for more than 100 years. The Dressers took over the family ranch in 2012, a decision they made together even though Tina grew up in the Twin Cities and didn’t have much farm experience.

“My mom came from a small dairy farm and my dad grew up in South Dakota, so that was kind of my snippet of the country,” said Tina, who played soccer at the University of North Dakota. “So we saw a little bit of that life through my mom and dad’s (family).”

Brian and Tina both had flexible full-time jobs that allowed them to essentially work from anywhere, which they still have. They chose to return to the countryside over buying a home in Bismarck.

“At first, I was kind of wondering what I was getting myself into,” Tina said. “But now, I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. I can’t imagine raising my boys anywhere else.”

Said Brian: “This wasn’t the plan. The plan was to stay out here until the (housing) market changed. Now, (moving to the city) is not even an option we would consider.”

The return to the countryside has meant a lot to the Dressers. Brian remembers the very first drive to the emergency room with Joey. His brother had gone to pick up Tina — who couldn’t drive after her own surgery — and was

going to meet them in Bismarck.

Brian didn’t know what would happen as he took his son to Bismarck, so he made one phone call to make sure his cattle were taken care of.

“I called my neighbor Dave and told him what was going on, and he said, ‘I got it. We’ll take care of it,’” Brian said. “I did not have to worry.”

Dave Berger’s family has been friends and neighbors with the Dressers for years — Brian graduated with one of Dave’s sons. He said the Dressers make it easy.

“They are such good people,” Berger said. “They treat everybody else with respect. Why wouldn’t you help them?”

Brian recalled a particular instance in which there was a bad cold snap, and the family was gone. Dave was one of a few neighbors that came to the rescue of the family’s cattle herd.

“My water had froze up — they fought to get it unthawed,” Brian said. “They battled through it and got everything flowing. It was amazing.”

It was a memory that made Dave smile.

“We were even getting worried on the second day that we wouldn’t be able to get this (water) open,” he said. “We just kept trying things until it worked. And then we went over there every day to check the water and check the cattle. But it was cold, so I think every rancher probably had problems.”

The community of Center also put together a fundraiser for the Dressers to help alleviate some of the financial burdens.

“They did a feed and a silent auction — it was unbelievable how much money they raised,” he said. “It was amazing. And we’re one of the smallest counties in the state.”

Being dealt a difficult hand the past two years hasn’t dimmed the family’s outlook on life. Quite the opposite.

“There are lot of negative things about our story the past two years, but it definitely gets outweighed by the positives,” Brian said. “We’re truly blessed. We’re through the storm and on our way back.”

The Dressers are thankful for a community that has embraced them.

“Some people think we’re crazy for living out here, and I think some of them have a hard time understanding it because of how far we are from things,” Brian said. “There are so many life lessons that can be learned out here. That’s something I really want to pass on.”

Tina added: “It’s incredible. I appreciate everything about it.” n

DAVE BERGER

NFU carrying momentum forward

The calendar has flipped over following a productive year for competition in agriculture in 2023. The previous year featured major Fairness for Farmers priorities sharing time in the spotlight, including efforts to strengthen the Packers and Stockyards Act, Right to Repair, and legislation resembling a farm bill competition title.

NFU intends to carry that momentum forward, as Congress finds itself in a familiar place: racing to meet several major deadlines. The House and Senate Agriculture Committees have signaled their desire to proceed on a new farm bill in the first quarter of the year. Congress has once again extended government funding into March, as appropriators race to develop annual appropriations bills for the rest of the fiscal year.

FARM SAFETY NET TALKS HEAT UP

Farm bill negotiations remain ongoing and complicated, as each side of the committees have disagreements concerning the farm safety net and climate-smart agriculture investments from the Inflation Reduction Act. In midJanuary, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) offered a variety of potential changes to commodity programs and crop insurance.

In a letter to Senate colleagues, Stabenow outlined five key principles for the farm safety net in the (now) 2024 Farm Bill:

• Programs must be targeted to active farmers.

• Provide farmers choices and flexibility.

• Assistance should be timely.

• Expand the reach of programs to help more farmers.

• Address the emerging risks farmers face.

Sen. Stabenow expressed support for offering farmers the option of forgoing title I programs (such as Agriculture Risk Coverage or Price Loss Coverage) in exchange for purchasing risk management products with higher subsidy levels. The chair noted that previous farm bills offered cotton growers a

choice and the next bill ought to extend this option to all commodities.

The chair’s comments echo several of NFU’s policy priorities, such as broadening the reach and availability of Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP), increasing marketing loan rates, and protecting funding for nutrition and conservation programs from cuts or repurposing. NFU looks forward to learning more about the proposals, as well as the mentioned possibility of increasing farm bill spending levels using outside funds.

NFU CONVENES 2024 POLICY COMMITTEE

From Jan. 8-11, NFU convened a meeting of the 2024 Policy Committee, kicking off NFU’s annual 2024 policy process. An integral component of Farmers Union’s success and reputation is its grassroots policy process, which is driven by the organization’s 220,000 farmer- and rancher-members.

Farmers Union’s policy process begins each year at the local or county level, where members develop policy proposals based on their experiences, concerns, aspirations, and understanding of farm policy. Individuals are then elected to serve as delegates for their state or regional Farmers Union conventions, during which they have the opportunity to debate and vote on policy proposals along with other delegates from across the region. From there, a small subset of delegates are elected to represent that state or region’s interests during the policy debate at National Farmers Union’s annual convention.

But the locally led policymaking process begins at the national level long before the annual convention. Every January, NFU gathers the national policy committee, consisting of 7-8 members who are nominated by their state or regional Farmers Union organization.

Earlier this month, eight Farmers Union members from across the country traveled to Washington, D.C., to begin crafting NFU’s official 2024 policy book, going line by line through NFU’s existing policy-proposing, debating and adopting changes. They also had the opportunity to hear from the House and

For producers residing in Cass, Foster, McKenzie, Mercer, Rolette, Stark/Billings and Ward counties:

EARN $100 per acre/animal unit

• Cover crops

• Nutrient management

• Prescribed grazing

• No till/reduced till

Senate Agriculture Committees’ majority and minority staffs for discussions on the state of farm bill deliberations.

The committee is tasked with drafting a report to present to all delegates for consideration during the policy debate and adoption at NFU’s annual convention. All changes the committee approves must be voted on and adopted by the delegate body. Delegates have the opportunity to debate and vote on any change the committee presents and may also propose amendments on the floor during the policy session. NFU’s policy

book is finalized only upon adoption by the delegate body at the convention, ensuring NFU’s official policy best represents our members.

This democratic, grassroots, member-driven process is the lifeblood of Farmers Union. It is essential for ensuring all voices in the organization are heard equally and the voices of farmers and ranchers across the country can speak loudly and clearly in Washington in support of family agriculture.

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NORTH DAKOTA DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL FARMERS UNION CONVENTION

March 10-12 in Scottsdale, Ariz. (listed alphabetically)

Missy Axt, McClusky; Dave Berger, Center; Lori Blocker, Ashley; Terry Borstad, Devils Lake; Bob Bruns, Valley City; Dee Decimus Holmes, Grand Forks; Darren Dobrinski, Makoti; Jim Dotzenrod, Wyndmere; Rhonda Fenwick, Battleview; DeAnne Finken, Douglas;

Julie Gemmill, Fordville; Scott Grote, Battleview; Josh Heinrich, Kindred; Pam Henningsen, Monango; Christie Jaeger, Esmond; Jared Johnson, Kenmare; John Kelly, Pekin; Jarett Keith, Sherwood; Steve Keith, Sherwood; Bill Kershaw, Menoken; Karen Kershaw, Menoken; Aaron Krauter, Regent; Cindy Krauter, Regent; Bob Kuylen, South Heart; Sarah Kuylen, South Heart;

Lucas McClean, Ypsilanti; Scot Ness, Kenmare; Philip Neubauer, Bottineau; Wes Niederman, Elgin; Amanda Olson, Anamoose; Chris Lundeby, Osnabrock; Perry Ostmo, Sharon; Melissa Pfennig, McClusky; Carmen Rath Wald, Napoleon; Richard Schlosser, Edgeley; Trent Sherven, Ryder; Lenci Sickler, Gladstone; Shane Sickler, Gladstone; Nathan Watne, Velva; Dalton Wiest, Barney; Ben Vig, Sharon; Megan Vig, Sharon.

The 2024 Policy Committee will reconvene in March at NFU’s 122nd Anniversary Convention, in Scottsdale, Ariz., to propose their recommendations to the full slate of delegates during the grassroots policy process. This current committee is chaired by Hank Wonnenberg, representing South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU). Hank returned to the policy committee after serving as a member in 2023.

The other members of this year’s Policy Committee are:

• Missy Bakker Roach, Minnesota Farmers Union

• Tim Fischer, North Dakota Farmers Union

• Barry Squires, Oklahoma Farmers Union

• Lindsey Shapiro, Pennsylvania Farmers Union

• Zach Withers, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union

• Thomas (Josh) Munns, Utah Farmers Union

• Patty Edelburg, Wisconsin Farmers Union

MERGER GUIDELINES FINALIZED

On Dec. 18, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) jointly released the final version of their 2023 Merger Guidelines after more than two years of consultation. In January 2022, the agencies announced an initiative to reevaluate and consider revisions to the previous guidelines on horizontal and vertical mergers.

The new guidelines aim to address concerns of excessive corporate consolidation by enhancing merger enforcement. Key changes feature the inclusion and emphasis of horizontal and vertical mergers in a single guidelines document, a lower concentration level recommendation to presume mergers are unlawful, and a generally more aggressive

stance on merger enforcement.

The FTC claims the new guidelines emphasize the dynamic and complex nature of competition ranging from price competition, employment terms and conditions, and platform competition, enabling the agency to better assess and protect competition throughout the economy. Though the guidelines are not legally binding, they provide transparency into the agencies’ decision-making process regarding merger enforcement and identify major factors and frameworks that are considered during merger investigations.

The updated merger guidelines were released just before reports of a proposed acquisition, between Koch Industries and OCI Global’s Iowa Fertilizer Company (IFCO), a major nitrogen-enrichment facility in Wever, Iowa. Koch Industries is seeking a $3.6 billion acquisition of IFCO, established in 2017 with substantial local, state, and federal investment in a project proponents cited as an opportunity to challenge Koch’s dominance in the fertilizer industry.

NFU has joined several agriculture and environmental groups urging DOJ and FTC investigate the proposed merger, citing the updated merger guidelines’ concerning increased concentration in highly concentrated markets and entrenching a firm’s market dominance. Koch Industries is one of four firms that control approximately 75 percent of the fertilizer market, while being one of the largest privately held companies in the United States.

NFU and partners urge DOJ and FTC to thoroughly investigate the proposed acquisition and block the merger if the agencies conclude, under the new guidelines, the deal will further entrench Koch Industries’ control in the fertilizer sector.

Did you know that farmers and ranchers receive only 14.3* cents of every food dollar that consumers spend? According to the USDA, off farm costs including marketing, processing, wholesaling, distribution and retailing account for more than 80 cents of every food dollar spent in the United States.

FFB changes name to reflect brand

As of this month, Farmers Fishers Bakers is officially Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers. Always a “sibling” to the Founding Farmers restaurants, the decision to change the name is primarily to ensure all guests and potential guests are aware of the connection to the well-known Founding Farmers brand, as well as their farmer-owned ethos. All Farmers Restaurant Group restaurants operate by seeing everything "Through the Eyes of the Farmer," seeking to unbundle the supply chain and support American family farmers.

Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers honors the farmer, the fisher, and the baker, and they work sustainably to preserve the land and waterways we all call home. With its location on Washington, D.C.’s Georgetown Waterfront,

the menu has a strong focus on premium seafood, including sushi and ceviche. They also have a delicious and playful cocktail menu, with shared Tiki cocktails, popular especially on their outdoor patio in the warmer months.

With the name change, Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers will have new signage and is also renovating parts of their interior bar and dining room, as well as their patio to make it more accommodating during rain and other inclement weather. Renovations are scheduled for completion by the summer season.

To learn more about Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers, visit https://www. wearefoundingfarmers.com/location/ founding-farmers-fishers-bakers/.

Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers is on the waterfront in Georgetown.

HAVE YOU MOVED?

NDFU is looking for updated information on our members! Use the camera on your phone to scan the QR code, which will take you to an online form to fill out.

Dusty learns about generations of family and equipment on their farm, and the latest in soil technology. Find out how Dusty makes Gramps a new thingamajig for his tractor to save the day!

CLASSIFIEDS

Ads must be submitted through the online form at www.ndfu.org. Click “Classifieds” at the very bottom of ndfu.org and fill out the online form. Ads must be re-submitted each month. No exceptions! Deadline is the 15th of every month.

Limit 75 words.

MEMBERSHIP DUES MUST BE CURRENT!

FARM EQUIPMENT

FOR SALE

TRACTOR, IH SUPER M, 1954, with loader, have been working on restoring it. Decals and misc. parts go with. I used it last summer. It will need a few electrical parts to get back running, has new tubes and the tires are in fair condition. Six-volt system and new battery, $2700. OBO. Text or email me for more info and pictures. Email: redied@westriv.com. 701-220-8752, Ed Schwab, Hazen.

HAY PROCESSOR, 2015 BPX Vermeer Hay

Processor, excellent condition, lightly used; Two KK Creep Feeders, a two compartment seed tender, 18.4 and 20.8 by 38 used tractor tires, a 605J and 605xl Vermeer balers and a set of New 20.8x38 tractor tires on band duals. 701-3391141, Marlow Nelson, Powers Lake.

QUICK HITCH, JD Quick Hitch 3 pt. Category #2. Just like new. Used only two winters on a snow blower on a JD 7330. New price $1500, selling price $750. 701-256-0883 Hilary and Larry Petri, Langdon.

CALF TABLE, Powder River Calf Table. Allied Loader 7ft bucket and grab fork. IHC 45 18ft. Viber schank with harrows. 701-824-2260, Albert Luithle, Mott.

JD COMBINE, 01 JD 9750 Combine, PRWD, Cont Master – Eng- 4968/Sep- 3331. Above avg condition, serviced/annually; JD 635F Flex Head W/Crary Air Bar; Starfire 3000 Globe, New Shroud, Good Shape; JD 2014 DB60 PARTS 36 JD Pro-Series XP Meters with Mini Hoppers/ Trimble True Count Air Clutches/Seed Tub Sensor Wire Harnesses 3 control boxes/Air tanks to run clutches for 3 row shutoff; Trimble Wiring/Hoses. 701-321-5711, John Kempf, Ashley.

CHEVY 3.5 TON, 1976 Chevrolet 3.5 Ton with roll tarp on heavy steel box. Runs good. Recently installed brakes and booster. New fuel pump and wheels have been repacked. $4750. 701337-6103, Ron Krebsbach, Garrison.

JD 7721 COMBINE, pull-type. Don’t use anymore. 701-351-1403, Bryan Knutt, Rocklake.

SQUARE BALER, 273 New Holland square baler, always shedded, one new tire, works very well with an Agratec 6 bale pyramid stacker. $4000. 701-597-3107, Ken Koch, Shields.

ZERO TURN MOWER, 2016 John Deere Z540R zero turn mower with 54" deck. Bought new in 2017. Only 235 hours. Asking $4,400. Photos available upon request. 701-269-3270, Jason Wells, Jamestown.

GRAIN CART, used 400 bu. J-Kraft grain cart, manufactured in Kimball, MN, PTO drive, folding auger, hopper tank with bottom auger, new roll tarp, 28L-26 good single tires, reconditioned drives and augers, used 2023 and earlier harvest and planting seasons, good condition, pictures available upon request, $4000 OBO. 701-952-8973, Glen Nagel, Jamestown.

FARMALL W-9, a good runner with hydraulics, $2500 (early 50’s model). Can text 702-8629492. 702-606-2020, Ronn Wilke, Napoleon.

15-30 MCCORMICK TRACTOR, 1 New Tire

LT245-75R-Load Range E. 2- Cream Separators, One David Bradley Metal Grain Box like new, 4- wheel Steel Running Gear, 1 Covered Wagon Running Gear, 12’ Kirschman Drill, 1 Horse Potato Cultivator, 4 Btm. Pony & Packer, Saddle and 2 Bridles. Email: larryn@westriv.com. 701548-8020, Larry Nagel, Shields.

UTILITY TRACTOR, 300 IH utility tractor with loader and chains, runes good, $4800. Laymen stack mover works good for hauling bales $1800, New Holland 1000 small bale stacker $4200. Crown real type rock picker $2700. also 2 7/8 drill stem pipe, different sizes and combinations, IH press drills reconditioned, also have used parts for these drills, can deliver any of these items. 701-400-5742, Gerald Miller, Mandan.

WANTED

PLANTER, 494A John Deere 4-row corn planter with plates; draw hitch for 12' John Deere LLA grain drill. 701-226-4055, Lloyd Giese, Steele.

TRACTORS; IH 706, 806, 1206, 856, 1256, 1456, 966, 1066, 1466, 1566, others; JD 5010, 5020, 6030, 4620, 4520, others; MM 950s on up; Olivers 1964 ln up; ACs 200, 210, 220, D-21. Will buy all running or not. 701-628-2130, Jerry Lumley, Stanley.

MISCELLANEOUS

FOR SALE

SIGNS, Porcelain 8' CO-OP oval shaped double sided sign still in metal frame without pole in very good condition. Our Own Hardware porcelain advertising sign measuring 20' by 2' priced to sell. Trades welcome. 701-220-5746, Val Ganje, Bismarck.

FREE CAMERAS, antique cameras; Kodax Duaflex II with flash holder; Argus Spotmatic II Polaroid autofocus. 701-482-7868, Curtis Graff, Donnybrook.

FREE, I have free Golden Retriever puppies to forever homes! 1 Male,1 Female DUE to moving overseas. Excellent temperament! perfect for families with children and other pets! Please email me first at stephaniechristensen59@ gmail.com. 312-932-7651, Stephanie Christensen, Jamestown.

RELOADING SUPPLIES to be sold in one package, complete. Case trimmer, Powder measurer, scale, electronic scale, powered trickle. Dies, 9mm, 7mm Remington mag, 357 mag, 22-250, bullet puller. Numerous powder, H1-10(2), H380(4), 4831(2), H335(2). 701-2261060, Don Scheeler, Bismarck.

1851 NAVY REVOLVER conversion from .36 caliber ball to .38 caliber cartridge. Made by Cimarron Arms, it is called "The Man With No Name" Hollywood revolver. Only 12 rounds shot through it. Cimarron Arms sells this gun new for $999. Price is $600 firm. This is a beautiful handgun that shoots extremely well. Photos upon request. 701-955-0305, Alan Aarhus, Bismarck.

TOOLS, band saw, router, hand tools, saws, wrenches, hammers, shovels, new lumber, drills, insulation, camping equipment. Make offer. 701-349-4179, Betty Jo Hvistendahl, Ellendale.

WHITE OAK PLANKS/TIMBERS, tough cut 2x6, 2x8, 2x10, 4x6, a 10x10, and a 12x12. Harvested in 2009, milled in 2012, and in dry storage since that time. Excellent for Heavy trailer decking, blocking, or for fine woodworking projects. 701-521-0052, Leeroy Carpenter, Walhalla.

RIMS, 5-16" rims with very good LT235/85R16 Hankook tires mounted on them on a Ford F250 4x4 5 speed 5.8 engine gooseneck hitch. Needs head gasket; Set of 40 Lang fertilizer knives with all hardware. 701-351-2318, Dean Ensrud, Pekin.

CEDAR CHEST, Cavalier, excellent condition; RCA mini Dvd player good condition; Men's bowling ball; Women's bowling ball; Antique spark screen for fireplace; Rainbow shampoor all parts. Works with Rainbow Vacuum; 1989 Harley Davidson Motorcycle Model: Heritage Softtail Classic, Lots of Chrome, other accessories. Wine colored two tone paint. One owner, Always shedded. I have pictures for everything listed. 701-263-1206, Lathan Romsos, Bottineau.

CARAVAN, 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan, 137K Miles, Nice Shape, just had brakes redone. $8,000 OBO. 701-597-3525, Scott Nelson, Solen.

WANTED

USED LEFSE GRIDDLE in good working condition. Will consider all tri-state locations. 701-527-7797, Sonja Aarhus, Bismarck.

VINTAGE VW BUSES, parts and accessories; Conklin Oil items. 701-219-5847, Joel Herman, Harwood.

OLD STUFF: Advertising signs, old gas pumps, advertising thermometers, clocks, or most anything that has advertising on it. Looking for old road signs, some have the Indian Head logo, some have marbles outlining the letters, some were shaped like the US shield. I need an old round metal Highway Patrol door sign and ND old license plates. I buy ND small town metal trade tokens and ND picked arrowheads. Will travel. 701-220-5746, Val Ganje, Bismarck.

OLD CARS AND TRUCKS, Pre-1975 preferably, can be in any condition. All makes or models. The more complete of a project the better. No titles required. Also interested in parts, vintage tools and advertising as well. 701-680-1079, Dylan Ekstrom, Gwinner.

PRAIRIE DOG HUNTERS to hunt on my land. Make reservations now; Used dependable, slower, water cooled snowmobile with electric start and reverse. Email: larryn@westriv.com. 701-548-8020, Larry Nagel, Shields.

HAY/FEED

FOR SALE

2023 HAY. Alfalfa+Brome Grass 5x6 Big BalesAverage 1800 pounds. Excellent quality and great hay test. Made with John Deere Baler. $55 a piece. 2 free bales with each semi load. 701400-2683, Doug Neuharth, Hurdsfield.

CO-OP HOUSE SAVE THE DATE

A reunion of the Co-op House is set for July 19-20 at the Radisson in Fargo. More details to come. For more information, contact F.C. Humphrey at 208-241-7499 or humpflow@isu.edu.