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worked with MFU on a variety of projects related to climate change. Currently Adam represents Montana on the National Farmers Union Climate Advisory Panel. Q. Can you tell us about your background in agriculture and your family? I was lucky enough to be born into agriculture, like many MFU members, I suppose. My greatgrandparents homesteaded up on the Hi-Line, some 20+ miles north of Joplin and straight east of the Sweet Grass Hills. They were farmers, my grandparents were farmers, and my dad’s a farmer. I grew up playing and learning right alongside them. Although BY JUSTIN LOCH I’m not on the farm anymore I’m M E M B E R S H I P D I R E C TO R able to stay connected and loyal This month’s member profile to my farming roots by doing features member Adam Pimley. what I can to advocate for small A d a m ’s g r e a t - g r a n d p a r e n t s family farms. My wife and I have homesteaded on the Hi-Line been out in the Pacific Northwest north of Joplin. Adam has for the past few years. She’s from NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE
PAID LIVINGSTON, MT PERMIT NO. 93
IT’S YOUR RIGHT TO REPAIR B Y WA LT E R S C H W E I T Z E R PRESIDENT
MEMBER profile
their effectiveness at the• Montana
ADAM PIMLEY
the area. I’ve been blessed to be able to continue my consulting work in Montana and around the western U.S. remotely and through plenty of windshield time. Before our twins were born, I could get back to Montana for about a week every month and a month or more every summer for harvest. It’s more challenging these days, but we’re all longing to get back to the land.
their effectiveness at the Montana Legislature. As a young staffer in the Governor’s Office, I watched Chris Christiaens work tirelessly for policies that would make a positive difference for farmers. Then I was lucky to reconnect with him in 2015 when we worked together to create some early climate change resources for members. We partnered with folks at MSU, UM, the USDA Climate Hubs, and others to release an Q. Please tell us about your economic report and host a series Farmers Union involvement of informational sessions around and your current work. the state. This included a session I think I became an MFU member in Bozeman with Montana farmer, after I moved away from the farm MFU member, and U.S. Senator and the Hi-Line. I honestly wasn’t Jon Tester. and profitable climatetoo aware of what MFU was all smart agricultural policies. about – beyond gas stations and C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 6 field tours – until I saw first-hand While haying last summer my baling tractor would randomly shut off. At first it would restart and go for hours before shutting off again. It stopped more frequently as haying progressed. I tried replacing fuel filters and tightening fuel lines and some electrical connections. The dealer said the service tech could not identify the problem because he needed to have the diagnostic equipment hooked up when it shut off. The dealer would not allow me to rent or buy the diagnostic equipment so I could identify the problem in the field. I eventually replaced the tractor with a 40 year old tractor in order
to finish haying and delivered my tractor to the dealer. Dealers are extremely busy during planting and harvest because often times they are the only ones who can repair the equipment. About a month later I got my tractor back. The cause of the break down was determined to be a faulty fuel sensor. The repair cost would be about $800 in parts and labor, but the total bill was about $5,000. They had to have someone operate the tractor for hours to get it to fault in order to diagnose the problem. Most new farm equipment utilizes an electronic control unit to control most of the functions. C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2
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meetings I watched a presentation by Mike Callicrate on his livestock processing system. He shared that he was upgrading his slaughter facility and would soon be replacing his MHU with a permanent kill floor. I reached out to Mike and a deal was made to acquire his used MHU.
to work with MSU on curriculum. I am now exploring several options near Havre to site the plant. Even though it is a mobile unit logistics of sourcing help and permitting each site makes focusing on one location most logical. To harvest livestock for sale it needs to be a USDA inspected facility. I have contracted with a retired inspector who Knowing that the meat processing industry specializes in mobile slaughter units to assist lacked a skilled work force to operate the with the permitting process. anticipated increase in local meat processing I reached out to Montana Colleges to see if any A steering committee was formed to organize were interested in participating with MFU in the cooperative. The original plan was to developing a meat processing curriculum from utilize the MHU to harvest livestock with a harvest to retail utilizing our MHU. Miles City USDA inspected label for sale and bring the Community College and MSU Bozeman were whole, halves and quarters to local butcher not interested in the unit. When I visited with shops to be further processed and packaged Chancellor Greg Kegel of MSU Northern he for sale. The committee was finding that was very interested in partnering with MFU most butcher shops that could process and on a meat processing curriculum from harvest package for sale were slammed. Butchers to retail that would fit quite nicely with their that have some availability were mostly retail trades program. A partnership was born. exempt meaning they could process meat for MONTANA MEAT sale in their own stores, but could not process COOPERATIVE ODYSSEY…SO I visited with Darin Boss who is the supervisor our meat for direct sales by our members. FAR at the Northern Ag Research Center about This is another bottleneck in the system. At I looked into acquiring a mobile slaughter/ hosting the MHU near their feedlot. They the suggestion of the retired inspector I have harvest unit (MHU) in December 2019 with have a livestock program that raises and been looking into sourcing used refrigerated the intent of starting a meat processing finishes beef cattle that are currently being containers. These containers are stainless steel cooperative. After a bit of investigating and slaughtered in Colorado. They have to haul lined and have cooling units. They would number crunching it looked promising. I loads of cattle to Colorado and then send convert easily into processing and aging units struggled to find people to operate the MHU researchers to collect the final data on their and could be plugged into our MHU. This will and put the idea on the back burner. Then the livestock. Having it all in-house sounded great require more capital and paperwork, but will pandemic took hold and groceries stores were to him. MSU had legal concerns about having make for a complete meat processing system. forced to ration meat. I reached back out to a producer owned cooperative partnering I am still recruiting help to operate the MHU the manufacturer to secure a MHU. They were with the research center. This prevented us and a butcher shop. I will continue to recruit slammed with back orders. It would be over a from working together. My argument was that more cooperative members to use the facility year before they could build one and the price I didn’t see the difference between Syngenta to harvest their livestock and have it packaged had gone up nearly 50%. I viewed this as a funding research at the experiment stations for sale anywhere in the world. missed opportunity. I have been participating or a JBS funded meat lab at Colorado State in several virtual meetings dealing with food University versus a producer owned facility security. One meeting focused on food access working with MSU. Although we can’t site the and meat resiliency. During one of these facility at the research center, we still hope
R I G H T TO R E PA I R C O N T I N U E D
If something faults you need a laptop with diagnostic software to identify the problem. Equipment manufacturers refuse to share or sell this software forcing farmers to use their dealers to fix the problem. During planting or harvest season dealer mechanics are busy trying to keep equipment operating. Farmers are prepared to fix their own equipment or use a local repairman so they can get the crop in a timely manner, but with newer equipment they have to wait for a dealer tech to identify and fix the problem. Montana Farmers Union is working with legislators to pass a law requiring equipment manufacturers to provide, at a reasonable cost, the diagnostic software and hardware necessary to trouble shoot equipment. We need your support to get this law passed. Contact your legislator and tell them the right to repair your own equipment matters to your operation. MFU is happy to advocate on your behalf. If you agree with this law or have questions please contact us. 2
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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!! Member
MONTANA FARMERS UNION
IN THIS ISSUE
Recruited by
Mitchell Ranch 1913 LLC, Dodson Shane Anderson Casey & Lace Coulter, Brusett Watts Agency Gumbo Ranch, Kinsey Watts Agency Allroy & Tasha Solle, Terry Watts Agency Barbara Farnham, Stevensville Jesse Fleming James Henderson, Lewistown Tom McKenna Patrick E Poynor, Steven Plaggemeyer Shepherd Donna McFarland, Billings KJ Fauth Travis & Bailee Stovall, Shepherd KJ Fauth Moonbeam Farms Inc., Hingham Alex Thornton Joseph & Lisa Toth, Havre Alex Thornton Painted Robe Ranch 2012, Bozeman Dean Derby Jeremy & Roxanne Not Afraid, Lodge Grass Melissa Wacker Leslie W & Edith Best, Huntley Judd Long Ethel Stevens, Roundup Judd Long Marlo Anderson, Afton WY Eric Hinebauch Thomas & Randa Schimerowski, Great Falls Eric Hinebauch Darrel & Debbe Dow, Bigfork Randy Bloom Bertram & Jelly Wustner, Missoula Pam Jacobsen Marvin Bauer, Ronan Andrew Luedtke Jaye Johnson, Ronan Andrew Luedtke Roy C & Carol J Fatzinger, Poplar Cathy Hintz Freda Morstad, Raymond Cathy Hintz Shannon & Mike Doleac, Hamilton Laura Garber
Sign up today for the 2021 MFU Women’s Conference! Page 4
Students: NFU Presents the College Conference on Cooperatives; NFU Scholarship Details Page 5
Member Profile Continued: Adam Pimley Page 6
COOL Impacts & Myths Page 7-8
Legislative Update Page 9
How a Bill Becomes Law Page 11
IN MEMORIAM
Montana Family Farms: How Farmers Stay Productive in the Winter; National Farmers Union to Hold Convention Virtually
Clarence “Fritz” Keller Havre Gerald Smith Galata
Page 12
Arrowpeak Summer Camp News! Page 13
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PO BOX 2447 300 RIVER DRIVE NORTH GREAT FALLS MT 59403 PHONE: (406) 452-6406 1-800-234-4071 FAX: (406) 727-8216 mfu@montanafarmersunion.com www.montanafarmersunion.com Board of Directors: Walter Schweitzer, President Rollie Schlepp, Vice President, Conrad Jan Tusick, Secretary/Treasuer, District 6, Ronan Erik Somerfeld, District 2, Power Jeff Bangs, At-Large Director District 1& 2, Inverness Eric Bergman, District 1, Fort Shaw Brett Dailey, District 4, Jordan William Downs, District 5, Molt Ben Peterson, At-Large director, Judith Gap Sig Rudie, Fairview, At-Large director Sarah Rachor, Sidney, District 3 State Office Staff: Jan Johnson, Office Mgr., Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer Lyndsay Bruno, Communications Director/ Editor Justin Loch, Membership Director Kim Mangold, Government Affairs Director Rachel Prevost, Lobbyist Violet Green, Education Coordinator Audra Labert, Digital Marketing Specialist
Copyright © Montana Farmers Union, 2020 Montana Grassroots is the official publication of the Farmers Educational and Cooperative Union of America, Montana Division. MFU reserves the right to reject any advertisements. Third Class bulk postage paid at Great Falls MT 59401. Membership: $50.00 per year Montana Grassroots is published monthly. Article submissions are requested by the 15th of the month. Copy Editor: Jan Johnson Editor/Designer: Lyndsay Bruno
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EDUCATION NEWS
ATTENTION STUDENTS: NFU PRESENTS THE COLLEGE CONFERENCE ON COOPERATIVES AT NO COST!
College Conference on Cooperatives, an educational event for college students who are interested in cooperative principles and businesses. Montana is able to register two members to attend the conference at no charge to the member. This year's conference, which There are so many reasons to love cooperatives: will be held online on February 10 and 11, will they create good jobs, put power in the hands feature sessions on the role of cooperatives of workers, provide critical services and in Indigenous community development, utilities, offer more innovative products for cooperative careers, cooperative business best consumers, ensure fair prices, and revitalize practices, and cooperative advocacy, among rural and urban communities. To promote other topics. In addition to gaining applicable the cooperative model and its many benefits, skills and knowledge, attendees will have the National Farmers Union (NFU) hosts the opportunity to virtually tour Minneapolis
NFU ANNOUNCES 2021 SCHOLARSHIP PERIOD NOW OPEN
cooperatives, strengthen their resumes, and network with several notable professionals in the cooperative field. MFU has two spots available during the happy hour, which will be limited in size. If you are interested in attending the happy hour, or have questions about the conference please contact Violet Green at vgreen@montanafarmersunion. com. To register for the conference go to https://college-conference-on-cooperatives. heysummit.com/.
National Farmers Union is now accepting applications for various scholarship opportunities including: • One $2,000 Hubert K. and JoAnn Seymour scholarship • Three $1,500 Stanley Moore scholarships • Two $1,500 Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) scholarships To apply visit ttps://nfu.org/education/scholarships/. The deadline to apply is April 1, 2021.
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M E M B E R P RO F I L E C O N T I N U E D
Q. What do you feel are the biggest issues facing agriculture right now? How can we make some progress on said issues? Climate change has the potential to affect every aspect of agriculture. The good news is that researchers at MSU, USDA, and worldwide are diligently working to understand the risks and identify potential solutions. If the United States gets serious about reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere then farmers and ranchers who want to take part will have considerable roles to play that will provide new opportunities for revenue, grants, education, and investment. Q. Can you tell us why climate change is so important to agriculture? I suspect most folks who are reading this have a similar value: a love of the land and hope that it can provide for their kids, grandkids, and future generations. Sadly, researchers and scientists overwhelmingly tell us that climate change is going to make that harder. Maybe a lot harder.
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Q. Why should a person join Montana Farmers Union? That’s easy, there’s not a single person out there without a stake in the sustainability of Q. What advice would you give to the our family farms. MFU is their most effective younger generation who are interested and trustworthy advocate. agriculture? I’d suggest they read up on climate change and figure out how the projected impacts and MONTANA FARMERS UNION opportunities line up with what, where, how they want to get involved in ag. There’s a ton PARTICIPATES IN NFU’S NEW of great work being done here in Montana CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY and around the country, but perhaps the best ADVISORY PANEL place to start to understand climate change in B Y A DA M P I M L E Y Montana is the Montana Climate Assessment, M F U M E M B E R which can be found at https://montanaclimate.org. National Farmers Union also has some great resources on their Climate Blog and Climate Column. beneficial not just to the climate, but also to the soil’s ability to resist drought and pests, and recharge aquifers.
Q. In your opinion why is it important to support farming and ranching? If you want healthy food it’s vital to support local family farmers and ranchers whenever you can. Food doesn’t come from a grocery store. Take time to know where your meal was grown and a little about its journey to your taVery simply put, there’s too much carbon di- ble. I find a great deal of pleasure biting into oxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, and it’s in- a juicy hamburger after having grown up next creasing every year. Higher CO2 concentra- to the neighbor who raised it and the other tions trap more of the sun’s energy leading who butchered it. Local food tastes better, to rising average temperatures affecting our and is much more satisfying. And while not climate and weather systems in a myriad of everyone knows a rancher and a butcher, it’s ways, including shifting precipitation patterns, getting easier every day to buy products that and super-charging storms. This increases the are grown or sourced locally. likelihood of severe droughts, spring floods and damaging storms. Q. What do you see the future of agriculture looking like in 10-15 years? Farmers and ranchers don’t need to be fear- If folks come together and work toward ful of climate change, but they should have shared values and priorities, I believe and a solid grasp of what it could mean for their hope that we’ll have agricultural systems that operation. And they’d be wise to engage in are much more local, sustainable, and healthy the discussion because farmers and ranchers for producers, consumers, and entire commucould be sitting on an entirely new cash crop nities. I see soil bursting with organic matter if they’re interested in embracing soil-build- and carbon, feeding roots, and holding onto ing and carbon-sequestering practices. moisture. I see farmers and ranchers having more choices to diversify crops and more Q. What would you tell someone who says flexibility in farm programs and crop insurclimate change doesn’t exist, or is not ance. I see producers having more options to making that big of an impact? process or market their grains, produce, and I’d just ask them to take an objective look at livestock locally or through locally owned cothe science. It overwhelmingly points to con- ops that keep more profit in the community. tinued climate disruptions due to the grow- And I see family farms and ranches earning an ing overabundance of carbon dioxide in the income not just from their crops grown above atmosphere. I’d also note that many of the the soil, but the carbon stored within it. things that are being discussed like efforts to increase carbon and organic matter in soil, are
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A couple of weeks ago, I joined the first meeting of NFU’s new Climate Change Policy Advisory Panel as the Montana Farmers Union representative. It was held virtually, of course, which allowed for farmers, ranchers, and others involved in agriculture from 16 states to hear the panel’s charge from NFU staff and leadership, including President Rob Larew. It’s an extensive undertaking, as we’ll be helping inform the organization’s climaterelated legislative work, educational programming, and outreach. Over the next year and beyond, the panel will be reviewing and providing feedback on agriculture-related climate legislation; assisting NFU with its climate communications, advocacy, and outreach; and sharing climate resources with Montana farmers, ranchers, and consumers; and soliciting feedback from producers. Both NFU and MFU have declared that climate change and its impacts and opportunities a top priority in fulfilling their mission to support family farmers.
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5ways
Learn about Country-of-Origin Labeling: When Congress repealed COOL for beef and pork in 2015 it allowed Multinational packers to start labeling beef and pork imported from foreign countries with a Product of USA label.
IMPACTS MONTANA 1 Consumers can be confident knowing where their beef and pork was born, raised and harvested.
MFU is working with Representatives Frank Smith (HD 31) and Willis Curdy (HD 98) and Senator Tom Jacobsen (SD 11) to sponsor bills in the upcoming legislative session that will allow the consumers to know where their beef and pork was born, raised and harvested.
2 Foreign imported beef and pork will be labeled as such—not as Product of USA.
There is a federal effort underway to address provisions within the federal “Product of USA” bill to address definitions for beef and pork that are born, raised and harvested in the United States. Montana Farmers Union supports a state Product of the USA resolution because consumers have the right to know where their meat comes from and ranchers deserve a fair market price for their products.
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3 Honesty in the marketplace is good for Montana consumers and producers. 4 Knowing where your food comes from improves food safety and food security. 5 Montana producers will regain a fair market for their beef and pork.
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5 Myths Myth1
WTO forced the end of COOL. Multinational corporations doing business in the United States worked to get Canada and Mexico to file lawsuits with the World Trade Organization (WTO) to stop labeling COOL for all meats. Appeals were filed, negotiations were underway at the WTO when Congress, under pressure from large packing houses voted to repeal COOL before the negotiations were complete. However, USDA currently applies the Country of Origin label to all other meats, fruits, and vegetables. There is not a valid reason that allows the United States to enforce some country labels and not others.
COOL is unfair to retailers and could put them in jail. These bills only require retailers to sort their beef and pork products and place a COOL placard nearby. This information will require meat packers to report the source of boxed meat sent to markets. Many stores already show local produce or meat in their stores. If the retailer cannot determine the Country of Origin they can put a placard nearby stating Imported Meat or Country of Origin Unknown. Previously, there were no retailers jailed or fined when Montana passed and enforced the 2005 COOL placarding bill.
Myth3
COOL is unconstitutional. Montana passed the placard bill in 2005 and it was signed into law and only sunset when COOL was enforced federally. There were no claims of unconstitutionality filed. What is unconstitutional is false advertising and misleading consumers.
COOL will add cost to beef and pork making it less competitive against other meats. Poultry, lamb and seafood already require COOL. The price of beef and pork did not change in the grocery store when COOL was repealed. However, after the repeal of COOL the price received by ranchers and feeders fell meanwhile packers recorded record profits.
Myth5
Myth2
Myth4
Consumers will be turned off if they see placards saying imported or country of origin unknown. Consumers deserve to know the truth. Beef and pork are at a greater risk of losing market share if consumers find out that they are being lied to and lose confidence. When there is disease or safety concerns consumers want to know where products are born, raised and harvested. Since the repeal of COOL beef recalls have skyrocketed.
Contact us with questions and to volunteer with our legislative efforts! KIM MANGOLD, Government Relations Affairs Director: kmangold@montanafarmersunion.com, 459-6341 PRESIDENT WALTER SCHWEITZER: wschweitzer@montanafarmersunion.com, 799-3782 RACHEL PREVOST, Lobbyist: rprevost@montanafarmersunion.com, 478-2306
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Visit our website at montanafarmersunion.com to keep up with all the legislative action! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for legislative news and updates! @MFUfarmers
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BY KIM MANGOLD & RACHEL PREVOST
Virtual testimony is allowed and encouraged throughout this legislative session. The Zoom process allows you to share your position on pending legislation. Be heard without having to drive to Helena and asking your neighbor to feed your cows while you are gone to testify. Visit leg.mt.gov to have a phone message delivered, send an email or to testify virtually. Please note if you wish to testify virtually you must register and submit talking points associated with your testimony at least 24 hours before the hearing. We encourage MFU members to get involved this session through our Ag Ambassador program. Register with montanafarmersunion.com and we will send action alerts and we also do Zoom updates noon Wednesday. Any questions call the office (406)452-6406. One big issue this year is a proposed $1 billion budget cut made to Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). This raises many concerns as DPHHS is where Medicaid and its programs are funded, which serves those on Medicaid services, such as nursing homes, rural hospitals and Medicaid expansion.
broadband across the state, particularly in education. This is important for rural schools to ensure students in rural areas have access to quality internet. This is also important as we continue to improve broadband in rural areas. Bills involving Meat Processing are being written, MFU will support good bills to grow processing opportunities. These bills will likely include everything from allowing state inspectors to perform USDA level inspections to changing exemptions for what is allowed for custom-exempt processors. Without mandatory COOL and the misleading “Product of USA” consumers don’t know where their beef and pork originate. MFU will continue to fight for truth in labeling by supporting bills and resolutions that demand truth in labeling. If you are interested in participating in legislative advocacy or have questions on the the legislative session please contact Walter Schweitzer or Kim Mangold.
-Walter Schweitzer, President wschweitzer@montanafarmersunion There are a few bills this session that involve Cell: 799-3782. renewable energy. Interestingly, many of these -Kim Mangold, Government Affairs Director bills have all been assigned to Tax Committees kmangold@montanafarmersunion.com in the House and the Senate. Most of these Cell: 459-6341 bills eliminate incentives to develop renewable -Rachel Prevost, Lobbyist energy or add taxes to renewable energy. If these bills pass it will discourage further rprevost@montanafarmersunion.com Cell: 478-2306 renewable energy development in Montana. This session will likely have bills focusing on
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MFU MEMBER LEADS RADIO STATION’S TRANSITION TO COMMUNITY-BASED MODEL
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will allow the station the opportunity to focus on local stories including programming on Montana agriculture. In the coming months Montana Farmers Union will be collaborating with KGPR to develop an agriculture focused radio segment.
and content, please call Richard Liebert, KGPR Board Chair, at 406-268-3739.
To donate, send a check payable to KGPR to: The Great Falls Public Radio Association After 50 years Montana Public Radio affiliate PO Box 3343 KGPR Radio 89.9 is transitioning to a volunteer format.MFU Member Rich Liebert Liebert said currently the station is focusing on Great Falls, MT 59403 is overseeing the station’s conversion as volunteer training and content development. Or donate Online at https://www.mtpr.org/ President of the Great Falls Radio Association. If you are interested in supporting KGPR as donate-mtpr. According to Liebert the volunteer format they revamp and revitalize the organization
garage renovations, fixing fences, and putting up gates. There’s so much that must be done on the family farm to keep it running 24/7. “If you don’t keep that constant maintenance up the cows can tear it down and you start to lose ground,” said Walter Schweitzer.Many times HOW FARMERS just one job on the farm takes weeks and months worth of prep. STAY PRODUCTIVE Everything can change in an inTHROUGH WINTER stant if Mother Nature comes swirling through.“It really does BY NIKKI DIRICO put a kink in your plans because we were geared up and we’re planMany farmers and ranchers are ning on doing a little bit of work packing up cattle and equipment to our corrals and change out a for this winter while fitting in any fence and it just put all of that on last-minute projects to start the hold,” said Schweitzer. spring off strong. They plan on using winter to their advantage to He had to delay some plans in get ahead next season. October when over a foot of early snowfall coated his land. Like many, Walter Schweitzer Schweitzer adds, "To do that and his family are spending branding you've got to make sure their time finishing up projects your corrals are sealed up so that they couldn’t tackle in 2020 like you don't lose animals out of
them. Maintain the boards and fences."This year is a little different though and January delivers more hope, "It's been an opportunity for us to do some of the Fall work that we did not get to do in October. If you remember in October we had a whole bunch of snow," said Schweitzer.
doing it."
REGISTER TODAY FOR THE NATIONAL FARMERS UNION VIRTUAL CONVENTION!
have an opportunity to discuss, amend, and adopt the organization's policy positions and priorities. This process will stream live for all non-delegates to watch. On those days, we will also have some speakers from Congress and the administration, presentation of awards, the State of the Farmers Union speech, and other convention staples.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
all the educational events, panel discussions, breakout discussions, and policy deliberation within a few days, we'll be doing our best to prevent Zoom fatigue by splitting everything up into several separate sessions over the course It’s FREE! January 28 - March 2, 2021 of a month.Every week from January 28 through February 26, In addition to being hosted online, we'll be featuring one education the event will be structured a bit session. Then, on March 1 and 2, differently than it has been in delegates to the convention will years past. Instead of holding
No matter what, they don't have a choice and must hit the books to log everything from finances, expenses, payroll, sales, and upkeep costs. "It has to get done. The bills have to get paid. The taxes have to be paid. The workcomp report has to be done," said Schweitzer. Fortunately, they weren't doing Everything's about to come full any major corral updates on the circle for the Schweitzers. Right Schweitzer family farm, which now they're working on selling could have yielded devastating fi- their bulls. Once the bulls are sold nancial impact if production was off he starts the calving process halted even for a short amount of all over again, tracking weather time. When they can't work out- patterns closely to track plan his side, the work continues inside. next move. Walter says out of all of the jobs on the farm, tracking records is Montana Family Farms is sponsored their least favorite. by the Montana Farmers Union. Each story focuses on Walter Schweitzer’s "My wife's the bookkeeper. She's life on the farm and a bigger impact on also my HR person, and my sec- the industry across the Treasure State retary, and of course she runs the and beyond.Watch the TV segment on farm. I know that we spend way MontanaRightNow.com. more time dreading doing it than probably actually the time spent
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•Debate and adoption of the 2021 NFU Policy Book. •Breakout sessions and top speakers on farm policy, innovation and community. •Rob Larew’s State of the Farmers Union. Register today at https://nfu. org/convention/.
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February 2021
As a new administration takes office, there are some big rural and agricultural issues to tackle. For starters, the covid-19 pandemic is still raging, and though vaccines are being distributed, it will likely take many months until life can return to normal. The good news is that Congress finally passed a stimulus package offering some relief to struggling Americans and businesses. However, it’s clear that the battle is far from over, and additional support will be required to keep our health care system and economy afloat. If the pandemic weren’t challenging enough, rural communities are also facing the ever more serious threat of climate change, political divisions, structural racism, and corporate consolidation. Fortunately, the incoming Secretary of Agriculture and chairs of both Congressional Agriculture Committees have all indicated their commitment to addressing these issues, and we look forward to working across the administration to build a better food system for our members.
lawsuit – the Renewable Fuels Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, and American Coalition for Ethanol – responded to the news, saying that they are "confident the Supreme Court will ultimately affirm the Tenth Court's decision." Additionally, they committed to "continue to defend the court's ruling and stand up for the renewable fuel producers and farmers who have been harmed by the granting of these waivers."
support for hungry Americans by increasing the maximum monthly benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by 15 percent, facilitating donations of surplus food to food banks, and funding programs that help students, Indigenous communities, and seniors access food.
Furthermore, aid is available for farmers who have incurred financial losses, biofuels refineries, broadband expansion, health care facilities, and rural mental health programs, The case won't come before the court until all of which National Farmers Union (NFU) April, at which point it will likely take the advised legislators to incorporate into the bill. justices several months to rule on it. The organization applauded the bill’s passage and the inclusion of these requested items but NFU CONDEMNS VIOLENT ATTACK emphasized there is a “long road to recovery ON U.S. CAPITOL ahead of us and $600 checks only go so far.” As such, NFU President Rob Larew urged The event, which occurred mere blocks from the Biden administration to “build on these National Farmers Union’s (NFU) D.C. office, efforts and offer additional relief as needed.” was a disturbing attempt to undermine the will of American voters and the very democracy DEMOCRATS TAKE CONTROL OF that guarantees our freedoms and protections. SENATE SUPREME COURT TO HEAR While NFU and its members support all Democrats clinched two more Senate seats BIOFUELS CASE Americans’ right to free speech and peaceful after Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon In January, the U.S. Supreme Court announced protest, as President Rob Larew pointed out Ossoff won Georgia’s run-off elections, it will review the U.S. Court of Appeals for in a press release, he added that “these acts of securing the party a narrow majority. As a the Tenth Circuit’s decision that overturned intimidation and terror have no place in this result, Democrats will control the White three small refinery exemptions (SREs) country and cannot be condoned or brushed House and both chambers of Congress for inappropriately granted under the Renewable aside.” the first time since 2011. Fuel Standard (RFS). TRUMP SIGNS STIMULUS PACKAGE With the Senate and the House behind him, The three waivers in question were overturned President Donald Trump signed a spending President-elect Biden is better positioned to because the recipients had not consistently package that will fund the federal government get his cabinet nominees approve without received an exemption in the years preceding through September 30, 2021, as well as allocate much of a fight. Though he has already named its petition. Per the RFS, all SREs issued $900 billion for pandemic relief. many of his cabinet picks, for the remaining after 2010 must be an extension of a positions, it will also give him latitude to previous exemption; the U.S. Environmental The bill contains a number of provisions that choose more progressive candidates. The Protection Agency's (EPA) own data show will help struggling families and businesses, Washington Corner can also be found at.nfu. that a maximum of only seven small refineries including additional funding for the Paycheck org/corner. could have received continuous extensions of Protection Program, the extension of federal their previously existing exemptions, yet the unemployment insurance of up to $300 per agency has granted as many as 35 exemptions week, and $600 payments for individuals who in a single year.The four co-petitioners in the earned less than $75,000 in 2019. It also boosts 12
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A MESSAGE FROM SENATOR JON TESTER
American imports for good.I’ll also be putting pressure on the Farmers have been through a Biden Administration to get more tough couple of years, starting vaccines to Montana—and all with trade wars that have driven of America—so we can get this farm gate prices to all-time low’s. pandemic behind us and get folks and ending with a pandemic that back to work. has shut most of our economy down. Looking forward, we need to support an initiative the Montana I’ll be putting pressure on the new Farmers Union has led on: getting Administration to re-establish more meat processors trained in trade with our traditional trading the state of Montana. partners, and I’m hopeful that even after the last four years We also need to push for another U.S. trading partners will be proposal that MFU supports: willing to come back to the table, allowing local processors to ship rather than closing the door on meat across state lines. This will
open markets for Montana ag products that we haven’t had before, and that will in turn allow our Montana meat processors to expand and employ more people and allow more competition in the marketplace. We have much work to do to rebuild the economy over the next few years. We need to ensure that Montana’s ag economy is part of that equation. If we can do that, we’ll have more opportunity for farmers and ranchers moving forward, and keep family farm agriculture around for generations to come.
A MESSAGE FROM SENATOR STEVE DAINES of mine. 2020 brought many challenges to our producers. I remain committed to supporting Montana ag in the year ahead.
Heading into a new year and a new Congress, providing support for Montana farmers and ranchers will remain a top priority
Montana ag has faced unprecedented challenges in recent months. Between natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, folks are struggling. A major focus of mine while I applaud the USDA’s recent serving in the U.S. Senate has announcement of a financial been to reduce federal regulations assistance program and I look and open overseas markets for forward to ensuring Montana’s Montana’s farmers and ranchers. farmers get the relief they need While we have come along way following the natural disasters thanks to agreements such as that destroyed their crops and the U.S.-Japan Trade Deal, we threatened their livelihoods. still have a long way to go. By cutting burdensome regulations While the pandemic has brought and opening these markets, our new challenges, it has also farmers and ranchers will compete emphasized old ones such as the on a level playing field with the deep digital divide in our state. rest of the world and create more With more folks working from jobs in the agriculture sector. home and students taking classes online, we have seen the burden
this puts on families. Over the next ten years, Montana will be receiving millions of dollars to bring high speed internet to every corner of our state. I plan to work with the state and the Federal Communications Commission to ensure this funding is used properly and that underserved communities are prioritized. There is a lot of work to be done, but I am ready to roll up my sleeves and fight for the hard-working men and women in Montana. As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of my offices and let us know how we can be of help to Montana ag!
GOVERNOR GIANFORTE ANNOUNCES DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Governor Greg Gianforte announced his appointment of Mike Foster to lead the Department of Agriculture. Foster joins the Gianforte Administration from the United States Department of Agriculture, where he served Montana farmers and ranchers since 2018 as state executive director of the Montana USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). As executive director, Foster helped Montana producers overcome difficult challenges such as drought, wildfires, excessive and ill-timed moisture, terrible blizzards, low prices, trade barriers, and a pandemic through FSA support.
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C L I M AT E C H A N G E C O N T I N U E D
There is much to learn and This panel’s efforts support that even more to consider as we mission, and while we’ve just begun, look to find climate change the energy and urgency among solutions, adaptations, and the group are encouragingly high. mitigations that are workable, achievable, and profitable for On our agenda are things like family farmers and ranchers in soil carbon sequestration, carbon Montana and across the nation. markets, and other potential revenue opportunities for For resources check out NFU’s producers. To that end, we’ve had climate blog and climate column. a subsequent briefing from USDA, For information about climate with more scheduled with other change in Montana head to the agencies and organizations to get Montana Climate Assessment us up to speed to quickly engage at https://montanaclimate.org. as these critical conversations occur in Washington D.C. and statehouses across the country.
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JUNIOR AG LOANS AVAILABLE THROUGH MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
processing, and other financially feasible activities. Up to 90 percent of projects can be financed through the program with repayment taking place for up to five years.
Loans up to $8,500 are available to young Montana farmers and ranchers. Montana youth ages 21 and under may be eligible for up to $8,500 in loan financing through the Montana Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Junior Agriculture Loan Program.
Junior Agriculture Loan Program applications are available on the department’s website at ag r.mt.g ov/I-Want-To/ApplyFor /Gr ants-Loans/JuniorAgriculture-Loans..
Projects can involve crop and livestock production, custom farming, marketing and distribution,
ARROWPEAK CAMP NEWS
MFU ANNOUNCES DATES FOR THE 2021 ARROWPEAK SUMMER CAMP SEASON! Staff Training: June 10-14 Junior 1 Camp: June 20-24 All-State Camp: June 27-July 2 Teen 1/ Senior Camp: July 11 -16 Teen 2 Camp: July 18-23 Junior 2 Camp: July 25-29
We are currently waiting on the American Camp Association to provide guidelines to help with the planning and logistics of the 2021 camp season. Camp coordinator Violet Green will be attending the ACA Conference in February, and will have more informatoin after that event. Camp registration opens mid-April.
JOIN OUR SUMMER CAMP TEAM! Open Positions: • Caretaker • Summer Camp Assistant Caretaker: This position will serve as primary grounds keeper at Arrowpeak Lodge; will be
responsible for helping with maintenance of all buildings, grounds, and helping with events! Summer Camp Assistant: This position will be assisting with service projects around camp, helping the campers with maintainence of the grounds, keep inventory of supplies, & be able to operate/ maintain
motorized equipment and power tools!
personal growth and daily living skills.
Summer Camp Counselors: There are multiple camp counselor positions open. Counselors are the primary caregivers of each camper. The Counselor is responsible for planning, teaching, coordinating and carrying out activities and guiding campers in their
To apply please contact Violet Green at (406)452-6406) Cell: (406)564-6025 or at vgreen@ montanafarmersunion.com.
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