October edition of Montana Grassroots

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M O N TA N A

GRASS ROOTS F E E D I N G T H E F U T U R E T H R O U G H F A R M E R S U N I O N E D U C AT I O N A P U B L I C AT O N B Y M O N TA N A F A R M E R S U N I O N

Montana Farmers Union Convention Oct. 21-22, 2016 • Great Falls Best Western Heritage Inn

Register Today at montanafarmersunion.com #MFUOct2016

Join us for workshops on the use of drones in agriculture, panels on pulse crops and water rights, and a keynote address by leading AG economist Dr. Joe Outlaw

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Value Added Business Panel featuring MFU members Music by Plowed Under Band

Youth luncheon keynote by retired marine triathlete Eric McElvenny

Cooking with pulses, Women’s craft workshop IN THIS ISSUE: PAGE 3 D.C. Fly-In

NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE

PAID

PAGE 10 2016 Convention Agenda

GREAT FALLS, MT PERMIT NO. 93

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PAGE 5 Water Forum Covers Water PAGE R ights, 5-7 Storage, and Availabilit y Montana Families

Celebrate 100 Years of Farming & Family

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IN THIS ISSUE

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!!!

Fly-In Presents Opportunity to Advocate for Important Ag Issues Page 3 Membership News/Schlepp to Run for Re-election Page 4

Me m b e r Recr uited by

Member Profile: The Bishop Family; 100 Years of Farming & Family Page 5 & 6

Robert & Sally Young, Ekalaka, Tayler Kennedy Casey & Coriene Dey, Miles City Ron Watts Benjamin Pehl, Terry Ron Watts Garry King, Denton Tom McKenna Bette Wolff, Billings Steve Plaggemeyer Alison & Frederick Bell, Livingston Genevieve Turcotte Bypass Trust, Billings Dallas Hagfeldt Jr. Clinton & Evelyn Hilt, Dutton Mathew Luedtke Charles Endean, McAllister Art Hoffart James Anderson & Julie Kuykendall, Great Falls MFU Camp

Member Profile: The Baack Family Celebrates 100 Years Page 7

MONTANA FARMERS UNION PO BOX 2447 300 RIVER DRIVE NORTH GREAT FALLS MT 59403 PHONE: (406) 452-6406 FAX: (406) 727-8216 mfu@montanafarmersunion.com www.montanafarmersunion.com

Board of Directors: Alan Merrill, President Rollie Schlepp, Vice President, Conrad Erik Somerfeld, Secretary/Treasurer, Power Bill Courtnage, Geraldine, at-large director Brett Dailey, Jordan Ben Peterson, Judith Gap, at-large director Kelly Rutledge, Big Sandy Sig Rudie, Fairview, at-large director Paul Kanning, Flaxville Jan Tusick, Ronan

State Office Staff: Preview of the Governor’s Ag Summit in Bozeman Page 8

TREE TO HONOR CALVIN LANE In honor of long-standing MFU Board of Director, dedicated member and friend Calvin Lane, a tree was planted in front of the girl’s dorm at Arrowpeak Camp. The planting of this tree is a living tribute honoring and celebrating Calvin for his dedication to Montana Farmers Union. We are proud to honor Calvin in this way. His spirit lives on through the learning and laughter at Arrowpeak Camp.

2016 Convention Registration Page 9 “Cultivating Healthy Communities” 2016 Convention Agenda Page 10 Message from President Merrill Page 11

Jan Johnson, Office Mgr., Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Lyndsay Bruno, Communications Director Chris Christiaens, Legislative & Project Specialist Justin Loch, Membership Director Kathryn Peterson, Youth Coordinator/ Event Planner Dave Snuggs, Facility Director Copyright © Montana Farmers Union, 2016. 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 10 times each calendar year with two combined issues. Article submissions are requested by the 15th of month. Advertising space is available. Contact Lyndsay Bruno if interested.

Copy Editor: Jan Johnson Editor/Designer: Lyndsay Bruno Staff Contributors: Justin Loch, Chris Christiaens & Alan Merrill

THANK YOU BUSINESS BOOSTER!

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D.C. FLY-IN IS OPPORTUNITY FOR MEMBERS TO ADVOCATE FOR POLICY CHRIS CHRISTIAENS L E G I S L AT I V E & S P E C I A L P RO J E C T S

Montana Farmers Union was well represented at the recent Fly-In to Washington D.C. Your delegation was able to meet with lawmakers or staff and shared personal stories of their farming and ranching operations and of the difficulties at the present time with low prices and the dire circumstances of beginning farmers and veterans.

These operators are particularly affected, however all producers are facing difficult times. We were able to discuss farm policy and the upcoming farm bill. We discussed the need to continue coupling the next farm bill with nutrition in order to keep a strong coalition of votes needed to assure passage. There has been a great deal of talk of decoupling the nutrition programs from the farm bill. Negotiations should be

starting sooner rather than later as the next bill should be enacted by 2018, a mere 18 months away.

The briefing at the USDA held everyone’s attention to the point of Secretary Tom Vilsack staying over a ½ hour longer than scheduled as the questions from Farmers Union members continued with a major emphasis on dairy margins and the difficulty for those milking to stay in business. While Montana may not have many dairies, nationwide many are facing difficulty. Money from other parts of the budget have been transferred to FSA offices to assist some 6,000 plus operators seeking loans. The FSA ran out of funds in mid-June and the transfer of funding from the departments perhaps saved those farms needing guaranteed loans.

The average income for farmers nationwide has risen slightly this past year to 73,000, due to

Senator Jon Teser, Brian Mothershead, Alan Merrill, Levi Ostberg, Kristen Ostberg, Representative Ryan Zinke, Barbara Mothershead, Justin Loch, Chris Christiaens, Ben Peterson, Lyndsay Bruno, Senator Steve Daines

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the combined income of both farm and off farm income by the spouse. Many families depend on spousal employment off the farm to stay in business and in many cases provide health insurance for the household. Farm income is considered slightly up over the previous year and the majority of operations are on sound footing.

in opposition to this consolidation and the harm to producers.

The sale must go before the Department of Justice for approval, before finalized. Letters opposing this consolidation should be written to members of Congress, with our office able to assist you with your message if desired.

The next order of business for While visiting with the Montana Congress is to pass a Continuing delegation we were able to discuss Resolution, allowing government additional issues of importance to continue running after Sepincluding passage of the Black- tember 30 and the beginning of feet Water Compact as money is a new budget year. They then will included for reclamation of the need to deal with a budget durSt. Mary’s Canal problems, water ing the lame duck session followstorage of the Gibson Dam and ing the election and pass into law adequate water for the Greenfield before they recess for Christmas.

Irrigation project. We asked for Staying in touch with congress action concerning the Epi-pen never ends. and huge increases in costs of insulin by the Pharma companies and were assured all were working on the issue. Within one day after our return home the Bayer –Monsanto sale was announced and our delegation all seemed on board in opposition. Senator Tester has written a forceful letter

Montana group meets with Senator Steve Daines

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forting, but seeing 250 plus voice their concern and come together to lobby for change is extremely powerful.

I would just like to say that your vote and voice do matter. Be open with your concerns on things affecting your farm or ranch. I encourage each and every MFU member to attend our convention in October. It is here that members can voice their concerns and help shape policy. You are a member and deserve to be heard and have MFU work for you.

JUSTIN LOCH M E M B E R S H I P D I R E C TO R

Recently MFU staff and members attended the NFU Fly-In in Washington D.C. The trip was busy and productive as those in attendance met with members of congress to discuss some key issues facing those in agriculture.

Members were given a chance to put personal experiences in their testimony. This helped to drive home the key points as those on Capitol Hill got to see those affected by the tough economy and issues in agriculture.

The Fly-In is a great experience for members and staff. It truly opens a person’s eyes to what really goes on in D.C. Joining other Farmers Union members from other states experiencing the same difficulties in agriculture is com-

MONTANA FARMERS UNION PARTICIPATES IN SAFETYFESTMT In coordination with the Montana Department of Labor Montana Farmers Union will be leading two classes on farm safety during the SafetyFestMT event.

SafetyFestMT is an educational outreach opportunity providing free safety training on nearly 50 topics including farm safety.

This four day event will take place at the University of Great Falls, Oct. 17-20. To register, or for more information, visit safetyfestmt.com or contact Casey Kyler-West, SafetyFest Coordinator, at 444-5267 or ckylerwest@ mt.gov.

REGISTER NOW FOR THE GOVERNOR’S FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SUMMIT; OCT. 28-29 The 2016 Governor’s Food and Agriculture Summit will be held October 28-29 in Bozeman. The summit is structured around topical tracks. Fred Kirschenmann, a Distinguished Fellow at the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, and economist Michael Shuman will provide keynote presentations during the two-day event.

The Summit will bring together Montanans who care about the state’s food economy. Attendees will learn from experts, share information with each other, and strategize about the work that needs to be done. You can register for the event on the Summit’s website at https://foodsummit. ncat.org/.

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SCHLEPP TO RUN FOR REELCTION ed strongly with us. My involvement in Farmers Union has included service on the president's committee when Norm Sullivan served as president and subsequent committee positions prior to being elected vice president of the board.

3.)What are some of your priorities on the board?

I feel it’s important to maintain a good fiscal footing for MFU. As VP, I have a good working relationship with the president to aid Rollie Schlepp, currently Vice in the success of the organizaPresident of the Montana Farm- tion. ers Union Board of Directors, has announced plans to run for MFU should continue to support re-election. Schlepp and his wife all types of agriculture and food Jennifer operate a cow calf oper- production, but this is difficult to ation and raise wheat and barley do well with the diversity of agrinear Conrad on the family farm. culture today and attention needed to meet specific producer's or 1.)What is your background in a certain group's needs. Areas I agriculture? believe are of particular concern include: water, property rights, I started my own operation in tax issues, and government reguhigh school through a Montana lation. I believe channeling our Department of Agriculture loan focus and resources on what we through FFA purchasing my first have in common will lead to the cows. I began at MSU pursuing greatest success. FU often finds a degree in agriculture, but soon itself fighting issues of the day changed to accounting which led for a specific cause. This is still me to become a certified public good in theory and important to accountant. My accounting back- some members, but is difficult ground has been very helpful for staff and programs to reach when wading through financials the overall membership. and government programs. I am proud to be a fourth generation 4.)What do you see for the fufarmer, operating a cow calf op- ture of Farmers Union? eration, while also growing wheat and malt barley on the family We need to continue to reach out farm. to younger members and grow that group. Participation and 2.)What led to your involve- involvement by future generament with Montana Farmers tions is key to the organization’s Union? growth. In addition, support of education programs and the coI started with MFU when a neigh- operative model, are key to mainbor asked me to attend a conven- taing a footing in the agriculture tion. My wife and I participated community and serving members in a young ag convention. The to the best of our ability. speakers and activities resonat-

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keeping a farm running, and in the family for a century, Doris said being conservative financially kept the farm afloat especially in the lean years of the 80’s.

“People raised in the depression era didn’t like to go in debt,” said Doris. “There were always people willing to throw caution to the wind and it wasn’t his way. I am grateful for that attitude.”

THE BISHOPS, A LEGACY OF FARMING & FAMILY •

2016 Centennial Family

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Bishop family at centennial celebration B Y LY N D S AY B R U N O C O M M U N I C AT I O N S D I R E C TO R

Bishop, the earliest receipt in the family’s possession is from March 17, 1916. James paid $23.00 for a This year Montana Farmers Union homestead application along with is pleased to recognize three fam- $300 to purchase a relinquishment ilies who are celebrating 100 years of 320 acres east of Brady. There of farming: the Bishops, Baacks was a 24 x 24 feet unfinished and Larsens. The families were house on the property where he kind enough to share their fam- settled and part of that house is ily history with us as we celebrate in the main house, which is curthis milestone with them! rently lived in. He and his wife raised a family of four sons and The A. U. Bishop Ranch has deep three daughters on that land and roots in Montana and Montana acquired other pieces of property Farmers Union. A big thank you around them. to Doris Bishop, Todd Bishop, Trudi Bishop and Tana Bishop As with many settlers who moved for contributing to this article. west to make a home and farm in Montana there were growing The A.U. Bishop ranch was start- pains when doing so. The Bished by James Bishop who came to ops attempted to plant many of Montana from Virginia in 1915 the same orchard trees they had with his wife, Lillian and two grown in Virginia. The difference small children. According to Todd in climate proved it too challeng-

ing and so the family quickly adjusted their farm practices to raise crops that were better suited for Montana.

In 1927 the Bishops bought a tractor. James was acquainted with fine horses and according to daughter-in-law Doris Bishop, it was an adjustment to switch to the use of machinery. Fortunately, Argyle, the son who assumed operation of the ranch after James died suddenly in 1945, spent time as a crew chief in the Marines as a mechanic working on airplanes.

Doris said this experience was incredibly helpful when it came to maintaining the equipment. Aside from Argyle’s experience with machinery, Doris said among his many other attributes, was his sense of fiscal responsibility.

When asked about the secret to

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Over the years Argyle and Doris’ family grew. They went on to raise four daughters Trudi, Tana, Twila and Tami and their son Todd. Argyle’s father James had been an active member of Montana Farmers Union and a strong supporter of cooperatives. Soon Argyle and Doris followed suit after a neighbor paid a visit to recruit them. “The concept of cooperatives was a hard sell at first.

However people quickly realized the benefits of pooling resources, said Doris. “Our neighbor told us about Farmers Union’s plans to get involved with cooperatives and it sounded like a good idea to us so we joined. Sometimes you hang on by the grit of your teeth and sometimes it’s easy, but it’s always work. Hard times are not just when there was dust and grasshoppers and drought. Hard times are when you have no hope. .

Farmers Union brought hope because of their commitment to support family farms and cooperatives.”

Doris says by far the most difficult aspect of farming then and even today is the uncertainty ofprices. She remembers a day when wheat was going for less than a dollar a bushel. “Companies that were dealing in grain were getting premium for higher protein but they weren’t passing it on to the farmers, and that was quite a big thing. The Farmers Union and the cooperatives made a huge difference in helping to grow our communities and keep farms together.”

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B I S H O P S C O N T I N U E D F RO M P G . 5

The Bishops continued to farm and eventually Argyle and Doris’ son Todd, who came to the farm with his wife, Tedi in 1982 after graduating from Montana State University, assumed the responsibility. They raised a daughter and a son and continue farming along with teaching at the Dutton/Brady School.“Farm operations started with the muscles of men and horses and have evolved into horsepower produced in internal combustion engines and data processing in computer chips,” said Todd. “We still work long hours in the busy season, but some of the bone weary work has been replaced with vigilance watching machines tackle the farming operations. Timely and accurate decision making is more important, in the current agricultural economy, than working hard all day long. The profitability of farms and ranches depend on it.”

Aside from advancements in technology, machinery and farming practices Doris said there is a cultural shift in the way people view farming. “God’s creation is for it all to be used in good ways. If it is just to be made money and make people rich then you are not really caring for the land and some of that has been lost. There are so many factors, but the family farm and the Farmers Union strengthening of the family farm and the ability to make a living on the farm was paramount. It is so important to have that connection to the land and in some places it is just a commodity.”

Doris says growing up all the girls did their fair share of work on the farm. She attributes her children’s hard work ethic to living a lifestyle where everyone had to pitch in for the good of the family.

“I was raised on the farm, the third generation of Bishops to live there,” said Twila Bishop.

“It was a wonderful place to grow up. It began to represent more than a place to live and work. It demonstrated some important characteristics of my family; I came to appreciate the spirit of adventure in my grandparent’s willingness to come to move across the country with their young family. It was not easy but they persevered, finding ways to make it through the hard times together. I saw that determination in my parents as well, and think these traits of adventure and determination have served next generations of family members well! The farm also taught me about ‘stewardship’, the idea of being entrusted with the care of something of value. Walking across the native sod on the farm and seeing the traces of those who had gone before— native Americans who pitched teepees along the coulee for a while—reminded me that the land is God’s and members of our family are stewards of it. I appreciate and admire my grandparents, parents, and my brother and his family for being such good caretakers of this land for those who follow.”

The A. U. Bishop Ranch will be honored at While Todd continues to operate the farm, his this year’s annual convention. To mark the son Andrew has expressed interest in mov- milestone Tana Bishop wrote a poem about ing his woodworking business to the Bishop her life on the farm and was gracious enough Ranch. “Andrew has a feel for the land that to share it with us. few have,” said Doris. “He has brought a new enthusiasm to the farm and it’s a blessing.”

My Farm…

Daughters Trudi, Twila and Tana were kind enough to share sentiments on what it was I didn’t know then, but I soon came to know…I was born with the blessing of a great place to grow! like growing up on the Bishop farm.

My feet were planted on Montana land, growing up “The farm is home and family,” said daughter where I did, was a place I’d call grand!

Trudi. “It’s where I learned to work and then be ready at a moment’s notice to be dressed As I look back on my farm, now I can see, she wasn’t up to go some place; where I learned to bake very old in the nineteen sixties. bread, make cottage cheese, milk a cow, drive A homesteading family’s dues had been paid, and a a truck plus many other life tasks; where every new generation of kids now played… effort was made to attend family gatherings on both sides as well as welcome all into our We ran and we played through the fields unalarmed, home; where we sat around the table at meal that’s what it was like growing up on that farm. time discussing state & world affairs; where I The hills were our yellow brick road to a castle. The learned to be creative in our play; and a place junk pile was where we were safe from all hassle. where I witnessed and experienced love & the love of God. Yes, the farm is home & family.” The propane tank was our stage, like the manger, the

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coulee was where we’d pretend we’re in danger.

The barn and the trees were the best places for forts, our kingdoms, our cities, our sea and air ports.

Our dog was our best friend, along with our horse; any other animal might be dinner, of course.

There also was always much work to be done, some rocks to be picked, and daily chores for each one.

Some hay bales to throw, some tractor work, too, some gardening , some mechanics, & being harvest crew.

We traveled as family, and family traveled to us.

These we called holidays, or Sundays of rest.

There were events each season we’d wait, & we’d wait…fairs, camps, parades, picnics, field trips in state.

And lest we grow up with too small a world view, exchanges were made with folks no one knew.

The world came to us... students from overseas, & two farmers from Bolivia, were amazing ones of these.

So lest you wonder what you would find…my farm was our place to grow up “humble & kind”.

She couldn’t look better, she could not look more best; she’s 100 years old and she should take a rest.

But she’s got work ahead, so she cannot retire, just like those once here, it wouldn’t satisfy her.

The secret lies not in what isn’t done, but in all of the work that is done sun to sun.

So if you think 100 means nothing at all, talk to us, ask us, or give us a call.

We’ll tell you how much all of it means. It’s passed to our kids and grandkids in their genes!

Happy Birthday, dear farm, Happy Birthday to you, may you live many years past 100 times two!

-Tana Bishop Also to be honored at this year’s convention are the Baack family and Larsen family.

Please join us at the convention Saturday night for the banquet as we honor these fine families who are celebrating 100 years of farming!

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The A.U. Bishop Ranch

THE BAACK FAMILY; A STORY OF FOUR GENERATIONS & COUNTING •

2016 Centennial Family

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B Y T H E B A A C K F A M I LY

a general store, but became interested in Montana when it opened for homesteading. He brought Augusta and their children to Montana in 1910. They came by rail in two box cars with the pre-assembled sections for two buildings, horses, cows, chickens, household goods, machinery, two dogs and two tall trees.

The family arrived in Carter in April of 1910.

While John erected living quarters he had built in Iowa, Augusta and the children lived in a box car in Carter for about two weeks. The homestead was about eight miles north east of Carter, across the Teton River. They lived in the hastily built rooms all summer while John built a two story house on the farm. He knew how to make bricks out of mud and that mud brick chimney remained part of the house when it was remodeled in 1957 by Audy C. and Winnie Baack until Audy W. and Anne remodeled the home in 1997. The shell and basement are still the original that John built in 1910, but now some of the mud bricks are used as a decorative feature in the chimney of a fireplace in the remodeled living room.

left to right: Audy L.., Helen, Megan, Aaron, Anne & Audy W. Baack The farm owned by Audy W. Baack and run by Audy and his wife Anne, with the help of Rex Baack was homesteaded in 1909 by Audy’s grandfather, Rex’s great grandfather, John E. Baack. He and his wife Augusta, were born in Germany and settled in Iowa. There John ran 7

When John tragically died in a fall while working on a roof in 1935, his youngest son Audy C. Baack took over the portion of land that had originally been homesteaded. His two sisters also each received a portion of the land that John and Augusta had acquired over the

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and Anne’s son, Audy Lawrence Baack, who is presently working away from the farm. He and his wife Helen have two children Aaron and Megan Baack who may very well be the fifth generation of Baacks to own and manage the centennial farm.

Montana Farmers Union wants to congratulate this 4th generation farm family for reaching 100 years, and for sharing the history of their farm with us. We look forward to honoring the Baack family at Saturday night’s banquet.

UNIQUE AUCTION ITEM TO RAISE FUNDS FOR EDUCATION

Winnifred & Audy C. Baack years. Audy C. and his wife, Winnifred continued to farm, raising cattle, pigs, horses and wheat. A frugal couple, they also bought more land partly because of the land that became available during the Great Depression. They sent their son, Audy W., to Montana State College (today MSU) where he received his bachelor’s degree in horticulture.

Upon graduating in 1957 he returned to the farm to help his parents. He added chickens and a feedlot to the farm. By the time he married Anne Nelson the pigs, horses and chickens were gone.

Today he raises mainly winter and spring wheat. However, at various times he has also grown barley, safflower, camelina and lentils.

Andy W. became the sole proprietor of the farm upon the death of his parents. He and Anne have also added to the farm, but still live on the portion homesteaded by Audy’s grandfather in 1910 in the house that still shows the hand of the original homesteader and builder, John Baack. For the last two years, as Audy has needed more help, the son of Audy’s cousin Rex Baack, also a direct descendent of John E. Baack, ( 4th generation) has been helping him.

Eventually the farm will be owned by Audy

Andrew Bishop displays table to be auctioned at convention Montana Farmers Union member Andrew Bishop, with River Bottom Restoration Furniture, was generous enough to use his talents and time to design and build a coffee table to be auctioned off at MFU’s annual convention, Oct. 21-22 in Great Falls. The coffee table is a one-of-a-kind piece hand crafted from a Russian olive tree.

The table will be auctioned at Saturday night’s members’ banquet. A big thank you to Andrew for his donation! To check out more of Andrew's work visit his website at: rbrfmt. com.

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A BIG THANK YOU TO THE BANGS FOR HOLDING 5K ON THE FARM!

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REGISTER TODAY FOR THE 101ST ANNUAL MEETING OF MONTANA FARMERS UNION BEST WESTERN HERITAGE INN, GREAT FALLS NAME________________________________________________________________

CHECK IF APPLICABLE:

SPOUSE_______________________________________________________________ MEMBER _____________

VISITOR ______________ YOUTH ((Names & Ages) : __________________

______________________

_______________________

ADDRESS_________________________________________________

CITY_________________________ STATE ___________

ZIP CODE___________ Registration fee includes all meals on programs,, all breaks, the MFU Insurance Reception, and the Members’ Montana Food Banquet & Friday night enteratainment.

Pre-Registration by October 17

Cost

x

# Registering = ____________ (Total)

Per Adult

$100

x

__________

_________

Per Youth (15 yrs & under) $50 x ___________ + __________

Total Registration _____________ Registration After October 17

Cost

x

Per Adult

$125

x

__________

Per Youth ( 15 yrs & under)

$60

x

___________ + __________

# Registering = ___________ (Total)

Total Registration_____________

Daily Registration will be $20. Meal Tickets sold separately.

Mail this form with payment to the MFU Office, PO Box 2447, Great Falls, MT 59403 or register online. Hotel group rates are available. Please contact the MFU office at 452-6406 for details. Hope to see you there!

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2016 MONTANA FARMERS UNION ANNUAL CONVENTION AGENDA Thursday, October 20, 2016

9:00 AM MFU Board Meeting 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM Resolutions & Bylaws Committees [working lunch, if necessary] 1:00 – 5:00 PM

Registration Opens

6:00 pm MFU Board, Bylaws, Resolutions

Convention Committee Dinner, Times Square Friday, October 21, 2016 7:00 am

Registration

7:30 – 8:45

FU Industries Breakfast –

Saturday, October 22, 2016 7:30 – 8:30 am FUE Leadership Breakfast: FUE Leadership Couple:

Brian and Barbara Mothershead 8:40 – 10:00 General Session: (Voting 8:40 -10:30) Credentials, Resolutions, ByLaws 10:00-10:30

BREAK

10:30 – 11:00 Drones in Agriculture: Robert Blair

Update on FAA regulations, use & impact of

drone technology in agriculture

11:00 – noon Concurrent Workshops:

8:45 am – 9:00 Flag Ceremony - Malmstrom; Welcome -Pulse Crops in Montana: Panel focusing MFU Business Meeting Opens

on crop varities, storage, marketing & tranportation of pulses 9:00 – 9:30 General Session:

Welcome – President Alan Merrill - Jim Ennis, Catholic Rural Life: The Call

Audit Report, Beth Murphy, Loucks & for Agricultural Leadership - Merging Faith

Glassley; Brett Dailey, Montana Beef

with Agriculture and the Environment Council Update; Dave McEwen, MWGA Update Noon – 1:30 pm Youth Luncheon: Keynote: Eric Mcelvenny

Youth Leadership Awards; Ralph Parker 9:30 – 10:00 MFU General Session – Resolutions

Scholarship; Election results announced & ByLaws to membership

1:30 – 2:30 Concurrent Workshops: 10:00 BREAK – TRADE SHOW OPENS -Pesticides: Update on certification, 10:30 – Noon Montana Farmers Union Insurance

training, proper application and safety of Meeting pesticides

Noon – 1:30 pm Farmers Union Insurance Company -Floral Workshop - Rebecca Knotts Luncheon: Dr. Joe Outlaw

of Wildwood Floral will lead a design

workshop; limited to 20 participants 1:30 – 2:00 General Session: Bruce Nelson & Janet Smith (USDA) 2:30-3:30 Concurrent Workshops:

2:00 – 3:30 Nominations; By-Laws & Policy - Protect Your Water Rights!

What you need to know about exempt wells 3:30 – 4:00 BREAK & District Caucuses

and the filing of water rights

4:00 – 5:00 Value Added Ag Business Advisory - Cooking with Pulses; Health Benefits Panel:Montana Poultry Growers of Lentils

Coop, Timeless Seeds & Mission

Hands on demonstration by Abigail Mountain Food Enterprise Lichliter/MSU Extension 6:00 Reception sponsored by Farmers Union Insurance; Ag Safety in Our Communities presentation 7:30 – 9:30

Live Music by: Plowed Under Band

3:30 – 4:00

BREAK – Trade Show Closes

4:00 – 5:00

Final Policy Decisions

6:00 – 7:30

Members’ Food Banquet: Roger Johnson; Centennial Farm & Ranch Honors; Installation of officers

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A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT 3.)Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP): In Montana Farmers Union policy book, it states, “We oppose the process and implementation of this treaty.” Our ask was for Congress to oppose a lame-duck vote on TPP at this time until issues like currency manipulation can be addressed.

A group of farmers/ranchers and staff of Montana Farmers Union attended the National Farmers Union Fly-In September 11-14. A lot of important issues were addressed during this short time on Capitol Hill. The U.S. Senate has been in session the least amount of working days in 60 years. This makes it hard for farmers/ranchers to advocate for policy.

4.)Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS):We urged congress to oppose any legislative changes to RFS and to increase the EPA blending targets to statutory levels.

National Farmers Union presents Senator Jon Teser with the Golden Triangle Award. Left to right: Brian Mothershead, Barb Mothershead, Chris Christiaens, Justin Loch, Roger Johnson, Alan Merrill, Jon Tester, Ben Peterson, Kristen Ostberg & Levi Ostberg.

5.)Corporate consolidation in Agriculture: Uncontrolled consolidation in agriculture comes with the increased costs for farmers and ranchers along with in- BEGINNING FARMERS MEET FOR BFI IN D.C. creased prices for consumers.

There is less choice and competi- B Y A M A N D A S C H A U B MEMBER/BFI tion along with consolidation of farmland and rural depopulation. The first BFI session is in the enterprises include hops, organic With the extremely low commod- books, and it greatly surpassed vegetables, alpacas, pasture rabWhen visiting with members of ity prices of today, the farming my expectations. I originally ap- bits, and potatoes in addition congress and their staff we con- community cannot take any more plied for the BFI program to ex- to more familiar crops such as centrated on four main issues: pressures on our pocket books. pand my farm financial sense, but wheat, hogs, and cattle. It defiWe urged congress to hold hear- got so much more from the pro- nitely broadened my agricultural 1.)Adequate farm and food ings to examine corporate con- gram and my fellow participants. horizons and fostered a sense of support: Under this point we ex- solidation in the agricultural com- The first session agenda included camaraderie amongst vastly difpressed to members of congress munity. speakers from such organiza- ferent ideologies. to help out with the FSA guarantions as NRCS, USDA, American teed and direct lending programs. Overall I feel we as a Montana Farmland Trust, and Farm Credit The next session is planned for More money needs to be allocat- group, along with all the other Services as well as open discus- November 3-6 in Salinas, Califored for this program to assist op- Farmers Union states, let our sions amongst our group and nia. Highlights include lectures erators in securing loans. Another opinions be known on the condi- with past BFI Alumni. We also on land succession, taxes/finanpoint we stressed was the issue of tion of agriculture today. I would toured the USDA Farmers Mar- cial issues, and value added agriuntimely ARC & PLC payments. like to thank Levi and Kristen ket and the Common Good City culture.

We want to see the 2016 payment Ostberg, Lyndsay Bruno, Ben Pe- Farm to experience the impact of This session will be partnered be given now instead of in 2017. terson, Chris Christiaens, Justin agriculture in urban areas. with ALBA, The Agriculture and This is one year ahead of time Loch and Brian and Barb Mothand would help producers tre- ershead for participating in the- Not only was the curriculum out- Land-Based Training Association, mendously.

Fly-In. I feel we all served MFU standing, but the exposure to such a farmer training facility located well and worked hard for the dynamic facets of agriculture has in the Salinas Valley.

2.)Farm Bill: We need to start members and the policy that we been eye opening. My classmate’s on the new farm bill now. We stand for. should look at what works and what needs to be improved on in the new farm bill. Low commodity prices are causing major havoc on the farming and ranch- NEW MEMBER DISCOUNT: ing communities. We need some HOTELSTORM sort of emergency assistance now. Exclusive member savings: save up to 55% on hotels with HotelStorm. Contact the MFU office to retrieve the passcode.

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