January 2021 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 I O N B Y M O N TA N A F A R M E R S U N I O N

The Myths of COOL Debunked

2021 Legislative Preview

MFU to Host Virtual Women’s Conference

MONTANA FARMERS UNION DONATES 38,000 POUNDS OF PORK TO THE MONTANA FOOD BANK NETWORK ---AGAIN B Y LY N D S AY B R U N O E D I TO R

Montana Farmers Union (MFU) and Farmers Union Enterprises (FUE) made another sizeable in-kind donation of 38,000 pounds of pork ribs to the Montana Food Bank Network. The ribs are from Redwood Farms and will be distributed by the Montana Food Bank Network. Redwood Farms is one of the entities in the Farmers Union family of businesses owned by Farmers Union Enterprises.

Register Today for the FREE Producer Conference!

MFU and FUE donated 30,000 pounds of pork ribs in May to the Montana Food Bank Network. Jan Tusick serves on the Board of Directors for Montana Farmers Union. Tusick was at the Montana Food Bank Network to represent the organization and present the donation. “I joined Farmers Union years ago because I knew it was the organization that truly represented family farmers in Montana,” said Tusick. “This is a really important outreach that Farmers Union is doing to really help our communities in Montana get better access to good meat products that they need for their families.”

The Flathead Food Bank was a recipient of the May pork donation and hopes to be a recipient of the second pork donation. Flathead Food Bank Executive Director Jamie Quinn says the organization is very appreciative of the donation.

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NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE

PAID LIVINGSTON, MT PERMIT NO. 93

This marks the second donation in 2020 by MFU and FUE to food banks in the five partner states.

Jan Tusick and Gayle Carlson at the Montana Food Bank Network

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE It is time to make resolutions for the New Year. I am not a big fan of resolutions because it forces me to focus on my flaws.

I prefer to think about my goals for the New Year.

As President of MFU the first order of business is the 2021 Legislative Session in Helena. Here are MFU’s primary Goals for this year’s session.

Continue educating elected officials about MFU and our mission to protect the interests of our family farmers and ranchers. Pass a COOL bill that allows consumers to know where their beef and pork was born, raised and harvested. Pass a bill that will force equipment manufacturers to allow farmers the right to repair our own equipment. Watch all proposed legislation and support bills that align with policy and oppose bills that hinder policy.

B Y WA LT E R S C H W E I T Z E R PRESIDENT

With President Biden comes a new administration. It is important to visit with these new leaders about the importance of family farms in providing a secure food supply, to educate them on Cheap Food Policy and how it is more about corporate control of our food dollar than providing cheap food to the consumers. A priority for MFU is to encourage our leaders to utilize the Sherman Antitrust and Packers Stockyard laws to force corporate monopolies to stop price gouging consumers and producers. Hopefully, new leaders will embrace the importance of Food Security and the need to increase locally raised and locally processed food for our neighbors.

I hope to lead by example by helping to start a meat processors curriculum at MSU Northern to train butchers and inspectors so we can process more of our meat in Montana. This plan includes a cooperatively owned livestock harvest facility that is USDA inspected so Montana producers can harvest their livestock locally and butchers can process Montana raised meats and consumers can buy meat from Montana.

I look forward to working with the Montana Hemp Cooperative to build a hemp processing plant that will process industrial hemp grown in Montana for food, fiber and oil. This will allow hemp growers to control their own destiny and to have a reliable market for their hemp production.

I look forward to the New Year and the challenge to pursue these goals with members, staff and board.

PREVOST JOINS THE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS TEAM Rachel Prevost will assist Government Affairs Director Kim Mangold at the 2021 Legislative Session. Rachel graduated from Carroll College this year. She grew up on a farm and ranch in Eastern Montana, outside of Lambert, Montana. Rachel spent the 2019 Legislative session as a legislative intern with Northern Plains Resource Council.

“Montana’s ag producers are the backbone of our great state – and as we know, what happens in our state legislature has a direct impact on them,” said Rachel. “Now, more than ever, in this uncertain time of the pandemic, it is essential that Montana ag producers are made a priority. We have a lot of good work to get done and I am looking forward to representing Montana Farmers Union this session, as well as being a part of this organization.”

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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!!

Member

Terry Plummer, Toston Lori McCormick, Helmville Rachel Prevost, Lambert Michael & Andrew DeMato, Sheridan Drew & Louanne Hicks, Great Falls Doug Simanton, Malta Seven Blackfoot Company LLC, Billings Marle Brandt, Gig Harbor WA Roger & Teresa Trang, Nashua Cherry Creek Ranch Inc., Terry Gene & Alice Engen, Circle Larry & Heather Baker, Cohagen Marsha K Brown, Billings Glen & Terri Sims, Malta Joshua & Amber Phillips, Conrad Lorents Grosfield, Big Timber James & Julia De Young, Rockford MI Anita Angus Ranch, Ballantine Rodney K Parr, Wyola Luke Knaup, Stockett Hughes Brothers LLP, Hobson Keith Van Setten, Choteau MASC Holdings, Kalispell RZ Land & Properties, Columbia Falls Howard & Betty Hardeman, Victor Lorraine & Terry Neuman, Hamilton Kevin & Kaye Suzuki, Ennis Thomas & Teresa Benson, Fairview

IN THIS ISSUE

Recruited by

MFU Office MFU Office MFU Office MFU Office Walter Schweitzer Shane Anderson Tayler Kennedy Del Hansen Del Hansen Watts Agency Kaylen Lehner Jesse Fleming James Mathews KJ Fauth Dirk Elings Daryl Hansen JR Johnson Melissa Wacker Melissa Wacker Aeric Reilly Shawn Erickson Scott Allaire Randy Bloom Charles Monroe Bryan Jones Bryan Jones Bryan Jones Cathy Hintz

The 2021 Virtual Producer Conference Preview Page 4 Member Profile: The Peterson Ranch Page 5 & 6 Legislative Preview: Bills to Watch for the 2021 Session Page 7 & 8 Free Stockwater Quality Webinar; Preview of the 2021 MFU Virtual Women’s Conference Page 9 Washington Corner Page 10

CAMP MEMORIAL PROGRAM Cottonwood Farmers Union Local 145 of Hill County (In Memory of Mrs. Sig (Mary) Meland Vera Gunderson, Kalispell (In Memory of Don & Marcia Erickson)

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 Violet Green, Education Coordinator Audra Labert, Digital Marketing Specialist Rachel Prevost, Government Relations Copyright © Montana Farmers Union, 2021 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.

MFU Grant Funds Hemp Research Page12

Montana Grassroots is published monthly.

Article submissions are requested by the 15th of the month.

Education News Page 14

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PO BOX 2447 300 RIVER DRIVE NORTH GREAT FALLS MT 59403

MDA Reminds Hemp Growers of Hemp Checkoff Deadline; MSU Holds Crop Seminar Series Page 11

Messages from Senator Tester & Senator Daines Page 13

ATTEND THE NATIONAL WOMEN’S CONFERENCE FOR FREE! DETAILS INSIDE!

MONTANA FARMERS UNION

Membership: $50.00 per year

IN MEMORIAM Mrs. Sig (Mary) Meland, Havre Russell Hodge, Lewistown Don & Marcia Erickson, Dixon Mrs. David (Jo) Shipman, Lewistown

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Corbitt Wall

Our first event of 2021 is the FREE Virtual Producer Conference scheduled January 27-28 from 8:30-11:30 each day. We have a great lineup of speakers and workshops. Here are some highlights of the event:

Andy Junkin

Registration Information: There is no cost to register! Visit montanafarmersunion.com

for

an

event agenda, speaker bio’s and to reg-Ryan Goodman:Keynote address on Diversity & Inclusion in the Ag Industry.

-Cattle Industry Report: Corbit Wall of Feeder Flash -Commodity Markets & Futures: Jamey Kohake of Paragon Ag Advisors -Farm Succession: Bridging the Older and Younger Generation, Andy Junkin of Agriculture Strategy -The Importance of Food Security: Walter Schweitzer, President -Legislative Update:Kim Mangold, Government Affairs Director

ister. Registration closes January 25.

Contact event coordinator Justin Loch with questions at jloch@montanafarmersunion.com.

P O R K D O N AT I O N C O N T I N U E D

“Thank you Montana Farmers Union for supporting food banks across Montana with healthy Farmers Union sourced pork. Your care and hard work will bring smiles and full stomachs to your neighbors.”

The Blackfeet Food Pantry was also a recipient of the May pork donation. Pantry director Earl Heavy Runner: “Thanks for the ribs they help lessen the burden for the families here on the reservation.”

Jayme Kohake

donation in May right when we were hitting some pretty tough times as far as resourcing foods and transportation so that was a huge boost for us right at the beginning of the pandemic. Now we have another 38,000 pounds. It is a tremendous gift for us. It is high-quality, it is a level of protein that is rare for us to get so we are very grateful for that.”

Farmers Union Enterprises is a partnership with Farmers Union organizations in North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, South Dakota and Wisconsin that own several value added businesses like Redwood Last May FUE donated 150,000 pounds of pork to various food Farms. Redwood Farms supplies premium pork products to our pantries in the five states it supports including North Dakota, Founding Farmers restaurants in the DC area as well as to other highMinnesota, Montana, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Montana was end restaurants in New York, Chicago and other cities across the U.S. the first stop on the December donation schedule. When it’s all said “We are pleased to make a second donation of pork ribs to the and done each of the five states will have made donations of pork Montana Food Bank Network,” said Walter Schweitzer, President ribs to their respective food banks.“We are so excited to have this of Montana Farmers Union. “Montana Farmers Union and Farmers partnership with Montana Farmers Union,” said Gayle Carlson, CEO Union Enterprise are all about supporting the family farm and helping of the Montana Food Bank Network. “We received 30,000 pounds of to feed our friends and neighbors who are facing food insecurity.”

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

Each month in Montana Grassroots we feature a member’s story. This month we profile MFU Board Member Ben Peterson who runs his family’s ranch in Judith Gap. Ben and his family are legacy members and great ambassadors for Farmers Union and Montana agriculture.

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MEMBER profile

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THE PETERSON RANCH

Q. Can you tell us about your family’s background in agriculture?

My grandparents Erling & Marietta Peterson bought the place in 1949 after multiple rough years on the place he grew up on in the Big Sandy/Havre area. The story goes that he loaded the family into the car and drove around the state and bought the greenest ground he could afford. The punchline is that much of the green was leafy spurge! The leafy spurge shaped the beginnings of this ranch by bringing sheep into the equation on top of the cattle and cereal grain operation that is still in operation today. A small feedlot was also built early in the operation. My grandfather paid for the farm with aptitude and buckets and hard work.

Grandpa roughly doubled the footprint of the operation then my parents Dean & Trudi increased the size more to its current size of roughly 6,000 acres.

Q. What type of operation is the Peterson Ranch?

The farming operation was the profit center for most of the time my grandfather managed E.L. Peterson Ranch. With my parent’s guidance livestock become the cash cow of the operation. I am expanding the hay ground of the operation and using that hay to create more profit in our feedlot by expanding feeding of outside cattle. We are also dipping our toes into the direct marketing of animal protein to further diversify our operation.

Q. I understand your family has a deep Farmers Union History and you are a current board member. Please tell us about your Farmers Union history and your involvement today?

Both of my Grandparents were heavily involved in Farmers Union from early in their lives. Erling held many positions of leadership in MFU. My grandmother Doris was involved

Ben’s grandparents purchased the Peterson Ranch in 1949. Photo courtesy of Zack Kephart.

in the education department of Farmers Union and is considered the unofficial historian of MFU. My parents Trudi and Dean grew up in Farmers Union and met through their involvement in the organization. Trudi was the education director for a time and Dean was on the board of directors for multiple terms. I also grew up in MFU attending youth camps and eventually becoming a Torchbearer. I returned to the ranch after college and spent time in the private sector with CHS. It was not long after I returned to the ranch that I became involved in MFU again. I was recruited to represent MFU in the Beginning Farmers Institute (BFI) program. I have served as chair of both the resolutions and bylaws committees as a board member.

I am very excited about the direction our organization is headed!

Q. What do you feel are the biggest issues facing agriculture right now? What can be done to improve these issues?

Production agriculture has many challenges

right now. The top of the list being that there are fewer of us every year and our ultimate customers are more removed from the realities of where their food comes from.

We as a group need to be more proactive about protecting ourselves and be prouder of the products we raise. Telling our story louder is more important than ever, whether we do it ourselves or through involvement in organizations like MFU. It’s important to join an organization that advocates on your behalf.

The recent challenges have also reminded the world that our food supply chain has gotten too far from the farm. Corporate consolidation in agriculture is the most immediate threat to the family farm as we know it today. We need to educate consumers about where their purchasing dollar goes so that we can build a coalition of producers and consumers to bring enough pressure to our state and C O N T I N U E D O N N E X T PA G E

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P E T E R S O N P RO F I L E C O N T I N U E D

market their superior product from inferior imported products.

Passing a Montana COOL bill is a top priority for the MFU Board of Directors in this current legislative session. We would appreciate you support. Contact your legislators and hold them accountable for their subsequent choices. We encourage you to get involved in the effort. Tell us why COOL is so important to you and other producers.

Q. What advice would you give to young producers who want to return to the farm?

Coming back and taking over the family farm is hard. Generational differences within the family dynamic are challenging. There is valuable institutional knowledge on existing operations that needs to be mined so do not just push out the prior generation. Be up front about your plans. Your first priority needs to be to build a strong conduit of Ben on the Peterson Ranch near Judith Gap. Photo courtesy of communication. Create a transition plan that Zack Kephart. you regularly revisit annually, at a minimum. national representatives to fight the Be adaptable and always continue your anticompetitive practices by the large education. corporations. Secondly, climate change is a very important issue. Most successful people Q. What has been the biggest challenge learned long ago that we must adapt. We will in coming back to the family operation? not be growing the same crops in the same Secondly, how did you fix it or make it ways or producing the same products that work? prior generations produced. Promotion of The stress and pressure to take over a publicly funded research and acceptance of successful operation that is such an integral those viable practices is critical to our future. part of the immediate and extended family can be overwhelming. It took time for me to come Country-of-Origin Labeling to terms with the fact that small failures were not just acceptable, but expected. I choose Montana Farmers Union and National to learn from the small failures and make Farmers Union have spent lots of time adjustments to avoid the large consequential and effort supporting Country-of-Origin failures.

Labeling. COOL is the standard on almost every product sold in the USA with the My biggest weakness in managing our glaring exception of beef and pork. That fact operation is my lack of marketing experience. alone should have every person in America I am not a natural salesman by any means. I supporting COOL legislation, but the four am lucky to have met my girlfriend Mary Jenni. largest meat packers have proven that money She continues to teach me valuable marketing talks more in Congress than sanity and food skills that I can apply to the operation. I safety. It is a proven fact that consumers are recommend always looking for new resources. willing to pay a premium for USA sourced food and they deserve to know where their Q. What is your greatest Farmers Union food is coming from. memory.

I really enjoyed the summer camps when I was The current USDA labeling is not just a kid. It was my first taste of knowing that the deceptive to the consumer about the origin way we did things at home was not the only of beef and pork, but it could be considered way, but that all of us were in it together. I fraud. Beef and pork producers deserve to was reintroduced to this on a much a larger 6

geographical scale when I participated in National Farmers Union’s Beginning Farmer Institute (BFI.) I learned a great deal that I have applied toward bettering Montana Farmers Union as well as E.L. Peterson Ranch.

Q. Why should someone join Montana Farmers Union?

MFU is a production agriculture advocacy group that represents all family ag producers.

The leadership are all actively involved in production ag and our bylaws require that it stays that way. MFU has been advocating for the family farm/ranch for over 100 years and will continue its work for another century.

MFU wants every family farm and ranch in Montana to be successful and to carry on for generations to come. The organization’s principles of legislation, education, and cooperation drive the mission forward.

RARE OPPORTUNITY: ATTEND THE NATIONAL WOMEN’S CONFERENCE FOR FREE!!

There are more women farmers and ranchers today than there ever have been before!

It's exciting to see better gender representation in agriculture, but because the industry was established when the vast majority of primary farm operators were men, women farmers still face unique barriers. .

To address these and other concerns, National Farmers Union (NFU) is hosting the 2021 Women’s Conference virtually and you have the rare opportunity to attend the conference at no cost! This year's conference will cover a variety of subjects including business management, marketing, cooperative development, succession planning, food safety, and leadership. MFU is sponsoring members interested in attending. To register go to https://nfu.org/womensconference/ and enter code MTFU*2021 .

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

in the United States. Montana Farmers Union supports these bills because consumers have

BY KIM MANGOLD AND RACHEL PREVOST the right to know where their meat comes The 67th legislative session is just around from and ranchers deserve a fair market price the corner and much is already underway in for their products. preparation. The upcoming legislative session already has nearly 3000 bills proposed. Here F I V E W A Y S C O O L I M P A C T S is a preview of the session. In addition MONTANA: to monthly legislative updates in Montana 1.Consumers can be confident knowing Grassroots, your government relations team where their beef and pork was born, raised will also provide weekly electronic updates and harvested. on legislative action via our communications 2. Foreign imported beef and pork will be lateam and twice weekly video updates on beled as such – not as Product of USA. Facebook. Be sure to follow us on Facebook 3. Honesty in the marketplace is good for and Twitter for timely updates on legislative Montana consumers and producers.

4. Knowing where your food comes from imaction from Helena! proves food safety and food security.

The Joint Rules Committee, House Rules 5. US and Montana Producers can regain a Committee, and Senate Rules Committee met fair market for their products.

Dec. 7 and 8 to work on determining the rules and format of the session. The committees FIVE MYTHS OF COOL…DEBUNKED discussed a number of different directions for this session, including moving more Myth 1:WTO forced the end of COOL. responsibility to the committee chair when it Multinational Corporations did get Canada comes to scheduling and taking action on bills and Mexico to file lawsuits with the WTO to stop labeling COOL for all meats. Appeals in committees. were filed and negotiations were underway MFU’S legislative priorities are Country-of- with the WTO on label language when Congress voted to repeal COOL on beef and Origin Labeling and Right to Repair. pork only. Today WTO allows the USA to require COOL on all other meats, fruits and COUNTRY-OF-ORIGIN LABELING: When Congress repealed COOL for Beef vegetable. Had Congress not repealed COOL and Pork it allowed Multinational packers to for beef and pork we could have had COOL start labeling beef and pork imported from for beef and pork too. foreign countries with a Product of USA label misleading consumers. MFU is working Myth 2:COOL is unfair to retailers and with Representatives Frank Smith (HD 31) could put them in jail. These bills only and Willis Curdy (HD 98) and Senator Tom require retailers to put a COOL placard Jacobsen (SD 11) to sponsor bills to allow nearby. If the retailer cannot determine the the consumers to know where their beef and Country-of-Origin they can put a placard pork was born, raised and harvested. LC0371 nearby stating imported product or Country will require a placard identifying the Country- of Origin unknown. No retailers were jailed of-Origin to be placed near the beef and pork or fined when Montana passed and enforced products. Another bill will only allow the the 2005 COOL placarding bill. Without “Product of USA” label to be put on Beef consequences we have what we have now, and Pork that was born, raised and harvested voluntary labeling.

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Myth 3: 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.

Myth 4: 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, the price received by ranchers and feeders fell as packers recorded record profits.

Myth 5: 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 risk losing market share if consumers find out that they are being lied to and lose confidence.

When there is disease or safety concern consumers want to know where products are born, raised and harvested. Since the repeal of COOL beef recalls have skyrocketed.

Farm Bureau and Stockgrower members have approved policy supporting COOL. Despite members’ wishes their leadership and lobbyists have never supported or sponsored a COOL bill. Instead they spread these myths and testify against COOL bills.

RIGHT TO REPAIR: {LC1562}

This bill would provide that the manufacturers of electronics enabled equipment provide farmers and ranchers, as well as independent repair shops, the tools necessary to repair their own equipment. Montana Farmers Union supports this bill because equipment manufacturers currently refuse access or C O N T I N U E D N E X T PA G E

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L E G I S L AT I V E U P D AT E C O N T I N U E D

charge unreasonable prices for technical advisor software needed to troubleshoot equipment. Without the software and hardware needed to troubleshoot, farmers and ranchers are forced to use only the implement dealer for minor and major repairs. The cost of repairs and downtime has a severe impact on our bottom line and adds undue stress to our lives.

Sponsor(s): Rep. Katie Sullivan (HD 89), Sen. Mark Sweeny (SD 39), Rep. Willis Curdy (HD 98)

SOIL HEALTH STUDY: {LC1256} This bill would dedicate an interim committee to study the viability of a comprehensive soil health program in the State of Montana. This Soil Health Study bill will help guide/educate interim committee on soil health so then they can develop policy recommendations to both the state and federal decision makers. Montana Farmers Union supports this bill because this will allow input from stakeholders within the state to develop a plan of possibilities that might work for Montana. As this issue is gaining in interest nationwide, it is important that Montana is prepared to develop a good plan to address improving soil health and present that information to the federal government. Let Montanans guide policy and implementation of our own soil health improvement strategies.

Sponsor(s): Sen. Pat Flowers (SD 32) FARM TO SCHOOL: The Farm to School Pilot Grant program, to be administered by Montana Office of Public Instruction, provides schools with a funding incentive to purchase Montana grown or raised foods for school nutrition programs and assesses the impact of this incentive program.

Montana Farmers Union supports this bill because it increases students’ access to high quality, nutritious food while supporting local food systems.

DOUBLE SNAP DOLLARS: The Double SNAP Dollars program allows for Montanans who face food insecurity to afford more fruit and vegetables. With every dollar spent on SNAP eligible foods at participating farmers markets and farm share programs, SNAP recipients receive an extra dollar to buy fruits and vegetables. State investment would not only provide stability for current operating sites, but also allow the program to grow to new communities, which will mean improved food security for vulnerable families and improved health outcomes. Increased revenue for Montana farmers and appropriation for this program through Montana state funds would allow us to better leverage federal funding for nutrition incentives. Montana Farmers Union supports this bill because it would boost local food systems and prevent food insecurity among vulnerable Montanans.

Sponsor(s): Rep. Tom Welch, Sen. Dan Salomon COMMERCIAL PROPERTY-ASSESSED CAPITAL ENHANCEMENTS PROGRAMS (CPACE): {LC0622} This bill creates a financing program that would allow Montanans to make energy efficiency upgrades to their property. Montana Farmers Union supports this bill because it encourages energy conservation practices, creates more jobs and costs the state nothing.

Sponsor(s): Sen. Mary McNally (SD 24) BECOME A MONTANA FARMERS UNION AG AMBASSADOR! The countdown to the 67th legislative session is on and it’s time to get involved! Montana Farmers Union is launching the Ag Ambassadors program. MFU is looking for passionate individuals to help the Montana Farmers Union Government Affairs staff shed light on the issues near and dear to your communities. Your involvement plays a major role in shaping policy in Montana through work on our priorities and issues important to you. Through the Ag Ambassador program, we will provide training on how to craft testimony for committee hearings, how to contact your legislators, and how to leave an effective message for legislators – whether it be a letter, an email, or a phone call.

Become an MFU Ag Ambassador and stay involved!.Visit the legislative page at montanafarmersunion.com for program details.

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Stock Water Quality Webinar Free 6-8pm Thurs Jan 28

Featuring Thomas Bass - MSU Extension, Bozeman Scott Brown - Montana Salinity Control Dr. Megan Van Emon - MSU Extension, Fort Keogh Join us for a free virtual webinar Jan 28, to hear how stockwater impacts livestock health & calving weights, how to evaluate water source options, and practical strategies to improve water quality & animal health. Register up to day of event, you’ll receive ZOOM link for webinar via email. Speakers welcome your questions - don’t miss it!

Mark your calendar! Register now - Jan 28 at www.northernplains.org/stockwater.

Presented by: Central Montana Resource Council, Montana Farmers Union, MSU Extension, Northern Plains Resource Council

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FREE STOCKWATER QUALITY WEBINAR JAN 28

BY LAURIE LOHRER C E N T R A L M O N TA N A RESOURCE COUNCIL

quality in and around livestock facilities and operations, with strategies on providing clean water to maximize animal health and performance.

Montana Salinity Control Associates senior water specialist Scott Brown will address saJoin us from 6-8pm on Thursday Jan 28 2021 linity, how it impacts your stockwater and for a free webinar via zoom on how stockhow to mitigate. water impacts livestock health. Hear from an outstanding line up of speakers: Register now – Jan 28 at www.northernplains. org/stockwater and you’ll get ZOOM link via Dr Megan VanEmon, MSU Extension Beef email for the webinar. Call Caitlin at 406Specialist from Fort Keogh/Miles City, will 248-1154 with questions. Speakers welcome discuss livestock water quality issues, includyour questions - don’t miss it! ing sulfates, TDS, and nitrates, the importance of water sampling and how water qualThis free webinar is presented by Central ity changes throughout the year.

Montana Resource Council, Montana Farmers Union, MSU Extension and Northern Plains MSU Extension Bozeman Livestock Resource Council.

Environmental Specialist Thomas Bass will cover conservation practices to protect water

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Tom Vilsack to return to his previous post of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, which he held for eight years under President Barack 2020 was certainly not the year Obama. A former governor of the American agriculture industry Iowa, Vilsack has been serving as hoped for or expected. After president and CEO of the U.S. several years of trade wars and Dairy Export Council for the last depressed prices, many thought four years.

2020 would finally bring good news for farmers and ranchers.

Instead, it brought a pandemic and a slew of natural disasters, further complicating an already complicated situation. However, there are reasons to be optimistic about 2021; for one, a vaccine has been approved and is being distributed across the country, which means the end of the pandemic and its associated social and economic challenges is in sight. Additionally, the next administration has expressed its With such extensive knowledge commitment to address many of of USDA and agricultural National Farmers Unions’ top issues, Vilsack certainly "has priorities, including corporate the necessary qualifications and consolidation, climate change, experience to steer the agency," and racial inequity in agriculture National Farmers Union (NFU) – all of which you can read more President Rob Larew said in a about in this month’s Washington statement. However, the road Corner. ahead isn't easy; the agency has some exceptionally complex issues AG LEADERSHIP UNDER to resolve. In particular, Larew BIDEN BECOMES CLEARER urged Vilsack to "implement and In the month since the enforce rules that protect farmers presidential election was from anticompetitive practices, called, there's been widespread enact meaningful structural speculation in agricultural circles reforms that balance supply with about who President-elect Joe demand, restore competition to Biden might nominate to lead the agricultural markets, strengthen U.S. Department of Agriculture local and regional food systems, (USDA). Several names were advance racial equity in agriculture, floated, but it was unclear who and mitigate the threat of climate the frontrunner could be until change."

More immediately, early December.

Larew stated that the agency must "expand nutrition assistance After several major media outlets programs in order to ensure that broke the news, Biden nominated millions of individuals who are

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facing unemployment and food insecurity are able to meet their most basic needs through the pandemic.”

NEW BILL ADDRESSES RACISM IN AGRICULTURE There is a long, rich history of Black farmers in the United States: a century ago, Black families owned an estimated 15 million acres and operated 14 percent of all U.S. farms. But decades of systemic discrimination and the abuse of legal loopholes have robbed black families of millions of acres of farmland worth billions of dollars and forced the vast majority out of the industry.

In order to correct racial inequities in agricultural policies and institutions, Senators Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, and Kirsten Gillibrand introduced the Justice for Black Farmers Act, the most comprehensive piece of food and agricultural justice legislation proposed in modern American history.

The bill aims to end discrimination within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) by creating a civil rights board to investigate reports of discrimination, review

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December 2020

appeals of civil rights complaints, and oversee Farm Service Agency county committees; protect Black-owned land by assisting Black farmers with succession planning, land ownership issues, and the development of farmer cooperatives.

RULE WOULD SHIELD MEATPACKERS FROM LEGAL CHALLENGES Due to unchecked corporate consolidation in the livestock industry, family farmers and ranchers have been subject to unfair and anticompetitive practices. But a new rule finalized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) falls short of providing meaningful protections from such practices.

The rule in question outlines criteria for determining whether a company has shown “undue or unreasonable preferences and advantages” for one farmer over another. An action may be permissible if it can be justified on the basis of either cost savings or meeting the terms or prices offered by competitors, or if it’s a “reasonable business decision that would be customary in the industry.”NFU President Rob Larew said that “USDA’s rule will inexplicably offer even more power to meatpackers, further tipping the scales in their favor.”

He then urged the incoming administration to “reverse this harmful rule and replace it with one that actually protects farmers from unfair, deceptive and discriminatory practices.” Find the Washington Corner at www.nfu. org/corner.

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NEWS FROM OUR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS MONTANA HEMP CHECKOFF PAYMENTS DUE

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

The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) is reminding hemp growers and processors to submit their hemp checkoff payments before the end of the year. The Montana Hemp Advisory Committee will decide how to allocate the checkoff funds for research, market development and education to develop and enhance Montana’s hemp industry. Montana hemp growers voted to approve the

MSU HOSTS ANNUAL CROPPING SEMINAR SERIES

nation’s first hemp checkoff earlier this year. The checkoff was established at 1% of the value of the crop being sold at the first point of sale. Hemp growers can self-assess for the 2020 crop year.

However, if their hemp was sold to a Montana hemp processor, that processor is responsible for submitting the assessment. All of Montana’s checkoff programs are voluntary.

Hemp growers and members of the public can join the committee’s public meetings during which funding opportunities will be discussed. Public meeting notices are published on the MDA website.

In 2020, 94 hemp growers licensed through the Montana State Hemp Program produced approximately 10,950 acres outdoors, the majority of which were grown for As Montana’s Hemp Checkoff grain. The program also reported funds start to accrue, the Montana 104,500 square feet of indoor Hemp Advisory Committee will hemp grown mostly for CBD make decisions on how to allocate uses. those funds towards the program Assessment forms for growers and goals of research, market processors can be downloaded development and education. from the MDA website at agr.

Lovreet Shergill, assistant professor of weed science at MSU’s Southern Agricultural Research Center, will present “Management of Herbicide Resistant Weeds in B Y M O N TA N A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y Montana Cropping Systems.”

N E W S S E RV I C E Both commercial and private For locations and contact numbers pesticide licensing recertifica- for each cropping seminar visit M o n t a n a S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y tion credits will also be available Extension will broadcast its an- with in-person attendance or with nual cropping seminar series viewing a recording at a local 2021 FREE COW/ Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at several Extension office.

CALF RECORD BOOK locations in the Golden Triangle.

Producers viewing these events in Gary Adams, state plant health di- PROMOTES COUNTRYperson should plan to adhere to rector with the Animal and Plant OF-ORIGIN-LABELING current local and state COVID-19 Health Inspection Service, will B Y T H E M O N TA N A R E S O U R C E guidelines. Viewing locations will discuss the cooperative grasshop- C O U N C I L be in Chester, Choteau, Conrad, per and Mormon cricket suppresCut Bank, Denton, Fort Benton, sion program, approved control In early January, the 2021 edition Great Falls, Havre and Shelby. methods for those species, and of “COOL Cow/Calf Herd Speakers will cover topics such 2021 control programs. Other po- Record Book” will be available as grasshopper control, antago- tential topics include grasshopper FREE at Central Montana farm nistic effects of herbicides, man- surveying and management and & feed stores, farm equipment agement of herbicide-resistant possible cost share programs. companies, auction house and weeds, and farm and ranch safety. veterinarians. A useful tool for Attendees must RSVP to their lo- Tim Seipel, MSU Extension crop- producers who want to improve cal Extension office by Jan. 4 to land weed specialist, will examine their herd profitability, the pocket attend an in-person event. antagonistic effects of herbicides. sized “COOL Record Book” There is no charge for seminars, and all interested producers are encouraged to attend. Seminars will run from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

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mt.gov/hemp, or they can be requested by email at agr@mt.gov, by phone at (406) 444-3571, or by fax at (406) 444-5409.

Hemp checkoff payments should be submitted to the address below

by December 31, 2020.

MDA Attn: Hemp Checkoff Program P.O. Box 200201 Helena, MT 59620-0201 The Montana Department of Agriculture’s mission is to protect producers and consumers, and to enhance and develop agriculture and allied industries.

features a bright red, water-resistant cover, and 56 pages with space to inventory up to 400 cow/calf pairs, record calving activity, herd health, bull inventory, disease treatment and calendar.

Brainchild of CMRC member and Fergus County rancher Alan Shammel, the second edition of the Pocket Herd Book also gives producers actionable ways to speak out to Montana Legislators in favor of a statewide COOL program. Ranchers, consumers and other stakeholders are encouraged to contact their Montana legislators by phone 800-444-4800 and email to voice their support of statewide “Country of Origin” placarding regulations. Or use the handy response postcard attached to each book. The book was produced

by Central Montana Resource Council and sponsored by Montana Cattlemen’s Association, Northern Plains Resource Council and The Shammel Ranch.

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GRANT FUNDS RESEARCH ON HEMP

Among all plants, hemp had the highest effective pre-seed treatment. Our research tolerance for all metals while blue bunch

BY JUSTIN LOCH also found out that optimizing seeding density wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata) had the M E M B E R S H I P D I R E C TO R could help to improve the competitive ability lowest.The phytoextraction efficiency (PE%) of hemp against weeds. Additionally, growers of hemp was 5-6 times higher compared to This past spring, summer and fall Montana need to be careful with hemp production the other test plants in the case of Copper, Tech University in Butte under the direction as the plant can return as a volunteer and 1-2 times higher in the case of Manganese, of Professor Robert Pal obtained a Farmers become a weedy species on subsequent crops and 10-20 times higher in the case of Zinc.

Union Industries (FUI) grant from Montana in fallow, abandoned fields. And finally, hemp The bioconcentration factor (BCF) of hemp Farmers Union to conduct two separate hemp has a potential to enter natural or semi-natural was 2-6 times higher compared to other test studies that would hopefully provide valuable habitats, especially disturbed sites; therefore, plants in the case of Copper, 2.8 times higher information to producers or those thinking extreme caution needs to be applied during than the test grasses (Psespi, Wheat), and about growing hemp. harvesting and transporting the crop and it 5-10 times higher in the case of Zinc. These seeds. In addition, the growing area and its results suggest that hemp has a great potential The first study that was done was aimed at surroundings should be frequently monitored in phytoremediation.

Testing the Competitive Ability of Hemp for volunteer hemp plants, so as not to on Weeds and Native Plants and yielded the If you are interested in the complete results increase the soil seed bank. following: We can conclude that there are of these studies please contact Justin Loch at numerous weed species that can interfere with T h e s e c o n d s t u d y t a r g e t e d M e t a l s the MFU office. hemp production in west-central Montana. As Tolerance, Phytoextraction Efficiency, and chemical weed control is extremely difficult, if Bioconcentration Factor of Hemp.The main not impossible, in hemp fields, it is important purpose of the study was to test hemps ability to focus on site selection and to perform an to help clean up contaminated soil

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A MESSAGE FROM SENATOR JON TESTER 2020 was a hard year for everyone—including farmers. Between stagnant commodity prices, market consolidation, natural disasters caused by climate change, on top of a global pandemic, many producers are struggling to meet their bottom lines.

And a lack of accessible mental health care resources, isolation, and stigmas against getting help when facing mental stress has caused a mental health crisis among folks in agriculture.

The suicide rate is 45 percent higher in rural areas than in urban ones, and it’s devastating communities all across Montana. That’s why I introduced my Seeding Rural Resilience Act. It provides farmers with mental health care resources when they need them, and raises awareness and reduces stigma around the importance of getting help when facing stress.

Just last month, it passed the Senate with significant bipartisan support, making its way to the President’s desk. Now, this bill isn’t a cure-all, but it is a critical step towards curbing this crisis among our friends, colleagues, and neighbors, and I’m proud to have worked to get it across the finish line. Because our farmers are making sure we have food to put on the table, so we need to give them the tools they need to thrive.

A MESSAGE FROM SENATOR STEVE DAINES For too long our country has been separated by the digital divide and the recent COVID-19 pandemic has only worsened the issues this causes in rural communities. That’s why I was glad to see that just last month, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that over 10 million rural Americans will gain access to high-speed Internet service over the next 10 years.

Montana alone will be receiving nearly $126 million to provide internet access to nearly 46,000 locations across our state. This is huge news for rural Montana and will help to bring folks in every corner of our state together. Since taking office, I have been working to ensure that unserved areas in Montana and across the United States are prioritized and receive access to high speed internet.

Recently, as folks have been working from home and many schools have shifted to online platforms, we have seen how this digital divide puts a large burden on families. Providing this access allows rural areas to compete on a level playing field with the rest of the country. It is critical that we focus on these unserved communities before making luxury upgrades in urban areas.This announcement from the FCC to expand rural broadband across the country is great news and moves us closer to our goal of properly serving rural communities 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!

JOIN OUR SUMMER CAMP TEAM! Open Positions: • Caretaker • Summer Camp Assistant & • Summer Camp Advisor • Camp Counselors 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!

Summer Camp Advisor: This position will be the primary contact for MFU Camps located at Arrowpeak Lodge during the week, they will be responsible to carry out the daily activities of camp.

Summer Camp Counselors: There are multiple camp counselor positions open.

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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 personal growth and daily living skills.

To apply please contact Violet Green at (406)452-6406) Cell: (406)564-6025 or at vgreen@montanafarmersunion.com.

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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 Camp registration opens mid-April. Follow us on Facebook for camp updates and announcements .

MFU RE-ELECTS NEW OFFICERS At the virtual state convention held in November membership elected the following officers: District 3 -1 Year Term Sarah Rachor District 4 - 3 Year Term Brett Dailey District 5 - 3 Year Term William Downs District 1 & 2 At Large- 3 Year Term Jeff Bangs Conductor - 1 Year Term Tom Clark Doorkeeper - 1 Year Term John Wendland Contact information is available for the MFU board of directors at montanafarmersunion.com.

MFU SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE! ATTENTION: High school seniors & continuing college students the 2021 MFU Scholarship application period is open! There are a total of eight scholarships available!

Here are the scholarship eligibility requirements for the MFU Scholarship, Chouteau County Farmers Union Scholarship, Cascade County Farmers Union Scholarship and Flathead County Farmers Union Scholarship: • High School Graduate • Planning to attend a university, college, community college or college of technology in or out-of-state • Must be used year it is awarded • MFU Family membership dues must be current • If applying for a county scholarship the applicant must live in the given county.

Bud Daniels Memorial Scholarship: • MFU family membership dues must be current • Must be a Montana resident • Must be a sophomore or above attending a Montana university,

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college or vocational technical college • Must carry at least 12 semester hours or 18 quarter hours • Must have a GPA of 2.8 or better and maintain that GPA during the scholarship year John Korsbeck Memorial Scholarship: • MFU family membership dues must be current • Must be a Montana resident • Planning to attend a university, college, community college or college of technology for any area of study • Must carry adequate hours to be considered full-time The deadline to apply is March 15, 2021.

To apply go to montanafarmersunion. com. If you need a hard copy of the scholarship application please contact Violet Green at (406)452-6406 or vgreen@montanafarmersunion.com.

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Since 1915

OUR AGENTS LIVE AND WORK NEAR YOU. Anaconda Stefanie Thompson 563-5991 Belgrade Craig Parker 388-6774 Billings Jim Mathews 656-2323 Billings Steve Plaggemeyer 294-9491 Billings Judd Long 252-9391 Billings KJ Fauth 969-2282 Bozeman Dean Derby 556-0893 Bozeman Trent Leintz 551-2163 Bozeman Art Hoffart 586-6230 Bridger Wesley Schwend 662-3930 Broadus Jesse Fleming 436-2115 Butte Matthew Luedtke 270-5304 Chester Megan Hedges 759-5150 Choteau Scott Allaire 466-5146 Circle Kaylen Lehner 485-3303 Conrad Dirk Elings 271-7047 Cutbank Ashley Vanek 873-2249 Dillon Judy Siring 683-2365 Dillon Sara Nye 683-1250 Fairfield Matt Luedtke 467-3444 Froid Austin O’ Dea 766-2205 Forsyth Watts Agency 346-1196 Glasgow Del Hansen 228-2284 Great Falls Eric Hinebauch 453-8413 Great Falls Aeric Reilly 570-5853 Great Falls Jeff Thill 452-7283 Hamilton Bryan Jones 363-6583 Hardin Melissa Wacker 665-1867 Havre Cindy Schubert 265-2693 Have Alex Thornton 637-8783 Helena Todd Crum 443-4630

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