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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
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MEMBER profile
IN THIS EDITION: • House Farm Bill is put to the test; NFU wants more protections for farmers • Students in Wolf Point learn the science beekeeping
NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE
PAID GREAT FALLS, MT PERMIT NO. 93
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A SUGAR BEET FARMER’S WAY OF LIFE
B Y LY N D S AY B R U N O E D I TO R
Sarah Rachor is a fourth generation sugar beet farmer in the lower Yellowstone Valley. This year marks her second year of farming full-time. She is now the primary operator of Fresh Hopped Farm. Sarah is married and has an eightyear old daughter. Prior to farming full-time she worked as a photographer and still photographs the occasional wedding. Sarah has experienced life off the farm living in various parts of the country with the ultimate goal of returning to run the farm. “I'm happiest up to my elbows in mud while I'm irrigating, or driving a tractor for hours. I get to hang out in my own little paradise, watch the Yellowstone River flow by as bald eagles fly around me. But most importantly I get to bring my daughter along for the ride. To play in the mud, watch small plants grow, and teach her that our food doesn't just appear at a store. At eight years old, she can already pick out what types of vegetables are in season, and why it’s important to search out local food.”
In Montana there are 120 sugar beet growers in and around the Sidney area growing 34,000 acres of sugar beets. Montana has two sugar beet processing plants, Sidney Sugars and Western Sugar in Billings. Sarah says the factories produce not just sugar from the Sugar Beets 101 beets, but also molasses and pulp Sugar beets look a lot like a tur- which is used for livestock feed. nip with large white roots. They are typically planted in May and Farm Challenges harvested in October. They grow The Lower Yellowstone River best on irrigated land. Sarah said As with any crop there are always 8 PAGE 7 farm makes growing PAGE Project PAGE and the5 & opening of the the soil type 6 challenges. Sarah said on the 2017 Arrowpeak Sneak Peek ofgrowing the Sidney Factory, formerly for ideal MFUSugars Sponsors Solar and weather can delay harsugar beet con- diseaseCamp theme 2017 Producers Holly helped provide ditions. TourSugar, & Ag has Technology vest. revealed! Conference the resources Fresh Hopped Farm Seminar has needed to grow. In addition to sugar beets the family grows spring wheat, alfalfa, soy beans, and have been known to experiment with canola, flax, potatoes, and carrots.
IN THIS ISSUE....
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Life on the farm is a family affair M E M B E R P RO F I L E C O N T I N U E D
“Most sugar beets are produced using Roundup Ready Seed, which has increased our yields, but led to some weed resistance as well,” said Sarah.“Sugar beets are susceptible to late frost. Harvest is labor intensive, and finding good help has been difficult during the oil boom. Harvest can also drag on longer because beets are either to warm, too wet, or too cold don’t store well.” Farmers have more to worry about than weather and crop disease. Low commodity prices present many challenges for farmers. Sarah said the most pressing issue she sees as a barrier to producers is the cost discrepancy between what products cost and what the farmer gets in return. “There is a reason so many of us are trying to expand our markets. We currently have the same price for spring wheat as when my dad started farming this place in 1979; however the costs to raise the same crops has exploded.” Impacts of National Farm Policy
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Sunset of Fresh Hopped Farm
the Farm Bill this year is fascinating to watch, along with the NAFTA talks. I am pretty middle of the road politically, but anything agriculture related gets me fired up. I am only in my first full time year in this industry and most farmers can’t tell what is going to happen with commodity prices, which makes planting decisions harder than usual. But luckily we are an adaptable group, and used to uncertainty!”
daily operations and long-term success of the farm, Sarah is also getting involved at a state and national level with Farmers Union. Her first introduction to MFU was attending the annual Producer Conference in Havre. Sarah will now represent MFU by participating in the Beginning Farmer Institute, a program by National Farmers Union. “I’m hoping to learn how farms in other regions work, what struggles they face and how they adapt to Although in the infancy of her full-time farm- things like drought and labor shortages, both ing career, Sarah has some words of advice issues I have to deal with in my area as well. for next generation and beginning farmers. Just meeting other beginning and experienced “The first thing every farmer does is try to farmers from around the country is exciting. scare you out of farming by telling you all I love having a network of people to bounce the horror stories, and there are plenty from ideas off of and hear about other things they droughts and floods, to accidents and angry are trying.” family members. If after all that you still have the drive to get out there and do it, there are a As a member of the 2018-2019 BFI class lot of great resources, beginning with organi- Sarah will participate in three sessions. The zations like Farmers Union, and your local ex- first in September in Washington, D.C., the tension and FSA office. My advice is to start second in November in Northern California going to workshops and conferences. There is with the program completion in March at the always opportunity to learn through field days National Farmers Union Annual Convention and MSU Extension. If no one can scare you in Washington. off, then give it shot. The worst thing that can happen is you fail, and you either dust your- We wish Sarah the best on her journey through self and try again, or move on.” the BFI program and as a next generation sugar beet farmer in Montana! Beginning Farmers Institute
Like most producers and farm groups Sarah is closely following the legislative work on the Farm Bill. She recognizes that the policy shaped in D.C. will have an impact on Montana agriculture and her farm. “Trying to pass In addition to having her sights set on the 2
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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!!
Member
Recruited by
Cullinan Ranch LLC, Franktown CO Ron Watts Tim & Cassidy Tittle, Forsyth Ron Watts Robert & Deena Wischhusen, Plains Ron Watts Susan Peila, Shepherd Jim Mathews Seann & Allison Rooney, Wilsall Dean Derby Weidenaar Ranches Inc, Manhattan Dean Derby J & P Enterprises Trust, Bridger Wes Schwend John & Laurel Slattery, Hardin Melissa Wacker Keith & Beverly Latham, Roundup Judd Long Terry Watkins, Roundup Judd Long Dearborn Information Svcs, Augusta Mathew Luedtke Greg Habel, Dutton Mathew Luedtke Charles & Jenny Lou Siderius, Kalispell Charlie Monroe Ronald & Charlyn MacDonald, Corvallis Bryan Jones Leroy McCauley, Three Forks Art Hoffart Tom Lorenz, Sidney Cathy Hintz Jessie & Mike Robinson, Great Falls MFU Camp Christina & Justin Hutchins, Great Falls MFU Camp Tyrel Hlavnicka & Courtney Rubino, Vaughn MFU Camp Gretchen & Eric Fowell, Great Falls MFU Camp Brittney & Justin de la Garza, Great Falls MFU Camp Molly & Chad Criss, Great Falls MFU Camp Cali & Hardy O’Hara, Fort Benton MFU Camp Jessica Hofer, Sand Coulee MFU Camp Greg & Kaye Franczyk, Great Falls MFU Camp Scott & Marci Lorio, Vaughn MFU Camp Irina Mills & Bruce Payne, Great Falls MFU Camp Dustin & Kayla Thompson, Great Falls MFU Camp Desarae & Adam Kutzler, Great Falls MFU Camp John & Tricia Reeves, Great Falls MFU Camp Jared & Annie Brown, Great Falls MFU Office Melissa & Cliff Rust, Great Falls MFU Camp Russell Seubert, Shelby MFU Office Becky & Chris Haaland, Great Falls MFU Camp Adam & Raelynne McCurdy, Great Falls MFU Camp Ricky & Meghan McKee, Great Falls MFU Camp Jared & Heather Gray, Great Falls MFU Camp Barrett & Holly Vaughan, Great Falls MFU Camp Shawn & Toni Wiser, Great Falls MFU Camp Alex & Tracy Chung, Great Falls MFU Camp Christian & Sarah Gronning, Great Falls MFU Camp Gary & Jennifer Evans, Highwood MFU Camp Jason & Jennifer Triplett, Great Falls MFU Camp Tyler & Dora Sealey, Dutton MFU Camp Blair Thronson, Great Falls MFU Camp Hank & Theresa Garten, Great Falls MFU Camp Brandy Dewart, Great Falls MFU Camp David & Kelly Crowder, Highwood MFU Camp Rob & Crissy Lopez, Great Falls MFU Camp Matt & Tammi MacDonald, Great Falls MFU Camp Seth & Jamey Wheeler, Great Falls MFU Camp Alexa Miser, Centennial CO MFU Camp Lee & Pam Sowers, Great Falls MFU Camp Adam Bishop & Casey Lodmell, Great Falls MFU Camp Wendy Eley-Riener & Brian Riener, Chester MFU Camp Christina Borst, Power MFU Camp Linnea & Jay Bucher, Stockett MFU Camp
IN THIS ISSUE
MONTANA FARMERS UNION PO BOX 2447 300 RIVER DRIVE NORTH GREAT FALLS MT 59403
Message from the President: A View of Agriculture from the Netherlands, Alan Merrill Page 4 The Science of Beekeeping, Tyler Manning Page 5
Students Step Outside the Classroom to Learn About Agriculture, Violet Green Page 6 MFU Scholarship Winners Announced Page 7 Washington Corner, Roger Johnson Page 8/11 MFU Offers Various Membership Opportunities, Justin Loch Page 9 Message from the Montana Delegation Page 10
PHONE: (406) 452-6406 1-800-234-4071 FAX: (406) 727-8216 mfu@montanafarmersunion.com www.montanafarmersunion.com Board of Directors: Alan Merrill, President Rollie Schlepp, Vice President, Conrad Erik Somerfeld, District 2, Power Jeff Bangs, At-Large Director District 1& 2, Inverness Brett Dailey, District 4, Jordan William Downs, District 5, Molt Ben Peterson, At-Large director, Judith Gap Kelly Rutledge, District 1, Big Sandy Sig Rudie, Fairview, At-Large director Paul Kanning, Distric 5, Flaxville Jan Tusick, District 6, Ronan State Office Staff: Jan Johnson, Office Mgr., Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer Lyndsay Bruno, Communications Director Chris Christiaens, Legislative & Project Specialist Justin Loch, Membership Director Dave Snuggs, Facility Director Violet Green, Education Coordinator Maggie Shane, Continuing Education Coordinator Copyright © Montana Farmers Union, 2018 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 the month. Advertising space is available. Copy Editor: Jan Johnson Editor/Designer: Lyndsay Bruno
YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM K J Fauth FU Insurance, Billings Charles Monroe FU Insurance, Kalispell
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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
land. It is still amazing to see the different countries and how agriculture is treated differently then in the United States. Farming ple are still the main work force. Next we is a noble occupation and the people of the toured a new large greenhouse that is used Netherlands treat it as such. The young look for the production of new seeds. Different forward to taking over the family farm and I recently had the pleasure of flying to the plants and experiments are carried out under continuing the tradition of passing from genNetherlands along with four of the Farmers this magnificent facility. eration to generation. Union Enterprise presidents to view some of their agriculture practices. Also with the We learned about the canal system that waters Overall this trip was a great learning experigroup were Dan Hildebrand, CEO of Farm- crops throughout the Netherlands. When the ence, one that focused on the different ways ers Union Industries, and Chairman of the weather turns dry the canals system is raised of farming. There is much respect in this culFUI Board Bob Kuylen. to sub-irrigate the crops. When there appears ture for those involved in agriculture. What I to be a rainy time the canals are lowered to ac- took away from this trip is the importance of The Netherlands is one of the world’s largest commodate the rain fall. The landscape is very encouraging ourselves to look at different opagricultural producers exporting $165.6 bil- green with lush crops and pastures. To learn portunities. We need to look outside the box lion worth of vegetables, fruit, flowers, meat about the various types of roses and how they and continue to find new ways to improve our and dairy products each year. The question is are bred and harvested was a quite the learn- bottom line. It is my hope that our country how does such a small land area produce so ing experience. It is hard for me to put into will also learn to value the farmer and ranchmuch food? During our trip we toured green words how each one of these tours were so er as they do in other countries such as the houses that ranged from one acre to 37 acres, different, but each plays a tremendous role in Netherlands. all under one roof. The largest is just for the agricultural stability of the country. green peppers. To truly appreci ate the operation one must see it first-hand. As a group we took in a tulip festival or Keukenh as they call it in the Netherlands. There One greenhouse measured over one and half we enjoyed the many different tulip gardens million square feet. In the Netherlands peo and the history of the tulip industry in Hol-
IN MEMORIAM Mrs. Kenneth(Iris) Courtnage, Fort Benton Mrs. Arthur(Eleanor) Buen, Nashua
Thank you to the following Business Boosters! Sunburst Unlimited Inc, Great Falls Travis Johnson Enterprise Inc, Belt
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THE SWEET SCIENCE OF BEEKEEPING
of apiculture, more commonly known as beekeeping.Though Elliot’s career is based heavily in enBY TYLER MANNING vironmental cleanup work, he has THE HERALD NEWS been a beekeeper for about 10 W O L F P O I N T, M T years. He started when he lived in Montana Farmers Union views the mountains of Colorado. “You the children of rural farming know what lives in the mountains communities, like Wolf Point, as and loves honey right?” asked the future of agriculture. Lately, Elliot of the Bigger Sky Kids. the organization has been work- “Bears!” the students responded ing on reaching out to youth at a overwhelmingly. Elliot said that young age to help educate them several times he had black bears and raise awareness about the try to get at his apiary, the techniagricultural possibilities of their cal term for a collection of beecommunities. hives.
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honey to survive the winter.
of beekeeping, but also on the importance of bees to the ecosys“We left them honey and sugar tem. He explained to the students to try and beat the cold, but the how bees not only create honey, first-year hives struggled,” said but act as pollinators for everyElliot. thing from flowers to apple trees. The Buzz About Beekeeping
“Everyone likes food and needs food,” said Elliot. “Bees help us Ken Elliot demonstrates to Big- grow food by pollinating other ger Sky Kids students how a bee- plants.” keeper removes a hive from an apiary. (Photo by Tyler Manning) Elliot showed the students the ins and outs of beekeeping and As he pulled out a comb to show explained the scale of the hives the kids, hundreds of dead bees he had brought. “Each hive has had buried their head in the hive 40,000 to 50,000 bees and one MFU member Ken Elliot simi- Elliot brought the previous in an attempt to survive by eat- queen,” said Elliot, “and each larly views children as the future. years hives to the First Lutheran ing the honey. None of the hives queen lays 1,000 eggs per day.” Elliot is a well known community Church in Wolf Point. The hives bees had survived which is how “Most of these bees are female,” activist and the founder of the started in 2017 and the bees spent Elliot was able to bring the hives said Elliot. “The ones doing all organization Tikkun Olam, an or- most of that first year building an to the church to demonstrate to the heavy lifting are the girls!” ganization designed to help bring intricate network of honeycomb the students. the best and brightest teachers to and hives in large apiary boxes Elliot also explained that the stuthe Fort Peck Reservation. that were painted by Southside However, this doesn’t mean the dents shouldn’t need to fear beElementary first graders. hive was a loss. The next genera- ing stung by bees. This is because It’s no surprise that when MFU tion of bees, expected to be in- the stinger detaches and bees die asked Elliot to give a presentation The long and immensely cold troduced in late May, will use the when they sting. “Trust me ,all to the Bigger Sky Kids that he winter killed the first year of infrastructure built by the first these bees want to do is pollinate jumped at the opportunity. bees. Elliot said that they spent year of bees. and make honey,” said Elliot. so much of their time building Elliot knew exactly what he want- and designing the hive that they Elliot educated the Bigger Sky ed to show the students ─ the art weren’t able to produce enough Kids on not only the finer aspects C O N T I N U E D PA G E 9
Ken Elliot demonstrates to Bigger Sky Kids students how a beekeeper removes a hive from an apiary. (Photo by Tyler Manning)
Ken Elliot (Photo by Tyler Manning)
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AG DAYS PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH UNIQUE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES opportunity to teach these kids about our pollinators during the Chouteau, Cascade, and Teton County Ag days. We spent 20 minutes teaching students about how important pollinators are and more in depth on the honey bees. Once we completed the lesson and answered questions the students had the chance to make a beeswax candle along with tasting some honey from Smoot Honey Company of Power, MT.
side of the classroom and learn where their food is coming from, the importance of having agriculture, and what impact agriculture has on them in everyday life. Scholarships
Montana Farmers Union holds education of its members in high esteem. MFU is constantly on the lookout for opportunities that promote education. In doing so, several scholarEach of the Ag days had different agricultural ships have been developed to enhance success based workshops which kids enjoyed. During in educational endeavors. We offer seven the Chouteau County Ag day on May 2, we scholarships each year totaling $3,500. taught 100 students about pollination, sheep & wool, horsemanship on the ranch, wheat to We are proud to offer this scholarship probread, soils and how farm machinery is used gram so that we can acknowledge our active on the farm & ranch to produce food. At the MFU young adults by providing a stepping Teton County Ag day on May 3, we taught ap- stone to further educational endeavors. If you proximately 125 students about weeds, wild- see one of these recipients please congratulife, watersheds, edible soils, wild animals/ late them on their great accomplishments and BY VIOLET GREEN plants/trees, fish and bee pollination. Near- involvement with Farmers Union and wish E D U C AT I O N C O O R D I N AT O R ly 850 students participated in the Cascade them luck in their future endeavors! Each year in May counties put together a day County Ag days May 10-11. MFU led workfull of agriculture related topics where stu- shops with topics that consisted of pasta, poldents come learn about different Ag topics linators, soils, beef, Cargill, water & electric, and spend the day rotating to different sta- ice cream, 4wheeler safety and butter. These tions. This year Maggie and I had the great days are a great way for students to get out-
Students roll their own beeswax candle at Ag Day
Continuing Education Coordinator Maggie Shane gives a lesson on bees during Ag days 6
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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2018 MFU SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS! • Alana Stephenson (John Korsbeck Memorial & Headquarters local of Cascade Scholarship) • Lauren Arnst (Bud Daniels Memorial Scholarship) • David Shane (Montana Farmers Union Scholarship) • Violet Green (Montana Farmers Union Scholarship) • Victoria (Tori) Girard (Cascade County Scholarship) • Lilly Green (Chouteau County Scholarship)
LILLY GREEN
TORI GIRARD
DAVID SHANE
LAUREN ARNST
VIOLET GREEN ALANA STEPHENSON 7
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MFU TAKES INDUSTRIAL HEMP WORKSHOP TO GLENDIVE Montana Farmers Union is holding a workshop on Industrial Hemp in Glendive, June 13 at the Dawson Community College Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. “Industrial Hemp is shaping up to have a lot of potential for Montana producers,” said Alan Merrill, President. “For this event we have brought together a knowledgeable lineup of presenters to help producers make informed decisions regarding their operation.” June’s event will provide the opportunity for the public to learn about this new crop with first-hand knowledge from presenters wellversed on the subject. The presenters will include Ian Foley with the Montana Department of Agriculture, Jeff Kostuik of Hemp Production Services of Canada and producer Colby Johnson of Conrad. This event is free and open to the public.
B Y RO G E R J O H N S O N N AT I O N A L F A R M E R S U N I O N
The big news from Washington is the 2018 Farm Bill. The House version of the 2018 Farm Bill failed on the House floor by a vote of 198 to 213.The rejection of the House version of the 2018 Farm Bill highlights the host of concerns that family farmers have with this failed legislation. At a time when farmers and ranchers are in significant financial strain due to years of depressed prices, this bill does not make necessary improvements to
Membership Director Justin Loch appears on Voices of Montana with Ross and Colby Johnson to discuss Industrial Hemp with show host Jon Arneson.
the farm safety net. It eliminates conservation programs and funding that provide them with the tools they need to be the best possible stewards of our natural resources. It reverses progress toward expanding their access to local, regional, and specialty markets. And it makes unnecessary cuts to programs that feed hungry Americans.
But the Farm Bill is not the only important piece of agriculture news. Renewable fuels, international trade volatility, the weakened farm economy, and farm stress all continue to be issues of concern, and until they are resolved, Farmers Union will pursue policies and solutions in the best interest of family farmers and ranchers.
Throughout the process, Farmers Union has been actively advocating legislation that works for farmers and ranchers, rural communities, hungry Americans, and the environment. The NFU Board of Directors passed a resolution stating its opposition to the House bill and recommending a number of improvements before its passage. Additionally, a group of farmers and farm advocates from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic came to D.C. to share their Farm Bill priorities with their legislators.
NFU Board, Farmers Urge Congress to Strengthen Farm Bill In late April, the National Farmers Union Board of Directors passed a resolution stating its opposition to the House draft of the 2018 Farm Bill, H.R. 2. The House Agriculture Committee passed the bill last month and it is expected to be considered by the full chamber.
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MFU MEMBERSHIP OFFERS PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY meeting.” I understand time is very important to everyone and limited. At MFU we want your experience at our events to be valuable and inclusive of the whole family, not just another meeting. Please if possible take some time to get involved in MFU and attend some of our programming. We try to reach across multiple areas so we have something for everyone. Some of the summer events you may find interesting:
BY JUSTIN LOCH M E M B E R S H I P D I R E C TO R
Summer is a busy time of year for many people. You have farm/ranch work to get done, camping and vacation trips, fairs, field days and much more. Things at MFU really get ramped up in the summer, and this summer is no exception. I encourage members to take advantage of MFU activities which are available at little to no cost. Better yet, enjoy the MFU events even more by bringing a friend! By participating in a MFU sponsored event we hope you will see added value in your membership and become more involved in the organization. The more participation we have in the organization the stronger we are and the louder our voice. That being said when planning MFU activities it would be very helpful to have input from membership. Technology has changed our world greatly. It has worked both for better and worse, in my opinion. We are able to do things more efficiently and find answers right at our finger tips with a smart phone, tablet, or other device. That being said we have eliminated interaction between people. There is value in seeking out an answer from a mentor, Ag group, or other professional. By working with another person you get that understanding and encouragement that technology can’t provide. By putting on programming we hope to keep interaction between members, professionals and others going. That’s what MFU was and is still all about, people coming together to support a common cause. Quite often I hear the same thing, “I don’t have time for another
• Day camps: These camps are one day camps scattered throughout Montana for kids designed to teach them a little about agriculture and cooperatives. These are open to the public and we hope you will get your kids to attend. If you are interesting in having a day camp in your area reach out to our education staff. • Youth camps: These camps are available for members’ children ages 8-18. College students are welcome to apply for summer employment if interested. These camps run a week long and include many activities from education, hiking, crafts, dancing, archery, games, and much more. Please contact our office if you have questions regarding the camp program. • MFU Mid-Year Conference: This conference is open to all. It will be in Bozeman June 6-7. Please join us for tours of MSU farms and programs, SimGenetics, Dry Hills Distillery and more. • Industrial Hemp 101 Workshop: June 13th at 6:30 p.m. in Glendive at the Dawson Community College Auditorium. • NFU DC Fly-In: This trip is open to interested members and happens Sept. 9-12, 2018. Members will help lobby on Capitol Hill with Farmers Union Members from all over the U.S. Please contact our office if you are interested in participating in this experience. These are just a few of the offerings that MFU has for the summer and early fall. Please pay attention to our newsletter and website for additional programming and events. We hope to see you this summer! Your membership is important to us at MFU and we want you to get the most out of it. Please be active, stay active, and let’s keep supporting family agriculture!
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BEEKEEPING CONTINUED
“The last thing they want to do is sting you and then die.”However, bees will protect the hive if necessary, which is why beekeepers wear suits when tending their hives. After demonstrating the finer aspects of beekeeping. Elliot gave the students a spoonful of raw honey, to their great delight, to show the product that beekeeping produces. Both MFU and Elliot believe that you have to start early to make kids aware of farming and agriculture.“MFU is trying to reach the kids and the community. Maybe we haven’t focused enough on the next generation,” said Elliot. “If we can find one or two interested kids, then that is the next generation of beekeepers.” “If we don’t take this opportunity to get into kids’ lives, then we might never get in there,” said Elliot. “We have to personally enact change and foster relationships with these kids.” asked Elliot. Elliot firmly believes that change starts with the next generation and he dedicates a lot of his time to helping and educating youngsters in the community. “Here, we have Jim Rodenberg of Honeyland, one of the best beekeepers in the state,” said Elliot. “They have been a leader in honey production in the state.” “We also have these kids that will need jobs and we have this company here in town,” said Elliot. “How do we get two, five or even 10 of these kids interested?” MFU is a national group based in Montana that tries to reach youth and other groups. Collectively, MFU works to promote agriculture in the state and improve the lives of farming communities. “MFU helps older farmers with technical issues and day-to-day farming activities,” said Elliot. “But you can’t bore kids with that. Kids want to have fun with it and, if they have fun, then they will want to participate more.” Elliot said he believes that talking with theBigger Sky Kids was a success.“I had several kids say they wanted to be beekeepers, which is just great,” said Elliot.
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A MESSAGE FROM SENATOR JON TESTER
A MESSAGE FROM SENATOR STEVE DAINES
A MESSAGE FROM CONGRESSMAN GREG GIANFORTE
Montana’s farmers and ranchers are stewards of the land, and it’s our responsibility to guarantee it’s around for the next generation of producers. Unfortunately, politicians back in Washington have drafted legislation that puts our agricultural economy at risk.
Our farmers and ranchers need helpful tools and flexibility in their business, not overly burdensome federal government regulations. Despite the federal government prohibiting the growing and selling of industrial hemp, Montana legalized the industrial cultivation of the product. Plain and simple, this means more opportunities for Montana’s farmers and ranchers to diversify their crops and meet consumer demand. That’s why I sponsored legislation called the Hemp Farming Act. This bill would allow states to make their own decisions on whether or not hemp cultivation should be legal. The Hemp Farming Act puts the decision back into the hands of people who know best: those in Montana, not Washington, DC. I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to getting this bill passed and signed into law.
The Farm Bill strengthens the safety net for Montana farmers and ranchers, provides them with greater certainty, and improves the health of our forests. As of my writing this, the House did not pass the version of the Farm Bill that was on the floor, because of objections over an unrelated immigration issue. While I’m committed to fixing our broken immigration system and resolving the status of Dreamers, we shouldn’t play games with the Farm Bill and leave Montana farmers in the lurch.
The House of Representatives wants to combine and cut the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in the upcoming Farm Bill. These two initiatives incentivize producers to conserve their land while still farming and ranching. In my numerous Farm Bill listening sessions across Montana, I have heard time and again that these programs promote voluntary conservation and make our land more resilient. You’ve told me that cutting CSP and EQIP will hurt your bottom line. That’s why I’m fighting to ensure that we do not lose ground from the 2014 Farm Bill. Montana grows the finest ag products in the world and we need to make sure the next generation of producers can take over the family business. As the Senate drafts its version of the Farm Bill, I will ensure your priorities are in it. If you have ideas about how to make the Farm Bill work better, let me know at FarmBillComments@tester.senate.gov.
While I’m glad to see progress with the cultivation of hemp in Montana, this issue goes beyond that. This is an issue of protecting states’ rights against an overbearing federal government. Unfortunately, industrial hemp is just one of many examples of the federal government being involved where it should not be. With this and many issues impacting Montana’s farmers and ranchers, I am honored to serve as your voice on the Senate Agriculture Committee. As the discussions for the upcoming Farm Bill are underway, please be sure to reach out to me through any of my offices across Montana or in DC with any thoughts or ideas you may have.
One element of the Farm Bill that went under the radar was forest management reform. The Farm Bill included measures improving how we manage our forests so that we can have healthier forests, less severe wildfires, and improved wildlife habitats.The Farm Bill includes two amendments I offered. One extends Good Neighbor Authority to county governments so they may enter into agreements with the U.S. Forest Service to perform forest management services on National Forest System lands. State governments already enjoy Good Neighbor Authority. My other amendment allows for expedited salvage operations for dead and dying trees in areas burned by wildfire. It also requires reforestation of at least 75 percent of the burned areas.Another element that went underreported were measures to address the crisis and tragedy of increasing rates of farmer suicide. C O N T I N U E D N E X T PA G E
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a drastically decreased return on investment. Four years ago, milk farmers were claiming more than half of the milk dollar, whereas today, that value stands at just $0.30.
The NFU Board urged members of the House to make significant improvements to the Farm Bill before passing the legislation.
al, and specialty markets and energy programs that promote development of the bioeconomy in rural areas.
As written, the bill is wholly inadequate for providing family farmers with the resources they need to endure weak commodity prices, large surpluses, an increasingly consolidated marketplace, and depressed farm income.
The bill contains some bad news for hungry Americans, too. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program may see budget cuts and more stringent work requirements for participants, even though there are already such requirements in place. The NFU Board advised that the House maintain funding levels for consumer benefits under nutrition programs.
The Title I commodity programs would be largely the same as they were in 2014 Farm Bill. Price Loss Coverage (PLC) would maintain its reference prices, the threshold below In May, 13 farmers and farm advocates from which payments are triggered, for all com- the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic made the trip modities. to Washington, D.C., to discuss the Farm Bill with their legislators. The group campaigned As a result, struggling farmers will likely not for many of the Board’s requests, including receive an adequate amount of assistance to the reauthorization and funding of working deal with such low commodity prices. The lands conservation programs and programs NFU Board resolution recommended that that support the development and growth of Congress increase PLC reference prices to diverse markets. improve the farm safety net and offset potential trade retaliation. Additionally, they Farmer’s Share Hits 15-Year Low emphasized the need to provide dairy farm- Since 1993, the U.S. Department of Agriers, who have been particularly vulnerable to culture (USDA) Economic Research Service low prices, with enhanced price supports and (ERS) has reported on the farmer’s share of a mechanism that manages our nation’s milk the American food dollar. This is the porinventories to meet market demand. tion of every dollar that American consumers spend on food that is allotted to food producAdditionally, the House draft fails to provide ers. The rest of the dollar goes to marketing, farmers with the tools they need to be the processing, wholesaling, distribution and rebest possible stewards of our natural resourc- tailing. es. The bill would eliminate the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), a working lands In April, ERS reported that the 2016 farmer’s program that offers incentives for improving share hit a record low, bottoming out at 14.8 and maintaining conservation practices. The cents. That number marks a 5 percent decline board decried the move and called for the re- over the previous year, and the lowest mark authorization of CSP. for the farmer’s share since USDA ERS began reporting on the numbers 15 years ago. The bill would also eliminate mandatory The rapid drop shadows the larger agriculfunding for Value-Added Producer Grants, tural economic picture, which has been grim Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion for some time. The difference is particularly Programs, the National Organic Certification stark for specific products. For instance, in Cost Share Program, all of which facilitate 2014, beef cattle farmers were earning $0.44 the development of fair and diverse markets for every dollar Americans spent on steak. for family farmers. The NFU Board advocat- This year, they are only earning $0.22. Simied the restoration of mandatory funding for larly, dairy producers, who have been hit espeprograms that improve access to local, region cially hard by economic difficulties, have seen
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Ethanol Agreement a Mixed Bag As an attempt to end an ongoing dispute about the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), President Donald Trump met with legislators and stakeholders from the oil and biofuel industries. The meeting concluded with an agreement to allow year-round use of E15 gasoline, a limit on RFS ‘hardship waivers’ being handed out to refiners, and the possibility that Renewable Identification Numbers (RIN) credits could be applied to exports of renewable fuel. No cap on RIN prices, nor any offset for the hardship waivers that were handed out to large refiners were included in the agreement. The deal is not yet finalized – it must first go through the federal rulemaking process and implemented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). National Farmers Union viewed the agreement as a mixed bag for family farmers and ranchers. The organization was pleased with the decision to make E15 available during all seasons, but emphasized that moving towards higher blends like E30 is critical for maximizing environmental benefits as well as for opening market opportunities to farmers. NFU also felt ambivalent about the proposed changes to RFS’s RIN requirements and pricing. The Washington Corner can also be found at www.nfu.org/corner.
G I A N F O RT E C O N T I N U E D
What our farmers and ranchers do for our communities and country is tough, demanding work. The federal government has a responsibility to reduce some of the stresses they face – not exacerbate them. In addition to providing a strong safety net for them, the Farm Bill also helps farmers and ranchers in crisis by extending a program that provides grants to support efforts by state and tribal cooperative extension services to help farmers in crisis. We have to act. I heard from many of you as the Farm Bill came together, and I hope you will continue reaching out to me. My door is always open. You may find my contact information on my website at gianforte.house.gov.
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