State Convention edition by North Dakota Farmers Union

Mission Statement: North Dakota Farmers Union, guided by the principles of cooperation, legislation and education, is an organization committed to the prosperity of family farms, ranches and rural communities.

UNION FARMER www.ndfu.org

October 2014 – Volume 61 • Number 11

STATE CONVENTION EDITION

You’re Invited

State Convention Meeting:

highlightS:

at the holiday inn in Fargo

pre-regiSter and Save $$$

• diStriCt CauCuSeS • Set poliCy and aCtion • eduCational traCkS • keynote SpeakerS • eleCtion oF oFFiCerS • torChBearer Banquet • youth aCtivitieS

Friday, nov. 21 and Saturday, nov. 22

The Gala:

Friday 5:30 p.m.

Buy a tiCket and get a Free wine glaSS. enjoy a SoCial hour with wine and CheeSe taSting. advanCe tiCketS only with proCeedS BeneFiting the ndFu Foundation.

www.ndFu.org The Soiree:

Friday 7 p.m.

a 1940S theme party open to everyone to CeleBrate the 70th anniverSary oF FarmerS union inSuranCe. muSiC, danCing & CoStumeS! North Dakota Union Farmer

The UNION FARMER is published monthly by North Dakota Farmers Union at 1415 12th Ave SE, Jamestown, ND 58401. Annual subscription is $30 with NDFU membership. Periodicals postage paid at Fargo, ND.

October Special Edition 2014

EDITOR: Anne Denholm 800-366-8331 • www.ndfu.org adenholm@ndfu.org POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: NDFU, PO Box 2136, Jamestown, ND 58402-2136 Copies mailed this issue: 34,725 • USPS 016-211

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: President: Mark Watne Vice President: Bob Kuylen Secretary: Ellen Linderman Treasurer: Terry Borstad James Kerzman; Wes Niederman Jr.; Dennis Stromme; Jim Teigen; Ronda Throener

Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

North Dakota Farmers Union members are invited to attend the state convention set for Nov. 21-22 at the Holiday Inn in Fargo. The convention will offer delegates and members the opportunity to debate issues confronting family farmers and be active participants in determining policy for the organization. NDFU President Mark Watne said, “This is the time for farmers and ranchers to get involved and speak up about policies that affect them. We are a grassroots organization and it’s important for members to attend the state convention.”

Pre-register now

Pre-registration is encouraged this year to help determine food and staffing needs. Pricing is as follows:

PRICE NOW

PRICE AFTER NOV.17

Convention $50 $70 Youth Activities $30 $50 Daycare $5 $25 Foundation Gala $25 (Gala tickets must be purchased in advance and presented at the door.)

All members should pre-register using tixclix located online at http:// ndfu.tixclix.com/e/707 or through www.ndfu.org. Members needing assistance may call 800-366-8331 ext. 100. There will be no refunds or exchanges. All sales are final.

Convention overview

The annual meeting of Farmers Union Mutual Insurance and North Dakota Farmers Union will begin on Friday morning, followed by the president’s report. Keynote speaker Lowell Catlett will take the stage at 1:30 p.m. Catlett is a futurist. His unique perspective of emerging technologies prepares audiences to anticipate coming changes. Friday afternoon will feature

three different education tracks including one on soil science and health, weather and climate, the restaurants in Washington, D.C., marketing and the top computer applications for agriculture. On Saturday, the convention continues with Policy and Action where Farmers Union members will introduce, debate and then adopt policy positions. Elections for officers and national convention delegates will be held as well. CHS Inc. Senior Vice President of Ag Business Brian Schouvieller will address the membership at 1:45 p.m. to share information on the fertilizer project. On Saturday evening, the annual Torchbearer banquet will be held where youth from North Dakota will be recognized for their accomplishments and Bergman Scholarship recipients will be named. JoLynn Friesz has been named the featured speaker. Evening entertainment with a deejay and photo booth will cap off the convention.

Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

Members will also have choices for evening entertainment. Tickets for a gala fundraiser on Friday evening are being pre-sold as a way to raise money for the Farmers Union Foundation. This is a limited, first-come, first-served event. Participants will receive a wine glass to keep and enjoy wine tasting and appetizers. For members not attending the gala, root beer and orange floats will be served while State Youth Advisory Council members lead a fun ag trivia game. At 7 p.m., everyone is invited to a soiree to celebrate the 70th birthday of Farmers Union Insurance. The soiree will be a 1940s theme party. Dance to music, enjoy 1940s decorations and wear a costume! Farmers Union Agents Association is a cosponsor for the evening and will present a video, photos and other displays.

Youth activities

Youth convention will be available for grades K-12. Special activities such as swimming, skating, crafts, a magician and games will be arranged for different age groups, with supervision being provided by Farmers Union Summer Staff. Daycare will be available for ages 0-5 on Friday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Toys, games and movies will entertain youth at the hotel. This service will be provided by a licensed daycare professional. Meals will be provided. Follow NDFU on Facebook and Twitter at #NDFUconvention. s

October Special Edition 2014

Key speakers to lead sessions

Two dynamic speakers will address the membership during the state convention. Dr. Lowell Catlett will open Friday afternoon’s session at 1:30 p.m. and Brian Schouvieller from CHS, Inc. will take the stage on Saturday at 1:45 p.m. Catlett will present his take on trends in health care, agriculture, the environment, education and more. His talk will address the current state of the economy and what’s in store for businesses down the road. He is a regent’s professor/ dean and chief administrative officer at New Mexico State University’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. An exciting futurist, his knowledge of technologies and their implications on the way people live and work will be addressed in his varied and upbeat presentation.

Dr. Lowell Catlett New Mexico State University

Brian Schouvieller, CHS Inc. Senior Vice President, Ag Business

He spoke at the Precision Ag Conference three years ago. Schouvieller is senior vice president in ag business for CHS, Inc. He is responsible for the strategic planning, construction and anticipated 2018 commissioning of the fertilizer plant at Spiritwood. The

$3 billion project will be the single largest investment in CHS history and the largest private investment in the state of North Dakota. Schouvieller will share his vision and talk about agriculture in the world today. s

NDFU is also affiliated with National Farmers Union, based in Washington, D.C. Each year, NDFU sends a number of delegates, based upon total membership numbers, to the NFU convention to represent the state. These delegates, which are elected at the NDFU State Convention, help shape the national policy program for the organization. Policies which are passed at the state level can be brought for consideration at the national convention. Delegates can also propose changes and additions to the national policy program from the floor during the annual NFU convention. If elected as a NFU delegate, there are a number of requirements. • Delegates to the national convention represent NDFU and must support the policies of the NDFU Policy and Action as adopted by members at the state convention. • Delegates must make it a priority to learn the differences between the NDFU and NFU policies that are expected to arise.

Before the national convention, NDFU staff will provide background on anticipated policy changes to the NFU policy. • Delegates are expected to attend all meetings of the national convention. Delegates are also expected to fully participate – including speaking on the floor – during policy debate. Watne said, “We want to encourage active producers, co-op managers or board members, or others who will carry the North Dakota Farmers Union message to run for a national delegate position.” There are also many benefits of being involved as a delegate. All travel and convention costs are covered. Other benefits include leadership development, social interaction, creating change through policy, meeting lawmakers, public speaking and making a difference in your state and community. s

Get involved and create change Each year, delegates from counties across the state of North Dakota convene at the annual state convention to adopt the organization’s policy program. The policy lays out the ideas, concepts, and programs North Dakota Farmers Union believes in or stands against. NDFU President Mark Watne explained, “We’re a grassroots organization which means our policies come from the members of the organization. It’s essential that members speak up at their local and county meetings to bring their ideas forward to the state level.” A policy change can be voted on at the county level and be brought for consideration before the state delegates at the convention. The Policy and Action Committee, made up of leaders from across the state, also bring policy changes forward for consideration. NDFU’s Policy and Action is followed when the organization lobbies on behalf of farmers, ranchers and rural communities at the state and national level.

October Special Edition 2014

Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

Choose a learning track on Friday afternoon Three different tracks will help frame the conference during Friday afternoon. Presentations will begin at 3 p.m. and end at 5 p.m.

TRACK 1:

TRACK 2:

TRACK 3:

Learn more about soil science and soil health from Abby Wick. Wick is the state soil health specialist with North Dakota State University Extension. Wick will cover the basics of soil health and how management “from the ground up” can influence agricultural systems. She will talk about successful approaches for different producers across the state. The presentation will encourage an open dialog so that everyone will walk away with a new idea or approach to build soil health.

Find out what’s happening at the Washington, D.C., restaurants from Dan Simons, the managing partner and concept developer for Founding Farmers & Farmers Fishers Bakers. Participants will also hear from a master distiller, Rick Wasmund, who produces the whiskey and gin for Founding Farmers. Simons spearheaded the initial development of the Founding Farmers concept for North Dakota Farmers Union via his consulting firm, VSAG. Under his direction, Founding Farmers has flourished as one of the greenest and most successful restaurants in the U.S., and was the first LEED Gold Certified upscale, full-service restaurant in the country. Founding Farmers is one of the mostbooked restaurants in the United States. Since 2010, two additional restaurants have opened, with a third Founding Farmers restaurant to open later this year. Wasmund is the founder, managing member and master distiller at Copper Fox Distillery in Sperryville, Va. Since the early 2000s, he has worked to build the only malting facility in Virginia, and one of the first on the East Coast. By 2006, Wasmund had fulfilled his vision of leading the first and only company to use applewood and cherrywood smoked malt to produce a unique and world-class line of whiskies. In 2009, Wasmund was proud to start producing the Founding Farmers Rye Whisky and in 2013, the Founding Farmers Single Malt Gin came to life. s

Discover the top 10 farming apps to use in North Dakota and learn more about the ag markets. Dr. Frayne Olson is an expert at evaluating crop marketing strategies, crop outlook and price analysis. He will present the economics of crop contracting and share his insight on today’s markets. Olson is the crop economist/marketing specialist with North Dakota State University Extension Service. Olson also conducts educational programs and research. John Nowatzki has compiled a list of great farming apps to use for farming and ranching. Learn how to access these tools and how technology can work for you. Nowatzki coordinates the NDSU Extension agricultural machinery systems educational program. He has been delivering educational presentations throughout the state on various precision agriculture topics including farm data management, unmanned aircraft systems, LIDAR applications, variable rate fertilization of field crops and sprayer boom section control. s

Soil science & health

Climate & weather

Leon Osborne is a professor at the University of North Dakota and currently is a Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, director of the Regional Weather Information Center and the Surface Transportation Weather Research Center. Osborne’s research interests include numerical weather prediction, atmospheric data assimilation, surface transportation meteorology, and using technologies for improved decision-making applications. s

Restaurants & distillery

Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

Marketing & technology

October Special Edition 2014

Youth have fun at convention, too Youth will have fun at the state convention this year swimming, roller skating, making crafts and watching a magician. Kids in grades K-12 can participate in youth activities. Cost for youth activities is $30 with preregistration or $50 after Nov. 17. Here’s the tentative schedule: Friday, Nov. 21: 8 - 10 a.m. Registration 10 a.m. - noon Co-op education 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch at hotel 1:30 - 5 p.m. Swimming Saturday, Nov. 22: 7:15 - 10 a.m. Registration 8 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Crafts and games 10:30 a.m. Magician (sponsored by TAG) 11:30 a.m. Depart for Skateland 12 noon Lunch 12:30 - 5 p.m. Rollerskating

Gala and Soiree

Don’t forget to bring your 1940s costume for the soiree on Saturday night! Help celebrate the 70th birthday of Farmers Union Insurance at the 1940s-themed soiree starting at 7 p.m. This event is open to everyone. Prior to the soiree, a special gala event for the NDFU Foundation will be held. Tickets are being sold in advance and will not be available at the door. For members not attending the gala, root beer and orange floats will be served in a different room. Purchase tickets for the soiree online at www.ndfu.org.

October Special Edition 2014

Torchbearers to be recognized On Saturday night, 25 youth will be honored with their Torchbearer Award in recognition of their hard work and participation in North Dakota Farmers Union’s youth program. During the candlelit ceremony, speaker JoLynn Friesz will share her inspiring personal story. Friesz grew up on a family farm near Flasher, where she was introduced to Farmers Union at a young age. As the ninth of 10 children, Friesz grew up watching her older siblings participate in Farmers Union activities. As soon as she could, she became active in day classes, summer camps and eventually earned award trips to Minneapolis and Colorado. Friesz received her Torchbearer Award in 2002, and served as a summer staff counselor for three years. JoLynn feels very fortunate to still be part of the Farmers Union experience as she has served as the National Farmers Union All-States camp nurse for the past three summers. She earned her Bachelor’s of Nursing degree from the University of Mary and currently

resides in San Diego, Calif., where she is employed at Scripps Green Hospital as a registered nurse. 2014 Torchbearers: Rachel Barth Jacob Baumann Katie Baumgartner Bailey Bitz Nicollette Bitz Claire Carlson Dylan Finken Hailey Fleming Shayla Fossum Karly Held Katie Ingerson Kinzie Jensen Spencer King Alexandra Lebahn RaeLyn Leier Abby Miller Nickolas Oster Megan Reis Ashley Schuster Kali Schwartzenberger Ashley Tougas Lauren Vetter Beca Wallstrum Ashlee Wolf Mia Young

Be sure to register for convention! CALL - 800-366-8331 ext. 100 ONLINE - www.ndfu.org

Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

THE AGENDA

88th Annual State Convention • November 21 - 22, 2014 • Holiday Inn in Fargo

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21 8 a.m.

Registration Opens

9 a.m.

Daycare Opens

10 a.m.

Convention Convenes Presentation of Colors Pledge of Allegiance National Anthem Welcome Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Company Annual Meeting • FUMIC Credentials Committee Report • FUMIC Bylaws Committee Report • Minutes of 2013 FUMIC Meeting • Financial and Annual Report – Mark Anderson • President’s Report – Mark Watne

12 p.m.

6:45 a.m.

Lunch District Caucuses

1:30 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

2:30 p.m. 3 p.m.

5:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 8:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22

Convention Reconvenes Speaker: Lowell Catlett, Economic Futurist and Regents Professor, New Mexico State University Nominations of candidates for NFU Delegates, NDFU President, Vice President and District Directors Preliminary Report of Bylaws Committee Agent Training TRACK 1 – Soil Science/Soil Health – Abby Wick, NDSU Weather/Climate – Leon Osborne TRACK 2 – Agraria/Restaurant Update – Dan Simons, VSAG Copper Fox Distillery – Rick Wasmund TRACK 3 – Marketing – NDSU Top Farming Apps/Technology Gala Fundraiser – Advance tickets only Float Social with Ag Trivia Game Farmers Union Insurance Soiree Swing Band Evening Concludes

7:15 a.m.

Breakfast Buffet Registration Opens (open until 5 p.m.) Voting Booths Open (open until 1 p.m.)

8 a.m. 8 a.m.

8:20 p.m.

10:30 a.m. 11 a.m. 12:30 p.m. 1:15 p.m.

2:45 p.m.

Daycare Opens Youth Activity Room Available Convention Reconvenes Camp Songs led by SYAC Camp Recap Video SYAC Speeches Consideration of NDFU Bylaws – Carmen Richards, Chairperson Financial Report Member Q & A P & A Discussion Begins Coffee Break P & A Discussion Continues Lunch Balloting Closes Convention Reconvenes Speaker: Brian Schouvieller, CHS Senior Vice President, Ag Business Elected Officials Speak Finish P&A (if necessary)

Final Report of Credentials Committee Elections Committee Results Election of FUMIC Board Introduction of Board Members 4:15 p.m.

Recess for afternoon

4:30 p.m.

Torchbearer Practice

6:30 p.m.

NDFU Members & Torchbearer Banquet Welcome Speaker: JoLynn Friesz 2014 Torchbearer Award Ceremony Presentation of Bergman Scholarships Adjourn

8:30 p.m.

Entertainment Power Play (DJ, Karaoke & Photo Booth)

GET UPDATES ON THE STATE CONVENTION AT:

www.ndfu.org

Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

October Special Edition 2014

PERIODICALS – POSTAGE PAID

1415 12th Ave SE PO Box 2136 Jamestown, ND 58402

For more convention information, click on this code or go to:

www.ndfu.org

Holiday Inn

CONVENTION HEADQUARTERS

3803 13th Ave S - Fargo 701-282-2700 $99.95 + TAX RESERVE BY NOV. 6

Holiday Inn Express

1040 40th St S - Fargo 701-282-2000 $119.95 + TAX RESERVE BY NOV. 6

NDFU State Convention Fargo, North Dakota

STATE CONVENTION HOUSING INFORMATION

November 21-22, 2014 PLEASE MAKE YOUR RESERVATION BY NOVEMBER 6.

Reservations for committee members are the only ones being handled by the NDFU state office.

Best Western Doublewood

3333 13th Ave S - Fargo 701-235-3333 $89.00 + TAX RESERVE BY NOV. 6

Country Inn & Suites

3316 13th Ave S - Fargo 701-234-0565 $99.00 + TAX RESERVE BY NOV. 6

Expressway Suites

4303 17th Ave S - Fargo 701-239-4303 RESERVE BY NOV. 6 $89.95 + TAX

Hilton Garden Inn

4351 17th Ave S - Fargo 701-499-6000 RESERVE BY NOV. 6 $109.00 + TAX

Kelly Inn on Main

3800 Main Ave - Fargo 701-281-9700 RESERVE BY NOV. 6 $79.00 + TAX

Ramada

1635 42nd St SW - Fargo 701-277-9000 RESERVE BY NOV. 6 $124.00 + TAX