November 2012 Union Farmer

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

In this issue:

8.

All your questions answered about wetlands

14.

Excursion to the East

17.

Go Ultra Green

24.

Head out to The Field

CELEBRATING 85 YEARS November 2012 – Volume 59 Number 11

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North Dakota Union Farmer

The UNION FARMER is published monthly by North Dakota Farmers Union at 1415 12th Ave SE, Jamestown N.D. 58401.

Annual subscription is $25 annually with NDFU membership. Periodicals postage paid at Fargo, ND.

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DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS/EDITOR: Anne Denholm 800-366-8331 • www.ndfu.org adenholm@ndfu.org POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: NDFU, PO Box 2136 Jamestown N.D. 58402-2136 Copies mailed this issue: 34.486 • USPS 016-211

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: President: Elwood “Woody” Barth Vice President: Bob Kuylen Secretary: Ellen Linderman Treasurer: Terry Borstad James Kerzman; Wes Niederman Jr.; Dennis Stromme; Jim Teigen; Ben Vig

Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

Farm bill expiration: what happens now?

The 2008 farm bill expired on Sept. 30, and Congress has left Washington until after the election without taking action to pass a new five-year bill.

North Dakota Farmers Union President Elwood “Woody” Barth commented, “During the lame duck session, we are hoping that a farm bill will be passed to set national policy on agriculture, nutrition and conservation. North Dakota Farmers Union is advocating for a farm bill that provides a strong safety net for producers when commodity prices drop and input costs rapidly rise.”

Farm bill expiration will immediately affect dairy and conservation programs.

Although Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) isn’t triggering right now, the payment rate (45% of the difference between actual and target prices to 34%) and payable milk volume (from about 3 million cwt to 2.4 million cwt) both decreased on Sept. 1 due to a change in the formula for determining milk payments.

The Dairy Product Price Support Program expires on Jan. 1 and reverts to permanent law, raising the support price to roughly $38/cwt.

For conservation programs, the following all lost funding authority: • Chesapeake Bay Watershed Program • Conservation Reserve Program • Grasslands Reserve Program

• Healthy Forest Reserve Program • Wetlands Reserve Program • Voluntary Access and Habitat Incentives Program • Watershed Rehabilitation Program (discretionary appropriations) Additionally, 37 farm bill programs’ budget baselines expired on Sept. 30, which means that Congress cannot simply reauthorize or extend the programs without finding new sources of funding to offset the cost of doing so.

Upon expiration, the farm programs reverted to “permanent law” provisions that were enacted primarily in the 1938 and 1949 farm bills. Permanent law doesn’t kick in immediately but after the 2012 crop year, meaning that the first crop to be directly affected would be winter wheat, harvested in the spring of 2013.

Support under permanent law uses the concept of parity prices, guaranteeing farmers 50 to 90

percent of parity using 1910-1914 ratios as a benchmark. Even if support levels were set at the low end of this range mandated by permanent law, 50 percent of parity prices, supports would be above current market prices.

According to National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson, “It is disappointing that House leadership made the decision to not act on a farm bill before the expiration of the 2008 farm bill, despite indications that there were enough votes to pass the bill. We are hopeful that, with the pressures of the November elections behind them, Congress will commit to making a concerted, proactive effort to pass a comprehensive, five-year farm bill in the lame duck session.

We look forward to working with members of Congress during the lame duck session to ensure that a farm bill can be completed by year’s end.” s

Initiated ballot measures

Be sure to vote in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

North Dakotans will be voting on five special measures as well as choosing representatives for various offices. Information has been compiled on the main measures in hopes that voters may make an informed decision that will support NDFU policy. Please go to the web site for more detailed information on each measure at www.ndfu.org

• Constitutional Measure No. 1 – Elimination of annual poll tax • Constitutional Measure No. 2 – Oaths of office for elected & appointed officials • Constitutional Measure No. 3 – Relating to the practices of farming & ranching • Constitutional Measure No. 4 – Prohibiting smoking in pubic places/worksites • Constitutional Measure No. 5 – Relating to the prevention of animal cruelty Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

4 no position 4 no position 4 vote NO 4 vote YES 4 vote NO 3

NDFU state convention planned North Dakota Farmers Union members are invited to attend the 86th state convention set for Nov. 16-17 at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks this year.

NDFU President Elwood “Woody” Barth said, “This will be my first convention as president and I hope everyone will plan to attend this year’s event.”

Registration for the convention opens at 8 a.m. Friday, Nov. 16.

The annual meeting of Farmers Union Mutual Insurance will begin that morning, followed by the North Dakota Farmers Union’s official meeting. Vance Taylor, president and general manager of the North Dakota State Mill, will welcome members to the convention and keynote speaker Byron Dorgan will take the stage around 1 p.m.

Breakout sessions on taxes, the fertilizer market, oil mineral rights, supplemental insurance and long-term care insurance will be held in the afternoon. A family fun night with casino-type games and activities is planned for Friday

Join the ultimate D.J. on Saturday night following the Torchbearer banquet. It will be a surreal experience with over 10,000 watts of crystal clear sound and the hottest light show. A fun photo booth will capture the memories. Large video screens will be featured along with an interactive D.J.

evening.

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.

National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson and World Farmers Organization President Robert Carlson will speak in the afternoon.

On Saturday evening, the annual Torchbearer banquet will be held where 34 youth from North Dakota will be recognized for their accomplishments and Bergman Scholarship recipients will be

named. Evening entertainment by Backspin Productions including a D.J. and photo booth will cap off the convention.

Free daycare will be provided throughout the weekend. Special activities such as swimming, movies and games will be arranged for different age groups, with supervision being provided by Farmers Union. The rock climbing wall will also be set up in the main arena during family fun night on Friday. Youth attending convention will earn credit for 2013 day class.

A full agenda with specific times is posted on the web site at: www. ndfu.org. s

Partnership to combat hunger National Farmers Union (NFU) and Feeding America have partnered to help fight hunger throughout the United States with the Howard G. Buffet Foundation.

Howard G. Buffett, a Midwest farmer and hunger advocate, has offered to match every dollar given through Farmers Union members to the Feeding America project, up to $50,000. The Feeding America mission is to feed America’s hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks.

NDFU President Elwood “Woody” Barth explained, “Feeding America sends the donations back to the state it was donated from so in North Dakota, the money comes back to the Great Plains Food Bank in Fargo and is distributed statewide from there. One additional fact is that Feeding America’s efficiency rate is 97%.

So 97% of operating expenses go to programs designed to advance their mission of a hunger-free America. And for this drive, 100%

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Donations should be sent to NDFU Foundation at: P.O. Box 2136 Jamestown, ND 58402

by Dec. 15.

comes back to the state since the Howard Buffet Foundation is absorbing all operating expenses.”

According to NFU President Roger Johnson, Feeding America is the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization. He explained, “Every year they reach 37 million hungry Americans, and nearly 14 million of them are children! And because their network of local food banks is so amazingly efficient, every single dollar you give is worth $17 in food and groceries. That means with the matching grant, every dollar helps provide $34 worth of food for hungry families.”

During the last two years, North Dakota Farmers Union has participated in the campaign, giving

over $11,750 to the organization from NDFU camp store, board match and other donations.

Barth added, “We are up to the challenge and are excited to do our part to help this important cause again this year. The kids at camp did a great job with the co-op store and voted to donate the funds to Feeding America. Now, it’s our turn.”

All member-driven donations go to food banks that serve hungry people in their communities.

Feeding America’s more than 200 member food banks serve 61,000 agencies across the United States that address hunger through emergency food assistance and programs.

Members, county organizations and staff are encouraged to participate as well. Additional donations may be sent directly to the NDFU Foundation at PO Box 2136, Jamestown, ND 58402.

The campaign concludes Dec. 15, 2012. s Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

a t Claus is n t o o w a t n!

S g comin DON’T LOOK FOR REINDEER AND DON’T WATCH FOR THE SLEIGH!

This year, Santa Claus will be aboard a brightly colored charter bus when he visits Fargo in style on Saturday, Nov. 24.

Farmers Union Insurance will be waiting for his arrival, too, as an event sponsor in conjunction with Make-A-Wish® North Dakota.

Santa’s visit is part of Macy’s nation-wide Believe campaign, benefiting Make-A-Wish®. Old St. Nick will visit 26 cities in 26 days with Fargo as its first stop on the tour, coming directly from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

On the day of his arrival, Santa will visit many people and at 1 p.m. will be at Macy’s in the West Acres Mall in Fargo.

That evening, Farmers Union Insurance is sponsoring a “Make-A-Wish® North Dakota” night at the Fargo Force hockey arena that will feature Santa dropping the puck at the beginning of the game and a meet and greet event both before and after the game.

Throughout Santa’s visit, people will be asked to participate in a letter campaign. All believers are invited to drop off letters at any Macy’s store, beginning Nov. 2. For each letter received, Macy’s will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish® Foundation, up to $1 million, to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. s

Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

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It’s harvest time

BY ANNE DENHOLM, NDFU

Timing is everything and for sugar beet grower and North Dakota Farmers Union member, Dalyn Vollrath, the time is right for a great crop this year.

“This year’s harvest looks good.

The ground was pretty hard since it’s been so dry here,” Vollrath said. “The beet harvest is the last thing to do before winter and it’s an adrenaline rush. We had a lot to do in a short amount of time.”

Sugar beet harvest began at midnight, October 3, this year. More than 800 farms harvested about 10 million tons of beets in about a twoweek period. Hundreds of trucks took to the roads 24 hours a day, split into three shifts. It is a mass rush to harvest and deliver the beets during the narrow timeframe.

Vollrath is no stranger to the long hours. Vollrath was raised on a farm and after his father’s death 10 years ago, he took over the operation with help from his family. His sister, Amber, drives the defoliator, a tractor that takes the green tops off the beets. His brother-in-law, Jason, also helps with harvest, filling in wherever needed. His wife, Amy, her parents and his mother help with logistics and deliver meals. The family farms west of St. Thomas, N.D. and raise sugar beets, pinto beans and wheat. They hire 10 workers to help with the harvest.

One of their employees, Troy 6

Lunde of St. Thomas, drives truck and took about 15 loads during each 12-hour shift.

The nearest receiving station is located about 5 to13 miles from their beet fields. “Each truck carries about 16 to 20 tons,” Lunde said. “We have eight trucks hauling beets for the Vollrath farm. You have to pay attention when loading and unloading. It’s a process and the time between trips depends on how busy the receiving station is. Sometimes you can get in and out within 10 minutes. Other times, there can be a long wait if the trucks are backed up.”

Vollrath remembers a time when it took a lot longer.

“When I was growing up, Sugar beet grower, Dalyn Vollrath, farms by St. we had a four-row harvester Thomas, N.D. with the help of his family.

Trucks haul the beets from the field to the nearest receiving station. Each truck carries about 16-20 tons.

Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

and only two or three trucks. Today, I use a 12-row machine with eight trucks. We used to have to haul to a station that was 20 miles away and now, it’s a lot closer. We can operate all night now, too, since we have lights and more hauling equipment. We’ve come a long way,” he said.

Using the latest in technology helps as well. Vollrath pointed to the GPS system in his cab and added, “The harvester is equipped with cameras which make it easier to see everything that’s going on.

We have fewer problems now.”

Cooperative members haul beets to different piling stations and are directed when and where to go. Acres are contracted each year between the cooperative and the growers, based on a percentage.

Each producer is assigned a shift to haul their beets to the station and has a certain quota to bring in for pre-harvest, a period of time before the full harvest begins that allows American Crystal to get a jump start each fall.

Producers rely on the receiving station to keep the whole process intact. Receiving station manager Tom Herman oversees operations for American Crystal Sugar stations in Grafton, St.Thomas and Nash.

Herman said, “In just St. Thomas alone, we probably have about 2,400 loads coming through each day. When it’s really busy, there will be six to 10 trucks in line at a time.

There are typically about three or four trucks behind each piler, waiting to unload.”

The St. Thomas receiving station is equipped with four pilers and two scale houses.

Herman said, “About 21,000 acres of sugar beets get piled in here. The full harvest will run from Oct. 3-22 although that can change depending on the weather conditions. We will stay open until growers shut down.”

Herman explained that once harvest begins, the sugar beets are piled up into huge mounds until processed. They need to be processed or frozen quickly to maximize sugar extraction and minimize spoilage. The sugar beets are stored in one of the five factory yards or one of the 33 outlying piling stations. Frozen sugar beets may be stored for extended periods. To ensure quality, samples are taken at each receiving station.

In St. Thomas, about 600 samples

are collected each day. These samples are tracked to growers and tested for sugar content and weight.

The company utilizes a process called split pile storage in which sugar beets from the center of the piles are removed for processing first. Split pile storage permits more of the stored sugar beets to freeze naturally. Ventilation techniques are also used to circulate air through channels to reduce spoilage. Large enclosed cold storage sheds are also used to extend the sugar beet storage period before the beets are processed.

Sugar beets are used to manufacture a variety of products for both commercial and consumer markets. s

From the farm to the stations, the beets are piled up until they are ready to be processed.

Sugar beet harvest began at midnight on Wednesday, Oct. 3. Growers will be working non-stop to finish in November.

Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

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Questions & answers In response to member concerns about proper wetland management, NDFU developed the following questions and answers on wetland determinations, mapping, draining, tiling, mitigation, and hydrology. We thank NRCS State Conservationist Mary Podoll and staff for providing up-to-date answers to the following questions:

What is the process?

What is a wetland? Do different soil types or regions of the state have different rules concerning wetland delineations?

No, there are not different rules for different regions.

There are different “types” of wetlands, such as playas, potholes, marshes, bogs, fens and more. But they all have all of the three components of a wetland – hydric soils, hydrology and support hydrophytic (wetland) plants.

What is the process of determining a wetland?

• NRCS uses standardized procedures to determine wetlands. Potential wetlands are identified using an offsite method utilizing soils maps and aerial images if the information from these materials is deemed adequate. This offsite method considers only the years determined as normal for the past twenty years. If a

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wetland signature appears 65% or more of the time in normal years, the area can be labeled a wetland without conducting a field investigation. Likewise if a wetland signature appears less than 30% of the time in normal years, the area is labeled prior converted or non-wetland. The areas that demonstrate a signature between 30% and 65% are field-verified to determine if hydric soils, hydrology and hydrophytic plants criteria are met.

• NRCS will also verify and complete scope and effect for wetlands drained prior to December 23, 1985 to determine if the area is a Farmed Wetland (FW) or a Prior Converted wetland (PC).

• Site investigations are conducted by individuals who have had the required training and job approval authority to complete wetland delineations. Many of these are soil scientists or have adequate training in wetland soil delineations.

• North Dakota wetland determination procedures can be found on the North Dakota NRCS Homepage in the section 1 of the Field Office Technical Guide (eFOTG).

All field offices can also provide a copy.

Why did NRCS send hydrology survey maps to producers without any explanation?

This is part of the off-site evaluation, the first step in the process toward wetland certification, which includes delivering preliminary maps. Maps are provided only if requested and the process should include a discussion by the field office staff.

Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

on wetland issues How much input does the producer have in the certification process?

What is the appeals process on wetland determinations?

USDA participants are encouraged to participate in the wetland certification process. This allows the participant a better understanding of how the wetland determination is completed, and more importantly, allows the participant to provide additional information which NRCS may not be aware of concerning the land being reviewed. The participant may be present at the initial field determination, the field review requested by the participant, and the state conservationist’s review.

North Dakota NRCS has developed a number of fact sheets providing information on the appeals procedures. In addition, any NRCS field office should be able to provide information concerning the appeals process.

Are wetland determinations made by the local NRCS office or elsewhere? How does NRCS prioritize whistleblower complaints versus farmer requests for determinations?

Wetland Determinations are made by a person trained in wetland delineation, which includes soils, plants and other natural resource assessment. Beginning October 1, 2012, NRCS will allow local field offices to focus on conservation planning and program implementation and to increase efficiency of time in completing wetland delineations. All requests will be processed in the order received. There is a backlog and we are working to manage this back-log as soon as possible. A participant may be able to have a certified wetland determination completed sooner if they choose to have a consultant complete the on-site work in lieu of NRCS. North Dakota NRCS will make wetland determinations for those individuals willing to hire certified consultants to complete the on-site wetland work.

Can standing water on previously determined non-wetland acres change soil characteristics to that of wetlands?

No, wetlands were formed over thousands of years and do not develop in 10 or 20 years of time. The soil determines the true perimeter of a wetland.

This results in accurate wetland delineation when above-average precipitation causes the area above the wetland to hold water and grow wetland-type vegetation. Basins lacking hydric soil, but acting like wetlands, are likewise identified as non-wetland.

What is the role of the local soil conservation district in NRCS determinations?

Soil Conservation Districts are a subdivision of a state or local government organized to develop and implement soil and water conservation activities or programs. Historically, they have served as the primary partner of NRCS to ensure grassroots involvement in identifying local natural resource opportunities. Soil Conservation Districts often assist in conservation, education and outreach on conservation topics.

Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

What is the difference between a wetland determination, certification and delineation?

Wetland determination maps are those maps that were completed in the late 1980s and early 1990s. These maps were provided to all producers/landowners after the National Food Security Act of 1985 was passed.

Those maps were created using off-site methods. The Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 required that wetland determinations completed after July 3, 1996, needed to be certified. Certified wetland determinations are of sufficient quality to make a determination of ineligibility for program benefits under 7 CFR §12.4. Most wetland determinations in North Dakota prior to 1991 are not considered to be of sufficient quality and are not considered certified wetland determinations. Certified wetland determinations also provide the USDA participant appeal rights. In both cases, the wetland boundaries are delineated.

Once a wetland determination is made, does it remain in place forever or can determinations change over time?

Once a certified wetland determination is made, it remains in place forever unless a person affected by the certification requests a review of the certification.

A person may request a review if a natural event alters the topography or hydrology of the subject land to the extent that the final certification is no longer a reliable indicator of site conditions.

What is the role of the NRCS State Technical Committee?

It is the responsibility of the State Technical Committee to: (1) Provide information, analysis, and recommendations to USDA on conservation priorities and criteria for natural resource conservation activities and programs, including application and funding criteria, recommended practices, and program payment percentages.

(2) Identify emerging natural resource concerns and program needs and recommend conservation practice standards and specifications.

(3) Recommend state and national program policy based on resource data.

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(4) Review activities of the local working groups to ensure State priorities are being addressed locally.

(5) Make recommendations to the state conservationist on requests and recommendations from local working groups.

(6) Assist NRCS with public outreach and information efforts and identify educational and producer training needs.

What can I do with a wetland?

Can a producer restore or create a new wetland to replace a wetland that he or she wishes to drain on their farm?

Yes, wetlands can be mitigated as long as the acres, values and functions of the drained wetland are replaced.

What is the status of previously drained or converted wetlands prior to 1985?

Can you maintain or clean out existing drains?

Yes, maintenance is the landowner’s responsibility.

Maintenance is allowed to the level/extent that existed prior to December 23, 1985. The Drain Maintenance Fact Sheet (2008) can provide additional guidance.

Fact sheets can be found on the North Dakota NRCS homepage.

What are the considerations to bank wetlands in a mitigation bank?

The land must possess the physical, chemical and biological characteristics to establish or reestablish wetland functions. Ideally, wetland mitigation banks will 10

provide an opportunity to restore a diverse complex of wetlands, including wetlands with temporary, seasonal and semi-permanent water regimes. The area in the bank would be required to have an easement to ensure the wetland functions provided by the bank are not impacted by future alterations or encroachment. NRCS has a template warrant easement deed that bank sponsors can utilize.

What if I want to tile/drain acres?

It is permissible to drain acres not classified as a wetland with surface or tile drainage. Additionally, in most cases, drainage systems and other conversions that existed prior to December 23, 1985, can be maintained to the extent they existed at that time.

However, the hydrology of wetlands cannot be altered by new drainage systems nor by improvements to an existing drainage system without first mitigating the losses of the wetland acreage and function. Installing any drainage system in or close enough to reduce wetland functions may cause loss of farm program eligibility. Before installing or maintaining any drainage system, you should contact NRCS. Also make sure to check with the North Dakota State Water Commission or local water board for any needed permits, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to see if there is an easement on the wetland.

Can smaller wetlands be combined into a larger, deeper wetland? If so, what is the process for doing so?

Mitigated acres of small wetlands are not generally combined into an existing large wetland, but it may be possible to mitigate several small wetlands into a larger “small” wetland. The sites for each producer are different; and a mitigation plan is site specific.

Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

Does NRCS provide technical assistance to help farmers create or restore wetlands for inclusion in a mitigation bank?

NRCS can provide technical assistance for mitigation banks. Mitigation bank plans and designs are normally completed by producers or consultants. NRCS will complete a certified wetland determination for the proposed area and offer technical assistance for the design and plan of the mitigation bank. This time and assistance has often been limited in nature, due to other tasks and deadlines. Plans to address the timeliness and increase technical expertise in this area continue to be considered.

Would a wetland mitigation banking system, managed by a farm organization or similar entity, be a useful tool in wetland management?

This results in less surface ponding and improved infiltration of water into the soil for crop use. No-till is a very beneficial soil improving conservation practice.

What is the difference between saline soils and sodic-affected soils?

Salt affected soils (saline soils) have magnesium sulfate and sodium chloride salts that cause serious crop damage by causing dehydration of plant cells.

Sodium affected soils (sodic soils) contain sodium salts that interact with the clay fraction causing dispersion of the clay, resulting in a soil with poor tilth and impermeable layers that limit rooting depth.

What is the difference between surface water and subsurface water and why should they not be combined?

What is the science?

Surface water is free water that accumulates over the soil surface. Subsurface water is water within the soil. Generally, subsurface water has relatively higher quality and is a more constant source of water; there is minimal fluctuation from wet to dry periods. Combining surface water and subsurface water results in an overall reduction in water quality. The uncontrolled release of subsurface water to surface waters may also result in an increased flooding hazard during runoff events.

No. Initially, the increase in ground cover by the crop residue tends to cool the soil and reduce evaporation, thereby increasing soil moisture. In mature no-till systems, the crops’ root systems break through the restricted tillage/plow or compaction layers to improve the internal drainage and water cycling in the soil profile.

Highly erodible land means land that has an erodibility index of eight or more. Erodibility index means a numerical value that expresses the potential erodibility of a soil in relation to its soil loss tolerance value without consideration of applied conservation practices or management. If a field has 33% or 50 acres of highly erodible land within the boundaries, it is classified as highly erodible. s

Yes, a wetland mitigation bank managed by a farm organization would be useful. There are very few mitigation banks in North Dakota available; and suitable areas for mitigation are limited. Any additional mitigation areas would be beneficial.

Does continuous no-till production cause soils to become wetter with a tendency toward creating wetlands?

Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

How is land determined to be highly erodible?

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Gas promotion a hit with customers Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012, started off like every other normal day in Hettinger, N.D., but ended up as a phenomenal day for Alliance Ag Cooperative.

As a special promotion that day, Alliance Ag Cooperative lowered gas prices to $2.99 a gallon, a $1 savings, to anyone and everyone driving through Regent and Hettinger.

According to General Manager Scott Smith, “We wanted to give a little back to the communities to help spur their own local economy and get the word out to new customers that your local co-op gives back to the

communities when they have a good year. AAC just finished 2012 with $48 million in sales and local net earnings of just over $1 million.”

The cooperative opened at 6 a.m. to cars already at the pumps. Smith said, “We had people all day asking if this is for real. The pumps never had a quiet moment and the lines reached up to two blocks long at any given time.”

People were also treated to windshields being cleaned by management and employees.

Smith added, “It kind of brought back memories of the 60s and 70s co-op stations.”

At the end of the day, Smith reported that over 14,000 gallons of gas were pumped. Hettinger averaged just over 1,000 gallons per hour. s

Summit addresses child care concerns

BY CHELSEY THRONSON, NDFU

On Tuesday, Oct. 2, a Child Care Solutions Summit was held at the Kelly Inn in Bismarck.

It was hosted by USDA Rural Development and Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR).

The summit addressed three major concepts about child care.

The first goal was to tell North Dakota’s child care story and identify quantifiable child care supply and demand data. Secondly, a vision of what can be done in North Dakota was outlined and a discussion was held about viable solutions to the child care crisis.

Finally, the summit aimed to define the government’s role in solving the problem and involve policy makers in discussing possible policy solutions.

About 125 people including legislators, economic developers, community leaders, child care advocates, and state and federal agency staff members were present to share information and search for a solution.

Linda Reinicke, program director for CCRR in western North Dakota, gave insight to the problem. “The need for child care continues to grow as North Dakota’s economy and workforce grows,” Reinicke said. “Without 12

child care, parents can’t work, businesses can’t employ workers and communities can’t attract businesses.”

Child care is a prevalent concern statewide, but appears to be a larger problem in the western area as a result of the oil boom.

“Since January 2012, six child care centers in northwest North Dakota each have closed a classroom or will be closing a classroom due to a staff shortage. Child care wages, which are primarily minimum wage, cannot compete with other local

businesses,” Reinicke said.

Solutions discussed included establishing grants and tax credit programs to help jump start the child care movement. Many other states including Oregon, Colorado, Minnesota and many more currently have government-backed incentives to assist with child care.

“Community leaders, business owners and parents need to tell their child care story to local and state policy makers,” Reinicke said.

“Legislators must hear the impact the lack of child care has on their constituents.” s Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

A way of life for four generations

BY ANNE DENHOLM, NDFU

It started back in 1936 when Henry and Ida Schriefer bought the ranch in Golden Valley, N.D. They carved out a life on the farm and raised their son, Robert, to take over. Robert and his wife, Marlene, continued the tradition with their son. Today, Marc and Jodi Schriefer operate the diversified ranch operation and have just welcomed their son, Riley, and his wife, Cheyenne, to live on the homestead, too.

The family is committed to their ranch and their animals. Jodi commented, “We never let our animals suffer. They are part of our family. When we call out to them, they know our voice and follow.”

Marc added, “We have a holistic plan here.”

For recent college graduates, Riley and Cheyenne, are happy to start a home on the family ranch.

“College makes you appreciate having a giant backyard,” said Riley. “You get to learn a lot of life skills when you’re involved with a farm and ranch.”

The four generation Schriefer family have come a long way since the 1930s. Over the years, the ranch has grown considerably.

Marc said, “We raise registered Red Angus commercial cattle along with a variety of crops and horses.

We manage seven pastures and rotate the cattle among them. Our animals come first because they

Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

The Schriefer family includes, from left to right, Riley, Cheyenne, Jodi and Marc.

Their daughter, Cassi, lives in Kansas City and works in the ag industry. Both Riley and Cassi earned Torchbearer awards and attended Farmers Union camps.

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Northeast Fall Foliage Bus Trip

Two groups traveled on the Northeast fall foliage bus trip. The trip has been so popular that there is already a waiting list for 2013.

BY ANNE DENHOLM, NDFU

Two buses filled with more than 100 North Dakota Farmers Union members traveled across the Midwest to visit Northeast America with historic stops along the way. Highlights included a Kentucky Horse Park, colonial Williamsburg, Mount Vernon and Washington, D.C., followed by tours at Gettysburg, New York City, Massachusetts and Vermont. The bus also went to Niagara Falls, Ontario, Michigan and cranberry bogs in Wisconsin.

Sue Paulson, NDFU associate, purchased tickets to participate in the bus trip with her husband, Curt. She said, “This was a once-in-a-lifetime trip. We enjoyed all of it. It was well worth the price and it was a bargain compared to what you would have paid if you did it all yourself. There was so much to see and it was all packed into the 18 days we were on the road.”

One of her favorite stops was to the “Old Friends” farm. Paulson said, “This is a Kentucky farm for retired race horses. The horses are cared for after they can’t run on the track anymore or be used for breeding purposes. There is a cemetery for the horses that die and they have a ceremony during 14

Memorial Day to remember them.”

“Two horses that we enjoyed were Creator and Popcorn Deelites. Creator earned $550,537 during his career. Popcorn Deelites only earned $56,880 so he wasn’t much of a racehorse but he played Seabiscuit in the movie. The farm even has a mascot, a miniature horse named Little Silver Charm,” Paulson added, “He would kick a soccer ball back and forth. That little horse is well taken care of and loved.”

Paulson pointed out other favorite spots, “In New Hampshire, we visited the Flume which is a natural gorge extending 800 feet at the base of Mount Liberty. In Vermont, the fall colors were really beautiful. I also enjoyed seeing the 9-11 memorial in New York City.

There were all the monuments and the battlefields. We really got to see a lot of things.”

History took on a new meaning for Paulson. She commented, “I was never really interested in history before but this trip made history come alive. We saw a replica of the Mayflower, people portrayed the settlers and Indians at Plymouth Rock. We had some excellent guides who shared so much with us. It was really awesome. I wish my grandkids could have come.”

During the bus ride, NDFU members bonded. Each day, members would rotate seats so

The tour included a stop at a cranberry farm and museum in Wisconsin.

Participants visited many monuments and historic sites in Washington, D.C.

Architectural details like this ceiling at the nation’s capitol were pointed out.

Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

Sept. 24 – Oct. 11 and Oct. 1-11 that travelers could get to know each other. People were asked to stand up, introduce themselves and share stories. At the end of the tour, members talked about the places they visited and which ones were their favorites.

Paulson confided, “Everyone agreed it was hard to pick. People talked about God and his creation.

We saw a lot of beautiful scenery and we were amazed at times.

We saw a lot of history and we talked about how our country was founded. It started with George Washington and the early settlers.

It was their faith in God that brought them to America. It was their belief that no one is above God or each other. We are all equal. What they created then is still so important today. All legislators and elected officials should experience this kind of tour.”

The group traveled in style aboard a charter bus guided by Jerry Willer and the NDFU bus driven by Jeff Willer and tour guide Diane Peltz. For more information on upcoming excursions, call NDFU at 1-800-366-8331. s

A lasting memorial to the Armed Forces

The beauty of autumn.

Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

At the harbor.

In New York City at the 9-11 memorial pool.

Gloria Grossman of Tioga at the WW II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The Statue of Liberty in New York

Sue and Curt Paulson enjoyed seeing the horses at Old Friends.

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Precision agriculture summit planned Registration is now open for the Precision Agriculture Action Summit on Jan. 21-22 to be held at the North Dakota Farmers Union Conference Center. The Precision Ag Summit is the region’s only event to provide access to information, demonstrations, and instruction from experts on current and trending precision agriculture practices and technology.

Current practitioners of precision ag techniques will share their experience and insights into proper adoption and use in everyday ag production operations.

Attendees will hear from experts and presenters on a number of topics including the state of precision agriculture, upcoming trends, technological applications, and opportunities for successful implementation. Participants will see technical demonstrations of precision agriculture technologies and applications. Information will be presented on new procedures and tools designed to lower producer

cost and create a more efficient environment for farm production.

Precision agriculture consists of the “art” of exploring options and implementing agronomic practices that are required by a plant species to attain its yield potential in accordance with the spatial and temporal conditions of the field where it is grown. It is not merely about strapping a satellite signal receiving globe on the top of a tractor or combine and coupling that to a microprocessor in the operator station/cab.

Rather, precision agriculture is a methodology that, if implemented successfully, integrates three key elements: (1) grower/agronomist information and insight about her/his crop fields and plant species; (2) technology; and (3) management practice capable of integrating findings and implementing decisions.

This event is open to the public and all farmers, agronomists,

researchers, crop advisors, entrepreneurs and business leaders are invited. Session topics include in-field sensors, vegetation indicies and nitrogen rate, using nitrogen-rich strips to calibrate in-field sensors, variable rate applications and demonstrations of displaying field boundries.

The second Red River Valley Research Corridor Precision Agriculture Summit is being cohosted by the Red River Valley Research Corridor and North Dakota Farmers Union. Coorganizers include Lake Region State College’s Dakota Precision Ag Center and NDSU’s Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Quality Inn in Jamestown. For more information about the Precision Ag Summit, call 701-499-6994 or go to: theresearchcorridor.com/ precisionagsummit2013. s

Dr. Sharon Clancy remembered for work Dr. Sharon A. Clancy, Phd., of Valley City died on Oct. 5, 2012, at Mercy Hospital.

A mass of resurrection was held with interment at St. Catherine’s Parish Cemetery.

According to her family, Clancy had a deep love for God’s creation, especially the soil. She believed hunger to be a function of poverty and that sustainable agriculture with wide distribution of the land is the key to fighting poverty. Clancy lived the philosophy of thinking globally and working locally. She was very involved in fostering local foods production and distribution, the farmers’ markets, garden club and North Dakota Farmers Union.

As a lifelong member, Sharon 16

Clancy put her love of the land into practice through sustainable agriculture projects that involved NDFU. In 2000, she coordinated the conservation agriculture program for the North Dakota Natural Resources Trust. The five-year project used resource analysis teams to develop and implement holistic farm plans that focused on conservation practices for four farmers in the Drift Prairie Region.

During the process, Sharon was able to bring diverse groups with varying agendas to the table.

Her work demonstrated that when agriculture and conservation thrive together, agriculture profitability is enhanced.

NDFU Member Service Specialist, Dale Enerson, remembered, “I first met Sharon when I became a NDFU staff member. She was working with a conservation agriculture project involving several farmers in east central North Dakota and was also

involved in the initial discussions of what later became the Farmers Union Carbon Credit Program.”

Long before the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) actually had any rules or protocols for carbon sequestration, efforts were underway by some to convince farmers in North Dakota to sign up for a registry of acres that were to be measured for levels of organic matter and carbon content. To enroll land, farmers had to pay a fee up front for soil testing. The cost far outweighed any likely earnings from the future sale of carbon.

To her credit, Sharon saw this as a problem and in many conversations referred to these folks as “carbon baggers.”

Later, as the CCX did develop successful transaction and contract language, the carbon credit program and its rewards for good environmental stewardship moved forward. s Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

Manufacturing products from Wheat straw

BY ANNE DENHOLM, NDFU

A company will soon open a new manufacturing facility in Devils Lake that will utilize wheat straw from area farmers to make their products.

Mack Traynor, chief executive officer of Ultra Green, announced, “Ultra Green is a company opening a state of the art straw pulp manufacturing and molding facility here in North Dakota.

We’re proud of our products and we know it will be a win-win situation for producers in this area, too.”

The new facility will have 150,000 square feet with production beginning in the first quarter of 2013. “We are extremely excited to bring manufacturing jobs to Devils Lake and having the factory here will open much larger markets for our products. We will have a gradual process to this whole conversion. We have machines being delivered by the end of this year and once each step is mastered, we’ll continue to add and expand,” Traynor said.

Ultra Green currently sells more than 100 products like pizza pans, plates, bakeware and bowls that are made out of sugarcane fiber, wheat straw and bamboo. In fact, all of their product lines are “green,” made from sustainable, biodegradable, compostable and tree-free sources. There is also more utility since they can go from oven to table. Their Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

plastic-like tableware is made being sold. They can withstand out of cornstarch, not petroleum, heat, hot liquids, are oil resistant, which also helps the environment. are safe for microwave and Currently, the products are freezer—all made in full manufactured in China but over compliance with Food and Drug the next year, Ultra Green hopes to Administration guidelines. We are convert the entire bakeware line to competitively priced and will be Devils Lake. made in the USA.” Over the first 12 months, Ultra Ultra Green currently sells Green intends to hire more than to hundreds of natural food and 100 people with the potential of grocery stores throughout the 400 more over the next several United States through regional years, providing jobs and economic and national distributors. Some of growth for the region. This year, the larger chains include Target Ultra Green is experimenting with cafeterias, Sam’s Club, Safeway, the supply network to determine the Lunds, Byerlys, Whole Foods and best way to proceed with growers.

Fresh Market. The company was More detailed information about founded in 2007. s the process of growing wheat straw for Ultra Green will be released in early 2013.

“I want to help educate and work with people as we get started here.

We want to contract with farmers and customers.

We’ll continue to add as we go along,” Traynor commented.

“Our premiere products Mack Traynor is the CEO of Ultra Green. He is excited to open are already the Devils Lake manufacturing plant.

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On a mission....for fruit

BY ANNE DENHOLM, NDFU

Taking three acres and planting more than 800 plants and 15 kinds of fruit seems like a daunting task but for the Carrington Research Extension Center, it was just the beginning of the Northern Hardy Fruit Evaluation Project.

According to fruit manager Kathy Wiederholt, the project was initiated in 2006 when a group of interested people gathered to discuss wine and grape growing.

It was soon obvious that although there was overwhelming interest, there was not enough information available to them to make good planting decisions. The center decided to pursue a project that would provide ongoing research and demonstrations about growing fruit.”

Wiederholt said, “As part of our mission, we wanted to find out which kinds of fruit would be hardy and productive in our state. We want to foster current industries and economic opportunities on fruit production and processing. Some of the varieties we’ve found are unknown to producers. It’s been a lot of work but very rewarding and interesting.”

The main objective for the 18

program is to evaluate each crop new project. Information is readily for adaptation, disease resistance, available to any home gardener hardiness, productivity and quality. or commercial enterprise wanting “We work with the plants all to pursue business opportunities growing season. I prune, fertilize, using fruit. mow, harvest and measure each For more information, contact fruit. I’ve used my 4-H background Wiederholt at 701-652-2951. s and tried out different recipes using the fruit to see and evaluate how they can be used.

I use my scientific background to do genetic research,” Wiederholt added.

Some of the results have been surprising.

“There’s a great fruit that grows really well in North Dakota and it is like a blueberry to the Black currants and Haskaps or honeyberries are good Plains. It is delicious choices to grow in North Dakota. fresh and a great plant called the Haskap.

The Aronia is another native plant that is very easy to grow and is like a black chokeberry.

Winemakers will like this fruit,” she said.

Each year, the center hosts field tours and offers the fruit free to any business wanting to develop a Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

No rancher left behind It started with a mosquito bite.

It has ended up to be a nightmare for 57 year-old farmer/ rancher Kim Rath of Wishek.

His daughter, Kary Lindgren, is a Farmers Union Insurance agent in Ashley. She explained what happened, “He started experiencing flu-like symptoms on August 10. It gradually got worse.

It took a few days to find out what was happening but eventually, we found out what it was.”

Rath was diagnosed with West Nile virus, which also caused Encephalitis and Guillain-Barre’ (French polio). He has battled two rounds of pneumonia. He also may have suffered a slight stroke from the stress his body has been under from the West Nile. In early October, doctors inserted a pacemaker to regulate his heartbeat. Although his heart is healthy, his central nervous system has been severly damaged by the West Nile virus and actually let his heart stop. They were able to revive him with CPR, but then realized a pacemaker was absolutely necessary to keep him alive. He is able to move his legs and left arm but only has the use of his hand on his right arm. He cannot sit up by himself or hold his own head. He can’t walk or swallow due to loss of muscle strength.

He will have to learn how to do all these things again.

Lindgren said that pain and exhaustion plague him day in and day out. “The doctors are still expecting his hospital stay to continue for another 10-12 months.

We now think of the hospital as our second home and are planning to

Rath’s daughter, Kary Lindgren, is an avid runner and her racing team visited the hospital after running the race in his honor. Special shirts were created for the race with the theme “No Rancher Left Behind.” The two quarter circles below the wording represent Rath’s cattle brand.

spend the holidays there with him.” says Lindgren.

According to Lindgren, “The things we take for granted that should be so natural, he has to learn how to do again. Previous to this, he was a functioning farmer and rancher, who never left the place for more than a week. He thought he was just tired out from the hustle and bustle of harvest but it turned out he was on the verge of a serious virus that would push us all into the battle of our lives. Since then, it feels like every single day is a new war. We are proud that we have fought this battle as a family and we aren’t quitting. The bumps in the road keep coming, but we are trying to handle them the best

we can. Thank goodness for our friends, neighbors, and family.”

Rath, along with his two sons, farms about 5,000 acres of corn, soybeans, sunflowers, and wheat.

They also have approximately 300 head of commercial cattle.

In August, neighbors brought enough equipment and semis to put up 300 hay bales and haul them back to the farm in four hours.

Lindgren shared, “We thanked them and they replied, ‘Your Dad would do the same for us.’

Although most of their cropland is right around their farm west of Wishek, they do farm a quarter of land down here by Ashley and some local farmers/friends volunteered to bring their three combines and two semis over to harvest to try and help out our family. They were in and out of the field in less than a day. They wanted to help and this was something they could do for us.”

She went on to say that the generosity of other people has been enormous. “People have visited the hospital and our houses, bringing food, gift cards for different restaurants, gas cards for all the driving. Plus, we’ve gotten the help on the haying and the harvesting. It feels like we can’t thank everyone enough for all they have done for us. My dad is very humbled by everyone’s care and concern.”

Lindgren concluded, “This has been a shining example of how North Dakota neighbors help each other out. People ask us everyday what they can do to help, and our response is always the same... please pray for him to recover.” s

Friends and family members gathered to help bring in the harvest while Kim Rath is in the hospital.

Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

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The buzz about bees

Bees are loaded up on trucks and moved from site to site. Protective suits are worn by all the workers for safety purposes.

It’s a sweet business

BY ANNE DENHOLM, NDFU

to college and returned to the family bee business. The original company downsized from raising 14,000 colonies to around 5,000 but with Eric’s help, it became the Grand River Honey Company with 8,500 colonies.

“My dad ran his own bees

Eric Andress grew up in the bee business. His father, Bees are a vital part of the Francis, was the third largest beekeeper in the agricultural business and United States during the farmers appreciate 1980s. The West River the benefits of pollination.

Honey Company was thriving in Hettinger, N.D. but I sharecrop and run migratory and Eric wanted to continue the bees. We rotate the bees to seven family tradition. different beekeepers in Idaho, There was only one problem.

Texas, Colorado and California He was allergic to bees. So, as and share the honey. It saves time a seventh grader, he started and we can concentrate on honey stinging himself in order to build up production,” Eric said. immunity. Andress remembered, The bees produce about 180 “I gave myself thousands of stings pounds of honey per colony in a until I finally got over it. My older good year. Dry weather conditions brother tried to do it, too, but he cause production levels to fall to wasn’t able to overcome that 40-50 pounds. allergy.”

In southwest North Dakota, the So, his brother grew up to native yellow clover is the building be a veterinarian and Eric went

20

block for the honey business.

Grand River Honey produces 100 percent pure natural honey that is taken fresh from the hive, extracted and packaged on site.

Andress participates in a

Javier Marteniz Adolfo has worked for the Hettinger company for the past five years. He is from Tamazunchale in San Lois Patosi, Mexico.

Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

federal program that helps him hire Mexican laborers to help work the hives during the summer months. “It’s hard to find workers but the H2A program helps me hire contract laborers with temporary work visas,” explained Andress. “I have a bunkhouse where they live on site in the summer. Without this program, I would have a hard time finding enough people to work.”

Beekeeping calls for a lot of labor. Hives are moved periodically from site to site. Andress scouts out fields close to blooming clover, alfalfa, sunflower fields and water.

Alfalfa’s deep root system enables it to tap into subsoil moisture and crops like buckwheat, canola, and sunflowers are good sources for bees to pollinate.

Farmers don’t charge rent and are paid in honey. Bees are a vital part of the agricultural business and farmers appreciate the benefits of pollination.

Once the honey is collected, it is brought back to the main extraction facility where it is extracted and stored in 55-gallon drums. There are about 30,000 boxes to be processed each year.

Andress said, “We’ve made a big investment by modernizing the equipment. We also have three 25’ bed trucks, a one-ton truck and three forklifts.”

According to the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, the state leads the nation in honey production. North Dakota produced 32.7 million pounds of honey in 2010 with 478,000 bee colonies. s

Over 30,000 boxes will be processed this year at the Grand River Honey company.

Eric Andress explains the extraction process of getting the honey from the frames.

The beeswax is formed into blocks and sold in bulk. It will be bleached, cleaned and is commonly used in cosmetics.

Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

Fun facts:

• A honeybee can fly approximately 15 miles per hour.

• Honeybees are the only insect that produce food for humans.

• Honeybees will usually travel approximately three miles from their hive.

• A honeybee will flap its wings about 11,400 times per minute creating the “buzz” that you hear.

• Honeybees are the only bees that die after they sting.

• Honeybees are responsible for approximately 80% of all fruit, vegetable and seed crops in the U.S. 21

New look for New Rockford office

BY ANNE DENHOLM, NDFU

Donn Frahm has been a Farmers Union Insurance agent in New Rockford since 1982. For more than 30 years, Frahm has enjoyed working with people. He said, “I love my customers. It’s very rewarding to help them when they need it.”

He has seen many changes over the years as well. “Technology has changed significantly. When I first started, it was very basic and simple. I wrote policies with one notebook. Now, everything is on

computer and it’s been challenging to keep up with all the changes in the insurance industry,” Frahm added.

This year, Frahm decided to

give his office a facelift.

Built in 1966, the office needed to be updated.

Frahm explained, “We completely remodeled the interior last year with new carpet and paint.

This year, it was time to change the exterior with new siding, windows, roof, insulation and signage.

“We used all local people to do the work.

We started Aug. 1 and finished up in early October,” Frahm concluded. “It’s been a long time coming.” s

Responding to community needs

BY ANNE DENHOLM, NDFU

When Shelly Seibel started working as a Farmers Union Insurance agent in Elgin, she had a quick training period. No sooner than she began, a big hail storm hit the area. Customers needed help and Seibel learned fast.

Since that day in 2010, Seibel has taken the insurance industry by storm. As a first-year agent, she was one of 14 top producers in the state and qualified for the MonDak Summit, a prestigious event.

“I’m not very competitive by nature but I’ve found that I enjoy the challenges of seeing how I rate among other agents,” Seibel said.

“This is a great company to work for and I really enjoy my job. I like working with people and helping them.”

Seibel has also stepped up in her community by supporting organizations like Dollars for Scholars, Halloween parties and coloring contests. She is an active member with the Elgin Dakota Lions Club that hosts a “Pie in the Park” event every Friday night from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The organization is very community-minded and donates a lot of money to youth.

“I think everyone should be involved in their community,” Seibel commented. “It’s the whole concept of ‘it takes a village to raise a child.’ If no one did 22

anything, nothing would get done.

You have to be on a team and you have to work together. No matter how old you are.”

Seibel helped bring the climbing wall to the “Hamburgers in the Park” event in Elgin this past summer. “I am a big advocate for Farmers Union camp. It’s a great

place for kids to go. The summer staff brought the wall this year and did a fabulous job. All the kids really liked it. It was a big hit.”

Seibel is married to Jade, and has four children and a step-daughter: SaCora, 20 years; Brooke, 17; Martin, 16; Sydney, 14; and Shelby, 21 months. s Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

Be safe on the farm Harvest is a busy time.Time means money when it comes to yields, production schedules and operating costs. However, time also ensures safety at harvest. The extra time it takes to perform a task properly can determine whether the job is completed at all.

Harvest also can be a dangerous season. More than 800 North Dakotans reported injuries from farm machinery, tractors, and falls last year. Forty-seven percent of those injuries occurred during the months of August, September, October and November.

Injuries may be caused by taking shortcuts to perform routine tasks, not getting enough sleep or regular breaks, or failing to follow safety practices. Some injuries occur when operators are pulled into the intake area of harvesting machines, such as balers, combines, or corn pickers, and many injuries occur from slips or falls around these machines.

Harvest equipment

Exposure to powerful machinery is highest during the harvest season. The equipment must be powerful to effectively handle large amounts of agricultural commodities. Operators may be less familiar with seasonal equipment used only a few days each year. They also may not be Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

accustomed to situations that pose possible dangers or risk. For these reasons, it is important to be familiar with harvest equipment and be able to anticipate and avoid potentially hazardous situations.

Likewise, never try to feed twine by hand. Even if the engine is on idle, twine moves through a baler faster than the operator can react.

Keeping yourself and others safe during harvest is important.

Operators know about the dangers of the intake area on harvest equipment, but they often misjudge the speed at which injuries can occur. Operators often overestimate their ability to react in situations involving the intake area.

For example, a baler traveling at the speed of three miles per hour pulls in crops at a rate of about 4.4 feet per second. Snapping rolls on a cornhead pull in stalks at a rate of about 12 feet per second.

Both machines move faster than an operator can react in common situations. If an operator tries to unplug a stalk in a live cornhead, the snapping rollers can pull the rest of the stalk, and the operator’s arm and hand, into the machine.

This can happen in about the same time it would take for the operator to release the freed stalk.

To avoid entanglements, always disengage power and turn off the engine before trying to manually clear a plugged machine.

Never try to pull or remove twine or wire from a bale case or knotter when the baler is in operation.

• Always disengage power and shut off engine before leaving the operator’s station.

• Before going to the field, check the condition of machine components that pull the crop into the processing area, replace worn parts, and check clearances.

• Develop a weed management plan for areas that often have late season problems.

• Major contributing fall factors are ladders and platforms near the operator’s station and engine.

These areas often are painted metal, which can be slippery under normal conditions. They become even more treacherous in the presence of hazards like mud.

• Always keep all platforms free of tools or other objects.

• Use grab bars when mounting or dismounting machinery.

• Be sure your position is stable before you work on a machine.

• Recognize that fatigue, stress, drugs or alcohol, and age may affect stability and operation.s

Entanglement hazard

Farm machinery safety

23

Going out to The Field

BY ANNE DENHOLM, NDFU

There are less than 100 people living in Adrian, N.D., but that didn’t stop a motivated group of people from opening a bar and restaurant to serve area patrons.

“There was a need to have a gathering place,” summarized resident Dave Heinrich. “We formed a cooperative, got the funding and opened The Field Restaurant and Lounge in June this year.”

The Field Restaurant and Lounge is open

Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and serves a full menu. The menu includes specialty items including fish tacos, homemade pizza, burgers, steaks and more. Heinrich’s wife, Mardee, helps cook. Other staff includes two part-time bartenders, two part-time servers and two part-time cooks along with manager, Maggie Erbele of LaMoure. Volunteers help out with the schedule.

Heinrich said, “We have created a sports bar atmosphere and the response has been very positive with little advertising. The food is really good and people keep coming back.”

The restaurant and bar is set-up with a downstairs lounge area with dining tables, upstairs loft, meeting room and plenty of dining space. The meeting room seats up to 35 people. The facility uses geothermal heating and cooling. The bar itself was built from ash wood from Heinrich’s great grandfather’s farm from 1885. Wood that was used to line the walls was rough cut from the old Heinrich barn and the upstairs bar ledge features cottonwood Dave Heinrich and Maggie Erbele have worked hard to make The Field a diner’s destination.

24

Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

from a local farm as well. Loren Rode, a community resident with Rode Construction, did most of the interior work and used some interesting materials.

One of the interior doors to the upstairs meeting room was taken from an old granary building that was going to be demolished in Adrian. An old collection of wrenches and other antique pieces hang on the walls as part of the décor.

The entryway is dedicated to the old schoolhouse that used to be on the same grounds. A chalkboard, desk and bell are proudly displayed.

Financing the project was a challenge at first but a grant through Farmers Union Industries Foundation helped with start-up costs. Part of the grant was to develop a model for other small towns.

Heinrich serves as chairman of the board for the new community co-op and explained the process.

“My involvement with the North Dakota Farmers Union Agraria restaurants brought this whole idea home to Adrian. It has been a community effort to get the business plan together and get about 50 people on board. We sold shares and made it a closed cooperative model. I thought the hardest part of the process would be to build it but it’s keeping it running and employed that is the biggest challenge.”

Dining reservations are not required. For more information on The Field, call 701-778-7178 or go to their Facebook page at www. facebook/thefieldinadrian s Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

The Field has one nook that was turned into a mini-library, complete with cozy chairs and a nice selection of reading materials. Dining tables are located on the upper and lower levels.

In the entryway, patrons will notice an old chalkboard and desk that used to be in the old Adrian schoolhouse.

Other decorations include an old feed sack. A sitting area with access to a large television screen makes it easy to relax and enjoy The Field.

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e t a t s e h d t n A ro u

NDFU Member Relations Specialist, Mary Mertens, presented an iPad to Mark Erickson of Devils Lake this month. He signed up to win the prize during Big Iron.

A random drawing was held at the end of the show.

Valley City Farmers Union Insurance agents Tyler Van Bruggen and Kirk Olson sponsored a Vikings football game at Valley City State University and shot T-shirts into the crowd during half-time. Athletic director, Jack Denholm, said the sponsorship helps support booster club activities.

The District 6 FFA conference was held at the state office in Jamestown on Thursday, Oct. 4.

Youth from Williams County met for day classes this fall and everyone had fun with Farmers Union.

On Saturday, Oct. 6, the climbing wall was set up in Maddock as part of their city celebration. The wall was donated by the Milt Erickson family after their son, Ron, died in 2009. A commemorative plaque is attached to the climbing wall.

County conventions & annual meetings

This fall, county conventions and annual meetings are being held all over the state. These important meetings are a great way to connect with your local organizations and cooperatives to find out how the year has progressed and what activities are A co-op appreciation supper was held at the planned for the future. Member Kenmare Memorial Hall on Wednesday, Oct. participation is crucial so be sure to 17. Representatives from Farmers Union ask questions and volunteer your Oil, Sun Prairie Grain, Burke Divide REC, Souris River Telephone, and Farmers Union leadership skills. Speak up and Insurance were in attendance. let your voice be heard on what direction North Dakota Farmers Union should take in 2013. Some of the more common areas of discussion this year include: • legislative updates • candidate forums • new fertilizer plant project • state office updates with new Burleigh County held their 99th annual member relations specialists meeting in Lincoln on Monday, Oct. 15.

• Washington, D.C. restaurants Arlene Olson (left) was re-elected as president; Denise Brown as vice president; and • co-op activities, youth events & Marvin Dockter as a director. Verlyn Larson educational opportunities s (right) of Bismarck won a $100 gift card as

Upcoming Events:

DICKEY – November 3 • Legion Hall, Forbes GRANT – November 3 • Our Place, Elgin • 6 p.m. MST Speaker: Woody Barth McINTOSH – November 5 • Wishek Armory • 7:30 p.m.

McLEAN – November 5 • Bev’s Cafe, Turtle Lake • 6 p.m.

WALSH – November 3 • American Legion, Park River • 5:30 p.m.

WILLIAMS – November 5 • board meeting • county office • 7 p.m.

Hazen Farmers Union Oil held their annual meeting on Thursday, Oct. 18.

a door prize.

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Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

Opening this month incorporating recycled and reclaimed materials throughout, with several micro-climates designed to offer guests different experiences with each visit. The aesthetic is warm and inviting, with many interesting and unique artistic elements and specially commissioned artworks by more than a dozen local and regional artists. They have used everything from used tractor tires, and reclaimed barn woods, to vintage farming tools, rolling pins, antique boat propellers, and more.

To accommodate the approximate 290-seated guests, various seating options have been designed for intimate dining or large celebratory outings. The expansive outdoor patio will feature fire pits and heaters, offering great year-round outdoor dining and

views of not only the river, but of the Harbour’s plaza fountain in the summer and ice rink in the winter.

Yes, an ice rink!

Now, the food…the menu offers extensive and diverse selections of regionally inspired farmer, fisher and baker centric dishes: From fresh sushi and seafood entrees to pizzas, burgers, sandwiches and salads to delicious pies, cakes and seasonal ice creams. And all Farmers Fishers Bakers breads, pastas, dough, tortillas, sauces, marinades, ice creams, and more are made in-house fresh daily.

The beverages are designed to be mixed and matched, encouraging guests to customize their spirit of choice into the perfect cocktail. And of course an extensive list of non-alcoholic beverages and “Farmacy” sodas, phosphates and egg creams for our non-imbibing guests.

We hope to see you at Farmers Fishers Bakers! For more information, please visit http:// www.farmersfishersbakers.com. s

to get into the spirit of giving as the holidays are approaching by visiting www.FeedingAmerica.org/ NFU and make a donation today.

State Farmers Union conventions are starting to be held across the country. NFU President Roger Johnson and staff will be attending many of the conventions, providing updates from NFU. Preparations are being made for our annual convention to be held in Springfield, Mass., from March 2 - 5, 2013, at the Mass Mutual Center. Please note that the convention will begin on Saturday evening this year. We are looking forward to many exciting speakers and educational sessions, as well as a healthy discussion to

determine NFU’s policy for the coming year. We will again be offering tours in the local area.

More details will be published soon. Please visit www.NFU.org/ convention for the most current information.

The 2012 Beginning Farmer Institute (BFI) participants will tour cooperatives and farms, providing an outsidethe-classroom experience in Minneapolis next month.The NFU Beginning Farmer program provides beginning farmers and farm couples from various backgrounds unique opportunities to acquire leadership and farm management skills that will allow them to become actively involved in community organizations.

Please visit www.nfu.org/ education/adult-education in December 2012 for the 2013 BFI application. s

FROM FOUNDING FARMERS

We are pleased to announce that Farmers Fishers Bakers will open in Georgetown at the Washington Harbour, situated on Washington, DC’s beautiful Potomac River, just 10 blocks away from its sister restaurant, Founding Farmers.

NDFU President Elwood “Woody” Barth stated, “North Dakota Farmers Union is thrilled to celebrate the opening of the new Farmers Fishers Bakers. The mid-Atlantic is a vital and dynamic market, and we anticipate that the tremendous reception Founding Farmers received when it opened will be duplicated for our new location. On behalf of our family farmers and ranchers, we salute our restaurant management team at The Farm and can’t wait to get in and try it out!”

So, what can you expect from Farmers Fishers Bakers?

A contemporary farmhouse and nautical-inspired interior,

We continue to emphasize the importance of a five-year farm bill being signed into law sooner rather than later. As we are waiting on the U.S. House of Representatives to take up their version of the bill, we encourage you to call your congressman and encourage them to support the bill’s consideration during the lame duck session.

Thanks to some generous donations, we are just about half way to our $50,000 fundraising goal with Feeding America. We will wrap up our matching funds campaign with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation on Dec. 15.

If you have not already made a contribution, we encourage you Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

27

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

Classified ad space is free and available to NDFU members. Ads will run one time only.

Ads must be mailed, emailed or faxed. NO ADS WILL BE TAKEN OVER THE PHONE. Please include your name, address & phone number and mail to: NDFU Classifieds PO Box 2136 • Jamestown ND 58402-2136 email: bthoms@ndfu.org Fax: 701-252-6584 • 701-952-0102 Deadline is the 15th of every month.

Contact us to repeat your ad.

FARM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE 856 IHC tractor D. and add on 3 pt. hitch and cap; IHC 560 diesel; 400 IHC gas, needs work. 527-3488, Pete Ebach, Menoken.

FOR SALE John Deere 148 loader with grapple, great shape, mounts for 10, 20, 30 and 40 Series tractors, $4,000 obo. 527-7905, Joe Schlosser, Mandan.

FOR SALE John Deere 10A hammer mill, good shape. 624-5729, Harley Saugstad, Minot.

FOR SALE JD 510 round baler, need a couple new belts; MF 1560 round baler for parts; Owatonna 595 roll baler for parts; Lucke sunflower pans, 16 - 12”, 8 - 9”. 7254373, Steven McCormach, Des Lacs.

FOR SALE 10 ton dual compartment fertilizer tender, roll tarp, hyd. drive, and hyd lift boom, $2,000; 1979 IH truck, 3208 Cat motor, 10 spd., nearly new tires, $2,000. 789-0966, Allen Gruman, Cooperstown.

FOR SALE 1978 John Deere 4840, excellent cond.

331-0205, G. Matejcek, Devils Lake.

FOR SALE 4 - 750 Massey combines with headers and pickups, will sell all for one price; 3 8’ IHC disk drills, good condition, stored inside all the time; JD 80 tractor, kept inside all the time. 528-4222 evenings, Ronnie Haugen, Alamo.

FOR SALE JD 8450 tractor with Quad Shift, 6,500 hours, always shedded; JD 30’ 9350 drills, rock guard, transports, markers, track whackers. 220-0993 or 223-0948, Jeff Spitzer, Wilton.

FOR SALE Koyker K5 loader with bucket and grapple, excellent condition, no welds; Feterl snowblower, 8’, sual auger, 540 & 1,000 pto., excellent condition, ready to go. 650-8478, Kevin Guthmiller, Carrington.

FOR SALE Case IH 38’, 3 bar harrow, fits cult. or chisel, attachment arms, nice and straight, fits 4x4 frame, $1,500 obo.

593-6327 or 331-3815, Gary McLaughlin, Lankin.

FOR SALE Farm Aid mixing feed wagon with scale; 300 IH tractor. 547-3237, Mark Schmitz, Fessenden.

FOR SALE Melroe 903 plow, 7-18, excellent shape, $1,400; Woods 6 ft. belly mount mower, brackets for H IH, $900. 789-0966, Allen Gruman, Cooperstown.

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FOR SALE Semi storage trailers - nice 53’ trailer with roll-up door and flat aluminum floor; spray parts; containers, chassis and converter dolly. www.rydelltrailers.com, 474-5780, Richard Rydell, Fairmount.

FOR SALE 2 combine tires, 30.5L-32 Dyna Torq, 12 ply; 1 new tube, 30.5L-32. 878-4841, Bernhard Schwenk, Hebron.

FOR SALE Steel pole barn, 12’ tall, 32’ long, 24’ wide, 2 - 8’ doors, 1 small door; calf puller, little used; new Firestone tractor tire (front), never used; 9” knock-on shovels with clips and bolts, either JD or I, also 8” or 9” other shovels, very good shape; 1927 Model T Ford, parts, 2 bearings, a spindel and hubs, back and front axle, 16” wheels; Makota rock picker good shape. 324-2459 weekends, Clarence Hoffer, Harvey.

FOR SALE 1987 Cobra aluminum end dump, works great, $9,500; Belt transfer auger, $1,400; 2004 Wilsoon 53’x102’, live floor cattle trailer, converts to dry van, exc. condition, $43,000. 220-0985 or 220-0486, Julie Dethloff, Bismarck.

FOR SALE 4440 JD tractor with 158 loader and duals, very good condition. 952-0324 or 3419939, George Mack, Jamestown.

FOR SALE 2 - 6’ 3-bar Morris harrow sections; 6 4’ 3-bar Morris harrow sections, $300 obo; rock box for IHC tractor, $200 obo.

547-3316 or 341-1554, Dave Neumann, Fessenden.

FOR SALE Header trailer, $1,600; cattle scale, $300.

438-2461, Jim Hvinden, Maddock.

FOR SALE New Holland #1032 bale wagon, holds 69 bales, always stored inside, ready to use; New Holland #258 Rolabar rake, with two front wheels, like new condition. 824-2084, Esther Kuehn, Mott.

FOR SALE 4630 John Deere Tractor with 707 Leon loader. Good condition, cab with heater and air conditioner, 8,600 hours, 1,000 PTO, three pair of hydraulics, 18.4-33 dual tires-good shape, selling due to retirement, $14,000; Belarus front wheel assist tractor, 1025 Turbo, good cab and seat, only 1,795 hrs., 3 pt. hitch, 4 pair of hyds., heavy duty clutch, brakes and rims, never used as feed tractor, good heater and air conditioner, new compressor and dehydrator, new back tires, excellent condition, must see to appreciate. 8636882, Dale Orf, Grassy Butte.

FOR SALE 1959 Chevy grain truck, Model Viking 50, 450 bushel, steel Knapheide box with hoist, 4x2 trans., 327 engine, tag tandem, $1,500; 60’ Summers harrow, good condition, $2,000; Ag Systems 30’ header trailer, 4 wheel style, $700; 2010 Wheatheart SA1381 flex grain auger, like new, $22,000.

256-0247 Robert Wilhelmi or 256-4473, Richard Wilhelmi, Nekoma.

FOR SALE 2009 Big Red Honda, red in color, $7,200; F85 114 bushel Farmhand grinder mixer, tandem wheels, nice condition; 1,000 gal. propane tank with 100 gal. propane. 9834445, John Flemmer, Golden Valley.

FOR SALE F2 Gleaner combine, 4 cyl. diesel, 24’ straight head, good shape, shedded.

579-4250, leave message, Daune Wobig, New England.

FOR SALE 2640 John Deere tractor with loader and grapple fork, in good condition. 527-3917 or 663-1997, Eugene Erhardt, Mandan.

FOR SALE 20’ pickup reel for Versatile swather; tractor wheel weights. 352-2246, Gene Estad, Grafton.

FOR SALE 3000 Dual quick-tach loader with quick-tach 8’ bucket, no welds, nice shape, mounts for Oliver 1750 thru 2255 Wheatland tractors, will also fit row crops, $2,350. 391-6865, Ron Gessele, Bismarck.

FOR SALE 5542 Oliver combine, original green, 328 V8 engine, Sundpicker, cab with good vater cooler; 428 Cockshutt combine with cab and Melroe picker. Both machines are in very good condition; F11 Farmhand loader, 5 tine grapple with heavy mounting brackets, good shape. 2900498, Lowell Larsen, Taylor.

FOR SALE 2 - 560 gal. fuel tanks on skids, $300 ea. or both for $500; 500 gal. fuel tank on steel stand, $200; 300 gal. fuel tank on steel stand, $200; John Deere 7720 combine parts book, $20; Wheatheart hyd. drag auger with hoses, $200; 6”x40’ grain auger with 14 hp. Wisconsin engine, $600; Massey Ferguson large wobble box for 1859 combine header, used for 200 acres, $500. 677-5602, Kevin Kirsch, Belfield.

FOR SALE Redekop straw chopper, fits 1680 thru 2388; 1973 900 Series 1 Versatile; Cenex 2,200 bu. grain bin to be moved; truck mounted drill fill auger, could be used to fill air seeder cart; misc. parts for N6 or N7 Gleaner combine - filters, belts, sickle sections and sickle guards. 228-3161, Lathan Romsos, Bottineau.

FOR SALE Motor for IHC 400 less head; cam shaft for IHC 400 and M; 2 front narrow ends; fenders for M or H; clutch and pressure plate, like new, for M; reaiator for M and lots of parts. 226-9196 or 673-3355, Pete Ebach, Menoken.

WANTED IH tractors, running or not - 806,1206, 1256, 1456, 1066, 1466, 1086, 1486; John Deere 5010, 5020 or 6030. 628-2130, Jerry Lumley, Stanley.

WANTED Hay conditioner head for 1986 CIH 8830 swather tractor. 839-2424, Greg Simonson, Minot.

WANTED Grain drill with grass seeder, can be JD, IHC, etc. 796-8341 leave message, Jeff Trzpuc, Kathryn.

WANTED Plow and sickle mower for a 8N Ford tractor. 724-3817, Dick Johnson, Brampton.

WANTED 16’ or 20’ Krause disk, preferably 16’, good condition. 337-5466 or 337-6344, Wade Fischer, Garrison.

Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

WANTED Parts for a Melroe 115 spray coupe. 6932306, Steve Vetter. Harvey.

WANTED The following IH tractors - 806, 1206, 1456, 856, 1256, 1066, 1466; John Deere - 5010, 5020, 6030, 4620; Minneapolis Moline - 1350, 1355; D-21, 210 Allis Chalmers. 628-2130 evenings, Jerry Lumley, Stanley.

WANTED John Deere 494 AN 4 row corn planter, for parts or usable; 16.9x28 bias Firestone or Coop rear tractor tires; swather tires, 6.70x15; Allis Chalmers WD-45, gas or diesel tractor, not running.

226-4055, Lloyd Giese, Steele.

VEHICLES FOR SALE 2005 Chevy Impala LS, silver, loaded, leather heated seats, sunroof, one owner, exceptionally clean, less than 58,000 mi., must see to appreciate. 374-7851, Gary Hoffman, Ashley.

FOR SALE 1989 Mercury Marquis, 4 door, hardtop, new tires, good condition. 528-4222 evenings, Ronnie Haugen, Alamo.

FOR SALE 2007 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic motorcycle, 5,764 mi., like new condition, $5,000 obo. 238-5112, George Vollmuth, Buffalo.

FOR SALE 1997 Chevy 1/2 ton Silverado, extended wheel base with 10’x7’ flat bed, inflatable air overloads, wired for trailer pulling and trailer brakes, heavy duty tires, new transmission with heavy duty upgrade installed, very good condition. We used it for pulling our little camper and to haul our Arctic Cat side by side UTV. $5,500. 302-0037, Roger Westby, New Rockford.

FOR SALE 1981 Buick Century, auto on floor, bucket seats, air, factory installed V-8 4.3 liter motor, mint condition; 1951 straight eight Buick. 597-3730, larryn@westriv.com, Larry Nagel, Shields.

FOR SALE 1991 Ford F-250 73 diesel, auto trans., 2wd, 140,405 miles, new windshield, new radiator, water pump, belts, hoses, fuel lines, clean, $3,000. 789-0966, Allen Gruman, Cooperstown.

FOR SALE 2009 Corolla LE, 4 door, white, 56,000 mi., 4 cyl. auto, has power windows and locks, cruise, am/fm, 6 cd changer, heated outside mirrors, block heater, custom tinted windows, newer tires, great gas milage, 1 owner, non-smoker, excellent condition, $12,900. 462-3693, Kenneth Job, Washburn.

FOR SALE 1999 Buick Park Ave, 3.8 liter engine, 186,000 mi., $2,500. 438-2461, Jim Hvinden, Maddock.

FOR SALE 1963 GMC truck, 1 1/2 ton, with Knapheide box, hoist, and stock rack, 65,000 mi., very good condition, always stored inside. 824-2084, Esther Kuehn, Mott.

Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

FOR SALE 2000 Ram 5.9L, power seats, tilt and cruise, Cummings quad cab, 6 spd. trans., 4x4, has 4” exhaust from turbo back straight pipe, 212,000 mi., $15,000 obo. 570-4660 or 528-4766, Rockey Hewson, Alamo.

WANTED 1954 Chevy, 4 dr. or 2 dr., in good shape, not rusted out. 578-4461, Jerry Mellmer, New England.

FEED AND SEED FOR SALE Small square straw bales. 839-2424, Greg Simonson, Minot.

FOR SALE Hay - slender grass meadow hay, put up before frost, 1,000 lb. round bales, stacked 28 to a pile, 6 mi. south of Dawson on Hwy. 3. 327-8156, Rodney Rudolph, Dawson.

FOR SALE 2nd cutting alfalfa (no rain), $200/ton; 2200985 or 220-0486, Julie Dethloff, Bismarck.

FOR SALE 56 large round bales of good quality CRP hay, stacked in 2 stacks of 28 bales each. $30 per bale. 252-4115, Gerald Ova, Buchanan.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

4 bedroom house in Elgin, ND. 1 1/2 bath with potential for bath in basement, large kitchen, dining and living room, hard wood floors on main level, close to main st. and school, propane heat, approx. 2,400 sq. ft., several new windows and doors, 3 car garage, asking $44,900 obo. 320-2966889 leave message, Randy Hagen or 701-947-5887, Darla Hagen, Sheyenne.

LIVESTOCK FOR SALE Reg. Percheron, black, stud colts starting at $500 ea.; prices reduced on 2 coming 2 yr. old fillies; 2 - 2012 fillies; 2 - bred brood mares. 226-3412, LaVern -3412, LaVern Frankfurth, Bismarck.

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE 3 hp. electric motor rated “High Torque Farm Duty”, 230 volt single phase, 15.3 amps, 1,750 rpm., frame 184T, TEFC (totally enclosed fan cooled), 1 1/8 : shaft with 1/4” keyway, this is a used motor in running condition, $200. 493-2320, prairiepauls@juno.com, Don Paul, Edgeley.

FOR SALE Two cream separators, electric #518 and a #S16 with crank, both with complete attachments. 597-3730, larryn@westriv. com, Larry Nagel, Shields.

FOR SALE 2 good 800x14 car tires, one on a 66’ Chevy rim, 70% tread, $50. 871-1293, Mark Solberg, Bottineau.

FOR SALE Used electric motors, guaranteed - 1725 RPM, single phase, 3 hp, $185; 1740 RPM, single phase, 3 hp. with new bearings, $185. 584-2640, Henry Frey, Elgin.

FOR SALE Gear box drive from Westfield auger, secondary drive for jump auger w/ reverser, $400; 35 ton Reiten hyd. press w/many dies, $5,000; garbage compactor for 1 ton truck, 5 yds.; 93-97 Dodge Intrepid, $125 each; 4 wheels for 2007 Jeep Liberty, 255-75R16; Austin Western front axle w/tires and wheels from road grader. 789-0966, Allen Gruman, Cooperstown.

FOR SALE 1,000 T-posts, 5 1/2’; 580 U-posts, 5 1/2’.

734-6703, Robert Anderson, Wilton.

FOR SALE 1945 Model Z Fairbanks Morse stationary gas engine, 3 hp. 776-5689 or 208-0251, Howard Larson, Rugby.

FOR SALE New horse collar, 32”; metal wagon pole for team of horses. 226-3412, Lavern Frankfurth, Bismarck.

FOR SALE Homco antique rider mower, Model AE180B, 4 hp rider, direct drive trans., 3 deck; steel posts; 16 hemlock 6”x6”x10’ and 6’x10’x14’ timbers good for fencing; 6 row Sund edible bean pickup on a JD 15” platform, excellent cond.; new style 8 row Speedy edible bean cutter; 8 row Dakon 30” row crop cultivator; 2,200 bu. circle steel grain bin to be moved; grain tank cover for 7720 JD combine; JD Model H series 47 wood box ground drive manure spreader; Kato light pulley drive standby plant, 1,000 wattt 115-230 v. 3 ph., Model 49E04; oil grease, anti-freeze cans: Co-op, Pure, Texaco, Farmers Union, Standard Oil; 250 straight steel fence posts; 1958 JD 82- diesel tractor, very good condition.

945-2379 or donna.vadnie@may-portcg. com, Jack Vadnie, Clifford.

FOR SALE Spoon display cases for sale, these cases offer the best solution for collectors to store and exhibit souvenir spoons collected while traveling, They are constructed with hanging brackets on the back and hinged or sliding glass doors to prevent dust, like new condition, moved and have no room to display my collection. 721-3864, Edith Ripplinger, Bismarck.

FOR SALE Fracer and Johnson Co. propane furnace, used about 10 years because we went to burning wood, it is a down draft and has never been in the basement, so no rust. 320-0130 or 375-6321, Marvin Teske, Ellendale.

FOR SALE Woods chest freezer and 5 steel bins.

668-2729, Gen Westland, Ayr. FOR SALE 3 Pro Comp tires, LT 275-60-R20, Tri-ply.

Extreme, M/T load range E, like new, all 3 $200 obo. 878-4828, Jim Opp, Hebron.

FOR SALE Larsen Brothers cd’s - titled “A Time to Sing” and “From the Prairie to the Bunkhouse”. 290-0498, Lowell Larsen, Taylor.

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MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE Dell 922, all in one printer; old style revolving beer bar sign; Sears Craftsman router and 2 cutting bits; round head lights, fits Lincoln or Ford; aluminum mail box; 14 gal. gas engine on wheels; 1981 Ford Custom 4x4; 8’ gray and black fiberglass pickup topper. 228-3161, Lathan Romsos, Bottineau.

FOR SALE IHC 656 Hydro diesel, 3 pt. w/Farmhand, 233 loader; 2008 Hiniker windrowing stalk chopper, 400 acres use; new Koyker 545 loader, 8’ Quick Tach bucket w/4 tine grapple, mounts available; like new Koyker 645 loader, 9’ Quick Tach bucket w/5 tine grapple, joy stick, JD mfwd mounts; new MDS attachments: 2 MDS rock badgers, Bobtach mounts (heavy duty, used to dig large rocks); 7’ & 8’ MDS buckets, universal Euro mounts; 7’ MDS bucket, Bobtach mount; 7’ MDS tined bucket w/5 tine double cyl. grapple (heavy duty for rocks, brush, trees, scrap, etc.) w/Bobtach mounts; 8’ MDS buckets and grapples for JD 148-158 and 740 classic tach and others; new 7’ JD bucket w/Euro mount; new 5’ JD bucket for 400-500 Series JD loaders; new 7’ Koyker Quick Tach bucket; new 7’ Bobcat bucket, 4 used Bobcat buckets, 55” to 80”; used 8’ bucket for JD 280 loader; new 8’ black Farmhand bucket w/4 tine grapple; 2 - 8’ Farmhand buckets; 10’ hi-capacity snow bucket for JD 158 loader; Farmhand F10 loader w/9’ bucket; 4 tine grapple; F11 loader & loader parts.

709-0103, Allen Wald, Edgeley.

FOR SALE 550 T steel fence posts, most all are 6’.

475-2858, Peter Glatt, Driscoll.

WANTED 4010, 4020, 3010, 3020, diesels needing repair. 709-0103, Allen Wald, Edgeley.

FOR SALE Hay bales, good for chopping with alfalfa, cut with mower conditioner, reasonably priced. 465-3845, Paul Rudnick, Anamoose.

WANTED Prairie dog hunters to come & hunt on my land, make reservations now. 597-3730, email: larryn@westriv.com, Larry Nagel, Shields.

FOR SALE 2 - 1,000 gal. fuel tank with Gasboy pumps; 1980 Volvo semi truck, single axle; Winnebago Custom, 29’, loaded, 69,200 act. mi., powered by 440 Dodge with auto. trans.; large round bales of mixed grass hay (NOT CRP); home raised, drug free, butcher hogs, ready in mid November.

430-3423, La Verne Koenig, Blanchard.

WANTED Old metal advertising signs, gas pumps, metal oil cans, advertising clocks or thermometers; road signs, traps, knives, shell boxes, guns, old pop or old medicine bottles; old highway road signs; old 1 lb. coffee tin cans; ND pottery, carnival glass; ND books - 50 yrs. in the saddle. 258-0420 or 220-5746, Val Ganje, Bismarck.

WANTED Single axle utility trailer, 7’ wide, 12’ or 14’ long with ramp. 734-6703, Robert Anderson, Wilton.

WANTED Approx. 35’ chisel plow w/anhydrous; cab for a 1969 Chevy truck. 465-3845 leave message, Paul Rudnick, Anamoose.

FOR SALE 4 new 20.8x38 Titan bias tires; 2 new 520/85R42 (20.8R42) Michelin Agri Bibs; 2 new 520/85R42 Firestones; 2 new 16.9x38 Goodyear, 8 ply; 1 new 18.4R34 Verstorque 10 ply Goodyear, for bi-directional;4 - 420/85R34 Titan 10 ply FWDs @ 80%;4 - 380/85R34 GY @ 75%; 23.1R30 Titan 12 ply @ 70%; 23.1x30 FS, 8 ply @ 95%; 8 - 20.8R42 @ 50%;4 - 480/80R42 Titan combine tires @ 85% (rated 11,700 lbs./tire); 2 - 20.8x38 GY-OT 710s @ 50%; new Titan skid steer, 1016.5x8 ply; 12 - 16.5x10 ply; 14 - 17.5x14 ply; 2 new 15.5x38; 2 - 12.4x38 @ 50%; 2 - 16.9x28xx10 ply @ 65%; new GY-DT 71020.8R42; many others, rims, bands, hubs, hardware. 709-0103, Allen Wald, Edgeley.

FOR SALE Hay bales, good for chopping with alfalfa, cut with mower conditioner, reasonably priced. 465-3845, Paul Rudnick, Anamoose.

NORTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION EXCURSION TOURS! 2013 Mystery Tours Hawaiian Adventure Jan 24 - Feb 2, 2013 3 Islands – Oahu, Kauai, & Maui 10 days, 13 meals, land & air inclusive with optional 2 night Big Island Post Tour extension

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Massachusetts Experience Feb. 23 – Mar. 8, 2013

Enjoy 4 days of top-notch speakers at the NFU Convention. Experience the sights and sounds of Springfield. Visit Boston, Cape Cod, Plymouth, Maple Syrup Farm, Yankee Candle Company, plus much more.

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#1 April 29 – May 2 #2 May 13 – 16 #3 May 20 – 23

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Go to www.ndfu.org for more details and upcoming county tours or call 800-366-8331 ext 108, Susan or ext 111, Jeff Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

Message from

the President

BY NDFU PRESIDENT WOODY BARTH

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Not only do you get to enjoy turkey and pumpkin pie, it is a wonderful day to reflect on the blessings we have received during the year. It’s a time to look back and say thank you.

Farmers all across North Dakota have enjoyed beautiful weather during the harvest season. Crops have been bountiful and we are thankful that we continue to provide food, fiber and fuel to the world. As president of North Dakota Farmers Union, I am grateful to have the opportunity to represent over 40,000 farmers and ranchers.

North Dakota Farmers Union is the largest state farm organization and has continued to stand up for agriculture at the state, national and international levels.

Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org

This is also a time to pray for the safety of our troops fighting in foreign lands and to say thank you to all veterans for the sacrifices they have made. We are privileged to live in a country that upholds democracy.

We all have the opportunity to exercise our right to vote this November and I encourage our membership to cast a ballot in the

Nov. 6 general election.

Your vote is your voice as an American citizen.

It’s your opportunity to be heard, to hold elected officials accountable for their decisions and to have a say on important issues that affect your community.

Please join North Dakota Farmers Union at the state convention Nov. 16-17 in Grand Forks to make your voice heard in our organization and to take an active role in determining policy for the next year.

Despite the stalled farm bill, the drought, national budget deficit and political infighting, we can all be thankful that we have hope. Hope that each new day will bring us more opportunities for a better life in this country. It was in this spirit that the Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving and why we continue to celebrate today.

Join me this Thanksgiving in saying thank you! s

31

Farmers Educational and Cooperative Union of America, ND Division

Vote NO MEASURES 3 and 5 Vote YES on Measure 4 Find out why at www.ndfu.org

UCT’s DVH is now available through your local Farmers Union agent or by emailing info@fumic.com

PERIODICALS – POSTAGE PAID

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