Union Farmer - February18

FARMER UNION

www.ndfu.org

ON THE

MOVE

TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT UNDERGOING BIG CHANGES WITH PURCHASE OF BUS, TRUCK

FEBRUARY 2018

For more information, email us at info@fumic.com or visit www.fumic.com

UNION FARMER MAGAZINE Volume 65 • Number 2

F

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

UNION

www.ndfu.org

GURU

EDITOR: Chris Aarhus 800-366-8331 ext. 118 caarhus@ndfu.org Annual subscription is $30 with membership.

Periodicals postage paid at Fargo, ND. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: NDFU • P.O. Box 2136 Jamestown, ND 58402-2136 Copies mailed this issue: 34,352 • USPS 016-211

GARDEN OF THE

AT 81, SUTTON'S RAHLF STILL PROVIDING A STRONG FARMERS MARKET

September 2016 – Volume 63 • Number 9

FIND US ON THE WEB:

www.ndfu.org

http://issuu.com/ndfu

Read the Union Farmer online

CONNECT WITH US: North Dakota Farmers Union North Dakota Farmers Union Youth Program ND Farmers Union Tours

@NDFarmersUnion

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: President: Mark Watne • Vice President: Bob Kuylen • Secretary: Ellen Linderman Treasurer: Terry Borstad • Wes Niederman; Shane Sickler; Tyler Stafslien; Jim Teigen; Ronda Throener.

2

February 2018 • ndfu.org

LET’S GET TO WORK ON FARM BILL M y message this month is a call to action. The process of getting a farm bill passed is complex and takes some urgency to get completed. We knew it wouldn’t be completed in 2017.

But now that we are in 2018, we need to step up the pressure and call our congressional delegation to tell them and their counterparts to get to work.

The administration has indicated a desire to give us a good farm bill and a strong crop insurance program. We should not let them back away from that commitment. The House Agriculture Committee has indicated they have a farm bill ready to roll but have not released any details yet. The House Ag Committee has also been messaging by video the importance of a strong farm program, reiterating what we at Farmers Union have been saying

for years. The Senate has said we should be able to pass a bill in the near term. Again, we should not let them back away from their promise.

Time is of the essence as the PAYGO (Pay As You GO) concept may play an important role in determining our capacity to write strong farm programs and establish food security for our nation. PAYGO is the practice in the U.S. of financing expenditures with funds that are currently available rather than borrowed.

Farm programs have already taken $100 billion in cuts in the last 10 years. The overall funding needs to be higher not restricted by available dollars.

We should also be given time for input to improve the farm program. It cannot be done behind the scenes without input from family farmers, who are impacted.

The call to action is for you to contact Congressman Kevin Cramer (202-225-2611), Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (202-224-2043) and Sen. John Hoeven (202-224-2551).

Tell them the time is now for a strong farm bill with more funding, more protection and higher support levels.

Current commodity prices are limiting the ability of farmers to be profitable and to deliver a sustainable, inexpensive food security system for our nation.

If asked, specific requests are: increased and robust reference prices under the Price Loss Coverage program that account for cost of production; technical corrections to the Agricultural Risk Coverage program for improved performance; continued subsidies for crop insurance; and expansion of insurance options for livestock.

GRASSROOTS HOW TO DONATE TO THE NDFU FOUNDATION

North Dakota Farmers Union established the NDFU Foundation in 2000 to raise funds for Farmers Union’s youth education program. Other areas of support include humanitarian efforts, research initiatives to enhance rural life, and rural economic development.

Over the years, CHS Inc. has been a major grant funder of Farmers Union’s renowned youth program, which is greatly appreciated. But with grant funding unpredictable, the foundation’s goal is to build a nest egg large enough for the youth program to sustain itself in perpetuity.

Donations do not necessarily have to be monetary and there are a variety of ways to contribute: a single gift, monthly or annual payments, gifts in memoriam, retired cooperative dividends, planned giving or estate planning. No gift is too small.

Gifts of more than $1,000 will be recognized at the state office on a newly established wall of recognition. Contributions can be mailed to: NDFU Foundation, P.O. Box 2136, Jamestown, ND 584022136.

ndfu.org • February 2018

3

NDFU purchased a second bus to help with an increasing number of members interested in bus trips.

TOP-NOTCH

TRAVEL Purchasing second bus part of transportation changes

BY CHRIS AARHUS, NDFU

Nick Mathern likes the convenience provided

by North Dakota Farmers Union’s bus trips.

The Edgeley family man has been on numerous trips including the past two Minnesota Vikings football games.

“The service and getting dropped off at the door is a big deal,” Mathern said. “It’s quick ride. The bus is nice and clean. It’s a good family atmosphere. It’s easy to take kids with on the bus. To me, that’s important.”

Mathern said doing Vikings trips in two days is appealing.

“You go down (the first day) and you’re back by 9:30 p.m. (Sunday night),” he said. “I like that they take us down to Mall of America. You just

appreciate that stuff. It’s a good service offered

by Farmers Union.”

Mathern was one of the 5,329 NDFU members hauled on a bus trip in 2017. The trips are only one aspect of an increasingly busy transportation department. Major changes have come as of late, said Transportation Specialist Jeff Willer, who has been with NDFU 23 years.

“These are things that we’ve been looking at the past two years, but it’s all come together in the last few months,” Willer said.

More than half of NDFU’s members hauled in 2017 rode a charter bus, which NDFU pays for when the bus it owns is already in use. In an effort to cut down on those costs, the organization purchased a second bus in

TRAVEL BY THE NUMBERS

232 5,329

DAYS ON THE ROAD (WHITE BUS ONLY)

MEMBERS HAULED ON TRIPS

88,603 MILES TRAVELED (ALL BUSES) November. The bus, all blue with a white NDFU logo on the side, means there will be two buses at the disposal of the transportation department for the first time since 2009.

“From 1948 to 2009, we had two buses,” Willer said. “(Business) had slowed with the recession.

Now, we’ve seen an increase in charter costs and a big increase in usage. We’ll be keeping both buses busy.”

NDFU hosts its members on a variety of bus trips that include longer excursions, four-day mystery tours and other agritourism trips. But one of the biggest uses for the buses is to haul kids to and from camp in the summer.

“Our members get a certain amount of education with our bus trips — some agricultural tourism with some vacation aspects to it,” NDFU President Mark Watne said. “(The bus) plays a major role in our youth program, where we really needed a second bus for hauling kids to camp at the junior youth level.

Today’s parents don’t have as much capacity to deliver their children. We needed a way to get their kids to camp.”

Watne said the second bus means fewer charter buses. NDFU also leases the University of Jamestown bus — which was previously owned by NDFU — when it needs a third bus, schedule-permitting.

“There are times when we need three buses, but most of the time it’s only two,” Watne said.

“The second bus is justified because, for nearly

equal cost, we have a second bus that we own with our logo, and that’s another billboard to run around the state. It’s good to have that, but it’s really the economical end of it that made sense for us.”

During the summer, it’s common for NDFU to enlist the services of six buses at one time including its own to haul children to and from camp on a single day. Willer said one day this summer, eight different buses will travel with campers on it.

“That’s one of the big misnomers is that all we do is haul retirees,” Willer said. “We put more miles on our bus hauling youth and members on county trips than we do on the excursions with retirees.”

While it didn’t come to fruition, there was a plan to have three buses out on trips over the weekend of Jan. 13-14. The blue bus went on an 18-day excursion to Florida, the white bus took members to the Minnesota Vikings playoff game and the University of Jamestown bus was scheduled to haul Renville County Farmers Union members to the UND hockey game.

Willer said an area that NDFU members have come to appreciate is the riding experience.

Being relatively new, both buses have screens in which movies can be watched, plug-ins and USB outlets, wireless internet and reclining seats.

Also, both buses are equipped with restrooms.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

“We think having that high quality bus is important in attracting people to events, and our members have some expectations,” Watne said.

“They want us to be a good-looking organization, and they want us to represent them well. It’s a tool of recruitment, and we want to fill (the bus) up. You need to have quality transportation that looks good and is fun to ride.”

Farmers Union members went 88,603 miles in 2017, and the white Farmers Union bus was on the road 232 days. Willer said the trips that fill up the quickest are usually the fall foliage trips to New England and the shorter four-day mystery tours.

“We’ve been doing the mystery tours for 18 years — they don’t know where they’re going,” Willer said. “We’re up to three of those every year. They sell out fast.”

In terms of safety, bus drivers are first-aid, CPR and AED certified. Both buses have an AED machine as well as seat belts for every passenger, though belts aren’t mandatory for passengers. Also, the buses are equipped with a fire-suppression system.

It adds up to a convenient, affordable ride for NDFU members.

“Our goal is to continue to provide reliable, safe, red-carpet service to all of our members,” Willer said. “The board of directors and (President Mark Watne) have made sure the members have reliable transportation they can be proud of. The future of the department is very bright.”

FOOD TRUCK

Earlier this fall, NDFU purchased a tractortrailer to haul North Dakota family farm products to its restaurants in the Washington, D.C. area. The first load was hauled in October, and since then, two more have gone.

“We do a lot of things that enhance opportunities for our members, whether it’s through education or trying to determine better logistics for their products or finding avenues to help them make money,” Watne said. “One of these is the truck concept. We use it to take products right to the restaurants. It’s really us completing phase two of connecting family farms to the consumer. It’s small at this point and time, but we hope to grow it into a system of trucks.”

The first load hauled wheat from family farms, sugar from American Crystal Sugar and flour from the state mill and elevator.

“We’re really close to hauling safflower oil, and we’re hoping we can add a few more products like butter.”

The truck is managed through the transportation department, which added Transportation Coordinator Kevin Widmer to help with the added workload. Eunice Olivier moved into the department as travel coordinator, rounding out a three-person department that stays plenty busy.

“There are a lot of exciting things on the horizon,” Willer said.

NDFU purchased this tractor-trailer over the summer and has made three trips to the Washington, D.C. area, delivering North Dakota family farm products to the restaurants.

SIGN UP FOR OUR UPCOMING TRIPS! NFU Convention • Kansas City, Mo. • March 3-7

Hawaii tour • February 2019 • 3 islands (4th optional)

Wisconsin Dells • June 4-9

Northwest Fall Foliage • September 2019 • 18 days

Northeast Fall Foliage • Sept. 24-Oct. 11 Branson Christmas • Nov. 5-11 • Dec. 3-9

Mystery trips • Standby only • April 30-May 3 • May 7-10 • May 14-17

Texas tour • January 2019 • 18 days Contact Jeff (ext. 111) or Eunice (ext. 108) by calling 1-800-366-8331 to sign up!

7TH ANNUAL

PRECISION AG ACTION SUMMIT hosted by NDFU and Praxis Strategy Group

BY CHRIS AARHUS, NDFU

North Dakota Farmers Union and Praxis Strategy Group hosted the seventh annual Precision Agriculture Action Summit on Jan. 15-16 at the NDFU Conference Center.

NDFU Cooperative Specialist Jason McKenney said the event was a success.

“The summit turned out very well,” he said.

“There were 215 registered participants. The participants were producers, educators and others from the industry. Forty-four percent of the attendees came for the first time.”

McKenney said the conference covered a variety of topics and how they relate to precision ag.

The theme was, “Creating certainty in times of volatility.”

“We had sessions on how lenders value precision ag and using it in the decisionmaking process,” he said. “Site-specific fertilizer application, and how precision ag has a role in wildlife management and wetland regulation.

Data storage, imagery and longterm weather forecasting were also discussed.”

The conference started with remarks from Dr. Sreekala Bajwa, who is chair of the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering for North Dakota State University.

Dr. Terry Griffin, in the ag department at Kansas State, gave the keynote speech and was moderator for a panel on precision ag with local farmers.

Lynn Paulson of Bell Bank followed by speaking about how ag lenders value precision ag.

Breakouts were held after lunch the first day at the Quality Inn. There were four categories: nutrient management; Unmanned Aircraft Systems and imagery; finance and operations management; and data access and data management. Each category had four different breakouts.

Joe Blaufuss of Valley City won the iPad giveaway.

North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring welcomed event-goers the morning of day two. Jordan Shockley of the University of Kentucky (profitability), Jim Hedges of Winfield United (utilizing data) and NDSU Soil Health Specialist Chris Augustin (cover crops, soil) covered their areas of expertise during the early morning session.

Ryan Raguse of Myriad Mobile (technology) and Kaia Watkins of Flint Group (big data) also spoke before lunch.

Drew Lerner, Senior Ag Meteorologist at World Weather, Inc., gave a presentation after lunch about soil moisture, winter crop conditions and the upcoming weather pattern outlook.

National Corn Growers Association President Kevin Skunes provided an update on their organization’s efforts, and a four-person panel on driving precision ag with education and training capped the two-day event.

Participants had the option of completing a survey for a free iPad, which Joe Blaufuss of Valley City won.

PRECISION AG ACTION SUMMIT survey results

How would you rate your precision ag level?

Innovator – 9% Expert – 27% Intermediate – 28% Novice – 27% Dabbler – 9% How would you go about acquiring precision ag knowledge and skill?

40% – NDSU Extension workshop or publication 19% – Go back to school for short course 16% – Discussion forums and Youtube videos 9% – Implement dealer 7% – Agronomy center 4% – Hire it out 3% – Phone a friend Rank these items in importance to your business: 1 – Agronomic decision-making 2 – Data management 3 – Economics and farm management 4 – Sprayers and application technology 5 – Integration of Equipment 6 – Harvest technology 7 – UAS and data collection Choose one subject you wish your operation had improved knowledge in: 44% – Data management 18% – Imagery

17% – Planting technology 13% – Soils and residue management 6% – Integrated pest management 3% – Pesticide application technology What basic precision ag skills would you most expect your new hire to have?

45% – Agronomy 25% – Precision ag software - GIS 15% – Knowledge of controllers and monitors 8% – Troubleshooting and diagnostics 5% – Data and imagery management 3% – Drone operation/Part 107 license What basic precision ag skills would you least expect your new hire to have?

58% – Drone operation/Part 107 license 13% – Troubleshooting and diagnostics 10% – How to build variable rate prescriptions 7% – Agronomy 6% – Knowledge of controllers and monitors 4% – Precision ag software - GIS 1% – Data and imagery management

HAVE COURAGE AT NORTH DAKOTA

GRADES 3-6 (4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS)* – $125 GRADES 7-12 (5 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS)* – $175 *Grade youth will have completed by the end of the school year

L! A I C E P D S ter by May 15!

R I B Y EARLtration fee when you regis egis

$25 off r

Register now at ndfu.org

AND BE KIND

FARMERS UNION SUMMER CAMP! JUNIOR CAMP - COMPLETED GRADES 3-6

Heart Butte ~ near Elgin

June 10-13: Bottineau, Burke, Divide, McHenry, Mountrail, Renville, Ward, Williams.

June 13-16: Adams, Bowman-Slope, Grant, Hettinger, Morton, Sioux June 25-29: Statewide camp July 15-18: Burleigh, Sheridan July 18-21: Billings-Golden Valley, Dunn, McLean, Mercer, McKenzie, Oliver, Stark

Wesley Acres ~ near Valley City

June 17-20: Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Foster, Grand Forks, Griggs, Nelson, Pembina, Pierce,

Ramsey, Rolette, Steele, Towner, Walsh, Wells June 20-23: Dickey, LaMoure, Ransom, Sargent July 18-11: Cass, Traill, Richland July 15-18: Barnes, Stutsman July 18-21: Emmons, Logan, McIntosh, Kidder

SENIOR CAMP - COMPLETED GRADES 7-12

June 18-22 (Heart Butte), June 25-29 (Wesley Acres), July 9-13 (Heart Butte, grades 7-9), July 23-27 (Heart Butte, grades 7-9), July 30-Aug. 3 (Heart Butte, grades 10-12)

thank you to our The commitment of youth leaders to the development of our young people is of primary importance to the growth and success of rural America and Farmers Union. The following list recognizes our NDFU youth leaders for their energy and exceptional service.

ADAMS Libby Gravning, Hettinger BARNES Tyler Van Bruggen, Valley City BENSON Robin Arnold, Esmond BILLINGS/GOLDEN VALLEY Tina Davidson, Sentinel Butte BOWMAN/SLOPE Mary Fischer, Bowman BURLEIGH Michaela Froseth, Mandan Laurie Weigel, Bismarck CASS Kristi Brink, Davenport CAVALIER Carissa Iverson, Langdon

GRANT Linda Koepplin, Elgin

HETTINGER Nancy Nadvornik, Mott KIDDER Shelly Ziesch, Pettibone LAMOURE Carly Rott, LaMoure Mary Schlosser, Edgeley Constance Bitz, LaMoure Karen Sandness, LaMoure LOGAN Morgan Schwartzenberger, Napoleon MCHENRY Krystal Watne, Velva MCINTOSH Fern Schauer, Ashley MCKENZIE Stephanie Scofield, Watford City Judy Lassey, Cartwright MCLEAN Georgean Lick, Ruso Rita Bloom, Ryder

DICKEY Pam Henningsen, Monango

MORTON Lisa Rebenitsch, Fort Rice Dianna Hopfauf, Bismarck

DUNN Alyssa Steiner, Bismarck

MOUNTRAIL Jodi Obert, Stanley

EDDY Hailey Fleming, Warwick

NELSON Hazel Rude, Tolna

EMMONS Lori Schmidt, Hazelton

OLIVER Becky Dollinger, Center

GRAND FORKS Jill Johnson, Grand Forks

PIERCE Becky Tofte, Wolford

epic coaches!

RAMSEY Andrea Miller, Devils Lake

TOWNER Laura Dease, Munich

RANSOM Tyann Henderson, Lisbon

TRAILL Cayle Fossum, Hillsboro

RICHLAND Cassidy Ziesch, Wahpeton

WALSH Kathy Houser, Park River

ROLETTE Jackie Heinz, Rolette

WARD Karley Porter, Minot Fay M. Knudtson, Donnybrook Deborah Peterson, Ryder Debbie Hansen, Ryder Shirley Christensen, Kenmare

SARGENT Colleen Sundquist, Forman SHERIDAN Missy Axt, McClusky SIOUX Mary Jean Hunter, Solen STARK Sarah Ewoniuk, South Heart STEELE Megan Anne Minten Vig, Sharon STUTSMAN Ashley Vinje, Grand Forks

WELLS Jean Hauser, Harvey WILLIAMS Alvina Skogen, Epping NOTE: EPIC coach positions in Bottineau, Burke, Divide, Foster, Mercer, Pembina and Renville are open. Please contact Youth Education Specialist Bri Sorensen at bsorensen@ndfu.org or 701-952-1404.

HEIER REPRESENTING ND ON NYAC My name is Shaun Heier. I used to live in Edgeley until this summer when my family moved to Winona, Minn. I am a senior at Lewiston-Altura High School. I am unsure as of now where I will attend college, but I plan to major in economics. This past summer I attended All-States Camp in Colorado and was elected to serve on the 2017-2018 National Youth Advisory Council (NYAC).

NYAC has been a great experience for me. It sent me to Washington, D.C. this September for the fly-in where I got to meet with congressional representatives and senators to lobby for the betterment of farmers in the country. In March, I will also be attending the national convention in Kansas City, Mo. Being on NYAC allowed me to grow as a person and improve my public speaking and conversation skills. I will always be thankful of Farmers Union for giving me this opportunity.

Shaun Heier, middle, poses with his fellow NYAC during a sight-seeing trip while at a fly-in in September in Washington, D.C.

FUSA PURCHASES ARKANSAS AGENCY Farmers Union Service Association (FUSA) and Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Company (FUMIC-ND) announced an expansion of their customer base beyond North Dakota to the state of Arkansas.

FUSA recently purchased the Eagle Agency, the exclusive marketer of Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Company (FUMIC-AR) products in that state. The announcement also includes FUMIC-ND’s affiliation with FUMIC-AR. “We’re excited to grow the

Farmers Union brand and expand product offerings through the Eagle Agency and our affiliation with Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Company of Arkansas,” said Kevin Ressler, Farmers Union Insurance chief sales, marketing and branding officer in North Dakota.

Some 250 independent insurance agents currently sell FUMIC-AR’s products in Arkansas through Eagle Agency’s marketing oversight.

Ressler said the expansion allows both mutual companies

and agencies to utilize each other’s strengths to better meet customer needs. Both companies will operate with a shared management team led by CEO Mark Anderson.

FUMIC-AR was founded in 1934 to provide fire and property insurance options to members of Arkansas Farmers Union.

FUMIC-ND was founded in 1944 to provide insurance products to members of North Dakota Farmers Union, with a specialty niche for farmers and ranchers.

FUSA was founded in 1938.

FOR 100TH, BND ASKS FOR HISTORIC ITEMS BISMARCK – Bank of North Dakota (BND) is preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2019 and is asking the public for assistance. Historical artifacts from the bank such as letters, memorabilia and promotional items are being accepted.

In addition, the Bank is seeking stories from farm families who were assisted by the Bank during the Great Depression and were able to keep the farm as a result.

Long-established businesses which have benefited from Bank loan programs that are willing 18

February 2018 • ndfu.org

to share their success stories will also be included in the anniversary plans.

Well-known historians Mike Jacobs and Clay Jenkinson are assisting with several of the anniversary projects including a museum to be located on the first floor of the Bank building in Bismarck, a commemorative table book and website.

“As the only state-owned bank in the country, we are celebrating the partnerships we’ve created with our state’s residents over the past 100 years,” Eric Hardmeyer,

BND President, said. “We receive calls from individuals and organizations across the country and world about our model so this is an opportunity for residents to become involved and share their stories for generations to come.”

If you have items or stories you think the bank may be interested in, you are asked to contact Janel Schmitz, Communications Manager at Bank of North Dakota at janelschmitz@nd.gov or 701.328.5880.

3 SAVE

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why wheat works

@2016 Pet Care Systems. sWheat Scoop is a registered trademark of Pet Care Systems.

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There is a simple science to why we chose to make cat litter from 100 percent wheat. When the wheat is ground, the manufacturing process exposes starch and enzymes that contribute to our sWheat product. The 100 percent biodegradable wheat enzymes neutralize odor while the starch helps with clumping. So, with wheat, we have managed to make life better for cats, people, and the planet.

Around the state

TOP: NDFU members were in attendance to watch the Minnesota Vikings’ thrilling last minute playoff win over the New Orleans Saints.

RIGHT: Nick Mathern, far right, and his son Eli (left) and daughter Libby attended the Vikings’ win over the Chicago Bears on New Years Eve on a bus trip hosted by LaMoure County Farmers Union. Eli is holding a ball given to him by Chicago Bears wide receiver Dontrelle Inman.

Farmers Union Service Association along with Farmers Union Insurance of Devils Lake recently donated $1000 to the Devils Lake Hope Center, a local charity that partners with Great Plains Food Bank

The National Farmers Union women’s conference was held in January in San Diego. Left to right, NDFU Member Relations Specialist Molly McLain, Travis and Melissa Pfennig, President Mark Watne, Shanda Laufer, Kristi Schulz, Amanda Schoch, Evelyn Alt, Nicole Albers, Tracey Miller and Carrie Widmer.

BOERBOOM: Thanks for Extension support I write this letter to thank the North Dakotans who expressed support for the NDSU Extension Service to the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education (SBARE).

In the past year, NDSU Extension Service’s state budget was cut by $4.1 million, which led to many lost positions. The Legislature also instructed SBARE to review Extension’s mission, efficiency and effectiveness and to recommend changes.

Through this process, the core question has been, “How does Extension best serve our citizens?” For example, most people have smartphones, so can’t they find answers with a simple search? Some other states have switched from county to district Extension offices; why do we need Extension agents in every county?

Can low population counties share staff with a neighboring county?

Rightly, SBARE asked these questions in their Extension review. I thank SBARE for digging deeply to fully understand Extension’s mission, which is to “provide science-based education that improves the economic, health and community conditions for North Dakotans.” Simply said, Extension’s purpose is “extending knowledge, changing lives.”

How does Extension best help people make informed decisions? It takes education built on trust and relationships. Anyone can go to Google for information, but not everything on the internet is accurate. Having a trusted relationship with an agent who provides unbiased and science-based education is the key to making wise decisions.

We call this transformational education because it truly changes lives.

According to the dozen plus stakeholders who testified at SBARE listening sessions, more than 100 letter writers and hundreds of citizens at county forums, a county-based system with Extension agents is the best approach to fulfill our mission.

Extension agents delivering agricultural, 4-H, family and community programs are highly valued.

One letter stated, “There simply is no other entity or organization that could take the place of the current NDSU Extension presence in our county.”

We in Extension agree. County-based agents are critical to our Extension mission because they

#FARMTOWNSTRONG FARMTOWNSTRONG.ORG

22

February 2018 • ndfu.org

NDSU EXTENSION DIRECTOR CHRIS BOERBOOM

know the local issues, the people and how to provide the best education. That education may be high-tech, a handshake over the fence or most likely both.

Although the details of the agreement between Extension and counties to fund Extension agents need to be finalized, one point is clear. SBARE voted that all counties, regardless of size, should be treated the same. I thank SBARE, county commissioners and concerned citizens for working together to find the best solution for North Dakota.

The NDSU Extension Service has been doing great work quietly. Extension staff and their educational programs are recognized locally, but we promise to elevate the visibility of our programs and the agents and specialists who provide them. We invite you to connect with your local Extension agents to learn how the NDSU Extension Service is “Extending Knowledge.

Changing Lives.”

Try roasted sweet potatoes with pecan-fig butter February is National Sweet Potato Month!

And as such, we’re offering one of our Founding Farmers guest favorites: roasted sweet potatoes with pecan-fig butter.

Sure, the sweet potato is the star of this dish, but the added ingredients act as the supporting cast in this delicious side. Our roasted sweet potatoes with pecan-fig butter is savory, yet with a sweet, buttery balance complete with a rich pecan-fig butter topping that not only provides continuity, but also allows the flavor to seep right down to the crevices to really infuse the flavor.

Roasted Potatoes (serves 8) • 4 medium sweet potatoes • 2 tablespoons canola oil • 1¼ Farmers Steak Seasoning* Pecan-Fig Butter • ¾ cup pecan pieces • 2¼ ounces dried figs, cut into ¼-inch pieces • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger • ½ cup packed dark brown sugar • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt • 1 tablespoon maple syrup • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon • ¼ teaspoon ground allspice • teaspoon ground cloves • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened • 1 tablespoon finely sliced fresh chives

Our Founding Farmers culinary team loves to mix it up, and our chefs like the versatile, natural sweetness of the sweet potato for this dish.

Packed with flavor, this root veggie is high in beta-carotene, which acts as an antioxidant to help eliminate free radicals in the body, and rich in nutrients like fiber, Vitamins A, B6 and C, copper, potassium and iron. And some fun, sweet potato facts: sweet potatoes come in over 400 varieties, with colors ranging from orange and cream to deep purple and pink, and can be traced back to prehistoric times.

Enjoy!

Instructions Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat potatoes in the canola oil and season all over with Farmers Steak Seasoning. Roast in oven until tender, about 40 minutes.

Remove from oven and let cool. *NOTE: this step can be done ahead of time.

While potatoes cook, prepare pecan-fig butter. Combine pecans, figs, ginger, brown sugar, salt, maple syrup, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and butter; mix until combined. Set aside.

Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees. Slice each potato in half lengthwise and score the flesh with a paring knife. Place potatoes on a baking sheet and spread onefourth cup of the fig butter in each pair of potato halves.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes, until topping caramelizes. Serve one potato half per person; garnish with the chives. *Farmers Steak Seasoning 2 cups kosher salt ½ cup ground black pepper 1 cup granulated garlic

CLASSIFIEDS

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

Ads must be mailed, emailed or faxed.

NO ADS WILL BE TAKEN OVER THE PHONE. 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 re-run your ad. Limit 75 words.

MEMBERSHIP DUES MUST BE CURRENT!

FARM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE 750x16 8 ply tires and rims - 8 hole, 3 rib tires are 90%, fits Case tractor, $375.

628-6949 or 314-640-1884, Rose or Mike Ryan, Stanley.

FOR SALE JD box end wrenches for older JD tractors; JD long loop plow cleves; pto. roller pumps, 6 & * roller, 2 - like new, 3 - good; 1 1/2” - 2” barrel faucet, old, good; Cyclone seed spreader, number setting, cloth bag, neck strap & crank, works good; new Delaval separator book & milk floats. 934-4822, J Fleck Clemens, Bismarck.

FOR SALE 1999 Flexcoil XL 67 cart sprayer, new 10 gal. 5 gal, low drift nozzles, great shape 2012 Wdx 1203 swather, with preform hydraulic lift, Roller. Mounted on swather; canola roller; 25’ Macdon swather, 4600 Prairie Star; dark metallic blue pickup topper, mint condition, gun racks, fish pole racks. 263-1206, Lathan Romsos, Bottineau.

FOR SALE Very good 2390 2 WD tractor, 3,798 actual hrs., 18x42 tires and hub duals, used for light work, good clean tractor, $13,500.

678-2632 or 308-0579, Alden Kempel, Stirum.

FOR SALE 1983 24’ gooseneck horse or stock trailer, 5’4” wide, triple axle, 2 5/16” ball hitch, 2 divider gates, tires are good, custom built, $2,000; 2003 New Holland BR780 baler, auto-wrap, twine tie, 540 pto., nice shape, $4,900; 2000 JD 566 baler, twine tie, 540 pto. 15,900 bales, standard picker, $5,900.

320-8543, Kevin Raugutt, Edgeley.

FOR SALE 4 wheel trailer; 15-30 McCormick tractor; 2 cream separators; Leon #3100 HD 10’ 3-pt blade; late model Super M; 2 grain fanning mills; 2 units of 4 stainless steel bucket/pans, to feed grain/salt or minerals to cattle, mounted to a metal frame that mounts on the wall of the barn, very sturdy. larryn@westriv.com, 597-3730, Larry Nagel, Shields.

FOR SALE International stationary engine; oil burner stove & 250 gal. fuel tank; 2 pump jacks w/elec. motors; 40 used Lange anhydrous knives; 2015 Case IH Puma 165 CVT tractor w/FWA & Case IH L 765 loader & grapple fork, only 292 hrs., always shedded; 1985 IH 2575 tandem diesel truck w/855 Cummins engine & 20’ Rieten aluminum box w/roll tarp & Rugby hoist & 9 spd. trans., very clean tandem truck, stored inside; 2013 Case IH 8230 combine w/folding hopper covers, new style luxury cab, Pro 700 monitor, auto guidance Nav II 372 receiver, 620 Firestone duals & 750 rear tires, lateral tilt & rock trap, only 664 engine & 480 separator hrs; Case IH MacDon 2152 draper head, 35’ w/upper cross auger

& pickup reel; Case IH model 2016 combine pickup header w/16’ belt pickup, like new, combine & headers always shedded; JD 3200 auto reset 5 bottom plow; Mayrath 6”x28’ grain auger w/Briggs engine. 6282805 or 629-9003, Doug Halden, Stanley.

FOR SALE 2 - 12’ 6200 IH press drills, reconditioned, $2,800, will split, can deliver, have grass seeders for them also; IH 18’ Vibra shank, new shovels, field ready, $900.. 400-5742, Gerald Miller, Mandan.

FOR SALE 1968 Massey Ferguson Super 35 tractor, $6,700; 3 pt. Meteor snow blower $1,600, 67.5”; 3 pt., 6’ blade (like new cutting edge) $150.00; everything in very good condition.

794-3385, Howard Windhorst, Center.

FOR SALE 28’ - 53’ semi van storage trailers, some with size doors; 20’ & 40’ storage containers; tanks, cones, pumps, hose reels, etc.

474-5780, Richard Rydell, Fairmount.

FOR SALE 1940 Farmall H tractor, not running, w/ wo. No. 5 John Deere mower. 646-6393, Duane Thompson, Sanborn.

school, good shape; milk, medicine & soda bottles. 934-4822, J Fleck Clemens, Bismarck.

FOR SALE 2 console stereo record players w/AM-FM radio and 8 track tape player, plays 33, 45 or 78 records; 2 Brother typewriters, 1 electric, 1 manual. 597-3854, Roger Monson, Flasher.

FOR SALE Electric wheelchair, $400 obo. 852-5598, Jim Zaback, Minot.

FOR SALE 5 1/2’ U steel posts. 734-6703 or 220-9263, Robert Anderson, Wilton.

FOR SALE Amish 4 person enclosed buggy, brand new pull shaves, 2 black velveteen adjust. & folding seats, setup for hyd. brakes, has safety lighting & switches, has windows-2 front movable, all naugahyde sides & top, back drop (that you can open) it is very good cond, call for pics; Studebaker hood for 1949-53 truck, good metal with original hood ornament & name plate, $450; 1980 Chevrolet Malibu hood, $150. 628-6949, Rose or Mike Ryan, Stanley.

FOR SALE 18’ JD one way disc for parts; IH 706D, runs good, one new tire, others fair; 20’ 1985 Versatile swather; 2000 JD 680 chisel plow, 41’ Summers harrow, depth control value, new shovels; 1974 Chev. C65 tandem truck, 5,000 mi. on new engine, roll tarp; 1984 Versatile 895 tractor, 14, 690 hrs., 310 hp., 4 hyds., fair tires; JD 930 flex head, AWS air system fan included, plus controls, Single axle header trailer, extra sickle. 789-0327, Doug Lund, Aneta.

FOR SALE 2 - 7X9 overhead garage doors (white) with all hardware, $50.00. 794-3385, Howard Windhorst, Center.

MISCELLANEOUS

WANTED Montana Silver & Pendleton Whiskey belt buckles or any buckles; guns, any kind & scopes - variable power. 734-6703 or 2209263, Robert Anderson, Wilton.

FOR SALE Pitney Bowes AddressRight DA80F Series printer, a versatile, easy to use, high speed desktop printer for addressing applications, software included. Astro ATS-12 tabber, to tab folded mailers, applies clear or paper tabs 5/8” - 1 1/2”, seals a variety of media types and sizes. Both machines - $4,000.

For more info. contact - 952-0114, Lucy Bardell, NDFU, Jamestown.

FOR SALE 30” Dell flat screen computer monitor; Antique parlor funiture, 1915-1920s; antique dresser, 44” L x 21 1/2”W; antique cedar chest, 40 1/2” L x 18 1/2” W; Beaver, brown Resistol cowboy hat, size 7 3/8. 263-1206, Lathan Romsos, Bottineau.

FOR SALE 30” tower fan, used once, $20; camcorder, used once, $40; Eden Pure heater, used once, $200; brand new Bushnell field glasses, $40; 2 saddles, used, bought in CO., $50 ea.; youth saddle, never used, $100. 597-3052, Lyla Schreiner, Flasher.

FOR SALE Gas golf cart, 2017 EZ GO TXT, w/12” wheels, color - Silver w/Metro custom seat, priced below book. 597-3730 or 400-9825, larryn@westriv.com, Larry Nagel, Shields.

FOR SALE Bathroom vanity counter top, brown, 48”x24”, w/Omen faucet, $25. 320-2466, Craig Neys, Jamestown.

FOR SALE 2 bench scales, Toledo barrel scale, weight & price numbers; Fairbanks Morse platform counter beam scale & weights; sour dough starter, 4 oz..; 2 cigar boxes, Y. B. & Wm. Penn; 2 oblong silver dishes made by Leonard, 1 w/legs & silver spoon, old; old square box camera, U.S.A., uses D6 Agfa film; Decter pencil sharpener, country

WANTED Prairie dog hunters to hunt on my land.

Make reservations now. larryn@westriv. com, 597-3730, Larry Nagel, Shields.

WANTED 10-20 acres of good wooded deer habitat for hunting, prefer within 75 mi. of Bismarck. 391-8874, Keith Telenga, Bismarck.

WANTED Westland gas/oil station advertising stuff; signs, oil cans, clocks, thermometers, & gas pumps or anything else with the Buffalo logo, would also be interested in other brands of gas/oil stuff if you have them, old advertising signs, crocks, jugs, clocks or thermometers with advertising, road signs, traps, shell boxes, guns, tokens, marbles, anvils, pop or medicine bottles, tin coffee cans, ND pottery, carnival glass. 220-5746 or 258-0420, Val Ganje, Bismarck.

WANTED Any WWII German, Japanese, & American military items: helmets, hats, uniforms, equipment, medals, badges, daggers, swords, bayonets, flags, armbands, patches, insignia, Purple Heart medals, camouflage uniforms, leather flight jackets, boots, unit books, photo albums, and any items related to the 164th Infantry Regiment. 200-7125, John Grindahl, Fargo.

VEHICLES FOR SALE 1974 Ford F100, 2 whl. drive, not running; 1948 Ford truck, low miles on short block, not running. 646-6393, Duane Thompson, Sanborn.

FOR SALE 2005 Chevy Silverado K1500 crewcab, 4x4, 5.3L, auto., shortbox, like new tires, 237K, $4,900. 320-8543, Kevin Raugutt, Edgeley.

FOR SALE 1979 Ford F250, good condition. 2631206, Lathan Romsos, Bottineau.

Get $500 off a new Ford vehicle North Dakota Farmers Union members enjoy special offers at retailers and restaurants state wide.

Login at https://ndfubeneďŹ tsplus.enjoymydeals.com to discover thousands of members-only discounts wherever you live, work or travel.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Due to space concerns, NDFU classifieds will be limited to 75 words (roughly 12 column lines) per member per category in all future issues.

FOR SALE 2002 Yamaha snowmobile, 600 Triple, VMax, Trail Performance ProAction System, excellent condition, $2,000 obo.

320-7709, Wayne Becker, Dazey.

FOR SALE 1981 Buick Century, auto on floor, bucket seats, air, factory installed V8 4.3L motor, mint condition; 1951 Straight Eight Buick.; make offer for both. larryn@westriv.com, 597-3730, Larry Nagel, Shields.

FOR SALE 1973-4 IH Scout II, original w/rebuilt parts, 304 engine. 916-296-8740, Richard Grabowski, Selz.

LIVESTOCK

FOR SALE 2 Hampsire boar pigs, approx, 325 lbs. ea., choice for $250; 1 Yorkshire and 1 Hampshire boar pigs, approx. 250 lbs. ea., choice for $200. 597-3107 lv. mess., Ken Koch, Shields.

FOR SALE Registered Black Angus 3 yr. old bred heifers, due in April, weighing 1100-1300 lbs., all home raised. 228-3834, Bruce Knudson, Bottineau.

WANTED Older horse, well broke, 14 or 14 1/2 height.

734-6703 or 220-9263, Robert Anderson, Wilton.

Farmers Educational and Cooperative Union of America, ND Division

PERIODICALS – POSTAGE PAID

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

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