FARMER UNION
www.ndfu.org
A HOME FOR HEMP
Gussiaas helps lead the way in production, processing of hemp
APRIL 2020
GET TO KNOW A FARMERS UNION INSURANCE AGENCY
Kyle DeVries Agency WAHPETON
I grew up and graduated from high school in Wahpeton and have lived here most of my life. I have been an agent in Wahpeton for 11 years with Farmers Union. I have been married to my wife Aimee, who is also from Wahpeton for 24 years. We have two boys: a seventh-grader and a sophomore, and they are involved in sports and choir. The thing I love most about my job is being able to help the people from the town I grew up in and the surrounding area that I have known for so long, and not just with insurance, but with a lot of things that come up in their lives. I believe what makes me a good agent is listening to what people need and finding the best option I can for them, even if I can’t do it for them. I am a member of the Optimist Club, Knights of Columbus in Wahpeton and have served on a few boards as well in town.
Kyle DeVries Agency 521 Dakota Ave, Ste A Wahpeton ND 58075 PH: (701) 642-3916
UNION FARMER MAGAZINE Volume 67 • Number 4
The UNION FARMER is published monthly by North Dakota Farmers Union at 1415 12th Ave SE, Jamestown, ND 58401. 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 • PO Box 2136 Jamestown, ND 58402-2136 Copies mailed this issue: 30,868 • USPS 016-211
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS: President: Mark Watne • Vice President: Bob Kuylen • Secretary: Wes Niederman Treasurer: Ronda Throener • Jon Iverson; Shane Sickler; Tyler Stafslien; Ryan Taylor; Michelle Ziesch. 2 • April 2020 • Union Farmer
Finding balance between humans and tech
Agriculture has always had numerous outside impacts affecting its successes and challenges. Technology leads the list of impacts, both positive and negative, that have dramatically changed food production over a short period of time. I am certain at the speed at which we develop technology that it will remain the greatest factor in how we farm and ranch in the future. Autonomous farming, genetic enhancement, digital information, environmental factors and consumer demands will drive technological advances. Even though we struggle to logistically feed our world with current abundant production, many technological advances have enabled us to produce surpluses of food at least in a large part of the world. It is hard to predict production capacity with a continued growing world population and inequity in food distribution that leaves a billion people chronically hungry today. Technology based on sound science seems the obvious solution to continued food production for the world. If this is true, we need to consider many factors. I plan to focus on the human factor for this message. From the beginning, automation has been used to overcome human shortcomings, especially for jobs where a human is likely to get distracted or tired or simply cannot achieve the level of precision required. Considering this, will we continue to accept machines replacing humans, forcing our workforce to dramatically change? Is there a limit to replacing humans with machines? An analogy I heard is unlikely but describes what I mean: To deal with injuries in football,
could humans be replaced with machines and would football fans still enjoy the game? This is what some are suggesting may happen in food production. Machines may take over production agriculture. Is this acceptable? New technology to produce “cultured meat” exists, where stem cells from beef are taken to reproduce more cells that result in “lab-produced ground beef” or “lab-produced steak.” If we solely look at the science, it might be logical. If we consider the human factor, is it worth the technology effort? Would we need ranchers or would consumers even eat the product? Minimally, we need to adopt truth-in-labeling laws, so the consumer is given correct information to determine purchases. I am confident the choices we make in the development of technological advances will only get harder. It will be the responsibility of consumers, our government, world governments, business and organizations to take responsibility in determining the value of technological advances when compared to the “human factor.” We must show the positives and negatives, and the consequences of not embracing technology that can improve the value of our businesses and, in turn, lives. The human factor cannot be ignored. At the end of the development of any new idea or concept, we must always take into account its impact to humans. Humans have the ability to make the necessary moral judgments to maintain our planet and the success of societies around the world.
SEND US YOUR PHOTOS! Do you have some eye-popping photos of field’s work last fall or this winter?
Email your photos to caarhus@ndfu.org. Please include any appropriate details including where it was taken. By sending photos, you acknowledge NDFU’s right to use photos for its purposes.
NDFU.org • April 2020 • 3
POLICY HOPPER FROM NORTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION
Farmers will need 2020 MFP payment
BY MATT PERDUE, NDFU
On Jan. 15, a trade deal with China was signed, establishing at least a temporary truce after an 18-month trade war. On the surface, the agreement looked like a boon to United States agriculture, committing China to $36.3 billion in purchases in 2020. Yet, without strong enforcement mechanisms, that lofty target always seemed out of reach. In the month following, commodity prices declined amid strong and growing skepticism. President Trump responded to farmers’ and ranchers’ concerns about falling commodity prices about a month after the agreement was signed. In a tweet, he said the Administration would provide additional aid to farmers and ranchers, if it’s needed. That was before coronavirus evolved into a global pandemic and an oil dispute wreaked havoc on the international economy. So, it looks like we can drop the “if” – more assistance will be needed to keep family farmers and ranchers afloat in 2020. North Dakota Farmers Union (NDFU) has already begun work to secure economic assistance in 2020. We are asking Congress and the Administration to work together to develop the next package, opening the door to stakeholder input. We have
LOOKING FOR WHEAT GROWERS 4 • April 2020 • Union Farmer
also developed common sense proposals to ensure North Dakota’s farm families are treated fairly: Impacts to all commodities should be accounted for. In each of the previous Market Facilitation Programs (MFPs), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) ignored impacts to commodities predominantly grown in North Dakota. Prices for minor oilseeds like canola and flax track closely with soybean prices. Despite a steep decline in canola prices since the start of the trade war, USDA has ignored these impacts when calculating MFP payment rates. Local prices or basis costs should be used when assessing damages. The difference between futures price and cash price is greater in North Dakota than in other states. With few shipping alternatives, North Dakota is more susceptible to sharp increases in basis costs when trade is disrupted. Soybean basis in North Dakota increased at a rate nearly twice that of Nebraska’s in the first two months of the China trade war. This effectively means North Dakota farmers suffer greater losses than farmers in other states. Wide disparities in county payment rates should be
avoided. The 2019 MFP employed a per-county payment rate that varied widely from county to county. The starkest example in North Dakota was the disparity between Logan and LaMoure counties. Logan County farmers received $34 per acre while their neighbors in LaMoure County got $60 – a $26 disparity. This hard-to-avoid problem should be mitigated as much as possible. Farm Bill payment limits should be adhered to. The 2018 Farm Bill received strong, bipartisan support. The legislation maintained the $125,000 payment limit for farm programs. While the USDA respected Farm Bill payment limits in 2018, they doubled them for the 2019 MFP. This allowed a small percentage of farms to enjoy larger payments, leaving less money to go around for the rest. The MFP has provided much-needed relief the last two years, but its flaws put North Dakota’s family farmers at a disadvantage. Moving forward, the Administration should commit to an open, transparent process, working with Congress to develop the strongest package possible. NDFU stands ready to support that process and ensure North Dakota farmers receive their fair share.
Dakota Pride Cooperative is seeking growers to contract acres for hard white spring wheat for this spring. Premium price and trucking available depending on location. Call Executive Director Travis Bruner at 701-626-2070.
Trump hints at third round of MFP
Though the Trump administration has promised that China will import $40 billion worth of U.S. farm products this year, administration officials are indicating that the value may, in fact, be significantly lower. During the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Outlook Forum in February, the agency’s chief economist, Robert Johansson, suggested fiscal year agricultural exports to China will be closer to $14 billion. Though this would be $26 billion shy of earlier estimates, it would still be a $4 billion increase over last year’s exports. Johannson emphasized that there are still many unknown variables at play, including a global coronavirus outbreak and competition from other countries. Shortly after these comments were made, President Donald Trump tweeted that if “farmers need additional aid” while waiting for trade deals to take full effects, “that aid will be provided by the federal government, paid out of the massive tariff money coming into the U.S.A.” National Farmers Union (NFU) appreciates the administration’s ongoing support for farmers affected by trade disputes but has been critical of its haphazard approach to development and implementation. In a letter sent to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, then-President Roger Johnson urged the USDA to follow a “public and transparent process” in the event that additional trade assistance is administered. “Our members appreciate the much-needed help MFP provided in the last two years, but also know that this program
must do better,” the letter reads. “I strongly suggest that USDA work with the House and Senate agriculture committees to convene a joint hearing to receive public comments, explore the present challenges with our export markets, and to consider sound policies for distributing financial assistance.”
Proposed rule undermines act
A rule proposed by the USDA would exacerbate the power imbalance between farmers and the livestock, meat, and poultry industries, according to comments submitted by NFU President Rob Larew. The rule in question outlines criteria for determining whether a company has shown “undue or unreasonable preferences and advantages” for one farmer over another. An action may be permissible if it can be justified on the basis of either cost savings or meeting the terms or prices offered by competitors, or if it’s a “reasonable business decision that would be customary in the industry.” Larew expressed concern that the rule would not only fail to provide necessary protections to family farmers and ranchers from abusive and anti-competitive businesss practices, but also could shield corporations from legal challenges to such practices. He urged the administration to “revoke the proposed rule” and instead “develop criteria that are clear and specific and provide family farmers and ranchers the protections they need and deserve.”
USDA announces innovation plan
Responding to mounting environmental challenges confronting American food production and security, Perdue announced a new, departmentwide innovation initiative “to align resources, programs, and research to position American agriculture to better meet future global demands.” The initiative outlines strategies to half the “environmental footprint” of U.S. agriculture while boosting production 40 percent within the next 30 years. More specifically, it calls for a reduction in food loss and waste, a reduction in the agricultural sector’s current carbon footprint, a reduction in nutrient loss from soil, and an increase in biofuel production efficiency and competitiveness. Book your seat now aboard the NDFU motor coach for a seven-day getaway to...
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Call 800-366-8331 for trip info! Ask for Eunice (ext. 108) or Jeff (ext. 111)
NDFU.org • April 2020 • 5
118TH ANNUAL NATIONAL FARMERS UNION CONVENTION IN SAVANNAH, GA.
Newly elected National Farmers Union President Rob Larew, left, is congratuled by outgoing president Roger Johnson at the NFU annual convention in Savannah, Ga.
Larew elected to lead NFU
SAVANNAH, Ga. — Delegates to the National Farmers Union (NFU) 118th Anniversary Convention elected Rob Larew to succeed Roger Johnson as the organization’s president. Patty Edelburg, a Wisconsin dairy farmer, was reelected to serve a second term as vice president. Larew and Edelburg’s two-year terms will conclude at NFU’s 120th Anniversary Convention in 2022, at which point both may seek reelection. “I am so honored that the farmers and ranchers, rural Americans, and advocates who make National Farmers Union all that it is have entrusted me with this great responsibility,” said Larew. “Under Roger’s leadership, this
6 • April 2020 • Union Farmer
organization has grown and flourished. I look forward to building on those accomplishments to further expand the reach and strengthen the reputation of Farmers Union.” Larew, who was raised on a West Virginia dairy farm, served as NFU’s senior vice president of public policy and communications since the fall of 2016. In that role, he oversaw the organization’s legislative advocacy in Congress and the executive branch as well as its public relations activities. Prior to his employment with NFU, Larew worked over 22 years for Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), most recently as the staff director of the House Committee on Agriculture.
The North Dakota Farmers Union delegation poses at the NFU convention in Savannah, Ga.
NFU convention concludes
SAVANNAH, Ga. — The National Farmers Union (NFU) 118th Anniversary Convention concluded following the adoption of the organization’s policy book and special orders of business. More than 500 family farmers and ranchers convened in Savannah to set policy positions and priorities that support American farm and ranch families and strengthen rural communities. Delegates to the convention adopted the NFU Policy Book and six special orders of business that will guide the organization’s government affairs priorities over the course of the next year, especially as they relate to the tough economic circumstances and sustainability issues facing family farmers. “The reason for Farmers Union’s longstanding success – and the reason why I am so enthusiastic about leading this organization – is its grassroots structure,” said newly elected Farmers Union President Rob Larew. “Each year, our members set organizational directives and federal policy priorities in a democratic process, which ensures that the work we do in our national office is really in the best interest of the hard-working family farmers and ranchers who feed, fuel, and clothe
our nation.” Convention attendees heard keynote remarks from Matt Paul, a nationally recognized expert in public affairs, and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. NFU President Roger Johnson delivered his final State of the Farmers Union address, offering an overview of his 11-yearlong tenure and an optimistic outlook for the organization’s future. Additionally, the convention featured a panel on black land loss and voting rights and breakout sessions on precision agriculture, the history of grassroots organizing, regenerative farming, farm to table and hemp production. In order to provide the national organization a set of priorities for the coming year, 199 Farmers Union delegates approved six special orders of business: - Family Farming and 2019: A Most Challenging Year - Family Farming and the 2020 Election - Family Farming and Climate Change - Family Farming and Cooperatives - Family Farming and Dairy Policy Reform - Family Farming and Truth in Labeling and Promotion of Meat Products
NDFU.org • April 2020 • 7
118TH ANNUAL NATIONAL FARMERS UNION CONVENTION IN SAVANNAH, GA.
Farmers Union counties received membership awards for their outstanding work over the past year. The counties honored were Barnes, Burleigh, Cass, Grant, Griggs, Kidder, Morton, Nelson, Richland, Sargent, Sioux, Stark, Stutsman, Towner and Ward.
8 • April 2020 • Union Farmer
National Youth Advisory Council Speeches EDITOR’S NOTE: Each year, the All-States campers elected to NYAC earn a trip to the national convention. Emily Ketelsen of Ray and Marcus Iverson of Langdon are NDFU’s representatives this year. Below are their speeches to the NFU convention. Hello everyone, I’m Emily Ketelsen, I’m from North Dakota, and I am currently serving on the National Youth Advisory Council. I’ve been involved in Farmers Union for 10 years now and, looking back, the world was a much different place back then. Back in 2010, Barack Obama was president, the New Orleans Saints won the Super Bowl, and a gallon of gas was $2.96. My life was really different back then too. I was just a shy, nerdy elementary school kid, who could talk about math to anyone that would listen to me. I dreaded going to Farmers Union camp. My mom had to drag me onto the bus to camp as I kicked and screamed. I did not want to go. At this time, camp just seemed like an excuse for my mom to get me out of the house for a few days. Neither of us knew that attending that camp would eventually lead me to this podium giving this speech in Savannah, Georgia. Despite everything that has happened
Howdy, I am Marcus Iverson, I live on a family farm in Cavalier County in northeast North Dakota, and I am currently attending Langdon Area High School. I grew up on a family farm where we grow small grain crops and I cut 25 acres of hay that I either sell or keep for our three horses. In my free time I restore and fix antique tractors and snowmobiles. I also barrel race alongside my younger sister in the summertime. My future plans are to attend NDSCS in Wahpeton where I
in my young life, Farmers Union has always remained a constant for me. I didn’t realize how much love and passion is in this organization until I moved across the state of North Dakota. I was about 250 miles from everything I had ever known. But I was lucky enough to have two of my friends from camp welcome me into this unfamiliar place with open arms. They made sure I was included and tried to make this town a home for me. Now fast forward to today. It’s 2020. Donald Trump is president, the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl, and a gallon of gas is somewhere around $2.50. But what have I accomplished in the last 10 years? I graduated high school. I’ve attended a year and a half of college at Minnesota
State University Moorhead for actuarial science. I’ve worked at North Dakota Farmers Union camp and I’m going back there again this summer. I’ve met many new people through working at camp and being on the National Youth Advisory Council, and I’m proud to say that these people are some of my closest friends. Fast forward to 10 years from now to 2030. I can’t tell you who is going to be president, which team will win the Super Bowl, or how much a gallon of gas will cost. However, I can tell you one thing for sure. I will still be involved with Farmers Union as an active member. And all of this is because of the youth program I was fortunate enough to get involved in at a young age. You can most definitely see the ripple effect throughout my life from that dreadful day my mother forced me to go to camp to me being on the National Youth Advisory Council and also employed by North Dakota Farmers Union. I hope to one day work at Farmers Union Insurance as an actuary, where I continue to meet more of the great people who make up this organization. If I’m fortunate enough to work there, I can say that it’s thanks to the youth program that I joined all of those years ago.
will major in Diesel Tech, Case IH. What Farmers Union means to me is many things. I’ve met so many people through the
North Dakota Farmers Union youth program. From going to the youth/senior camps to the All-States Camp in Bailey, Colorado. Last September I attended the Farmers Union fly-in in Washington, D.C. That was a great time to meet some other Farmers Union members from around the country. I also think the policy that each state writes up is important because they benefit the farmers and that’s our goal. We are all a part of agriculture to make it better for us all. NDFU.org • April 2020 • 9
Farmers Union
CAMP
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SENIOR CAMP
• June 8-12 – Lakewood Park, grades 7-12 • • • • •
June 15-19 – Heart Butte, grades 7-12 July 6-10 – Heart Butte, grades 7-9 July 14-18 – Wesley Acres, grades 7-12 July 20-24 – Heart Butte, grades 7-9 July 27-31 – Heart Butte, grades 10-12
JUNIOR CAMP (grades 3-6)
Heart Butte ~ near Elgin • • • • • •
June 7-10 – Bottineau, Burke, Divide, McHenry, Mountrail, Renville, Ward, Williams June 10-13 – Adams, Bowman-Slope, Grant, Hettinger, Morton, Sioux June 22-25 – Statewide camp June 25-28 – Statewide camp July 12-15 – Burleigh, Sheridan July 15-28 – Billings-Golden Valley, Dunn, McLean, Mercer, McKenzie, Oliver, Stark
Wesley Acres ~ near Valley City
• June 22-25 – Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Foster, Grand Forks, Griggs, Nelson, Pembina, Pierce, Ramsey, Rolette, Steele, Towner, Walsh, Wells • June 25-28 – Cass, Traill, Richland • June 29-July 2 – Barnes, Ransom, Sargent, Stutsman • July 5-8 – Dickey, Emmons, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh
Lakewood Park ~ near Devils Lake • June 14-17 – Statewide camp
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GROWING HEMP
T
he clocks that adorn a wall in Roger Gussiaas’ office tick away with the current times of countries around the world. Barcelona, Spain. Cape Town, South Africa. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Seoul, South Korea. And, of course, Carrington, North Dakota. Below that, sunlight reflects off a horizontal canvas celebrating the North Dakota State University football team. Doing business in 22 countries and 49 states hasn’t changed the man who built Healthy Oilseeds. And it hasn’t affected him in the creation of his newest hemp business, Green Medicus, which he co-owns. Gussiaas grows hemp, and Green Medicus lightly processes and markets it for cannabidiol (CBD) oil.
PRODUCTION
While continuing to farm, Gussiaas started Healthy Oilseeds in 2002, buying, cleaning and exporting flax and borage. He mostly quit farming in 2016, choosing to lessen his workload after losing 28-year-old son, best friend and business partner Brock to viral pneumonia in 2014. “Brock lived for farming, and he liked
(Healthy Oilseeds), too, but he loved farming more much,” Roger said. “It was tough to lose a son — it bothered me a lot. … (With both businesses), I would start at 3:30 a.m. and didn’t get done until 10 o’clock at night. I said, I can’t continue this. It’s not good for my health. I want to enjoy life a little bit.” Roger had intended on getting completely out of production agriculture, but was lured into growing hemp by his own curiosity after reading about hemp years earlier. Hemp farmers choose seed varieties in accordance with how the hemp will be used. Seed for grain and fiber often have a lower THC maximum and have less regulatory issues than hemp for CBD oil, but the latter is considered more profitable, though it’s also more labor-intensive.
Continued on next page
STORY & PHOTOS BY CHRIS AARHUS
12 • April 2020 • Union Farmer
Hemp is pictured on the farm of Roger Gussiaas near Carrington. Submitted photo. NDFU.org • April 2020 • 13
Starting small with 2.5 acres, Gussiaas puts extra care into the product. The female plants — male plants can pop up in a field and lower the level of CBD — are started in a greenhouse before being transplanted by hand on 2.5 acres starting the third week of May and running until the first week of June. “Two and a half acres doesn’t seem like a lot to bigger farmers, but when you transplant it by hand, it’s a lot of work,” Gussiaas said, comparing it to the care cigar farmers take with their product, as opposed to planting and harvesting mechanically. “We want a product that’s high in CBD and low in THC.” Regular pesticides aren’t used in hemp production. In December, the Environmental Protection Agency announced 10 pesticides deemed safe for hemp. Gussiaas said he doesn’t typically use any pesticides in his production, noting that plastic weed barrier can work well for hemp for CBD oil. “On the CBD side, you’re gonna have some weed problems – it’s a little trickier,” he said. “On the grain side, there isn’t much of a problem because the plant grows so fast. It grows faster than anything I’ve ever grown. It’ll outgrow and shade the weeds.”
REGULATIONS
In the latest farm bill, Congress removed industrial hemp from the legal definition of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act. It also amended the Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA) of 1946 to include industrial hemp. The AMA authorizes the secretary of agriculture to use programs to assist the production, transportation and marketing of crops. Congress also authorized eligible hemp growers to qualify for crop insurance, FSA loans, conservation programs and other tools of the farm bill. Congress has allowed states and tribal governments to tailor their own regulatory plans 14 • April 2020 • Union Farmer
for industrial hemp with four key procedural requirements: recording and describing land on which hemp is grown; testing THC levels; disposing of any hemp crop in violation; and enforcement. In the hemp interim final rule, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it would relax restrictions that had required hemp growers to test the THC level at a law enforcement lab, and that law enforcement would have been required to oversee the disposal of any hemp with a THC level above 0.3 percent. Instead, growers will be able to use independent labs to test the THC, and producers will
be responsible for properly disposing of any hemp crop found in violation. The labs still have to meet regulations outlined by USDA including registering with the Drug Enforcement Agency because of the possibility they could handle hemp with a higher THC level than 0.3, which is, by law, marijuana, a Schedule 1 controlled substance. With three negligent violations in a five-year window, a producer’s license to grow hemp will be suspended for five years. In North Dakota, hemp growers must be licensed as part of the North Dakota State Hemp Program Plan, currently
Roger Gussiaas poses with all of the products his CBD oil is used to make. The Carrington farmer grows hemp each year along with running his business Healthy Oilseeds, which processes hemp for grain, flax and other commodities.
operating under the original pilot program. Chapter 4.1-18.1 of the North Dakota Century Code outlines the rules and regulations for hemp growing in the state. It somewhat mirrors the interim rule, but also gives the North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner the power to enter and randomly test “any land or areas where hemp is grown, stored, or processed for the purposes of inspections, sample collection, testing, or investigation for the purposes of enforcing” state law.
TESTING
Harvesting hemp starts around the middle of
September, but by then, Gussiaas has tested his crop many times. “You start testing very early,” he said. “You almost have to anticipate what it’s going to be in a week. You have to get really good at it.” The longer the crop stays in the field, the higher THC content it will have. For testing, Gussiaas starts with the tallest plant, as it generally will have the highest THC. “We check the crop every day,” he said. “You want a high CBD content, but as the CBD content rises, the THC level rises. You need to kill the plant off before the THC gets too high. You really have to
monitor that closely.” Gussiaas said the turnaround time for testing is getting faster, but it can still take up to a week in some cases. In that time, he said, the THC level could move two-tenths and render his crop illegal, which Gussiaas said he’s prepared for. “You better destroy it immediately,” he said. “Otherwise, it could be a (Drug Enforcement Agency) issue. If it’s too high and we have to destroy it, that’s the way it is. I want to be in good standing with the state. You want to live within the laws.”
Continued on next page NDFU.org • April 2020 • 15
What makes it tricky, Gussiaas said, is that hemp can sometimes “have a mind of its own.” “It’s a plant that thinks for itself,” he said. “I’ve grown 23 different crops in my life, and it’s almost like this one has a brain of its own. Hemp is by far the strangest crop I’ve ever grown. Some think it’s a magic plant, and it’ll solve all of our problems. It’s not gonna do that, but it can help us.”
PROCESSING
After harvesting the hemp plant by hand — hemp for grain and fiber can be harvested with a combine — Gussiaas and his staff put the crop in a bin and convey it into a one-ton hopper that feeds a 12-head press that does coldpress expelling, as opposed to bigger processing facilities that might use the chemical hexane to extract the oil. “The companies that use hexane will be in it for the grain and fiber side — they likely won’t get into CBD oil,” he said. “Our customers don’t want (hexane).” After extraction, Gussiaas said the oil is filtered through barrels to get rid of any remaining sediment and then it’s essentially ready to go. The extraction process leaves behind “hemp cake” that heads to a milling room. It’ll then be sifted to create different proteins for supplements. “You can put it in a smoothie, we’ve made pasta with it — it works well for a feed supplement,” he said.
FUTURE
The potential of hemp as a cash crop might be lighting up the eyes of farmers everywhere, but processing remains a
RESOURCES
https://www.usda.gov/topics/hemp https://www.nd.gov/ndda/plant-industries/hemp
16 • April 2020 • Union Farmer
hinderance, Gussiaas said. Gussiaas said Healthy Oilseeds is the only hemp processor for grain and fiber currently operating in North Dakota, and his capacity is between 5,000 and 6,000 acres per growing season, though he noted he is not yet at capacity and is taking contracts. Like with any product on the rise, Gussiaas expects to see a few processing plants pop up in the Midwest in at least the next couple years, and at some point, a big plant in North Dakota. Montana currently has three plants that process hemp. Minnesota has hemp processing, but it’s generally considered not nearly enough to fill the state’s vast production potential. South Dakota is still in the process of legalizing hemp, but is expected to have it in place by April. Gussiaas said as hemp production increases, it’ll get even more efficient with better breeding. “You’re seeing about 1,000 to 1,100 pounds an acre right now,” he said. “Within not many years, you will see 3,000 pounds an acre.” Putting a hemp processing facility in North Dakota makes sense, he said, because “this is the center where the grain will be produced.” Gussiaas believes Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin will lead the way in the Midwest because of the lower land costs as compared to the I-states (Indiana, Illinois, Iowa). “The locations will be about transportation, ease of access, railroads, highways, energy — in North Dakota, we have all of those things,” Gussiaas said. “North Dakota has a very bright future when it comes to hemp.”
Pictured above is “hemp cake” being dropped from the press after CBD oil has been extracted.
NDFU.org • April 2020 • 17
18 • April 2020 • Union Farmer
Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives
‘Participation and member-input’ Olson leads cooperative training, education of directors and management executives BY CHRIS AARHUS, NDFU
Education is a prime component of the Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives. Led by Dr. Frayne Olson, the center hosted leadership training for the second consecutive year, holding sessions for coop directors in Grand Forks (Feb. 25) and Bismarck (Feb. 27). “It’s really the second phase of a new program the center is initiating,” Olson said. “We’re primarily targeting directors of coops and not just the farm supply co-ops, but also the rural electrics. We’ve invited their management teams to come along. It’s good to have everybody participating.” The Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives was created in 1992 to provide cooperative education at the university level. North Dakota has over 500 cooperatives across numerous industries. North Dakota Farmers Union is on the center’s advisory board and is an annual sponsor. Olson said the recent expansion to include training is to, among many things, focus on what makes cooperatives most efficient. “We’re looking at the ones working well vs. the ones that are struggling, and digging in,” he said. “The fundamental difference is participation. When you look at a cooperative as a business model, how it’s structured and how it’s intended to be run, it’s considered a high-maintenance organization. They need to have participation and member input.” More than 50 attended the Bismarck session with directors learning about fiduciary responsibilities and parliamentary procedure. In the afternoon, the training
Mike Huebner of Jamestown, and Jim Hotovec and Brenda Wolf of Pettibone take part in the training.
was split, so less experienced directors could continue to “build a strong foundation.” “That means talking about the core things a co-op director needs to know and do,” Olson said. “You want to get these things right. They’ll go a long way into being a good director.” The other breakout was for more experienced directors, allowing Olson to “dig into the issues.” “We get into those thorny issues that require a little bit more of a deeper dive,” Olson said. Next year, Olson said he intends to add a third level. “We’re calling it a capstone level,” he said. “It will get into even greater detail into some very specific topics that are common problems that co-ops face from a strategic planning standpoint or for directors that are really struggling with how they do their job and how to represent their members the best they can.”
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20 • April 2020 • Union Farmer
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North Dakota Farmers Union’s Grow to Lead program traveled to Hawaii to finish up its last leadership class for the 2019-2020 year. The group toured the islands of Oahu and Hawaii. The class learned about family agriculture in the beautiful state of Hawaii. Also, the staff facilitated meetings with Hawaii Farmers Union United members. The group toured the Dole Plantation and Pearl Harbor while on Oahu. The group met with Hawaii Farmers Union United: Oahu-Waimanalo Chapter members. The group discussed the challenges and successes farmers and ranchers are facing in the state of Hawaii. In addition, the group discussed issues facing the food supply on the islands (as majority of the food is imported). The group walked away from the conversations with new friends in the fight for family farm agriculture. The class traveled to the “Big Island” to visit family farms and ranches, Kona Brewing Company, Big Island Bees, Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm and Mountain Thunder Coffee Company. The group met with the Hawaii Lowline Cattle Company, a family ranch, near Waimea. The class met with Rick Sakata in his pasture, and had a
BY AMANDA MARTIN, NDFU
great conversation about the successes and challenges in cattle production in Hawaii. The class also visited the Hawaiian Vanilla Company in Paauilo. This vanilla farm is a family operation, with parents and children, involved in every aspect of the farm from growing to merchandise and sales. The class left Hawaii with new friends and supporters for family farm agriculture. These new friendships are integral in making Farmers Union strong across the United States. Grow to Lead is a leadership program North Dakota Farmers Union offers to active farming and ranching members. The goal of the program is to cultivate active agriculture leaders within the organization and in communities across North Dakota. The sessions focus on topics and trainings that involve the NDFU principles of education, legislation, and cooperation. In addition, participants learn about diverse agriculture in the United States. The class is restricted to 15 participants. If you are interested in being part of the Grow to Lead program, please contact Amanda Olson at aolson@ndfu.org or 701-251-8758.
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Applications uploaded onto ndfu.org on Oct. 1, 2020 New class will be selected in the fall of 2020 Three seminars will happen in 2021: Jan., Feb., July Each meeting is 2-3 days Must attend state convention Dec. of 2021 in Bismarck Final trip early February 2022 (1 week long)
GROW TO LEAD PROGRAM
GROW TO LEAD VISITS HAWAII
CLASSIFIEDS
Ads must be submitted through the online form at www.ndfu.org. Click “Classifieds” at the very bottom of ndfu.org and follow the instructions. Ads must be re-submitted each month. No exceptions! Deadline is the 15th of every month. Limit 75 words. MEMBERSHIP DUES MUST BE CURRENT!
FARM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE DRILLS/SEEDER, 8 ft J.D. drills, always inside. Has fertilizer and grass seeder. Discs used one year. $1500; 27 ft Concord air seeder with 2300 cart, 10 inch spacing. $3,000 OBO. 701-878-4967, Roy Schneider, Hebron. MILLER DISC, offset, 14 ft, taking best offer. 701-225-6532, Ted Goelzer, Gladstone. 2001 JOHN DEERE 1860, no till air seeder with 1900 tow behind cart, 36 ft working width and the cart has three tanks. Front tank has a new meter, some stainless steel parts above the meter. Black and yellow roller in the middle tank and green roller for the rear seed tank, many new parts in the last two years like seed discs, gauge wheels and seed boots. Call for more info. 701-361-6279, Eugene Birklid, Fort Ransom. VERN’S CALF FEEDER, $1000 OBO, scraper tire water tank with solid steel bottom, $1000 OBO. 701-210-1938, Tim Pahl, Oakes. TWO ANHYDROUS TANK, each 1000 gallon mounted on trailers. Field ready; Horse drawn wooden wagon with wood wheels and canvas cover. Very old and parade ready; 8 row cultivator Case IH; Cattle squeeze shute, shop built with a Pierson head gate; Wood/coal heating stove; Old heavy cook stove; Make offers. 701-4382461, James Hvinden, Maddock. RIDING MOWER, John Deere 110 riding lawn mower. Good tires. Has all shields, in good condition. Runs good and has a new battery; New front wheels (blank center) fits A & B IH tractor $50 for pair; New fuel lines, fit A, AV, B, BN, $20; New Tie rod assembly fits IH 460, 560 and book says 28 more tractors, $50. Belt pully assembly fits Farmall H or M, $50. 701-258-5352, Allen Koth, Bismarck. 88 OLIVER, tractor,with 3 pt, wife front end, excellent condition. 7x12 Case farm trailer with his hoist; Massey round baler #450 good condition used in 2019. 701794-3477, Chris Holwagner, Center. 4814 VERSATILE, hay conditioner fits on 256 or 276 bidirectional tractor. $800 or best offer. 701-833-5435, Curtis Ones, Tolley. JD 8770, purchased new 1996. 300 hp, Michelin low pressure tires in good shape. At 5830 hrs. Engine under haul (rods & mains, etc.) as recommended by JD/ Gooseneck Imp because over 5000 Hrs. Work order available. Shedded when not in use, service records available. 701-2405938, Wallace Birkeland, Minot. 22 • April 2020 • Union Farmer
4 WHEEL STEEL TRAILER to park in corral, 15-30 McCormick Tractor, 2 cream separators, late-model super M, w/live PTO, 1 new tire LT245-75R-17 Load Range E, Saddle & 2 Bridles, 1905 JD metal corn sheller. Covered wagon running gear, Kirschman drill, 1950 2-wheel Bicycle, Small square bale buncher. Email larryn@westriv.com. 701-597-3730, Larry Nagel, Shields. 881 IH CORN CHOPPER, 2 row 30” inch rows with hay head and electric controls. NH 851 auto wrap baler $500 also many new 851 parts. Melroe 5-14 bottom plow, packer and JD drill. Parting out 6601 pull type combine good gear box, tires and many other good parts. Versatile swather hydrostatic drives. Vintage item 2 bottom horse drawn plow, 5ft horse drawn mower, steel rake wheels, crank telephone, old large radios. 701-424-3670, Jerry Miller, Streeter. LEVELER/SCRAPER, 10 ft pull behind, cylinder included, $500; 1975 GMC grain truck, steel box, roll tarp, 28,000 miles, excellent shape, $5,000 or best offer. 701693-2306, Steve Vetter, Harvey. JD 7200 16x30 planter no till; F350 4x4 flatbed diesel, 5 spd reg cab, 92 mod, low miles on new motor; F250 XL reg cab, utility box, 6 cyl, 5 spd, 93 mod 2wd. 701782-6888, Craig Schiermeister, Hazelton. WINDOWS FOR BOBCAT, 5 in total. Not sure which cab they fit but have tried to test fit it on one with the single center cylinder and it did not work. Please call with questions. $1000; John Deere Model 1610 Chisel Plow 41ft, new 4” shovels, newer 3 bar harrow, no welds. $6000. 701-7890966, Zeke Gruman, Cooperstown. 1990 JD 8760 8330 Case IH 25’ swather; 90’ Flexicoil sprayer #67; 1000 gallon tank; 701-529-4887, Joe Price, Douglas. SPREADER, LEON 425 Silver spreader, 22.5 tires, $8,500. 701-391-1852, Marc Sundquist, Baldwin. NUMEROUS HOPPER BINS; Case IH 75A Farmall FWD tractor w/540 loader, no cab, 202 hours; Mayrath 6/28 ft grain auger w/engine; 40 used Lange anhydrous knives; anhydrous nitrolator w/hyd shut off & hoses; steel fence posts; used cultivator shovels; transition & aeration screens & fans; 25 ft heavy duty 5/8 alloy log chain; closing wheels plus hardware for 50 ft 3320 Bourgault air seeder; Hudson electric stock tank heater. 701-629-9003, Doug Halden, Stanley. CULTIVATORS, two Case IH Model 645 Vibra-Chisel cultivators, each 27 1/2 feet wide. Both have mounted harrows, and both have 6 bolt wheel hubs on the out-rigger wheels. 701-465-3749, Arlo Blumhagen, Drake. TRACTOR RIMS, 2 18.4 x 34 tires and banded rims. fair condition usable $50 each. came off a 705 moline, stored inside. 701-770-0409, Dick Ludwig, Williston or 701-720-4297, Sue Bradley, Ryder. CHISEL PLOW, 41’ J.D. 1600 with Degelman harrows and Gandy spreader; also 42’ J.D. 1000 cultivator with Degelman harrows in good condition. 701-482-7767 or 701-833-9630, Gary Knudtson, Donnybrook.
TIRES, 4- new 225/70R19.5 14ply grips; 4 new 245/70R19.5 16ply hiways; 1-20.8R42 GY DT-710 @95%; 2-new 18.4x34x8ply; 2-new Titan 18.4x38x8ply; 2- 16.9x26x10ply FWD’s @70%; New 18.4x30x12ply Titan R-4 tread for SP discbine; 2-new GY 520/85R42; 4 GY 620/70R42 @75%; 4 Firestone 620/70R42 @50%; 2 new 14.9x24x8ply & 2 new 16.9x24x8ply (combine rears); 2 new 11.00x16x8ply fronts; 2-new 14Lx16.1-4 rib fronts; others. 701-709-0103, Allen Wald, Edgeley. PRESS DRILLS, 2 IH 12 ft. 6200 press drills, Johnson transport, reconditioned, field ready, can deliver, have grass seeders if needed, also have other press drills, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14 ft. or combinations, have used parts for these drills. Also have IH 10 ft. disk, hydraulic lift,.have Massey Ferguson grinder mixer, $900. 701-400-5742, Gerald Miller, Mandan.
WANTED HAY RAKE, 206 Gehl 6-wheel; 501 Ford sickle mower. 701-226-4055, Lloyd Giese, Steele. TRACTORS, IH 806, 1206, 856, 1256, 1456, 1066, 1466, 1566 and others; JD 5020, 5010, 4620, 4320, 6030 and others; MM 950, 1000, 1050, 1355; Olivers 1960 and newer; Allis-Chalmers 210, 220, D-21, others; all wanted running or not. 701-6282130, Jerry Lumley, Stanley. TRACTORS, 66 or 77 Oliver and R or Z Moline. Need not run great. Must look pretty. Prefer narrow front. 701-320-7391, Howard Stemen, Dickey.
MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE ACORN STAIR LIFT, Model Superglide 130. 12 ft long, used on stairs of ten steps, plus top & bottom landing. 3 years old. New $2,945, asking $1500. New Batteries. 701-320-2551, Ken Astrup, Jamestown. CROCK, 10 gal. red wing crock with original lid, excellent condition, no cracks. Asking $300 firm. 701-366-4605 asking $300.00 firm. 701366-4605, Arlen Larson, Willow City. SEMI VAN WATER TRAILER with spray parts; Semi van storage trailer; 20 & 40 ft container; Converter dolly. 701-474-5780, Richard Rydell, Fairmount. BUZZ SAW, 3 pt. hitch, PTO Drive, working condition, leave message. 701680-0113, John Kwapinski, Fort Ransom. DISHWARE, John Deere (Runs Like a Deere). 32-piece set which includes 8 each of dinner plate. Luncheon plate, large bowl, and mug. Excellent condition. Have pictures and will text you if interested. $75. 701-351-1807, Gloria O’Brien, Cando. GRILL PROTECTOR, “Ranch Hand” Chevy Silverado Grill Protector. Worth $860. Will sell for $400. Fit 2015-19 year models. Email larryn@westriv.com. 701597-3730, Larry Nagel, Shields. ELLIPTICAL, Nordictrack elliptical act. Adjustable stride. Original price $1200, asking $650 but will consider reasonable offer. 701-696-2572, Jim Enlow, Manvel.
Around the state Dunn and Stark counties held a shop talk at the Gladstone Fire Hall on Feb. 21. More than 40 people attended and chili was served. Topics included ARC and PLC payments, and behavioral health.
BUCKETS, 8’ MDS heavy duty rock/brush/ scrap bucket; 7’&8’ MDS Euro-global buckets; 8’ MDS-JD Classic Tach bucket w/ 5-tine grapple; 8’ MDS 148-158 bucket w/ JD grapple; 7’bucket w/ Koyker quick tach; 9’ MDS bucket w/ 5-tine MDS grapple w/ Koyker quick tach; MDS adaptor from skid steer to Euro-Global; MDS rock badger; 10’ MDS heavy snow pusher w/ skid steer attach; Skidsteer 5000lb pallet forks (1 hydraulic adjust); 4 used Bobcat buckets; 701-709-0103, Allen Wald, Edgeley. RV SALVAGED, 1991 Fleetwood Pace Arrow RV, 454 Chevy engine, was rebuilt approx. 35,000 miles ago. Was hit on rear left corner and has salvage title. Would be good for parts or to park at a lake lot for cabin. $3500 OBO. 701-535-0795, Carl Lee, Ellendale.
The Farmers Union counties of Rolette, Bottineau and Towner hosted a shop talk at the Rolette Country Club on March 10. NDFU President Mark Watne presented important statistics and data about the farm economy.
OLD FORD PARTS, 1935-40 Ford car and pickup parts or project vehicle. 701-6801079, Dylan Ekstrom, Forman. PROPANE TANK, 1,000 gallons. 701-4773983, Rick Haas, St. John. RECORDS, long time record collector interested in buying, selling, or trading all genres and types of records. Let me know what you have for sale or what you want. Call or text. 701-260-0270, Bill Flaget, Halliday. FLAGPOLE, outdoor metal flagpole, 30-35’ tall. 701-482-7767 or 701-833-9630, Gary Knudtson, Donnybrook.
VEHICLES
WANTED
FOR SALE
OLD STUFF, older ND license plates, Advertising gas or oil signs, and pop signs. Arrowheads that were found in ND. Old styled gas pumps or older metal oil cans, or anything else that has advertising on it or that is old and interesting. I’m always looking for crocks that have advertising. 701-220-5746, Val Ganje, Bismarck.
PICKUPS, 1948 3/4 ton Chev. 235 cu. motor 4 speed with tires; 1948 GMC 1/2 ton body and chassis only no motor or tires; 1955 2 ton Chev with box and hoist 4 speed 2 speed axle 261 cu. engine; 1948 2 ton box and hoist; Chev. 261 cu. engine 2 speed axle.
FORD SHORTBOX, box for a mid 70’s Ford pickup. Good shape. I would be interested in a complete shortbox pickup. 701-216-0094, Doug Perdue, Ray. HONDA ATV, newer Honda 4-wheeler, like a 420 or 500 series, must be next to new, red, low miles. 701-771-8653, Kenny Heilman, Rugby. PRAIRIE DOG HUNTERS to come & hunt on my land. Make reservations now. Email larryn@westriv.com. 701-597-3730, Larry Nagel, Shields.
2000 MONTE CARLO, red, 140k original miles, good condition with good tires, ready to go. $1500 firm. 701-720-8096, Shelli Larson, Willow City.
LIVESTOCK/SEED FOR SALE REGISTERED BULL, black Hereford. Three years old. Asking $2,100. 701-7303999, Daniel Pease, Wheatland. SEED, NDSU “Elgin” and “Barlow” HRSW seed for sale, registered and certified class seed available. Bulk or totes. Delivery available. Please call for additional information. 701-739-0191, Brian Ludwig, New Rockford and Minot.
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE HOME IN JAMESTOWN, NW part, 2,894 sq.ft 4 bd, main floor laundry, 3 full baths, walk out basement, 2 patios, surround sound system in den with custom built wet bar, movie theater room, heated 3 stall attached garage, 1500 sq ft. detached garage with in floor heating, underground sprinkler system on a 1.1 acre lot with a very private back yard setting with much more to offer. Asking $430k. 701-269-2091, Mike Neva, Jamestown.
WANTED BIKES, smaller motorcycles or minibikes, need not run. 350cc or smaller, no big bikes please. Let me know what you have. 701-430-6966, Dave Bremer, Finley.
DEER RIFLE, lever action, older .22 pump. 628-2130, Jerry Lumley, Stanley.
NDFU.org • April 2020 • 23
Farmers Educational and Cooperative Union of America, ND Division
PERIODICALS – POSTAGE PAID
1415 12th Ave SE PO Box 2136 Jamestown, ND 58402
The Right Coverage
We’ll meet with you personally to get the right coverage, at the right price. Your vehicle is important to you. We know, ’cause we travel the same road home, as you. Home Auto Crop Life Health Business Farm & Ranch
• • • • • • •
Not all products underwritten by Farmers Union Insurance.
Contact John Brown Town, State For more information, email us Phone 000.000.0000 at info@fumic.com or Other information visit www.fumic.com
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