Union Farmer - December 2018

FARMER UNION

www.ndfu.org

TELLING A STORY

NDFU, Sullivan come together for children’s book about family farms

DECEMBER 2018

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UNION FARMER MAGAZINE

SVHP-3338 9/18

Volume 65 • Number 12

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: 32,940 • USPS 016-211

FIND US ON THE WEB:

www.ndfu.org

http://ndfu.org/news/union-farmer

Read the Union Farmer online

CONNECT WITH US: North Dakota Farmers Union NDFU Tours @NDFarmersUnion @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 • December 2018 • Union Farmer

NDFU fights for family farms

The greatest thing in a democracy is the ability to vote. It is somewhat relaxing when a political election season ends, and we move on to the work of the nation or state. I know some say they are glad when it is over. But for our farm organization, the ground work we do – and the effort to influence – has only begun. We will be working hard to get a strong farm bill passed, resolve trade issues, contain logistics’ costs, expand renewable fuel use, and establish truth in labeling.

When I say “influence,” I’m referring to messaging to candidates about the issues our members see as priorities, so that we can determine how they will respond to issues and opportunities, if elected.

The key issues we focused on this election cycle were family farms and ranches, farm income, the farm bill, trade and renewable fuels. I am pleased to say that, I believe, we had more candidates talking about the importance of family farm and ranch agriculture than in prior elections. The issue of declining farm and ranch income certainly was a major issue.

A component of successful messaging is to find allies that care about your goals and mission. Our studies show that consumers trust and support family farm and ranch agriculture. This creates an avenue of influence for us, if we continue to message the important role that agriculture plays in the lives of consumers and the importance of

food quality, quantity and security. We all know how successful family farmers and ranchers are in delivering food to the nation.

Strengthening the relationship we have with consumers will build our sphere of influence.

That is why we do a number of projects that directly reach out to the consumer, so they better understand the plight of family farms and ranches.

We need consumer support in our efforts to get policies we support, considered and passed.

Currently, we are reaching 50,000 consumers a week at our restaurants. Each of them is getting a subtle amount of information about agriculture.

We are selling children’s books designed to educate children and adults about family farmers’ efforts to feed the world (as a member, you should buy a few books and send them to your city cousins to further our outreach). Finally, we are building a “Family Farms” chopper through Paul Jr. Designs that will grab consumer attention when aired on the Discovery channel and help instill this message: America’s successful food production system is rooted in family farms and ranches that provide food security for our nation.

As a member, you still have time to register for convention, Dec. 14-15, in Bismarck and see the unveiling of the chopper. You’ll experience and learn more about our consumer education efforts, and can help set policy for the organization in the coming year. Come to convention and participate!

WE’RE A FAMILY OF COMPANIES. AND FAMILY IS ALWAYS THERE FOR YOU.

WWW.FUILLC.COM

ndfu.org • December 2018 • 3

DON’T MISS OUT ON DEC. 14-15 • BISMARCK EVENT CENTER

STATE CONVENTION FRIDAY, DEC. 14

SATURDAY, DEC. 15

7:30 a.m. Registration opens

7 a.m.

8 a.m.

7:15 a.m. Registration opens

State Climatologist Adnan Akyuz of North Dakota State University

9:30 a.m. Convention convenes

FUMIC annual meeting 10:45 a.m. President’s Report –­Mark Watne 11:20 a.m. District caucuses and lunch 12:45 p.m. Dan Simons, Agraria and VSAG

Managing Partner (restaurants) 1:25 p.m.

Nominations for candidates for NFU delegates, NDFU president, vice president and district directors; Bylaws Committee preliminary report; Policy and Action introduction and debate

3:15 p.m. Dana Sullivan, author/illustrator of

Our Family Farm children’s book 4:15 p.m. Social/appetizers 5:30 p.m.

Paul Teutul, Jr., and NDFU unveil the Family Farms chopper (no photos will be allowed per agreement with “American Chopper” TV show)

7 p.m.

Dinner Live music, “Too Old To Stand” Live auction for NDFU Foundation

Voting begins

8 a.m.

Convention reconvenes

Frayne Olson, Director of the

Quentin Burdick Center for

Cooperatives/NDSU Crop Economist 9:15 a.m. Financial report

Member Q & A with Mark Watne and

Mark Anderson 11 a.m.

Policy and Action consideration

12:10 p.m. Lunch 1:15 p.m. SYAC presentations 1:35 p.m. Roger Johnson, NFU President 2:10 p.m. Farm/ranch insurance presentation

with the North Dakota Safety Council 3:05 p.m.

NDFU Bylaws consideration; Policy and Action continues; Final report of Credentials Committee; Elections Committee report; Introduction of new board members

5:30 p.m. Torchbearer Award ceremony

Speaker: Morgan Schwartzenberger

Bergman Scholarship presentation 6:45 p.m. Torchbearer banquet 8 p.m.

Live music, “The Johnny Holm Band”

REGISTER FOR THE CONVENTION AT NDFU.ORG

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR Fargo, ND

ONE YEAR WITH THE FOOD TRUCK

BY CHRIS AARHUS, NDFU

Over a year ago, North Dakota Farmers Union purchased a tractor-trailer to haul food from family farms directly to its restaurants in the Washington, D.C. area.

Since then, the truck has made 13 trips to the restaurants, hauling wheat, grits, corn meal, sugar and bacon.

“We’re right on the verge of needing two loads a month,” NDFU Cooperative and Transportation Supervisor Jason McKenney said, adding that one more commodity would likely tip the scales into a second trip.

McKenney said not only has the truck served its purpose of hauling items directly from family farms to the East Coast, but that it’s been a good marketing tool, too.

“It’s helped make the connection between the restaurants and the farm organization,” he said. “A good example of that was when we had the (Rally for Agriculture) in West Fargo and the truck was there. Folks from (national) news outlets saw the truck and recognized that they had eaten at our restaurants. They thought it was pretty neat that they were back here covering the farmers that own those restaurants. It’s helped with tying together the goal of consumers and

BACON Wittenburg, WI

GRITS & CORN MEAL Louisville, KY

agriculture. And, we’ve gotten exposure from just driving up and down the highway.”

McKenney has been learning the ins and outs of food delivery, and it can be complicated, he said. Longtime relationships can make it difficult to tap into the market of getting it directly from the grower.

“The end user wants to buy it direct to cut out more expense, but the suppliers also don’t want to upset the distribution chain,” he said.

“Distribution is the price maker. Restaurants and growers are price takers. That’s what we’re trying to remedy.”

The truck, which is solely driven by

Transportation Coordinator Kevin Widmer, also backhauls products to help pay expenses. A system is in place in which McKenney has access to an online board where he can bid on contracts to haul products from across the country back to North Dakota or any stop along the way.

“We’ve hauled (back) everything from alcohol to airplane de-icer,” he said.

McKenney said the next step is to continue finding farm fresh products to haul to our restaurants. He hopes to add North Dakota honey, Wisconsin cheese and butter, frying oil, potatoes and editable beans to the list of items hauled by NDFU’s truck.

Counties hold conventions BENSON • Oct. 28 • Maddock Community Center BOARD: Keith Smith (president), Joann Bergrud (vice president/secretary), Karen Smith (treasurer), Mark Williams, Matt Gilbertson, Chris Arntson, Robin Arnold (EPIC coach).

NOTES: The county did a Farmer’s Share meal that was open to the public with over 100 participating. Christie Jaeger, coordinator of CommonGround, shared her story as a family farmer and rancher, and spoke about educating consumers about food. Amanda Olson from the state office gave an update.

FOSTER • Oct. 29 • Carrington Pizza Ranch BOARD: Charles Linderman (president), Ellen Linderman (vice president), Rhonda Lura, Jim Holth.

NOTES: Molly McLain from the state office gave an update.

GRIGGS • Nov. 7 • Cooperstown Pizza Ranch BOARD: Ron Halvorson (president), Robert Johnson (vice president), Lori Christopherson (secretary/treasurer), Bill Rahlf, Wayne Christopherson, Bruce Sedler, Alice Dehoff. Kristi Halvorson (EPIC coach).

NOTES: Mary Jensen from the state office gave an update.

MORTON • Oct. 25 • Baymont Inn, Mandan BOARD: Dan Belohlavek (president), Matthew Rebenitsch (vice president), Diane Peltz (secretary/ treasurer), Diane Schultz, Marie Weinberger, Bailie Graner, Lisa Rebenitsch (EPIC coach).

NOTES: Chelsey Jacobson from the state office gave an update.

Rolette County Farmers Union held a youth event at its annual convention. The kids set up their own popcorn co-op.

MOUNTRAIL • Nov. 1 • Mountrail County Fair Building, Stanley BOARD: Keith Meiers (president), Doug Niemitalo (vice president), Kelvin Horst, Mark Nesheim, Jodi Obert (EPIC coach).

NOTES: Kayla Pulvermacher from the state office gave an update.

ROLETTE • Oct. 21 • Valle Lutheran Church, Rolette BOARD: Brent Kurtti (president), Karl Solberg (vice president), Sheri Peterson (secretary/ treasurer), Joe Mongeon, Mark Heinz, William Biberdorf, Jackie Heinz (EPIC coach).

NOTES: The convention had a separate youth event in which kids learned about co-ops and set up their own popcorn co-op. Bri Sorensen from the state office gave an update.

STEELE • Nov. 11 • Hope Senior Center BOARD: Randy Richards (president), Perry Ostmo (vice president), Carmen Richards (secretary/treasurer), Merle Strand, William Erbstoesser, Ben Vig, Luke Juliuson, Megan Vig (EPIC coach).

NOTES: President Richards shared his thoughts from the fly-in in September. Chris Aarhus from the state office gave an update.

Information taken from counties that had sent their updated officer lists into the state office. The rest of the county conventions will be published in January’s issue.

Benson County Farmers Union President Keith Smith welcomes a member at their convention.

NDFU to host regional officer trainings

BY CHRIS AARHUS, NDFU

North Dakota Farmers Union is holding Regional Officer Trainings in January and early February to help educate Farmers Union county officers on their organization.

“We’ll be doing a lot of training on running a meeting, talking a lot about recruitment and what kind of events to have,” said NDFU Organizational Manager and Membership Supervisor Jessica Haak. “How to have those conversations when recruiting a member, how to retain membership and how to get talented leaders into the organization.”

Participants will also learn a new way to reach their membership, and the EPIC coaches will get their curriculum training.

“We’ll show them how (the state office) can text members about events, so they can utilize that system in their event

Regional officer trainings All meetings run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Jan. 19

Minot • Grand International Hotel Jamestown • NDFU State Office

Jan. 26

Dickinson • Ramada Grand Dakota Grand Forks • Ag Country

Feb. 2

Bismarck • Tri-Energy office

promotion,” she said.

The training sessions are open to all Farmers Union members including those who aren’t county officers but have a desire to be at some point.

Members can register through the online portal at ndfu.org.

For those that attend at least one training session as well as the county officer training at the Board of Governors meeting Feb. 19-21 in Bismarck, they’ll get a free NDFU jacket delivered to

their home.

Dates for the Regional Officer Trainings are Jan. 19 (Grand International Hotel in Minot, NDFU state office in Jamestown) and Jan. 26 (Ramada Grand Dakota in Dickinson, Ag Country building in Grand Forks).

A Feb. 2 meeting at the Tri-Energy office building in Bismarck is also being held.

Meetings will start at 10 a.m. and wrap up at 4 p.m.

To the families who have already given ...

THANK YOU!

FOR YOUR GENEROUS GIFT TO THE NDFU FOUNDATION Donations of more than $1,000 are recognized at the state office on the NDFU Donor Recognition wall. Giving levels include: COBALT – $1,000 to $4,999 BRONZE – $5,000 to $14,999 GOLD – $15,000 and above.

Donations can be mailed to: NDFU Foundation, P.O. Box 2136, Jamestown, ND 58402-2136 Please note if the gift is in honor of someone. For more information, contact Lucy Bardell, assistant to the president, at 701-952-0114 or lbardell@ndfu.org.

The NDFU Foundation was established in 2000 to raise funds for Farmers Union’s renowned youth education program. As a Farmers Union supporter, you are part of a larger mosaic – a piece of the spirit and light – that can help establish a permanent, sustainable fund for NDFU’s youth program. Please consider a donation.

FUI donates $20k to FirstLink FirstLink, which maintains the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for the state of North Dakota, announced in October that Farmers Union Insurance (FUI) donated $20,000 to help the nonprofit continue its services to North Dakotans who are at risk of suicide.

“Research has shown that our services prevent suicide,” said Cindy Miller, executive director of FirstLink. “Because of the increased volume of calls we’re receiving, we need additional staff to support a second phone line and funding to maintain a callback service to at-risk callers.

This donation is really a lifeline of sorts for us.”

Miller said calls to their 2-1-1 suicide helpline and national lifeline have increased dramatically in recent years.

Suicide related calls in 2016 were 2,512 compared to 6,533 in 2017, and follow-up calls increased from 1,150 in 2016 to 4,810 last year.

“There aren’t a lot of people who haven’t been affected by suicide, whether it’s a family member or someone in their community,” said Kevin Ressler, FUI chief sales, marketing & branding officer. “There is a lot of

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Stay safe (and warm) with these cold weather safety tips Wear several layers of loose clothing.

Boots should be waterproof and insulated.

Be sure to protect your ears, face, hands and feet in extremely cold weather.

Stock your vehicle with cold weather gear for emergencies.

Keeping You Safe

A private non-profit.

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stress right now in farm country.

This donation melds the mission of our company and our farm organization. Both are focused on community support. FirstLink is local people helping local people.”

To reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, dial 1-800273-TALK. Along with providing 24-hour crisis intervention, a FirstLink staff member can direct callers to community resources for emergency safe shelters, support groups, addictions, food assistance, financial housing and utility assistance, disaster assistance, counseling and mental health support.

FARM CREDIT

THE

ORIGINS OF ‘OUR FAMILY FARM’ Sullivan, NDFU team up for children’s book

N

orth Dakota Farmers Union’s new children’s book, “Our Family Farm,” features two pages that lay out how grain goes from an elevator to dinner plates in other countries.

Author-illustrator Dana Sullivan knows the pages well — he struggled with them right away.

STORY BY CHRIS AARHUS / NDFU “That was the hardest spread of the whole book,” said Sullivan, who resides near Seattle.

“I tried a few approaches to it. That probably took the longest, getting that sequence right.”

The NDFU Foundation commissioned Sullivan to write and illustrate the book earlier this year, and he delivered with vibrant colors and an educational experience.

NDFU President Mark Watne said the book is about consumer education.

“It’s one of many tools we’re using to educate the public about the importance of family farm agriculture to our state and nation,” Watne said. “Its subtitle, ‘Everyone Works on a Family Farm,’ definitely will resonate with anyone who has ever lived on a farm or visited a farm.”

Author-illustrator Dana Sullivan shows the book to a loyal reader.

Sullivan said the spread that teaches children about how grain goes to other countries was timeconsuming because he wanted to get it right.

“My first attempt focused on machinery, but it was lifeless,” he said. “I just kept looking at books and remembering, ‘I’m a picture book illustrator.

I can do anything I want.’ I really needed to put people in there, and I wanted it to be kids. That’s where all this was going.”

BEGINNINGS

Sullivan, a native of Los Angeles, didn’t grow up around farms, though he did visit his aunt and uncle’s farm in Wisconsin when he was young.

He was head of creative services for Costco before he decided to pursue his current passion.

“I was participating in a leadership course and they talked about figuring out what you truly want,” he said. “I realized what I truly wanted was to illustrate books. I knew I wasn’t being

creatively fulfilled.”

Sullivan worked hard, taking classes and submitting book ideas to editors. After getting an agent, Sullivan broke through with “Ozzie and the Art Contest” in 2011. He’s also authored and illustrated “Kay Kay’s Alphabet Soup” and “My Red Velvet Cape.”

With NDFU looking for someone to take on its children’s book, Sullivan said his agent felt he would be perfect.

“I’ve never done anything like this,” Sullivan said. “It’s been great working with (NDFU).”

NDFU gave input on family farms, and Sullivan did additional research to ensure accuracy.

“A book is almost always a team effort,” Sullivan said. “Everybody wants the best book they can get. It’s keeping an open mind, and working with (NDFU) was pretty easy. I really wanted to be accurate so I could tell a good story.”

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

The characters in the book range from the family to all of the machinery on the family farm.

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

THE BOOK

Sullivan said the storyline started with the family dog, Rocky.

“I had the idea of Rocky doing chores, but I wasn’t sure how to incorporate the whole rest of the farm,” he said. “The multi-generational family aspect is important and real, and farmers’ mission and sense of purpose — I really wanted to put that in there. It was challenging, but it’s a fun story.”

One aspect from Watne was the idea of giving the machinery personalities.

“Once I got on board with that, I thought that this could be really fun,” Sullivan said. “I stretch my characters and try to have as much fun as I can and see what jokes I can make that’ll interest kids. I figure if it makes me laugh, it’ll make kids laugh.”

The book is full of color including an incredible sunset familiar to most North Dakotans.

“My colors tend to be pretty bright — it’s who I am,” Sullivan said. “I once had an illustrator friend tell me my colors are turned up to 11. I think kids like bright colors. You want colors to be instantly recognizable from page to page. Kids are just learning to read. You don’t want to confuse

A vital part of North Dakota agriculture, cooperatives appear several times throughout the book.

them too much or have too many costume changes.”

Sullivan believes the sound effects will be enjoyable for both kids and parents, and he even has a favorite page — perhaps indicative of Sullivan finishing the book.

“My favorite picture is the very final one, with Rocky asleep in Tricia’s bucket,” Sullivan said.

The book hits on the important aspects of agriculture and why family farms are integral to the way of life in North Dakota, and that includes cooperatives, which are prominent in the book. All proceeds for the book go to the NDFU Foundation, which supports the youth program.

Sullivan will be at the state convention Dec. 1415 at the Bismarck Event Center. The book costs $16.95 and will be for sale not far from where Sullivan will be free to autograph it. He’ll also have a presentation for the convention, where he’ll do some live art, as well as read the book to the youth convention on stage.

Sullivan said he’s looking forward to the state convention, and his message to NDFU’s 50,000 members was simple: “Every day, we should thank a farmer. Thanks to all of you. Not only for this opportunity to write and illustrate this fun book, but also for my dinner.”

Don’t wait to purchase your copy of the new children’s book from North Dakota Farmers Union!

$16.95 Follow the Rhodes family and their dog Rocky as they work the family farm together! Visit ndfu.2020brands.com to purchase your copy today!

Books will be available for purchase at state convention!

Introducing the KOURTNEY BITZ, NAPOLEON Napoleon High School, Grade 11

What is your greatest Farmers Union camp experience?

Going to senior retreat and getting elected onto SYAC with my twin sister!

What is your favorite outdoor recreational activity at camp?

My favorite outside activity is definitly a campfire!

What leadership skills do you hope to build this year?

I hope to gain more confidence, dependability and public speaking skills.

KYLEE BITZ, NAPOLEON Napoleon High School, Grade 11

What is your greatest Farmers Union camp experience?

My greatest Farmers Union camp experience is attending senior camp for the first time this last summer and gettting elected to SYAC with my sister Kourtney.

What is your favorite outdoor recreational activity at camp?

My favorite outdoor recreational activity at camp is the campfire for sure!

What leadership skills do you hope to build this year?

I hope to build the leadership skills of speaking to bigger crowds of people, the ability to plan and organize something great and to come up with creative ideas that will benefit our planning of camp.

DANIKA KNOX, RAY

Ray High School, Grade 11 What is your greatest Farmers Union camp experience?

Definitely meeting new people. Everyone who attends is worth getting to know!

What is your favorite outdoor recreational activity at camp?

I love the softball tournament!

What leadership skills do you hope to build this year?

Cooperation, bonding, guidance, leadership.

2018-2019 SYAC JONAH LARSON, GARRISON Garrison High School, Grade 10 Parents: Brent and Misti NOTE: Information unavailable.

AUTUMN MARTIN-GEERTZ, MOTT Mott-Regent High School, Grade 11

What is your greatest Farmers Union camp experience?

Either being a junior counselor or being elected onto SYAC. I loved being with all of those kiddos and encouraging them in the games. I remember going to camp alone almost every year and enjoying the company of the junior counselors, so it was nice to do that for other kids.

What is your favorite outdoor recreational activity at camp?

Honestly, it’s sitting around with the other campers talking. Most of my memories from camp take place in the “circle” on the patio.

What leadership skills do you hope to build this year?

I hope to work on working with everyone else and making new friends.

ZEB WILLER, JAMESTOWN Jamestown High School, Grade 11

What is your greatest Farmers Union camp experience?

Staying up all night to see the sunset that was hiding behind clouds until we did sunrise salutations.

NOTE: No more information provided.

Sonny warned ‘em I

t’s Thanksgiving week, so let’s be generous: The White House trade policy, marked by its heavy use of import tariffs and presidential tweets, continues to confound economists and trading partners alike.

A more accurate, less generous view of President Donald J. Trump’s trade policy would declare it an unhinged mess that has led to a dark, and getting darker, year for export-dependent American farmers and ranchers.

And that’s just the calendar year. The still-young grain marketing year is headed for darkness, too, if our tariff-tied export policy for friend or foe remains.

Don’t just take my word for it; here’s what Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue told President Donald J. Trump in their very first White House meeting shortly after Perdue became ag chief in April 2017. The topic was Trump’s threat to pull the U.S. out of NAFTA, the generation-old trade pact between Mexico, Canada, and us.

(The remarks, all direct quotes that no one disputes, begin on page 157 of Bob Woodward’s recent bestselling book, Fear.) “‘NAFTA has been a huge boon for American ag interests,’ Perdue told Trump… ‘We wouldn’t have markets for these products otherwise. The people

ALAN GUEBERT The Farm and Food File

who stand to lose the most if we withdraw are your base, the Trump supporters.’”

Then, relates Woodward, Perdue showed “Trump a map of the United States” to emphasize the electoral fallout from leaving NAFTA. Most of what he pointed to were presidential swing states. “‘So you just can’t do this,’” Perdue urged. “‘Yeah,’ Trump said, ‘but they’re screwing us, and we’ve got to do something.’”

Trump’s “something” became a newly negotiated agreement that now awaits approval by all parties. Before national elections in Mexico and mid-term elections in the U.S., passage was seen as doable, albeit dicey. With Democrats retaking the U.S. House Nov. 6, American passage moves more toward dicey than doable.

A week after his defense of NAFTA, continues Woodward, Perdue was back at the White House to explain the ag consequences if the President

– twice in fact acted on his threat to place tariffs on Chinese exports to the U.S. “Sonny Perdue gave a presentation in the Situation Room on May 4 on the role of agriculture in trade. Sensitive intelligence showed that if the United States imposed new tariffs on China, the Chinese would retaliate with their own tariffs.”

Again, however, Perdue’s warning fell on deaf ears.

Why was Trump so fixated—and so upside down—on the economics of tariffs and trade deficits? According to Woodward, Trump’s chief economic advisor, Gary Cohn, a former president of Goldman Sachs, asked Trump “several times…

‘Why do you have these views?’” “‘I just do,’ Trump replied, ‘I’ve had these views for 30 years.’” “‘That doesn’t mean they’re right,’ Cohn said. ‘I had the view for 15 years I could play professional football. It doesn’t mean I was right.’”

Cohn’s point was lost on Trump. In early 2018, he hit China with $50 billion in tariffs. (Cohn resigned just before the official announcement.)

As predicted, China retaliated with tariffs of its own and, in September, the White House hit China with another $200 billion of tariffs. China, again, retaliated with more of its own tariffs.

Both nations’ actions have had little impact on China’s ability to import soy and livestock feed from other nations or our own hunger for Chinesemade consumer goods. Through September, U.S. imports from China are up 8 percent over 2017 and are forecasted to set an all-time record. Go figure.

Meanwhile, on Nov. 1, Reuters reported that China imported only 132,248 metric tons (MT) of U.S. soybeans in September compared to 937,000 MT it imported last September. Similarly, U.S. corn exports to China last September were 174,965 MT; this September’s were virtually invisible: 516 MT. Even more revealing, the overall U.S. trade deficit—in the first full year of the most protectionist, tariff-imposing Administration since Herbert Hoover—will exceed its record, set in 2008, of $816 billion.

Sonny warned the White House about the electoral and economic fallout of starting a trade war. Twice, in fact. As such, it’s hard to know what is more common in today’s White House, wooden ears or wooden heads.

Sorry, it’s Thanksgiving; make that bad policy or stubborn policymakers.

The Farm and Food File is published weekly throughout the U.S. and Canada. Past columns, events and contact information are posted at farmandfoodfile.com.

Groups endorse merger moratorium N ational Farmers Union (NFU) joined a coalition of 213 farm, food, rural, faith and consumer advocacy organizations to deliver a letter to Congress endorsing food and agribusiness merger moratorium bills and to urge members of the House and Senate to cosponsor the legislation.

Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Representative Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) introduced the Food and Agribusiness Merger Moratorium and Antitrust Review Act of 2018 companion bills earlier this year. These bills would impose an 18-month moratorium on mega-mergers that have swept the agribusiness, food manufacturing and grocery industries. This wave of consolidation has contributed to falling farm prices, declining farm incomes, stagnant wages for food workers, and economic stagnation in rural communities.

The bills would also establish a commission to study the impacts of consolidation in the food and agricultural sectors on farmers, rural communities and consumers.

“Corporate consolidation has long been one of the greatest challenges plaguing family farmers, ranchers and rural communities,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “We applaud Senator Booker and Representative Pocan for introducing this legislation and urge other members of Congress to join the effort to pass this legislation.”

HIGH OCTANE FUELS

In late August, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) vehicles rule for model years 2021-26 passenger cars and light trucks, which would amend certain existing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) and greenhouse gas emissions standards. The rule, among other things, recognizes the “potential benefits high octane fuels could provide,” and requested comment on the benefits of increasing fuel octane levels.

In comments submitted in late October, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson said he was encouraged to see the EPA’s acknowledgement and urged the administration to move toward high level blends of ethanol. “There is widespread agreement regarding the need to move this country toward high octane fuels to take advantage of improved engine technologies for vehicles,” wrote Johnson, noting that midlevel ethanol blends ranging from E20 to E40 are the “most economical high octane fuels available today.”

Johnson highlighted the myriad benefits of highoctane fuels, including “air emissions reductions, better oil conservation, and greater energy security,” as well as lower costs for consumers and “billions of dollars of capital investment, millions of dollars of new tax base, and many thousands of new good-paying jobs with benefits” in rural America.

NFU also launched a radio ad, urging President Donald Trump to keep his promises to family farmers by immediately implementing yearround E-15 and reversing the losses caused by the misappropriation of small refinery exemptions.

“Farmers are still at a net loss from Trump’s actions on biofuels,” the ad says, due to the EPA’s allocation of waivers exempting large oil refiners from complying with the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). This decision has “destroyed two billion gallons of ethanol demand,” a volume that far exceeds any increased use of E15 expected over the next five years.

MEAT LABELING

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hosted a joint meeting in October to discuss the nomenclature, regulation, and jurisdiction of animal cell culture products.

Representatives from both agencies as well as a number of diverse stakeholders spoke to the various costs and benefits of allowing either the USDA or FDA or some combination thereof to regulate the production of such products. They also argued for various labeling practices, ranging from “clean meat” to “animal cell culture.”

Several members of South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) submitted testimony advocating transparent and truthful labeling of meat products. Karla Hofhenke represented SDFU at the hearing.

“Allowing a protein that is grown in a petridish to be labeled as ‘meat’ is misleading and creates consumer confusion,” said Hofhenke. “The only sure way to avoid misleading consumers is to restrict the definition of meat to the tissue or flesh of an animal that has been born, raised, and harvested in the traditional manner.”

National Farmers Union (NFU) established the issue of accurately labeling imitation meat products and animal cell culture products as a Special Order of Business at the organization’s 116th anniversary convention in March.

Glazed Bacon Lollis

FOUNDING FARMERS

Makes 10-15 skewers INGREDIENTS

• 8 oz thick-cut applewood smoked bacon slab (ask butcher to slice to ¼ inch thick) • 5 tablespoons cinnamon brown sugar* • 10-15 (10 in) bamboo or metal skewers (soaked in water for one hour before use) *Cinnamon Brown Sugar 1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground allspice 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350°. Cut bacon slices into 2½-inch pieces. Thread each bacon piece onto skewer.

Arrange bacon skewers on baking sheet lined with a metal roasting rack.

Dust bacon with half of the cinnamon brown sugar; let rest 10 minutes.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until it appears that bacon has rendered at least half of its fat. Remove baking sheet from oven. Flip skewers over and dust other side with remaining cinnamon brown sugar. Return bacon to oven. Cook until crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove from oven. Serve warm.

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 VERSATILE 4814 HAY CONDITIONER, fits on 256 bidirectional tractor, make offer.

701-833-5435, Curtis Ones, Tolley.

PTO AUGER, 8 inch by 52 ft; anhydrous nitrolater; 21 ft bin sweep; Gustafson grain treater, 5X8 inch hyd. ram, also other good anhydrous shanks. 701-341-0580, Ralph Muscha, Harvey.

CASE IH C #45, tractor with loader, snowblower and brush. 177 hours, like new, call for price; JD 4010 tractor with loader and grapple, like new Firestone tires, price negotiable. 701-290-3992, Chris Heiser, Dickinson.

MACHINERY, Canola roller; Macdon 25 ft pull-type swather; 2012 Case IH WDX 1203 self-propelled swather, mint condition, 195 hours. 701-263-1206, Lathan Romsos, Bottineau.

JD 1610 CHISEL PLOW, 41 ft, new 4 in. shovels, new 3-bar harrow, $6000. 701789-0966, Allen Gruman, Cooperstown.

2011 JD 9430 4x4, 1968 hours, 12.5 liter, Goodyear triples 480/80/R50, 60-70 pct rubber, Gooseneck inspected powertrain/ engine, new water pump. complete annual service; Air Disc Drill 2012, with NH3, 43 ft; 1910 cart, 430 bu., 150,80,200. Double shoot, Raven Accu Flow NH# meter, Hyd. winch. 27,037 acres on the unit. All new seed and NH3 Discs; all new 2 1/2” and all new 3/8” hose; all new plastic seed tabs, greased and ready. 701-629-1665, Marshall Craft, Stanley.

1997 CASE 580 BACKHOE, Cummins diesel, 12, 24, 36-inch buckets, $12,600; Custom heavy duty I-beam 2000 gal. tandem-axel fuel trailer with pintle hitch, fuel gauge. filter, nozzle, hose, lights, clean out manhole, large fill hole, $2600. 701693-2371, Rick Frueh, Martin.

1940 FORD 9N, runs good, $1500. 701302-0037, Roger Westby, New Rockford.

CASE C CARBURETOR; JD A radiator; Heating panels. 701-270-0184, Harold Severson, Lakota.

FARMHAND PTO PUMP; 4 wheel trailer; 15-30 McCormick tractor; 2 cream separators; Leon #3100 HD 10 ft 3-Point Blade; Late Model Super M; 2 grain fanning mills; 12 ft Kirschmann drill, New Tire LT245-75R-17 Ld Range E; Two units of four 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. Email: larryn@ westriv.com. 701-597-3730, Larry Nagel, Shields.

1983 JD 4050, 3 pt hitch, 3 hyd, 3 quad shift, 158 JD loader with 4-tine grapple,

like new, has axle for duels with or without loader. 701-320-4038, Gene Sand, Jamestown.

JD 3200 5 BOTTOM PLOW; Mayrath 6 inch x 28 ft grain auger w/Briggs engine; Hydraulic driven drill fill; 1,000 gallon fuel tank; 40 used Lange anhydrous knives; steel & wooden fence posts; used cultivator shovels; transition & aeration screens; Gustafson seed treater. 701-629-9003, Doug Halden, Stanley.

WANTED TRACTORS, IH 806, 1206, 856, 1256, 1456, 1066, 1466, 5288, 5488; JD 5010, 5020, 6030; MM 1050, 1355; Oliver 1960s and newer; Allis D21, 210, 220, and others, running or not. 701-629-1721, Jerry Lumley, Stanley.

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE AVON BELLS/DOLLS, collectibles, prefer to sell as complete unit. 218-688-3210, Phyllis Rocksvold, Grand Forks.

RUNNING BOARDS, Mopar factory style side steps for 4-door Jeep Wrangler, fits years 2007-17. Used only a couple weeks. 701-252-8408, Constance Benke, Jamestown.

FIREARMS, 2 Smoothbore .22s; Remington single shot; Mossberg “Targo” with 5-shot clip and rifled barrel extension; Stevens Model 240 .410 over-under shotgun; Ruger Blackhawk .41 mag. rubber grips and holster; ND Centennial Ruger Super Blackhawk .357, 24-carat gold, silver and engraved, new and unfired in oak display case. Call for prices. 701694-4621, Martin Hanson, Zahl.

30.5L-32 GOODYEAR COMBINE TIRES, 10-hole rims off JD 9750, also have short ladder extension and rails, make offer. 701321-5711, John Kempf, Ashley.

FIFTH-WHEEL HITCH, Reese Pro Series 1500, max trailer gross weight 15k pounds, max pin weight 3,750 pounds, all parts included, $125. 701-866-3383, Richard Thomas, West Fargo.

column with wheel, bench seat, dash, pail of misc, all for $150. 701-351-3528, Cliff Brekken, Pekin.

WANTED TWO TIRES, 18.4x30 bias ply tractor tires.

701-339-8920, Rob Melby, Crosby.

OLD STUFF, Westland Gas Station advertising signs or oil cans, old Indian Head road signs or ND metal tokens. 701220-5746, Val Ganje, Bismarck.

OLD STORE DISPLAY ITEMS for old store setting, old signs or advertising farm equipment, old toys. 701-628-2130, Jerry Lumley, Stanley.

SCHWAN’S ICE CREAM TIN, collector’s item, 2016. 701-656-3592, Russ Kolberg, Bisbee.

PRAIRIE DOG HUNTERS, to hunt on land, make reservations now. Email: larryn@ westriv.com. 701-597-3730, Larry Nagel, Shields.

VEHICLES FOR SALE MATTRACKS 150-M1A2, set of 4 mattracks with new tracks, low miles, like new, have brackets to mount on 2008 Chevy 2500 HD pickup, $22,000 obo. 701321-5711, John Kempf, Ashley.

WANTED GMC GENERAL TRUCK, door latches for driver and passenger doors, have a 1987 model but others should work, let me know what you have. 701-290-0390, Kevin Kirsch, Belfield.

FEED/SEED FOR SALE SPRING WHEAT SEED, Elgin and Barlow HRSW. registered/certified, bulk or totes, delivery available. 701-739-0191, Brian Ludwig, New Rockford/Minot

ACCESS COVER, for Chevy Colorado or GMC Canyon pickup box, two years old, $250 obo; Snow blade for JD Gator, new electric winch on it and new cutter bar, $1,000; 701-741-8173, John Hutchinson, Northwood.

CEDAR CHEST, mint condition; Antique chest of drawers, can send pics; Western hat, beaver brown color; Antique parlor furniture, 3 pieces. 701-263-1206, Lathan Romsos, Bottineau.

CRANK-OUT WINDOWS, Anderson, excellent shape, wood frame with metal clad double pane, $600; 8 ft flatbed single axel pickup, sandblasted and new paint, $1400; Four 590X15 new tires, tubes and 2 wheels for Concord air seeder, $250. 701789-0966, Allen Gruman, Cooperstown.

LEAF BLOWER, Troy-built, 4-cycle gas backpack, $130. 701-367-8515, Duane Strand, Fargo.

WELL-PUMP JACK, model 6RS, Peerless, $25; Three-point hoist, fits category one 3-pt, $75. 701-693-2371, Rick Frueh, Martin.

TRUCK PARTS, 1958-60 International pickup, nice hood, clean gas tank, steering

A NOTE TO MEMBERS ON OUR CLASSIFIEDS ADS Classifieds will not be accepted by fax, email or mail. They must be submitted online at www. ndfu.org. The link can be found at the very bottom of NDFU’s homepage. Click on “Classifieds” and that will direct you to a page with a form where you can submit your classified.

Around the state

Dr. Frayne Olson, director of the Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives, gave a presentation and took questions at the North Dakota Cooperative Directors Association fall meeting at the NDFU state office in Jamestown.

CenDak Cooperative members and staff recently toured the WinField United Innovation Center in River Falls, Wis., after a Minnesota Vikings game. The center is a state-of-the-art product testing, research and development facility. Members met with chemists and researchers, toured their greenhouse and learned more about the center’s wind tunnel.

Farmers Union Service Association donated $1,500 to the Ward County Historical Society.

NDFU District 6 Director Ellen Linderman, on behalf of Foster County Farmers Union, hands a copy of NDFU’s new children’s book to Vivian Overby of the Carrington City Library. FCFU donated two copies as well as copies to the Carrington and Midkota elementary school libraries.

The eighth annual Rolette County Farmers Union “Wine & Roses” ladies event was held Nov. 3 at the Valle Lutheran Church in Rolette with 20 in attendance. Gwen Wall of Bottineau was the guest speaker on the healing power of humor. Along with wine tasting, the ladies painted a wooden sign of their choice to take home with them. The ladies also donated mittens, gloves or caps to be given to a local school. Thrivent Financial gave $250 for additional purchases as well.

Farmers Educational and Cooperative Union of America, ND Division

PERIODICALS – POSTAGE PAID

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

Have a safe and happy holiday season

From the agents, staff and management of Farmers Union Insurance