NDFU union farmer
'A SEAT AT THE TABLE'
Grand Farm seeks to be ag tech hub, with input from grower advisory board
John Guzman Agency
I was born and raised in Grand Forks, where in my youth I was a two-sport athlete in football and wrestling until I graduated in 2006. I moved to Texas shortly after, where I resided for almost a decade. This is where my career in insurance started. I was an associate with Aflac, picking up accolades and climbing the management ladder until the Affordable Care Act was introduced.
At that time, I made the decision to change my business model and focus on partnering with agencies who primarily offered group health insurance. This was the greatest career decision I could have made as it led to my work being recognized by Farmers Union Insurance. This is when I was offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to come home and be a part of an organization so deeply rooted in our community.
I love being able to work with employers. Every employer has different obstacles when it comes to benefits and being able to get creative and find ways to save premium while providing stronger coverage
is what I truly enjoy doing, especially when employers associate strong coverage with high premiums. I enjoy showing them how a little creativity can ensure they are able to provide the best coverage to their employees. This is my way of protecting families while ensuring they do not have to sacrifice their pay to do so.
• PO Box 2136 Jamestown, ND 58402-2136
USPS 016-211
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AGENTS HONORED AT SALES CONFERENCE
Farmers Union Insurance agents from North Dakota, South Dakota and Arkansas met June 11-13 at the Bismarck Hotel and Conference Center for the Farmers Union Insurance Agents 2024 Sales Conference. The event featured speakers and training on leadership, sales and customer service. Farmers Union Insurance honored agents for their 2023 success and gave out awards for years of service the first night. Pictured with each winner is Farmers Union Insurance CEO Mark Anderson.
Lezlie Beuchler, Josh Ressler and Shaun Sipma of Minot received the Agraria Agency of the Year award.
Dave Berger of Mandan was named Property Lines Agency of the Year.
District 4 manager Stan Scott accepts the award for District 4 receiving District of the Year.
Lance Gulleson of Lisbon was named Crop Agency of the Year.
Clark Twardoski was named Commercial Lines Agency of the Year.
Phil Halvorson of Mandan was named Financial Products Agency of the Year.
Group Awards
Farmers Union Insurance handed out their Premier Agent awards. Winners from North Dakota (listed alphabetically) are Lezlie Beuchler of Minot, David Bergeman of Forman-Oakes, Scott Cramer of Casselton, Kyle DeVries of Wahpeton, Jed Geer of Bismarck, Lance Gulleson of Lisbon, Armen Hanson of Devils Lake, Justin Heisler of West Fargo, Beck Hruby of Bismarck, Jerrod Lematta of Ellendale, Dan Ness of Devils Lake, Ryan Opdahl of Hillsboro, Jamie Ressler of Bismarck, Josh Ressler of Minot, Shaun Sipma of Minot, Mary Smith of Ray, Tyler Waslien of Casselton, Al Weigel of Napoleon and Kim Zinke of Devils Lake.
Farmers Union Insurance gave out its awards for agencies that hit the $2 million crop milestone. Winners from North Dakota (listed alphabetically) are Chris Arnston of Maddock, Zach Axtman-Chris Walker of Rugby, David Bergemann of Forman-Oakes, Dwight Byron-Jay Thompson Agency of Park River, Jerry Essler of Kenmare, Renae Fayette of Grafton, Marcus Fischer of Bowman, Lance Gulleson of Lisbon, Aaron Johansen-Garrett Murphy of Dickinson, Robbie Larsen-Kjell Vassen of Crosby, Blaine Moberg of Rolla, Chad Oswald of Wilton, Lucas Schumacher of New Rockford, Russell Stremick of Langdon, Tyler Waslien-Scott Cramer of Casselton, Jennifer Worley of Cavalier, Kim Zinke-Armen Hanson-Dan Ness Agency of Devils Lake and Jerry Zunich-Sjon Zunich-JR Johnson Agency of Williston.
Luke Beasley was named Adjuster of the Year. Pictured at his left is FUI Chief Claims Officer Brad Nold.
Garrett Murphy of Dickinson was named Rookie Agent of the Year.
YEARS OF SERVICE
20 years of service
15 years of service
Jeff Andersen, Jamestown
Josh Ressler, Minot
Dwight Byron of Park River celebrated his 40th anniversary as a Farmers Union Insurance agent.
Brian Nieuwenhuis of Garrison celebrated his 30th anniversary as a Farmers Union Insurance agent.
Blaine Moberg, Rolla
Jamie Ressler, Bismarck
Jason Walswick, Finley
10 years of service or less
Zach Axtman, Rugby (10)
Phil Halvorson, Mandan (10)
BreeAnn Hauck, Killdeer (10)
Garrit Irey, Edgeley (10)
Courtney Schauer, Mandan (10)
Shaun Sipma, Minot (10)
Brent Vik, Grand Forks (10)
Zane Axtman, Mohall (5)
Brian Devillers, Grand Forks (5)
Justin Heisler, West Fargo (5)
Shane Kleingartner, Fargo (5)
Agraria Awards
FUI RAISES MONEY FOR YOUTH CAMP
Farmers Union Insurance agents, management, staff and vendors participated in a number of contests including a raffle, bowling and golfing tournaments as well as a putting contest. The games raised $3,645 for Farmers Union camps in North and South Dakota. Dawn Melius of South Dakota won the 5050 raffle and donated half of her winnings back to camp!
Jed Geer--Jamie Ressler-Beck Hruby, Bismarck $3 million Agaria Agency
Lance Gulleson, Lisbon $3 million Agaria Agency
Armen Hanson-Kim Zinke-Dan Ness, Devils Lake $3 million Agaria Agency
Harrison Aide, Melissa Goschen and Jeff Hawn finished first, second and third, respectively, in the putting contest at Prairie West Golf Course in Mandan.
JR Johnson-Sjon Zunich-Jerry Zunich, Williston $3 million Agaria Agency
Aaron Johansen-Garrett Murphy, Dickinson $2 million Agaria Agency
Steve Bennion, Jamestown $1 million Agaria Agency
Kim Erickson, Hettinger $1 million Agaria Agency
Nick Johnston, Wimbledon $1million Agaria Agency
Kjell Vassen-Robbie Larson, Crosby $1 million Agaria Agency
Theron Huwe, Watford City $1 million Agaria Agency
Farmers Union Insurance employees look at building built by Arrow Service Team out of Bismarck used for training during the FUI 2024 Sales Conference June 11-13 in Bismarck. FUI employees were able to look at the devastation of how quickly a fire can burn down a small building and also look at burn patterns caused by gasoline. Arrow, FUI, the Bismarck Fire Department and the ATF all used the event for training.
FUI employees participate in staged fire incident for training
BY CHRIS AARHUS, NDFU
Farmers Union Insurance (FUI) employees received some eye-opening education during the statewide sales conference.
FUI underwriters and adjusters were onsite for a staged fire incident June 12 behind Bismarck’s Fire Station 4. The incident was a partnership between Farmers Union Insurance, Arrow Service Team of Bismarck — a mitigation and restoration company that built the building — and the Bismarck Fire Department.
FUI Chief Claims Officer Brad Nold said it was an idea that had been thrown around for a while.
“It really takes a lot of coordination, so we decided about a year ago to try and make it happen at the sales conference,” Nold said.
The small building served as a simulation for a bedroom or living room fire. In this case, they used gasoline as the accelerant and lit a match, Nold said.
“They burn it, but we don’t want to burn it too far,” he said.
A single burning building provided four different types of training.
The fire was put out by three Bismarck rookie firefighters that used the event to receive live
training.
From there, cause and origin specialists regularly used by FUI were there to look at burn patterns, which helps the insurance company determine if fraud is taking place. FUI adjusters and underwriters also received a closer look in real time at how fast a fire can devastate a building.
“The one thing those who had never seen a controlled burn like this found out was how fast this happens,” Nold said. “In a matter of minutes, an entire room is gone and can lead to your house being gone in a relatively short time.”
After FUI was done, an ATF agent and his dog — trained to smell for accelerants in potential arson fires — also received some key training. Once that finished, Arrow went to work on training its own team in cleaning and restoration.
Nold said the experience proved invaluable for Farmers Union Insurance staff.
“It was direct on the job training for our adjusters and real-world training for our underwriters,” Nold said. “Really educational for our staff to see something most people never get to see.”
Farmers Union CAMP
GRADES 3-6* (4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS) – $159
GRADES 7-12* (5 DAYS, 4 NIGHTS) – $199
*Grade youth will have completed by the end of the school year Register
SENIOR CAMP
• July 8-12 – James River, grades 7-12
• July 9-13 – Heart Butte, grades 7-9
• July 29-Aug. 2 – James River, grades 10-12
• July 30-Aug. 3 – Heart Butte, grades 10-12
JUNIOR CAMP
Heart Butte ~ near Elgin
• July 16-19 – Burleigh, Sheridan
• July 23-26 – Billings-Golden Valley, Dunn, McLean, Mercer, McKenzie, Oliver, Stark
James River ~ near Jamestown
• July 15-18 – Statewide
• July 22-25 – Barnes, Dickey, Emmons, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh
AWARD TRIPS
(invitation only)
July 22-25
Third-Year Award Trip (Twin Cities)
Your name will be entered into our prize drawing when you use the NDFU mobile app to register your kids for camp!
Win a 6-gal. YETI cooler, 2-gal. cordless DeWALT wet-dry HEPA vac or $100 CENEX gift card.
Innovation key part of helping farms prosper
Vision is a trait that people have and use to evaluate the present and the future. I believe farmers and ranchers have great vision. They work hard to prepare for upcoming events and have great ability to adapt to new innovations on a regular basis.
Your organization has participated in several events on developing artificial intelligence technology and innovation, which is quickly being adopted around the world.
Several years ago, NDFU began hosting a precision agriculture conference with NDSU and the Red River Valley Research Corridor. The rational for the conference was to bring expertise to help farmers and ranchers determine if innovations fit their operation and made economic sense. This conference was highly successful and reached nearly 2,500 participants.
From there, we participated in a developing project that was a brainchild of the Emerging Prairie group out of Fargo. The Emerging Prairie’s goal is to accelerate the growth and development of communities so the region can create, attract and grow the businesses today that will create our tomorrow.
The project was named the Grand Farm. The Grand Farm initiative was created to solve the biggest problems facing agriculture. It is a collaborative network of growers, corporations, startups, educators, researchers, government and investors working together to solve problems in agriculture through ag tech and innovation. It started around a community challenge and has transformed into a global
leader in ag tech innovation.
NDFU was asked to participate in the Grand Farm in the early development days. Working with our Board of Governors, we felt it was appropriate to spend time and resources to help drive this effort and focus technology research and development on the needs of family farms and ranches. As president of NDFU, I filled this role and was appointed to the Grand Farm board of directors. I currently serve as vice president.
If you wonder why NDFU would pursue this project, I think these two quotes say it best: “Innovation is the central issue in economic prosperity,” by Michael Porter and “Ultimately, progress and innovation win,” by Travis Kalanick. It is our job to work for opportunities that help family farms and ranches prosper.
The value of participation cannot be overstated. Those who show up and voice their thoughts and opinions influence the future. They also learn from others and are able to find the tools necessary to enhance their unique operations.
I encourage you to take time to participate in technology advancement events surrounding NDFU and the Grand Farm. It may be worth your time to visit the Grand Farm, just west of Casselton on I-29. The grand opening for the innovation shop happened in June, and numerous projects will be happening throughout the summer. USDA, NDSU and many public companies are invested in the success of this test facility, designed to find solutions for agriculture.
Grand Farm Innovation Campus west of Casselton
UTILIZING TECHNOLOGY
Grand Farm seeks to connect innovators and entrepreneurs with producers
David Gorder sees the upside with utilizing technology on family farms. He views it as another tool farmers use to solve problems on their operations.
“Most farmers’ approach to technology is needing to address an immediate need,” Gorder said. “Sometimes it can be difficult taking a leap because it can be costly upfront and you’re taking a chance on (return on investment), but it’s about answering questions and solving problems.”
The Grand Forks County Farmers Union vice president is one of 11 members on the grower advisory board for Grand Farm, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing technological solutions to problems in farm country.
Gorder was on hand for the June 10 grand opening of Grand Farm’s 590-acre innovation campus west of Casselton along I-94, where companies can test their new products and scientists can develop research. The morning featured speeches from North Dakota’s congressional delegation and Gov. Doug Burgum, as well as product demonstrations.
NDFU President Mark Watne, who serves as vice chair on the board of directors at Grand Farm, spoke at the breakfast event that morning.
Ground-breaking on the new innovation campus started in 2022. Dr. William Aderholt, executive director, said Grand Farm brings people together for agriculture.
“We facilitate a large ecosystem of growers, startup companies, corporations, researchers, educators and government agencies to solve challenges for growers,” he said. “We do that by bringing together physical assets like our innovation campus. A lot of technology we work with are things like robotic autonomy, (artificial intelligence) and machine-learning, and also things like biologics and new and innovative farming practices.”
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Story by Chris Aarhus, NDFU Editor
A rendering of Grand Farm prior to construction.
Photos/art by Chris Aarhus, NDFU Editor and courtesy of Grand Farm
COVER PHOTO
Grand Forks County Farmers Union Vice President David Gorder is on the Grower Advisory Board for Grand Farm.
The Grand Farm Innovation Campus held its grand opening June 10.
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BEGINNINGS
Much like it works toward every day, Grand Farm itself was the solution to a problem.
Emerging Prairie is the parent company of Grand Farm and works “at the intersection of the startup, innovation and technology communities."
Chief Information Officer Brian Carroll, a Grand Farm co-founder, said the idea started with a challenge from Fargo area entrepreneur Barry Batcheller in 2017.
“He said every community should declare its major to the world,” Carroll said. “Based on that, we brought a group of leaders across industry to declare our major, and it became obvious that it would be precision agriculture.”
Emerging Prairie sought to center the idea around five key strategies, which Carroll said was presented to stakeholders.
“The first one is to create a world-class ecosystem to bring partners together through events, programs and projects,” he said. “The second one is our innovation platform, designed to work with organizations to
advance technology and solve problems.
“The third one is our innovation campus, where people can come see the work, collaborate and find partnerships. The fourth one is around upskilling the workforce. Agriculture like every other industry is undergoing a digital transformation. There will be a requirement for skills of the future to adapt to that, and so we developed our Emerging Digital Academy, which is a coding school.
“And the fifth strategy was around the roles of the private and public sectors working together to advance technology in a safe environment.”
Grand Farm has celebrated significant milestones in the past five years. Former Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue came to North Dakota to celebrate Grand Farm breaking ground on its initial site south of Fargo in 2019. Later that year, Microsoft announced a $1.5 million grant into the development and establishment of Grand Farm.
Along with the groundbreaking on the new campus, projects involving 18 different partners from all over the world are being developed on the site that could help farmers significantly in the future.
TECHNOLOGY
Farmers have always utilized technology, Gorder said. In Grand Farm, he sees the possibilities of getting better tech to farmers even faster by utilizing a “sandbox” like Grand Farm, where farmers can see it in action and judge for themselves.
“You’re only as good as the information at hand,” he said. “A lot of times, that information is provided to you by the salesman of the company. This is more of a research environment. I think it’s really going to help farmers have that comfort level adopting new technology.”
To make sure these projects align with what’s needed in farm country, Emerging Prairie commissioned a grower advisory board. Aderholt said the board’s purpose is to keep Grand Farm aware of the “pain points” in farm country.
“They inform us a lot on the perspective of growers,” he said. “It gives us a good understanding of the problems that exist that growers are facing.”
Grand Farm also hosts field days in which the public can watch product demonstrations and
AT LEFT: A plot map of Grand Farm's innovation
hear from industry leaders.
“The technology comes out but maybe farmers have difficulty trusting it, or it has difficulty getting traction,” Aderholt said. “They can see it at a site like Grand Farm’s innovation campus, and they see it in production and it works. That provides some credibility to it.”
One example of a piece of technology being developed comes from Susterre, a Canadian company utilizing high-pressure waterjet technology — similar to what is used in machine fabrication — to cut through heavy crop residue. The system attaches to the toolbar on the planter.
“We’re deploying them in row crop applications to make it easier for farmers to cut through heavy crop residue in no-till and cover crop applications,” Susterre founder and CEO Michael Cully said. “Our first product is a retrofit system that goes on the front of any make or model of planter, so we don’t have to mess with the planter.”
He added that the technology could also be used to inject inputs into the soil like starter fertilizer.
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TOP: Grand Farm released balloons celebrating its grand opening in front of a packed house June 10 near Casselton.
campus.
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“We can inject it from 2 to 4 inches deep,” he said.
Cully said the product has undergone field testing at Grand Farm, and they’ve started the process of marketing to customers. The product is being tested alongside a trial being done by NDSU’s Dr. Lindsay Malone.
“For anyone that’s working on new technology in agriculture, I think Grand Farm would be a great partner,” Cully said. “They can help you field test, bring it to market and just increase the awareness of the new technology.”
Another project being tested at Grand Farm comes from Aigen, a Kirkland, Wash.,-based company founded in 2020.
Aigen developed an AI-driven, networkconnected, solar- and wind-powered robot that drives 2 miles per hour up and down fields, knocking out weeds. It serves as a viable alternative to pesticide use.
“It uses computer vision and cameras to kill the weeds as it’s going through the field,” Aderholt said. “They began working with us a few years ago. They had a massive gain of function in the last year and are now working to advance their product further. They’ve housed an operation center in Fargo and hired a team, so we’re really excited about how they can continue collaborating with us.”
Grand Farm isn’t only startups, though. Ag giant AGCO plans to utilize 300 acres to develop precision planting technologies that can be retrofitted for current machinery as well as the development of future products. Anheuser-Busch also has a plot at Grand Farm, investigating how barley added to a soybean
and corn rotation may affect the soil in fields with and without drain tile.
USDA’s Agricultural Research Service is also utilizing Grand Farm, conducting a long-term study to evaluate experimental sunflower materials for resistance to head rot disease caused by Sclerotinia.
NDSU has played a key role on Grand Farm from the start, Aderholt said, and is currently testing new robots that manually remove kochia in sugar beets and five different weeds in corn and soybeans.
Essentially a sandbox for farm tech and researchers, the Grand Farm is thriving here because North Dakota is an epicenter for agriculture, Aderholt said.
“The reason this has been successful is because of the ecosystem that has been developed here all the way from the early farmers to the farm practices to the growers to the organizations and the companies that have come here as well,” Aderholt said. “We’re gaining national attention as well, and we’re developing partnerships in other parts of the country where there may be different agricultural cropping systems. But the one thing they have in common is technology, and technology needs to have a local presence for it to work in each of the different environments.”
For Gorder and many producers, it comes down to being heard. He’s confident Grand Farm has the right approach.
“Farmers need to have a seat at the table and be represented, so that farmers, entrepreneurs and businesses all agree on what the problems are before they start solving it,” Gorder said. “That strengthens our operations. Ultimately, Grand Farm is a platform to help growers and agriculture.”
Gov. Doug Burgum speaks to a packed house during the grand opening June 10.
Using technology at Grand Farm to advance agriculture ...
CLEARING A PATH
Canada-based Susterre has developed a product that utilizes high-pressure waterjet technology — similar to what is used in machine fabrication — to cut through heavy crop residue. The system attaches to the toolbar on the planter.
NO CHEMICAL, NO PROBLEM
Aigen has developed an AI-driven, solar- and wind-powered robot that drives 2 miles per hour up and down fields, knocking out weeds. It serves as a viable alternative to pesticide use.
A look at the latest with the farm bill
“Without a doubt, we will mark up a farm bill before Memorial Day,” said Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Penn.), Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, at an event in early April. Despite plenty of doubt and uncertainty, Thompson followed through with his pledge to move along the farm bill process. On the Senate side, Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Ranking Member John Boozman (R-Ark.) have done their parts, with each releasing their own farm bill frameworks. All of this action made for an eventful farm bill spring and more activity is likely in the summer and fall.
HOUSE: FARM, FOOD, AND NATIONAL SECURITY ACT
On May 17, Thompson rolled out H.R. 8467, the “Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024” – the Chairman’s mark of the 2024 Farm Bill. The bill includes a number of Farmers Union priorities, mostly pertaining to strengthening the farm safety net. However, NFU believes significant improvements are needed to advance the legislation further.
Farm Safety Net
Thompson’s mark was billed as the first farm bill since 2002 that invests additional baseline dollars in the farm safety net. For the commodities title, the bill includes increases of 10 to 20 percent to the statutory reference prices for all covered commodities under Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC); increases to the ARC guarantee to 90 percent for the benchmark revenue for both ARC-Individual and ARCCounty; and increases the maximum payment rate to 12.5 percent of benchmark revenue. For the crop insurance title, the bill expands
premium discounts for beginning and veteran farmers, develops new risk management products for specialty crops and disasters, and channels more funds to private sector insurance providers. It boosts the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) to be similar to the Stacked Income Protection Plan for Upland Cotton (STAX) and provides premium support for SCO to 80%. Improvements are also made to the Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) and SCO by raising their maximum coverage level to 90%.
Dairy provisions in the bill are focused on expanding coverage under Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) by increasing DMC Tier 1 from 5 million pounds of milk to 6 million pounds. The bill also directs USDA to change the Class I milk price formula back to the “higher-of” classes III or IV.
Competition
Thompson’s mark does not contain provisions that prevent USDA from completing the ongoing Packers and Stockyards Act (P&S Act) rulemakings. In the fiscal year 2024 (FY24) appropriations cycle, the House agriculture appropriations bill contained a policy rider to block the rulemakings from proceeding. NFU strongly opposed this effort and helped defeat the inclusion of the rider in the final agriculture spending bill, thus leading to fears the same rider would be included in the House farm bill.
However, the Chairman’s mark included provisions from the A-PLUS Act (“Amplifying the Processing of Livestock in the United States Act,”) which allows certain market auction owners to hold ownership interests in small packing facilities, a practice currently prohibited under the P&S Act.
The bill also includes limited provisions from the Strengthening Local Processing Act
of 2023 (H.R. 945), which NFU endorsed last year. These provisions would help small meat processing establishments with their Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plans and increase USDA outreach on the Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) program.
Conservation
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), signed into law in 2022, provided $20 billion for USDA’s voluntary conservation programs, many of which were oversubscribed and underfunded, to invest in climate-smart agriculture. Programs which received investments include the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP).
Of the $20 billion from the IRA, roughly $14 billion remains unspent by USDA. The House bill takes the remaining funds and rolls them into the farm bill baseline, which will provide a long-term boost for conservation programs. However, Thompson’s mark removes the requirements these funds be used for practices that mitigate climate change and repurposes some of the funds to create new conservation programs.
Nutrition
Thompson’s mark includes restrictions on future updates of the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP), an economic model used by USDA to calculate how much it costs a family of four to eat.
TFP serves as the foundation for calculating maximum benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The 2018 Farm Bill directed USDA to reevaluate and publish an updated TFP. The Biden Administration completed the required reevaluation in 2021, which increased the basic SNAP benefit from $4.50 per person to $6 per person per day. This was the first substantive TFP update since the program was established in the 1970s. House Republicans have argued USDA overreached with its update because of increased costs which Congress did not authorize.
The restrictions in the House farm bill still allow for USDA to review and update the market basket of goods that makes up the TFP but require any changes to be cost neutral, and benefit levels can only increase each year based on cost-of-living adjustments.
HOUSE MARKUP: RECAP AND MAJOR AMENDMENTS
On May 23, the House Agriculture Committee held a markup of H.R. 8467. The markup lasted over 13 hours, featuring lengthy opening statements in support of and opposition to Thompson’s mark.
During the markup, about 60 amendments were filed, 19 of which were relatively uncontroversial and adopted via an “en bloc” amendment, passing by a voice vote with near unanimous support. Several more amendments
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came before the committee for discussion and debate.
Of those offered, the most contentious and consequential debates centered around three issues, all of which failed on party-line votes:
• Reduced spending for the nutrition title via changes to the Thrifty Food Plan – Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT) offered an amendment to remove the cost-neutrality provisions.
• Repurposing funds allocated to climate initiatives through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) – Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) offered an amendment to re-instate the climate sideboards in the IRA funding.
• Restricting USDA discretion over the use of Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds, Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.) offered an amendment to strike the language that would repeal USDA’s authority to spend CCC funds.
The proposed restrictions and modifications have been advertised as a way to “pay for” other priorities, or generate savings, as calculated by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), to be used elsewhere in the bill.
During the markup, Republicans and Democrats sparred over whether the savings generated from restricting the Secretary’s use of the CCC would amount to the levels Thompson has claimed. Estimates from the CBO are reportedly about $45 billion less than Chairman Thompson’s projections.
To wrap up the 13-hour markup, the bill was reported favorably out of committee by a vote of 33-21. Every Republican member of the committee voted in favor, along with four Democrats: Bishop, Yadira Caraveo (Colo.), Don Davis (N.C.), and Eric Sorensen (Ill).
SENATE FRAMEWORKS
Though no formal bill text has been introduced, Stabenow and Boozman have each
published details of their proposals.
Stabenow’s proposal, the “Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act,” improves the farm safety net through increased reference prices, stronger ARC/PLC formulas, and an array of crop insurance improvements. Unlike the House bill however, it excludes the restrictions on Thrifty and the CCC and maintains the climate-smart guardrails in the IRA funding. Stabenow’s proposal also includes several Fairness for Farmers priorities, including the Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act; making permanent USDA’s Cattle Contacts Library Pilot Program; and codifying USDA’s recently finalized “Product of USA” voluntary labeling rule.
Boozman’s framework, though offering less details, appears to mirror much of Thompson’s mark. The framework has many significant differences from Stabenow’s proposal, primarily on nutrition funding, climate change, and the CCC. On the latter, the framework suggests it will limit USDA’s discretion over spending CCC funds, though it does not completely restrict the Secretary’s authority as the House bill does.
THE ROAD AHEAD
The 2018 Farm Bill was extended to September 30, 2024. The House bill and Senate frameworks represent major progress in pursuit of a full five-year farm bill reauthorization this Congress.
Though the House bill includes a number of Farmers Union priorities, these improvements should not divide the broad coalition of support needed to pass a farm bill out of both chambers.
There is likely to be further activity in the farm bill process in the months ahead. Farmers Union members will have an important opportunity to influence the outcome during NFU’s Fall Legislative Fly-In on Sept. 9-11, 2024.
The Farmer’s Share
What's happening
Pierce County Farmers Union held an EPIC event May 31 in Rugby. Kids took a greenhouse tour followed by a planting party in which the kids planted flowers and pumpkin seeds, learning the difference between fruits and vegetables.
Walsh County Farmers Union awarded its annual $350 scholarships to Isabella Moen (top) of Valley-Edinburg High School and Colton Gemmill (bottom) of Fordville-Lankin High School. Isabella plans on attending Mayville State to major in psychology, while Gemmill will attend Northland Community and Technical College to major in residential carpentry.
Stark County Farmers Union and Hettinger County Farmers Union teamed up to sponsor a membership and camp promotion event at the Mott Playhouse Theatre. Board members helped serve popcorn and drinks while sharing information on NDFU, camp and children’s books.
around the state?
Counselors pose with the new bench donated to North Dakota Farmers Union camp by friends of Mark Rodenbiker in his honor. Mark was a former camper and summer staff who often talked about his love of camp.
Walsh County Farmers Union President Julie Gemmill hands a $500 Community Stewards check to Park River Volunteer Fire Department (PRVFD) President Bob Lundquist. Also pictured from left to right is Dustin Slaamod of the PRVFD, director Kathy Houser, and Kelly Houser, Matt Daley and Max Samdahl of the PRVFD.
the fourth children’s book from North Dakota Farmers Union
$16.95 plus tax
Dusty learns about generations of family and equipment on their farm, and the latest in soil technology. Find out how Dusty makes Gramps a new thingamajig for his tractor to save the day!
CLASSIFIEDS
Ads must be submitted through the online form at www.ndfu.org. Click “Classifieds” at the very bottom of ndfu.org and fill out the online form. Ads must be re-submitted each month. No exceptions! Deadline is the 15th of every month. Limit 75 words.
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FARM
FOR SALE
WINDBREAK PANELS, 900' used galvanized steel roof panels great for windbreak or corral fence. Heavy duty 26 gauge steel from old shop roof. 39" wide. There are: 21 panels 25 1/2' long, one was patched at one time; 19 panels 15' 11" long, basically 16'. 4 other panels with holes near the ends. Pictures available upon request. Total of 900 running feet. Asking $1500. $1.75 / running ft.
STOCK TRAILER, 2017 Titan Classic 7' x 24' Stock Trailer. Rhino lining covered roof, polylast coating on treated wooden floor, two center gates (one is a slider), 14 ply 16" tires with approximately 800 miles on them. Whole trailer has about 3,300 miles on it. Excellent shape. Can send pictures. Sells new for $26,500, I'll sell it for $15,750. 701-597-3107, Ken Koch, Shields.
POWER RAKE, Vermeer 2800 Power rake; White 476 Tool Bar with shovels. 24feet wide; four 350 pound case tractor weights. Brand new 500 gal fuel trailer with pump, hose and nozzle. Has Def tank on it too. 701-206-0082, Marcus Fischer, Bowman.
CREEP FEEDER, 40-bushel metal creep feeder in great condition. $200 OBO. 701-720-8096, Arlen Larson, Willow City.
GENERATOR, Troybuilt 7000 running watts, 10,500 starting watts, 8 hours on it; Hydraulic drag auger; 12-18 inch chisel plow shovels; 27 four-inch spikes all new. 701-897-0192, Fred Krueger, Garrison.
DUAL LOADER, 3000 quick attach, JD loader mounts, comes with bucket, Farmhand grapple fork and rock bucket, no longer need it. Asking $1,900 OBO. 701-332-6790, Roger Johnson, Kintyre.
SWATHER, 20 ft John Deere swather modified for clipping CRP, asking $800 or best offer. Vermr stump grinder, asking $5000. 2 Electric 1 HP motors-single phase, 1750 RPM, runs forward and reverse. Best offer. Buggy wheels, horses drawing farm equipment- rake, plater, cultivators, plow. Make an offer. 509-389-9562, Wade Wipperling, New Rockford.
HEIFERS, 2 Highlander/Speckled Park Heifers for sale. Born October 2023, pictures upon request. Weaned, eating grain and grass/hay. $1100 each. Leave message. 701-455-2926, Mary Jean Hunter, Solen.
HAY RAKE, 16 wheel V rake, Harvestman, very good condition; 3-pt large bale fork. 701-3512318, Dean Ensrud, Pekin.
GRAIN CART, used 450 bu. J-Kraft grain cart, PTO drive, folding auger, tank has bottom auger, nearly new roll tarp, 28L-26 goo single tires, used 2023 and earlier harvest and planting seasons, good condition, px available, $4000 OBO; 1980 GMC General twin screw tandem axel truck, L10 Cummins, dual tanks, 10 speed, 19' X 60" steel box, hoist, ladder, roll tarp, 3 pc. endgate with grain door, roll tarp, pintle hitch, 11R22.5 tires, $11,000 OBO. 701-952-8973, Glen Nagel, Jamestown.
LUMBER, some rough cut, 4 sheets of plywood; foam insulation, scrap lumber boards, phosphate fertilizer, ladies bike with spare wheel, small sewing machine, beginner electronic keyboard, nebulizer, car cover, log chain, fertilizer for strawberries, wood axe, chainsaw needs new cord, cover crop Austrian peas, hand tools, post hole digger, shovels, much misc. Will take best offer. 701-349-4179, Betty Jo Hvistendahl, Ellendale.
JD COMBINE, 2001 JD 9750 Combine, PRWD, Cont Master - Eng -4968/Sep- 3331. Above avg condition, serviced/annually; JD 635F Flex Head W/Crary Air Bar; Starfire 3000 Globe, New Shroud, Good Shape; JD 2014 DB60 PARTS 36 JD Pro-Series XP Meters with Mini Hoppers/ Trimble True Count Air Clutches/Seed Tub Sensor Wire Harnesses, 3 control boxes/Air tanks to run clutches for 3 row shutoff; Trimble Wiring/Hoses. 701-321-5711, John Kempf, Ashley.
LINCOLN WELDER; 12 ft JD hay rake; Homemade 2-wheel trailer; Shop hydraulic lift; Used fence post. 701-270-0184, Harold Severson, Lakota.
BALER, John Deere 569 baler $32,000. 2007 Honda 4-wheeler, 4,700 miles, $4000. postal auger $800. 2008 Dodge Ram 1500, 150,000 miles, $8000. Bobcat T590 skid steer with tracks $40,000. hay $65/bale. 701-516-2920, Aaron Subart, Robinson.
TRAILER, 35 ft drop deck Schwartz trailer, hyd. ramps, fold down extensions, heavy duty winch. 701-320-1580, David Mutschler, Wimbledon.
TRAILER, 4 wheel trailer on steel, 15-30 McCormick Tractor, 2 Cream Separators, 1 New Tire LT245-75R-17 Ld Range E, One David Bradley Metal Grain Box, 12’ Kirschman Drill. Saddle & 2 Bridles, Potato Cultivator. Ph: 5488020. Email larryn@westriv.com. 701-597-3730, Larry Nagel, Shields.
WANTED
OLDER GRAIN DRILL, 12 or 14 ft, IH 100 or 620, JD LLA or Melroe. Must be complete. No missing parts. Two 6 or 7 ft with hitch would also work. Call or text. 701-331-1614/701-944-2449, Paul Bertnson, Adams.
CHOPPED HAY WAGONS, wheel weights or front end weights to hang on front of tractor. Will try to use anything. Please leave a message. 701626-1492, Leo Thomas, Velva.
TRACTORS, IH 706, 806, 1206, 856, 1256, 1456, 966, 1066, 1466, 1566, others; JD 5010, 5020, 6030, 4620, 4520, others; MM 950s on up; Olivers 1964 on up; ACs 200, 210, 220, D-21. Will buy all running or not. 701-628-2130, Jerry Lumley, Stanley.
FOR SALE
RIFLES, 3 Ruger 10-22. NIB blued synthetic stock unfired, can include a 4X scope. $300 or $325: 2 heavy barrel with laminated wood stocks, 1 blued 1 stainless with matched rings and scopes. $675 each or both for $1300. Can send pictures and ship to your FFL holder for $40 each. 30 miles north of Zahl. May be able to meet somewhere and avoid shipping &FFL fees. 701-580-3357, Martin Hanson, Zahl.
GUN, Winchester Centennial 66 SRC, caliber 30-30, 20 inch octagon barrel. Made in 1966. "A Century of Leadership 1866-1966" Unfired with box and books. $1500. 701-351-3305, Arne Berg, Devils Lake.
CHEVY SILVERADO, 2012 Chevy Silverado 3500 heavy duty 4 x 4 crew cab model LTZ 8 foot box. 6.6 L eight cylinder turbo diesel. Beige leather interior. Excellent condition and all maintenance records. Purchased in Arizona and used to haul camper for the winter. Aftermarket 91 gallon auxiliary fuel tank, tonneau cover, front and rear bumpers, DEF tank rock guard, spray in bedliner, new batteries. 133,204 miles. $42,000. 701-220-3463, Steve Baumgartner, Bismarck.
MOTORCYCLE, Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Classic, 1989, excellent condition,1 owner, lots of extra chrome; Surrey cover that fits most tractors; Stone crocs; Cedar chest, excellent condition in Minot, easy pick-up. 701-263-1206, Lathan Romsos, Bottineau.
SIGNS, advertising porcelain signs, CO-OP 8' oval with ring no pole, Our Own Hardware store sign long and narrow. Three cast iron sign bases: Mobil, Coke, and Pennzoil. Trades welcome. 701-220-5746, Val Ganje, Bismarck.
WANTED
OUTBOARD MOTOR, blown up with a working power tilt and trim. I have a 1988 Suzuki 115 hp. Send me pic and will compare. 701-320-2466, Craig Neys, Jamestown.
OLD STUFF, Advertising signs, old gas pumps, advertising thermometers, or most anything that has advertising on it. Looking for old ND road signs that have the Indian Head logo, some have reflective marbles. Also need an hold metal Highway Patrol door sign. I also collect ND license plates, ND metal tokens, ND picked arrowheads, and Red Wing crocks. Will travel to your location. 701-220-5746, Val Ganje, Bismarck.
PRAIRIE DOG HUNTERS to hunt on my land. Make reservations now; Email: larryn@westriv. com. 701-548-8020, Larry Nagel, Shields.
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