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FARME R UNION

www.ndfu.org

GROCER GOALS Hahns turn task force project on rural food access into reality using a cooperative

NOVEMBER 2021

GET TO KNOW A FARMERS UNION INSURANCE AGENCY

BreeAnn Hauck Agency I grew up in Bismarck and met my husband Ryan while attending NDSU (go Bison!). After college, we moved to his family ranch near Killdeer. We have three wonderful and busy children: Addison (9), Jocelynn (6) and Casen (3). We enjoy life on the ranch and raising our kids to love and respect the land and animals the same way we do. The girls are involved in 4-H, sports and enjoy helping with the cows and riding their horses. Ryan is also chief of our volunteer fire department and has been very busy this year.

In October of 2013, I was given the opportunity to take over the agency in Killdeer and I haven’t looked back! My favorite part of being an agent is helping people understand their coverages and making sure they have the protection they want and need. Every person’s situation and budget is different and being able to find them peace of mind they can afford is most important to me. Our agency contributes to various groups and events throughout the community, such as 4-H, Killdeer booster club and local fundraisers. I am currently on the endowment committee and Christian education committee through our church and enjoy teaching church school as well. I am proud to serve my community and be a part of the Farmers Union Insurance family!

BreeAnn Hauck Agency 25 Central Ave SE Killdeer ND 58640 PH: (701) 764-5905

UNION FARMER MAGAZINE Volume 68 • Number 11

The UNION FARMER is published monthly by North Dakota Farmers Union at 1415 12th Ave SE, Jamestown, ND 58401. EDITOR: Chris Aarhus 800-366-NDFU 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: 37,185 • USPS 016-211

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS: President: Mark Watne • Vice President: Bob Kuylen • Secretary: Wes Niederman Treasurer: Ronda Throener • Bob Finken; Jon Iverson; Shane Sickler; Tyler Stafslien; Michelle Ziesch. 2 • November 2021 • Union Farmer

NDFU committed to grassroots

North Dakota Farmers Union (NDFU) is a grassroots organization. This simply means we rely on members to define our mission, goals and policies. Further, we rely on members to organize and help us carry out our mission, goals and policies, which is the best aspect of NDFU and also the most challenging. Serving as president encompasses many roles to sustain and grow Farmers Union. The key is to work toward balance among all our needs. This includes a focus on membership and leadership development, financial capacity, big picture success, ongoing education, cooperative development, legislative work, brand reputation, and always staying true to our roots. I believe we are very successful in the areas listed above. However, success does not mean we idle along. It simply means we are tracking well, but will need to continuously strive to enhance our current strengths. The last 18 months or so have allowed us to evaluate our organization and determine the areas that need further focus. We have addressed a few. We are working with counties to grow their participation level, we built a new youth camp to continue to grow our youth program, we continue to train leaders for the future, we have grown our financial assets to maintain our ability to operate, and we worked legislatively to address issues facing family farmers and ranchers. While those accomplishments are great, we still

face some challenges. In today’s world, people have become more reluctant to give of their time to organizations. Our busy lifestyles require much attention, and we believe someone else will do the work or our work is not valued. This is the farthest thing from the truth. Now is the time that we need even more participation. The need for a strong farm organization is essential to the future of family farms and ranches. It would be easier if Farmers Union were a topdown organization or one with many members but not much activity. If that were the case, we would be much less effective or not effective at all. “Easy” is not in the mindset of our great organization. We have a nation that is polarized due to partisan fighting, single issues, misinformation, and a lack of compromise. Our organization plays an important role in providing valid information and unbiased facts about agriculture. We maintain our nonpartisan approach to get work accomplished. This president’s message is intended to encourage and remind you of the importance each of us plays in the success of NDFU. We need you now, more than ever, to step up and participate. Be a leader and attend events and meetings we host around the state. “Grassroots” means all members participate. Those who show up set the stage for the future. They help write the rules of society that we all live in. NDFU is your opportunity to participate and influence issues.

NDFU.org • November 2021 • 3

NDFU CANDIDACY ANNOUNCEMENTS Office of President – Mark Watne It is the time of year when I write my announcement to be considered for election as president of NDFU. I want to assure each member that I make this decision with great respect for the position and the organization. Serving as president of this organization is multi-tasked. It is necessary to take care of the needs of our members for the day and to build the strength of the organization for the future. Our work at NDFU will never be complete. We have built a strong brand and continue to develop success stories that will hopefully fulfill our mission and goals. The work never ends, and I do not back away from the responsibility. It is an honor to serve the members of an organization so committed to family farm and ranch agriculture. It is further an honor to lead our insurance company, Farmers Union Enterprises, Agraria restaurants and many of our other projects we develop to the betterment of agriculture. I hope you will consider voting for me for president. There continues to be challenges and opportunities in agriculture and our society. NDFU will be a voice that helps determine the path forward. I will work to enhance our opportunities using our assets, staff and members to achieve our goals to the best of my ability. Thanks for your consideration.

NDFU/FUI board elections are being held for officers and odd-numbered districts at the state convention Dec.10-11 in Bismarck. Directors serve two-year terms, while the president and vice president are elected each year. Candidacy announcements should be submitted to the office of the president and be no longer than 200 words. Announcements must be submitted by Nov. 15.

Office of Vice President – Bob Kuylen Greetings from the Kuylen Farm. It has been a dry, windy, virus filled year that has been very challenging and stressful, to say the least. I heard on the radio today “When are payments to farmers enough?” I say that payments to farmers and ranchers should end when the Agriculture Department and Congress let us have competitive markets for the products that we raise and sell. Large corporations own about 80% of our markets and the inputs that we need to make a living. They used to share market highs and lows, but sadly they only care about making profits. I truly enjoy being your vice president and would appreciate your continued support and vote at the state convention in Bismarck in December.

4• November 2021 • Union Farmer

District 1 Director – Jon Iverson My first term as District 1 Director has been a great experience. I have learned many new things and have enjoyed being part of the NDFU family. I farm in Cavalier County with my wife Carissa and oldest son Jakob. We grow small grains and oil seed crops. Marcus is enrolled in the Case IH mechanic program in Wahpeton through Hanson Implement, and is also building a new race sled for ice racing. Maggie is a eighth grader at LHS,and keeps us busy with all her birds and love of horses. Carissa has a pet boutique and is part of the Pride of Dakota showcase. I would appreciate your vote at the state convention in December.

District 5 Director – Wes Niederman I would like to thank the members of District 5 for having the confidence in me to represent them on the state board. I take this responsibility seriously and try to represent them and the rest of the state to the best of my ability on matters that come before us. This year has been challenging, and while Mother Nature hasn’t cooperated, be reassured that NDFU is working hard to help keep family farmers and ranchers on their land. I am proud to represent this organization. I look forward to seeing you at the state convention in Bismarck, and would appreciate your vote of confidence as I run for reelection.

District 3 Director – Tyler Stafslien Since I was reelected in December of 2019 to a second term as director for District 3, the world has truly changed. The coronavirus pandemic has proved challenging to the ways that we all live and work, and for the ways that North Dakota Farmers Union goes about its business working for our state’s family farmers and ranchers. As fly-ins and the NFU conventions and county and state in-person meetings have been cancelled, we have had to adapt to new methods for taking our concerns and policy priorities to those who set the nation’s farm and ranch policies. I am proud of the work that I have been able to help NDFU accomplish, despite the pandemic, as we have worked to address the challenges of a trade war, a historic statewide drought, and severe lack of competition in the industries that ranchers and farmers rely on in order to run successful businesses. I very much appreciate representing District 3 and NDFU, and I would appreciate your vote as I seek reelection.

District 7 Director – Ronda Throener It is truly an honor and a privilege to serve on the NDFU board of directors representing District 7. I have enjoyed my time serving this great organization. It has been a couple of challenging years in agriculture, but your organization is working hard for farmers and ranchers advocating for programs and policies to benefit our industries. I look forward to visiting with you at your county conventions and at the state convention. I appreciate and thank you for your support and confidence as I seek reelection to represent you on the board of directors.

NDFU.org • November 2021 • 5

Don’t. Miss. Convention. Join North Dakota Farmers Union at our 2021 state convention as we give away this Polaris Ranger 1000.

Great prizes for all ages! • Two Harley Davidson electric balance bikes (6 and under) • Two Apple iPads (7-14) • Laptop computer (15-17)

Must be 18 years old and present to win this Ranger. Winner is responsible for transport, license, registration and taxes. No purchase necessary. Must be NDFU member, a ND resident and a licensed driver. See NDFU.org for details.

Don’t miss your chance to win great prizes at the NDFU state convention Dec. 10-11 at the Bismarck Event Center!

Co-op cash into the classr m

BY CHRIS AARHUS, NDFU

Tri-Energy Cooperative of Bismarck, Mandan and Dickinson wants to help teachers in their respective communities. With a firm $250,000 commitment, Tri-Energy announced a partnership with the Bismarck Public Schools Foundation as well as the school districts in Mandan and Dickinson on the Gallons for Gratitude program, which will provide more than 1,700 teachers with $140 in reimbursement expenses to enhance learning within their classrooms. Every K-12 teacher in those communities is eligible, Tri-Energy CEO Denley Vennes said. “In most cases, this includes school counselors, library media specialists, et cetera,” Vennes said. The bold initiative stems from a desire by TriEnergy to make a difference in its communities, Vennes said. He said Tri-Energy hopes to do this every year, but will base its future contributions on gallons of fuel purchased at each community’s Cenex stations. “We discussed a number of initiatives, and everybody felt good about this chance to support our local teachers,” Vennes said. “It’s to help teachers defray educational expenses and purchase supplies. It came out of a long, hard look at how we, as a cooperative, can give back to our community in an effective way.”

Bismarck Public Schools Foundation Development Director Stacey Lang praised the idea. “It’s so creative and innovative,” she said. “It allows teachers to enhance their learning environments in ways they couldn’t with their existing resources. It’s a really great program.” Lang said $140 can go a long way in a classroom. “Teachers are very fiscally responsible,” she said. “They’re used to doing as much as they can with the resources they have. We have amazing teachers in our district, and we’re excited to see what can come from this.” Vennes said giving back to the community is essential to a cooperative. “It helps give us our cooperative identity and purpose,” he said. “It’s something we’re very excited to be part of, especially when you hear about the struggles teachers face. It’s a little extra funding thrown their way.” Teachers in Bismarck can have the funds pass through their supply budgets, Vennes said. For teachers in Mandan and Dickinson, there is a short application. “We want this to be successful and to get the funds to the teachers without too many hurdles for access,” Vennes said. “We would like to see this program grow over time. That’s the intent.”

Tri-Energy Cooperative’s station at 3801 E. Rosser Avenue in Bismarck.

NDFU.org • November 2021 • 9

Our Fam

Book S Introducing the third children’s book from NDFU ... Sullivan Our Family Farm • Cows on the Mooove!

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NDFU

ota Farmers Union Foundation

It’s the end of calving season and it’s time to move the herd! But before that, Daisy and her calf face an unexpected danger. Read about how Daisy protects her calf and joins the herd in “Cows on the MOOOVE!”

mily mil y Farm

Series Don’t forget! You can get all three books for one great price!

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visit ndfu.org to purchase your books online or call the state office at 1-800-366-6338

Randy and Diana Hahn own and operate Jim’s SuperValu in Park River. The store will serve as a regional re-distributor for smaller grocery stores in the area as well as lockers in even smaller towns without a retail location.

12 • November 2021 • Union Farmer

ACCESS TO FOOD Hahns taking the lead on ND Rural Grocer Initiative’s project to increase food access to rural communities

orn and raised in Park River, Diana Hahn is bonded to her community. And with her and husband Randy owning a grocery store, she knows what it takes to keep small communities thriving in rural America. “Rural grocery stores, along with schools, are the heart of the town,” Diana said. “Without the store, towns end up dying off.” The Hahns are interested in making sure that never happens in their town and others in the area. They’re acting on a proposal from the North Dakota Rural Grocery Initiative Task Force, which included North Dakota Farmers Union. The task force, partially led by Rural Development Director Lori Capouch of the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, identified so-called “food deserts” or geographical areas where access to healthy and affordable food is limited. “We had recognized there was an issue with the rural grocery sector,” Capouch said. “We were getting an unusual number of grocers

calling for help. We did a little research and collected data through surveys to recognize what the challenges are. Distribution kept popping up as a major issue.” Because small-town grocery stores are independent, they don’t have the buying power of big box stores, Capouch said. That means they pay higher prices when they can convince a distributor to include them as part of their route. And the higher prices often get passed on to the consumer, leading them to shop at a big box store farther away. For rural grocery stores, the question became: How can they find a better model that’s more affordable for their customers? “That’s how we ended up focusing on a rural distribution co-op,” Capouch said. “The volumes that we purchase (from distributors) are so small, suppliers don’t want to deliver to us because it’s too expensive for them.” CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

STORY AND PHOTOS BY CHRIS AARHUS / EDITOR

Divide

Burke

Renville

Williams

Mountrail

Walsh County Distribution Hub

McKenzie

Mc Dunn

Golden V lley Va

Slope

7.5 —1 —16.3 miles—

Adams

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Grocery locker

.5 26 —

originating grocer plus redistribution hub

Edinburg

iles— —22.7 m

Grocery locker

—1 5.4 mil es—

es— mil

Grant Adams

Hoople

Park RIver

MINNESOTA 81

Fordville N

Walsh County

Grand Forks

Graphic courtesy of NDAREC

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

The Rural Access Distribution cooperative’s goal is to purchase products at more of a bulk rate and distribute those products via a truck to participating grocery stores and hubs in Walsh County. The Hahns’ store, Jim’s SuperValu, will serve as the distribution center in the region. From there, products will be distributed via truck to Korner Grocery in Hoople and Market on Main in Edinburg. “We were one of the first groups that said we we’d be willing to work together to figure this out,” Diana said. “That’s kind of how we got picked. From there, Lori found funding to buy a truck. She really spearheaded this whole thing, and we’ve worked with NDSU in different areas, too.” The model will help grocery stores in all three towns, but perhaps the most unique aspect of the idea is what it can do for small towns without a store. The communities in Adams and Fordville will have the opportunity order their groceries online and have them delivered to their communities to be picked up at a “grocery locker.” “They’ll be climate-controlled grocery lockers, so people can purchase locally with online shopping and have it delivered,” Capouch said. “You would order online, and the order will go to the Park River store, which will shop the order and deliver it to those lockers.” When the groceries arrive at the locker, the customer receives a code by email or text, Capouch said. Customers punch their code into the kiosk, the doors open and they retrieve their groceries. “When the doors close, the transaction is complete,” Capouch said. 14 • November 2021 • Union Farmer

Hettinger

Canada miles— —14.2

—21.5 miles—

Participating Grocers

Ol Stark

Bowman

NORTH DAKOTA

Mercer

Billings

But to make this work, Diana said a modern and easy online system for ordering is essential. “We have an online ordering system, something that’s expensive that small stores can’t typically do,” Diana said. “All of us together can do that. Customers can order from the store in Park River, and we can run those deliveries down to the frozen temperature lockers.” Diana is hopeful the locker system is a step that could potentially solve problems in the smallest of rural communities. “It’s not feasible in some small towns to have a grocery store,” she said. “Fordville doesn’t really have anything, so they have to drive for everything. That’s not the way it should be in this world. The locker system is something to try. We’ll see how many use it. It’s quite expensive. We’ll see if we can make this work here, and then hopefully, other parts of North Dakota.” With the pandemic proving how much rural residents value their local grocery stores, Capouch said a cooperative effort is key to success. “Shopping at local stores improved quite a lot during the pandemic,” Capouch said. “We’re hoping to make it more convenient to fit people’s lifestyles. Keep variety up and improve the price. “These grocery stores recognize that they’re not competitors. They need to work together for themselves.” With deliveries starting in November, the cooperative spirit is in full effect in northeast North Dakota. “I watch these small towns go downhill rather than uphill,” Diana said. “Working together means that we can be stronger in the end. Working together means it keeps our communities going. And not just for Park River, but for our whole area. We’re only going to be better together.”

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Sarah Vogel’s memoir “The Farmer’s Lawyer” can be purchased online at all of the major retailers including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Walmart and Target.

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

Vogel memoir a must-read for young farmers

rying to get a sense of what really went on in the 1980s in agriculture isn’t easy for those of us who were children, mostly because farmers tend to be forward-looking. They’re preparing themselves for whatever problems may be on the horizon, namely at the hands of Mother Nature. Reflecting on struggles from 40 years ago isn’t high on their to-do list. You hear short stories here and there. High interest rates come up a lot, but it had to be more than that. Indeed, it was. Former North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Sarah Vogel is legendary in the Peace Garden State. Already part of a well-known family in North Dakota, the passionate lawyer made a name for herself fighting for family farmers against the indifferent Farmers Home Administration (FmHA), which was attempting to get as many agriculture loans as possible off its books in the early 1980s. Vogel’s successes and struggles – both personally and professionally – are detailed in her new book, The Farmer’s Lawyer. In it, Vogel lays out foundations of the Non-Partisan League movement, what drove North Dakota farmers to make wholesale legislative changes in the early 20th century and how bad policy can drive family farmers out of business. But it’s Vogel’s struggle to balance her personal and professional life – raising a child as a single mother on the brink of financial collapse – that 16 • November 2021 • Union Farmer

make the book a must read. Listening with empathy to farmers fighting foreclosure while herself fending off creditors to keep her home and the phone on in her office is indicative of a person who understands North Dakota down to its very roots. Vogel writes of the many products she accepted – mostly food – in lieu of cash payments from farmers who couldn’t afford a lawyer, but needed help. If there’s a part of the book that rivals the gutwrenching nature of her personal struggle, it’s the blow-by-blow of the class action lawsuit Coleman v. Block. Taking on the federal government and its pack of lawyers, Vogel wins the day by making the case that the rights of farmers cannot be infringed because it happens to be more convenient for an administration. For those who love John Grisham and courtroom play-by-play, it’s hard to put the book down. A must read for young and beginning farmers who have only heard the stories of the 1980s farm crisis, The Farmer’s Lawyer: The North Dakota Nine and the Fight to Save the Family Farm is a cautionary tale about a one-size-fits-all approach to government reform aimed at rural America, and one woman’s fight for those with nowhere else to turn. Chris Aarhus is the editor of the Union Farmer, North Dakota Farmers Union’s staple publication. He can be reached at caarhus@ndfu.org

NDFU restaurant employees receive free access to innovative online therapy Farmers Restaurant Group has become the very first full-service restaurant group in the country to offer no-cost access to online therapy through Talkspace for all our employees and their immediate household members, ages 13 and older. Talkspace is an innovative online, mobile therapy service that allows users to: (1) choose their own dedicated, licensed mental health provider; then (2) connect via text, voice or video messaging at their convenience; and (3) set up live video appointments. All of the therapy is provided through a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform. At Farmers Restaurant Group, we have always worked to support our employees. The pandemic has put an added stress on our industry and all of our workers. During this time of heightened anxiety and hardship, we are proud to be offering this benefit to our employees and their families to support their mental health and overall well-being. “For us, everything is personal, and there’s no such thing as leaving your problems at the door,” said co-owner Dan Simons. “In our restaurants, we believe mental health is health. We celebrate and support the whole person.” We currently have 1,070 employees across all seven of our locations – in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, DC, and Pennsylvania. Everyone who works for us – full and part time workers and their family members (13+) – are now eligible for the Talkspace benefit that began August 25, 2021. “We are thrilled to announce the partnership with

Talkspace, which will offer tangible mental health resources to an underserved population of workers,” said Jillian Heltzel, Director of Human Resources. “Not only is this type of benefit rare in our industry, it can be difficult for our employees to access care due to non-traditional work hours. Talkspace gives our team access with the flexibility they need to initiate therapy on their own terms and schedule.”

CO - OPERATE 2021 Nov. 16-17 • Bismarck State College The sixth cooperative principle, cooperation among cooperatives, is the inspiration for Co-operate 2021. The event will bring co-op directors, employees and members together for two days of resource sharing, networking and learning. Visit https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/cooperatives/cooperate-2021 to register or learn more about this conference.

NDFU.org • November 2021 • 17

POLICY HOPPER FROM NORTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION

Special session to decide on $1B

ow would you spend $1 billion? That is the question on the mind of North Dakota legislators as they prepare for an unprecedented special session in November. That money – $1,007,502,515, to be exact – has arrived thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package that passed last March. Included in the bill’s more than 200 provisions was the State Fiscal Recovery Fund, a program aimed at buoying state budgets and supporting targeted investments. One billion dollars is a lot of money for a state with a biennial budget of $16.94 billion. The ARPA money is not the only infusion of cash the state has received from the federal government though. The state has already deployed $1.25 billion in funding provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Most of that funding was divvied up by the six-member Emergency Commission. However, one month after ARPA passed, the state passed SB 2290, restricting the Emergency Commission’s spending authority to $50 million. ARPA and SB 2290 set the stage for a flurry of activity this past month. Beginning in midOctober, the appropriations committees convened for weekly meetings to wade through more than 150 requests totaling more than $9 billion. To add to the complexity of that task, the legislature will also need to approve a final redistricting plan. All of this will likely be completed in just the four days the legislature had left over from its regular session this spring. There is still a lot of work to do to narrow the legislature’s list of proposals from $9 billion to $1 billion, but the appropriations committee hearings offered some sense of where the priorities lie. For example, the committees fielded at least nine proposals that would fund county and township road and bridge projects. Rural infrastructure funding is a key focus for NDFU and is critical for the state’s economic progress. According to the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, maintaining North Dakota’s county and township roads will require $9.3 billion over the next 20 years. Those roads move commodities to market, kids to school, emergency services to homes and much more. 18 • November 2021 • Union Farmer

The pandemic’s impact continues to be felt in the agriculture sector. The state’s ethanol industry was hit hard by the sharp drop in fuels demand at the height of the pandemic. Their recovery has been stunted by short corn supplies, a result of this year’s historic drought. As farmers know all too well, the ethanol industry’s survival is crucial for maintaining corn and other commodity prices. That is why NDFU supports a loan forgiveness package that would keep ethanol plants afloat. NDFU is also a staunch supporter of efforts to expand the state’s beef processing capacity. In the last two years, North Dakota ranchers have been hit with a series of “black swan” events that caused cattle prices to drop while beef prices skyrocketed. As part of its efforts to establish fair markets for ranchers, NDFU is pushing for investments in local and regional slaughter plants, including a $13 million proposal to fund equipment upgrades. With a 40:1 cost-benefit ratio, agriculture research is always a sound investment. North Dakota State University (NDSU) provides world-class agriculture research but is challenged by outdated facilities. By supporting a new agronomic, pathology and soils field lab and other capital improvements at NDSU, the legislature can promote the future success of farmers and ranchers and the state’s economy. NDFU also supports funding to help establish a new home for Grand Farm, which would solidify the state’s position as a leader in agriculture technology development. The ARPA funds offer the legislature a unique opportunity to bolster investments made during the legislative session and to fill gaps where funding fell short. The list of proposals NDFU is tracking goes well beyond what has been discussed here, from improving childcare access to expanding natural gas infrastructure. As the legislature pulls the pieces together, NDFU’s top priority is making sure the final package improves the lives and livelihoods of farm and ranch families.

OFU president testifies on livestock issues Representing National Farmers Union in a hearing before the U.S. House Agriculture Committee on the “State of the Livestock Industry,” Oklahoma Farmers Union President Scott Blubaugh detailed the negative impact consolidation has on family farmers and consumers. “Promoting competition has been and continues to be a top priority for NFU because of the detrimental effects of consolidation on farmers, ranchers and consumers,” testified Blubaugh. “Today, most sectors in America’s farm and food system are heavily consolidated and dominated by a small handful of multinational corporations, but even more so in the livestock industry. As a result, farmers and ranchers have been deprived choices, innovation, fair prices, and fair treatment.” Blubaugh called for strong action by the committee, other lawmakers, and the administration to address these serious problems. Specifically, Blubaugh called for specific changes to address: • Packers and Stockyards Act (PSA) • Price-fixing in the livestock and poultry industries •

•

Supply chain disruptions

Competition and diverse market opportunities

Reliable, accurate and robust market information • Truth-in-labeling “There are several ways to ensure a more resilient food supply for consumers and a competitive marketplace for family farmers SAFETY and ranchers,” Blubaugh testified. “Across the MADE economy, there must be more scrutiny of buyer SIMPLE power, and regulators must consider the need for robust competition at all links of the supply chain. Furthermore, federal and state governments should invest in supporting more market competition in marketing and processing to build a more resilient livestock sector and to ensure greater value accrues to local and regional food systems,” he concluded.

•

USDA to commit $100M for processing USDA announced it plans to commit $100 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to support a new loan guarantee

initiative. The initiative would leverage additional lending through community and private sector lenders to expand meat and poultry processing capacity and for other food supply chain infrastructure. USDA indicated that specific details are still forthcoming.

CR includes assistance for producers The Senate and House passed a continuing resolution to fund federal agencies through Dec. 3. President Joe Biden signed the measure shortly thereafter. The bill provides $10 billion in much needed disaster relief for losses incurred by farmers and ranchers in 2020 and 2021. It also extends Livestock Mandatory Reporting through Dec. 3 of this year.

Biden, Vilsack update NFU members NFU Members attended a virtual briefing to discuss how issues faced in rural America are being addressed at the federal level. The update included a special address by Biden where he discussed his executive order to help family farmers, “That’s why I signed an executive order that will level the playing field for small farmers because when big companies consolidate, they put the squeeze on you with lopsided contracts that make you pay more for seed than other inputs, paying you less for what you produce and raising prices for all of us at the grocery store.”

PROTECT YOUR HEARING!

• Reduce sound levels by picking quiet equipment options • Perform routine equipment maintenance to reduce noise levels • Isolate yourself from motorized equipment noise with cabs or enclosures • Since quieter equipment is not always an option, use hearing protection

Dedicated to preventing injuries and saving lives.

www.ndsc.org

NDFU.org • November 2021 • 19

Fall Festivals

ADAMS • Nov. 7 • 5 p.m. • Hettinger Bowling Alley • Guest speaker Hannah Norby of Extension, youth bowling during meeting BENSON • Nov. 12 • 5:30 p.m. • Maddock Community Center • Beer/wine tasting including pig roast, kids activities and Jeopardy BOTTINEAU • Nov. 16 • 5:30 p.m. • Norway House, Bottineau BOWMAN/SLOPE • Nov. 16 • 5:30 p.m. • Bowman Lodge • Turkey bingo, taco bar and livestock industry discussion BURKE • Nov. 18 • 5:30 p.m. • Powers Lake (site TBD). DUNN • Nov. 7 • 6 p.m. • Catholic Workman Hall, New Hradec • Cattle industry/concentration concerns discussion GRIGGS • Nov. 30 • 6 p.m. • Cooperstown Pizza Ranch KIDDER • Nov. 11 • 6 p.m. • Pettibone Community Building • Honoring veterans and includes kids activities LAMOURE • Nov. 21 • 6 p.m. • Edgeley Armory LOGAN • Nov. 16 • 6 p.m. • Downtowner, Napoleon MCLEAN • Nov. 2 • 6:30 p.m. • Turtle Lake Senior Center NELSON • Nov. 22 • 5 p.m. • Site TBD. OLIVER • Nov. 4 • 6:30 p.m.• Golden Age Club Center RAMSEY • Nov. 23 • 4 p.m. • White House Café, Devils Lake • Giveaway of $500 certificate for machine inspection for active producer RENVILLE • Nov. 4 • 6 p.m. • Prairie Bistro, Mohall ROLETTE • Nov. 7 • 2:30 p.m. • Rolette Country Club SHERIDAN • Nov. 2 • 6 p.m. • Reunion Bar and Grill, McClusky • Beef brisket buffet, youth awards, activities and prizes STARK • Nov. 15 • 5 p.m. • Gladstone KC Club. STEELE • Nov. 7 • 2 p.m. • Hope Senior Citizens Center STUTSMAN • Nov. 4 • 6 p.m. • James River Farmers Union Camp • STEM activities available for children, event includes childcare TOWNER • Nov. 7 • 3 p.m. • Egeland Senior Center • Coffee/dessert, youth awards and door prizes WALSH • Nov. 2 • 6:30 p.m. • Alexander House, Park River WELLS • Nov. 14 • 1 p.m. • B52 Roadhouse and Lanes, Harvey • Youth awards with bowling and Vikings tailgate party w/ trivia

$25 (MUST BE NDFU MEMBER)

ROOM BLOCK AT FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES 701.952.6300 20 • November 2021 • Union Farmer

It’s about education. Funded by sugarbeet growers, the Red River Valley Sugarbeet Education Foundation’s mission is to provide educational opportunities in North Dakota and Minnesota that includes teaching about who grows our food, where it comes from and how it is produced. The Red River Valley Sugarbeet Education Foundation is proud to sponsor North Dakota Farmers Union’s new summer camp, where the next generation of cooperative leaders are learning the cooperative spirit.

CLASSIFIEDS

BALE FEEDERS, eight bale feeders made of sucker rod. 701-475-2417, Daryl Schoepp, Steele.

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

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. MEMBERSHIP DUES MUST BE CURRENT!

SNOW BLOWER, 8 ft, 540 PTO, used very little, like new; 1400 BU Columbian grain bin, steel floor. 701-483-4825, Richard Jablonsky, Dickinson.

FARM EQUIPMENT

TROLLING MOTOR, 10 ph electric trolling motor, new heating panels, 6x4 ft, 6ft AC mower, PTO. 701-247-2264, Harold Severson, Lakota.

LIVESTOCK

GRINDER MIXER, Farm Hand grinder mixer, really good shape, $2800. 10 ft IH press drill, grass seeder, fert. ,transport reconditioned $2000. 12 ft IH press drill equipped the same $2400. 14ft Case disk $1400. Kosh double mower, new paint, reconditioned $4800. IH M tractor narrow front $1200. Can deliver any item. 701400-5742, Gerald Miller, Mandan.

BRED HEIFERS, 100 red Angus and 60 black Angus. Extra feed available, can feed them for a while. Bred to start calving March 20 to low birth weight registered bulls. 701-509-7490, Ryan Ross, Grenora.

FOR SALE TIRES, a real nice 18.4 34 bar-type tire; many 15 inch tires, four 600 by 16 tires on rims for a M IH, belt pulley for a WD-9 or M IH. Some 650 by 16 implement tires. Some 11 L 15 rims and 9.5 L15 rims, like new. One 15 inch tri rib tire like new. 701-7718653, Kenny Heilman, Rugby. CAGE/CHUTE, Big Valley cow preg-check cage $150 and a cattle chute with selfcatching head gate $550 or $650 for both; set of 4 Hercules Teratrac ATII tires, size 275/70-17. Good condition $100. Call or leave a message, ask for Ken. 701-5973107, Ken Koch, Shields. 610 BOBCAT, new rear tires, grapple fork, no cab, make an offer; chair covers, 200 white, $200. Charcoal smoker, $20. 701749-2646/701-840-1094, Brett Kapaun, Tower City. GRAIN CART, 450 bushel Universal grain cart. Roll tarp. Unloading auger. Tin is good. Good working condition. $1500. 605530-2296, Vern Snow, Tolstoy, SD. TIRE/HEADER TRANSPORT, 23 -1-34 combine tire, really nice shape; combine header transport, like new. 701-290-7663, Gary Dvorak, Dickinson. GRADER, 2017 Johnson Hi-grade grader blade model 1400RS, rear steering, like new; Winco 20,000 watt generator, on wheels with 540 rpm pro shaft; John Deere model 115, 9 ft rear blade, 3 point, good condition. 701-351-9253, Ed Walters, Devils Lake. 15-30 MCCORMICK TRACTOR, 1 new tire LT245-75R-Load Range E., 2 new P235705-15. One David Bradley metal grain box, like new. 2 pairs of cowboy boots size 6 ½, to small, like new $40. 1905 JD metal corn sheller, 4-wheel steel running gear, 1 covered wagon running gear, Saddle and 2 Bridles. Email: larryn@westriv.com. 701597-3730, Larry Nagel, Shields. SEVERAL HOPPER BINS; aeration fans; IH Cadet 75 & 68 JD w/bagger riding mowers, both run; Kawasaki generator KG 1500B; combine pickup guards/lifters; Simer water pump; Lincoln electric grease gun; steel fence posts; used Case IH 8230 feeder chain. 701-629-9003, Doug Halden, Stanley. PULL-TYPE SWATHER, Mac Don 24 ft, for parts or some TLC; Farm King Auger 60 ft side delivery, 10 in diameter. Needs a few repairs. Lots of used tires give away. 701263-1206, Lathan Romsos, Bottineau.

22 • November 2021 • Union Farmer

CULTIVATOR, used Koehn 8R S-tine cultivator, 3pt. hitch, 30” row spacing adjustable, stand and sway discs. $300 or OBO. 701-659-8238, Glen Nagel, Jamestown.

WANTED TRACTORS, IH 806 on up; JD 4520, 4620, 5010, 5020, 6030, others; MM 1000 on up; All Olivers 1963 on up; AC D-21, 210, 220, 440, others; will buy running or not. 701628-2130, Jerry Lumley, Stanley. FENCE REPAIR, want to hire somebody to repair or help with a 3-barb wire fence with steel posts immediately. Email: larryn@ westriv.com. 701-597-3730, Larry Nagel, Shields. SCRAPER, 10 to 13 yard scraper in decent shape. 701-226-8321, Richard Gross, Napoleon.

ADVERTISING SIGNS, like tractor or machinery signs, or gas station signs, old Indian Head Road signs, ND license plates, old style gas pumps. Anything that has small town advertising on it, could be little crocks, or old bottles, or Thermometers, or advertising clocks. ND picked arrowheads. Val Ganje, 701-2205746, Bismarck.

FOR SALE

Do you know a member who does something interesting or unique? Let us know! We may feature them in the Union Farmer! Contact Editor Chris Aarhus at caarhus@ndfu.org or 701-952-0118

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE 1994 CHEVY PICKUP, extended cab, 162,000 miles, new engine at 132,000 miles, cruise control, AC, 4-wheel drive, new tires, excellent condition inside/out. $6500 OBO. 701-693-2306, Steve Vetter, Harvey. TRUCK/PARTS, 1941-48 Studebaker truck or parts. Any condition. Especially need seat, glass, or interior parts. Call or text. 701-308-1371, Greg Anderson, Jamestown. GUNS, Remington model 725, caliber 30-06, made Feb 1958. Cut checkering, hinged floorplate and 3 position safety. Excellent condition $750.00; Ruger model “Number One” caliber 22-250, “Made in the 200th Year of American Liberty” Heavy bull barrel nearly new condition with Leopold VariX3 scope $1350. 701-351-3305, Arne Berg, Devils Lake.

WANTED RIFLE, 270 or 30-06 deer rifle; advertising items from old ghost towns in ND for my collection; manual typewriter that types in cursive. 701-628-2130, Jerry Lumley, Stanley. VOLKSWAGEN BUS/VANS & PARTS. 1950-1990. Anything is worth looking at as even the worst condition vehicle could provide parts for another. 701-219-5847, Joel Herman, Harwood.

Book your seat to

Branson Nov. 29- Dec . 5

$1,100 a person (double occupancy) $1,400 a person (single occupancy) Price includes transportation , lodging , attractions and some group meals. See Cassandra , New Jersey Nights, Haygoods, Johnson Strings, Legends, Presleys and more !

Call 800-366-6338 for trip info! Ask for Nichole (ext . 108) or Jeff (ext. 111)

To those who have already donated ...

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.

MAIL DONATIONS TO: NDFU Foundation P.O. Box 2136 Jamestown ND 58402 Please note if the gift is in honor of someone. For more information, contact Lucy Bardell at 701-952-0114 or lbardell@ndfu.org.

Farmers Educational and Cooperative Union of America, ND Division

PERIODICALS – POSTAGE PAID

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

Collette Tours Presents

Tropical Costa Rica Jan. 29 - Feb. 6, 2022

Trip powered by Farmers Union Travel

Relax in tropical sunshine and the brillant colors of Costa Rica on this nine-day tour that begins in San Jose. See the majestic Arenal Volcano, Monteverde Cloud Forest, exotic wildlife and a coffee plantation. Go to gateway.gocollette.com/link/1043451 for trip details and to register. This is a travel opportunity offered through Farmers Union Travel. For more info, contact Jeff Willer at 952-9111.