FARMER UNION
www.ndfu.org
GJELLSTAD’S JOURNEY FORMER BISON CREDITS TIME AT NDSU FOR SUCCESS ON THE FARM
NOVEMBER 2017
MAKE THE SMART CHOICE With all the directions you could take, there’s one clear choice to help you navigate the maze and find a plan that fits your budget and lifestyle. Turn to us for coverage with the most stable, most trusted health insurance in the state. Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota. Find your health plan today. Enroll by Dec. 15, 2017, for 2018 coverage.
Contact your local Farmers Union agent for additional information.
800-366-8331 ext. 143 info@fumic.com
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield Association Noridian Mutual Insurance Company Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. This information is available in alternate formats, free of charge, by calling Member Services at 1-800-342-4718 (toll-free) or through the North Dakota Relay at 1-800-366-6888 or 711.
Farmers Union Insurance is an independent agency for Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota.
ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-800-342-4718 (TTY: 1-800-366-6888). ACHTUNG: Wenn Sie Deutsch sprechen, stehen Ihnen kostenlos sprachliche Hilfsdienstleistungen zur Verfügung. Rufnummer: 1-800-342-4718 (TTY: 1-800-366-6888).
UNION FARMER MAGAZINE Volume 64 • Number 10
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The UNION FARMER is published monthly ARMER by North Dakota Farmers Union at 1415 12th Ave SE, Jamestown, ND 58401. UNION
www.ndfu.org
GURU
EDITOR: Chris Aarhus 800-366-8331 ext. 118 caarhus@ndfu.org Annual subscription is $30 with membership. Periodicals postage paid at Fargo, N.D. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: NDFU • P.O. Box 2136 Jamestown, ND 58402-2136 Copies mailed this issue: 33,268 • USPS 016-211
GARDEN OF THE
AT 81, SUTTON'S RAHLF STILL PROVIDING A STRONG FARMERS MARKET
September 2016 – Volume 63 • Number 9
FIND US ON THE WEB:
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS: President: Mark Watne • Vice President: Bob Kuylen • Secretary: Ellen Linderman Treasurer: Terry Borstad • Wes Niederman; Shane Sickler; Dennis Stromme; Jim Teigen and Ronda Throener 2
November 2017
Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org
EUROPE TAKING STEPS FOR FARMERS
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have been traveling recently, focusing my efforts on farm and ranch income. Wherever I go (even worldwide), the challenge of profitable farms and ranches is an issue that is similar in every country, regardless of the commodity or farm type. It seems that food production and those who produce it are not valued until there is a shortage of production. In the U.S., where we have not experienced widespread hunger, we do not value what family farms and ranches accomplish each year: the production of abundant food that keeps our grocery shelves full. We are willing to risk this system in the name of inexpensive food. It seems acceptable that prices go up for everything else we consume, but the price the farmer and rancher receives must stay low. In the European Union (EU), the weak position of farmers in the food supply chain is rapidly climbing up the political agenda. European parliamentarians and EU governments are also rallying
to support farmers by drawing up new rules to allow them to band together to coordinate production and costs and negotiate contracts jointly. EU farmers are poised to win new powers allowing them to form cartels to fight low prices. I believe it is time that we value our food production system more and understand the importance of food production to our nation and society. As we write this next farm bill, we must focus on the programs that enable family farms and ranches to achieve profitability. Profitable farms and ranches drive our economy. Agriculture generates new wealth year after year and is critical to our country’s economic success. One of my frustrations is when experts suggest that more capital is the solution to the farm and ranch economy. It is important, but does not solve low prices or the ability to earn a profit. Capital, by definition, is cash or goods used to generate income. It is also defined as something that consists of anything that
can enhance a person’s power to perform economically useful work. Capital follows profitability and is widely available when farms and ranches are profitable. Credit unions, banks and other lenders gladly lend capital when they believe a farmer or rancher can pay them back. We have great lending programs for federal and state guarantees and beginning farmers that work well, if they are fully funded. Do remember though, the challenge in agriculture is not getting capital, it is being profitable. It is our job as Farmers Union members to remind the experts and our elected officials that the backbone of rural America is agriculture. It is essential that farms and ranches are profitable for rural economic success. More borrowed money will not address the challenges of low commodity prices and extreme weather conditions. We simply need better market prices or a farm program that reflects the cost of production and risks associated with production agriculture.
Former NDFU board members pass away David Wilbur Eblen, 79, Fargo, passed away Sept. 23 at Sanford Hospital surrounded by his family. Eblen was born Dec. 12, 1937, in Seattle to Wilbur and Irene (Paschke) Eblen. He grew up on the family farm near Hillsboro and graduated from the Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston, Minn., in 1956. He married Peggy Wiger on Dec. 27, 1963, in Hunter and they farmed in the Hillsboro area for over 30 years. During that time, he served as Traill County Farmers Union president, North Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org
Dakota Farmers Union state secretary and on the Farmers Union Marketing and Processing Association board of directors. JERROLL ERICKSON Jerroll Erickson, 94, longtime Maxbass area rancher, farmer, and state legislator, died Oct. 1, in a Rugby care center. Erickson was born May 14, 1923, in a homestead shack in Chatfield Township of Bottineau County to John and Pauline (Hustad) Erickson. Jerroll was joined in marriage to Inga Larson on June 21, 1953, at the Mouse River Lutheran
Church of rural Landa. They made their home on a ranch and farm in Chatfield Township, near Eckman. Jerroll served as president of Bottineau County Farmers Union for 23 years. He was involved with the boards of the Glenburn and Minot Farmers Union elevators for many years and served on an advisory committee for the Garrison Dam Project. He was a two-term state legislator and lobbied in Washington, D.C., during the terms of three U.S. presidents during his political career. November 2017
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CANDIDACY ANNOUNCEMENTS NDFU elections will be held for officers and odd-numbered districts at the state convention Dec.15-16 in Bismarck.
OFFICE OF PRESIDENT – MARK WATNE I want to begin my candidacy announcement for president of NDFU with a thank you. It has been a great privilege to serve the members of this organization. I never imagined four years could go by so fast. I look forward to every day at Farmers Union and I’m grateful for this opportunity to serve as president. We, as an organization, have some great accomplishments. I do not intend to list them as that is in the past and we need to look to the future. A strong leader not only prepares for the future but creates the opportunity for success and the longevity of the organization. Part of this preparation is ensuring dollars to be able to carry out all the necessary operations of the organization. I believe the relationship we have enhanced with our Farmers Union Insurance partners, the commitment we are making to agriculture, the commitment to rural America, our work with world farmers, our commitment to family farms, and our effort to connect farmers and ranchers to consumers will be the tools that keep NDFU the strongest grassroots farm organization in the nation. Thank you, again, for your past support and I ask for your support going forward.
OFFICE OF VICE PRESIDENT – BOB KUYLEN Thank you for the honor of electing me to be your vice president of North Dakota Farmers Union. I would appreciate your vote to continue to serve as vice president of this great organization. With the challenging weather we had this year, it’s more important than ever to lobby for a farm bill with a strong safety net and money for conservation projects. We need to encourage more value added projects in North Dakota so we don’t have to continue to pay high shipping costs. Working with our competent staff, prosperous insurance company, successful restaurants and most importantly, all you members, continues to be a great pleasure. I look forward to visiting with many of you at your county conventions. Brenda and I also hope to visit with many of you at the state convention in Bismarck. Your support to reelect me as vice president would be much appreciated.
OTHER CANDIDACY ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Union Farmer did not receive any District 3 announcements at press time. Candidates for the office of district director, state vice president or state president may announce their candidacy in the Union Farmer. Such announcements shall be submitted to the office of the president and should be no longer than one typewritten, double-spaced page or the electronic equivalent. The announcement must be submitted by Nov. 15.
DISTRICT 1 DIRECTOR – TERRY BORSTAD It has been an honor and great privilege to represent District 1 as your state director at board meetings and numerous other Farmers Union activities. I grew up in an active Farmers Union family. My first experience with Farmers Union was going to local meetings as a toddler, then attending Farmers Union classes and camps. My wife Mary and I have been farming since I graduated from NDSU with a B.S. degree in Animal Science. We raise small grains and oilseeds on our farms in Benson and Ramsey counties. We have four grown children and 11 grandchildren. I want to thank the county board members for all their work on the county level. Mary and I enjoy attending your county conventions, visiting with you, the members, and getting input on issues relating to Farmers Union The North Dakota Farmers Union convention will be held in Bismarck on Dec. 15-16. Please consider attending the convention and being a delegate. I am a candidate for reelection and look forward to your support and vote at your state convention.
DISTRICT 5 DIRECTOR – WES NIEDERMAN Over the past nine years as a director for North Dakota Farmers Union, I have had the opportunity to listen to members’ concerns and needs which impact their lives as farmers and ranchers in this great state. I pride myself on taking this information into the board room and using it to make decisions brought before the board. While just like any organization or business, things are constantly changing and about the time you think everything is running smoothly, something or someone can turn you off course. I’m proud to be a member of NDFU when a call goes out and we fill a hearing room at the state capitol to testify for or against a bill, or to see members in Washington, D.C., sit and visit with members of Congress about issues which impact their livelihood. It is refreshing to see camp numbers rising again, to hear people thanking us for our tireless work at the legislature on issues which could adversely impact us, to watch our restaurants educate people about where their food comes from, and to watch our insurance company grow and serve the policyholders with the best service and products in the area. While there are still major challenges facing us in the future, (What will the 2018 farm bill look like? Will the drought lessen or intensify? When will commodity prices rise?), it is comforting to me to know that NDFU will be at the front lines of these issues fighting for us. It is with these and other issues in mind that I have decided to run for reelection in District 5 and ask for your support. I hope to once again visit with you at your county conventions and will be sure to see you at the state convention in Bismarck.
DISTRICT 7 DIRECTOR – RONDA THROENER It has been an honor and privilege to represent District 7 on the board of directors the past four years. I have really appreciated the support given to me from my district and the state organization. Our organization is one to be proud of. Together, we have accomplished a lot of great things; a strong insurance company, an effective farm organization, successful restaurants and a great staff to handle it all. I look forward to seeing many of you at our county conventions and at state convention in Bismarck in December. I thank you for your past support and would ask for your continued support as I run for reelection this year.
& CATHOLIC RURAL LIFE’S JIM ENNIS BY CHRIS AARHUS, NDFU
At a conference in California, Catholic Rural Life Executive Director Jim Ennis was approached about a presentation that had recently finished. It was about agriculture’s role in society. “People came up to me and said they’d never heard the church speak on this topic of why agriculture is so important,” Ennis said. “I said, ‘Let me work on that.’” It was the first step in a long journey, as Ennis — along with numerous collaborators including North Dakota Farmers Union — helped create the document, “Faith, Food and Environment: Vocation of the Agricultural Leader.” It was officially put out by the International Catholic Rural Association (ICRA). In Ennis’ words, the 30-page document is to “affirm the high vocation of agriculture
and to achieve a sense of nobility for this really important way of life, and realize how important farmers are to society and also inspire the next generation into agriculture.” Its name was derived from a document on business named “Vocation of the Business Leader” that was announced at an international meeting in 2012. It was there that Ennis received further motivation to move forward with the project. “I had a chance to speak at Cardinal (Peter) Turkson about how (Vocation of the Business Leader) is a great document for business,” Ennis said. “I told him we need a document for agriculture, and he challenged me. He said, ‘That’s a great idea. Why don’t you do it?’” Ennis embarked on a journey of securing help with this task. He approached Minnesota Farmers Union, which brought it to Farmers Union Enterprises. All five states — Minnesota, Montana, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota — signed on to the project. Together, the group hosted listening
ENLISTS FUE FOR AG PUBLICATION sessions with growers, theologians and scientists. One of the sessions was even done internationally, as Cardinal Turkson hosted a three-day event, talking to farmers all over the world. After receiving a large amount of input, Ennis enlisted Dr. Christopher Thompson to help author the document. NDFU President Mark Watne is listed as one of a number of contributors as well. The finished product makes 76 numbered points about agriculture, ranging from economics to ethics to stewardship to consumerism and how they relate to faith. It’s become a passion for Ennis. “(Farming) was one of the first vocations,” Ennis said. “What’s happened, though, is it’s been demeaned and flattened out — it’s only business. That’s not true. Farmers work with organic matter, living organisms like livestock and what’s within the soil. It’s a unique and noble vocation, and it needs a lot of wisdom and science. Farmers are not second-class citizens.” Ennis presented the document all over the
United States as well as France and Zambia. He even helped present it to Pope Francis. The next step, Ennis said, is possibly putting together study guides to increase understanding of it. Ennis also said there will be a national conference in March in St. Paul, Minn, and he’s inviting agriculture leaders to come. “At a symposium three years ago, it was a concept,” Ennis said. “Let’s talk about what’s next on the horizon and maybe do a second edition.” Ennis said furthering the concept to better reach consumers about the importance of supporting family farms is being discussed as well. “We want to explore if there is a more of a consumer role here, ‘How do we cooperate with farmers and support them?’” Ennis said. To read the document or for more information, go to www.faithfoodenvironment.org. Ennis said physical copies can be mailed out for a fee.
STATE CONVENTION DEC. 15-16 • BISMARCK EVENT CENTER
Highlights • • • •
District caucuses Policy and Action Educational speakers Election of officers
• • • •
Torchbearer banquet Youth activities Entertainment Silent/live auctions
Register for the convention at ndfu.org
LACK OF OVERSIGHT USDA fails to monitor foreign owners of farmland
BY JONATHAN HETTINGER, INVESTIGATEMIDWEST.ORG
A law requiring foreign investors to report transactions of farmland to the U.S. Department of Agriculture has been on the books for almost 40 years. But as the amount of foreign-controlled farmland doubled in millions of acres between 2004 and 2014, the USDA has lapsed in enforcing the law, a review of USDA documents has found. The Agriculture Foreign Investment Disclosure Act was passed in 1978 to combat fears about increasing foreign investment in farmland. But, since 2011, the USDA has only assessed 10 fines under the law, worth $115,724, according to records obtained by the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting through the Freedom of Information Act. And no fines were assessed in 2015, 2016 or so far in 2017. Lesa Johnson, manager of the USDA program, acknowledged her office does not review the filings for completeness or accuracy. She said her office also does not investigate to see if companies with foreign ownership file these forms because of a lack of staff and resources. Even before the recent downturn in enforcement, the USDA only assessed 187 penalties between 2004 and 2010, valued above $667,000. But the largest fine of $111,266 during that time, which made up a sixth of the total, was the result of a company self-reporting its lack of compliance with the law. “We really can’t go after anyone,” Johnson said. “We don’t know it’s late until they call and put in a form past 90 days.” Under the act, every foreign person or entity that acquires at least 10 percent interest in agricultural land must file what is known as an FSA-153 form. Agricultural land is defined as a parcel of land at least 10 acres in size or that could produce $1,000 in revenue from agricultural activities. The form requires disclosure about a broad number of things, including how the project is financed, who the owner is and where the owner is from. Penalties for not filing within 90 days can be a severe fine of up to 25 percent of the fair market value of the land. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) have sponsored the Food Security is National Security Act of 2017 that would strengthen the monitoring of foreign investment. The act would give food and agriculture officials a permanent role on the federal committee in charge of reviewing foreign
investment in the United States. No progress has been made on the new act, but Grassley told the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting through spokeswoman Jill Gerber that the “USDA should enforce the Agriculture Foreign Investment Disclosure Act.” A separate USDA database on foreign investment in farmland reviewed by the Midwest Center showed that 27.3 million acres of agricultural land in the United States are controlled – either owned or under a long-term lease agreement – by foreign investors. The land, roughly the size of Tennessee, is worth $42.7 billion. But many of those records are incomplete and inaccurate. For example, about one million acres of land have no information about which country the owner is from. About 300,000 acres also do not list who the owner is. And typos within the data can be misleading about the true value. In addition, spot checks by the Midwest Center of the data show that many parcels of land are no longer controlled by the owner listed in the database. Furthermore, it is difficult to determine who owns many limited liability companies or how many companies are owned by foreign investors in whole or in part. A SELF-REPORTED MISTAKE Because the USDA has little capability to review filings of foreign investors, the result is that the USDA relies on companies to report errors. For example, in 2010, a team of attorneys at Atlanta law firm Morris, Manning & Martin realized they had failed to file a $98.9 million purchase of 55,000 acres of Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee timberland. The firms’ corporate and realty teams had miscommunicated, and no one had filed the FSA-153 form with the federal government, according to Rebecca Vandiver, then an attorney at the firm. Morris, Manning & Martin decided to voluntarily file late, which would result in an $111,266 fine, covered by malpractice insurance, rather than be in noncompliance. But Vandiver said that it didn’t appear the federal government would have ever known the firm was in noncompliance if it hadn’t self-reported. The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting is a nonprofit, online newsroom offering investigative and enterprise coverage of agribusiness, Big Ag and related issues through data analysis, visualizations, in-depth reports and interactive web tools. Visit them online at www.investigatemidwest.org
INTRODUCING MICHAELA FISCHER, BOWMAN Bowman County High School, Grade 11
What is your greatest Farmers Union camp experience? Meeting people, staying up all night to watch the sunrise, getting to go into the storm shelter, being elected as SYAC, and having a blast playing games and dancing. What are you looking forward to as a SYAC member? I’m looking forward to furthering my leadership skills, bonding with the other SYACs, being a bigger part of camp and being able to take pride in my accomplishments as SYAC. What is your favorite outdoor recreational activity at camp? My favorite activity is going down to the lake to swim, boat and hang out with everyone, especially when we bring our ukuleles. What leadership skills do you hope to build this year? I would like to build my leadership skills first in my own life to inspire others to be the best versions of themselves. I want to grow in every aspect of leadership possible to fulfill my role as SYAC.
PAYTON SMITH, MINOT Minot High School, Grade 12
What is your greatest Farmers Union camp experience? My greatest experience at camp is meeting one of my best friends. Also probably climbing the rock wall at junior camp. What are you looking forward to as a SYAC member? I’m hoping to learn leadership skills, become great friends with Bri (Sorensen), fellow SYAC and of course, I want to make camp fun for everyone! What is your favorite outdoor recreational activity at camp? Campfire by far is my favorite activity. I love the way everyone gets emotional and feels connected like a huge family. Also the smores, of course! What leadership skills do you hope to build this year? I am hoping to learn to communicate better with people of all ages.
VERONICA SCHWARTZENBERGER, NAPOLEON Napoleon High School, Grade 12
What is your greatest Farmers Union camp experience? My greatest camp experience is when I was a junior counselor in 2016 for a different county than my own. It was a such a great experience! What are you looking forward to as a SYAC member? I’m looking forward to working with fellow SYACers and getting to know them. I’m also looking forward to planning camp and getting a deciding vote in camp. I am excited to promote camp and hopefully increase camp numbers. What is your favorite outdoor recreational activity at camp? My favorite activity is going to the lake or playing water games. What leadership skills do you hope to build this year? I hope to build on communication so that my peers can fully understand me. I also plan to build on creativity, to be more creative so I can understand complex ideas more clearly.
THE 2017-18 SYAC BEN WOOD, LINCOLN
St. Mary’s High School, Grade 12 What is your greatest Farmers Union camp experience? The summer of 2017 had to have been the greatest summer yet. Going to All-States camp in Colorado and meeting new friends. Getting elected to 2017-18 SYAC pretty much topped it off. What are you looking forward to as a SYAC member? I am looking forward to working with others and planning for the upcoming camps. I would like to build a stronger relationship with the other members of SYAC. What is your favorite outdoor recreational activity at camp? My favorite activity has to be sand volleyball because of the adrenaline rush you have when you play the game. What leadership skills do you hope to build this year? I want to have more confidence in my choices and improve my communication, since I’m more of a quiet person. I hope to have better verbal skills.
MYA VETTER, LINTON
Linton High School, Grade 12 What is your greatest Farmers Union camp experience? Meeting new friends throughout camp is the best experience at camp. I make amazing bonds with a lot of friends at camp. Not only have I made amazing friends that will probably last a lifetime, but also memories with those friends. What are you looking forward to as a SYAC member? I am looking forward to planning camp and representing Farmers Union. This camp has always been an amazing experience and being able to represent it is an honor. What is your favorite outdoor recreational activity at camp? My favorite outdoor recreation activity is the sports tournaments. A lot of kids get involved even if they’re not playing. The crowd cheers everyone on and the players laugh and have fun with each other. What leadership skills do you hope to build this year? I hope to build my communication, relationship and planning skills.
ANTHONY HEIER, EDGELEY Edgeley High School, Grade 11
What is your greatest Farmers Union camp experience? My best experience was receiving SYAC from my brother. What are you looking forward to as a SYAC member? Having fun, making friends and creating memories that will last a lifetime. What is your favorite outdoor recreational activity at camp? Sports tournaments, especially basketball and Gaga Ball. What leadership skills do you hope to build this year? I hope to be a better public speaker as well as become more creative.
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AMILY ARM OOTBALL
Gjellstad using life lessons learned at NDSU
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n his time playing football at North Dakota State University, Clint Gjellstad learned a great deal about himself. “I like competition, and I want to be the best in whatever I do,” he said. It’s a mindset that came story in handy 11 years after he and hung up his cleats. Gjellstad photos by and his wife Jamie left their Chris Aarhus comfortable life near the Twin Cities — they lived on a lake — and headed to rural Velva, where the two took over the Gjellstad family farm. Since moving home, the couple has had two children — a 4-year-old son named Odin and daughter Isabelle, who turns two this month. Clint said he wanted his children to grow up on the farm. “I thought it was an irreplaceable experience growing up as a kid on the farm,” said Clint, who also became McHenry County Farmers Union vice president. “I just love the farm. I guess I always have. It’s where I grew up, and I really wanted to offer that for my kids.”
FOOTBALL
Gjellstad was a standout linebacker and running back on Velva’s high school football teams in the mid-1990s. After performing well as a redshirt freshman in spring practice at NDSU, he won a job on the defensive line in the fall. He held down his position for four years, starting every game for the Division II-Bison from 1997-2000. As a freshman, Gjellstad said he remembers his “eyes wide open, and everybody being bigger, faster and stronger.” But as he grew into his role with the Bison, Gjellstad’s leadership responsibilities increased. Admittedly, Gjellstad wasn’t the most-liked player on the team, because he wanted to lead others the way he pushed himself. “I wasn’t looked at as the nicest guy around — some call it tough love,” Gjellstad said. “You had to push to make it happen on the field. If you
don’t push, you’re getting passed.” Gjellstad said the leadership he learned was a mix of getting it done by example and speaking up when needed. “I liked to make it happen on the field, because leading by example definitely speaks words,” he said. “But I always wanted to say what was on my mind. I always had something for a pep talk.” Gjellstad’s performance over four years at NDSU hasn’t gone unnoticed. Over the summer, he was named to NDSU’s Division II AllFargodome Team, which honors the best players at each position since NDSU started playing at the Fargodome in 1993. “That was kind of cool,” Gjellstad said. “You try to leave a little bit of a legacy and hope people remember you made a difference.” One particular game sticks out in Gjellstad’s mind that tested him emotionally and physically. As a freshman, he lined up nearly the entire game across from future Minnesota Viking and Carrington native Jim Kleinsasser, who was starring at tight end for the University of North Dakota at the time. “He was averaging about eight to 10 pancake blocks a game,” Gjellstad said. “Lining up against him for 62 plays as a redshirt freshman — I was like ‘Wow!’” However, Gjellstad’s play on the field wasn’t the only experience at NDSU that shaped who he has become. The team often did off-field events, whether for charity or just to improve quality of life for a patient in a hospital. “We’d go and read to first and second graders during the week, go to classrooms or go play on the playground with kids — there was a lot of that stuff,” Gjellstad said. “A couple of times there was a kid who was really sick. You’d throw a jersey on and go visit him in the hospital, and that makes a difference.”
FAMILY
After graduating, Gjellstad moved to Minneapolis and became a mortgage banker. Story continued on next page
That’s where he met his wife Jamie Kuba, and the two eventually married and started a life down there. “Dad (Cliff) said go get an education and go figure out what you want to do,” Clint said. “‘You don’t need to feel that you have to come home and farm right away or ever’ and so I moved down there and I enjoyed it. I enjoyed selling because it was a challenge. Closing a deal was a lot of fun.” His father asked one more time if he wanted to come home and farm in 2007 and Clint declined, leading to an auction sale of the family farm’s equipment. The land was rented out. But over the next four years, Gjellstad grew less comfortable with life in the city. “I still had my eye on farming, and I was getting burned out in the cities,” Clint recalled. “I said, ‘Let’s go and try and make this happen’ and here we are. We picked up and moved. It was a big deal.” The Gjellstads have had to make do as best they can with their farm, as they’ve had to scrounge together equipment at times. But they’re not to be denied the life they want on the farm — it means that much. “I just love the farm, I guess I always have,” Clint said.
FARM
Gjellstad is a fifth-generation farmer, living not far from where his family homesteaded in 1883. Growing up, his family raised barley, wheat, durum, sunflowers and some canola. It’s different now, though, as Gjellstad grows corn, wheat, soybeans, yellow peas and even pinto beans. He’s taken an active role in Farmers Union, having gone on multiple fly-ins. He attended the national convention in San Diego last March. “Those are some of the coolest things to do,” Gjellstad said. “To be able to go to Washington, D.C., and sit across from these congressmen and actually tell them what’s going on up here in North Dakota, that’s huge. If it was just me walking the halls, they (wouldn’t care). You say you’re with Farmers Union, and they recognize that.” Farmers Union was a part of Gjellstad’s youth, tagging along with his dad to meetings and attending summer camps at Mouse River Farmers Union camp. “I remember it as a kid, going to meetings and (NDFU President Mark Watne) was McHenry County president then,” Gjellstad said. “And we had our (summer camp) family.
Safety MADE Simple Equipment Walk Around Tips: Check for obstacles under or near the tractor. Check for children playing on or around the tractor. Check for loose parts or objects on the tractor. Assess ground below tractor for liquid leaks. Check tire pressure, fuel level, and oil level.
Keeping You Safe www.ndsc.org
Those are great memories.” Cliff Gjellstad was heavily involved in co-ops throughout his life, making an imprint on Clint’s life. And though much of Clint’s time is spent farming and raising a young family, he hopes to get involved with cooperative leadership at some point, though he said he has a lot on his plate right now. “I want (Farmers Union Oil Company of Velva) to stay there, and so eventually you need to step up and help out,” Clint said. “You have ownership with a coop system.” Being raised on the farm made a difference on the field for Gjellstad. Likewise, playing football for the Bison has made a difference on the farm. “Growing up on the farm, work ethic is a huge thing — you didn’t do the fun things until the work was done, and you carry that mentality and background through to athletics,” Gjellstad said. “And there’s no question Bison athletics had a huge amount to do with shaping me into who I am today, getting me mostly mentally prepared. Goal setting and being able to achieve it is definitely an attribute I learned at North Dakota State University.”
TRUCK-WEIGHT CLASS BEING HELD
The North Dakota TruckWeight Education class promotes voluntary truck-weight compliance in an effort to reduce damage to public roads and highways from overweight vehicles. Workshops are being held Nov. 14-16 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. On Nov. 14, it’ll be held at Veterans Memorial Auditorium in
Casselton. On Nov. 15, the Beulah Civic Center will host, and on Nov. 16, the final class will be at Dakota Farms Restaurant in Rugby. The goal of the class is to provide information and calculation tools that can be used to maximize truck hauling weights for divisible loads (i.e., items of freight such as gravel, corn, boxed goods, etc…),
without violating the truckweight laws on the Interstate, state, and local roadway networks. Individuals must be preregistered to attend. Go to ndltap.org to register. For more information, contact Training Coordinator Denise Brown at 701-328-9856 or denise.brown.1@ndsu.edu.
COUNTY CONVENTION CALENDAR BARNES • Sunday, Nov. 5 • Country Club, Valley City • 5 p.m.
BENSON • Wednesday, Nov. 8 • Maddock Community Center • 5:30 p.m. BOTTINEAU • Wednesday, Nov. 1 • Norway House, Bottineau • 6 p.m. supper, meeting to follow BOWMAN/SLOPE • Tuesday, Nov. 7 • Bowman • venue/time TBD CAVALIER • Monday, Nov. 13 • venue/time TBD DICKEY • Saturday, Nov. 18 • Forbes Legion • 5:30 p.m. DIVIDE • Tuesday, Nov. 14 • Moose Lodge, Crosby • time TBD DUNN • Wednesday, Nov. 1 • New Hradec Workmen’s Hall • 5:30 p.m., Al Gustin speaking EMMONS • Saturday, Nov. 11 • KC Hall, Linton • 6:30 p.m. FOSTER • Monday, Nov. 13 • Carrington Pizza Ranch • 6 p.m. meal GRAND FORKS • Wed., Nov. 1 • Public Works Building, G.F. • 6 p.m. dinner, Joel Heitkamp speaking. LAMOURE • Sunday, Nov. 19 • LaMoure Civic Center • 6 p.m. LOGAN • Thursday, Nov. 2 • Downtowner, Napoleon • 6 p.m. supper, 7 p.m. meeting MCHENRY • Monday, Nov. 13 • Star City Golf Course, Velva • 6:30 p.m. supper, meeting to follow MCLEAN • Monday, Nov. 6 • Garrison Senior Center • 6 p.m. supper, meeting to follow MOUNTRAIL • Tuesday, Nov. 7 • Mountrail County Fair Building • 6:30 p.m. NELSON • Wednesday, Nov. 1 • Tolna Cafe • 6:30 p.m. registration, 7 p.m. dinner OLIVER • Monday, Nov. 13 • Golden Age Senior Center, Center • 7 p.m. PIERCE • Tuesday, Nov. 7 • Eagles Club, Rugby • 6 p.m. dinner, meeting to follow RAMSEY • Monday, Nov. 20 • KC Hall, Devils Lake • 5:30 p.m. social, 6 p.m. meeting, dinner to follow RENVILLE • Wednesday, Nov. 15 • Prairie Bistro, Mohall • 6 p.m. RICHLAND • Sunday, Nov. 5 • Pizza Ranch, Wahpeton • 4:30 p.m. meeting, dinner to follow SARGENT • Sunday, Nov. 5 • Cogswell • 6 p.m. meal, meeting follows STUTSMAN • Thursday, Nov. 9 • NDFU state office • 6 p.m. supper TOWNER • Sunday, Nov. 5 • Rock Lake School • 3 p.m. WELLS • Saturday, Nov. 18 • Heimdal Community Hall • 6 p.m. supper/meeting WILLIAMS • Wed., Nov. 1 • Ernie French Center, Williston • 5:30 p.m. registration, 6 p.m. meal/meeting Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org
October 2017
15
A PATHWAY FOR ETHANOL
B
etween a persistently weak farm economy and grain surpluses, family farmers and ranchers have had a tough go for the past several years. But there is a bright spot among the agricultural gloom and doom: biofuels. Biofuels, including ethanol and advanced biofuels, offer myriad benefits. For farmers, they open new markets and cut into surpluses, thus bolstering incomes and stabilizing prices. At the same time, biofuel production brings thousands of new, goodpaying jobs to rural communities, strengthening local economies and stemming rural flight. The advantages extend beyond the communities in which ethanol is produced: wider adoption of biofuels decreases transportation fuel prices for consumers, reduces American dependence on foreign fuel sources, improves air quality, and decreases carbon emissions. The current state of the farm economy, coupled with biofuels’ potential to mitigate the problem, has led National Farmers Union to promote policies that support the production and adoption of biofuels. In October, NFU President Roger Johnson submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) outlining regulatory changes that would promote use of higher blends of ethanol.
FFPR NIXED BY USDA
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it would be terminating the Farmer Fair Practices Rule on Competitive Injury, a rule that would have provided the most basic of protections to American family farmers and ranchers as they endure increasingly 16
November 2017
concentrated markets and unfair treatment from multinational meatpackers. National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson issued the following statement in response to the announcement: “It is deeply disappointing that USDA did not side with family farmers in the long-contested debate over rules for the Packers and Stockyards Act. The Farmer Fair Practices Rules offered a basic, yet important first step to addressing the unfair practice that family farmers and ranchers face in the extremely consolidated meatpacking industries. “The withdrawal of the competitive injury rule is unjustified, given the long-held, plain language interpretation by the department that growers do not need to prove harm to the entire industry when seeking relief from poultry companies for unfair contract practices. It is particularly egregious given the abuses that poultry growers face in the vertically integrated marketplace. “With this decision, USDA has given the green light to the few multinational meatpackers that dominate the market to discriminate against family farmers. As the administration has signaled its intent to side with the meat and poultry giants, NFU will pursue congressional action that addresses competition issues and protects family farmers and ranchers.”
AG CONSOLIDATION
In a letter sent earlier this month, NFU joined a coalition of 210 farm, rural, worker, and consumer advocacy groups to urge Congress to address the lack of competition in the food chain. Farmers and ranchers
have been dealing with rapid consolidation in the industries that both supply and buy from their operations over the past several decades. It is hard to think of a sector in which this isn’t true — fertilizer, seeds, agrichemicals, biotechnology, farm machinery, slaughter houses, meatpacking, cane sugar processing, food distribution, processed food, and supermarkets are all heavily consolidated, with only a handful of companies controlling the majority of the market. This level of consolidation has serious consequences. As the letter notes, “The consolidated economic power in the hands of few agribusiness and food companies captures most of the economic value in the food system, leaving little for farmers, workers and consumers throughout the food chain. These trends play a significant role in the ill health of our rural economy.” This manifests itself in several ways. For one, input producers are able to increase the cost farmers must pay, while meatpackers and supermarkets lower prices paid to farmers and ranchers, cutting already slim profit margins. At the same time, consumer prices continue to rise. This can wreak havoc on rural communities, as small and mid-size farms are priced out of the market. Consolidation removes money and power from local communities, leading to rural depopulation and depletion of essential services and infrastructure. Additionally, monopolies and oligopolies have little motivation to compete or innovate, leaving farmers and consumers with fewer and worse choices. Union Farmer • www.ndfu.org
With Turkey Day near, try Founding Farmers’ recipe!
Thanksgiving is almost here. Our restaurants are preparing to cook for and welcome scores of guests to our Founding Farmers, Farmers & Distillers, and Farmers Fishers Bakers restaurants to celebrate and give thanks around our tables. In the spirit of the season, we wanted to give thanks for our NDFU community and share our delicious, guest favorite, Thanksgiving centerpiece – our Founding Farmers Roasted Turkey with Sage Gravy. From our table to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
FOUNDING FARMERS ROASTED TURKEY INGREDIENTS
Turkey (serves 10-15) 1 (16-18 pound) fresh turkey, room temperature ½ cup canola oil or softened butter 2 tablespoons Farmers Steak Seasoning* 1 cup water Sage Gravy (makes 6 cups) 3 tablespoons canola oil 1 ½ cups diced yellow onions, diced to 1/4 inch 2/3 cup diced carrots, diced to 1/4 inch 3/4 cup diced celery, diced to 1/4 inch 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning 1 teaspoon dried sage 1/4 cup unsalted butter 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 5 cups turkey stock or chicken stock 1 sprig fresh sage 2 teaspoons molasses 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice *Farmers Steak Seasoning (full recipe: can be stored in airtight container for up to 3 months) 2 cups kosher salt ½ cup ground black pepper 1 cup granulated garlic
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Remove bag of giblets from cavity of turkey/reserve the turkey neck for making the gravy. Rub turkey with the canola oil and evenly season the outside and the inside cavity with the Farmers Steak Seasoning. Place the bird in a roasting pan with a roasting rack inside. Roast, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
Decrease heat to 325 degrees. Add the reserved turkey neck to the roasting rack and pour the 1 cup water into bottom of pan. Roast for 45 minutes. Remove the neck from the pan; set aside. Continue to roast turkey for 2½ - 3½ hours more (at 15 minutes per pound), or until a meat thermometer inserted into the inner thigh registers 165 degrees. Remove turkey from oven, transfer to large serving platter; let rest, loosely covered with aluminum foil, for at least 30 minutes before carving. Strain the pan drippings through a fine-mesh strainer into a fat separator and set aside to make the gravy. To make gravy: heat oil in a large, shallow pan over high heat. Add the onions and sauté until they begin to color. Lower heat to medium; continue to brown onions for 1 5-20 minutes. Add carrots and celery and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Add poultry seasoning and dried sage; cook for 3-5 minutes. Add the butter, allow it to melt, and then stir in flour with a wooden spoon. Continue to stir, creating a roux, for about 8 minutes, or until the flour cooks out and emits a toasted fragrance. Stir in the turkey pan drippings and the stock, and add roasted turkey neck and fresh sage. Let gravy simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Turn off heat, remove the turkey neck and sage, and stir in the molasses, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. *NOTE: if you prefer a smoother gravy, you can strain it through a fine-mesh strainer. If you like some texture, transfer to a gravy boat and serve immediately with the carved turkey.
Around the state Foster County Farmers Union made a $300 donation to the Midkota Summer Recreation Program. FCFU board member Darwin Topp presented the check to Jessica Johnson, board member for the Midkota Summer Recreation Program.
The new SYAC and its advisors held their first meeting at the state office Oct. 15.
Bottineau County Farmers Union sponsored a bus trip to watch the Minnesota Vikings host the Detroit Lions on Oct. 1.
Enerbase and Ward County Farmers Union hosted a patron appreciation lunch for Co-op Month at their main office in Minot on Oct. 12. The event was live broadcasted on KWGO 102.9 FM.
Watch the Vikings play! GRAND FORKS COUNTY FARMERS UNION IS HOSTING A FOOTBALL TRIP NOV. 18-19 TO SEE THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS HOST THE L.A RAMS THE TRIP INCLUDES A NIGHT’S STAY IN A HOTEL AND LOWER LEVEL SEATING FOR THE GAME!
$275 DOUBLE OCCUPANCY $325 SINGLE OCCUPANCY MUST BE A MEMBER OF NORTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT EUNICE OLIVIER AT 701-952-0108
Sara Lyons
Spotlight
BY CHELSEY JACOBSON, NDFU
Sara Lyons of Lisbon has been a member of North Dakota Farmers Union for many years. But not until recently has she and husband, Matt Lyons, become more involved with events and activities. “We have been members a lot longer than we have been active,” Sara said. “When Matt was elected to the Ransom County board is when we really started to take a greater interest in what the organization was doing.” Sara farms and ranches alongside Matt and her four children. Matt farms in partnership with his brother while Sara and the children take care of a small herd of cattle. In addition to farm operation duties, Sara is also a veterinarian at the Enderlin Veterinary Clinic. She keeps a very busy schedule and is always looking to broaden her horizons. Sara participates every year with various Ransom County Farmers Union events. One of the events she helps with is having a veterinary booth at Harvest North Dakota, which is an event specifically for fourth-graders that features various booths and exhibits so they can learn about
Five questions with Sara
agriculture. This past January, Sara was selected as one of four women to attend the NFU Women’s Conference in San Diego, Calif. “I have enjoyed activities we have done with NDFU so far,” Sara said. “Networking and getting to know women involved in agricultural roles is so interesting to me, and I wanted to see what else I could learn.” The NFU Women’s Conference is an annual conference that features numerous speakers
If you were a box of cereal, what would you be and why? Fruit Loops. I try not to take things to seriously!
If you woke up tomorrow as an animal, what animal would you choose to be? Cat
If you could meet one person, alive or dead, who would you want to meet? Blake Shelton
What would your autobiography be called? Organized Chaos
What is your dream vacation spot? Australia
from all different backgrounds of agriculture. Their focus always centers on empowering women and connecting them with others in agriculture and leadership positions around the country. She is also heavily involved with numerous volunteer and leadership roles within her community. Her two top commitments include being a 4-H leader for Heart & Soul in Ransom County and a co-director for Lisbon Community Vacation Bible School. Sara encourages everyone to be involved and to not hesitate about jumping in and doing something they are passionate about. “I just want women to be involved with whatever they can,” Sara said. “If your only excuse is that you just don’t want to do something, that’s not a good enough answer. If you have an opinion about something and you’re involved with it, you are just as qualified to speak your mind about something as everybody else.” December 2016
17
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS Classified ad space is free and available to NDFU members. Ads will run only once. Ads must be mailed, e-mailed or faxed. NO ADS WILL BE TAKEN OVER THE PHONE. Include your name, address, phone number and mail to: NDFU Classifieds PO Box 2136 • Jamestown ND 58402-2136 e-mail: bthoms@ndfu.org Fax: 701-252-6584 • 701-952-0102 Deadline is the 15th of every month. Contact us to re-run your ad. Limit-175 words. MEMBERSHIP DUES MUST BE CURRENT!
FARM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE International 100 grain drill w fertilizer and rubber press wheels, 12’, excellent condition. 882-3245, Roger Evenson, Lisbon.
FOR SALE 1997 Case IH 8940 tractor, 4 hydraulic remotes, quick tach, full set front weights, 2100 hrs. on engine overhaul, 6400 total hrs., yearly dealer winter inspections, Dynos at 225 HP, Michelin Agri-rib tires at 80%, EZ steer GPS, shedded, nice tractor. 218-779-0833, Gary Babinski, Minto. FOR SALE IHC 50T baler; Schulte RS hyd. rock picker; h.d. Russell Reliance 10’ grader; 10’ h.d. V packer; 5 bottom packer w/hitch; 8 steel grain bins w/steel floor; 1,00012,400 bu.; Peterson dual rims, 18.4-34 to 232.1-30; 11’ wide push-all hay basket for DuAl loader; push-off hay basket for DuAl loader; Versatile 8”x50’ pto. auger; Feterl 6“x36’ electric auger. 584-2025, Elmer Lemke, Bentley. FOR SALE King Coal furnace, Model 250, good condition, auger feed, $1,500 obo; Allis Chalmers WC, overhauled engine, good condition, $1,500 obo. 348-3727, Randall Schantz, Glen Ullin. FOR SALE 750x16 8 ply tires and rims - 8 hole, 3 rib tires are 90%, fits Case tractor, $375. 628-6949 or 314-640-1884, Rose or Mike Ryan, Stanley. FOR SALE 2013 John Deere W150 swather, 35’, universal auto steer wheel, double sickle drive, fore/aft, 436 eng. hrs., like new; 3 Duo-Lift 1450 NH3 tanks, new in 2010, filled 60% - 65% NH3, like new. 871-0302, Paul Solberg, Bottineau. FOR SALE Old International M tractor for parts, has good tires, Co-op Agripower LSB, R-1, 13.6-38, 6 ply on 12” rims. 725-4373, Steven McCormack, Des Lacs.
FOR SALE 1 - 4 wheel trailer on steel to park in corral with feeder; 1 new tire LT 245-75R-17, Load Range E; 15-30 McCormick tractor on steel; 2 cream separators; used 7” baler belting; Leon #3100 HD 10’ 3 pt. blade; Freeman hyd. manure scoop for Hs & Ms; 1 late model Super M; 2 antique grain cleaning mills; 2 pump jacks; lots of horse drawn equipment; 2 sets of tire chains for 7:50-20, single or double, can be modified. larryn@westriv.com, 597-3730, Larry Nagel, Shields. FOR SALE Linde LR31 liquid nitrogen tank, asstd. semen straws. 468-5460 or 833-3766, Maynard Anderson, Carpio.
FOR SALE 2 NH3 trailers w/1450 doubles & lights; Horst 45’ header transport with 4 wheel steer; custom made NSP tandem axle fuel trailer w/pintle hitch, fuel gauge, filter, hose & nozzle, $2,500. 693-2371, Rick Frueh, Martin. FOR SALE JD 9650 Contour Master chaff spreader, prwd, can run a 600 Series head, 4,465 engine hrs., $50,000; JD 787 tow between cart, 230 bu., $5,000. 661-0155, Trevor Kohler, Benedict. FOR SALE 1995 Model 8970 JD tractor, 6,563 hrs., front fuel tank, tires - 50%, 4 hyds., always kept in shed, very clean, $39,500. 7636327, Gordon Greer, Cleveland.
FOR SALE 2013 Case IH combine with folding hopper covers, new style luxury cab, Pro 700 monitor, auto guidance Nav II 372 receiver, 620 Firestone duals & 750 rear tires, lateral tilt & rock trap, only 664 engine & 480 separator hrs.; Case IH (McDon) 2152 draper head, 35ft. with upper cross auger & pickup reel; Case IH Model 2016 combine pickup header with 16’ belt pickup, like new, combine & headers always shedded when not in use; JD 3200 auto reset 5 bottom plow; Demco 750 bu. pto driven grain cart w/roll tarp; Mayrath 6x28’ grain auger w/Briggs engine. All items always shedded. Combine pickup guards; 40 used Lang anhydrous knives; 5 cow stanchions; oil burner stove & 250 gallon fuel tank; 2 pump jacks w/ electric motors. 628-2805 or 629-9003, Doug Halden, Stanley. FOR SALE 7’ & 8’ MDS heavy duty rock/brush/scrap buckets; 7’ & 8’ MDS Euro-Global buckets; 8’ MDS-JD Classic Tach bucket w/5 tine grapple; 8’ MDS 148-158 bucket w/JD grapple; 7’ bucket w/Koyker quick tach; 9’ MDS bucket w/5 tine MDS grapple w/ Koyker quick tach; MDS attachment adapter from Euro-Global to JD classic-tach; MDS attachment adapter from skid steer quick-tach to Euro-Global; MDS rock badger (rock digger); 10’ MDS heavy snow pusher w/skid steer attach; pallet fork/ skid steer attach w/hydraulic fork adjust; pallet fork/skid steer/5200lbx48” forks; pair of 12 ply 28Lx26 GY tires@95%; pair of 12 ply 28Lx26 GY@75-80% on JD rear combine rims; pair of new Titan 11.2x36 tires; pair of new Titan 18.4x34x8 ply; 710/70R42 Firestone@40%; 2- 14.9R30 GY on band rims@40-50%; 710/70R38 Titan@60%; 380/90R50 GY@70%; 620/70R46 GY @75%; 620/70R42@50%; many other tires and ag rims available. 709-0103, Alan Wald, Edgeley. FOR SALE 1984 IH 884 tractor, 3,000 hrs., 72 hp., 3 pt., dual pto., low profile utility, w/2250 IH loader; 60’ Summers Super harrow, 1/2” teeth; 1974 Ford F600 single axle truck, 15’ box. 283-5178, Marc Greening, Wales. FOR SALE 1952 JD R, $3,500; 1956 JD 720, $4,500. 784-5896 after 7 p.m., Terry Johnson, Lansford. FOR SALE 28’ - 53’ semi van storage trailers, some with size doors; loading ramps, $150; nice 20’ & 40’ storage containers, some high cube; water trailers, tanks & spray parts. 474-5780, Richard Rydell, Fairmount.
FOR SALE Wheel with 11.2 x 24 new BF Goodrich tire; also starter, alternator and governor off a 400 Versatile swather. 223-5082, Doug Boehm, Bismarck. FOR SALE 50 -14” sweeps; 39 - 16” sweeps, hitch for Bourgault cultivator; 1992 47’ IH chisel cultivator with Hiniker 8150 NH3; 3 - 45 degree power heads; 100# full propane tank; bin heaters, electric and propane together; 19 teeth for Degelman harrows for cultivator; Gas Boy pump with keys. 784-5987 or 833-1472, David Brossart, Lansford. FOR SALE JD 853A All Crop header, 8 row, 30”, sunflower back and sides, good working cond., $2,750; JD 853A All Crop header, 8 row, 30” parts machine or could be fixed up and used, $650; IHC 11 x 18” 800 hinged plow, good cond., $4,500; 456 New Holland 9’ sickle mower, $4,000; Dakon silage dump wagon w/swing open roof, $1,000; 8’ Quicktach material bucket for 895 Buhler Allied loader, like new, $650. 789-0181, David Nygaard, Finley. FOR SALE JD 535 baler, 1,000 pto., monitor, good belts, nice paint, always shedded, $3,500, 320-8543, Kevin Raugutt, Edgeley. WANTED Small square bale elevator. 432-5684, Richard R. Lau, Verona. WANTED 806, 1206, 1256, 856, 1466 IH tractors; JD 5010, 5020, 6030, MM 1350, 1355 and others, running or not. 628-2130, Jerry Lumley, Stanley. WANTED 7” x 51’ Westfield pto. auger. 497-3817, Danny Dyke, Plaza. WANTED 400 Versatile swather 15’ or 18’, prefer with a pickup reel; 15’, 18’, or 20’ pickup reel for 400 swather; JD toolbar planter with JD #71 planter units with 4, 6, 8, or 12 row; JD 20’ 9350 press drill with grass seeders, other sizes or brands will be considered. 709-0103, Allen Wald, Edgeley. WANTED 18.4 x 16.1 front tractor tires to fin Case 2590 tractor. 226-4055, Lloyd Giese, Steele.
MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE Pitney Bowes Address Right DA80F Series printer, a versatile, easy to use, high speed desktop printer for addressing applications, software included. Astro ATS-12 tabber, to tab folded mailers, applies clear or paper tabs 5/8” - 1 1/2”, seals a variety of media types and sizes. Both machines - $4,000. Contact Lucy for more info. 952-0114, Lucy Bardell, NDFU, Jamestown. FOR SALE Access brand tonneau cover for full width pickup box, 80” long, has new velcro, very good shape, $95; Delta brand pickup tool box, 20”deep, 13” high for a full width box, good condition, 2 lids w/keys for locks, $70; can deliver to Mandan/Bismarck. 597-3107 lv. message, Ken Koch, Shields.
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
FOR SALE Steel fence posts and wooden corner posts. 674-3644, Loren Myran, Taylor.
FOR SALE 1992 Wilderness 5th wheel 29’ camper, 1 slideout, sleeps 4, AC/heat, with all the extras, will sell 5th whl. hitch, $4,000 obo. 749-2646 or 840-1094, Brett Kapaun, Tower City. FOR SALE Cub Cadet Model 528, 2 stage, walk behind snow thrower, elec. start, used 4 times, $700. 400-3867 or 597-3567, Irvin Werner, Flasher. FOR SALE Pair hvy. duty chains for 14-9-28 size tire or smaller, $150/pr.; vehicle chains fits 16” tires, $50/pr.; cargo carrier fits receiver hitch, 500 lb. capacity, $45; all items in good condition. 663-5978 evenings, G. Schaner, Bismarck. FOR SALE Antique books - 605 Vermeer baler, Moridge grain dryer, 1984 Arctic snowmobile, torrential floating pump Model 200, Ford (Claus) combine, IHC 620 grain drill, 64 Minneapolis Moline combine, 2 Wisconsin small engine books. $10 ea. plus $2.50 postage or $60 for all plus postage. 256-2406, Richard Hamann, Langdon. FOR SALE One gas golf cart, 2017 EZ GO TXT, with 12-inch wheels, color is Silver with a Metro custom seat, priced below book. 597-3730 or 400-9825, larryn@westriv.com, Larry Nagel, Shields. FOR SALE Amish 4 person enclosed buggy, brand new pull shaves, 2 black velveteen adjust. and folding seats, setup for hyd. brakes, has safety lighting and switches, has windows-2 front movable, all naugahyde sides and top, back drop (that you can open), very good condition, call for pics; Studebaker hood for 1949-53 truck, good metal with original hood ornament and name plate, $450; 1980 Chevy Malibu hood, $150. 628-6949, Rose or Mike Ryan, Stanley. FOR SALE Paslode framing nailer; hardwood flooring nailer; Rockwell 9” tablesaw, all used very little. 882-3245, Roger Evenson, Lisbon. FOR SALE 20’ power awning, like new, $400; 20 gal. electric water heater, used two months, $200. 793-4509, Neil Wiltse, Fargo.
FOR SALE Pool table; turn of century buffet with tiger oak; cedar chest; Two framed railroad prints; National cash register; pink depression glass; Otter Creek road sign; Elvis records; Pioneer amp reverberator; Pioneer and Kenwood double cassette deck; Sony turn table; Two solar light tube ceiling lights; Two Virgil Hill framed items; Two pinup girl pictures. 500-9522, Monte Reiner, Minot. FOR SALE 760 Remington 30.06 with sling and a 3.9 scope, very nice, $400. 662-5551 lv. message, Leo Bittner, Devils Lake. FOR SALE Mobile home - 2 bedroom, washer & dryer, completely furnished, large patio, corner lot, available immediately, located in Mesa Dunes Mobile Home Park. 339-1752, Ken Radenz, Saint Paul, MN.
FOR SALE Collars & related items; 45 used utility poles, 35’-50’ long; used tires - 6 Bridgestone, 245-75-R16; 4 - 225-60-R16 M&S; 4 used Firestone P265-70-R16 M&S; 3 Michelin P225-60-R16 M&S; 4 Hercules Ultra 215-70-R15; 50’ tower; propane range, includes 2-100 lb. bottles & dble. regulator. 584-2025, Elmer Lemke, Bentley. FOR SALE 21.6 cu. ft. side by side, GE fridge/freezer with ice maker, runs great, $125; bathroom vanity counter top, 48” x 22”, brown w/ Moen faucet, $50. 320-2466, Craig Neys, Jamestown. FOR SALE Fold-A-Sled (by American Manufacturing), tow behind dog/snowmobile sled, metal, folds flat, 2’x4’ deck, $150; Wooden church altar from church in Jud, unique ornamental top piece on approx. 6’ long base, $250 obo. 320-9142, Neil Baker, Jamestown. FOR SALE Oak entertainment center w/leaded glass door and storage; old magazines & catalogs; old sheet music; vinyl record albums - polka/waltz/country; 1983 pewter PIK belt buckle, collectibles; Breyer horse models: Olympic Barbie; Hallmark orn,; plush Puffkins & Boyd bears; HN White King Master Edition cornet, from the 1930s, hand etched w/original case, access., mutes & folding music stand in leather case.. 725-4373, Penny or Steven McCormack, Des Lacs.
FOR SALE Air boat pontoon, 26’ custom built, two engine - 90 hp. VW w/hand crafted wooden fan, wind and water + 4 stroke 25 hp. Mercury, new plywood & carpet, live well, canopy, etc., heavy duty trailer, $15,800, would consider trade for small payloader, D4 loader crawler in working condition. 628-6949 or 314-799-6949, Rose or Mike Ryan, Stanley. FOR SALE 5 1/2’ T steel posts; 5 1/2’ U steel posts. 734-2251 lv. mess. or 220-9263, 226-8626, Robert W Anderson, Wilton. FOR SALE Chuckles and Tears by Mrs. H.M. Aanestad (Esmond Lutheran Parish), 1964; Viking Centennial book; VHS tapes of Viking Centennial & Maddock Centennial. 346-0170, Beaulah Sears, Casselton. FOR SALE 10” Miter saw w/extending stand; 10” DeWALT radial arm saw; 5 HP chopper/ shredder; round solid Oak table w/2 leaves, 2 reg. chairs & 2 captain chairs; old R41 sewing machine w/attachments & instruction book. 258-4804, Melvin Will, Bismarck. FOR SALE Masterbuilt 30” electric smoker, 3 rack, new, $100; Lowrey Teenie Genie organ/electric piano, $100; NordicTrack ASR630 Elliptical, nearly new, $375. 367-8515 or 367-8516, Duane Strand, Fargo. FOR SALE Various sizes of weights for barbells, $25. 320-2466, Craig Neys, Jamestown. FOR SALE 500 gal. propane tank. 952-8360 or 2691384, Darwin Roeske, Jamestown. WANTED Prairie dog hunters to hunt on my land. Make reservations now. larryn@westriv. com, 597-3730, Larry Nagel, Shields.
WANTED 1932 or 1934 Ford car or pickup, 3 spd. manual transmission for Model B 4 cyl. engine, will consider any condition including parts vehicle. 678-3640, John Richards, Lisbon. WANTED Red Wing water cooler in good shape; Oliver County history book from 1985, Beatles and Motorhead albums; Best of Bread II album; guillotine tobacco plug cutter; cuff link and tie bar sets; 1920s thru 1950’s license plates; vintage turn tables; Marantz speakers; Fighting Sioux items. 500-9522, Monte Reiner, Minot. WANTED Westland gas/oil station advertising stuff; signs, oil cans, clocks, thermometers, & gas pumps or anything else with the Buffalo logo, would also be interested in other brands of gas/oil stuff if you have them, old advertising signs, crocks, jugs, clocks or thermometers with advertising, road signs, traps, shell boxes, guns, tokens, marbles, anvils, pop or medicine bottles, tin coffee cans, ND pottery, carnival glass. 220-5746 or 258-0420, Val Ganje, Bismarck. WANTED 3 speed overdrive manual transmission, any make or model. 680-1079, Dylan Ekstrom, Forman. WANTED Hesston, Montana Silver and Pendleton Whiskey belt buckles. 220-9263 or 7346706, Robert Anderson, WIlton. WANTED Old advertising signs, thermometers, gas pumps, clocks, guns, coffee tins, North Dakota trade tokens and other items. 6282130 evenings, Jerry Lumley, Stanley.
VEHICLES FOR SALE 1989 Ford F150 pickup, 2 WD, Radco topper, 54,000 mi., 392 ci., auto, AC, PS, 2 gas tanks, excell. tires and cond., currently licensed, always garaged, 1 owner. 9528973 - Glen Nagel or 368-1499 - Boyce, Jamestown. FOR SALE 1971 International 1800 Loadstar tandem truck, 18 1/2’ box, hoist and roll tarp, and 225 bu. gravity box w/orbital drive auger, all new tires. 751-4748 or 527-3810, Eldor Goetz, Bismarck.
FOR SALE 1968 Chevrolet K10 pickup, V8, 4 spd. manual, 4 whl. drive, 8’ box, reg. cab, 6 bolt Rally wheels, 33” tires, $7,100. 238-8611, jimjohndahl@cableone.net, Jim Johndahl, Fargo. FOR SALE, 2004 Honda Civic EX. 500-9522, Monte Reiner, Minot. FOR SALE 2 Starcars/Durants, 1926 is a slightly modified coupe, 1925 is a touring sedan, both in running condition but need restoring, in storage for 20 yrs., $9,000 for both cars. 320-9142, Neil Baker, Jamestown. FOR SALE 1981 Buick Century, auto on floor, bucket seats, air, factory installed V8 4.3L motor, mint condition; 1951 Straight Eight Buick. larryn@westriv.com, 597-3730, Larry Nagel, Shields.
GRASSROOTS
HOW TO RUN FOR STATE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The state board of directors is comprised of seven members, one from each of the seven districts that make up the structure of the state organization. Board members serve two-year terms. Even numbered districts elect directors in even numbered years, and odd numbered districts in odd numbered years. The president and vice president are elected annually. Any current regular pay member (active or retired farmer or rancher) can run for a seat on the state board of directors. There are two exceptions, however:
• NDFU employees (those employed after June 30 preceding the annual convention, except in the event of vacancy occurring in the office of president or vice president).
• Members who are associated with any business activity in the capacity of director, manager, agent or employee which is in direct competition with Farmers Union affiliated businesses as outlined in the bylaws, unless that member resigns such position upon election as a director.
If you want to run for a position on the state board, you have an opportunity to announce your candidacy in the Union Farmer, but it is not required. Typically, candidates attend county conventions to promote themselves. They campaign at the state convention and address delegates in their district caucus or caucuses at the state convention, depending upon the position they are seeking. For more information, contact President Mark Watne at mwatne@ndfu.org.
VEHICLES FOR SALE Grandpa’s 1993 BMW 740IL, only 85,477 mi., new battery and tires, no rust, excellent cond., $4,900. 693-2371, Rick Frueh, Martin. FOR SALE 2007 MKZ Lincoln Navigator all whl. drive, navigation, sun roof, elect. seats - air cool & heat, tan leather interior - very clean, good tires, always serviced at Lincoln dealer, kept in garage, never used in winter, 1 yr. old battery & new brakes. 482-7749. Robert Huff, Donnybrook. FOR SALE, 1990 Ford pickup, 1/2 ton, ext. cab, rebuilt trans., new clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing, fair tires, new spare, new plugs & wires, uses some oil, $2,000 obo. 400-3867 or 597-3567, Irvin Werner, Flasher.
LIVESTOCK WANTED Older horse, well broke, 14 or 14 1/2 height. 220-9263 or 734-2251, Robert W. Anderson, Wilton.
FOR RENT Price reduced, commercial property for sale, large shop, school building and all of block 9, Alamo ND, gymnasium has been renovated into a 66 x 120 shop w/18’ overhead door, has 400 amp, 3
phase service, school is 3 floors, floors are approx. 80x80, all brick construction, potential for commercial water development as there is a high producing well on property, $150,000. 570-4660, Rocky Hewson, Alamo.
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Farmers Educational and Cooperative Union of America, ND Division
PERIODICALS – POSTAGE PAID
1415 12th Ave SE PO Box 2136 Jamestown, ND 58402
Medicare plans should be
simple Medicare plans might seem complicated or overwhelming, but your BCBSND agent can help you find the right plan—with service from the company you know and trust. Experience what Medicare plans should be.
Contact your local Farmers Union agent for additional information.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield Association Noridian Mutual Insurance Company Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. This information is available in alternate formats, free of charge, by calling Member Services at 1-800-342-4718 (tollfree) or through the North Dakota Relay at 1-800-366-6888 or 711.
800-366-8331 ext. 143 info@fumic.com
ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-800-342-4718 (TTY: 1-800-366-6888). ACHTUNG: Wenn Sie Deutsch sprechen, stehen Ihnen kostenlos sprachliche Hilfsdienstleistungen zur Verfügung. Rufnummer: 1-800-342-4718 (TTY: 1-800-366-6888).
Farmers Union Insurance is an independent agency for Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota.