Guest column: County delegation hits farm convention

The title "Fairness for Farmers" captures the spirit of a movement that is gathering momentum in rural Minnesota and beyond. Small and medium farms, which characterize the agricultural landscape of Carlton County, can be found across the state. Families that farm for a living benefit from cooperating with each other, educating the public, and lobbying for reform. That is the mission of the Minnesota Farmers Union.

With roots in the early 20th century, MFU today is making the state a leader in ideas and programs that support the little guy. Wrenshall farmer Mark Thell is the president of the Carlton County chapter of MFU; he, his wife, Terri, and sons operate 4 Quarters Holdings, which raises and sells organic beef, pork and chicken. With a nudge from the Thells, I accompanied them at the annual convention of MFU in northeast Minneapolis earlier this month.

During two days, 150 delegates and guests heard how MFU works for modest-scale growers in the state and shares innovations with units in other states through the National Farmers Union. MFU is a member-driven organization of entrepreneurs with operations and programs in public policy, food systems, education, cooperation and business. Lobbyists and staff interact with legislators at the Capitol; a hired attorney specializes in antitrust litigation. The Minnesota Cooks program features a signature dish at the state fair, sponsors other events that bring together farmers and chefs, and produces an illustrated calendar; the website Minnesota Foodshed matches farmers and buyers and MFU owns the Minneapolis restaurant Farmers Kitchen + Bar.

Summer camps and the New Leader Academy train youth and beginning farmers in life skills for success. Farmers Union Enterprises produces rendered fats, pet foods, and farm implements. Farmers Union Agency is a team of insurance agents in over 30 locations statewide that tailor the offerings of many insurance companies to the needs of food producers. The Green View project finds compensated employment for senior retired farmers and defends their economic treatment.

Delegates elected by the several hundred MFU members gather annually to hear reports, speeches and to consider, debate, and ratify detailed statements of policy. At this year's meeting, we heard about recent initiatives that focus on meat processing, carbon markets, and especially monopolistic practices by large agricultural concerns. While four meatpackers control 85 percent of volume in the country and growers face a severe shortage of processors, MFU leads in promoting local butchering and market outlets, training skilled workers, and encouraging entrepreneurs. With carbon credits, large polluters will pay farmers who adopt practices that sequester carbon, but the farmer must be very careful about details of the contract. Local competition and value are stifled when corporate players undercut prices; MFU stands ready to file suit when predatory practices come up.

A number of high-profile officials gave brief addresses in person to the assembly. Gov. Tim Walz, Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both on the Senate agriculture committee), and Attorney General Keith Ellison emphasized how small- and medium-scale family farms provide essential nutrition for their local communities and help to make up and strengthen the social fabric of towns and counties across the state. Minnesota commissioner of agriculture Thom Petersen, a long-time member and former president of MFU, recounted how Minnesota farmers have been impacted by health and natural disasters in the last four years (pandemic, wind damage, drought) and how the state and federal government have helped. Looking ahead, he foresees a focus on encouraging local foods and farm-to-school, boosting biofuels, building out meat processing capacity, and strengthening the revolving loan fund. After his speech, Petersen spent time renewing ties with members.

The current MFU president, Gary Wertish, regularly heads up delegations to the state Capitol and to Congressional offices in D.C., where teams made up of MFU staff and members interact with elected officials. These sessions are a valuable way to tell the story of rural America and of the less than 5 percent of our fellow citizens who strive to make their living by growing food. In a fitting gesture at the convention last weekend, after all the meals were served, Wertish invited the hotel chef and the serving staff to stand before the assembly, which gave them a standing ovation.

With all the vagaries that farmers face each day, they can be confident that the Minnesota Farmers Union leads in promoting "fairness for farmers."

Writer Sandy Dugan and his wife are stewards of 54 acres in the Wrenshall area. They tend two acres as gardens and pollinator habitat; most of the land is rented out to grow forage for organic beef; a barn serves for occasional regional arts events. Contact Dugan at [email protected].