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Kansas Farmers Union
Kansas Farmers Union delegates focus on issues McPHERSON, Kan. – There was very little conversation about “it used to be” as delegates to the Kansas Farmers Union 2008 Annual Convention looked forward to some of the difficult issues facing agriculture, the United States and the world’s economy. Providing a framework for discussion was the convention theme, “Fair Trade; Not Free Trade.” Convention attendees, which included KFU members and Farmers Union Insurance agency representatives, numbered close to 150. Featured presenters at the convention, held Jan. 11-12 in McPherson, brought information on a variety of hot-button topics including carbon emissions and global warming, wind power, bio-agri-defense, agricultural and industrial trade, commodity marketing, the role of cooperatives in the market place, changes in enforcement of transportation regulations, and health care. Updates on state and federal issues and the work of the national Farmers Union were given by State Rep. Dennis McKinney, D-Greensburg; Congresswoman Nancy Boyda, Democrat representing Kansas’ second Congressional House district; Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky; and National Farmers Union staff members, President Tom Buis, Katy Ziegler, NFU director of government relations; and Jeff Moser, director of economic and cooperative development. “We had an excellent set of speakers who came to this convention,” KFU President Donn Teske, said. “I hope people realize what an opportunity they had to hear from people who are very involved with issues that are going to be critical to the future of not only farming, but our country. I think it was also important to see and hear the commitment that Congresswoman Boyda has to her district and the state of Kansas.” Boyda was the convention’s featured banquet speaker, sharing the podium with Buis. In her remarks she outlined the work she, as part of the House Agriculture Committee, had done on the 2007 Farm Bill and her predictions regarding the eventual compromise bill that would come out of the Senate-House conference committee. She said that she does believe a Farm Bill will be finalized and signed by the president. She also expressed her appreciation for the communication and support she had received from Kansas Farmers Union and the National Farmers Union during her first year in office. A highlight of the convention was an afternoon session on trade issues which brought together an eclectic group of presenters representing groups that impact agriculture and rural living in a variety of contexts. Robert J. Dumont, president and CEO of the Tooling, Manufacturing and Technologies Association, Michael Stumo, executive director of the Organization for Competitive Markets, and Andy Sanchez, executive secretary treasurer of the Kansas AFL-CIO brought a broader perspective on trade than the typical discussion on how to get the best price for grain. Their concerns about the condition of the United State’s manufacturing and trades sectors were sobering. Added to the discussion were social and ag-related concerns about trade presented by Paul Johnson, Kansas Catholic Conference and Rolling Prairie Farmers Alliance; Dan Nagangast, Kansas Rural Center; and Pete Lorenz, Kansas NFO. “I think this session was very important in showing the urgency of dealing with trade issues overseas. We can’t continue with the current deficit and outsourcing of jobs,” Teske said. Convention delegates did more than just sit and listen to information and concerns about challenging issues, they also took action. A new section on climate change was added to the KFU 2008 Policy Statement which affirmed the organization’s support of efforts to reduce emissions from heat-trapping gases to reverse global warming. Teske said he was pleased with the convention attendees’ positive response to the convention program, adding that he really enjoyed working with the people and producers of Kansas. “The Farmers Union has been a wonderful vehicle to influence policy. It gives us more ability to affect farm policy than I could do myself,” Teske said.
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