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Kansas Farmers Union Speaks Out On Climate Change

McPHERSON, Kan. – Delegates to the Kansas Farmers Union Annual Convention, held Jan. 11-12 in McPherson, spoke out in support of efforts to reduce emissions and reverse climate change, adding that statement to the organization’s official policy.

The adoption of a policy statement on climate change was just one of several additions and amendments to Kansas Farmers Union official policy statement which address issues that face agricultural producers today and have ramifications for the future of the family farm in Kansas and the United States.

The statement on climate change was proposed by the Marion County Farmers Union and brought to the Kansas Farmers Union (KFU) policy committee, which accepted its inclusion for consideration in the KFU 2008 Policy Statement.

KFU President Donn Teske prefaced discussion on the statement by emphasizing the importance of Kansas Farmers Union taking a position on climate change in its policy.

“(Climate change) is going to be significant in this next legislative session,” Teske told the delegates. “We are taking responsibility for global warming as a human race. …When you are voting on this consider that it is a significant topic and make your wishes known.”

Teske stated that, as KFU president, he had been asked for the organization’s position on climate change and global warming at various times during the past year and he needed direction from the delegates, adding that it is a given that there will be government emission standards and regulations set.

Debate on the statement and its final wording was spirited, with some delegates expressing concern that such a statement supported passing of legislation which might have a detrimental affect on agriculture.

Herb Bartel of Hillsboro, a Marion County voting delegate, spoke in support of the policy statement stating that the family farm is a model for land use that can be climate neutral. Ed Reznicek, delegate from Nemaha County, added that using the carbon trade market is one way that agriculture can benefit from measures to reduce emissions, while also helping mitigate climate change. The National Farmers Union has been in the forefront of developing the carbon trade market, a program which allows entities which emit carbons at a high level to purchase carbon credits on the market. Farmers who sell carbon credits agree to follow farming practices which aid in carbon sequestration.

Delegates who voted for adoption of the statement as policy believe that this is a critical time for the Kansas Farmers Union to enter into the climate change discussion as there are several bills dealing with the issue currently under consideration in Congress. Legislation being considered details cap-and-trade policy and regulations as well as other methods to affect climate change.

While the statement is a broad-based call for action to reduce emissions of heat-trapping gases to reverse climate change without endorsing specific remedies, it is a place to start, delegates believed. There was a call for further study, investigation and possible workshops to educate KFU members on the issue.

Tom Giessel, Larned, who presided over the policy discussion, spoke for a number of delegates when he said, “To expect someone else to make all the changes while we do nothing is irresponsible.”

Other changes and additions to policy made by the delegates included:

• Opposition to any efforts by the Risk Management Agency and USDA allowing premium discounts which promote the use of specific crop inputs and/or farm equipment/technology. The policy statement is in response to a move by the RMA which would allow premium discounts for producers who plant a percentage of their crop acres to specified genetics, such as triple-stack corn in the upper Midwest states, or who use specific technology provided by private-sector seed companies or other businesses. The rationale behind the policy statement is that the USDA and RMA should not use a federally funded program, working with private enterprise, to point people in a direction which would benefit specific private enterprises.
• A call for parity prices, fair trade and humanitarian aid to be established by the United States and promoted around the world. To aid in that effort, guidelines were outlined for a farm policy which would rebuild agriculture and rural communities. Those guidelines included a farmer-owned reserve, a farmer safety net to include affordable crop insurance and a permanent disaster program, farm program payment limitations at $250,000 adjusted gross income, supply management, conservation programs and stewardship, renewable energy, food and nutrition programs, rural development, country of origin labeling, fair and competitive markets, transportation, accessible and affordable agricultural credit, full funding of programs, GMO liability, and a beginning farmer program.
• Support of federal legislation which would allow smaller, independent meat packers, which meet state meat inspection standards, to market their products inter-state.
• A statement that the current system of commodity futures trading is bankrupting family farmers, ranchers and consumers and is not a prudent risk management tool. The Kansas Farmers Union has had a long-standing policy calling for reforms in the way the commodities future trading system is regulated and utilized, calling for restrictions on trading by entities not directly involved in the production and marketing of commodities. The policy, as amended, strengthens that position.

A Special Order of Business was approved calling for reconsideration and reversal of a decision by the USDA which allows the import of Canadian cattle over 30 months of age into the United States. The KFU is adamantly opposed to this decision because of the threat of Bovine Spongiform Encephalothopy (BSE) being introduced into the United States cattle herd.

The Kansas Farmers Union is a grassroots organization which develops its policy from the individual farmer up through the county and state organizations. Policy statements brought by the county organizations are considered by the KFU Policy Committee and submitted to the delegates for final approval and determines the direction of the organization.