March 1997
MN Wheat, Barley Council election ballots due March 18
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Prairie Grains is the
official publication of
the Minnesota
Association of
Wheat Growers,
North Dakota Grain
Growers Association,
South Dakota Wheat,
Inc., and the
Minnesota Barley
Growers Association.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) worked with commodity councils to distribute election ballot request forms. Producers have until March 1, 1997 to request ballot forms. Voters will be sent a ballot during the first week in March, and the mail ballots must be returned by March 18, 1997 to: Promotion Councils, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, 90 West Plato Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55107-2094.
MN BARLEY COUNCIL CANDIDATES
In the Minnesota Barley Research and Promotion Council elections, James Thompson of Hallock is running unopposed for re-election in District 1, and Curtis Knutson of Fisher is running unopposed in District 2.
MN WHEAT COUNCIL CANDIDATES
Three seats (two in Area 1, and one seat in Area 2) on the Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council are up for election. Each term runs three years. MN counties in Area 1 are Kittson, Roseau, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Pennington, Red Lake, Polk, and Clearwater. Counties in Area 2 include Norman, Mahnomen, Clay, Becker, Wilkin, Otter Tail, Wadena, Morrison, Todd, Douglas, Grant, and Traverse.
Area 1 nominees (elect two):
Art Brandli: Art grows wheat, sunflowers and barley near Warroad. He is a member of MAWG, the Crop Improvement Association, UMC All-College Advisory Committee, Northwest MN Initiative Fund, and the Warroad School Board. He has served one term on the MWC board, serving as chair of the domestic promotion committee. Art sees the MN Wheat Council’s main concerns to be disease control research, protein enhancement and alternative uses in the domestic and foreign markets, and promotion of MN wheat by educating foreign millers about U.S. wheat.
Kelly Bengtson: Kelly has grown wheat, barley and sunflowers on his Hallock farm since 1984. He has worked part-time for the Kittson Soil & Water Conservation District since 1988. He has also served as a member of the local Harvest States Advisory Board. He has been a member of MAWG since 1988, assisting with membership drives and attending several national meetings. He sees the MN Wheat Research and Promotion Council’s main priorities today as scab research and increasing U.S. domestic wheat use and exports.
Dwight W. Peterson: Dwight
grows wheat, barley, sugarbeets and soybeans on his farm near Warren. He is a member of the National Aerial Applicators, MAWG, and MN Barley Growers. Dwight has owned a country grain elevator for 20 years. He sees the MN Wheat Research and Promotion Council as an important tool as government involvement decreases and farmers take charge of their own fate.
Richard Baird: Rick has farmed wheat, barley, soybeans and edible beans near Red Lake Falls since 1966 and owns Riverside Milk Hauling. He is a past president and current member of MAWG, and is a member of the MN Barley Growers Association. He has been actively involved with growers in the past and understands the importance of product promotion and research. Rick has changed his farming operation to give him the time to commit to the MN Wheat Council. He believes that wheat research and promotion significantly affects Minnesota’s economy.
Area 2 nominees (elect one):
John Leseth: John grows wheat, soybeans and sugarbeets near Moorhead. He has served as president for Northwest Farm Managers, Red River Valley Farmer’s Insurance Pool, and the Agassiz Club. He is a previous winner of the Outstanding Young Farmer award, and is a former King Agassiz. John has also served on the all-college advisory committee for the University of Minnesota-Crookston. He feels strongly about becoming involved with national decision-making, as it affects the market and individual producers.
Perry Ellingson: Perry farms with his son, growing wheat, barley, soybeans and sugarbeets near Borup. He is president of his local church and a member of the Ag Society (the Norman County Fair board). Perry is also a past president and current board member of the Farmers Union Co-op. He believes in funding for wheat research and promotion as it affects growers like himself.
questions?
Growers with questions concerning the commodity elections may contact the MWRPC or MBRPC at 1-800-242-6118. Or, contact the MDA at 612-296-6962.