Farm Bill Focus of 2001

Prairie Grains Conference

NDGGA, MAWG install new leaders

About 400 people attended the 2001 Prairie Grains Conference in Fargo last December, a combined conference that involved the North Dakota Grain Growers Association, the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers, the Minnesota Barley Growers Association, Northland Community and Technical College, the North Dakota Barley Council, and the NDSU Extension Service.

The farm bill was a key focus, along with informative, “how-to” breakout sessions that covered everything from grain selling to the benefits of using a Palm Pilot.  NDGGA and MAWG members adopted farm policy resolutions for 2002, some of which were submitted to the National Association of Wheat Growers for adoption.

The MAWG submitted several resolutions urging Mississippi River navigation improvements to facilitate grain exports. The NDGGA is urging national resolutions that would protect growers from the threat of agri-terrorism; establish origin-based grain grading on all U.S. domestic grain shipments; and address discriminatory grain shipping prices. Another NDGGA resolution urges a market loss adjustment payment for 2002 of not less than 30 cents on barley and 81 cents for wheat in the event the Farm Bill is not passed for the 2002 crop year.

KFGO’s Ed Schultz broadcast his “News and Views” radio show from the conference: In the photo above, Schultz is on-air in his mobile RV broadcast studio interviewing Al Skogen, immediate past president of the NDGGA and domestic policy chair for the NAWG.  Schultz, who has been a strong proponent of grain grower policies, was recognized at the Conference with the NDGGA Kernel Award, given each year to an industry member who has made significant contributions to North Dakota’s grain industry. The Kernel Award winner in the producer category was the late Frank Dilse. Dilse, a Scranton, ND producer, NDGGA past president and commissioner-at-large on the N.D. Wheat Commission, died last September. Dilse’s son Stuart (at right)) accepted the award on behalf of the family from NDGGA president Bruce Freitag, also of Scranton.

Along with Freitag, other newly elected officers of the NDGGA are: vice president, Robert Ferebee, Halliday; vice president, Greg Daws, Niagara; and sec/treasurer, Keith Neshem, Berthold. Three new members were also elected to the NDGGA board: Doyle Lentz, Rolla; Greg Nelson, Litchville; and Chris Bristol, Upham.

In Minnesota, Mike Bruer, Alberta, is now MAWG president.  In the photo below, Bruer (left) is presenting past president Ron Anderson, Hallock, with a plaque in appreciation of his service to wheat producers of Minnesota. Donna Ulseth, Crookston, was also recognized for her nine years of service as a member of the MAWG board of directors.  Taking her place on the MAWG board is Chad Anvinson, Oslo.