NDGGA Meets With Secretary Schafer

The North Dakota Grain Growers Association (NDGGA) was invited to attend the swear-in ceremony of former North Dakota Governor Ed Schafer as the new U.S. Secretary of Agriculture on February 6th.  This ceremony was lead by President George W. Bush and attended by Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner and members of congress.

“Today we heard for the first time from the President himself that he would veto the Farm Bill if it came in with additional taxes and without significant reform.  However, he did not state what those reform ideas would need to be,” stated Immediate Past NDGGA President Mike Martin. “When we had met the day prior with our Congressional leaders they had mentioned to us that they may be able find sources which would pass the administrations mustard.”

“President Bush made it clear that our agriculture bill is vital for the food security program, something that is highly important for our national security ,” stated NDGGA President Byron Richard.

The NDGGA also group had a private meeting with Secretary Schafer the day prior to the swearing in ceremony.

“Secretary Schafer gave the impression that there will be a farm bill by the March 15th deadline,” stated Richard.  “He seamed very at home in his new role and seemed eager to get the Farm Bill passed.”

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Peterson, Coleman Recognized by Wheat Growers

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) was presented with the wheat industry’s highest award recently by NAWG officers and a contingent of wheat producers from around the country.

The 2007 Wheat Leader of the Year Award was awarded to Peterson for his service to the wheat industry, particularly for his continued efforts to finalize a new farm bill.

Senator Norm Coleman was awarded the Wheat Advocate Award which is given by NAWG annually to Members of Congress who have demonstrated support for the wheat industry above and beyond the norm.

Erik Younggren, director of the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers, was on hand in Washington, D.C. in February to present Senator Norm Coleman with the National Association of Wheat Growers’ Wheat Advocate Award.