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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.

Gerald Lacey, president of the Minnesota Barley Growers Association and a true champion for the US farmer, died Aug, 28, 1998, while returning from a Minnesota agriculture hearing in Sauk Centre, MN.

Gerald was widely known for his representation of barley farmers at the state, national, and international level. He served as president of the Minnesota Barley Growers Association since 1990, and as president of the National Barley Growers Association in 1994-95.

It is often difficult to make appointments with senior agriculture officials and top-ranking lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Not so for Gerald Lacey, a familiar face in the halls of USDA and Congress. He was known for his ability to drop in and meet personally with decision makers, often without an appointment.

What some had to say of Gerald’s passing:

"His accomplishments were many; his critics few. The well-being of the farmer was foremost in his mind. His speeches were impassioned and came from the heart. His character was impeccable. He was a true friend to all he met."

— Marv Zutz, executive director, MBGA

"Minnesota farmers and American agriculture in general have lost a tireless champion who never wearied of telling the story of the magnificence of America’s agricultural production."

— Tom Cochrane, former executive director

of the MN Agri-Growth Council.

"No one could have come into contact with this man without seeing how deeply he cared about the farmers of America. He wore his convictions for all the world to see and, when focusing his tremendous energies on convincing anyone of the rightness of his arguments, Gerald blazed with authority."

—Jack Pettus, executive director, NBGA

Merle Stinar, Warren, MN, won a Terry Redlin print in a recent drawing for new members of the Minnesota Barley Growers Association, sponsored by the MBGA and Novartis. Stinar (middle in photo) has been farming for 28 years with his wife Debra and three children. To Stinar’s left is Marc Rinke, marketing specialist with Novartis, and to the right is Emmett Lampert, product development specialist with Novartis.

This Christmas, how about MBGA membership?

For about the cost of a box of chocolates and one of those fancy holiday meat and cheese trays, you can get a membership in the Minnesota Barley Growers Association. It’ll sure be a lot healthier for you. And working on such issues as scab in barley and legislative assistance measures specific to barley, membership in the MBGA is a healthy investment for your farm too. A one-year membership in the MBGA is $50; three-year membership is $125. For agribusiness, a one-year associate MBGA membership is only $100. For more information, contact Lorri Ann at the MBGA, 1-800-242-6118.

Rynning elected MBGA president

Rob Rynning, Kennedy, MN, has been elected president of the Minnesota Barley Growers Association. Others who serve on the MBGA board: Kraig Lee, Wannaska; Allan Haugo, Waubun; Roger Ulseth, Crookston; Curt Swan-son, Thief River Falls; Steve Blilie, Wolverton; and Selvin Brenden, Rothsay.