Fax: 402-476-8859, Cell: 402-580-8815

john@nebraskafarmersunion.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 30, 2009 Lincoln, Nebraska

Nebraska Farmers Union To Hold 96^th Annual Convention In

Grand Island December 4-5^th At Howard Johnson Riverside Inn

“Agriculture Deserves Markets That Are Accessible, Competitive, Transparent, and Fair” is the theme for the 96^th annual state convention of the Nebraska Farmers Union (NEFU).

John Hansen, President of the Nebraska Farmers Union said the theme reflects his organization’s commitment to fighting for the economic interests of production agriculture and our traditional system of independent family farm and ranch agriculture. “Farmers, ranchers, and rural communities deserve ag markets that work as they should. We must focus on the need for remedy. We must not tolerate a system of shared monopolies on either the ag input side or meat, dairy, or grain side of the equation that amounts to the legalized looting of production agriculture,” Hansen said. “We have a truly outstanding set of state and national speakers for Convention on ag market reform, health care, climate change, and renewable energy.”

Hansen said that the 96^th NEFU state convention will also focus on creating profitable new renewable energy based markets that will help provide the economic opportunities necessary to attract and keep our young people coming back home to their farms, ranches, or rural communities after college. “Our organization is not just hoping things will get better in the future, but working hard to make sure it happen. We are leading the way to not only fix non-competitive competitive markets, but to create new profitable markets. That takes hard work and good policy on which to build,” Hansen said.

The NEFU Convention will hear from over 25 different speakers on a wide range of topics. Featured speakers include Governor Heineman Friday noon, National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson Saturday noon, and KRVN’s Dave Thorell as the banquet speaker Friday night.

Friday’s speakers include Roy Stoltenberg, Eric Brown, NE Rural Radio Association General Manager, Steve Bleyl, Executive Vice President for marketing for Green Plains Renewable Energy, Michael Stumo, Executive Director for the Coalition for a Prosperous America, Dr. Bill Heffernan of the University of Missouri, J. Dudley Butler, USDA GIPSA Administrator, Chandler Goule, NFU Vice President of Government Relations, State Senator Cap Dierks, Dr. Merlin Friesen, Richard and Mary Alice Corman, Ken Mass President of the NE AFL-CIO, and Dave Thorell.

Saturday’s speakers include Graham Christensen, Allen Dutcher, Nebraska State Climatologist, State Senators, Tom Carlson, Annette Dubas, Mike Gloor, Ken Haar, and Norm Wallman, Vern Jantzen, John Hansen, and NFU President Roger Johnson.

“We have a great program with top-notch state and national presenters on a wide range of topics critical to the success of family farm agriculture. We urge all Farmers Union members to attend. In addition to elections and conducting the organization’s business, we enjoy meeting old friends while meeting new ones that share our commitment to family farm and ranch agriculture. The public is always welcome. If you have questions, call our office at 402-476-8815,” Hansen said.

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