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

john@nebraskafarmersunion.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 20, 2007 Lincoln, Nebraska

Nebraska Farmers Board of Directors Says No to Proposed FSA Office Closings

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Farmers Union Board of Directors strongly criticized Secretary of Agriculture Johanns for authorizing the closing of 10 Nebraska County FSA offices.

Governor Heineman and First Lady Sally Ganem were Friday noon luncheon guests. During his lunchion speech, Governor Heineman supported efforts to promote local ownership in wind, ethanol, biodiesel, and valued added processing by ag producers, cooperatives and rural communities. “The more local ownership we have in that economic structure, the better off we are,” he said. “I have seen it in a number of ethanol plants in this state, and it’s a good model. We need more local ownership.” Governor Heineman also addressed wind development by saying, “Wind energy is another alternative energy source we need to take a look at.” The Governor thanked Nebraska Farmers Union for their PAC’s primary election endorsement, and the ongoing positive working relationship he has with Farmers Union.

Nebraska Ethanol Board Project Manager Steve Sorum updated the convention on the remarkable growth of new ethanol plants built and under construction. Sorum noted that Nebraska Farmers Union was pushing for ethanol development long before there was even a Nebraska Ethanol Board. Sorum said during his first day on the job he met with NEFU District 5 Director Alfred Maronde who “infected” him with his enthusiasm and vision of ethanol development. The convention later passed a Special Order of Business honoring Alfred Maronde, widely known as “Mr. Ethanol” for his tireless pioneering promotion of ethanol development in the 1960’s and 1970’s.

Dale Enerson, National Farmers Union’s Carbon Credit Program administrator explained the basics of carbon sequestration, including how ag producers can receive financial incentives from the Chicago Climate Exchange for storing carbon in their soil. Enerson explained how the program aggregates and then sells the carbon. Enerson received the President’s Award for Service to Agriculture for his efforts to get the carbon credit program established from Nebraska Farmers Union President John Hansen.

The delegates approved a Special Order Of Business commending National Farmers Union for sponsoring the national carbon credit program, North Dakota Farmers Union for starting and administering the program, and Nebraska Farmers Union for their successful efforts that signed up 70,000 acres of Nebraska no-till and new plantings of grassland and legumes.

In NEFU elections, the convention delegates re-elected Roy Stoltenberg of Cairo as Director from District 2, Vern Jantzen of Plymouth from District 4, and Dennis Buse of West Point from District 6 to the NEFU Board of Directors. Stoltenberg serves as NEFU Vice-President and Jantzen as NEFU Secretary.

Sally Herrin of Lincoln and Gwen Grabouski of Beatrice were elected to represent Nebraska at the National Farmers Union convention March 2-5, 2007 in Orlando Florida as delegates from the membership. Dave Mohlman of Red Cloud was elected first alternate, and Dale Nielson of Chapman second alternate.

Three members were selected to serve on the NEFU Foundation Board of Directors, Gwen Grabouski from the membership, Sally Herrin from the NEFU District Presidents, and Linda Kleinschmit from the NEFU Board of Directors. NEFU Foundation President Jeff Kirkpatrick of Lincoln reported on the educational activities the foundation funded this past year, including part of the NEFU Youth Camp.

At the Friday evening banquet, Farmers Union Insurances District Manager Walt Basel was honored with the President’s Award for Service to Agriculture for his long time outstanding work of recruiting and training Farmers Union Insurance agents that are committed to helping build strong rural communities.

Brooks Daily, the new National Farmers Union Membership Services Director was the banquet speaker Friday evening. He emphasized the importance of service, and the important role Farmers Union plays in serving the needs of both the farm and rural community.

Saturday noon luncheon speaker, National Farmers Union president Tom Buis, said the next farm bill has the potential to be much more favorable to family farmers and rural communities. And a new Congress has the potential to be more responsive to grassroots rural America, he said. “We are on the cusp of some really great things happening in agriculture,” Buis said. “Rural America sent a loud, clear signal for change.”

Buis said Farmers Union wanted the next Farm Bill to strengthen the income safety net for family farmers and ranchers, include a strong competition title with real teeth to address growing market concentration in agricultural markets, prioritize farmer and community ownership of renewable energy to maximize the long term economic benefits, increase incentives for direct marketing to consumer and value added opportunities, fully fund conservation programs for family farmers, and address the causes of low ag commodity prices, not just treat symptoms. He also said mandatory Country of Origin labeling was unfinished business from the last Farm Bill. Congress passed COOL, but the Bush Administration delayed and sidelined implementation.

Three candidates shared their experiences as first time candidates for public office. Unsuccessful Lt. Governor candidate Steve Loschen of Wilcox, unsuccessful candidate for Congress Scott Kleeb, and successful candidate for Legislature, Annette Dubas shared their experiences with the convention. Fundraising, negative attack ads distorting their positions, and the stress on their families were raised as negatives. Getting to meet and know lots of new people, having the chance to help people, and receiving the support of friends, neighbors, and strangers were mentioned as positives.

The convention delegates adopted their new policy for 2007. Some renewable energy highlights included:

n A Nebraska Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) of 10 percent by 2015 for Nebraska electrical generation, and a national 10 percent RPS that also includes public utilities and coops.

n Enact Nebraska state legislation that adopts the Minnesota Community-Based Energy Development (C-BED) model to protect public power while allowing locally owned wind projects to utilize private sector incentives including depreciation and Production Tax Credits used in other states to stimulate wind energy development. C-BED is a grassroots model that brings together a wide range of local people to invest in local projects that maximized the economic and social benefits of renewable energy development in rural communities.

n Limit public power’s use of eminent domain on C-BED based wind projects.

n Provide Nebraska incentives for promotion and development of biodiesel similar to that for ethanol.

n Oppose importing ethanol and alternative fuels or lubricants, such as Brazilian ethanol to meet any domestic renewable fuel standards.

-30-