Missouri Farmers Union held its third annual convention, A Celebration of Food and Agriculture, in Jefferson City on the 15th and 16th of January. The convention brought together a coalition of MFU and other farm groups, workers, faith organizations, small businesses, the University of Missouri and the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

The convention began on Wednesday, January 15, with a seminar entitled “Risk Management for Profitable Family Farming.” Topics included business planning, marketing (including options and hedging), new farm program utilization, and utilizing e-commerce for farm profitability.

The afternoon program opened with a panel discussion on New Visions in Agriculture, including panelists Jose Garcia of the Community Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture Program at the University of Missouri, Deanne Hackman, Director of the Ag Innovation Center with the Missouri Department of Agriculture, and Kyle Vickers, co-op developer with the Missouri Farmers Union Family Farm Opportunity Center.

The program continued with presentations on the Missouri Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Awards by Joan Benjamin of the MO Department of Agriculture, as well as the socioeconomic importance of family farm agriculture in rural Missouri by Dave Peters of the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

A final panel on Building Authentic Relationships for Market Success included John Morrison, state director of the Missouri Grocers Association and Carrie Risner-James, owner, chef and farmer with Le Petit Bouchon in Columbia, MO.

The celebration continued at 4:30 pm with a legislator reception welcoming new and returning legislators to Jefferson City, including Lieutenant Governor Joe Maxwell. Maxwell challenged the attending legislators to keep their attention focused on Missouri during this session, and to work toward legislation to help family farmers and rural communities.

Jim Kreider accepts the Friend of Family Farmers Award from Russ Kremer. Kreider is a family farmer from Nixa, MO, and was a long time legislator working hard for rural communities and family farmers.

As Speaker of the House, Kreider championed legislation to protect open markets and fair prices for family farmers and was instrumental in legislation opening opportunities in rural areas, including value-added projects.

Lowell Shachtsiek, Palmyra, was one of three recipients of the Silver Star Award, given to Farmers Union members who recruit 25 or more new members during a calendar year. Lowell has been the most successful membership volunteer since Missouri Farmers Union was organized in 1999, and has been awarded a Silver Star every year since that time.

Other 2002 recipients unable to attend convention were Laura Ketsenburg of Monroe City, and Silvia Christen, student at the University of Missouri in Columbia.

Jill Lucht presents the Gary Wiggins Memorial Scholarship to Jake Davis, student at the University of Missouri in Columbia studying Agriculture Education, Leadership and Communications. Jake was instrumental in organizing the MU chapter of Farmers Union, and intends to pursue a law degree concentrating on agricultural law after completion of his undergraduate degree. He also intends to continue his involvement in his family’s beef and paint horse farm.

Recipients of this award plan to enter production agriculture or other related service to rural communities upon completion of their degree.

Russ Kremer presents Father Syl Bauer with the Friend of Family Farmers Award at the MFU convention January 15. Father Bauer has a long history of working for social justice issues, and has established many churches throughout rural southern Missouri.

Father Bauer also is the longtime as Rural Life Director for the Springfield/Cape Girardeau Catholic Diocese. His wit and humor in accepting the award was a highlight of the evening.