MFU Holds Sixth Annual Convention GLASGOW, MO (February 1, 2005) - Over 120 Missouri Farmers Union members and guests gathered for the organization’s Sixth Annual Convention held January 28-29 at the Driftwood Restaurant and Convention Center. During the convention, members and guests heard presentations on a wide range of topics surrounding the theme Embracing Our Rural Heritage. The Convention location provided a unique look at the creative spirit of Missouri and celebrated the commitment of MFU to rural communities. Delegates also passed policies to set MFU priorities for the coming 12 months. “It is very important for family farmers to come together to discuss policy issues and agree on what is important to us as an organization that is aimed at strengthening family farm agriculture and rural communities,” said Russ Kremer who was reelected to the position of MFU President at the convention. “The information gained at this convention empowers individual members, and our policy position unifies us in a single voice before policymakers.” MFU delegates called on the USDA to prohibit the importation of Canadian cattle of all ages indefinitely or until all safety, security and economic concerns of the US farmers and consumers are fully met. The special order of business was in response to a December 2004 announcement by USDA that importation of live cattle will soon be restored. Delegates also voted to support the right of a processor to access domestic and international markets that demand source-verified, BSE tested beef. “Confidence must be restored in our food supply and producers feel that it is irresponsible for USDA to continue with plans to reopen the Canadian border without first restoring trade with our export customers that had previously banned our products,” said Kremer. “This decision is having a severe negative impact on small cooperatives such as Gateway Beef Cooperative.” Gateway Beef Cooperative, a Missouri Farmers Union project collectively owned by farmers in Missouri and Illinois, has not been allowed to proceed with plans to export beef to Japanese markets due to the decision by USDA to not allow 100 percent BSE testing of animals. The convention program focused largely on quality of life issues that impact all Missouri rural residents. Workshops were held on agritourism, rural entrepreneurship, alternative food marketing, agroforestry, beef cooperatives, consumer issues and other activities. In addition, delegates took action that called for the organization to work to enhance the access to capital for community based cooperatives and other farmer controlled entities that engage in value-added activities that sustain Missouri farm families and rural communities. “In order for our young people to have a future in rural Missouri we must create opportunity,” said Kremer. “MFU is committed to creating business and educational opportunities for our youth to encourage their return to rural America.” In other calls to action related to quality of life issues, MFU delegates voted to support stringent efforts by Missouri law enforcement and prevention agencies to halt methamphetamine and other illegal drug production and sale in rural Missouri. An emphasis was also made on providing assistance to compensate Missouri family farmers and rural communities for damages incurred by this activity and to implement prevention, treatment and educational programs to assist communities in curbing this problem. # # #
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