FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE Missouri Farmers Union to Kickoff Annual Convention in Moberly, Jan. 25-26 JEFFERSON CITY, MO (Dec. 27, 2007) – In a grassroots effort to provide family farmers and rural communities with new opportunities Missouri Farmers Union (MFU) will hold its Ninth annual convention Jan. 25-26, 2008, at the Municipal Auditorium in Moberly, Mo. Members will gather to elect officers, review polices, and choose delegates to the 2008 National Farmers Union (NFU) convention. MFU will also offer a variety of educational workshops and speakers surrounding the convention theme “Restoring Health to Rural Missouri”. The public is invited to attend. “Now more than ever, it is critically important that family farmers and rural residents get involved to determine a positive direction for rural communities,” said MFU President Russ Kremer. “The convention is the ideal venue to craft solutions to rural issues and to shape an innovative vision for the future.” At the two day event, family farmers, farm groups, food activists, workers, faith organizations and small businesses will convene as a strong coalition of advocates for sustaining Missouri’s agriculture and communities. MFU convention delegates will review policy positions for the coming year. MFU policy is drafted by a grassroots membership, and details of legislative policy are finalized by membership vote at the convention. Then policy is published to provide information and guidance to staff, chapters, legislators, congressional representatives, and other interested parties. This year's convention features special guests Senator Claire McCaskill (Friday banquet,6 p.m.), Attorney General Jay Nixon (Friday banquet 6 p.m.) and NFU President Tom Buis (Saturday luncheon, 12:30 p.m.). The convention will kick-off on Friday, Jan. 25 at 9:30 a.m. and conclude on Sat. Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. Prior to the convention banquet on Friday evening at 4:30 p.m. a Missouri’s Bounty reception will feature locally produced food and drink. A series
of workshops will provide valuable information on improving
farmer’s bottom line through value-added agriculture, health
insurance options for farm families, new opportunities in production
agriculture, carbon credits, climate change and marketing will
provide attendees with expert information. Many other expert
speakers and producers will also address the convention. # # # Members of the media: If you would like to cover this event, need photographs or would like more information about Missouri Farmers Union, please contact Amy Meyer at 573-470-1494 or ameyer@missourifarmersunion.org. |
