Rocky Mountain Farmers Union posted a comment with the Department of Labor urging that proposed new federal regulations on child labor avoid unintended hardships to family farms and ranches. “We are concerned that the regulations do not clearly exempt family operations that have incorporated,” said Kent Peppler, a Mead, Colorado, farmer and President of RMFU. “We support regulations to improve the safety of young farm workers, but the regulations shouldn’t place unnecessary burdens on farm and ranch families whose children participate in the family work.”

As a grassroots organization working to protect family farmers, ranchers and their rural communities, RMFU advocates for safe agricultural workplaces and supports programs that encourage young people to get experience and training that will lead them to a fulfilling life in agriculture. “We value the health and safety of all farm workers, whether family or hired help,” the comment asserted, “and we support the student-learner programs of rural schools, which offer hands-on training in a safe environment.”

Family-oriented agriculture is the most environmentally, economically and socially responsible model for agricultural production. Families have an inherent concern that  their natural resources are sustainable, that their livestock are handled with humane husbandry, and that workers, who include spouses, children, and the extended family, have a safe workplace. The agricultural family has a vested financial and emotional interest in keeping the workplace safe. The proposed rules lack clarity regarding their impact on farms owned by a closely-held family corporation or partnerships consisting of family members. “This could be another case of creating rules that do nothing to curb industrial abuses while creating hardship for conscientious families in agriculture.”

RMFU expressed support for prohibitions on young workers using electronic devices, including communications devices, while operating a tractor. “The risks of ‘distracted driving’ are a mounting problem in the digital age,” Peppler said. However, the comment urged further consideration of the proposed rule requiring a valid state driver’s license to operate a tractor on public roads. Most states have already established their regulations with reference to operating licensed vehicles on public roads.  RMFU supports requiring appropriate markings on slow moving equipment to improve operation safety. But  national regulations overriding local statutes will degrade the student-learner’s involvement in operation of the farm or ranch. “Operator training is the key to farm safety,” Peppler said.

The proposed rules eliminate many the student-learner and certification exemptions from Hazardous Occupations (HO) rules. This modification will have a direct impact on training the next generation of farmers and ranchers and recruiting young adults into agriculture-related businesses. RMFU urged the Department to provide justification for specific changes within a task area covered by the rule.

“The new  regulations would prohibit young family members from learning key skills for raising livestock,” Peppler said. “Young people should have appropriate training, safety conditions, and supervision on the job, but we cannot support prohibiting student-learners from participating in basic animal husbandry.”

RMFU’s comments supported new prohibitions that correct omissions in existing statutes, such as prohibiting hired farm workers under the age of 16 working in silos or grain storage bins, in manure pits, or handling pesticides. “Farm safety is important to RMFU, as important as the health and safety of our own children. The future of American agriculture requires an experienced and trained new generation. We commend the Department’s efforts to make workplaces safer for young workers. However, these regulations go too far in their zeal to protect our young people from their own families. Nobody wants their children working in unsafe conditions. But the Department of Labor must not allow new regulations to have unintended consequences like  adverse effects on family farmers and ranchers and on learning and certification programs.”

At 3 p.m on November 17, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union will host a public meeting at Cheyenne Little America to examine the problem of creating transmission corridors to deliver renewable energy to customers eager for this clean energy.

The panel will be moderated by former PUC commissioner Ron Lehr. Speakers include Craig Knoell (Transmission Infrastructure Manager for the Western Area Power Administration), Loyd Drain (Executive Director of the Wyoming Infrastructure Authority), Brent Orr (President, Cornerstone Transco) and RMFU Director of Renewable Energy Development Bill Midcap.

The panel will look at obstacles and challenges to corridor development. It will offer a new model for cooperative corridor development that includes landowners in the research and development process, provides those in the corridor with fair compensation for the use of their property, and promises to facilitate the build-out necessary if we are to shift our energy use to clean, renewable sources.

Craig Knoell will provide an update on WAPA’s existing transmission infrastructure plan, and Loyd Drain will discuss implications of transmission issues in Wyoming. Bill Midcap will introduce an RMFU white paper on landowner alliances to facilitate corridor development through collective bargaining and annual payments for corridor easements. Brent Orr will discuss his experiences putting into action the ideas presented in the white paper.

The white paper (click for PDF), prepared by the RMFU Foundation’s Renewable Energy Development Center, will be distributed at the panel, which will begin at 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17. This event is open to the public.

The Rocky Mountain Farmers Union (RMFU) Cooperative Development Center learned this week that it has been awarded a Rural Cooperative Development Grant of $225,000, which will be used to foster and promote cooperative businesses in rural Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming.
Announcing the awards to RMFU and 35 other organizations in 26 states, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said, “These grants help cooperatives support local projects and initiatives that create jobs and improve rural economic conditions.”

Colorado Senator Mark Udall sent his congratulations to RMFU. “Investing in rural Colorado is a critical piece to our economic recovery,” Senator Udall said, “and I am pleased that RMFU will continue its focus on spurring rural economies so that we can ensure farming and ranching remain a part of Colorado’s way of life.”

Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, which represents family farming and ranching in Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming, has been a leader in cooperative development for many years. Since the founding of the Cooperative Development Center in 1996, RMFU has helped create, manage and sustain more than 100 cooperative businesses.

If you’ve been in Rocky Mountain Farmers for a while, you have probably heard some mention of the Fellows program. However, you may be thinking, just what is it? As a Fellow of 2005, I’d like to answer that question.

There are times in your life when you are given the opportunity to take classes, lessons, or just learn a little more about being a leader. Not the leader of a nation or a state but just a leader in your community or organization. That is what the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Fellows program offers. You are given the opportunity to brush up on your communication skills, learn how to conduct successful meetings, and to be confident when you are in a leadership position.

I know, because the Fellows program gave me the confidence to handle the leadership positions that I have held since then. They were community and state positions I felt prepared to fill. After I finished the program, I was elected President of the Parent Teacher Organization at my children’s school. Not knowing a lot of the people involved, I was very nervous at the first meeting where I presided, but with the training that I had received, the meeting was successful and ran very smoothly.

After this experience, I ran successfully for the board of directors of Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, where I have now served as the District II representative for five years. A few years ago, I was asked to serve on the Colorado State Agriculture Commission Board, and recently I have been nominated for a second term on that board. I have also been chosen for the Colorado Food Policy Council.

When I joined the Fellows program, I wanted to make a difference, and the skills that I learned have let me use my passion for serving my community effectively.

So if you are asked to be a part of the Fellows program, grab the opportunity. If you know someone who could take the tools of leadership and build something good, recommend them to the state office. You will be helping your organization and the values we share.

The Hickenlooper administration caught everyone’s attention with a proposed 2011-2012 Colorado budget that slashes public education to the tune of $332 million or nearly $500 per pupil. This proposed reduction, along with the approximately 6.38 percent reductions to school districts in the current year, totals nearly 14 percent in the last two years.

These reductions in funding are particularly hard to deal with in Colorado’s rural school districts, many of which are losing enrollment and thus losing additional funding. Many rural school districts have already gone to the four-day week, made other elective program cuts, and used up their precious reserves to balance their budget. Rural school districts, because of their lack of economies of scale due to large geographical service areas, have higher per student transportation costs and have less flexibility in reducing their budgets. Some rural teachers, administrators and school board members are wondering if they can keep their doors open and what is next.

In recent months, various proposals and ideas have surfaced to fix the problem that has forced Colorado to cut an incredible $888 million from K-12 schools in the last four years and $5.8 billion from Colorado’s general fund budget.

Proposed fixes range from an effort by Senator Rollie Heath to incrementally increase state income and sales tax to 1999 levels to create new funds for K-12 and higher education to another by the Fiscal Policy Institute to implement a graduated income tax. Others believe that the proper approach is to continue to reduce the cost, size and complexity of government by establishing and funding only core functions and priorities.

Many people believe that Colorado is in this budget mess now due to the constitutional formulas that do not allow representative government to work. The combination of Gallagher, TABOR and Amendment 23 has created an untenable situation and many believe that Colorado voters must fix these mechanisms going forward and make it more difficult to amend the Colorado Constitution. It appears that the Colorado state legislature will soon pass Senate Concurrent Resolution 001, a referred measure to be voted on by the people of Colorado that would, if passed, make it more difficult to amend the state constitution. The measure requires that a certain percentage of signatures for constitutional ballot measures be gathered statewide, and that the threshold for future constitutional changes will be 60 percent rather than a simple majority.

Governor Hickenlooper added to the concerns of rural residents when he recently stated that Colorado should move toward consolidating school districts to end up with no more than 60 districts. Currently, there are 178 school districts. There are several reputable studies that conclude that there are not any substantial savings by consolidating rural districts. The large number of students and costs for K-12 education are along the front range of Colorado where the population centers are located. Many believe that school districts (especially rural districts) need to share services, i.e., superintendents, CFOs, business managers, transportation directors, technology systems, distance learning, etc., rather than consolidating districts. This approach would allow local rural communities to keep their school buildings open and thus save and protect jobs in the community and at the same time be more efficient.

All of us who care about local, county, and state services –  K-12 education, higher education, roads, social services, law enforcement, corrections –.need to get engaged in these discussions and help determine the future of our great state of Colorado. We must stand up for rural Colorado.

The quality of the education that a student receives must not be determined by their Colorado zip code.

This year’s annual convention of the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, a grassroots organization representing family farmers and ranchers in Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming, will feature the Harvest Moon Gala, a fundraiser for the RMFU Foundation. The event, on Friday evening, November 19, at the Colorado Springs Doubletree Hotel, will include dinner, games, an auction and a grand prize drawing for a week at a condo in Mazatlan.

The RMFU Foundation is a 501c3 that offers educational programs to not only our members but a broad base of  interested people in the Rocky Mountain region,” said RMFU Executive Director Ben Rainbolt. “In these tough economic times, an event like the gala gives people a light-hearted way to make their charitable contributions. We have put together a great selection of prizes and auction items, thanks to the generosity of members and friends.”

Recent Foundation programs include summer leadership camps for school-age members, a Fellows training program for young adults that concluded with a visit to Washington, D.C., and community programs presented in two dozen Colorado counties to provide information on ballot initiatives.

The Harvest Moon Gala is a ticketed event. For more information, call 303.752.5800.

In cooperation with R-CALF USA and Colorado Independent Cattle Growers, RMFU is sponsoring workshops in Colorado and Wyoming to help farmers and ranchers prepare for the USDA/DoJ hearing in Fort Collins on August 27, which will focus on livestock markets.

On August 27,for the first time since the creation of the Department of Agriculture by President Lincoln, the USDA and the Department of Justice will hold a joint meeting. Attorney General Eric Holder and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack are scheduled to attend.

R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard will make a whirlwind tour of northern Colorado and southern Wyoming during the fi rst week of August. His presentation, Under Siege, documents the concentration of cattle markets and the impact on both consumer prices and producer revenues. The workshop (see schedule, right) will prepare attendees with details on how corporate control of the market has driven consumer costs up while crushing the “wholesale” value of the independent ranchers’ livestock to little more than the cost of production.

We need to preserve the future of rural America and the independent livestock producer who cares about land, cattle and consumers. Bullard’s presentation will explain the threat to rural economies and to the American family farmer and rancher, leaders in agriculture for the world.

Livestock Meetings Schedule

Monday, Aug 2 – Delta, Colo.
Bill Heddles Recreation Center
530 Gunnison River Drive, Delta, Colorado
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Tuesday, Aug 3 – Steamboat Springs, Colo.
Steamboat Springs Community Center
1605 Lincoln Avenue, Steamboat Springs, Colorado
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Wednesday, Aug 4 – Lander, Wyo.
Oxbow Restaurant
170 Main St, Lander, Wyoming
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Thursday, Aug 5 – Laramie, Wyo.
Ramada Center Hotel
I-80 & Hwy 287, Laramie, Wyoming
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Friday, Aug 6 – Julesburg, Colo.
Sedgwick County Fairgrounds Exhibition Hall
Julesburg, Colorado
7:00 PM – 9 PM

Thursday, Aug 12 – Burlington, Colo.
Burlington Livestock Exchange
Burlington, Colo.
11:00 AM – 1 PM
Thursday, Aug 12 – La Junta, Colo.
La Junta Senior Center
La Junta, Colo.
7:00 PM – 9 PM

The Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Educational and Charitable Foundation today announced the recipients of seven scholarships. The scholarships are funded by RMFU, Farmers Union Service Association (FUSA), and memorials to historic members of Farmers Union. They are given to students with outstanding scholastic achievements and community service, to recognize their gifts and assist them in pursuing their education.

“These recipients are bright young people who are the future leaders of our communities. The RMFU Foundation is proud to present scholarships to seven outstanding young leaders, to help them achieve their career goals,” said RMFU Education Director Jennifer Luitjens Bahr.

Samantha Schuller, Superior, Colo., James G. Patton Memorial Scholarship ($1000)
Samantha is the daughter of Theresa Schuller. She attends Colorado State University, pursuing an education that will prepare her to work with disadvantaged children. Samantha and her mother have been active in Rocky Mountain Farmers Union since Samantha was in the third grade. She was elected to the summer camp Senior Youth Advisory Council before her junior year in high school, trained as a camp counselor, and has worked at camp for the last two summers. She represented RMFU at National Farmers Union’s All-States Camp in 2008. Samantha is in the CSU merit-based work study program, which gives her a chance to meet people from all walks of campus life.

Darla Rosenbrock of Brush, Colo., Hazel Hemphill Memorial ($1000)
Darla is the daughter of Audrey and Brian Rosenbrock. Darla’s grandparents have been active in Rocky Mountain Farmers Union for 50 years, and her mother has served as an officer in Morgan County Farmers Union as well as assisting with RMFU Summer Camp. Darla began attending youth leadership camps in the second grade. She plans to attend Northeastern Junior College, working toward a degree in the sciences. Darla has been an active member of her school, church, and community, doing community service through 4-H, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and the Brush Lion’s Club. She is a student-athlete while maintaining a high GPA.

April Millage, Holyoke, Colo., RMFU Charles Petty Memorial Scholarship ($1000)
April, the daughter of Steve and Jan Millage, is pursuing a B.S. in Business Administration at Colorado State University. April put herself through the Associates program in Business at the College of Southern Nevada in 2007-08, and she hopes to qualify someday as a CPA and then pursue a career as an auditor. She participated in RMFU summer camp through primary school and worked as a counselor after high school. She is a student member of RMFU and considers summer camp one of the great influences in her life.

Tyler Schumacher, Peetz, Colo., Katheryn Pappenheim Memorial Scholarship ($1000)
Tyler, the son of Gary and Kristy Schumacher, plans to pursue his higher education at Adams State College, and then become a teacher and coach. Tyler’s family has been in Farmers Union for many years; his parents and three older brothers and sisters have all received the Torchbearer award for their work as young Farmers Union members. Tyler is student body president at Peetz Plateau School. He is a student, athlete, and musician, a member of the National Honor Society and FBLA, as well as active in Boy Scouts, Teens for Tots, and his church.

Ramon Portuese, Brush, Colo., Maurice Parker Memorial Scholarship ($1000)
Ramon, son of Carol Paynter and Ken Portuese (dec.), hopes to major in biomedical sciences and then continue into medical school, so he can be a family practice physician in a rural community. He is active in a diverse set of community activities while maintaining his grades and participating in both band and athletics. He has served on RMFU’s Senior Youth Advisory Council and is returning for his second year as a camp counselor. His excellence as an all-around student suggests that he will achieve his academic and career goals.

Jake Lockhart of Weldona, Colo., FUSA Scholarship ($1000)
Jake is the son of Vicki Evans and John Lockhart. He attends Weldon Valley High School, where he has maintained straight A’s academically. He is the vice president of the school’s National Honor Society chapter and president of the student council. He has also been active in FBLA, FFA, 4-H, and science clubs while playing a major role in the family farm. He looks forward to a career in engineering after graduating from Colorado School of Mines.

Anna Kuhns, McClave, Colo., FUSA Scholarhip ($1000)
Anna Kuhns, daughter of Doug Kuhns and Elin Ora, has been active in Farmers Union since early grade school, when she discovered RMFU Summer Camp. She has served on the Senior Youth Advisory Council. Anna coaches softball and teaches swimming in her summers. She has been an active participant in FCCLA, FBLA, Student Council, and the National Honor Society. She also participates in the school newsletter and many school sports while maintaining an excellent GPA and earning college credits at Lamar Community College. She plans to attend CSU, where she will pursue a degree in Fine Arts.

The RMFU Educational and Charitable Foundation promotes the well-being of rural communities and the family farmers and ranchers of Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. The Foundation offers leadership training, youth education opportunities, funds and expertise to groups and individuals involved in cooperative enterprises, local food initiatives, and hometown community initiatives.

The Rocky Mountain Farmers Union (RMFU) Educational and Charitable Foundation today announced the recipients of nine scholarships. The scholarships are funded by RMFU, Farmers Union Service Association (FUSA), and memorials to historic members of Farmers Union. They are given to students with outstanding scholastic achievements and community service, to recognize their gifts and assist them in pursuing their education.

“These recipients are bright young people who are the future leaders of our communities. The RMFU Foundation is proud to present scholarships to nine outstanding youth, to help them achieve their career goals,” said RMFU Education Director Jennifer Luitjens Bahr.

Alice Wood of Peetz, Colo., Hazel Hemphill Memorial ($1000)
Alice, known to her friends as Cassy, is the daughter of Danny and Lorrie Wood. She has been active in Farmers Union since kindergarten and received her Torchbearer Award last fall. She is a third-generation Farmers Union supporter, and she plans to attend Northeastern Junior College, working toward a degree as a registered nurse. Cassy has received many forms of recognition from her peers: she is vice president of the National Honor Society chapter, school FFA president, and treasurer for the student council, while remaining active in band, sports, and FBLA.

Lisa Wolf, Ault, Colo., Katheryn Pappenheim Memorial Scholarship ($500)
Lisa, daughter of Mike and Karen Wolf, plans to pursue her higher education at Aims Community College. Lisa’s family has been in Farmers Union for 35 years. Her family was selected as RMFU Farm Family of the Year in 2007. Lisa has been active in RMFU youth programs for nine years, At school she participates in band, choir, and cheerleading as well as 4-H and church groups. She is interested in a career in nutrition or physical therapy.

Racheal Werner, Alamosa, Colo., James G. Patton Memorial Scholarship ($1000)
Racheal, daughter of Brian and Joy Werner, attends Alamosa High School and hopes to pursue a degree in Agriculture Business at Northeastern Junior College. After receiving her Associates degree from NJC, she plans to continue her education at the University of Wyoming or CSU, then begin a career with an ag-based company. Racheal’s family has a long history of involvement in Farmers Union, and she is active in 4-H and FFA. In addition to her classroom studies, Racheal is an expert at showing her family’s Newfoundland dogs.

Blayze Melgoza, McClave, Colo., James G. Patton Memorial Scholarship ($1000)
Blayze, son of Melinda Kelley and Erik Melgoza, has been active in RMFU summer camp and in agriculture for most of his life. He raises show sheep and has shown in county fairs since he was eight. His leadership skills are reflected in his work as a basketball coach and baseball umpire. During his junior year he managed a local grain elevator during wheat harvest, and he hopes to secure a degree in Business, either at CSU/Pueblo or UNC. His academic skills have earned him membership in the National Honor Society.

Hillary Lenz, Holyoke, Colo., Maurice Parker Memorial Scholarship ($1000)
Hillary, daughter of George and Becky Lenz, will use her scholarship to major in Agribusiness at Kansas State University or UN/Kearney. She has held many offices in her FFA chapter during her years at Wray High School. Hillary’s long-range plans include commitment to her rural roots. Her excellence as an all-around student suggests that she will achieve her academic and career goals.

Ryan Larson of Pueblo West, Colo., FUSA Scholarship ($1000)
Ryan, son of Jeff and Carol Larson, attends Pueblo West High School, where he excels in basketball while maintaining a 4.0 academically. He is the president of the school’s National Honor Society chapter. Ryan is third-generation Farmers Union; he attended his first RMFU convention when he was two months old. He looks forward to a career in engineering after graduating from Colorado School of Mines.

Nicolas Kuhns, McClave, Colo., RMFU Scholarhip ($1000)
Nicolas Kuhns, son of Doug Kuhns and Elin Ora, has been active in Farmers Union since grade school. Three years ago he was elected to the Senior Youth Advisory Council at RMFU’s summer camp, and since then he has served as a camp counselor each summer. He also has six years of experience as a swimming teacher and has taught Red Cross lessons as well. Nicolas has been an active participant in FCCLA, FBLA, and the National Honor Society. He also participates in theater, band, basketball and as a member of the McClave High School track team. He plans to attend CSU, where he will major in Natural Science.

Chelsea Geier, Parker, Colo., FUSA Scholarship ($1000)
Chelsea, daughter of Mike and Gloria Geier, plans to study journalism at Colorado State University and pursue a career in the publishing industry. She has had a diversified year at Chaparral High School in Parker, where she excelled in academics and athletics. She is the captain of the school tennis team, treasurer for the National Honor Society chapter, and busy tutoring and writing for the school paper. Chelsea is looking forward to participating in CSU’s Presidential Leadership program.

Kristina Fischer, Centennial, Colo., Edna Buchanan Memorial Scholarship ($500)
Kristina Fischer, daughter of Kathy Fischer and Leland Swenson, is currently enrolled at Denver’s Metropolitan State College, where she is exploring degrees in hospitality, tourism, and events management. Kristina has demonstrated leadership skills in her pursuit of culinary training and in her three years in the hotel industry.

Rocky Mountain Farmers Union (RMFU) members will be in Washington, D.C., September 8-10 to meet with federal legislators and urge them to support policies that sustain rural economies and ensure our nation’s security. The delegation includes current RMFU Fellows – a select team of individuals who enrolled in a year-long leadership class that will help them contribute to their communities. The group will be accompanied by RMFU President Kent Peppler, who is a Mead, Colo., farmer, and RMFU Education Director Jennifer Luitjens Bahr. “This is a great opportunity for these young community leaders to exercise their new skills,” Bahr said. “We are especially looking forward to meeting with the Department of Energy to stress the importance of rural communities to our national energy security.”

Development of renewable energy, fair international trade agreements, competitive markets, implementation of the 2008 Food, Conservation, and Energy Act, and sensible food policies will be on the agenda as farm and ranch families from the region and other state Farmers Unions visit senators, congressional representatives, and administration officials from the USDA, the DOE, and other agencies.

High on the priorities of the delegation is raising awareness of the need to extend the renewable energy Production Tax Credit (PTC), which expires in December. “The PTC helps level the energy playing field by matching the sorts of tax credits routinely offered to oil and coal producers,” RMFU President Kent Peppler said. “If Congress allows it to expire, it will do tremendous damage to the new energy economy in the Rockies and even to our nation’s energy independence.” Peppler said.

The delegation will also take the opportunity to counter myths propagated by corporate agri-business, such as the singling out of ethanol as a scapegoat for high food costs or the notion that the family farmer and rancher are getting rich on higher supermarket prices.

“Rural America is struggling, as all Americans are, to stay ahead of a failing economy. And we hold the key to food and fuel security in our country,” Peppler said. “Our food supply and the new energy economy depend on wise use of rural lands. Our members represent lifetimes of experience and innovation in stewardship, conservation, and production. We hope we can keep Washington listening to our members’ voices.”