The purpose of HB 1060 (Concerning Regulating Dietitians) is only to license dietitians in Colorado. We are not trying to regulate any other group who gives out nutrition information or does nutrition counseling.

Several groups do not understand the intention of the bill and have started a campaign to oppose it. There are actually nine exemptions or exclusions in the bill which cover anyone who performs or engages or practices nutrition, nutrition counseling, nutrition assessment, or nutrition care. That means certified nutritionists, nutritionists, herbalist, naturopaths, chiropractors, retail employees of Vitamin Cottage, Vitamin Cottage Nutritional Health Coach, employees of Whole Foods, etc., can practice “nutrition” as they do now. We do not intend to infringe on anyone’s business or professional practice.

Please call the members of the House Ag Committee to ask them to vote for the bill. The bill will be heard in the Ag Committee on Monday, Feb 6, so make your call this week!!

Rocky Mountain Farmers Union is supporting this bill, and as Chairman of the Board and a Registered Dietitian, I am asking you to call the members of the House Ag Committee now!

Jan Kochis, Chair
Board of Directors
Rocky Mountain Farmers Union

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.

Rocky Mountain Farmers Union members will join with National Farmers Union to meet a challenge grant benefitting Feeding America. Executive Director Ben Rainbolt announced today that RMFU and FUSA Insurance Agency will donate $500 to start RMFU’s commitment.

The Howard G. Buffet Foundation has offered to match every dollar given through Farmers Union members to Feeding America, up to his $50,000 challenge. Howard G. Buffett is a farmer and philanthropist with roots in the Midwest and an advocate for of Feeding America’s fight against hunger. The challenge grant provides a medium for the agricultural community to support hunger relief and help their neighbors in need. Feeding America will send the funds from each states’ members back to food banks serving their communities.

Over the years Feeding America has been a friend to farmers, standing by their side on many legislative issues of interest to the farming community. The Buffet challenge is a chance to give back. Feeding America is the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization. Every year they reach 37 million hungry Americans, nearly 14 million of them children. Their network of local food banks uses donations so efficiently that each dollar donated is worth $17 in food and groceries. The Buffet challenge is a chance to double that impact.

RMFU members and FUSA agents will be spreading the word and donating generously in the coming months. Donations can be made online at www.feedingamerica.org/NFU, or by sending a gift to Feeding America NFU Campaign, PO Box 96749, Washington, D.C., 20090-6749.

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.

Rocky Mountain Farmers Union announced two major fundraising events for 2010, the RMFU/FUSA Foundation Golf Tournament and the Harvest Moon Gala, at their county officers meeting in Denver on Saturday and Sunday, July17-18.

“We are in the fourth year of our golf tournament,” said RMFU President Kent Peppler. “It’s a great time to network with our friends and sponsors.” This year, the golf tournament will be held at Eagle Trace in Broomfield, Colo., on September 23, 2010. Individual registration is $85 for 18 holes, a cart, and a steak dinner at the awards ceremony. There are also discounted prices for company and group registrations. For more information on the RMFU Foundation golf tournament, call tournament manager Lynn Painter at 970.302.0002 or the RMFU office (800.373.7638).

The RMFU Foundation also announced the Harvest Moon Gala, scheduled for the evening of November 19, 2010, at the Doubletree Hotel in Colorado Springs. The Gala will be on the first night of the RMFU annual convention. It will offer dinner, entertainment, prizes, and an auction, all to raise money for the RMFU Foundation’s education programs.

The RMFU Foundation supports rural, agricultural, and nutritional education. Foundation programs include scholarships and incentive awards, cooperative leadership summer camps, and training RMFU Fellows for grassroots adult leadership. The Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, and donations are tax-deductible.

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.

The attendees (Ethan Beeman, Pueblo; Brian Best, Longmont; Lauren Mertens, New Raymer, Emily Smith, Lafayette, and Darla Rosenbrock, Brush) were chaperoned by Bill Stevenson, Director of Cooperative Development at Rocky Mountain Farmers Union.
Students attended three days of presentations, visits, and workshops reviewing the many forms of cooperative economy and the challenges facing co-ops today. They toured housing, retail and marketing cooperatives across the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul.

“Farmers Union is built on a foundation of cooperative enterprise and education,” Stevenson said. “We love helping our young people learn how cooperatives work and how well they work. There’s no better place to do that than the College Conference on Cooperatives and the Twin Cities, a national leader in cooperative development. A terrific time was had by all!”

When I worked at Northeastern Junior College, I had the benefit of being covered by a comprehensive health care plan along with other State of Colorado employees. For the years I have been employed solely at the ranch, though, I haven’t been able to afford health insurance. Even though ranching and farming are some of the most dangerous occupations because of the nature of our work, many of us can’t afford health insurance and live day-to-day with the fear that one misstep might lead us into bankruptcy.

As many of you already know, my wife Sarah and I had our little boy Trevor on March 17th. While he was healthy, he surprised us by coming seven weeks early. As a pre-term baby, he had to stay in the NICU for four weeks before he was able to come home. The care he received at the Yampa Valley Medical Center was first-rate, and we are one of the rare rural communities that has access to such world-class facilities and staff. But we are not alone, rural residents or not, in that we have accumulated bills with our recent hospital stay that would put us in bankruptcy if it weren’t for the health insurance provided to us by Sarah’s employer.

Do today’s young families have a right to health insurance, whether they can afford it or not? Do we need to change the way we approach health care as a country, or are we happy with the status quo?

As I see our health care bills exceed $100,000, I’m truly thankful that we have the insurance we need to cover our expenses. Isn’t it only fair that all responsible, hard-working people should have that same right?