grassroots · 3 • williamstowe,desmoines • kevin&daniellegriggs,boone •...
TRANSCRIPT
www.iowafarmersunion.org
Grassroots A Quarterly Newsletter from
the Iowa Farmers Union
The Iowa Farmers Union is seeking a Membership
CoordinatorIowa Farmers Union is seeking a self-‐directed, energe7c organizer wan7ng to change the debate about agriculture in The Heartland. Iowa Farmers Union is enjoying a resurgence of diverse, energized and progressive leadership and wants to maximize this opportunity with professional staff. Get paid to make a difference!
Read more on page 5.
Spring 2014
Look inside for: IFU legislative action, upcoming summer camps, and policy issues we care about!
IFU holds Farm & Food Lobby Day at the Iowa Capitol
Nearly two dozen members of the Iowa Farmers Union and its allies met with legislators at the Iowa State Capitol in February to discuss industrial hog operations, negligent drift, water quality, and local food systems.
“Our grassroots lobby days give our members the chance to have face-to-face conversations with policymakers, tell their personal stories, and advocate for the policies that will help Iowa’s family farmers succeed,” said Jana Linderman, President of the Iowa Farmers Union.
Farmers Union officers met with leaders in both chambers throughout the day, including Senator Pam Jochum, Senator Mike Gronstal, and Representative Mark Smith. All three were receptive to hearing about IFU legislative priorities, especially support for local food hubs around the state.
Outside the chambers, approximately 20 IFU members were able to meet with legislators to discuss priorities that were important to them. These members asked legislators to:• Improve accountability and evaluation of progress in
Iowa’s nutrient reduction strategy• Tax industrial hog confinements at the industrial rate• Build on current legislative efforts to support local
foods• Improve penalties and compensation for negligent
pesticide spray drift
“Creating effective policy starts with an open dialogue between policymakers, farmers, citizens and other stakeholders,” said Gabrielle Roesch-McNally, IFU Board Member and PhD student at Iowa State University. “To create the changes we need in Iowa, we must understand different perspectives on what sustainable farming might look like by fostering inclusive discussions with a broad base of partners.”
Left: Donna Winburn, Marvin Shirley, Senator Pam Jochum, IFU President Jana Linderman, Tony Thompson, IFU Vice President Thomas Burkhead
I O W A F A R M E R S U N I O N
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Since 1915, Iowa Farmers Union members have worked together to strengthen the independent family farm through legislation, education and cooperation
and to provide Iowans with safe food, a clean environment and healthy communities.
Board of DirectorsPresident Jana Linderman, Cedar Rapids
Vice President Thomas Burkhead, Johnston
Jerry Peckumn, Jefferson; Chris Petersen, Clear Lake; John Gilbert, Iowa Falls; Anthony Thompson, Des
Moines; Jerry Rosman, Harlan; Marvin Shirley, Minburn; Ashley Peppler, Grinnell; Donna Winburn,
Grinnell; Suzan Erem, West Branch; Sally Gran, Nevada; Gabrielle Roesch-McNally, Ames.
Iowa Farmers Union521 E Locust Street, Suite 220Des Moines, IA 50309-1939
www.iowafarmersunion.org
For immediate assistance, contact Jana Lindermanat 319-651-2250
Grassroots is the official quarterly publication of the Iowa Farmers Union.
©2014 Iowa Farmers Union
Letter from the PresidentDear Members,Spring finally has come to Iowa after a long winter, and farmers are busy in the field preparing the soil and planting crops for the coming growing season.While new life appears in the countryside, IFU is undergoing its own season of renewal and growth. We have accomplished some important milestones over the past year, and we are poised to make even more progress in 2014:
• We have recruited a diverse and talented Board that has put their considerable abilities and energy into crafting a detailed strategic plan to guide our work and attract new voices and new energy to IFU;
• In 2013, IFU membership increased by over 15 percent, and we are working hard to continue that growth trend in 2014 and beyond;
• IFU has successfully secured a 5-year funding commitment from our national organization that will allow us to recruit new staff and expand our capacity to serve our members.
I am excited by the opportunities that I see for IFU over the coming year. As we move toward our 100 year celebration in 2015, I invite you to contact me and share your ideas for how we can continue to grow and strengthen our organization for the next 100 years.
Sincerely,Jana LindermanPresident of the Iowa Farmers Union
IFU is seeking aPart-Time Communications Coordinator
The IFU is looking for someone who is technology savvy and has a passion to represent the organization to the public.
Duties include:• Maintaining IFU’s online presence• Creating outreach materials• Coordinating media efforts
For more information, contact us at [email protected]
3 www.iowafarmersunion.org
• William Stowe, Des Moines
• Kevin & Danielle Griggs, Boone
• Grant Schul<, Iowa City
• Stuart & Ranee Greenfield, Ellsworth
• Don Laughlin, Iowa City
• Dick Schwab, Solon
• Susan Ju<, Solon
• David Johnson & Jennie Embree, West Branch
• Margaret Bailey & Daniel Miller, West Branch
• Gilbert & Ardyth Gillespie, Atlantic
• Dan & Cheryl Lillis, Williamsburg
• Phillip & Missy Jensen, Ida Grove
• Jessica & Jon Fogarty, Iowa City
Help us do even more!The IFU Advocacy Fund helps:★ Scholarships for first-‐‑time participants in the annual NFU legislative fly-‐‑in to Washington, DC
★An effective government relations team in Des Moines to promote IFU legislative policy
★ State and federal policy activities for our members, including grassroots lobbying events, meetings with elected officials and policy forums
Donate online today at:
www.iowafarmersunion.org
Welcome New Members!
Meet Julia Slocum, an Iowa Farmers Union Member and vegetable farmer
Julia Slocum sees farming as not just a way of providing food, but as a way to connect to the land. Slocum manages her farm called Lacewing Acres in Madrid, IA and grows about 30 different crops on two acres of land.
She notes that there are challenges that she and other beginning farmers face. Managing the business end of her farm, growing crops, reaching out to local consumers, and keeping up-‐‑to-‐‑date on agriculture policy is a lot to handle, according to Slocum. She says she is grateful for organizations, such as the IFU, to be an advocate for her and put effort in areas she doesn’t always have the ability to do.
“For me, at this point in the midst of starting a business by myself, it just takes so much time and energy, said Slocum. “To know that a group is out there that knows my priorities and is willing to advocate for me is a good feeling.”
Know a farmer who should be featured in our newsle3er? Write to us at [email protected]
Julia Slocum at the Ames Farmers Market. Photo by Lindsay Tigue
Thank you to the following donors to the IFU Advocacy Fund!
• Susan and Richard Heathcote
• Norm and Susan West
• Jana Linderman and Phillip Burgart
I O W A F A R M E R S U N I O N
4 www.iowafarmersunion.org
IFU aBends the Iowa Environmental Lobby DayFarmers Union members joined an estimated 35 environmental groups in a second trip to Des Moines this session to support beTer protection of Iowa'ʹs land and waterways in March. The purpose was to energize lawmakers to provide more funding to preserve Iowa'ʹs soils and waterways. Farmers Union members, most of whom are family farmers growing corn, soybeans, vegetables and livestock, support policies that protect Iowa'ʹs resources from fertilizer pollution and soil erosion.
"ʺConnecting with so many organizations working on conservation was great,"ʺ said Tony Thompson, IFU Board Member and vegetable farmer. "ʺAs we talked, I showed people our four legislative priorities for 2014. People saw IFU'ʹs sincere commitment
Want to stay in the loop?
Sign up on the homepage at
www.iowafarmersunion.org
Sign up to receive:
•Weekly news updates from the National and the Iowa Farmers Union
• Updates and action alerts during the legislative session
• Reminders of Farmers Union events in your area and around the state
Good word travels fast, with your help! Please pass our newsleTer to a neighbor or leave at your local coffee shop, co-‐‑op, or market!
Left: Tony Thompson, IFU Board Member; Thomas Burkhead, IFU Vice President; and Gregg Heide, former IFU Vice President. Photo by Iowa Environmental Council.
to conservation efforts and really understood that family farmers can be an ally in the fight to protect clean water and a healthy environment."ʺ
The lobby day was organized by the Iowa Environmental Council, a partner organization with the Iowa Farmers Union. The IFU was proud to join them and other environmentally-‐‑based organizations at the Iowa Capitol to raise the issue of environmental stewardship in Iowa.
Photos from the Spring: IFU Attends the 2014 National Farmers Union Convention
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack spoke at the National Farmers Union Convention in Santa Fe, NM. While at the convention, he renewed his membership with the Iowa Farmers Union.
IFU member Aaron Lehman (left) with Dave Velde, NFU general legal counsel, at the National Farmers Union Convention. Lehman represented Iowa farmers and served on the national policy committee this year.
I O W A F A R M E R S U N I O N
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Your child can learn important life skills while having fun this summer!Farmers Union Summer Camps teach young people cooperation and leadership skills while hiking, swimming, playing sports, and more.
Where: Kamp Kenwood near Chippewa Falls, WI.
When: Sessions run for 4 days, from June through August
Cost: $75 to $85 per session, union members and $100 to $110, non-members
Sign up: Go to iowafarmersunion.org for details and registration.
Iowa Farmers Union is pleased to partner with Wisconsin Farmers Union to offer these camps to Iowa members in 2014. IFU will provide free transport to each session with at least 5 young people from Iowa attending.
The IFU is seeking a Membership CoordinatorDue to the new energy in the IFU by new leadership allied with veteran leaders, the National Farmers Union voted to place more resources in Iowa to help us better serve family farmers. The primary responsibility of the membership coordinator will be to grow Iowa Farmers Union membership in order to increase the organization’s effectiveness with policymakers and its farmer members.Specific job duties include:• Helping members organize IFU events in their region• Coordinating incentives and activities for the IFU
grassroots member recruitment program• Working with the IFU president to build alliances with
partner organizations• Increasing knowledge and use of member benefits
among IFU members• Coordinating planning & logistics for the annual IFU
state convention• Working with the IFU communications coordinator to
raise the visibility of IFU• Reporting progress, challenges and opportunities to
the president and board of directors
The membership coordinator will report to the IFU President.
Skills/QualificationsApplicants should have:
• Familiarity with farmers and farming• A passion for rebuilding Iowa’s rural
communities and family farms• Previous professional experience with union
or community organizing or related experience
• Previous experience building successful grassroots campaigns
• Ability to identify needs, manage time and prioritize tasks effectively
• Comfort working with people (experience working with a variety of farmers a plus) in person, by phone and over the Internet
• A valid driver’s license and a personal vehicle
A successful organizer will help turn this job into a full-time executive staff position. Hours/PayThis position is a flexible 20 hours per week as needed for events and meetings. The salary is $22,000/year plus expenses, with the expectation that the position will grow as IFU grows. The successful applicant can choose to work out of the IFU state office in Des Moines or from another location.
To ApplyPlease submit a leHer of interest and resume to IFU President Jana Linderman at [email protected]. Applica7ons accepted un7l the posi7on is filled. Applicants should familiarize themselves with the Farmers Union before applying. IFU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The Iowa Farmers Union is the oldest farm organiza<on in the state, with more than 500 member families suppor<ng rural communi<es and family farmers.
GRASSROOTS newsletter Spring 2014
521 E Locust Street, Suite 220Des Moines, IA 50309-‐1939
Iowa Farmers Union members, HasAngs Mutual has you covered!
Now with your IFU membership, you are eligible to receive a 9% special group
discount on your comprehensive farm policy from HasIngs Mutual!
To find an independent agent in your area, visit www.hasIngsmutual.com,
or call 1-‐800-‐442-‐8277.
2014 is the International Year of Family Farming
The UN declared that 2014 as the International year of family
farming. Let’s celebrate our family farmers in Iowa! Give a Union
membership to a farmer or friend you know today!
www.iowafarmersunion.org