rmfu annual convention 2015 3 · pdf filedan hobbs, lead co-op ... 5:00 p.m. harvest moon gala...

RMFU Annual Convention 2015 1

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RMFU ConventionNov. 13-14, 2015Westin Hotel, Westminster, Colo.

...the RMFU with its foundation has maintained all three sides of the symbolic farmers union equilateral triangle (Legislation, Cooperation, Education), positioning the RMFU to take imaginative direction of the movement for sustainable agriculture.

–John Freeman, author of Persistent Progressives”

2 2015 RMFU Annual Convention

Persistent Progressives Working for farmers, ranchers, and local communities

The history of Rocky Mountain Farmers Union features achievements and disappointments, colorful personalities and grim realities.

Someone should write a book about RMFU. And someone has. John Freeman invested countless hours researching, reviewing, and contemplating RMFU going back to the farm organization’s earliest days in 1907. That impressive effort is now in print for the first time. Persistent Progressives has gone through peer review and the first editions have been printed and are on their way to market. This book will be well received by anyone who has an interest in our history.

The good news is everyone who registers for RMFU’s annual convention will receive a free copy of Freeman’s book. Even better, Freeman will be a guest speaker at the convention and will be on hand to autograph copies of his book.


We have a new look, a fresh attitude, and a healthy commitment to make 2016 a great year for Rocky Mountain Farmers Union and our members. We also have a deep appreciation for our heritage and the leaders who built a solid foundation for our grassroots organization.

Since 1907, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union has been an advocate for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. That mission, naturally, will never change. We also embrace organizing cooperative businesses, designing and delivering educational programs, and making sure our members are at the table when it comes to state and federal policy.

Just as RMFU has evolved, so have the tools we use. This year, we are updating our brand so it better connects us to FUSA and reflects where we’re going. Until this month, the FUSA and RMFU logos were entirely different, resulting in some confusion for both members and consumers. In addition, this rebranding of the RMFU and FUSA logos will better connect us to the images used by National Farmers Union and Farmers Union Insurance. Just for fun, we’re sharing a few of our past logos above. The Plow, Rake, and Hoe image, as well as that of the Triangle, are not going away when it comes to respecting our heritage. We treasure each one.

RMFU and FUSA have launched newly-designed websites (rmfu.org) to serve better our members. We are using new communications tools such as Facebook and Twitter to share information with members, consumers, and policymakers. As a general farm organization, we are keeping pace with an ever-evolving agricultural environment. So help us celebrate our past and join us in working for future success. This is your convention. Enjoy it.


Officers:President Kent Peppler, Mead, Colo.Vice President Dale McCall, Longmont, Colo.Secretary Ken Anderson, Center, Colo. Treasurer Ken Macy, Pine Bluffs, Wyoming.

Board of Directors:Chair Jan Kochis, Matheson, Colo. (District VI)Vice Chair Barb Marty, Strasburg, Colo. (District II)Ken Anderson, Center, Colo. (District V)Kathleen Box, Tucumcari, N.M. (VII)John Field, Montrose, Colo. (IV)Ken Macy, Pine Bluffs, Wyo. (III) Steven Nein, Ovid, Colo. (I)

RMFU & FUSA Officers & Board



District IDistrict IIDistrict IV

District V

District VI

District VII

District III


FUSA & RMFU Staff

Rocky Mountain Farmers Union

Ben Rainbolt, Executive DirectorBill Midcap, Director of External AffairsJennifer Luitjens Bahr, Director of EducationBill Stevenson, Director of Cooperative DevelopmentBob Kjelland, Director of CommunicationsHarrison Topp, Director of MembershipMichele Parker, Executive Administrative AssistantMary Mahon, ControllerRhiannon Reyes, Accounting/Membership AdministrationAmy Beres, Director of the Urban Co-op ProgramKatie Hadad, Administrative AssistantJohn Stencel, Field RepresentativeDan Hobbs, Lead Co-op Development SpecialistSusann Mikkelson, Co-op Development Specialist/Field RepresentativeEd Bowditch, Government Relations/ColoradoPam Roy, Government Relations/New MexicoScott Zimmerman, Government Relations/Field RepresentativeChuck Holum, General Counsel



FUSA Staff

Kyle Bradley, General Manager & COOVickie Park, Operations ManagerTyler Kasper, Production Manager & Central Colo./N.M. ManagerJason Lehman, Marketing StrategistKarrie Thulin, Accounting/Commissions SpecialistDiane McMurtry, Executive AssistantMaryl Halvorsen, Account ManagerDenise Kadel, Account ManagerKat Robinson, Account ManagerDiane Simmons, Accounting SpecialistArlean Spennicchia, Assistant Account ManagerMike Schliep, East Colorado District ManagerJeff McGimsey, West Colorado District ManagerLela Ladd, Wyoming District Manager


Thursday, November 12, 2015

8:00 a.m. Board Meeting - Waverly Room10:00 a.m. Food Hub Network Meeting - Meadowbrook Ballroom Noon Registration Opens (Closes at 4:30 p.m.) 1-4 p.m. County Officers Meeting - Cotton Creek I & II 5:30 p.m. Policy Committee meeting - Waverly Room7:00 p.m. Board Reception - Cotton Creek I & II Music by The River Boys

Friday, November 13, 2015

7 a.m. Registration Opens (Closes at 1:00 p.m.)7:50 a.m. Singing/Door Prize Drawings8:00 a.m. Opening Ceremony - Westin Ballroom I & II Presentation of Flags & Pledge by FFA State Officers Call to Convention by Ken Anderson, Secretary Preliminary Report Credentials & Elections Committee Welcome and Call to Order by President Kent Peppler Report of Rules Committee

Convention Agenda



8:30 a.m. Roger Johnson, National Farmers Union President9:15 a.m. Nominations for Directors of District II & VII9:25 a.m. Treasurer’s Report by Ken Macy & Mary Mahon9:35 a.m. Kyle Bradley, FUSA General Manager9:45 a.m. Julia Hutchins, CEO of Colorado HealthOP

9:55 a.m. Break

10:10 a.m. Door Prize Drawings 10:15 a.m. John Freeman, Author of Persistent Progressives11:00 a.m. Nominations for RMFU Delegates to the 2016 NFU Convention set for March 5-8 in Minneapolis, Minn.11:15 a.m. Don Brown, Commissioner of the Colorado Department of Agriculture 11:30 a.m. James Pritchett, Executive Associate Dean, College of Agriculture Sciences, Colorado State University

11:45 a.m. FUSA/RMFU Luncheon - Standley Ballroom Tom Giessel, NFU Honorary Historian

1:00 p.m. Convention Tours (buses load at east entrance) • Colorado Department of Agriculture • GrowHaus

5:00 p.m. Harvest Moon Gala registration open - Westminster Ballroom III & IV5:30 p.m. Harvest Moon Gala Reception/Cash Bar 6:00 p.m. Harvest Moon Gala Farm Family of the Year Award FUSA Agent of the Year


Saturday, November 14, 2015

7:00 a.m. Registration Open (Closes at noon)7:50 a.m. Singing/Door Prize Drawings 8:00 a.m. Convention Reconvenes - Westminster Ballroom I & II John Stencel Leadership Award Cooperative Achievement Award8:15 a.m. Candidate Speeches for Board of Directors, NFU Delegates8:30 a.m. Justice Gregory Hobbs, Farming in Severe Weather Extremes

9:30 a.m. Break Delegate Registration Closes – Final Delegate Roster

9:45 a.m. President Kent Peppler10:00 a.m. Introduction of RMFU Policy Committee by RMFU Vice President Dale McCall State Policy Adoption Colorado – Westminster Ballroom I & II New Mexico – Waverly Wyoming – Waverly11:45 a.m. RMFU/FUSA Education Luncheon - Westminster Ballroom III



1:00 p.m. Convention Reconvenes - Westminster Ballroom I & II Final Election and Credentials Committee Report Election - Director Districts II & VII and NFU Delegates

2:00 p.m. National Policy Adoption

5:30 p.m. Convention Reception - Meadowbrook I & II Music by Rawah Report of Election Results Delegates Directors Installation of Officers by Chuck Holum Closing Remarks by Kent Peppler Convention Adjournment

Sunday, November 15, 2015

8:30 a.m. Board Reorganization - Waverly

Retired Justice Gregory Hobbs will talk about how farmers are handling weather extremes.


Board Representative: Dale McCall, Longmont, Colo. Board Representative: John Field, Montrose, Colo. District I: Steve Nien, Ovid, Colo. District II: Meghan Williams, Fort Collins, Colo.District III: Pam Dougherty, Pine Bluffs, Wyo. District IV: Steve Childs, Snowmass, Colo.District V: Jerry Pacheco, Del Norte, Colo. District VI: Dan Merewether, Karval, Colo. District VII: Phillip Box, Tucumcari, N.M.

2015 Policy Committee

2015 Rules Committee

Ben Whitfield, Pueblo CountyDan Graeve, Denver/JeffcoMary Merewether, Elbert/Lincoln

2015 Credentials & Election Committee

Sally Harms, Weld County, ChairDorothy Zavorka, Goshen, Wyo.Jerry Hergenreder, Adams/St. Vrain CountyCleta Felzien, Elbert/LincolnKellie Pettyjohn, Four Corners



FUSA Agents in New MexicoCarol GuerraMark OgasYolanda AlvarezSusan WalkerShirley OrtegaDonna DaveeJesus SernaGlenda CrowMichelle TrujilloTheresa LockhartWesley WellsTom DannelleyDolores VialpandoDavid LongoriaClyde McKeeHugh TaylorBernice ValenzuelaDebbie ArandaElida Ortega-LopezPhillip Box

AlbuquerqueAlbuquerqueAnthonyCedar CrestCubaFarmingtonLas CrucesLas VegasLas VegasLos LunasMountainairPortalesRio RanchoRoswellRoswellRoswellRoswellSanta FeSanta TeresaTucumcari

505-294-9414505-247-2578575-882-2111505-281-5099505-934-5007505-326-3521575-541-6171505-425-9275505-425-5696505-865-9600505-847-0227575-359-1227505-938-0921575-622-1205575-208-0101575-623-5422575-625-1463505-982-8703575-589-0940575-461-2420

Our staff and members extend special thanks to Farmers Union Insurance

for generously supporting the annual convention and the activities and goals of

Rocky Mountain Farmers Union.


FUSA Agents in WyomingMiriam PletanJonathan SchrackErcella StevensonElizabeth JonesEric ScalzoChristine MontgomeryJames JarrettWindy NobleCindy FabriziusMark ShidelerJessica WeaverJustin VisserKristy GreenWill deRyk

CasperCasperCheyenneGilletteGilletteGreen RiverPowellPinedaleRivertonSheridanSheridanThayneTorringtonWheatland

307-237-7195307-234-1522307-638-7770307-682-6520307-682-5788307-875-5078307-765-2313307-367-3886307-856-5278307-672-0487307-655-8001307-883-2274307-532-5542307-322-9129

Insurance with a Personalized TouchNo matter where you live, there’s a FUSA Insurance Agent near you. When you contact one of our agents, you’ll be talking to someone that lives in your community. We understand the unique type of coverage you need to protect your family, farm, and business in the area that you live in. Our agents support all that matters to you and your family, including school programs, community outreach, and are proud members of the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union.


FUSA Agents in ColoradoAlan BaerDaren BoltGraham DeWittDavid SimonJeanne BurneyMarjean RahnRyan DerbackKathy LobatoWendy DickeyCurt BakerBrian SaterKen BrengleYvonne SimmonsAlma SanchezTerri CoulterCatherine NolandAdam SaterJanell PflagerGeoff TaylorSteve WhiteDavid AtchleyErin BishopBret Brouse, SrBud FreiMichael MitchellRebecca OliverCassie ReedyRodney Trumper

AkronAlamosaArvadaBrightonBurlingtonCanon CityCastle RockCastle RockCheyenne WellsColorado SpringsColorado SpringsCortezDeltaDenverElizabethFort CollinsFort CollinsFt. MorganFt. MorganGlenwood SpringsGrand JunctionGrand JunctionGrand JunctionGreeleyGreeleyHaxtunHaydenHolyoke

970-345-2310719-852-2326303-465-9923303-659-9065719-346-8486719-275-2373720-292-1219720-496-1679719-767-5826719-494-1330719-636-3324970-565-4050970-874-4337303-722-2841303-646-2180970-484-3200970-663-5811970-867-5833970-867-5833970-945-7727970-243-0470970-243-0470970-549-4050970-352-6448970-352-6418970-774-7186970-276-3788970-854-3365


Timothy TrujilloMelinda KelleyPete WhiteleyJohn HickeyRobert BeckerLarry RoeJoel MillerMaria MillerDavid BarneyNathan GeierIan McKeanCarole StricklandJeffrey LarsonBryan CooperSusan Nichols-AlvisDominic PorcoCory JacksonRick JacksonDana JohnsonMarlene KunzSteven BaerShelly StaffordBudget Agencies IncBudget Agency, LLC

La JuntaLamarLeadvilleLimonLittletonLongmontLovelandLovelandMontroseParkerParkerPeytonPuebloPueblo WestRifleSalidaSterlingSterlingStrasburgTrinidadWigginsWrayPuebloPueblo

719-384-6644719-336-4011719-486-8122719-775-2859303-487-7400303-684-9034970-593-0619970-493-1483907-249-9336303-773-2828303-646-1885719-439-0304719-561-8449719-671-7394970-625-0411719-539-4758970-522-0672970-522-0672303-622-4717719-846-7579970-483-6471970-332-5003719-542-7722719-545-8133


2014 Financial Report Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

Year Ended Year EndedAssets 12/31/2014 12/31/2013

Cash $568,352 316,796 Accounts Receivable 937,336 1,715,633 Prepaid Expenses & Deposits 140,371 138,252 Investments 8,676,915 8,959,413Investment in Insurance Agencies 496,695 562,611 Deferred Tax Asset 1,614,671 1,428,257 Other Assets 215,821 235,360 Total Assets $12,650,161 13,356,322

Liabilities: Accounts Payable & Accrued Expenses $1,992,186 1,889,783 Liability for Pension Benefits 195,946 58,621 Deferred Compensation Plan-Agents 3,548,029 3,313,192Deferred Dues Revenue 150,770 139,343 Total Liabilities $5,886,931 5,400,939

Equity: Unrestricted Net Assets 6,763,630 7,955,383

Total Liabilities and Equity $12,650,561 13,356,322

Figures were condensed from the audited financial statements and exclude the results from the Charitable Foundation.


2014 Financial Report Consolidated Statement of Activities

Year Ended Year EndedSupport and Revenue: 12/31/2014 12/31/2013

Commission and Bonus Income $15,562,877 13,765,324 Commission Expense (11,472,663) (10,211,944)Net Commission Income 4,090,214 3,553,380 Dues Income 190,732 171,519 Program Participation Revenue 234,162 225,215 Investment Earnings 247,290 623,051 Other Income 32,339 26,018 Total Support and Revenue $4,794,737 4,599,183

Expenses:Insurance Agency Operations $4,783,546 3,485,531 Program Services 547,145 441,656 General Administration 345,790 345,786 Income Taxes 173,084 884,951 Total Expenses $5,849,565 5,157,924

Changes in Net Assets for the Year (1,054,828) (558,741)

Net Assets, Beginning of Year 7,955,383 6,777,173 Pension Liability Adjustment (136,925) 1,736,951

Net Assets, End of Year $6,763,630 7,955,383


When it comes to local foods...

...we put our hearts and hands into our work

RMFUCooperativeDevelopment Center

303.283.3549 • [email protected]

Mark Your CalendarColorado Gives Day will be Dec. 8 this year. You can support RMFU’s educational programs by making a donation which will also be eligible for additional incentive funds.

rmfu annual convention 2015 3 · pdf filedan hobbs, lead co-op ... 5:00 p.m. harvest moon gala...

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