RMFU members head for National Convention

AURORA — Twenty-seven Rocky Mountain Farmers Union (RMFU) members leave Friday to travel to Salt Lake City, where they will participate in National Farmers Union’s 98th anniversary convention.

According to RMFU President Dave Carter, the primary concerns of his members are commodity prices and the viability of family farms and ranches in the Rocky Mountain region.

“Despite a surging U.S. stock market and a strong economy overall, U.S. agricultural producers are struggling with very, very low prices,” Carter said. “In some case, when adjusted for inflation, producers are receiving less for their crops and livestock than they were 20, 30 and even 40 years ago.”

Carter says RMFU members are anxious to join producers from other parts of the country as delegates focus on identifying changes to the farm program to improve opportunities for farm and ranch families. In addition to hearing from a number of top officials, convention delegates will participate in a series of forums, including a panel discussion with top congressional aides on possible changes to the current farm bill, which expires in 2002. RMFU also will be represented as delegates debate and adopt National Farmers Union policy changes for 2000.

The convention also will feature a workshop exploring opportunities with new generation cooperatives and a panel discussion among the elected leaders of several national farm and commodity organizations on the future of U.S. farm policy.

RMFU members attending the National Farmers Union convention are:
From Colorado: Dave & Sue Carter, Westminster; Charles & Betty Klaseen, Crawford; Lynn Eschbach, Englewood; Holly Ferguson, Sterling; Edwin & Hazel Jess, Ft. Morgan; Tom & Sandy Lauridson, Eastlake; John Noffsker, Monte Vista; Dwight Palser, Greeley; Elwin & Dreama Poe, Holyoke; Jim & Donna Roberts, Laird; Michelle Schumacher, Sterling; Wade Wilson, Pleasant View; Richard & Bernice Wolf, Ault. From New Mexico: Charles& Clella Petty. From Wyoming: Charles & Jean Coleman, Wheatland; Michael Gardner, Pine Bluffs; Fred Macy, Pine Bluffs; Tony Weber, Wheatland.