Local FFA Students and Advisor Attend Washington D.C. Fall Fly-In with National Farmers Union
Tue, 09/20/2016 - 12:07pm
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 15, 2016) – FFA students Camryn Larson and Anna Olson of Fertile, with their FFA advisor Witney Ruppecht of Fertile, were able to fly along with Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) to join National Farmers Union (NFU) and nearly 300 fellow farmers, ranchers and rural citizens from across the county to meet with several U.S. Senators and Congressman.
Camryn and Anna were able to use the skills that they learned while in FFA and their commitment to rural Minnesota and farming to give their insight to representatives in Congress on the things that are affecting family farmers today.
The group in a whole was able to express their concerns and the need for change in the agriculture industry of the country in order to protect the future of family farmers including concerns about consolidation and current prices in agriculture and addressing the trade and renewable fuels
“This is the opportunity that our members have to get in front of the representatives of Congress to help them understand the struggles that American family farmers go through.” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “This is democracy at its finest, the voice of the farmer was heard in Washington D.C. during this visit, and it will make a difference”
In addition to Capitol Hill visits, Katie along with other MFU members were addressed by Tom Vilsak, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, who answered many questions that were brought forth by all members of National Farmers Union from all over the country to get the answers they needed.
Another major component of the fly-in that Camryn and Anna were able to witness was having the opportunity to present the Golden Triangle award to the key leaders who strongly support agriculture and family farmers, and have a 100 percent voting record with MFU & NFU policies. These leaders are Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Al Franken, Representative Colin Peterson, Representative Rick Nolan and Representative Tim Walz.