Recently, MFU President Walter Schweitzer and Board Member Erik Somerfeld helped organize a brand-new Local — the Blackfeet Local, proudly established on the Blackfeet Reservation. Members elected their inaugural officers: Dan Barcus, President Wayne Smith, Vice President Verna Billedeaux, Secretary/Treasurer This marks a historic moment as the first Indigenous Local...
Montana Farmers Union's Arrowpeak Camp was recognized for its commitment to helping youth grow and learn with the American Camp Association Northwest Character Impact Award for Montana for the 2025 season. The ACA Character Impact Award is a recognition given to camps that demonstrate a commitment...
President Trump's move to remove tariffs on Brazilian beef and other goods that were previously subject to a 40% levy Trump announced in July further undermines American ranchers, Montana Farmers Union President Walter Schweitzer said.“We are already at an all time high for beef imports....
National Farmers Union on Nov. 19 released the annual Thanksgiving Edition of the “Farmer’s Share of the Food Dollar,” revealing stark inequities in America’s food system. Farmers continue to receive only pennies on the dollar for foods typically consumed for Thanksgiving dinner despite high grocery...
The federal government’s reopening is a step in the right direction for farms and ranches, with the USDA reopening with full funding for many of the programs crucial for farm success, said Walter Schweitzer, who serves as president of Montana Farmers Union. “We appreciate that the...
Curbing anti-competitive practices and reinstating mandatory Country of Origin Labeling will do more to lower beef prices than importing more beef from Argentina. Unfortunately, ranchers have already taken another hit in a volatile market.It takes about the same percentage of your paycheck to buy a...
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3CCOIYVbgc[/embed]People in every county and every reservation in Montana are impacted by Montana Food Bank Network’s programs, which have provided nearly 14 million meals in the 2025 fiscal year alone.Through partnerships with local and national food manufacturers and agriculturalists, MFBN is able to provide up...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3fbzKmBRZI&feature=youtu.beIt’s no accident Edwards Ranch has been in operation for more than 100 years. Hard work, ingenuity, and perseverance kept the ranch going through the decades, world wars, Great Depression, low prices, and severe weather.In recognition of the achievement, Edwards Ranch was named a Centennial...
In February of this year, U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) reintroduced the American Beef Labeling Act (S.421), legislation that would reinstate mandatory country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef processing. Today, US Representative Hageman published a companion bill on the House side. Both of these...
Montana’s farmers and ranchers require a safety net that meets their needs, leaders said during Montana Farmers Union’s 110th Annual State Convention held Oct. 30-Nov.1 in Lewistown.“I don’t think it’s ever been more important that it is today to get together and discuss what we...