MFU highlights work to strengthen farms, ranches during 110th Annual State Convention

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 need to do and advocate to get it done,” said Walter Schweitzer, who was elected to a fourth term as the organization’s president during the event.

The grassroots organization’s convention was held during a federal government shutdown during a year the ag sector has been slammed by tariffs and faces uncertainty with a lack of a reauthorized Farm Bill that was pieced out during the reconciliation process.

Rural communities need security, National Farmers Union President Rob Larew told attendees.

“We need to get beyond this fighting for scraps,” Larew said.

“At the end of the day, we need a safety net that actually works,” he said, adding that means the Farm Bill needs to provide solutions for today’s farmers and ranchers.  

Some priorities MFU members identified during Convention are: expanded permanent disaster programs, expanded conservation programs, promotion of regional food systems and diverse markets, a new Competition Title, supporting a strong Nutrition Title, increased baseline funding, and encourage full staffing levels at USDA offices.

MFU will continue fighting for fairness from the farm to the plate by working to have Congress reinstate mandatory Country of Origin Labeling, a topic that has been spotlighted with President Trump’s proposal to increase beef imports from Argentina.

Members, among other things, also prioritized farmers’ right to repair equipment, developing meat processors curriculum to recruit and train workers for meat processing, increasing transparency and fairness in markets, restored and increased Medicaid funding to support rural hospitals, and USDA reorganizations that are made in consultation with producers and that allow for programs to be effectively administered.

In addition to the policy work done during Convention, mental health awareness, succession planning, and precision agriculture were highlighted. 

MFU’s Convention shapes the organization’s direction, but members can stay involved regardless of the time of year through numerous educational and leadership opportunities.

“I am excited about MFU’s future because of how many people are becoming active in our organization, as well as the diversity of the producers and their operations,” Schweitzer said. “Even though I think I am a young farmer, when I look around at our board, I am the oldest member. That is a good thing for MFU. I feel confident MFU will be around for another 100 years advocating for family farms, ranches, and our rural communities.”

Learn more at www.montanafarmersunion.com.