This following announcement comes from State Republicans: “House and Senate Republicans are initiating a listening tour to identify burdensome and anti-business rules and regulations. Beginning this weekend, legislators are traveling the state to hear from Iowans who can identify rules and regulations for elimination that will make Iowa more pro-business. The hearings are scheduled for the following locations and times below.”

Iowa Farmers Union applauds all legislators who make themselves available for public comment.  We feel it is extremely important that our members attend these listening sessions in order to speak out in support of small and medium size family farmers so that their rights aren’t diminished at the expense of “pro-business” corporate agriculture entities.

If you attend, please write and let us know how legislators responded to your requests.  info@iowafarmersunion.org

Saturday, February 12

9:30-11:30 AM, Ames Public Library, Ames
1-3 PM, Newton Manufacturing, 1123 1st Ave East, Newton
4-6 PM, Interpower, 100 Interpower Ave, Oskaloosa

Friday, February 25
10:30 – 12:30 AM, Morningside College, Sioux City
3-5 PM, Council Bluffs Public Library, Council Bluffs

Saturday, February 26, 2011
9-11 AM, CS Bank, 111 North Elm Street, Cresco
1-3 PM, Hurst Center for the Arts, Cedar Falls
5-7 PM, Best Western Conference Center, 3100 Dodge Street, Highway 20 West, Dubuque

Saturday, March 12, 2011
9-11 AM, CRST International, 1332 Edgewood Road SW, Cedar Rapids
3-5 PM, Comfort Suites, 1780 Stonegate Center Drive, Burlington

This week we have the opportunity to make a difference in agricultural policy at the state level by attending the Environmental Lobby Day on Thursday, February 3rd from 10AM-3PM at the State Capitol.  We know the weather could be challenging, but if you’re able to attend, please do so that your voice can be heard.

Iowa Farmers Union Staff and Members will be at the Practical Farmers of Iowa Annual Conference

when: Friday and Saturday, January 7 & 8th

where: Marshalltown Community College

The Iowa Farmers Union will have a display table at the conference. Come meet the new state staff – Sue DeBlieck and Lynn Heuss!  Also come to the conference to participate in sessions regarding cover crops, pastured poultry, dairy production, and more. Conference flier.

When: Tuesday, December 7, 7-8:30 pm
Where: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1015 North Hyland Ave., Ames
Is it feasible to replace coal with biomass for Ames’s energy needs? What other alternatives would work best? Join the Iowa Farmers Union, the Unitarian Universalist Green Sanctuary Committee and Plains Justice for a discussion on energy, including sharing of ideas between all those in attendance. Light refreshments will be provided. For more info contact Amber Anderson Mba, 515-708-1813.

Plains Justice has commissioned a study examining feasibility and impacts of replacing coal with biomass in coal-burning facilities. Hear those results, share your ideas, and more.

Ames, Iowa – The Iowa Farmers Union proudly endorses Iowa Governor Chet Culver and Lt. Governor Patty Judge in their re-election bid this November 2nd.  Governor Culver has been a friend to family farmers and rural communities during his first term. Culver recognizes the benefits of locally grown food and the huge economic opportunity for Iowans who produce it. He has shown leadership on environmental issues that impact the quality of life in rural Iowa including clean air and clean water measures.

The elections are less than three weeks away, and this year on the Iowa ballot will be an opportunity to invest in the future of our state’s natural resources. In the previous two legislative sessions, state legislators have approved this constitutional amendment being placed on the ballot on November 2^nd.

The amendment would, for the first time in Iowa’s history, establish a constitutionally protected trust fund to preserve Iowa’s natural resources and outdoor recreational opportunities.  Iowa’s distinct character and our quality of life are directly tied to our state’s rich natural resources.

Specifically, the amendment will create the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund which will provide a permanent, reliable and accountable revenue source to improve water quality and natural areas in Iowa, including fish and wildlife habitat and parks, trails, in addition to aiding in conservation funding for agricultural soils and restoring wetlands to protect against future flooding.