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.

Reserve a hotel room: Click here or call (641) 753-3333‎

Map to convention (Marshalltown Community College)

2010 Iowa Farmers Union Convention Schedule

2010 Iowa Farmers Union

State Convention Agenda

Marshalltown Community College, Marshalltown, Iowa

Friday, August 27

2:00                        Registration

2:30                        Call to Order – Iowa Farmers Union Vice President Gregg Heide

Invocation-Fr. Marvin Boes                   

3:00                        Policy Development

4:45                                    John Whitaker, Iowa FSA Director

5:00                        Local Wine Reception

5:30                        Governor Chet Culver

5:50                                    Francis Thicke, Secretary of Agriculture Candidate

6:00                        Supper

Featured speaker: National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson

Legislative Awards

Lifetime Achievement Award

Live Auction

Saturday, August 28

8:00                          Registration

9:00                          Welcome, President’s Address

9:15                          Ratify 2009-2010 policy

10:00                          Special Orders of Business

11:00                          Election of 2009-2010 Directors and 2010 NFU Convention Delegate & Alternate

11:30                          Senator Chuck Grassley

12:00                         Luncheon

Lifetime Achievement Award

Educator Awards

Young Farmer Award

Silent Auction Wrap-up

1:00                          Steph Larson, Center For Rural Affairs: Rural Health Care

1:25                         Main Street Alliance, Sue Dinsdale

1:45                          Bill Maske, Candidate for Iowa’s 4^th Congressional District

2:05                         Break

2:10                         Keynote: Peter Komendowski, Iowa activist and communications specialist

“Rebuilding America from the Inside Out”

2:45                         Roxanne Conlin, Candidate for Iowa Senate

3:05                        Rich Olive, Iowa District 5 State Senator

3:25                        Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Candidate for Iowa’s 2^nd Congressional District

3:45                          Adjourn

4:00                         Meeting of the 2010-2011 Board