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MINUTES
MINNESOTA DAIRY PRODUCERS BOARD
February 3, 2000
Sauk Centre City Hall
Sauk Centre, Minnesota
| BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Violet Zimmer, MFU Jeff Kunstleben, COACT Ken Christianson, MSF Herman Gabbert, MN COACT Jon Hansmeier, MFU Steve Koering, NFO Howard Warmbold, Family Dairies Vern Dahlheimer, MFA Kenneth Schefers, F.D.USA Bruce Zeidler, NFO | OTHERS PRESENT:
Eleanor Warmbold, Guest Robin Zimmer, Guest Ruth Zwilling, MN COACT |
Board President Jeff Kunstleben called the meeting to order. Violet Zimmer, Secretary, read the minutes of the December meeting. Ken Christianson moved and Herman Gabbert seconded the motion to approve the minutes which passed on a voice vote.
Treasurer Ken Christianson reported the budget balance for the 1999-2000 fiscal year at $7,495.92. Howard Warmbold moved and Ken Schefers seconded the motion to approve the report which passed on a voice vote.
Jeff Kunstleben provided additional information on the make allowances which were discussed by Board members. An article on make allowances will appear on the front page of Milk Price News. Members were asked to check on their organization’s position on make allowances.
The Board members reviewed the final draft of the newsletter. Some changes were made. Herman Gabbert moved and Ken Christianson seconded the motion to include information on the duties of the Commissioner of Agriculture and how to file a complaint which passed on a voice vote.
A recent meeting with Brad Rach and Wisconsin dairy farmers was discussed. A subcommittee was formed, including Herman Gabbert, Ken Christianson, Bruce Zeidler, and Jeff Kunstleben, which will continue to research milk price issues.
Steve Koering reported on his trip to the National Family Farm Coalition. Although the black farmers have won their case against the federal government, they will receive little compensation after legal fees are paid. He also spoke on the farm bill, check-offs, foreign trade, and GMOs.
Vern Dahlheimer reported on the work of the Campaign for Rural Communities (CRC), including their opposition to limited liability companies. Member organizations of the CRC are sponsoring two rallies in March -- March First in St. Paul and March 21st in Washington, D.C.
Steve Koering moved and Howard Warmbold seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting which ended at 2:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Violet Zimmer, Secretary
MINUTES
MINNESOTA DAIRY PRODUCERS BOARD
February 28, 2000
Sauk Centre City Hall
Sauk Centre, Minnesota
| BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Violet Zimmer, MFU Jeff Kunstleben, COACT Herman Gabbert, MN COACT Holly Harjes, MFA Howard Warmbold, Family Dairies Vern Dahlheimer, MFA Kenneth Schefers, F.D.USA Bruce Zeidler, NFO | OTHERS PRESENT:
Judy Buhl, FDU Brad Rach, NFO Ruth Zwilling, MN COACT |
Board President Jeff Kunstleben called the meeting to order. Violet Zimmer, Secretary, read the minutes of the January meeting. Howard Warmbold moved and Holly Harjes seconded the motion to approve the minutes which passed on a voice vote.
Treasurer Ken Christianson reported the budget balance for the 1999-2000 fiscal year at $8,465.19. Bruce Zeidler moved and Holly Harjes seconded the motion to approve the report which passed on a voice vote.
The Board discussed hosting a joint meeting between Family Dairies, USA, MFU, and NFO to develop a united dairy policy that farmers and consumers could support. Topics for discussion and length of the meeting was discussed. Board members decided to also invite Farm Bureau and Minnesota Milk Producers even though they have not sent a representative to the Dairy Board. Herman Gabbert moved and Howard Warmbold seconded the motion to approve hosting the meeting which passed on a voice vote.
Brad Rach, the Upper Midwest Regional Director for NFO, encouraged the Board to work on price issues and shared information on current dairy statistics.
Ruth Zwilling asked Board members to begin thinking about articles for the next newsletters. She reported that she has already begun receiving responses from farmers on the February newsletter. Copies of the newsletter along with a cover letter will be sent to the legislators.
Vern Dahlheimer reported on the Dairy Leaders Roundtable meeting.
The March First rally in St. Paul and the Washington rally on March 21st were discussed.
Howard Warmbold moved and Holly Harjes seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting which ended at 12:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Violet Zimmer, Secretary
MINUTES
MINNESOTA DAIRY PRODUCERS BOARD
May 22, 2000
Sauk Centre City Hall
Sauk Centre, Minnesota
| BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Violet Zimmer, MFU Jeff Kunstleben, COACT Ken Christianson, MSF Herman Gabbert, COACT Carol Zapzalka, MSF Steve Koering, NFO Howard Warmbold, Family Dairies Vern Dahlheimer, MFA Bruce Zeidler, NFO | OTHERS PRESENT:
Judy Buhl, FDU Eleanor Warmbold, FDU Ruth Zwilling, MN COACT |
Vice President Bruce Zeidler called the meeting to order. Violet Zimmer, Secretary, read the minutes of the March and April meetings. Herman Gabbert moved and Steve Koering seconded the motion to approve the minutes which passed on a voice vote.
Treasurer Ken Christianson reported the budget balance for the 1999-2000 fiscal year at $2,368.36. Steve Koering moved and Howard Warmbold seconded the motion to approve the April report which passed on a voice vote. Steve Koering moved and Herman Gabbert seconded the motion to approve the March report which also passed on a voice vote.
Vern Dahlheimer gave a report on the work of the Campaign for Rural Communities with regard to limited liability companies (LLCs), the MOU, and other actions. Although a great deal of work was done by this coalition which includes the Minnesota Dairy Producers Board, Minnesota Farmers Union, Land Stewardship Project, Minnesota Catholic Conference, Clean Water Action, to oppose LLCs, two of the four types of proposed LLCs were passed into law, further weakening Minnesota’s corporate farm law.
The Board discussed a rough draft of the next newsletter which features a front-page article about the joint meeting between Minnesota Farmers Union, National Farmers Organization, and Family Dairies, USA. This draft is agreeable to NFO staff, and is being sent to Family Dairies, USA and MN Farmers Union for their approval. Other articles include a summary of the "Farmer’s Plan" responses, information on the Memorandum of Understanding between MPCA and MDA, and the National Farm Service Agency’s "Dairy Farmers Program".
Carol Zapzalka, a dairy farmer from Morrison County, has applied to become a Board member as a representative of the Minnesota Senior Federation. Howard Warmbold moved and Jeff Kunstleben seconded a motion to approve her application which passed on a voice vote.
Jeff Kunstleben moved and Howard Warmbold seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting which ended at 1:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Violet Zimmer, Secretary