Suggested Ag Resolutions for Caucus

"Letter to Editor"

01/31/2008

Dear DFL Party Leader,

In the last couple of caucus/convention cycles, the Agriculture section of the Action
Agenda resolutions considered at the State DFL convention have been very weak. In part,
because of the lack of wide statewide adoption of resolutions to garner enough district
support for inclusion.

Working with the Minnesota Farmers Union, in an effort to have some very important
rural/agricultural resolutions be considered at the State Convention, I am asking that you
disseminate the following proposed resolutions to the many DFL list servs/discussion lists
that you have at your reach, especially any home CD/SD lists. These are great resolutions
our d"F"l party should be very supportive of!!!!!

Thanks for your consideration in this effort.

Rick Stafford
DNC Member, Minnesota


Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) Sample Caucus Resolutions:

Be it resolved that the DFL Party support strengthening the Minnesota Corporate Farm Act
to prevent non-family farm corporations, including cooperatives, from entering
agricultural production in Minnesota.


Be it resolved that the DFL Party support increasing the state Biodiesel mandate from 2%
to 5% by 2009.


Be it resolved that the DFL Party support state and federal incentives for beginning
farmers.


Be it resolved that the DFL Party support protecting and expanding the zoning rights of
local residents and their units of government by allowing the residents to set stricter
standards than those currently set by state government, and to regulate development,
including feedlots, in their communities.


Be it resolved that the DFL Party support implementing state and federal incentives and
legislation to promote local foods.


Be it resolved that the DFL Party support implementing state and federal incentives to
work toward preservation of farmland.


Be it resolved that the DFL Party support Fair Trade Agreements that recognize fairness in
agricultural trade when dealing with environmental and labor standards as well as currency
manipulation.


Be it resolved that the DFL Party support reforming the 1031 exchange program to limit
the ownership of farmland exchange at a rate of selling one acre and replacing it with not
more than one, with non-farming entities excluded.


Be it resolved that the DFL Party support the University of Minnesota remember its roots as
a land-grant college when working on research to help and promote Minnesota's family
farms.


Be it resolved that the DFL Party support a timely passage of the pending farm bill in 2008
that has a strong safety net, adequately funded conservation, energy and nutrition
programs, mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL), permanent disaster program, and
a strong livestock title.