March 2, 2007: Renewable Fuels, Origin of Food are Focus of National 2007 Farm Convention

Renewable fuels, a new farm bill and "country of origin" food labels are on the agenda of the National Farmers Union annual convention.

MINNESOTA NEWS CONNECTION

Orlando, FL - Farmers from Minnesota and other states are in Florida today for the National Farmers Union annual convention. Minnesota delegate Doug Peterson says using Ag products for energy will be a priority, because of the growing demand for locally-produced renewable fuels.

"You'll see support for wind energy coming from this convention. You will see support urging Congress to do cellulostic ethanol and also support that renewable fuels direction."

He says Minnesota will be a big player in the move away from fossil fuels. Plus, the conversion will increase national security and help clear the air. Peterson says there will be a push to get those priorities into the new national farm bill being drafted in Washington.

Peterson says another issue on the convention agenda is for "country of origin" labeling of food products.

"There is a quality issue for consumers. And, there is another issue here. A national security issue. We need to have our food produced for our citizens by U.S. farmers."

He says - bottom line - consumers have a right to know where they food they eat comes from and who grew it. Convention speakers today (Friday) include U-S House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minnesota Representative Colin Peterson, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.

Peterson says a primary focus of the convention will be how to make farming profitable for individual and family producers.

"We're going to talk about good farm policy that delivers price for farmers at the farm gate. We're going to talk about dairy programs. We believe that farmers of this country need to have a price and a profit to deliver to consumers a product that is uncomparable to any other place."