®Minnesota Farm Bureau

2013 ANNUAL REVIEW

P.O. Box 64370St. Paul, MN 55164 651-768-2100 Fax: 651-768-2159info@�mn.org • �mn.org

®Minnesota Farm Bureau• •

w America’s unparalleled progress is based on freedom and dignity of the individual, sustained by basic moral and religious concepts.

w Economic progress, cultural advancement, ethical and religious principles flourish best where people are free, responsible individuals.

w Individual freedom and opportunity must not be sacrificed in a quest for guaranteed “security.”

w We believe in government by legislative and constitutional law, impartially administered, without special privilege.

w We believe in the representative form of government...a republic...as provided in our Constitution, in limitations on government power, in maintenance of equal opportunity in the right of each individual to freedom of worship and in freedom of speech, press and peaceful assembly.

w Individuals have a moral responsibility to help preserve freedom for future generations by participating in public affairs and by helping to elect candidates who share their fundamental beliefs and principles.

w People have the right and the responsibility to speak for themselves individually or through organizations of their choice without coercion or government intervention.

w Property rights are among the human rights essential to the preservation of individual freedom.

w We believe in the right of every person to choose an occupation; to be rewarded according to his/ her contributions to society; to save, invest or spend; and to convey his/her property to heirs. Each person has the responsibility to meet financial obligations incurred.

w We believe that legislation and regulations favorable to all sectors of agriculture should be aggressively developed in cooperation with allied groups possessing common goals. We support the right of private organizations to require membership as a prerequisite for member services.

FARM BUREAU BELIEFS

“We are Farm Bureau members because it is a grassroots organization –

it listens to its members. While we are busy on our farm, Farm Bureau is

working for us.”

– Dave and Julie Marquardt, Wright County

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“Farm Bureau has an exceptional array of resources to continue to help groups make the best better. ”

–Ann Marie Ward, Beltrami County

These people are making a DIFFERENCE...

How about you? ASK YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS TO JOIN TODAY!

1. Policy• Solid, sound policy development, advocacy andimplementation

2. Leadership• Member strengths identifiedand utilized• Enhanced collaboration withagriculture organizations• Effective grassroots: defined,groomed, empowered and engaged

3. Positive Image• Strengthened Farm Bureaubrand• Enhanced trust with “keyinfluencers” regardingtoday’s agriculture

The vision of an organization is held in part by all of its

members. The practical vision is the responsive statement of

hope within the given environment. It provides a

sense of the destination of the effort. It tells us where we are going, what the

accomplishments, outcomes, changes and results are that

we are seeking by our efforts.

Re-Dening Relevance

Practical Vision

Minnesota Farm Bureau

“The things we do as Farm Bureau members

truly do make a difference.” –Brad Lanoue,

Blue Earth County

4President’s Message

10Positive Image

5Dues invested

6Policy

8Leadership

New Website UnveiledMFBF unveiled a new look to the �mn.org website. In addition to brighter colors and up-to-date technology, the new website is organized to make information easier to access and provide necessary resources to Farm Bureau leaders. Website visitors can still find information about the organization, member services, leadership, promotion, educational resources, public policy, news, events and the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation.

“Rural America needs a vibrant Farm Bureau to advocate on our behalf.

Our way of life is worth protecting and fighting for.”

—Don and Melissa Larson, Mower County

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Farm Bureau’s standing as the most influential grassroots farm organization in the world is based on the fact that by working together, we produce results each and every year.

95 Years Strong –

Policy, Positive Image, Leadership

President’s Message

Farm Bureau is an organization guided and directed by our nearly 30,000 member families – teachers, farmers, community leaders, husbands, wives, parents and business owners. Each one is concerned about their children, families, communities and making Minnesota a great place to live and work.

We exist to serve members because we share the values they hold dear – hard work, love of community, passion for the land and belief rooted in faith and family. Our services, programs and benefits are rooted in the causes, concerns and needs that are important to our members based on their beliefs and values.

Farm Bureau membership dues are invested in:

w�Policy DevelopmentFarm Bureau works to develop, advocate and implement solid, sound policy.

w�Positive ImageFarm Bureau works to enhance consumer trust in farmers.

w�Leadership DevelopmentFarm Bureau works to develop effective, engaged leaders.

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This year, the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) placed a priority on implementing the new strategic plan in order to remain a growing, relevant and effective organization for another 95 years. This new strategic plan, which we refer to as “Re-defining Relevance,” identified three major areas of focus for MFBF: Policy, Leadership and Positive Image.

MembershipIn order for our Farm Bureau to focus

on these areas we need the membership and revenue streams to enable us to do so. Thank you to everyone who asked your friends, neighbors and families to join the largest general farm organization in Minnesota and the United States. Membership matters, and your efforts helped Minnesota Farm Bureau grow our membership in 2013 to 27,609 members. Thank you for your membership, your engagement and your desire to be part of the solution.

We have another partner in this success that we cannot do without and that is Farm Bureau Financial Services (FBFS). There are two things we need to recognize. First, the success of our affiliated insurance companies is a direct result of being able to utilize the name, membership and distribution infrastructure of the county and state Farm Bureau organizations. Second, we must also recognize that our county and state Farm Bureau Federations would be smaller and less effective organizations without the benefits received from our affiliated companies. Thank you FBFS for your partnership and desire to make a positive difference for farmers and ranchers, families and rural communities in Minnesota.

PolicyOne of the strengths of our

organization is our grassroots policy development. Our policy is strong and respected because of our

thoroughness and steps in the process.We continue to see strong

participation at the Council of County Presidents and Day on the Hill events. Your efforts to put a face to farming with your members of the Minnesota Legislature does have an impact. The outreach done by county Farm Bureaus to invite their adopted legislator from urban communities to tour agriculture in outstate Minnesota or ride in a combine do make a difference.

This past year, we saw increased attendance on our Farmers to Washington D.C. trips in March and September. Sharing personal stories on how legislation affects our families and our farms are impactful. Much of our discussion at the national level focused on Minnesota’s forage shortage and the need to pass: a five-year farm bill, agricultural labor reform and waterways infrastructure.

We also are implementing new ways for Farm Bureau members to be involved in our policy development process. Check out the videos on youtube.com/MinnesotaFarmBureau.

Positive ImageWe continue to re-align and invest

resources to enhance consumer trust through Minnesota Farmers CARE and strengthen the Farm Bureau Brand – Farmers • Families • Food. MFBF has a greater focus on social media in order to communicate with you, our member, as well as consumers seeking information about agriculture and Minnesota Farm Bureau.

The website was re-designed and contains tools and resources for our members. MFBF is also a member of U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance which strives to provide resources for farmers to engage with consumers and key influencers. Check out fooddialouges.com. We are also a part of Farmers Feed US. Check out the videos at farmersfeedus.org/mn/our-farm-families/ – for another great resource.

A number of programs focus on communicating and reaching out to the consumer. Our Ag Cab Lab program is exhibited at long-term exhibit areas such as the Children’s Museum of Rochester or the Headwater’s Science Museum in Bemidji. Through the Speak for Yourself program, farmers across Minnesota presented to over 120 service organizations and community key influencers about their farms. The Meeker County Farm Bureau lead a coalition of county Farm Bureaus from across the state to communicate how Minnesota Farmers CARE on billboards by the state Capitol, Target Field and during the Minnesota State Fair. Our Minnesota State Fair efforts reached over 70,000 consumers with Farm Bureau promoting our efforts in new areas through mommy blogger promotion and state fair apps to name a few.

We continue to strengthen Farm Bureau’s identity of Farmers • Families • Food with members and potential members while improving consumer trust through the Minnesota Farmers CARE initiative.

Leadership DevelopmentFarm Bureau prides itself in

developing strong leaders for rural communities and local Farm Bureaus. These efforts begin with our youth through our partnerships with the FFA and our state’s agricultural education teachers/FFA advisors and with our 4-H clubs at the local level as well as our working relationship with the state 4-H ambassadors. We hold yearly trainings with both the state 4-H Ambassadors and the state FFA officer team, as well as, are involved in the Minnesota Agriculture Ambassador training. These are just an example of some of the trainings we are involved with.

We have also had an emphasis on collegiate Farm Bureaus and collegiate outreach with the first Collegiate Farm Bureau meeting held at South Central Technical College this fall. Our

Collegiate Discussion Meet along with our Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Leadership Contests have seen an increase in participation. Skills attained during these leadership opportunities are applicable in everyday life and strengthen agriculture’s voice.

This past year, we refocused and combined our once separate Promotion and Education Conference and YF&R Conference to the Leadership Conference. Each area has a learning track with an enhanced focus on leadership development skills.

We hope this renewed focus helps increase the effectiveness and efficiencies of local Farm Bureau organizations, helps identify new leaders, expands the membership base and builds stronger county Farm Bureaus.

In ClosingWe appreciate your membership and

dedication to strengthen Farm Bureau’s and agriculture’s voice. We hope that the results of our efforts make a difference in the strength of our county Farm Bureaus. I encourage you to remain engaged and make a difference. This is a journey not a destination.

Thank you for your hard work and dedication to Farm Bureau!

Sincerely,

Kevin Paap, President

“Our entire Congressional delegation was receptive to us and our issues in Washington, D.C. They count on Farm Bureau for advice.” –Pat Bakeberg, Wright County

Solid, sound policy development, advocacy, and implementation

Farm Bureau is constantly serving as a watch dog on the local, state and national level for our members. Whether it is legislation or regulations, Farm Bureau is able to communicate with elected officials to explain the consequences of implementation. By allowing Farm Bureau to lay the foundation, our members are in a better position to share their stories of how proposed legislation or regulations effects their family and communities. Whether it is serving as a watchdog, taking our members’ voices to Washington D.C. or mobilizing our grassroots actions, Farm Bureau has a successful position in the political arena.

Your Voice –Our Future

w�Forage Shortage Issue: Due to a combination of winter kill, a wet

spring and the lingering effects of previous droughts, livestock farmers dealt with severe alfalfa losses around the state. These losses and the short supply to the previous droughts left many across the state facing a severe forage shortage.

Action: Minnesota Farm Bureau joined other agricultural groups from around the state to raise awareness of this issue. Ten groups from various agricultural sectors sent a letter to our Congressional delegation, government agencies and USDA Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack detailing the dire situation Minnesota was in and asking for their help to find a solution. Calls were held with Minnesota farmers and Congressional offices in order to explain what was occurring on the ground, as well as hear what possible options could be addressed in D.C.

Minnesota Farm Bureau President Kevin Paap and public policy staff traveled to Washington D.C. to continue discussing and stress the importance of this issue. President Paap met with all 10 members of the Minnesota Congressional delegation, United States Department of Agriculture Chief of Staff Krysta Harden and Risk Management Agency Administrator Brandon Willis.

Result: Minnesota farmers continue to face a difficult situation. Solutions are still being pursued to find some relief. Farm Bureau members concerns

were heard.Secretary Vilsack declared an emergency declaration

for 35 counties and contiguous counties. Those counties were eligible for emergency loan assistance. Emergency haying and grazing on CRP land was approved in 19 counties to help provide additional relief.

Minnesota Farm Bureau is committed to being a voice for farmers across the state. By joining other groups and forming coalitions dedicated to finding the same solutions, voices from across the state are amplified. While more permanent solutions continue to be found, the pressing concerns of Farm Bureau members are on the forefront of the policy agenda.

w State Estate TaxIssue: After passing an estate tax exemption at the

state level in 2011, legislation was needed in 2013 to clarify the qualified farm property definition used for an additional $4 million exemption from the state estate tax.

Action: Qualifying farm property has a total exemption of $5 million from the state estate tax. These clarifications were included to make sure that qualified farm property held in family farm trusts, LLCs or LLPs will qualify for the additional exemption.

Result: The additional $4 million

exemption from the state estate tax means that there will be less state tax implications as farms are transferred to the next generation of Minnesota farmers.

w�Bring the HeatIssue: There were many big issues facing agriculture

during the 113th Congress that were held up in a gridlocked Congress and needed to be addressed. Farmers and ranchers need Washington to end the inaction on immigration and agricultural labor reform to provide a legal and stable supply of workers, break the logjam of inaction on improving our waterways transportation infrastructure to provide economical and efficient way of transporting agricultural products and inputs. While movement continues to slowly be made on these important issues, the work is not done yet.

Action: Minnesota Farm Bureau members took action to urge their elected officials to get a five year farm bill done, take action on agricultural labor reform and pass a waterways infrastructure bill. While progress continues to be made on these important issues, the voice of Farm Bureau members needs to

be heard. The Minnesota Farm Bureau Action Alert Center at �mn.org is a resource available to contact elected officials on these important agricultural issues.

Another effective way to bring these important issues to our members of Congress is to meet with them on Capitol Hill. Over 35 Farm Bureau members traveled to Washington D.C. in September 2013 to meet with their members of Congress to explain face-to-face how these issues affected real Minnesota farms. Farm Bureau members from Minnesota visit Washington D.C. twice a year to make sure that staff and members of Congress are hearing directly from the farmers from across the state. Join us on one of these trips to share your story.

Result: Members of Congress trust the opinions of Farm Bureau members and leaders. Legislators are influenced by what they know and what they hear from the people they represent. By sharing our story, Farm Bureau members have a voice in what is happening. We cannot afford for issues that impact agriculture to be decided by elected officials with agriculture’s needs. Farm Bureau members need to stay informed and stay involved.

POLICY

State Legislative

Priorities

National Legislative

Priorities

w Animal agriculturew Energy and transportationw Environment and land usew Farm policyw Immigration and farm laborw International tradew Rural developmentw Tax reform

w Promoting animal agriculturew Transportation fundingw Renewable energyw Water qualityw Forestryw Water managementw Taxesw Private property rights

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w�Leadership ConferenceIssue: Minnesota Farm Bureau

members are constantly seeking opportunities to learn about trends in agriculture, gain tools to enhance leadership and professional development and network with other members. The Leadership Conference is designed to provide leadership training for all Farm Bureau members.

Action: This 2013 Leadership Conference was held in Bloomington. Participants participated in a capitol

experience or consumer engagement track. The capitol experience was a hands-on legislative experience at the Minnesota State Capitol. Consumer engagement included being smarter than an activist, growing victory in the Middle East, USDA school lunch program standards, partnering with Second Harvest Heartland and engaging consumers in effective conversations.

Attendees also were given a kit to go back to their local county to use in the

classroom to teach elementary age children about agriculture and pizza, along with receiving two books about beef.

Result: Over 200 members took part in the conference and were trained in consumer engagement, classroom presentations and policy issues. Through networking and training, stronger leadership skills were developed. Leadership development opportunities are available throughout the year for all Farm Bureau members.

w Food SafetyFarm Bureau is committed to providing

safe, affordable food for families. We work with farmers and government officials to ensure that food safety is a top priority.w�Protecting our EnvironmentFarm families drink the water, breathe

the air and live on the land. Minnesota’s farmers demonstrate a strong commitment to protecting and improving our environment by participating in voluntary conservation programs and adopting recommended managements practices for enhancing soil, air and water quality.w�EnergyFarm Bureau supports a comprehensive

energy approach to reducing our dependence on foreign oil and alleviating the economic hardship for all Americans caused by rising energy costs. This includes renewable energy sources such as ethanol, biodiesel, wind and biomass, nuclear and domestic fossil fuel production.

w�Animal CareEthical animal care is a top priority for

Minnesota farmers. It’s the right thing to do, and it keeps our animals safe, healthy and disease-free. Farm Bureau believes that animal care decisions should continue to be made by farmers in consultation with their veterinarian.w�Strong Rural CommunitiesStrong, thriving rural communities and a

successful agriculture economy go hand in hand. Farm Bureau is dedicated to ensuring that rural Minnesota is able to prosper. Locally, Farm Bureau members are dedicated to local civic involvement and actively work to ensure that their rural communities have access to high quality education and health care, provide a business friendly climate and can compete in a global marketplace.

What’s in it for you?

Member strengths identified and utilized; Enhanced collaboration with agriculture organizations; Effective grassroots: defined, groomed, empowered and engaged

LEADERSHIP

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w�State FairIssue: The Minnesota State Fair is the

largest gathering of people in Minnesota and an opportunity to reach a wide variety of people with a positive message of agriculture.

Action: In order to empower volunteers to engage in effective conversations with attendees of the Minnesota State Fair, an interactive scavenger hunt of the building was created to learn about each of the four areas of Minnesota Farmers CARE. State fair attendees stopped at each area, Animals • Environment • Food • Families, to search for the answers to the scavenger hunt. The final question included asking a farmer volunteer a question about their farm, which allowed for one-on-one interactions between fairgoers and Farm Bureau members. Upon completion, they received a thermal lunch bag.

Result: Over 70,000 consumers were reached with the Minnesota Farmers CARE message at the Minnesota State Fair. Attendees met real farmers and were more confident with what farmers are doing to grow their food and protect the environment. Farm Bureau members learned how to share their stories and engage in meaningful conversations to correct misconceptions about agriculture. Giveaway items and lasting images give a positive reminder of the positive work farmers do in Minnesota.

w�Food Awareness MonthIssue: Farmers are committed to

providing safe and healthy food choices for all Americans. Farm Bureau members want to talk with consumers about the shared goal of nutritious and affordable meals for families, but do not always know where to

begin the conversation.Action: Minnesota

Farm Bureau celebrated February as Food Awareness Month. Food Awareness Month brings awareness to all things food – from the farmers who grow and raise food, to food safety and availability. Food Awareness Month helps American consumers learn about the food they eat every day. To mark the occasion, county Farm Bureaus throughout the state hosted events to share how they grow food and worked with food shelves to

increase awareness of local food and hunger.

Result: County Farm Bureaus were provided with a refrigerator styled handout full of consumer focused information about safe cooking in the kitchen and Minnesota Farmers CARE. Farm Bureau reached thousands of people through a variety of activities, including breakfasts, grocery store outreach, food drives, radio campaigns and Ronald McDonald House donations.

w�Youth and Collegiate OutreachIssue: As a general farm organization, Farm Bureau monitors all issues. Farm

Bureau recognizes the opportunity to assist in developing stronger leaders and strengthen collaborative efforts.

Action: To reach college aged students, the public policy team hosted a brown bag lunch event at the University of Minnesota, where students were updated on the farm bill and other agriculture policy topics. Students asked questions and learned about careers in public policy. Minnesota Farm Bureau also participated in the annual Ag Awareness Day on the Minneapolis campus. South Central College held the first ever collegiate Farm Bureau meeting, where over 60 college students learned about being involved in Farm Bureau and the Young Farmers & Ranchers program.

Minnesota Farm Bureau hosts a yearly training with the state FFA officers which also includes a meeting with the agricultural commodity’s communication directors; assists in training the state 4-H ambassadors and assist with leadership training for these youth leadership organizations throughout the year. In addition, all FFA Chapters in the state are members of Farm Bureau so that we can serve as a resource to these advisors and chapter leaders.

Result: Minnesota Farm Bureau continues to strengthen its working relationship with these organizations and is viewed as a valuable partner in creating strong leaders. These energetic, future leaders are enlightening individuals, and they see the opportunities to be the next generation of agriculture.

“I’m a Farm Bureau member because I am passionate about agriculture, and Farm Bureau allows me to be a leader in my local agriculture community.” –Laine Lewin, McLeod County

“Farm Bureau is able to have candid conversations with our elected officials that turn into results and a better life for Minnesotans.” –Lucas Sjostrom, Stearns County

OTAS FE AN RN MIM BUREAU FO

UN

DATION

Strengthened Farm Bureau brand; Enhanced trust with key influencers regarding today’s agriculture

w�Minnesota Farmers CAREIssue: Consumers are more removed from agriculture than ever before. The Minnesota Farmers CARE materials were developed for

county Farm Bureaus to communicate and connect with consumers. Maintaining and regaining the trust of consumers as the number one resource on information regarding Animals • Environment • Food • Family is a priority.

Action: Meeker County Farm Bureau, in partnership with the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation and 21 other county Farm Bureaus, placed agricultural messages on four metro area billboards throughout the summer, including by the Minnesota State Capitol, Target Field and the state fairgrounds. This project demonstrated local leadership and initiative for consumer outreach. In addition, county Farm Bureaus across the state implemented local projects in order to be proactive with consumers not directly involved in agriculture. Whoever defines the “issue” are the ones who have positive outcomes.

Result: The Minnesota Farmers CARE, Committed to Agriculture while Respecting the Earth, Animals • Environment • Food • Family initiative to connect and engage consumers with farmers driven by local Farm Bureaus has been very successful. Projects include metro billboards; local billboards; newspaper ads; placemats used at annual meetings and Breakfasts on the Farms; movie theater and radio ads; pop up banners; back packs for 4-H youth leadership; state fair displays; county 4-H herdsmanship displays; bookmarks; newspaper inserts; and brochures. This year’s projects had over 20 million consumer impressions.

w�Ag Cab LabIssue: Consumers are hungry to learn about what

farmers do to produce their food, fiber and fuel, and the Ag Cab Labs are an interactive way to communicate with them. Although consumers are hungry to learn more about their food, hands on opportunities to do so are limited for some key influencer audiences.

Action: The Ag Cab Lab looks like and sounds like a tractor, four-wheel drive tractor or combine and allows viewers to sit inside an actual cab and move the levers, push pedals and drive the steering wheel. A 90-second interactive game allows drivers to plant, disc or harvest depending on which cab they are in.

The Ag Cab Labs have been at the Minnesota State Fair in the Minnesota Farm Bureau booth and located

inside the CHS Miracle of Birth Center, the most popular free event at the fair. The Ag Cab Lab was also at Severs Corn Maze and Headwaters Science Museum in Bemidji.

New this year, the Ag Cab Lab was featured in its own exhibit at the Minnesota Children’s Museum of Rochester. The farm display included the Ag Cab Lab-Tractor, a My American Farm game kiosk, accurate ag book reading corner and a farm play area. The three-month exhibit was so successful that the Ag Cab Lab will now be part of a semi-permanent exhibit at the museum.

Result: New features allow drivers to gain a better understanding of what farmers do. Thousands of people have had the opportunity to experience an Ag Cab Lab and be a farmer, firsthand.

POSITIVE IMAGE

w�America’s Heartland, Farmers Feed US and United States Farmers & Ranchers Alliance

Issue: It is important for agriculture organizations to represent themselves in a unified front. Organizations exist to share resources and information regarding spreading the positive word of agriculture.

Action: The Minnesota Farm Bureau has invested money and time in organizations whose efforts aim to reach key influencers and enhance the positive image of agriculture. Three of these organizations are America’s Heartland, a television program on public television; Farmers Feed US, a coalition of Minnesota agriculture organizations promoting safe and healthy food; and the United States Farmers & Ranchers Alliance, a nationwide organization aiming to answer questions about how farmers raise our food and care for their animals.

Result: Being part of these organizations allows Minnesota Farm Bureau to be at the table when key decisions are being made about agriculture in Minnesota and throughout the nation. Minnesota Farm Bureau is building positive relationships to build a unified force in agriculture and is gaining access to resources for members and leaders to use.

Efforts to enhance the positive image of agriculture go hand in hand with the mission of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation which is to provide opportunities for supporters of agriculture to invest in people and programs focused on supporting active farmers and agriculturalists, better connecting agriculture to consumers and serving rural communities.

Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation

“Having the resources through Farm Bureau allows me to learn from others and stay informed of the current issues. It’s all about relationships and I appreciate the network Farm Bureau has created.”

—Joel and Amanda Mathiowetz, Redwood County

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w�Speak for YourselfIssue: Over half of all Minnesotans have never met a farmer. Consumers are

extremely interested in their food and where it comes from. Studies have also shown that people trust other individuals over a name or organization.

Action: Minnesota Farm Bureau worked with Eidson & Partners and partnered with Minnesota Corn Growers Association and Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council to hold two training sessions for farmer speakers throughout Minnesota. The first was an enrichment training for previous participants of Speak for Yourself to work on answering tough questions and sharpen media interview skills. The second was a first-time training for nine new speakers where they learned about hot topics in agriculture, developed their farm story and practiced sharing in the safe environment.

Result: In total, 48 farmer leaders are trained speakers through Speak for Yourself. With the help of Eidson & Partners, these speakers were able to address more than 120 community organizations, including local rotary clubs, lions clubs and school boards. Participants were provided with presentation summary sheets to leave behind with their audiences and business cards to keep the conversation about food and farming going. Speak for Yourself, also known as Farming Today, participants are also engaged in the food conversation online through social media and blogging.

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®Minnesota Farm Bureau

2013 ANNUAL REVIEW

P.O. Box 64370St. Paul, MN 55164 651-768-2100 Fax: 651-768-2159info@�mn.org • �mn.org

®Minnesota Farm Bureau• •

w America’s unparalleled progress is based on freedom and dignity of the individual, sustained by basic moral and religious concepts.

w Economic progress, cultural advancement, ethical and religious principles flourish best where people are free, responsible individuals.

w Individual freedom and opportunity must not be sacrificed in a quest for guaranteed “security.”

w We believe in government by legislative and constitutional law, impartially administered, without special privilege.

w We believe in the representative form of government...a republic...as provided in our Constitution, in limitations on government power, in maintenance of equal opportunity in the right of each individual to freedom of worship and in freedom of speech, press and peaceful assembly.

w Individuals have a moral responsibility to help preserve freedom for future generations by participating in public affairs and by helping to elect candidates who share their fundamental beliefs and principles.

w People have the right and the responsibility to speak for themselves individually or through organizations of their choice without coercion or government intervention.

w Property rights are among the human rights essential to the preservation of individual freedom.

w We believe in the right of every person to choose an occupation; to be rewarded according to his/ her contributions to society; to save, invest or spend; and to convey his/her property to heirs. Each person has the responsibility to meet financial obligations incurred.

w We believe that legislation and regulations favorable to all sectors of agriculture should be aggressively developed in cooperation with allied groups possessing common goals. We support the right of private organizations to require membership as a prerequisite for member services.

FARM BUREAU BELIEFS

“We are Farm Bureau members because it is a grassroots organization –

it listens to its members. While we are busy on our farm, Farm Bureau is

working for us.”

– Dave and Julie Marquardt, Wright County

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