Minnesota Farm Living

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Do Farmers Want Another Round of Market Facilitation Payments?

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Another round of Market Facilitation Payments and the media wants to know what farmers think about it.

Is this what farmers want? Are farmers thrilled about it? How do they feel about President Trump? Can we get the U.S. and China back at the negotiation table? How much patience do U.S. farmers have, and at what level will they leave their support from Trump? How do we feel about being patriots? Will farmers vote for President Trump in 2020?

The media are asking these and other questions. Before I go any further, let’s look at some background information.

The new round of MFP will total $16 billion. It will be split into three separate payments, and payments will be based on a per acre basis. If commodity prices increase, they reserve the right not to pay out the last two payments. The first payment will probably reach farmers in July. This is different than MFP Round 1, where payments were based on $ per commodity.

Currently, the markets are on a rollercoaster.  In addition to the trade issues, the entire Midwest is dealing with wet weather issues where farmers are trying to plant crops. But last week trade issues took center stage for at least some of the media.

So, what does the media want to know?

The first question they want to know is what do farmers think of the President they voted in. Do farmers regret their decision? First, with only 1% of U.S. population that are farmers, they don’t have the power to swing an election. Not even close. Secondly, I know not all farmers voted for President Trump. I have really good farming friends on both sides of the aisle. But it’s the angle the media wants to take. It was fairly obvious the slant they wanted to take on their reporting. 

Fox Business News and CCTV Interviews

I was part of the “farmer class” the media wanted to talk with. Last Thursday morning, I received an email from Fox Business News asking if I would be willing to talk about my viewpoint on the new Market Facilitation Payment program that was going to be announced that day. Here is a link to that interview. I also used Skype to talk with a Chinese TV show, CCTV, this morning. (A funny story about the Chinese interview. We used Skype for the video part but used a phone for the audio. They wanted me to use a headphone. I have no headphones for my Iphone! I had to chase down my husband in a tractor to ask if I could use his ancient, but reliable, flip phone to conduct the interview. I will probably never live that down.)

So how did I prepare for this interview? I started prepping myself with background information. I received some talking points from commodity organizations. In fact, I had 3 pages of notes. My main message was that farmers do not want aid; we want trade. I know of no farmer that prefers aid. We are farmers. This is what we are born to do. It kills us if we cannot plant our crops. I know some people think we want “welfare”, but the truth is far from it. So I was armed with information.

As my interview with Fox Business Network started, I stated how I was appreciative for the aid, but it was only a short-term fix and not a solution. The ag industry knows how important it is to achieve a good trade deal with China. We also know that China consumes a lot of pork. It is their meat of choice. China has been a good market for us, both in pork and soybean sales. And we also know that with the African Swine Fever devastation China has experienced, they will be looking to feed their people. Their consumption of soybeans will be lower because, with a much lower hog inventory, they don’t need soybeans to feed their animals. Yes, there are many moving parts, which does not make this a simple issue. I will also say that media interviews are, having only talked about maybe ½ page of my scribbled notes.

The Bottom Line

My hope is President Trump and President Xi will meet at the G20 Summit next month and hopefully refuel the negotiations. BOTH COUNTRIES NEED TO NEGOTIATE.  Currently, China put on an additional 50% tariff on top of the original 12%. The pork industry wants to bring the tariff level back down to the original 12%. Soybeans have a 25% tariff.

We have worked too hard and too long to build our family farm and are dismayed about the harmful impact trade agreements (and something we have zero control over) have on our farming business.

We want the two Presidents to sit down and reinitiate the trade talks. Get the deal done. Farmers depend on it.

An Open Letter to a Student about to Start an Internship

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This is a guest blog post by Kristeena Patsche 

Dear student:

It’s that time of year again. Can you believe it? You are either just starting your finals or almost finished. Either way, your summer internship is quickly approaching and there are a few things I want you to know before you begin.

Whether this is your first internship or not, the anxiousness and nervousness are completely normal. What is going to be expected of me? Is my supervisor going to like me? What if I don’t know what they’re asking me to do? What if I don’t like it? If you’re anything like me, these questions have crossed your mind once or twice.

My first advice is this – relax. You have not signed your life away, nor are you forced to do this job your entire life. It is three months of learning and new experiences, much of which won’t ever be taught in a classroom.

Think of an internship as a test drive. You go to college and pick a major based on what you think you’d like to do after graduation. It’s not until you get behind the wheel and “test it out” that you realize what you do and do not like. This is an opportunity to test out different career paths before having to “buy” into one.

So how do you get the most out of your test drive?

Take initiative

Be willing and eager to learn. Take the initiative and don’t use being an “intern” as an excuse. You are a part of the company or organization and need to pull your weight while taking advantage of every opportunity given. If you need more to do – ask. If you want to learn more – ask.

Listen

This is a hard one. It’s a balance. You are a part of the team and it’s important to offer your insights, but also use internships as a place to learn from others. Live by the statement – listen twice as much as you talk.

Be sure to take notes! Details are important when it comes to projects assigned. You don’t want to be the one who doesn’t and forgets responsibilities. It is surprising how much sticks with you when you write it down.

Ask questions

This is huge and I cannot stress this enough! The more questions you ask, the more you learn. I was always told – It is better to ask a stupid question than to make a stupid mistake.

Communicate openly

Don’t expect your boss to know how you’re feeling. If you want to learn more about something – ask. If you have an issue that is hindering your ability to do your job – talk. Be respectful but be open. Don’t be afraid to ask for regular check-ins so you feel like you have a chance to do so.

If you realize this type of job isn’t for you, that’s okay! It’s a test drive! That doesn’t mean you can do less of a job, but at least you know now before applying for full-time jobs. Being open with yourself is just as important.

Take advice

I wish I would have done this during my internships. At the end of your time, or whenever you feel the time is appropriate, be sure to ask for advice. “What advice do you have for me in my future job or what advice do you have to be successful in your career?” It’s amazing what you will learn doing so.

My last advice to you is this. Enjoy it. You were given this opportunity and it is only just the start to doing great things in your career. You’ll learn what you’re truly passionate about, which will ultimately steer you in the right direction.

Congratulations on the internship and good luck!

Sincerely,

A former intern

Top Agricultural Bloggers

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Here are a list of my top agricultural bloggers. They write about their life, their families and their farms. They are listed in no specific order. And, in fact, I am sure I have missed some that I wished I would have added. And if you see someone that is missing? Just add it to the comment section. So grab a cup of coffee, check these ag bloggers/agvocates, engage with them and enjoy!

1) Wanda Patsche – Minnesota Farm Living, City Girl turned Farm Wife, Pig Farmer, Mom and Grandma

2) Sarah Schultz – Nurse Loves Farmer. Nurse, Farm Wife, Boy Mom, Believer, Canadian

3) Amanda Zaluckyj – The Farmers Daughter – She is the proud daughter of conventional farmers in Southwest Michigan. She is also a practicing attorney.

4) Carolyn Olson – Carolyn Cares. Committed to Agriculture while Respecting the Earth. Corn, soybeans, wheat, organic, pigs. Minnesota FarmersContinue Reading

Women in Ag Networking Conference

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We all know that women have taken a bigger or more predominant role in agriculture. In Minnesota, more than 1 out of every 4 farmers is a woman. And I can attest to these statistics because I see more and more women farming today than ever before and I love it! But women also face different obstacles and challenges along the way. Here is the good news – The University of Minnesota Extension is sponsoring a Women in Ag Network conference in Willmar, MN on February 16 from 8:45-3:30 p.m. This conference will help women learn how to manage adversity and see a way to the future. But the BETTER news is I have one FREE admission to give away. To participate in GIVEAWAY, all you need to do is subscribe to my weekly (I promise only weekly) newsletter by going to my Subscribe page. I will draw one winner from all new subscribers between now and Monday, February 6. The GIVEAWAY will be announced on Tuesday, February 7. 

Even if you don’t win the giveaway, the conference will be worth your time and money. Early registration is from now until through Tuesday, February 7. $45 by Internet, $50 by phone. More information and registration can be found here. You can also check out their Facebook page.

I highly recommend attending the conference. Not only will you learn important skills and tools but the networking with other women is so fun. This is always the best part in attending conferences!

Goals of the Women in Ag Conference: Gain skills, enhance their leadership and management abilities, and network with other farmers just like them.

Women in Ag Conference

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