Volume 21, Issue 1

Inside This Issue Executive Director’s Report Pages 1 & 2 Capitol Update Page 1 & 2 Newly Elected MCPR Board Minnesota Crop Production Retailers Members Pages 3 Dale’s View Page 3 Thank you Sponsors Page 4 Reguletter Insert INPUTS Executive Director’s Report Capitol Update In case you hadn’t noticed, we had an Hello MCPR members, run for and election as Minnesota’s new election in November. Little changed in With so much news Governor and his “sidekicks” in the the Minnesota Senate as Republicans focused on politics and MN House, it seems logical to conclude held on to their one vote margin 34-33. government, I have to that gridlock will once again grip the However, the appointment of Senator really use this column Minnesota Capitol for the next two years. Tony Lowry by newly-elected Governor to also deal with these And that’s both good and bad, from the Walz to the MN Department of Human contentious issues. But let’s have a little MCPR membership perspective. Services Commissioner position created fun with what is currently a topic that A shoot out at the a vacancy which generated a special makes most of us angry...Minnesota election in Senate District 11. Senator government. Minnesota OK Corral means taxation will Lowry’s brother, Stu, recently won the Some of you may remember the movie be front and center DFL endorsement for a February 5 “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral” with no clear way general election race against current forward. One would Rep. Jason Rarick, a Republican from Those of us at the State Capitol on the think a $1.5 billion Pine City, and Legal Marijuana Now opening legislative day were treated projected surplus candidate John Birrenbach of Pine City. to a noisy, ruckus demonstration in the would be sufficient to The Republicans do not risk their fragile Capitol rotunda of red shirted advocates allow Minnesota to majority as Senate District 11 has been for gun control. Encouraged by group conform to the Federal Tax Law changes in the DFL column for years. of fresh-faced newly elected DFL House passed during the first year of the Trump members providing Democrats with a administration and also provide plenty of Things are much different in the House, majority over the Republicans in the funds for transportation spending. Nope. however. With a solid – to – majority, Minnesota House of Representatives, House DFLers’ wasted no time electing the demonstrators seemed certain their Governor Walz campaigned on a gas tax Representative Melissa Hortman excitement would spill over into locking increase and he means it. And, he also Speaker of the House and unveiling up some of those guns and gun owners. wants to bring back the 2% health care their “Minnesota Values Agenda” The Republicans controlling the Minnesota provider tax which was set to “blink off” in with the first 10 bills introduced. The Senate with a very slim margin appeared the next fiscal year. proposed legislation included such just as determined to stop any gun control themes as all-day preschool, increased The appointment of Thom Peterson legislation at their feet. D.O.A. the term goes. money for schools, health care buy-in to as Commissioner of Agriculture was MinnesotaCare, paid family and medical I was reminded of the 1957 American welcomed by most farm advocates as a leave and earned sick and safe time western classic film starring Burt Lancaster common-sense appointment of someone for all, rural broad ban expansion, gun as Wyatt Earp and Kirk Douglas as Doc who knows how to get along with control and sexual harassment controls. Holliday. As I look at the agenda for the everyone in agriculture. Thom has been newly elected Governor Walz who seems a lobbyist for the MN Farmers Union for Of course, Governor Walz is all in for to have waffled on his gun control and many years. But from my knowledge of (continued on page 2) solid N.R.A. voting positions in his recent (continued on page 2) INPUTS 1 Capitol Update (continued from page 1) these proposals but also ‘raises them one’ by adding a gas tax increase to fund more transportation spending. However, most of these are D.O.A. in the Minnesota Senate. But we will have a lot of fun Executive Director’s Report watching both political parties push what (continued from page 1) is envisioned to be the campaign themes Chairwoman Rep. Jean Wagenius, the DFL lobbying for MCPR members for over 15 for the election. House Caucus selected for the Agriculture years alongside of Thom in many cases, and Food Finance and Policy Division Chair But you say, ‘Wait a minute! Didn’t we just he is a likable guy who will work to bring Rep. Jeanne Poppe from the District: 27B, have the election?’ “peace in the valley” for agriculture in the Austin area legislative district. This was Minnesota. Before he was appointed, Well, yes. a much more ag sensitive appointment in I chatted with Thom about the Walz the minds of most ag lobbyists who find administration profile for ag. Thom But in part, because the legislators created working with Rep. Poppe much easier a funding mechanism to allow them to indicated his advice to the Governor- that the previous Chair. Her appointment elect was something to the effect that raise their part time salaries from $31,140 was expected and appreciated by most ag to $45,000 a year, a 45 percent increase, he advised to not mess things up with advocates. extreme proposals that will get everyone there is that much more incentive to get riled up. re-elected. But, that’s not all. They are also However, the ‘other shoe dropped’ with allowed to collect a per diem for living the naming of Rep. Jean Wagenius Chair As the Committees start their work to and travel expenses seven days a week of the new committee, the Energy and debate and approve a two-year biennial during the regular legislative session and Climate Finance and Policy Division and budget effective from July 1, 2019 for interim meetings after the session Environment and Natural Resources through June 30, 2021 and the policies adjourns. House members receive $66 Finance Division Chair: Rep. Rick Hansen each legislator supports with the majority dollars a day for expenses, on top of their - District: 52A. Of even more interest is having the say-so, MCPR will be there salaries, no receipts required. In 2017, another new committee, the Water Division to promote your interests and engage Representatives got an average of $8,812 Chaired by Rep. Peter Fischer. All Chairs are you through timely information. We will in per diem, bringing total pay to almost sensitive to arguments about creating laws be watching for fee increases, extreme $53,812. State Senators get even more and rules to control ag’s contribution to environmental proposals, and will work in expense payments: $86 per day. They pollution rather than Minnesota’s history with our friends in the agricultural collected an average of nearly $6,861 of focus on voluntary Best Management organizations to increase our effectiveness. extra cash in per diem payments, bringing Practices (BMPs). The hearing agendas for their total, part-time pay to $51,861 a year. these committees has already entertained Now on the federal level, trade wars, presentations that make many ag government shutdown, and gridlock in With many of the new DFL House members advocates very concerned. The legislative Washington D.C. is also restricting what coming from the Twin Cities suburbs, one Ag generated water pollution focus now the government can do to us and for us. And again, that’s not all bad. We will be can begin to understand why the next has competition from the Ag generated bracing for a long federal government election is the defining subtle issue of climate change focus in the House shutdown which is now the longest in every political debate and press release. Committee structure and power base. Good pay for part time work can motivate our nations’ history. Stay tuned, MCPR folks to get involved and run for office. Are we having fun yet?? Like I said in members. It’s about to get interesting at the Executive Director report, gridlock at the federal and state government levels. The House reorganized the Committee the state Capitol is not necessarily a bad structure in a way that has gotten the A little MCPR business here - we held thing for ag. With the Committee hearing another very successful C.P.M. Short attention and concern of most ag lobbyists. process just getting into full swing and Once again, similar to the last time the Course and MCPR Trade Show in the new Governor to propose his two- December. Plan to attend the 2019 Short DFL controlled the Minnesota House of year budget soon, it will be a few weeks Representative, they combined the House Course and Trade Show December 10-12 in before we see the extent of MCPR member Minneapolis. And thanks to all of you who Ag Policy and Finance Committees into legislative challenges this year. Ë one. Only this time, rather than Mpls have promptly renewed your membership. Legislator and Environmental focused Your support for MCPR is what allows us to work so very hard for you. Ë Until next time, Bill Bond Bill Bond INPUTS 2 Dale’s View Hello MCPR Members, We had a tremendous and very successful CPM Short Course and MCPR Trade Show. I heard many compliments and some suggestions on improvements we can make for the 2019 Trade Show which will be held December 10-12, 2019 at the Mpls Convention Center and Mpls Hilton Hotel. During the MCPR Annual Newly Elected MCPR Board Members Meeting in December all current Board members running for reelection were Meet two Board members elected at the starters on row crops. When asked what elected. Congratulations to each one. 2018 Annual Meeting held during the he thinks the most important issues facing Newly elected new Board members MCPR Trade Show held in Minneapolis the industry are he said some concerns are, are Brian Meyer and Kevin Crandall. December 11. Both of these new Board “Sustainable farming as commodity prices You may read about them in this members term started the three-year term fall and providing elite services to growers issue. You may also remember the in January of 2019. and ag retailers to help get through this Board of Directors developed an idea specific climate. Also, restrictive protocols to add advisors to our board team Brian Meyer is pushed through by the government which for increased communication and Agronomy Operations will be misdirected in part because the representation throughout Minnesota. Manager for Central people voting do not understand the At the January Board meeting the Region Cooperative ramifications of these resolutions.” He also MCPR Board exercised the MCPR in Sleepy Eye. When listed major companies merging which are Bylaws authority to reappoint two the asked what an leaving just a few major players controlling Honorary Advisory Board members who will serve two-year terms on important issue was much of the ag industry from Fertilizer, the Board without vote, K. C. (Kevin) in our industry, he stated that a major Seed and Chemical. Finally, smaller Graner, Pine Island, CFS, and Jeff concern is to “continuing to find help in numbers of workers and college students Moon, Sauk Rapids, who works for every aspect of the coop.” When asked coming into the Ag industry and the Corteva. In addition, the Board has his motivation for serving in the MCPR older age of people who are in ag retail decided to add a couple more Advisory Board he offered that, “being in the ag and wholesale industry looking to retire Board members who we are contacting business for twenty-five years, I think soon…will we be able to fill the demands to determine their interest to serve. now is the time to reach out and broaden and needs with such a small number of On a final note, we announced at the my knowledge and help to improve the employment candidates? Kevin hopes that annual meeting that 2019 would bring direction of our industry.” We learned that in his service on the MCPR Board he will discussions about nitrogen, particularly when Brian is not busy at work he spends be able to help with new ideas and be a 4R along with many others. If you have his time, “Following our kids Baseball, new voice who cares about the current thoughts or concerns please don’t Football and Volleyball games. Also state of the ag industry as well as its hesitate to contact our office or myself Camping, Boating and Traveling.” Brian future in the next 20 years. Kevin’s hobbies with suggestions. and his family live in Fairfax, MN. include going to gym and lifting weights and going to sporting events including Dale Johnson Kevin Crandall is football and basketball. While Nachurs MCPR Board Chair, District Sales Manager is based in Marion, Ohio, Kevin lives in Dale Johnson for Central Minnesota Breckenridge, MN. and the Red River Valley for Nachurs. In Welcome to the MCPR Board, Brian and this position he works Kevin! Ë with ag retailers and their customers to sell mostly in-furrow INPUTS 3 PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID HAMEL, MN PERMIT NO. 75

Minnesota Crop Production Retailers 15490 101st Ave. N., Ste. 100 Maple Grove, MN 55369

Phone: 763.235.6466 Fax: 763.235.6461 www.mcpr-cca.org

Thank you again to the 2018 Short Course Sponsors! MCPR Board DIAMOND LEVEL SPONSORS: Dale Johnson, Board Chair Jeff Arnold Doug Becher Kevin Crandall Jeff Einck Kyle Kraska Brian Meyer PLATINUM LEVEL SPONSORS: T.J. Phillips Arnie Sinclair Bryan Strickler Rick Walker GOLD LEVEL SPONSORS: Tristan Wilmes Tim Woelfel

Advisory Board SILVER LEVEL SPONSORS: K.C. (Kevin) Graner ADM Fertilizer Jeff Moon Brokaw Supply Company CHS Agronomy Kahler Automation Mosaic Co. Staff Murray Equipment Inc. Bill Bond, Executive Director Jessica Brunelle, Vice President BRONZE LEVEL SPONSORS: Abner Sales C&R Supply, Inc. Helena Agri Enterprises LLC Sackett Waconia MVTL Labs, Inc.