Minnesota Farmers Union

10/12/2026

Celebrating the dedication and innovation of America's farmers, today and every day.

10/10/2026

When diesel and fertilizer prices climb, farmers feel it first, but they’re not the only ones. Higher costs on the farm show up in the school run, at the grocery store, and across the whole economy. Farmers are getting squeezed, and so is everyone else. That’s why we need farm and food policy that works for everyone.

10/09/2026

🍁FALL FOTO FRIDAY🍁
We are celebrating harvest by profiling member-submitted fall photos each Friday afternoon for the remainder of the season! Send your fall photos to the MFU communications team, [email protected] and [email protected], to be featured.

📸: Kyle Hoffman

10/07/2026

Learn how our new USDA-inspected facility is expanding regional meat processing, creating new market opportunities for livestock producers and supporting rural jobs. Now hiring in Staples!

Register: bit.ly/FUPMstory

For years, limited access to USDA-inspected and custom-exempt meat processing has created bottlenecks for area livestock producers, making it difficult to schedule processing and limiting their marketing opportunities. After years of planning and collaboration among Minnesota Farmers Union and partners, Farmers Union Processing + Meats opened this summer. The more than 10,000-square-foot facility processes cattle and hogs, expanding regional processing capacity and market opportunities for livestock producers.

During the webinar, Plant Manager Robb Kasal and MFU Special Projects Coordinator Dave Endicott will share how the project came together, the partnerships that made it possible and what's ahead for FUPM. Livestock producer Jim Chamberlin will offer a producer perspective on what expanded processing capacity will mean for his farm and business. We'll also hear from Keith Olander, Executive Director at Minnesota State Northern Agricultural Center of Excellence, AgCentric, about the importance of developing a skilled meat processing workforce and current efforts underway in Minnesota to meet this need.

FUPM is also growing its team and is currently hiring a butcher supervisor based in Staples.

Join us to hear the story behind a project years in the making and learn how investments in regional meat processing can create opportunities for livestock producers, strengthen local food systems and support rural communities.

This webinar will be facilitated by Ariel Kagan, MFU's Foundation Director.

10/07/2026

10/07/2026

Farmers Union Enterprises, which is comprised of the Farmers Union organizations in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin, donated about 40,000 pounds of pork ribs to Second Harvest Heartland today.

The pork will be distributed through Second Harvest Heartland’s 1,000-plus food shelf and meal program partners across its 59-county service area in Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

MFU President Gary Wertish: “Farmers Union is proud to make this donation to Second Harvest Heartland to help feed our neighbors as rising grocery prices challenge many budgets. It’s important to know that farmers aren’t seeing increased profits as grocery prices rise. Instead, farmers are coping with increased costs and shrinking margins. On average, farmers earn 16 cents for every dollar spent on food. Farmers Union is working to create a more competitive marketplace where farmers and consumers can come together and find solutions so that all are fed.”

10/07/2026

"Oftentimes farmers are working hard to improve soil health, but are evaluating the outcome based on crop production so it’s hard to understand if their efforts have paid off. If you dig into the soil and assess it for signs of productivity, that can really reassure farmers that they are progressing on their journey."

Read our full interview with Stephanie: https://mfufoundation.org/stephanie-mclain-minnesota-soil-health-specialist-at-nrcs/

10/06/2026

Free su***de prevention workshops are happening next week in Albert Lea, Fergus Falls and Cloquet, with additional sessions planned in Willmar, Buffalo, Ada, Grand Rapids, Marshall, Thief River Falls, Austin and Crookston later this fall.

Farmers, family members, friends, neighbors, agricultural professionals and others who live or work in rural communities are encouraged to attend. You don’t need to be a mental health professional to participate.

Find a workshop near you and register at www.eventbrite.com/cc/su***de-prevention-mental-wellness-workshops-4863693/

10/05/2026

MFU President Gary Wertish: "The high price of diesel fuel couldn’t come at a worse time; farmers are harvesting their crops and preparing their fields for the next planting season...

These rising prices have triggered a crisis for some farmers, particularly those who are just starting out or who have encountered multiple financial hits. In the first five months of 2026, nearly 1,350 Minnesota farmers defaulted on their loans and entered farmer-lender mediation, the highest numbers since 2020."

In the first five months of 2026, nearly 1,350 Minnesota farmers defaulted on their loans, Minnesota Farmers Union president Gary Wertish writes.

10/02/2026

🍁FALL FOTO FRIDAY🍁
We are celebrating harvest by profiling member-submitted fall photos each Friday afternoon for the remainder of the season! Send your fall photos to the MFU communications team, [email protected] and [email protected], to be featured.

📸: Janet Kubat