The Montana Farmers Union (MFU) 88th Annual Meeting and Convention will be held October 18-19, 2013 in Great Falls at the Heritage Inn.
“We have a great line-up of speakers this year who will educate our members on wide-ranging topics,” said MFU President Alan Merrill. “Information critical to Montanans will be offered throughout the convention.”
The ACA – What you Need to Know about Health Care Implementation
On Friday, October 18, beginning at 4:00 PM a panel of experts on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act in Montana will convene. The health care exchanges will have been open for enrollment for just a couple of weeks. The public is invited to attend and learn from experts from the MT Insurance Commissioner’s Office, as well as the three participants in the Montana health care exchange: the Montana Health Co-Op, BlueCross BlueShield of Montana and Pacific Source Health Plans. This meeting is open to the general public while the rest of the educational opportunities are arranged for registered convention attendees.
Economic Opportunities & Updates
MFU is fortunate to have three expert advisors and analysts from RBC Wealth Management from Great Falls, Denver and Minneapolis address the convention. Retirement: Making the Farm Work for You and The Opportunity Ahead are two presentations that will be offered on Friday to convention goers.
Also on Friday Ron deYong, Director, MT Department of Agriculture, will offer statewide ag updates, and Terry Whiteside of Whiteside & Associates will speak on rail transportation issues affecting agriculture.
“MFU’s core mission is education, and the convention this year will not disappoint,” said Merrill. “We have Saturday afternoon workshops on cover crop cocktails & crop insurance, on the Orange Midge grain pest, and MT Farm to School program.”
Dr. Glenn Duff of the MSU College of Agriculture will keynote the Saturday education luncheon where MFU youth leadership will be recognized, and National Farmers Union V.P. for Government Affairs Chandler Goule will keynote the Montana Home Grown Food Banquet on Saturday night.
“Another important aspect of the annual meeting is that throughout the convention members will discuss and vote on MFU public policy positions,” said Merrill. “This effort allows MFU staff to work in the members’ interests throughout the year in Helena during the legislature and in Washington, D.C. influencing national agricultural policy.”
The convention also will recognize MFU Centennial Farm & Ranch members, host a trade show and provide day camps for MFU youth ages 5-12.
For a detailed agenda and to register, please visit http://www.montanafarmersunion.com and click on the “Food, Fiber, Farm” link on the home page.
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