FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2007
Contact: Sandy Courtnage


Montana Farmers Union Members Travel to National Farmers Union Convention

GREAT FALLS, MT (Feb. 26, 2007) – Montana Farmers Union President Alan Merrill and 21 Montana Farmers Union members travel to the 105th National Farmers Union convention in Orlando, Florida, March 2-5, 2007.

The group includes six delegates who will help shape the direction of the organization’s national public policy. Delegates include Bill Courtnage, Geraldine; Dan Downs, MFU Board member, Molt; Charlotte Kelly, Chester; Henry Nagamori, Loma; Lyle Schwarzrock, MFU Board member, Poplar; and Erik Somerfeld, Power. Eric Doheny, Dutton, will sit on the NFU Policy Committee. Also attending is Brice Courtnage, Geraldine, National Youth Advisory Board member, who will make a presentation on the 2007 All-States Camp theme, “Buy Fresh, Buy Local.”

The convention theme “Feeding the World, Fueling the Future,” will feature opportunities for revitalizing rural communities. “This theme builds on the Montana Farmers Union focus at its convention this past fall,” said MFU President Alan Merrill. “We look forward to participating in policy discussions at the national level and bringing home additional information and ideas that might be implemented here in Montana.”

Other MFU members joining MFU President Merrill at the convention include: Diana Adamson, MFU Board member, Devon; Lynnette & Brianne Downs, Molt; Ed, Eric, John and Cory Kelly, Chester; Vanette Nagamori, Loma; Betty Schwarzrock, Poplar; Rich Owen, CHS, Inc. director, Geraldine; Chris Owen, Geraldine; Sonny Harrell, MFU Education Director; and Jim Sargent, MFU Membership Director.

U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and House Agriculture Committee Chair Collin Peterson, D-Minn, will address the delegates and guests.