ND and MN Dry Bean Council, Northarvest Special Election Results

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The Northarvest Bean Growers Association held a special election for District 9 in March.  The mail ballots certified election results show Jeff Kosek of Brownton, Minnesota will complete the incumbent’s two-year term.

Kosek raises corn, kidney beans, black beans and has a cow/calf operation and a feedlot. He is a member of the Brownton town board and the Minnesota Corn Growers Association. In his nomination description, Kosek said he would like to bring more farm program attention to the board, specifically when it comes to fair and equitable insurance for dry bean farmers. The Brownton farmer also enjoys working with others.

The North Dakota Dry Bean Council elected Kevin Regan of Webster, North Dakota to serve his third, three-year term as representative of District 2. Regan is currently elected by the Northarvest board to serve as delegate to the U.S. Dry Bean Council (USDBC) and currently serves as the USDBC treasurer.

The Minnesota Dry Bean Council elected Jacob Faugstad of Climax, Minnesota to his first, three-year term in District 1. Mark Dombeck of Perham, Minnesota was elected to serve a three-year term representing District 5.

Northarvest Now Accepting 2021 Scholarship Applications

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The Northarvest Bean Growers Association (NBGA) is offering a scholarship to the children and grandchildren of a Northarvest producer member.  NBGA is comprised of dry bean growers from North Dakota and Minnesota.

The association is excited to offer two- $1,000 scholarship opportunities individuals who meet the following requirements:

  • A parent or grandparent must be a current participating grower-member of NBGA.
  • The applicant must be planning to enroll or be enrolled in their first year of college or technical college.
  • The applicant must have at least a 3.0 grade point average from high school.

If the above criteria can be met, the applicant must complete an application when applying for the scholarship.  Applications must be received no later than June 1, 2021.

Please request application by mail or email:

Northarvest Bean Growers Association

4844 Rocking Horse Circle S. Suite 2

Fargo, ND  58104

Email:  mitch@northarvestbean.net

Sabolik Joins the Northarvest team as Marketing & Communications Director

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Danna Sabolik joined the Northarvest Bean Growers Association (NHBGA) as the marketing and communications director on April 1, 2021.  In this role, Danna will lead Northarvest communications and promotions strategy for the dry bean farmers in North Dakota and Minnesota.

The association is very happy to welcome Sabolik.  “Northarvest has an exceptional story to share about how this organization has developed for our farmers in North Dakota and Minnesota,” says Executive Vice President Tim Courneya. “Danna provides a voice for the farmers to humanize their efforts on behalf of consumers looking for nutritious food options, like dry beans provide for the world.”

Prior to her hire with NHBGA, Sabolik was a reporter for Dairy Star, Star Publications and an editor with Future Farmer, Spotlight Media. “Northarvest provides an opportunity to work on behalf of farm families that grow a healthy safe product from field to plate,” states Sabolik.  “As an agricultural journalist, I am looking forward to giving farmers the voice that so many times gets lost when it may be the most important voice providing the world its nutritious food.”

Sabolik holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.

Northarvest Board Elects New Officers

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The Northarvest Bean Growers Association elected new officers to the board of directors, along with  U.S. Dry Bean Council directors.
 
Eric Samuelson of Crookston, Minnesota is the new Northarvest president. Previously, Samuelson served as treasurer and also serves on the legislative, crop insurance and scholarship committees. He was first elected to the board in 2015.
 
Elected as vice president is Eric Jorgenson from Leeds, North Dakota. He also serves on the legislative, research, promotion, communication, scholarship and policy and nominating committees. Jorgenson was first elected to the board in 2014.
 
Joe Mauch of Hankinson, North Dakota was elected as Northarvest treasurer. Mauch also serves on the legislative, research, crop insurance, food aid and policy and nominating committees. He was first elected to the board in 2007.
 
Serving as the United States Dry Bean Council (USDBC) delegate for Northarvest is Kevin Regan of Webster, North Dakota. He was elected to his second term as treasurer of the USDBC board in 2020. With this assignment, Regan will represent the two-state region of Northarvest.
 
Serving as the USDBC alternate delegate for Northarvest is Roger Carignan of Cavalier, North Dakota. Carignan is currently the vice chair of the North Dakota Dry Bean Council and will also represent Northarvest for USDBC activity.

Dry Beans Purchased

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Dry beans have been purchased by USDA for the USAID P.L.-480 Title II and the FAS McGovern-Dole Food for Education programs. The buy includes 360 metric tons (MT) of black beans and 830 MT of small red beans. No offers were received for 160 MT of small red beans. View the document.

April Lending Rates Released

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USDA has announced loan interest rates for April, which are now effective. These Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures, or meet cash flow needs.
 
Jon Ihry

MN Farms See Higher Income in 2020

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Despite the challenges of COVID-19, Minnesota farms saw improved profitability in 2020, primarily due to higher commodity prices in the third and fourth quarters of 2020. 
 
Median net farm income for Minnesota farms reached $106,969 in 2020, a welcome increase after seven years of low profitability. When adjusted for inflation, 2020 farm profits were above average compared to the historical records tracked by University of Minnesota Extension and the Minnesota State Agricultural Centers of Excellence. Overall, the average Minnesota farm saw improved working capital, positive earned net worth change and improved debt coverage. 
 
Improved commodity prices are expected to continue in 2021. But operating expenses will likely trend up, related to higher energy and increased input prices. As spring nears, many farmers are optimistic for a more “normal” year after the uncertainty and challenges of 2020. But many unknowns remain related to the pandemic and our nation’s economic recovery.
 

A Possible PPP Extension

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President Joe Biden is expected to sign legislation to extend the deadline for enrollment in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) from March 31 to May 31. At this point, only four percent of PPP loan funding has gone to the agriculture industry. Farmers and ranchers can use PPP funds for such things as payroll, land rent, utility costs and more. Get more information.

USDA Seeks Dry Beans

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USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a solicitation for the procurement of dry beans for use in the National School Lunch Program and other Federal Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs. Specifically, packaged Great Northern beans are being sought. Bids are due April 6 by 1 p.m. CT. View the solicitation.

FSA Offices Will Increase Worker Capacity

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Starting Monday, Farm Service Agency offices will be allowed to operate at 50 percent worker capacity. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Biden Administration previously limited offices to 25 percent worker capacity. The White House is making an exception for Farm Production and Conservation offices to better serve farmers ahead of the planting season. FSA is also exploring ways to re-engage farmers for appointments. Many offices still are meeting with farmers over the phone or via e-mail.