Straight Talk with NDFB

Should we go down the term limits path Montana did in an effort to "clean the government house?" Not according to Montana Farm Bureau Senior Director, Governmental Affairs, Nicole Rolf.

Listen to find out how term limits impacted Montana's legislative process.

To learn more about NDFB's position, visit NDFB takes a position on term limits.

There is a major misconception in North Dakota that Measure 1 will solve issues with U.S. legislators. It won't. It will limit North Dakota legislator terms, however, and curtail your rights as an individual to vote for who you want.

In this special season of Straight Talk, your host Emmery Mehlhoff shares insights from other states, as well as North Dakota individuals, about how term limits can increase bureaucracy, rather than reduce it.

This week, Emmery speaks with Senator Doug Larsen from Mandan.

For more information on term limits from NDFB's perspective, visit https://ndfb.org/policy/issues/term-limits/

It seems like a great idea. Initially. Limit the terms of state legislators and the governor and watch our state prosper and grow with new ideas and fresh blood. 

In reality? It doesn't happen. The corruptors keep corrupting and the balance of power shifts away from the people.

Learn more as your host, Emmery Mehlhoff asks the tough questions about term limits with those who have experienced it first-hand. Her guest for this first episode is Jay Rempe, an economist with Nebraska Farm Bureau.

Emmery will be sharing weekly podcasts about the issue leading up to the November election, so be sure to listen in and learn what others are saying about term limits.

For more information on term limits from NDFB's perspective, visit https://ndfb.org/policy/issues/term-limits/

Randy Martinson with Martinson Ag joins our hosts to talk about late spring planting, changes to prevent plant rules, and cover crops. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• Cover crop 
• Prevent Plant rule change
• Ways to stabilize herd numbers 
• The global crop outlook 
• The shift in soil management techniques 

Randy grew up on a family grain and livestock farm in rural Milnor, where he farmed for ten years after graduation from NDSU. Randy founded Martinson Ag Risk Management in 2016.

Martinson Ag Risk Management offers a variety of crop marketing and crop insurance packages. Find Martinson Ag's free app here: http://martinsonag.com

Contact Randy and his staff at: 701-205-4200 or [email protected]

Resources:
2022 Prevent Plant FAQ
Cover crop information

Want to join NDFB? Become a member here.

Our hosts are joined by Marshall Erickson, NDFB member, farmer and loan officer for Goose River Bank in Mayville, North Dakota. 

We talk about: 

• Navigating rising interest rates 
• Improving the value of land 
• Purchasing land strategies 
• Opportunities for new producers 
• What to do with $100,000 
• What to bring to the bank 

Marshall Erickson lives and farms with his wife Brandi and three children in the Clifford area. Graduating from NDSU, Marshall entered the banking world as a credit analyst and now serves as a Loan Officer for Goose River Bank in Mayville, North Dakota. Marshall enjoys working with producers and has a passion for agriculture.

Connect with Marshall at Goose River Bank
Local Phone: (701) 788-3110
Email: [email protected]

Want to join the ranks of NDFB? Become a member. 

Farming with Mom and Dad and wondering what the future holds? Want to continue your family’s legacy? Emmery and Ezra visit with Marissa Nehlsen about the five steps to successfully transition the farm from one generation to the next.
 
We talk about how to:

• Determine the Why, What, Who, When and How of starting the process
• Manage risk and take advantage of tax opportunities 
• Cut the government out
• Get a will and a health care directive for $75 
• Ask the important questions: What is critical for this farm to continue? 

Marissa Nehlsen grew up on a farm in North Dakota and is the CEO of Freedom Financial, LLC. Marissa is dedicated to educating business owners about how to make sound business decisions. With a passion for agriculture, Marissa and her team help transition the farm to the next generation.

Resources
To access the free resources Marissa mentioned in her podcast, email Marissa at [email protected] or visit http://www.freedomfinancialminot.com .

To listen to more from Marissa visit https://marissanehlsen.com

Interested in more from NDFB? Become a member 

In episode 12 of Straight Talk with NDFB, Dr. Kevin Sedivec, NDSU Extension, gives his outlook for 2022 and how to recover pastures after the drought. 

In this episode, we talk about how to:

• Manage pastures during and after drought 
• Heal saline soils
• Identify the health of your pasture
• Utilize grazing principles to improve pastures, enhance ecosystem services, and increase pounds per acre

Kevin Sedivec works one-on-one with ranchers to optimize rangeland and troubleshoot soil health issues. If you are interested in visiting more with Dr. Sedivec, you can find him at https://www.ndsu.edu/snrs/people/faculty/kevin_sedivec/

You can also contact him by phone or email.

Phone: 701-231-7647
Email: [email protected]

Have a guest suggestion for our hosts? You can contact our hosts here: [email protected]

Become a member of NDFB and join hundreds of young farmers and ranchers across the state!

Are you Solopreneur looking to meet all your goals? Multi-generational farm figuring out how to work together? Ranching with several employees and trying to get organized? Join Emmery and Ezra as they visit with Patrick Metzger, EOS certified coach, to talk about how to clarify, simplify and achieve your vision for your farm.

Learn about how to:

• Clarify functions and responsibilities on your operation
• Put the Right Person in the Right Seat 
• Set 90-day rocks, the most important priorities for your business
• Be proactive instead of reactive

Patrick Metzger lives in Casselton, N.D., and partners with businesses in North Dakota and across the Midwest to achieve their visions.

Request a free 90 minute meeting with Patrick

Resources for Straight Talk with NDFB Listeners:

Download EOS Business Management Tools

Free Chapter of Traction, book by Gino Wickman

Request a Free 90 Minute meeting with Patrick Metzger

How to conduct a Level Ten Meeting

More EOS and Patrick Metzger resources and tools

Like what you hear? Become a member of NDFB

In this episode of Straight Talk with NDFB, Emmery and Ezra visit with Ray Grabanski, president of Progressive Ag risk management firm. They visit about high input costs, rising fuel prices, strained trade relationships and how to make sound marketing decisions in uncertain times. 

We talk about: 

• Managing risk in times of inflation 
• How politics and global events influence the markets
• Make good decisions in the midst of crises
• Marketing techniques and timeline (how to recognize when to sell)

Progressive Ag is a multi-state risk management firm whose mission is to provide farmers with a marketing plan to capture prices in the top one-half of the market while reducing risk.

Reach Ray at (701) 277-9210 or [email protected] .

Become a member of NDFB 

Contact our hosts at [email protected]

Our hosts, siblings Emmery and Ezra, drive to Carrington to visit with the VanBedaf siblings, Piet and Maartje and tour the family’s dairy farm and creamery!

Piet shares the ins and outs of the dairy operation and at about 18:20, Maartje joins to talk about building a successful family business and legacy.

Tune in as they talk about:

• The history of the farm and why Carrington, N.D.
• The importance of animal agriculture to North Dakota 
• Building relationships with the community as the key to successful diversification
• Managing business, large or small
• Finding true joy and fulfillment in your work

Links
Piet VanBedaf’s Youtube channel

Maartje’s Cows & Co. Creamery

Ideas for our hosts or invitation to your farm? Email Emmery at [email protected]

Like what you’re hearing? Become a member of NDFB!