I am proud to support the 2009 Minnesota Statewide Amateur Baseball Tournament in Gaylord and Arlington.  The tournament and its wonderful volunteers reminds us that we live in a great part of Minnesota!

http://knuj.net/page/state-amateur-baseball-tournament

http://www.mbastatetourney09.com/

After visiting the Bode family farm and talking with Minnesota Pork Board Executive Director Dave Preisler, Terry sent the following letter to Minnesota’s Congressional delegation:

(Many thanks to Melissa Bode for the great photos!)
___________________________________________
Re: Pork Producers Crisis

Dear ________________:

I write to request your support for the proposed use of $50 million before or by September 30, 2009 of USDA funds to help United States’ pork producers.  In Southern Minnesota, as in other pork-producing areas, family farms are under severe threat as several factors have combined to threaten this vital agricultural industry.  By authorizing U.S. Agriculture Secretary Vilsack to expend $50 million on or before September 30, 2009, Congress will extend an essential lifeline to keep these farmers—and all who depend upon them—afloat until the market turns around.

America’s pork producers find themselves in dire need because of circumstances beyond their control. They cannot improve trade relations with China, a major market for our country’s pork products.  America’s pork producers did not cause the increase in feed prices that many relate to increased global demand for corn, food shortages elsewhere, and ethanol production.  The farmers in my area and elsewhere in our country are suffering as the misnomered “swine flu” precipitated a further decline in pork markets despite efforts to assure the public that pork products are safe and do not cause the H1N1 flu. (more…)

Our family has joined the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s “Eat Local Challenge”  As the MDA states, “eating local is a great way to support the local economy and our local farmers.”

We hope you will join us and take the Eat Local Challenge!

The Minnesota Grown Directory is available to help folks eat locally.

Letter to the editor, Mankato Free Press (August 9, 2009)

We appreciate the work of Paul Thissen, Rep. Terry Morrow, Bobbie Jo Champion, Debra Hilstrom, Joe Mullery, Gale Kulcik Jackson, Chris Michaels, Debra Holtz (state ombudsman) on the strengthening protections for wards and protected persons: Chapter 150, Laws of 2009 (SF 951/HF804).

The shepherding of the legislation could not have been completed without their persistence and dedication to serve Minnesota residents. Their efforts to correct serious shortfalls in the state code concerning guardianship responsibilities will help prevent the misuse of state resources by an individual or non-government agency at the expense of an individual that cannot express their wishes concerning their quality of life in this human experience.

In his last years, our son, Trever Langbehn, had been kept alive for the sake of staying alive with a very poor quality of life; only his basic physical needs were taken care of in a professional manner.Their efforts will help prevent a reoccurrence of his tragedy.

Coris Langbehn

Lafayette