Dear Friends,
Last week, I had an in-depth interview with Betsy Singer of KAAL-TV concerning the recent push in the Minnesota legislature for mandated K-12 comprehensive sex education (CSE) in our public schools. It is an interesting topic to say the least.
COMPREHENSIVE SEX EDUCATION
I am VERY concerned about this issue after having studied it extensively, including identifying the groups that are behind this push, what those groups consider “appropriate” sex education for our children, and what is happening in other states that have passed legislation like this.
I disagree greatly with the legislators who are promoting this. It is NOT in the best interest of our children. It is dangerous. I believe there is an appropriate place for sex education in our schools, but it is imperative that this subject remains under local control and not mandated by the government.
Please click here to watch the video and learn more. The push for mandated CSE will return, and parents, grandparents, and those who love our children need to be aware.
MDA DAIRY PROGRAM
This week I received word from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) that it is rolling out its new Dairy Assistance, Investment and Relief Initiative (DAIRI) program to provide financial assistance for dairy producers who enroll for five years of coverage in the USDA Farm Service Agency’s Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program.
Applications to the program are being accepted now through October 1, 2019. In order to qualify, farmers must have produced less than 160,000 cwt (hundredweight) of milk in 2018 and have signed up for five years of coverage through the DMC program during its current enrollment period between June 17, 2019 and September 20, 2019.
According to the MDA, the department will issue payments on a rolling basis. Producers can expect to receive their first payments roughly two to four weeks after successfully applying. They will be paid based on production levels, up to 50,000 cwt of milk produced in 2018.
An application form, a W9, a copy of their DMC enrollment form, and a statement from their processor(s) detailing the amount of milk produced in 2018 are required to complete an application.
Producers may receive a second payment this fall after the application period has ended, depending on remaining available funds.
Additional information and the application forms can be found by clicking here.
SEX TRAFFICKING MEETING IN ALBERT LEA
This morning I had the opportunity to attend a very informative breakfast in Albert Lea about human sex trafficking. Speaker Jeremiah Witt of Breaking Free ministries in St. Paul told us about the realities of sex trafficking (even in our area!) and how this ministry is helping reduce the demand for prostitution by helping men break free from their addictive and incredibly harmful habit of purchasing sex. Thank you to Tracy Muhlenbeck of the Five Sisters Project in Wells for organizing this event.
The Five Sisters Project is one of our very own local ministries that operates out of Wells and rescues women in crises who are being sexually exploited, abused domestically, and more. You can learn more about these ministries by clicking the links below.
www.fivesistersproject.com
www.breakingfree.net
This was a great morning full of important information!
WIND DOWN WEDNESDAYS BEGIN!
This week, the first Wind Down Wednesday took place in Albert Lea. What a perfect evening to take Colter out and meet some new friends!
Wind Down Wednesday is a summer market & music festival where our goal is to pull everyone together for one fun day each month to enjoy each other's company, shop for unique items, eat great food, and enjoy some great entertainment.
I hope to see you there next month!
Have a good weekend,
Peggy