My name is David Halvorson and I am one of the Legislative candidates who disappointed Lois Kerr at the April 26th Candidate’s Forum, as reported on page five of the May 2 edition of the Roundup. I am a candidate for Representative from House District 37. Ms. Kerr correctly reported that none of us talked about agriculture until prompted by Senator Don Steinbeisser.
After reading the report, I contacted the Roundup and said that the article raised questions that deserved answers.
Ms. Kerr honored my request for a return telephone call. We had a wonderful conversation that I would characterize as both cordial and to the point. One result of that conversation is the courtesy that has been extended to me by the Roundup to address some of the matters raised in her May 2nd report.
First let me do what I didn’t have time to do at the Forum and that is tell a little of my background related to agriculture.
I speak proudly of Knut Halvorson when I say that I am the grandson of a Norwegian immigrant homesteader. Ownership of his homestead remains in my family. Halvorson Farms was established in 1905.
I own a small piece of dry-land that produces enough income that it fits the Department of Agriculture definition of a farm.
Proudly I say I operated a WD9 tractor, pulling a chisel plow well before I was a teenager.
It was on the seat of a tractor, in irrigation boots and in the saddle that I earned college tuition money.
On my campaign banner displayed at the Candidate Forum, I represent my agricultural background by substituting the “V’s” in my name with the shape of a part from a chisel plow.
As a Republican, I have a great deal of respect for property rights. Property rights are attached to real estate, personal property and intellectual property.
The function of government is to defend and protect individual rights, an endowment of our Creator, as the Founders of this nation well understood.
As the owner of farm land, I am troubled when I see forces at work that may erode the right the owner has to use and enjoy his private property.
So, I was troubled by HB198 of the 2011 Legislative Session which many say eroded property rights of landowners in favor of investor-owned utilities building power lines.
A well-known court case in another state also troubles me.
I defend the protection offered by patents to the owners of intellectual property. But, human nature being what it is, there are those who attempt to unfairly “take advantage of the system.” When this happens, government should take action.
The case I have in mind involves Monsanto, its patent of Roundup ready technology in soybeans and the report of CBS news about a lawsuit by Monsanto against Indiana farmer David Runyon and heirloom seed-cleaner Mo Parr. As I understand the CBS report, Monsanto said the Runyon and Parr violated the Roundup ready patent when Runyon saved for replanting soybeans containing the Roundup ready gene. Trouble is, he never bought seed with the Monsanto gene, assuming the report is correct. Runyon’s crop was apparently cross pollinated from neighboring fields. Parr is now out of business after spending thousands to defend himself against the agribusiness company.
The temptation to abuse plant patent protection is one of several reasons I am committed to Ag research in the public sector. Space prevents me from going into others. Consistent with these reasons, I support state funding for research at the Montana Experiment Station in Sidney.
After a personal tour of the State facility at Sidney and an extended conversation with members of the research staff a couple of months ago, I was further convinced that valuable and exciting work is being done at the facility. I knew that research needs to be done in the areas where the research is to be applied in the field, but that knowledge was greatly reinforced by my visit to the experiment station.
I also came away with the strong opinion that the beautiful new structure we have in Sidney is grossly under-staffed and under-utilized. Research, in my opinion needs state funding. As I indicate in the campaign brochure I passed out before the Candidate Forum and on the internet, I am committed to better funding for local Ag research. Eastern Montana producers need continually improving varieties to remain competitive in the increasingly global market place. We need to be competitive so that Eastern Montana farms can stay in the families, as my grandfather’s homestead has remained in my family. The State research facility at Sidney needs to be staffed, funded and utilized. If elected, that will be among my main legislative priorities.
While the effects of energy development on schools, counties, cities, public safety, public health, wages, rents, housing shortages and a host of other things demand our attention, be assured that those on the land have not been pushed out of my view.
Thanks to the Roundup for letting me share some of my thoughts about agriculture.
- David Halvorson
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