FARGO, N.D. -- It wasn't something he expected, but Mark Watne, president of the North Dakota Farmers Union, says he's learned he and several colleagues will meet with Pope Francis in Rome on Wednesday -- less than two weeks before Easter.
Watne said Tuesday that the audience with the pope will include state Farmers Union presidents Doug Peterson, Minnesota; Doug Sombke, South Dakota; Alan Merrill, Montana; and Darin Von Ruden, Wis.
Watne is in Rome for meetings in advance of an international meeting this summer called "Faith, Food and the Environment -- The Vocation of the Agricultural Leader."
The group will be accompanied by representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International Catholic Rural Association, the World Farmers Organization, Coldiretti (the leading organization of farmers in European), Catholic Rural Life and the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn.
Faith, Food & the Environment started in 2014 with a review of key reports, research studies and statements focused on the challenges of providing "sustainable food for a growing world population," according to its website.
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"A crucial challenge was how to conserve and maintain natural resources in order to sustain food production indefinitely," the website says. "Another was how to do so in a fair and socially just way for farmers and food producers worldwide.
The university hosted a three-day symposium in St. Paul in November. The next stage is an international symposium to be held in Milan, Italy, in late June during EXPO 2015.
"The symposium will invite agricultural leaders to convene with environmental experts and faith leaders to discuss the vocation of agriculture," the site says.
"By the end of 2015 the project organizers expect to develop a series of resources that speak morally and meaningfully on agricultural practices, world food issues and environmental concerns in the hope of inspiring a new generation of agricultural producers and leaders," the website says.
Watne says he'll be back in North Dakota by Thursday night, and plans to be in Bismarck, N.D., at a 2 p.m. event atthe North Dakota State Capitol Building. The "Rally for Family Farmers" will protest the passage and signing of SB 2351, which would make new exceptions to the state anti-corporate farming law for dairy and swine operations.
