BJHB 1 B' 1 BBJ Michigan Farm News L'l^ FT^l^l'iliHil n • Bk Ja •WW 1 MFB Goes After Statewide Goal PIKF'' of 85,553 Member-Families BBBB^-s! A Publication of the Michigan Farm Bureau • January 1985 JANUARY 1985 FARM.NEWS VOl. 64 NO.1 A publication of the Michigan Farm Bureau In this issue: Winning Membership Teams Set Sights on 1985 Goal FB membership campaign teams plan a sign up blitz Jan. 30-Feb. 8 10 Stretch and Grow Success MFB's Outstanding Young Farm Woman set and achieved goals for personal growth 12 Foundations for the Future The 1984 Producers' Forum introduces future leadership challenges to Michigan FFA members 19 Delegate Reporter A summary of major events and activities at the MFB annual meeting 20 COLUMNS Rural Route - page 4 Rural Exchange - page 15 Country Ledger - page 5 Agrinomic Update - page 26 Legislative Review - page 6 Discussion Topic - page 28 Front and Center - page 14 Farm Bureau Market Place - page 31 Michigan farm I"lews RURAL LIVING: Michigan Farm News Rural Living is published monthly. on the first day. by the Michigan Farm Bureau Information and f'ublic Relations Division. Publication and editorial offices at 7373 West Saginaw Ilighway. Lansing. I'lich. 48909. Post Office Box 30960; telephone. Lansing 517-323-7000. Extension 508. SUBSCRIPTIOI"l PRICE: $1.50 per year to members. included in annual dues. $3.00 per year non-members in Michi9an. $5.00 oer year non-members out of state. Publication No. 345040. Established Jan. 13. 1923 as Mfchlgan rarm News. name changed to Michigan Farm New.~ Rural L1l'ln{/ Dec. I. 1981. Third-class postage paid at Lansing. I'tichigan and at additional mCliling offices. EDITORIAL: Connie Turbin. Editor; Marcia Ditchie. Associate Editor and Business Manager; Donna Wilber. Contributing Editor; Cathy J. Kirvan. Associate Editor. OffiCERS: I'tichigan Farm Bureau; President. Elton R. Smith. Caledonia; Vice President. Jack Lauric. Cass City; Administrative Director. Robert Braden. Lansing; Treasurer and Chief Financial Officcr. Mal( D. Dean' Secretary. Wililiml S. Wilkinson. DIRECTORS: District I. Arthur Bailey. Schoolcraft; District 2. Lowell Eisenmann. Blissfield: District 3. Jamcs Sayre. Belleville: District 4. Elton R. Smith. Caledonia: District 5. Albert Cook. Mason; District 6. Jack Lauric. Cass City; District 7. Robert Rider. Ilart: District B. Lyle LeCronil'r. Freclaml: District 9. Donald Nugent. Frankfort: District 10. Margaret Kartes. West Branch; District II. Bernard Doll. Dafter. DIRECTORS AT LARGE: Davc Conklin. Corunna: Michael Pridgeon. Montgomery; Wayne Wood. Marlette. fARM BUREAU WOMEI"l: Fayc Adam. Snover. fARM BUREAU YOUI"lG fARMERS: David Lott. i'lason. BUY YOUR NEXT CAR AT 1% STAINED GLASS IRON .Speclally designed for all OVER FACTORY INVOICE stained glass work . • Simple and safe to use . • Complete with 2 tips to tackle Save hundreds of oollars on the most intricate seams and to repair old ones. a new American car or truck! Cat. 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BUreaU 31855 Van Dyke 268-4100 Warren, MI 48090 Mon.-Fri. 8-5 A steadfast belief in private enterprise is PH IHasics Stand l a cornerstone of FB policy, Smith told the delegates. the Test of Time (Editor's Note: The following are popular call was for government billion for 1983. Government excerpts from President Smith's to enter the picture. Many cash payments to farmers annual address at the 65th MFB groups demanded price controls amounted to $4.5 billion in annual meeting, Nov. 28.) and rationing. 1983 and are estimated to be at FB members did not join that $3 billion in 1984. Each of us, every person, has a popular trend. Instead, through Most of us.associated with handicap. It may be real or im- their organization, they called agriculture know that the prob- aginary, but it's there. What we for greater deregulation of the lems we face did not occur over- do with our lives, to a great ex- petroleum industry. They sup- night. We have been heading in- tent, is limited only by our belief ported their basic belief in the to trouble for some time. of what we can accomplish and market system. Time has proven Wehad a period during the our actions supporting that Farm Bureau to be right. Oil ex- early to mid-1970s when export belief. ploration has increased. Conser- markets were growing. Our dol- I think of what it must have vation has taken place and the lar was weak. Credit was readily been like for the people who price of petroleum has de- available to both foreign buyers started the Michigan Farm Bu- creased. If increased taxes are and domestic producers. Infla- reau in 1919. Certainly, they had disregarded, gasoline prices to- tion psychology ran wild. Buy handicaps. Farmers didn't have day are lower at the pump than now and pay later with cheaper the professional image we have they were in 1980. dollars. Leveraging was the today. They didn't have the The steadfast belief in the pri- name of the game and we used education. Governmental offi- vate enterprise system, fueled inflated land values to finance cials did not think farmers by the profit motive, has always expansion and even in place of should be organized. The prob- been a cornerstone of Farm Bu- traditional short-term credit. We lems were tough. The money reau. Certainly, I recognize that lost sight of the economic fact was scarce. in our country with our private that productive capacity or earn- Yet these people had a belief, enterprise system, things do not ing power of land and its value a dream, that farmers could be always go well. Weonly have to must be tied together in the organized. Further, that if look at the statistics of Ameri- long run. farmers would organize, they can agriculture to see that being FB members throughout the could accomplish a great many true. 1970s believed that inflation things. They supported that be- Farmers face many problems was the biggest problem facing lief with time, talent and their today. Continued high interest this nation. The difficulties we own money. They persuaded rates, excess supplies and face now are proof that FB mem- others to participate with them. modest commodity prices have bers were right. We are now The principles used in founding made this a critical year of poor reaping what was sown. Agricul- this organization have stood the cash flow for farmers. High in- tural exports have declined. The test of time. terest rates have been most U.S.trade deficit is expected to Through the years, Farm Bu- troublesome to approximately reach $130 billion in 1984, the reau has been right and won one-third of the farmers who largest deficit ever. many issues because members hold two-thirds of the debt. Next, a farm program policy have held basic beliefs and sup- While media and politicians tend was created that tended to price ported them. Many times those to make this situation appear our products out of the world beliefs were not popular and worse than it is, the problem is ~arket. Even worse, our support seemed out of step with the real. It must be addressed. prices became the guarantee other segments of society. One This year's farm income pic- which stimulated production in of those times was during the oil ture is shaping up somewhat foreign countries. crisis of the 1970s. lower than last year. When farm The time is now for us as At that time, when OPECand production expenses are sub- farmers to analyze the facts other suppliers were raising tracted from gross cash income, about agriculture today. We their oil prices dramatically, the realized net farm income for must decide the direction in 1984 is estimated to be about $ 16 billion compared to $19.7 (continued on page 24) 4 RURAL LIVING, JANUARY 1985 COUNTRY LEDGER Breaking New Ground in Leadership By Donna Wilber most recent annual meetings one they came with to make would be the delegate body. sure it wasn't nodding.) "Wow! Was I impressed!" Orand Rapids Press reporter Believe me, this is no shot at That was the reaction of state Kathy Longcore focused on that our mature, experienced, sea- FFA President Bart Marshall to particular change in her cover- soned leadership! The organ- his first MFBannual meeting. age of this year's event. ization will always need the "Ability and size" were at the "Years ago, when Michigan wisdom and guidance that only top of Bart's enthusiastic review Farm Bureau annual meetings these Farm Bureau veterans can of this experience and the ma- were one-day affairs in an provide. But it sure gives one a jor reasons why he sees Farm auditorium at Michigan State feeling of confidence about the Bureau as the logical next step College, Dwain Dancer and future of the organization when in his agricultural leadership other Junior Farm Bureau mem- you see young farmers "in train- growth process. bers used to entertain them- ing" beside such capable I was about Bart's age when I selves up in the balcony by teachers ... attended my first annual meet- counting the bald heads on the Farm Bureau's reputation as a ing. It was in Michigan State's delegate floor." Kathy wrote. training ground.for tomorrow's auditorium; most of the dele- Dwain and his wife, Eunice, agricultural leadership is grow- gates stayed at Kellogg Center Jackson County FB leaders, ing, as evidenced by Gov. Blan- and had to stand in line at shared their observations with .chard's tribute to 'our Young dorm cafeterias for their meals. Kathy about the emergence of Farmer program when he ad- I worked on registration that knowledgeable, articulate, effec- dressed the delegates ..It would first year and I, too, was im- tive young farmers in leader- not be at all unusual for soine pressed - and a bit overwhelm- ship roles and their involvement of the young. farmers you meet ed - by the "size." in the policy development proc- in this issue to be addressing A few years later, my annual ess. They noted, too, that those you from the podium at an an- meeting responsibilities took young farmers include women. nual meeting a few years down me backstage where I had the They remembered, as I do, the road. thrill of seeing the behind-the- when women shared the bal- You don't have to be young or scenes action. There was even a cony with the juniors while the have a full head of hair.to feel real live reporter back there men handled the task of adop- good about t.hat! taking notes. I'd never met one ting policies. (The women prob- of those so I was really im- ably didn't count bald heads; pressed! more likely they looked for the If I could have stepped into a time capsule then and set the dial for the 65th MFB annual meeting, there's no doubt that I would have said "Wow!" with the same kind of awe that Bart did. Pride in my organization would also have been one of my emotions (and still is!) ... the continual growth in quality of leadership, the action image that attracts not one lone re- porter but dozens, the satellite feeds to radio stations across the state. That peek into the future would surely have blown my young mind. A big difference I would have This Impressive scene and the ability of leadership exhibited during the MFBannual meeting polley sessions convinced state FFAPresident Bart noticed between my first and Marshall that Farm Bureau Involvement will be part of his future. Gov. Blanchard also recognized the organization as a training ground for future agricultural leaders In a tribute to the Young Farmer program. RURAL LIVING, JANUARY 1985 5 overall agricultural policy; pro- vide an orderly transition period for producers to adjust to market-oriented policies and it should treat all producers As usual the Michigan Legisla- Ag Trade and Export Policy equitably, Block said. ture ended the two-year session Commission - AFBF President (82nd) with a flurry of activity Robert Delano has been elected and much political manuevering. federal Budget Deficit - vice chairperson of the National The House adjourned early President Reagan has revealed Commission on Agricultural Saturday morning, Dee. 8 after his proposal for freezes, cuts Trade and Export Policy. Ken an all-night session. The Senate and eliminations to attain a $42 Bader, chief executive officer of recessed at midnight Friday, billion reduction in the federal the American Soybean Associa- Dec. 7 but returned the follow- budget deficit. His plan report- tion and chairperson of the U.S. ing week to consider the last of edly calls for lower target Agricultural Export Develop- the House bills. While dozens of prices, elimination of dairy sub- ment Council, will serve as com- bills received final passage, sidies, capping farm and sup- mission chairperson. several hundred died at the end port loans at $200,000 and cut- Created by Congress to help of December. Those will, in ting spending on crop insur- reverse a four-year decline in most cases, be re-introduced ance and agricultural research, U.S.farm exports, the 35-member next year. Some of the late ac- extension and conservation pro- commission consists of 20 farm tion includes: grams, The cost of living ad- and agribusiness representa- justment for food stamps will Uealth Care - Many organi- tives, 12 congressional leaders be frozen under the administra- zations, including FB, promoted from key committees and three tion's proposal and the budget and supported a series of bills non-voting members appointed for National Oceanic and At- to permit the use of Prudent by President Reagan. mosphere Administration, which Purchaser Arrangements (PPAs) After selecting its leadership, is responsible for weather fore- in Michigan. PPAsare another the commission decided on 'casting services used by many method of providing health care rules and membership of cer- farmers, will be cut 10% the whereby a group can enter into tain committees. With the pre- first year. a contract with a panel of liminary report due by March "I think all farmers would health care providers (doctors, 31, it is expected that the com- agree that there is room for ad- hospitals, etc.) guaranteeing mission will meet on a monthly justment in present farm pro- that group members will use basis. The final report is due in grams," said AFBF President the panel's services. This July 1986. Robert Delano. "There is no results in providers bidding for Whenhe was appointed, Delano need for costly surpluses and the contract. said that immediate problems storage that present programs Those states that permit this to be dealt with were unwar- have encouraged. Wemust move additional choice have found ranted protectionism and foreign to market-related flexible sup- that costs can be 12% to 20% subsidies that undercut tradi- ports that adjust to levels that less. All the bills passed last tional U.S. farm markets. He protect producers from drastic year except one (S.B. 714). This pledged to seek new ways and price drops without encourag- was very controversial because eliminate old mistakes in help- ing excessive production." of an amendment that would al- ing farmers increase export in- come. low insurance company employ- ees to have PACs.The amend- GATT Inquiry - U.S. trade ment was dropped and the bill '85 farm Bill - According negotiators may face some passed, allowing the package of to USDASecretary John Block, wrist-slapping when the sub- bills to go into effect. the administration's farm bill sidies committee of the General will have five overall character- Agreement on Tariffs and Trade istics. It should be long-term in listens to European Community Driver's Licenses - Three design; have market-oriented complaints. The committee will important bills passed. loan rates; be consistent with be reviewing the new U.S.wine H.B, 5729 allows 16 and 17 equity bill and the provision year olds to obtain class one allowing American growers to complain about dumping im- ported wine on the U.S.market. 6 RURAL LIVING, JANUARY 1985 endorsements on their driver's parts are also included. Pro- Swine Pseudorabies - Also licenses. This is limited to agri- cedures and other details are passed was S.B. 82 l. It re- cultural operations and for provided in the new law. instates health controls on the straight trucks. sale and movement of swine H.B. 5805 allows truckers to which expired some months Ag Products Promotion - purchase annual International ago. While the disease is carried S.B. 505 was an important bill Registration Plan (IRP) plates by by swine, it is deadly to other amending P.A. 232 to protect paying the "out of state" por- livestock such as cattle, horses, farmers' promotion money in tion and one-half of the Michi- dogs, cats, etc. the case that a processor goes gan portion of the fee upon pur- bankrupt and also put more chase, with the balance due teeth in the law to require pay- Grain Dealers Act - S.B. Sept. 1. This is for those using men t by the processor to the 868 is an amendment to the trucks for interstate purposes. promotion committee. The pro- grain dealers legislation that H.B. 5804 will require the ducers of nine different agricul- passed earlier this year. It is a phrase "under 21" to be printed tural commodities have, in past technical amendment that was in bold type on the license of years, voted to have promotion left out but is essential to ad- any driver less than 21 years and research committees. This ministration of the law. old. It is meant to help control bill will have to be re-introduced underage drinking by making it in the next legislative session harder to hide the person's age. as it was held up in the House Workers' Compensation - Appropriations Committee. H.B. 5588 extends the expira- tion date on the Workers' Com- Bee Disease Control - H.B. pensation reforms of two years. 5299 prohibits bringing bees in- Strategic Fund - H.B. 4753 ago. These seem to have been to the state on used combs or creates the Michigan Strategic effective in lowering Workers' other used beekeeping equip- Fund designed to increase in- Compensation premiums. This ment. vestment capital and consoli- will be a major issue in the date and streamline existing ] 985 session. Co-op Legislation - After state programs dealing with more than five years of work, economic development. The leg- islation included important ag Seat Belts - Several efforts Michigan's co-op laws were provisions. were made to pass S.B. 741 in changed to include "consumer the House, which failed by as co-ops." FB was involved in this For example, the Economic few as four votes. This will also complex and controversial legis- Development Fund and the Job be a major issue in ] 985 be- lation to prevent any change in Training Act which are now in- cluded in the Strategic Fund cause the situation has chang- the law as it affects ag coop- had provisions for agriculture ed. The federal government, on eratives except for several help- order of the U.S. Supreme ful amendments. Several bills and commercial projects. This Court, was required to establish were involved, all of which provision would have expired rules for a definite time to re- passed earlier in the year. H.B. this year. It permits the use of industrial type bonds which are quire the use of airbags in cars. 542 I, which limits the use of These would add $800 to the term "cooperative" but at non-taxable. This means that $ ] ,000 or more to the cost of a the same time allows a farm co- interest costs can be consid- car and would also require the op to use some other name, fi- erably lower. Certification of the use of a seat belt. This require- nally passed. This is important project can also help in getting ment will be dropped if enough as an attorney general's opinion private financing at lower cost. states representing two-thirds would have forced some farm The fund contains $30 million of the population pass seat belt co-ops to go through the very to $40 million and includes $3 expensive process of changing million for export assistance (continued on page 25) brand names, company names, programs as well as a variety of etc. other programs. Farm Implements - H.B. 5770 requires implement com- A detailed report on MFB's 1985 policies will panies to re-purchase farm trac- tors and equipment subject to a appear in the February issue of Rural Living, franchise agreement. Repair along with a coupon to order policy books. RURAL LIVING, JANUARY 1985 7 FARM CREDIT SERVICES HELPING YOU HARVEST THE SUCCESS YOU DESERVE .di the best m:lciaI toolsfor farm ment. Dr. Warren Gerber, Farm Credit Services Director of Research and Product Development. At Farm Credit Services we know that today's difficulties and tomorrow's challenges have to be faced squarely. And that takes preparation. 1b provide the right background for serving the farmer now and in tile years ahead, the Farm Credit system recently completed a nationwide study we call Proj- ect 19?~. In the pro.cess we arrived at some surpnsmg conclusIOns. For example, according to Project 1995 we can expect dramatic mcreases in the production of major cash crops in the ~ next ten years. We can also predict an in- crease in net farm income that will average 5% annually through those same years. Project 1995 researchers also concluded that we will see farming become even more capital intensive and more complex. And with that in- formation, they noted that fmancial management skills on the farm will increase in importance year by year. We at Farm Credit will continue to provide the financial tools that can help the farmer make the most of his skills. Well retain our leading position in agricultural finance by offering the most advanced services. Th that end. were making our credIt products more and more flexi- ble. with variable and fixed interest rates, as well as offering the FCS Lease to suit each farmer's specific needs and preferences. And we con- tinue to adapt our Thx Services, AGRIFAX, Estate Planning, and other financial services to enhance their already considerable value for farmers. And with the know-how and the commitment to farmers that our people share, were creating a strong basis for tomorrow's agricultural Ma opportunities. We look forward to helping you and your family foryears to come. C The Federal Land Bank. Production Credit Asso- ciation and Bank for Cooperatives. All are part of ~ ., .•. Farm Credit Services. Helping you harvest the suc- ~ ~ cess you deserve.