~[fUnru~ 1"""--- ....---_-------1 URAL LIYIR Kleckner Observes Policy Action at Saginaw County FB Annual Meeting (I D I~""'~I a a D l.-cl It DaD II D a a D () II Important Announcement for I Farm Bureau Members I II Please be sure to cbeck your annual membersbip renewal notice for information about a valuable free gift I I I tbat could be wortb bundreds of dollars I to you tbis coming yearl I I _Tbe Micbigan Farm Bureau I I continues to enjoy a progressive g'rowtb I I and tbis is our way of saying "Tbank You" I I for your continued support. I I I I I Don't pass up tbis great opportunityl It costs you notbing to enroll in tbis-program. I I Save witb Micbigan Farm Bureau Member Service Programs II I Watcb Tb_s Space Every Montb I For Fantastic Savingsl I I I D D II D 0 D a a a a a a 0 II D II D n a I Policy, Not Polls, USDA Secretary Lyng and MFBPresident Smitb trade ideas on Guide Farm Bureau tbe implications of wbeat poll results. Organization Several.months ago it gave age of no votes for any state Did Farm Bureau efforts affect me great pleasure to announce' which coordinated their efforts the outcome of the poll here in that Michigan was named the with the AFBF. Michigari? I believe they did. As top state Farm Bureau in the While we can be satisfied with I review the action taken by our nation at the American Farm the education conducted here state organization to provide Bureau 'Federation annual in Michigan, we must look at you with the information and meeting in Atlanta. This recog- the national vote with some support necessary to inform the riition came as a result oJ the concern. The 54% yes vote na- membership, I am proud of our outstanding programs con- tionally was clearly not a man- efforts. But, even more so, I am ducted at the county level. date for sweeping changes in , proud of you as m~mbers and The strength of our county farm policy, however, it will en- the county Farm Bureaus for Farm Bureaus and the will- courage advocates of strict gov- the many news conferences, ed- ingness of our membership to ernment control to push for ucational programs and other work on issues of importance SUCD reform. activities which were conducted has placed us in that position With a national turn-out of on the county level. The effort' for a second time this year. just 22%, only 12% of the na- put forth to educate farmers - tion's farmers indicated that and help them understand t'hat they favor mandatory controls. political solutions will not solve III'm convinced that Almost as many voted no in the our problems was the key to poll and the vast majority of our success. You made the dif- American, farmers are producers (78%) chose not to ference for Michigan.' not content with an ' vote at all, showing little con- This issue will not pass with fidence in the government's abil- the completion of the wheat ever decreasing share poll. Policy development offers ity to solve their problems. I'm of the world market and convinced that American farm- an excellent opportunity to they do not want to idle ers are not content with an ever discuss mandatory controls decreasing share of the world with your neighbors (see this a significant portion of market and they do not want'to month's Discussion Topic and their productive crop- idle a significant portion of their Agrinomic Update columns). productive cropland. Now is the time to utilize our land. 1I Another interesting statistic organization to discuss and is the fact that a majority of the evaluate our policy on this and ballots cast by voters with less other critical Issues. I am speaking of the recent than a 40 acre base were nega- Let's put the same effort into USDAwheat poll. When the re- , this year's policy process as we tive . .one can assume from this suits of the poll were released did into the wheat poll. I'm con- that producers with a base of in late August, it became clear fident we can produce another, less than 40 acres generally are that you had accepted the re- winner! opposed to mandatory controls. sponsibility of spreading the Based on 1982 census data, it word about what the ramifica- would appear that a majority of tions of mandatory controls U.S. farmers have less than 40 would be. acres of wheat base. Wheat growers in Michigan, Elton R. Smith, President by a 74% 'to 26% vote, over- Michigan Farm Bureau whelmingly said no to such governmental intervention. That was the highest percent- 4 RURAL L1VINQ, OCTOBER 1986 FRONT & CENTER In letters to President Reagan, Congressmen Levin, Riegle, Schuette and Traxler and Governor Blanchard, MFB President Elton R. Smith urged prompt assessment of the damage to farmland and crops caused by two days of heavy rainfall and flooding in September. Smith also requested prompt delivery of government disaster assistance to farmers and others who qualify for such assistance. Elton R. Smith, who has served as president of the Michigan Farm Bureau since 1964, has announced that he will not seek re-election. He will step down as the head of the state's largest farm organization at the close of its annual meeting on Dec. 12. Caucusing at their Discussion Meet on Sept. 10, delegates who represented District 9. at last year's state annual meeting elected Bob Gregory as the new director from that district on the MFBboard of directors. Gregory, a fruit grower from Traverse city and former president of Northwest Michigan FB, replaces Don Nugent who resigned. MFBclosed its 1986 membership year on Aug. 31 with an all-time high. The year- end total was 99,383, marking the 19th consecutive year of membership growth. Calculations are still being made "south of the border" to determine the winner of the Michigan/ Ohio membership contest. Twelve radio stations across the state are now on line to air MFB'snewest radio program, liThe Farm Bureau Review." Stations airing the five-minute weekly program focus- ing on FB organization news and events are: Ann Arbor - WPAG(1050 AM), 6:20 a.m. Saturdays Bay City - WBCM(1440 AM), 12:30 p.m. Mondays Benton Harbor - WHFB(1060 AM), 6:20 a.m. Saturdays Coldwater - WTVB(1590 AM), 1 p.m. Tuesdays Dowagiac - WDOW(1440 AM), 6:20 a.m. Saturdays Holland - WHTC(1450 AM), 12:16 p.m. Saturdays, 5:53 p.m. Mondays Mt. Pleasant - WCEN(1150 AM/94.5 FM), 6:20 a.m. Saturdays Saginaw - WSGW(790 AM) will run excerpts between 12:30-12:55 p.m. M-F St. Ignace - WMKC(102.9 FM), 6:20 a.m. Saturdays St. Louis - WMLM(1520 AM), 6:30 a.m. Saturdays Sandusky - WMlC (1560 AM), 6:20 a.m. Saturdays Traverse City - WTCM(580 AM), 5:55 a.m. Saturdays Farm Bureau Insurance Group has resumed writing all lines of new property- casualty business, except auto, lifting the self-imposed new business suspension in both Farm Bureau Mutual and Farm Bureau General. The suspension of business had been in effect since last March because of an unprecedented volume of new business that had begun a year earlier and continued unabated. FBIG lifted the suspension for all P/C new business, except auto, on Aug. 18 when positive trends indicted that the desired progress was being made. Prepare your taste buds for the annual feast at MSU. Alumni and friends of MSU'sCol- lege of Agriculture and Natural Resources are invited to attend Autumnfest '86 on Oct. 25. The event will feature the MSUvs Purdue football game and a pregame feast of Michigan foods. Ticket price for Autumnfest is only $8.00. Reservations should be mailed to Bob LaPrad, 121 Agriculture Hall, MSU,East Lansing, Mich. 48824. Make checks payable to MSU.The $8.00 cost does not include football game ticket. For more information contact LaPrad at 517-355-0282. Gratiot County FB members Jeanne, Mark and Michael Chaffin are the state win- ners of the 1986 National Soil and Water Conservation Awards Program. The program, sponsored by the National Endowment for Soil and Water Conservation and the Du Pont Com- pany, recognizes farmers and ranchers for outstanding achievement in protecting America's agricultural resources. The Chaffins produce wheat, corn, soybeans, sugar beets and oats on 2,000 acres. Ten national finalists will be selected from among the state winners. RURAL LIVING, OCTOBER 1986 5 LEGISLATIVE REVIEW AFBFBoard Awaits Final Rules on Tax Reform Bill Tax Reform - The AFBF new 7-year category for property - Income Averaging: Repealed bCJardof directors reviewed the with assets depreciation range without exception. tax reform package announced midpoints of between 10 and 16 -Cash Accounting: Allowed by members of a House-Senate years. Cars and light trucks without limit for farmers. conference committee in August would be added to the 5-year -Fertilizer/Multi-Year Condi- but has withheld comment until class. Single purpose agricul- tioner Deduction: Expensing implementation rules are an- tural structures would fall into a permitted in year paid .. nounced. The board had earlier 7-year class. - Land Clearing Expenditures: identified eight key areas in the A 200% declining balance Requires capitalization. tax reform legislation that would method would be used for 3, 5, -Soil and Water Conservation impact agriculture. 7 and 10-year classes; 150% for Expenditures: Retained for proj- 15 and 20 year property. In ects consistent with USDA-SCS general, real estate would be or a comparable state authority. depreciated on straight line. -Tax Credit for Timber Devel- Expensing would be allowed opment: Retains current rules up to $10,000 of investment an- for am'ortizing reforestation ex- A brief summary of the provi- nually for taxpayers whose total penses, reforestation tax credit sions of the conference commit- investment in personal property and expensing costs for grow- tee agreement follows. The tax does not exceed $100,000. ing timber. reform legislation is expected to - Preproduction Expenditures: - Limitations on Farm Loss pass, without amendment, dur- Must be capitalized for farmers Deduction Against Non-Farm In- ing the fall congressional ses- unless an election is made to come: Passive investors would sion. expense these costs. If elected, be prohibited from using losses -Tax Rates: For taxpayers fil- gain from the sale of the prod- from investment against other ing jointly, 15% on taxable in- uct would be included in ordi- income. come up to $29,750, and for sin- nary income to the extent that - Debt Restructuring: Dis- gles up to $17,850 of taxable in- a prior accelerated deduction charge of indebtedness income come. Above these limits the was taken for other costs. not taxed as income during rate is 28%. For upper income - Revenue Neutrality: Neutral debt restructuring. taxpayers caught in the phase out of the 15% rate, there would over five years with year-to-year fluctuations. be a 5% rate adjustment based on taxable income, not adjusted gross income. The top corporate rate is 34% with graduated rates for small businesses. - Health Insurance Tax Deduc- tion: Allows a 25% deduction for self-employed persons for Scbool Finance - Gov. Blan- health insurance premiums chard has announced that for after Dec. 31, 1986 and before the first time in a decade, the Jan. 1, 1990. state will not have to borrow -Capital Gains: Individual and money to make the Oct. 1 state corporate capital gains treat- aid payments to local school ment repealed for all assets in- districts. The $366 million will cluding timber. No indexing pro- be paid out of cash reserves. vided. For 10 years the state has - Investment Tax Credit: Re- had to borrow as much as $500 peals this credit effective million at high interest rates to Jan. 1, 1986, and reduces carry- meet the school obligation. overs by 35%. Michigan is at last solvent - Depreciation: Generally re- Good news for schools and tax- with the elimination of the huge payers - Gov. Blanchard has an- tains the accelerated cost recov- debt and the ability to meet nounced full state aid payment ery system, but expands the five for local school districts can be school aid obligations. recovery classes to eight, rang- made from state reserves. ing from 3 to 31 years. Adds a (continued on page 21) 6 RURAL LIVING, OCTOBER 1986 New Dairy Pro RC works with hay, haylage, corn silage ••• or any combination. Patent approved Dairy Pro RC is a complete dairy feed that scientifically regulates protein and carbohydrate sources to enable your cows to use the feed more efficiently. Dairy Pro RC helps provide a more steady flow of protein anct energy in the optimal amount, precise type and correct balance for a more profitable ration of milk to feeCl. In tests at Gooperative Research Farms in Tully, New York (where Dairy ProRC was developed), Dairy Pro RC increased milk production by up to 15 Rounds per cow per day, compared to conventional ration ... and up to 6 pounds per cow per day, compared to a ration balanced only for protein solubilityl. Best of all, Dairy Pro RC achieves this increase in milk production without increasing daily feed intake. See your participating Countrymark Member Associa- tion today to learn more about this innovative new dairy< feed. Count~ INCORPORATED 35 E. Chestnut Street • Columbus, Ohio 43216 Kleckner Observes Policy Action at Saginaw County FB Annual Meeting By Donna Wilber Iowa hog producer Dean Kleck- ner recently made his first" of- ficial" visit to Michigan since being elected president of AFBF last January. tie came to help Saginaw County FB members celebrate the 50th anniversary of their incorporation and be the keynote speaker at their an- nual meeting on Aug. 28. B11t while he was here, he also ex- perienced a few other "firsts." After touring FB Center in Lan- sing, Kleckner and MFB Presi- dent Elton Smith met members of the Saginaw board at The tleritage tlouse, a unique restau- rant owned and operated by Saginaw County FB members Bonnie and tloward Ebenhoeh. A few stops between Chesaning Saginaw Valley sugar beet fields are a long way from Kleckner's Iowa. and Saginaw provided him with hog farm. The AFBF president toured Saginaw County farms with MFB the opportunity to see a bean President Elton Smith, county board member D.on Sullo, former county FB president Dick Leach, and Ralph Frederick, county president (not puller and a sugar beet for the shown) •. first time. "It's a different agri- culture than I'm used to back president of the United States dairyman from St. Clair, was home in northern Iowa," he said. and his so-called 'New Deal' pro- vice president and Mrs. Edith It was also President Kleck- grams were well underway. Wager of Carleton represented ner's first opportunity to watch Henry Wallace was secretary of the FB Women on the board. how a county Farm Bureau in agriculture. Edward O'Neal was "Guess what issues were most Michigan conducts a resolu- president of the AFBF. There on farmers' minds a half- tions session. This one provided were only about 300/000 mem- century ago?" Kleckner asked. plenty of action, with spirited ber families signed up in all of "Almost exactly the very same discussion on a majority of the Farm Bureau, compared to to- problems and issues that are on 17 by-law, local, state and na- day's 3/400/000. Increasing our minds right now! High inter- tional proposals. strength for agriculture through est rates, surplus commodities A Look Back . more farmer-members was very and low farm income." much on everyone's mind. In his address, Kleckner took "There were less than 8/000 Wbere.Were Animal Rlgbtlsts the over 500 members in atten- member families in the Michi- Wben We rleeded Tbem'? dance for a look back at what gan Farm Bureau at the time. Kleckner congratulated Michi- was happening 50 years ago Clark Brody was secretary- gan farmers for collecting and when the Saginaw County FB treasurer. J. J. Jakway, a Ben- shipping thousands of bales of was incorporated. ton Harbor fruit grower, was hay to the drought-stricken "Franklin D. Roosevelt was president. Clarence Reid, a states in the southeast. "Such help to total strangers is in the finest tradition of a9- 8 RURAL LIVING, OCTOBER 1986 riculture and of Farm. Bureau," world does, too, and it's terribly he said, then noted that there com petitive." were others who did notre- Kleckner said the U.S. is spond to the crucial need for beginning to compete and that hay and grain to keep livestock the new round of GATT negotia- from starving .. tions held "a lot of hope." He "Where were all the animal has been invited by Secretary of rights and animal welfare peo- Agriculture Lyng and U.S. Trade ple in all this?" he asked. "I . Representative Clayton Yeutter thought they were supposed to to accompany them to Uruguay be concerned with the welfare as the initial talks begin on the of animalsl With many thou- new GATT rounds. sands of hungry and thirsty "We realize it's going to take animals involved, one would a lot of time - years before naturally assume the animal some of those issues are re- welfare people would be in the solved. In the meantime, front lines raising r:noney and American agriculture simply . arranging for feed for all the has a lot to do to get us profit- creatures they loudly defend .. able again," he said. "For that matter, where was Kleckner shared a look back with Willie Nelson and his millions in Next Year's Outlook the annual meeting audience and compared today's challenges to Farm Aid concert funds - "As I travel around the coun- those faced by'Saglnaw farmers money that could have eased try and talk to farmers - and who organized the county Farm the burden of the drought for to lenders - I've come to the Bureau In 1936. hundreds of desperate farmers? . conclusion that '87 won't be Willie also was busy elsewhere . much different than '86. Iso- "While we were moving hay, lated areas could be worse; .middle-sized farms. It's the Willie was plarining to make others could be better. There middle-sized farms that are 'political hay' with his so-called will be more farmers leaving ag- under pressure now and will 'Farm Policy Congress' in St. riculture - but there will be no continue to be," he said. Louis, Missouri. The idea there mass exo.dus. I think it's going was to get a national 'consen- to stabilize in a little while," he A Good Time sus' on farm program policy, predicted. to Start Farming something we have done in Kleckner said that there may "1 just wish I were 22, 23 or . Farm Bureau every year for be more farmers - not less - 24 again and starting farming," almost 70 years," he said. in the future as full-time farm- he told the reporters. "This is e~s take jobs off the ,farm. "1 the best time I have ever seen Immense Problems Today, think we'll see more larger in my lifetime to start farming." Higb Hopes for Tomorrow farmers and more smaller farm- The dramatic drop in land In a news conference prior to ers with the real pressure com- rental costs, availability of . the Saginaw annual, Kleckner ing on my size farm - the cheap but good used machinery told reporters that the problems in agriculture today are im- mense. "The trauma, heartache and turmoil are probably the greatest we've had since the '30s," he said. Farm credit, low net farm income and declining exports were targeted by Kleck- neT as the most crucial prob- lems that FB is attempting to address. "The world is simply awash in many products~ especially grain, our major export com- modity from this country," he said. "We have it running out of our bins and the problem is This line up of past Saginaw Cou~ty FB presidents represents a caval- that much of the rest of the cade of leadership that has guided the county organization for 50 years. RURAL LIVING, OCTOBER 1986 9 Saginaw FB IIn tbe riews' and equipment, declining inter- est rates, and lower prices for fuel, chemicals and fertilizer -Yesterday and Today - were reasons cited by Kleckner that this is a good time to start farming. "When I visit with young peo- ple in high school and college, I see an optimism about agricul- ture that I didn't see a few years ago. Their fathers are under pressure today, but they are excited about the future of agriculture," he said. Policy Development Opportunities The Sagiriaw County FB mem- bers displayed a real sense of appreciation and responsibility for involvement in the organiza- tion's policy development proc- ess. It was evident that the county PD Committee had in- vested time and effort in draft- ing pertinent, well-written pro- posed resolutions on local, state and national issues. It was also evident that members recog- Former Saginaw Valley Regional Representative Rudy Reinbold looks nized their right to speak out, over tbe Saginaw County Farm Bureau news stories in tbe 1936 and 1961 issues of tbe Micbigan Farm rtews. Reinbold served as official for or against, the proposals "bistorian" for tbe anniversary party. before the vote was taken. President Kleckner viewed the grassroots involvement in de- ciding the policies of the organ- ization in its truest form. There were few issues on which there was unanimous agreement, but when the PD process is com- pleted, odds are that Saginaw County will have a good number of members involved in execut- ing the adopted poiicies regard- less of whether or not they voted with the majority. That's what gives the organization its clout. -There are still oppor~unities in many county FBs for mem- bers to make their voices heard on the policies that will direct the organization in the year ahead. Check the listing in last month's Rural Living, 10Qkfor details in your county FB news- letter or call your county secre- Ed lIebeler. Saginaw County FB board member, and Karen Wagner. tary for the date and location of 1986 Saginaw County Bean Queen. lend a band to Cbannel 5 weatber your county annual meeting. forecaster Cbuck Waters. Waters broadcast tbe WrtEM.TVevening weatber report live from tbe Saginaw County annual meeting. 10 RURAL LlVINO, OCTOBER 1986 IFriends on the Campaign Trail . l • • By Cathy J. Kirvan national issues affecting all of agricu,lture. " At a meeting Sept. 9 in Lan- In accepting his tribute, Van- sing, Michigan Farm Bureau's der Jagt vowed to continue the political action committee, Agri- fight to protect Michigan apple Pac, endorsed 12 additional producers from unfair apple candidates for the Nov. 4 gen- juice imports and paid tribute eral election. These new to both the FB organization and "Friends of Agriculture" join to the nation's farmers. 109 others who were successful "It isn't just the products pro- in their primary bids. duced on the farm, it's the peo- A list of the newly endorsed ple you produce that makes candidates appears with this ar- America great," Vander Jagt ticle. Look for a complete list in said. "I don't mind saying out Hearing the concerns of the farm loud and clear that I'm pred- community was on the itinerary next month's Rural Living. when Dick Lyng went on the cam- judiced ... that I serve a special paign trail for Rep. Bill Schuette. Vander Jagt Receives interest. I serve American agri- Before a news conference in St. 'True Friend' lIonor culture and I serve the farmers Johns, they met with Country- mark Elevator manager Bill Guy Vander Jagt was honored of my district because of what Campbell (right). by MFB at a reception in Lan- they contribute to my district, sing on Sept. 3 as a "true friend to Michigan and to America." of agriculture" for his outstand- Schuette to supporters at a USDASecretary Campaigns fundraising dinner. ing efforts as an advocate for in Micbigan for Scbuette "There are 435 members of fair and sound ag policies. USDA Secretary Richard Lyng the Congress and there's no way was in Michigan Aug. 21 to you can show up at every one of campaign for another "Friend," those districts," Lyng said. "You Congressman Bill Schuette. pick where it's most important Lyng and Schuette met with and this is one of the most im- news media, ag leaders and portant districts in the whole Schuette supporters at a series United States. You have a stron'g, of meetings in Clinton and young congressman here ... Gratiot counties. and I urge you to recognize that Leaders of commodity groups, you have a responsipility to help general farm organizations, ag- see that we keep Bill Schuette in ribusinesses and the banking Congress." community gathered at the Vel- Schuette restated his intent to mar Green farm in Elsie for a keep his seat on the House Agri- Rep. Guy VanderJagt (right) question and answer session. culture Committee if re-elected. greets Newaygo County FB mem- Later in the day, surrounded by "I think it's important we have a bers Barb VanderMeulen and Bill acres of growing corn at the voice and a vote smack dab on Bouwsma and Montcalm County Crumbaugh farm near Brecken- the committee most important FB member Charles Mulholland at a reception honoring the con- ridge, Lyng ~avished praise on to our future," he said. gressman as a "true friend of agriculture. " In his salute to the congress- man, MFB President Elton Smith said: "Guy Vander Jagt has con- sistently supported Michigan's apple, asparagus and cherry in- dustries by encouraging govern- ment actions that would keep these industries competitive. He has been a consistent supporter of Farm Bureau policy on key RURAL L1VINO, OCTOBER 1986 11 RURAL EXCHANGE lIall of Fame Inducts Farm Couples MF6 President Elton R. Smith and his wife, Lynde, were among 11 farm couples in- Smith. He praised the dedicated efforts of Hall of Fame board members and chairperson Willis ~~'r - Apple Cider Concentrate I- ducted into the Michigan Aukerman. A high density concentrate Farmers' Hall of Fame on Aug. .30 during ceremonies at the The Michigan Farmers' Hall of Fame was incorporated in 1982 I_ packed to our specifications . 12/12 oz. cans per case. Each _ Hall of Fame building in Barry as a non-profit organization can makes 72 ounces of hot ~ County. whose main purpose is to iden- or cold cider. Can also be tify, recognize and honor out- used to make jams, jellies, ~ standing farm couples who m wines, as ice cream topping, m have contributed in a signifi- ~ or as syrup over pancakes. @ cant way to Michigan agricul- a a ture. The 11 new inductees aa as aa aa bring the total to 4.3 Michigan farm couples in the Hall of Fame. Aukerman proudly proclaimed the 1986 inductees a "doggone f i good harvest." Those selected I ~ ~ for the honor represent agricul- •• IiDelive~First;~::::;~:;ber tural areas throughout Michi- gan, he added. In addition to the Smiths, new DOLIDA Y CITRUS SALE inductees include: Willard and Order Deadline: November 12,1986 Mildred Bienz of Calhoun Coun- MFBbroadcaster Cary Blake in- terviews Elton and Lynde Smltb ty, Milton and Lela Bergeron of Arenac County, Donald and ~ outside tbe Farmers' Hall of Fame Emily Todd of Ingham County, building, following Induction Frank and Minnie Doezema (and .'_ •• FaRm aBST .'-'. ceremonies tbere Aug. 30_ Tbe Smltbs were among tbe 11 farm the late Jennie Doezema) of couples bonored. Allegan County, Wade and Erlene Shuler of Berrien County, Seeking Agrarian "The annual Hall of Fame cer- Carl and Edith Roberts of Mont- Quilts and Quilters emonies are a real tribute to calm County, Blaque and As part of a Michigan sesqui- farmers who are selected and to Arlouine Knirk of Branch Coun- centennial project (celebrating the agricultural industry in ty, Theron and Beautrice Com- 150 years of statehood), the Michigan. I hope that this tradi- den of Montcalm County, Vern Folk Arts Division of the MSU tion will continue with even and Helen Peck of Calhoun Museum is recording informa- more support and cooperation County and Oscar and Irene tion on Michigan quilters and from agricultural leaders," said Dowd of Van Buren County. quilt-owners, paying particular attention to quilts made in agrarian communities. RURAL RASCAL Quilt information is being Seven-montb-old Jason Turnwald, gathered through the location son of casb crop .nd bog producers and examination of individual Ann and David Turnwald of Hender- letters, diaries, columns in son, knows just wbat to do wltb tbe newspapers and magazines, rain gauge be received as a gift at tbe Saginaw County FB annual county and state fair records, meeting_ Jason Is a notcb above photographs and interviews. NBCweatberman Willard Scott wbo Quilters or quilt-owners who sbowed tbe gauge on tbe "Today wish to share their quilt stories Sbow" program to promote Saginaw County FB's 50tb anniversary. Scott or enter their quilt(s) in the was temporarily puzzled about tbe museum inventory are encour- Instrument's purpose. aged to write to: Michigan Quilt Project, MSU Museum, East Lan- sing, Mich. 48824-1045. 12 RURAL LIVING, OCTOBER 1986 Country mark Seed Corn ••• from research, to planting, to harvest YOU CAN COUNT ON IT! W hen you invest your hard-earned money in Seed Corn ... you want the powerful hybrids that return high yields and add a plus to your bottom line. At Countrymark, we develop our Seed Corn Hybrids for your farm right here in the tri-state area. Whether you plant no-till, conventional till, silage, early or late hybrids, Countrymark has the one best suited to your cropping practices. 220 B.P .A. + doesn't just happen. It has taken years of research and field-testing to develop these Countrymark Sta-Green, strong standing and disease resistant hybrids. See your Countrymark Member Association today. Let us help plot your path to more successful corn production. We are committed to deveJoping consistently high quality seed corn hybrids that you can plant with confidence. Plant With Confidence In Ohio In Michigan C565X C454X C655X C525X C733X C565X C747AX C655X C810X C677X "Setting The Standards" Countr INCORPORATED AD-8607-3 35 E. Chestnut Street • Columbus, Ohio 43216 Rural-Urban Activities Reap A Harvest of Understanding By Connie Turbin Farmers talking to city peo- ! The gift packs were donated ple. That's the simple idea that by the Direct Marketing Division Anyone who has visited the was the basis for the 1986 Farm of the MFB affiliated' Michigan state fair in the last few years Bureau fair booth at the Mich- Agricultural Cooperative Mar- marvels at how much it has igan State Fair, Aug. 22-Sept. 1. keting Association (MACMA). changed. "You find out really quickly The questionnaires were based Of course the oldest state fair the people in the aisles are just on materials distributed by the in the country still offers those people and that they are very American Farm Bureau Federa- who produce the best agricul- receptive to hearing the tion as a part of the 1986 fair tural products in the state a farmer's side of agricultural kit package. place to display the fruits of issues. That interest in the "There are a lot of misconcep~ their labors. It's a chance for country's basic industry just tions among urban people talented craftpeople to show off needs to be cultivated," said. about agriculture and they have their finest handiwork. And it L. C. Scramlin of Oakland Coun- an outdated image of the farm- offers a unique opportunity for ty, chairperson of the Farm ing industry," reflected Susan city dwellers to see farm an- Bureau state fair project. Garner, MFB regional represen- imals and farm products and to Scramlin and nearly 100 vol- tative for the southeast Mich- talk with the people who pro- unteers from the Macomb, Mon- igan counties. She said that duce them. roe, Oakland,- Washtenaw, state fair visitors who had some Wayne, Saginaw and Clinton agricultural contact in the past county FBs spent time at the - a father or grandfather who fair. Each group of county FB was a farmer - quickly discov- volunteers in their turn met and ered by talking with the farmers talked with more than 18,000 at the booth just how dramati- families during the 11 fair days. cally agriculture has changed in "This year we saw whole fami- the past few decades. lies coming into the agricultural Scramlin said the project exhibit," he said. "It was a real committee guessed right when pleasure to see so many young- they chose the questionnaires sters with their parents and as a way to initiate contact with grandparents. I guess seeing the fairgoers. "The question- families makes it more comfort- naires were a good conversation able for farmers to approach starter. It helped break down and talk with city people:' the barriers and made it easier In the Agriculture's Amazing for farm and city people to start Acre exhibition building where talking:' the FB exhibit was housed, All of the questions, examples farmer volunteers invited the of the "myths of agriculture," public to sign up for one of the asked for true-false responses. twice daily drawings for a gift One of the questions was an- pack of Michigan food products swered true by the city people Farm equipment. commodity and and to complete a short ques- too often for the farmers' com- animal exhibits drew Inquisitive city dwellers to the agricultural tionnaire that polled their at- fort. The question: Are all exhibit area at the Michigan titudes and ideas about agri- farmers going broke? State Fair. culture. 14 RURAL LIVING, OCTOBER 1986 Fanner volunteers at the MFBex- hibit Invited falrgoers to take a tnie-false quiz on agricultural i'fads," and to enter a drawing for it Michigan farm produds gift .pack. Another stated that all the farmland is disappearing and that there is a serious top soil loss in the U.S. "City people believe it is so and they're con- cerned," said 5cramlin . ."These are the negative ideas about farming that the public is accepting as true. It's up to farmers to tell all of the story so that the. public gets an ob- jective view of agriculture - its problems and its successes," he added. But there were positive, en- couraging moments, too. After receiving one of the FB stickers bearing the booth's theme - "Agriculture Is a rart of You" - one little girl asked her grand- mother about the rheaning. As they walked away, volunteers heard the grandmother say, "You eat food, don't you? That means that agriculture touches you .and that everybody should learn about it and try to under- stand the farmer's position;" That positive attitude and renewed expression of under- standing between farm and city people is what the exhibit organizers and volunteers at t"e FB state fair booth hoped to leave with the people of Detroit and southeast Michigan before they returned to their farms. RURAL L1VINO, OCTOBER 1986 AGRINOMIC UPDATE, production and transportation. Examining Ontario' s Dairy ... Quota System The consumer price index re- flects the value of labor by the farm family. The judgement fac- tor allows pricing discretion by the OMMB. the result is a single "blend" In 1960, Ontario milk pro- Marketing powers extended to price for MSQmilk whicH re- ducer organizations were frag- the board include: determining flects the weighted average of mented and disunited' in pur- , of price for raw milk supplies; . milk sold in the province for all pose. Their bargaining position licensing of producers; setting the various classes. in the marketplace was very and collecting license fees; re- weak. The majority of producers quiring producers and proces- Managing With Quotas were constantly frustrated in sors to buy and sell through the Quotas, which represent a their. attempts to alleviate the board; conducting price pools; producer's share of available problems of inequity and low in- controlling marketing quotas; market, are used by the OMMB come in their industry. and appointing ~gents to man- to manage the milk supply. The Canadian government age the transportation system. Group I pool quotas are the commissioned a study in 1963 Supply and Price Setting property of the OMMB. to determine how to solve these Under the Quota System Dairy farmers are paid the problems. From this study cam'e fluid milk-price only for the the Milk Act which was passed There are two supply manage- percentage determined each in 1965. This act established ment and pricing systems for month. Milk produced under the Ontario Milk Marketing milk in Ontario: fluid milk and fluid quota, but not needed for Board (OMMB),that would buy market share quota (MSQ)milk. that market, is sold as MSQ all the milk produced on On- This system is part of a national milk and producers are paid the tario farms, and in turn, sell to system, administered by the blend price. processors. Canadian Dairy Commission and Producers who ho~d MSQsre- OMMB.All producers are paid on Administrative Structure ceive direct subsidy payments the basis of their quota shares from the Canadian Dairy Com- The OMMBconsists of 13 of the fluid and MSQmarkets. mission. The direct payment board members; 12 are elected Pricing fluid milk is based on currently amounts to about . to four-year rotating terms by two factors: cost-of-production $2..00/ cwt. (U.S.), and repre- p~oducers. The 13th member and an economic indexing sys- sents about 13% of the target s~rves one year by appointment tem. The cost-of-production is re~l;lrn~.Under the quota poli- of the Ontario government to based on the actual farm. rec- cies, producers of MSQmilk represent cream producers. ords from .150 dairy farms in the have to maintain a monthly The board and its committees sample. The economic indexing minimum of BO% of Group I are financed totally by a pro- system reflects inflation, non- production, a,hd are required to ducer check-off and license farm wage trends, the g~neral market at least 85% of their fees. A deduction is made for economy and fluid miik demand. MSQin a dairy year. market promotion, research Pricing MSQmilk consists of A quota exchange was intro- and development. Producer de- three parts: a cash cost index, duced in March 1980 to provide ductions also support milk re- consumer price index and a a clearinghouse for producers to cording activities of the Ontario judgement factor. The cash cost buy and sell both Group I Dairy Herd Improvement Corp. inde~ reflects prIce variables for quotas and MSQs.Strict rules govern the sale or transfer of quota. For example, a quota can Market-Clearing Prices be transferred only within the (price / Uter) immediate family or as part of the sale of an on-going opera- Month of Group I Unused Used tion. Group I quota and MSQ Exchange Pool Quota MSQ' MSQ' sales are subject to a 15% transfer assessment; transfers February 1986 $281.00 98.6