MARCH 1987 Inside: Farmers ... Entrepreneurs A "Good Day" for Farm Bureau It's Paraquat. It's the product growers have used for over 20 years, for effectiveness and economy. No other herbicide can do so much for so little. Now, with the introduction of GRAMOXONE@ SUPER herbicide, it's easier than ever for you to take advantage of paraquat's proven performance. As a broad ..spectrum contact herbicide, GRAMOXONE SUPER controls virtually every annual grass or broadleaf weed you've got. It gets the job done fast, in just one or two days. It's labeled for over 100 different crops and other noncrop uses, and for use in more tank mixes than any other contact herbicide. And it's rainfast within 30 minutes of application. You get all this with GRAMOXONE SUPER. And you get it at a very low cost. What's New About GRAMOXONE SUPER? Plenty. • New rates. • New easier..to ..use formulation. • New more convenient package. This season, control tough weeds fast at a down ..to ..earth cost, with new, easier..to ..handle GRAMOXONE SUPER. It's paraquat at its best. For mnre information, see your participating Countrymark Member Association today .. ~ ~ Count~~.':.k GtafllOl8)ne SUPER .ti'.til It'. GROMOXONEIt SUPER is a restricted use pesticide. VOL. 64 NO.3 March 1987 THE SAFEMARK MARGIN: QUALITY • SERVICE. DEPENDABILITY • ECONOMY A Publication of the Michigan Farm Bureau About the Cover It's the time of the year when farmers like Alan Garner of Ingham County are getting ready for the planting season ahead. In This Issue ~ .. Behind the Desk Approach to Farm Business Make Michigan Springs 8 Alan Garner, 29, shares the story of how he has successfully expanded the family farm from 200 acres to 2,000. More Enjoyable with Farmers ... Entrepreneurs Here's a preview of a Quality Safemark Tires and Batteries! 10 half-hour spirits. television special in March that will boost your Farm Bureau ... where A "Good Day" for Farm Bureau! National belonging makes the difference! 11 radio personality Paul Harvey takes a down to earth look at Farm Bureau's grass roots philosophies. See your local Safemark dealer or call your county Farm Bureau. A FARM BUREAU MEMBER ONLY SERVICE Columns * Enhance Your Income * President's Legislative Review Message 4 6 Grassroots Agrinomic Update Perspective 18 21 Country Almanac 15 Farm Bureau Market Place 22 WANTED: INDIVIDUAL WHO IS Rural Exchange 16 Advertisers' Index 22 AGGRESSIVE, SERVICE MINDED, PERSONABLE AND AN INDEPENDENT BUSINESSMAN ... Rural Living is Published Monthly: on the first day, by the Michigan Farm Bureau Infor- mation and Public Relations Division. except during July and August when a combined issue is published on July 15. Publication and editorial offices at 7373 West Saginaw Highway. Lansing, Mich. 48917. Post Office Box 30960 (zip 48909); phone 517-323-7000, extension 510. County Farm Bureaus are currently Subscriptions: $1.50 per year to members, included In annual dues. $3.00 per year non-members in Michigan, $5.00 per year non-members out of state. Publication No. 345040. Established Jan. 13, 1923 as seeking qualified persons to service Michigan Farm News. name changed to Michigan Farm News Rural Living Dec. 1. 1981. Third-class postage their members' needs as Safemark paid at Lansing. Michigan. and at additional mailing offices. tire and battery dealers and steel Editorial: Connie Turbin, Editor and Business Manager; Donna Wilber. Contributing Editor; Marcia Ditchle. Associate Editor. tillage and implement parts Officers: Michigan Farm Bureau President, Jack Laurie, Cass City; Vice President. Wayne Wood. vendors. For more information, Marlette; Administrative Director, Robert Braden; Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer. Tom Parker; Secretary. William S. Wilkinson. contact Bob Harms, Operations Directors: District 1. Marlin Outman. Constantine; District 2. Blaine VanSickle. Marshall; District 3. Manager, Michigan Farm Bureau James Sayre, Belleville; District 4, Charleen Thompson. Freeport; District 5. Mark Smuts. Charlotte; District 6, Jack Laurie, Cass City; District 7. Larry Snider, Hart: District 8, Lyle LeCronier, Freeland: District 9. Robert Group Purc~as!ng, Inc. Gregory. Traverse City; District 10. Margaret Kartes. West Branch; District 11. Robert Wahmhoff, Baraga. At- large: David Conklin, Corunna; Wayne Wood, Marlette; Richard Leach. Saginaw. Farm Bureau Women: Diane Horning. Manchester. Young Farmers: Ed Cagney, Scotts. 1-800-292-2640 MARCH 1987, RURAL LIVING 3 P__ esiden~'s ~essage 1987 Farm Credit Objectives Current forecasts suggest that by the end of this year, total agricultural debt will be down approximately 15% from its 1982 peak. This will help restore the industry to sound financial footing. However, major challenges still exist in agricultural finance. Certainly, we can be proud of our accomplishments in support of two tier debt restructuring. Based on our 1986 policy, we called for and got greater regulatory flexibility for lenders to work out debt restructuring plans for troubled borrowers. Our farmer organization took the lead in getting bank regulations relaxed and changed to permit needed refinancing and restructuring. Actions by federal bank regulators to give commercial banks more flexibility to restructure some agricultural loans are to be commended. We are hopeful that all lenders will pursue vigorous debt restructuring wherever possible. Through their policy action at the American Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in January, the national body of farmer delegates again focused attention on the need to maintain agricultural credit as a high priority issue. Representing our farmer members in the AFBF policy session, our Michigan delegation voted to approve AFBF policy calling for continuation of the Farmers Home Administration as the lender for individuals who can- not obtain credit elsewhere. Our 1987 agricultural credit policy also calls Seeds for FmHA to institute graduated interest rates that slowly reach current market rates and expansion of the guaranteed loan and debt adjustment .On Feb. 3, President Laurie program. met with representatives of In addition, delegates reaffirmed their belief that preservation of the cherry producing states at the Farm Credit System is in the long-term best interest of agriculture. To International Cherry Industry assure this; the 1987 AFBF policy calls upon the Farm Credit System to Meeting in Traverse City, Mich. adhere to the following principles: "(1) continuation of a borrower- • President Laurie met with controlled organization; (2) decentralization to the maximum extent feas- representatives of Michigan live- ible; (3) lending limited to farmers and their cooperatives; (4) full stock commodity organizations d,sdosure of financial condition; (5) protection of the value of member- on Feb. 9 at FB Center to dis- borrower stock; (6) pursuit of meaningful and effective restructuring of cuss environmental concerns. member-borrower loans; and (7) prompt infusion of federal government capital as needed." .On Feb. 16, President Laurie Another key element of our 1987 Ag Credit Policy supports creation attended the MSU Farm and of a secondary mortgage market for quality farm mortgages. Creation of a Food Policy Conference in Lan- secondary market could be a major step in assuring that the future credit sing. The ninth annual con- needs of our industry are met. (See the story in Tips and Trends on page ference focused on the eco- 21 for more information). nomic and political factors in- We can be proud of our foresight in developing the policy which fluencing farm and trade pol- resulted in last year's accomplishments. I believe this year's ag credit icies. resolution has even more potential. It will take your involvement and sup- port to reach that goal. • President Laurie delivered the State of the Companies mes- sage to county FB presidents at- tending the 1987 Presidents' Jcull f~ Jack Laurie, President Conference in Lansing, Feb. 19-20 . • President Laurie joined farmers from throughout the state to participate in the Governor's Conference on Agriculture at Michigan Farm Bureau the Lansing Radisson Hotel and Convention Center, Feb. 25-26. 4 RURAL LIVING. MARCH 1987 THEa Elton R. Smith ENDO\VED CHAIR As a farmer and as president of the Michigan an endowed chair is an accomplishment all faculty Farm Bureau, Elton R. Smith dedicated more than a strive to achieve. half century to improving economic opportunities Each of us has a role in assuring that the creation for agriculture. His dynamic leadership for all of of the Smith Endowed Chair becomes a reality. agriculture was especially evident in his support of Please lend your support to this effort. Your gift agricultural research and study at Michigan State will represent your personal tribute to a dedicated University . and distinguished agricultural leader - a tribute that No more fitting tribute could be given to Elton R. will extend to future generations. Smith than the creation of the Elton R. Smith En- You may wish to consider membership in the dowed Chair for the Study of Food and Agricultural Farm Bureau "22 Club." As a member of this elite Policy at the state's land grant univer- group, your name will be entered into sity. a bound volume which will be main- The Elton R. Smith Endowed Chair tained at Farm Bureau Center. at Michigan State University will be Membership requires a $110.00 com- supported by annual earnings from mitment to the endowment fund. the invested principal in perpetuity. That'san annual contribution of one These earnings will be used annually dollar for each year that Elton served to assist in supporting an academic as MFB president, pledge for a five position within the Department of year period. Agricultural Economics in the College To contribute, complete the of Agriculture and Natural Resources. pledge form below and return with Endowed chairs not only retain and your check or money order to: reward outstanding faculty, but also Elton R. Smith Endowed Chair provide an excellent opportunity to c/o MSU Development Fund attract world renowned researchers. 4700 South Hagadorn, #20 Being offered the opportunity to fill East Lansing, MI 48823-9982 -------------------------------------------------- A Lasting Tribute to Leadership YES! I/We want to participate in establishing the ELTON R. SMITH ENDOWED CHAIR in Food and Agricultural Policy. ) IIWe pledge I I $10 I I $25 I I $50 I I $__ annually for the next __ years (up to five years for a total contribution of $ ) IIWe want to be part of the 22 Club. Here is my check for $22. Bill me $22 a year for the next four years. ) IIWe want to be part of the 22 Club. Here is my check for $110. ) Enclosed is my contribution in the amount of $ . Please make your check payable to Michigan State University. Name (Please Print) Home Telephone Number Address City State Zip Code County A13014S17ESC Legislative Review FB Urges More Compensation for Flood Losses Washington 1986 farm policy proposal that would place U.S. producers of 16 claimed that "the spirit of Michigan and the people of Michigan have led farm program commodities under a us to the forefront of American ideas nationwide supply management pro- and prosperity." Expanded Disaster Program Eli- gram. The bill proposes: • gibility — In testimony before •A producer referendum for each the House Agriculture Subcommittee commodity; wheat and feed grains on Wheat, Soybeans and Feed- jointly. grains, MFB Director of Public Affairs •Elimination of target prices and Al Almy urged prompt and favorable diversion payments. consideration of H.R. 904 to amend •A 70% parity loan rate for 1987 the 1986 disaster program. Almy with annual increases thereafter. told the subcommittee that MFB sup- •National marketing quotas by ports expanding the program to in- commodity established by the sec- clude eligibility for dairy and livestock retary of agriculture. producers who lost their hay crop in •Acreage set aside requirements 1986 due to excessive rains or who up to 35% per farm based on re- lost newly seeded and established ported planting intentions. hay fields. Further, MFB seeks •Marketing certificates must be authorization of an additional $400 used to market commodities. million for the disaster program to •A family farm debt and mediation assure producers of meaningful com- program. pensation for their losses. •A nine-month period for the pres- ident to enter into multilateral nego- Unemployment Compensation tiations on world market prices and Gov. James J. Blanchard, Michigan's 45th • for Flood Disaster Victims — shares. If no agreement is reached, governor, delivered the Sesquicentennial The U.S. Department of Labor has the secretary of agriculture would be Year State of the State message. relaxed unemployment compensation mandated to use export PIK or cash eligibility guidelines which may result subsidies to maintain exports. The 19-minute speech briefly sum- in benefit payments to diversified ag- AFBF economists are currently marized the official 64-page docu- ricultural producers who were af- reviewing the Harkin proposal. • ment. The governor reflected on the fected by the 1986 flood disaster. achievements made in the past four Diversified agricultural producers are years to wipe out the state's $1.7 identified as those farmers who raise billion debt and bring Michigan's both livestock and crops. According to the Michigan Em- Lansing credit rating from the worst in the na- tion to the best; and to reduce the ployment Security Commission, unemployment rate from 17.3% to 1400 previously denied claims are less than 8%. scheduled for review. Those diver- The State of the State 1987 — Pointing to agriculture as the sec- sified farmers who did not file for • Governor Blanchard's State of ond largest industry in the state, he disaster benefits in 1986, can still the State message before a joint ses- reviewed the state's programs to as- make application for the benefit sion of the Legislature, state officers sist financially distressed farmers period at local MESC offices. Eligibil- and high court justices was significant ($139 million in low interest loans ity will be reviewed on a case by case because 1987 is Michigan's Sesqui- during the last two years) and pro- basis. centennial. In 1837, Michigan's first vide disaster assistance to victims of governor, Stevens T. Mason, as- the 1986 floods, freezes and droughts serted that "no country has ever ($200 million no-interest loan pro- Harkin Bill — U.S. Senators been settled by more enterprising, in- gram established in 1986). • Harkin and Gephart have rein- telligent and industrious citizens." In He cited other programs to assist troduced an updated version of their the Sesquicentenniel Year State of agricultural producers and improve the State message, the state's 45th governor, James Blanchard, pro- (continued on page 19) 6 RURAL LIVING, MARCH 1987 Holland/Germany/ Austria/Liechtenstein/Switzer/and/France/Belgium Here's a gro'up travel opportunity • OVERNIGHT tlO AT NEW ~~YIlNA BEACH, FLA., • Farm Bureau members pay Manager, 106 S. County Line Road, Tekon. FOR SALE OR lUjJlIT. Completely furnished, TANK - nearly new compressor. 986 Interna- 25 cents per word for all sha, Mich. 49092; home phone 517-765-2099. tional Tractor - all goodies, 1485 hours. Mar- two bedroom~l t~o ba!hs, ocean view from the Litchfield sales phone 517-542-3438 fourth floor. Ta'st~fully decorated. Phone classified advertisements. tin Lowell, Marcellus, Mich. Phone 616-646- (Wednesdays only). All hay NIR tested. 9821. (3-20p) 517-669-8252. (3-21p) (12-tfn) • All other advertisers pay FOR SAL~: 100 ACR~ FRUIT FARM, Berrien HOG PRODUCERS - YOU CAN USE STARK 50 cents per word for one inser- HOWELLLIVESTOCKAUCTION: Billor Larry PLASTIC FLUSH TRAYS for nursery pens and County, diversified. Can be divided. Home op- tion. and 45 cents per word for Sheridan, P.O. Box 157, Howell, Mich. farrowing stalls to eliminate daily manure handl- tional. Phone pI6-429-4260. (1-3t-13p) 48843; office phone 517-548-3300. (12-tfn) ing. Improve bacteria control. They can be used two Qr more consecutive inser- FOR SALE: 80 ACRE FARM, Equipped for rais- in any type of building on any type of floor. tions of the same ad. FOR SALE: HAY. First cutting. Square bales; ing hogs, permanent farrowing pens, and Starr Farrowing Stalls with adjustable swing-up small and big round bales. Phone 313-634- nursery pens have automatic drinkers .. Liquid • All advertisements are subject to 7174. Holly, Mich. (3-15 r) sides. Choice of wate~ers and sides. Starr Nursery Pens, singles, side-by-side and stacked. manure system. All fertile plow land, tiled, 28x40 ranch house, 2 bedroom, 2 fireplaces, <'! IS-word mini~um charge, in- Keep your pigs warm and dry. Free literature and' prices. SUrr National, 219 Main Street, utility, full basement, double garage. 5-1/2 c;luding member ads. Colchester, 111.62326, toll free 1-800-233- miles N.E. of Clare. $59,000 terms. Phone 02 -In Illinois 1-800-854-6480. (3-80p-ts) 517 -435-3449. (3-46p) • Please indicate if you are a Farm NURSERY STOCK FOR SALE: GRADE A DAIRY FARM IN Bureau member. iONIA - Features 120 acres, lovely three year WANTED: LATE MODEL TRACTORS, com- BERRY PLANTS - Raspberries, strawberries, bines, corn heads and cornpickers. Shinabery old ranch home with oak kitchen and other ex- .The deadline for ads is the first blueberries, currants, gooseberries, olhers. Free Equipment Co., 517-448-8091 or evenings, tras; also, a tenant home, outbuildings and Monday of the month preceding catalog. Makielski Berry Nursery, 7130 Platt 517-523-2803. Ask for Bob Jr. or Wayne. acreage that are currently rented. For more in- Road, Dept. RL, Ypsilanti, Mich. 48197. (2-12t-20p-ts) formation, call Mary Martin Patrick at 616- publication. 527-0484 or Furton-Hoppough Real Estate at Phone 313-434-3673_ (1l-12t-22p) FOR SALE: HOWARD "p" ROTOVATOR 3 616-527-2800 .. (3-48-ts) • All ads must be pre-paid and STRAWBERRY PLANTS - ASPARAGUS hp hydromatic centrifugal pump, Skibbe may be pre-paid up to one year CROWNS. Certified plants grown on fumigated spreader/seeder, Scheu orchard heaters, new in advance. sand. Free brochure. Krohne Plant Farms, Rt. 118 grape wire, Welch concord contract. All 6, Box 586, Dowagiac, Mich. 49047. used wisely. Phone 616-429-4260. (1-3t-25p). MISCELLANEOUS (10-12t-21p) ~ No ads will be taken over the PIPE THAWING EQUIPMENT - Ice breaker phone: FOR SALE: HYBRID POPLAR 12 cents each. thaws pipes quickly and safely. Saves time, GLADIOLUS BULBS - Free brochure. Send American Chestnut and other trees and shrubs. labor and money! Simply attach cables to frozen self-addressed, stamped envelope to Poest Coldstream Farm, 2030T Freesoil Road, Free- pipes and plug unit into a convenient grounded Gladiolus, Box 55, Department RL, Zeeland, MAIL YOUR AD soil, Mich. 49411. Phone 616-464-5809. electrical outlet. Phone 313-761-4329. Mich. 49464. Phone 616-772-6049. (2-2t-19p) WIlli PAYMENT TO: (l2-5t-20p) (l2-4t-32p) BED AND BREAKFASTAT LUDINGTON on GLADIOLUS BULBS - Free brochure. Send TRACTOR REPAIR MANUALS - How to re- Good Creek. New: barn loft hide-away at ~ural Living creek's edge. Grace and Robert 616- self-addressed, stamped envelope to Poest pair your tractor. Write today for free catalog. P.O. Box 30960 Gladiolus, Box 55, Department RL, Zeeland, Russell Stevens, Route 1. Box 320, Coushatta, 843-9768. (3-4t-20p) Lansing, Mich. 48909 Mich. 49464. Phone 616-772-6049. (2-2t-19p) La. 71019. (2-4t-20p-ts) OLD TIME FIDDLE MUSIC- Twelve Michigan Fiddlers or Twelve Canadian Fiddlers on a sixty WANTED: GRAIN BAGGER with/without minute cassette $4.50 each. For list of other scales, bag sewing machine. Also, Milo for fall Fiddlers, send long S.A.S.E. to Fiddle Music, FARM EQUIPMENT '87. Phone 313-269-6294. (3-15p) Kinde, Mich. 48445. (3-2t-31p) LIVESTOCK NEED COLLEGE MONEY? Billions available FOR HOMEMAKERS now! Scholarships, grants, loans. Guarantee MIlKING SHORTHORNS: Young bulls, year- you qualify for five financial sources. Most ap- lings and calves' for sale. Write or visit Stanley HOG EQUIPMENT - Del-Air heat ex- M. Powell and Family. Ingleside Farm, Rt. 2, plying receive over 20! Send $3.00 for bro- changers, Osborne feeders, K.G. Johnson far- GUARDIAN SERVICEGLASS LIDS! Hundreds chure. instructions, questionnaire (REFUND- 3248 Powell Hwy., Ionia, Mich. 48846. rowing crates, Chore-Time feeding, Mix-Mill (1O-6t-27p) of other cookware parts. Stevensons, Box ABLE). Nationwide Scholarship Finders, Box systems. Hamilton Distributing Co., 3392RL, Orange, Calif. 92665. (2-3t-15p-ts) 2257, Lynchburg, Va. 24501-0227. 616-751-5161. (6-12t-22p-ts) (3-2t-37p-ts) FREE: COLORFULPOULTRY CATALOG. Of- GOURMET DELIGHT. ENCHILADA SAUCE fering top quality chicks (Bantams-Exotics- GRAIN DRYERS - Storm or Ezee-Dry. Farm MIX. Makes 80 fluid ounces. Many uses. 11.5 INCREDIBLE INFORMATION - Jeeps' Standards) at rock-bottom prices. Clinton Hat- Fans Automatic, Used Dryers, PTO and Auto- ounce jar - $5.99 PPD. Tia Tillie. Department Cars' 4x4's seized in drug raids for under chery, Box 548-MRL, Clinton, Mo. 64735. matic. Hamilton Distributing Co .. phone RL, P.O. Box 754, Clovis, Calif. 93613-0754. $100.00? Call for facts today! Phone Phone 816-885-8500. (3.3t-24p-ts) 616-751-5161. (6-12t-17p-ts) (3-27p-ts) 615-269-6701. extension 566. (3-2t-19p-ts) Advertisers' Index Rural Living would like to thank these advertisers for their support: Countrymark, Inc . .. 2 MACMA Direct Marketing. ,,.,, , , , .... 16 Farm Bureau Insurance Group .24 Mayville State Bank " ",.16 Farm Bureau Travel Service .. ..7 MSU Development Fund " , , ... 5 Farm Bureau VISA@ Credit Card . .13 Safemark (MFB Group Purchasing) , . , .. , , .3 House of Wesley ... .23 22 RURAL LIVING, MARCH 1987 ORDER NOW AND SAVE UP TO 50% ON THIS CHOICE NURSERY STOCK! ~~SOOJtM Hardy, Neat Permanent Red I+lap& EXCELLENT AS EITHER A LAWN OR STREET TREE•• 3 for s5.75 ONLY $1 95 ea 6 for s10.95 12 for 519.95 ' PRIVET COVER THOSE HARD- TO-FI BARE SPOTS WITH BLAZING LL COLOR! You'll be thrilled with the beauty of the SCARLET RED MAPLE TREE (Acer rubrum). The rich green leaves of Spring are complemented by dainty red flowers, followed by red seeds. In the FALL THE LEAVES TURN TOAREGAL HEDGE . . Grows in any soil .Needs no special Thrives in sun or partial shade. care. . Quick, even, disciplined spreading 10 FOR $1 98 SCARLET to brighten your Autumn forweeks. Therounded 40for$ 7.00 shapeliness of this rapidly growing tree will please you 60 for $11.00 . Guaranteed . Inexpensive • 100for$17.50 too. EXTREMELY HARDY AND DISEASE RESISTANT, the Red Maple will grow to 35 It. tall and will live lor years. Amur River North - most p~pul.ar trimmed You'll receive strong, heavily rooted, hand selected, hedge in America. Can be malntaln~d height, making a thick, dense hedge right down at any CREE PING RE D 4 FOR $1.00 2-4 ft. collected trees. to the grou nd. The lustrous till late fall. Lasts for generations. practically no care. green. leaves stay. on ~' ReQuires SEDUM 8for$1.75 24 for $4.7S 12forS2.50 48 for S9.2S Pia nt 1'12' apart for a "" >,- SPECIAL- beautiful living fence. ,,~. you'll be thrilled with this hardy ground -----------~~M' You receive healthy l' {.....,,~'" 10 cover - - Sedum spurium, sometimes called .. to 3' plants. Not ship- ' .. ped to Calif. or Ariz. ~~., .:..-:' Dragon's Blood. Fills those ugly trouble PLANTS 5 YWl Oed - 1-2 ht. Si3t .'.'. ~~ ""....... "P.;:: spots with attractive, thick evergreen all year and amazes you with brilliant, foliage star- like flowers June thru Sept. You get hardy, $1:95 25 plants $ ~S ~ . ~~,?J. '.."~ it~ f' . ~.· ~l'~~f,.~ ,~ northern, nursery-grown FULL ONE-YEAR GUARANTEE plants. If not 100% satisfied, JUST RETURN THE ORIGINAL SHIPPING LABEL, within one year ONLYS1.95ea.~t~..., ~(~ of receipt, for free replacement or purchase 3 for '5.75 6 for '10.95 gfor'15.95 121or'lg.95 .•.P . ~ ~~ ~ '.';B'" '. price refund, your choice. The WARRANTY IS VOID unless the ORIGINAL SHIPPING LABEL GIANT Now you can purchase the "L~' . i IS RETURNED. QUINAULT. ever-popular. ever.beauliful Colo 0'\..).\ J ,1 f,jA)'" Blue Spruce (Plcea pungens glauca) at this special low FREE Planting instructions supplied with every order. EVERBEARING price only $1.95 each. these versatile Blue Spruce are ______ All items clearly CLIPlabeled. HERE • ~ BEARS lovely as single accent planting. a privacy row or Wind STRAWBERRIES ALL SEASON break. and as a colorful corner grouping. You'll receive select. nicely branched 5.year.old transplanted trees that HOUSE OF WESLEY, NURSERY DIVISION The biggest most luscious-tasting straw- are at least 1 to 2 feet tall. HaVing been transplanted. DEPT. 9937-52 berries you've ever tasted. Heavy-bearers, the root system IS well developed and will help the tree 2200 East Oakland Avenue they grow big as tea cups! They're firm, Bloomington, Illinois 61701 deep red and a mouth-watering delight for get off to a last start. deserts, preserves, freezing and eating fresh. Send items checked below: Masses of Color Early in the Spring! HOW CAT. PLANT Beauty 4-Season Now! PERIWINKLE CREEPING PHLOX MANY NO. N6172 NAME OF ITEM 5-YR. BLUE SPRUCE $ COST N6607 Q. STRAWBERRIES N6811 PERIWINKLE N6813 CR. RED SEDUM N6814 CREEPING PHLOX N6816 PRIVET HEDGE "6817 ROYAL RED MAPLE $ 1.50 $ $ Shade-loving, wide-spreading Periwinkle (Vinca minor) thrives under hedges, on slopes, in rock gardens, in poor soil - places where grass won't grow. Dainty lavender. blue flowers in the spring. Green foliage all winter! One plant will fill two SQuare feet. Nicely rooted, ready to transplant. Announcing farm Bureau Life's Newest Milestone: And Growing By More Than $1 Million Every Day That's a big number and it means big Universal Life also offers flexibility that things for the people of Michigan. It means lets you tailor your coverages - and your Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company of payments - to fit your changing needs. The Michigan is now providing over $3 billion of policy's cash value is always available to you life insurance protection for Michigan resi- for the times of your life when you need it. dents. most. And more good news: your Universal We reached the $3 billion mark in early Life interest earnings are tax -deferred, so you January, 1987, and we are adding to that enjoy significant long-term tax advantages. figure by an average of over $1 million per Call your Farm Bureau Insurance agent day. today to fmd out how Universal Life can Ever since our founding in 1951, we've make a difference in your life. Tens of thou- been specializing in meeting the life insurance sands of Michigan residents already needs of Michigan families. We reached $1 have ... and their trust has helped us become billion in 1979, $2 billion in 1984, and now a $3 billion company. we've already added our third billion. Why are we growing so fast? Because we offer programs like Universal Life, the pol- Making your future icy that provides low-cost life insurance pro- a little more predictable tection while paying a high rate of interest on cash accumulations - 9.25% as of Feb. 28, FARM BUREAU ~ 1987. (The interest rate is subject to change, but our rate is always among the highest paid INSURANCE GROUP anywhere in Michigan.) FARM BlIlAU MJT\JAI. • fARM IIlJIEAU lIE • fARM BlIlAU GENERAl • F8 AIft.ITY Michigan Farm Bureau Rural Living Magazine Non-Profit Org. P.O. Box 30960 U.S. Postage 7373 W. Saginaw Hwy. PA I 0 Lansing, Michigan 48909 Grand Rapids, MI Permit No. 380