1989 ANNUAL REPORT Excitement on the Mexican Rivera - Acapulco: Includes, round trip air, Saturday departures out of Detroit, 7 nights accommodations, round trip transfers and baggage handling between airport and hotel, gratuities for baggage handling, 15% Mexican added value tax, U.S. departure tax and services of a local tour representative. Rates start at $352 per person based on double occupancy. British Isles: Let us introduce you to the four distinct cultures of the British Isles in this exciting 15-day vacation. For only $1749 per person, based on double occupancy, this trip includes airfare from Detroit ($50 extra for Grand Rapids departure). Stay in first class hotels while you enjoy twenty meals and other extras you'd expect like baggage transfers, taxes and tips. Innsbruck Special: Round trip mid-week air transportation from Chicago to Munich, round trip transfers between airport and hotel, 7 European buffet breakfasts, 7 dinners, taxes and services charges. Rates from $799 per person based on double occupancy. Club Med - Exclusive Vacation Huatulco: Viva Mexico! Includes air out of Detroit, baggage handling, 7 nights accommodations, breakfast, lunch and dinner with unlimited wine, water sports, tennis, golf, sports instructions, cabaret shows, disco. Rates from $903 per person based on double occupancy. Farm Bureau Travel Service offers 5% discount off the brochure rate on all Club Med locations to Farm Bureau members. Don't Forget: Take advantage of Farm Bureau Travel's Cruise for Less program. These special discounts through the year on a variety of cruise ship packages for Farm Bureau members only! For More Information Call 1-800-331-1 729 Farm Bureau Members! VOL.66 NO.1 January 1989 ~t~~l~::::::::':"'" NEW FRUIT SAUSAGE Cherry • Apple • Plum TROUT Helping People Help Themselves A paralyzing acci- Michigan Farm Raised dent in 1983 started Tom Heimrich on ajoumey of per- serverance. With the help of medical and rehabilitative specialists and Farm Bureau Insurance, he's farming HONEY TANGERINES again ...page 10 Florida Farm Bureau Working Together Makes the Difference There's a "family"style of doing things in the D.P. that makes the successful difference in the Copper Country's Gold Star winning Direct Marketing program ...page 12 ORDER DEADLINE Farm Bureau Family Tradition Still Going Strong She's 103 and JoHanna Ellers is still the in- February 8 spiration for her family's Farm Bureau traditions in DELIVERY northern Michigan...page 19 March 13 - 23 Rural Leader Newsletter Read this special section of news and information about issues that affect Farm Bureau and the families who make their living in the For more information and state's second largest industry -- agriculture. full listing of products available, contact your county Farm Bureau or call Rural Living Is PubUshed Quarterly: on the first day of October, JanulU)', April 1-800-292-2680. and July by the Michigan Farm Bureau Infonna'iron and Publ1c Relations Div1Blon Publication and edttoI1al of- flees at 7373 West Sagtnaw Highway, Lansing. Michigan 48917, Post Office Box 30960 (zip 48909); phone 1- 517-323- 7000, extension 6585. Subscriptions: $1.50 per year to members, Included In annual dues. $3 per year non-members tn Mich1gan. $5 per year non-members out of state. Publication No. 345040. Establtshed Jan. 13, 1923, as Michigan Farm News, name changed to Mich1gan Farm News Rural UvtngDec. I, 1981. Third-class postage paid at lansing. Michigan, and at additional ma1ltng offices. EdItorial: Connie 1\ubtn, Editor and Business Manager, Kimberly Marshell Neumann. Associate Editor and Production Manager. Officers: Michigan Farm Bureau President Jack LauIie, Cass City; Vice President Wayne Wood, Mar- lette; Admtntstrative DIrector, Charles Burkett; Treasurer and Ch1efFtnanctal Officer, Tom Parker; 5ecretlU)', Wlll1am S. Wilkinson. Directors: Dtstrlct I, Marltn Oubnan, Constantine; Dtstrlct 2, Blatne VanSickle, Marshall; Dtstrlct 3, DIane Horning. Manchester; DistI1ct 4, Tom Guthrle, Delton; Dtstrlct 5, Mark Smuts, Charlotte; Dtstrlct 6, Wayne Wood, Marlette; Dtstrtct 7, Lany Snider, Hart; Dtstrlct 8, Lyle LeCronter, Freeland; Dtstrlct 9, J08hua Wunsch, Traverse CIty; Distrtct 10. Margaret Kartes, West Branch; Dtstrlct II, Robert WahmhofT, Baraga. At- Large: Davtd ConkJ1n. Corunna; Jack LauIie, Cass CIty; Faye Adam, Snover. Promotion and Education, Janta Sanford, Parma. Young Farmers, Pat AIbI1ght, Coldwater. Now, I have to admit that the for agriculture by anywhere from agricultural industry has to $1.5 billion to nearly $2 billion a share some of the blame. Farm- year. ers are a special interest group Another area where farmers who have lobbied successfully to are vulnerable is an idea to raise fund programs that are impor- estate tax~s. For years, farm tant to them: deficiency pay- families paid estate taxes when ments, export enhancement and property was transferred from scientific research. However one member of the family to the we're not saying that other ~ter- other. In the early 1980s, the tax est groups aren't sincere when laws were changed to exempt a they work to fund the interests large percentage of the initial in- that they consider crucial. heritance. Those gains could be But Farm Bureau is different lost if estate taxes are targeted than other special interest as a source of new federal groups. Our policy in the 1980s revenue. has consistently supported less Other tax increase proposals reliance on the federal treasury. could slow economic growth by Although the drought assistance cutting savings and investment. package temporarily increased The last thing farmers need is a agriculture spending for 1989,. tax induced recession that will farm program expenditures still discourage both domestic and ex- represent only about 1 percent of port markets. the total federal budget. And un- like any other federal spending authority, these costs can, and have, sometimes declined from What about the budget one year to the next. In addition, we strongly sup- deficit? Don't we have to ported the 1985 Food Security raise taxes in order to The Farm Bureau Act, the law that is moving agriculture in the direction of balance the budget? FB DiJTeI~nce _less dependence on government says, "not at all. " funding, and more reliance on the opportunities of free markets. (Editor's Note: ThefoUowing So, among the special interest excerpted text is from President Studies show current econom- groups, I think FB has some Laurie's 1988 address to the ic growth is providing Congress extra credibility when we say, annual meeting delegates.) with higher and higher revenues "hold ii, enough is enough, we've got to do something now about each year. Ifwe can restrain Do you know what is signifi- the runaway spending machine." spending, the budget will be bal- cant about the following dates: We say it's time to freeze ~ced within three years, with- April 17th, 1960? April 28th, out a tax increase. 1970? May 5th, 1988? These spending for everyone, equally. It's time to take a look at the sys- That's why I believe the num- were tax freedom days. The first ber one priority of President tem and figure out a way to fix it. day of each year that Americans Bush should be an across the finally started working for them- And most importantly, it's time to say, "no to more taxes." board, two-year freeze on federal selves, instead of the tax collec- spending, combined with a con- tor. You may have noticed from Despite the income tax cuts of the 1980s, tax revenues con- gressional debate on the fun- my list of dates that, over the damentals of national spending years, tax freedom day has come tinue to go up. The congressional budget office estimates that, priorities. later and later, slowly but steadi- It's time for farmers to say fix ly moving forward in time. thanks to unprecedented economic growth, tax receipts the budget process for good. It's It's not difficult to understand time for farmers to resoundingly will increase by $72 billion this why. Voters, especially when or- say, "no" to more taxes. ganized into special interest fiscal year, $84 billion in 1990 and $70 billion in 1991. ' I wouldn't be surprised if there groups, demand seIVices from were a few farmers who are There are other reasons to say government, and those seIVices about ready to say "no" to more "no to more taxes." Some of the need to be financed with taxes. bad weather, too! We're used to In recent years, there has been proposals to increase taxes could have a tremendous negative im- the fickleness of Mother Nature an overwhelming demand for ser- but in recent years we've had ' pact on farmers specifically. One vices and increased spending idea being considered is a $5 per more than our share of uncer- that outstripped the supply of barrel oil import surcharge. tainty. tax dollars. As a result, the AFBF estimates that a sur- federal budget deficit increased charge would increase fuel costs (Continued on page 6) by billions of dollars each year. 4 RURAL UVING, JANUARY 1989 WANTS YOU. C'mon, look ahead corn growers! Join the Country- Check out our two most popular hybrids that will mark BUMPER BRIGADE. Order your seed corn make mighty good sense for your bottom line. hybrids now for a BUMPER CROP this season. C747AX A COMMITMENT FOR QUALITY AND A New breeding with better health, standability, test CAP FOR FUN: weight. Excellent for silage or no-till. Averaged 220 THE COUNTRYMARK THREE-WAY BPA at OSU. Single cross. Harvest 20-27,000. COMMITMENT: 115 days. Confirmed seed corn variety C565X Confirmed seed size Performs well under variable conditions. Excellent Guaranteed quality ... record in both Ohio and Michigan-207 to 222 BPA. ! get all three when you order now ... plus Good under stress, good picker and sheller, excellent FREE BUMPER BRIGADE-BUMPER CROP silage choice. Single cross. Harvest 20-27, 000. CAP: 106 days. Sharp black cap with a plate of "scrambled eggs" FOR A BUMPER CROP THIS SEASON, on the bill. It's a one-of-a-kind cap you won't find JOIN THE BUMPER BRIGADE NOW. anywhere else. Just ask your participating dealer when you sign up for Countrymark seed corn. Count;'{ii~!:Ek 4565 Columbus Pike • Delaware, Ohi'o 43015 All in all, it's clear that the dis- cal use and food safety will con- Difference aster assistance package was a tinue to intrude into agriculture. (Continued from page 4) good faith effort to get relief Recently, however, we can quickly to farmers who had been point to a positive development Weather conditions come and hardest hit. But in the process of on the environmental front. The go. Unfortunately, the impact of doing that, there were some pol- Environmental Protection Agency policy responses to the weather icy changes that could have a in October announced a new often linger on long after long term impact on agriculture. risk/benefit policy on chemical droughts have replaced floods in The drought underscored a- residues in processed foods that newspaper headlines. nother problem that has not yet should make new, safer chemi- Therefore, perhaps an initial been solved, namely the avail- cals available for agriculture. consideration to ponder is this: ability and purpose of crop in- The new policy will allow the surance. The disaster assistance use of pesticides on processed I How do natural disasters affect long term federal farm policy and package made a confusing and foods if potential cancer-causing what implications does this have cumbersome compromise on this residues would increase the risk for the future? issue by requiring farmers who of disease by no more than one Let's first take a look at what I suffered losses of greater than 65 part in one million and the stan- see as some positive changes. percent to obtain insurance. dard would be applied for the The drought intensified a prob- The problem with this compro- first time to new, and older, pes- lem that existed before 1988, mise is that there are numerous ticides. and that was a built-in incentive exceptions to the crop insurance Despite this development, food in federal farm programs that en- requirement, and it still leaves safety and environmental con- couraged farmers to ignore the entire crop insurance pro- cerns on the part of the general market signals that told them to gram in need of reform. public are not going to go away. produce more of crops that were Finally, the disaster assis- Illinois Congressman Ed in short supply. tance package established a Madigan, the ranking minority Instead, farm programs en- gross revenue test for determin- member of the House Agriculture couraged farmers to participate ing eligibilty for disaster pay- Committee, recently talked to a in a bureaucratic plan that sub- ments. This discriminates group of state Farm Bureau na- sidized production of crops al- against producers based solely tional affairs coordinators about ready in surplus. The disaster on size of their operations the agenda that environmen- assistance measure addressed without regard to actual losses talists will have in the 1990s. this in the short term by allow- suffered. This is the first time They will have already ob- ing farmers to shift to oats and Congress has established a pay- tained the Superfund and Clean oilseeds without losing farm ment limit based only on gross Air and Water laws. So, Madigan program base acreage. While the income instead of using gross says, their next priority will be at- changes are for the 1989 and payments or level of loss in deter- tacking agricultural chemicals. mining farm program payments. In the upcoming debate, he 1990 crops only, they address one of the key issues of the 1990 This represents a fundamental said, agriculture will have to farm bill debate: Producing for change that should be debated work hard to obtain reasonable market demand, rather than more fully during a non-emergen- regulations, since' farmers will no government payments. cy situation. longer be given exemptions from Secondly, with the exception I think that our industry has various environmental statutes. of dairy, the focus of disaster as- three basic alternatives when a Agriculture must work to make sistance has been on direct pay- disaster occurs. Number one, we sure that there will be realistic ments to farmers. This is a can do nothing and let the chips risk assessments based on the substantial improvement from fall where they may. Number best scientific evidence. 1980 and 1983 when the focus two, we can continue to seek While agriculture must do all was on disaster loans and adjust- regular or permanent specific it can to communicate with con- ment of loan rates and the farm- federal relief programs. Number sumers the benefits of modem er held reserve. History has since three, we can develop a private agriculture, in the final analysis, shown that piling on even more crop and income insurance we must not ignore getting "our low interest loans did no favors program, either by rebuilding the own house in order," making for farmers already struggling un- current federal crop insurance sure that we as farmers use der heavy debt burdens. Like- corporation, or by throwing out chemicals in a safe manner and wise, manipulating the markets the system and starting fresh. according to the label directions. did not help those who were in A special 25-member commis- Another maj or environmental the greatest need. sion will be looking at crop in- concern of farmers and other Another advantage of direct surance in the COmingyear. rural residents is groundwater payments is that there are no Food safety and environmental contamination. FB has developed hidden costs of loan defaults in concerns are another set of is- and made available a ground- future years. The costs will be up sues that will be important to water and environmental pollu- front rather than strung out over farmers in 1989. Justified or not, several years. consumer concerns about chemi- (Continued on page 21) 6 RURAL UVlNG, JANUARY 1989 BUMPER-CROP SOYBEAN VARIETIES ~ to eight years of intensive research are spent on the development of each new Country- mark soybean variety. Thousands of new varieties are tested each year in laboratory and greenhouse screens for resistance to phytophthora root rot and other diseases. Field testing in Ohio and Michigan provides data on yield, standability, seed quality and stress tolerance. We Recommend: FFR 190 New in 1988f Out yielding anything of this maturity in our research trials. Fast emergence and quick growth are combined with outstanding phytophthora root rot tolerance. A taller variety with strong healthy stalks. Recom- mended for Michigan and Northern Ohio. About Corsy 79 maturity. Group 1 /119days) FFR 398 New for 1989! Very attractive, short late Group 3 variety with outstanding yield record of 65 B.p.A. in O.S.U. trials. Fast emergence and excellent standability. Plant in narrow or wide rows at moderate plant populations for top yields. Brown pubescence. About 2 days later than Williams. /141days) FFR 332 New Breedingf Standability the best due to short plant and strong healthy stems. Excellent phytophthora tolerance and emergence make this variety especially suited to heavier soil conditions. Adapted to most of Ohio and Southern Michigan. Does better in narrow rows and higher populations but will do well in wider rows. Excellent yield record. About Pella maturity. Early Group 3 /134 days) Count~dii!~.':Ek 4565 Columbus Pike • Delaware, OH 43015 AD-8808-2 Company Managers Report Chuck Burkett, Ad- Blanchard to provide input into Noel Stuckman, Gen- appropriate government assis- ministrative Director, tance and aid to farmers. And eral Manager, MACMA Michigan Farm Bureau your organization kept its mem- bers informed on the impact of the drought through organiza- ~CMA has had significant impact on the prices of com- It was a year when America tional communications channels, modities marketed for members returned to space to continue through the news media. and by while maintaining traditional building a road to the stars and cooperating in preparing and dis- 1988 was a year when your tributing a special drought publi- market outlets and securing new buyers for commodities. The as- Farm Bureau reached new cation. heights of program accomplish- Nearly 2,000 FB members and sociation continues to be dedi- ment - programs that build and guests of all ages and from all cated to earning the highest strengthen the value of the or- possible returns to enable mem- over the state came to the FB bers to cover their increasing ganization to its members. Center in Lansing for Summer- cost of production and, in turn, One of the highlights of 1988 fest 1988. They enjoyed a sunny was the laun~hing of the new afternoon with plenty of good realize profits. logo for Farm Bureau and its food, good times and good FB Members are the source of the association's strength. Division family of affiliate companies. The memberships total about 2,600 logo made its first appearance at Ag Expo, emblazoned across the farms. MACMAdivisions lose very few members through can- side of a high flying balloon cellations. tethered above the FB tent. It was officially dedicated at Sum- Nine divisions and the Amer- merfest, to the accompaniment ican Agricultural Marketing As- of logo balloons, sent skyward to sociation apple and red tart programs were operated during spread the news everywhere. This bold new symbol of or- fiscal year 1987-88. The potato ganizational teamwork, unity and dry edible bean divisions were not active during the year. and vitality will be prominently The Red Tart Cherry Growers displayed on a new sign outside the Farm Bureau Center in Lans- Division dealt with a large 1987 crop, which combined with the ing. Bricks and mortar make up a carryover from previous years, resulted in lower grower returns. building, but membership forms the foundation of the activities family and friends. For their Market prospects improved this and accomplishments of your or- three dollar ticket. members got year as the crop was down sig- ganization. Achieving AFBF a delicious steak dinner. prepar- nificantly and grower returns ed by FB leaders and staff. For were substantially improved. quota and membership goal this year was a tremendous victory. entertainment there were the Considering that the industry because it maintains and enhan- Summerfest games like the cher- still has the capability of produc- ces FB's credibility. people power ry pit spit, corn toss and pie ing in excess of consumption in and financial strength. eating contests, along with the a big crop year, new market The prestige and influence of anticipation of the final drawing development and increased FB was vitally displayed during for the year long Community Ac- utilization of federal marketing this year's drought. Your organ- tion Group paradise vacation orders has been a high priority ization was aggressive at all giveaway. activity of the division. A pro- levels in assessing the disaster, Your FB also put its best foot posal will be submitted to the and recommending appropriate forward this summer at Ag Expo. USDA when sufficient industry public policy at both the state Hundreds of people stopped by support is evident. The division and national scenes. FB met the FB tent to learn more about was successful in getting several with representatives of com- the FB family of companies and USDA purchases of frozen cher- modity organizations and worked the many services they provide. ries to reduce inventories. The closely with the state's congres- division is funded by the P.A. (Continued on page 21) 232 Red Tart Cherry Information sional delegation and Gov. and Development Program. A 8 RURAL LIVING, JANUARY 1989 program with grower referendum premium payments, we also took Human Resources will be held this winter. The ad- steps to make sure more Mich- Services ministration and operation of the igan farmers will have the ben- Michigan Cherry Committee efits of crop insurance protection program was discontinued with in the future. This department serves over the start of the current MACMA During 1988 we increased our 850 FB family employees and an fiscal year ..That committee re- number of agents licensed to sell additional 250 employees of non- directed its emphasis to the re- and service Federal Crop In- FB family customers. It is char- search and development of new surance to 115 agents, three ged with developing the compan- cheny products and processes. times the number of crop in- ies' greatest resource -- its The Michigan Processing surance specialists we had just people. It serves the FB family by Apple Growers Division negoti- two years ago. assisting in employee relations, ated with processors under the Farmers who insured their training/ development and provisions ofP.A 344 to obtain a crops through our agents will recruitment. The training/ substantial increase in prices for receive over $5 million in claims development function delivers the 1988 crop. The 1987 crop payments as the result of and coordinates management was a large 25-million bushel drought losses in 1988. We en- development, and continued crop compared to this year's courage farmers to begin their education programs. Recruiting crop which is about one third 1989 crop insurance planning provides qualified applicants for less. The division ended the year now, well before the deadline for management, professional, cleri- with a positive net margin com- spring crop sign-up. cal and part-time vacancies. The pared to a substantial net loss in- employee relations function curred the previous year due to maintains employment records, Sqfety Group Dividend legal fees. Competition from im- (Continued on page 22) ported apple juice concentrate continues to be a problem, al- Despite the drought, thou- though the volume imported is sands of farmers received some Richard Krueger, FPC declining. good news in 1988. Farm Bureau Mutual paid a 16.3 per- Executive Vice Presi- (Continued on page 21) cent dividend (totaling $500,000) dent, Chief Executive to MFB members participating in Officer the Ag Work Comp Safety Robert Wiseman, Ex- Group. The dividend was the result of the group's safety ef- Weare pleased to report that ecutive Vice President, forts and overall work comp los- our emphasis on longer range Farm Bureau In- ses. planning has resulted in the This was the 13th dividend in identification of two new oppor- surance the 16-year history of our Safety tunities which are expected to be- come maj or business develop- Today, on the eve of our 40th (Continued on page 22) ments in our cooperative's near anniversary, we are proud of our future. These two opportunities long record of service to MFB are the propane business and members. The same ideals of Richard Morgan, the high volume retail liquid fuel member service that guided us and convenience store business in 1949 are stlll our top priority General Manager, Cor- adapted to our retail service today. porate Services, Inc. centers. Our activities during the past An internally conducted study year demonstrate that commit- of the propane business has ment. Corporate Services, Inc. (CSI), shown a great potential for above For example, to help farmers the newest member of the Farm average profitability for coopera- hurt by the summer drought, .we Bureau family of companies, tive operations in the retail seg- offered a quarterly term payment began operation Jan. 1, 1986. ment of the propane business in plan on new and renewal Farm- This affiliate was created to Michigan. Your board of direc- owners policies. At the same reduce overhead and administra- tors has approved management's time, we made it easier for farm- tive costs by consolidating ser- proposal to initiate entry into the ers to qualify for our interest-free vices. It serves the Michigan retail propane business in premium financing on Farm- Farm Bureau membership in- Michigan as soon as specific owners insurance. directly by providing reliable, detailed plans have been com- And, finally, recognizing that quality administrative and sup- pleted and financing arranged. so many farmers have several port services to the FB family of Basic elements of the proposal policies with us, we allowed companies. CSI provides services include the j oint participation of delayed premium payments on through the following depart- local cooperatives along with other types of policies, too. ments: Farmers Petroleum Cooperative But we didn't just make it easier for farmers to make their (Continued on page 23) JANUARY 1989, RURAL LIVING 9 By Bridgitt Flynn also opens and closes electroni- cally. Once inside, Tom is able to uly 23, 1983, is a day Tom operate the tractor with the hand Heinrich, Arenac County, will controls he and Joe also in- never shake from his memory. It stalled. was in the early morning hours A van was designed to allow of that warm sununer's day Tom the independence of being when the piCkup truck in which able to go anywhere he needed. Tom was riding went out of con- His van is equipped with double trol and rolled over. entry side doors, an electric Tom's head slarruned into the chair lift, a custom seat and top of the truckjarruning, break- steering arrangements. ing, and crushing his spinal ver- Ramps around the house have tebrae. The accident left him made movement for Tom barrier paralyzed from his chest down, free. requiring him to use a wheel- Tom's' office is equipped with a chair regularly. complete computer system, type- After his recovery at Saginaw writer, standing files, radio and St. Mary Hospital, Tom was sent telephone communication, and to Mary Free Bed Hospital in an L-shaped desk that allows Grand Rapids for months of in- free movement for a man in a tense rehabilitation. wheelchair. 'When I came home from the "I really don't know where I'd rehabilitation hospital, I really be without the insurance com- learned what I could and could pany," Tom said. "Alot of money not do," Tom said. has been spent on modifying Despite his disability, Tom equipment. " was determined to carry on his Other expenses include having father's 900 acre seed farm on an attendant come three times a the Au Gres River. week to help Tom with leg exer- "I was worried dad wouldn't let cises and keep his muscles me farm. I told him, ' I still want toned. It is important to remem- to farm with you,' and he said, ber that premium dollars, not , You can do anything you want tax dollars, are used in a claim to.' Then I knew I could still do like Tom Heinrich's. it," Tom said. It is the primary goal of Farm It was at this point when Farm Bureau Insurance to seek the Bureau Insurance really came to best possible treatment for its in- bat for Tom. "Every aspect of my sureds and to obtain the speedi- life needed some adjusting or est recovery, or where recovery is modifying," he said. not possible, to achieve the high- Among the changes is an Allis est level of function. Chalmers tractor which he and 'We want to make our in- "Knowing that tribulation brings welder Joe Gordon modified to sureds whole again, so they can about perseverance, and per- acconunodate his handicap. An continue to be productive mem- severance proven character, and electronically operated lift chair bers of society," said William proven character, hope; and hope on the outside of the cab raises Monville, director Home Office doesn't disappoint." Tom from his wheelchair to the Claims, Farm Bureau Insurance. Romans 5:3b-5a driver's seat in the cab. The door 'When we are involved with an 10 RURAL UVlNG. JANUARY 1989 individual like Tom Heinrich, who has the character and per- severance to attain a goal that to many would appear unat- tainable, it makes our job easier and very satisfying." Helping people rebuild their lives is just one of the many mis- sions of FB Insurance. "Allour products and seIVices are aimed at protecting our clients' futures," said Robert Wiseman, executive vice presi- dent of FB Insurance. 'We are constantly improving and adding services to respond to the needs of Michigan Farm Bureau mem- bers and our family of policy- holders. We develop programs that fill definite needs in people's lives." Ag Accident Rescue Program Held & Agricultural Accident Rescue Program (AARP) held Aug. 27, in Iosco County was sponsored by the county's Farm Bureau Promotion and Education Committee, Emergency Medical Service and the Cooperative Extension SeIVice. AARP is for emergency personnel, farm families, 4-H and FFA members and others interested in learning about the potential, hidden dangers that could exist in an agricultural accident situation. The six-hbur seminar consisted of lecture, slides, movie, video presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on training. Instruction has greatly expanded on agricultural chemicals, rescue techniques, rescue equipment and safety. Some of the objectives of the AARP are for participants to gain an awareness of special rescue con- siderations rural accidents may require, to develop an appreciation for the necessity of wearing protective clothing, to develop an understanding of the equipment needed for agricultural rescue, to be able to identify local assistance sources, and to gain an appreciation for how agricultural acci- dents happen and why serious injuries result .. AARP continues to be accredited by the Michigan Fire Fighters Training Council and the Michigan Department of Public Health. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), EMT Specialists, and Ad- vanced EMTs can receive up to five continuing education credits when participating in an AARP. For more information, contact Julie Chamberlain at 1-517-323-7000, extension 3213. JANUARY 1989, RURAL UVlNG 11 Working Together Makes the Difference By Kimberly Marshell Neumann Marketing Division. In addition done," said Ann. "Direct market- to selling fresh and processed ing program reports are on the W ork1ng ~ogether to provide Michigan food products to MFB members, MACMADirect Market- agenda in all six counties at every monthly board meeting. In direct marketing service to their fellow Farm Bureau members is ing has reciprocal marketing addition, the county newsletters what this family effort in Copper agreements with other state FBs. are coordinated with the direct Country is all about. A family These direct marketing sales marketing sale four times a year." does not always mean being re- come four times a year offering lated by blood or marriage, it can fresh and frozen fruits, juices, Copper Country Takes be a group of people who have a vegetables, meats, cheeses, roast- common interest and are willing ed nuts, popcorn and microwav- Home the Gold to work together, and with other able products. county FB committees, in order Copper Country earned a gold to provide a needed and ap- star for their 1987-88 direct Everyone Helps marketing program. To give you preciated service. Ann Jousma, Upper Peninsula an idea of the extent of their suc- regional representative, said the "At the county level we have cess, their total sales last year Michigan Agricultural Coopera- excellent coordinators handling was $41,000, the next closest live Marketing Association's the program. These people are county in total sales was (MACMA)Direct Marketing pro- hard working volunteers who $31,Ooo! Copper Country's gram is successful in the Upper receive a lot of support. Members average sale per member figure Peninsula because the counties just coming to pick up their or- was at $145, the next closest recognize it as an important ser- ders pitch in to help when need- county came in at $48. vice for members. And, "because ed," said Ann. Even more important than the services are limited here, the The Upper Peninsula county figures, though, is how the Farm members value the direct market- boards of directors are also ex- Bureau members feel about this ing program and treat it as a tremely supportive of the direct service. priority." marketing program. "You can't get quality frozen The direct marketing program "In most cases, county direc- fruits and vegetables in the area was started in the 1960s by tors really help the coordinators grocery stores," said Sandy Michigan Farm Bureau's market- with promotion, deliveries and Streeter, Copper Country direct ing affiliate, the MACMADirect with whatever else needs to be marketing coordinator. "For ex- 12 RURAL UVlNG, JANUARY 1989 ample, you buy some frozen broccoli and bring it home open it and find out that it has freezer bum. By the time you separate that out you don't have very much broccoli left. You waste so muchl Direct marketing has good products and they back it up with a 100 percent gurantee, so you can't lose." Direct Marketing Sells Membership Sandy, and other coordin- ators, use the direct marketing program as a membership tool. In the Upper Peninsula, MACMAorders can only be placed by FB members, non- members can order through a member -- which is turned into a plus because more people are ex- posed to FB and what it stands for; some eventually become members themselves. Sandy also sends out direct marketing order forms to prospective members. Promotions involving direct marketing products are usually held at county annual meetings, pies for some of the meetings sites. MACMAneeded to make rural-urban dinners, farm tours, she attends, advertising upcom- this arrangement because of the in school activities, fairs, mall ing sale deadlines in the local volume of business and the large displays, and specific commodity paper and double checking with area covered by this four-county promotions. people who usually order during region. Sandy promotes direct market- every sale to be sure they don't In Copper Country, this role is ing products by using direct overlook the order deadline. carried out very competently by marketing frozen fruit to make Sandy. She is supported in her Good Coordination county by a committee made up of her husband, Bud, Terry Brings Success Perttula, Stanley Johns, Fred Jousma, Bob Wahmhoff and A lot of good coordination Gayle Sironen. '!\vo other very must take place in order to have important individuals are Ken a successful direct marketing and Cheryl Larson. They are sale. From sending out the order responsible for the second drop forms through unloading the site in Copper Country. delivery truck, the county direct "Generally, I don't have any marketing coordinator has an im- trouble getting people in to help. portant role. It usually just takes a couple of "I also view this service to phone calls," said Sandy. "Our member program as a success committee works very well to- because of the qualified staff gether. They help unload, sort, that MACMADirect Marketing stack and hand out orders. Division has to handle the direct "I like coordinating the pro- marketing program," said Ann. gram, it's fun. It can be tiring ''The cooperation and communi- when the order is big, that's cation that has been established when I really appreciate all the between the direct marketing help I can getl" said Sandy. division and the county coordin- ators has created strong contin- SWldy (left) Wld Jan Wilford uity and stability of the overall (right), MACMA Direct Marketing program." coordinator, go over Direct Market- These cooperation efforts are ing program information. doubled in Copper Country be- cause there are two delivery JANUARY 1989, RURAL LIVING 13 Farm Bureau Member Benefits • Michigan Farm Bureau members can choose from three Blue Cross/Blue Shield administered group health care plans designed to meet family insurance needs at an affordable cost. Members are also eligible for group enrolhnent in the Blue Care HMO network. • Farm Bureau Insurance protects your family, home, business, farm and autos at an affordable price backed by top service. The Right Nutrition • Members can purchase tires, batteries, and farm implement for Every Stage of parts at group purchase prices through Safemark Group Pur- chasing, Inc. Lamb and Sheep • FB members can save hundreds of dollars on a new car or truck with the Sav-On Cars pricing and purchase system. For a Production. nominal fee, request a personalized car option computer print- out showing both wholesale and retail costs. Purchase the vehicle from a local dealership or buy direct from Sav-On Cars at an average ofjust 1 percent over dealer cost. -LAMB MILK REPLACER • Fasteners Be Hardware Discount mail-order program can save from Land-Q-Lakes you up to 50 percent when you stock your home or farm work- shop with storage bins, repair kits, nuts, bolts, saw blades and -LAMB STARTER 21% pre-starter more. - LAMB GROWER • Members can purchase goods and services and get cash advan- 18% creep, grower or ces anytime at thousands ofVISA0 financial centers and Magic finisher Line automatic teller locations with the Farm Bureau VISA0 credit card. There is no fee the first year, and an annual renewal -SHEPHERD'S CHOICE fee ofjust $12 a year. 15112% for breeding sheep, also can be for growing • The professional, experienced travel counselors at Farm Bureau and finishing Travel Service will assist you with any travel plans from a -SHEEP SUPPLEMENT weekend getaway to an African safari. Your personalized travel 35% natural protein service is only a toll-free call away. Call 1-800-331-1729 today. -TEND-R-LAMB • Your FB membership gives you automatic enrollment in one of famous, no-roughage the Midwest's largest buyer's clubs. Savings are available right finishing program now on carpeting, appliances, lawn tools, electronic equipment -SHEEP SALT and much more. Just call the Farm Bureau Family Saver toll -SHEEP MINERAL free number 1-800-356-5806. • Control your cost of prescription drugs by using the new Farm See your participating Bureau mall order pharmaceutical service. Prescription or- Countrymark Feed ders are placed using a toll-free line to registered pharmacists. Outlet today for Special You get the same high quality prescription drugs ordered by Promotion. your physician, but with savings up to 50 percent. • You might be able to save hundreds of dollars when your pick up your next new car or truck by leasing it through Farm Count On ... Bureau Leasing Service. Call toll free 1-800-544-4819 to talk to our representatives about which is the best option -- buying or leasing -- for you. • Visit America's popular family vacation spots -- Disney World, Sea World and Henry Ford Museum. Have fun! Save money with Farm Bureau's discount program! 4565 Columbus Pike • Delaware. OH 43015 14 RURAL LIVING. JANUARY 1989 Save on the health care you down. But, whichever plan you need to avoid unscheduled choose, you'll benefit from time off. down-to-earth membership rates. What's more, you can Farm Bureau membership have all your prescriptions filled entitles you to choose from at similar savings. Because we three traditional Blue Cross care about your health care. Blue Shield comprehensive major medical plans, starting as As a Farm Bureau member, you low as $51.27 a month; and one can also enjoy a wealth of other HMO plan'*' for as little as services designed to save you $118.25 a month. The main money: not only farm insurance difference is: as the deductible and health care insurance, but goes up, the premium goes also auto insurance and life insurance; Visa@credit card with cash advances at automated You may depend on us for farm insurance teller machines across the but we also carry a shield for you ... country; and discounts on appliances, photographic and sporting goods, electronic .. equIpment, eye care serVIces, travel arrangements, car rental, tires and batteries; even buying or leasing a new car or truck. What matters to you matters to us. For your nearest Farm Bureau office call 1 (800) 292-2680 extension 3239/3240. WHERE • available in most cOllnties BELONGING MAKES A ... M'CHlG4N F4RM BURE4U DIFFERENCE . ••• F4M'U OF COMP4N'ES -. 1987 - 88 Legislative Accomplishments Farm Disaster Assistance u retaliate by limiting growth of com as farm work under the Congress passed legislation to U.S. agricultural imports to 1 Youth Employment Standards provide full payment rather than percent annually is very sig- Act. The bill exempts young a pro rata share to farmers who nificant. For example, some 40 people 13 years of age and older experienced crop losses from countries produce textiles and from permits and other regula- 1986 weather disasters, make these countries account for 70 tions exc~pt for hours per day or hay farmers and apple growers percent of total U.S. agricultural week. FB supported the legisla- eligible for benefits under a pre- exports. FB successfully urged tion .. viously enacted 1986 disaster the president to veto the legisla- Liability Protection -- The Mich- payment program and author- tion and Congress was unable to igan Legislature passed legisla- ized funding for full payment override the veto. tion to provide liability protection under the disaster program. Farm Credit -- The U.S. House in three specific situations. First, Farm Bureau supported the of Representatives and U.S. the bill provides that operators of legislation. Senate passed legislation to pro- u -pick operations are not liable Trade Retaliation and Reform u vide up to $4 billion in federally for customer injury if they have The U.S. House of Representa- guaranteed bonds to stabilize the advised the injured party of the tives and U.S. Senate passed financially stressed Farm Credit potential hazard or have cor- different versions of a major System (FCS), guarantee bor- rected the potential hazard prior Trade Reform Act. The House bill rowers stock, streamline the FCS to the alleged injury. Second, if a contained a requirement that the structure, create a secondary grower allows individuals to president must retaliate against market for farm real estate glean crops, the operator is ex- any foreign country having a loans, and establish loan restruc- empt from liability. Third, a trade surplus with the United turing rights for borrowers. FB farmer who allows hunting for States by imposing duties, supported the legislation. compensation is not liable for in- quotas or other restrictions. Re- Technical Tax Corrections -- In jury under the same conditions taliation would have been re- the closing moments of the as for u-pick operations. Finally, quired even though the surplus 100th Congress, legislation was an injured party also has respon- was the result of fair trade prac- passed to make technical correc- sibilities and has no cause for ac- tices. The Senate bill also re- tions to the 1986 Tax Reform tion if the injured party knew of quired retaliation but only Act. The corrections included or had reason to know of the against that portion of a trade repeal of the requirement that hazard. FB supported the legisla- surplus resulting from unfair farmers pay the 15 cents per gal- tion. trade practices of a foreign lon excise tax on diesel fuel used Motor Vehicle Code Amend- country. A Conference Commit- off-the-road. The legislation also ments -- The Michigan Legisla- tee resolved this difference be- repealed the heifer tax which re- ture passed legislation to provide tween the two bills by accepting quired farmers to capitalize for the movement of oversize the Senate language which rather than expense preproduc- farm equipment on highways. protects agricultural exports tive costs of livestock. FB strong- Prior to passage of the law, farm from retaliation by foreign coun- ly supported repeal of the diesel equipment up to 15'6" was legal tries having a trade surplus with tax and heifer tax. to move on highways. Oversized the United States due to fair Drought Assistance -- In farm equipment could only be trade practices. FB supported response to the drought that af- moved with a permit. The new adoption of the Senate language~ fected much of Michigan and the law allows equipment of any size Textile Imports -- The U.S. nation during the 1988 growing to move during daylight hours if House of Representatives and season, Congress passed legisla- it does not impede the flow of U.S. Senate passed legislation tion to compensate qualifying traffic. Mer dark, which is one- limiting imports of textiles from producers for a substantial por- half hour after sunset to one-half all countries to 1986 levels plus tion of their crop losses, provide hour before sunrise, equipment 1 percent growth each year. Al- feed assistance to livestock must display front lights, and though the legislation attempted producers and compensation to rear lights must be visible or the to establish a preference in al- producers of tree crops who lost implement must be followed by a locating the 1 percent growth fac- young tree plantings. FB strong- vehicle displaying rear lights. tor to those countries that have 1ysupported the legislation. During the hours of darkness or a good record of importing U.S. Com Detasseling -- The Mich- limited visibility farm equipment agricultural products, the like- igan Legislature passed legisla- may not legally move left of cen- lihood of the textile countries to tion to establish detasseling of ter. 16 RURAL LIVING, JANUARY 1989 Right-to-Farm Act -- The Mich- igan Legislature passed legisla- tion to amend the Right -to- Farm Act. The amendment clarifies Legislative Update that a farm operation using generally accepted agricultural and management practices is Pesticide Control Act -- H.B. A key amendment from the not a nuisance and designates 4674, sponsored by Rep. Senate, authored by Sen. Smith, the Michigan Agriculture Com- Stabenow, D-Lansing, received required a referendum be con- mission as responsible for defin- many House amendments follow- ducted within 90 days of the ef- ing the generally accepted ing introduction, and while it fective date of the Act and agricultural and management was in the Senate committee it requires that if the referendum practices. FB supported the legis- received significant amendments is approved by more than 50 per- lation. authored by Senate Ag Commit- cent of the growers voting repre- Air PoUution Control Act -- The tee Chairman.Nick Smith, R-Ad- senting more than 50 percent of Michigan Legislature passed dison. the total acreage, then the as- legislation exempting odors emit- A key provision in this impor- sessment will be collected. ted by farm operations using tant bill, as reported out of com- Farmers would be paid 100 generally accepted agricultural mittee, involves defense from percent of the amount of the and management practices from civil action for a farmer. It pro- claim up to and including the definition of air pollution. FB vides that a farmer has a defense $20,000 and thereafter would be supported the legislation. if the farmer followed the label paid 80 percent of the claim for P.A. 116 Tax Refund -- The and the rules as promulgated any losses exceeding $20,000. Michigan Legislature passed under the Pesticide Act. In addi- The bill now returns to the legislation repealing a prohibi- tion, no cause of action shall House for concurrence and to tion against using cany backs or arise for injuries to any person the governor's desk for his signa- carty fOlWards of net operating or property if the farmer was not ture. losses or capital losses when ap- grossly negligent in storing, han- Truck Bills -- H.B. 4205, auth- plying for PA. 116 and Home- dUng or applying pesticides and ored by Rep. Randall, R-Elwell, stead credit refunds. Many farm- was in compliance with the Act, was also reported out of commit- ers enrolled in PA. 116 who had the rules and the label. Protec- tee. A key provision of H.B. 4524 sent in their 1987 tax forms tion from suit is a maj or concern requires the covering of all early received only a small por- of farmers and this language will trucks unless the vehicle is so tion of their expected refunds. In provide a substantial measure of constructed or loaded as to pre- one case, a $12,500 refund was protection. vent its contents from dropping, reduced to $3,800 because the .Grain Dealer Failure -- H.B. shifting, leaking or blowing off, carty fOlWard of a net operating 4997, authored by Rep. Span- or otherwise escaping from the loss or capital loss was not al- iola, D-Corunna, contains vehicle. In addition, the in- lowed. FB supported the legisla- provisions for insuring agricul- dividual who assisted with load- tion allowing farmers enrolled in tural commodities against losses ing the truck may also be held PA. 116 or Homestead credit to due to the failure of a grain liable. carty back or cany forward such dealer. The agricultrual exemption in- losses. The bill~ as presented to the cludes hay and straw, and sea- Senate Agriculture Committee, sonal agricultural commodities provided for a check-off of 1/10 at the time of harvest. of a cent on the value of the com- Even though farmers are ex- modity sold, including dry edible empt from covering a truck, they beans, soybeans, wheat, oats may still be cited for the loss of and com. The assesment is to be product from a truck. Violation sent to the Department of of this provision would be pun- TreasuIY, the custodian for the ishable by a fine of not more Legislative topics are fund. than $500 or imprisonment for prepared by the staff of the The bill also mandates that not more than 90 days or both. Michigan Farm Bureau the farmer may me a claim and Additional amendments are ex- receive payment within 90 days pected early next session be- Public Affairs Division. of the filing if proper documenta- cause of some technical prob- tion is provided. The fund is cap- lems in the bill. ped at $5 million, after which Gov. Blanchard is scheduled further assessments would not to sign a series of truck bills be collected and if the fund reported by the House prior to should fall to $3 million, the as- the Thanksgiving recess. sessment would again continue. In addition, all interest earned by the fund would be returned to the fund. JANUARY 1989, RURAL LIVING 17 From Physicians to Prescriptions •••• Farm Bureau Has You Covered Prescription Drug Discounts Brand new to the menu of membership benefits is the Feld Drug Prescription service. Members can now save up to 50% on Feld generic and name brand prescription items. Inserted in this issue of Rural Living is a "mini" Feld Catalog that outlines all the benefits of this exciting program including their toll-free number, their guarantee, their discount price list, and a valuable coupon good for your next purchase. SEE THE PRESCRIPTION/DRUG CATALOG AT THE CENTER OF THIS MAGAZINE Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Plans A long time staple in the Farm Bureau benefit package, health care coverage with BCBS is one of our most needed and most used member services. Members can choose from three traditional Blue Cross Blue Shield Comprehensive Major Medical plans, or a singie HMO plan*. Affordability, a choice of different plans for both over 65 and under 65 members, as well as personalized service from the BCBS service unit and their county secretary means our members get real value with their Farm Bureau group health plans. *Available in most counties. Farm Bureau Family Tradition Still Going Strong By Connie Turbin year because of a recent hospital tions represented when they get stay -- the first of her 103 years - together virtually tell the story of JOHanna Ellers, Farm Bureau - JoHanna did not complete the a Farm Bureau tradition in Al- member in Alpena County, Christmas project. That will have cona and Alpena counties. marked her 103rd birthday on to wait until she has fully I guess (in this family) you just Christmas Day, 1988, making recuperated. get a shot of Farm Bureau, too, her the oldest Farm Bureau The family is counting on their in your blood," laughs Paul's dad member in the state. grandmother's plucky spirit to Bud Wegmeyer, who is currently Joining in the celebration was speed the recovery. They are the Alpena County FB president. her great, great grandson, Paul hopeful, too, that she will soon Bud's been injecting some of Wegmeyer, who is also Michigan resume her weekly round of five that Farm Bureau blood into the Farm Bureau regional repre- bingo nights and pinochle games county's membership campaign sentative in the Saginaw Valley with friends. and recently took home awards Region. Paul says proudly that In the meantime, there's plen- for membership achievement JoHanna has paid her own Farm ty of gatherings by the Eller, from the MFB annual meeting in Bureau dues right through this Beck and Wegmeyer families to Grand Rapids. year. visit with JoHanna at Provincial Bud and his wife, Dotty, have Paul and his family are proud, House in Alpena. The genera- been active members of the Farm not only because of JoHanna's longevity, but more because she has continued to make her life active and interesting. He relates that her annual project is to knit and crochet mittens and slippers for each of the. grandchildren, great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren. "It takes her all year. She starts all over again right after Christmas. After all she has 121 grandchildren," he says. This District 10 Director Margaret Kartes extended a special wel- come to centenarian JoHanna Ellers at the Alpena County an- nual in 1987. JANUARY 1989, RURAL LIVING 19 Community Groups Got tion of volunteer seIVice. There Things Started were legislative lobbying mis- sions to Washington, D.C., years of seIVice on the county Farm JoHanna and her husband, Bureau board of directors, and Louis who died in 1961, chaired helping out on the county fair the first Community Group meet- board year to year. ing in Alpena County. Even after her husband's death, JoHanna regularly attended meetings of Where Belonging Makes the Holcomb Creek Group. a D([ference Their daughter, Martha Eller Beck and her husband Bill Beck, Farm Bureau has benefited farmed in Alcona County, where from this family's continuing con- they were among the first tributions from the early days as families to purchase Farm fledgling farm organization seek- Bureau Insurance. Martha was ing to correct rural problems and active, too, in women's activities provide economic seIVices to and served on the county board farmers to the present day legis- Bud Wegmeyer, Alpena County of directors and as county FB lative activities to establish president.. lead his county's president, although, she recalls, sound agricultural policy . delegation at the MFB annual UThatdidn't last too long." Today as yesterday, organiza- meeting. He also accepted mem- In Alpena County, Bud's tion growth and achievement bership achievement honors on parents, Herman and EsterWeg- depends on the renewed commit- behalf of the county FE. meyer, hosted one of the first ment of each Farm Bureau community groups in the coun- generation. Like JoHanna and Bureau for many years. Bud has ty, and were involved in starting Louis Ellers, Herman and Ester served several board terms over the Lachine Farmers Cooperative Wegmeyer, Martha and Bill a forty year span and Dotty has in Alpena County more than 30 Beck, and Bud and Dotty Weg- been a community group officer years ago. meyer, each new generation of in their Wolfcreek Community Other contributions to agricul- Farm Bureau families must Action Group, where the couple ture in the county included start- define a contemporary Farm belongs. ing a berry growers cooperative. Bureau where belonging makes a But the family recalls with Herman and Ester were also difference. pride a list of Farm Bureau invol- eager to adopt "new ideas" and vement and achievements dating were among the first to use a back to the first home meetings rubber tire tractor in the county. of community groups in Alpena The Wegmeyers steeped their annd Alcona counties. children in Farm Bureau's tradi- ach issue of Rural Living magazine contains a special Rural Leader section. Rural Leader topics are those which are of interest to Farm Bureau families involved in production agriculture or or- ganization activities. If you are not currently receiving the monthly Rural Leader newsletter and are interested in having monthly updates on organization activities or events, please use the form below to request your subscription. Mail the completed form to Michigan Farm Bureau, Member Com- munications Department, P.O. Box 30960, Lansing, Michigan 48909. Your request subscription will be in effect until Dec. 31, 1989. Yes, I wish to receive the monthly Rural Leader newsletter. Please enter a request subscriptionfor me. • Name • Address • City State and Zip Code • Farm Bureau County of Membership • 1989 Membership Identification Number 20 RURAL LIVING, JANUARY 1989 President's Message Company Manager's 1989. 1\venty-nine county deal- ers will continue to offer tires (Conttnuedfrom page 6) (Conttnuedfrom page 8) and batteries. but an expanding network of county vendors will Michigan Farm Bureau focus on steel products in order tion self-help checklist to help farmers decide whether they Members also got updates on FB to provide top quality products have a properly constructed and action to deliver P.A 116 re- and service at the best price to . located drinking water well. We funds. and learned more about a FBmembers. have also cooperated with the In- special program to test the qual- To help effectively communi- stitute for Water Research at ity of their well water. And just cate the activities of our FB fami- Michigan State University in dis- for fun, visitors tried for the win- ly. major improvements were tributing well water testing kits ning ticket in the FB tractor made in the FB publications; to permit farmers to have their races. changes designed to continue water tested for nitrates. The Promotion and Education keeping county leaders fully in- The EPA is also doing a nation- program was also on a winning formed. while at the same time al pesticide survey to determine roll by involving hundreds of reaching out to our non-farm as- the frequency and concentration members in vibrant and exciting sociate members with important of pesticide contamination in activities. An Ag in the Class- information on events that im- drinking water. The survey is room conference helped people pact them. designed to improve an under- learn new and innovative ways of This year of accomplishment standing of how pesticide con- telling the farm story to school provides a bedrock of success tamination is associated with children. Mall displays brought that will help your organization patterns of agricultural pesticide agriculture into urban areas and meet the challenges and oppor- usage and the vulnerability of the state fair display gave con- tunities of the year to come. groundwater to pollution. sumers in Michigan's biggest Agriculture has a strong metropolitan area a real hands- vested interest in solving ground- on exposure to agricultural water contamination problems. products. MACMA Farmers want to be good neigh- FB involvement got back to its (Continued from page 8) bors, and they want to have a grassroots with the revitalization clean environment to work in of the Community Action Group and raise their families. program. Nearly 90 new groups The Michigan Asparagus In my remarks, I have out- have been formed across the Growers Division negotiated a lined what I see as some of the state, bringing together FB folks, base price of 57 cents per pound challenging issues facing our in- of all ages, for discussion and ac- with payment terms of cash on a dustry. But in addition, ahead of tion on the issues that affect simplified grade standard under us are a number of opportun- their way of life. the provisions ofPA 344. In ities. such things as the poten- The health and vigor of the 1988. processors bought slightly tial of genetic engineering, the county FBs was vividly demon- more asparagus than last year. promise of biotechnology for strated by the number of new The division membership con- providing alternative markets for and remodeled county offices tinues to increase and now repre- farm commodities, and the op- across the state. These improved sents over 85 percent of the portunities contained in trade facilities reinforce the value of a asparagus sold for processing. reform and expanding agricul- county office as the centerpiece Efforts continue to expand fresh tural markets. of FB activities. market sales and to provide new I recognize that, by bringing The economic benefits of a FB hybrid seed to growers to im- this up to all of you, I am in a membership were enhanced with prove Yields. The division admin- sense "preaching to the choir." the launching of two new pro- isters and manages the Michigan But I think this message of get- grams: car leasing. designed to Asparagus Industry Develop- ting involved in your organiza- provide members an alternative ment program which conducts tion is a message that we need to to expensive car financing arran- promotion, advertising and re- emphasize more than ever be- gements. and the Feld drug search activities. fore. Through your participation program. providing members low The Michigan Plum Growers in FB, you will find that belong- cost mail order prescription Division recommended an 8 cent ing really does make a difference. medicines. per pound base price for the In addition. a new direction 1988 crop with the consideration was chosen for the Group Pur- of a substantial USDA purchase chasing Safemark program in of canned plums. The Michigan 1988. In an effort to better serve Plum Industry Development the needs of members. the pro- Program is provided services by gram was restructured to allow division management. the successful roller chain. til- The Kraut Cabbage Growers lage and cutting replacement Division negotiated a small in- parts sales program to playa big- crease in price with Vlasic Foods ger and more important role in under the provisions ofP.A 344. JANUARY 1989. RURAL LIVING 21 The Michigan Potato Growers tion in boat registrations (over that FB Lifehas earned this su- Division was inactive during the 800,000), and we believe our im- perior rating. year as the Ore-Ida Foods plant proved boat policy will help us More good news: FB Life has a at Greenville did not operate. gain a much larger share of this better solvency rating than the The Feeder Pig Division, which growing market. The new pro- nation's 25 largest life insurance is the largest marketer of feeder gram will be available in the companies, according to a 1988 pigs in the state, sold 97,600 spring of 1989. report issued by the Standard pigs having a sales value of $5.2 Our auto insurance sales con- Analytical Service. The average of million. The average base price tinued at a strong pace in 1988, the top companies is $103 of as- per pig was $47.50 (on a 40 partly as the result of rate reduc- sets for every $100 of liability, pound base). For the current fis- tions and discount programs while our margin is $124 for cal year the division experienced begun in 1987. We now offer a every $100. We also had better a decline in prices and volume in safe driver discount, seat belt ratings in other areas of financial pigs marketed primarily related wearer's discount, reduced rates stability, including surplus to the impact of the drought. for drivers age 45 and up, senior funds and net gain. (Abrochure Most of the pigs marketed move citizen discount and multi-car containing highlights of the re- through our five assembly points discount. port is available from your local with 32 percent of the pigs To help cut down the number agency manager.) moved direct from our members' of car-deer accidents (our in- Finally, we're pleased to report farms to buyers' farms. sureds are involved in about that our field computer network The Michigan Certified Farm 2,500 wildlife collisions each is greatly improving membership Markets Division serves mem- year), we offered deer alert and insurance services through- bers who operate retail farm devices to member-insureds in out the state. As of November, markets. Member services are 1988. Thousands of members more than 120 sites (county and designed to assist in enhancing purchased the car-mounted agent offices)had been installed the profitability of markets, and warning device, which we into the network, with additional include the publication and dis- provided at a reduced cost to any installations continuing as tribu tion of member market pro- FB member insured with us. scheduled. motional brochures, a market Speaking of auto insurance, This is all part of a promise tour and seminar, and the an- our new and renewal auto pre- that our company made 40 years nual meeting and trade show. mium through the first 10 ago: To always provide the best The Direct Marketing Division months of 1988 was nearly $69 possible service to MFB mem- provides high quality food prod- million. Overall, total premium bers. We're working every day to ucts to FB members through from all lines in our two property- make your future a little more county FBs in Michigan and 17 casualty companies (FB Mutual predictable. other states. The division has a and FB General) was $118 mil- dual objective of expanding the lion at the end of October, a Corporate Services, Inc. market for Michigan grown com- slight increase over the same modities and providing FB mem- period last year. (Continued from page 9) bers with high quality food prod- We also received word in 1988 provides employee services, ucts. Total division sales for the that FB Mutual is now the 35th employee counseling, compensa- fiscal year ending April 30, 1988, largest mutual insurance com- tion management and benefit ad- was over $1.4 million. pany in the nation, based on an- ministration. nual sales. That puts us in the top 12 percent of the nation's Information Processing property-casualty mutual in- Services surance companies. This department provides Farm Bureau Insurance Superior Rating centralized word and record (Continued from page 9) processing and offers decentral- Group, representing $3.5 million In our life insurance opera- ized connectivity to the latest of- returned to Safety Group policy- tion' new and renewal premium fice automation system. The holders. topped $46.2 million as of Oct. department also offers access to Because our first priority is 31. Although this is a slight drop a modem desk-top publishing protecting MFB members, we from last year's pace, our Single system. made a special effort last year to Premium Deferred Annuity sales help farmers protect themselves are stronger than ever. Sales of Mailing/Billing and against pollution liability. A new this popular product are 41 per- Messenger Services policy, available through any FB cent ahead of last year. Also last year, FB Life earned Through this department an Insurance agent, provides the estimated 5 million pieces of pollution coverage that Michigan the highest rating (A-plus supe- rior) from the AM. Best Com- mail pass annually. They are farmers need. responsible for incoming, outgo- Also in 1988, we developed a pany, a private group that monitors the insurance industry. ing and local mail and mes- program to expand our share of senger service for the FB Center. the boat insurance market in This is the 12th year in a row Billing processing is also Michigan. Our state leads the na- 22 RURAL UVlNG, JANUARY 1989 provided primarily to FB In- Farmers Petroleum debt decreased by $396 surance. Cooperative, Inc. thousand. Total assets were down by $76 thousand as a Warehouse Services (Continuedfrom page 9) result of depreciation in excess CSI manages a 33,000 square in each individual distribution of capital expenditures. Crude foot warehouse facility for the facility and a Farm Bureau oil reserves were appraised by a purpose of storing forms, sup- "member-only" promotional . consulting engineering firm at 1.1 plies and records. In addition, program. million equivalent barrels as of UPS pickup and delivery service Growth in the Retail Division September 1,1988. is provided through warehouse has been achieved from either ex- Farmers Petroleum's services. pansion of the tankwagon warehouse and distribution ser- delivery business in an existing vices to Farm Markets Coopera- Purchasing Services location or from increased sales tive and Michigan Farm This department negotiates of fuel or TBA's and specialty Bureau's Group Purchasing was and purchases office supplies, products at the station. Acquisi- discontinued during the year. equipment, furniture and special- tion of existing fuel delivery New products and services ty items. The meeting and travel businesses has been limited by were introduced by Universal planning services will plan an es- . the availability of businesses for Cooperatives, Inc., our inter- timated 825 meetings in the sale in appropriate locations. regional cooperative, which year. Other services include Due to the excellent location of benefited the customers of both forms design and company fleet the Emmett Service Center, at our Wholesale and Retail vehicle program administration. the intersection of 169 and M 19, Divisions. we have come to recognize a During the last year the board Accounting Payroll and maj or potential for increased of directors has been engaged in Management Assistance sales and profitability by modern- a study of long range strategic Program Services izing and expanding this facility. direction for the cooperative and Our plans include the installa- its subsidiary, FCPC. It has been This department provides pay- tion of new pump islands, ad- assisted in this study by an out- roll services for all of the com- side management consultant, panies and is also responsible ding a canopy, erecting a taller and more visible sign, brand the chief financial officer and his for CSI accounting and financial identification, and a convenience staff, our representative from the management. Through a Manage- store expansion with improved St. Paul Bank for Cooperatives ment Assistance Program (MAP) and company management. The accounting and auditing services in-store merchandising of our regular line of farm supply toughest problems being ad- are provided to local farm supply products. It is expected to dressed are those of losses in- and petroleum cooperatives provide our cooperative with a curred in the crude oil operation throughout Michigan. pilot operation, the results of as a result of low oil prices and Facility and Building which will help guide us in the the need to replace reserves and modernization and future increase production. Another Services serious concern stems from the development of the other service This department is respon- centers in the Retail Division. relationship of our small size sible for FB Center maintenance, A third accomplishment of our and the relatively high overhead telecommunication/ switchboard longer range strategic planning cost that remains from the liqui- functions, and for coordinating was the establishment of a new dation of Agra Land with whom the safety and security of employ- class of non-voting membership we had previously shared ser- ees at the Center. .stock. The proposal to create vices. The study is continuing at this new "C" stock was affirmed the present time, but it is ex- Printing Services by 97.60/0 of the members using pected that far reaching This department provides the a "mail-in" ballot this past June. decisions on future strategic printing and copying needs at This change will permit ex- direction for the cooperative will the FB Center. Over 11 million panded sale of products to con- soon be forthcoming. impressions are made each year. sumers who do not meet the This past year has been one of Many FB county offices also take voting stock requirement to be both major success and great dif- advantage of the services offered active agricultural producers, ficulty. An area of success is the by this department. while continuing to exceed the growing mutually beneficial CSI is proud of the contribu- minimum limit of 500/0 member \ relationship which is being tion it makes to Michigan agricul- business needed to maintain developed within the Michigan ture by providing quality, cost cooperative status. Farm Bureau Family of Com- effective administrative support The financial condition of the panies. services to the FB family of com- cooperative and subsidiary fell (Note: A copy of the FPC an- panies. CSI is committed to as- slightly during 1988 as a result nual report is available upon re- sisting its customers in achiev- of the ~et loss for the year. The quest) ing their objectives and better equity to asset ratio was down to seIVing the Michigan farmer. 34.7% compared to 36.1 Ok the year before. However, long term JANUARY 1989, RURAL UVINO 23 What does $10,000* buy today? Your new 1989 Ford F-150 pickup truck with a great options package. With Say-on Cars and the Michigan Farm Bureau, $10,000 can buy a 1989 full-size Ford F-150 pickup; not just a stripped model, but one with a long list of optional equipment: P235n5R15 all-season tires • Handling package Chrome step bumper • Headliner and insulation package Convenience group • Low mount swingaway mirrors - interval windshield wipers • AMIFM stereo radio with clock - map pocket • Tachometer - visor vanity mirror • Styled steel wheels Auxiliary fuel tank • Sliding rear window Chrome grille Other cars and trucks can be ordered at similar 'savings. Plus taxes and license fees. Prices based on factory order and Detroit area delivery. Say-On Cars With Your Farm Bureau Please send me a price and options printout for each model listed below. Name (INlPORT ANT) Make Model Style Address 1st City State & Zip car Payment: 0 Check 0 Mastercard or Visa 2nd car Card # Exp. Date 3rd Farm Bureau car Membership # _ MAIL TO: Say-On Cars, 27780 Novi Rd., Suite #245, PRICES: $11 for 1 car Novi, MI 48050 $20 for 2 cars $27 for 3 cars +------------------------------------ Volume 8 Number 1 January 1989 -= program. These members have Key Club And signed five or more memberships Membership during the campaign year. Ten FB Insurance agents were MICHIGAN Achievers Honored also recognized for their member- ship achievements: Dean FARM BIJREIIIJ Campbell, Keith Auten, Jeffrey Awards for achievement in Neumann, Marvin Schwab, Bill MFB's five membership cate- Copi, Jim Ziems, Elizabeth Light- gories were presented by MFB hall, John Queen, Mike Hausler, FB Cooperatives President Jack Laurie during the Adrian Gauthier, and Patrick 1988 membership campaign Boulton. HoldAnnual kick-off banquet, Nov. 29. Elections There were 14 winners in the 1987 -88 Fabulous Fifteen com- ------~----- petition. In category I (for 1-500 Members and stockholders of members), winners were Iron the Michigan Agricultural Range, Menominee, and Kalkas- AgriPac Welcomes Cooperative Marketing Associa- ka. Winners in category II (for County Delegates tion (MACMA),and Farmers 501-1,000) members were Petroleum Cooperative, Inc. Antrim, Mecosta, and Emmet. (FPC), held elections for their Ionia, Cheboygan and Cass were The annual AgriPac breakfast respective 1989 boards of direc- award winners in category III (for hosted more than 600 people tors at the organizations' annual 1,001-1,500 members). In Nov. 30, where annual meeting meetings, Nov. 29 in Grand category IV (for 1,501-2,250 delegates saw a big screen video- Rapids. members) winners were Eaton, tape presentation on AgriPac's MACMAdelegates met in fruit, Lapeer, and Berrien. Category V activities and influence. Among vegetable and livestock caucuses winners (for 2,251 and over), the Michigan political notables to nominate five representatives were Lenawee and Ottawa. featured in the video were Gov. to the board of directors. Fruit The award is presented to the James Blanchard, Sen. Don growers selected George Stover, first three counties in each cate- Riegle and U.S. Rep. Bill Herbert Umlor, and P.C. Mor- gory to achieve membership goal. Schuette. rison; vegetable growers chose Golden Tractor Award winners The delegates also welcomed one representative, Richard were Iron Range and Menominee former Agriculture Secretary Earl Walsworth; and livestock in category I; Hiawathaland and Butz, who shared his insights growers nominated Lany Snider. Antrim in category II; Ionia and and opinions on the politics of The nominations were unani- Cheboygan in category III; Eaton agriculture. mouslyapproved. and Calhoun in category IV; and Butz congratulated MFB for MFB representatives elected to Kent in category V. The Golden its political action efforts, but the MACMAboard were Jack Tractor is awarded to counties also urged the FB membership Laurie, Marlin Outman, David who achieve the highest increase to "go further than supporting Conklin, and Margaret Kartes. in regular farmer members. candidates during the election. FPC stockholders re-elected The 1987-88 Top Defender Support him when he's in (of- board members William Brewer Award was presented to Ionia fice). This is the difficult job. It's and Victor Weiss. County for success in member- difficult for the officeholder to ship renewal. stand up for what he believes to The names of over 600 mem- be right and what you believe to ------~------ bers in the Director's Key Club were published in the banquet be right with all the pressure. ~--------------------- r--------------------------- DNR Director David Hales and Study Committee Report Charts Treasury Department Director Robert Bowman accepted the Futurefor MFB special commendations. Staff members of the DNR's special land programs section and the Delegates to the MFB annual meeting carefully reviewed the Treasury's farmland preservation report of the 16- member MFB State Study Committee before unit were given special recogni- giving their approval. The report addressed programs and services tion by Laurie for their service to to members, organization structure and financing. PA 116. Only a proposal to change the make up of the MFB board by removing the Promotion and Education Committee representative was defeated. Delegates modified wording in the Michigan Agricul- ------~------ tural Cooperative Marketing Association (MACMA)recommenda- Board Elections Held tion to read, 'The Michigan Farm Bureau membership requirement for MACMAmembers be encouraged." As a result of delegate action, MFB now has a 17-member board Delegates in MFB even-num- of directors with the president serving in a special at-large posi- bered districts met in caucus tion. Other delegate action called for increased emphasis on legis- Dec. 1, to elect their repre- lative activities, community activities/local affairs, health care sentative to the MFB Board of programs, video services and increased services to county FBs. Directors. Results of the Delegates gave approval to a variety of recommendations caucuses are: designed to maintain a strong financial base for their organization • District 2 Blaine VanSickle without a dues increase. They called for MFB and the affiliated • District 4 Tom Guthrie companies to develop innovative programs and services that will • District 6 Wayne Wood generate the revenue needed to fund future organizational growth. • District 8 Lyle LeCronier State Study Committee Chairperson Polly Diehl expressed satis- • District 10 Margaret Kartes faction that the delegates gave careful consideration to the report. A new at-large director's posi- "Even though there was a lot of discussion, it was necessary to tion, as outlined in the State gain understanding of this plan for the organization. I feel confi- Study Committee report, was dent in the plan because we have such capable people in Farm filled by MFB President Jack Bureau who can really put these recommendations into motion," Laurie, which left his District 6 she said. position open, and Wood sub- Delegates to the 1987 MFB annual meeting called for the blue sequently won the election to ribbon study committee to take a critical look at FB and make that position. recommendations that would position the organization to serve In the elections for at-large members' needs in the future. director, Faye Adam, Sanilac Each Farm Bureau division and all the affiliate companies had County, and Dave Conklin were the opportunity to make presentations. Three other state Farm elected. Bureaus (Texas, Iowa and Tennessee) came to Michigan and dis- Nomination of the MFB Presi- cussed their programs, activities and structure with the commit- dent and election of two direc- tee. In addition, the committee reviewed information provided by tors-at-Iarge also took place county presidents and board members obtained through a special during the Dec. 2 session. Dele- questionnaire. gates nominated Jack Laurie, "Our main goal is to maintain a financially sound organization," Tuscola County, to serve a third said Diehl, "One which is dynamic, attractive to members and term as MFB President. The recognized as a leader for the industry." nomination was accepted by the Diehl told delegates that the recommendations would take vary- board of directors who elected ing lengths of time to accomplish. Some would wait for implemen- Laurie as president in the board tation until funds become available. Others would be phased in as reorganization meeting that eve- organization structure and expertise develops to support them. ning. Final action on the report requests that the MFB Board of Direc- The board selected Wayne tors incorporate the recommendations of the report into their five- Wood, Sanilac County, as vice- year planning process. MFB board members will meet in late president and Dave Conklin, March 1989 to establish a long range plan through 1995. Shiawassee County, as third member of the executive commit- tee. This is also q. third term for MFB Honors PA. 116 mendation from the Michigan Wood and Conklin in those posi- Farm Bureau at the MFB annual tions. Administrators banquet, Dec. 1. About 1,000 Delegates also approved the people attended the banquet elected chairpersons for the where directors of the two state Promotion and Education Com- The Michigan Department of agencies accepted honors for out- Natural Resources and the mittee, Janis Sanford, and standing administration of PA. Young Farmer Committee, Pat Michigan Department of 116, Michigan's Farmland and Treasury received a special com- Albright. ~.------------------------ Open Space Preservation Act. ------~----- .--------------------------. Cornerstone Contribu- now gaining confidence and are MSU on his farm trying to grow a tions Increase ready to look ahead," said Vic superior line of Douglas Fir. Verchereau, manager MFB "My reputation is on the line Young Farmer Department. ''It is when I sell tree seeds," said Bob. time to set our sights on tomor- "So I look for the best and some- During the 1988 annual meet- row." times I have to go to the rocky ing, several FB members made To achieve that purpose, mountainS to find the seed I contributions to the Elton R workshops have been arranged want, especially for blue spruce Smith Endowed Chair Corner- to cover farm partnerships, or Douglas Fir." stone Club. Cornerstone Club marketing, stress management, The tree farm is open for stu- members are those people who 1989 taxes, managing your dent tours at all grade levels. Col- make an individual contribution credit, building leadership, and lege students from nearby of $1,000 or more to the en- understanding Farm Bureau. Mich-igan Technological Univer- dowed chair fund. Participants can choose their sity to preschool youngsters visit In addition, a $5,000 contribu- own schedule, so they can par- frequently to see first hand what tion on behalf of the Monroe ticipate in the workshops which it takes to grow a small seedling County FB membership was most interest them. into a mature tree. Bob is also oc- presented to MFB Director Diane "Participants will meet other casionally asked to instruct cour- Homing at the Thursday morn- young farmers from around the ses in Christmas tree production. ing District III breakfast. state who produce everything In addition to his respon- MFB district directors estab- from blueberries to sugar beets. sibilities to the farm and the lished the Cornerstone Club in They come from all comers of MFB board of directors, Bob is a June of 1988 to recognize out- the state -- from Escanaba to member of the state FB Forestry standing contributors to the en- Centreville," said Vic. "It is an ex- Committee, the Michigan Forest dowed chair fund. Other contri- cellent chance for young farmers Association. the Michigan & Na- bution opportunities include the to learn from the speakers and tional Christmas Tree associa- MFB 1\venty-1\vo Club with a from each other!" tions. and the Michigan pledge of $22 per year for five For more information contact Association of Nurserymen. years to the endowed chair fund. your county FB secretary, Young Bob now has the chance to Contributions will be used to Farmer Committee chairperson, win the nine-state north central establish an endowed chair for orVic Verchereau, phone 1-517- regional award and possibly go food and agricultural policy in 323-7000, extension 3235. on to be named as the national the College of Agricultural outstanding tree farmer. Each Economics at Michigan State year every state picks an out- University. A funding goal of $1.5 million has been set. Con- --------4~_---- standing winner. One tree farmer is picked to promote tree farming tributions in any amount are tax nationally because of his out- deductible. standing achievement. Contact members of the MFB Board of Directors for more infor- FB Leader Selected There are over 2,000 active tree farmers in Michigan. and mation about the endowment Outstanding Tree over 50,000 in the United States. fund. Farmer In Michigan. about 3 million acres are enrolled in the Tree Farm program. which promotes Bob Wahmhoff, District 11 rep- -----~~---- resentative on the Michigan good forestry and recognizes out- standing tree farmers. The Farm Bureau board of directors, program is funded by the was selected as Michigan's Out- American Forest Council and standing Tree Farmer for 1988. numerous forest product com- Young Farmers "That's fantastic," said panies. WahmhofI when notified by State Will Get Back to Tree Farm Chairman Jim Dunn that he had been selected from theFuture 2,000 entries to hold the title. --------4~_---- The 260-acre Wahmhoff tree The Michigan Farm Bureau farm is located in Baraga Coun- Young Farmer Leaders' Con- ty. It is managed by Bob. wife Maureen, and their three ference will take its participants children. The farm consists of a Workshop for Farm back to the future March 2-4 at the Valley Plaza Inn, Midland. 140-acre Christmas tree planta- Marketers Scheduled "The young farmers of our tion. yielding over 10,000 trees a state have faced many challen- ges over the past few years. year and a seedling nursery. Bob also breeds. selects and markets Farm marketers and ag tour- his own genetically superior ism operators interested in devel- Some farmers were forced out of oping a marketing plan for their business. Those who remain are Christmas tree seeds. He is also doing experimental work with enterprise should plan to attend • I a workshop covering that subject Jan. 9-10 in Lansing. r------------------ :YOUR MOrtEY BACK IF YOU ARErt'T : ------------ I Sponsored by the Cooperative Extension Service, the workshop "Developing a Marketing Plan -- SATISFIED WITH THESE HYACI"THS : New Strategies for Growth," was THAT BLOOM I" A TEACUP OF ~ develped after consulting with WATER! current farm market owner/ op- erators. The two-day workshop will address many of the needs 2 FOR S 100 Imagine! Fragrant. Pastel Blooms, Doesn't Even Need Sunlight! Your whole family will have a world of fun w~tching these II I I they identified and will enable giant indoor.blooming Hyacinth Bulbs g!OW Into gorgeous farm marketers to compete more (4 for $1.75) flowers right belore your eyes. Need no SOIl. Just plac~ b.ulbs I in a teacup and add water. Grows last. Soon the ~up IS filled effectivelywith supermarkets (6 for $2.50) with gracelul waving roots and the bulbs bursts mto a velve. I ty pastel colored bloom. Very attractive. Especially fragrant. I and other competitors. Easy to grow. Make ideal gifts. I The workshop is structured to I Teacups Not Included. I be a hands-on learning ex- I -----G-UA-R-AN-TE-E------, I perience. Each participant will I If not 100% satisfied, just RETURN THE SHIPPING I leave with a written marketing I LABEl ONLY, within one year 01 receipt ~or free I plan framework for his/her replacement or purchase price refund, your ch01ce. THE I WARRANTY IS VOIO unless the Shipping Label is I enterprise. I ~~ I For more information call Ada I po,. __ I Shinabarger at 1-517-355-0117. r----------- .. ~ '_I:> I Enrollment is limited and will be I HOUSE OF WESLEY. i KJ • I Greenhouse Div. ~ '{J .()- I accepted on a first -come basis. I Dept. 4452-52 '.'td .,,' I I 1704 Morissey Drive I I Bloomington, Illinois 61704 I FREE GIFT Send Me Hyacinth Bulbs. Cal No. B1452. I I I ------~'-------- I 5 Flowering Shamrock Bulbs (01' alis Sp.) the plants grow only 6" tall, llith kelly green shamrock Postage & Handling SOt Illinois Residents add 61h% Sales Tax. I leaves & llhite f1011ers. Ready.to- ~ I I grOll bulbs that llill f1o11er in 6 ~ Name --------- I lleeks alter you plant them. I I Address _ I r I MACMA Announces I House of Wesley, Greenhouse Div. Bloomington, Illinois 61704 ~. Clty .Slate Ip • Sale Dates For 1989 ----------------------------- Escanaba, Gaylord, Jackson, The 25-member commission County boards and Direct Grand Rapids, and in the Thumb will consist of 20 representatives Marketing committees have been region. from the agriculture and crop in- busy establishing their sale . Participants have received surance industries, the FCIC schedules for 1989. Sale dates exact location and reservation in- manager, and the chairman and are: formation. Representatives from ranking minority members of the • Mid-Winter Sale, order several out-state products will House and Senate Agriculture deadline Feb. 8, delivery also be present. Committees. The commission will evaluate the current crop in- Mar 13-23 • Spring Sale, order deadline ------~------ surance program and make sug- May 3, delivery May 22-26 gestions on how to improve the • Frozen Food Express, order Laurie Appointed to system to make it more respon- deadline Aug. 23, delivery Federal Crop In- sive to the agriculture com- Sept. 11-22 munity. 'This commission is very • Holiday Sale, order dead- surance Commission different from most because it line Nov. 15, delivery Dec. consists of farmers and crop in- 4-15 surance agents who have a vital MChigan Congressman Bill interest in the success of the Honey tangerines and Valen- Schuette announced the appoint- cia oranges willjoin cherry-nut, crop insurance program," he ment of Michigan Farm Bureau said. plum, and apple sausages, and President Jack Laurie to the farm-raised trout as special offer- liAs Michigan's only repre- Federal Crop Insurance Commis- sentation on the House Agricul- ings on the mid-winter sale. Also sion (FCIC)by Secretary of available to help beat winter ture Committee, I remain Agriculture, Richard E. Lyng. committed to continuing my ef- blahs will be citrus, soups, nuts, Sch uette was an original co- cheeses, fruits & vegetables, forts during the 101st Congress sponsor of the Federal Crop In- to improve the current crop in- juices and meats. surance Commission Act of 1988 MACMADirect Marketing coor- surance program to make it a which authorizes the establish- more viable and cost-effective dinators and county secretaries ment of the 25-member Crop In- will gather to share ideas and risk management tool for the surance Commission and was Michigan farmer and his family," receive information at regional signed into law by President meetings the week of Jan. 23 in said Schuette. Reagan on Oct. 28. +------------------------ ------------------------------. Discussion Topicfor • Contact your local Soil Con- 3) Do you feel your local SCS servation Service (SCS) of- office has adequate resources to January - Conserva- fice to see if the conserva- help you develop a conservation tion Compliance tion compliance provisions plan? apply to you. 4) How many people in your • Develop and apply, in group have contacted the SCS to The U.S. Department of Agricul- cooperation with SCS and develop a conservation plan? ture estimates more than a your local conservation dis- 5) How many members in your quarter of the nation's cropland trict. a conservation plan group have filed completed plans acres is highly erodible. Of those for your highly erodible with the county SCS office? acres, more than seven out of 10 fields. You may be already currently have annual erosion following an acceptable rates greater than the natural rate of soil replacement. plan and merely need to have it certified by the SCS. ------~------ The conservation compliance • Plant permanent cover on provision of the Food Security fields where annually tilled October Topic Responses Act of 1985 discourages the crops cannot be grown State Study Commit- production of crops on highly without excessive erosion. erodible cropland where the land If you choose this option, tee Recommendations is not carefully protected from you may want to consider erosion. If you produce crops on entering the Conservation such fields without an approved Reserve Program and plant- When group members were conservation system, you may ing permanent grasses, asked why it is important that or- lose your eligibility for these legumes, trees or wildlife ganizations like Farm Bureau USDA program benefits: cover. use a self-renewing, self-ex- • Price and income supports. • Farm highly erodible fields amination process like the State • Crop insurance. without using a locally ap- Study procedure their responses • Farmers Home Administra- proved conservation plan. were: tion loans. But, you will lose your --To keep up to date with cur- • Commodity Credit Corpora- eligibility for USDA farm rent issues. tion storage payments. program benefits. --To work together to achieve • Farm storage facility loans. It's crucial that farmers con- our goals. • Conservation Reserve tact their local SCS office as --Controls the direction of com- Program annual payments. soon as possible. "If the farmers pany activities and helps estab- • Other programs under come in, we can handle this job lish further guidelines. which commodity-related of developing conservation --To maintain a well balanced payments are made. plans," says Homer Hilner, state program. For cropland to be considered conservationist for the Soil Con- --To continue to deserve the highly erodible, potential erosion servation Service. "But if every- confidence of members who look must be more than eight times one waits until the last few to their state organization for the rate at which soil can main- months, we'll have a problem." guidance. tain continued productivity. For Hilner says that conservation --It keeps us better informed. a field to be considered highly plans were developed for --It involves as many people as erodible, one-third or more of it 360,000 acres of highly erodible possible in developing the FB must be highly erodible, or the cropland involving about 7,200 structure. highly erodible area must be 50 Michigan farms. That represents --More-€conomical than hiring acres or more. about two-thirds of the amount an outside study. It's important to note that you of land that is believed to need --With 90,000-100,000 mem- have only until Jan. 1, 1990, to conservation plans. bers we have many qualified develop and begin actively apply- Nationwide, as of Oct. I, plans agricultural experts within our ing a conservation plan on highly were developed for 75 million organization to evaluate FB erodible cropland. acres of land, about half of the policy. However, you have until Jan. acreage that needs plans. --A different study committee I, 1995, to have that conserva- may come up with different tion plan fully operational. If soil angles on same policies. Discussion Questions: --To keep programs in the maps of your farm are not avail- able, you will have until two hands of active farmers. years after mapping to develop 1) Do members of your group --To keep it a grassroots sys- and begin actively applying a lo- have cropland on their farms tem. cally approved conservation plan. which is considered to be highly --If it is our organization, we Here are options for you to erodible? should have a voice in its consider if you are farming high- 2) Are accurate, up-to-date development. 1yerodible cropland, or if you soil maps available for your coun- --It helps people understand aren't sure if your land is highly ty? the policies better. erodible: --To make improvements to better our organization . Dairy Cortferfln Set Farm e'mployt rs pre.-utJ) trut' bul by pblt.'1n8 lh1:1 In th~ ConsUl uUOtl. tt would \\orkshops Plannt d prohtbtt !iU) (;hlU~t' A ~\ 1& Mtdu,gW1 f ann nu~ proposdJ Willi pll~ by Bur'r'4U Da.1I) C n1eR'f~ h~1d al U e HUlon hut uu ~~ v.1.11 bl" C J rC'~t~J bcndllla 0l:1111oal t:ltU bt- gwnC'd lanu~ bUlrl chw~ulIt th~ St-ru.lt~ and Uou~. S("\ t"nll ('hat1g~ ~~ \\'t.'"nt to Ult' . f t'b 1-1 PrugnfJu l 11k: ~ v.'1ll mad~ u1dud1J'~ th~ posslblllt)' of pl"'OIiUIU:le 1 pra«.1k.'nl tban 1fom C'C7tTl {('(!f>nU nulk n rkrtu~ or \ otl"d 1n«.'~&lst":. to 30 m.tlhIll1\e-r dlltJl.gU~ au\ othr-J nuuwgnnC'ut d~ra BST Mtdu,gan a d in U1 1900 &U'ld furth~f l&aX rdld {or pntc.:Ul.'C'a Ul the lJuslrlt'~. an'Ord d uatf') as C'Olll pan'd tot he low lnl"Utnt' ~ntonl IUld ~nt ~ u\g to AI Shapir-\. l&g llabor ~r-n MktVtT5l chC"rac." u1duSlf\ I d U the.- Vropt)S&l1 hetd plt~ .• Iiluu It pc:1.: lal1s1 (~"n track llipt"Clltl dt'CUon wuuld hetV"(' bt'-m ShaJ,lk-\ 1~ 1."Oou1UuttUlg a C05C ot the ( ulr-f't'f l't" l!t .15 h~ld 1n ~llr-l)! Muy Thb propoS&ll !lK"f1r-~ ul v. f WlOpa for fann ContAct Kr\.tn Kuk. MtlJ (,'001 'A'Ould tu.~t' nUld~ the' n~~ t'luplU\ co. .. or mOrT lnfonnatlon chang('~ 1n the' Constltutwu to modtl) ~pc='\:1Alat l 1 5 17 323 conl l t Sh aplC'~ at 1 t) 17 =.i~ 7000 e.x.terUiJOn 202 ... to rt'glStr-f l: h lf~e- the' fin UlC lr'fl "3~ OthC'r tllilliU~ for 2llChooi ~ 1oml. lr)Cludtng the' _ houl &lid fonnuili. wlll ~quln' ~nl1 billa &. hool nruan«.~ b prob Ibly tht" Governor 5 Q)rtfen net alost e-ornpkx llnd ror1lrovt'"nWaJ Setfor Feb. 6 7 Legislative Update Il"Jtbll1th't' blliUe" nlW ~ If 1lIC"J fortlli wllllliCl'\ t" lllll II bC'guUllIlg {or thr nr-.x.t I ~9 lC"gtlWit tVt' ... stott Watch )'Ourrua1lbo1n dunn~ lh~ flBt v.C"t"k of Janu af\ tor It V. .a~ .Ul lnc f't'd1blC' C'nd of the' Smtih, R AddlNOrl. d tl) h'13 S 222 (&n Nick rTglStnallon lnlonnallun on 111l" 19~ lr~l,lall\'(" M'~lon wllh 1titi bllb p.l~~ U1 thl" hu~t twu d 1~8 p llliNt'd bolh hou~8J &tnd would t unh GU\Tnl r ~ l onkrC'rK't". rxr-mpt JX)rtlblt'" gram bitul from f e'b 6 7 I lhl" (1 nou Holl"1. Thr BouM' htr-r aUy IlitopJX"d the- clOl.k Ie r .& pt'rlod ot tlme' Ind the> rwll("" t,lX Portlble" Itntln bln S. Lan.ln~ Thb \ l"ar ~ cunll"rC'n(."(' ddlnc-d I'" 1 e.truct u~ that 1aI lhmlC' l~ 1l1e' ~C"'A Mk"hl£ n S<-n.tle h.ad .Ut .111 nlRht M's.'lon adjounur,.: .at 1 .& m I lJ~d "8 1..... t l) be' w ..c-d t u lih t'"It ('r StoaJ Uu tln\ P'r(xhu b trUln thl" R,f .1U1and thut 11'1 dt'"~lItnt'"d to bt" Rr Ground l p db.l~~mbll'"d wtthc)ut ~lgnll1cant fonn " ••~ dN: 1.an'd d(".ad for thlh }-'e.tr .1f1["r the 1.1~l ~ub~llt utr d.lrru~r tC) nN c'ompone-nt par1 ... I llJrd tu ~.llrl thr nt'(("fllWiry two WhC'rl thr blLJ W.IN 'tntt lntro thtn!", \ [tf" In tht" HOlJlM' wnh due-rod ua I9H7. It :llM) C ont a~d ("x("mpUorl lor dralrl tllr but lhta Two Marketing Q)n ("'\'("I')'c nr bl.lmlrllil t"'Vrl')lonl" c:-lw w 1,. ~Jf'"Ct rod alll It bN'Omt'"JII part lor II'" 1.llh.Jft" ferences Set Thf" 1.I~t ot th(" d07.(.nl\ ot of th~ l.lnd Portable- R,raln blllA M hoe: 1 fln.ux t" propc~ll", {[ n Wl"fl' alw.'Yllt ("xt'"mpt whm thc-y M kh~ n f Inn Burt" lU In n. n JUCUon v.1t h thl" A,tr1\ oor t.lln("d Ge: v Uhul( h.ard",' plan pre pc ~d durtflllthr 1.1 t M"\Tntl Wrf'(' lht' llmaU I.()(XJ buaht"1 or !'t{') ",17..(" and oft ('"n W("rT put on d ••}~ 01 thr l.r.v.ALlturr HtA akJdlll ~ 222 rxte-nda tht" e-ump Markrttng d\ ry M'f'Te' IA lkm to hn~rr ,,17~a l1th~ mC"M aponaortJlg a gralrl nd 1hTM ex k PfDtlr.lm we uld havr amrnd~d lhr (C' n.l lllullon Ic, lncrT3lM' thr thr drJlnlUon 1n thl" law Joil JIIUP markrt u~ c ntM"l"flC"(' f l"b 2. at pc nr. thr hill aJr", l.ll( 1 ["'("nt wnh $fiIO mil the' LanAlng HI t n Inn T pk''' In H It ~)K:'9(H,('"p cluck gram and 1hT ock n'Ull lIon ~e lflg to prop-rty tax rT 11r' by c ulll~ fill( hool ..' c pM'alk n N~dt'"r.tadt. [) ~aR)naw. M a1) krta O\JtJook. ~du U naJ ~ hal\ pa"'llIf'"d both he ullIlI("aand &Iona on u!\lf'ijl r I'll n, nd gratn pre Pf"rty 1.IXC-!\ by 2r) pMT'("nt lor hrmc- Ir. d lndudlo,z t.lrm'\ and ~O~ tQ thr ~ovrrnor Thla blU quallh' l..! U~ mr ar~ pc t rn Ually mt1l1onJil of dol MFU nd MAC MA rt" (' "pon 10 Pf"ITrflt I[ r bu!\lJl(" ~I\ ~ hoC' 1 l;ur we uld bt" llmst("d to lan hl 'arme-fa havto,z P A 116 aor1n,[ a tnJIt nd \ ("~l"tabk' mar farm ~ rr~rvaUon n ntrac11ll 2M mJ J... kn lnl nf l"rt" nc-1" r f l"b Ui t Many fannrn wc-r(" dm~d th~ H v Inn f t Gr nd Thr fl""\; rn ur fn m 1 hr I r ("nl "aIr, t. Jt lnc rraPt(" ~ouJd makr lhrlr lull f mJ>f"rty tax rdtJnda Rapkb ndc-Bt r d rijl ~rcr.Tr thl" yrat d1.)r tQ lhr Tn-aaury naht. nd ~pc r l'lh t n Jockr up thr pn prrty lax k", tn thr kif d I rl t J1c I [)("partmrnt III "udde-n c-haJ1Rl" In PACA markrtlnll nd l 1ll In na If thr rut waft b("low 28 mlll" tntM"prrUOil Ihr Jaw lnc 1ud1na tmp1U\"Ulg prof " t I nn n T Ihr r1 Irk't C'ou1c1 'ir tr Inc IT ~ I"f"¥QC ablr trn"b. dc-f'"d", partnrr kr1. nd hM' lA" N\ V. }')(' d !\ h Jl nr h ~hrr th n?H ml 1 Th(" "hiP". lYJ)f' ~ r e rpc rat leln". ~ ( lUit'd prrvn' err lit Jt lc nal te I. I mil tatc- . f"tc ~nnr lannc-rl\ Wf'fr ~rat n Ir r bll1("d lor h;J( k pre pt"rty lax~ "nlfn ,,'1~ {' nf ~) m '~r rrrdr:'v J d hr rrr1 (,f"d.,c p 1 ~ lnlrrrllrt TIlt" bUt. prrJmOlr-d 323 7000 01(" A c t~ry rn.:rn r ",. 1J d ~o and "uPPQf'1c-d by rH. w111...oM ft"ltl.~ ("f many r f Ihe""" prr bl~ tnt tt (' ~ hr.r I AJd f nd J'h, 1., A Lifetime Retirement Income and Lower Taxes ... Just Two of the Benefits of Our IRA If you are not covered by a company you. The effect of compound interest can pension plan - and most farmers aren't - you produce amazing results in an IRA from FB especially need an Individual Retirement Annuity Company, so the sooner you start Account from FB Annuity Company. your IRA, the more money you will earn. You can deposit up to $2,000 each year It all adds up to a secure retirement for into our IRA and deduct the entire amount you, because our IRA guarantees you a from your taxable income. Not everybody lifetime retirement income. can do that under the new tax law, so this is Even if you are part of the group that may an opportunity you should make full use of. no longer tax-deduct IRA deposits, our IRA is Not only are your deposits tax-deductible, still your best way to save on taxes and but all your interest earnings are tax-deferred, guarantee a reti rement income you can't protected from taxes until you take your outlive. money out. Call your Farm Bureau Insurance agent You'll earn a high rate of interest on you r today to open your own IRA ... and look IRA deposits - interest that will compound .forward to years of tax savings, high interest, year after year into a huge retirement fund for and a lifetime retirement income. Making your future a little more predictable _= F~::IJ:~::IJ~ FARM BUREAU MUTUAL • FARM BUREAU LIFE • FARM BUREAU GEN£RAl • FB ANNUITY Michigan Farm Bureau ~on-Profit Org. Rural Living Magazine U.S. Postage P.O. Box .30960 PA 10 7.37.3 W. Saginaw Hwy. _.'and Rapids, MI Lansing, Michigan 48909 Permit No. 380