M D © D=flfl© A N*j^F&RflMfl INIIEW THE ACTION PUBLICATION OF THE MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU Vol. 42, No. 9 Pubfished Monthly by Michigan Farm Bureau September 1 , 1964 TERMINAL COMPLEX — AS IMPORTANT AS IT IS IMPRESSIVE. This Nearby, Farm Bureau Services' modern feed mill (left) edges into photo of the new Michigan Elevator Exchange division grain and full production. American Farm Bureau president Charles B. Shuman bean terminal clearly shows the Saginaw river channel which opens dedicates the new facilities Friday, September 4. The day's program a new "gateway to the world" for Michigan farmers. Grain now, is open to the interested farming public. See stories inside including and beans later, will fill the terminal's two-million bushel capacity. special 8-page regional section. (Airphoto by Paul Rivas) A. I.C. Meeting People or By D a n E . R e e d Courts? In 1952, in a hotly waged cam- "Tremendous Experience Legislative Counsel - paign, where the issue was well "A simply tremendous cooper- Economics at Michigan S t a t e discussed and debated, v o t e r s ative experience," — that was the University. C h a i r m a n of t h e What does the battle over apportionment now going on in clearly chose a balanced legisla- voiced opinion of at least one Youth section and general all- Washington mean to Michigan? ture over the straight population n a t i o n a l l y - k n o w n cooperative around host, was LA Cheney, Probably not the same t h a t it means to some other states; — plan proposed by Scholle and the leader who took part in the 36th Secretary-Manager of the Mich- Oklahoma, for instance, w h e r e the courts h a v e invalidated t h e CIO. annual meeting oj the American igan Association of Farmer Co- results of a regularly held election, or Illinois, which will elect And they did it on the basis of Institute of Cooperation, August One Voter — One Vote! operatives. "at-large" t h e 177 m e m b e r s of its H o u s e on a statewide ballot 9-12. action of the Apportionment Com- In the statewide balloting on Among Farm Bureau leaders this fall. Held on the campus of Mich- two constitutional amendments, from Michigan who appeared on And in Michigan's present sit- mission. voters clearly turned thumbs igan State University, East Lan- uation of gerrymandered district- When the Commission could down on the CIO plan, which re- sing, the sessions drew an esti- the program were: E. F. Steffen, ing, the action in Congress may not meet the unrealistic deadline, ceived only 924,242 favorable mated 2,500 to 3,000 persons, MFB Legal Counsel; Jack Mc- not mean as much as an expected the court reaj.;>rrtioned Michigan, votes. The balanced legislature among them nearly 1,000 young Kendry, Manager, Farmer's Pe- court test of the legality of the selecting a plan drawn by two plan drew 1,415,355 "Yes" votes. people from all parts of the na- troleum Cooperative; Stanley action taken by the Michigan of the four Democrats who w • ; e And each voter cast one vote! tion. Sherman, Michigan Elevator Ex- members of the Commission. Supreme Court! The Michigan court went be- Again, in April, 1963, Michigan The Institute has been de- change division and M. J. Bush- In majority decisions of June yond the U. S. court mandate voters again rejected Mr. Scholle's scribed as a "floating college" and len, Farm Bureau Services. 15, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled and ignored political boundaries advice, and adopted the new Con- is officially chartered as an Uni- Dozens of other Farm Bureau that both houses of a state's leg- to create its gerrymandered dis- stitution, setting up a legislature versity. It is sponsored by local officers and leaders took part in islature must be apportioned on tricts. with the Senate having some re- cooperatives, many from Mich- hosting the meeting and in acting the^ ^basis ^ ^ ^of^ ^population. ^^^^^^^^^^^ Joining with other organiza- cognition of area. igan, who are pledged to work on committees or in workshops. Following the fateful decisions tions, Farm Bureau will test the And again, each voter casting together to promote cooperative one vote, the people approved the As a concluding item of busi- of that day, the Michigan court Michigan court's action, programs and ideals. reached into thin air to take juris- The whole "One Man — One plan! ness the officers selected the Uni- diction over a matter not before Vote" campaign waged in Mich- Now the f e d e r a l a n d s t a t e Chairman of this year's con- versity of Missouri for the loca- it and ordered an unreasonable igan by Gus SchoUe, Michigan courts are saying—"We must pro- ference was Ceorge Dike, Exten- tion of next year's meeting, and action by requiring an impossible AFL-CIO President, is a "phony." tect the people from themselves!" sion Specialist in A g r i c u l t u r a l set the dates for August 8-11. TWO September 1, 1964 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS Editorial Presidents Column MORE Poverty- Market-Power Self-imposed In Charles Shuman, American farmers have a (Editor's note: Walter W. Wightman, president stout champion. of the Michigan Farm Bureau, was one of He is a successful farmer who understands four American Farm Bureau Federation board the farm business. members who represented the United States at He is a man tvho knows his own mind and a recent Latin American farm conference in as president of the American Farm Bureau Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. His ob- Federation, he is an outspoken defender of servations follow.) American agriculture. Friday, September 4, Michigan farmers will If anyone has reservations about what free- have an opportunity to hear Shuman speak at dom to operate private industry, plus a free the official "Open House" of the new Michigan agriculture, means to the economy of a country Elevator Exchange grain and bean tenninal on — all they need to convince themselves is to "ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA" — The United States of America, represented the Saginaw river near Zilwaukee. at a farm meeting in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, by board members spend a little time in one of the Latin American His appearance at the 1:00 p.m. dedication of the American Farm Bureau Federation. Second from left is Walter Wightman, countries. president of the Michigan Farm Bureau. (See President's Column.) program will attract farmers from all parts It seems almost impossible that a country of the state. like the Dominican Republican (only a short As president of the world's largest farm or- two-hour ride by jet from Miami) could be so ganization, Shuman will salute a multi-million different and so backward. dollar, farmer-owned enterprise, now providing Dedication Program Here is a country with almost an ideal Michigan farmers with a new gateway to mar- climate, with a temperature that seldom gets kets of the world. SEPTEMBER 4, 1964 — 1:00 P.M. much above 90 degrees or below 70 degrees, The new facility, with its approximate two- and with plenty of rainfall, at least certain million-bushel grain and bean holding capacity, Michigan Elevator Exchange Grain and Bean Terminal times a year, to grow good crops. its ship loading, rail and truck facilities, its and But the population is 47% illiterate and modern feed mill and proximity to Farm Bu- Farm Bureau Services Feed Plant subsists on a ^deficient diet, particularly in reau Services' fertilizer plant — is a good ex- protein. ample of the kind of cooperation among farm- 1. Presentation of Colors They have about one-half the meat per cap- ers that Shuman expounds. 2. Invocation — ita that we have in the United States. They Up to now, the market promise of the St. have the potential to produce much more but Alfred Roberts, Director of Farm Bureau Services, Lawrence Seaway rctnains largely unfilled. Inc. and Manager of C o o p e r a t i v e Elevator do not have the incentive to do so. Most of Through the terminal, M i c h i g a n ' s famed Company, Pigeon the beef cattle slaughtered would weigh be- beans will more easily reach the world, and tween five and six hundred pounds. The cattle direct shipments of Michigan grain to ports of 3. Dedicatory Remarks — are fed mostly on grass, although , they can the seven seas will make it more competitive. Elton Smith, President of Farm Bureau Services, raise corn well. Farmers will save freight charges in moving Inc. There are 15 sugar mills in the country; all their crops from the grain-rich Thumb and Maynard Brownlee, General Manager of Farm but two are owned by the government. None Saginaw-Valley region to local, national and Bureau Services, Inc. of the mills operate to capacity because the international markets. Local grains will be I . S. Sherman, Manager of Michigan Elevator workers refuse to work more than four or five converted to local feed. Exchange, Division of Farm Bureau Services, hours a day. "The big item in bringing along farm income Inc: We were told that they could have produced in the years ahead is the development of new 100,000 more tons of sugar last year if they economic power for farmers who market and 4. Introduction of Speaker — could have gotten the cane harvested. They bargain through their own association," Shu- Walter Wightman, President of Michigan Farm doubled the piece-work rates in the cane har- man is quoted as saying. Bureau vest and the remit was that the laborers still He believes that most farmers have decided 5. Dedication Address — only worked four or five hours per day instead that better incomes are a "do-it-yourself proj- of eight. ect as contrasted to government "do-it-TO- Charles Shuman, President of American Farm Bureau Federation The sugar industry could contribute a lot yourself" programs. He believes that political to the economy of the country since it is the action is no way to solve economic farm prob- largest industry there. But it really can't under lems and that farmers themselves hold the best present conditions since the mills are not op- solutions through their own efforts. "Marketpower is that power which producers The Slaughter Continues erating up to capacity and are losing money. The farmers who attended the meeting of themselves develop as contrasted to power of If this is a "normal" year, 35 How can you avoid becoming the "Associaciones Agropecuariao Americanas" government," Shuman says. Michigan residents WILL DIE a statistic? How can you help (The American Association of Farming) were As examples of the kind of government "help" in gruesome highway accidents check the soaring death toll? much concerned about agrarian reform which farmers have been receiving, the Farm Bureau during the long Labor Day week- (1) Safety check your car be- to them means dividing up the large govern- president lists two recent happenings that have end, unless there are sudden, fore leaving home. drastic changes in driver attitudes ment land holdings among farmers who have cost farmers millions of dollars in lost income. and habits. (2) Fasten your seat b e l t s . the same ability to operate it with some effi- "The dumping of hundreds of millions of Their use reduce traffic ac- ciency. bushels of feed-grain by the Secretary of Agri- Nationally, 560 persons will not return home alive from their cident injuries and fatalities This would be done much the same as we culture in 1961-62, was deliberately done to de- by more than one-third. weekend "vacations." All signs did 80 to 100 years ago with our Homestead press market-prices to the point where farmers (3) Be "adjustable." Adjust Act. They also talk about reducing the large point to one of the worse high- who didn't sign up for the Feed Grain Program way slaughters of the year, point- your driving, to road, traf- land holdings by remunerating the owner for would be penalized," Shuman said. ing up again, that although the fic, weather. part of their holdings — some of which are not He said that this indiscriminate selling of automobile is one of America's (4) Make courtesy your code of very efficiently operated. feed grains resulted in extra feeding of live- greatest industrial achievements the road — and "think stock, encouraging increased p r o d u c t i o n of They recognize that this could bring more under free enterprise, it is also ahead." Think toward what cattle and hogs, and was a main cause in the the number-one cause of acci- efficiency of agricultural production and im- may happen — the other crack-up of livestock prices. dental death and injury. person may not. prove the food supply. It will also build a tax "The second cause is the present Wheat lyase to support the government. Private own- Certificate plan which is now depressing feed ership of industry would do the same thing. grain prices. Again the Secretary of Agricul- It doesn't take long after a short visit to one ture is dumping surplus stocks on the market, MICHIGAN |FARM NEWS of these underdeveloped countries to under- and again both grain and livestock men will TMB ACTION P U B L I C A T I O N O F TUB M I C H I G A N FARM B U R E A U stand what the competitive free enteq^rise sys- suffer. T h e M I C H I G A N F A R M N E W S is D I R E C T O R S : District 1, M a x K. tem has done for the United States. published monthly, o n t h e first d a y , H o o d . P a w P a w , R - l ; District 2 , W i l - "It's high time that farmers themselves have by t h e Michigan Farm Bureau, at its bur H . Smith, Burlington, R - l ; District In the Dominican Republic, there are no publication office at 1 0 9 N . L a f a y e t t e 3 , D o n a l d L . Ruhlig, D e x t e r ; D i s - something to say about the prices they get for Street. Greenville. Michigan. trict 4 , E l t o n R. Smith, Caledonia, veterinary schools, no technical assistance avail- Editorial and general offices at 4 0 0 0 R - l ; District 5, David Morris, Grand their products," Shuman believes. North Grand River A v e n u e , L a n s i n g , L e d g e , R - 3 ; District 6, Ward G. H o d g e . able in the educational system. People must Michigan. Post Office Box 9 6 0 . T e l e - Snover. R - l ; District 7 , G u v C . F r e e - That's where Farm Bureau comes in. phone, Lansing, 4 8 5 - 8 1 2 1 , Extension born, Hart, R - l : District 8, Llovd Shan- have education before they can have land to Farm Bureau and a f f i l i a t e d organizations 317. kel. W h e e l e r , R - l ; District 9 , E u g e n e Established January 1 2 , 1 9 2 3 . S e c - Roberts. L a k e Citv, R - l ; District 1 0 , operate. With 4~( r of the population illiterate, such as Farm Bureau Services, Farmers Petro- ond Class Postage paid at Greenville, Edgar D i a m o n d . Alpena. R - 2 ; District this is a problem that can't be solved quickly. Michigan. 11, E d m u n d S a g e r , S t e p h e n s o n . leum, Farm Bureau Insurance and the Mich- EDITORIAL: E d i t o r . Melvin L. D I R E C T O R S A T L A R G E : Wfettrr We do have problems in the United States, W o e l l . Advertising and Lavout, Paul igan Elevator Exchange, are all important parts A. Rivas. Staff Artist. S a m Bass. Frahm, Frankenmuth: D e a n Pridceon, but they are not caused by a shortage of food, W o m e n ' s Material. Mrs. D o n n a W i l b e r . Montgomery, R - l ; Walter W i g h t m a n , of the farm-income boosting "team." O F F I C E R S : Michigan Farm B u - Fennville, R - l . or lack of education. We have developed into W O M E N O F F A R M B U R E A U : Mrs. The new Saginaw terminal is another. reau; President, Walter Wightman, F e n n v i l l e , R - 2 ; Vice President. Elton William Scramlin. Hollv; F A R M B U - a great, prosperous industrial and agricultural Through it, new world-wide grain and bean R. Smith, Caledonia, R - l ; Secretary- Manager, Clarence E. Prentice, O k e m o s . REAU YOUNG P E O P L E : Williams, Wehberville. Donald country. market-power has been assured for Michigan POSTMASTER: In using form 3579, mail to: Michigan Farm News, 4000 N. (rod forbid we ever lose our freedom and farmers. Grand River, Lansing, Michigan. power because we become too fat ami lazy. Second class postage paid at Greenville, Michigan M.W. W.W. MICHIGAN FARM NEWS September 1, 1964 THREE Sommerfeldt Appoin"ted Market System and Incentive Field Services Manager created "by Competition. Cleon Skousen, well-known author of The Naked Communist, In his announcement, Prentice received a 10-minute standing said, "We welcome Glenn to this ovation from the Seminar stu- very- important position and feel dents following his fOllr presenta- confident that his many years tions wherein he outlined the his- experience in working closely tory, goals and techniques of the with the farmers of Michigan will Communist conspiracy. be of real value in his capacity at There are two lines of thought, Farm Bureau." Skousen explained, the "soft line" Sommerfeldt held various posi- and the "hard line," with "soft tions with the Extension Service line" advocates believing in even- including 4-H Agent, Agricul- tual peaceful co-existence wit h tural Agent, County Extension Communism - brought about Director ana Program Consultant. through U.S. military disarma- His home offices during this time "BRAINWASHING" - was one of the topics of discussion at the Citizenship ment, and a gradual changing of were in Macomb, Mackinac, Ber- Senimar, July 13-17. Sho'wn are J. Delbert Wells (left), manager of the Family our country to better fit into the rien and Muskegon counties. Program Division, and Hugo Kivi, U.P. regional representative, as they give a Socialist pattern. As he takes over the reins of - flannel board presentation on this subject to the 140 attending young people. GLENN SOMMERFELDT The "hard line" advocates, he the Field Services Division from pointed out, believe that Commu- The employment of Glenn acting manager, J. Delbert Wells, \Vatching the alert, eager faces of the 140 young people nism should" and can be elimi- Sommerfeldt (41), Grand Haven, at the beginning of the new fiscal who participated in the Citizenship Seminar, July 13-17, nated and that the best bet for as Manager of the Field Services year, one of his first duties will Camp Kett, and listening to their searching questions and a free world is to have a strong, Division ( formerly Organization be to put into motion Roll-Call free America. Division), Michigan F arm Bu- plans already underway. He will knowledgeable responses to the outstanding program, gave Other speakers in c Iud e d-J. reau, effective September 1, has direct the nine-man field staff in a feeling of confidence and pride to attending m~mbers of Perez Sabido, who discussed been announced by Clarence E. an accelerated effort to put Mich- the "older generation." Their verdict: "America's future is Cuba and Castro-style Commu- Prentice, Secretary-Manager. igan "over goar in the 1964-65 in good hands." nism; D. Hale Brake and ]. Del- Sommerfeld t comes to the 'membership drive. Selected and sponsored by county Farm Bureaus, local bert Wells discussing how to Michigan Farm" Bureau from the As manager of the Field Serv- maintain our f r e e d 0 m through Cooperative Extension Services ices D ivis i Q n, Sommerfeldt will school leaders- and other interested people and groups, the political action; Professor George where he was District Extension also coordinate Farm Bureau ac- young people were the" "cream of the crop" - chosen for Dike, MSU Ag. Econ. Depart- Agent in charge of community tivities throughout the state. their ability to absorb and use the information gained from ment; Ray Dixon of the National developm~nt. He replaces Roger The new manager received his the five day seminar. "Association of Manufacturers, and Foerch, who submitted his resig- BS degree in agriculture and his Junior and senior high school studen~s from 65 counties Dr. Lewis Lloyd, economist for nation July 1st after many years MS degree from Michigan State the Dow Chemical Company. of service to the organization. University. He is married" and attended the sessions, which began with the "Concepts of J. Delbert Wells, manager of Foerch held the title of Manager has two daughters, 9 and 18. The "Americanism" presented by Dr. Clifton Ganus, vice-pres- the Family Program Divsion, who of Organization since 1959. Prior Sommerfeldt family is planning ident of Harding College, Searcy, Arkansas. coordinates the activities of the to that, he worked as a Farm an early move from Grand Haven Dr. Ganus explained that to be Farm Bureau Young People, re- Bureau Services salesman, co-op to Lansing. It will be a familiar able to show the threats of Com- ism. His talks centered on Re- ports that present plans are to assistant manager, regional mem- area to Glenn and his wife, Alice, munism, one must c~early under- ligion and Moral Values, Consti- continue the Citizenship Seminars bership representative and Insur- both of whom spent their early stand the concepts of American- tutional Government; the" Open on a yearly basis. ance Relations Coordinator. years in nearby Fowler. RED TART CHERRY DAY ..... -. BERRIENCOUNTY FARM BUREAUMEMBERSHerbert Teichman and John Steimle and prominent orchard equipment inventor and manufacturer David Friday (left to right) are discussing mechanical harvesting of cherries at the recently held Michigan Red Tart Cherry Day near Eau Claire. Demonstrations of" the latest mechanical harvesting equipment were held on the Teichman and, Steimle farms during the day. Part of the crowd in attendance is shawn in the background. '.PHQNE TOWN AND CHECK THE LATEST PRICES" When you're buying or selling, the speed and convenience of a phone a little dip in the market price can call for keeping you up to date, or for make a big difference to. you. To ordering equipment or supplies.. come out ahead, you need all the Think of the time and trips your information you can get ... and you telephone has saved you during the need it quickly. last couple of weeks. Nothing in your That's one reason why your tele- whole budget gives you so much phone is so important. Nothing beats service and value at such a low cost. elECTRONIC RED TART CHERRYSORTING MACHINES have been put into op- eration at the Burnette Farms Packing Company plant at Keeler. These machines MICHIGAN BELl. TEl.EPHONE COMPANY were viewed during the tours of the plant by those attending the Michigan Red Tart Cherry Day held July 16. Electronic sorting machines ore now replacing many of the less efficient hand sorters in Michigan cherry processing plants. FOUR September 1, 1964 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS (In keeping with the Saginaw Valley-Thumb Area theme of this special issue, we salute the Farm Bureau Women of Districts 6 and 8 and their chairmen, Mrs. George Southworth and Mrs. B. H. Baker, in the seventh of a series featuring the State Women's Committee members.) A Bdb1t WDJi . • • '1 believe that our 'Vomen7 s Committee is trying to make this a better world and I am glad to do what I can to help,7' says Mrs. George Southworth of her job as chairman of .the District 6 Farm Bureau 'Vomen. ~1rs. Southworth (Florence) lives on a 320 acre farm in Elkt6n located in the Thumb I area of ~1ichigan. The Southworths raise registered Polled Hereford cattle and now have about 85 head .. Their "finest crop," however, the tivities play an important part in life of the District 6 \Vomen's HER FINEST CROP - proudly proclaims Mrs. George Southworth - is 16 grandchildren! The District 6 Farm Bureau Women's Florence proudly explains, is their chairman is shown presiding at a picnic for 0 portion of this "crop." brood of grandchildren - 16 in chailman. She has taught the ;=======================-_'-_- _---:-- _-_-_---:-- _-_-_---:-- _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- _-=- ---, all, ten boys and six girls - rang- Adult Sunday School class for. ing in age from two to 16. Responsible for this fine crop - over 20 years, and has held every office in the Women's Society of Wheat Noose Tightens are the Southworth's four chil- \Vorld Service. She served on the dren. One of their sons farms, board of the Elkton Community ~Iost farmers have now received their 1965 \"heat acreage wiII be made on additional di- the other works for Chevrolet. Schools and was treasurer for four and price control notices, and - as predicted - will find that verted acres at the per acre rate One daughter is a farmer's wife years. Secretary Freeman has cut the program to mean less income of 50(j,) of the support price on and the other is the wife of an Her hobbies are knitting and from wheat. Those signing up will get less money, those staying normal yield only (higher than engineer. raising African violets. out wiII find it tougher, and it's still called "voluntary". 1964). Florence has worked with the Mrs. Southworth explains (In Michigan only 23)-'; of the wheat. farmers representing New provisions include: permit Huron Countv Farm Bureau her devotion to Farm /Bureau d f h 64 ) the substitution of wheat for feed \V ' .... h. about 33)1, of the wheat acres signe up or t e 19 program. \Vomen since they were first or- " omen s activIties I? .t IS way: ~ The 1965 loan rate is cut 5~ -------------- grains, allow the establishment of ganized. She has served as sec- ur Ifeel that °d wodrkISImportan.t, (to $1.25). This means that Sec- of a farm's "normal" production bases on oats and rye, and stor- retarv and chairman of the th at we nee to 0 our part m 1'- II d '11 I.f age, under bond, of excess wheat. county group and as vice-chair- hI. man of the district. t e pmg 0 get d :h Husband pr?,gram passe t~ tli b t I . I t' retary Freeman can pena l..,e non- on its a ate acres WI qua I y egls.~1Ive complying farmers by dumping for certificates. Domestic certifi- Farmers must also stay within all a IS pOSSI e. surplus wheat on the market at cates worth 75ft will be received other allotments. George is also an active Farm ... we need to educate city about 6t a bushel below the 1964 for 4.5(X) (the same) of the normal For ~f ichigan farmers it adds Bureau member, having served as people to know our pro~lems, to dumping price. (7.5 million bush- yield, and 35% (down from 45%) up to a smaller allotment, lower county chairman and on many keep our young people m sch~ol els were effectively dumped the will receive export ~« r t if icat e s support to force co m p Iian ce, committees. a~ld see that they l.eam th~ prm,: first week in July, 1964 com- worth 30ft (up 5~). smaller amount of the crop eli- Community and church ac- clples of our AmerIcan herItage. pared to 1.9 million in July, Diversion payments for the gible fm certificates and less in- ------------------~------~-~ l00~. m~d~myl1.ll%~am~c~~ come from wheat. Only 80 % (down fron" 90%) acreage are eliminated. Payments The noose tightens! The Bean Baker "BIa C kb.I r d Large acreages of corn and other crops are destroyed an- eral-state men have been work- ing in Ohio for about seven years. Although Mrs. B. H. Baker (Martha) of Merrill calls herself a B - Bye. " nually in Monroe County, par- "Damage to crops and aircraft, "chicken choreboy" - a name derived from her work with the hens she raises "to keep my city customers happy" - to many 'ye ticularly along marsh areas. Re- and transmission of disease by cently, Christmas tree growers in migratory birds sHch as black- folks she is better known as the best cook in the county. Help may be in sight for farm- northern Michigan were finding birds and starlings, must be Topping this list of "fans" who think so, are her husband, ers and others who are suffering serious damage to terminal buds solved "on a multi-state basis," Bernie, two sons, one daughter, two daughters-in-law, one son- from extensive damage by heavy by flocks of Canadian grosbeaks. delegates to the Michigan Farm in-law, and especially her six grandchildren. cO;lcentrations of starlings, black- An advis'ory group, meeting Bureau convention said last No- Others who place her in this category are the judges ~t the birds and other undesirable birds. with Michigan Director of Ag- vember. Director Mcintyre agreed to Saginaw County Fair who awarded her 17 prizes out of 21 Damage to fruit crops in Ber- riculture George McIntyre, as- req uest (l budget item for the entries, and those at the Bean Bake-offs - where she has. won rien County has been estimated smed him that help was needed control work. lie pointed out that the sweepstakes three out of the past five years. lit $2.5 million per yqar by Frank and urged the State to match fed- support of farmers and others Partly-retired, the B.akers ope- called upon repeatedly for wed- Madaski, County Extension Di- eral funds to start control work would be needed if the funds are r<:teonl~ ~ part of theIr 120-acre dings, dinners, and anywhere that rector. in Michigan. A staff of five fed- to be granted by th(> Legislature. farm raIsmg wheat, soy ?eans, good food is needed. com and hay. Mrs. Baker s 300 Hobbies, besides her baking h:n flock ~as been reduced to (which she prefers to do in her 1.")0. She lIkes ~o care for them, old wood range even though she ..he says.' and thmks a. farm seems has an electric oven), include dead \~Ithout the nOIse of cattle gardening and sewing _ for her- and chIckens. self and "for my girls." Martha, chairman of the Dis- The District 8 Women's chair- trict 8 Farm Bureau Women, has man speaks highly of her organi- served as secretary of their local zation's activities. "I think it is community group and on the an important way of doing to- county board of directors for 20 gether things that we can't do . years; has been Roll Call man- alone. Through training pro- ager for the west half of Saginaw grams, many of our farm women County for two years and also has have been able to become leaders served as county women's chair- and be active in community af- man and district secretary. fairs. In her community, Martha is "As the farm population de- well-known for her man y ac- creases, the need for organization tivities, including service as treas- becomes greater," says Martha llrer of the local school district, Baker. "We farmers have too township clerk, United Fund, great an investment to igno're the Red Cross, the St. Johns Lutheran local, state and national eco- Church, and of course, she is nomic situation." ~"S .. AI(Eq IS A oAKER - and a very good one - as anyore in the Sagina.w area ,.,a .. t" -? 0: 'j r:~ 9 Farm f) 1"\0'" >f!''' r'] f PI. Bureau Women's chair".,o";< !'ow' •.,',' "":"q I ~ BEET SUGA.R lNDUSJRY OF MICHIGA ~ MICHIGAN FARM NEWS September 1 , 1964 FIVE Special Report Saginaw Valley-Thumb Region Thumb area, and spray planes such as this, f l y i n g near Cass City, work continuously to halt the destructive insects. Michigan Beans "In the Soup?" Some of North America's best farming land is found in Michigan's "Bean soup in Michigan should he made with Michigan bean$r Saginaw Valley and T h u m b " regions. It is land so rich that it may sell That statement was made repeatedly in a recent meeting of bean producers from $800 to $1,000 per acre. However, sales are rare, and much of held in Saginaw. Present at the Farm Bureau sponsored meeting were bean it passes along within family groups. producers from the seven leading bean producing counties in the state. From this region flows a near unbelievable amount of golden grain Unlike the name-calling, finger-pointing emotional meetings held by some and Michigan's famed "Navy" or pea-bean. Nearly half of Michigan's groups in the area, this meeting was a serious discussion of people seeking 40,000,000 bushel wheat crop is grown here, plus 90 to 95% of the answers to the problems around them. entire United States pea-bean supply. While Michigan produces a lot of dry edible beans, other parts of the nation The popular white pea-bean moved into Michigan with German im- and the world produces beans too. Brazil alone produced 36 million bags migrants and soon became a major farm commodity. in 1963 compared to the United States production of 21 million bags. German and Dutch influence continues elsewhere throughout the regions as attested by neat dairy barns, well trimmed fields and the Complicating the fact is that along with Michigan, three other states have personal initiative that has produced them. increased acreage and production in recent years, particularly Nebraska In keeping with its agricultural importance, the regions have pro- where the bulk of the Great Northern beans are produced. These are the duced many farm leaders of stature. Two former presidents of the beans that commonly find their way into "Michigan bean soup." Michigan Farm Bureau have come from the Thumb — Clarence Reid Forty percent of the beans grown in the United States are produced in from Avoca; and Ward Hodge of Marlette. Michigan. Cash receipts from marketing these beans brought Michigan Hodge now serves as a member of the board of directors of the Mich- farmers $46 million in 1962, and only sales of dairy products, cattle and igan Farm Bureau and has been president of the American Dairy Asso- calves and wheat brought larger receipts. ciation of Michigan. It is estimated that about 4 million bags of navy beans are consumed each Both former Michigan Farm Bureau Secretaries, Clark Brody and year in the United States. The remaining stocks must be sold abroad or Jack Yaeger, had Thumb-area backgrounds. Brody worked as an Agri- used in some government program. Farmers would much rather expand cultural Agent in St. Clair county, Yaeger worked at one time as a writer foreign markets. for the Lapeer County Press. Bean producers also know that government stocks, support price, marketing Clarence Prentice, present Secretary-Manager of the Michigan Farm agencies, processors and other factors influence bean prices. Bureau is a former Sanilac County Extension Agent. Glenn Lake, presi- dent of both the Michigan Milk Producers and the National Milk Finally, farmers are concerned about the market cost spread between Producer's Federation, farms at North Branch. fanners and consumers. Farm Bureau plays an important role in the Saginaw Valley and As the 1964 harvest arrives, producers find good crops estimated in Europe, Thumb regions where more than 20,000 farm families are enrolled as increased carry-over stocks in elevators, increased CCC holdings from a year numbers. Saginaw holds the record as the largest County Farm Bureau ago, and another large crop in Michigan and the nation. These factors add in the stale, with 2.705 members. Huron County boasts the largest up to a downward pressure on price. number of active Farm Bureau Community Groups, with 67 meeting The producers in the Saginaw meeting agreed that their own organization on a regular schedule. could help in obtaining market information for growers. They felt that re- High-value swine, beef, and poultry enterprises, help balance the search by our university on marketing problems, new uses and production fields of grain and sugar-beets. Five modern beet factories turn out a methods would greatly aid the industry. combined 2,800,000 tons of Michigan's famed brands, "Pioneer" (Mich- A Bean Commission to promote the consumption of beans and aid in igan Sugar Company) and "Big Chief" (Monitor Sugar Company). market development would also help. Grain, beans, sugar, livestock and milk products, flow daily into As the producers left Saginaw, the feeling was, "either through a Bean international trade, opening Michigan's "breadbasket" to markets of Commission or through Farm Bureau we are going to help ourselves as bean the world. growers, and we'll put Michigan beans in the bean soup in this state." SIX September 1, 1964 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS Outstanding Farmers Serve The Saginaw A bold new landmark has been raised in mid-Michigan. Its graceful curves and soaring height are testimony to the faith farmers have in their future. This massive structure was a scant few months in the building, but behind it are more than 40 years of work and vision. Thousands of tons of mortar, hundreds of thousands of pounds of steel are the visible results. Not so visible is the concept, the idea of service-to-farmers, and the savings this represents. Not so visible is work of thousands of farm families, laboring together to help themselves through Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau Services. Centered in nearly 30 acres of riverfront near Zilwaukee is the impressive Michigan Elevator Exchange division grain and bean terminal. Nearby is Farm Bureau Services' modern feed mill. Rail, truck and ship loading docks are U N L O A D I N G UNLOADERS — Walter ( " W a l l y " ) Frahm, rural Frankenmuth, is pictured putting together pieces of t w o self- part of the complex. unloading wagons used in work on the Frahm's 3 5 5 acres. W a l l y a n d brother, Ralph, f a r m in partnership on the home place where they w e r e born a n d raised, a n d where dairy a n d cash crops are important operations. W a l l y serves as a Thirty-six "tanks" each 120 feet high and 25 feet in "director-at-large" on the Michigan Farm Bureau board. In the picture, a new generation of Frahms " h e l p " connect the diameter rest on 1,400 concrete piles, each driven to a head-bolt to the tailgate, or something. 70 foot depth. A scant year from time when the piles were placed, grain trucks were delivering a steady flow of wheat to the completed terminal! Operated by the Elevator Exchange division of Farm Bureau Services, the terminal has a total capacity of well over two million bushels of grain and beans. The wheat crop in the Saginaw Valley and Thumb areas of Michigan has been a good one again, and the 225 foot high work- house tower which directs the flow of grain into the tanks and "interstice" bins, hums day and night with activity. Nearly half of Michigan's big 40,700,000 bushel wheat crop is One largely unknown factor is grown in this area, along with the unfilled market promise of the most of Michigan's famed white St. Lawrence Seaway and de- "navy" pea-beans. mand for Michigan grain and Although to the eye the dra- beans from countries of the world. matic terminal building v a s t l y Farmers recognize the vast po- overshadows the nearby Services' tential of this market and look feed mill, farmers easily see the upon the terminal as a new world importance of the feed facility. gateway to ports of the "seven Transportation alone would make seas." it important. Soon, ocean-going vessels of The mill location means that 500 feet or more in length will local grains can now be convert- snuggle up to loading berths to ed into locally used feeds and take on cargoes of grain and the savings reflected in lower beans. A turn-basin gouged out production costs. of the Saginaw river allows them to retrace their voyage through These transportation costs are the St. Lawrence to all parts of cut still mbre through the "back- the world. haul" practice — with new grain or beans trucked into the ter- J u s t as an a r m y d e p e n d s minal, and a load of finished feed strongly upon its supply lines, picked up nearby for the return the terminal complex d e p e n d s "LLOYD SHANKEL A N D S O N S " — Richard, V a l d o , and Larry PICTURED WHILE PRESIDENT—of the Michigan Farm Bureau trip. Fertilizer from Farm Bureau upon local f a r m e r s u p p o r t t o — operate a highly productive 365 acres in rural Wheeler, ( 1 9 5 4 - 1 9 5 8 ) , W a r d Hodge is shown in action during an an- their local cooperative elevators Gratiot county. Beans, w h e a t , corn, oats a n d sugar beets nual meeting. Prior to his election as president, Hodge served Services' Saginaw plant may sub- are principal crops. Lloyd (seated in car) represents District as vice president and had been a director for eight years. stitute when occasion demands. and Services' branch outlets. 8 on the MFB Board of Directors. He succeeded Carl E. Buskirk. Feed ingredients not supplied Cooperatives such as the Farm- locally can be shipped in bulk ers' Co-op Elevator in Marlette Meet the members of the Mich- part of the Frahm cash-crop op- recognized by appointments on and the Snover Co-op Elevator, into the mill by rail. Automation igan Farm Bureau board of di- eration with time-out somehow the boards of Farm Bureau Serv- both in Sanilac county, are vital lowers labor costs and a half- rectors who live in the Saginaw found for church work (Wally is ices, Farmers' Petroleum Coop- links in the production chain. dozen employees turn out upward Valley and Thumb areas of Mich- an Elder in the P r e s b y t e r i a n erative, Farm Bureau Insurance Serving the terminal from Sag- of 30,000 tons of animal or poul- igan. They farm in the great church)—and for serving as presi- and the Michigan Agricultural inaw county are Farmers' Coop- try feed in a year's time on a dairy, grain, bean and sugar-beet dent of the Frankenmuth School Cooperative Marketing Associa- eratives at Chesaning and Hem- one-shift basis. sections of the state. As working, Board. tion. Designed to load bulk or bag- lock. Twicola county is served by life-time farmers, they are typical Wally and wife (Sally) have the Caro Farmers Co-op Elevator of those who serve Farm Bureau. WARD G. HODGE ged manufactured feed, the con- five children, from IVz to 13 years Company at C a r o , A k r o n a n d trol "console" can be played much of age. Nearly 40 years of fanning — Cass City. as a giant electric organ with WALTER E. FRAHM more than half of that time spent precise formulas of pellets, crum- In Gratiot county, the Brecken- LLOYD SHANKEL in helping build Farm Bureau, A new member of the Michigan bles, meal or textured feeds pro- ridge-Wheeler Co-op serves local Farm Bureau board of directors, "District Eight"—made up of is the record of Ward G. Hodge, duced on request. farmers and links them to the Walter ("Wally") Frahm was ap- the c o u n t i e s of A r e n a c , Bay, District Six director on the Mich- pointed as Director-at-Large in Clare, Gladwin, Isabella, Mid- igan Farm Bureau board. May, 1964 to fill the unexpired land, Saginaw and Gratiot (where The Hodge farm home is lo- term of Anthony Kreiner, Brown he lives) — is represented on the cated in the Thumb near Snover, City, who resigned. Michigan Farm Bureau board by Sanilac county. Other counties Lloyd Shankel. of the district include Huron, La- Frahm, 36, operates 355 acres Included in the region is the peer, St. Clair and Tuscola. in partnership with his brother, highly productive "Saginaw Val- A past president of the Sanilac Ralph. An excellent dairyman, ley" w h e r e t h e s a m e b e a n s , county Farm Bureau, Hodge he is a strong supporter of the wheat, corn and sugar-beets that has held nearly every important Guernsey breed, and is serving are mainstays on the Shankel Farm Bureau post from those of currently as Secretary of the farm, are widely grown. his community group through the Michigan Guernsey Breeders' As- A former president of the Gra- presidency of the Michigan Farm sociation. tiot County Farm Bureau, Shank- Bureau. F o r f o u r y e a r s (1960-63), el h a s b e e n an a c t i v e F a r m The original 40 acres of the Frahm acted as Chairman of the Bureau member for a quarter- Hodge farm were settled by his Michigan Farm Bureau dairy ad- century. He and Mrs. Shankel grandparents, and they obtained visory committee. A dairy herd (Lillian) are strong supporters of the deed from the government. of nearly 100 head occupies much the Gratiot County Bean Smor- Mr. and Mrs. Hodge (Gladys) of his time, even though he is gasbord, an event that annually are the parents of seven children, milking only about half that num- attracts hundreds of persons and one of whom is former National LARGER CARS, — LOWER COSTS. Farmers gain by use of new giant, stainless ber. steel freight cars, designed especially for bulk shipments. G r a i n a n d beans much favorable publicity. Dairy Princess, Mary Sue Hodge move quickly into the car through any of 12 loading ports, or out through Beans and sugar-beets are a big Shankel's leadership has been (Mrs. Charles Becker). discharge gates a t the bottom of each compartment. MICHIGAN FARM NEWS September 1, 1964 SEVEN Terminal Gateway to the World! terminal, as does the Farmers' Co- operative Elevator of Fowler and the St. Johns Cooperative Com- pany, both of Clinton county. The Crand Blanc Co-op Eleva- tor C o m p a n y s e r v e s Genesee county fanners. The Lapeer County Cooper- ative of Lapeer and Imlay City serves Lapeer. Most outlets of all are located in Huron county, with five — the Cooperative Elevator Company of Pigeon, the Elkton Co-op Farm Produce Company, the Sebewaing Farmers Co-op, the Ruth Farm- ers' Elevator and the Farmers Co-op Grain Company of Kinde. Farm Bureau Services branches at Mt. Pleasant, Sterling, Pincon- ning, Bay City, Sandusky, Sag- inaw, Yale and Jeddo are other important parks of the terminal production pattern. Commodity look who's Cheerleading- Specialist Appointed Donald A. Shepard Donald A. Shepard, 26, of By- ron, Michigan, has been named Commodity Specialist for Distri- bution Division of Farm Bureau Services, Inc., according to May- nard D. Brownlee, general man- ager. Shepard will have the respon- sibility of programmer for the various commodities offered by Services to its dealers. He comes to Farm Bureau Services with a wide range of agricultural and business experience. He was an honors graduate of M.SU. in 1959, majoring in Agri- culture Education, and minors in Animal Science, Plant Science, and Farm Shop. He holds an M.A. d e g r e e from M.S.U. in S c h o o l Administration a n d Ag Education, and is presently work- ing on a doctorate. Shepard has been a V o - A g teacher in Byron and Allegan for -the Vitality team this fall! five years and a student teacher at Owosso High School. Besides pursuing an academic career in agriculture, S h e p a r d found time to be very a c t i v e D u r i n g this milk promotion, your A.D.A. will b e talking to Michigan's 6 million teenagers among farm youth groups and educational associations. a n d adults w i t h t h e following: He has been a member of the • Spot radio — 52 Michigan stations — 1560 1-minute commercials Byron Education A s s o c i a t i o n , • C B S — ABC radio — 1 7 Michigan stations — 340 5-minute p r o g r a m s president of the Allegan Educa- • N e w s p a p e r — 1 6 Michigan dailies — 52 Vi page ads t i o n A s s o c i a t i o n , Shiawassee • Magazines — 4 T e e n magazines —138,000 circulation County E d u c a t i o n Association • N B C T V — Huntley-Brinkley News — 6 stations and the Michigan Education As- sociation, in addition to the Mich- This total programming is all made possible through your American Dairy igan and National Vo-Ag Teach- Association. Want more Vitality? Drink Milk. Want more Vitality in your ers Associations; the Byron Ma- Milk Sales? Invest in A . D A . sonic Lodge, A l l e g a n J u n i o r american dairg association Chamber of Commerce and the Farm Bureau. Shepard intends to reside in OF MICHIGAN / 3000 VINE STREET / LANSING Lansing after the first of the year. EIGHT September 1, 1964 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS Central Region THE S A G I N A W RIVER AS IT SPILLS OUT I N T O THE BAY — an important transportation route to the Saginaw Valley e n d Thumb area. Tying into the Saginaw River a r e its three major tributaries, "the tempermental Tittibawassee," the Cass and THE GRATIOT COUNTY FARM BUREAU Executive Committee meets to examine the Flint. Located a f e w miles from the mouth of the S a g i n a w , is the Michigan Elevator Exchange Division's grain and the budget. From left to right: Garnet Hoard, county president; Mrs. Leona Vance, bean terminal, and the Farm Bureau Services Feed Mill. County secretary; and Laurence Bailey. The county office is located in Ithaca. THE BEAN BEETLE A N D CLOVERWORM have been a t work in Ken Wagester's field of Dark Red Kidney beans. Wages- LOCAL FARM BUREAU PEOPLE played an important role ter, Isabella county president (center), farms in partnership THE CENTRAL M I C H I G A N UNIVER5ITY STUDENT CENTER has been the site of establishing the Michigan Livestock Exchange Branch a t St. with son, Frank (at left). Regional Representative, Charles recent Farm Bureau sponsored Freedom Conferences, and the university is an Louis. Although it handles all types of livestock, the yard is Mumford looks on. important factor in the education of the central Michigan young people. noted for its graded hog sales. H O W TO TILE A FIELD FASTER — USE T W O T I L I N G M A C H I N E S , a n d that's just w h a t Herb Peppel, APPEARING BEFORE THE ISABELLA COUNTY FARM BUREAU BOARD were two of the three high school Bay County Farm Bureau president did as tile is laid in his w h e a t field. Aside from the t w o tilers, students selected by the county to attend the recent Citizenship Seminar held a t C a m p Kett. The Peppel also used a small " C a t " tractor a n d t w o pick-up trucks. He farms about 2 5 0 acres which students, Albert Bowerman (glasses), and Chnrlene Himebaugh (to his right) gave an enthusiastic sprawl over into Arenac county. Main crops are sugar beets, beans, w h e a t , and feed for a dairy herd. report to the board as they w e n t into some detail on the problems facing America today. STILL A BIT EARLY FOR SUGAR BEETS, but MFB board member, " W a l l y " Frahm's FARMERS ARE NATURAL-BORN "TINKERERS" a n d John Ryan a n d son, John Jr. (left) shown talking to Paul Rivas, MFB beets already had a nice " h e f t " to them as regional m a n , Charlie Mumford Information Division, a r e no exception. The monstrous g a d g e t they are looking a t is a "modified- stationary beaner.' learned. However, beets are not Frahm's major interest. An excellent dairyman, The original machine was a 1935 vintage implement, but with the extensive modifications — all performed right in the he is a strong supporter of the Guernsey breed, and has a large registered large barn, the new hybrid machine will outperform today's expensive bean threshers. a w a r d - w i n n i n g herd. MICHIGAN FARM NEWS September 1, 1964 NINE Regional Notebook By Charles ~Iumford East Central Regional Representative This is the Saginaw Valley, a truly great agricultural and industrial complex - all located in the geographical center of our peninsula state and the Great Lakes area. I'm the Regional Representative for the area, and my name's Charlie ~tumford . .My 17 years with the ~1ich- igan Farm Bureau have more or less earned me the title, "Dean of the Field Staff." l\ty wife, Bernice, is a teacher, and we have four grown children. Previously I worked at farming and as a salesman. The major factor in the growth and prosperity of the "Valley" is the storied Saginaw River and its tributaries A "CRAZY -QUILT" PATTERN is the way the Saginaw Valley farmlands appear from the air. Below and beyond the eye's - the tempermental Tittibnwassee, Cass and Flint. sight stretch 13,000 commercial farms and over 9,800 Farm Bureau families. The total agricultural income of the area ex- ceeds $80,000,000 and represents a highly diversified ag-industry. There are approximately 13,000 commercial farms and over 9,800 Farm Bureau families. The total agri- cultural income of the area exceeds $80,000,000 per year. Agriculture here is highly diversified and crops in- clude corn, wheat, sugar, beets, truck crops, soy and colored beans, livestock and dairy products. Ninety-five per cent of the famous "Navy" white pea beans are grown in the Saginaw Valley and Thumb. Bay county, on the Saginaw Bay, is a highly developed truck garden area, and two townships grow more early potatoes than any similar area in the country. :Munger is the potato capital. High yielding sugar beets are also grown in the county. Arenac, also on the Bay, is famous for its fishing sites, limestone quarries, fertile muck soils, and general farms. Gladwin has plenty of state forests and deer, and is a haven for retirees, with dairying the main industry. ~Iuch of the same can be said for Clare county, and its county seat of Harrison - center for both summer ALL THAT'S LACKING is a little butter and winter recreation and vacations. WARNER ME!LAN, "MASTER.Jtll.~AN GROWER," Bay County Farm Bureau vice. and salt, as Rudolph Reinbold husks a Isabella has ~lt. Pleasant as its county seat which president and president of th~4 ,ichigan Bean Producers Association. Meylan has golden ear of sweet corn, of which he been a bean grower for 34 years, and presently farms about 600 acres, of. which has 35 acres. Reinbold also grows claims to be the "Oil Capital" of the state, and is the 295 acres are "in beans. In 1963, he toured Europe to promote Michigan beans. wheat, beets and beans--and is a co- home of {:entral Michigan University. Meylan farms with his two sons, Kenny and Billy. He also has over 130 acres operator in the TEL FAR M electronic Gratiot and its county seat, Ithaca, boasts high yields of sugar beets. farm record keeping program. of beans, beets, wheat and corn, and also has several large turkey farms. Livestock producers have large in- vestments, and the Michigan Livestock Exchange auc- tion yards at St. Louis provide markets. MidlancJ county has oil wells, salt wells, and very fertile farm lands. A recent addition to the county is the Northwood Institute. Shiawassee has Owosso as trading center with dairy- ing and general farming supporting most of the agri- culture. The county is near large cities which provide ready markets. Saginaw county with the largest Farm Bureau me.m- bership in the state - over 2,700 member. families, has extensive agricultural operations including the new grain and bean terminal located in Zilwaukee. It is a pleasure to work with "the farm people of this re~ion. They have made this land one of our state's finest garden spots - they are "i\mericans" in the best tradition. BRIGHT ~HTS AND POPCORN mean .. ~... county fair time once again. The Clare ":"'~i~~~ ~ 1~'~~ Fair, held at Harrison, is the first to SHOWING OFF HER "CREATION" - a specially designed service desk, is Bay County Farm Bureau office manager, Ardath Madison (right). Assistant secretary, ARENAC be held in the region and is typical of the many" others throughout the Beverly Smith watches as Ardath answers regional man, Charlie Mumford's ques- state. tions. The county office has complete meeting room and cooking facilities. @ MIDLAND ISABE~ -' 10 CD5 @ it r , l..~b GR~T ~'1/l ,,,l.1 .... f .,~ -'"~---=-->~~ ~~ r# ~~ ...:~~"'=" .-.:~:-:~~~"'- ...e"\....~ '- .. " MERL BYINGTON AND SON, REX, ARE IN THE EGG BUSINESS TO STAY as their lorge, loose-housed 8,000 layer flock attests. They also raise about 4,000 replacement birds, and grow about 200 acres of corn for feed which they process and mix right on the farm. T~e layers are housed in five pens in a 376-foot frame building. Daily production is 5,000 eggs. TEN September 1, 1964 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS The Thumb Region ELECTRONIC SORTERS — this is one of 29 recently installed electronic bean EARLY M O R N I N G A N D TIME TO SCRAPE THE LOT, so Clifton Lotter hooks up THE TUSCOLA COUNTY FARM BUREAU OFFICE in Caro serves over 2,200 member sorters a t the Caro Farmers Co-op and the scraper blade to the tractor. Lotter, with his son O r l i n , maintains 50 head families in the county. The office was completed in 1961. Located nearby is a Elevator. The machines work contin- of Holstein milking cows along with raising about 200 hogs during the year. Farmers Petroleum Co-op outlet, and the Caro Farmers Co-op a n d Elevator Com- uously 2 4 hours a day sorting about They farm about 3 2 0 acres with Orlin handling much of the haying operation. pany which can be seen in the background. Harvest time is a busy time in Caro. 80 pounds of beans each hour. BLUE LANDMARKS on the Don Caister f a r m are the four Harvestore silos JACK LAURIE, HIS WIFE BETTY, A N D T W O CHILDREN discuss the problems of sitting almost in the front yard. Re- the dairy business w i t h regional man Dewey Sugden. Jack farms in partnership FORMER JUNIOR FARM BUREAU PRESIDENT, Paul Leipprandt, cultivates a beauti- gional Representative Dewey Sugden with his father, Grover — about 280 acres, 75 acres in beans, 36 acres of oats, ful field of sugar beets. Leipprandt, on the state FB board in 1955-56, farms talks to Caister's son. Bob, and his 28 acres of wheat and the rest in hay. Their Holstein milking herd presently about 400 acres in partnership with his brother John. There a r e 85 acres of w i f e Ann. The Caisters raise about numbers 55 head. Jack a n d Betty are members of a young farmer community sugar beets, 130 acres of beans, a n d a 30-head Holstein dairy herd. 3 5 0 steers a year. group. THE FARMS MAY N O T BE LARGE — b u t the production is high on the muck farms around Imlay City. Bill Makedonsky, A HOT SUMMER'S DAY, a boy, a faithful d o g , a horse a n d shown inspecting his onion crop which is nearing harvest, a herd of registered Brown Swiss cattle. The f a r m is the JACK A N D BILL S I M M O N S OF N O R T H BRANCH T O W N S H I P produce a lot of uses five tractors, including two small " C a t s " to work his Al Oswald's and the boy is their foster son, Calvin, astride meat on their f a r m . With more than 6 0 0 acres in production — over 530 acres 45-acre farm a n d a n additional rented 15 acres. To help the broad back of a patient cow. The 5 5 h e a d of cattle are planted in corn, they a r e able to f e e d out about 500 steers a year in addition harvest his 40 acres of potatoes, Makedonsky built his o w n about half registered a n d there are currently 3 0 cows in to some 8 0 0 hogs. For storage they have a 3 6 / 6 3 and a 2 7 / 6 0 silo. harvester. the milking herd. O N E M I L L I O N P O U N D S OF MILK A YEAR means a lot of w o r k a n d Pet* Spencer is no stranger to work as he m a n - handles bales o f straw — a tractor can only do %o much. Spencer'% 6 0 Holstein milking herd has a daily base of A CLEAN STAND A N D QUALITY PRODUCE - a sure sign that the owner belongs over 2 , 9 0 0 pounds vhich is better than one million pounds of milk per year. Helping their father is Gordon w h o to the Certified Farm Market Association of southeastern Michigan, a n d Herman works fulltime a n d Jim w h o works w h e n he is not studying a t school. The f a r m covers 3 2 0 acres owned a n d 160 R a p p s roadside market meets the requirements. Rapp has been in the same rented acres w i t h 135 acres planted to corn. location for the past 28 years, a n d w i l l soon be in partnership w i t h his son Karl. MICHIGAN FARM NEWS -September 1, 1964 ELEVEN Regional Notebook By Duane Sugden Thumb Regional Representative This section of the FARM NEWS features the people and farms in the area east of Saginaw to Lake Huron, and south from Port Austin, at the top of the thumb, to the Wayne county line. It is one of the largest Farm Bureau membership regions in the state. I'm Dewey Sugden, and this is my region. I was born in Tuscola county, raised on a farm, and was graduated from the Mayville High School in 1932. After graduation, I left the area but later returned Il•.. to Mayville and married my wife, Betty. I became reg- -~ CITIZEN ACTION _UPGRADES HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATIONALLEVEL-The Elkto~-Pigeon-Bayport Consolidated High School ional representative for the Farm Bureau in 1961. is on excellent example of citizen concern and action. Separately, each of the three small high school districts with Our home is "on the farm" near MayviIle, where we an enrollment of 100 to 200 students, could only offer the minimum essentials. Through consolidation and anne'xation, live with our two children Diane and Bob. however, the new centrally located high school offers an expanded curriculum, made passible because of the new Criss-crossingthe Thumb region are hundreds of miles school's enrollment of over 500 students. of highways and roads - and perhaps the best way to know the area is to take an imaginary drive and dis- cover its many facets. To really see the Thumb and its agriculture, you have to leave the main highways and take the inroads. Start- ing from Mt. Clemens, and crossing Huron county, lie the many acres of beets, beans and wheat that make the county one of the largest producing areas of these commodities in the state. Moving into Tuscola county, the well cared for fields of beets, beans and wheat continue along with vast areas of certified seeds produced within the county. Continuing south are the many Christmas tree farms which have sprung up in the past few years. And like Huron county there are many beef and dairy operations. The beans, beets and beef continue with many addi- tional acres producing snap beans and pickles. Sanilac and Lapeer counties are the two top dairy counties in the state; and Lapeer also produces all of the Thumb's LANDRACE-YORKCROSS HOGS are the money makers for ~ ,{~;.:-- f4' _.:r.- -- major commodities. the Wiswells, Leonard and his wife Evah. A typical year In the Imlay City area, vast acres of fertile muckland finds them marketing about 900 hogs. Although the .410- IT'S UP ON THE COMBINE for Henry Gerstenschlager as produce many garden vegetables, much of which is acre farm takes up much of Evah's time, she still manages he starts to unload some oats nearing the end of a long to remain active in Farm Bureau as membership roll call day. Gerstenschlager is presently farming about 250 acres, marketed in the Detroit area. chairman. Aside from feed, they also grow 150 acres of" 135 acres of which are in corn, and 12 acres in oats. He St. Clair county, the gateway county to our Canadian beans - naturally. usually feeds about 150 to 250 head of beef cattle. friends, is devoted mainly to general types of farming, and turning south, crossing into Macomb county, stretch a variety of farming that is found in few counties. To name a few, there are dairying, beef, poultry, cherries, peaches, apples, all of the garden vegetables, plus the dark house rhubarb farms and mushroom houses. Many roadside markets dot the highways and - •• byways where the farmers sell their produce directly to the consumer - always eager for farm-fresh quality. Most of the Thumb's roads tie" into four state high- ways which are direct routes into Detroit. With to- day's transportation system, this makes a short distance for many of the Thumb commodities. It has been a privilege to work with Farm Bureau members of the region and the many acquaintances throughout the state. I will always believe farming to be the greatest business in America, and one that keeps the individual more appreciative of our American heritage. A RECENTLYCOMPLETEDSALES ROOM is the newest addition to the Stoney Creek Orchard of Loren Ross. The combined sales room and cold storage area shown abov.e has a capacity af 26,000 bushels. Ross has 110 acres of producing apple trees, six acres of young peaches, ten acres of new pears, and 60 acres of semi-dwarf and standard apple trees. 9 SANILAC CLAIR 160,000 POUNDS OF PRODUCE ON A COUPLE OF ACRES- impossible unless yau're a mushroom grower like the A PRETTYGIRL COMPLETESTHE STORY- Kathy, daughter Mankos, Alex and his son Steve, shown watering down of the Arthur Avereyns, helps her parents, along with the heavily laden beds of young mushrooms. This tre- her young brother, Tommy, by keeping the weeds out of mendous yearly crop is produced by the Mankos in a 138x72 the rhubarb, and by helping with the chores an the .40 foot mushroom house - one af the largest operations in acre truck farm. The Avereyns have a double dark house Michigan. for their winter rhubarb. _ TWELVE September 1, 1964 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS Farm Bureau has a long history of constant support of rural electric co-ops and fought for the R.E.A. (Rural Electrification Administration) legislation passed by Congress in 1936. The Congressional intent was to furnish "electric energy to persons in rural areas. who are not receiving central station service." R.E.A. became a permanent lending agency of the federal government. The principal recipients of R.E.A. loans have been electric cooperatives (R.E.C.s). There are fifteen such co-ops in Mich- igan, with nearly 100,000 services installed and more than 20,000 miles of line. Much of their power is generated in their own plants and the rest is purchased from private power companies. In some cases, power is sold to private companies. Farm Bureau policies, resulting from voting delegate action, both state and national, continue to support fully. the electric cooperatives organized and operated in accordance with ac- cepted cooperative principles and practic~s. Ownership and control should be clearly secured in the hands of the member patrons. Bylaws should provide that (1) the individual member be informed annually the amount of his allocations, and (2) a majority of the members must approve any sale that involves a substantial portion or all the assets of the co-op. Transfers of equity interest should be limited to persons qualified or qualifying for membership - thus preventing the capture of the organization by outside interests. Recognizing that perhaps misunderstanding and confusion exist in the minds of some people, leaders of Michigan's fifteen R.E.C.s and the Farm Bureau have met several times in a mutual effort to assure their members (in many cases the same I people) that there is no misund~rstanding in Michigan. This has been accomplished by a thorough study of Michigan's R.E.C. bylaws. It has been determined that, in general, they meet the tests that assure proper control by the member patrons. The legal structure of most Al ichigan rural electric coopera- tives could well be the pattern for other states. One other area of mutual concern to the R.E.C.s and Farm Bureau is the need for enactment of State legislation which will protect the rural electric cooperatives against invasion of their service areas. THE GENERATING PLANT of the Thumb Electric Co-op is typical of the many rural electric co-operatives serving the state's agricultural population. Manager of the Thumb Electric Co-op for the past two decades is Orville Hurford, who is also pr~sident of the Michigan R.E.C. association. The Thumb Co-op services nearly 6,500 members using J ,500 miles of line. "Like Money In the Bank" "Just like money in the bank" is the way farmers refer to their stock in Farmers Petroleum Cooperative - and that's just what it turned out to be as the FPC board of directors an- nounced the calling of $40,000 of Class A stock for cash on September 1, 1964. An additional $60,000 will be paid at the rate of 5% on the balance of the Class A stock. Another $20,000 will be paid to holders of patronage certif- icates totalling $10 or more, at tlle rate of 3% on October 31, 1964. The balance of the ea~ings will be distributed as patronage refunds - 250/0 in cash and the remainder as deferred patronage certificates. All of which goes to prove that fanners benefit when fanners join together to help themselves. MICHIGAN FARM NEWS September 1, 1964 THIRTEEN 22 NURSERY STOCK Farm Bureau Marke-' Place SENSATIONAL APPLE -Exclusive DISCOVERIES patented S tar k s pur Golden Delicious and famous Starkrimson! spur-type trees bear years earlier. Dwarf Trees for gia nt-size New" Also Ap pi es. TRY A 2S WORD CLASSIFIED AD FOR $2.00 Peaches, Pears for backyard and orchards. Stark-Burbank Standard Fruit Trees. Roses. Shrubs, Color-Photo Catalog FREE. Stark Bro's. Dept. 30595. Louisiana. Mo. SPECIAL RATE to Farm Bureau members: 25 words for $2.00 each edition. Additional words 10 (7-9t-48b) 22 cents each per edition. Figures like. 12 or $12.50 count as one w~rd. NON-MEMBER advertisers: 15 cents per word one edition. Two or more editions take' rate of 10 cents per word pe.r edition. 26 POULTRY All classified ads are cash with order, and copy MUST be in by 20th of the month. SHAVER STARCROSS HENS laying 60% and better. YEARLING Several months good production left in these hens before moult. Delivered to your fann free. in sizable numbers. Price 75~ each. AUCTIONS 10 FARMS FOR SALE 14 FOR SALE 20 LIVESTOCK ~lacPherson Hatchery. Ionia. ~Iichigan. CATTLE FEEDERS-Feed high analysis Phone 527-0860. (Ionia County) MISSOURI AUCfION SCHOOL. Free FOR SALE-197 acres in Ionia County. SHELLED BLACK WALNUTS. Pecans. ( 8-2t-35b) 26 catalog! 1330-50 Linwood. Kansas City. Clarksville. Michigan. 20 miles east of Brazils. English 'Valnuts. Sassafras. Pepper Perfect Balancer 8 % phosphate mineral Mo. 64109. (2-Tf-IOb) Grand Rapids. 50 acres muck. balance S1.25#. Dried Mushrooms $3.00#. feed. Feed free choice. Put plain salt in day loam near expressway. Cattle bam Peerless. 538MN Centralpark. Chicago 24. one container and Perfect Balancer Min- SHAVER ST ARCROSS 288. Started Pul- for 50 head. onion storage. silo. 2 family ______ (_8-2t-17p) 14 erai in another container. The animal lets, ages 8 to 20 wee.J<:s;rated among the house. other buildings. 540.000 tenns. knows which one he needs. Get Perfect best in cages. A complete pullet-raising 6 DOGS Edward ,V. Tanis. Jenison. Michigan. NEW! - Reclosable heavy duty plastic Balancer mineral at vour elevator. The program. - controlled lighting. vaccina- bags. Introductory offer 4 (12"xlO") bags Gelatin Bone Co .• Box 125. Em me tt. tion. worming and delivery service. Free R#1. Phone MO 9-9226. for $1. Carolina Bag Co .• Box 17483 M. SELECTED ENGLISH SHEPHERD (Ottawa County) (8-2t-46b) 10 Michi~an. (tf-47b) 20 booklet on comparison of "big name" PUPS from our own working stock dogs Charlotte. N.C. (9-lt-22b) 14 strains in contests. MacPherson Hatchery. FOR SALE~160 acres. good soil. pavt'd FOR SALE-9 Holstein Heifers. vac. and Ionia. ~Iichigan. Phone 527-0860 -S20.00. Bra die y A c res. Springport. road. Large modem five bedroom house. PRODUCE C RAT E S 45c at mill near tested. from good herd with. D.H.LA. Michigan. (Jackson County) Lake Ann. Geo. Barber. Empire. Mich- (Ionia County) (8-lt-44b) 26 ham. com cribs. two car ~arage. Paul C. records. 15.000 milk. 565# butterfat. due (8-64-12t-15p) 6 Fudge. Kalkaska. Michigan. (Kalkaska igan. Phone CR 5-3122. (9-2t-14p) 14 August and September. weight 1.100 Ibs. County) ( 9-3t-25p) 10 $250.00. Ed Tanis. R#I, Jenison. Mich- DAY OLD OR STARTED PULLETS- POULTRY/PRODUCE CRATES-Lum- The DeKalb profit pullet. Accepted by ANN ARBOR AREA - Lakefront Fann her Products Co .• Ceresco. Michigan. i~an. Phone MO 9-9226. 8 FARM EQUIPMENT with new house. 75 acres and new 3- Phone 616-963-0532. (l2-12t-lOp) 14 (Ottawa COllnty) (8-2t-46b) 20 the smart poultryman for high egg pro- duction. superior egg quality. greater feed hedroom. 2-bath ranch type home. at- 1000 USED SLIP COVER CANS-7 % DAIRYMEN-Use Perfect Balancer 8% efficiency. If. you keep records. you'll NEW LOW PRICES ON PLASTIC PIPE tached 2-car garage. walk out basement. phosphate mineral feed. ~Iix one pound keep DeKalbs. \Vrite for prices and -Rainbird sprinklers and Aluminum irri- inches in diameter. II inches high. Less opens towards beautiful spring fed lake. of Perfect Balancer to every 100 Ibs. of catalog. KLAGER HATCHERlES. Bridge- gation pipe. Select from the largest and than 100-15~ each. 100 or more- Good ham. Excellent land. Southwest ground feed. You can eliminate bone meal water. ~lichigan. Telephones: Saline HAzel most complete stock of pumps and irri- 10e each. (9-lt-22b) 14 of Saline. $45.000. terms. Oril Fergu- by using' Perfect Balancer. Get Perfect 9-7087, ~I a n chest er GArden 8-3034 gation equipment in Michigan. Solve your son. Broker. Phone: Dexter. ~fichigan. 32 FT. VAN TRXILER. 1953 Trail- Balancer at vour elevator. The Gelatin \ Washtenaw County) (tf-46b) 26 drought problems with a new 3x4 inch HA 6-4377. (Washtenaw County) mohile. All aluminum. 9 ft. spread axle. Bone Co .• Box 125. Emmett. "Michigan. centrifugal pump. 500 gallons per minute. (9-lt-47p) 10. double rear doors. opposite side doors. ______ (tf-40b) 20 POULTRY~fEN-Use Perfect Balancer. 110 pounds 'pressure. direct coupled to 78 I ¥~ inches insulation in sides. 2 inches FEEDING HOGS? Use salt free. high 8 % phosphate mineral feed in your ground H.P. Continental Model 226 reconditioned Red Seal 6 cylinder and tested en- 11 FARMS WANTED on ceiling. front and rear vent doors. Ideal for hauling potatoes or other pro- analysis Perfect Balancer 8 % phosphate feed. Eliminate soft shelled eggs. Mix 3 mineral feed in your hog feed. ~lix one Ibs. per 100 Ibs. feed. The Gelatin Bone gine. Unit Complete only $545.00 .it30 RENT-OPTION-older fann. large house. duce. Optional radiant floor heater main- pound of Perfect Balancer with each 100 Co .• Box 125, Emmett, Michigan. B Rainbirds, 2 brass nozzles only 3.14 bath. two bedrooms 1st floor. wood-coal tains uniform heat throughout load. Trailer Ihs. of ground feed. You can eliminate (tf-25b) 26 at your Water Headquarters, Hamilton furnace. woods. S 50 .00 m 0 nth. Buy 8975.00. heater S275.00. Heinz Potato bone meal by using Perfect Balancer. Get Mfg. & Supply Co .• 783 Chicago Drive. November. 1965. Beatrice Ward. 4664 Company. 13580 Conant. Detroit. Mich- Perfect Balancer at vour elevator. The P.O. Box 212. Holland. Michigan. Phone 24th Avenue. Port Huron. Michi~an. igan. Phone: TWinbrook 3-5200. STONE NO. 56-Highest 5-year average Gelatin Bone Co .• B'ox 125. Emmett. California against all big name brands. EX 6-4693. ( 8-2t-92b) 8 (9-lt-28p) 11 (9-lt-62b) 14 Michigan. (tf-50b) 20 Cameron No. 924 highest net income 3 yr. average all Penna. tests. Baby chicks 18 HELP WANTED 22 NURSERY STOCK or started pullets. Free delivery. Free literature. Dirkse Leghorn Farm. Box W ANTED-Experienced Grain Elevator MACKGLENTHEO GARDENS. Milling- 169N. Zeeland. Michigan. (8-lt-4lb) 26 Foreman. Must have leadership and me- ton. Michi~an. offers surprise collect Qf chanical ability. Send qualifications and fresh cut African Violet leaves for S 1.25. references to Elkton Co-op. Farm Pro- Iris rhizomes-15 for S3.00. daylilies-' KLAGER'S DeKALB PROFIT PULLETS duce Co .• Elkton. Michigan. (Huron 10 for S3.50. Prompt. friendly service. -Sixteen weeks and older. The proven County) (9-lt-23p) 18 (Tuscola County) (9-lt-2.5p) 24 Hybrid. Raised under ideal conditions by experienced poultrymen. Growing birds in- spected weekly by trained staff. Birds on full feed. vaccinated. debeaked. true to EIGHT FEEDER CATTLE' SALES age. and delivered in clean coops. See them I 'Ve have a grower near you. Birds 12;300 Quality Calves and Yearlings raised on Farm Bureau feed. KLAGER Northern Michigan Cattle will do better in your feed lot HATCHERIES. Bridgewater. Michigan. DATES AND LOCATIONS OF SALES Telephones: Saline. HAzel 9-7087. Man- Oct. 1 - Gaylord 900 yearlings chester GArden 8-3034. (Washtenaw Oct. 2 - Bruce Crossing 1,100 calves - 100 yearlings County) (tf-72b) 26 Oct. 6 - Escanaba 1,500 calves - 150 yearlings Oct. 8 - Gaylord Oct. 9 - Baldwiq 2,400 calves 1,300 calves - 300 yearlings 31 SILOS Oct. 14 - Alpena \ 1,400 calves - 200 yearlings Oct. 15 - West Branch 2,200 calves - 100 yearlings RIBSTO~E SILOS-P & D Silo Unload- Oct. 24 - Gladwin SOOcalves - 100 yearlings ers, Feeding equipment. Layouts. Parts & Ser....ice. NO DOWN PAYMENTS - Easv These cattle born on the forms and ranches of Northern Michigan. Sired b)L Terms. 'Yay Fann Automation, Grand registered bulls out of commercial cows. Mostly Hereford, many lots of Angu.s, Ledge. Phone Mulliken 3741 or Jones- some cross breeds in each sale and several rots of Hereford-Charolais crosses 10 ville VI 9-7934 (Eaton County) Gaylord sale. Brochure descr.ibing each sale available from RAY McMULLEN, Gaylord, ( 4-tf-29b) 31 Michigan, Michigan Feeder Cattle Producers Council. Mich. Dept. of Agriculture. Animal Husbandry. Dept. M.S.U. Cooperative Extension Service and Beef Breeders Assoc. cooperating NEW C&B CORRUGATED CEMENT STAVE SILOS-now built with acid re- sistant plastic on inside. By any standard of comparison the finest cement stave silo an'd most for the money. NO DOWN ~~ '. PAYMENT --easy terms. Compiete sys- \ ~~'~, tematic feeding also available. Company. Charlotte. Michigan. C&B Silo \]~. 17- "With {tf-44b) 3] 34 WANTED concrete' tilt-up, we saved WANTED-OLD INDIAN HEADS. flints. axes. relics. Top price~ paid. Ship to Hyde's. Rosemar Rd .• Park- ersburg. West Virginia. ARROW- (9-2t-19p) 34 money and got a barn 14th Annual West Michigan I Angus Breeders Association I that's really fire-safe!" Sale Saturday, October "3 ~ Says DR. BERTRAND B. DIONNE, V.M.D., Brunswick, Maine at the 4-H Fairgrounds, lowell, Michigan. "We lost one barn by fire. So our choice for the new Show at 10:00 A.M. one was concrete-one building material that can't Sale at 1:00 P.M. burn. When we heard about the new tilt-up method, Quality offering of bulls, we found we could have concrete and save money, too. cows, heifers and 4-H steers. Wall panels were cast right on the floor, so forms were For catalog, write Enoch easy to build. Two men and a tractor tipped the walls .Carlson, Alto, Michigan. into place. We figure we saved a good $5,000 on our FARMERS: 44-head barn. Check the value you get in "And the barn is designed just the way I wanted it. Gelatin Bone Perfect Balancer, FREE FILM We even have heating coils in the concrete floor to the mineral feed of champions: For every roll of Kodacolor or Black and 'Vhite film you send us for proces- keep bedding warm and dry. With concrete, there's Percent Percent sing. you will receive ABSOLUTELY FREE a fresh roll of the same size film • no worry about rust or rot. Disinfecting is simple. Min. Max. with your developed prints. Regular hose-downs keep the whole place clean and Phosphorous 8.0 9.0 8 exposure developed Calcium 29.0 34.0 and enlarged sanitary. Mag. Sulfate .24 "Upkeep on the barn itself is no problem, either. We don't even have to paint it. That's another saving You save yourself and your Iodine (pure) Cobalt Sulfate .015 .01 .018 .03 PLUS FREE ROll 12 exposure developed and enlarged KODACOLOR 275 FILM money with this gleaming sun- Salt 0.00 0.00 of at least $350 every second yea~!" PLUS FREE ROll KODACOLOR FILM It pays to check on concrete tilt-up Write for free set reG enamel post that's all ready to drive. No wood to cut. Get Perfect Balancer at your elevator. Distributed in ~lich- GIANT SIZE COLOR PRINTS (Kodacolor negatives only) ea. 19c information using the coupon bplow no holes to dig, no backfill, igan by: Only the finest Kodak tamping and heaving. Unilites FARM BUREAU materials used. withstand fire, rot and termites. SERVICES, INC. CLIP-MAIL TODAY And reflectorizedcrest guides Maplewood Studio The GELATIN BONE CO. PORTLAND CEMENT A.SSOCIA ~ION night drivers on road and field. Box 125, Emmett, Michigan Box 362 lansing, Mich. Stoddard Buildir>q, onsing, \A;(" 1-' ,0'1 '8033 Workmanship, materials guar- A national organization to imrrove a"d extend the ...ses of cOr'c'efe anteed. Unilites last indefi- Please send free information on concrete tilt-up. nitely. Buy them and slve! STEWARTS' HAMPSHIRE SALE Also send material on other subjects I've listed: THURSDAY -12:00 NOON, C.D.T. Available throughout Michigan SO BOARS - SO REGISTERED OPEN GILTS- from 150 COMMERCIAL OPEN GILTS NAM~ FARM BUREAU rrnn:r... Ff'ffl con ..e"~lon, carcass infonnation, CRtalo~ on request. backfat probe on every animal in catalog Lunch available. SERVICES, INC. _ L. L. & MANFORD STEWART ST. OR R. NO. C'~" ,-'TE- lANSING. l\\ICHIGAN R.R .:t4, Frankfort, Indiana ------------ ..1 ,... _ • j \ September 1, 1964 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS DISCUSSION TOPIC -Possible Prepared by the Education and Research Department, Michigan Farm Bureau hest serve Farm Bureau members today? Farming has changed Action Areas THE AGRICULTURAL SIDE since 1919, when Farm Bureal/ A Perpetual ~Iotion rvfachine? The records of the patent was founded. Membership is less Could farmers hene(it by having Farm Bureau take IIniform. the initiative to establish a County Agricultural offices of America and Europe were cluttere d with designs There are stiIJ members who Council? Some Counties have done so. The Council for such fantastic devices a cen tury ago. They were are full-time farm_~'perators. But brings together the fanners' organizations, commodity ventures in futile folly. they have changed. Many have associations, farm agencies, etc. to study and work Perpetual motion asked that nature make an exception had to expand the size of their farms and change their farming O;lt plans for the benefit of. agriculture in the County. to her laws. A device was supposed to develop motion, methods. Thev had to do so to The County Extension Agent is usually a core re- power - energy - without using other energy to propel it. -methods to ke~p ahead of the ris- source person. People often come to expect perpetual motion of their ing costs of operation. organi::.ations. They may think that, once YOll have set the \Vith their changing methods SCHOOL PROBLEMS? • 1 of operation, new needs for serv- Are there building problems? Questions of school system spinning, you can forget it. No perpetua motion ices emerged, new. problems of board policy or teaching policy? Do members need machine ran for long. Action without supporting effort by purchasing, specialization, man- to be better informed on school affairs? Is tax millage the members means diminishing programs. agement decisions and records, being properly used? Farm Bureau gives the mem- \Vhen organizations are born, me.n put personal power estate planning and inheritance, and new marketing methods de- bers an ORGANIZATION TIE to approach all prob- behind the drive to organize. The e ff orts are aime d at "eloped. How could Farm Bu- lems of the local nature. clear-cut and conscious purposes. It was true with the reau best contribute to the needs farmers who organized Farm Bureau. They founded their of such members? SAFETY AND TRAFFIC PROBLEMS? Farm Bureau as a means of taking cooperative action. But wait! Many Farm Bureau It is unusual if you do not. County roads have the members still farm on a smaller heaviest record of traffic fatilities in the state. Should Experience had shown that in d epen d ent action was a scale. In many cases, these mem- you find out why? Are more and better .safety meas- failure. No farmer, alone, could finance the efforts needed, bers depend for' a considerable ures needed? New safety ordinances? nor could he spare_the time to do the whole job'. But if the share of their income on employ- load of financing, thought and work were shared, much ment off the farm. COMMUNITY PLANNING? ZONING LAWS? became possible. They may have a different set Farm Bureau members did not such as is found in big industrial of needs than the full-time farm- Planning often Pennits farm land to be zoned as b egin b.y organizmg a state or corporations. A small staff is em- er. They, too, are members. How agricultural before it is gobbled up by suburbs. You national organization. They be- ployed to give guidance and can Farm Bureau programs and may keep undesirable junk yards or beer taverns out gan at home, in their own county. know-how. services best serve these farmers? of your front yard or away from your churches. Such The success of the whole effort But members who help build, 'Vith farmers of different cir- things affect the value of members' properties. rested on this. It made the or- get a keen sense'that the organi- _cum stances ip the picture, the ganization a personal thing, and zation is their own. The ACTIVE problem of developing programs POSSIBILITIES AlMOST ENDLESS was neighbor-join-neighbor in a MEMBER puts himself into the ~an prompt ~ome head-scratch- We could not list the most pressing problem of common task. game. He knows that programs mg. But no programs can be a~y community here. But what about growing sew- depend on him to a large extent. made to fit until both groups set Fanners would work with C h h d d age disposal problems and water pollution? Drainage Gripes and complaints usually lort t eir wants an nee s. farmers, not with state or national come .from some non-active mem- \Vithout the help of the farm- problems? Fire and police services? Road and high- officers, in building basic. pro- h h h f ,. way needs? Snow removal, weed and bnlsh along bers who fail to understand what ers - w 0 aye t e armer s VIew grams. They would provide the makes their organization tick. of things as they are on the farm the roadsides? power to make the programs GO. They assume that it can deliver - expert planners can not "in- Health programs - Sanitation? Inspection on Of course these founding farm- henefits without action on their vent" programs that fit. ers soon realized that some of own part. There are differences in what farms and in farm markets? Health clinics, hospitals their problems and needs reached Some arc more than passive _ the farmers produce today, as and the supply of doctors? out to state and national fronts. they are negative. Griping and well. ~Iore crop and product \Ve could go on. Recreation and hunting prob- There were problems of all farm- complaining actually generates specialization. So. marketing lems, welfare load or policies, farm credit programs ers-in common. But they nothing but its own misery. The needs and programs may be very - yes, even farm supply and equipment services. formed their state association as {Zriper is like the man who kicks different. for those in separate Or consider publicity. Do farmers get favorahle a federation of their county units, his car because it runs out of gas. commodities. public press -and radio? Is the image of the fanner and they established the Amer- The meaning is simple. A flow can Farm Bureau's serv- ican Farm Bureau as a federation voluntarv organization depends ice organizations adil/sf to all in t~e minds of urban people .an ugly ghost? What of state units. on mai~taining a vital .core of these differences? The far meT about more local publicity by the County Farm The County Farm Bureau came active members who remain alive memhers should say. B~lreau to '1ay that ghost?" FIRST, both in history and in and driving for the goals set by A.UFarm B~reau s~rvice com- 'Vho OUGHT TO do what? If YOLI are one of those importance! Had farmers not put the members. If others finance it, pames came. mto bemg by the who say that "T 1I EY" ought to he doing something, their spirit into the organi;::;ing if service organizations producing request of Farm Bureau dele- remember that "THEY" need your help, counsel and - effort, Farm Bureau would never things FOR members gain sway, !!ates. M~~bers not only said support if something is to get done. In a voluntary have taken form. it is no longer a "fanners' organi- \Ve need. They advanced the There was no idea of sub- zation." money to start suc;h programs as organization, YOU are part of "'Tll EY/" - stituting the state or national or- The founding members of the F. B. Services, Farmers Petro- An old saying fits the Farm Bureau approach. "He ganizations for the farmer's per- Farm Bureau put the requirement leum Cooperative and the F. B. who cuts his own wood wanns himself twice." sonal efforts. Such associations well- "We need Farm Bureau Insurance companies. would simply give their efforts so that we can DO FOR OUR- They asked for the Michigan wider scope and greater power, SEL YES those things which we Agricultural Cooperative Market- multiplying member support. 'Vhatever the level, the mem- cannot do alone." The County Farm Bureau is ing Associ a tion. And grower groups that havemsed MACMA's QUESTIONS bers were "in the act up to their stilJ the place where action be- help asked for that help. 1. What local or County problems need or- necks." Decisions, programs, vast gins. Out of that action wilJ be- The growers design, pay for legislativre Scrft t e d airf; KJU<5jEf* are a l l steel-bar rresh w i t h 11 itii A steep p\tch roots Both a r e AVON DliAi ALUMINUM Unico products the safe, GENESEE MONON TWIN-RIB efficient, d u r a b ' e a n d eco- n o m i c a l line. ftb: DOM r GJ€S! Rl'NM-'IVi 4 SIlHVi lis tie THE ONE STOP SHOPPING CENTER FOR ALL YOUR FARM I E SIXTEEN September 1, 1964 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS Joining Hands to Promote Michigan Agriculture rm nsu v y i W-M.t5B>i?K Outstanding Young Farmer Program N. L. Vermillion, Administrative Vice President of the Insurance Companies and Robert Zeeb, past Michi- gan OYF winner and chairman of the }64-}65 OYF Program are meeting to discuss the awards planned for the State Jaycee Convention, March 6, 1965. Michigan's Agriculture will continue to be as important to the Economy of Michigan in the future as it is today. The Outstanding Young Farmers of today will be the key farm managers and operators of tomorrow. Farm Bureau Insurance and Community Service Insurance Companies are dedicated to helping farm and rural people throughout Michigan. The Farm Bureau Companies will adjust to the changing agricultural con- ditions to give the best "Total Insurance Service" available in Michigan. The Companies are pleased to co-sponsor the 1964-65 Outstanding Young Farmer Program with the Michigan Jaycees. For the best "Total-Insurance-Program" today that will continue to be the best tomorrow, see your local Farm Bureau Agent—do it now. FARM BUREAU INSURANCE C O M P A N I E S O F M I C H I G A N Farm Bureau Life • Farm Bureau Mutual • Community Service \