MDCHDGA ..,cARM NEWS THE ACTION PUBLICA' ION OF THE MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU Vol. 43, No. 4 Published Monthly by Michigan Farm Bureau April 1, 1965 \l , . \\MOST OUTSTANDING YOUNG FARMER"- Ralph Letson, pauses Michigan Farm Bureau dairy advisory committee. He was cited in for a milk break with his wife, Betty, and children, Jeaneen -and 1963 for outstanding production by the Michigan Milk Producers Darwin. The Letson farm operation was singled out from 30 finalists Association, and is an active supporter of the American Dairy Asso- in the Junior Chamber of Commerce sponsored statewide contest. ciation of Michigan. After the excitement, Ralph's comment was, \\They Members of the Eaton County Farm Bureau, Ralph serves on the give the awards to the men, but girls like Betty-should get one, too." . . . " , . "Most Outstanding" Young Farmer Miss Atwood Named An Eaton county dairy farmer, Ralph Letson (34) of Char- reau where he h~ -served as lotte, has been named Michigan's most Outstanding Young chairman of his Community Women's Coordinator Farmer by the State Junior Chamber of Commerce .. Group. Others among the top The appointment of Miss Helen Atwood as Coordinator four were: Frank Lipinski, Buck- Mr. and Airs. Letson (Betty) will fly to Ft. Collins, Colorado, ley, second runner-up, and Ed of Farm aureau "Vomen's Activities, has been announced where they will represent A! ichigan in the national contest, Wittenbach of Belding, third by Clarence E. Prentice, Secretary-Manager of the Mich- April 11-13. runner-up. Lipinski was the only igan Farm Bureau. She will assume the position April 12. A member of the Eaton County candidates. Theron also grows bachelor among the top four, A resident of New Hampshire where she has been em- Farm Bureau, Letson serves on blueberries, and fruit was listed and one of four single men in the ployed for some years by the New Hampshire Farm Bu- 'both the county Farm Bureau by several other finalist. final competition. reau, Miss Atwood comes to Michigan with an impressive dairy committee and on the Dairy Just as a majority of the dis- A wife and three children background of Farm Bureau experience. Besides respons- Advisory Committee of the Mich- trict winners were dairymen, so seemed average among the thirty ibility for coordinating the work of the New Hampshire igan Farm Bureau. Coinciden- too were they Farm Bureau mem- finalists who were warned by Farm Bureau Women's program, she also assisted the Farm tally, Robert Zeeb, the state's bers. Many listed Community speaker Thomas Cowden, Dean Outstanding Young Farmer of Group or county Farm Bureau of Michigan State University's Bureau Young People in their activities and edited the two years ago, serves as chairman activity among those things of CoIlege of Agriculture, to "take monthly Farm Bureau publication. of this state Farm Bureau dairy "community worth" upon which time to enjoy your families." In Michigan she will have prime responsibility for co- advisory group. they were judged. Cowden reminded the- ambitious ordinating the activities of the Michigan Farm Bureau Letson's choice marks an un- Three broad areas of activity young men and their wives that Women's Committee and the district committees, as well broken string of such top awards were considered by the judging "some of life's greatest pleasmes as assist county committees 'with their programs. She will which have gone in recent years panel, - besides interest in com- are seated around your breakfast also work with Farm Bureau Young People and in other to young dairymen, although all munity and civic affairs, they, tables each morning." areas where the work of Farm Bureau '-\Tomen relates to types of fann operations were included progress made in indi- the total Farm Bureau program. listed this year by the 30 candi- vidual farming situations i.n re- Co-sponsoring this year's Out- dates at the state contest March 6. lation to obstacles that had to be standing Young Fanner program "'Ve are extremely pleased that Miss Atwood has ac- along with the Junior Chamber cepted this important position," reports Mrs. William As an example, for the first' overcome: ~anage~ent .ability time in the II-year history of ranked hIgh In the JudgIng. of Commerce was the Farm Bu- Scramlin, Chairman of the State Women's Committee. the Michigan contests, a "Christ- First runner-up was Norman reau Insurance Group; Fann Bu- "She will be a valuable ,addition to the ~lichigan Farm mas Tree" farmer, Theron Stone, Crooks of Stanton, a member of reau Mutual, Farm Bureau Life Bureau staff," Mrs. Scramlin added. of West Olive, was among the the Montcalm county Farm Bu- and Community Service. TWO April 1, 1965 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS President's Column Patchwork Quilt• Five - Man Rule? "Did Grandma ever tell you about the patch- Five men of the U.S. Supreme Court have work quilt that lies across the sofa in her room? shaken the foundations of our republic, even "It is made from scraps of dresses that she right down where you live. It was just five wore when she was young, and some of them justices out of nine that acted to destroy the were woven on a loom. Sometimes, when it is basis of representation established by our con- raining and we can't play out of doors, she lets stitutions - both state and national. It ought us spread it out upon the floor - and as we to make everyone of us mad enough to fight I choose the pieces we'd like to hear about, she These five men acted with power not granted tells us of the dresses that she wore." them by the law. They looked right around With these words, an anonymous poet wrote the tenth amendment of the Constitution. That with feeling about the patchwork, or "crazy" amendment is the heart of our Bill of Rights. quilt that Grandma had, and how it repre- Its clear intention is to limit the power of the sented a .form of recorded family history. federal government. "Grandma told us once that life is iust a It declares that all powers not granted to the patchwork quilt," the poet wrote, "ioys and federal government by the Constitution are sorrows, laughter, tears and things. And that reserved to the states themselves, and to the sometimes when you're looking for a lovely people. These five men have challenged the piece of red, you only find a knot of faded very foundation of our govemment-by-the- strings ... " people. Lillian Atcherson, the' Blue Earth County If their action sticks, the Constitution be- (Minnesota) farm wife, must have felt much comes meaningless. Remember, this deCision the same when following her first airplane will reach right down to your lpcal County ride, she was inspired to write about the government. It hit fast right in my home "patchwork quilt" that is America's farmlands. «Neath the great blue dome of heaven, lies Farm-Labor Shackles? county. A federal judge, acting on the Supreme Court ruling, declared that our Kent County a country fair and free, with its fertile hills Board of Supervisors must be elected on a and valleys, stretching out from sea to sea," «Michigan farmers face serious problems in adjusting straight population basis. she began. In her verses which have since to new farm labor laws and regulations including the So many of our townships can no longer have been immortalized as part of the "American new Michigan minimum wage and Federal crew leader registration." a member on the Board. The cities have a Farm Bureau Spirit," the official Farm Bureau government-monopoly in Kent County. song, l\1rs. Atcherson told of the "cotton grow- That is the conclusion of the Michigan Farm Bureau But the development is not iust rural against ing southlands and the northern fields of board of directors, meeting in Lansing, March 23-24. city people. It is a case of abandoning the grain." A substantial list of legislative proposals regarding farm right of the people to decide on their own form Tnlly the realm of American agriculture is a labor now before the_1965 legislature was considered. In- of government. varied, complex, vast patchwork quilt. \Vith cluded in the study were proposals covering regulation The Supreme Court has even thrown out the its more than 300 crops, infinite variety of of migrant farm labor camps (housing, living and working apportionments of state legislatures ,set up by weather conditions and soils, American fanning conditions) - the inclusion of farm labor under mandatory a popular vote of the people. They have to is among the most diverse in the world. workmen's compensation coverage, regulation of transpor- change to fit the dictates of the Court - the Obviously, any farm organization that ac- tation of farm workers, state crew-leader registration and population basis. The Court takes for itself a curately reflects such a diversity, must of itself amendment of the minimum wage law as it affects agri- power even greater than the people's votel be diverse. It must be broad and flexible culture. Some public groups have recognized what enough to represent ALL of agriculture and its The Michigan Farm Bureau board approved a set of is happening. Many have passed resolutions people - nationwide. It must speak for the guidelines against which to measure each of the proposals calling on Congress to initiate a constitutional poultry and "peanut farmer, for the sugar-beet as they develop within the Legislature. amendment to spell out the right of states to and bean man, for the oyster and onion people. They said that any such legislation should recognize determine the nature of their own Legislatures. And as the complexity of agriculture changes the economics of agriculture and Michigan's competitive This should not be necessary, but apparently it - so must the organization that represents it. position as related to the products of other states. is necessary to put the Court in its place and to It was for this reason that 170 full-time farmers "It should be recognized that seasonal farm labor housing remove the power of decision from those five from the state of Virginia visited in Michigan is usually provided at no charge to the worker, and very men to over-rule the people. recently. They were cotton, tobacco, fruit and often the housing, facilities and utilities are provided for The National Council of Farmer Coopera- dairy farmers, interested in how Farm Bureau both workers and their families," the board stated. tives is one of the groups calling for. Con- serves farmers of this state. The farm leaders added that wherever practical, laws gressional action of this kind .. They declare Doubtlessly, "Farm Bureau" meant some- and regulations should be of general application, and that the people within a state should have the thing different to each of these Virginians, and should not be «class legislation" applying to a particular right to select one House of their Legislature perhaps by the time they left Michigan, it had group only. Further, that regulations should recognize on a basis other than population. They hold come to mean still something else. the customs and practices of handling a variety of crops. that the vote of the people at home should Those things we understand best mean the Elsewhere in their statement, the Michigan Farm Bureau carry weight in such a matter, and that 'people most to each of us. Thus, one Farm Bureau board said that «there should be consideration for the who are in a minority should have some effec- member may insist that the main function of term of use of housing and facilities, to relate investment tive voice in government. the organization is to operate a specialized in~ to length of time of use ... " If the Court can decide what the makeup of surance program. To another, Farm Bureau the State Legislature can be, certainly the "It should be our objective to provide a broad oppor- could mean an effective lobby force, or per- Court can assume the power to pass judgment tunity for employment, including young people and chil- haps, a local cooperative service. on every act that any Legislature passes. Thus, dren, particularly under family supervision, in jobs where Of course, Farm Burea~ is all of these things, health and safety hazards are minimal." the federal government takes supreme power but it is also much more. To most farmers, over the law, whether national or local. They concluded: "The family farm is the bulwark of That they can do so locally is reflected, as Farm Bureau means neighbor-working-with- Michigan agriculture. Excessive requirements for record- 1 say, on what happened to local govern'ment neigh bar to create a strong, united voice for keeping, red tape and excessive costs and taxes can make in Kent County. Federal iudges can pass along the minority group which farmers have become. it impossible for the family farm operation to continue ... " the decisions of the Supreme Court in regu: Best of all, in the nearly 50 years since these neighbors first organized this effective voice, lating the bodies of government even where Farm Bureau has added so many new facets you live. to its "patchwork" quilt that there is layer According to the last report I had, eighteen MICHIGAN~FARM NEWS state legislatures now have passed resolutions after layer of depth to the organization. THe ACTION ,"UI5L1CAnON O~ THe MICHIGAN ~ARM BURI!AU calling for a national Constitutional Conven- Those who helped put together this "crazy- The MICHIGAN FARM NEWS is DIRECTORS: District I, Max K. published monthly, on the first day, Hood. Paw Paw, R-l; District 2, Wil. tion to draft an amendment to assure the states quilt" of programs and farm service-ideas had by the MichilZan Fann Bureau, at its bur H. Smith, Burlington. R-1; District publication office at 109 N. Lafayette the right to set up their own legislative bodies. no pattern to follow. They wove the fibers of Street. Greenville, Michij{an. 3, Donald L. Ruhlig, 0 ext e r; Dis- trict 4, Elton R. Smith, Caledonia, Congress could initiate such an amendment, by the organization on a loom of their own build- Editorial and J(eneral offices at 4000 R-l; District 5. David Morris. Grand North Grand River Avenue. Lansinst. Ledge. R-3; District 6, Ward G. Hodge, a two-thirds vote, or two-thirds of the states ing and in a design of their own choice. They Michil{an. Post Office BOlt 960. Tele- Snover, R-I; District 7, Kenneth Bull, phone, Lansing. 485-8121, Edension Bailey, R-1; District 8. Harvey Leuen- could do it. It would take such a resolution worked to the tune of the "Farm Bureau Spirit" 317. berger, Saginaw. R-6; District 9, Eugene Roberts. Lake City. R-l; Dis- by 34 states to call the convention. - a melody of their own devising. Established January 12, 1923. Sec- trict 10. EdlZar Diamond, Alpena, R- ond Class Posbige paid at Greenville, 2; District II, Edmund Saloter, But such a convention is not necessary if Sometimes, as Grandma found out, the strong ~fichilZan. Stephenson. Congress will act, and that brings us into tlle EDITORIAL: Editor, Melvin L. appearing "patch" tunled out to be just a knot \\"oe1\; Staff PhotolZuphcr, Charll'S DIRECTORS AT LARGE: Walter picture. \Vhen I say "us," I mean the voting Bailey; Staff Artist, Sam Bass. Women's Frahm. Frankt'nmuth; Dean Pridgeon, of faded strings - as a good idea failed. ~lateri.t1, M ..... Donna Wilher. Montgomery, R-l; \Valter Wightman, citizens right around home. OFFICERS: Michi2an Fann Ru- Fennville. R-1. But mostly, they quilted tOf!.ether a wonder- reau; President, Elton R. Snuth, Call'- WO~1EN OF FARM BUREAU: ~Irs. I'd like to ask you to join me ill sending ful heirloom of sturdy cloth, a comforter with donia. H-I; Vice Prc5ident, Dean William Scramlin. Holly; FARM BU- letters to Congressmen to lJrotest against the Pridgeon, Montj!omery. }{-I; Secretary- REAU YOU.~G PEOPLE: Haymond character, one that blankets and serves well Manaszt'f. Clan.'nce E. l'rentke. Okemos. Kllcharek. Gaylord. Court's acti01l and call for Congress to submit the crazy-quilt pattern which is our wonder- -------- POSTMASTER: In using form 3579, mail to: Michigan farm News, 4000 N. a new amclldmcllt for a uot(' of the states on fully different agricultural-America. Grand River, Lansing, Michigan. this issue. Second class postage paid at Greenville, Michigan ~1.\V. Elton Smith MICHIGAN FARM NEWS April 1, 1965 THREE l ' ... Blossoms in the Snow Photo feature by Charles Bailey "Apple blossoms" came early to Washington this year. They were carried there by a group of 47 Michigan Farm Bureau leaders who visited their Congressmen during the "Sixth Annual Farm Bureau 'Vomen's Air Tour," March 14 through 17. During their visit members of the group were luncheon guests of Minority Leader and Mrs. Gerald Ford. As they dined in the historic old private dining room furnished the Speaker of the House, members of the group presented a I fancy spring bonnet, festooned with artificial apple blossoms, to Mrs. Ford. , Official spokesman, Mrs. Ann Campau of Ada, assured ~Irs. Gerald Ford that the hat was an "original" designed especially for her, and meant to remind her of the beautiful real blossoms which will soon color the countryside of Central ~fichigan. This annual visit of farm leaders from all parts of Michigan GATEWAY TO MT. VERNON,-as seen through falling snow, provided Michigan tour members with a different view began Sunday afternoon, March 14, with a swift flight from than that usually seen along the magnolia-lined walks. The carefully kept grounds and buildings have been restored Detroit's Metropolitan Airport, to National Airport in \Vash- to its original condition. Many were pleasantly surprised at the advanced farming methods Washington used. .,' ington. A busy three days followed . Early Monday, everyone visited in American Farm Bureau Federation headquarters, where busy officials work the "Wash- ington beat." A thorough briefing by staff members prepared those on tour with background for a visit to Capitol Hill. Later, most of the group took advantage of a sunshiny afternoon to stroll along the mall between the Capitol building and the \Vashington Monument. Chinese food may be good for a change, but it falls far short of Michigan bean soup' and roast beef, most agreed after a Chinese meal that climaxed the day. More food, this time served where most people who visit Washington never pen- etrate, - the private and ornate dining room provided the Speaker of the House, began the second busy day for the Michigan group. There, in a breakfast with members of the Michigan Repub- ~ \ ., ~"-.,. J.iJj ~.. lican delegation in Congress, the farm leaders chatted with their Representatives. Each Congressman spoke briefly to the MICHIGAN CHAPEAU,- fe~turing artificial apple blossoms, Spe~ker of the House, group, telling of activities of his committee assignments. "to remind you of the real 'ones soon to appear at home," farm leaders - is placed on the head of Mrs. Gerald Ford by Mrs. Ann to Congress. Tuesday afternoon was set aside for visits with the l\-fichigan Campau, Kent county. Democratic Delegation in Congress. A sudden flurry of activity on the floor of the House plus several quorum calls, combined to cut short the conversations, much to the group's disappoint- ment. One tour highlight was a guided visit to the new offices in the Rayburn building with Congressman E. A. Cederberg as host, since he had already moved into his new offices in this controversial, but impressive new structure. Group members visited the Senate and House ~alleries after the Rayburn tour, watching Congressmen from both parties working on a proposed revision of Federal apportionment laws , relating to Congressional districting. Wednesday broke clear and cool for what had been set aside as "tour day" - with the cold progressing with the morning. Few noticed the weather though, as they toured the Bureau of Engraving where ,they saw bundles of "greenbacks" rolling off the presses. All were surprised by the many steps it takes ( to turn out an ordinary one-dollar bill. LEGISLATIVEBRIEFING,- prepare the Michigan group for RAYBURN BUILDING TOUR,- is conducted by one of the a better understanding of Congress, as Marvin Mclain, a first Congressmen. to move to new offices there, E. A. One step attracting the eyes of everyone was the counting Legislative Director for the American Farm Bureau talks to Cederberg, of Michigan's 10th District. The costly building and bundling operation with human counters flashing in- the group about farm legl':..Jtion in the Federation's offices. has been under fire •. credibly nimble fingers to count thousands of bills every hour. All noisy talk and teasing stopped when the group entered the White House, where a sense of history seems to overwhelm. Walking through the rooms where Presidents from John Adams .to Lyndon Johnson have lived and worked, brings an automatic sense of awe. Predicted showers turned into heavy, wet snow, which still failed to dampen enthusiasm. "'ith cheerful "so whats?"- typical of farmers, the group sped to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, and then, on to Mt. Vernon. Heavy weather did not prevent them from walking the paths once used by George and ~iartha Washington, their family, and friends. They viewed the sweeping panorama of the Potom'ac, impressive even under snow. Later, when asked if they could prepare meals with the crude equipment in the old kitchen, most of the women shook their heads in horror at the thought. With weather turning from bad to worse, the weary travelers WASHINGTON SAT HERE,-on the front porch of Mt. waited an anxious two-hours to see if the planes were still flying. TIME OUT TO VISIT,- is taken by Congressman Paul Vernon, overlooking a broad expanse of the Potomac Finally the call came over the public address system, and with Todd, Jr., (Oem.) of Michigan's third district. In spite of a river, ond across it to Maryland. On this porch, Woshington hectic day on Capitol Hill, Todd excused himself from an viewed farm operations while comidering important na- relief, the group trudged through the snow to the plane and important hearing to chat with his folks "from bock home." tional affairs. a quick trip home to loved ones. FOUR April 1, 1965 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS BEWARE THE Springtitne Gyp-Artists! There are fully as many "confidence" schemes as there are Con-men, a~d springtime is their favorite working season. The sap is high in the trees, they say, and the saps on the farms are ripe for the taking. There is nothing sacred to these gypsters, who may smile in your face as they lie to you, all the while busily performing daylight robbery with you as the victim. Some have even been known to change the old Latin warning of "Caveat Emptor' (let the buyer beware) to "Caveat Vendor" - let the seller look out, as illustrated in this true story recited by a convicted check-cheat, and as told to Pete Simer. Read it and beware. WANTED TO BUY - Livestock, fann tools and equip- ment. Retired toolmaker has purchased run-down dairy fann; needs everything. Cash on the barrelhead. No junk. No dealers. Tele. noon till 9 Sunday. That ad ran Thursday, Friday and Saturday in a farm expense, if you like. The number .. .., country daily; costing its author $8.40. It could have cost you is -" many times that amount. The only tools this retired toolmaker ever made were devices But the squat man waved the suggestion aside. (If the corpor- .Gyps Prey on, Unwary for decashing his fellowman. And his cash on the barrelhead ation in question had an Experi- turned out to be checks that were as unnegotiable as wasted mental Division within 500 miles, False advertising and product misrepresentation can take minutes. it would have been news to "Mr. many forms. Farmers must be constantly alert to protect them- No junk was right. Everything he "bought" was A-One- Bakke". With his small, hand- selves from those who would prey on the unwary. worth anywhere from $150 to $200. powered printing press, he'd Fortunately, local merchants, local newspapermen, local And how was the hoodwinking accomplished-? printed Experimental Division on broadcasters, form a front-line of protection against those who his . "home-made" checks, em- wo'uld mislead and misrepresent people of their communities. THE BAIT ployee's pass and letter from the 'No local publisher or broad- Well, as the "noon till 9" calls materialized, this middle-aged, "Vice President" merely to have caster ever knowingly accepts reputable dealer, or a real personable, accomplished crook either rejected or promised to a point on which he might talk false advertising, and ma.ny thou- bargain will still be around to- purchase each item offered for sale. Then, from carefully kept himself out of ,just such a pre- sands of dollars worth of business morrow. dicament as this.) . is turned. down each year be- A "brand-name" may cost notes, he plotted his Monday itinerary. "Despite your credentials, Mr. cause of this alertness. pennies more, but could save you Arriving punctually for each appointment, he stepped down Bakke," the squat man said, low- from a truck cab with his hand extended in greeting. Then he The Farm News is a good ex- many doIlars in reliability and ering the gun barrel, '1 have a ample of the cost of this protec- performance. introduced himself via a sealed-in-plastic employee's pass from hunch that tells me you're not tion. This paper consistently Finally, although most adver- a nationally known corporation, and quickly got down to the what you're supposed to be. So, refuses thousands of doJJars of tising placed in your newspapers business at hand. soon's we get my twins out of your advertising each year which the has been checked out, the confi- "She's just as you described her over the phone," he'd say. (He truck and back on my land, sup- editor and his staff feel mav not dence-man and the quick-change never quibbled over the asking price.) "But," he'd add, 'Tve pose you high-tail it outta here!" be in the best interests of re~ders. artist will always find ways to just about bought myself cashless today, so I'm afraid I can Fully aware that a rubber check As the "official organ" of the promote their schemes. do nothing but leave a small deposit, and return for this fine was circling around his neck tight Michigan Farm Bureau, the This leaves the final respon- enough to choke another long Farm News operates on the sibility up to you as buyer or heifer tomorrow. Unless -" He'd leave it dangling, but only prisOJl term out of his life, the po Iic y that mem ber-su bscribers seIler. long enough to pat the heifer on a flank and, as if suddenly crook indignantly - but promptly must never be be placed in a If you are alert, if you refuse remembering, he'd then produce an imprinted corporation en- - complied. position where they have to pro- to take part in any transaction velope and from it remove a letter, which he'd ask the un- But, after turning Monday's suspecting farmer to read. tect themselves from the ill-ad- which calls for a l~sh decision in "purchases" into quick cash, he vised actions of their own organi- order to pin down a bargain, the Stopping eight or ten feet netted a creamy $1,7001 THE HOOK away, he aimed the barrel dead zation. confidence games of the profes- Under a corporation letterhead, center at the crook's chest. "Guess SCHEMES GALORE Would-be advertisers and their sional shyster wi 11 grin d to a the typewritten message read what, Mr. Bakke?" he said. "} products are sc r e e n e d . Those quick halt. Next time, just for variety, per- something like this: "Dear Mr. just called the place where you haps he would get a stack of who play on fear, offer obvious Bakke: I am pleased to inform said you used to work. A girl in newspapers and merely answer "get-rich-quick" schemes, or pro- you that, due to your outstand- personnel told' me she never ads offering items for sale, then mote health fads and nostrums, \\BARGAIN~' SEED ing employment record, we have heard of you; that nobody named pay for an purchases in phony - do not appear in these pages. A good way to get gypped is to decided to gesture in gratitude. Claude Bakke ever worked therel" personal checks. , Such screening is only part of buy bargain seed. Enclosed is our check in the He took another step, and con- Make no mistake about this: the answer, for the people them- The springtime temptation to amount of $238.63 - a bonus of tinued, "NaturaJJy now, since Sharp check squad detectives and selves must remain responsible cut corners at a time of year when $10 per year (minus payroIl de- you're so good with words, I'd rubber check-shy merchants for their own actions. Old warn- operating costs are heavy and in- ductions) for 30 years of faithful like to hear what vou have to everywhere are forcing check art- ings need repeating. The rules come prospects are lightest, has service ... " The corporation's sav about that ... 'while I con- ists to draw on sheer ingenuity are simple, - deal with local caused many otherwise good "Vice Pre~ident" rambled on and sider whether or not I ought to these days. persons, deal with. people you farmers to plant a crop of trouble. on, "Trusting that this parting caJJ the sheriff." Many check cheats, therefore, know, deal with those persons Sometimes it is the lucky buyer consideration will launch you "All I can say is," the crook prey on private individuals with and firms which have established of bad seed that discovers his happily into an equaJJy reward- began shakily, staring at the one- such gimmicks as the one de- themselves. crop failed to germinate. The ing orbit of retirement," and other eyed menace in the squat man's scribed. Remem ber, most of us are unlucky bargain-hunters are those flattering hogwash of that nature. hands, "maybe you'd better take So, if you ever decide to dis- greedy at times. This greed with near-perfect gCl:mination of Pay to the Order of Claude another look at my check. Then pose of valuables via the want-ad tempts us into quick actions in- a poor producing crop checkered Bakke, each "parting considera- perhaps you'II recall that I worked medium, it just might pay you, volving important decisions or with noxious weeds. tion" said. in the Experimental Division, in the encl, to watch out for want large sums of cash. Take your Those who know, say that in A dozen farmers paid. which not only is an entirely ad artists I time to check things out. A buying seed you get just about One victim alertly wrote the separate unit, but has its own what you pay for. llBargain" truck's number under "Claude personnel and payroJJ depart- seeds are no bargain. Bakke's" signature on the check, ments, and supervisory staff as The better farmers wiII endorse then more or less jokingly said, welL" "Trust nobodyf That's my policy." The squat man didn't seem to "false Advertising" Hit Michigan certified seeds as the best buy, always. Tested and But the license number reaIIy know what to make of that. He proven, certified seeds cost more "Many consumers are being misled by false advertising. didn't matter because the crook just stood there, obviously siz- and give more. They produce had rented the truck under a ing "Mr. Bakke" up and down, We recommend appropriate industry action to correct this abuse." higher yields of better quality phony name. However, a squat, for a long, poise-shattering min- crops. They have a high-rated fiftyish, obviously successful ute. Then he looked at the check This resolution, one" of several dealing with gyp-artists, gennination that has been labora- farmer in another section of the again. "Okay," he said at last, was passed by the delegate body of the American Farm tory tested. Their incidence of county gave "Mr. Bakke" a buJJ- "so it does say Experimental Di- Bureau Federation at the December annual meeting in either disease or weeds more dozer of a setback. vision." Philadelphia. than pass Michigan's high stand- "Sure it does," the crook shot Along similar lines, another current resolution reads: ards of purity- and growth-vigor. NEARLY CAUGHT at him quickly, "because that's "We insist that approprate action be taken to require and Helping to prevent sced-gyps After the crook eagerly snapped where I worked. And here's my or false labeling, is the seed-test- endorse the proper labeling of foods, fibers and other up twin Holstein calves for $175, special Experimental Division em- ing laboratory of the Michigan the squat fanner excused himself ployee's pass. It's got my photo, agricultural products. All products offered to the public in imitation of, or as a substitute for, or in adulteration of Department of Agriculture. The on the pretext of going into the thumbprint, signature, clock num- any farm product or any item processed from a fa~ state lab checks about 9,000 house to get the check's balance ber, address, and complete phys- seed samples each year and re- in cash. He came out clutching ical description." Then, in an product, should be labeled to include the names and quires labels that declare weed a shotgun; walking as a man who all-out desperation bluff, he percentages of all ingredients." content, germination rat e , and meant business. added: "Call Experimental, at my date of test. MI~HIGAN - ----- -------- FARM NEWS April 1, 1965 FIVE MARKET (The second in a series of background articles by Don Moore, Manager of the Market Development Division, dealing with milk market orders and the Class I Base plan.) In 1937, Congress enacted enabling legislation to allow DEVELOPMENT regulated milk "pooling" agreements within defined -market areas, and thus the Federal milk-order program was born. The aim of these orders was to assure an adequate supply of fresh, wholesome milk, but the mechanics of the orders were directed at smoothing out marketing problems. Pooling guaranteed that all farmers within the pool area nearby market-wide pool which would be paid the same for "like- carries extra milk, then the situ- milk" delivered. Pools were set ation known as "riding the pool" up on a class-pricing program arises. with milk used for manufac- Producers in a handler pool tured products receiving the low- also find themselves in a bind est price. Fluid milk received when it comes to finding a mar- this price plus a premium set by ket. They have difficulty in in- formula. creasing the size of their farm Two types of pooling arrange- operations or even worse if the ments have been used in the handler drops them, - as so years since "individual handler" many smaller ones have in recent pools and "market-wide" pools. years by becoming distributors for The handler pool views each larger concerns, then the producer processor in a market separately has a problem of finding a new and pools his milk supply in- market. Primarily, for these rea- dividually. Producers shipping to sons, bargaining cooperatives him are all paid the same accord- particularly dislike handler pools. ing to the handler's class usage. The market-wide pool pays everyone in the market alike. The market-wide pool views all There is no real incentive for a processors in the market together, processor to curtail his manufac- and each can draw milk from the tured milk operation, because his HORTICULTURAL-CROPS LEADERS,- visit during a recent meeting of Commodity Advisory committees at Farm Bureau pool according to individual Center. Composed of producer-members, the committees are advisory to the Michigan Farm Bureau boord in special usage is pooled with all the other commodity areas. From the left are: Joo Penzien and Veril Baldwin, prominent Macomb and Ingham county vegetoble needs. All farmers shipping to processors in the market. growers; Duane Baldwin, Secretary of the Michigan Vegetable Growers Association, and Donald Moore, Manager of the the market are paid the same This in turn leads to the prob- MFB Market-Development Division. The two Baldwins are father and san. price based on the usage of all lem of a constantly increasing the processors in that market. supply of milk. As was discussed \\PESTICIDE" The tendency of a processor in the first of these articles, in Expansion Planned COMMITTEE operating in a handler pool is to keep his Class I utilization as high areas where a base-excess plan is in effect, this leads to the "base as possible so that his blend' price race." The "Certified Farm Market" program will be offered other A 17-member advisory com- will be high and his company mittee which includes tpree well- will be an attractive buyer. He In this series of articles, a con- areas of the state, according to Market president, Roger Porter, siderable amount of time has been known Farm Bureau officials, Goodrich. Currently the work of the division centers mainly has been named by Agricultural will tend to buy only enough devoted to the development of in the southeastern part of Michigan. milk to satisfy his needs and will background information in lead- Department Director, George Mc- carry as little surplus as possible. ing up to the discussion on the A division of the :Michigan Agricultural ~ooperative Market- Intyre. But while this may lead to effi- Class I Base plan. However, this ing Association (?\'fACMA) - the Certified Farm ~1arket pro- The committee is made up of cient usage of milk by handlers. is helpful if not necessary in the gram is another part of Farm Bureau's efforts to place more industry leaders and offiCials of it can cause problems for the understanding of the plan. Some cas.h in farmers' pockets. state organizations and agencies market in a short production dairy economists consider the concerned with the control of season. Class I Base plan to be simply an , Alembers of the Farm Market division promote high quality insect and plant pests. Milk must come from some- extension of class-pricing, roadside markets featuring locally grown fruits and vegetables The new group's purpose will where - and usually from out- In these articles, the ground- in their work towarcL creating a favorable public image. Other be to counsel and advise. the State side markets. If these seasonally work has now been laid for con- values include an information exchange and the use of a "pro- Department of Agriculture and needed supplies come from a sidering the plan itself. motable" roadside sign and brand. the USDA Plant and Pest Control Another interesting' possibility considered by ~1arket mem- Division concerning pesticide pro- bers is the pooling of purchases and supplies, such as branded grams which these agencies con- duct. New A. D.A. Officers boxes and bags, tluough the organization. Representing Agriculture on Porter explained that there has been a continuing interest the committee are Elton Smith, shown by market operators in other parts of the state in work- president of the Michigan Farm ing within the new group, and this has led to the decision to Bureau, Mrs. Maurine Scramlin, offer membership to those who upon examination of the board Chairman of the Fann Bureau qualify for membership. 'Vomen's committee and 1-Valter 'Vightman, immediate past-presi- The help of local Farm Bureau leaders in suggesting qual- dent of the Michigan Farm Bu- ified market operators is asked. Meanwhile, roadside market reau and director-at-large on its operators who would like to know more about the program may board. contact county Farni Bureau offices for more information. Wightman will actually repre- sent the Michigan State Horti- cultural Society in his advisory Quar.ter- Million Gain capacity. The chemical industry, mcdical and vcterinary profes- the sions, Michigan United Conser- Nearly 250,000 additional bushels of Michigan's prime pro- vation Clubs and a number of cessing apple production have been added to the "marketing other groups concern cd wit h muscle" that has been oP'veloped by Michigan's fastest growing natural resources, are also rep- farm marketing organization - the :Michigan Agricultural, Co- resentcd. operative Marketing Association .. "Pesticiae residues h a v e not It now appears that the Farm Bureau marketing affiliate tcill been a serious problem in Mich- represent well over last year's 50% of the totallJrOcessing apple igan," McIntyre said. "and we want to keep it that way. An crop in 1965 fall talks with processors. effective conb'ol program, how- The more than 400 apple-producing members of the division ever, requires the coop("rative have a total production in excess of 2,000,000 bushels of apples effort of an concemed. grown for processing purposes. The division goal is a mt'mber-, "It is our hope that tl.e Pest- ship of 500 growers, representing a proouct.ion of around 3,000,- ddes Advisory Committee will RECENTLYElECTED Of-FICERS- of ft." ~mel'jco" Ocr ..., Anociation of Michigan pose fOf' their formal portrait. Seated '.ram le'f) <.uft Ted Bouman" R.,."us 000 bushels. help create hetter understanding Cooperativl Creomery, Treasurer: Cha!les Davis. Producer-af.large \ar.d member of prf>sent control programs," hf' of the State L~islature), Presid.nl; Georq. Austin, Michigan Milir Prodllcers, "Ice "New grower-members arc adding their names and financial added, "and inslln that the public Pr.,ident. Standing {left) Hef",al'\ Keen!', National ADA bool~ men-.ber and G. support to the list with a regularity that speaks well for the and othu interp.sts are safe- Dale Fast, Michigan Milk Pr"ducen .. Michiga~ dairymen are "'mind.~ of Farm apple industry," reports Royal Call of the Farm Bureau Market 6~lreau's aLicial poli(;)' resolution calli"9 tor "Iupport to the advertill'''', research, guard~.d throllgh a coordmated public relations and merchandlsll'9 program of the Am.rifon Dairy Auociotion on Development Division. effort. a year-around balil.1I SIX April 1, 1965 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -. Clip Out and Keep .. I To answer a request for a short listing of recent Fann • I I Milk Means I Bureau accomplishments "that we may clip out and pass along," - the Farm News this month cites these few of I I $ Money $ many examples in the field of MARKETING: I This past growing season, Michigan processing apple Milk production on the Ralph growers worked together through Farm Bureau's MACMA I Letson farm has almost doubled Processing Apple division, to gain an extra 25~ to 50~ per I in five years. Letson, picked as hundredweight, for grower-members, in spite of a bumper- I Michigan's Outstanding Young crop year. It meant 10% to 15% increases in incomes. I Farmer by the Michigan Junior The MACMA Division (Michigan Agriculh.1ral Cooperative I Chamber of Commerce, has in- Marketing Association) marketed 2 million bushels of the I creased the average milk produc- 1964 crop. tion in his 100-cow herd from I approximately 8,000 pounds in The Farm Bureau Egg-~farketing program now markets I 1959 to better than 14,000 in the 5,000 cases of eggs each week, bringing top quality prem- I past twelve months. ium prices to producers. This has been a fast-growing I At the same time, he was re- project. I ducing his labor cost per-hundred. Farm Bureau's new ~1AC~fA division, "Michigan Certi- T oelay he is producing milk at the I fied Farm ~farkets" will expand membership across south- rate of 450,000 pounds per-worker I per-year. Many dairy specialists ern Michigal1 during 1965. Certified top-quality local I feel that any producer with a roadside markets will build the kind of reputation that means more income. I yearly production of 300,000 I pounds is doing an excellent job. To do this kind of production job, Letson has invested in the' latest in milking and feeding Use "Multiple Benefits" equipment. No feed or milk is handled' by "manpower." The CHECKING THE "MONEY STICK" - Outstanding young Farmer, Ralph let$on of The George Shrivers, young farm couple from Fremont, be- cows are milked in a tiled parlor rural Charlotte, keeps a close eye on the- milk-level in his huge, one-thdusand lieve in taking full advantage of the multiple benefits of their and the milk is pumped directly gallon bulk-tank in the milking parlor. Those huge, refrigerated, stainless-steel Farm Bureau membership. On their 448-acre dairy farm in into a 1,000 gallon bulk tank. tanks represent a big investment for the modern dairyman. Newaygo county, Farm Bureau feed, seeds, fertilizer and Although much of the feed is petroleum products play an important part in running an home produced, it is stored in A peek at the Health Depart- farm operation so that the Let- efficient, profitable operation. ------------- bulk bins and is fed to the cows ment inspection sheets reveals sons can tell on a minute's notice They believe that the insur- attractive young wife. by means. of carrier equipment. that the inspector found little to. what a given cow or an operation ance programs are one of Farm The Michigan Agricultural Co- The milk house for the parlor criticize. is doing volume-wise or finan- Bureau's greatest benefits and the operative Marketing Association has tiled walls which are washed Back of all this operation is a cially. Shrivers are protected by "all in- is another reason the Shrivers be- down frequently with a hose. set of records which most busi- ness men would envy. There is As Ralph says, "a man with surance - car, life, fire, wind, lieve their Farm Bureau family There is no odor of spoiled milk, a cow-by-'cow record showing a couple of hundred-thousand and Blue Cross-Blue Shield." membership is so valuable. "The such as. dominates many of the According to the" Shrivers, an- major role of Farm Bureau in the ol?-time milk houses wh~re .the what each cow is doing month dollars investment cannot afford other maior benefit of a Farm future will be to keep farmers _mIlk was poured from paIls mto by month. There also is a com- to guess about how he is doing, Bureau membership is "Informa- organized and help to gain a fair coolers or cans. plete set of records for the entire even for a few days." tion" - through the Farm News. price for our products." at local, county and state meet- George is a member of the ings, and through the many avail- Newaygo County Farm Bureau able leaflets and pamphlets. "Farm Services" Committee. The "Also important is the snot give his age or pre\ iOlIS work experience lIGh yes, I could get along with- without it. if any, but those interest('(} in hdping a young chap get going, may reach him at: 55112 ~lonrol.' Drive, Rochester. ~-1ichigan. Michigan Bell Part of the Nationwide Bell System @~ MICHIGAN ;FARM' NEWS April 1, :t-9~5 SEVEN _A . Well h. Groomed · I Camel ''- t :r:~ .. MIC I9a n Inn d ia 4. Fairs and Shows: youth club could hold its own fair, with sports, dramas and The ~~ . a.. ~ f,\ ..~ .... ;.~ ~, ~ games, or it could join in with lIS: By: Jerry Fite the already established fairs and ~; shows. Booths could be set up d <:'ountry Fair Timel From the mile-long midway come cries as in an American carnival with • of Try yer luck! Knock over the little dolly I Only a dime." prizes given for hitting the Ubulls- !tf', On one end of the amusement lane, David Benson, of Jackson, eye" or knocking over bottles. To M' h d' d h emphasize the value of animals, . fe. stan sma usty s ow ring, judging a livestock contest. contests could be held for the best Benson walks slowly between ----------'----- looking and decorated camel, the animals, critically eyeing car- Benson entered an extensive donkey, or bullock." riage, stance, and appearance. training program at the Univer- The young boy at the head of sity of California at Davis on Another Michigan Volunteer, each animal stiffens, lifts his pet's September 27, 1963. For ten Grant De Witt Wells, of North head a little higher, and talks in weeks he and the other members Adams, learned, like Benson, that a soothing tone as Benson feels of his project received intensive machines, technology, and good intentions do not result in an in- the coat of his prize animal. When training in Indian culture - the the judge turns his back, the boy religion, history, and customs. stant increase in food production. prods gently with a cane be- They started the long process of Wells entered training for the tween the animal's toes, forcing learning Punjabi, an Indian lan- agricultural project in Pakistan at the legs into a good, square guage. They also reviewed Amer- the University of Minnesota in stance. ican history and government. June, 1962. He was well-trained Soon after- their arrival in for his job, having graduated from Finally, the decision is made. PROUD TRIBESMAN,- displays the fine-points of his camel, selected as "belt India, David realized that knowl- Michigan State University with a of show" after a judging-ring display similar to that done at county fairs with' The judge calls for the micro- edge and the desire to help was B. S. in Agricultural Engineering prize cattle of Michigan. phone, and gives his reasons for placing the animals as he has. not enough. He was bucking in 1959. centuries of oppression, hunger, Three years later, he received Parents, some swelling with pride, and ctlstom. His plan for a youth his M.S. from Co~ell. His job others iuffering their sons' dis- appointments, hear David Benson camp, which resulted in the camel was to help plan and layout a show, was a huge effort to break -network of irrigation channels, to saying that this animar s coat is too shaggy, that one's covering down many of the Indian barriers maintain the pumps and diesel to individual freedom. In an ad- engines, and to work with local too thin, and this one's hump too far to the rear. The contest is vance plan for the camp, David fanners. in India, the animals are camels. wrote: This all sounds easy to one "The proposed club would offer with Grant's qualifications; how- David Benson is one of the sports, handicrafts, agriculture ever, he found a few unexpected contingent of Peace Corps Vol- and educational and community drawbacks. For one thing, Wells unteers sent to India to help service activities. It will promote and his co-workers encountered that country develop modem loyalty and cooperation; it will embankment breaches and canals techniques in agriculture. India's develop skills in sports and man- running the wrong way. This was ... single most important objective is ual skills. It will better prepare relatively easy to solve. The dif- an increase in food production to youths to help their community, ficult problem is, as \Vells wrote, meet the needs of some 440 mil- and hopefully, their country." that "most farmers are still un- lion people - expanding by eight His objectives included: convinced about the value of irri- million annually. India is the 1. Literacy Program: To this gation. They say that water from second most populous nation in there would be two phases. First, . Allah contains magic qualities and the world today. More than 300 for club members to improve that irrigation does not." persons inhabit each square mile, their reading and writing. A Other Volunteers have also compared with about 55 for the small library could be started at found that they cannot use a PIG PROJECT, - is inspected by Volunteers in Bolivia. United States. the club house. Instructors from direct problem-solution approach. India is basically an agricul- the local college will help. Sec- Methods are steeped in tradition, It is difficult to find a success .... \Vhen the entire locality tural country. About 45 per cent ondly would be for club members' folklore, and religion. Volunteers story among Peace Corps Volun- was engulfed with sorrows and of the land is devoted to agri- to hold classes for illiterate older cannot force change, t~ey must teers in agriculture. They leave sufferings due to the devastating culture, but this is only about one people. Reading, writing and ac- first help the Indian or Pakistani no bridges, no buildings; stomachs cyclone and sweeping tidal bore acre per capita. The average size count-keeping could be taught. farmers to understand his prob.: seem as empty after two years of of the 28th and 29th of May, of an Indian fann is five acres. 2. Agricultural Improvement: lem. Mark Angeli, of Iron River, hard work as before. Discour- 1963, you appeared here as a About 70 per cent of the popu- A plot of land on the club grounds . is teaching physical education, agement and disenchantment saviour of humanity from the lation Idepends upon agricult11(e would be set aside for a kitchen English, and driver's training in come frequently. heaven. You found hundreds for a living. garden, dry-farming, and/or in- addition to his assigned course in Many Volunteers feel that they dead, thousands dying, thousands The Indian government, realiz- tensive agricultural instruction. meat cutting at an agricultural are wasting two years. Others shelterless, thousands having noth- ing the necessity for increasing 3. Drama and Folk Songs: In school in Tunisia. Through out- feel that an opening has been ing to eat or to wear. Instantly the yield per ac~e for such crops these fields of expression much side voluntary activities, Mark made - a small chink in tradi- you started construction of dwel- as rice, cotton, wheat, jute and could be done. Dramas presented hopes to establish a common tion through which future proj- lings, feeding the unfed, clothing sugar cane, asked the Peace Corps for public entertainment would ground upon which he and the- ects may find success. the unclad, nursing and treating to send Volunteers trained in be one example. And folk song Tunisian fanner can work to- The Volunteers may doubt the ailing ... modern farm technology to live collecting and singing would focus gether toward a solution to hun- their success, but the people with \Vith these few words of ac- with and teach the Indian farmer. on the fabled past of Rajasthan. ger. whom they have worked do not. knowledgement, hope and thanks Every country in which the Peace to all present or absent, we re- Corps has worked has requested main with hearts full of love, ad- more Volunteers. The people of miration and reverence. Kumira, Chittagong, East Pakis- tan, presented Grant Wells and Yours sincerely, his co-workers the following cita- tion following the completion of The Grateful People a cyclone shelter in the village: of Kumira" Farm' Bureau Says ••• What is the official Farm Bureau attitude toward the Peace Corps? Current policy statements point out that the United States is an example of the progress possible in a free society, and that our assistance to underdeveloped nations should be based on carefully thought-out long range plans. These include a "well defined program to provide tech- nical assistance consistent with each nation's current stage of development," the policies state. "The Peace Corps should be an integral part of our .foreign technical assistance effort, with emphasis on selec- tion of Volunteers who have practical experience and training." The policy resolutions add that these Volun- teers should be able to explain and defend the "American private competitiye enterprise system." BULLOCKS REPLACE TRACTORS, - in much of the world, something quickly discovered by Volunteers who have to adapt their ways of thinking to the kind of animal farm power used in this country a century or more ago. EIGHT April 1, 1965 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS During the month of April (early June for U. P. area), Farm Bureau 'Vomen throughout the state will gather for their an- nual Spring District meetings. Farmers Are MICHIGAN MEETS NEBRASKA,- in the lobby of the historic Willard Hotel, Each district will present a program of information and en- tertainment designed to make a well-spent day for all attending Important! Washington, D. C. There, delegations from both states were combining legisla- tive and historical interests through group tours. Sponsored by Farm Bureau Women, Michigan's 47-member tour group was one of the larger of recent women. Election of officers is scheduled in all even-numbered Business and professional peo- years. Mrs. Elton Smith, wife of MFB President, stands to the left. districts. ple and city housewives in Liv- "Emergency Preparedness" will be the topic of the keynote ingston County are more aware \\FARMERS AND two nights, with some accommo- speaker Lester Bollwahn, Rural Defense Office, Cooperative of the importance of agriculture dations possible in the camp Extension Service. His presentation at the Spring meetings will since they attended a recent nrral- WORLD AFFAIRS" guest-house. stress the importance of being properly prepared for emergen- urban luncheon sponsored by the "Fanners and World Affairs" For more information or reser- cies on the farm and in the home. Farm Bureau Women. - a non-profit organization dedi- vations, contact the Family Pro- Promotion of a better under- cated to expanded understanding gram, Division of the Michigan Farm Bureau 'Vomen will have an opportunity to meet their among rural people of the world, Farm Bureau. standing between people living in new coordinator, ft.liss Helen Atwood; who will be introduced will sponsor a two day conference rural and urban areas was the goal at the district meetings. ~[iss Atwood, formerly of the New of the Livingston County Farm in Michigan, April 26-28. Hampshire Farm Bureau, will assume her du(ies in ft.lichigan NEW SCHOLARSHIP Bureau lVomen as they undertook The conference will deal with in early April. this effort, reports Mrs. Clifford the problems facing India and AVAILABLE Check the listing for date and location of your district meet- Van Horn, chairman. They were other Middle East countries. A new scholarship for Mich- ing. For further details, conta?t your county \-Vomen's chairman. rewarded with an attendance of Speaking on the topic will be igan community and junior colIege . over 125 persons. Gregory Votaw, Economist for students who transfer to the Col- Dist. Date Location Guest speaker, Mrs. William the South-Asia department of the lege of Agriculture at Michigan 1 April 20 Community Bldg., Cassopolis Fairgrounds Scramlin, state chainnan of the \V orld Bank. State University was announced 2 April 28 Coldwater Grange Hall, M-27 Fann Bureau Women, stressed Held at Camp Wesley Wood, this week: the fact that "of every $1,000 the near Dowling, Michigan, the The award of $250 is provided 3 April 27 Salem United Church of God, Farmington government spends on subsidies, Conference will devote much of by the Michigan Farm Bureau. 4 April 29 Allendale Town Hall a two-day study program to such only $5.00 reaches the fanner." Dr. Richard Swenson, Director 5 April 19 Rankin Twp. Hall She added, "Not all farmers live questions as ."How is the status of of Resident Instruction of the 6 April 13 Lapeer Co. Center Bldg. on s~?sidies, nor do they want women changing in the Far East? ColIege of Agriculture reports that 7 April 1 1st Methodist Church, Big Rapids them. - \Vhat are the effects of these in 1963-64 forty-four percent of 8 April 14 r..1onitor Twp. Hall, Bay City In an illustrated talk on the changes?" the College of Agriculture grad- 9 April 21 Methodist Church, Lake City changing phases of farming, Ag- Other question-areas will in- nates were transfer students. lOW April 23 4-H Bldg., Petoskey Fairgrounds ricultural Extension representa- clude an examination of the nat- Students who are interested in IDE April 22 Rust Twp. Hall tive, Duane Girbach, told the ur- ural resources in the Far East applying for this scholarship lIE June 16 Delta County banites, "The American family and if these resources will be used should submit the regular Mich- 11W June 15 Houghton County reaps the real benefit of higher for peaceful development. The igan State University admission productivity. One of the reasons border clashes and other-troubles application and write a letter in- for the higher standard of living between the Israelis and Arab dicating interest in the scholar- i~ because farmers have freed countries will be discussed as will ship to: "You Are Invited ... " enough people to produce the fin- er things in life." .programs of American aid and Director of Resident Instruction, the problems involved. CoUege of Agriculture A cooking demonstration dis- The conference costs are nom- 121 Agriculture Hall '1'ou are invited" - to the an- cakes, doughnuts, pies, cookies playing the use of cottage cheese inal, $5.00 per person per day, Michigan State University nual Gratiot county Fann Bureau and candies, which when com- in menus was given by Miss Mary with guests to bring their own East Lansing, Michigan Bean Smorgasbord, to be held bined with more traditional dishes Jackson of the American Dairy bedding and towels. Donnitory- The application deadline is at Alma College, Alma, the eve- will assure a top-notch dinner for Association. She was assisted by style housing will be used for the April 15. ning of April 1. The invitation everyone. Mrs. Claudine Jackson, Howell. comes from county president Gar- Michigan Farm Bureau vice- Mrs. Roger Holsey was pro- net Hoard and his hard-working president, Dean Pridgeon, will be committee. this years speaker, and is ex- gram chainnan for the first rural- urban meeting sponsored by the Oceana Gains A Smorgasbord highlight will pected to tell of his personal be the dozens of bean-dishes, bean farming experiences and beliefs. Livingston County Farm Bureau Women in the past eight years. Roll-Call Goal Breaking away from the grip of Old-Man-Winter, the Oceana county Farm Bureau's "goal buster" mem- bership beat the arrival of Spring by nine days. The 768th Farm Bureau membership, signed by the Roll-Call team under the direction of Burton Hawley, Shelby, came after a solid month of being just eight members short of county goal. As in their farming operation, the memhership drive in Oceana was a family affair. Roll-Call !\1anager Haw- lay, enlisted the aid of his brother, Francis, and his father, Donald, in the acquisition of renewals and 49 new members. To complete the family picture, processing these memberships was Mrs. Francis Hawley, county secre- tary. "We were so close for so long" reports Mrs. Hawley, "that we felt like celebrating ~hen that 768th member was signed." In congratulating the hard-working Roll-Call work- ers, Michigan Fann Bureau Field Services division manager, Glenn Sommerfeldt, said, "Oceana county could well serve as an inspiration to other counties DISTRICT FOUR - Farm Bureau Women's Advisory Council met recently at the Pancake House in Grand Rapids to discuss who find themselves just short of goal. They proved program plans for the coming year. Representation from Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent and Ottawa counties resulted in ex- what extra effort can dol" cellent attendance. Mr•• Wm. Scramlin, state chairman, was present to outline the 1965 Farm Bureau Women's program. MICHIGAN FARM NEWS April 1, 1965 NINE ~~Tax Reform in '65'? You Can Help! What about the possilJilities of tax reform in 1965? "There could be reform if the people would start writing in and demanding it" so stated a Democratic Representative from capitol .. ~ a metropolitan county. Another Representative said that he - has heard plenty on the "fish issue," the <1iquor question," and "dog racing" but "not one letter" on the issue of tax revision. Farmers have more to lose than any other group. It is pos- sible that they could end up with more taxes and no reform. One Senator told a Far;m Bureau Legislative Seminar meet- .. '" ing in Lansing that he had been in a meeting where agricultural report .. sales tax exemption was questioned. Such threats are not new, Farm Bureau' has had to meet such challenges to many long standing gains nearly every legislative session. However, it _ must be recognized that more than half of the members of the Legislature are "new faces" most of whom do not have an understanding of present day farm problems. Yet, the fact that Farm Bureau Legislative Seminars have been extremely successful indicates a commendable desire on the part of Legislators to learn more about farmers' problems. Every Farm Bureau member should help get such understand- ing by writing his Senator and Represen~ative and let him know the need for property tax relief through tax reform. Meanwhile, Senator Fitzgerald (D., Grosse Pointe Park), chairman of the taxation committee has slowed the possibilities , of total tax refonn by his "discovery" that it would be "uncon- ." stitutional." Democratic Attorney General Kelley, however, has officially ruled that. tax reform including a flat rate income tax --- with deductions is constitutional. The new Constitution also provides that the Legislature can request a ruling from the Supreme Court before legislation becomes effective. Until now chances for tax reform appeared quite bright especially when Senator Brown, Democratic Floor Leader, had , .,announced that he would introduce a tax reform package similar to Governor Romney's tax proposals of a year ago pro- vided the people vote whether to have a graduated or flat rate income tax. Concerning farm personal property taxes - There are several bills to ,increase the farm exemption, exempt machinery used for limited periods of time, change livestock exemptions or completely repeal the tax. ,. Farm Bureau favors complete repeal. If this is not passed, then the effort will be to get the best bill-possible. Write your Legislator! RADIO ROUNDTABLE, - provides Bay county listeners with the answers to questions placed by Farm Bureau leaders to their Legislators. Bay county Information Chairman, Herbert Schmidt, taped the conversation for broadcast on his weekly Farm Bureau news program. Participants are (from left) Maurice Parsons; Senator Robert L Richardson, Jr.; Carl Kloha; "Punch - Groggy"] Representative Sam Charron, and Herbert Schmidt. Most Michigan farmers hire some help during the year. It .may be the neighbor's son, or the part-time farmer down the Legislators Friendly, Attentive! ~ road. Or it may be a fruit or tomato picking crew. Right now, f.,f ichigan farmer-employers may well be groggy Michigan Farm Bureau mem- Reed, and Associate Co u n s e I, noon-time lull to make a radio from the one-two punches thrown their way: bers have been letting their legis- Robert Smith. tape with his Senator and Rep- lators "hear from home" through Each noon the members of the resentative. One - the failure of Congress to extend P .L. 78, under which a series of six Legislative Semi- Legislature from the counties of In the afternoon, visits were Mexican Nationals, anxious for the work, were temporarily nars held in Lansing during Feb- a designated region in the state continued with Legislators at the admitted to the U.S. to fill farm jobs which could not be ruary and early March. were luncheon guests. During the Capitol building where commit- filled by domestic labor. P.L. 78 exPired December 31, 1964. Members of county Farm meal there was opportunity for tee members had an opportunity , Two - the Michigan minimum wage law, calling for a mini- Bureau State and National Affairs guests and their county hosts to to see their Legislators at work mum of $1.00 per hour to covered employees, beginning committees attended the one-day become better acquainted in what and to watch the legislative proc- January 1, 1965. A recent opinion of Attorney General meetings, which were felt to be often turned out to be lively table esses in action. of unusual importance this year discussions. Such topics as tax "Time to go home" came too Kelley ruled that the Act became effective on August 28, because of the large number of reform, the Governor's budget soon for most, who agreed that 1964 and that the 13-week qualifying period began at new members of the Legislature. proposals, meat inspection, and that time. the project in mutual understand- As Legislative Counsel Dan Reed many others were aired and can- ing had been both important and Most farmers report present pay scales of $1.00 p~r hour, pointed out to the groups, more did opinions were expressed. worthwhile. (or over, for able-bodied workers but have problems of record than 80 of the 148 members of One comment: «I hear lots of keeping, especially with piece rate workers. the House- and Senate are new to talk about programs of