M DCD=DDGAN~FARM ~ THE ACTION PUBLICATION OF THE MICHIGAN FARM ~ ------------ Vol. 44, No. 8 Published Monthly by Michigan Farm Bureau II I lust 1, 1966 - IMPORTANT TAX Bill one of several vital to Michigan WITNESSING THE SIGNING are (from left) Rep. Charles Raap farmers, is signed into law by Governor Romney. Exempted (D), Wilbur Paul, blueberry grower, Senator Vanderploeg (D), from taxation are fruit and Christmas trees, shrubs, bushes introducer of the bill, all of Muskegon; Elton Smith, President, and vines. Also prevented is taxation of other farm crops. Michigan Farm Bureau and Robert Smith, legislative Counsel. FARMERS GAIN SUBSTANTIAL TAX RELIEF S. 710 not only eliminates the the effect of the property tax on fanner buvs, which is, of course, Governor Signs Two personal tax on machinery livestock, which were traditionally and farmers through S. 710 and S. 352 is a striking parallel to the absolutely. untrue.) . Today, 1966, the elimination of assessed, but also on silage, hay sales tax exemption fight. The the farm personal nroperty tax is Major Tax Measures in the barn, grain in the bin, corn in the crib and ground feed, sales tax exemption on farm pro- duction supplies resulted from a somewhat parallel. The argu- ments, now like then, include the Few things are simple anymore. which were taxable, but in most fight led by Farm Bureau more matter of equity in relation to cases were not taxed. than 30 years ago. That fight was the total property tax burden. In today's complicated world, it often happens that a scratch By the same token, '5. 352 af- carried in both the courts and They also included the fact that fects all farmers because it the Legislature. industry had been granted some of a pen in Lansing or Washington has more effect on a fanner's not only stops the practices exist- personal property tax relief income than anything he can do on his farm. The court case went to the Su- ing in some counties, it also pre- through the removal of the tax on preme Court and was won. The vents the assessment of. wheat, "tools, dies, jigs. etc." and tax re- Legislature then changed the July 11 and 12 were two big days in the economic life of winter barley, rye, hay (alfalfa, lief on ~qllipment used to prevent statute. The issue at the time was every Michigan farmer. On the morning of July 11, Governor clover, etc.) or any other crop in water and air pollution. whether agriculture should be the ground on the assessment date. Another parallel exists in the Romney signed into law Senate Bill 710 (introduced by Sen- treated the same as industry. This is provided that this gain passage of S. 352, exempting trees, ator Johnson, D-Marshall), thereby eliminating taxes on all Industry had been ('xelllpted bilshes, etc. The unreasonable as- can be maintained year after year. farm personal property. On the afternoon of July 12, Romney from the sales tax on equipment sessment practices developing in These tax gains, much as the and material used in manufactur- some counties could have led to a signed Senate Bill 352 (introduced hy Senator Vanderploeg, D- agricultural exemption on sales ing goods and Farm BlII'eau main- long and costly fight in the courts. Muskegon), exempting fruit and Christmas trees, shruhs, plants tax, and the tax exemption on tained that fanners should be In fact, one Legislator who oppos- gasoline for non-highway use. will similarly excmpt('d on equipment and vines from assessment. ed the bill admitted that the no doubt he challenged year in and supplies used in the produc- practices were unjust, but claimed and year out, and farmers, through tion of food. (l'nfortunateh-, ma11\' that farmers should take it to the From now on, Michigan farmers will save millions of dollars Farm Bureau, will have to con- people, including some Legish{- courts. Fortunately, many Legis- of taxes every year, and some long-delayed equity has been tinually justify them. tors, believe that the sales tax lators recognized it for what it brought into the rvf ichigan tax structure. The effort to gain equity on exemption includes ('very thing a was - a legislative problem. Special: FARMERS PETROLEUM REPORT Pages 9,10,11, 12 TWO August 1, 1966 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS Editorial President's Column THE HARD-SELL Fol J:'L POWER PUSH ON SOFT WHEAT ~fichigan wheat farmers prepare for harvest Since 1961, the heavy shadow of \Villm'd Cochrane has outlined the aims of the Admin- istration for total control of the food industry. e\"('11 as the last of the old crop moves into Cochrane is a University of :Minnesota econ- market channels. As they do so, they can note omist. He was chosen as economic adviser by with satisfaction the recent direct sale of a Orville Freeman who was a former governor cargo of soft wheat out of ~fichigan to a milling of Minnesota. fiml in England. As economic adviser to Orville, Cochrane was quick to propose total control over the total .\1ost important, this teas a farmer-to-importer food needs of the nation. He would measure arrangemcnt at a time {chen our federal govern- these needs in "Total Digestible Nutrients" and mcnt has bccome a dominating factor in the proposed to allocate a certain share of these intcl'1lational market through manipulation of "TDN's" to each farmer in production rights. sllch things as export subsidies and "authoriza- tions" of Pli blic Law 480 sales. Every farm product would be so regulated. Now, in 1966, Cochrane's ideas are finding a Although the sale of one cargo of wheat may footing. Two different hand-picked commis- be a relatively minor factor of itself, officials sions, paid by the Administration, have been of the ~Iichigan Elevator Exchange which made (riven the task of submitting recommendations the sale are justified in feeling that it has a tor a grand plan to control the nation's food significance beyond size in representing closer and fibre completely. international marketing ties. \Vhy two commissions? One sometimes won- Flirther, it teas soft wheat - a ~Jichigan spec- ders. But it gives us the job of watching and ialty and an important crop in our state, with analyzing what both will be shooting at. last ycar's 30,000,000 bushels worth about $50,- One of these is the 30-man "National Com- 000,000 in fa171l income. mission on Food and Fibre." The makeup of Soft wheat is primarily used in crackers, cook- \\Rer:nember us?-We own that pasture this commission should interest fanners. Labor, ies and pastries, as opposed to the hard varieties, where you. picnic every year!" industry and the colleges are well represented used mostly for bread-flour and macaroni pro- on it. Labor is assigned two representatives, and one of them chairs the commission. ducts. But hard or soft, all wheat these days is produced and marketed under the watchful sooner or later .. No general farm organization was honored eye of the federal government. tcith a seat on this commission. I wonder what And the federal government has much of the final say as to where and when it will be sold in international trade. Employed are a number IT HAD TO HAPPEN! reaction labor would make to a commission on labor affairs that included no representative of labor unions! This commission does not re- Although names and places shall remain anonymous - the port until July of 1967, but we could predict of subtle, or direct-action controls. folks of one Michigan community continue to chuckle about in advance what direction it will take. For example, although many countries of the the way a farm family among them reacted after strangers The second selected group is the "National world have strong demand for ~lichigan soft misused a lovely shaded spot in their pasture for a picnic Commission on Food ~larketing." It got in a wheat and may prefer it, they find soft wheat grounds. hurry to draft its conclusions in which the shades pegged at higher prices through government Not that they ordinarily begrudge the use of the place, for of \Villard Cochrane stand out sharply. manipulation of export-subsidies. these are friendly folks, well liked in their community and not \Vhat farmers certainly do not need is total The level of these subsidies is set on a daily given to grouching. Still the guests were uninvited, made no concentration of authority in the hands of gov- basis by an export committee within the United effort to consult the owners, treated the place as their own ernment officials over everything that grows. States Deparbnent of Agriculture, and they and left plentiful evidence of their picnic when they moved on. Yet this is what the National Commission on vary with classes of wheat. "The subsidy fluctu- Actually, that's what did it. For among the scattered wrap- Fo~d Marketing suggests to do. It would place ates almost as much as does the actual market pings, peelings and old papers, was the address of a family the marketing of all farm products under the and we watch it about as close," reports Ed living in a not-too-distant city. Later, it was confinned that control of federal marketing boards who would Powell of the Michigan Elevator Exchange. the address matched the owner's name of the car license which administer nationwide marketing orders. These To complicate matters more, subsidy levels the farmer had thoughtfully jotted down. boards would have the power to regulate pro- differ between ports on the Altantic and Pacific duction, marketing and pricing practices for Not that they expected to enjoy what they were about to do, coasts. By changes in subsidy rates, certain but our farm friends still were determined to do it. They pre- everything. classes of wheat may be placed at disadvantage Let's make a point clear. The conclusions of pared a picnic lunch, complete with multiple loose wrappings, with others. this commission were politically-designed, "fore- things that peel easily and cans to be opened and scattered. gone conclusions." In the first place, they were - And soft wheat appears to take second They started off to town. arrived at by a hand-picked group who are paid place in the minds of government officials, for It was a fine Sunday, and they timed it about right for the by government checks. in mid-July, the difference between subsidies noon-hour as they set up light-house-keeping on the offending That the "conclusions" were written in ad- on soft and hard wheat on the west coast was family's lush lawn in one of the better neighborhoods. Down vance was revealed by the fact that the technical 9jt per bushel, in favor of hard wheat. went the table-cloth, and out came the food, followed shortly studies of marketing operations were incom- The injection of such complicated problems by the unbelieving home-owners, who had first called police. plete and still going on when the commission into the relatively simple world of the wheat It turns out they shouldn't have done this. released its recommendations. So the facts of farmer caused Farm Bureau delegates to express Meanwhile, the "picnic" continued to progress to the delight the study could have no relation to the conclu- concern last fall far the future of Michigan's of a number of onlookers who had gathered to watch by the sions of the commission nor the goals of the soft !Cheat, and markets for it. time the local constabulary responded to the call. A policeman government. The recommendations were obvi- The Delegates urged "further exploration and who listened politely, appeared to think it was one of the fun- ously rubber-stamped by the commission. intensified efforts" to form a Soft Wheat Grow- niest things that ever happened to liven an otherwise dull day. Marketing orders as we have known them er's organization through action by Farm He called the local newspaper which promptly sent a photo- have been limited to local or regional areas and Bureau. reporter to cover the story, and then stood guard until the fann have not been used to control production di- family was finished -leaving behind the wrappings, the peel- rectly. Producers and processors could accept At a recent meeting in Farm Bureau Center, or reject them. But these new marketing orders ings, the tin cans ... Lansing, wheat producers showed enthusiastic would sweep away all freedom of choice for support for the idea. Representatives of ten of farmers in an area. The orders would not be ~fichigan's wheat-growing districts called for drafted to fit any locality or region, as they are a three-fold program of action to provide a united voice for soft wheat producers of the MICHIGAN~FARM NEWS at present. THa ACTION ~LtCATION 0 .. TH~ MICHIGAN ,.,.,.M .u"~AU \Vhen the conclusions of this commission state in seeking a more equitable system of ex- The MICHIGAN FARM l\'"EWS is DIRECTORS: District 1, Francis u:ere made public, I released a statement to the port subsidies, better treatment of soft wheat publisbed monthly, on the first day, Finch, Mattawan, R-1; Distrit.1 2, Wil- by the Michhran Farm Bureau, at its bur H. Smith, Burlin~on. R-1; District public press. I !Carned of the damage that can within the Public Law 480 program and work publication office at 109 ~. Lafayette 3, Donald L. Ruhli~. Dexter; Dis- Stre~t. Greenville, Michigan. trict 4, Elton R. Smith, Caledonia, be done to our l\/ichigan food industry. I with others in building improved markets. Editorial and lteneral offices at 4000 R-I; District 5. David Morris, Grand ~orth Grand River Avenue. Lansing, Ledlte, R-3; District 6, Ward G. Hod~e. !Camed consumers of the pinch that can come "The organization should also provide infor- MichiS{an. Post Office Box 960. Tele- Snover, R-1; District 7, K~nneth Bull, to their abundant food supply - which they phone. Lansing, 485-8121, Extension Bailey, R-1; Di~trict 8, Harvey Leuen- mation to growers, on markets, crop outlook, 317. berloter, Saginnw, R-6; District 9, now enjoy at reasonable cost. This is not merely EUl.!ene Roberts, Lake City, R-I; Dis- uses for wheat and similar matters," the wheat Established January 12, 1923. Sec- ond Class Postage paid at Greenville, trict lO. Ed2ar Diamond. Alpena. R- an issue !Chich regulates farmers. 2; District 11, Clayton Ford, Cornell. growers decided. (See page 15 for complete Michigan. Subscription price, 50t per America cannot afford a system which puts yenr. report.) DIRECTORS AT L-\RGE: Walter EDITORIAL: Editor, Melvin L. Frahm. Frankenmuth; Dean Pridl!eon. tight regulations on farms and food production Woell; Staff Photographer, Charles Montgomery, R-l; Robert Zeeb, Bath. Standing as proof of what determined farmers Bailey; Associate Editor. :o.lrs. Donna R-l. in a world which suffers a growing need for Wilber; Staff Artist, Ray Van IddekinJt. can do when they set their minds to it, is the WOME:'Ii OF FAR:-'f BUREAU: MI'!. food and fibre. In the face of this, it is tragic OFFICERS: :-'fichil.!an Farm Bu- impressive record of Farm Bureau itself, and reau; President. Elton R. Smith, Cale- William Scramlin, Holly; FAR~f BC- to destroy the incentive that has led to the pro- donia. R-l: Vice President, Dean REAU YOU:'IiG PEO!'LE: RJvmond most recently, the sale of a cargo of soft wheat Pridlleon, Mont"oOl('ry. R-t. Kucharek. GayI6n •.. ductive American industry of agriculture. direct from Michigan farmers to a flour mill POSTMASTER: In using form 3579, moil to: Michigan Farm News, 4000 N. \\le mllst help the Americall Pllblic r('ali;::.e at Avonmouth,. England ... Grand River, Lansing, Michigan. this fact. Second clost posta,_ paid af Greenvill_, Michigan E.S. M. W. MICHIGAN FARM NEWS August 1, 1966 THREE November 2-3-4 - work com- and forwarded to the state Res- COMMITTEE SELECTED piling, comparing and compromis- olutions Committee for review. ing county resolutions «tentative" booklet. into Later, they were combined into a composite book with the weight WORK SCHEDULE SET November 9-10-11 - formal sessions of the Resolutions Com- catalog. mittee, held in conjunction with and appearance of a mail-order It is this booklet of proposals The group that many feel is Michigan's most important the 47th annual meeting of the which will become the center of single farm committee, has been appointed and will swing into :\Iichigan Farm Bureau, East attention at the Michigan Farm action within a few days. All of the 18 members of the Mich- Lansing. Bureau annual meeting, and out igan Farm Bureau Resolutions Committee have been appointed The August 23rd meeting will of it will come another action- by President Elton Smith - all have accepted. be historic, in bringing together packed policy program for the "It is with deep concern for problems of agriculture that 1 for the first time County Farm new year. accept appointment to the Resolutions Committee. 1 will serve Bureau Presidents and chairmen of both County Resolutions and COMMITTEE to the best of my ahility and plan to be at the opening session, August 9." ,V omen's committees. MEMBERS This reply to President Smith igan Farm Bureau annual meet- Louis Hayward At that time, Jack Lynn, Legis- District 1, Adolph Dongvillo, by Mrs. Andrew Jackson, one of ing in mid-November, the group lative Director of the American Jr.; District 2, Nicholas Smith; the three persons to represent will have become involved in Although opinions and argu- Farm Bureau Federation's \\'ash- District 3, Arthur Rowley; District Farm Bureau 'VVomenon the com- thousands of miles of travel, and ments are heard, a major task of ington office, will speak to the 4, Russell Sill. mittee, is typical of the attitudes hundred of thousands of words, the Committee and its sub-groups group in a meeting scheduled for District 5, Ralph Letson; Dis- expressed toward the important in putting together a comprehen- is to make sure that Farm Bureau the Y\VCA in Lansing. trict 6, Alfred Goodall; District 7, task. sive policy platform and program resolutions are based on fact, not Tied to this renewed emphasis Lawrence Robison; District 8, Serving with Mrs. Jackson, who of work for ~'1ichigan's largest opinion or prejudice. on county policy development will Harmon \Villiarns. comes from Livingston county, farm organization. All this action is spread over a be a statewide series of regional District 9, Louis Hayward, will be Mrs. LaVerne Kramer, Accepting a position on Farm three-month period, with the ten- meetings of county resolutions Committee Chairman; District 10, Hillsdale; and Mrs. William Lock- Bureau's Resolutions Committee tative calendar shaping up some- committees. Edwin Estelle; District 11, Charles hart of Chippewa county in Mich- is not to be done lightly, for com- what in this fashion: August 9 - organizational meeting. August 23 "Probable Issues" will be the Donaldson, Jr.; Farm Bureau igan's Upper Peninsula. mittee work is not something that theme of the series, with members Young People, to be announced. Louis Hayward of South Board- can be done in «spare" time. - policy development conferen- Rather ~ a comparison with ces. of the Public Affairs Division of _ Farm Bureau \\'omen, Mrs. man, Kalkaska county, has accep- ted the demanding post as Com- jury duty is much more appropri- October 4 - hearings and the Michigan Farm Bureau pre- Al~drew Jackson, Mrs. LaVerne mittee Chairman. ate, for the group is often «locked presentation of background mater- senting background material for Kramer, Mrs. \Villiarn Lockhart. Between the time he first gavels up" in formal sessions, hears ial. October 21 - "target date" local policy development. :\lembers at Large, represent- the group into action August 9, «witnesses" testify, and listen to for all County resolutions to be Last year more than 1,000 ing ~lichigan Farm Bureau Board and the final, formal sessions of experts and spokesmen for other in at Farm Bureau Center, Lan- county Farm Bureau policy recom- of Directors: Dean Pridgeon, the Committee during the Mich- organizations. sing. mendations were adopted locally Ellgene Roberts and Robert Zeeb. Farm Bureau FARM BUREAU COUNTY ~TATE "AMERICAN" policies are MEMBERS RE~OL()TION~ RE~OL(jrION~ RE~OL(jrION~ the result of START HERE BECOME BECOME ARE ••• TO HElP BUilD PROGRAMS FOR the combined COUNTY STATE EARNING HIGH thinking and RECOMMENDAliONS RECOMMENDAliONS NET INCOME AND • with greater freedom action of POLICIES FOR DEALING WITH POLICIES FOR DEALING WITH • in sound dollars • at peace thousands of FOR BErrER RURAL LIVING! farm people. COUNTY NATIONAL I l f I~~()E~ 1$$lJE~ CALENDAR OF COMING EVENTS OLDEST &. YOUNGEST The months ahead are busy DA TES TO REMEMBER Symbolizing a great past and a vi~orous future, the ones for Farm Bureau members, oldest and youngest ~Iichigan cooperative leaders are be- beginning with August "Midsum- August 9 1966 Resolutions Committee - first meet- ing sought by the ~fichigan Association of Farmer Co- mer Meetings" of county Farm ing. Bureau executive committees and operatives. August 9 Dist. 9 ~fidsummer Meeting of Executive membership chairmen. Both will be honored as part of October "Co-op Month" Committees and Membership Chairmen. Scheduled by districts, the ceremonies when Michigan. along with more than 20 other August 11 Dist. 4 Midsummer Meeting. meetings are aimed at informing states, will pay tribute to the cooperative movement and August 12 Dist. 5 Midsummer Meeting. -county leadership on the expanded to the people who have supported it. program and reviewing the past August 15 Dist. 3 Midsummer ~1eeting. \'ril'nccd poultryt1)l'n. Growing birds in- and enlarged grindt'r, l11olasst's mix,'r. slwllt.r on I ~)(j() sI>l't'tt'd weekly by traint>d staff. Birds on Mag. Sulfate .24 full ft't'd. vaccinat{'d. debeaked, truc to PLUS FREE ROLL KODACOLOR FILM Iodine (pure) Cobalt Sulfate .015 .01 .018 .03 Ford trul'k, Call II.,stillgs !).1.,)-22.1. Stan TOlllkill. (Harry COllnty) (8-It-HJh) 1.1 FEEDl:'\G 1I0GS? USt' salt frl'(,. high .lnalysi~ P,'rft'ct BaLmcer 80'" phmphatc 1lI11l,'ral ft'l'd in \'our ho~ ft't'd. ~Iix ont" age. and dcli\'t'red in clean coops. tht'm! \\'e ha\'l' a grower nt'ar you. Birds Sce 12 exposure developed 390 raist'd on F.lnn Burt'au f('t'd. KLAGER and enlarged Salt 0.00 0.00 FOH SA LE: 2') Iloistt'in lH'if,'rs. large p01I1ll1 of P.'rf" ..t' Ihlann'r with l'ach 100 DIIIA n'cortls. 12.7HO Ihs,. ~1. .17.::; H F. HATCIIERIES. Bridct'watf'r. Michigan. PLUS FREE ROLL KODACOLOR FILM Get Perfect Balancer at your elevator. Distributed in ~1ieh- Dul' Allgust &. S,'ph'mlwr. cool,'r. 3 ~"ars old. 37.::; gallon. I Ihri-Kool EtI\\anl !b~ of !:!rollnd f•.t.tl. YOII ('.1Il "liminal<' hont' nlt'.ll hy using Pl'rft'l.t B.llan<:t'r. Gd P,'rlt.!"t H.ILtnct'r at \'our t'lt'vator. Thl' Td,'phon,'s: ('ht'stt'r County) GAr den Salint'. HAzel 9-7087. 8-303.1. ~Ian- ( \Vashtl'naw (tf-72b) 26 GIANT SIZE COLOR PRINTS (Kodacolor negatives only) ea, 19c TalliS. "'nison. ~I icll, 1',,1. ~IO ~)-!)22Ii. Gt'latin Bone Co., Box 125. Emmett. igan by: (Ott.,,,,;', County) (S-2t-,10h) 1.1 ~I ichigan. (tf-50b) 20 Only the finest Kodak FARM 8UREAU 20 LIVESTOCK IIEHEFOHD BULLS-purl' hred herd POUL TRr~IE:\'-Use Pt' rf t' ct RalancN. materials used. SERVICES, INC. sin's. Ih'ath' for ,,'rvice. A1,0. ret::istt'Tl,t1 S <"',.. pho~phatl' llIineral fct'd in your ground NEIL'S PHOTO "FHEE" S•.nd lor "lIig" so paCe Farlll- ht.ift'r~ a 11(1, ('.tlfs. Eg\'pt \'allt.\. IIt'reforti ft,t'tl. Eliminatl' soft sht.Jlt'd .'gl;:~, ~Iix 3 The GELATIN BONE CO. ,'rs Discount CaLalOI.:. ~Iail .1 po,t t'anl F.HIll. (j() I I Knapp St ... \t1a. ~lichi":;lI\. Ih~, Ilt'r I 00 Ib~. ft't'd. Th •• Gdatin Hone Box 125, Emmett, Michigan tod.I\' to "F.lnn-Vi,or:' Box ':!77. Cont'on!. Phone OR 6-10\)0. (Kl'lIt (:ollntv) Co., Box 12.5, Emmett, Michigan. Box 362 lansing, Mich. ~lid;iC.IIl. (4-(it-21 p) 20 (l1-tf-25b) 20 (tf-25b) 26 EIGHTEEN August 1, 1966 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS "WHO SAYS You Get Better Yields With Farm Bureau Special Wheat Starter Fertilizer ?"• II ft ll says DALE FIKE DU of RI. 1, Coleman "Farm Bureau Special ""heat Starter produced • an extra 10 bushels per acre for me. Oct. 20, 1965, I planted 26 acres of wheat using Farm Bureau 5-20-20. This spring I topdressed half of the field with Farm Bureau Special "Vheat Starter and the remainder with 6-24-12. Upon harvesting July 18, combine bin measurements resulted in 10 ex- tra bushels per acre where Special \Vheat Starter was used." II II says ED SCHUTZE of RI. 1, Buchanan "\\Te have been using Farm Bureau Special ""heat Starter Fertilizer for the past three years, and have been very pleased with the yields that we have been getting. Some fields have gone over 60 bushels per acre and we think that is real good for our light soils. It grows rapidly in the fall, stools out very well, and usually we are among the first to harvest in the summer." II II says GEORGE SHRIVER II says LYLE JESSWEIN II says ADRIAN ROTTlER ~ of Fremont of Buchanan of Fremont "I have used Farm Bureau Special "'heat Starter "Last fall we tried Farm Bureau Special "I have used Farm Bureau Special ""heat Fertilizer since the Fremont Co-op started sell- \\Theat Starter Fertilizer for the first time. Starter since they started selling- it at the ing it. Last year's yield of 74 bushels per acre \Ve believe the wheat came on faster and Fremont Co-op. Last year I planted 9.2 tested 62 pounds per bushel ... NO dockage stooled out a little better than the field a(;res of wheat using 300 pounds of Special because of NO moisture. I put on 30 pounds of where we used the same number of pounds ""heat Starter Fertilizer per acre. When I 28% nitrate solution in the spring. I used 250 of 6-24-24. The straw is just a little taller sold my wheat to the Co-op, I found I had a pounds of Special Wheat Starter on the wheat and the heads are a little longer. It looks yield of approximately 60 bushels per acre." last fall but I am sure the yield will be down as though we would have a better yield because of so much wet weather last fall." where \\Theat Starter was used." MICHIGAN FARM NEWS August 1, 1966 NINETEEN --- -- -- -- ---- ------ ----- DISCUSSION COMMUNITY TOPIC FARM BUREAUS are Y/TAL-NECESSARY-/MPORTANT/ Prepared by: Don Kinsey Farm Bureaus in 1936. The idea of the groups is take the initiative to point out to the County Farm Coordinator, Education and Research founded on a faith in farm people. The leaders said, Bureau board directions for needed program activity. "We believe that if we inform our members, give The members are out where problems have their The Community Farm Bureau is the member's them the facts about issues and problems, they will impact. In such an organization as this, members "home base." Members can make of it a highlyeffec- come through with good decisions. Farmers CAN should point much of the way. Actually, members tive force in the community and a dynamo of strength speak soundly for farmers in public affairs. Fanners sit in a position of leadership! Being organized cre- within their farm organization. will be constructive in their proposals for program ates that opportunity! These groups are the key to much of the Farm building and tackling issues. Let's give them an op- Some of the group's discussion sessions will be Bureau's accomplishment. The better the use made portunity to do so through Community Groups." centered in local and county matters. Groups can of them, the more effective Farm Bureau becomes. set their own priorities - decide what is most im- 11embers liked the idea. The spread of Commun- Outsiders repeatedly look upon these groups in ity Farm Bureaus in Michigan for twenty years was portant for discussion and action at any meeting. 11ichigan with enthusiasm, astonishment - with en- ,almost startling. By 1959, group numbers peaked at The discussion program is not "cut and dried" by vy. They would give their shirts to have an organ- 1685. someone else. ized system among their members to match. They Discussion and action on state and national issues recognize that the groups give members increased For so long as the Community Farm Bureaus shall are only part of the group's opportunities. ~fichigan opportunities to be informed, make decisions and operate, that point of faith in the members holds fast. Farm Bureau urges groups to take action on local and move to action. This strengthens any organization. The present Farm Bureau leadership keeps that faith. county problems. In the spring of 1966, the Michigan Farm Bureau In 1939, the under-secretary of Agriculture was \\le once put together a list of the many projects board of directors declared that a high priority must M. L. vVilson. That summer, Wilson addressed that Community Farm Bureaus were carrying on- be placed on the task of building, expanding and thousands of Farm Bureau members from twelve to build better communities. There were over 135 maintaining Community Farm Bureaus in 11ichigan. niid-west states. His remarks are still appropriate. different kinds of activities! The board also recognized that this effort must be "The Michigan Farm Bureau has launched a con- Some examples include the fixing up of a commun- concentrated on young farm families. tinuing program wherein members meet monthly and ity social center, furnishing a hospital room, aiding Thus, history repeats itself. In 1936, the original a family that had burned out, promoting better snow discuss problems and issues which involve fanners drive to organize these groups centered in young removal, clearing roadside brush especially at road allover the state and nation. Such an approach is farm families. Some of the original groups still op- intersections, organizing a rural fire protection plan, as American as apple pie! erate. \Ve honor the gray hairs of the members of fann visits for urban school children - the list went "This is not only a vital program to undergird a those groups still working on the thirtieth anniver- strong fann organization. It also puts the members on and on. sary of the Community Farm Bureau program. Excellent action - no doubt of it! It puts the in a position to speak in policy and program building In 1966, the job of putting the Community Farm "Community" in Community Farm Bureaus. The and to work out activities that will take care of their Bureau -development program into hi~h gear falls to members put the tool to use as it should be used. problems locally and on more distant fronts. a new staff member at the Michigan Farm Bureau- Of course, the Michigan Farm Bureau needs mem- "I hope that Fann Bureau in other states will de- Jack Deppong. He can help you build this pro~am. ber support too. It needs to have members informed velop this discussion-action group movement as rap- He has a sparkle in his eye about the job ahead. So about what is going on in Lansing and vVashington. idly as they can. Then they will have a real solid far as Jack is concerned, the only way is upward. If How else could the necessary support be mustered basis for action by their county and state Fann the members and leaders will work with him, the to win for farmers total exemption from the personal Bureaus." program will move. property tax, as was done in 1966? Only informed Many states did. They came to Michigan, they Not with a rush, of course. There's lots to do. members will know what action is needed, when saw, they followed suit. Wilson's comment makes a County Farm Bureaus should set goals for progress and why. They are ready to act when a crisis reaches good point for members who do not take part in on a year to year basis. Young groups must fill in the its peak. To discuss such matters is very much in Community Farm Bureaus - where such members gaps where older groups fall by the wayside. Mem- the farmers' interest. want an effective Farm Bureau, meeting modern bers not in groups must be convinced of the worth And when better programs are built, members will problems. of organizing one. Organizing teams must be devel- help build them. Let's roll that point over a bit, both for members oped and trained. It is not a simple job, but it is It is much more difficult to inform unorganized, who do and members who do not attend Community highly important. individual members. And the very act of discussing Groups. Everyone recognizes that Community Farm Bur- issues together enriches and sharpens the knowledge A VOL Ul\T ARY farm organization is a special eaus are Michigan's first line of action in Farm of present issues and problems. kind of body. It is not like a large industrial corpor- Bureau. They provide a "Life-line" between the Organized members are in the direct channel of ac- ation, turning out cars or television sets with a million member and his county and state organization. tion too. They can be alerted quickly when situations or two paid employees to do the work. The members Groups can talk over problems, work out plans for call for strong farmer support. are the only large supporting force available to do solving them, suggest policies, work on projects The Minute1.-nan system becomes an action pipeline. the many things a farm organization needs to do. for community improvement, develop rural leader- \Vhether the present need is legislative action or Be the times ever so modern, the value of this ship and act to support Fann Bureau efforts on a marketing programs, or whatever the job, the effort Community Farm Bureau information-action system broad front. succeeds or bogs down in direct relation to the de- still fills a key role in making Farm Bureau "an or- And groups are also "to enjoy!" They are neighbor- ganization with something special in its kit." The gree of member support. In such challenges, "no hood affairs. Attention should be given to making only kind of farm organization that really counts is man is an island - no man can stand alone" and do their meetings sociable occasions, as well as sessions one that can get action when action is necessary. what the occasion demands. No members, no single for positive action. A good group will strike a balance Let's keep this ball rolling. employed staff persons can carry the whole task by between sociability and serious purpose in its himself. Public persuasion and influence calls for program. many backers. It was this basic fact, in part, that prompted The Community Farm Bureau should be the "stim- A special discussion exercise sheet is prepared for Farm Bureau leaders to develop the Community ulator" of the County Farm Bureau. Good groups Group use. TWENTY August 1, 1966 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS Norm lohr is a Farm Insurance Expert He has had 12 years experience in assisting farmers in Monroe County plan the insurance protection they need for their particular farming operation. Before joining Farm Bureau Insurance, he was a full-time farmer. His farming experience plus his insurance training and knowledge, and personal service have become an effective combination. He has provided over 51/2 million dollars worth of Farmowners coverage for his insureds. The more than 200 Farm Bureau Insurance representatives in Michigan are farm experts, too. They give every insured personal service and they have the know-how to fit protection to your needs. Farm Bureau Insurance is the largest farm fire insurer in Michigan and the com- pany pioneered and developed the Farmowners in 1961 and now has over 12,000 policies in force. Why not call your nearest Farm Bureau Insurance Agent? Ask him for help In planning your insurance protection for your farm. FARM BUREAU ---INSURANCE GROUP Farm Bureau Mutual- Farm Bureau Life. Community Service, LANSING