MICHIGAN FARM NEWS Pickling-Peppers are Ready for Picking "PICKLING PEPPERS" - by the acre, are displayed by Andrew French, "SWEET BANANA PEPPERS - grow in this field. Other popular prominent Saginaw Farm Bureau member and vegetable grower. varieties include Cherry peppers, Romanian Pimento and "Hot Hun- French is chairman of the pepper-contract negotiation committee for garian". All are pickled much as are cucumbers. Peppers from this the Michigan Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Association, field will be shipped to a Pennsylvania processor because contract- MACMA. Michigan pepper growers have joined together through the prices for Michigan's SOO-acre crop have not kept pace with demand, Processing Vegetable division of MACMA to improve contract-terms and many growers have been forced to contract with out-of-state such as grades, prices and other terms of trade, at a time when firms. High production costs are expected to cause growers to seek increased demand is placing pressure on limited supplies. further price improvement in the 1967 Production Year. Major Report From Discussion Migrant ON THE INSIDE: Reorganization Page 3 The Congo Page 9 Topic Page 14 Labor Scene Page 15 TWO September 1, 1966 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS Editorial President's Column TELL THEM WHY . • • ACTION - TEAM Food prices are rising. Michigan Farm Bureau won't have any They are going to rise more. The increase "hitch in its git-along." The board of directors will be sharp, sudden and inevitable. is confident that things will move ahead in Government officials have already noted that positive directions. the cost of feeding the American family is up The board has selected Dan Reed as Secre- by 5 per cent from a year ago - more than $50. tary-Manager of the A-fichigan Farm Bureau. They are slower to realize that the end is Dan will be in charge of administrative oper- not yet in sight, and that farmers are not to ations. In another move toward strength, the blame. board appointed Larry Ewing to head the Field Rather, pubUc welfare programs. and policies Services Division. promoted by members of Congress and others It takes a heap of working with fann people have been ma;or contributing causes. right in the field to make an organization like Meanwhile, the public has been led into an Farm Bureau go. These men know how to attitude of complacency concerning its food work with farm people. They have been part supply. They have been told by everyone in- of our leadership action team during the peak cluding farmers that food is a bargain and ap- years of Farm Bureau program building. A parently this has led to the false impression that working staff team is what the board of dir- food must always be a bargain. ectors thinks is needed to build a dynamic They have been given to believe that cheap Farm Bureau in Michigan. food of a higher quality than that enjoyed by Dan Reed and Larry Ewing are the men for any other people of the world is a natural right, such a staff working operation. The board Hot a privilege. feels that they already have the confidence of The result has been a disregard for what their feUow staff members which assures full happens on the farms or to the people w/w pro- cooperation and total effort. duce the food supply. Often those who produce Dan Reed's qualifications for his new position this seemingly endless abundnnce of milk, meat, WHERE IT HURTS MOST- are well known to many Farm Bureau members bread, potatoes and fruits are treated in an and leaders. Almost anyone, fanners, legislators, offhand manner - or as second-class citizens. The consuming public has encouraged this a bull market. •• congressmen, leaders from other civic organiza- tions, hold Dan in the highest confidence and attitude either through complacency or active "- Shaping up is a buU market in agriculture. respect. The board knows that it has picked a support of congressmen and members of the The so-called bull market, however, does not refer to good man for the anchor post in the operations state legislature who, knowingly or otherwise, the livestock situation. It is an across-the-board recogni- at the Farm Bureau Center. have worked to hamstring farmers and their tion that this year's drought situation, coupled with the Dan Reed and Larry Ewing are well pre- capacity to produce. various land retirement programs and increased foreign pared for the fob that needs doing. Both are But the simple fact is that cause-and-effect aid shipments, has drained our government-owned food soundly grounded in Farm Bureau work. They will operate. and feed reserves. Whether 1966 will actually end as know Farm Bureau as it is right where the Now the consumer must pay and it is up to just a small crop year or as a minor crop failure is yet to member lives. They know its chaUenges in the farmers to tell him why food costs more. The be determined. public areoo and have helped to meet these consumer must learn that he cannot escape the Drought throughout our own state, and throughout challenges over a period of years. consequences of public policies which erode the other parts of the nation, is very spotty but is having a Dan came to his work in Farm Bureau productive power of the food producing system. major effect in cutting production. Grain production, in- directly from his farm in Oceana County in They must learn that many actions taken by cluding soybeans, is below our requirements and supplies 1942. He began as a field re}2resentative for the public officials lead inevitably to soaring food of these commodities underlie our food production. organization in District 7, 'his home district. prices, and that no amount of government price- It is expected that some 30 miUion acres will be taken Being a farmer, he knew farm problems and fixing can stem the tide. out of the cropland reserve and put into production next farmer viewpoints well. Right now farmers are struggling to keep year. Also, cuts in foreign aid shipments are expected. The membership in District 7 felt consider- their financial heads above water and to keep To calm the demand of consumers (now at high pitch) able loss when, in 1951, Dan moved to a position production at the same high level that has farmers can expect larger imports of food commodities. in the Public Affairs Division of the Michigan allowed America's vast bounty. At the same However, the alternatives offered farmers are still good Farm Bureau and work as Assistant Legislative time they are faced by ever-increasing legalistic in industrial employment, and as workers obtain wage Counsel under Stanley Powell. roadblocks, by rules, restrictions and regulations and fringe increases through strike or negotiation, the There, Reed won the same brand of confi- that threaten to cause a collapse of a system opportunity for off-the-farm employment becomes even dence among those with whom he worked for that has become the envy of the world. better. Resulting scarcities can mean not only higher the depth and solidity of his leadership and for AU this means that, at least for the year ahead, food the contributions which he made to their under- food prices, but growing hunger of multitudes, prices generally can be expected to be higher. Farm standing of public issues. M any legislators and food riots, and more inflation. costs? Undoubtedly higher too. But, generally, an im- congressmen looked to Dan for guidance. They There is no great margin in farming these proved relationship. days as some seem to think. did not always agree with him, but they always The government may have second thoughts on the respected him. Any "adjusting" of the farmer's burden so-called "greenspan" program, under which federal money through the power of government - through Under his leadership as Legislative Counsel is provided urban communities for the purchase of farm manipulating the labor supply, through added during the past two years, after the retirement lands to be used for parks and open space. Through a government program costs, through new farm of Stanley Powell, the legislative affairs have proper tax program, much of this land might stay in ac- rules, regulations and restrictions, can only moved ahead despite dwindling farm repre- ceptable types of agriculture even though surrounded by mean impairment of production ability. sentation in the Michigan Legislature. Farmers urban development. It could thus supply open space and This impairment must be felt immediately in and Fann Bureau members owe much to the a supply of fresh available farm products, such as truck the market place. skill and diligence of Dan Reed during sessions crops, fruits, etc., almost at the consumer's doorstep. Legislators who fought to have farmers in- of the Legislature. He brought farm problems After a long period of being treated as a stepchild, cluded in vVorkmen's Compensation coverage into focus for members of both parties when can farmers now look forward to being invited to sit at and similar measures, must now brace them- they otherwise would have been disregarded. the first table with the other members of the nation's selves for the inevitable results of such adjust- economic family? Dan is a Farm Bureau man from start to ments in the fonn of higher food costs. finish. When the board of directors sought new Michigan remains the highest labor-cost state administrative leadership, they had at hand a in the United States. The cost of labor rides man who had established himself in their es- at more than the 50 per cent mark for most MICHIGAN FARM NEWS teem. farm production - and is substantially over THI! ACTION PUBLICATJON 0,. THI! MICHIGAN "ARM BURI!AU Larry E\ving also had established his qual- that mark for such crops as fruits and vegetables. The MICHIGAN FARM NEWS is DIRECTORS: District I, Francis ifications through his personal perfonnance published monthly. on the first day, Finch, Mattawan, R-I; District 2, Wil- Anything that affects the labor cost must be by the Michi~an Farm Bureau, at its bur H. Smith. Burlington. R-I; District over a period of years. Since 1958, when he publication office at 109 N. Lafayette 3, Donald L. Ruhlig, Dexter; Dis- reflected immediately in higher costs of the Street. Greenville, Michigan. trict 4, Elton R. Smith, Caledonia, became a regional representative in the Central finished products. These costs will jump next Editorial and joteneTaloffices at 4000 R-I; District 5. David Morris, Grand North Grand River Avenue. Laming, Led~e, R-3: District 6, Ward G. Hodge, and Southeast regions Larry has been a top spring if the \Vorkmen's Compensation Act Michill:an. Post Office Box 960. Tele- Snover, R-l; District 7, Kenneth Bun. man when it comes to working with fanner phone. Lansing, 485-8121, Extension Bailey. R-l; District 8, Harvey Leuen- coverage of agriculture is allowed to go into ef- 317. berger, Saginaw, R-6; District 9, members. These qualifications have been ex- Established January 12, 1923. Sec- Eugene Roberts. Lake City, R-I; Dis- fect at presently suggested high rates. ond Class Postage paid at Greenville, trict 10, Edgar Diamond. Alpena, R- tended in his work as a member of the Market Michigan. Subscription price, 50t per 2; District 11, Clayton Ford, Cornell. This is just one example of what is happening, Development Division since 1962. year. DIRECTORS AT LARGE: Walter and consumers must be told these facts. Farm- EDITORIAL: Editor, Melvin L. Frahm, Frankenmuth; Dean Pridlteon. As president of the Michigan Farm Bureau, Woell; Staff Photographer, Charles Montgomery, R-l; Robert Zeeb, Batb, ers must do the job for no one else will do it Bailey; Associate Editor. Mrs. Donna R-l. I am fully confident that our choices are good Wilber; Stuff Artist, Ray Van lddekin~. for them. ones. I urge the membership to give our new OFFICERS: Michiltan Farm Bu- WOMEN OF FARM BUREAU: Mrs. We can best begin by stopping the senseless reau; President, Elton R. Smith, Cale- William Scramlin, Hony; FARM BU- staff leaders their fullest support and cooper- donia. R-l: Vice President. Dean REAU YOUNG PEOPLE: Raymond talk about what a great bargain food is. Prid~eon. Montgomery, R-l. Kucharek, Gaylord. ation. Together we can build the strongest And as food prices soar, we have the duty POSTMASTER: In using form 3579, mail to: Michigan Form News, .c000 N. Farm Bureau that A1ichigan has known in its to teU the public why. Grond River, Lansing, Michigan. forty-seven years of accomplishment. Second cia •• postage paid at Greenville, Michigan M.W. E. S. MICHIGAN FARM NEWS September 1, 1966 THREE MAJOR REORGANIZATION ANNOUNCED! Managers Named, Division Heads Appointed - \ The Board of Directors of the Michigan Farm Bureau has effect- ed a major reorganization through a series of actions which climaxed in early September with the nam- ing of a new Secretary-Manager and manager of the Field Services Division. In other action, a joint an- nouncement by Elton Smith, act- ing as President of Farm Bureau Services, and Carl Heisler, Presi- dent of Farmer's Petroleum Co- operative, revealed that a protrac- ted search for combined manage- DAN E. REED WILLIAM GUTHRIE LARRY EWING NOEL STUCKMAN ment of the two companies had been successful. tion as Vice President of Opera- Both Reed and Ewing are con- division prior to the grouping Named Secretary-Manager of tions, Seabrook Farms, nationally- sidered enthusiastic and effective and as "Chairman" of the depart- the Michigan Farm Bureau was known producers of frozen foods. spokesmen for Michigan farmers ment since. With the advent of Dan E. Reed, 24-year employee, A native of Illinois, Guthrie is and Farm Bureau members. Ew- Ewing's move into Field Services who for the past two years has a graduate of Northwestern Uni- ing has widespread knowledge of management, a vacancy currently served as Legislative Counsel, and versity, Evanston. marketing problems involving a exists within the marketing oper- manager of the Public Affairs The new Manager of the im- number of important crops, and ation. division. portant Field Services Division of is a strong supporter of the live- Reed also announced the ap- Reed's appointment caps a the Michigan Farm Bureau, Lar- stock industry. Reed's legislative pointment of Steve Van Slyke, Farm Bureau career which began ry Ewing, is a former regional activities on behalf of Michigan Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, as with active participation in the representative, and most recently farmers has made him a respected Coordinator of Broadcast Services, organization as a member in served as a market specialist with- figure both in \Vashington and within the Information Division. Oceana county, work on the Field in the Market Development de- Lansing. Until most recently, Van Slyke Staff as a regional representative, partment. In his new role as Secretary- served as Director of the Informa- followed by a move to Lansing His new responsibilities include Manager, Reed announced several tion Division for the Oklahoma and a position as Legislative the broad areas of county pro- organizational and staff changes. Farm Bureau where he has been Counsel. gramming and membership de- Among them, the re-creation of employed for the past 11 years in Named Executive Vice Presi- velopment through the operation the Market Development Division a varietv of information-educa- dent and General Manager for of a lO-man staff of Regional Rep- as a major operational division rather than a department within r on activities including work in both Farm Bureau Services and resentatives; liaison between the STEVE VAN SLYKE broadcasting and legislative fields. Farmers Petroleum Cooperative, Michigan Farm Bureau and the Field Services group, and with is William N. Guthrie, Seabrook, County Farm Bureaus; Farm Noel Stuckman as Division Man- His new duties will include Other assignments include im- New Jersey. He comes to the top Bureau 'Vomen, Community ager. broadening present Farm Bureau proved liaison between Michigan management post of the Farm Group and Young Farmer activi- Stuckman had served as a public-service radio activities to farmers and radio-television Bureau cooperatives from a posi- ties. marketing specialist within the include television. broadcasters. MilK joins the SNACKSET! Market research results show Here's Why: that over 25% of all food con- sumed by teenagers and young adults is at snack times. So, we're telling people to drink milk with their snacks. DURING TELEVISION Six Michigan stations will televise SEPTEMBER 65 sales messages per week for three big weeks. and OCTOBER RADIO This fall theme is being Fifty-four Michigan stations will backed by the largest ad- talk, talk, talk, uMilk with Snacks," 10 times weekly, to teens and vertising promotion ever adults. Plus, ttFootball Flashes," scheduled in Michigan following M.S.U. games. media for a 4-week pe- riod, starting the 12th of NEWSPAPERS Thirty-four big ads in Michigan September. dailies will remind food shoppers about the importance of uMaking it a Vitality Snack with Milk." ... I am.eTican dairy association of Michigan / September 1, 1966 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS UNFAIR PRACTICES co p itol CITED BY SHUMAN report ",'" e believe that farmers sh01lld not be denied the right to market their products because of voluntary membership in their associations," AFBF President Charles B. Shuman told a sub- committee of the Senate Agriculture Committee considering S. 109. The measure was introduced by Senators Aiken (R- Vermont), Lausche (D-Ohio), McCarthy (D-Minnesota) and Young (D-North Dakota). Farm Bureau had urged the preparation and introduction of the bill, which carries out policies approved by the delegates at the 1965 convention - "We support legiswtion to prohibit unfair trade practices designed to discourage farmer participa- tion in voluntary marketing programs through marketing and bargaining associations. Farmers should rwt be denied the right to market their product because of voluntary membership in such associations." U.S.A.; Eastern Milk Producers Michigan Farm Bureau had Cooperative Association; Califor- urged stich action in a strong nia Freestone Peach Association, statement approved at the annual as well as general fann organiza- convention held at East Lansing tions, including Fanners Union November 9-11, 1965. The state- and the Grange. ment concludes: "We urge the enactment of legislation which A California supporter noted prevents a processor from dis- the similarity between S. 109 and criminating against the farmer a law passed in California in 1961 b C'l se he belongs to a cooper- and said the measure is, in effect, e ----------- ,-~ --.--------- .-_...:::-_~. ---1!1 _ ~ in tll1'ee or four years. "Farmers are learning that through cooperation, utilization of labor becomes much more efficient and their problems of securing labor easier. Through MASA they will have better assurance of labor as needed in the future. All of this takes time. This year, our most significant accomplishment has been working with these two groups in establishing confidence that MASA can perform. H. M. JONES AND SONS, fruit growers from Laingsburg, pro- RALPH FOREMAN AND SONS, Northville fruit growers, offer "The keynote is mutual confidence and cooperation," Busch- vide migrants with hausing equipped with electricity, gas migrants excellent living conditions in new housing equipped stoves and heating unit, running water, refrigerator, and with electricity, stoves and refrigerators, hot and cold run- len says. separate bath and laundry facilities. ning water. The building is insulated. SIXTEEN Septem ber 1, 1966 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS TAKE A CLOSER LOOK. Take a closer look at your farm. The way a banker would. Visualize the house, farm buildings and machinery in terms of the investment you've made. It adds up to a lot of money - and a lot of sweat. Then, sit down and make an honest appraisal. If disaster struck tomorrow, would your present farm insurance cover the costs of repair and replacement? Is your insurance broad enough to protect you from any type of loss? Could you afford to rebuild your entire operation? More than 12,000 of Michigan's most successful farmers have made this same appraisal - and changed to the Farm Bureau Insurance Farmowners policy. Here's why: BROAD PROTECTION - Your entire farming operation (House and Contents, Barns and Outbuildings, Farm Personal Property and Legal Liability) is protected from most types of loss by the Farm- owners policy. CASH SAVINGS -Many individual coverages are provided in one "package" - at a much lower cost than if purchased individually. And, money-saving deductible plans are available. CONVENIENCE-One company, one policy and one payment pro- vide all the farm insurance you need. And, your local Farm Bureau Agent and Adjuster will cater to all your service needs - including prompt, friendly handling of claims. After you've taken a closer look at your present farm insurance program, call your local Farm Bureau Agent. Ask him to explain the popular Farmowners policy. You'll find out why Farm Bureau writes more fire insurance for Michi- gan farmers than any other company. FARM BUREAU ---INSURANCE GROlJ/P Farm Bureau Mutual- Farm Bureau Life. Community Service, LANSING