MICHIGAN FARM NEWS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU VOL. 47, NO. 3 ~ MARCH 1, 1968 P.E.~ - Political Education and Participation ... 1968 is a crucial political year - one in which the highest oHices of our nation will be subiect to the will of the people who will make their decisions wit~in our two-party system. ( Farm Bureau believes in the two-party system and urges its members to actively participate in the party of their choice. Farm Bureau does not endorse candi- dates, but does support certain policies and principles of legislation and has a widespread interest in spark- ing a state and nationwide discussion of public policy issues useful in judging candidates for high offices. The Michigan Farm Bureau encourages the appoint- ment of county P.E.P. committees to lead in conducting political education programs involving members who have knowledge of political realities and who are in- terested and willing to work. These P.E.P. committees are to help develop under- standing of Farm Bureau policies and their relation to important public policy issues; publish voting or per- formance records; plan and conduct voter registration campaigns and explain political party structure, organ- ization, and election laws. TWO March 1, 1968 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS Editorial ~~i~~~~ . ~- .. -. IN THE MIDDLE Baby Coho salmon die and at once the farmer and his chemicals are suspect. Robins fail to hatch and "hard" pesticides such as DDT, Aldrin, Dieldrin, Lindane and Chlordane are blamed, A bill aimed at preventing "misuse" of pesti- cides in Michigan is proposed - one which would set up a powerful state committee to deal with pesticide registration and control. The committee would be responsible for monitoring pervasive and sinister attacks of chemicals, Armed with such sweeping authority, it is apparent that soon the committee would tell farmers and all others how, when and where they could use pest-killing chemicals. Caught again in the middle is the hard- pressed farmer, doing the best production job of all people, and being made to feel guilty about it. His steps are dogged by those who feel that threats of starvation, fire, pestilence and plague are as nothing compared to the pervasive and sinister attacks of chemicals on all life. Cases have been taken into court here in Michigan to cause those who fight the spread of such serious economic pests as the Japanese Beetle to also fight for the right to check the pests with chemical weapons. Farm Bureau, which alone among Michigan farm groups ap- peared in support of the beetle-spraying pro- gram, also asks for more pesticide research and warns against misuse of farm chemicals. At the same time, Farm Bureau contends that the use of pesticides is essential to modem a!::,rriculture..Farm leaders ask that full examina- tion be made of the entire pesticide problem, confident that home gardeners, week-end lawn hobbyists, industrial and household wastes pro- vide more of the problem than realized. Meanwhile, pressures continue for farmers to increase world food supplies and to do so ul1der ,the burden of such pe$t~ as the European com borer, cereal-leaf beetle, lice, ticks, worms, mosquit~es, r~ts and mice .. A PERSONAL WORD FROM ... . .Crop scientists say that twenty per cent of the crops on our total U.S. acreage go down the drain every year to weeds, disease and in- The March Winds Blow, • • sects. Farmers in less fortunate countries of the world often lose half or more . The President's Science Advisory Committee The March winds are here again -let's see what they bring It's always interesting to compare your pro- reports that "large increases in the use' of pesti- our way. '''hen they blow from the south, we seem to hear the gram and structure with other states. The cides are necessary to increase world food Ohio Farm Bureau folks say ... "We're going to beat Michigan Women's committees are stnlCtured a little dif- production. At the present time, only 120,000 -we're going to beat Michigan ... " ferently within each state Farm Bureau but metric tons are used in the developing world, Recently I went with the state Farm Bureau board to a multi- their programs have common goals. The one excluding Mainland China. If food production state board meeting in Cleveland, Ohio. For me, this was a big program the AFBF "Vomen accepted this is to be doubled (as appears necessary) 700,000 learning experience and very interesting. Ohio and Pennsyl- year is. c.alled "~CTION" - a program of Po- metric tons will. be required ... " vania were the other two states involved. litical Education ... Another significant report showing that in- "Thy is Political Education important for creased use of pesticides is entirely possible, If you think for one minute that Ohio has forgotten our mem- Farm Bureau 'Vomen at this time? Self-govern- has been made by the Food and Drug Adminis- bership contest, be assured that they are working very hard and ment can be preserved only by an informed, tration. In a recent FDA publication is stated: are confident that they will win. They are ahead of us now in active citizenry; l~ck of citizen participation in "The evidence plainly shows no need for con- the total number of new members, and are rapidly closing the public affairs constitutes the major threat to cern. There is every reason to believe the gap between us in total membership. There was a lot of good our constitutional government; political educa- American food supply is free from harmful natured ribbing between board members of the two states at the tion is an area in which women have proven to pesticide residues and has been for some time." meeting, and beneath it we could detect that in spite of the fun, be particularly effective. A total of 49,000 food samples taken over a the Ohio folks are deadly serious about their membership work. 1968 is an election year. Farm Bureau mem- three-year period were used as the basis for this How about us? Our membership work is still not complete and bers need to elect people who support Farm reassuring evidence. yet we are so close. ASK THAT NEIGHBOR TO JOIN! Bureau's basic beliefs and philosophy! A major difference between U.S. farm plenty "ACTION" is a program in support of basic and foreign starvation can be traced directly beliefs through Farm Bureau. to inseGt and rodent control- or its lack. Oddly this is a fact most often ignored 'by naturalists MICHIGAN~FARM NEWS A - Activate individual Farm Bureau members and humanitarians win> plead for a permanent THI! ACTION .. UIIUCATlON 0 .. TtMI MICHIGAN "ARM IIURaAU in the party of his or her choice. The MICHIGAN FARM NEWS i! DIRECTORS: District 1. Harry cease-fire in the chemical warfare against in- published monthly, on the first day, l'\ye. St. Josepb, R-I; District 2, Nich- C - Create widespread interest in strengthen- sects and disease. by the Michilran Farm Bureau. at its olas Smith, Addison, R-l; District 3, publication office at 109 N. Lafayette ing the Congress. Street, Greenville, Michigan. Andrew Jackson, Howell, R-l; Dis- Farmers take .seriously their job as caretakers trict 4. Elton R. Smith, Caledonia, R-1; Editorial and general offices at 4000 District 5, David Morris, Grand Ledge, T - Tackle the job of sparking a nationwide of the soil and as animal "husbandmen". Pro- North Grand River Avenue, Lansinll':. R-3; District 6. Jack Laurie, Cnss Cit)', Michigan 48904. Post Office Box 960. R-3; District 7. Kenneth Bull, Bailey, discussion of public policy issues useful in fessional in their approach to chemical useage, Telephone, Lansing 485-8121. Exten- R-l; District 8, Harvey Leuenber~er. sion 317. Subscription price, SOt per Saginaw, R-6; District 9, EUlf:ene Rob- judging candidates for the Congress. farmers are not at all opposed to baby salmon year. erts, Lake City. R-l; District 10, or robins. Estllblished January 12. 1923. Sec- Richard Wieland, Ellsworth, R-I: Dis- I - Initiate procedures to help our members ond Class Postage paid at Greenville. trict 11, Cla}1on Ford, Cornell. They are unalterably opposed to mange, ring- Michigan. become effective in the selection and election EDITORIAL: Editor, Melvin L. DIRECTORS AT LARCE: Walter of candidates who support Farm Bureau's basic worm, fruit-rot, potato scab, worms eating the \Voell; Associate Editor. Margaret G. Frahm, Frankenmuth; Dean Pridgeon, McCall; Staff Photographer, Charles Montgomery, R-l; James Thar, Deca- beliefs. hearts out of cabbage and the intestines out Bailey; tur, R-2. of living animals. OFFICERS: Michigan Farm Bur- 0- Operate to implement Farm Bureau policy eau; President, Elton R. Smith, Cale- WOMEN OF FAR~f BUREAU: Mrs. Farmers are opposed to lice, mites, blood- donia, R-I; Vice President. Dean Jerold Topliff, Eaton Rapids. R-l; by increasing our legislative effectiveness. Pridgeon. Montgomery. R-I. Secretary- FARM BUREAU YOUNG FARMERS: sucking ticks and disease-carrying flies and Manager. Dan E. Reed. Lansing. Michael Satchell, Caro, R-4. N - Nominate individuals in each party for mosquitoes. POSTMASTER: In using form 3579, mail to: Michigan Farm News, 4000 N. office who adhere to Farm Bureau's basic Grand River, Lansing, Michigan 48904. Ab'ove all, they are opposed to starvation for beliefs. people. Second class postage paid at Greenville, Michigan Mrs. Jerold (Maxine) Topliff M. W. MICHIGAN FARM NEWS March 1, 1968 THREE President's Column NOW, FOR NOVEMBER "GOAL-BUSTERS" HONORED Most of us do a whole lot of preparation be- fore we put any crop seed into the ground, but we often fail to help in the preparation neces- s~ry for our political system to function. Right now there are preparations starting all over Michigan for the various conventions and meet- ings which are a part of the election processes. For instance the Republican county conven- tions are scheduled for March 27 and the Democratic county conventions for May 17. If we as farmers expect to have any influence in the Legislature and other offices, it's obvious to me that we have to be in on the selection of these officers. And I don't mean just voting. We as an organization cannot afford to endorse a candidate or party, in my opinion, but we as individuals have an obligation to be active. We have to be active in every phase of the election process from candidate selection to the final taJly and report of the votes. To be successful every candidate has to have three or four things - convention support, money, local contacts and friendly voters in the voting booths. CROWNED ROYALTY- at the President's Conference, were these \\front row" leaders representing those county I think it's pretty obvious that if we are to Farm Bureaus then over goal. Wearing the crowns are (from left) Harvey leuenberger, Saginaw; Ken Bull and get the kind of honest, diligent officials we Carl Anderson, Muskegon; loy Putney, Benzie; Tom Wieland, Charlevoix; Glenn Robotham, Benzie; Bernard Neu- expect, some of us have to take off time to help enfeldt and Rudy Reinbold of Saginaw. nominate them. It may be that we even have to look around to find a suitable candidate, and The Michigan Farm Bureau is a big step closer to NAME COUNTY sometimes convince him that he should run. being a winner in the state-wide membership drive, Ronald Moilanen) Baraga but with "a ways yet to go" at 95 per cent of goal At the convention we need our kind of people William Saarinen) there to make sure the man we support gets and 51,200 members according to Larry Ewing, Man- ager of the Field Services Division of the Michigan Norman Randall Muskegon nominated. Sometimes we are critical of the Mrs. William Parsons Charlexoix nominees who are managed by the "professional Farm Bureau. The Michigan-Ohio race is becoming more exciting, Beamon Smith Monbnorency politicians", but I wonder if we have the right with Ohio moving into a slight lead over Michigan in Mr. and Mrs. Donald Nugent Benzie to be critical if we didn't bother to go. -The terms of new members. The Michigan Farm Bureau Elmer Rusch Saginaw professionals usually "manage" things best when we amateurs fail to show up. remains ahead in total members, but the gap is closing. Frank Schwiderson Chippewa Ohio's new-member "offensive" must be countered Stanley Stempky Cheboygan Once the candidates are nominated by. the and their lead overcome if Michigan is to win, and Mr. and Mrs. Larry Luther Wexford convention they need money if they are to have avoid receiving the st later thi., .,prin!.: term to most fanners. After all, the term applied only to Selections are made on fllf' hasis of stich acth itj,'", " cultural Employee Coverage? non-farm jobs because l\lichigan's original \Vorkmen's Com- progre,' in an agricu1turall.III'l'r. soil and water ('IIIJ't'f\ pensation Act of 1913 specifically ("(empted agriculture. So A. Our Companies could give tion pr.l< tices. and contrihlltl 'II, to the w('n-hein~ (Ill the fanner obviously had no reason to concern himself with inadequate Agricultural Em- lllllnit~ .,tate and nation. the complications inherent in the structure of \Vorkmen's ployee Coverage ... bllt they Thi, : ear's judges are I:1f 'I R. Hill, East Lan' !H I Compensation. won't. In fact. it might be fl'ss()f l II1eritus of agricultur.d t'lonomics at ~fichi..:: . St.ltt easier to write inadequate But suddenly it was 1965. The vened. The hureau ruled that coverage, but our integrity Vniver~ity; Lawrence P. \\ j"lIil'wski, Okemos, viet' presi- limitell Agricultural Employee \Vorkmen's Compensation Act would be destroyed if just one dent of the Intermediate Credit Bank of St. Paul (E.lst Lan- Coverage policies must contain was revamped and agriculture farmer could not maintain his sing office); and Dwight Ball.lrd, Onondaga farmer. the following: lost its exemption. Agricultural operation because of an incom- Preceding the awards banquet will be an afternoon tour Workmen's Compensation was to- WARNING plete Agricultural Employee of a dairy farm, a grain handling operation, and a poultry tally new ground. Many differ- Coverage. farm in the Adrian area. Guests will also visit the commu- ences existed between factory and THE EMPLOYEES' MEDI- CAL PAYMENTS COVER- Q. But isn't Farm Bureau Agri- nity's two colleges, Adrian and Siena Heights. farm work, so no one knew exac- tly how to attack the problem. AGE CONTAINED IN cultural Workmen's Compen- Candidates are: THIS POLICY WILL NOT sation Coverage too expensive? James Bigelow, 22, Alma - wife Elaine, 2 children (com, These differences, and the com- COVER EMPLOYERS beans, sheep); Charles Bracey, 35, Ovid - wife Patricia, 2 plications they created, postponed A. No, especially when consider- WHO QUALIFY FOR BEN- children (30 cows, very high producers, 200 acres worked); the beginning of Farm Workmen's ing the benefits provided. EFITS PRESCRIBED BY Robert L. Buist, 33, Allendale - wife Nina, 3 children (cel- Compensation from September 1, Farm Bureau Insurance offers THE MICHIGAN WORK- ery, asparagus, 70 acres worked). R. James Cook, 31, Howell 1965 to May 1, 1966. Still no one three distinct plans covering MEN'S COMPENSATION - wife Nancy, 2 children (100 dairy cows, partnership with had the right answers. The effec- small, medium, and large ACT. tive date was postponed again farming operations. All three father, operates 550 acres); Samuel J. Elliott, 33, Ypsilanti until May 1, 1967. Policies with this warning may plans provide all employees, - wife Susan, 1 child (grain, sheep, chickens, operates 330 Since the first day of July, 1967, not provide adequate protection including exchange labor, with acres); according to the newly signed for you. The above warning does unlimited medical benefits be- Ronald Gasper, 26, Chesaning - wife Beverly, 3 chil- law, the only way to obtain full not appear on any Agricultural ginning on the first day of dren (beef, grain, operates 600 acres); Robert Harper, 30, protection is by an Agricultural Workmen's Compensation policy employment. The farmer is Vicksburg - wife Nancy, 2 children (grain, registered Workmen's Compensation policy. issued by Farm Bureau Insurance provided with $100,000 Em- swine, partnership with father, operates 380 acres); Rich- In this way alone is the farmer Croup. ployer's Liability Coverage . and full Workmen's Compen- ard Krogel, 24, Bangor - wife Gloria, 1 child (fruit, 300 fully protected against any pos- Here are some questions and answers which may clarify your sation benefits, if necessary. acre partnership); Alan Mandigo, 29, Paw Paw - (manages sibility of a claim by an injured This additional protection may 200 acre fnIit farm); Russell C. Myers, 31, Battle Creek- worker. No longer could the now \Vorkmen's Compensation needs. be the only thing that stands wife Joann, 2 children (grain, swine, operates 660 acres); out-dated, limited Employer Lia- Q. Do I need an Agricultural bility policies be sold to provide between him and disaster. Wesley S. Prine, 33, Springport - wife :Mary Jane, 3 chil- Workmen's Compensation pol- protection against liability claims dren (100 dairy cows, with two partners operates 700 acres); iey? Agricultural Workmen's Com- made by farm labor. Gerald Slocum, 33, Hart - wife Phyllis, 3 children (fruit, A. If you are a farmer with em- pensation is as important as it is Christmas trees, operates 970 acres with partner); Today, confusion still surround- ployees or have exchange la- complicated. Education and un- Robert Squanda, 33, Saginaw - wife Billie, 6 children ing Workmen's Compensation has bor ... yes! derstanding are necessary. As part been compounded by misleading of the world's largest farm insur- (sugar beets, wheat, navy beans, swine, operates 379 acres); half-truths propounded by the in- Q. Why won't a limited Agricul- ance organization, Farm Bureau Kermit J. Stevens, 28, Adrian - wife Nancy, 2 children (65 surance industry itself. The com- tural Employee Coverage pol- Insurance Group stands ready to dairy cows, operates 550 acres in partnership); Edward plicated claims and counter-claims icy serve my needs? help any .farmer by providing Wawiernia, 26, Grand Ledge - wife Virginia, 2 children reached such a crescendo that the A. These limited policies are like complete information and profes- (25 dairy cows, crops, operates 500 acres in partnership). Michigan Insurance Bureau inter- a horse and buggy in the jet- sional counsel. FARM BUREAU MARKET PLACE SPECIAL RATE TO FARM BUREAU MEMBERS: 25 words for $2.00 each edition. Additional words, 10 cents each. Figures such as 12 or $12.50 count as one word. NON-MEMBER advertisers: 15 cents per word one edition, two or more editions, 10 cents per word. Copy deadline: 20th of the month. 8 FARM EQUIPMENT 14 FOR SALE FARM PROPERTY 22 NURSERY STOCK 26 POULTRY FARROWING STALLS - Complete- NIGHTCRAWLER~ AND RED WIG- BEAUTIFY YOUR GARDE:\' with plants KLAGER'S DEKALB PROFIT PULLETS ARKANSAS: LIVESTOCK FARMS, - Order your started pullets that have 824.9,';. Dealership available. Free Liter- GLERS. "B & Woo Worm Ranch, Route rancht's, land. Reasonable prices. Year and trees from "Michigan's Fastest Grow- ing Xursery". Strawberry plants. fmit hel'n raised on a proven growing program. ature. Dolly Enterprises, 219 Main. Col- #1. Steele, Missouri 63877. Phone 695- round grazinlt, mild winters. Free lists. The IZrowing birds are inspected weekh' chester, Illinois 62326. (11-tf-15b) 8 498!. Area Code 314. photos. FARM AND RANCH LA:'>:D trees. bramhles. asparaltus crowns. Send _____ (_2-2t-14p) for a free price list. Fmit Haven Nursery, hy trained staff. vaccinated, deheaked .md CO~IPA:\'Y. Box 383~IFN, Fort Smith, Ar- delivered bv us in clean crates. If \'on kansas 72901. (l-4t-25p) Kaleva, ~Iichigan 49645. OLD STYLE SLEIGH BELLS: 20 heavy _____ (2_-12t-30p) keep records. you will keep KLAGER t>E- nickel plate new 1%" diameter 7' strap KALBS. KLAGER HATCHERIES. Bri(Il~t'- \VANTED: A sectional drag and culti- SIO; 30 hells $15. Colored Spreader FOR SALE: CLARKSVILLE - 143 acres. TREE SEEDLINGS. FREE 24 PAGE water, Michigan. Telephones: 313 4:!()- I)acker. Three point hook-up prefl'rred. Straps. Alfred Jensen, Little Falls, Minne- 20 miles east of Grand Rapids. Clay CAT ALOe listing popular varieties for 70R7 and 313 428-3034. Call or write: Richard Gootjl'S and Sons, sota .';634.'5. (2-lt-24p) loam. 2 family house, 2 barns, silo, room Christmas trel's. reforestation, erosion con- (Washtenaw County) (9-tf-50b) 26 2233 East Paris AVl'mll', S.E., Grand for .'50 head feeder cattle. 20 acres trol, ornaml'ntals. wildlife food and cover. Rapids, Michigan 4H:i06. Phone 616 CALIFOR:\'IA SOUVENIR GOLD DOL- alfalfa. about 100 acres workahle. 20 acres etc. H€'althv plants that grow. "'rite to- 949-1399. (3-1 t-2.'ib) 34 LAR $1.,';0. Half .75t. Old Silver Dollar timht:r. f1owin~ well. S27.S00 terms - will dav. No obligation. Carino Nnrseries, Box 34 WANTED S 1.98. Eight different Indianhead Cents consider trade. Edward Tanis, Route #1, 5381', Indiana, P€'nnsylvania 1.5701. or V-Nickels $1.98. Free Pricelists. Edel's. Jt.nison, Michigan (3-lt-35p) 22 AGENTS - Farm('rs, d('alers. ~Iak(' l':dr.1 Carlyle, Illinois 62231. (2-2t-23p) (Ottawa County) (2-tf-45b) ------ money in spare tim('! Sell farm equipml'nt. Some territory open. "'rite: Ottawa-Hitch, FOR SALE: Two Bellone Hearing Aidl's. 600 ASSORTED SWEET ONION pLAr>.iS CALF CREEP FEEDERS - 30 bushel with free planting guide $3.00 postpaid. FN321. Holland, Michigan 49423. capacity $88.50. Dealerships available. Excelll'nt condition - Test and adjust - ( 2-3t-20b) 34 Frl'e. :\Irs. George F. Cooper, 847 Broad- 20 LIVESTOCK TOPCO, "home of the sweet onion," Free Literature. Dolly Enterprises, 219 Farmersville, Texas 75031. Main, Colchester, 11Iinois 62326. way Av('nul', Owosso, Michigan 48867. \VANTED: Large lISed poultry house in Phone 723-5705. (3-2t-2Ip) 14 (1-4t-20h) 24 (ll-tf-I8b) 8 HEREFORD BULLS-pure sires. Ready for service. bred herd Also, registered STARK ------ BRO'S ALL NEW 1968 CATA- good condition. sections. Must ht> mmeabl(' About 30' x 250'. Fmit Hawn 10 heifers and calfs. ElO'Pt Valley Hereford LOG FREE! Spectacular full-color dis- Xursery. Kaleva, Michigan ~q61 "i Heritage 1968 Farm, 6611 Knapp St., Ada, Michigan. Phone OR 6-1090. (Kent County) (l1-tf-25b) 20 play of Giant-size Apples, Peaches, Nec- tarines (Fuzzless Peaches), Pears. Cherries, Apricots. Plums from DW ARF, Semi- (:\Ianistee County) (2-2t-25p) Dwarf. Standard Size trees. Ornamentals, 36 MISCELLANEOUS Roses, etc. GUARAJ'l.T'fEED. STARK, WANTED TO BUY: Holstein Heifers bred 7CU,.J D€'pt. 30538, Louisiana, Missouri 63353. DIABETIC "NO SUGAR" RECIPES. N(JhJ(Jjj(J1f for base months. igan 49428. Also open heifers. Ed- ward W. Tanis, Route #1, Jenison. Mich- (3-2t-21b) 20 (12-4t-39b) 22 Cake, Candy, Pie, Canning, ett'. S 1.00. La~e Diabetic Cookbook, over 300 pagt'~ $3.50. Expt"ri('nCt"d Dietitian. Box 296. 26 POULTRY Almena. Kansas 67622. (3-lt-2Jp) 36 Departing-June 15-August 3- 22 NURSERY STOCK DAY OLD OR STARTED PULLETS- DO YOU LIKE TO BARBECUE? Tangy. spicy, diff('rent. d('licious, old fashiClned. The DeKalb profit pullet. Accepted b}' d('('p so'uth barbt-cue sauc(' r('cipe. S 1.00 October 26 HARDY MUMS. 20 varities $3 prepaid. the smart poultryman for high egg pro- duction, superior egg quality, greater feed John W. Laverty, Jr .• Farw('lI. ~1i(hiJ.!i1n Free catalog of 500 varities. Huff's Gar- 48622 (3-2t-20p) 36 efficiency. If you keep records, you'll dens, Burlington, Kansas 66939. keep DeKalbs. Write for prices and "ZIPCODE DIRECTORY" - (All 35,000 Visiting 4 Islands-Oahu-Kauai-Maui (1-3t-16b) 24 catalog. KLAGER HATCHERIES. Bridge- Postoffic('s): 81.00 MAIL~IART. Carrol!- water. Michigan. Telephones: Saline HAzel ton i2, Kentucky 41008. (3-tf-llb) 14 CERTIFIED STRA WBERR Y PLANTS. 9-7087. Manchester GArom 8-3034 and Hawaii Blakemore, Florida 90, Premier. New Rob- (Washtenaw County) ( tf-46b) 26 WHOLESALE CHAIN SAWS. Chaim. inson. Howard 17. $8.00 thousand. 100- hars and sprockets for all saws. New. fi'OR UETAIL~~O FOLDEH: Contact $2.50 prepaid. Tennl'ssee Bt'auty, Dixie- land, Surecrop, Pocahontas $9.00. Sunrise, FA~IOUS SHAVER STARCROSS START. ED PULLETS. Top rated layer by Bu.uant(,l'd. ~1f1Z. Supply, Bo'( I 'ii, Dur- chester, Wisconsin 54425 (1-.1t-19p) "" Albritton $10.00. Everbl'arin~ Gt'ms, U.S.D.A. - 1964 through 1966. Delivered Infon:lation Division, Michigan Faro Bureau Superfection. Streamliner, Ozark Beaut}. to your f:1nn in c1l'an equipment. ""e ha\ t' ILLl"STRATED WHOLES.\! F C-\T \- S 12.00 thousand, t'xpress collect. 100- pnllds available en'ry month. May bt' LOC. Import('d ~I('rchandis('. 25t. Saml'lt' Box 960, Lansing, \1ichigan 48904 $3.00 prepaid. Orders filled promptly. seen by appointml'nl. ~facPherson Hatch- it('m includ('d! Imports, 2506 West Lloyd. Orr's Plant Farm, Harrison, Tennl'ssee pry, Ront€' ~3. Ionia, Michiltan 48846. Pensacola, Florida 32505. 37341. Phone 344-6054. (3-2t-48p) 22 Phone 527-0860. (B-tf-36b) 26 (2-4t-15p) FOURTEEN March 11 1968 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS BY: CHARLES H. BAILEY DIRECTOR, EDUCATION AND RESEARCH MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU -1f~ IIII THE ONE-ROOM SCHOOL HAD ITS PROBLEMS .... OUR SCHOOLS HAVE CHANGED, BUT THE PROBLEMS REMAIN , SCHOOL , I- I - - PROBLEMS - Although Michigan is one of the top industrial Another possible source of income which comes Most local school districts are weak in providing states with one of the highest per capita incomes, up in every session of the legislature is the removal a means for students to acquire vocational knowledge many of its school districts are finding themselves of one or more of the sales tax exemptions presently and skills while pursuing an academic program to fit in serious financial trouble. Of the 743 school dis- granted business and agriculture on production equip- them into tomorrow's society. tricts in the state 51 had a deficit in 1967 with 60 ment and supplies. One which has been most often The ability to provide high quality vocational ed- on the borderline this year. mentioned is the removal of the farm exemptions on ucation programs is a problem in many districts. Although assessments on property have grown everything except feed, seed and fertilizer. The bill Schools need to provide opportunities for students rapidly, they have not grown nearly as fast as costs. presently in the Senate is 5.792. This would cost to become skilled in some occupational area. Voca- A recent study of our school system finances by the farmers probably about 12-15 milliOn doUnrs in added tional education should be an integral part of modem Michigan Department of Education - the "Thomas" production costs! education. Students need to make wise career choices study - shows that school costs have risen 52% in Another possible solution to the money problem and achieve maximum "occupational competency." the past ten years, with the cost of instruction up might be the addition of another one-cent to the One of the big problems of the smaller school dis- 56%. This study did not take into consideration the state-wide sales tax. We already have four cents trict is getting necessary facilities and teachers for large salary increases in many districts in the 1967-68 which is about the top state-wide tax in the nation. a vocational program. The cost of such a program is school year. Only one or two states have a higher rate. Some about twice the cost of an academic program, gen- How will the districts meet the needs? There are cities or counties in other states have added an extra erally over $1,000 per year per ~tudent. The Thomas numerous suggestions but most would require some cent atop a state. tax of four cents per dollar. report shows the average cost of an academic course form of legislation to implement and in some cases An often mentioned source of income would be in Michigan is $536 per student for the state. would require a local referendum in the affected "use" taxes on services. These would be imposed on One suggested solution to the local districts' dilem- school district. such things as haircuts, repairs, legal services and_ ma in vocational training has been to make this a The Thomas report suggests that the allocated beauty services. Estimates of income range from 50 function of the Intermediate School District (ISD). portion of the school millage might be transferred to 80 million dollars each year. Under the present rulings, the Districts cannot op- to the state for collection and redistribution to the Opponents of added use or sales taxes say that erate such a program although they are authorized local districts. This would tend to equalize the sup- to own vocational training facilities. Stu:h levies further infure the already disadvantae.ed. port of education between richer and poorer districts, One way that may be used to overcome this prob- Of course, the legislature could pass additional they say. lem is for the district to own the facilities at or near income tax. There have been estimates that the Another suggestion made would be the transfer of the present campus of a local high school. They Michigan income tax may ultimately reach 5 or 6% the industrial tax base to state assessment and col- would be operated by the local school district under of the adjusted gross income of individuals. To date lection. The resulting funds would be distributed contract. The adfoining participating school districts they show no inclination to administer a further to all districts on a formula basis in an attempt to within the Intermediate School District would send shock to the taxpayer during this first year of the equalize educational opportunity between districts. their students to this vocational center. Students liv- income tax. In all fairness it should be pointed out that either ing outside the ISD boundaries could be sent to the of these plans from the Thomas report would have Federal aid is often pictured as the answer to school fund shorta~es; however, it is a very small vocational center on a tuition basis. rough sledding in the legislature - it would be a What effects would a vocational program have on battle between the "haves" and "have-nots." part of the total funds in MichiQ'an. Also, these funds are usually tied to some special program such the local Vo-ag and homemaking programs which Such a plan might also open the door to the levying have been so beneficial to our rural areas? Undoubt- of an added mill or two in the name of roads, hos- as Head-Start or the science programs. edly some of their activities would be taken over by pitals, old age pensions or other needy projects. A last resort might be a system of tuition fees al- though the amount of money raised would not be the new vocational program. At the same time all Under such a plan the local taxes might be lowered of the girls attending courses related to the present in the high millage districts while they might be very significant when compared to the needs. homemaking classes might get the theory portion raised in those districts presently levying very low In looking for new funds, a few states have investi- of their courses in the present high schools. They millage for education. There are some districts which gated the use of a lottery and last June, New York could receive their practical food preparation or are reported to have as high as 33.5 mills for opera- started a state lottery which was expected to produce nursing in the vocational schools. tion of schools while others are as low as 8 or 10 mills over 30 million dollars a month for schools, according The Vo-ag program might concentrate on produc- allocated. AfiUnge for building is in addition. to its backers. However, in its first six months it tion agriculture while instruction for specific related ' The Thomas study group suggests that the state- produced less than 10 million per month instead of occupations could be received in area vocational wide tax rate might be about 12 mills, which they the promised 30. centers. think to be about average millage. There is a bill in Another source of income in some states has been We must also face up to the fact that we are the legislature to levy a state-wide tax of 23 mills legalized betting at race tracks. In at least one state producing 5 or 6 times as many children on farms for schools. this has been used for some years as a source of as there are farm fobs. If the property tax has about reached its maxi- money for education. In Michif!an much of the At the same time, there's a definite shortage of mum, where can new income for schools be found? money from race track betting goes toward the sup- people with farm background in agricultural-related There is presently in the legislature a bill which port of county fairs. industries. would increase the tax on cigarettes from 7 to 10 The Thomas report recommends that "Special Ed- The outcome is anybody's guess, but the fact re- cents per package. This is estimated to produce ucation" be extended throughout the state. It recom- mains that we are not presently serving the vocational another 35 million dollars a year - if it is passed. mends that the state increase its participation in such needs of the mafority of our high school students. A similar increase in taxes on alcoholic beverages programs to the extent of 75 per cent of the salaries is not likely because our past experience has con- of the teachers in the program. If this change is vinced many legislators that we are already at the made, the authors recommend more classrooms for NEXT MONTH: Pricing and Bargaining point of maximum return on this tax. special education. for Farm Products MICHIGAN FARM NEWS March 1, 1968 FIFTEEN - ~ ,- ..... '~-.., --- -........,.....-~ , -- " , ) .. ~ _0 _. so LaS.. NET' I J. .t ..... ua_ -.oft, .. CA:lIloa n ACItI .......... I ........... .. MOe' ~" NOfItr