DOIHI DOMINI 0 » R A R M IN1IEW THE ACTION PUBLICATION OF THE MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU Vol. 47, No. 9 Published Monthly by Michigan Farm Bureau Septembe V\# AIR-WATER POLLUTION ROADS School Finance * * £ 6* Farm Program HUNTING SAFETY YOUNG FARMERS * TWO I September 1, 1968 , ( , MICHIGAN FARM NEWS Editorial President's Column Political Parsons A great wonder of this crazy age is how labor Seeks farmers can actually be trapped into supporting those who work against them. It is happening now in the case of the boycott of California Farm Control table grapes. The ineffectual strike of grape pickers in the Currently, "social action" arms of various vineyards of California has taken on a dangerous Michigan church groups are giving freely of significance for the farmers and consumers of their manpower, money and moral support, to the entire United States. an all-out drive by the AFL-CIO to force farm Through the combination of labor union workers into labor unions AGAINST THEIR money and organizational know-how and the 'VISHES. fervor of church groups, a small labor disagree- Further, much of the money being used came ment has developed into a major danger to the originally from rural areas of our state where food supply of all Americans. If the current most fanners, as devout people, are substantial coalition of labor, social and church groups is giver~ to local churches. Many sit on their successful in blocking the sale of all California church boards and should be aware, if they are grapes in such cities as New York, Detroit and not, of the actions of their priests and pastors. Lansing, they will have perfected a technique Church groups, supposed supporters of to exercise absolute control over any food truth, peace and reasoned action based on the product in any city in the United States. credo that right makes might, have helped Never in my memory has there been such a legitimize a false issue; the right of workers to flood of erroneous, if not downright false, in- organize. The facts are that farm workers- formation foisted on the public. Most of the just as any other group of workers, now have techniques of Hitler's "Big Lie" technique have this right, but have voluntarily elected not to been employed most effectively to gain space join unions. In fnlstration, the «Farm Workers Organizing Committee" of the AFL-CIO has ~ ~ lip ~ ... T.M. ..... u.s. ~~ l, in most of the mass communication media. "DR. DAVIS MEANS WELL, BUT I DO THINK HE SHOULD The entire effort comes. from several years called a nation-wide boycott of all California of efforts to organize the farm workers of DEVOTE MORE TIME TO SIN!" grapes aimed at bankrupting growers into sub- California. Alost of the effort appears to have mitting to demands for what would amount to (Reprinted from the Lonsing Stote Journal by permission of Newspaper come from outside the fiekls of California. No a union closed-shop in the vineyards. Enterprise Association.) accurate estimate of the number of workers If f.f ichigan farmers are confused as to why who have joined the farm workers union is Ollr state is involved in this odd long-distance available but the number has been guessed by struggle, they should remember that the cry might well be "California grapes today, M ich- igan sugar, beans and apples tomorrow." GRAPE BOYCOTT some to be as low as 2%. Some of the church groups are reporting that the Labor Department has certified that a labor \Vere this allowed to happen, organized labor could have an unbreakable food supply of our country. stranglehold on the That is why so DECLARED IllEGAL dispute exists in some of the grape vineyards. So they have, but the certification has nothing to do with the merits of the case. Any picket much of organized labor is joining in this ef- New developments in the current labor-union efforts to who has an imagined grievance against your fort - the Seafarers, the Retail Clerks, the bring about a nation-wide boycott of all California table grapes, business can picket before your gate and ask ~1eat Cutters and others eager to find a pattern were outlined in a recent Detroit news conference by Jack that his case be certified, regardless of the Baillie of Salinas, California. BallIie is a farmer and president for r:.:-ganization which might ~,applied to all m~rits .of l~is. compJaint an~l regardless of of the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association' of, fanners. The AFL-CIO is reportedly placing Washingto~, D. C. lchether he has ever worked fo'r IIOU.' . , $10,000 monthly into the organization effort Should the coaliticjn' be succ~'s,~ful in this and the UA \V another $7,500 monthly. First, the boycott is illegal and the National Labor Re- effort, who is to say when or where they will Alore important to labor than the money is lations Board has already taken action in New York City decide that i\/ichigan milk, strawberries, celery the moral support they are getting from the to prohibit four unions from supporting the boycott on or apples should be boycotted? Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit, from the f.lich- California table grapes. The National Labor Relations Although there have been pious protestations igan L'figrant J'1 inistry and the f.1ichigan Coun- Board obtained a signed agreement from the unions not that there is not a secondary boycott of Cal- cil of Churches. to threaten or coerce anyone not to buy or sell California ifornia grapes in New York City; the fact re- In the process truth has been stretched be- table grapes. Naturally growers and shipper will initiate mains that practically all groceries have stopped yond the breaking point. Misinformation and similar actions in any city where the boycott is taking place. handling them. propaganda has ,been, and is being, peddled The precedent set in New York by the NLRB should have In the meantime, is there anything we in by those. in clerical garb, 'by priests and nuns strong bearing on such cases elsewhere. Michigan can do to help? First we should on street corners, by Protestant clerics in picket- In what way is the boycott illegal? work to see that more information than the ing and in «marches" and from the pulpit. Briefly, the National Labor Relations Act provides that distorted information being circulated presently To protect themselves, farmers must first have any business or employer not directly involved in a labor is placed in the hands of every newsman and their facts straight. Nearby columns give more dispute should not be threatened by, or subjected to, in the hands of our church people. background detail. Next, farmers must loudly economic sanction. Clearly the food stores in New York vVe also might give the retailers a little more protest the mis-use of church time, effort and City or anywhere ~lse are not involved in any alleged dis- support in their dilemma. about selling the money, by presenting these facts at every putes between a grap'e grO\ver and a farm labor union in California grapes, some of them apparently opportlmity, as members of church action-com- California. feel very much alone in their battle to stock mittees and boards. Second, the propaganda used by those supporting the what the housewife wants to buy. We can also Farmers and ,church members can make it boycott is false and misleading. These propagandists are hclp with factual, tihort letters to the editors plain that those who claim to speak for them attempting to make it appear as if grape pickers in Califor- of both daily and wcekly newsletters. in the name of the church, do so without their nia are the poorest paid and the least protected farm The Michigan Farm Bureau has issued a fact- consent as was the case when the Northern workers in the nation. Precisely the opposite is true! sheet for distribution throughout the state. The California Council of Churches backed the boy- California grape pickers earnings are among the highest sheet was presented to newsmcn at a Lansing cott in the name of 500,000 members in that in the United States, earning between $20 and $30 per day. Press Confcrence, called August 8. At that time, territory. This action caused the Presbytery of According to a Janmiry 1, 1968, report from the Statistical newsmen were told that grape pickers in the San Joaquin - a judicial body of the United Reporting Service of the USDA, earnings of all California involved Delano, California, area earned an Presbyterian Church, to issue an official state- farm' workers are the highe~t. among all ~f the States. They average of morc than $2.00 per hour during the ment of exception. are higher even than the $1.60 per hour minimum set by 1967 season. Seconding the action, was the Session of Congress for industrial workers. They were told that a majority of all Califor- Ruling Elders of the Escalon Presbyterian According to BulletiI1 #264. issued hy the United States nia grape growers (76 per cent) are small, fam- Church, which stated that the Council of Department of Labor ... fd to United States the envy of the world ... behalf of their workers by use of the illegal hoycott. The Mock thl' sale of products from tll(' company "'Ve are not happy auout being lured into boycott therefore represents an admission of failurc. Grow- i1lvolved. 1t is a f{IwsfiOll of Iclwt COllstitutes this kind of wrangling, au;ay from our principal ers have made it clear they will refuse to be bludgeoned a secondary IWycoff (/11(1rrill SII(''' (/ Iwycott be business of leading people to Christ. " into contracts by blackjack tactics. tolerafr>d IJU our lau; l'nforn'11I(,lIt agencies. M. w. Elton Smith MICHIGAN FARM NEWS September 1, 1968 THREE Farm Workers Use Harvest Pressure' Honorable Robert P. Griffin July 24, 1968 Honorable Philip A. Hart Representative Guy VanderJagt Washington, D. C. Gentlemen: There has been consideration in Congress about the need for extension of the National Labor Relations Act to farm workers and this stand, if I am correct, has been "justified" on the basis of the need of the farm worker's right to strike. Frankly, I can't see what NLRA could do for them in a way of right to strike which would be any more effective than their present use of this right as citizens and as was demonstrated here on my farm just a few minutes ago. We have several blocks of cherries on different loca- tions; all but one of these being rented farms which th~ owners could no longer profitably operate. These blocks of cherries because of their different locations particularly in light of elevation, have considerably different density of fruit in them. The poorest location has perhaps a 20% crop and the best perhaps 80%. "PROTEST MARCH" - in front of a lansing store, is conducted by campus militants with support Yesterday, we finished one of the better blocks. This of cooperating clergymen, in backing an AFl-CIO boycott of California table grapes. When an morning, with the pickers agreement, we moved into an observer asked one picket how much he was being paid, he replied \\50 cents an hour" - well adjacent block, which was the poorest one. Between 7 below state and federal minimum wage laws. - Photo courtesy, Lansing State Journal- a.m. and the present time, 10 a.m., no cherries have been picked. My first price to the pickers on this particular block was $l.OO/lug as against 80~/lug on the better block. The Michigan Wage Equivalent is 70~. It is my opinion based on 30 years of experience with cherries that the picketsWHO WERE THEY? the pickers could have earned from $1.25 to $1.75/hour Who were they - the grape boycott picketers stalked out to take up their signs (and guitars) at this rate. who appeared on signal from the AFL-CIO and' in the picket line. We couldn't come to an agreement at this figure nor other labor grou,ps on the street corners and in Who were they? According to ''The Paper" at $1.50; I eventually went to $1.75 at which point it front of Michigan gocery stores seUing Califor- - an underground East Lansing-based student became apparent that the pickers, knowing we had better nia grapes? newspaper, the Lansing area boycott coalition blocks, would not pick this block at any price and that included such groups as the NAACP, the Mich- In some cases they wore the garb of Priests they would leave the free housing which I supply and igan Council of Churches, the AJichigan Catho- and Nuns, in others (more often) they wore the take their chance on finding other work rather than pick lic Conference, the Greater Lansing Labor beard of the beatnik and carried the guitar of this block. I have had to capitulate - abandon this block Council, the UA\V Capital Area Community the foot-loose folk singer. - and move to the best block. Action Council, the Black Student AUiance, var- I have to get my fruit picked within the next two weeks In the case of the Lansing pickets who were ious welfare groups and the Students for a and the income from this fruit must cover not only one concentrating on what one liberal writer color- Democratic Society. year's expense, but three, since ~e last two years were fully called "a forceful attack on merchant It is to be remembered that the latter group a total loss because of frost. weaknesses .. ." both a picket line and a "shop- created a furor by their actions while holding I am not in a position to resist the pressure that these in" were used. their recent national "convention" on the campus people can apply during the harvest season. H they leave, The shop-in involved a token picket line and of Michigan State University. I mayor may not be able to get. additional pickers to leaflet distribution outside the store, followed All of which has prompted Don Taylor, Exe- finish the harvest which is just well started. Traditionally, by boycott participants becoming' token shop- cutive Director of the Michigan Food Dealers pickers come in swarms to the area at the beginning of p~rs inside the store. There, they picked up to describe the head of the AFL-CIO "United the season, but if they are not working in a day or two what has been described as hard-to-retum groc- Farm 'Vorkers Organizing Committee" - Ce- they are gone so that during the height of the season, eries, such as assorted canned goods, more ex- sar Chavez, in this fashion: "Mr. Chavez and there is generally a scarcity of pickers and this applies pensive and unusual cuts of meat and exotic his foUowers are really after power, and one now. flavors of ice cream. way or another they mean to have it. Thus, I think this graphically points out, and it is by no means they have inspired the consumer boycotts. Be- At the check-out counter, the "shoppers" fore yielding to this pressure, retailers should an isolated instance, that pickers do not have to take the asked the cashiers if the management of the price which is offered by the grower except at their own remember this czar has won the allegiance of store had signed the agreement offered earlier the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Commit- pleasure. in which management would agree to remove tee (Stokely Carmichael, H. Rapp Brown) as If, on the other hand, NLRA regulations were imposed aU California grapes from store shelves. well as the Students for a Democratic Society. upon agriculture, 51% of any group of pickers could tell The expected negative reply brought aband- "This alone makes one want to turn his back the other 49% what to do and they would not be able onment of the "purchases" as the picketers against his pushers and followers .. " to find other employment because they would lose their union membership. It seems to me rather than providing workers with a right. to strike, NLRA legislation would simply give union organizers an opportunity to exploit them. Sincerely, Ray S. Anderson, Chief, Michigan MICHIGAN~FARM NEWS THE AcnON PUBLICATION O~ THE MICHIGAN ~ARM BUREAU The MICHIGAN FARM NEWS is DIRECTORS: District 1, Harry published monthly. on the first day, Nye, St. Joseph, R-l; District 2, Nich- by the MichiJ!an Farm Bureau, at its olas Smith, Addison, R-I; District 3, publication office at 109 N. Lafayette Andrew Jackson, Howell, R-I; Dis- 5treet, Greenville, Michigan. trict 4, Elton R. Smith, Caledonia, R-l; Editorial and general offices at 4000 District 5, David Morris. Grand Ledge, North Grand River Avenue, Lansing, R-3; District 6, Jack Laurie, Cass City, Michigan 48904. Post Office Box 960. R-3; District 7, Kenneth Bull, Bailey, Telephone, Lansing 485-8121, Exten- R-I; District 8, Harvey Leuenberger, sion 317. Subscription price, 50t per SaJ!inw, R-6; District 9, Eugene Rob- year. erts, Lake City, R-l; District 10, Richard Wieland. Ellsworth, R-l; Dis- Established January 12, 1923. Sec- trict 11. Clayton Ford, Cornell. ond Class Postage paid at Greenville, Michigan. DIRECTORS AT LARGE: Walter EDITORIAL: Editor, Melvin L. Frahm, Frankenmuth; Dean Pridgeon, Woe1\; Staff Photographer, Charles Montgomery. R-l; James Thar, Deca- Bailey; tur, R-2. OFFICERS: Michil!:an Fann Bu- reau; Prisident, Elton R. Smith. Cale- WOMEN OF FARM BUREAU: Mrs. donia, R-I; Vice President, Dean Jerold Topliff, Eaton Rapids, R-l; Pridgeon, MontJ!omery, R-l; Secretary- FARM BUREAU YOUNG FARMERS: ManJ!er, Dan E. Reed, Lansing. Michael Satchell, Caro, R-4. POSTMASTER: In using form 3579, moil to: Michigan Farm News, 4000 N. Grand River, Lansing Michigan 48904 "AND AFTER THE HARVEST - WHAT DO YOU DO Second class postage paid at Greenville, Michigan DURING THE lONG, DUll WINTER MONTHS?" FOUR September 1, 1968 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS how NOT to be ruled - by -your inferiors The late Allan B. Kline, fonner president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, felt strongly about citizen-involvement in national elections. But he didn't think much of people who felt they had done their total duty by voting and urging others to vote - he felt meaningful participation by Farm Bureau members in the democratic processes meant much more than that. Here are some of Kline's pointed opinions, re- peated from a talk made in 1960 before the American Farm Research Conference, at l\fichigan State Uni- versity, East Lansing: "Yon are American citizens. You live in a time when history is being made. 'Ve are testing, in this country, self government. We have a political campaign. You can't POTENTIAL FARM POLICIES - were the subject when county and state Farm Bureau Policy De- turn on a radio or television set or look at a newspaper velopment committee members along with other leaders gathered in Lansing, August 8. Pictured without finding it out. with Jack Lynn (at microphone) of the American Farm Bureau Washington office are members "What are we going to do about it? of the state \\P.0." committee: (from left) Dirk Maxwell, Midland; Arthur Bailey, Schoolcraft; Mike "Are we going to make decisions based on reasonable Satchell, Caro; Lynn; Women's Chairman, Mrs. Maxine Topliff and Mich. Farm Bureau President, analysis of our situations, - based on a confidence in our Elton Sm ith. present situation, and the kind of confidence in America which the record deserves? "This question can only be answered by each of us ourselves. "There isn't a man or woman who can discharge his political responsibilities just by voting. This is the least of his responsibilities. I get a little tired of people who assume that a g~f LONGER SCHOOL YEAR? Legislation has often been introduced to School Bells and Ballots School bells are ringing, summertime is endin~. Student I hope you will arrange to bring several car- lengthen the school year in Michigan to eleven vacations are over and it's time to get back in the study-groove loads of ladies from each county! Invite your months or, in some cases, twelve months. Rep. again. neighbor, help her "to enjoy a day or more of Hampton, in a recent speech, said that Mich- Our papers have been full of news about school millage votes mind-expanding programs which will give her igan may well have an eleven-month school taken this summer, with some passing while others are turned much background for personal participation in year in the not too distant future. down. Some schools have been talking about cutting out many local, state and national affairs. Those supporting this change point out that of their activities - still others say they can't even open their In a different fashion, much the same is true the present nine-month school year basis is doors this faU. of attendance at the fall district meetings which based on long tradition and originated when all These are important local issues, each one peculiar to its some of you are planning - or the officers' schools were in agricultural areas and students own area and yet similar to all the others. They must be investi- training workshops soon to be undelWay. were needed at home for work. It is quite gated, analyzed and solutions found ... a perfect project for different today, at least in urban areas where Farm Bureau Women! Why don't you ladies investi~ate other schools could remain open throughout the ways to finance our schools besides the use of property taxes? \Ve attend such meetings and workshops to summer, especially in newer buildings with air If you discover strong feelings about this, why don't you (and better arm ourselves toward getting all manner conditioning. your Community Group) write up a resolution and present it of important and complicated jobs done. In Advocates point to the fact that the greatest to your county Policy Development Committee, to assure action one county, Farm Bureau is hard at work or- investment in tax dollars in the school is the on it at your county annual meeting? ganizing support for a new jail! Another school buildings that are used in many areas If enough people work hard enough on this problem - a county Farm Bureau is seeking a doctor to only eight to ten hours a day. more fair way of financing our schools might well be the result. move into their area which now faces major Such a system can be set up on quarters, the But don't stop with schools, there are dozens of other local problems either in an emergency or in day-to- same as many universities. A student could issues which need the thoughtful attention of Farm Bureau day health care. attend three out of four quarters. Vacations members. 'Vhat I'm really saying is that you don't coud be staggered throughout the year. \Ve must make every effort to make sure we have a lively have to deal with Lansing or Washington to Opponents, on the other hand, point out that county Farm Bureau annual meeting, with lots of discussion become involved in significant profects, in fact, there is "not a single school district in the U.S." and lots of people directly involved. All of the annual meeting many of the most important fobs needing at- presently following such a plan, although sev- dates are printed in this issue of the FARM NEWS (see page 13) tention lie within our own communities, and eral are contemplating its use. It is said that and you should mark the one for your county in your calendar involve our neighborhood. the plan has been tried many times throughout right now. One extra blessing that we gain when we the "past four decades" and has been dropped. It isn't too early to start working on plans for the county attend to such "chores" is the happiness which Opponents also claim that savings would not annual meeting. You ladies are good at working with your comes from doing something worthwhile. A be as large as expected, due to added cost county boards to add the final, important touches. Many of few Sundays ago a poem appeared in my church created by staggering the school year. you help with the meal - if it's that kind of meeting. Remem- bulletin and which suggests a prime "ingredient" They also point to studies which show that ber, Farm Bureau \Vomen are a committee dedicated toward in a recipe for happiness. public school enrollment in our state might advancing the total Fann Bureau program, and it's ~ood to soon stabilize or even begin to decrease. Birth work to~ether with our boards on this most-important county Each morning when I wake I say and migration studies show that since 1957, meetin~ of the year! I'll put my hand in God's today. there has been an absolute decline in the num- For II e is walkina at my side M • , ber of births in Michigan. While watching the calendar, I do hope you ladies are mark- l\[ Y hlind, uncertain steps to guide. However, the most telling argument against ing the date for our big Michigan Farm Bureau annual, and \Vhen all grows dark, and I despair, year-around school has been the plain fact that especially noting the November 18th date for the annual He leads me with unerrinaM care', attempts to establish such schedules in the past meeting. By His great bounty I am fed, have failed because of parental disapproval of To repeat: it will be held in the Bi~ Ten Room of Kellog~ 1-1eld in 11is love and comforted. proposed schedules. Center, on the campus of Afichigan State University, East Lan- So when at night I turn to rest Supporters, however, counter with another sing ... beginning with a noon-time luncheon. As was an- And see how all my day was hlessed. argument that if teachers are to be paid com- nounced last month, featured speaker will be Dr. Richard Cutler 1 say a prayer of thanks, and then mensurate with other professions, they should Vice President for Student Affairs from the University of Mich~ 1 place my hand in God's af!.ain. expect to work the full year. igan, and a nationally-known youth psychologist. Mrs. Jerold (Maxine) Topliff MICHIGAN FARM NEWS September 1, 1968 ----------------------"'~--.;"" NINE ------------------- ... ..---------------- electronic service ofFered Michigan Farm Bureau mem- ---- Each month the J:1l-rrer will FARM LABOR RECORDS bers will soon be able to get help in obtaining good farm business records. The Farm Bureau elec- send in a simple repI)ft of fanTI income and expense trl\n~ctions. At the end of each ,1)011 th th~ receive a refund on the unused portion if they should cancel out of the program. All records are maintained and processed in strict -NOW MADE EASIER ~ tronic farm records service will computer will proces!i this lnfor, confidence. In the midst of the busy harvest season it is very essential that be open to all members in 1969 mation and return deblileel SUI1l' farmers have simplifed ways of keeping good labor records. to help them keep up with their mary reports to the fartller 5 Optional information can be ob- Time is of essence during harvest time and farmers don't always farm business records. times during the year, Mef\1befS tained to provide more detailed have enough help to do the harvest, let alone keep track of the This important service-to- mem- enrolled in the farm r~(;ordS serv, records if the farm operator de- necessary labor records. ber program now has three years ice find this informatil)" v"h.Iab](l sires. This includes enterprise of experience and has developed for farm management, fl1rrnctedit, records, profit and loss statement, We have just passed the time when most Workmen's Compen- into an accurate, low-cost, and and farm income tax rlH-poS~s. non-cash accounting, and other sation policies were renewed and audited, reminding us of the simple record-keeping system. In addition to tht: sutllmar)' reports for a small additional fee. dollar and cents necessity for accurate farm labor records. Currently, 126 Farm Bureau As fann management decisions, reports, a complete t!(\>JtoCiation Farm Bureau's Farm Labor Record Book is designed for members are enrolled in the pro- schedule, capital g:Jh'!) ..eport) farm credit needs, and fann in- simplified labor record keeping to satisfy all requirements, to gram. investment credit SUJ}'ln1arr,fanll come tax reporting become more comply with the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, the Mich- Dal'rymen, frul.t growers, poul- b complex a good set of fann rec- usiness credit sumtr'tl~'., and igan Minimum Wage requirements) for Social Security deduc- trymen, and other farmers are ords becomes necessary. The expec te d t 0 enro II. 10 th e farm other year-end reports are pro-. Fann Bureau fann records service tions, and for Workmen's Compensation insurance purposes. records service this fall to obtain vided as a part of the l)aSt: se..v' is designed to make farming more The record book is set up on noncarbon transfer paper and complete and accurate records for ice. The cost of the b!\sic l"ann profitable and recordkeeping perforated so that each employee can be furnished with a state- 1969. Under the program, com- Bureau farm records p"og ..a.n is much easier. Fann Bureau mem- ment of hours worked, wages paid, and deductions made each puters will be used to process and $55-$65 per year. Me"" bel-S may bers are urged to plan now and pay period and, tDithout having to duplicate this record, have analyze the information reported. pay annually or qU~J'terly and make 1969 a "record" year. a pennanent record for the farmer's use. The Federal Minimum Wage Law and records for it are some- what new to most farmers who are required to comply - those using more than 500 man-days of labor in any calendar quarter INTRODUCING-- of the previous year, and some information that is necessary to keep is not required by the Mich- igan Minimum Wage Law be- cause Michigan has a piece rate Farm Bureau's provision for hand harvest labor and, under the Federal Act, these payments have to balance out to equal the minimum hourly rate even though workers are hired to FREDDIE COMPUTER work on a piece rate basis. Many of the new labor laws wiU probably be enforced through complaint by employees. The bur- den of proof will probably be upon the employer to present the The Eledronk Farm Records System exact facts regarding the rate of pay, amount of payment, deduc- tions, hours worked, etc. and this OHering: demands good farm labor records. Such records are in the employer"s best interests, not only as good business procedure, but as pro- J Complete InCOMeTax Records tection against any unfounded ac- cusations. It should be pointed out that each worker should be provided ./ Farm Credit Information with a copy of the compensation record each pay period, even though the payment, of the check written, might he to the family ./ Farm ManageMent Infor.tion head for all of the members of the given family, These books are available at ./ Optional Programs to Meet the a very nornirwl cost and may be obtained by contacting County Farm Bureau office. your Needs of Any Farm Enterprise WORK IS RESUMED ON NEW FEEDMilL This Farm Records System is LOW COST, simple and will After some weeks of delay caused by the state-wide construc- save you time. There i; no adding, subtracting, multiply- tion workers- strike, work has re- sumed on the new, million-dollar ing, etc. Just record your transactions- Fann Services, Inc., feed mill southwest of EattIe Creek. According to John Sexson, Proj- FREDDIE COMPUTER DOES THE REST ect Leader for the plant construc- ., J tion, only rough grading and general excavation work had been done when the strike halted prog- GOOD FARM RECORDS ARE THE KEY GET MORE OETAILS FROM ress three months ago, adding at ~ j least that period of time to the completion date, first announced YOUR COUNTY FARM BUREAU as January 1, 1969. However) work is now in fuIl swing, Sexson notes, with several -OR THE MICH. FARM BUREAU dozen skiIled craftsmen on the job. He reports that cement work will shortly be completed and major steel work st3rted. It is hoped to have the mill-shell en- closed before winter weather. with interior constmction and fit- ting to be bst on the completion schedule. TEN September 1, 1968 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS Farm Bureau Services Guarantees Special Wheat Starter Analysis! Mr. Fox says: \\1 have used Farm Bu- reau's years Special and Wheat find that Starter yields for four have im- r SOLBS.MEl' proved and the wheat stands better. Wheat Starter gets the plants off to a faster start providing better winter hardiness." For his 1967 harvest year program, Mr. Fox planted wheat after wheat with 150# K:!O plowed down, 75# Ammonium Nitrate and 250# Special Wheat Starter. His yield was 53 bushel per acre. For his 1968 har- vest year, with wheat after legume, he used 41 # nitrogen and 270# Spe- cial Wheat Starter. He feels this year's yield will be even better. RAYMOND FOX Rt. # 1, Mt. Pleasant The First Step to Reach a Top Wheat Yield in 1969 Starts NOW According to your soil test, broadcast your potash and top dress with the amount of nitrogen you need to reach your yield goal with the Plan-A- Yield program. Then add your Special Wheat Starter fertilizer with the guaranteed 8-36-10 analysis with 2% manganese. This is not a diluted formulation analysis ... it is the final per ton analysis with the manganese included. This dark colored Special Wheat Starter has a dry lubricant to make it flow freely, keeping the drill cleaner and giving you more even dis- tribution. The perfect profit partner for Farm Bureau Special Wheat Starter is Michigan Certified Seed Wheat. Plant the best, fertilize with the best and you'll harvest the best. Special Wheat Starter is available in bulk from many dealers. Bulk blend mixed fertilizer is available at Farm Bureau Services at Coldwater, Marcellus and Remus. Fflfi .rhe FBS hedging program is one of the most significant developments in hog and beef marketing ... Get the facts today! Int. 4000 N. GRAND RIVER AVE., LANSING, MICHIGAN IMICHIGAN FARM NEWS September 1, 1968 I ELEVEN KENT-MONTCALM OPEN HOW THEY VOTED: NEW COUNTY OFFICES Hou,se Roll-Call J ....~~~td~~-~~ili!U.S'(,~o~: '_ ' sentatives passed a bill extending the Agricultural Act of 1965 for one year, to December 31, 1970. Farm Bureau had opposed any such extension, and just ahead of the vote, both the Michigan and American Farm Bu- reaus strongly urged a "No" vote on the bill. In a letter to the Congressmen, Michigan Farm Bureau Secretary-Manager, Dan E. Reed, said there was no justification for an extension of the Act "Which could saddle farmers with more of the same program of failure ... " "Seldom have real, operating farmers been as unified in op- position to a proposed Congressional action as they are to any extension of this Act," Reed said. American Farm Bureau President, Charles B. Shuman, sent telegrams prior to the vote, to all Representatives, stating that "a near depression parity price level reflects a vicious price-cost squeeze. Farmers want and deserve something better than more of the same ... " NEW KENT COUNTY OFFICE - housing Farm Bureau and the Insurance Group, is located north However, the House passed the extension bill by a roll-call of Grand Rapids, Mich. on property adjacent to Farmers Petroleum Coop's branch headquarters. vote of 213 to 176, with 13 Michigan Congressmen voting "No" An open-house is planned Sept. 29 under the direction of the Young Farmer Committee. (as Farm Bureau recommended) and 6 voting in favor of the extension. Before passing the bill, the House voted (230 to 160) to add a provision limiting direct payments to any individual to $20,000 per year for commodities and programs covered by the 1965 Act. Voting in favor of the extension and in opposition to Fann Bureau's recommendation were these Michigan Congressmen: Marvin Esch, (R) 2nd District; Garry Brown, (R) 3rd District; Gerald R. Ford, (R) 5th District; Donald Riegle, Jr., (R) 7th Di.s.: trict; James O'Hara, (D) 12th District and John Dingell, (D) 16th District. Voting against the extension and in accord with Farm Bu- reau's position were: John Conyers, (D) 1st District; Edward Hutchinson, (R) 4th District; Charles Chamberlain (R) 6th Dis- trict; James Harvey, (R) 8th District; Guy Vander Jagt, (R) 9th District; EHord Cederberg, (R) 10th District; Philip Ruppe, (R) lIth District; Charles Diggs, Jr., (D) 13th District; Lucien Nedzi, (D) 14th District; Wm. Ford, (D) 15th District; Martha Griffiths, (D) 17th District; Wm. Broomfield, (R) 18th District and Jack McDonald, (R) 19th District. Earlier, the Senate had passed S-3590,an amended version of a four-year extension of the 1965 farm Act, and without the $20,000 payment limitation. The adjournment of Congress until NEW OFFICE HEADQUARTERS - for the Montcalm Farm Bureau, are located in the hotel build- ing, Stanton, Mich. Pictured working in the new quarters are Assistant Agency Manager for after September, and the increasing pace of political campaign- Farm Bureau Insurance, Robert Billings and Office Secretary, Mrs. Diane Crooks. Plans are ing, leaves the future of any possible compromise version in underway to invite the public to a fall open-house. doubt - a fact Farm Bureau members find encouraging ... Central Farl71ers Talk with the Smart Set. What's the Smart Set? Why, a pair of Plans Expansion Central Farmers - a Chicago based fertilizer manufacturing extensioruphones-the sleek new and distributing organization owned by 20 regional farm co- Trimline@ Phone that fits in the palm of operatives, including Farm Bureau Services, Inc., of Michigan- your hand and the elegant 'Princess<8l has announced "negotiations for transfer" to Central of a major Phone with a dial that lights up. phosphate manufacturing arm of another large agricultural Smart looks, smart stepsavers, smart chemical company. people getting with it. They're turning up everywhere in the most comfortable Involved in the negotiations for transfer, are facilities of the homes and apartments around. Bonnie phosphate chemical fertilizer operations of International So talk with the Smart Set. It's the only Alinerals and Chemical Corporation, which include fertilizer thing smarter than Qneextension. units and sulfuric acid plants at the company's manufacturing complex near Bartow, Florida. "The addition of this large, modern phosphate chemical com- plex will give Central Farmers - and its members, another economical source of products," Kenneth Lundberg, Central Farmers president, said. 20-year unbroken record -FPC dividend declared For the twentieth consecutive year, Farmer's Petroleum Cooperative has declared a dividend on outstanding Class "A" stock. ~feeting in Lansing in mid-August, the Petro- leum board voted to pay $49,000 in dividends to the Class "A" stockholderers, as of September 1, 1968. The board also voted to pay $108,000 in interest on outstanding 5% and 6% debentures. In other action, the board approved the calling (one year early) of $70,860 in Class "A" stock which normally would have been retired in September of 1969. Another $139,939 of 5% depentures will also be retired on due date - in late 1968 and early 1969.. @ Fanners Petroleum Executive Vice President, \Vm. Guthrie, reported to the board that fanner acceptance of the cooperative's products and services had resulted in .. , Michigan Bell record sales of fuels and lubricants and substantially in- , . ,.,;:}t: Part of the Nationwide BeD System , '."'.';-.. ..,.:<:,:,'ti.;;;;:'=&::. creased tire sales during the year. TWELVE September 1, 1968 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS DAIRY LEADERS IN LANSING DELAWARE VISITOR FAVORITE APPLE VARIETIES- were the topic when Ernest F. DAIRY INDUSTRY LEADERS- met in Farm Bureau Center to review Michigan's dairy standards. Smith, Jr., Secretary of the Delaware Farm Bureau (right) visited They found Michigan has relatively flexible standards permitting development and marketing of in offices of the Mich. Farm Bureau recently. With him are Dan new dairy products - something many consider necessary for future growth of the industry. Reed, MFB Secretary-Manager, and State Senator, Gordon Rock- well, Mt. Morris, Mich. ON ANNUAL MEETING PROGRAM AGRICULTURE IN ACTION -- PICTOIIIAL REPORT KENNETH CHEATHAM-Former FFA Star JIM ERSKINE- Manager of the Sagi- Farmer, and former Director of Young naw-Bay Farm Bureau Insurance Agency Farmer work for the Illinois Farm Bu- is another dynamic speaker to appear reau, will be a featured speaker on the on the Nov. 18 Young Farmer program, Young Farmer program at the Mich. held in Kellogg Center, MSU Campus, F.B. annual meeting, Nov. 18. East Lansing. MICHIGAN BEANS TO BIAFARA ANTI-FARM DEMONSTRATORS - peddle union and church propaganda in front of a !.ansing A DE~PERATE NEED - in beleaguered Biafra, Nigeria, for high supermarket as part of a "boycott" of California table grapes - called by the AFL-CIO. Farm protem food, is answered by Michigan CROP officials with 250 leaders label the action "unjust, unethical and arbritary - a move to force compulsory unionism tons of navy beans. Bought on faith - t~at Mich. people will on agriculture ... " The anti-farm "strike" has been declared an illegal action in New York City d~na.te money for them ($17,500) don''::'"_'I1s may be made to by the National labor Relations Board. - Lansing State Journal photo - Michigan CROP - Box 21.:,. l .... ~sing, Mid. 48901. MICHIGAN FARM NEWS Septem her 1, 1968 THIRTEEN THE BEST PLACE TO DEFINE, PINPOINT , I ANALYZE, SURROUND, ATTACK AND SOLVE A LOCAL PROBLEM ... IS LOCALLY. PUT YOUR BEANS ANNUAL MEETINGS It seems hard to believe that only 27 resolutions calling for IN TH'E POOL local work to be done by county Farm Bureaus were passed We have heard so much about bargaining power, you now last fall by counties of our state. At the s~me time, counties passed 239 recommendations for have a chance to use it. The Michigan Elevator Exchange, national action on to the American Farm Bureau Federation a Division of Farm Bureau Services, Inc., and many country and 579 other recommendations for state policies to the Mich- igan Farm Bureau! elevators are supporting the pool. This hardly sounds like an or- Clinton ..--- October 8 ganization which spends consider- Delta -- October 5 able time and effort condemning Eaton October 10 the centralization of power in Emmet .. .A.D-V .A.N"T .A.GES Washington, and which has a Genesee ""''''''''' '''' October 15 history of belief in the virtues of Gladwin October 1 local government. In commenting upon this, one Hillsdale Farm Bureau official has remark- Houghton Gratiot October 16 October 7 October 2 * ADVANCE AT HARVEST AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS. * ed that a county Farm Bureau is Huron October 3 made weaker every time it fails to Ingham October 9. develop its own local problem- Ionia solving ability by shipping prob- losco . . October 14 .. MARKETING COMMITTEE OF PRODUCERS TO lems off to Lansing or Washington Iron October 7 to be handled (possibly mis- Isabella October 7 DETERMINE SELLING PRICES. * handled) there. Jackson October 15 The best place to define, pin- Kalamazoo October 8 point, analyze, surround, attack Kalkaska . and solve a local problem is Kent October 29 MARKET INFORMATION AVAILABLE FROM locally beginning at your Lapeer October 10 county Farm Bureau annual Lenawee October 10 COOPERATING ELEVATORS. meeting. Livingston October 5 Held throughout the month of Mac.-Luce October, an alphabetical listing Macomb of these meetings, will be printed Manistee September 30 October 17 . * ORDERLY SALES OF YOUR BEANS. * in both this issue and the coming Marq.-Alger October 9 issue of the FARM NEWS. Mason October 8 Details of meeting place and Mecosta time will be missing in this earlier Menominee ------ October 12 October 8 ORDERLY MARKETING HAS AND WILL IMPROVE report, and will be added in next Midland --- October 15 month's schedule. Missaukee .. PRICES AND MARKET STRENGTH. * Check the list for your county Monroe October 2 Farm Bureau annual meeting Montcalm October 10 date! Reserve it now - plan to Montmorency . attend and become an important Muskegon October 1 POOLING ELIMINATES PRODUCERS COMPETING part of your local policy develop- Newaygo October 15 ment process by adding your voice N.W. Mich - your opinions! Oakland .. October 3 . WITH EACH OTHER FOR A MARKET. Alcona Oceana October 10 (jCy~ Allegan October 3 Ogemaw October 10 This pool has the support of the Michigan Bean Growers Alpena Osceola October 2 Antrim September 9 Otsego . Marketing Co-Op. Any additional support beyond this Arenac October 8 Ottawa October 15 Baraga October 3 Presque Isle ... volum~ will improve the effectiveness and final settlement :arry --- Octobber 8 Saginaw October 9 Bay ..- Octo er 17 Sanilac October 7 of the pool. Bem:1e Shiawassee October 14 Bernenh October 10 St Clal'r . October 1 ranc October 14 St Joseph October 14 Calhoun October 16' . Join with your neighbors to improve your marketing returns. Cass October 12 Tuscola --- September 24 Charlevoix Van Buren . October 19 Your action will determine its success. Cheboygan Washtenaw October 9 Chippewa October 1 Wayne October 8 Clare October 14 Wexford October 15 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 .. the month. 6 DOGS 20 LIVESTOCK 20 LIVESTOCK 26 POULTRY 36 MISCELLANEOUS BULLS FOR SALE: Young Charolais bulls KLAGER'S DEKALB PROFIT PULLETS HEREFORD BULLS-pure bred herd FREE GIFT CATALOG of wonderful and WILL SACRIFICE my lovely one year for hetter heef cattle that grow fast and - Order your started pullets that have sires. Ready for service. Also, registered old, show type male, heavy boned Alaskan art. gentle. Eddie Shrauger, Route #1, heen raised on a proven growing program. unique ideas. Send post card to: The Old h('ifers and calves. EltYpt Valley Hereford Malamute. Yukon hlood lines. $125. Lov- Farm' 6611 Knapp St., Ada, Michigan. Falmouth. Michi/otan 49632. Phone: Mer- The growing hirds are inspected weekly Morse Company, Box 189A. Wall Strel't ely diSPOSition and ~ood watch do/ot. Con- ritt - 328-2671 (9-3t-25p) 20 by trained staff. vaccinated, debeaked and Phon~ OR 6-1090. (Kent County) Station, New York, New York 10005. ta~t: . Minnie Bor/otert, Route #3, Sturgis, (1l-tf-25b) 20 delivered by us in clean crates. If you MlChlKan 49091. (9-lt-25p) 6 keep records. you will keep KLAGER DE- (8-lt-25p) 36 22 NURSERY STOCK KALBS. KLAGER HATCHERIES, Bridge- water, Michigan. Telephones: 313 429- BEA UTIFY YOUR GARDEN with plants 7087 and 313 428-3034. 14 FOR SALE FOR SALE: REGISTERED .RA~.fS. Ram and trees from "Michi~an's Fastest Grow- (Washtenaw County) (9-tf-50b) 26 ing Nursery". Strawberry plants, froit Day at Michiltan State Umverslty, East trees, bramhles. asparagus crowns. Send SHA YER ST ARCROSS 288 - Started pul- "ZIPCODE DIRECTORY" - (All 35,000 Lansinlt, September 18 and at Ram Truck Postoffices): $1.00 MAILMART, Carroll- at Ram Truck Stops at Clare, Gaylord, for a free price list. Fruit Haven Nursery, Kaleva, Michigan 49645. lets available most everY month. Get wise -WANTED- ton 72, Kentucky 41008. (3-tf-llb) 14 Alpena Glennie and West Branch. C~)D- and try these top profit makers as your (2-12t-30p) tact C~unty Extension office or wnte: next flock. MacPherson Hatchery, Route Michigan Sheep Breeders' Ass'n., 10.'5 An- #3, Ionia, Michigan. Phone 527-0860. 6 to 10.foot Blue Spruce, White FOR SALE: Antique Steam Engine. $150. Base 21" x 15". Fly wheel 11~" x 2% ". thony Hall East Lansinlt, Michiltan 48823. , (9-lt-46b) 20 FARM PROPERTY (6-3t-28b) 26 Spruce and Douglas Fir Christmas Steam Chest 5" x 41h" x 6". Contact: trees. Must be of good quality. Frank Claveau, Scottville, Michi!(an 494.'54. FOR SALE: 222 acres west of Leslie on DAY OLD OR STARTED PULLETS- (9-lt-25p) 14 paved road. Two 20 x 60 cement silos. The DeKalb profit pullet. Accepted by Call 889.5594 - Onekama 20 x 40 silver shield silo. Automatic feed- the smart poultryman for high egg pro- ------ ing. Two basement barns, laI1l:e pole barn. duction, superior egg quality, greater feed Area Code 616 F~R SALE: New Holland field chopper Cement barnyard and complete hog set-up. efficiency. H you keep records, youll With corn and hay heads. Motor driven. A PAIR OF WELL MATCHED Belg!an mares - 2 and 3 years old. 1 Belgian 16.'5 acres tillable. Three bedroom house, keep DeKalbs. Write for prices and Or write: Fruit-Haven Nursery A Gehl forage blower - la~e size. James all hardwood floon. Contact: Mrs. Jess catalog. KLAGER HATCHERIES, Bridge- Kaleva, Michigan Way s,j.lo unloader with tripod. All like horse - 3 years old. All matched for sale. For information write: Alfred Lordson, Conard, 611 South Bostwick, Charlottl', water, Michigan. Telephones: Saline HAzel 49645 new colldition. Leo McClellan. 7168 East Michigan 48813. Phone 517-543-1533. 9-7087, Manchester GArden 8-3034 ~ohtter Road, Davison, Michigan 48423. Pickford, Michi/otan 49774. Phone: 647- 2141. (9-lt-25p) 19 (9-2t-40p) (Washtenaw County) (tf-f6b) 26 One 653-4374. (9-lt-33p) 8 FOURTEEN September 1, 1968 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS DISCUSSION By Charles Bailey Director DISCUSSION TOPIC Education And Research Mich. Farm Bureau TOPIC Pollution is generally considered to be the ad- Industrial and household wastes have developed facturers have convinced the Legislature that a dition of something to air or water which makes to the point that the waters of some of our Great strict cleanup would cause the loss of jobs. This its further use undesirable. Lakes are becoming severely polluted. Some say always rings a bell, because the last thing a Legis- Air pollution can take the form of vapors, dusts that Lake Erie, which is the worst of all, is "dead." lator wants is to be accused of destroying jobs. or invisible gases and may come from farm, indus- Some authorities say that if we could stop the flow The seriousness of the pollution problem is demon- trial, construction, automotive or home actions. The of pollutants into the lake it would take 15 to 30 strated by the fact that the last pollution legislation classic example of air pollution probably is Los years for it to rejuvenate. by Congress was passed with no dissenting votes. Angeles, where smoke and exhaust gases mix on We have talked at length about urban and in- Also, the Michigan Legislature has submitted to occasion with fog to produce a choking, repulsive dustrial pollution, where do farmers stand in the the electorate for the general election in November mixture called "smog." matter of pollution? a proposed $335 million bond issue for pollution We in agriculture are often accused of air and There is little firm evidence on which to base control. water pollution for such simple acts as emptying conclusions at present but considerable research is This bond issue is being explained in most of the out underground manure storage or cleaning out in progress at Michigan State University. When the news media in the state but further information is barns. Many urban-reared people do not appreciate projects under way are completed, we may have available from Michigan Farm Bureau, Lansing and the homey smell of manure being spread just across some idea of the contribution of farmers to the total from the State Department of Conservation. the fence from their new $50,000 country homes. The pollution. A preliminary study of the Red Cedar In the meantime, each of us must make up his fact that we were there first, doesn't excuse us River east of Lansing indicated 70-90% of the own mind about the merits of the bond issue before from nuisance law suits. pollution was not agricultural. November 5. (story on facing page) vVe are beginning to run into the same problem Possible sources of pollution from farms consist Control of pollution will undoubtedly be an issue with orchard sprays, and orchard heating during mainly of the following: soil from erosion, chemicals for many years, and farmers will have a big stake cold snaps in the spring. Unless we go almost and animal wastes. in seeing that we arrive at reasonable regulations. completely to minimum tillage, we may also run Present farming methods reduce to a minimum the This bond issue mayor may not be a part of the into the problem of dust which we create in land loss of soH into streams, and it is likely that most solution. preparation.