of America's agriculture system is deciding the future of America's food supply. They a big reason for this low percent- are making assumptions few real scientists would age. But this will all change once use to make sweeping reductions in our selection America's food producers lose of effective and safe crop protection tools. use of vital crop protectants . .Career bureaucrats also err by arbitrarily Farmers, in their attempt to making their decisions without providing farmers protect crops from infestation, the opportunity to share our first-hand knowledge often have nothing else to turn to. and experience. Farm Bureau is urging EPAto base More importantly, advances made their decisions on actual use data, rather than in integrated pest management, worst case assumptions, when making determina- which actually reduces the tions to restrict or cancel pesticides. We do not dependence and use of pesti- apply pesticides at the maximum dosage rates or as fG8dsddy- cides, will be lost under EPA's current implementation plan. frequently as the label will allow. Bill Spencer is a citrus producer from Yuma, ReaI~ The most frustrating aspect Ariz. He is a member of the Tolerance Reassess- 118f118~ of this issue is that the applica- tion of good data and sound ment Advisory Committee (TRAC), which was formed by Vice President AIGore to review and by'~ science to the provisions of the comment on the Environmental Protection Agency's scIcII1.c8. B FQPAwould prove our crop implementation of the Food Quality.Ask him how or more than 30 years, the protectants are indeed safe. But, serious the threat to our food supply and he'll warn 3- agricultural community lived with the threat of losing vital crop protectants due so are far, the EPAis unwilling to use either. not The provisions of FQPA being enacted because of you not to underestimate the potential downside of EPA'sreckless approach. "In FQPA,the EPAwields a quiet, yet powerful to an unscientific and outdated science. The agricultural weapon that could impact our everyday lives. In the law commonly known as the chemicals the EPAwants to short term, farmers stand to lose the most. But in Delaney Clause, which failed to abolish pose no realistic the long haul, each and every American will end up consider both benefits and risk scientific threat to human health paying a very steep price," he said. in evaluating certain agricultural as they are now being used. I couldn't agree more. Let your congressmen chemicals. Politics - not sound science - know that real science, not political science, is The agriculture community is EPA'smotivation. needed to protect our food supply. R L was relieved when this law was EPAbelieves the targeted Sincerely, crop protectants cause cancer. ~~rit?~~~ replaced two years ago. The new Food Quality Protection Act But medical statistics reveal that (FQPA), if implemented as every type of cancer - with the passed by Congress, requires exception of lung and breast more scientific review, faster cancer - is declining. The processing of data and the American Cancer Society and a number of other organizations State Farm Bureau reaches recognition of food-producing benefits from pesticides, and trumpet the increase in fruit and membership target, goal more importantly, greater vegetable consumption as the r-r his marks the third year in a row that atten~on to food safety. reason for the decline in cancer ~ Michigan Farm Bureau has hit its member- When Congress passed the cases. ship target by gaining in the number of regular act in 1996, it did not intend to This, perhaps, is the most (farmer) members. The 68 county Farm put American farmers out of ironic aspect of EPA'simplemen- Bureau organizations worked to leave the state business or increase consumer tation of FQPA.Should it ban with 45,035 regular members. food costs. Unfortunately, the essential crop protectants Michigan Farm Bureau's membership has Environmental Protection because of unfounded health grown 11 consecutive years. The organization Agency's interpretation and fears, EPAwill create a shortage reached its goal with 169,202 members. implementations of the regula- of fruits and vegetables, the very According to Rob Anderson, MFBmem- tions could very well do just that. products that have proved to bership manager, 53 county Farm Bureaus Americans spend 10.9 prevent cancer and other made their membership targets by increasing percent of their disposable diseases. the number of farmer members from last year. income on food. That's among the People with less scientific Membership goal - overall increase - was lowest in the world. The efficiency training than you or me are reached by 47 counties. RL 2-RuRAL LIVING -FALL 1998 Photo Credit: Travel Michigan FA L L 1998 FEAT U RES Fantasy,facts andfall color 4 Autumn colors have been celebrated in literature, legends, songs and works of art since ancient times. Englerunveils campaignplatform andpriorities 9 Gov.John Engler unveiled his campaign platform, and issues important to agriculture make the list. Conservation buffers offer win-win opportunities 15 Eight years ago, massive rainfall caused a great deal of erosion on the hilly landscape of the McElroy farm, in Hillsdale County. The Soil Conservation District, now the Natural Resources Conservation Service, provided some answers on how to cut his losses and be more environmentally conscious with the introduction of control basins on his property. Muskegon County officials consider cranberries 18 Land that's no longer needed for spreading county wastewater could be turned into a cranberry farm if agriculture industry representatives have their way. The Rural Living, Vol. 18, No.2 (ISSN:0743-9962) is published quarterly in the months of January, Marchi, July and October, as a service to associate members, by Michigan Farm Bureau, 7373 West Saginaw Highway, Lansing, Michigan 48917. Member subscription price of S1.50 is included in annual dues of Michigan Farm Bureau associate members. Additional subscription fees required for mailing Rural Living to non-members and outside the continental U.S.A. Periodical postage paid at Lansing, Michigan, and additional mailing offices. Letters to the editor and statewide news articles should be sent to: Editor, Rural Living, Post Office Box 30960, Lansing, Michigan 48909-8460. POSTMASTER- Send address changes to: Michigan Farm Bureau, Post Office Box 30960, Lansing, Michigan 48909-8460. Editorial: Dennis Rudat, Manager, Member Communications; Sue Stuever Battel, Editor, Member Publications; Advertising Sales: Rich McWilliams; Design and Production: Stephanie Lonier; Contributors: Jennifer Vincent and Henry Huijsen. Officers: President, Jack Laurie, Cass City; Vice President, Wayne Wood, Marlette; Executive Committee, Alan Garner, Mason; Joshua Wunsch, Traverse City; Jan Vosburg, Climax; Chief Operating Officer, John Vander Molen; Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, Tom Parker; Secretary, David VanderHaagen. Directors: District 1, Jim Miller, Coloma; District 2, Blaine VanSickle, Marshall; District 3, Michael Fusilier, Manchester; District 4, Tom Guthrie, Delton; District 5, Alan Garner, Mason; District 6, Wayne Wood, Marlette; District 7, Rick Johnson, Leroy; District 8, Don Sutto, Saginaw; District 9, Joshua Wunsch, Traverse City; District 10, Margaret Kartes, West Branch; District 11, Robert Wahmhoff, Baraga. At-Large: Jack Laurie, Cass City; Faye Adam, Snover; Jan Vosburg, Climax; Judy Emmons, Sheridan. Promotion and Education, Terry Bellville, Whittemore; Young Farmers, Amy Martin, Leroy. MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU-3 [frorJDfitIDt3Wu Goo@u tIDOOrnJ aroDO @@O@(fJ weather conditions as the the carbohydrates necessary for seasons change. tree growth. This food-making Geographic distribution and process takes place in the leaf in tree growth patterns numerous cells containing the Only a few places in the pigment chlorophyll, which gives world have the combination of the leaf its green color. As the tree species and climatic days get shorter and tempera- conditions necessary for vivid fall tures get cooler in the fall, there foliage. It is our deciduous is a decline in synthesis of new forests and trees with their many chlorophyll. The green color broad leaves that change color disappears and the rate of almost in unison and display the photosynthesis declines. The Michiganders are blessed with beautiful fall most noticeable fall color. trees become very frugal and colors, all due to the physics of sunlight striking Evergreen species also even more efficient by pulling pigments in the leaves. develop fall coloration, but the nutrients such as nitrogen and color changes are slow and phosphorus into twigs and gradual. Many homeowners branches to be stored for the utumn colors have been Jll celebrated in literature, legends, songs and works of art since ancient times. Legends include the mythical Jack Frost become unnecessarily alarmed in the autumn when the interior needles of their pines, spruces, and firs turn color. They winter, further enhancing the loss of cWorophyll. Along with cWorophyll, leaves also contain yellow or mistakenly interpret this as a orange carotenoid pigments. who supposedly brings reds and disease problem, not realizing This is the same pigment that purples to the forest by pinching that even evergreens seasonally gives the carrot its familiar color the leaves with his icy fingers. shed older leaves. The eastern and also lends color to eyes, The hues of yellow, gold and United States and southeastern feathers, and scales of certain brown are mixed on his paint Canada have weather conditions animals. Most of the year these palette and applied with quick, and the deciduous trees favor- yellowish colors are masked in broad strokes of his brush as he able for brilliant fall color. Afew leaves by the greater amount of silently moves among the trees to places scattered in western North green chlorophyll. It is the decorate them. America, especially in the unmasking of the carotenoids According to an Indian mountains, have bright fall that accounts for the yellow and legend, celestial hunters kill a color, too. golden color of Norway maple, great bear in the autumn sky Leaf pigments and yellow poplar, sycamore, birch, and, its blood dripping on the physiological changes hickoriy ash and many other forests, change many leaves to The various leaf colors we species of trees. The golden red. Other trees are turned see are due to the physics of yellow produced in some leaves, yellow by the fat that splatters out sunlight striking pigments in the such as those of beeches, results of the kettle as the hunters cook leaves. For an explanation of fall from the presence of tannins the meat. color, four broad categories of along with the yellow carotenoid Although we still tell these pigments are recognized: pigments. fictional stories today, we are chlorophylls, carotenoids, The anthocyanin pigments able to logically explain the how anthocyanins and tannins. It is responsible for the pink, red and and why of fall color. The these pigments that also account purple leaves of sugar maple, explanation involves the geo- for the array of color in flowers. sassafras, sumac, white and graphic distribution and growth During spring and summer, scarlet oak, shadbush, winged habit of trees, physics of light the leaves serve as the principal euonymus and many other and color, plant pigments, the site for the photosynthetic woody plants are formed by physiology and anatomy of process in which carbon dioxide leaves, and the influence of and water are transformed into Continued on next page 4-RuRAL LIVING -FALL 1998 •• i • . .... . ,. -' . . . ~ -.. - ~... What should I do with Continued from previous page that are exposed to the light. H one leaf is shaded all these reactions between various sugars by another, the lower leaf usually does not form the red pigments at all. The degree of color can leaves? and complex compounds called anthocyanidins. A mixture of red vary from tree to tree, as well, since trees exposed to the sun may turn red while others in the shade cure, fall leaves are anthocyanin pigment with yellow may be yellow. A single tree may have branches '-' beautiful. Until you have to carotene often gives a bright with different-colored leaves. rake them. And rake them. orange color as seen in some The best weather conditions Unless you let the leaves sit spedes of maples. In some years, autumn color is more pro- on your lawn and smother your Good soil fertility can nounced than in others. The shades of yellow and grass, you can't avoid paying for enhance the intensity of red brown always appear, but it is the brilliant reds the autumnal color show with color by affecting carbohydrate and purples mixed with the yellows that impart the hours of back-aching work. But production during the growing awesome beauty of fall landscapes. you do have several ways to season. For instance, pin oaks Fall weather conditions favoring formation of dispose of them while improv- that have received heavy bright red autumn color are warm, sunny days ing your garden soil, according applications of nitrogenous followed by cool nights with temperatures below to Ohio State University fertilizers will have a much 45r, but not freezing. Some photosynthesis still spedalists. deeper red color than those occurs in the leaves during the daytime even while H you are digging new grown in poor soils without the chlorophyll content is declining. Rainy or flower or vegetable beds, fertilizer. cloudy days without much light occurring near the double-dig the area and add Among the most important time of peak coloration will actually decrease the leaves to increase the organic environmental factors that intensity of fall colors by limiting photosynthesis. matter. Usually you would influence the intensity of color There is an old wive's tale that says rainy days prepare soil to a depth of one due to anthocyanins are light wash the color out of leaves. While that is not true, spade, or about 12 inches deep. intensity, temperature and water these conditions reduce light intensity, and heavy When you double dig, you go supply. Bright light favors red rains and high winds can sweep the leaves off the down the depth of about two color, and anthocyanin pigments trees early. R L spades, without mixing up the usually develop only in leaves two different layers of soil., To double dig, remove one trench of soil one spade deep and about 3 feet wide. Put this soil in a wheelbarrow. Dig n't take it so hard ... down another 12 inches to Physics softens your water loosen the subsoil. Incorporate like lightening treats the rain about 2 inches of leaves into the without dedrklty, salt or chemicals - for dty or well water loosened subsoil. Dig another SoPbTec: Water Conditioning System for HOME & AGRI- CULTURE. Controls hardness, calcium scale and corrosion. trench, and dump that soil into Removes existing scale. Helps control sulfur odor. Saves energy costs. Installs easily. Maintenance and service free. Use 50010less the trench you've already made. soaps and detergents. SoPbTec: water conditioning system makes Do the same thing to the hard water act like soft water. Other APPlications~ subsoil. When you get to the last trench, dump in the soil you put 0;; Farms Greenhouses Irrigation Systems Dairies SoPhTcc water conditioning system extends equipment life. Prevents scale aside from the first trench. build-up, clogging of lines, fixtures and equipment. Safe for soil, plant life and animals. Composting eliminates the SoPbTec b a cost effective alternative to a .alt ",ater .ystem. Total sys- largest quantity of leaves, said tem cost for the home is $379 plus $9.00 shipping. A 90 day money-back paRatee plus a ten year warraaty. Joe Heimlich, an environmental To pillet! yo"r order or to recnH IIIore info""lItioll, etdJ or write: spedalist at Ohio State Univer- CARL KNIGHT sity.The process mimics SoPhTec Distributor 4860 Quarry Laae. Clevelaad, on 44143 nature's built-in decay process and turns your lawn and TOLL FREE 1-800-708-2872 """"oSOpbtec:-water.com kitchen wastes into a valuable source of nitrogen and carbon for your garden. R L MICHIGAN FARM BUREAu-5 • • Member Health Insurance from Michigan Farm Bureau For over 40 years, Farm Bureau and Blue Cross \ Blue Shield have teamed up to provide quality health care at competitive group rates with the personalized service you would expect from a Farm Bureau membership. No matter what your needs ... small business, sole proprietor, Medicare supplemental or individual coverage for you or your family - we have the right plan at the right price. ~~;;;~~~~~~~~~~---, 800-292-2680, EXT. 3239 & 3240, OR MAIL THIS COUPON TO: MFB HEALTH SERVICES, P.O. BOX 30960, LANSING, MI 48909 Individual/family coverage - for people who don't have employment-based coverage. Small group coverage - for farm and small business owners. Medicare supplemental coverage - for seniors over 65. NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP TELEPHONE s• LCOUNTY ~a ,'''. MICHIGAN THE STATFS LARGEST , •• FARM BUREAU GENERAL fARM ORGANIZATION E•• ons: Assu.inl responsibility throUlh Far. Bureau board town in Montcalm County named needs." Sheridan. They raise most all of Regulations and the push for development of the feed for their SO-plus head of large parcels of fannland continue to plague the primarily registered holsteins. farming industry, she says. "You gain one step, like "I'm sure we'll end up buying with the estate tax, but take three back," she some of our feed this year," explained. "We have an increasing number of she said. farmers in their 60s and 70s who are thinking Emmons' grandfather, Roy about retirement. We need to be able to offer them Wilson, started the holstein herd an alternative to selling their property for develop- back in 1915. "We live on a ment. Those are the types of issues Farm Bureau is Farming has been a way of life for both Judy working on." typical family farm, although it's and her husband, Jerry. more atypical now." Educating new legislators on farming issues Judy and Jerry Emmons and concerns will also be a major task of the Farm by Jennifer Vincent Bureau after the November General Election .. have raised their three children, he shrugs her shoulders Heather, 2S, Chad, 25, and 1Yter, "Because of term limits, we have so few connected S and simply says, "I guess it's our turn." Michigan Farm Bureau board member 17, in the home where Jerry grew up. "It's been a family business, and we all work to agriculture in office," she said. "We need to get the message out and help them understand. The Farm Bureau is very well run, and members should JUdy Emmons and her husband, together," she said. "} think it's rest assured that they are in good hands. Members Jerry, haven't had a lot of rain good for the kids to see what should be proud of the staff they have working for this year. The sunny skies have you're doing and to be a part of them. They are very responsive to the needs of the provided the warmth, but without that. They learn what provides members." the rain, the corn is curling and for them. } think farm kids, in When Emmons isn't busy on the farm or at the the bottom leaves are brown. general, have a good work school, she enjoys teaching piano lessons and is "That's how farming is," she ethic." the organist at Faith Lutheran Church. "And, with says. "It's pretty stressful- the Emmons took a seat on the my sister and a couple of friends, we like to do a one thing that controls produc- Farm Bureau board because she little singing," she added. R L tion the most is the one thing we wanted to playa participating have no control over." role - the same reason she is the Emmons has been a president of the Central member of the Farm Bureau Montcalm Board of Education. board since 1994, but farming "{ think we all have the responsi- Member has been a way of life for both bility to be involved with Prom. her and her husband. "We both something," she said. "Don't give grew up on farms," she said, "so it just lip service. People JUDYIMMalS we know it's all about taking the shouldn't criticize if they're not good with the bad." participating and assuming a • Home: Sheridan in MontcalmCounty The Emmons live well north responsibility. " • Family: Husband, Jerry, and three children, of 1-96, which has served largely The Michigan Farm Heather, 28, Chad, 25, and Tyler,17 as the divider between rain and Bureau is the voice for all • Farm: 600 acres, includingcorn, alfalfa, hay, no rain. "You can drive south of farmers, although Emmons says wheat and oats, and a dairy operation that 1-96 and the corn looks great," it's getting more difficult to includes about 80 registered holsteins she said. "Go a little farther and represent them all. "It's big vs. • Farm Bureau Involvement: MichiganFarm there's water in the ditches." little and medium-size farms," Bureau board member since 1994, Audit Together with one full-time she said. "Farm Bureau needs to Committee and Annual Meeting Committee employee, they farm about 600 continue to represent them all member; also works on the Montcalm County acres on the outskirts of a little and be sensitive to everybody's Farm Bureau.PolicyDevelopment Committee MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU-7 These candidates have been designated as "Friends of Agriculture" by the Michigan Farm Bureau AgriPac Committee. The designation constitutes an election endorsement for the Nov. 3 General Election. U.S. House of Representatives State Senate (cont.) State House of Representatives (cont.) District District District 1 Michelle McManus (R-Lake Leelanau) 20 Harry Gast (R-St. Joseph) 75 William Byl (R-Grand Rapids) 2 Peter Hoekstra (R-HoUand) 21 Dale Shugars (R-Portage) 78 Ron Jelinek (R-Three Oaks) 3 Vern Ehlers (R-Grand Rapids) 22 William VanRegenmorter 79 Charles LaSata (R-St. Joseph) 4 Dave Camp (R-Midland) (R-Hudsonville) 80 Mary Ann Middaugh (R-Paw Paw) 5 Jim Barcia (D-Bay City) 23 Joanne Emmons (R-Big Rapids) 81 Lauren Hager (R-Port Huron) 6 Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) 24 John Schwarz (R-Battle Creek) 82 Jud Gilbert (R-Algonac) 7 Nick Smith (R-Addison) 26 Mike Rogers (R-Brighton) 83 Steve Ehardt (R-Lexington) 8 Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing) 27 Dan DeGrow (R-Port Huron) 84 Mike Green (R-Mayville) 11 Joe KnoUenberg (R-Bloomfield 1-IiIls) 28 John Cherry, Jr. (D-Clio) 85 Larry Julian (R-Lennon) 12 Sander Levin (D-Royal Oak) 29 Mercedes Kinnee (R-Flint) 86 Valde Garcia (R-St. Johns) 16 John Dingell (D-Dearborn) 30 Glen Steil (R-Grand Rapids) 87 Terry Geiger (R-Lake Odessa) 31 Dick Posthumus (R-Alto) 88 Patricia Birkholz (R-Saugatuck) Governor 32 Leon Stille (R-Spring Lake) 89 Jon Jellema (R-Grand Haven) John Engler (R-Mt. Pleasant) 33 Mike Goschka (R-Brant) 90 Wayne Kuipers (R-Holland) 34 Joel Gougeon (R-Bay City) 93 Larry DeVuyst (R-Ithaca) Supreme Court (nonpartisan) 35 Bill Schuette (R-Midland) 94 Jim Howell (R-St. Charles) Jeffrey Collins 36 George McManus, Jr. (R-Traverse City) 96 Roland Jersevic (R-Saginaw) Maura Corrigan 37 Walter North (R-St. Ignace) 97 Joe Rivet (D-Bay City) Clifford Taylor (Incumbent) 38 Don Koivisto (D-Ironwood) 98 Tony Stamas (R-Midland) 99 Sandy Caul (R-Mt. Pleasant) Secretary of State State House of Representatives 100 Mike Pumford (R-Newaygo) Candace Miller (R-Harrison Township) District 101 David Mead (R-Frankfort) 4 Edward Vaughn (D-Detroit) 102 Rick Johnson (R-LeRoy) Attorney General 19 Laura Toy (R-Uvonia) 103 Don Birgel (R-Gladwin) 21 Bruce Patterson (R-Canton) 104 Jason Allen (R-Traverse City) John Smietanka (R-Ada) 26 William Callahan (D-St. Clair Shores) 105 Ken Bradstreet (R-Gaylord) State Board of Education 30 Sue Rocca (R-Sterling Heights) 106 Phil Ludlow (R-Alpena) 31 Quinnie Cody (R-Mount Clemens) 107 Scott Shackleton (R-Sault Ste, Marie) Gary Wolfram (R-Hillsdale) 32 Alan Sanborn (R-Richmond Township) 108 Douglas Bovin (D-Gladstone) 33 Janet Kukuk (R-Macomb) 109 Michael Prusi (D-Ishpeming) Michigan State University Board 38 Nancy Cassis (R-Novi) 110 Paul Tesanovich (D-L'Anse) of Trustees 40 Patricia Godchaux (R-Birmingham) Dee Cook (R-Greenville) 43 Hubert Price, Jr. (D-Pontiac) State Court of Appeals (nonpartisan) Dave Porteous (R-Reed City) 45 Mike Bishop (R-Rochester) District 46 RuthJohnson (R-Holly) 1 Full Term Daniel Ryan University of Michigan Regents 47 Sandra Hill (R-Montrose) Helene White David Brandon (R-Plymouth) 48 Vera Rison (D-Mt. Morris) (incumbent) Jessie Dalman (R-Holland) 51 Tom Wright (R-Lennon) Partial Term Michael Talbot 52 Julie Knight (R-Dexter) (incumbent) State Senate 53 Elizabeth Brater (D-Ann Arbor) 2 Full Term Martin Doctoroff District 55 Gene DeRossett (R-Manchester) (incumbent) Rhonda Runco (R-Dearbom) 57 Doug Spade (D-Adrian) 2 Partial Term Hilda Gage Christopher Dingell (D-Trenton) 58 Steve Vear (R-jonesville) (incumbent) Loren Bennett (R-Camon) 59 Cameron Brown (R-Sturgis) 3 Full Term David Sawyer Arthur Miller 61 Charles Perricone (R-Kalamazoo) (incumbent) K ssaert Jerry Vander Roest (R-Galesburg) 4 Full Term Stephen Markman -Chesterfield ,Township) Bisbee (R-Jackson) (incumbent) Michael Bouchard (R-Birmingham) 'mer (R-Horton) William Willis Bullard, Jr. (R-Highland) Judith Scr Iton) Beverly Hammerstrom Paul DeWeese (R- (R-Temperance) Lingg Brewer (D-Holt) 18 Alma Wheeler Smith (D-South Lyon) Susan Tabor (R-Lansing) 19 Philip Hoffman (R-Horton) MarkJansen (R-Grand Rapids) 8-RuRAL LIVING -FALL 1998 Enller anvell. ea.palln plallar. and prlDrltle. expanding our processing animal and plant agriculture capacities in this state," research also topped the Posthumus said, pointing to ZFS senator's list. as a prime example of how The Engler-Posthumus processors can boost state platform also includes plans to agriculture. cut taxes, improve schools, fight Preserving farmland and crime, fix roads and strengthen Gov. John Engler spoke at a "Fanners for Engler" rally this funding Michigan State University families. R L summer at Michigan State University. Agriculture issues on the agenda Michigan Farm Bureau by Sue Stuever Battel supports Proposal C ov.John Engler unveiled his campaign 8 platform this fall, and issues important to agriculture make the list. Engler said preserving Michigan farmland is one platform priority, which may be achieved through a state Farmland Preservation Trust Fund. The proposal would: Proposal C A Proposal to Authorize Bonds for Environmental and Natural Resources Protection Programs 1. Authorize the state of Michigan to borrow a sum not to exceed 5675 million to finance environmental and natural resources He pointed to Purchase of Development Rights protection programs that would clean up and redevelop (PDR) programs as a solution. contaminated sites, protect and improve water quality, prevent Exactly how PDR programs would be funded is pollution, abate lead contamination, reclaim and revitalize community waterfronts, enhance recreational opportunities, and yet to be determined, the governor explained. "We clean up contaminated sediments in lakes, rivers and streams. haven't laid that out yet," he said. "{ guess we will 2. Authorize the state to issue general obligation bonds pledging look at all the different options." the full faith and credit of the state for the payment of principal Engler said before funding is determined, and interest on the bonds. another answer is needed first. "This is proving to 3. Provide for repayment of the bonds from the general fund of be a very tricky question and that's, how do we the state. decide what farmland should be addressed." Should this proposal be approved? Solving the state's bovine tuberculosis problem Fann Bureau supports Proposal C and recommends a YES vote. is another part of the platform. "Fortunately, the testing continues to be very positive," Engler said. Only one cattle herd has been quarantined due Clean to tlle disease. Michigan But as testing of livestock in northeast Michigan continues, Engler conceded that farmers Initiative may need to be better compensated should animals money need to be sacrificed. "The indemnity issue clearly needs to be addressed," he said. "Those limits * were set a long time ago." • $335 million: brownfield redevelO\lmenl & eaYlroamental cleanup The Michigan Commission on Agriculture has • $90 mllliaa: tleaR water fund to protel:t and Improve waler quality proposed a plan to change the caps farmers may be paid for indemnity of sacrificed livestock. o $50 mlmOD: DDllpoinl source pollution control tnm\$ Sen. Dick Posthumus, Engler's running mate D $50 million: locallllrts & remalioll • $50 mlllloll: stale paTll mltalllation and nominee for lieutenant governor, ranked the [J $50 million; waterlront reclamallon & re,ltallzaUon platform's agriculture priorities during a visit to • S20 million: polWion prevanllon Zeeland Farm Services (ZFS). • $5 million: I.a~ hazard control "Number one is going to be preserving and • $25 million; cleanup 01 contamlnaled Slldlmenls MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU-9 The Best Farmer-Owned Brand On The Face Of The Earth Is NoW"Homegro~ In Michigan Your Michigan Farm Bureau and Farmland Industries are working together to provide products and services throughout Michigan. From agricultural inputs to consumer food products, Farmland is a complete farm-to-table system. As the largest farmer-owned cooperative in North America, we lookforward to getting to know you and helping to meet your needs with petroleum, feed, crop production and other fine Farmland products and services. The Fannlmui System is oumed by about 600,OOOjannjamilies like Rmuiy and Mm7J WiL.,mt oj Round Lake, MN. Farmland Industnes, Inc. • RD. Box 7305 • Kansas City, MO 64116-0005 • lU1uwJannland.com FARM BUREAU INSURANCE INSIGHTS It pays to Farm Bur.au LII8: drive salely On. 01 AmBrlea'•••• t Farm Bureau Insurance offers a Safe Driver Credit to security and financial performance. customers who have good ~ What's better than making "The companies that appear on the list have driving records. We also offer David Letterman's top ten list? done the best job of balancing solvency and an Accident-Free, Continuous If you're a life insurance company, the profitability over the past five years," said John Coverage Credit to customers Ward, chairman of Cincinnati-based Ward who have been insured with answer is Ward's Top 50 list. Fin;mcial Group. "The combination of safety, us for three years or longer Farm Bureau Life has earned a spot on security, and performance sets these top 50 and have not been involved in this year's list of the 50 most outstanding in~urers apart from other insurers." an at-fault accident for three life insurers in America, prepared annually Ward Financial Group, an investment years. by Ward Financial Group. This is the seventh straight year that banking firm that analyzes the insurance Farm Bureau Lifehas qualified for the Top industry, analyzed 1,433 life and health insurers before naming the 1998 Top 50. RL ... And to stay 50 list, which recognizes insurance companies that achieve high levels of safety, with Farm Bureau Insurance H_1In8 willi a wood sIDve7 Be~nrUngJan. 1, 1999, Do n 1118 BIlle way we will offer another benefit to auto insurance customers No matter how carefully you install a ence of normal heat radiation or smoke that who have been with us for wood stove, or what kinds of precautions you may result from start-up or refueling. three years or longer: take, there is always the possibility that • Portable, folding escape ladders under beds or If you have qualified for something could go wrong. That's why you window sills for emergency use. our Safe Driver Credit or our should have ... • An emergency exit plan. Accident-Free, Continuous • A UL-approved fire extinguisher in the For more information on wood heating Coverage Credit, and, within a vicinity of (but not right next to) your safety, visit our Farm Bureau Insurance web site three-year period you stove. at www.fannbureauinsurance-mi.com. experience either ... • A smoke detector or smoke/fire detector where you can request an electronic copy of One minor civil traffic near your sleeping quarters, but far Wood Heat: The Safe Wa)/- our guide to the infraction enough away from the stove to keep the proper installation and use of wood heating OR detector from sounding off in the pres- appliances. R L A single at-fault accident involving a minor civil infraction New lor you: Multi-Policy Credit ... you will not lose the If you have a homeowners or mobile homeowners policy with us, and you also have a credit. personal auto policy with us, you will receive a credit on your homeowners or mobile We're glad to offer these homeowners policy at renewal. And after Jan. 1, 1999, you will also receive a credit on your values to you. It's one way for us personal auto policy at renewal time. to thank you for being a loyal This is a great time for you to talk with your Farm Bureau Insurance agent about the customer, driving safely, and many features and benefits of our home and automobile insurance products. Remember, working with us to make your we're working to make your future more predictable. RL future more predictable. R L MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU -11 FARM BUREAU INSURANCE INSIGHTS Planning for retirement in the 21St century he 20th century ushered in freedom to choose how to enjoy One key to retirement savings success is to avoid '1: a previously unheard-of phenomenon - the concept of retirement. Previously, when life expectancy was relatively short, their golden years; without proper planning, they will probably have to continue working. A simple, but effective, tool to paying taxes for as long as possible. By deferring or even eliminating taxes, you can make your retirement nest egg grow by additional tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars by the time you retire. Your Farm Bureau people generally worked until the use in retirement planning is the Insurance agent can offer you a variety of tax-deferred day they died. However, with the concept of the three-legged retirement planning programs, including those listed advent of modern medicine, retirement stool. The first leg is below. For a more in-depth explanation of the benefits resulting in increased longevity, Social Security payments, and the and restrictions of each plan, please talk with your agent. living to and enjoying retirement second leg is employer-provided • IRA: With a traditional IRA (Individual Retirement became an expected American pension plans. The third, and by Annuity), you can contribute up to $2,000 each year. dream. As this expectation became far most important, leg is the All earnings are tax-deferred until they are distributed, more widespread, people often money you set aside yourself. To and you may even be able to defer taxation on your turned to employers for pension be sure your stool doesn't wobble, contribution. benefits and the federal govern- it's important to determine how • Roth IRAs are a new retirement planning tool. ment for Social Security benefits to much money you'll need during Although contributions of up to $2,000 annually are provide the funds needed for their retirement and where you should not income-tax deductible, the earnings grow income- retirement years. place your money. It's also tax free. That means you won't have to pay any taxes on As the 20th century winds to a important to periodically reevalu- distributions taken after age 59-112. close, people are living longer than ate your plan. Of course, the most • Spousal IRAs now have higher limits. Effective in ever. In fact, today's 65-year-old important step is to commit to 1998, full-time homemakers and stay-at-home spouses has a 60 percent chance of living consistently setting money aside. may now be eligible for an annual contribution of up to age 85 and a 41 percent chance How much will you need? to $2,000. of living to age 90. And as planning You may decide you need 60 • SEP-IRAs, or Simplified Employee Pensions, are for retirement takes on increasing to 100 percent of your pre- attractive alternatives for self-employed individuals or importance, many people have retirement income. Remember, small-business owners with employees. For 1998, SEPs begun to wonder if the government your retirement income may come have a contribution limitation of up to 15 percent of will continue to take steps to from a combination of sources, income for the first $160,000 of income. reduce its Social Security burden such as Social Security benefits, • SIMPLE lRAs are another plan now available to to tomorrow's retirees. Certainly, pensions, and your own savings. businesses with 100 or fewer employees. Similar to the Social Security Administration Your Farm Bureau Insurance agent 401 (k) plans, SIMPLEIRAs offer a savings incentive itself cautions that Social Security can help you submit a Request for match to employees. is not designed to meet all of a a Personal Earnings and Benefit • KEOGHs are often a good choice for self-employed retiree's financial needs in his or Estimate Statement to the Social individuals, because of higher contribution limits. her retirement years. Employees Security Administration. It will help • Non-Qualified Fixed Annuities: After you've maxed who may have experienced you determine your estimated out your employer plans and lRAs, a non-qualified company mergers, downsizings status for Social Security benefits. fixed annuity provides an element of certainty as well and pension plan revisions wonder If you have any company pension as earnings that accumulate tax-deferred - so you if their pension plans will be plans, check with the company's can earn and keep more than with comparable taxable sufficient. likewise, self-employed benefits administrator for an idea investments. persons often worry about saving of what pension benefits you can Where should you start? for retirement, but don't know expect. For your optimum To save for retirement, you need two things - time where to start. retirement, any shortfalls will have and money. The more time you have until retirement, the With all this in mind, you to come from your personal funds. less money you'll need to regularly save. The later you will probably agree that retirement How should you invest? start, the more money you'll need to set aside. For in the 21 st century will not There is no one right place to instance, assuming a hypothetical 7 percent tax-deferred resemble that of the 20th century. put all your money. It's a good idea return and a personal fund goal of $500,000 at age 65, a The burden and responsibility of to put retirement money into 25-year-old would have to set aside $190 each month, saving for retirement are rapidly various investments. What's whereas a 55-year-old would have to set aside $2,889. shifting to the individual. So it is important is to choose the types of There's no doubt about it: Procrastination is your essential for tomorrow's retirees to investments with which you are biggest enemy when it comes to retirement planning. You plan realistically and build their comfortable and which will best really can't afford to wait to start saving for retirement. If personal savings to provide for the help you reach your retirement you are on track, congratulationsl If you haven't started retirement they desire. With funding goals. Fortunately, today saving for retirement, shouldn't you start today? R L proper planning, retirees have the you have all kinds of choices. 12 • R U R ALL I V I N G • F ALL 1 9 9 8 Complete this worksheet for a quick estimate of how much you need to save for the retirement that's right for you. Bring it to your Farm Bureau Insurance agent- who will work with you to help you meet your retirement goals. 1. How much annual income will you want in retirement? (Tip: Figure 70% of your current AGI to maintain your current standard of living.) $ 2. Subtract the income you expect to receive annually from: • Social Security (Tip: If you don't have your personalized estimate and make under $25,000, enter $8,000; between $25,000-$40,000. enter $12,000; over $40,000, enter $14,500.) -$ • Employer pension (in today's dollars) -$ • Part-time income (optional) -$ • Other ' -$ This is the amount you'll need to make up for each retirement year: =$ 3. To determine the amount you'll need to save, multiply the amount you need to make up (from part 2 ab,ove) by the factor below. Age You Expect to Retire Factor $ 55 21.0 60 18.9 65 16.4 70 13.6 (Assumes a constant real rate of return of 3 percent after inflation, life expectancy to age 87, and Social Security income beginning at age 65.) . 4. If you expect to retire before age 65, multiply your Social Security benefit (from part 2 above) by the factor below. Age You Expect to Retire Factor +$ 55 8.8 60 4.7 5. Add up retirement savings to date. 401 (k) $ IRAs +$ Other +$ Total =$ 6. Multiply your total retirement savings to date (from part 5) by the factor below. -$ Expected Years Until Retirement Factor 10 1.3 15 1.6 20 1.8 25 2.1 30 2.4 35 2.8 40 3.3 1. This is how much you'll need to save for retirement: =$ 8. To determine the annual amount you'll need to save, multiply the amount =$ on line 1by the factor below. Expected Years Until Retirement Factor 10 .085 15 .052 20 .036 25 .027 30 .020 35 .016 40 .013 Source: American Savings Education Council M Ie HI G A N FAR M BUR E AU. 13 FARM BUREAU INSURANCE INSIGHTS At your service: Your Farm Bureau Insurance agent, quality products Free Your Farm Bureau Insurance agent takes the time to get to know you and your insurance needs - so that your insurance will be a perfect fit. lor you You can count on your agent to do the best possible job for you and _ Early Indians of your family. Call for a confidential review of your insurance needs and answers to your insurance questions. Michigan, To protect your family,home, life, business, retirement, possessions a popular Farm and everything else you value, talk to your agent about ... Bureau Insurance - Homeowners insurance _ IRAs publication used each • Non-smoker's discount _ Tax-deferred annuities year by teachers, • Protective devices discount _ Mortgage insurance students, libraries and civic groups all • 25 percent discount for ages _ College funds across the state. 55 and older. _ Self-employed pension plans _ Our Homeowners Inventory brochure, - Auto insurance _ Pension maximization which will help you list, room by • Safe driver discount _ Alternatives to certificates room, the items you own, their value • Accident-Free, Continuous of deposit and their replacement cost. Coverage Credit _ Health insurance To order either of these publica- - Business insurance _ Long-term care insurance tions, check the response form below - Recreational vehicle insurance and return it to us. - Workers' compensation insurance - Disability insurance - Universal Lifeinsurance II. Finding out more IV. Your name and address We hope you enjoyed this issue of Insights. We would like to hear from Please let us know if you'd like an Name _ you. Use this coupon to suggest story agent to contact you about: Address topics, request more information or to D Free Insurance Review order free items. City _ D Homeowners Insurance D Life Insurance State Zip _ I. Reader interest D Annuities County _ What insurance topics would you D Auto Insurance Phone _ like to see covered in upcoming issues? D Other: V. Mail to ... INSIGHTS Communications Department Farm Bureau Insurance P.O. Box 30400 Lansing, MI 48909-7900 Fax: (517) 323-6615 III. Free Check the free material you would like mailed to you: D Early Indians of Michigan booklet D Homeowners Inventory brochure ~------------------------------------~ 14 • R U R ALL I V I N G • F ALL 1 9 9 8 front by implementing conser- making my property more vation measures voluntarily. farmable," he said. "Those who believe that Mark Barber, who farms Steve McElroy (pictured with his daughter Megan) has implemented several buffer strips on his farm in Hillsdale chemicals won't be more near the Ohio border in Hillsdale County. He says the strips help the farmer and the environment. regulated in the future aren't County, was able to use the buffer carrying a full load of bricks," program to straighten out his he said. "More than 70 percent field, as Laird Creek runs by Jennifer Vincent of the farmers who come in to through his farm on an angle. ','It e ight years ago, massive rainfall caused a great deal of erosion on the hilly landscape of the McElroy farm. Steve McElroy, a Hillsdale County corn and soybean grower, watched as topsoil washed into the Beebe Creek abutting his crops. The Soil check out the program end up enrolling in it." According to Christine White, Farm Service Agency state executive director, floods on occasion every year," he said. "I was worried about the chemicals. This program is a good thing for the environment." Calling buffer strips a win- Conservation District, now the Natural Resources Michigan has more than 2,700 win situation for everyone, Steve Conservation Service (NRCS), provided some answers acres already dedicated to Law, a resource conservationist on how to cut his losses and be more environmentally buffer practices. The sign-up is for Clinton County, said, "the conscious with the introduction of control basins on a key component of the U.S. drain commissioner wins, his property. The mid-field berms (dikes) have Department of Agriculture's wildlife advocates win, the farmer surface risers designed to drain runoff through Conservation Buffer Initiative, wins and the environment wins. underground tile, eliminating the devastating effects of which promotes the voluntary There is no down side to this, gullies. enrollment of 2 million miles of and rental payments are 20 Today, the conservation effort has taken another buffers along the nation's percent more than the regular step forward in protecting water and the loss of soil by streams, rivers and tributaries. CRP program because we're offering farmers conservation buffers with 10- to 15- Currently, about 619,000 targeting the most environmen- year contracts under the Conservation Reserve acres have been dedicated tally sensitive land." Program's (CRP) continuous sign-up. nationwide. So why would farmers hold Best described as strips or small areas of land in "I wanted to do the right out? Law says some fear they will permanent vegetation, conservation buffers slow water thing and keep the government have to let people hunt on their runoff, trap sediment and enhance water infiltration. out of my operation," McElroy land or somehow they will lose They can trap fertilizers, pesticides, bacteria, patho- said. "The buffers force myseU ownership. "That's not true at all gens and heavy metals, minimizing the chances of and custom applicators to stay - it's still their property." away from the creek. This The CRP program covers these potential pollutants reaching surface water and program is good for me and haU the cost of seeding the groundwater sources. Buffers also trap snow and good for the next generation." buffer, Law said, as long as a reduce blowing soil in areas with strong winds. McElroy signed up last year farmer doesn't plant hay or graze Whether it is along field edges or within fields, "we're in the program and is consider- it. "But they can mow it to keep hoping farmers will take advantage of this program," ing one more project on his the weeds down if they want." said Dennis Haskins, resource conservationist for 720-acre farm, which would To find out more informa- Hillsdale County NRCS."We have about 100 farmers add to the 15 acres he has tion about buffer strips and enrolled in it now, but more and more are catching already set aside. "The conser- enrollment, contact your local on. It's the right thing to do." vation office has been very good USDAService Center. R L Participants receive annual rental payments, as well as technical and cost-share assistance to start the to work with, and they've allowed me to straighten my practices. Haskins sees it as a way for farmers to be out in lines using the buffer and thus MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU • 15 Rove you prDte(le1 yoursell lid ,OUf . famil, BIRinst the futu~e(est of ' long-te~DI(ore! =-- 7373 W. Saginaw Hwy. P.O. Box 30960 Lansing. M I 48917 An open letter to all Farm Bureau members Dear Farm Bureau member: New federal medicaid rules, and changes in state laws, are putting Michigan Farm Bureau members at increased risk of depleting their life savings to pay the high costs of long-term care. In 1996, the state of Michigan capped the number of Medicaid (Welfare) beds available in nursing homes and is using the savings to get younger generations off Welfare and into the workforce. Twenty-eight states now have "Family Responsibility" laws requiring adult children to pay a portion of their parents long-term expenses, and new federal laws provide tax deductions for farm families and other businesses, as well as individuals, who purchase private long-term care insurance. The Michigan Farm Bureau, out of concern for their 16I,000 Michigan members, is pleased to make available the CNA long-term care plans to al/ members. CNA has been writing long-term care plans for more than 32 years, longer than any other -~ company. The CNA plans provide world wide protection, and will do more than any other company to keep one in their own home and out of a nursing home. This would include basic home care (including homemaker services), adult day care, assisted living Where Belonoing Makes a Difference. facilities and adult foster care, Of course, nursing home coverage is also covered, and all Farm Bureau members receive a special 10%discount not available to the general public. Sincerely, Your Farm Bureau member services .... IIICHlGAN ••• FARM BUREAIl P.S. Can you and your family afford to go it alone? If the answer is no, as it is for most Michigan Farm Bureau families, contact your local Farm Bureau Insurance agent for more THE STATFS LARGEST information and a free personal ana~sis.lf you do not have a Farm Bureau Insurance GENERAL FARM ORGANIZATION agen~ caI/800-292-2680, ext 3240 or 3239 for a referral. lS-ijuRAl LIVING -FALL 1 998 Markelllask81 prices Increase 22 cents during third quaPler aren't consistent with prices general farm organization with farmers and ranchers are more than 4.78 million members, receiving for their products. conducts its informal quarterly "The real question is whether the Marketbasket Survey to help track Survey shows, for the second consecutive time, consumers paid processors and retailers are retail food prices to ensure they more at the grocery store. simply going to extract a higher are in line with prices received by by Dennis Rudat margin," said Francl. the nation's fanners and ranch- onsumers paid slightly more at the grocery Six items on the survey ers. While many grocery prices C store checkout line during the third quarter of 1998, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation's Marketbasket Survey.The average decreased in price, with a five- pound bag of flour and a pound of pork chops representing the have increased during the past year, the farmers' share remains fairly steady. The farm value of price of selected grocery items increased 22 cents largest decrease. The price of each food dollar spent in the from the year's second quarter. flour dropped 9 cents to $1.38 United States is approximately 23 The 16 selected items on the survey cost while pork chops fell 9 cents to cents. Labor, at 37 cents, is the $32.40, up from the second quarter's $32.18 $2.94. Other decreases included largest component of the average. It marks the second consecutive increase white bread, $1.17 per 20-ounce consumers' food dollar. in the average price. It also reflects a third-quarter loaf, down 4 cents; whole milk, Volunteer shoppers from 35 trend. Since AFBFbegan the Marketbasket Survey $2.52 per gallon, down 3 cents; states participated in this latest in 1989, increases have been the norm during the cheddar cheese, $3.06 per survey in early September. The third quarter in all but two surveys. The last third- pound, down 3 cents; and average total price of this quarter quarter decrease came in 1993, when the average apples, 94 cents per pound, is only $3.90 higher than the dropped 30 cents from that year's second quarter. down 2 cents. $28.50 average price of the "The overall price increase is pretty much in A 32-ounce jar of vegetable inaugural survey conducted line with the rate of inflation, which is around 2.5 oil ($2.25) and a 20-ounce box during the first quarter of 1989. to 3 percent," said Terry Francl, a senior economist of cereal ($2.74) remained That averages into just a 40-cent with the American Farm Bureau Federation. "And unchanged. increase in prices per year over a the rate remains very low." AFBF,the nation's largest nine-year span. R L A one-pound package of bacon increased 17 Nationwide Michigan cents to $2.30, representing the largest incr~ase on Item ~ price price the survey. Francl says the retail bacon figures Ground chuck, lb. $1.66 $1.79 certainly don't reflect the price hog producers are SiBoin tip roast lb. 2.69 2.79 receiving for their product. He said, however, that Center cut pork chops, lb. 2.94 2.69 the increase in price could reflect a seasonal 2.30 2.69 Bacon, lb. demand for bacon, which tends to increase during Whole fryers, lb . .98 .99 the summer months. Americans enjoy bacon on Grade A large eggs, doz . •96 .79 such items as hamburgers and bacon-Iettuce-and- Whole milk, gal. 2.52 2.49 tomato sandwiches. Of the 16 items on the survey, eight increased Mild c.heddar cheese, lb. 3.06 3.09 in price. In addition to the bacon prices, a 32-ounce Red Delicious apples, lb. .94 .89 jar of mayonnaise increased 15 cents to $2.64. 7Russet potatoes, 5 lb. 1.58 1.69 Other increases included corn oil, $2.60 per 32- Cheerios, 10 oz. box 2.74 2.99 ounce jar, up 8 cents; sirloin tip, $2.69 per pound, All purpose flour, 5 lb. 1.38 1.39 up 5 cents; eggs, 96 cents per dozen, up 4 cents; White bread, 20 oz. loaf 1.17 1.39 potatoes, $1.58 per five-pound bag, up 3 cents, Mazols corn oil, 32 oz. 2.25 2.49 whole fryers, 98 cents per pound, up 2 cents; and Crisco vegetable oil, 32 oz. 2.60 2.39 ground chuck, $1.66 per pound, up 1 cent. - Kraft mayonnaIse,. 32 oz. Jar .- - 2.64 -- 3.09 While half of the items on the survey increased TOTAL $32.40 $33.64 in price, Francl wonders why the retail numbers MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU. 17 , •• '." • C I • ,: ,; .~:,' ;:.' 5,,~l:~ .: • : I ',', /:~~~'i~~' .. Muskelon county oRIelals consider cranberry larmlng by Sue Stuever Bartel ideas about what to do with the wastewater facility land; ,£ and that's no longer needed for spreading county Bednarek first met willi- wastewater could be turned representatives of COllSum,ers into a cranberry farm if agricul- Energy. One of them ,was Dave ture industry representatives Guikema, also chair of the . have their way. DepartmentofAgqculture~ About 11,000 acres of land Rural Development Council of .•~.: surround Muskegon County's Michigan. Guikema encouraged,. wastewater treatment facility- Bednarek to seek the input of the" some with soil that's too heavy Michigan Department of for land-application of wastewa- Agriculture (MDA). ter. Of that land, 1,890 acres that Bednarek did just that, and; now grow corn and soybeans are MDAlatched on to what could be looking for a new use. an opportunity to promote an "We had recently done some industry they had long been work on the wastewater treat- wanting to foster - cranberry ment plant to look at long-term production. MDAstudied capacity and the long-teon needs whether cranberries could be of the community that is served," grown on the Muskegon County said Tun Westman, the facility's site. manager. "We looked at how we "Eleven months ago, we were going to deal with that brought the results of that study amount of water and looked at to the county board of commis- the alternatives we had. We sioners," said David Skjaerlund, determined we could actually do executive director of the Rural everything we had to do north of Development Council. The M-46 with some improvements results were positive. to that portion of the site, at a MDAfound that the 1,890 rate such that it was actually contiguous acres of land could cheaper than trying to fix this . hold 1,000 acres of cranberry other area up." vines. It had two important According to Frank ingredients for growing the tart, Bednarek, Muskegon County red berries: low soil pH and a administrator, interest in using high water table. the land for something that "That's why we got all would stimulate the county's excited - because the soil economy stemmed from efforts conditions are ideal for growing made in the past. cranberries at this site," "Several years ago, Skjaerlund said. Muskegon County embarked on Dr. Ron Goldy, of Michigan a project to develop some land State University's horticulture and attract industry to department, agreed. He said Muskegon," he explained. cranberries also require a A successful airport consistent source of water - business park led the way. water that could be taken from Commercial businesses helped holding ponds or existing ditches create the park, according to nearby. Bednarek, so he dedded to Wastewater from the approach other businesses for treatment facility could not be 18. R U R ALL I V IN G • FA L L 1998 by Darron Birchmeier Seed and sod studies were moving it, Rogers explained. Research is currently he next time you step inside conducted, and Rogers and being done to make bigger plots, which would 7, a domed stadium to watch your favorite sporting event, you may notice something a little Sorochan served as consultants for the ground crew in Argentina. "All the research is for mean more weight, but fewer plots to move. Sorochan, a 1991 graduate of the two-year turf program at MSU,explained that more research is different on the field - real soccer stadiums," Rogers said. being done to increase the quality and quantity of grass! The new turf, as a result of "Teams will not play soccer on turf grown each day. extensive research done by the artificial turf - it's too harsh on "Recycled car tires are being used as a base to Department of Crop and Soil the players." start new plots and new wetting agents are being Sciences at Michigan State Currently, the MSUresearch- researched," Sorochan said. "Net lawns, where a University (MSU) would reduce ers are completing their data net is used to keep the soil together better, is also athletic injury caused by artificial collection and evaluation, and being researched." turf, and allow for a healthier will soon be sending it on to the Students conduct research in a domed stadium look to fields. ground crews in Argentina for located on the comer of Mount Hope and Fann Dr. John Rogers, associate them to begin planting the best Lane on the campus of MSU. The 70-foot by 50-foot professor of turfgrass science, turf to be used in the stadiums. dome holds approximately 100, 4-foot by 4-foot worked extensively on the turf The turf is grown in boxes, each conducting a different experiment on project that was used for two hexagon modules that weigh turfgrass. Turf students are responsible for mowing weeks in the Pontiac Silverdome nearly 3,000 pounds. One of the and data collection and serve as research aides to for the Worl4 Cup Soccer biggest challenges with the turf is professors. RL Championships in 1994. He also worked on the turf that was used Salads tempting America's taste buds for the U.S. Soccer Cup Champi- \The National Restaurant Association (NRA) says salads are becoming the meal of onships in 1993. ~choice when Americans sit down for meals out. Salads made with chicken, beef, "It became my life for a seafood, fruit and vegetables and topped with exotic dressings have become a couple years," Rogers said. "We popular way for Americans to add more fruits and vegetables to their diets. keep trying to find the best turf "More and more Americans are ordering salads as a main course, and the that has the minimum amount of restaurant industry is meeting that growing demand," said Joseph Fassler, NRA inputs to keep it alive." chainnan. NRA-sponsored research shows women are more likely than men to Rogers explained the biggest order main-dish salads, and more than half of the salads included beef, lamb, pork, challenge in keeping turf alive chicken, finfish and shellfish. Chicken and shellfish were the most popular additives indoors is the amount of light to salads. needed. For turf, 15 to 30 percent According to the Agriculture Department, Americans consume 40 percent more light is needed to keep the turf grain products and 20 percent more fruits and vegetables than they did in 1970. RL alive, and places like the Silverdome allow about 6 percent. "Real turf inside the Silverdome is not an option," Rogers noted. "With most domes, real turf isn't an option unless a new roof is designed and installed so more light gets on the turf." Research is not focused Name _ strictly on uses in the United States, however. Rogers and SPARE TIME MAGAZINE Address. _ 5810 W. Oklahoma Avenue graduate assistant John Sorochan Dept. R1098 City/State. _ have done thorough research on Milwaukee, WI 53219 finding the right turf to be used PH: (414) 543-8110 FX:(414) 543-9767 Zip P,hone ( ) _ in a domed stadium in Argentina . •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU. 19 / Be careful with space heaters n "f hen the winter turns nasty and " Y\I' cold, human beings seek warmth. For many, that wannth may be provided by a space heater. Hobbyists and car buffs use space heaters so they can work in the garage in the winter. Some families use space heaters to warm a room addition, a cabin or a mobile home. Some people burn kerosene heaters to keep the gas bill down; others, because the gas has been cut off. Unfortunately, these may be the people least likely to be able to afford the newer, safer heaters according to Cheryl Krysiak of the Michigan State University Extension service . . Three types of dangers need to be considered when you are using space heaters: The heater may start a fire. The heater may spark an explosion. The heater may make the indoor air unsafe, either by using up the , oxygen in the room or by giving off a toxic gas. What should you do? The best thing you can do is NOT use space \T he Miracle of Ufe exhibit, sponsored by Michigan Farm Bureau, Blue Cross heaters. The next best thing is to buy lr Blue Shield of Michigan and MSU'sCollege of Veterinary Medicine, taught a new space heater, preferably an and entertained many visitors during the Michigan State Fair, Aug. 25-Sept. 7. electric one, that carries the UL More than 448 births of piglets, calves, lambs and chicks were witnessed by symbol, showing it is approved by people of all ages and backgrounds. Underwriter Laboratories. Then take Farm Bureau members assisted with the two-week exhibit, marking the fifth every precaution. Avoid fire year the booth has been set up at the state fair. R L Anyspace heater, gas or electric, can set furniture, blankets or curtains on fire if it is close enough to raise the temperature of the item to its Wet ignition point. Because heaters Basement? HERITAGE BUILDING SYSTEMS usually run for many hours, the heat 800-643-5555 has a long time to build up. Also, 30" 50 " 10 $5.28U :10 " 00 " 10 .0 " 60" 12 $8.396 $8.322 children or careless adults may throw ?:lreMasters Slrop 50 " 00 " 10 60 " 75 " 10 100 x 200" Commercial I.-M J sleel buildings $ 13.023 $ 13.040 $50.082 featuring easy boll-UP a!lS4.'mbly off blankets or drop clothing near or touching the space heater. from Amerlca's larltesl dlslrlbulor. We have o\'er' 10.000 P.O. Box 537 • Atlanta, MI 49709 smndard sizes of Shol'. farm. lndusrrla •• commercial mini-warehouse buildings. All are coml""le and with engineer Recommendations: Keep any 517-785-3071 siamped ramy. pcrmlt drdwlng. ... 20 year roof Cull us luday for a fr .... Inlonnallon and wall ruSI war- package and a space heater at least three feet quole on our lOp QuaU.), bulldlng.'i or bulldlnlt componem or 888-785-3071 pans. from any combustible material. Keep a close eye on it. Do not use Authorized Installer one in a room with young, mobile Basement De-Watering Systems™ children. R L 20 • R U R ALL I V I N G • F ALL 1 9 9 8 Abandoned wells cause problelDs lor farlDers and hOlDeowners by Carrie Merchant complete a well survey. trapped in a backyard Texas boy is playing with his dog Customer records dated back to well for days; the well was only 8 inches wide. Old 071 on a sunny afternoon when suddenly the dog lets out a frightened yelp and disappears. The dog has fallen into an 1959 were used to find the number of wells in the town- ship. While the numbers did not include abandoned farms, wells are sometimes used for illegal dumping of waste. Chemicals and other contaminants sink deep into drinking water aquifers. Farmers have found many abandoned wells on abandoned well only 8 inches 2,836 home sites were found to their land. They can prove to be dangerous to those wide and is trapped there. The have abandoned wells. If more working on the fields. Farmers also have to be extra number of abandoned wells is communities would careful when using pesticides or other chemicals on increasing, creating problems for complete surveys such their fields. homeowners and farmers as this, the old wells So what is to be done to help the problem? nationwide. could be found and Homeowners can help by finding the location and The exact number of taken care of. number of abandoned wells on their property. The abandoned wells in the United Abandoned abandoned wells must be filled their entire length States is not known; however, it wells are extremely with concrete or clay to be properly sealed. The is approximately 2 million, dangerous for state suggests hiring a well driller to do the job. If maybe more. While no studies several reasons. the location of old wells is not known, check with have been done to find the exact Children and pets the local health department, the Department of number of wells, Michigan has can fall into them. Environmental Quality's Geological Survey more private wells in use than In the 1980s, Division and real estate records such as land any other state - 1.3 million, "Baby Jessica" was surveys or title searches. For more information according to the Department of on abandoned wells and how to seal them, Environmental Quality. The contact your local health department or call highest concentration of these the Abandoned Well Management old wells is in urban and Program, Michigan Depart- suburban areas and it is likely ment of Environmental that Michigan has the most Quality at abandoned wells. (517) 335-9322. RL Ingham County,Meridian Township has been the first to Who can I contact for information and assistance? • Your local health deparnnent ---- • Licensed well-drilling contractors (in the Yellow IALL STEa BUILDING I Pages under Water Well • Add comfort and Drilling and Service) beauty to your • The Michigan Well Drillers church pews Association at Red Iron • I Beam • Bolt Together • On-site installation (313) 428-0020 ppe-Englneel'ed WItlIlt1Jmped Dl'1Jwlngs • Your local Soil Conserva- 30 X 40 x 10 = 4280 • i5-year warranty tion District office 40 x 80 x 10 = 8880 • The Michigan Department 50 x 100 x 12 = 11,740 • Stays in place ... will not slip or slide of Public Health Well ALL SIZES AVAILABLE like a loose cushion Construction Unit at 800-606-8424 (517) 335-9183 ExT. 101 MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU -21 Producers nndlng new U888 lop soybeans by Darron Birchmeier prototype plastic door made with holding plywood and particle board together. An (() ick up a newspaper today soy oil," Reinholt said. "The door advantage of using soy proteins is that wood can be :..c; and you'lllikely notice a replaced the fiberglass door, glued together whUestill green, thus avoiding the little box saying, "printed with made with petroleum products, need to dry it first. soy ink." What many people and is used to protect the user "New uses in the food industry is very positive don't realize, however, is that from moving parts." Soyproteins because people want to eat healthy, and are willing printing newspapers with the ink have been used in adhesives for to pay for it," Reinholt noted RL is the tip of the iceberg and, unlike the Titanic, many new soy uses and ideas will never sink. Avery small portion of the soybean harvest is being used for new and innovative uses, HOME LOANS THE WAY You according to Keith Reinbolt, of the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee. He said animals consume 95 percent of the soybean meal, and 85 percent of the oil is used for food, leaving little to other uses. WANT THEM. The Thumb Oilseed Producers' Cooperative, a new, fanner-owned venture to be based in Ubly,bas been working on new uses for the oil they plan to produce as a by-product to soybean meal. "Products with the most potential include solvents, plywood adhesive and soy ink," noted Reinbolt. "But many people don't realize that there are many more uses." Train tracks are constantly oiled for railcars to roll on. A petroleum-based oil bas been Whether you're looking to build, buy or refinance the used for many years, but now soy home of your dreams, FCS Mortgage can provide you oil is being looked into - a with more financing options than any other lender in the product that would be cleaner to area. Our competitive rates and fast, friendly service have use and better for the environ- ment. Lubricants for irrigation made us a leader in the industry for over 25 years. systems and crankcase oil for cars have also been studied and HOME SITE FINANCING • HOME MORTGAGES used on a trial basis. HOME CONSTRUCTION LOANS • REFINANCING Hand and sun-block lotions are starting to use soy oil in their products. Hand cleaners and parts degreasers contain soy oil, ... FCS Mortgage as well. Q The country living specialists. John Deere has also found a use for soy oil. 1-800-444-3276 FCS Mongage is a division of Farm Credit Services "Approximately25 round balers are currently using a 22 • R U R ALL I V I N G • F ALL 1 9 9 8 spring of 1996, we had a record Not unlike any other die-off from the cold and bare specialty crop, mint's market winter," lITer said. "More than value has had its ups and downs. half our spearmint was dead and The mint industry has moved to a the rest was beat up pretty bad. greater level of contract produc- Marilyn and Tom lrrer, of St. Johns, are the largest mint farmers in Michigan. They are expecting a good harvest this year. Because mint is a perennial tion. The problems in Asia have crop, it wasn't just a one-year stopped the 7 percent yearly loss for those fanners. Farmers climb. "Mint has cycles like all by Jennifer Vincent crops, but I think I've done dig and plant stolons from ravelers passing through St.Johns and other existing plants. "We plant our better raising a specialty crop 'r portions of Clinton County will smell some- thing a little different in the air. It's light, fresh and pleasant - it's mint. Although small when compared with other own root stock on the farm," lITer said. "We use about five tons per acre, so it's quite prohibitive to have it hauled in. than general crops." Mint oil is stored in glands on the underside of the mint leaves and is harvested in mid- agricultural commodities in terms of acreage and What it requires is good June to late September, depend- number of farmers, consumers would certainly planning. Severe weather and a ing on the crop and the growing take notice if just a handful of these mint oil loss of more than half your crop region. producers opted out of the business. is something you really can't lITer started doing a second Michigan is one of only eight states in the plan for." cutting of spearmint in 1991. It country producing spearmint and peppermint. Tom Developing new commercial has proven to be an effective lITer has the claim as Michigan's largest mint varieties more resistant to method for gaining more during fanner with 450 acres of spearmint and 150 acres disease, more tolerant to climate the short, three-month season. of peppermint surrounding.his Bengal Township variations and with better This year, the first cutting was the home in Clinton County. resistance to certain pests, is a second week of July. The second Specialty crops are always a gamble, but this major goal of the Mint Industry crop will be harvested around year's wager looks to be paying off for lITer and Research Council (MIRC). Irrer, Aug. 20. Peppermint harvest other mint producers. The warming rays of early a Farm Bureau member and past started the first of August. spring and the heat of this year's summer have Clinton County Farm Bureau Cut mint is left to dry in the been ideal for the mint plant.' president, is Michigan's repre- field for at least a day and then It hasn't always been this good, lITer pointed sentative for MIRC,which chopped and blown into a mint out. Verticillium wilt, mint rust, powdery mildew devotes more than half of its tub. The tubs are then brought and the mint beetle pose constant threats. Severe annual research budget to into the distillery, where steam winter weather can also wipe out a crop. "In the varietal improvement projects. pressurizes and then vaporizes In total, lITer and his wife, the mint oil. Once extracted, Mint facts Marilyn, farm about 1,000 condensers return it to a liquid • Ninety percent of mint oil produced in the acres, of which about half is state and the oil is separated United States is used in just two categories rented. He includes com and from the water and filled in 55- of consumer products - toothpaste and gallon drums. Mint drums are soybeans as rotational crops. chewing gum. lITer bought out his father currently selling for about • Mint oil is one of the last all-natural flavorings yet to be synthetically duplicated. several years ago. "When the $5,000 each. Because of its extreme complexity, an sugar beet industry left mid- lITer says a few years back artificial mint flavor for commercial use has Michigan, we (lrrer family) he took a look around Michigan never been successfully produced. experimented with mint," he and realized he was the largest • A little does go a long way when you're said. "We got our first still mint farmer. "At that point I talking mint. One drum of mint oil, around 1953. Before that, we thought, I'd better be doing a weighing about 400 pounds, can flavor more than 5 million sticks of chewing gum used the neighbor's still for a good job of it," he said. R L or 400,000 tubes of toothpaste. number of years." M I CHI G A N FAR M 8 U REA U • 23 It's 15 years from now. You've retired. What do you do now? Enioy the best years of your life cA: with a lifetime retirement income from Farm Bureau Life. @ A deferred annuity from Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company of Michigan guarantees you a retirement income you can't outlive. But don't wait until retirement to enioy the benefits of your annuity. The good things start right away: • Compeffffve interest rates • A guaranteed minimum interest rate • Tax-deferred growth • Guaranteed safety of your funds • Theprotection of Farm Bureau Life, rated one of the 50 most outstanding life insurers in America So make that call today to your Farm Bureau Insurance agent. It's not who you call alter retirement, it's who you call . BEFORE that makes the dillerence. ~ MAKING YOUR FUTURE MORE PREDICTABLE 'II_@ ___ FARM BUREAU MUTUAL' FARM BURE.AU INSURANCE. FARM BUREAU www.farmbureauinsurance-mi.com LIFE' FARM BUREAU GENERAL Not intended as tax advice. Consult your personal tax consultant for information on your particular situation. For additional product benefits and limitations, contact your Farm Bureau Insurance agent. Michigan Fann Bureau Rural Living Magazine Post Office Box 30960 7373 West Saginaw Highway Lansing, Michigan 48909-8460