The story of ofte smart fann Bureau member who knows a good health care plBftBftdsticks with it. "WHAT DO YOU "WITH BLUE CROSSI "WOULD "NO WAY. LIKE MOST ABOUT BLUE SHIELD YOU YOU CONSIDER I DON'T THINK ANY BLUE CROSSI JUST SHOW THAT CARD ANOTHER COMMERCIAL CARRIER CAN BLUE SHIELD?" AND THERE'S NOT CARRIER?" COMPARE WITH ANOTHER QUESTION:' BLUE CROSSIBLUE SHIELD:' Mrs. Ruth JOMson, Marketing Manager of R & R Farms in Blue Cross Grand Rapids, keeps well informed about the progress Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan is making in the area of i; ~ BI~eShield of MIChigan cost containment. She knows they save her money, and she • ~ . wouldn't consider another carrier. It's good to belong. ' Blue Cross/Blue Shield offers a wide range of benefits that are good for business. Whether your business is located in a small town or a large city, we can design a program to fityour needs. Call a Blue Cross/Blue Shield representative collect at (313) 225-0022. "I don't think any commercial carrier can compare with Blue Cross/ Blue Shield:' Mrs. Ruth Johnson Marketing Manager R&RFarms Grand Rapids. Michigan December 1981 Volume 60. Number 12 IN THIS ISSUE 10 Farm Bureau Helps Save Family Farm Tradition Thumb area farm family holds on to farmland thanks to special estate tax valuation. 12 Show Them You'Care Farm operators respond to animal rights challenge with education effort. 21 New Meaning to Farm Partnership Farm women seek to be partners in Farm Bureau. 24 Dick Tracy: Crime Fighting in the Country Nation's best known fictional detective promotes Operation Identification. IN EVERY ISSUE 4 Rural Route 5 Donna AND ASI-< YOU~ FARM SU~EAU O~ L.OCAL. LAW ENFORceMeNT AGENCIES 6 Lansing Review FOR INFORMATION ABOUT OPERATION IDENTIFICATION. 8 Washington Report ) \. 16 County Newsletter 26 Discussion Topic 28 Agrinomic Update 30 Market Place Michigan Farm News RURAL LIVING (ISSN 0026-2161) Michigan Farm News Rural living Ispublished monthly. on the firstday. by the Michigan Farm Bureau Information and Public Relations Division. Publication and editorial offices at 7373 West Saginaw Highway. Lansing. Mich. 48909. Post Office Box 30960; telephone. Lansing 517-323-7000. Extension 508. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE: $1.50 per year to members. included in annual dues. $3.00 per year non-members in Michigan. $5.00 per year non-members out of state. Publicallon No. 345040. Established Jan. 13. 1923 as Michigan Farm News. name changed to Michigan Farm News Rural Living Dec. 1. 1981. Second-class postage paid at Lansing. Michigan and at additional mail- Ing offices. EDITORIAL: Connie Turbin. Editor: Marcia Ditchie. Associate Editor and Business Manager: Donna Wilber. Contribullng Editor: Cathy Kirvan. Copy Editor. OFFICERS: Michigan Farm Bureau: President. Elton R. Smith. Caledonia: Vice President. Jack Laurie. Cass City; Administrative Director. Robert Braden. Lansing: Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer. Max D. Dean: Secretary. William S. Wilkinson DIRECTORS: District 1. Arthur Bailey. Schoolcraft: District 2. Lowell Eisenmann. Blissfield: District 3. James Sayre. Belleville: District 4. Elton R. Smith. Caledonia: District 5. William Spike. Owosso: District 6. Jack Laurie. Cass City: District 7. Robert Rider. Hart: District 8. Lyle LeCronier. Freeland: District 9. Donald Nugent. Frankfort: District 10. Margaret Kartes. West Branch: District 11. Herman Robere. Fayette DIRECTORS AT LARGE: Dave Conklin. Corunna:' MictiaerPridgeo'n. Montgomery: Robert Rottier. Fremont FARM BUREAU WOMEN: Vivian Lott. Mason FARM BUREAU YOUNG FARMERS: Janis Sanford. Parma POSTMASTER: In using form 3579. mall to: Michigan Farm News Rural living. P.O. Box 30960. 7373 West Saginaw Highway. Lansing. Mich. 48909. Rural Route Farm Bureau and Agriculture Taking Inventory of 1981 When we close the books for 1981, . But 'a definite plus to that 1981 will it be recorded as a bad year for ag- challenge was the drawing together of riculture - or will the year-end inven- various segments of the agricultural in- tory show we had more positives than dustry to calmly and cooperatively negatives? One thing is certain: it develop a positive approach to the won't be one of those years that slip in- issue. to history unnoticed. These are but a few of the major We opened 1981 still under the issues that challenged farmers during shadow of the Soviet grain embargo, 1981, many of which will follow us in- that economic and diplomatic disaster to the new year. Did our inventory that cost American farmers billions of sheets balance? The answer to that dollars and damaged their reputation question lies ultimately with each in- as reliable suppliers in the world market. dividual in terms of how he or she was To balance that negative, we saw a impacted by those challenges. lifting of the embargo and, hopefully, Certainly, when you evaluate the a lasting realization that such action involvement and positive impact Farm was totally ineffective and should not Bureau members had on these issues, be used in the future, except for na- the scale shows the pluses far out- tional security reasons when we're in weighing the minuses. There isn't one actual conflict with another country. governor outline proposals that farmers of these 1981 inventory items listed Here in Michigan, the year 1981 had identified as needed reforms in that hasn't seen Farm Bureau in the opened with our state suffering from the workers' compensation system to forefront, leading the battle - some- "economic pneumonia," and we saw allow Michigan agriculture to be com- times against overwhelming odds - to programs vital to agriculture take a petitive with other states. protect the best interests of farmers. disproportionate share of the budget On our farms, we were paying the That makes me very proud and cuts. price for years of free-spending politi- confident, too, that our policies, which But on the positive side of the cians who promoted 'a continuously are being formulated as you read this, ledger, we witnessed a growing rising tide of insidious, destructive in- will provide us with the firm founda- recognition of agriculture as the state's flation. tion for action, for whatever 1982 number-one industry and a commit- But on the positive side, we saw a might bring. ment by influential opinion leaders to ray of hope with a new administration I look forward to "Rural Route" be- assure its expansion. A Right to Farm in Washington, D.C., that had il- ing an ongoing dialogue between you law was passed and an unprecedented lustrated its commitment to put the na- and me. Let me hear from you. Governor's Conference on Agriculture tion back on the road to economic was called to design a plan to develop recovery through fiscal. responsibility - Michigan's food and fiber capabilities spending cuts, tax cuts, less govern- to their fullest. ment regulation and a stable monetary President Even as we cheered the plans for policy. Michigan Farm Bureau expansion of Michigan's agricultural We saw a potentially dangerous, industry. we faced the fact that the radical animal rights movement play If you have a question or Qpinion state's exorbitant workers' compensa- on the emotions of the general public that you would like to share in Rural tion costs would be a deterrent to at- and school children to humanize ani- Route, send it to Rural Living tracting agribusinesses. mals and build support for vegetarian- Magazine, P. O. Box 30960, On the positive side. we heard the ism. Lansing, Mich. 48909. 4 RURAL LIVING. DECEMBER 1981 Donna ~ SOME THINGS r.o The Twain Have Met And It Is You , NEVER CHANGE... ~ Season's greetings, readers, and welcome to the first issue of Rural Living. If you're among the "old faithful" who held our hands during the birthing pr~ess, go on in and check out the new baby while I chat with our new readers. Whether you're new because you just joined the organiza- tion, or new because, up to now, the only communication from the Farm Bureau you've read is your premium notice - you deserve a little orientation the others don't need. You've heard a lot this past year about agriculture being Michigan's number-one industry. Well, the Michigan Farm Bureau is the number-one voice for that number-one in- dustry. We're proud to be a part of that voice and we hope this' change in the format of our member-publication make it even stronger. will A GOODFRIEND. Farm Bureau has been serving rural Michigan since 1919. Congratulations, Farm Bureau members, on your new publication, Rural Living. Back then, rural Michigan was made up mostly of full-time farmers. Then, as our front cover depicts, railroads brought industry and businesses to serve the farmer and soon there was a community, a rural town. Different characters, perhaps, but with roots firmly implanted in the soil. As the towns grew, so did a more devisive line between MICHIGAN MilK PROOUCERS ASSOCIATION town and country. Seldom did the twain meet, except on ~ Saturdays when the country folks came to town - mom and pop to shop and the kids to attend the afternoon matinee. Would you believe I grew up hating homemade bread be- cause it told the world I was country? Store-bought bread was a status symbol and you could tell who was country and who was town by your sandwich. You could also tell the town kids from the farm kids by the way they dressed, talked and walked. That was before it was cool to be country. In the 30s a lot of those country kids left the farms to seek a better \.Yayof life in the cities. A few left, temporarily, to go to college and learn how to be better farmers, and then return to carve out that good way of life back on their home farms. A few decades later, we began to see another kind of ex- odus - this time of people moving from the cities to the country - they, too, in search of the good life. So, not only has rural Michigan experienced a changing scene, it has a new set of characters. It's no longer made up exclusively of those involved in commercial agriculture. It's also part-time farmers with off-the-farm jobs, or just rural residents whose closest ties to agriculture are the farms next door. And this new community shares the same schools, the same roads, the same hopes and dreams. This new community also has found a common ground in Farm Bureau whether it be for services, philosophy, oppor- tunities for grassroots problem-solving, personal growth op- portunities, or just being a part of an organization that has strong influence on decision-makers. You'll see examples of these in the following pages as we review the past year, and we hope reading them will rein- force and expand your reasons for being a part of this dynamic organization. We hope, too, that Rural Living wiJI become one of those reasons. RURAL LIVING. DECEMBER 1981 5 Lansing Review Agricultural Impact Statement - will include: elimination of all 105 com- Livestock Branding - H.B. 4042, S.B. 261, sponsored by Sen. Arthur- modity grants; cutting county fair pre- sponsored by Rep. Fitzpatrick, pro- holz, requires filing of an "agricultural miums in half; eliminating custom meat vides for state registration of branding impact statement" whenever a project inspection; cutting $125,000 out of the for livestock. Currently county clerks involves state funds and impacts five $300,000 budget of the livestock diag- may register a brand upon request. or more acres in a defined essential nostic center. The MSU Extension Ser- However, the information is only agricultural land area. The bill includes vice and Agricultural Experiment Sta- available during working hours, five an amendment suggested by Farm tion were cut a total of $700,000. days a week. For law enforcement Bureau, but more amendments are agencies to effectively utilize brands needed to bring it in line with Farm and to have a substantial deterrent to Bureau policy. Agricultural assessments - The at- livestock larcency, the brand informa- torney general has ruled that H. B. tion must be available 24 hours a day. Income Tax for Schools - H. B. 4596, requiring agricultural property H.B. 4042 would provide that anyone 5190 and H.B. 5191, sponsored by to be assessed based on the value of choosing to brand would be required Rep. Dan DeGrow, would permit a cash rent for the land, would be un- to register the brand with the secretary school district, by vote of the people, constitutional. The attorney general of state's office. A $25 fee for a five- to levy an income tax for school pur- also ruled that a tax limit on each class year registration would be required. poses in place of a property tax vote. of property would be unconstitutional. Farm Bureau policy suggests the con- The opinions were based on the "uni- cept of an income tax as an alternative formity clause" in the constitution. Vitamin A in Milk - H.B. 4621 pass- local tax for schools. A limit, such as 1 Farm Bureau has pointed this out all ed both Houses last year, but in differ- percent, should be set. along and succeeded in putting lan- ent forms. Farm Bureau opposed the guage in two of the recent constitu- legislation, but then offered amend- tional proposals to permit the assess- ments to lessen its impact. The legisla- Subdivision Control Act - The De- ment of farmland based on its use for tion would eliminate the requirement partment of Commerce has appointed that purpose. that Vitamin A be returned to skim a representative from Farm Bureau to and lowfat milk. Farm Bureau amend- a special committee to review the pres- ments, however, require distinctive ent law. One of the many problems is Land Preservation - The proposals labeling to advise that the milk should the effect of the present provision per- by Rep. Dodak to authorize Soil Con- not be given to infants. A conference mitting the sale. of parcels of over 10 servation Districts to purchase farm- report, which has been agreed to by acres to avoid the act. This, however, land development rights are now in bill both Houses, now requires that in- has resulted in the unnecessary loss of form. The bills would require the stead of the labeling being on the bot- farmland, among other problems. county to change its zoned land iden- tle that there should be a large sign in tified as essential farmland in the coun- the place of sale indicating that such Agriroltural Bankruptcy and Prompt ty for agricultural use only and would milk products do not meet federal re- Payment - Sen. Hertel's bills are allow Soil Conservation Districts to quirements and do not have Vitamin making progress. S.B. 110 which in- buy farms and retain the development A added and should not be given to creases the bond requirements for rights once the" farms are resold for infants. potato dealers, and S.B. 112, which agricultural purposes. These are very amends the Grain Dealers Act, passed comprehensive. and far-reaching bills the Senate and are being considered and will need to be studied very care- Deer Shining - H.B. 4270, sponsored by the House Ag Committee. S.B. fully. Farm Bureau's position will be by Rep. Spaniola, amends the Game 111 and S.B. 338 are still on the based on delegate action at the 1981 Law and would limit shining of deer Senate floor. Amendments have been MFB annual meetinq. from midnight to 6 a.m. The bill has worked out that should eliminate passed the House and is under con- some opposition. S.B. 113, on fruits sideration on the Senate floor. A Farm Malicious Destruction - H.B. 5042 Bureau-sponsored amendment would and vegetables, is still on the Senate provides for suspension of driver's move the time to 11 p.m. from mid- floor. Amendments are also being license for malicious destruction. of night. Farm Bureau policy calls for a considered. Opposition has been property. This is a clean-up bill from total ban on deer shining. In addition, heavy on this bill. last year. Two bills were submitted last H.B. 4670, sponsored by Rep. Nash, year to provide for restitution and loss amends the penal code and prohibits Budget - The 1981-82 budget, in ef- of driver's license for what is common- shining of residences, buildings and fect less than two months, is in deep ly referred to as "turfing." The use of livestock. This would be a meaningful trouble with a $270 million cut as re- motor vehicles to maliCiously destroy addition to the law. A combination of quired by law to balance the budget. property including crops is a problem. the two bills would limit shining The Legislature accepted the gover- One of the bills passed last year pro- substantially. Currently, shining is pro- nor's recommendation. The MDA's vides for restitution. Farm Bureau sup- hibited under Game Law only if a budget was cut $4 million. Such cuts ports H.B. 5042. firearm is in the motor vehicle. 6 RURAL LIVING. DECEMBER 1981 State Construction Code - A few overwhelmingly opposed more state T .B. Testing - H. B. 5004, sponsored years ago when a bill creating a state controls and regulations. by Rep. Muxlow, eliminates T.B. construction code was passed, Farm The state study committee met on testing on sales of cattle within the Bureau succeeded in exempting farm Nov. 10, considered Farm Bureau's state. However, any cattle moving into buildings from state inspection. Local survey results along with the pro- the state would still be required to government was given two years to ponents' arguments for state control have T.B. tests and the Michigan De- either comply with the state code or and finally voted 3-2 to recommend partment of Agriculture would con- _adopt one of the two nationally recog- that the exemption of farm buildings in tinue to monitor for T. B. at the nized codes. As a result, some county the State Construction Code be con- slaughterhouse. According to MOA, codes or local ordinances affect farm tinued. The committee urged that no T.B. has been surfaced using this buildings. Farm Bureau, the Extension Service testing mechanism in the recent past. and others continue information pro- The cost of the T. B. test is borne by About one and a half years ago, the grams on building and electrical sys- the farmer and has been ineffective in Michigan Department of Labor ap- tem safety. identifying T.B. pointed a special five-member study committee to determine if agriculture's Christmas Trees - H.B. 5049, spon- exemption from the state code should sored by Rep. Alley, amends P.A. 116 be removed. Farm Bureau was repre- Bottle Bill - S.B. 62, sponsored by to include Christmas trees in the defi- sented on the committee. Sen. Monsma, amends the state Bottle nition of the law. Christmas tree farms Bill. It provides that a retailer does not have been included -in the definition of This issue was discussed in the have to receive any containers that are agriculture. The biJI has passed the March 1981 discussion topic in the contaminated with specific types of dirt House and is in the Senate Fores~y Michigan Farm News. A survey was and filth. In addition, a retailer would Committee. taken of members and community ac- not have to accept more than $25 tion groups; 25 percent favored bring- worth of returnables from one individ- Lansing Review is prepare,d ing farmers under the state code, but ual at any given time. The biIJ passed monthly by Robert E. Smith. 75 percent were opposed. Comments the Senate and is on the House floor. MFB Senior Legislative Counsel Our Salute to the on your new 'Real Thing' - publication for Farm Bureau members RURAL LIVING Voice of Michigan's largest farm organization from your friends at ... AMERICAN DAIRY ASSOCIATION OF MICHIGAN ~~ macma ~ Michigan Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Assn, RURAL LIVING, DECEMBER 1981 7 Washington Report Federal Budget Overruns Threaten to Stall Recovery Phase Despite the handwriting of special For business, a new system of prop- shrink the money being spent on dur- interest groups and mounting criticism erty depreciation, no longer tied to the able goods, such as automobiles. High from opponents of the administration's useful life concept, is expected to pro- interest rates will discourage invest- economic recovery program, Presi- vide important investment stimulus ment in the short run. dent Reagan and his policy supporters next year. However, while these factors will are forecasting an upturn in the U. S. For individuals, the combination of primarily affect .the auto industry and economy in 1982. uniform reductions across all individu- auto supply firms, the agricultural The recessionary signals currently al tax brackets, reductions in the top economy in the state will not be ex- evidenced in the economy and high rate of taxation applicable to dividends periencing such a critical slump. interest rates are signs that the and interest, reduction of the max- Higher interest rates, coupled with economy is in transition, say supply imum capital gains tax rate, and major the commodity price outlook will prob- side economists. It is, they say, the bit- changes in estate taxation will free up ably cause farmers to delay purchases ter medicine of the recovery phase major sources of additional funds for of equipment and postpone expansion which will ultimately cure the basic capital investment. plans for another year, but consumers sickness produced by past economic However, the effective date for will still buy food although demand policies - inflation. many of the changes and incentives is may shift to some cheaper goods. Unlike most economic policies of Jan. 1 with some provisions retroac- the past which promoted near term tive to various dates in 1981. prosperity as the expense of long term As previously mentioned, the re- calamity, the present administration's covery program is closely tied and in- policies have reversed the process. It is terdependent on stable monetary neither easy nor painless to reverse the policies, tax reductions for the private direction of an economy that has be- sector and spending reductions by the gun to deteriorate, say the supporters federal government. of supply side economics. Until the full scope of this three- During the recovery phase, the ad- phase recovery program is in effect, ministration will be battling to hold the economy will not show dramatic federal budget deficits down and to improvement. The recovery is expect- defend the tight money policy of the ed to be paced to non-inflationary Federal Reserve Board. responses in the private sector. At present, budget overruns threaten The good news is that the tight to prolong the recovery phase. Because monetary policies of the Federal Re- the recovery plan is closely tied to serve Board have slowed the demand reduced federal spending in combina- for money and have resulted in recent tion with a stable monetary policy and declines in the prime interest rate at Best wishes, reduced taxation, further efforts to some major U.S. banks. reduce federal spending will likely Farm , Bureau While the consumer economy is result. presently sluggish due to interest rate for your new Reagan and his supporters are levels, resultant increases in consumer publication, counting on the investment and sav- savings will mean increased spending RURAL LIVING. ings stimulus from tax reductions to for durable goods in time. boost the economy in 1982. From one-quarter In Michigan, where dependence on Instead of sending an ever increas- an industrial/manufacturing economy million Michigan • ing amount of the money earned by has taken its toll in higher unemploy- 4-H youth ... individuals to Washington for federal ment than the national average and Tomorrow's spending, a greater share will remain reduced revenues for state govern- in the private sector and individuals ment, the recovery will be slower. Greatest will decide for themselves how it will Effects of increased consumer sav- Resource. be spent. ings in the initial recovery phase will 8 RURAL LIVING. DECEMBER 1981 "Discovery '82," a personal growth conference will be incorporated with and management seminar for progres- "Discovery '82" on Feb. 2-3. Com- sive farm operators, sponsored by the modity committee members will have Michigan Farm Bureau, will be held at the opportunity to attend leadership the Hyatt Regency in Flint, Feb. 2-4. classes as well as their regular com- According to seminar coordinator modity sessions and are encouraged Donald Currey, the three-day session to stay for the entire conference. Focus on Marketing has been designed to enhance the "Although the seminar offers inten- Management Skills management and marketing skills of sive training on a broad variety of sub- top farmers, male or female, and is jects, it won't be all work and no play for Progressive open to both members and non- for participants," Currey says. "A casino members. and auction night is scheduled for Farm Operators Participants will have an opportunity Wednesday evening with plenty of ac- to enroll in several leadership classes tion, especially for those who have including how to market livestock, learned their risk and personal grains, dairy products and fruit and finances management lessons well." vegetables; risk management; tax law Cost of the seminar for Farm Bu- and tax management; personal fi- reau members is $150 (tax-deductible nance management; how to negoti- for farmers) and covers conference ate; interpersonal relations in farm fees and material, all meals and two partnerships; stress management; and nights' lodging (double occupancy). advanced marketing. Cost to non-members is $170, with a Speakers on economics, estate $20 rebate if the participant joins Farm planning, legal rights and responsi- Bureau during the seminar. bilities, and computers in agriculture For further information and registra- are also scheduled. A special comput- tion forms, contact Donald Currey, er product show will be held in con- Michigan Farm Bureau, P.O. Box junction with the seminar. 30960, Lansing, Mich. 48909; phone MFB's annual spring commodity 517 -323- 7000, ext. 532. From our A Sleighful of cherry tree to GOOD WISHES your cherry pie. for your new RURAL LIVING With love. magazine FromWilderness. MICHIGAN ANIMAL BREEDERS COOPERATIVE. INC. -Expanded A. I. Training Program -Tank fill service - Direct herd service -Tank and semen Insurance -Technician service - Herd evaluation -A.l. breeding supplies -Young sire sampling (PGA) -Animal health products - Heat synchronization assistance 2655 Forest Road - East Lansing, MI48823 Wilderness mods. Box 989. lraverse City Michigan 49684 Telephone 517 -351-3180 RURAL LIVING. DECEMBER 1981 9 Farm Bureau Helps Save Family Farm Tradition By Connie Turbin In addition, the appreciated value of the land over the years since the joint "When there's a death in the family, ownership had been established by the most people don't think of going to the parents meant that Jan and her sisters phone to call Farm Bureau, but after were faced with a substantial federal our experience, I believe that should tax liability. be the first call you make," says Tus- "When we visited the attorney after cola County Farm Bureau member my mother's death, he gave us an Wayne Hecht. estimate of what the tax on the proper- ty would be. I was just sick when we -left his office," Jan says. "It was a very difficult time. To be in a position to deal with these legal and tax Issues just when you are feeling the emotional loss of a loved one, is almost over- whelming. " The Hechts worried that to keep the family farm intact, they would have to go into debt or sell part of the farm to pay the tax. The Federal Estate and Gift Tax law in effect at the time of Jan's mother's death, taxed estates between 18 and 70 percent, depend- ing on the size of the estate. "We had never been through any- thing like this before. It was so dis- couraging. I kept thinking, 'there ought to be a law,'" says Wayne. "Thank goodness we attended the Farm Bureau district policy develop- ment meeting in our area that sum- mer. We learned there was a law and that Farm Bureau had been a strong He gives Michigan Farm Bureau full supporter of changes in both the credit for saving his wife Jan and her Michigan inheritance tax law and the two sisters thousands of dollars in Federal Estate and Gift Tax law that Michigan inheritance and federal could reduce or even eliminate the tax estate taxes after the death of their liability for farmland inheritance," he mother last year. says. After Jan's mother passed away in After the meeting, Wayne visited May 1980, she and her sisters became with Robert E. Smith, MFB's senior heirs to the 120-acre family farm lo- legislative counsel, and Robert Craig, cated near Vassar. The farm, intended manager of MFB's Commodity Activi- to be passed on to the daughters tax- ties and Research -Department, and free, had been deeded to the mother briefly described the situation. Wayne and each of the daughters as joint ten- told Craig that he and his wife had ants with full rights of survivorship. been working the family farm on a Under Michigan inheritance tax cash rent basis for the past nine years. laws, the property remained tax ex- Craig responded in a letter to the empt at the time of the mother's death Hechts a few weeks later outlining the because of the joint tenancy, however, procedures for establishing a special the Federal Estate and Gift Tax law valuation for farm real property as does not allow a tax exempt status for allowed in the Federal Estate and Gift joint ownership. Tax law. to RURAL LIVING. DECEMBER 1981 "Basically, I advised the Hechts of existing federal law that would allow them, or any legitimate farm operator, to seek a special valuation for the in- herited farmland. This special valua- tion can reduce the taxable value of the estate by basing the land value on its agricultural use, not its 'highest and best' potential value," Craig says. "In many cases, this special farm- land valuation will reduce the apprais- ed value of farmland by 50 percent. With this special farm valuation, it often brings the total value of the estate below the federal exemption level and completely eliminates any federal tax Hability for the heirs. How- ever, specific criteria must be met," he says. "From the information Wayne had given me, it appeared that the farm in- Wayne Hecht: "Jan's parent's farm is still producing an income for us and our heritance in this estate was a textbook children." The Hechts have three children, Christopher, 19 months, Heidi, 4, case. The land had been in active agri- and Martin, 10 (not pictured). cultural production for the past nine years. The farmland represented a ment Committee chairperson for 'the federal level," he advises. "As many major portion of the estate and there past two years, wrote and urged pass- farmers know, new changes in the was a demonstrated involvement in age of a 1981 county resolution com- estate law and tax rate schedules on the operation of the farm ... the joint mending the Farm Bureau organiza- inheritances will take effect next year. ownership, the family relationship to tion for "research activities and pro- The new exemption, for example, will the decedent .... Right down the line, motion of favorable estate tax legisla- be $225,000 in 1982 and will be in- the Hechts met the criteria of this sec- tion. " creasing every year thereafter to tion of the federal estate law," Craig The resolution continues: "In order $600,000 in 1987. Spouses are totally says. to realize the benefits of this legislation exempt and the special farmland valu- Now that they had the new informa- and research, it is essential that farm ation has been improved. tion from Farm Bureau, the Hechts families become informed. We urge "It is important, particularly for farm visited their attorney once again. Farm Bureau to continue to inform its families who wish to keep their proper- "He was glad to get this information members about estate tax law and cur- ty in agriculture from one generation and after he reviewed it he told us rent changes. We also encourage to the next, to review the effects of what documents and information we Farm Bureau members to look to these changes." had to get to seek the special farmland Michigan Farm Bureau as a source for Craig suggests that farm families valuation," Wayne says. "After that, inheritance tax information." who do not presently have an estate the rest of the pieces seemed to fall in- plan should contact a competent attor- "It was a rewarding experience to be to place. ney who can help them establish an able to share information about the "Jan and I are very grateful to Farm estate plan. federal estate tax provisions with the Bureau for the help they gave us and Additional information is available Hechts," Craig says. "Thanks to the her sisters. Thanks to the professional to Farm Bureau members who send work of Farm Bureau and Farm Bu- staff, like Bob Craig, our family saved for the 1980 Public Affairs Division reau members, couples like the Hechts a significant amount of, money. The report, "Michigan's Taxation of Farm will be able to continue a family farm- farm that Jan's parents farmed is still in Inheritances." To receive a copy of the ing tradition." the family and is producing an income research report, send a postcard with for us and our children. That's what Craig urges farm families to establish your name and address to: "Farm In- Jan's mother and dad wanted. Th~t's an estate plan and to review it periodi- .heritances, ~"Commodity Activities and what Farm Bureau helped to make cally to be- '~re that the plan is'' Up'" ' Research Dept., Michigan Farm Bu- possible. " dated, especially now that the Federal reau, P.O. Box 30960, Lansing, Hecht, who has been involved in Estate and Gift Tax law has been Mich. 48909. the county policy development pro- changed again. Another research report will be writ- cess for the past six years and has been "Stay knowledgeable and informed ten in 1982 to explain the new Federal 'Tuscola County FB Policy Develop- about estate laws at both the state and Estate and Gift Tax changes. 11 RURAL LIVING. ..DECEMBER 1981 SHOW THEM YOU CARE '..Farm Operators Respond to Animal Rights Challenge With Education Effort By Cathy J. Klrvan Butch Vliek, of Michigana Farms near Scotts, would rather show people the conditions in his veal barn than give animal rights advocates more publicity by debating the issue in public. One man, who had heard a rumor that the calves were hung by slings from the ceiling, visited Vliek's farm demanding to see the confinement conditions. "Of course we obliged and let him into the barns," Vliek says. "When he walked out he agreed that these calves weren't stressed and he admitted that there was no abuse." The Kalamazoo County Farm Bureau member be- lieves that the public has been misled about modern ani- mal agriculture by the animal rights movement which is becoming active throughout Michigan and the United States. "I don't think we need to go out and fight any particular group just to be able to produce our own livelihood," Vliek says. FB Takes Positive Approach Delegates to the Michigan Farm Bureau 62nd Annual Meeting, being held Dec. 1-4 in Grand Rapids, willconsi- der an animal care policy proposed by the MFB Policy Development Committee. The proposal commends MFB for steps it has already taken to address the animal rights issue and urges con- tinued "response to misleading charges made by animal rights activitists. The proposal, which if adopted will become Farm Bureau policy, urges members to continue to tell the story of modern agriculture through classroom presenta- tions and farm tours. Farm Bureau Women in Michigan are also being urged to address the animal rights issue. The state Women's Committee has made animal rights one of its emphasis projects for the 1981-82 program year. The American Farm Bureau Federation has responded to the animal rights movement by producing a film entitl- ed "Animal Welfare, The Farmers' Story." The film, in- tended for non-farm audiences, illustrates what modem animal agriculture is like. What Animal Rightists Seek In a copyrighted statement, Peter C. Lovenheim, gov- ernment relations counsel for The Humane Society of the United States, defines that organization's views on animal rights. "Gathered in national convention in October 1980, the membership of The Humane Society of the U.S. formally recognized that: . ".... ttiere is ample evidence and support for. the 12 RURAL LIVING. DECEMBER 1981 position that (animal) rights naturally pered compared to normal beef Ralph says he can find some good evolve from long-accepted doctrines calves," he says. coming from the animal rights move- of justice or fairness ... ; and Responding to charges by animal ment. '" ... there is no rational basis for rights advocates that veal calves raised "i'm sure the good Lord gave ani- maintaining a moral distinction be- in confinement are malnurished and mals to us with the intent that we re- tween the treatment of humans and under stress, Vliek says, "Calves take spect their rights and I think that's kind other animals.' to this feed (a milk replacer) very of written into the scriptures as He told "The convention resolved to: readily. If offered grain they take the us to take good care of them," Ralph '''pursue on all fronts ... the clear milk. That's their natural stimulus for says. "Therefore, it becomes a defini- articulation and establishment of the growth." tion of what is good animal care, good rights of all animals.' .. within the full animal husbandry." range of American life and culture. '" Others among the animal rights or- Can Animals Be Happy? ganizations are more radical in their Some animal rights advocates say beliefs. Some will not tolerate any type that all animals should be happy. of animal exploitation, experimenta- Vliek believes his veal calves are tion, farming, killing or other areas happy because they are healthy, non- where animals can benefit man. stressed and comfortable. However, very few organizations His 504 bull calves are housed in among the more than 20 national separate wood pens in a 44' x 288' groups advocating animal rights hold barn that is environmentally con- such radical views. trolled. Among the national organizations, He says the individual attention at least three have chapters in Michi- I each calf gets, the prompt treatment gan. There are about a dozen other for illnesses, the quality of the food, groups in the state involved in the the purity of the air, the cleanliness of animal rights movement. the barn, the soft lighting and even the Is Education the Answer? Vliek says calves under stress will go music piped into the barn contribute to Ingham County Farm Bureau mem- off milk, come down with pneumonia their happiness. ber and pork producer San'dy Gifford symptoms, or in cases where they are "These calves are not abused. attended a coalition meeting of these slightly stressed, not gain weight. They're confined in small areas but for groups in October at Washtenaw He believes animal rights advocates the performance (weight gain) that Community College. have their priorities misplaced. Vliek they demonstrate, you can tell that says the real abuses in animal care are they are relaxed and non-stressed," "I believe we need to take the wel- those caused by pet owners who leave Vliek says. farists very, very seriously, " Gifford dogs outdoors all day and night on The ratio of feed to weight gain in says, "but we should not lose our per- chains and by amateur farmers who his veal calves is 1.6 pounds of feed to spective nor let our emotions rule us raise cows for milk and meat and feed 1 pound of gain. For beef animals, the on this issue. It needs long, hard, cool- headed thought." and water them at their convenience. ratio is 8 pounds of feed to every 1 Gifford suggests programs in pound of gain. Good Comes From Questioning "The idea behind confinement feed- schools, which explain the philosophy Monroe County poultry producers ing is legitimate; it works. We are pro- and technologies of animal agricul- Ralph and Jean Setzler view the ani- ducing more efficiently, at a better cost ture, may be the answer to addressing the animal rights issue. mal rights movement as a challenge breakdown than you could in any they must face. other type of feeding operation," he "I'm afraid openly fighting them will only bring more publicity to their side," They give tours of their facilities says. from January through Easter and "Confinement feeding is the only she says. "The entire agriculture in- dustry needs to begin coordinating its many schools take advantage of this way that we know to produce this type efforts now. We should stress that we learning experience. of commodity. Basically, we're re- too are very concerned with animal "We work constantly to give a posi- sponding to supply and demand." welfare and cruelty to animals, only tive picture to the children who tour Vliek says part of the reason the our facilities on how well our chickens public is misinformed on animal agri- that our views differ somewhat." are cared for," Jean says. culture is that we are two generations .Priorities Misplaced _.' .. . '.'Really, the chickens toda~' are bet- removed from the farm. Veal producer Butch Vliek believes ter off than they were when we started "The kids today are basically raised that confrontation with animal rights in 1962. For one thing we've learned rural or urban with their parents not groups creates publicity that breeds how to feed them so they don't have getting their income from the farm," negative public opinion. so much fat," she says. "We were los- Vliek says. "In their minds, farm "Negative public opinion is the ing chickens when we first started be- animals are pets. And there's a big dif- problem. Confinement feeding is not a cause they had too much fat around ference between commodity animals problem to the calves. They are pam- their hearts." and pets." RURAL LIVING. DECEMBER 1981 13 The Man Behind. the Millions In his remarks at ceremonies an- The recent Foundation grant to nouncing a $10 million grant to Michi- MSU for the expansion of the Kellogg gan State University from the W. K. Biological Research State activities is Kellogg Foundation, Russell G. Maw- further reflection of Mawby's continu- by noted that the occasion marked ing interest and support of the eco- "another milestone in the enduring re- nomic future of agriculture in Michi- lationship" between these two institu- gan. tions in service to the agricultural com- The grant, he said, in making the munity. presentation to MSU President Cecil But the occasion also marked an- Mackey, is "a commitment to insure other high point in the career of agri- that the food producing sector of our cultural service for Russell G. Mawby. society has the knowledge and re- Mawby, who is president of the sources necessary to continue produc- board of trustees for the W. K. Kellogg ing high quality foods for the state and Foundation, has been a leading sup- nation at reasonable costs." porter of many of the state's most in- Mawby was instrumental in the de- novative programs supporting agricul- velopment of the Kellogg Foundation ture. grant which will fund research, teach- In recognition of his many personal ing and demonstration projects at the and professional contributions, the Kellogg Station. Meeting with univer- Michigan Farm Bureau will recognize sity officials, Mawby obtained neces- Mawby with the organization's Distin- Mawby receives Distinguished sary commitments and followed the guished Service to Agriculture award Service to Agriculture Award. grant development through the Foun- at the 1981 Michigan Farm Bureau dation's Agricultural Programs Office. annual meeting. sponsibilities in the Kellogg Founda- "Mr. Kellogg," Mawby notes, "saw Perhaps Mawby's most significant tion, ultimately becoming president in the importance of preserving the contribution to the strength of agricul- 1970. University staff who conducted natural environment and the value of ture in the state was his role as a plan- the program recall that Mawby met ner and later funding agency adminis- agriculture and the biological sciences with them each year to review the re- trator for the Kellogg Young Farmer to mankind. He supported the uni- ports and evaluations of the program Study Program. That program, which an d malO. t'alOe d a k een meres . t t' m th e versity's efforts in these areas back in operated from 1965 through 1973, of- M' h' . t d"1 ff rt' 1928, even before he started the foun- IC Igan pr.oJec an. slml aLe .0 s ..~n- ....oation. fered many of the state's now influen- Pennsylvania, Montana, California" .. tial agricultural leaders an opportunity and Washington state. No~, t~e worldWide r~putahon of for leadership training and experiences Mawby strongly believes in agricul- t~~ unlve.rslty. and t~e naho.nal. reco~- which would prepare them to be effec- ture as one of the state's two major mhon of Its ploneen~g st~dles I~ agn- tive in their leadership roles and be ar- economic growth areas and it is re- culture and the ?101?~lcal .sclenc~s ticulate spokespersons for their in- f1ected in what he has done in agricul- have more than Jushfled hiS confl- dustry. tural programs such as 4-H and Coop- dence." During the development and ulti- erative Extension. At the Kellogg Thanks to the tradition established mate implementation of the study pro- Foundation, the emphasis on agricul- by W. K. Kellogg, agriculture has gram, Mawby found himself in the tural programs has been a reflection of benefited through renewal and expan- unique position of being one of the Mawby's commitment to agriculture. sion of both its human and natural program's planners and then, in 1965. He is a farmer, often referring to resources. after leaving the university faculty to himself jokingly as a "subsistence With its top award, Michigan Farm join the Kellogg Foundation as agricul- farmer from Hickory Corners." He Bureau pays tribute to Russell Mawby, tural programs director, he became was raised on a farm in Western Mich- who exemplifies these strengths in the the funding agency administrator. igan and holds degrees in horticulture agricultural community. Russell Mawby followed the program very and agricultural economics from Mich- Mawby, too, has justified Kellogg's closely even as he moved to new re- igan State and Purdue universities. confidence in the future of agriculture. 14 RURAL LIVING. DECEMBER 1981 Front and Center Contributions to AgriPac - farm Bureau members can contribute to the Michigan Farm Bureau political action committee (AgriPac) at the time they pay their membership dues. Over 1,400 members have made 1982 contributions to the AgriPac fund using the check-off pro- cedure introduced this year. However, county secretaries who process membership dues are reporting that approximately one in four dues notices are returned with the contribution box checked, but without the dollar amount added to the membership dues. AgriPac secretary Al Almy says that apparently members wish to support AgriPac with a contribution, but do not realize that the contribution check-off does not and cannot come from membership dues money. Members who indicated they would like to make a contribution to the AgriPac fund, but who did not write in the amount of their contribution on the dues notice, may make a contribu- tion directly to AgriPac. Disaster Relief - As a result of torrential rains on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, Gov. Milliken had re- quested federal assistance for 18 counties affected by the rains. Milliken had asked President Reagan to provided emergency relief to help Michigan communities, businesses and individuals to cope with more than $200 million in damage. Requests for $4.9 million in damages to public property have been denied. The Small Business Administration has approved the SBA Disaster Declaration for the estimated $42.16 million to private property. No decision, however, will be made regarding Milliken's request for an Agricultural Disaster designation until fall harvest is completed and final figures are compiled. Initial loss figures for agricultural damage were placed at $161.4 million. 1981 Farm Bill - The House/Senate Conference Committee continues its work on the 1981 Farm Bill and it is expected that their report will be ready for congressional action the first or second week of December. Recent developments included adoption of a compromise plan that uses Farm Bureau's dairy concept of tying future support levels to CCC purchases of surplus dairy products. In fiscal 1982, the support level would remain at 70 percent of parity. At this writing, conferees agreed on major provisions for the wheat and feed grain programs. For wheat - minimum loan rate for 1982-85 of $3.55 bu.; target price of $4.05 bu. for 1982, to be adjusted upward through 1985 to reflect increases in cost of production, not to exceed 6 per- cent annuaHy. For feed grains, minimum loan rate for 1982-85 of $2.60 bu.; target price of $2.70 bu. for 1982, to be adjusted upward through 1985 to reflect increases in cost of produc- tion, not to exceed 6 percent annuaHy. October Farmers of the Week _ The Farmer of the Week Award, the local Soil Conservation District and Charles, is a lifelong Saginaw County sponsored by the Michigan Farm sings in a barbershop quartet. Farm Bureau member and a church Radio Network and Farm Bureau leader. Brabant farms 1,600 acres Insurance Group, recognizes Week of Oct. 12 - Harold with his son. He and his wife, Ellen, Michigan farmers for their contribu- Bahrman, 53, operates a 525-acre have three children. tions to the agriculture industry and dairy and potato farm near Skandia in the community. partnership with his four sons. He is a Week of Oct. 26 - Jay Landis, 37, township supervisor, president of the operates a 700-acre dairy and cash Week of Oct. 5 - LaVon Zelmer, Marquette MMPA Local, and Mar- crop farm near Homer. A member of 50, a fruit and grain grower from Niles quette County ASCS president. He the MFB Polley Development Com- has three children who all help in the and his wife, Arline, have seven mittee, Landis was a first runner-up in farming operation, Zelmer farms 425 children. the state in the Michigan Jaycees acres and grows grapes, apples, Outstanding Young Farmer competi- p~aches, corn, wheat and hogs. He Week of Oct. 19 - Edward Bra- tion. He and his wife, Barbara, have received a conservation award from bant, 65, a cash crop farmer from St. two children. RURAL LIVING, DECEMBER 1981 County Newsletter The county Farm Bureau newsletter Is published monthly by the Michigan Farm Bureau. P.O. Box 30960. Lansing. Mich. 48909. Subscription price to members. $1.25 p~r year. Included In the annual membership dues. U.P. Film Documentary ) An AFBF film documentary to be released early next year wUl focus in part on the hardwood forests of Michi- gan's Upper Peninsula. The documentary is designed to raise awareness among farmers and the public that timber is an agricultural crop which can be managed for profit. FB members Don Shirley, Robert Wahmhoff and Warren Suchovsky were Interviewed and filmed on their farms for the documentary. Additional footage is being filmed in Georgia and California. Shirley is a merpber of the AFBF Forestry Committee and serves as chairperson of the MFB Forestry Com- mittee. V.P. foresters, Warren Suchovsky and Don Shirley, discuss managing Michigan timber as an agricultural crop. Gratiot County Boosters Plan' Product Exhibit Gratiot County Farm Bureau mem- Cherryland Mall Goes Country bers will be introducing a first when they open their promotional exhibit at They didn't expect to be talking to and, of course, a crowd gathered to the 1981 Product Show sponsored by themselves when six county Farm Bu- cheer area disc jockeys competing in a the FBS/FPC cooperatives, Dec. 1 reaus set about organizing the second comical Pedal Tractor Relay. and 2. Cherryland Mall Agriculture Days ex- The event is held every other year at The Gratiot County exhibit wUl pro- hibit, Oct. 23, 24 and 25, but chair- the Cherryland Mall in Traverse City. mote agriculture in the county, its person for the event, Stella Otto of Participating in this year's event were leaders and agribusiness. It will also Antrim County, says that farm pro- Antrim, Northwest Michigan (Grand mark the first time that a county Farm ducers were interested, too, in the. Traverse and Leelanau), Benzie, Bureau has participated as an exhibi- over 30 exhibits on display. Wexford, Charlevoix and Missaukee tor in the Product Show. "Several farmers who visited the County Farm Bureaus. "The theme of the display will be booths remarked that specialization in Agriculture In Action," says Joanne their own commodity means that they DeVuyst, who is spearheading the become unfamiliar with the production project. problems and changing technologies According to DeVuyst, the exhibit in other farm commodities," she says. committee planned and produced a "Of course, our real audience was special slide-tape presentation on the non-farm public and the response agriculture in Gratiot County for the there was excellent. We were busy exhibit. Visitors to the exhibit will also throughout the display days, particu- be offered samples of bean dip do- larly on Saturday when the parking lot nated by the Michigan Bean Commis- of the mall was filled to capacity. sion. A county young farmer display "Visitors and merchants In the mall will also be featured. were amazed by the diversity of the The exhibit will be manned by mem- agriculture in this northern Michigan bers of the Gratiot County delegation. area. " Other members of the exhibit com- Demonstrations of country and tra- mittee for the Gratiot County promo- ditional crafts, such as spinning and tion are Doug and Sue Kostal and Roy weaving, were also popular. Kids en- Shankel. joyed the small animal petting zoo Gladwin County Farm Bureau Kicks-Off Membership Campaign Gladwin County Farm Bureau mem- agricultural persons to be interested in Member-to-Member bership workers met Oct. 28 at Odell's the Farm Bureau organization and its Restaurant in Gladwin to kick-off the member benefits. CITRUS 1982 membership campaign drive. The Work carried on by the Michigan membership team, which consists of township "captains" under the leader- Farm Bureau to assure effective pro- SALE grams for farmland preservation is an ship of campaign manager Bill Rhode has set a goal of 539 new and renewal indirect benefit to the non-farm mem- DELIVERY ber, Blake told the group. memberships in the county. December 7 - 11 Rhode, who is also an FBIG agent "Although the prospect may not be for the area, introduced special guests involved in production agriculture, Delivery date and place that person, like myself, sees that to be announced by keeping land in production is essential your County Farm Bureau. to maintaining food supplies for the world population," he said. Other benefits of a Farm Bureau membership offered by MFB and its affiliate companies, which are attrac- tive to both farm and non-farm pros- Farm Women Plan pects include insurance programs, in- Holiday Encore vestment opportunities, farm supply savings, and group purchasing pro- Farm Bureau Women in Tuscola grams such as Safemark tires and bat- County will be giving an encore holi- teries and member-to-member direct day performance at the Tuscola-Caro Membership team leader Bill marketing. Medical Care FacUity and the Senior Rhodes and county secretary, Ella Vallender, assembled cam- Also attending the meeting for Commons Center at Caro. paign packets for workers. membership workers was 66-year Just one year ago, the farm women Farm Bureau member Paul Lang of arranged to visit these two facilities for at the meeting: regional representative Beavert0n. Lang was an active mem- the elderly to deliver small Christmas Marcia Spink, and Michigan Farm Bu- ber of the Illinois Farm Bureau for 16 stockings and sing Christmas carols. reau staff member Cary Blake. years before moving to Michigan The program was so mutually popular Blake told the membership team where he continued his Farm Bureau that the group will be returning again that there are many reasons for non- involvement. on Dec. 7 for a repeat performance. "It will probably become an annual event for us," says Betty Laurie of Right to Farm Hearings Completed Cass City. Laurie credits Farm Bureau members, Donna Sting and Andrea Hofmeister, with the original idea, but says that arrangements and prepara- tions have been practically spontane- ous. There is no official committee in charge nor project chairperson, she says. "Everyone just pitches in with their particular talent and the event comes off beautifully." This year's Christmas stockings will be crocheted - 130 in all and the same group of talented farm women have crocheted a Christmas wreath which wllI hang in the lobby of the Senior Commons Center. Last year, .residents of the Com- mons received a cornhusk wreath that had been assembled during one of the women's monthly meetings. "While the meeting was going on, we just passed the wreath, " says During October and November, farmers representing the state's diversified Laurie. "Each woman helped to con- agriculture turned out at Right to, Farm polley hearings held statewide. MDA struct a section of the wreath as it was officials expect to receive summary reports of these hearings by December 5. passed to her." It all started in 1949. • • And we've been treating you special ever since Exclusive member benefits from Farm Bureau Insurance Group Back when Farm Bureau Insurance Group was founded in 1949, we offered only one product: low-cost auto insurance for Michigan Farm Bureau members. That was our first member benefit, and it was the start of something big. Today we offer many money-saving and innovative insurance programs exclusively for Farm Bureau members ... programs like: -Mutual Auto Insurance, providing complete coverage for your personal autos and farm trucks at competitive rates. - Farmowners Insurance from Farm Bureau Mutual, the state's largest farm insurer. We pioneered the first Farmowners policy in the nation in 1960 and have been improving coverages ever since. Effective Nov. 15, 1981, coverages were expanded 14 ways at no additional cost to policyholders. -Member Life Insurance, protecting your whole family for just $25 a year. - Agricultural Workers Compensation Insurance at rates 250'/0 lower than state standard rates. - Ag Work Comp Safety Group, a program that returns dividends to members if the group experiences a safe year with low work comp losses. In 1981, over $713,000 was returned to members, while over $1.6 million has been paid since 1972. - Accidental Death" Dismemberment Insurance, providing coverage in the event of accidental death or injury. -Guaranteed Arrest Bond, which guarantees bail for any member arrested for specific traffic violations. We've been specializing in protecting Michigan Farm Bureau members for over 31 years. It's that kind of knowledge and experience that makes us Michigan's largest farm insurer. 'We're working to make your future a little more predictable. FARM BUREAU ~ INSURANCE GROUP Agriculture's Response Defeats MI-OSHA Youth Employment Standards By Marda Ditchie standards were still in effect, a separ- ate set of state standards was unneces- sary. Rejection of the last draft by the committee followed three years of public hearings and at least 14 drafts of proposed regulations. Throughout the procedure, Farm Bureau's position has been that the federal standards were adequate regulation and there was no need to have a set of standards which were more restrictive than the federal regu- lations. Although the joint committee on ad- ministrative rules rejected the labor department's last draft of proposed J"!-~~ standards, Harold Scharp, operations _._~ .. manager of the Michigan Agricultural Services Association, believes that the Department of Labor will submit another proposal soon. The labor department will probably Department of Labor defeated Scharp: Agriculture deserves re-draft the regulations with appro- In hearing process. credit. priate language to adopt the federal standards by reference this year, re- The Michigan House and Senate submit it to the joint committee, and the agriculture community's input on Joint Committee on Administrative again seek its approval next year, proposed regulations and agriculture Rules rejected the Department of Scharp says. took advantage of every opportunity Labor's final draft of the proposed If that happens he says, Farm Bu- to communicate with the labor depart- Youth Employment Standards for reau will support the Department of ment," he says. Farm Work on Nov. 3. Labor's position. "Total attendance at the seven The last draft of the standards had "If the labor department wants to public hearings reached almost 300 been rewritten by the labor depart- promulgate standards, we will support and over 500 written statements were ment based on current federal guide- their efforts as long as the standards sent to the labor department. The lines which have been in effect since are going to be the same as the federal agricultural community actively par- January 1970. The guidelines identi- regulations. Let's get a set of state ticipated in the promulgation even fied certain hazardous occupations in standards on the books so that we when the labor department continued agriculture and made it illegal to know exactly where agriculture stands to draft unacceptable state standards," employ persons under 16 in those oc- from the state Department of labor's Scharp says. "Finally, our opposition cupations. perspective. " to more restrictive regulations prevail- After a lengthy debate, the commit- "This whole procedure took three ed and agriculture's ability to employ tee decided that no regulatory need years and seven public hearings. The teenagers has been successfully de~ could be shown, and since the federal labor department repeatedly sought fended." RURAL UVING, DECEMBER 1981 19 Workers' Compensation Costs Stifle State's Business Climate been at least 10 percent each year for "But even at that," MFB President the past decade. Because of this, there Elton Smith noted in a letter to Milli- are needs for several new processing ken, "our rates are still higher than plants for livestock, fruit and vegeta- competitive states." bles, soybeans and cheese, all of MFB and FBIG are calling for a total which would create jobs. However, reform of the state's workers' compen- Michigan's business image is such that sation system to correct the deep- it will be difficult, if not impossible, to seated problems that make Michigan's attract such new plants. Workers' system so cost excessive. compensation costs are a major factor The MFB board's resolution cites in placing Michigan's agricultural econ- five specific changes that the board omy at a competitive disadvantage believes are necessary to eliminate with other states." work comp abuses and make Michi- gan more competitive: How high are Michigan's rates com- pared to other states? As an example, - More specifiC language in the Work Comp Act to prevent awards for a Michigan farmer employing orchard conditions not directly related to the workers pays $15.88 in work comp actual work. rates for every $100 in payroll. In -Tighter statute of limitations for fil- Wisconsin, the cost is only $5.90, in ing claims. California $7.44, and in New York $6.91. For dairy and livestock - A clear definition of what consti- tutes a disability. workers, the Michigan rate is $15.54 -Coordination of work comp bene- for every $100 of payroll, compared Reform interests balk to Wisconsin's $7.25, Illinois' $9.30, fits (with other benefits 'an employee might receive when injured). at Legislature's plan to New York's $7.11, and California's -Standards necessary to define $7.97. These are all states with work quick1ix workers' depe'ndency, mental illness, non-job comp delivery systems similar to Mich- igan's. related claims, non-occupational dis- comp system. eases and rehabilitation. Michigan's work comp costs have The resolution also opposed man- By Luke Schafer risen to unusually high levels because dated rate reductions as the solution to The high cost of workers' compen- of abuses, liberal judicial interpreta- the problem and was against granting sation insurance is driving businesses tions of who should receive benefits, the insurance commissioner the power out of Michigan and slowing the state's and unclear d"efinitionsof key words, to set rates arbitrarily rather than bas- economic recovery, Gov. William Mil- such as "disability." ing rates on actual losses and experi- liken said recently. ence. In recent weeks, Michigan's law- "The single most critical problem af- MFB's position on work comp re- makers have introduced several new fecting Michigan's job climate is work- form is similar to steps being ad- proposals to modify and reform the ers' , compensation," Milliken said. vocated by Milliken. Although debate state's workers' compensation system. "The single most important step we on work comp changes continues in Many of the bills would have little or can take to encourage the creation of the Michigan Legislature, the ultimate no impact in reducing work comp new jobs in Michigan is to reform this hope of MFB, FBIG and the governor costs for businesses and are being op- system." is for complete reform of the system. posed by many Michigan groups, in- The business of farming in Michigan "A temporary rate reduction, like an cluding Michigan Farm Bureau. is being hurt by high work comp costs, effective painkiller, may make the pa- too. But, as the Michigan Farm Bu- MFB's affiliate, Farm Bureau In- tient feel better for a while, but the ter.- reau Board of Directors observed, "Unlike other businesses, farms can- surance Group, has succeeded in minal disease would continue its re- holding down work comp costs for lentless progress," Milliken said. "The not be moved to other states." Michigan farmers by charging rates 25 Legislature must make the tough, dif- In a resolution passed in November, percent lower than the state standard ficult decisions which true reform re- the MFB board stated: rates and by paying dividends to Farm quires. To do anything less would be IIMichigan's agriculture is truly a Bureau members participating in its Ag to avoid our duty to the people of this growth industry. The growth rate has Work Comp Safetv Group program. state." 20 RURAL LIVING, DECEMBER 1981 Leadership Roles for Women Bring New Meaning to 'Farm Partnership' By Donna Wilber Kartes Wins State Board Seat Sanford Elected Young Fanner Chairperson Brook Winner of Discussion Meet Letson Recognized as 'Fanner of the Week' Jeppesen Named Regional Representative What do the people in those news headlines of the 80s have in common? They're all women and they'll all be recorded in Michigan Farm Bureau history as "firsts." Farm women, as a whole, snubbed the women's movement of the 70s, maintaining they had always been "liberated, tt that there was no discrimination against their performing "man's work" in their farming opera- tions. They seemed satisfied, too, to per- form their backstage roles in Farm Bureau. They provided support to their men who were in leadership posi- tions - from doing the chores while they attended meetings and made im- portant decisions, to almost every ad- ministrative duty except wielding the gavel. It had been that way since the organization was born in 1919 and things were going smoothly in the old traditional ways. So, what made the 80s different? What marked that decade as the time for women to start emerging from their traditional role of 60 years to seek leadership positions in the organiza- tion, to become more visible, to dare to tread where no woman had before? RURAL LIVING. DECEMBER 1981 Being 'Tested' Part of Growth Experience To gain some insight into this but once she's proven she's capable, She hopes it will be Farm Bureau change of the role of women in Farm they'll accept her in any position. I that recognizes and utilizes that talent. Bureau, we asked Becky Jeppesen to think women in leadership roles will give us her views, both from a per- expand the scope of Farm Bureau, The Cinderella Complex sonal standpoint as being one of those bring it a new perspective and fresh "firsts" and from impressions she has ideas that will strengthen the organiza- To the many faithful readers of An- gained from her work as regional rep- tion," she said. drea Hofmeister's "Open letters" col- resentative in the Northeast and umn in the Michigan Farm News, here Saginaw Valley regions. We also ask- was a women who had found the ed some of the men who witnessed secret formula of handling her high- the changes - some of whom helped visibility leadership role without penal- make it happen - what this role izing her devoted wife and mother change may mean to the organization. responsibilities. The thought-provoking, sometimes Being 'Tested' Part controversial, topics of MFB's "Out- of the Growth Experience standing Young Farm Woman" told When Jeppesen was hired by Michi- her audience she was not "just a gan Farm Bureau to serve as regional housewife," yet her husband and two representative in the Northeast youngsters seemed always to be Region, she knew she was somewhat woven throughout the fabric of her of a test case. Could a woman handle messages. the demanding job, especially with the But, she admits, keeping the tradi- amount of travel and night meetings tional family values of unity and child- involved? Would a woman be accep- bearing -and still allowing the woman ted by the leadership in those counties to modify her role enough to meet she'd be serving? leadership demands is a "very tricky Proving she could do the job has business." Hofmeister believes this is been a big motivator, says Jeppesen, They're Partners on the Farm; the hardest period in the history of who admits she enjoyed the unique- They Want to be Partners in FB mankind to' be. a woman because of ness of being a first. "I knew I was In the two years that Jeppesen has unresolved conflicts and fears. capable; all I had to do was prove it," been on the job, she's seen a change, "This fear is that if we really stand she said, "and I did." especially among the younger women, on our own two feet, we'll end up Gaining acceptance was a challenge in what they expect from their organi- stranded, unwomanly, unlovely and made easier by the fact that Jeppesen zation. unloved;" was brought up on a farm. "They're already partners in their That's one of Hofmeister's favorite "I was the oldest child. and my dad farming operations and they want to quotes by author Collette Dowling, (he's the greatest supporter of equal be considered partners, on the same "who is a bit of a liberationist and .I rights for women I've ever met!) level as men, in the Farm Bureau or- don't agree with everything she says." always took me everywhere. I grew up ganization. They don't want to be However, she believes, Dowling's driving tractors and milking cows, so I given their recipes and their micro- book, The Cinderella Complex, does can discuss a 1Q-bottom plow or a cow wave and quilting demonstrations and identify one of the conflicts women freshening or pulling calves or the call it good while the men have ses- must resolve .. - price of corn - and know what I'm sions on commodities and marketing. "Women are raised to be peace- talking about. And the county leader- They want to be involved in the makers," Hofmeister says. "They're ship did test me to see if I did!" decision-making and policy develop- encouraged to be open and receptive This testing, Jeppesen believes, is a ment. . to the feelings of others. But that part of the growth experience in Farm "Women have been stereotyped in makes them vulnerable, too. To Bureau for all women, whether they're Farm Bureau and assigned certain assume a stance on an issue ... man- employees or volunteer leaders. roles, like baking cookies or clean-up age a farm ... direct hired help, or run "I don't think you should stick a for the county annual meeting. Now, for political office requires an ability to woman in a position just because she's they want to be up front presenting the withstand criticism and not be easily a woman. I think she should be cap- resolutions. " influenced by men or other women. able and willing to fulfill the respon- Jeppesen says there is tremendous That can conflict a lot with the role sibilities of the position. There are leadership potential among the wom- they've been ta'ught to' be most in-. ( some women who want all the frills en of Farm Bureau and that .they will terested in - homemaking and child- and excitement of leadership, but not become leaders for some organization. rearing. the responsibilities. "You just can't hold back that kind of "The formative period for leader- "I've found that most men will test a good leadership," she said, "They're ship development is right at the same woman - to the extreme sometimes - going to use their talents somewhere'." period when wornen .are having chil- RURAL UVING. DECEMBER 1981 "Men have a heads tart on their leadership Sharing Leadership Roles experience. " dren. The most conscientious women Elton R. Smith, Caledonia dairy are the ones who are best equipped to farmer who has served as Michigan be leaders. The ones who are most Farm Bureau's president since 1964, concerned about being involved in said it wasn't until women became their communities are also those who more active in the managment deci- are most concerned about being good sions on their own farms and recognized the importance of Farm mothers and wives, and assuming a Bureau as a voice for their industry, leadership position at that age com- that they became interested in posi- promises their top priority. tions of leadership in the organiza- I HBythe time the children are grown, ) tion. women's patterns in the community The changing role of women in ).. and in the home are already establish- Farm Bureau is related to changes in ed and they're very hard to break, society, with more women involved especially since most of the men have in activities outside the home and had a headstart on their leadership ex- more taking advanced courses perience. related to agriculture, he said. "I believe the seeking of leadership roles by women in Farm Bureau will be good - especially if it's based not on the fact that they are women but the fact that they have the potential for being effective leaders. Leader- ship in Farm Bureau should not be determined by whether it is men or women, but on one's capabilities, willingness to learn, and assume responsibility," said the president. Larry R. Ewing, director of MFB's Information and Public Relations Di- vision, scored a first, nationally, HWomen illustrate their insecurity when he named a woman as editor about stating a position or taking a of the member publication. But he leadership role in the way they talk. also defends the pioneers of the I've noticed this in our Farm Bureau organization, who "just didn't think Women's meetings. Everything we say of women being leaders," because it is qualified. We always say things like reflected the agricultural industry at 'well, maybe I'm wrong, but. .. " 'I that time. Farmer program, he has also been a really don't know, but .... ' We rarely HIthink the change in the role of witness to two other firsts - a female state our opinions in a factual form women in the organization started in Young Farmer chairperson and Dis- because we don't like confrontation. the 40s when the chairman of the cussion Meet winner. We're not brought up to be able to state women's committee was seated Currey believes that generally withstand confrontation," she says. on the board of directors with full young men are more willing to ac- What is the answer? Like many voting rights. Some state Farm Bu- cept women in their new roles as women, Andrea Hofmeister is still reaus still don't have that today. leaders, but adds that some men still searching and someday, she might write a book about the subject. In the hold stereotyped views of women's meantime, she finds some direction in roles. another favorite quote, this one from Donald Currey, manager of Currey's conclusion is that women's The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran, written MFB's Organization Department, increased involvement In Farm Bu- years before women started searching gained the reputation of being a very reau, "with a little competition for for an answer: progressive young man when he leadership and new Ideas%can only HSing and dance together and be hired Jeppesen, the first female make It better." joyous, but let each one of you be regional representative, and followed "There's room for a lot of growth alone even as the strings of a lute are up by hiring two more women for the in our organization - In attitudes and alone though they quiver with the field staff. As manager of the Young in programs," he said. same music." RURAL LIVING. DECEMBER 1981 23 Crime Fighting in the Country By Marcia Ditchie If you're an avid reader of the comic During 1981, an addition to the Identification promotion. They're lay- strips, you know that recently Dick Rural Crime Prevention Program has ing the ground now for the program Tracy visited the farm of a reformed been the "Legal Rights and Responsi- with the State Police and Sheriff's criminal called the Mole. Together, the bilities Forum." This public informa- Department. " two caught a couple guys trying to rip tion program has been designated as Operation Identification is also a off the Mole's farm machinery. one of the most successful programs primary concern for the State Police, Rural crime fighting is getting by MFB local affairs specialist Ron according to Atkins. serious when the nation's best known, Gaskill, who works with the program, "We are going to continue to stress although fictional, detective gets in- and Sgt. William Atkins of the Michi- the marking of farm equipment and volved in a rural"whodunit." gan State Police Community Services utilizing FFA people primarily for that. Tracy's advice to the Mole was to Section. In addition, we want to continue ... get his machinery marked with an liThe legal rights and responsibilities the legal rights and responsibilities identifying number so that law en- forums, which have been held around forums. Those are the two key areas forcement officials could identify it if it the state by Farm Bureau, give people that we're going to continue to build were found in the hands of criminals. in their respective counties the oppor- on," Atkins says. Tracy even told the Mole to call his tunity to talk to their local criminal A new area that the MFB Rural county Farm Bureau for more details. justice officials about problems that Crime Prevention Program and the Here in Michigan, many county concern them," Atkins says. State Police are working on, and will Farm Bureaus have been cooperating "I think the forums have been the be devoting attention to in the coming with the Michigan Rural Crime Pre- most successful because they are pure year, is livestock identification. vention Council, the Michigan Farm communication between the criminal In cooperation with the Rural Crime Bureau and the Michigan State Police justice people and the local citizens," Prevention Council, they will be seek- in Operation Identification since 1977. he says. ing some type of livestock identifica- The program, first introduced in Gaskill says that the forums give tion method which will be easy for Barry County, helps farmers use indel- people the information they need to everyone to use, yet will still be effec- ible ink to mark farm equipment and work with their law enforcement agen- tive for law enforcement agencies in personal property with their driver's cies to prevent rural crime. addressing the problem of livestock license number. If the equipment is "Through utilization of these forums theft. stolen and then recovered, it becomes we have been able to inform people The State Police has experienced a an easy matter for the law enforce- about the criminal justice system .... two-fold benefit since MFB became in- ment officer to find the rightful owner. They know what it is, what its aims are volved in the rural crime prevention Without identification, law enforce- and where they fit into it. This year we program, says Atkins. ment agencies sometimes can't find have talked to over 1,000 members "The significance of the program the legal owner, or in some cases, around the state," he says. has been the ability to acquaint our of- even prove that the item is stolen. During the coming year, concentra- ficers who are not from rural areas and Operation Identification's success tion will be on continuing rural crime do not have a farm background with among Farm Bureau members has prevention efforts and, primarily, on some of the specific problems of established it as the cornerstone pro- Operation Identification. agriculture regarding rural gram of the MFB Rural Crime Preven- "It's time to put a renewed emphasis crime ... second, we have been able tion Program, but other programs on Operation Identification," says to add a great deal of credibility to our such as Operation Eyes, a rural crime Gasklll. "People are realizing that they entire crime prevention program," watch program, and the grain confetti have to. become involved and do the Atkins says. marking program, have also been things It takes to prevent crime. For developed for specific commodity example, Shiawassee County is in the Art copyrighted by Chicago Tribune/ areas. process of beginning the Operation New York News Sydicate. 24 RURAL LIVING, DECEMBER 1981 Congratulations! Farm Bureau Members The Michigan Apple A New Source ... Committee sends you our best on your Looking for new sources of energy for our farmer patrons has been a tradition new publication, of Farmers Petroleum Cooperative, Inc. We welcome Rural Living to the Farm RURAL LIVING Bureau Family as a new source of information for Michigan's agricultural community. Congratulations on your first issue and our best wishes ~ for continued success. Farmers i] APPLES GALOREI peTrOleum $60 CASH FLOW PROJECTION Congratulations. •• f! 50 credit needed S a in this period To - Q 0 en 'a c: 40 30 Farm Bureau Insurance ~ en :I 20 Group's 0 .c .... 10 Cash + Income •••• newest CPCU Expenses Jan. May July Sept. Nov. James Ludwig. CPCU Property-casualty Liaison Cash Flow: Home Office the pulse 01 Achieving the CPCU (Chartered Property- casualty Underwriter) designation indicates the yourlarm highest degree of property-casualty insurance pro- • fessionalism. It requires years of arduous study and Every farm has Its pulse - Its regular tide of high personal and business standards. Income and expenses. easily seen on a cash-now chart. We salute James Ludwig. CPCU. for his ac- Farming Is When you know your farm s cash noW. you know complishment and also honor our veteran CPCU's: t"'fOrl/body's &. bUIlt'r. bl't'arl when to expect a cash surplus. Or. when to take John wenglarski. CPCU. Lansing area agent: David out a loan - or. Just as Important. how much to Rowe. CPCU. Chelsea agent: Leo Dahring. CLU. borrow. so you won't have money loafing around. Knowing your cash now can help you be a better CPCU. home office; Ed McKeon. CPCU. home office: financial manager. It helps you take advantage of and Gary Keefer. CPCU. home office. discounts. See us. and we11 help you start your cash-now plannln~ toda)! We're Working To Make Your Future A Little More Predictable. Production Credit Associations of Mlchlgan FARM BUREAU ~ INSURANCE .................. GROUP "'. ~.-a ........ ...". Discussion Topic There aren't too many farmers who 10 card is recognized and accepted In would buy a tractor, then let It sit Idle most hospitals nationwide. In addi- and rust. And it's unlikely a home- Getting More tion, Farm Bureau Blue Cross-Blue maker would pay for a fancy micro- Shield coverage is never cancelled wave oven and simply allow It to col- From Your because of deteriorating health condi- lect dust. Yet there are Michigan Farm tions or age. Bureau members who faU to fully utilize a very Important tool that they Membership This year MFB introduced a new benefit plan called Dimension III. It is a purchase every year ... their Farm mid-priced, co-pay with a $3 prescrip- By Mike Rogers Bureau membership! tion drug rider. With this plan, the A Farm Bureau membership can be member pays an annual deductible for an extremely valuable, money saving all health services until a stop 1055 limit tool ... If you take advantage of its is reached (not available to persons on many member-only benefits. Medicare) . Dimension III joins the Farm Bureau offers a number of other Farm Bureau benefit plans, full special service programs that have Comprehensive (the top-of-the-Iine been designed to provide you and benefit plan) and the Econo plan (the your family with high quality products lowest cost co-pay plan in which mem- or services at affordable rates. bers share the cost of health care ser- This month we will focus on three vices) . benefits: the MFB Money Market Fund Probably the most important reason Program, Blue Cross-Blue Shield why more than 40,000 Farm Bureau Group Health Insurance and the New members have chosen Blue Cross- Car and Truck Discount Program. Blue Shield is because they get local, Money Market Fund personal service from their county sec- retary. The county secretary is an ex- MFB's Money Market Fund Pro- pert in Blue Cross-Blue Shield and has gram offers members the opportunity been specially trained to handle any to participate In Institutional Liquid problems. Assets (lLA) , a Money Market Fund Current Farm Bureau members can with 'two separate portfolios: the Prime apply for coverage once a year, be- Obligations Portfolio and the Govern- main at any particular level, daily in- tween March 1 and March 15, with ment Portfolio. ILA Is administered terest rates have ranged between 13.2 coverage becoming effective May 20. and distributed by Goldman & Sachs, percent and 17.99 percent during the They must have paid their dues by a registered broker-dealer. period from Jan. 1, 1981 to Oct. 1, Jan. 31 of the current membership Farm Bureau's Money Market Fund . 1981. year in order to be eligible . Program should not be confused with Michigan Farm Bureau members Money Market Certificates available who are Interested In the ILA Money New Car and Truck from many banks. Such certificates Discount Program Market Fund should contact John often require a $10,000 minimum In- In these days of sky-high new car VanderMolen, MFB Member Services vestment and, generally, have a fixed and truck prices, who can afford to manager at, 517-323-7000, ext. 534 interest rate for a specific period of pass up a chance to buy a new car or and request a Money Market Fund time, usually six months. In addition, a light truck at only $150 over the dealer Program outline and application. substantial penalty may be assessed invoice price? for early withdrawal. Blue Cross-Blue Shield Michigan Farm Bureau has con- Conversely, a member may invest Group Health Insurance tracted with several car and truck as little as $500 In the ILA Money Michigan Farm Bureau now has dealers across the state .to sell vehicles Market Fund and, If a member three group health care plans that are to members at this special reduced chooses to Invest, .here will be no designed to meet the health care price. Almost all models of Chevrolet, maturity date on his/her investment, needs of almost any member at a price Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Ford, Cadillac no fixed Interest rate on the money in- he or she can afford. Farm Bureau has and GMC trucks are available. vested, and no interest penalty assess- been providing health Insurance to And this year, MFB makes it easier ed when money is withdrawn from the members for over 30 years, and Is the to take advantage of this program. Fund. largest association group In the. state. Members Interested in buying a vehicle Although there Is no guarantee that Farm Bureau plans have no age re- should obtain a price quotation form the Interest rate on money Invested In strictions, provide full group protec- from their county Farm Bureau secre- the ILA Money Market Fund will re- tion, and the Blue Cross-Blue Shield tary, fill out the information required, 26 RURAL LIVING. DECEMBER 1981 Your Membership In The MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU Now Makes Available and mail it to MFB's Field Operations Division. Requests wUJ be forwarded Institutional to the closest participating dealer who is able to fill the order. The dealer will provide members with price quota- tions on vehicles equipped to their Liquid Assets specifications. If members already have a price quotation on a similarly Designed to provide daily equipped car or truck from another money market income with Two Portfolios: dealer, they're welcome to attach a copy of it to the quotation form to en- PRIME OBLIGATIONS GOVERNMENT sure they receive a price comparison based on identically equipped vehi- -15.07% -14.15% cles. Investment Advisor, GOLDMAN, Members can also buy large model trucks, such as the Ford models 600 Administrator and SACHS & CO. through the 9000 series vehicles, at a Sole Distributor mark-up of $300 to $900 over the dealer invoice. Comparable models of • Seven day annualized net investment income yield, computed by dividing th~ Chevrolet and GMC trucks are avail- Portfolio's average daily net investment income per unit for the period ended able at a similar savings. November 10, 1981 by $1.00 and multiplying the result by 365. On that date Other Money-Saving Benefits the average portfolio maturities in Prime ObUgations was 35 days and in Government was 34 days. The yields change in response to fluctuations in in- Michigan Farm Bureau members can terest rates on portfolio investment and operating expenses. take advantage of many other money- saving benefits, including Member Life A prospectus containing more complete information including Insurance, the Ag Work Camp and management fees and expenses, will be sent upon receipt of the at- Safety Group, Mutual Auto Insurance, tached coupon. Send the coupon to Michigan National Bank, Trust Accidental Death and Dismemberment Department, 77 Monroe Center, P. O. Box 2804, Grand Rapids, Insurance, Farmowners Insurance, a Michigan 49501. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or Direct Marketing program for pur- send money. For current yield information call toll free chase of fruits and vegetables, a guaranteed arrest bond certificate, 800-621-2550. wheat marketing program, the Nu- Vision group eye care plan, Safemark tires and batteries, power ~ansmission -------------------------------- products from Mackay Industrial Sales o Please send me a prospectus. Company and services available from the Michigan Agricultural Services As- Name (as it appears on membership records) sociation. Questions Are there members of your group who have saved at least the cost of the Address Farm Bureau membership dues by using Farm Bureau member benefits and City State Zip programs? What programs or services Membership No. offered them these savings? Were all members of your group aware of the service programs avail- able to them with their Farm Bureau Mail to: Money Market Fund Program membership? for Michigan Farm Bureau Members Which programs or services would Michigan National Bank, Trust Department members of your group rate as most P.O. Box 2804, 77 Monroe Center valuable? Grand Rapids, MI 49501 What other statewide member ben- efit programs Qr services would be useful? RURAL LIVING. DECEMBER 1981 27 Agrinomic Update Farmers Will Find Worthwhile Benefits in 1981 Tax Cuts The Economic Recovery Tax a straight line writeoff over the Act, which will mean lower specified recovery period or over a longer specified period. .'D S.. taxes for everyone, also holds extremely important opportu- nities for the nation's farmers, :.~;--"'- --_ -,,4. A'T"'S ',m' ,-.•a~' ..~~ ..~j.--.-t.:;-.-. "r-- - .... -~ .. - Three- year defined as cars, property light trucks, is who are more than ever con- ~_ ... and machinery used in research cerned with the necessity of ~~~-' and development activities. For solid tax planning strategy. :\. assets placed in service in tax Farm Bureau was a strong '~/' years 1981-84, you can deduct supporter of this new law and 25, 38 or 37 percent of the lobbied successfully for its unadjusted basis, respectively, ", \ over the three-year period. passage. Look for tax breaks, say tax - Five- year property covers specialists, in areas including all other machinery and equip- estate tax regulations, lowered ment, grain bins, fences, etc. corporate tax rates, investment Five-year property placed in tax credits, and equipment and service in 1981-84 will be writ- vehicle depreciation. Most ten off at 15 percent the first dramatic are the changes forth- year, 22 percent the second, coming in estate taxation, and at 21 percent the next whereby taxes will be com- three years. pletely eliminated for estates up -Ten-year property category to $600,000 in value - a critical includes owner-occupied busi- plus for families owning farms. ness property. For farmers this "While the effects of anyone includes barns, outbuildings, of these cuts may not be as livestock structures, and so on. much as hoped, they will be- The writeoffs for ten-year prop- come meaningful to today's erty placed in service in 1981-84 farmer, whether large- or small-scale, As a result the farmer will benefit are 8 percent for the first year, 14 per- when considered with the general tax from taking a close look at those tax cent for the second, 12 percent for the cuts such as the 25 percent reduction opportunities which have been made third, 10 percent for each of the next of rates over the next two and a half available throu'gh the Accelerated Cost three and 9 percent for each of the years," says Thomas A. Bloch, presi- Recovery System. four remaining years. dent of tax operations for H & R Sometimes referred to as "10-5-3," Farmers should note that each of Block, Inc. the legislation established new, clearly these percentages will increase in One area that will favorably impact outlined recovery periods for eligible 1985 and again in 1986. the farmer is the increased ceiling on categories of buildings, equipment and Rules for recapture of unearned in. the amount the self-employed farm vehicles, along with longer 15-year vestment credit have also been made operator will be able to contribute to periods for certain real estate holdings. more favorable. A percentage of the Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) With each recovery period are de- credit will be allowed for each full year which are currently tax-free to $1,500. lineated specific percentage tables. that an asset remains in service. The The allowable amount, effective Jan. The effective rate for assets placed into total credit allowable for a year's 1, will be $2,000, or $2,250 for use In 1981 through 1984 is 150 per- period will be 33113 percent of the total spousal accounts (accounts for families cent declining balance, switching to for three-year property, and 20 per- with one working and one non-work- straight-line to take maximum advan- cent of the total for 5-, 10- and ing spouse). Also increased are maxi- tage of the deduction. IS-year property. mum total contributions, which will be In 1985, this rate will increase The present period for carry-over of $15,000, up from $7,500, for self- to 175 percent, with another increase unused job credits, investment tax employed (Keogh) retirement plans. to 200 percent scheduled in 1986. credits and net operating losses (NOL) New rules regarding depredation Those who will not benefit, or who has been extended retroactively. write. oIls, should be generally do not wish to use an accelerated Farmers may carryover for up to 15 favorable to farmers. write off, will be allowed to use years - as opposed to the current 28 RURAL LIVING. DECEMBER 1981 seven - those NOLs sustained in tax able to write off up to $5.000 in invest- receipt of income into tax year 1982. years after 1975. WIN (Work Incen- ments in the year of purchase. rather taking advantage of next year's con- tive Credits). and investment credits than taking those writeoffs over sever- siderably lowered tax rates. earned in years after 1973. and job al years under the cost-recovery sys- "With taxes as related to farm busi- credits earned after 1976. tem. This ceiling will be raised to ness management becoming increas- For those farmers using alcohol or $10.000. in two steps. by 1986. ingly more complicated in the past gasohol as fuel. note that a 15-year several years. farmers are finding it in- carryover period wilJ apply where such The problem of burdensome estate cumbent to pay close attention to tax credits total more than the tax bill due. taxes will find some relief with ex- planping in general," said Bloch. as figured on Form 6478. This is appli- cludable property value seeing' a size- "However. this is especially true in cable only to fuel purchased after able jump from the current $175.000 future years. when the far-reaching Sept. 30. 1980. The credit is 40 cents to $600.000 over the next five years. 1981 Economic Recovery Tax Act be- Taxes will be totally eliminated where per gallon for alcohol fuel of at least gins to take effect. Opportunities for the estate transfer is between spouses. 190 proof, and 30 cents per galIon for benefits are there. and should be taken rather than the $250.000 (or 50 per- alcohol that is between 150 and 190 advantage of," he said. proof. cent of estate value) allowed under current regulations. The gift tax has Whether a farming operation is in- also been liberalized. Agrinomic Update is prepared corporated or unincorporated, opera- tors will benefit by a new first-year With tax cuts imminent. farmers will by the Commodity Activities and write off for investments in plants and do well to pay special attention to in- Research Department of Michigan equipment. come control. planning both receipts Farm Bureau. Under this provision, designed to and payment of expenses for maxi- help the small business (effective tax mum advantage. In many situatiqns. it year 1982). business owners will be may be advisable to delay constructive RationMaster [K!][ill[]~rn~ Feeding System ,;t;r (- ™ Dairy Feed ™ 1~' - Now high producing herds can produce even more milk! Our own Cooperative Research Farms pioneered the discovery of a new feeding concept which can increase milk production. De Laval technology enables you to place the dairy herd's grain feeding program under NuPro Dairy Feed helps regulate soluble and in- computer control. With the RationMaster Feed- soluble proteins in the cow's ration. Research & ing System, each cow gets only the concentrate needed for optimum milk production. Compo- farm experience have proven that regulated protein nents include neck-worn transponders ... single- aids in producing even more milk in good dairy stall feeding stations where grain is dispenSed automatically ... and a Computer Command herds. Center where a micro-processor stores and retrieves data on individual animals. Ask your Farm Bureau feed dealer about NuPro Dairy Feed Reduced labor, more milk, less wasted feed, healthier cows, and shortened calving intervals today. He'll customize a program are typical benefits. Let us explain more about to fit your herd's needs. the RationMaster Feeding System - Module One of the advanced De Laval~ HerdMasterT" Management System. ~ CENTRAL DAIRY ~ Inc. 2810 South Canal Lansing,Michigan 48917 517-322-2083 RURAL LIVING. DECEMBER 1981 29 Farm Bureau Market Place FARM EQUIPMENT FARM EQUIPMENT FOR HOMEMAKERS For Sale: Used Storage Tanks, 6000 to 20.000 gallon FOR SALE: 18,000 gaUon anhydrous ammonia storage Pecans: Quart each halves. pieces. meal. Three-quart sampler capacity. Vertical or horizontal. Phone 616-798-1805. tanks. $15.000. Phone 616.754-3685. (l2-2t-llp) $11.95 postpaid. Tenpeco. Box 638. Rutherford. TN 38369. (l0.12t.15p.ts) (9-4t-17p-ts) Farrowing StaUs - All steel $142.%. Includes feeder-waterer. Irrigation Equipment - Complete line - Lockwood center top rail. rump rail. Weighs 204#. Free literature. Starr National. Great Sausage Redpes, Illustrated book with over 100 recipes pivots - Rainbow and Alumax travelers. pipe and pumps. We 219 Main. Colchester.IL 62326.309-776-3446. (l2-24p-ts) explaining sausage making. curing. smoking. Free equipment repair pipe and make up pumping units. Plummer Supply. and supply catalog: SAUSAGEMAKER. 177-56 Military. Buf- Bradley. Mich. 616.792.2215. (l1-12t.27p.ts) MC Grain Dryer. continuous flow. New Idea picker sheller. good condition. $3.000 each. Twining. Mich. 517-867-4333 or falo. N.Y. 14207. (9-9t-25p-ts) Manure Pumps, agitators. pipe and travelers lor sale to pump 873-3242. (l0-4t-15p) Sausagemakers, great! Recipes. Frankfurters. Summer. manure directly from lagoon or pit to field. We also custom Bologna. Headcheese. Venison. Porksausage! $1.00. includes pump. Plummer Supply. Bradley. Mich. 616-792-2215. FOR SALE: 20 x 60 Harvestore 5110 - Auger Unloader - new in 1976. Call 616-4%-8095. catalog' 45 more recipes available! Ham. Bacon. Curing. Smok- (1l-12t-27p-ts) ing! Meat. fish. pickling! Hami/tons. Box 652-131. New Ulm. (l2.12p) 'New AU Wire Cages and Equipment, also Pedigreed Meat Minn. 56073. (l2-3Op-tsl Production New Zealand White Rabbits. Dettmer's Bunny Spices, Herbs, Teas and Coffees. Wholesale prices. free Patch. a full time commercial rabbitry. Carson City. Mich. mai/order catalog. Siers Spice Co .. 3730 Robinson. Snover. 517.584-3765. (9-6t-25p) LIVESTOCK Mich. 48472. (l2-18pl For Sale: Howard Rotavator, Model E-50. $1500. One row Rams For Sale: Registered ram boulllet and Hampshire als< Now! Farm Meat Cutting Guide! Get quality cuts! Both beef. rldger and fumagator. $600. Both excellent condition. 517- Finn-Columbian cross. Marvin Schwab. Standish 48658 pork! Completely Illustrated! $1.00. Hamilton's. Box 652.131. 375-2529. (l1-4t-16p) 517-846-4164. New Ulm. Minn. 56073. (l2.21p-ts) Wanted: Shingle MID. Marvin Schwab. Standish. Mich. (l1-2t-16pj 517.846.6100. (9-4t.8p) CORRIEDALE SHEEP breeding stock. 313-429-7874. Titan Construction. Economy pole.steel buildings. Multi-size - (I2-12t-5p) purpose. Erecting throughout Michigan. Turn-key operation. 6 Fancy Grade Holstein Heifers, 3 due.close-up Nov.-Jan NURSERY STOCK Saginaw. 517.781.0413. (1l.2t.18p) Also. registered Holstein yearling bull. dam with 26.955 t>' Wood stow fan speed controller: Plug solid state controller in 3.8% 1.022 F and 3 daughters over 20.000 M. George Robb Quality Rooted Blueberry Plants: Bluecrop. Burlington and outlet. plug fan In controller. Dial fan speed. Off-on switch. Fowlerville. phone 517-223-9462. (l2-34p; Jerseys. Also two-year-old potted Bluecrop plants. Call Walter 518.95 postpaid. IRS Dlst. Box 8. Curran. Mich. 48728. A. Barwaa. 616.253.4419. 11l-2t-18p) Paint horses for sale Irom $1.000. Ann Arbor. Mich 517-848-5168. (1l-2t.3Op) 313-668-8301 evenings. (l0.3t-llp) For Sale: Patz sUo unloader, tripod and winch for 20' silo. make offer or will trade for cattle. Phone 616-924-2147 .. (l1-2t-20p) DOGS REAL ESTATE Antique Tractor Books! Make Idea! Gifts! Newl Newl Puppies - Collie, Sheltie or Border CoDie available fOl All Farms - need farms for Midwest and international buyers. Titles. Just released! "FARM TRACTORS 19SO-1975," covers Christmas. Also stud service. Judy Baird. Lowell. 616- Top dollar. Details: John Peck. Four Seasons Realty of lansing. tractor design. performance. turbocharging. transmissions. com- 897-9462. (l2-16p) 517-482-4555. (4-13t-2Op-ts) fort. etc .. 415 photos. 176 pages. $15.95. "THE AGRICUL- TURAL TRACTOR 1855-19SO," 300 photos. specifications. 224-Acre S.W. Michigan Farm. River fronta~. ISO acres component drawings. and mechanical features. 160 pages. tillable. Newer ranch slyle home. Dairy barn. Farrowing house. $13.95. "FARM TRACTORS IN COLOR," 80 years tractor FOR HOMEMAKERS 616-674-8571. By owner. (I1-2t.2Op) history. 118 true color photos. 183 pages. hardcover. $11.95. 245 Acres - Eastern U.P. Almost all tillable. on black top Sewing Supplies, Pearl Snap Fasteners - 191 colors and SPECIAL! Complete collector's library. all 3 above books. road. with stream. terms available. 313.995-0859. 112-2t.18p) styles. Free catalog. Bee Lee Company. Box 20558-MF. Dallas, 538.95 postpaid. "THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AMERICAN Texas 75220. (2-12t-19p-ts) FARM TRACTORS," covers tractors from 1890s to 1979. 1500 photos. 352 large pages. full descriptions. hard leatherette Make Perfect Gravy Everytlme - 52.00. Serve fluffy rice cover. 526.95. "ISO YEARS OF INTERNATIONAL HAR- everytlme - $2.00. How to make fabulous beef stock - $2.00. MISCELLANEOUS VESTOR," covers tractors and all equipment. 416 large pages. All for $5.00. Hunter. 4623W7 Division. Portland. Oregon 2000 photos. hard leatherette cover. $26.95 postpaid. Free cir- 97206. (4-9t-26p-ts) J'E-E-P'S - $19.301 - C.A-R-S - $13.SOI - 650.000 cular. many more titles. Diamond Farm Book Publishers. Dept. For Sale: Handmade quUts. Crochet afghans. Neat for ITEMS! - GOVERNMENT SURPLUS - MOST COMPREHEN. MFN. Box 537. Alexandria Bay. NY 13607. Phone Christmas. SASE. Mattie Arnold. Gadsden. TN 38337. SIVE DIRECTORY AVAILABLE TELLS HOW. WHERE TO 613-475.1771. (l2-4t-132p) (l1-2t-15p-ts) BUY - YOUR AREA - $2 - MONEYBACK GUARANTEE - --------------~------------------ ClASSIFIED AD POLICY: Members pay 10 cents per word for non-commerlcal ads and 15 cents per word for ads which pro. mote a commercial business other than agriculture. All other advertisers pay 20 cents per word for one Insertion and 15 cents per "GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES," DEPART- MENT EG-12. BOX 99249. SAN FRANCISCO. CALIFORNIA 94109. (l-12t-31p-ts-k) Good Clean Rental Type Work Ootha: 6 pants and 6 shirts. word for two or more consecutive insertions. The deadline for advertisements is the 15th of the month preceding publication and $24.95. postpaid. Send sizes with order to: Walt.s Wholesale. the publisher has the right to reject any advertising copy submll1ed. Advertisements should be submitted on the form below. AU 251 Pearl Street. Darlington. S.C. 29532. 16-9t-26p-ts) ads must be pre-paid and may be pre. paid up to one year in advance. It Is the responsibility of the advertiser to re.lnsert the ad Timex Watches Repaired for a fraction of the new watch cost. on a month-by. month or year-by-year basis. Send ads to Michigan Farm News Rural Living, P.O. Box 30960, lansing, Send any brand watch for free estimate to: Cooper's Flxery. 21 MJch. 48909. No ads will be taken over the phone. N. 1st Ave. W. Duluth. MN 55802. (8-5t-27p.ts) Name _ "SO Ways To See Thru People," Secrets exposed! Protect yourselflCommand conditions! 51. Newlife. Box 684.MF. Boulder City. Nevada 89005. 18-6t.I9p-ts) Address _ Work Shirts and Pants - reconditioned - low lIS 52.35 each. Also. new coveralls. jackets. gloves. boots. shoes. For informa- tion catalog. send $1.00. Sara Glove Co .• Box 4069-C-95. Waterbury. Conn. 06704. (9-4t-29p-ts) 01 am a Farm Bureau member. This Is a non.commerclal ad and I am enclosing 10 cents per word. Auction and Appraisal Service. Antiques - Agriculture - Olam a Farm Bureau member. This ad promotes a business other than agriculture and I am enclosing 15 cents per word. Commercial. Jim Erskine. Freeland (Saginaw County) 517- Please run the following ad in the issue(s) of Michigan Farm News Rural LIving. 695-9182. 110-6t-12p) Auction Sale of Farm Implements of the late Allen Rush. 4 AD COPY (please print dearly): miles west of Romeo then 2 miles south at 64510 Dequlndre on Sat.. Jan. 16 at 10:30. Farmall 706 tractor. New Idea front end loader. Allis Chalmers 200 tractor. John Deere grain drill. 2 hay and grain conveyors. New Idea manure spreader. metal com crib. 2 Allen grain busters. New Holland 273 baler. Whirl a Feed. New Holland Blower #27, New Holland 2 row field chop- per #770. near new N.H. flail chopper. 2 Chevy trucks. Trtple K cultivator. wagons and many other Items. This Is only a partlal listing. Marvin Rush. Prop. Security Bank of Richmond. Clerk. Paul G. Hillman. Auctioneer. 313-752.2636. (1l-3t-1l5p) Keep Informed Services. Current Information. Research. Reasonable charge. Box 420. Okemos. Mich. 48864. I1l.5t.13p) SkU Electric Caulking Gun. Uses regular cartridges. Trigger speed control. Comes apart for easy cleaning. Powerluland fast. Exactly like new. Parts manual. Plastic carrying case. Free pic. Total Worcb _ Total Enc:Ioaed _ ture on request. Postpaid: 575.00. Don Gridley. Box 56, Yp- -------------------~------------- 30 silanti. MI48197. RURAL LIVING, DECEMBER 112.39p) 1981 WELCOME MEMBERS who are attending the 62nd Michigan Farm Bureau ANNUAL MEETING Be sure to visit the 1981 PRODUCT SHOW on Tuesday and Wednesday Allied Chemical Co. George White and Sons. Inc. Patiflc Molasses. Vylactos Division Ammonium sulfate Snyder bulk chemical storag ... Poly liquid calli .. Sweet Sue. dried moldsses. FBS minerllls American Cyanamid feeders Powerllne Animal health products. Counter. Thlmet Goodall Rubber Co. Farm to,",' ropes BASF Wyandotte Corp. Rubber products Riga Company . Basagran. Pyramln FI Gatt Corp. Lawn and gard .. n chl'micals Bekaen Steel Wire Corp. Poly gas cans. cool ..rs SCI Industries High tensile barb wire and farm fence Great Lakes Hybrids Hog waterers Bear Paint Co. Seed corn and soybeans Shell Chemical Roof coatings H & H Services Bladex Brode Manufacturing Co. Bicarbonate of soda Speltz & Assoc. Hopper bollom feed bins Hardy Salt Co. Behrens galvanized products Brown and Brown Slllt Stauffer Seeds Farm tarps Homellte Seed corn. sorghum CF Industries Chain SllWS. pumps. generators. string lrimm ..rs Tank Truck Service Fertilizers Jenner Sales Corp. Liquid fuel delivery truck Carnadon Company Fertilizer equipment Tire Handling Equlpm4!nt Co. Green Line feeding equipment. Calf Manna Keystone Steel and Wire Co. Tire service truck Chevron Ag Chemicals Fllrm fence llnd wire products Traylor Chemical and Supply Co. Volek dormant 011. Paraquat. Dlfolitan Koehrlng Atomaster Micronulrients Chipman Chemical Inc. Co.op 011healers. kerosen .. hl'all'rS Tuco Seed treatments and Inoculallons Land 0' Lakes. Inc. Animal helllth products; Blodry. Albaci!!in Chore Time Fllrm Bureau Quick Mix milk replllCl'r. nursing Universal Cooperatives. Inc. Feed bin delivery systems formula. pig and lamb milk rl'placers Co.up fllrm. truck. pasS4/nger tires: Co.op batteries. Oba Geigy Corp. l.ely Independence Mfg. filters: Unfco motor oilllnd Iubricllnts: Unlco llnlmlll Aatrell. Bicep. Dual. Princep. Pramllol Fertilizer equipment health products; Unico chemiclll products: Electrlc Dare Co. Midwest Mktg. Assoc. h.>ncers. barn ventlllltion equipment: Co.op sprllyers. EJeclrlc fence accessories Agriculture polyfllm products Co.op air compressors. Wells Lamont gloves; Diamond Crystal Salt Co. Miller Chemical & Fertilizer Corp: Feeders. tllnks. giltes. confinement equipmenl: barn Salt Nu.Films. Nutrl.Leaf bO. lime,sulfur dnd home paint; Co.op baling twine Diamond V Mills Moblllty(Tote Union Fork and Hoe Co. Veast culture Fertilizer equipment Farm and garden tools Domain. Inc. Monsanto Co. Vandermolen & Zick Crop Cure Lasso. Roundup Root Lowell sprayerS [)ow Chemical Co. Morton Salt Co. Waconia Manufacturing Industries N Serve. 2.4-0. Formula 40 Morton Agriculture. salt products Fertilizer receiving and blending equipment Du Pont Namolco.lnc. Western Shoe LeKone. LoroK. Benlate Mol.MIK/LPS. liquid prolein supplements and liquid Utica and Tingley boots E1anco Products Co. silage additives Westlake Equipment Co. Animal products. Tylan. Rumensln. Trellan Nelson Co. Fertilizer equipment supplies F. H. Reed Heated water bowls William M. Wilson's Sons. Inc. Flowtron bug and lIy killers Northwestern Steel & Wire Co. Fuel dispensing pumps. fuel mllnllgement syslems FMC Ag Chemicals Fllrm fence and ,",'Ire products Willmar Manufacturing Furadan. Polyram. Thlodan Ortho Fertilizer equipment Franlclln Steel Co. Ortho lawn and garden products Studded T .post RURAL LIVING. DECEMBER 1981 31 farmOWDers Coverages Expanded 14 Ways . • • . ;.'r:, .. • $2,500 coverage is now provided for theft of jewelry, watches, and furs. The previous limit was $500. IIlchlgu'. Dumber ODe tarm lDsarer leads • Coverage for theft of guns has increased from the way agaID. $500 to $2,500 . Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of • Also expanded were farm products liability Michigan, the state's largest farm insurer, announces cov'erage, cargo coverage, coverage on 14 major expansions of its Farmowners policy, business activities incidental to the farm providing much more protection for your farm at no operation, coverage for damage to the . additional cost. We pioneered the first Farmowners property of others, coverages on rental policy in the nation in 1960 and have led the way in dwellings, and more. Michigan farm protection ever since. Now come our Your local Farm Bureau Insurance agent can tell latest innovations, all effective November 15, 1981. you more about our new expanded coverages. Find Here's just a sampling: out why we insure more Michigan farms than our • Maximum coverage on cattle, horses, swine, next three competitors combined. When it comes to and sheep has increased. For example, the Farmowners protection, we don't play follow the maximum coverage on anyone cow has leader; we're right out front with the innovative increased from $2,500 to $3,500, while coverages you need. protection for anyone horse has doubled from $750 to $1,500 . • Appurtenant private structures not used for farming purposes (such as garages or We're working to m~c yO\.. t i~tcLN swimming pools) are now automatically a Uttle mon pred~ct &le. covered at no extra cost. • Farm buildings previously excluded from coverage for collapse from weight of ice, snow, or sleet are now covered against this FARM BUREAU" ~ hazard. In addition, buildings over 10 years INSURANCE of age no longer require a $500 deductible for this coverage. GROUP. fARM IlUR£AU MUTUAl • fARM IILIl(AU lfl • COMMuNTY SUMO: flSlJIW.O: • fB AIHITY Address Correction Requested MOVING? To change your address. clip out your present address label (at left) and this form and send to Rural living. P.O. Box 30960. Lansing. Mich. 48909. Please try to give us for weeks' notice. Name _ New Address _ City State Zip _ []Permanent Change DTemporary Change - willreturn to present address