June 1982 A Publication of the Michigan Farm Bureau • L.L.J ~ • L.L.J Farm Bureau members now D Psychiatric care. 6u have a way to lower their health care rates with Dimension III. It's an alternate health care plan in which the subscriber D The 1.0. card that's recognized everywhere. D A minimum amount of paperwork. D A statewide network of L.L.J shares the cost of covered Blue Cross and Blue services. Here's how it Shield Service Centers to ~ works. In the event that assist you. you should require medical D Worldwide coverage for ~ you and your family. services, you would pay a U nominal deductible amount. This leads to Blue Cross and Blue Shield coverage is the choice of :I: substantial savings on your monthly rates. So you have over 5 million Michigan residents. Why not make it b more control over you r money. After you r designated deductible has yours? For enrollment information, call your Farm Bureau secretary. ~ been met, Dimension III Note: Farm Bureau L.L.J pays 80% and you pay a members (and thei r :I: 200k co-payment for the covered services (for private-duty nursing and dependents) who are eligible for Medicare may not Z -Z psychiatric care, the program pays 50% and you pay 50%). Once co- payments reach $1,000, no enroll in the Dimension III or Prescription Drug Programs. o- rJj further co-payments are required for that benefit period ... Dimension pays 100%. BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD OF MICHIGAN Dimension III will pay up Z to $1 million in benefits during each member's IT'S GOOD TO BELONG. L.L.J .W~~~ lifetime. And here is just a -o sample of some of the ~ benefits you'll receive: D A prepaid prescription drug program. D Hospital care. 01 01 82 D Surgery. D Maternity care. ~ D Outpatient care. DEBORGIA ALAN L.L.J 8 777 J 1270 70073260 Z IWI CROI' ILUE IHIELO Ie ... 3b5 03b Lf29 o 210 ~ ILlAi CROll OF MICHlGAN 121 011L1h; IHI~LO OF MICHIGAN 17101 DETROIT MICH 41228 Volume 61, Number June 1982 6 IRural Living A Publication of the Michigan Farm Bureau IN THIS ISSUE 10 Up, Up & Away! Aloft above the Farm Bureau Center, the colorful 78 foot hot air balloon symbolized the organization's all- time membership high. 13 Opening Doors to Freer Trade Japanese leaders and American farmers discuss their mutual trade responsibilities. 19 Horse Industry to Outline Needs Aggressive promotion could boost the horse industry's contribution to Michigan's economy. 20 America & Me: A Patriotic Combination for 10 Michigan Youth FBIG essay contest winners are proof the spirit of America still burns strong in the youth of the nation. 22 Speak Up For Milk Michigan's dairy :ndustry is served by a special corps of Dairy Diplomats. IN EVERY ISSUE 4 Rural Route 16 County Newsletter 5 Donna 26 Agrinomic Update Cover story begins on page 10. 6 Lansing Review 28 Discussion Topic - Photo by Marcia Ditchie 8 Washington Report 30 Market Place Michigan Farm News RURAL LIVING (ISSN 0026-2161) Michigan Farm News Rural Living is published monthly. on the first day. 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 Publication No 345040. Established Jan 13. 1923 as MIChigan Farm News. name changed to Michigan Farm News Rural liVing Dec 1. 1981 ThIrd-class postage paid at LanSing. Michigan and at additional mailing offices EDITORIAL: Connie Turbin. Editor. Marcia Ditchie. Associate Editor and Business Manager: Donna Wilber: Contributing EdItor. Cathy J Korvan. 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. Schoolcrah. District 2. Lowell Eisenmann. Blissfield. District 3. James Sayre. Belleville. District 4. Elton R Smith. Caledonia. District 5. Albert Cook. Mason. 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. Bernard Doll. Daher DIRECTORS AT LARGE: Dave Conklin. Corunna: Michael Pridgeon. Montgomery. Robert Rottier: Fremont FARM BUREAU WOMEN: Vivian Lott. Mason FARM BUREAU YOUNG FARMERS: Glenn Preston. Quincy POSTMASTER: In using form 3579. mail to' Michigan Form News Rural LIVing. POBox 30960. 7373 West Saginaw Highway. Lansing. Mich 48909 RURAL LIVING. JUNE 1982 3 Rural Route Where Has All the Fervor Gone? During my years with Farm Bureau, Just imagine what we could be cele- vince us that govern ment is a service I've had many memorable experiences brating today if volunteer efforts provider, a substitute for individual ... meeting with U.S. presidents, sit- matched the successes of our affiliates! responsibility - and that doesn't make ting at world trade tables, visiting with Carrying our share of the load and good economic sense. leaders in Russia, Japan and Europe. never shifting our responsibilities to I am convinced that Farm Bureau is But one of the most memorable exper- others - these traits have been a tradi- strong today because through the iences was the recent balloon ride I tion of farm people and I'm concerned years, members have been INVOLVED took to symbolize the continuing rise of that we're shirking that responsibility. in THEIR organization. They recogniz- Farm Bureau membership in Michigan As we were preparing for this all- ed they could not hire everything done to an all-time high. time high membership celebration, we for them - and if they did, it wouldn't It's different than sitting in a reviewed some old Michigan Farm be the same; it wouldn't be THEIR or- comfortable jet plane that insulates News issues to determine just exactly ganization that their volunteer time you from the elements and the feeling when it was that we had achieved pre- and effort had built. of suspension between sky and earth. vious highs. This search, in itself, was I speak of the courage it took to at- It's a good place to think, I found .... an experience .... tend that Community Action Group As I looked down at Farm Bureau "6,000 volunteer membership meeting symbolically, just as my Center, I thought. .. how far we've workers participate in a 'One Big balloon ride was symbolic. It could be come from that humble state office on Week' drive, sign up 75 percent of any opportunity you had to speak out Cedar Street in Lansing, how far goal, and only a storm that closed all as the standard-bearer of this great we've come in influence and public roads kept them from reaching state organization of ours and let it slip by image, how far we've come in mem- goal. " because it would have put you outside ber benefits and services. "Six Genesee young farmers sign your comfort zone. And, I thought, how far we've up 105 members." I feel very strongly that it's time to drifted away from the fervor, the pride "Community Group members forced rededicate ourselves to the spirit of of ownership, the almost evangelistic to drive tractors to get through to volunteerism that built our organiza- feeling we once had for - not THE meetings because of bad roads." tion. We are a farm organization and organization - but OUR organization. The year was 1950 the issues we shall always be a farm organiza- A strange thought to have when were much the same inflation, the tion. And our responsibilities as you're celebrating an all-time member- farm program, the concern of farmers volunteers will never be fulfilled - ship high, I grant you, but a nagging speaking for farmers when so many regardless of membership totals - until one that needs to be addressed. others would like to do so, getting every farmer member has convinced Yes, I share your pride in attaining people to the voting polls, sharing the his or her farm neighbor that Farm this all-time membership high achieve- story of agriculture with the non-farm Bureau membership is an "implement" ment. It's great to be part of a growing folks. vital to the success of his farm opera- organization. Those numbers are so But, let me ask you - would you, tion. vitally important in the political, today, drive your tractor to a Com- Frankly, I don't think any of us can legislative and public opinion arenas. munity Action Group meeting because join in this celebration until we can They provide us with the financial your car couldn't get through the bad say, without reservation, that we con- strength we need to offer farmers the roads. tributed to the building of that imple- services and programs they need to be If your answer is yes, I'm afraid ment by wearing the Farm Bureau successful - and that's what we're real- you're in a minority and that's what badge and waving the Farm Bureau ly all about. concerns me. We've become too so- flag before every audience we have in What concerns me is that a very phisticated, too comfortable, too the complex lives we lead in 1982. large percentage of this all-time mem- selfish and uncaring, too "above" the bership high for our voluntary organi- zation came, not from our volunteers, but from our affiliate \companies. This risk-taking involved in carrying out the responsibilities to meet a commitment. Since 1950, we've been living in a e~R~h is a tremendous tribute to our affiliates period of being able to hire someone President and the services they offer and they to do just about any type of service. Michigan Farm Bureau deserve our recognition and gratitude. We can hire a babysitter, a cow sitter, But it also serves as a reminder that tree sprayers, artificial inseminators, If you have a question or opinion those who should be building the or- the list goes on and on; certainly, buy- that you would like to share in Rural ganization through volunteer efforts ing such services makes good eco- Route, send it to Rural Living Maga- have not lived up to their respon- nomic sense. During this same time, zine, Michigan Farm Bureau, P. O. sibilities. we've had politicians trying to con- Box 30960, Lansing, Mich. 48909. 4 RURAL LIVING. JUNE 1982 Donna FARM TIRE SALE co-op Farm Service Wild Words and Wise Silence' "Words ought to be a little wild, for they are the 9.5Lx15 6 ply $4290 assault of thoughts on the unthinking. " I'm a collector of words that writers have strung together llLx15 6 ply $4555 like matching pearls to form a Truth that stirs my intellect Also available in 8 ply. and delights my soul. You'll find them tacked on my bulletin board, taped to my "in" box, tucked in my purse, and filed co-op Tri-Rib in most any folder in my desk. If I ever put them all together, they'd probably form "My Philosophy." The "words ought to be a little wild" tidbit is especially meaningful to me and has a prominent place near my type- $3118 600x16 4 ply writer. It reminds me, when I'm feeling lazy, that getting up on the editorial soapbox without a little "assault" is like tak- ing a bath with your socks on. 750x16 6 ply I think there's a bit of a crusader in most writers; they real- ly think they can change things for what they think is the bet- Other sizes available. ter through the "assault of thoughts" or at least stir the "un- thinking" (apathetic is probably a better word) into some ac- Cash and carry sale prices end June 15. tion. When I was editor of a small weekly newspaper, I did a See your participa ling lot of assaulting in my editorials. I can't lay claim to any great changes for the better, but I would have lost my self-respect FARMERS PETROLEUM if I hadn't kept trying. dealer for these bargains plus I was asked recently to give a presentation to a class at MSU on ag journalism. I wasn't surprised when they (a ma- ON THE FARM TIRE SERVICE jority of whom dream dreams of becoming a Barbara Walters or Dan Rather or at least some crusading in- GARDENING? WANT A WEED FREE GARDEN vestigative reporter) asked me about the editorial restrictions • WITHOUT HARD WORK? involved in working for an organization like Farm Bureau. Even seasoned reporters and editors find it hard to com- / prehend how writers (especially editorial writers) can func- tion, without compromising their principles, under the \ -\ restrictions (we call them guidelines) of policy. "You simply can't believe in ALL their policies!" they say. \' And I allow how that is so; there's even a couple with which I strongly disagree. So, how do I handle it? First, I fervently won.l\.trlSl .... on 1 pilon ." \ pray that neither become priority issues; second, I keep silent about them (let those who believe, write), and third, I remember that policy is just for one year and hope it will w......... Use An AGCO change to my way of thinking next year. Farmers and writers have a common characteristic - they're independent thinkers and it would be virtually im- possible for all of us to shout an unqualified "Amen!" to the complete test of two fat books of policy statements on state and national issues. But we also have another common Ji. Weecb N... ow Rows tal characteristic and that's commitment. We have oppor- tunities to let our voices be heard when policy is being New Agoo TIller - Power Hoe ... TIlls Deep. Very EasyTo Hancle MaIles Gardens Weed Free Fast WIIhouI Hard developed, but if a majority of our voting delegates take an Wen ... 2 Wk Money Bactl Trill Period. NOT SOLD IN STORES FOR INFORMATION WRITE TO opposite viewpoint to ours, then we are commited to that 1 Helps you grow $400 to $600 worth of adopted policy until it is changed. vegetables tn your back yard It s hke la~ • AGCO POBOX 75 OEPT 61 I free Income' : SOUTHAMPTON PA 18966 Policy development time is nearing - a time for you to use 2 High speed hger ttnes tills 6 to 8 Inches • I want more Information please send I your "assault of thoughts" to change things for what you deep works your SOil to the texture of : Iileratwp 10 I granulated sugar • NAME I think is better. It's an exciting unique, effective grassroots 3 MakP.z v.«!dIng fast ea:;y and fun Weeds: - -.----- I narrow ro~ 1 to 3 Inches deep I STREET _ process. Use it! 4 Aerate:; & 1".110'11". I,twns 15 nay Irlal I CITY I period your money back (Less shlpptng I -- ------ I cha~ges naturally' " the AGCO ISOt the : STATE __ liP besl and easiest to handle hiler you ve : For ruSh dehvery ot literature call I. I ---------------------------~ ever use reinforced triple thick hems, Big roll bale twine and triple stitched panel seams. Farm Bureau Services, Inc. plastic twine also available Photo by Kathryn Hrywnak, Award of Excellence winner in Farm Bureau Insurance Group's 1981 color photo contest. KEEP THE FAMILY FARM IN YOUR FAMILY'S FUTURE Your farm is more than a business. It's your home, your livelihood, the heritage you will leave your children. But how can you guarantee that your son or other family members will one day own the farm you worked so hard to build? Even though farmers received some big estate tax breaks from the Economic Recovery Act of 1981, the new law is not a cure-all for the estate planning problems that farmers face. A proper estate plan is as vital as ever if you want to keep your farm intact and in the family after your death. Our estate planners understand the complex tax laws and how the laws can most benefit Michigan farmers. We're Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company of Michigan, the statewide leader in farm estate planning. We've been specializing in protecting Michigan farm families for more than 30 years. Call your Farm Bureau Insurance agent today. It's the first step in preserving the family farm. FARM BUREAU INSURANCE We're working to make your GROUP future a little more predictable I W M * « / WlTUM • >«M M i l I f l • COWKNIV Sinvtt M5UUKI • 18 MMJTV Michigan Farm Bureau Non Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE Rural Living Magazine P.O. Box 30960 PAID 7373 W. Saginaw Hwy. Lansing, Michigan Lansing, Michigan 48909 Permit No. 37