Your Grain is Safer with During 1981 and 1982, ten grain elevators in Michigan declared bankruptcy, bringing financial hardship to hundreds of Michigan farmers who lost their grain. The loss to these farmers exceeded $3 million. Now you can protect yourself against this kind of loss, thanks to the new, low-cost Grain Protector insurance policy from Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Michigan. The G rai n Protector covers your grai n in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of a licensed grain dealer within Michigan or within 25 miles beyond the Michigan border (Canada excluded). Five levels of protection are available, ranging from $25,000 of coverage for an annual premium of $70, to a maximum of $200,000 of coverage for an annual cost of $220. The pol icy wi II pay up to 80% of the loss of grain which is del ivered for storage and for which a warehouse receipt is received. On grain stored under an open-storage, price-later, deferred payment, or delayed payment arrangement, the policy will pay from 80% to 65% of the grain loss, depending on how long after the time of del ivery the loss occu rs. This policy is available exclusively to Farm Bureau members. Because it is a group program with low group rates, an adequate number of participants are needed to make the program feasible. Enrollment forms are available at your County Farm Bureau office. Enrollment Deadline is September 1, 1983. Sign Up Now! Making your future FARM BUREAU ~ a little more predictable INSURANCE ~ Il.fIAIJ WT\Joll GROUP • fARM IUlAIJ lfE • fARM Il.fIAIJ GENERAl • fB NftJTY Michigan farm l'lew5 RURAL LlVIl'lG (ISSl'l 00'16-'1161): Michigan farm News Rural Living Is published monthly, on the first day, by the Michigan Farm Bu- reau 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. SUBSCRIPTIOl'l 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 "arm News, name changed to Michigan farm News Rural Living Dee. 1. 1981. Third-class postage paid at Lansing, Michigan and at additional mailing offices. EDITORIAL: Connie Turbin. Editor' Mar- cia Dltchie, Associate Editor and Business Manager: Donna Wilber. Contributing Editor; Cathy J. Klrvan, Associate 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 Of. fleer, Max D. Dean: Secretary, William S. Wilkinson. DIRECTORS: District I. Arthur Bailey, Schoolcrart: 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 LeCronler. Freeland: District 9, Donald Nugent. Frankfort; District 10, Margaret Kartes. West Branch: District 1 1 Bernard Doll, Dafter. DIREC' TORS AT LARGE: Dave Conklin, Corunna; Michael Pridgeon, Montgomery: Robert Rottler. Fremont. fARM BUREAU WOMEl'l: Faye Adam, Snover. fARM BUREAU YOUl'lG fARMERS: Mark Smuts. Charlotte. POSTMASTER: In using form 3579, mall to: Michigan farm News Rural Living. P.O. Box 30960. 737~ West Saginaw Highway. Lansing, Mich. 48909. Speak Up for Smith responds to Your Industry's questions from reporters after the Ag Summit meeting. Future There isn't anything I'd rather August issue of our member the challenge we have ahead of do than to sit down and visit publication that I haven't tried us. Farmers simply have to get personally with every Farm Bu- to project to you the vital im- busy now, study the economic reau family in the state, to talk portance of farmer member in- facts involved in the many is- about our organization and its volvement in developing poli- sues that affect them, and position on issues and the com- cies which will provide the come up with definite policies mon challenges we, as farmers, direction for our organization's and then use those policies to face in the year ahead. activities in Lansing, in Wash- speak with a strong, united I could have gotten a lot of ington, D.C., and in your own voice in the legislative and those farm visits accomplished home communities. public opinion arenas. It's the during the two days I spent at Recent events have empha- only way we can maintain con- the recent Agricultural Summit sized the importance of that in- trol of our own destinies. meeting called by Secretary of volvement, one of whiCh was Please - get involvedl Partici- Agriculture John Block in Wash- the Agricultural Summit. pate in your county and district ington, D.C. But if I had chosen John Block called this meet- policy development meetings, to do what r d rather do than ing to gain input from not only share your views with those what I knew I should do, the farmer.s, but agribusinesses, in- who will represent you at the voice of Farm Bureau might dustry, labor and consumer or- statewide policy development have gotten lost in the din of ganizations. It was not a policy- meeting in Lansing on Aug. 17, other voices that would like to setting session, but I am sure and make your voices heard at speak for farmers. the USDAwill look seriously at your county annual meetings. As your elected leader, there the various viewpoints in devel- Share your concerns, your are many of those "want to:' oping its proposals for the fu- creative ideas, your forward- versus "ought to" decisions to ture farm and food policies of thinking to develop the best make, so I have to rely on this this nation. solutions to the problems we column to share major con- It became clear to me, during face. You owe it to your in- cerns with you. Granted, cold those two days at the summit dustry, your organization - type is not as warm as the cof- meeting, that there are those and to yourself( fee or the conversation we'd who would like very much to Remember, there are those share at your kitchen table, but speak for farmers - and they just waiting for the opportunity it's the best alternative we are not producing farmersl And to speak for you - and you have, and I welcome your calls, the real concern, to me, is that won't like what they have to letters and personal visits they will unless farmers decide sayl whenever possible, as a follow- to do it for themselves. up to this message. The worn-out excuse of farm- There's a lot of concerns I'd like to share with you this ers being too busy to partici- pate in having input into deci- 2~~~ month, but August heralds the sions that impact on them will Elton R. Smith, President beginning of our organization's surely take the future of agri- Michigan Farm Bureau unique grassroots policy devel- culture out of our hands and opment process and it's upper- put it into the hands of others. most in my mind and, I hope, in My involvement in this high- yours. Very seldom, in the past level gathering of opinion- 16 years, has there been an molders and decision-makers made me very much aware of 4 RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 1983 Where People Grow By Connie Turbin In Ogemaw County, the Kartes name is a familiar one During the annual Ag Expo on and one whose reputation for the campus of Michigan State enthusiasm and hard work has University, the Farm Bureau been enhanced by the staff con- family gathered under the dome tributions of Rosemary Kartes. of a 60'x90' tent to proudly dis- Rosemary, who was raised on play the products, services and the crop and livestock farm of programs of the Michigan Farm Robert & Margaret Kartes, joined Bureau and its affiliate com- MFB in September 1982 as re- panies. Our own MFB exhibit gional representative for the theme, "Farm Bureau - Where organization's southeast Michi- People Grow," put the spotlight gan counties. She now employ::. on the organization's greatest her talents as manager of the resource - farm people. statewide MFB women's pro- Perhaps the best chronicle of gram and as education coor- Farm Bureau's commitment to dinator. people can be gathered by visit- Working with farm people is a ing with the countless members natural for Doug Fleming, re- and staff whose recollections of cently appointed regional repre- Farm Bureau's shining stars sentative in Farm Bureau's and "I knew him / her when ... " northeast region. Doug was memories tell the story of chal- born and raised on a large dairy lenge and opportunity in our or- farm in Otsego County. His ganization. parents, Eugene & Barbara, are In this cycle of leadership and active in Farm Bureau leader- talent, there are fond good-byes ship and programs. and welcoming hellos and sup-. Scott F. Walter is carrying on port for new leaders in the Farm a Farm Bureau tradition begun Bureau family. by his father, a regional super- MFB staff and members said visor for the Ohio Farm Bureau. good-bye to two long-time, loyal Scott, who joins MFB as manag- employees in May and June of er of the Member Relations De- this year. Ken Wiles, former partment and the Community manager of the Member Rela- Action Group program, has tions Department, with 16 years been active in Ohio FB Youth of service, and Helen Atwood, programs and 4-H, and was an 18-year manager of the Wom- interim organization director en's Department, both retired. for Ohio FB. Replace these valued em- From the west Michigan com- ployees? Never! Instead, the munity of Ravenna comes search was for successors who Susan Garner. Susan has been would build on the accomplish- involved in FFA and agricultural ments already achieved. projects and is a mem ber of the The training ground for these Muskegon County FB. She as- new leaders in Farm Bureau sumes responsibilities as re- comes from within the ranks of gional representative in MFB's our own organization. In July, southeast region. Farm Bureau welcomed four In the busy organizational staff members whose family schedule ahead you will have and farm activities have been the opportunity to get ac- closely tied to Farm Bureau. quainted, offer support and Two familiar family names work with these new Farm Bu- New MFB staff members (from lead the list of these staff ap- reau family members. Then you, top): Rosemary Kartes, Douglas pointments: Kartes and Fleming. too, will someday say, "I knew Fleming, Susan Garner, Scott them when .... " Walter. RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 198.3 5 LEGISLATIVE REVIEW AFBF'Capitol Milk Break' Promotes Con able Dairy Proposal Dairy Legislation Update - 1977. Since 1977 when Con- -Cuts in the dairy support AFBF used a Washington, D.C., gress took that authority away price totaling $1.50 - 50ft on "milk break" to gain public and from the secretary and started Oct. 1, 1983; 50ft on Jan: 1, congressional support for the mandating specific price sup- 1985; 50ft on July 1, 1985 (to Conable substitute to H.R. port levels based on political $11.60). The second and third 1875, the Dairy Production reasons, the dairy industry has cuts would be made if esti- Stabilization Act of 1983, which been producing milk far in ex- mated CCC purchases on those FB opposes. The event featured cess of market needs. FB be- dates exceed 6 billion and 5 20 dairy farmers explaining why lieves this experience is clear billion pounds, respectively. the organization is backing the evidence that the original dairy - A paid diversion program, Conable bill as the best solution price support system of 1949 ending Dee. 31, 1984, permit- should be reinstated. ting producers to get a $101 Currently under consideration cwt. payment for cutting their is a compromise bill that would marketings below their base include: marketings. -Continuation of the single -A mandatory 15ft/cwt. pro- 50ft 1cwt. collection from dairy motion program running from to the worst dairy supply-de- farmers through Dee. 31, 1984, Oct. 1, 1983 through Sept. 30, mand imbalance in history. FB to fund a paid diversion pro- 1985. A national referendum position papers on the issue gram. would be held in July 1985 to were delivered to congressmen determine whether the federal along with a carton of milk. portion of the promotion would FB supports the Conable be continued. amendment because it repeals the two 50ft 1cwt. assessments and authorizes the secretary of F8 Testifies for Uealth agriculture to adjust the price Care Cost Deductions - Ex- support to a level not less than amples of quarterly Blue Cross $11.601 cwt. Blue Shield premiums for FB AFBF is concerned because members in Michigan were used during the political battle in in recent AFBF testimony before Washington, D.C., statements the Senate Finance Committee such as "Farm Bureau is for to illustrate the inequity that cutting the price support exists in the tax treatment of $1.50" and "under Farm health insurance costs for self- Bureau's proposal, the support employed persons. price would drop to $11.60," Employees and self-employed are confusing dairymen. FB's taxpayers who have to purchase proposal authorizes the agricul- their own insurance cannot pur- ture secretary to adjust the sup- chase the same amount of cov- port price up or down - but to erage with after-tax dollars as not less than $11.60. inexpensively as an employer Giving the secretary the au- can furnish it to employees, thority to adjust the price sup- AFBF testified. The committee 'port was a system that worked was urged to consider legisla- well to keep production in tion that would allow a business reasonably close balance with deduction for the cost of a self- market demand from 1949 to employed taxpayer's health in- Kids, cows and 20 dairy farmers took part in the July 12 "Milk Break" in Washington, D.C. 6 RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 1983 surance, or a personal deduc- tion or credit for any individ- Ag Summit Leaders Review ual's health care insurance regardless of whether deduc- Current Issues in Agriculture tions are itemized. Rep. Del Latta (R-Ohio) has in- MFB President Elton R. Smith, be expected to inject as much troduced legislation that would representing the American as $20 billion annually into amend the income tax code to farm Bureau Federation, was commodity support programs provide that one-half of the among the farm, business, as has been true this year. amount paid by a self-employed labor and consumer organiza- "Agricultural 'entitlement' taxpayer for health insurance tion leaders participating in a programs with open-ended will be allowed as a business recent Agricultural Summit guarantees cannot escape the deduction. meeting called by Secretary of spending restraints that must FB members are urged to con- Agriculture John Block. The ultimately be imposed on all en- tact their congressmen urging purpose of the meeting was to titlement programs if we are to them to co-sponsor this legisla- give these leaders an opportuni- gain control of federal spend- tion. ty to take a comprehensive look ing," he said. at current issues common to (continued on page 32) those involved in the food and fiber system. UNo matter how well-in- At a news conference follow- tentioned, no politi- ing adjournment of the meet- ing, Smith shared his view- cally-oriented farm pro- points with reporters in Wash- gram can effectively ington, D.C., and via a tele- deal with the current The Legislature recessed for phone hook-up to news media overproduction prob- the summer on July 5 and will representatives gathered at lems in agriculture reconvene in September. How- state FB offices in Michigan, Illi- ever, there will be a lot of com- nois, North Dakota, South without government mittee activity during the Carolina and Texas. Smith taking over most of the recess. stressed that while this was not management decisions Various subcommittees will a policy-setting body, he felt now made by farmers.u be working on specific legisla- the concensus of views at the tion, some of which affects agri- summit meeting was that the culture. A summary of legis- U.S. market system, rather than lation and other issues follows. government subsidy programs, One concern that resulted is the best way out of the cur- from the summit conference, Elimination of Tax Exemp- rent farm income problem. Smith said, was that there are tions - Just before the sum- "No matter how welHnten- many non-farm segments that mer recess, several bills were tioned, no politically-oriented would like the opportunity to introduced that put a "sunset" farm program can effectively speak for farmers on agricul- on numerous tax exemptions, deal with the current overpro- tural policy. This presents a including many of the various duction problems in agriculture challenge to farmers to study agricultural exemptions that FB without government taking over the problems, learn the eco- has helped to pass and main- most of the management deci- nomic facts involved and come tain throughout the years. sions now made by farmers," up with a definite policy, he The bills include: Smith told reporters. "Farmers warned. and ranchers throughout the ''I'm firmly convinced that if -H.B. 4756 - Amends the the farmers of this nation don't nation agree that must be general property tax act to elim- do it, somebody with other in- avoided." inate personal property exemp- terests will. That's pretty seri- American agriculture is at a tions after Dec. .30, 1985. This ous," he said. (See Rural Route, crossroads, both in terms of includes all farm personal prop- page 4.) production and in regard to erty (machinery, livestock, feed, future farm programs, he said. etc.), farm products, "processed "The federal government simply or otherwise" in public ware- cannot continue to buy up to (continued on page 32) 10% of the milk production or RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 1983 7 Taste 0' Michigan Farm Markets Offer Freshness and Variety to Michigan Consumers By Marcia Dltchie From Michigan's orchards, vineyards and fields comes an annual parade of fresh fruits, vegetables and syrups. Starting with the maple syrup "run" in late March and continuing through apple harvest in the fall, thousands of consumers visit Michigan farm markets and roadside fruit stands to purchase the highest quality fruits and vegetables. Throughout the state, many growers offer these products through retail farm markets, "pick-your-own" facilities, or both, to meet the continuing demand for fresh products. To assist farm market owners in promoting and marketing their home grown fruits and Cooperative was organized in vegetables, Michigan Certified 1978 as an independent cooper- Farm Markets was formed in ative. 1973 as a division of the Michi- Together, these two organiza- gan Agricultural Cooperative tions serve nearly 100 farm Marketing Association (MACMA), market owners across the state. an affiliate of Michigan Farm Bureau. U-Pick Popular Whh Membership in the organiza- Non-Farm Public tion has more than doubled since its inception. Some 85% Long-time members of Michi- of the cooperative's members gan Certified Farm Markets are operate on a seasonal basis and Alan & Wanda Spicer, who oper- 15% are open year round. ate a retail farm market and In addition to offering con- pick-your-own orchard near sumers their own high quality Hartland in Livingston County. fruits and vegetables, these Located just off u.S. 23 about family owned and operated mar- 40 miles south of Flint, their kets provide unique taste treats U-pick orchards include sweet such as jams and jellies, pop- and sour cherries, raspberries, corn, spices, teas, nuts, honey plums, pears, peaches and ap- and frozen fruits and vege- ples. Their retail market, which tables. To assist the market is open from late July through owners in purchasing, ware- May of the following year, offers housing and distributing these consumers those fruits plus additional items, Farm Markets 8 RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 198.3 many of the items available through Farm Markets Coopera- tive. Spicer was raised in an or- chard atmosphere. His grand- parents, as well as his wife's grandparents, had orchards in the Novi area near Detroit until the area was subdivided for housing developments. Urban sprawl gradually moved his family northward to operate or- chards in Brighton and Linden. When Spicer finished college in 1967, he purchased a tract of land at his present location. The family owned and oper- ated orchard has seen dramatic expansion since that time. "1 first bought 113 acres and we planted 6,000 or 7,000 trees the first few years," said Spicer. "After four or five years, as the Spicer loves the farm life and independence of a family run business. orchard got older, my family Though the hours are-long and investment is high, he says he'd trade sold the retail market in Novi places with no one. and we built a retail outlet here." Within eight years Spicer de- "We try to provide our cus- Markets Serve Public Well cided that further expansion of tomers with the family enter- the market was necessary and tainment aspect of a pick-your- Although Spicer has a suc- in 1980 he built a large central- own facility. On weekends dur- cessful pick-your-own orchard, ized market and storage facil- ing the fall we have four or five he is cautious about newcomers ity. wagons which take families out entering the field. "We moved all the facilities to to the apple orchard. We stop at "1 think it has grown a lot in a new 130-foot long by 45-foot each variety and let them pick the past and it's at a good wide building which houses the for as long as they want and retail market, a cider mill, pack- aging and grading machinery then give them a ride back to the market. ~\ and a 10,000 bushel controlled "Also in the fall, my wife con- atmosphere storage area," he ducts a lot of tours for children said. "We employ three people from preschool age to late ele- full time and hire an additional mentary. She takes them into 25 to 30 people in the fall." the orchards on wagons and ex- In addition to expanding the plains how we grow the trees, retail market, Spicer has also the purpose of the blossoms in increased the size of his or- the spring and how we pick ap- chard. ples." "We have about 15,000 trees Spicer's three children also now and we plant 1,000 to assume some responsibilities in 2,000 new trees every year. I the family business. purchased some additional land "They're just getting to the around me which I'm now grad- age where they can start to do ually planting," he said. some work in the orchard, pull- Spicer's orchard also provides ing brush and trimming. The an entertaining and educational two older boys also occasionally experience for his customers. work in the store bagging pop- corn and stocking shelves. They Customer service is important at will playa real active role in the Spicer's farm market and or- chard. Dere Spicer washes and next few years." pits cherries picked by customers in the U-pick orchards. RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 1983 9 stage right now. I don't know how much more expansion could take place in pick-your- own orchards. We suffer from over production on a wholesale basis and I think a lot of other pick-your-own orchards are starting to reach that level. "If someone else decides to enter the business, it might be tough for them to get started and develop a clientele because the present markets and or- chards are meeting the de- mand, especially in areas where there are a lot of orchards. However, expansion of the num- ber of pick-your-own orchards might be successful in an area where there aren't any other or- chards within a 20 to .30 mile radius." Spicer has high praise not only for the Michigan Certified Farm Markets program, but also for Farm Markets Cooperative. "I've watched the certified lilt was tough getting started, planting program grow and I'm real the trees and waiting for them to bear pleased with the way that it's assisted growers. Farm Markets fruit, but I know I made the right Cooperative has been very ben- choice." eficial to our market. We get a lot of nice products from the cooperative and it's a good part of our business, especially dur- ing the winter months. I think the program will be expanding in the future as more markets begin offering their customers the products available through the cooperative. It's a real sav- ings in products, packaging, delivery and service," he said. Does Spicer have any regrets about his decision 16 years ago to purchase the land and start his own orchard? "I wouldn't trade places with anybody I It was tough getting started, planting the trees and waiting a few years for them to bear fruit, but I know I made the right choice. I enjoy the work, making my own decisions and watching the crops mature. It's very rewarding being suc- cessful and being able to ex- pand like we have. That's re- warding in itself," he said. 10 RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 198.3 Agriculture, Free Attractions Featured 1983 Michigan state Fair Where can you go to see a championship rodeo, auto thrill show, demolition derby, a circus, performance horse shows, big name entertainment, prize-winning crops, a petting farm and the biggest pig you've ever seen? The 1983 Michigan State Fair has all this and more during 11 straight days of fun, Aug. 26 through Sept. 5. This year's fairgoers will notice major improve- ments to the fairgrounds and exhibit buildings since last year's event. The coliseum, livestock and exhibit o ~ RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 198.3 11 halls have been completely ren- Aug. 29 through Sept. 2; Joie Saturday, Aug. 27 (tickets - ovated inside and out, and Chitwood's Thrill Show from $11, $10, $9) and singer/com- many areas are newly land- Thursday through Saturday, poser Luther Vandross enter- scaped. Sept. 1-3 at 2 and 7 p.m.; and tains on Monday, Aug. 29. A the Arbor Drug/Coca-Cola Dem- major country superstar, yet to An Agricultural Fair olition Derby on Sunday and be announced, will perform on Monday, Sept. 4-5. Tuesday, Aug. 30. Advance This year the emphasis of the Also free is the Firemen's tickets with reserved seating in oldest fair in the nation is being Field Day in the grandstand on the grandstand may be pur- returned to its original intent as Sunday, Sept. 4 at 2 p.m.; six chased by calling 313-368-9347. a statewide agricultural exhibi- days of performance horse Paid entertainment tickets in- tion. Rural and urban residents shows in the coliseum; televised clude discount admission to the alike can see blue-ribbon Michi- coverage of Channel 2's "Stars fair and are available with certi- gan commodities on display of Tomorrow" talent show from fied check, Visa or MasterCard. and witness such events as a Monday, Aug. 29 through Mon- sheep-shearing contest and a day, Sept. 5; and a spectacular Sponsors Offer Discounts livestock auction. fireworks display by Kroger Everyone can still watch or Supermarkets on Kroger Day, The Michigan State Fair is participate in contests galore, Wednesday, Aug. 31. located at Woodward and Eight be entertained by a whole array Top entertainers including Mile Roads. Hours are 10 a.m. of special events or enjoy thrill- Rickie Skaggs, the Thrasher to 11 p.m., Aug. 26 through ing rides on the biggest midway Brothers, Doc Severinsen and Sept. 5. in Michigan. Five acres of ex- The Look, join O'Bryan, Terri Admission is $4 (children 11 hibits under one roof make a Gibbs and the Rev. James and under free). Watch for dis- visit to the fair enjoyable even Cleveland Gospel Show for free count admission and/or free in inclement weather. daily concerts in the bandshell. ride promotions from sponsors "We Need Farm Animals" will such as the Michigan Lottery, be the theme of an educational Top Name Entertainment Burger King, Kroger Supermar- exhibit sponsored by the Michi- kets, Arbor Drug/ Coca-Cola, gan Farm Bureau during the Major paid entertainment in Elias Brothers Restaurants and 1983 Michigan State Fair. The the grandstand includes coun- Borden Dairy. Farm Bureau display will be one try star Barbara Mandrell on Fri- of over 25 exhibits in the" Agri- day, Aug. 26 (tickets - $14, culture's Amazing Acre" exhibi- $12, $10). For rock fans, The tion, highlighting farm produc- Greg Kihn Band performs on tion and agricultural informa- tion for fairgoers. Visitors to the MFB exhibit will use a simple computer program to review and answer basic questions about agriculture and farm animal care. Free Attractions Featured free events this year are the Budweiser Champion- ship Pro Rodeo in the all-new Budweiser Coliseum on Thurs- day, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. and Fri- day, Sept. 2 at 2 and 7 p.m.; an Elias Brothers International Cir- cus, Monday through Friday, 12 RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 198.3 Member Co-ops Back Reorganization Plan By Donna Wilber At a special meeting July 18 in Lansing, Farm Bureau Services' member co-ops, by a majority vote, agreed to support a self-help "bootstrap" plan for reorganization. The plan calls for financial investments and business commitments from the mem- bers. When confirmed by the bankruptcy court, the result will be a new regional cooperative owned and controlled by local member co-ops. RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 198:3 1:3 Member Co-ops Pulling Together to Form. New Regional Cooperative America's birth and growth is For years i~ was plagued with filled with heroes who have losses of consumer confidence "pulled themselves up by their and erosion of member and em- own bootstraps." Even in ployee morale. Add to those today's world, when "let George burdensome problems inflation, (or Uncle Sam) do it" attitudes the grain embargo, an ailing ag- seem prevalent, individuals who ricultural economy and a PIK have the drive and courage to program that, while designed as tackle overwhelming obstacles a temporary prescription for and overcome tough odds are sick farm incomes, also de- admired. manded sacrifices from agri- But is it possible that the businesses. Total that up and it same characteristics that those spells ODDSwith capital letters! "bootstrap" kinds of human be- When this critical situation ings have that allow them to led to the filing for reorganiza~ become winners in life can be tion under Chapter 11 of the applied to something as inani- bankruptcy laws in October mate as a corporation? 1982, there was a groundswell Newton Allen, chief executive of member support for this ac- officer and executive vice presi- tion. But it takes more than NEWTON ALLEN, FBS dent of Farm Bureau Services, broad verbal support to make a EXECUTIVE VICE YRESIDENT Inc., thinks so - it's simply a successful reorganization. A matter of getting a lot of in- plan had to be submitted that dividuals pulling on the same would satisfy not only the bank- pressed an interest. And FBS bootstrap toward a common ruptcy court, but also be the had removed four major ob- goal. And, after all, Farm best solution for all the people stacles to such a merger: elimi- Bureau Services IS people - co- involved - the major motivat- nation of PBBassociated op managers, board members, ing concern by FBS manage- claims, and the claims of Michi- farmers, employees .... ment and leadership in their gan Chemical Co., the state of Tough odds are something search for the right plan. Michigan and the New Hamp- with which FBS has had to deal It was this concern for the shire Insurance Co. since 1973 when a fire re- people involved that put But, to date, the orily official tardant chemical - PBB - was liquidation at the very bottom offer from Ohio Farmers was for mistakenly delivered to one of of the list of alternatives, even an asset purchase and fell ap- its plants and accidently mixed though it would have been the proximately $14 million short into feed. The result became in- easiest way out. of what FBSfeels the assets are ternationally known as the Since Newton Allen came on worth. worst tragedy in the history of board in 1980, a key alternative Over the past several months, agriculture. Lawsuits and early has been a merger with another FBSmanagement has been de- settlements evolving from the strong co-op with the same veloping the "bootstrap" plan incident, even though FBSdid service-to-farmer philosophies concept. When the plan was not lose any of the cases as Farm Bureau Services. For first submitted to the managers brought to trial, took a stagger- awhile, it appeared that Ohio and executive committees of ing toll on the financial and Farmers Grain & Supply Associ- the member co-ops, a majority human resources of the farmer- ation of Fostoria, Ohio, might agreed to the idea. However, cooperative. be the answer. The co-op did meet the criteria and it had ex- 14 RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 1983 two major member co-ops, Bank of Cooperatives will con- Allen stressed that the boot- whose dollar volume of busi- sider, on an individual member strap plan is not intended to be ness made their support crucial basis, making loans as neces- a long-range strategic plan be- to the plan, voted against it. sary to finance the bootstrap cause long-range goal setting following that "defeat," was a plan. will come from the new regional period Newton Allen describes for those member co-ops that co-op's board of directors. as a real test of his faith. But were financially unable to make At the July 18 meeting, a even as he questioned the "Guy their required investment, fBS steering committee was elected Upstairs" about this develop- provided an agreement whereby to develop recommendations to the co-ops would do a greater the membership regarding such share of their supply and mar- areas as articles of incorpora- In return for this in- keting business with the re- tion and by-laws. gional cooperative, and future Members of that committee vestment and busi- are Joe O'Henley, manager, cash patronage received would ness commitment, be applied against their re- Lapeer County Co-op; Harry member co-ops will quired investment until the re- Stanton, manager, Eaton Coun- quirement was funded. ty fB Co-op; Dick Labadie, man- control election of In return for this investment ager, Hudsonville farmers Co- the board of direc- and business commitment, op Elevator; Hein Meyering, member co-ops will control manager, falmouth Co-op; Greg tors. election of the board of direc- Armstrong, manager, Battle tors of the new regional cooper- Creek fB Association; Ken ative. Land 0' Lakes and farm Wadsworth, board member, ment, he received a phone call Bureau Insurance Group have Ruth farmers Elevator; and that quickly restored that faith. each requested one seat on the Elton R. Smith, president Michi- The call came from Land 0' board. gan farm Bureau and affiliate Lakes of Minneapolis, Minne- "We are very pleased with the companies. sota, one of the nation's lead- support we received from our Alternates are Red Gilbert, ing, most highly-respected re- local mem ber cooperatives for manager, West Branch farmers gional co-ops, expressing an in- the plan," Allen said. "The for- Co-op; Ed Powell, vice president terest in the survival of a re- ward direction we are now pur- and general manager, Michigan gional cooperative in Michigan, suing will reap many benefits Elevator Exchange Division, under the bootstrap plan con- for all members and will be in fBS; Ed Wicke, manager, Ches- cept. the best interest of the con- aning farmers Co-op; and Dave With this support and interest cerned parties." McClain, manager, Elkton Co-op from Land 0' Lakes, and from farm Produce. farm Bureau Insurance Group, A task force is currently con- the next step was to gain com- ducting a study of the Michigan mitment, via dollar investment "We are very pleased agricultural market and will re- and business pledges, from the port their findings to farm Bu- fBS mem ber co-ops. The posi- with the support we reau Services, Land 0' Lakes tlve member response at the received from our and the St. Paul Bank for Coop- July 18 meeting means a new eratives in early August. regional cooperative, owned local member co-ops and controlled by the local for the plan. The for- member co-ops, will be formed. for those member co-ops who ward direction we need to borrow funds to make are now pursuing their investment, the St. Paul will reap many bene- fits for all members and will be in the best interest of the concerned parties." RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 198.3 15 FRONT &. CENTER Michigan Farm Bureau is seeking nominations for the 1983 Distinguished Service to Agriculture award from county fBs, farmer cooperatives and Michigan state University. Persons chosen for the award will be honored at the 64th MfB annual meeting to held in Grand Rapids Nov. 29-Dec. 2. The award was established to give recognition to men and women who have provided exceptional service to agriculture in Michigan. Your local health department is encouraging eligible families to utilize benefits of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC)program. The federally funded program pro- vides supplemental foodstuffs, nutrition and health screening, food and nutrition education and health and social services referrals for participants. Some 80% of WIC dollars are used for the actual purchase of food for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, and infants and children up to five years of age. Income eligibility limits for a family of four is $18,315. To refer eligible Michigan rural families for this program, contact your local health department or the r1ichigan Department of Public Health, phone (toll free) 1-800-WIC-3333. Members of the Michigan clergy and laity will get a close-up look at a Livingston County dairy farm and a grain farm during the "Experience Real farms" day, Aug. 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is being sponsored by the family farm Concerns Coalition of the Michigan Council of Churches to increase the general understanding of clergy and laity regard- ing the concerns of family farms. Cost is $5.00 for registration and lunch. Send reservations to Grace Love, 2876 Cedar Lake Road, Howell, Mich. 48843. Make checks payable to the Michigan Council of Churches. "Law and Resource Management" will be the theme of the 1983 annual conference of the Michigan Society of Planning Officials to be held Oct. 13-15 at the Hilton Shanty Creek, . Bellaire. Conference information and registration forms may be obtained by contacting Ron Gaskill at Michigan farm Bureau, P.O. Box 30960, Lansing, Mich. 48909. Enrollment for Farm Bureau Mutual's new Grain Protector policy, exclusively for FB members, will be open until Sept. 1. The policy covers a member's grain in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of a licensed elevator or dealer within Michigan or within 25 miles of the Michigan border (Canada excluded). Because this is a group program with low group rates, an adequate number of participants are needed to make the program feasible. If fewer than the necessary number of fB members sign up for the program, the Grain Protector policy will not be issued and the premiums will be returned to the purchasers. The policy will be sold through direct mail marketing and not ~hrough fBIG agents. It's a small world when you are with FB friends from throughout the nation. Join the nearly 5,000 fB members who will attend the 65th AfBf annual meeting, Jan. 8-12 in Orlando, florida. The busy schedule will include exhibits, Young farmer competition, the farm Bureau Women's conference, commodity conferences, and health and economic sessions focus- ing on the agricultural industry. The Orlando area features such famous attractions as Disney World, Sea World and the Epcot Center. for detailed information, contact the MfB Information & Public Relations Division, 517-323-7000, ext. 516, or TM Travel Associates, Inc., 616-364-6231. A new animal care display is available for use by county FBs. Called "We Need farm Animals," the display presents a factual and positive response to the areas of animal care most often challenged by the animal rightists movement. The display also includes nutrition infor- mation, deals directly with confinement and why farmers need it, and depicts the reasons why animal production is important. As a companion piece, a brochure is available for $12.50 per hundred. The display may be booked through the MfB Commodity Activities & Research Department, P.O. Box 30960, Lansing, Mich. 48909, phone 517-323-7000, ext. 547. A minimum of three weeks advance notice should be given for booking the display and ordering the brochures, which are also called "We Need farm Animals." Counties are responsible for returning the display to the MfB office. 16 RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 198.3 LET T E R S TO R U R ALL I V I NG Cry for Uelpl incentive to cut back. Payments proach in his booklet, 50 Ways This letter is an urgent cry for have to be made or we'll be on to Escape Cruel People: "You help. If ever Michigan Farm Bu- the street. need never think about answers reau could help us, we are ask- Please know that we are upset to problems in human relations. ing you now! and concerned, and every Amer- It is useless to seek solutions The 50ct / cwt.. tax on our milk ican should be, for the beef among your present thoughts is in limbo at present, but our farmer, poultry, fish, etc., could because those thoughts caused cooperative has decided to start be next. the problem in the first place. collecting it and $613.32 was The dairy industry is having The solution arrives by studying withheld from our June 15 major surgery and we need the problem itself, just as you check. With seed, fertilizer, all prayers for recovery! observe a faulty tree to see why the spray and necessities of The Don Cordes Family it does not produce fruit. Solve planting and harvesting crops, Montmorency County yourself and you solve every we stand to lose a great deal in problem." the days to come! If they con- (Editor's Note: Farm Bureau Doesn't that sound like a tinue to withhold money from strongly opposed passage of the farmer's answer? It suggests we us, what incentive do we have 50ct tax assessment, and was a first understand ourselves, then to. farm? party to the court suit filed to we can do what we truly need to Recently I was able to obtain place an injunction against its do to produce the most fruit: in a list of all the American busi- collection. See the Washington our workers and in our lives. nesses who have a license to Legislative Review on page 6 for Pat Miller import dairy products from for- an update on dairy legislation.) Mariposa, California eign c"ountries. It may interest you to know that this list is A Farmer's Answer really a 53-page booklet of As a small farmer in the Cali- Preparing Citizens names and addresses of who fornia mountains, I read with in- From within the sanctity of a imports butter, cheese and terest your article on "Fair world whose basic perimeters please note: We should be using Treatment of Farm Laborers" by are home and high school, the American milk first. We don't Donna Wilber in the May issue. concept of "citizenship" often have a surplus of milk; we have So often each side trying to get appears distant. But that magic a surplus of legislators and con- more from the other produces eighteenth birthday turns a boy gressmen who should be doing and promotes yet another prob- or girl into a man or woman, another type of job. lem - the labor organizer. with some new rights, many The 50ct tax has given us NO I like Vernon Howard's al?- (continued on page .3.3) FARMERS OF THE WEEK The Farmer of the Week program, co- June 13 - Denry VUek, 29, oper- and agriculture promotion programs; sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance ates a 1,000-acre cash crop and veal works closely with the Laker High Group and the Michigan Farm Radio farm near Scotts. Vliek serves as a 4-H School FFA and helps with educational Network, honors Michigan farmers for leader and member of the county fair projects; and earned the Honorary their contributions to the community livestock sale committee; Is a member Chapter Farmer Degree from the local and'the agriculture Industry. Four farm- and past officer of the Kalamazoo Coun- FFA In 1981. ers were honored in June 198.3: ty FB; serves on a state FB commodity committee; Is a delegate of the Michi- June 27 - Paul Edwards, 49, oper- June 6 - Roy Rasner, 64, a cash gan Veal Growers Association; and serv- ates a .320-acre dairy farm near Grand crop farmer from Marlon, farms several ed as volunteer lobbyist for the Michi- Ledge. He Is current treasurer and past hundred acres and, until two years ago, gan Vealers Association. He also president of the Eaton County 4-H fair also milked 50 cows as part of his farm teaches a veal production course as board; spent 17 years as a 4-H leader; operation. He.is a 25-year member of part of the continuing education pro- serves as township supervisor; Is an the township volunteer fire department; gram at Western Michigan University. Eaton County FB member; Is past presi- township supervisor and tax assessor; dent of the local DHIA and the Eaton past president and member of the June 20 - Dave Elftman, 25, is a County Holstein Association; served on Menominee County FB board; past cash crop farmer from Pigeon where he the St. Michael's School Board; earned member of his church council; past 4-H farms 200 acres. He is active In his the FFA State Farmer Degree; and was leader; and served on the township church; is a Huron County FB member named state runner-up In 196.3 In the school board, the county MMPA board, and active In the Young Farmer group, Michigan Jaycees Outstanding Young the Upper Michigan Milk board and the helping with the FB membership drive Farmer program. local ASCS board. RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 198.3 17 ([ount!!j}twslttttt News and Information from Michigan's County Farm Bureaus • Satisfied Customers at Mecosta FB Food Booth Sharpen Personal/Business Skills at Leader Conference Make your reservations by Aug. 16 for the State leader Conference sponsored by the Michigan Farm Bu: reau Women's Committee. The con- ference will be held Sept. 20-21 at the Marriott Inn, C rand Rapids. Highlights include a presentation on self-development by Karen Stophel of Women Alive, Chatta- nooga, Tennessee. She will instruct the group on how to develop their potential in the spiritual, mental and physical areas of their Iives. Dr. Keith long, an instructor of agricul- tural medicine at the University of Iowa, will offer insight into rural Two-and-il-half-year-old Zachary Hatfield enjoys his dinner at the Mecosta County Young health situations and problems. hrmer's Food Booth at the Mecosta County Area Fair, July 16-16 in Big Rapids. Young Participants will be able to Zachary's dinner compilnion didn't say much, but did attract some customers. Zachary's choose from the following work- parents, Larry & Brenda Hatfield, are co-chairpersons of the county Young Farmer group. shops: Sept. 20 - understanding personality types, interpersonal rela- tionships and highlighting action Grain Protector Policy- Newest Member Benefit projects; Sept. 21 - conflict man- agement awareness, leadership de- either within Michigan or within 25 vel9pment and communicating ef- miles of the Michigan border (Canada fectively. excluded). Cost for registration, materials, The policy will pay a maximum of lodging and meals for the two-day 80% of the ultimate loss you may in- conference ranges from $72 to $82, cur on grain stored in one of these depending on room occupancy. elevators. Crain delivered for sale is Cost for Sept. 20 is $38 and cost for covered for 80% of loss for the first Sept. 21 is $22.50. For more informa- 90 days after delivery to the ele- tion contact your county secretary vator; after that, the coverage or the MFB Women's Department, reduces 1% each week, down to a minimum payment of 65%. P.O. Box 30960, lansing, Mich. The costs for the five levels of 48909. coverage are: Insurance Annual Premium $ 25,000 $ 70 • mICHIGan'S $ 50,000 $100 During 1981-82, ten Michigan grain elevators declared bankrupt- $100,000 $145 FaRm BeST cy, bringing financial hardship to $150,000 $185 hundreds of Michigan farmers who $200,000 $220 Frozen Fruit Sale lost their grain. The total loss to Because this is a group program Several delicious products are be- these farmers exceeded $3 million. with low group rates, an adequate ing offered in MACMA's Member-to- Farm Bureau members throughout number of participants are needed Member September Frozen Fruit Sale. the state can now protect them- to make the program feasible. If Order blanks were mailed to mem- selves against this kind of loss, fewer than the necessary number of bers in participating counties in late thanks to the new low-cost Crain FB members sign up for the pro- July. If you haven't received yours Protector Policy from Farm Bureau gram, the Crain Protector policy will yet, contact your county secretary. Mutual Insurance Company of not be issued and the premium will The order deadline is Aug. 24, Michigan. The new policy is avail- be.returned to the purchasers. with delivery the week of Sept. 12. able exclusively to MFB members. The enrollment deadline is Sept. 1. Be sure to order a good supply for The pol icy covers your grain in Crain Protector policy brochures the long autumn evenings ahead. the event of bankruptcy or insolven- and enrollment forms are available The next sale will be the December cy of a Iicensed elevator or dealer from your county FB secretary. Citrus Sale. AUGUST 1983 In Participating Counties Newaygo Member Dares to Ask: 'What Can I Dol' - And Does It FB Member/STOP Signs By Laura Grabill, Editor May there always be individuals Available Once Again Newaygo County FB Newsletter in our Farm Bureau organization, Remember those metal signs and such as Jean Sherman, who are will- The Newaygo County agricultural posts you used to get from the coun- ing to get involved for the better- community will benefit from the Ag ty Farm Bureau? They served a dual ment of their community. purpose, telling people heading on- Accident Rescue Seminar scheduled for Aug. 6 at the county fairgrounds, to the road from your driveway to thanks to one young Farm Bureau STOP first, and on the other side an- woman who asked, "What can I What Are Volunteersl nouncing to all that motored past do?" - and then did it. Volunteers are like Ford that you belonged to agriculture's Jean Sherman, health and safety - they have better ideas. most important organization. chairperson of Newaygo County FB Volunteers are like Coke They also rusted. Women, became interested in farm - they are the real thing. Times change, and for a while the .safety when her husband, Larry, was Volunteers are like Pan Am signs disappeared from circulation Young Farmer chairperson. This - they make the going great. ... and from the yar9s of FB m~m- winter, she responded to an article in Volunteers are like Pepsi bers. the December Rural Living and wrote - they've got a lot to give. But now they're back, and are for more information. She was en- Volunteers are like Dial soap - literally - better than ev~r. The couraged by Regional Representa- - they care more, don't you signs are still done in al) appeal ing tive Pat Lause and then presented the wish everyone did? crimson-black-white combination. idea of the seminar to the county Volunteers are like V05 Hairspray As mentioned earlier, times do home Extension agent, Lana Ford, - their goodness holds in all change. The signs no longer come who offered to help. She and Jean, kinds of weather. with stakes, but, on the other hand, along with FB Women and Young Volunteers are like Hallmark cards they will last this time around. Con- Farmers, are sponsoring the event. - they care enough to give structed of tough, rigid plastic, they Jean has visited community ac- their very best. won't rust, and should last a long tion groups to promote the rescue Volunteers are like Standard Oil time. seminar, answer questions and ask - you expect more and you get it Want one? You can purchase one for help with operating funds. The Volunteers are like Frosted Flakes through secretaries in participating response has been very positive. - they're gr-r-reat!!! counties. Northwest Michigan Counties Seek Agricultural Economic Revival By Deni Hooper, Editor Dennis Gibbs, Kim Heisler of Fed- at Gaylord, assistance in the es- NW Michigan FB Newsletter eral Land Bank, Buz Long of the tablishment of a hard cheese plant in In an effort to effect an agricul- ASCS in Leelanau County, Resource this area and encouragement of fresh tural economic revival in Northwest Director Dean Rhoads and area . fruit and vegetable markets. Michigan while preserving the re- coordinator Jim Haviland. source base, the Resource Conserva- The committee's first priority is tion and Development Committee support of the U.S. 131 highway ex- was establ ished by the ASCS early tension to northern Michigan as a Farmette this year, according to its first vital economic link essential for the chairperson, Ken Engle. farming community in effective Membership, says Engle, is a product distribution through con- 15-county area from Ludington on sumer areas. the south to the Straits on the north, Another important area is eco- with 1-75 as the east boundary and nomic encouragement of processing Lake Michigan on the west. facilities badly needed for the north- Committee members are Judee west. For example, the whole green Larson of Mason County, Nick Jones bean industry faltered this spring un- 'of Kalkaska, Harry Taylor of Mani- til processing facility problems were stee County and Stella Otto of An- resolved. "You give milk, have big brown eyes, get trim. Ex-officio members are Ag Ex- Other target areas identified dur- up at 5 a.m. and never overdraw the check- tension Agent Rod Cartright of Char- ing the first meeting include support ing account. Good thing hubby proposed levoix, FB ReRional Representative of the Michigan Live Stock Exchange to me before he met you!" FARM BUREAU MARKET PLACE - FARM EQUIPMENT FARM EQUIPMENT LIVESTOCK MISCELLANEOUS Interested In Antique Gasoline En' farrowing Stalls - All steel $180.00. Morgan horses. mares and colts. Save $400: Cookware. extra heavy glnes? Here are eight excellent books Includes feeder-waterer. top rail. rump Phone 31.3-727-7679. (8-6t-7p) 19 piece stainless steel sold through In- on and about these fine old engines. rail. Weighs 196 Ibs, Free literature. Starr Suffolk sheep. 60 registered ewes. home demonstration at $595. Now avail- These are collections of advertisements National. 219 Main. Colchester. IL 62.326, All or will divide. Allegan. 616-67.3-257.3 able direct only $189.95. Only 100 sets for engines ranging from 1881 to 1949. (8-24p-ts) or 616-673-687.3. (8-2t-l.3p) from bankruptcy. Order now to avoid Eight volumes. totalling 4.32 pages of Wanted to Buy: Milk cans for shIpping disappointment. 100% refund If return- for Sale: One team Welch mares. well advertising. for just $.31.00 postpaid. milk. International No.9 silo filler. corn ed within 10 days unused In original con broke. One team Hartinger. green broke. Order from Alan C. King. 4790 RIver binders and grain binders. John Spezla. dltlon. Send check. money order. Visa or John E. Maynard. Hesperia. Mich. 49421. Road. Radnor. Ohio 4.3066 (sorry no Leonard. Mich. 48038. 31.3-628-4147. Mastercard number and expiration date. Phone 616-924-47.39. (8-30p) C.O.D'-s). (7-2t-5.3p-ts) (7-2t-24p) Yankee Trader. 4600 Stein Road. Ann Ar- bor. Mich. 48105, $1 for brochure. for Sale: Bale Thrower for New Holland Baler No. 268. Good condition. Price $150. (7-6t-65p-ts) Floyd Langs. Augusta. Mich. 49012. CEDAR fence posts. any size. Rustic Phone 616-7.31-4589. (8-20p) LIVESTOCK FOR UOMEMAKERS round rail sections. Log homes. Rapid Spring Spedall - rlew Alumax hard River Rustic Cedar Log Homes and Fenc- Milking Shorthorns: Young bulls. hose Irrigation traveler. 1.200 ft. of SAVEl Make Your Ownl Frozen hash- Ing. Rt . .3. Ensign. Rapid River. Mich. yearlings and calves for sale. Write or .33/." ID hose - $14.500. Allis Chalmers browns. tater tots. french frlesl Com- 49878.1-906-474-6427. (2-11t-27p-m) visit Stanley M. Powell and Family. In- diesel pumping unit complete. 500 GPM plete. easy. Instructions. $1.00. Hamll- gleside Farm. Route 2. 3248 Powell Hwy .. Wanted: Old Indian Artifacts. Axes. @ 140' - $8.000. Manure pumps. agl. tons. Box 652-1.31. New Ulm. Minn. Ionia. Mich. 48846. (4-6t-12p) celts. arrowheads. drilled slate. Informa- tators. pipe and Irrigation travelers 56073. (8-20p-ts) Corrledale sheep breeding stock . .31.3- tion to: Relics. Box 152A. Eau Claire. to pump manure directly from lagoon or 429-7874. (1-12t-5p) rlowl frozen Tomato Slicesl Enjoy Mich. 4911 1. (5-6t-I8p) pIt to field. We also custom pump. Plum- mer Supply. Bradley. MI. 1-800-6.32-77.31. Sheep. C I!lr S Curtis. Reg. Suffolks and garden fresh flavor year roundl Com- Learn to play Bluegrass banjo. Write (8-51 pots) Reg. Southdowns. Helping small flock plete. easy Instructions. $1.00. Hamil- for free details: Ebro-MI. Star Route. owners and 4-H'ers our special Interest. tons. Box 652-1.31. New Ulm. Minn. Process your own milk and sell from Dunlap. Tennessee .37.327. (7-2t-15p-ts) 204 N. WIlliams. Stockbridge. MIch. 517- 5607.3. (8-20p-ts) farm to consumer. Instead of $12/cwt .. $100 - $400 weekly working at you can get $20. We have a complete 851-704.3 - 517-851-8017. (7-12t-22p) Reclpesl Couponsl Cooking Delight home. No experience. National com- farm processing plant. Delivery and set- for Sale - Half SlmmetClI bulls. 19 Magazine. Cookeville. TN .38502-2727. pany supplies all materials and pay- up could be arranged. $50.000 or best months; 1.450 Ibs. Holstein Angus $.3/year. (4-lOt-lOp-ts) checks. Fully guaranteed. For detalls- oHer. For details. call .31.3-648-.3458. mother. 517-676-298.3, Mason. Mich. Coldwater 011I Plcklesl Can In mln- and application. send self-addressed. (8-.39b) (7-2t-l4p) utesl No hot brine. Delicious. Crisp. Fac- stamped envelope to: Tobec. Route 1. tory secretsl Recipe. $1.00. Hamlltons. Box 514. Carpenter. Miss . .39050. Box 652-1.31. New Ulm. Minn. 5607.3. (7-.3t-.35p-ts) (8-20p-ts) CLASSIFIED AD POLICY Pecansl Quart each halves. pieces. meal . .3 qt. sampler. $12.95. Postpaid. Canecreek Farm. Dept.-MF. Cookeville. Members pay lO~ per word for non-commerical ads and 15~ per TN .38502. (7-12t-16p-ts) REAL ESTATE word for ads which promote a commercial business other than ag- fREEIl 7 Jewelry samples. Seeing Is Three bedroom modular manufac' riculture. All other advertisers pay 20~ per word for one insertion believing. Special Introductory offer. On- tured In 1969 by Active Homes. Used ly $2.00 shlpplngl handling. Ace Enter- as summer residence. Excellent condi- and 15~ per word for two or more consecutive insertions. prises • .32.3 Franklin '8041 A207 1D. tion. Must be sold and moved to settle The deadline for advertisements is the first Monday of the Chicago. IL 60606-709.3. (8-20p-ts) estate. Price $21 ..300. Includes set up on month preceding publication and the publisher has the right your foundation. For particulars: Penta. 2.395 WIlliams Road. Petoskey. Mich. to reject any advertising copy submitted. All ads must be pre- 49770. (7-.3t-.39pl paid and may be pre-paid up to one year in advance. Please in- MISCELLANEOUS Smoky Mountain riverside home for dicate if you are a Farm Bureau member. It is the responsibility of rent. Townsend. Tennessee. near Gatlin- the advertiser to re-insert the ad on a month-by-month or year-by- Probate Assistance. Probate by Mall. burg and Cades Cove. Pictures sent on The attorneys at Michigan Probate Ser- request. $50.00 night. Carl Morgan. 409 year basis. Lambert Lane. Maryville. Tenn . .3780 I. vices. P.C.. specialize In handling Inde- Send ads to Rural Living, P.O. Box 30960, Lansing, Mich. pendent probate estates of all sIzes (6-4t-27p-ts) 48909. No ads will be taken over the phone. through the mall. Computer assistance Blueberry farm - Excellent produc" helps us help personal representatives. Ing stage. 10 acres of blueberries Probate Court supervision can be avoId- and 10 acres of other. Home. barn. large ed and you. as personal representative. tool pole bldg .. packing shed. Tractor. can remain In control. Call tolHree for Name drag. sprayer. rotilltor and all needed rates If you have an estate to be pro- equipment to run the farming business! bated. 800-521-8724. (7-6t-48p-ts) Blueberry Harvestor avallablel Irrigation Address _ LEE Jeans. factory outlet work equipment pond and pipe. 4 Inch well. clothes. shoes. Bargains on new shirts Fantastic U-Plck operation and cliental! (low as $5.95). jackets. boots. gloves. Members of Michigan Blueberry Growers coveralls. Send $1 for catalog, SARA Marketl Must be seen to appreclatel DFarm Bureau member o Non-member GLOVE CO.• 16 Cherry Ave .• Dept. C-95. Come and look us over. 616-924-0229. Waterbury. CT 06704. (8-5t-.3.3b-ts) Fremont - Newaygo County. Mike /!J( Barb Maxson. (7-2t-77p) Run the following ad in the issue(s): for Sale: Royal International. 35 ft. travel trailer with attached lO'x24' St. Joseph County - 111 acre farm. cabana. two utility buildings. Located Picturesque setting with rancher and north of Palametto. Fla. Hwy. 41. Call bank barn. Look out your window - see .31.3-66.3-2777. Ann Arbor. Michigan. gently roiling fields. woods and ponds . (8-2t-25p) Corral and riding ring. House Includes all appliances. Call and ask for Marie for Rentz Modern cabins. canoes Kizer. realtor. 616-244-5956. Titus (river trIps. boat rental). Hiawatha Homes. 616-27.3-8478. (8-4.3p) Forest 15 miles south of Wetmore on H-l.3. Lois Murdock. owner. Star Route. rlew condominium project on beauti- Wetmore. Mich. 49895. 906-57.3-2.301. ful Duncan Bay off Lake Huron In Che- (8-2t-25p-ts) boygan. Mich. Pre-construction prices now available. For more Information: Do It Yourselfl Buy furnaces. boilers. Lofgren Construction Company. P.O. Box air conditioners. water softeners and .35. Cheboygan. Mich. 49721. Phone 616- other Items at near wholesale. Check our 627-9506, (8-.30p) prices, 616-784-1941. (8-22p) Gulf Shores. Alabamal "The Cove" Why Ole Without a Will? Two legal condominium. One bedroom units. "will forms" and easy Instructions. Only $.39.900. Two bedroom. $57,800. Lagoon $4 ... Order Todayl Guaranteedl TY- access. boat ramp. pier. pool. 90% nnan- Words _____ Insertions ____ Total Due Company. Box 752-MF. Pryor. OK 74.362. clngl Baldwin Real Estate. 205-968-7582. (8-6t-22p-ts) (8-2t-25p-ts) RURAL LlVINO, AUOUST 19831 AgriCom/Corlee Computer Exhibit lIon the Road" Through October 1 By Connie Turbin July was perhaps the most AgriCom-Corlee Computer heavily scheduled month for the If you're even thinking about Summer Fair Schedule AgriCom "road show." The sys- computers on your farm, you tem was demonstrated at two Stop by the AgriCom / Corlee owe it to yourself to visit the county fairs, Cattle Forage Day MFB AgriCom/Corlee Computer Computer Systems mobile ex- at MSU's Lake City Experiment Systems mobile exhibit at one hibit at a fair in your area: Station, the State Farm Manage- of the remaining nine county Ionia Free Fair ment Tour in Sanilac County, fairs where MFB's computerized July 29-Aug. 7, Ionia and at two workshop sessions information system will be for the Vo-ag Teachers of Michi- Huron Community Fair demonstrated. Aug. 7-13, Bad Axe (continued on page 32) AgriCom coordinators have already presented week-long Berrien County Fair demonstrations at the Mecosta Aug. 12-20, Berrien Springs County Area Fair in Big Rapids Western Michigan Fair and at the Berlin Fair in Marne, Aug. 22-27, Ludington reports AgriCom team leader Robert Craig. In addition, a Eastern Michigan Fair three-day showing of the Agri- Aug. 29-Sept. 5, Imlay City Com system capabilities at Saline Community Fair MSU'sAg Expo attracted hun- Sept. 6-10, Saline dreds of interested persons. Saginaw County Fair "Most of them have heard about AgriCom and they want Sept. 10-17, Saginaw to see how it works," says St. Joseph County Grange Fair Craig. "They have a serious in- Sept. 18-24, Centreville terest in computer applications Hillsdale County Fair for home and farm. Through the Sept. 25-0ct. 1, Hillsdale demonstrations, we can intro- duce them to AgriCom as a means of improving their mar- keting program and increasing their net income." The remaining schedule of mobile demonstrations at coun- ty fairs is running back to back from Aug. 1 to Oct. 1. In addi- tion, Craig says, AgriCom dem- onstrations are being con- ducted, by request, for inter- ested farm groups and at ag-re- lated conferences and seminars. AgriCom demonstrations at. tracted many interested farm family members at the Mecosta , County Area Fair. RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 1983 21 MFB Policy Development Process Your opportunity By Connie Turbin Like Jack Laurie, a dairy and cash crop farmer in Tuscola for positive involve- Are you a coffeeshop critic or County, members of county and ment to address farm will you be among the hundreds state policy development com- of Farm Bureau members state- mittees are full-time farmers and rural concerns. wide who take an active and in- who take their responsibilities volved role in the 1983 Farm seriously. Their months of study Bureau policy development and debate, which culminate at process? county Farm Bureau annual In 1982, from the recommen- dations of community action groups, individuals, county policy development committees and actions of Farm Bureau members at county annual meetings, more than 1,100 policy recommendations were fo'rwarded to the 1982 MFB Policy Development Committee for their study and considera- tion. This year's state Policy Development Committee chair- person, Jack Laurie, expects the {' committee will receive an equiv- alent number of policy recom- mendations in 1983. Sharing your ideas and con- cerns, whether for local Farm Bureau policy or for the mega- , , / STATE POLICY DEVELOPMENT issues affecting our nation's ag- CUAIRPERSON JACK LAURIE riculture, begins at the county Farm Bureau level, Laurie says. "That's the place to get your meetings in the fall, at the policy suggestions heard and Michigan Farm Bureau annual considered by other farmers meeting in December and at the like yourself. If you are not a American Farm Bureau Federa- member of a Community Action tion annual meeting in January, Group, where many policy rec- get underway in August of each ommendations are generated, year when the schedule of dis- you can introduce your con- trict and state policy develop- cerns by contacting a member ment meetings is set. of your county policy develop- Members of the 1983 Michi- ment committee directly." gan Farm Bureau Policy Devel- Laurie emphasizes that the opment Committee are William time you take to attend your White, Cass County, District 1; county Farm Bureau annual Keith Preston, Branch County, meeting to support and discuss District 2; Curt Eubank, Ottawa policy recommendations is an County, District 4; Robert important contribution to Farm Harms, Eaton County, District Bureau's grassroots policy de- 5; John Tanton, Sanilac County, velopment process. District 6; Herman DeRuiter, 22 RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 1983 Oceana County, District 7; Eric ing, water rights, dairy price District Policy Development Bailey, Gratiot County, District supports, local affairs issues, Meeting Schedule 8; James Maitland, Northwest Economic Development Corpor- Michigan, District 9; Richard ation.funding, and other na- District 1 - Aug. 29, 8 p.m. Nelson, Ogemaw County, Dis- tional and international issues Van Buren County FB Office trict 10; and Robert Wahmhoff, affecting agriculture and rural 38880 Red Arrow Highway Copper Country, District 11. citizens. Paw Paw Also seated on the committee "At the state policy develop- are three Young Farmer repre- ment meeting, county leaders District 2 - Aug. 24, 8 p.m. sentatives: David Lott, Ingham have the opportunity to hear Hillsdale County FB Office County; Tom Bodtke, Van Buren and question top notch state 335 Beck Road, Hillsdale County; and Jim Licht, Huron and national resource people on County. the issues," Laurie says. District 3 - Aug. 15,7:30 p.m. The Farm Bureau Women's In setting the agenda and re- Washtenaw County FB Office Committee also has three repre- cruiting resource persons, the 5095 Saline, Ann Arbor sentatives: Nancy Rottier, New- committee identifies probable aygo County; Catherine Knoerr, issues of importance to Farm Sanilac County; and Charleen District 4.- Aug. 25, 7:30 p.m. Bureau and agriculture. "For ex- Thompson, Ionia County. ample," Laurie says, "a session Kent County FB Office At large members of the state on Economic Development Cor- 6525 Alpine Avenue Policy Development Committee poration funding was scheduled Comstock Park are Jack Laurie, Tuscola Coun- and a business consultant in- ty; Michael Pridgeon, Branch vited to address our leaders be- District 5 - Aug. 22, 8 p.m. County; and David Conklin, Shi- cause of the very real concern Ingham County FB Office awassee County. expressed by some of our 134 W. Maple Street, Mason District 3's representative on farmer members that large the committee has not yet been scale agricultural enterprises District 6 - Aug. 1, 8 p.m. announced. which obtain start up funding Teal's Cafe, 3101 Main Street At this year's state policy from the EDC will exert negative Marlette development meeting, slated economic pressure on already for Aug. 17 at Long's Conven- existing family farm enter- District 7 - Aug. 30, 8 p.m. tion Center in Lansing, key prises." Fremont Fairgrounds, Fremont state and national resource per- Experience has shown that sons will be on hand to review policy developed through the District 8 - Aug. 1, 7:30 p.m. and discuss education spend- (continued on page .3.3) Midland Community Center Pioneer Room, Midland District 9 - Aug. 24, 8 p.m. McGuire's Restaurant, Cadillac District 10 - Aug. 30, 8 p.m. Chalet Restaurant, Gaylord District 11 East - Aug. 23 8 p.m., Garfield Township Hall Engadine District 11 West - Aug. 22 7 p.m. Central, 8 p.m. Eastern North Crystal Falls Township Hall, near Amasa Grassroots policy reaches the na- tional level at the AfBf annual policy making session held each January. RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 198.3 2.3 - • • • , BUILT FOR COMMERCIAL . " :,." WEEDS FAST AND SHALLOW. 'I , USE ... TILLS KNEE DEEP! 1. Tills 10 to 16 Inches deep•• depending on soli conditions .• ,". 2. Weeds from 'f> to 3 inches deep. Makes gardens weed free fast ...• without hard work! .. Farm Program at -'" the Crossroads By Robert Delano, President Economists project that the • '.~ '.' " 3. It's adjustable. hood. tines and. $'0" Cl".' all ... Tills or weeds. al 18-15-12-9- American Farm Bureau cost of U.S. farm programs for • p,; • • '. ,~ ~. ,.•: '. U 'j 6 or 2 inches wide! 4. 'f> the cost of other single • handed tillers. • For some time it has been ap- the year ending this Sept. 30 will exceed $2] billion - with- :-;,. ;,~._ :~: H, •• #1; 5. Air Force approved engine '" • one month money back trial parent that this country has out including the total costs of • TIlls in Slanding corn slalQ ::~,,;~: ~~ f:"he:~~u~~~ • reached a crossroads in agricul- the payment-in-kind program. and bolhefsome vines, you might win a tiller. tural policy. Further, by relying Basic program costs are up •• • • ~[I. -'"1111'11:"'''1 lll: WRITE TO I ~ __ ALLENTOWN ;l-I::l =-tf.,: 1'1::l ~II: TIllER CO., [... <1 III'J OEPT2 =- 3 • on politically appealing target 75% from last year, 250% more clO Allenlown Fled Co .. Meln SI.. Allenlown. N,J. 08501 prices and rigid, high-level price than two years ago and about • For Rush Mailing of Literature call Ask for Belly Allen ... 201- 530 - 9380. supports, we have worked our eight times higher than was ••••••••••••• way into an overproduction box projected when the 1981 farm that severely limits our options. bill was passed. Inventories of One farm policy path - the price supported commodities Heart disease easy one - leads us downhill to continue to be excessive or stroke full scale government supply- management. The other, harder, despite an attempt to use ex- port subsidies and a return to can cheat you but equally obvious, path takes the payment-in-kind and other us uphill and back to the mar- giveaway programs associated out of the best ketplace. with the policy failures of years of your life. The final option is to continue on the path followed since 1977 decades ago. Those are the years shared - talking about market orienta- with people you love. And tion and increased participation when a loved one is gone, in world trade (as we do in Farm everything changes. You Bureau) - while segments of can't imagine the loss. agricultural leadership join poli- unless it happens to you. ticians in demanding price and Last year, nearly one million income support programs total- Americans died of heart ly inconsistent with market disease and stroke - realities. 200,000 of them before retirement age. Cost vs. Budget The Michigan Heart Association is fighting to It is politically tempting to reduce early death and dis- keep on with the present sys- ability from heart disease tem of rigid, high-level price and stroke with research, supports and to try to handle professional and public the overproduction they encour- education, and community age through voluntary acreage service programs. reduction, storage in the Contact any local office farmer-held reserve, the new PIK ROBERT DELANO of the Michigan Heart AFBF PRESIDENT schemes and giveaway pro- Association for our free grams. brochures on lowering your To do so would be to ignore Legacy of 1981 Farm Bill riSk of heart attack and agricultural expenditures grow- stroke. We need to review again the ing faster than any other pro- gram - even defense - and conditions that have led us to a We're fighting for your life. $2 billion dairy surplus pro- ~ signs of a dangerous political backlash from both Congress gram, twice as much wheat on hand as we normally use do- . Michigan and the general public con- V An American (!) A United Heart Heart Association Association Way Agency Affiliate cerned about a projected budget deficit of $200 billion and a trillion dollar national debt. mestically and three times our normal corn carryover. These surpluses have accumulated in response to false market signals generated by unwise 24 RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 198:3 provisions of the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981. The politically appealing Farm Act of 1981 was based on a number of false assumptions - the assumption that both infla- tion and world food demand would continue upward; the as- sumption that the dollar would remain weak against other cur- rencies; and the assumption that U.S. farm exports would continue to rise in the midst of a world recession. As a result, loan rates, target prices and dairy price supports were set at levels completely out of touch with domestic and world markets. Where From lIere? Without basic reforms, U.S. agriculture is headed in the same direction as that of Western Europe - wholeheart- edly accepting politically deter- mined farm prices "stabilized" by government at levels most acceptable to consumers with excess production siphoned in- to world markets through ex- port subsidies. The other alternative is for farmers to work together to end incentives to overproduce and, by discontinuing the farmer- Tellyour parents about the security held reserve, remove the artifi- cial cap placed on farm income of Direct Deposit. by government interference It'sthe kind of guidance they'll with markets. Once this is done, the profit and loss system will appreciate, and its a nice way to let be free to work - allowing them know you care. farmers to take advantage of every market opportunity at With Direct Deposit, their Social home or abroad. Security goes straight to their checking U.S. Department of Agricul- ture economist William Lesher or savings account. They don't have said as much recently: "Do we to wait for the check or worry about it. want a government dominated agriculture or do we want to be Have them ask for it where they now competitive in world markets? deposit their Government checks. It's Once we direct our production to the marketplace and not to free. And after all, they've got it coming. an artificial price system, then our competition will be forced into an honest battle which our experience has shown we can _ I) 11'1 f9~EPOSI' win." AnER ALL,THEY'VE GOT ITCOMING. RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 198.3 25 AGRINOMIC UPDATE Agricultural Weather Forecasting Must lIave a National Priority Weather has more impact on working with other groups na- For several decades, the main year-to-year changes in food tionwide in developing a long- thrust of agricultural advance- production and energy usage term plan for congressional ment has concentrated on in- than any other single factor. review and consideration that creasing production by techno- The importance of weather, es- would provide agricultural logical advances, rather than pecially for agriculture and for weather on a continuing and intensive management. These the entire food production sys- stable basis. technological advances brought tem, has again been demon- Weather forecasting must be an increased reliance on mech- strated during the summer of a federal responsibility. The anization, energy, high quality 1983, where concerns over hot scale of weather systems is seed, fertilizer, etc. Costs in- and dry weather caused grain beyond local and regional creased, but so did production, and soybean prices to move up boundaries and, therefore, must more than offsetting the in- rapidly, only to see a sudden be national and global in scope. creases in capital outlay. In change the other way when Satellite data, large scale nu- many commodities, there are welcome rain was forecast or merical models, a coordinated now reliable indications actually developed. national and international through yield plateaus that the Commodity markets are al- weather observation network technology input has leveled off ways sensitive to weather and it and a nationwide information and the relatively weak finan- may cause the national AMS distribution system are all cial condition of many of the corn price to hit $3.15 per needed components. nation's farmers is a sure in- bushel, which would trigger Because of the importance of dication that technological in- $200 to $500 million bushels of weather to agriculture, it is puts are not being recovered by corn to be released from the clear that an effective weather the value of the crop produced. 1983 reserve program. and climate system with federal Reduction of overhead costs of- The concern on the national input at the .top is essential to fers an attractive means of off- level is that consistent and ac- assure the productivity of our setting some of the increased curate weather information is food and fiber industries. cost of production. an essential tool for food pro- duction and marketing. Farm Forecast Needs Bureau is very concerned about for Agriculture the Reagan administration's recommendation for the Users of agricultural weather 1983-84 fiscal year to eliminate forecasts fall into two general the nearly $4 million budget for groups. The first is the agri- the National Oceanic and At- cultural producer - the farmer, mospheric Administration in rancher or grower who uses the U.S. Department of Com- forecasts for daily farm opera- merce, which provides agricul- tions and planning. The second tural weather services including group includes the interpreters, fruit frost alerts. who combine weather and agri- A national priority needs to cultural information to formu- be established for an agricul- late advisories for use by agri- tural weather policy and both cultural producers and agricul- Michigan Farm Bureau and tural industries which are American Farm Bureau are weather sensitive. 26 RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 198.3 Since weather is a dominant forecast maps and guidance The point is that no single factor in the efficiency and the procedures directly from the forecast is going to suit the effectiveness of many farm op- distribution circuits and pro- needs of all farmers. erations, such as planting, duce their own forecasts to suit chemical applications and har- the particular needs of their Conclusion vesting, it is reasonable to clients or customers. All assume that improved weather weather forecasters base their Agricultural weather forecasts information leading to better interpretations on the same set must be carefully packaged to management will increase of basic and processed informa- provide the weather forecast farmers' potential for reducing tion provided by the National elements that suit the needs of production overhead costs. Meteorological Center at Suit- most of the producers in the Agricultural weather forecasts land, Maryland. area being served. It would be then must necessarily form the The farmers' need for weather nearly logistically impossible to first steps in the staircase of forecasts is highly dependent write a specific forecast for a essential weather information on the type of farm operation particular producer group to be provided to producers for and the commodities being pro- which contains all the elements use in making sound farm man- duced. It also varies from day of interest to that group. agement decisions. to day and from season to Because weather is a such a The basis of all non-military season. vital factor in production agri- weather forecasting activity Consider, for example, a poul- culture, farmers must be con- within the United States, try producer and a row crop cerned with national proposals whether private, state or fed- farmer. Both have urgent needs to eliminate all agricultural eral, originates from the basic for agriculturally oriented 'weather services through the national and international ob- weather forecasts, but the ele- federal government. servational data set compiled at ments of interest in the weather the NOAA National Weather Ser- forecasts are markedly dif- vice's National Meteorological ferent. Agrinomic Update is prepared Center at Suitland, Maryland. The poultry producer is vitally monthly by MFB's Commodity From this observational data interested in the maximum and Activities & Research Department. set, the National Meteorological minimum air temperature and Center, using numerical predic- the rate of change of air tem- tion models, produces a unique perature as he attempts to reg- set of forecast maps and guid- ulate temperatures in the ance procedures, which are dis- brooder, broiler or laying house seminated to National Weather to obtain optimum tempera- Service forecast offices, where tures for production. This pro- weather forecasts are for- ducer doesn't care about other mulated and packaged to meet elements such as rainfall or specific purposes, such as wind or soil temperature. public, marine, aviation or agri- The row crop farmer, however, cultural weather forecasts. is especially interested in all These forecasts are then aspects of precipitation (if, made available to the general when and how much rain will public or other users for what- fall), soil temperatures during ever use they desire. Some the planting season, wind speed groups, such as private weather and direction for timing and consultants, obtain the basic suitability of spraying opera- tions, dew formation and dry off, and in crop drying condi- tions. RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 198.3 27 The Discussion Topic Is used by Community Ac- tion Groups for monthly Workers' Compensation polley discussions. in Michigan During the 18th and 19th - Fellow servant rule - if a fel- claims. Actually, Germany de- centuries, moves were made to low worker was at fault, the in- veloped the first system of com- protect employers from injured jured worker has no standing to pulsory workers' compensation worker claims. The common law recover damages from the em- insurance in 1884. courts developed three em- ployer. ployer defenses against em- Costs of injuries, as a result, Michigan Among the First ployer liability: were shifted to other members -Assumption of risk rule - of an injured worker's family Between 1910 and 1915, the an employee freely assumes the and to communities. Welfare majority of states adopted risks involved in a job when he systems at the time were main- workers' compensation laws. accepts the work and therefore ly limited to poor farms and Michigan was one of the first to has no standing to complain church charity. adopt a law in 1912. It was when injury does occur. While employers "common passed by a Republican Legisla- -Contributory negligence - law" defenses continued into ture and governor. The organ- an injured worker who was at the 20th century, soon an en- ized labor movement and man- fault when the injury occurred tirely new system of law began agement supported the law: has no standing to recover dam- to emerge to compensate for labor to secure assured protec- ages from the employer. worker injury. This resulted in tion for workers; management large part because court opin- to bring an end to the ever in- ions became more favorable to creasing number of liability the employee on disputed suits over work related injuries. Agricultural employers were specifically exempted from the 1912 law. The Legislature also repealed the three common law defenses of employers affected by the new system. At the same time, the employee and his family gave up their common law right to sue the em ployer for dam- ages for an injury covered by the law in exchange for assured benefits. The workers' compensation system was not based on fault, but instead on the relationship of the illness or injury to the employment. Originally, claims were limited to wage loss and medical costs, but over the years the courts began to rec- ognize employer liability for in- juries resulting in an "impair- ment" which may not necessari- ly result in wage loss. Benefits included cash payments based on 662/.:5% of the employee's av- erage weekly wage for the dura- tion of a total disability. Partial compensation could also be 28 RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 198.3 awarded, and a schedule of pay- consecu tive weeks to provide Those required to provide ments for specific losses was medical and hospital coverage workers' compensation insur- provided for loss of eyesight, for work related injuries. The ance are: appendages, hospital and medi- worker retained his right to sue ."AII private employers who cal expenses. In case of death, and the farmer retained his de- regularly employ three or more benefits were provided for the fenses. All other farm employers employees at one time." Inter- dependents. were exem pt from the law. pretation: The Appeal Board has The employer was required to ruled that if there is a pattern cover his liability by purchasing Gallegos Sets Precedent of employment where three or a workers' compensation insur- more are hired for a special job, ance policy. The premiums be- However, on Dee. 21, 1972, time after time, they must be came part of the cost of produc- all farm employers were covered. This could apply where tion and added to the price of brought under the full workers' three or more workers are hired the product. The theory of the compensation law by a 6-1 deci- for annual planting, harvesting, law was that the cost would be sion of the Michigan Supreme pruning, cultivating, ete. The passed on to all of society. Court in the Gallegos case. In board has also ruled that "part that case, two workers were in- time" labor constitutes regular Exemptions for Agriculture jured when they fell down a employment. stairway of the living quarters ." All private em ployers who For 55 years (1912-1967), on a farm at 2 a.m. The Work- regularly employ less than three farm employers maintained ers' Compensation Board employees if at least one of their common law defenses. denied their claim because the them has been regularly em- Most purchased liability insur- law exempted piece rate work- ployed by that same employer ance. However, during the ers. A lawsuit was filed. The for 35 or more ryours per week period of 1962 through 1964, Court of Appeals upheld the for 13 weeks or longer during demands emerged that agricul- board's determination, but the the preceding 52 weeks." Inter- tural employers should be sub- Supreme Court ruled the exclu- pretation: It is possible that ject to the Workers' Compensa- sion unconstitutional and man- workers' compensation would tion Act also. dated that agricultural em- be required even though the The three common law de- ployees must come under the employee may not work 13 fenses which still applied to full impact of the law. weeks. Past decisions indicate farm employers were repealed The fact that the people were the 13 weeks refer to the job in 1965, and amendments were not at work at the time of their not the employee. Examples of made bringing agriculture un- injury made no difference since this include: der the full workers' compensa- the injury would not have oc- -An employee is hired as a tion law. However, when the curred if they had not been milker, works 10 weeks and is Legislature considered the ex- hired. This is known as the "but replaced by another milker who emptions proposed by Michigan for" theory. is hurt after four weeks. The Farm Bureau, they decided to These kinds of decisions by second milker may come under postpone the effective date two the courts and administrative the act. years, to May 1967. agencies have been the main -A full-time regular employee Between 1967 and 1969, addi- reason that workers' compensa- who has an accident before the tional revisions were made. tion costs in Michigan have 13 weeks is up would probably After 1969, the workers' com- soared far above other states. qualify for workers' compensa- pensation law provided three Conversely, Michigan's benefits tion because it was the em- employer classifications: private were not as high as many other ployer's intent to hire him for employers, public employers. states. more than 13 weeks. and agricultural employers of There is, however, an impor- - The 13 weeks need not be three or more employees work- tant benefit from being under consecutive and are counted ing 35 or more hours per week the workers' compensation law. back 52 weeks from the time of for 13 or more "consecutive" Section 131 states in part: "The the accident. A farmer might weeks during the preceding 52 right of recovery of benefits as employ a person for eight weeks. Piece rate workers were provided in this act shall be the weeks during June and July of excluded as were other em- employee's exclusive remedy ployees. However, the law re- against the employer." quired farm employers of one or more workers for five or more RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 1983 29 one year and again for five The changes included in- Some of the data that Farm weeks or more in March of the creased maximum benefits, as Bureau provided in testimony following year. This employ- Michigan was low compared to supporting the workers' com- ment would be covered by the other states; and elimination of pensation reform battle in 1981 workers' compensation law. minimum benefits regardless of included a comparison of agri- An illegally employed minor wages. Benefits often exceeded cultural workers' compensation under 18 years of age who is in- working wages thus discourag- premium costs with other jured receives compensation ing a return to employment. states. For example: orchards - double that provided in the act. Other changes helped the log- Michigan $15.81 compared to In this case, workers' compen- ging industry and also placed Wisconsin $5.90, California sation only pays the regular some limits on benefits to re- $7.44 and New York $6.91; tree compensation; the employer tirees, requiring that mental trimming and spraying - Michi- must pay the rest because of disabilities and those resulting gan $16.22 compared to Wis- the illegal employment. from the normal aging process consin $5.90 and New York Under normal circumstances, must be related to their employ- $6.91; dairy and livestock - a workers' compensation policy ment in a "significant manner." Michigan $15.54 compared to limits your liability to the cost The statute of limitation was Wisconsin $7.25, .lIIinois $9.30, of the policy. changed and injuries resulting New York $7.11 and California from social and recreational ac- $7.97; cash crops - Michigan Costs Skyrocket: tivities'were no longer com- $13.69 compared to Wisconsin Reform Demanded pensable. $7.25, Illinois $9.30, California Even with these and other $8.91 and New York $7.11. Since the 1970s, when farm- changes, it was found that be- Some 1983 Michigan rates for ers were brought under the full cause of the increased benefit these categories are: orchards workers' compensation law by levels, some businesses would $11.50, cherry $9.45, tree prun- the court, benefit costs have still have an increase in costs. ing $8.63, dairy or livestock soared and, in turn, the in- In December 1981, another $4.55, farms (cash crop, etc.) surance rates have risen by 15-bill reform package was $5.00 and farm markets $2.15. 185%. The overall average passed by the Michigan Legisla- Michigan is one of 15 states premium rate in Michigan was ture. Some changes include: requiring workers' compensation nearly five times that of In- - Anyone refusing a "reason- for farm workers; 21 other diana, nearly two-and-a-half able" job that they are capable states require coverage, but with times that of Wisconsin and of performing loses benefits. exemptions and limitations. one-and-a-half times that of - Fringe benefits are limited Illinois. when calculating benefits. further Reform Needed Reform proposals were intro- -Coordination of various duced in the Michigan Legis- benefits to prevent total bene- There are many areas of the lature with no results. Business fits from being more than the Michigan workers' compensa- demanded lower workers' com- person made while working. tion law that need reform. Farm pensation costs, but labor de- -Clearer definitions of disabil- Bureau is working on legislation manded more benefits. Finally, ities. to clarify definitions of con- businesses started to move out -Changes in rate setting to tractors and subcontractors. of Michigan and with them went make workers' compensation Pitfalls of imprecise definitions the jobs. Farms, of course, can't premiums more competitive affect agricultural and forestry be moved. Unfortunately, many with neighboring states. interests throughout the state. farm employers went without - Limitation of lawyer and Fear of liability in a woodlot workers' compensation insur- medical fees. injury has caused many mills to ance protection, taking a What's the bottom line? It's refuse to purchase logs from a chance that they would not really too early to tell, but the farmer's woodlot. Yet the farm- have an accident. combination of the two reform er is unable to purchase work- In late 1980, enough legisla- packages should result in ers' compensation coverage for tors realized what was hap- premiums being cut about 20% himself. pening and passed some work- overall, even with increased A further test of these defini- ers' compensation reforms, benefits for the injured and tions regarding contractual which took effect Jan. 1, 1982. disabled. The big question is Farm Bureau was part of this ef- whether the courts and admin- fort and worked with a coalition istrative agencies will be more of other employer groups. realistic in their decisions. .30 RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 198.3 work is currently in litigation. In this instance, liability for an ~------------------------------~ I I PLANT NOW - GAIN A YEAR! Why be .a"'''N with ordlna" .•lzN .,,.wb.,,I •• I • I injury suffered during a con- I • wh.n w. Qua,.n'•• ,ou can ha,. th ••••• t,a • tracted custom harvest has been charged against the farm- •• w •• f. .. I er, despite the fact that the work was contracted and the • EXTRA HUGE equipment was owned and oper- ated by the custom harvesteL Similar liability pitfalls may exist for farmers who contract S1RA WHERRIES for services such as bulldozing, NEXT SUMMER! 25 The last time you picked strawbe'- for excavating, etc. ries-or bought them-how many did it take to make a quart? $2.25 While there is agreement that Eighty? One Hundred? More? Reaular strawberries are so small (SCHor 54.25) (lOOtOf' 57.95) this area of the law must be ~most.people lost! count! But with thiS hardy variety, you can 2OOtOf'514.95) clarified, support for a legisla- ellj)ect quarts FROM JUST 30 tive solution has been difficult STRAWBERRIES! And these extra-sweet berries, Giant Robinson, are highly disease.resistant, they ripen very I fast, plus they produce lots of new runners to gIve you a to garneL Legislation was intro- bi"er patch every year! How wonderful-big strawberries ACTUAL SIZE! for Jams, freezer, fresh desserts for monthsf GET A HEAD duced in the last legislative ses- START ... by pIanti,. now. Yes. fall plants can gain a full growing season. You receive strong, healthy plants with Biaest strawberries most folks sion, but none has been intro- we!l.developed crowns and roots. Send no mC!ney: On have ever seen: dark red very dellVe1'Y pay cost shown, plus coo charges. On prepaid orders, .' duced in this new session. add 95C to help postage and handling charges. If not 100"" sweet ... yet firm. All-purpose While this discussion topic is l r_.e~~~~e.f:~s sa~isfied. just return Shipping label for refund of purchase ~ " -freeze jam eat 'em fresh! CAUTION! intended to be a general sum- HOUSE OF WESLEY, NURSERYDIVISION FREE GIFT ~~co~l:fn\7. mary of the workers' compensa- • Dept. 2609.52 Bloomi~on. IL 61701 on these marvelous Send me N6609 Strawberry Plants.• For your immediate berries i~ that ~ tion law and how it has evolved • . c. order, 5 Flowering people Just dldn t I Prepaid I ICOOI I Pleaseadd 95 on prepaid orders. Shamrock Bulbs. think to order en. through the years, it is also in- NAME Ready-ta-grow and ouih. Honestly, you • WIllbloom six weeks win wlnt at least tended to point out some of the • ADDRESS after you plant ~!~~n~I~~t~ta~ liability pitfalls under the law. CITY them. you can take ad. • • STATE ZIP vantage of gain-a- seasonFall p1antina. .I Discussion Questions • Do you hire anyone, either ------------------------------- full time or part time, on your farm? Stock Your Freezer • Do you have workers' com- pensation insurance? Your Count~ Farm Bureau • Do you contract with anyone to do particular jobs (building, is hauinB a MACMA Frozen roofing, field work, etc.)? • Do you require them to pro- vide you with a certificate prov- Fruit and UeBetable Sale ing they have workers' compen- sation insurance on their em- ployees? This article was prepared by Robert E. Smith, senior legisla- tive counsel for Michigan Farm Bureau. Order Deadline: AUBust 24 Deliuery Date: Week of Sept. 12 Contact your county Farm Bureau for further information RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 198:3 :31 AgriCom 1983 "There is evidence that we are credits and the homestead tax winning in our anti-tax cam- credit program known as the Summer Schedule paign. Our ability to get thou- "circuit breaker." It would also (continued from page 21) sands of letters opposing any eliminate the credit a farmer gan summer conference in Lan- tax increase to all members of can take when he allows chari- sing. Congress has been one of the table organizations to "glean" "The demonstrations offer most significant and successful his fields or orchards for usable more than the opportunity to Farm Bureau campaigns in food. see AgriCom in operation," many years," he said, referring eH.B. 4758 and H.B. 5760 - Craig says. "We talk with farm- to recent congressional votes Amend the general sales tax ers and agribusiness people rejecting both withholding on and use tax laws to eliminate about possible applications of interest and a limit on the third all exemptions after Dee. 31, computers on their farm or year of the Reagan tax cut. 1984, including the sales tax business and we also offer "Only through evidence of exemption for agriculture ma- some general information about citizen support between now chinery, livestock, feed seed, selecting computer hardware. and the next election can we fertilizer, all supplies, ete. We want to be available to talk thwart attempts to increase eH.B. 4761 - Amends the with farmers and answer their taxes rather than to cut spend- Single Business Tax Act to individual questions." ing," Delano said. eliminate exemptions after Dee. Craig encourages both hus- Delano called for producers to 31, 1987. This would bring band and wife to visit the ex- work aggressively to bring sup- farmers back under the act. hibit at county fairs. "The pur- plies in line with demand, to chase of a farm computer and reduce costs and to become eH.B. 4759 - Amends the determining its potential uses more price competitive. FB pol- Severance Tax Act in a similar is a partnership decision," he icy calls for reducing incentives manner. says. "In fact, we have seen a to overproduce by moving all This series of bills, if passed, trend of farm women being the commodity price support loan would eliminate all tax exemp- most frequent user of the sys- programs to market-clearing tions and tax credits, including tem to access AgriCom or to levels. By achieving that, he P.A. 116! A special tax subcom- perform other functions such as said, u.S. agriculture will be in a mittee will soon begin to criti- farm recordkeeping." position to beat foreign com- cally study each exem ption and The idea of a "road show" to petitors and avoid periods in make recommendations. local fairs was generated by Jim which mounting surpluses Cork, co-owner of Corlee Com- depress prices. , Each bill contains about the puter Systems, Ine., of Lapeer, same wording. The exemptions which has been offering on- are eliminated by a certain date farm computer systems for unless the House and Senate three years. Corlee is demon- taxation committees decide to strating several types of com- Legislative Review: allow the credits or exemptions puter hardware and software to be extended. programs during the fairs. Lansing (continued from page 7) house, dock or port, and sugar Water Rights - This simple made from sugarbeets in pro- bill (H.B. 4198, Rep. Dodak) has Legislative Review: cessor storage, household fur- become very controversial. It nishings, appliances, fuel, wear- provides that "a farm or farm Washington ing apparel, jewelry, ete. It operation shall have the right (continued from page 7) would also eliminate the exemp- to use an amount of water suffi- AFBF President Sets Na- tion on growing farm crops cient to meet the needs of the tional Priorities - In an ad- (trees, shrubs, plants, bushes, production of farm products dress before the state FB Coun- vines, annual or perennial) and and crops grown." However, cil of Presidents, AFBF President the assessments on public such use "shall conform with Robert Delano called for con- rights of way exemption. generally accepted agricultural tinued opposition to tax and eH.B. 4757 - Amends the in- and management practices." A spending increases, support for come tax act to eliminate, after subcommittee is considering a strong national defense and a Dee. 31, 1983, the $1,500 per- the legislation. restructuring of federal farm sonal exemption and various FB has helped to develop programs to bring supply in deductions including retirement alternative language. The bill line with demand. benefits, contributions, energy (continued on page .34) .32 RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 198.3 LIQUID PLASTIC Letters to school juniors or seniors who (NOT SOLD IN STORES) Polyurethane were chosen by farm Bureau Kural Living members of their home coun- .,_ that applies point forms like a -.~, - skin so tough it (continued from page 17) ties. As Henry Schriver said to . won't crock, chip ....;_, ""_ . or peel. Cuts new responsibilities and a pro. the group at a banquet Wednes- ~ .. :-.- - pointing costs fusion of new choices to make. day evening, "You are here be- ... covers and protech like a shield 01 unbreakable How does a brand new citizen cause they see in you the prom- gloss. make choices in a foreign world ise of things to come." WA TERPROOF IN 30 MINUTES Adheres to practically anything. Stops of politicians, promises, statis- The young people have ac- leaks. Ideal lor concrete, aluminum, tics, ballot proposals, political quired a new sense of citizen- wood. masonry. canvas. any metal. Clear any major color. Just specily. We parties, more statistics and ship to live with and pass on to pay all shipping costs. Order NAVAL 5. finally the polls? far too often their peers. They deserve to be Ship as follows: ( ) Qh. ot SI.'S each. ( ) Gal. at 125.95. ( ) 5 they simply avoid them, plead- commended, along with the Gals. at 120 per gal. ing ignorance or innocence. farm Bureau organization. It's a Name Elections only represent the shame all young people before Address choice of those who do vote. that subtle transition into the City __ State Zip _ farm Bureau ... sponsors a "real world," can't experience Rml'dall' Chl'mical Co., l;l'pt. ,\\\'.H3 P.O. Box 30~2, RO'l'dall'. Kan. 66103 Young People's Citizenship Semi- such a week. nar each year to help prepare In the end, the experience some of America's future citi- wilt as Schriver put it, help zens - leaders as well as voters. them" grow to be golden wheat GINSENG The weeklong, eventful semi- and not noxious weeds." GROW GINSENG FOR US. Selling now nar is a well-organized and very $120.00 a pound. We sell 100 tested quali- Marshall Evening Chronicle ty (Stratified) seeds only $18.00 a thou- educational experience for Editorial, June 17, 198.3 sand. Planting time now. One-year-old 16-and 17-year.olds from all planting roots (this month's special 500 over the state. The highlight of roots, $50.00). LARGE - 7-year-old seed the seminar, which ties the bearing goldenseal planting roots (special many lectures and discussions this month, $30.00 a hundred). BIG - Policy Development 385-page book tells everything you ever together, is a mock election. (continued from page 2.3) wanted to know about growing ginseng, "federalists," "Populists" and $5.95 each. Over 100 pictures. 100% pure independents campaign, regis' meetings and discussions of organic grown ginseng powder, $10.00 an ter, vote and are forced to make Farm Bureau members through- ounce. Goldenseal book, $3.95. Grow own out the state are pretty much vitamins (COMFREY). 25 live planting decisions. roots, $10.00. We buy dried wild ginseng. As an example of these deci- on target in identifying issues Everything prepaid. Mail cash or money sions, this year's ballot pro- that need the focus of farm order to - posals at the seminar were Bureau's policy execution ac- PICK'S GINSENG "Should capital punishment be tivities. Dept. MF, Tompkinsville, KY 42167 reinstated?", "Should there be a "Larger ideologial issues, Telephone (nights) 502-487-6441 ban on the sale of hand guns?" such as farm program policy, and "Should there be a mora- federal spending and interna- torium on further building of tional trade may take months LOWEST PRICE PUMPING nuclear power plants?" Not and years of effort and support POWER ON EARTH make-believe choices, but very by farm Bureau, Laurie says, WINDMILLS rea) questions that are of mora) "but many practical, day to day Aermotor and political significance. policy issues such as support The classic name in for the Michigan Agricultural water pumping windmills High school education, with since 1888 its own student council elec- Marketing and Bargaining Act Write for • I tions and government classes, (P.A. 344), water rights legisla- complete information: also stresses the importance of tion and agricultural research DEAN'S WINDMILLS conscious choices. It is easy, funding are successfully carried Sales & Service however, to become apathetic out through the year." 32519 N. River Road Mt. Clemens, MI 48045 and aloof - to develop feelings (313) 469-2417 of insignificance. The 231 students who attend- ed the seminar are bright, MID-SOUTH TRACTOR young leaders, mostly high PARTS, INC. Rt 2, BOll 31&-M8, Sikeston, MO &3801 CALL TOLL FREE Out of State: '-800-325-7070 Missouri Res.: 1-800-392-0929 "For good used parts at low prices." RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 198.3 .3.3 Legislative Review: ern mental insurance fund. the field where produced and Grain would be insured at 80% the place of storage." Lansing of value. It would be funded by The bill removes the word (continued from page .32) a per bushel fee of one-half cent "designed" from the old law. only recognizes in law that on dry edible beans, one-eigth Defining "designed" had agriculture should have certain cent on corn and oats, and one- created problems. rights. fourth cent on all other insured A new section allows the pur- In the future, a more detailed produce. chase of farm/truck licenses for law will be needed. In addition to legislation, in- three months or more at 1/ 10 surance companies are consid- the regular annual fee for each ering low cost policies whereby month. It applies where the Education - The 1983-84 farmers can protect themselves regular fee is more than $50. FB budget for local schools was in- from bankruptcy losses. Some helped write this legislation. creased about 17% overall. The states have such programs. state aid per pupil formula for Federal bankruptcy laws also K-12 schools provides $328 for need to be changed. The Beef Commission - H.B. each student plus a guaranteed various approaches and amend- 4421 passed and is now law. It $59 per mill of tax levied. For ments are under study during closes loopholes in the collec- example, a school district levy- the recess. In the meantime, tion procedures for research ing 30 mills of tax would be the new Grain Dealers' Act, and promotion. Veal producers guaranteed $2,098 per pupil passed last year, has been ef- will be exempt from the act pro- ($328 + (30 x $59)). This is up fective. vided their own self-help promo- $150 or 7.7% per pupil. tion program passes a producer S.B. 113 and S.B. 114 (see referendum under P.A. 232. July Rural Living) would bypass PCB Contaminated Silos - the 1978 Constitutional Tax FB is supporting legislation to Limitation Amendment (Head- assure that farmers with such Sales Tax Prepayment on lee) by making the school em- silos receive payment for their Gasoline - H.B. 4585 (see July ployee retirement and Social losses. Rural Living) is also being con- Security a part of the 41.6% of Two bills for com pensation or sidered further during the the state budget that must go loans have been introduced. recess. to local units of government. S.B. 365 (Sen. Nick Smith) pro- This payment shift would mean vides that the regular condem- $125 million for the current nation procedures should be Beginning Farm Loans - year and $300 million for 1984 used the same as when any The first loan applications have for other state spending. The other property is taken by a been approved by the Family bills are being considered dur- governmental body. The other Farm Development Authority. ing the recess. bill, H.B. 4771 (Rep. Nash), pro- They range between $35,000 vides for 20-year loans up to and $175,000 with interest $75,000 with no interest the rates ranging between 6% and Grain Dealers' Act Amend- first five years, 3% the next five 10%. Loan applications must be ments - S.B. 55 and S.B. 56 years, and 2% less than the made through local participat- would create a "statutory lien" regular rate thereafter. ing banks or lenders located on grain assets of a dealer in The present emergency rule throughout the state. favor of the farmer if he has has prohibited farmers from written evidence of storage or adding material to contami- sale. In case of bankruptcy, nated silos since May 1983, and Solid Waste Amendments farmers with stored grain would prohibits any use of those silos to P.A. 641 - H.B. 4365 con- have first priority and those after September 1983. tains several updating amend- with evidence of sale, second ments. Farm Bureau has pro- priority. posed one to require an agricul- However, problems could oc- Farm Truck Licensing - tural impact statement "when a cur with federal bankruptcy H.B. 4581 (Rep. Allen) passed solid waste site is being con- laws which can override state the House and will be consid- sidered." It will be another laws. Substitute H.B. 4319 ered in the Senate during the issue this fall. creates a $4 million state gov- fall session. It contains the $15 special permit that was available for vehicles used only to "gratui- Lansing legislative topics are tously transport crops between reviewed by Robert E. Smith, senior legislative counsel. .34 RURAL LIVING, AUGUST 198.3 Non-Profit Organization Michigan Farm Bureau U. S. POSTAGE Rural Living Magazine P.O. Box 30960 PA I D Lansing, Michigan 7373 W. Saginaw Hwy. Permit No. 37 Lansing, Michigan 48909