----- f. SEPTEMBER 1983 FARM NEWS VOL. 62 NO.9 THE COVER Appleton School, a one-room A publication schoolhouse in Clinton of the County, was in operation un- til the mid-1940s when it was Michigan K-12 Education Quality and destroyed by fire. Financing In Michigan Schools Farm Bureau Original artwork by Carol Kirvan In this issue: Education Quality and Financing An interview with Phillip Runkel, Michigan superintendent of schools. 8 A Look Back Gives Important Lesson for Today's Farm Bureau 10 'Real' Bargains Boost Jackson County Dairy Promotion 14 Buckham Family Honored as State Fair Exhibitors 21 COLUMNS Rural Route - page 4 County Newsletter - pages 18-19 Country Ledger - page 5 Farm Bureau Market Place - page 20 Legislative Review - page 6 Agrinomic Update - page 26 Front and Center - page 16 Discussion Topic - page 28 Letters to Rural Living - page 17 Michigan farm l'Iews RURAL LlVII'IG (ISSI'I 0026,2161): 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 7:37:3 West Saginaw Mlghway. Lansing. Mich. 48909. Post Office Box :30960; telephone. Lansing 517-:32:3-7000. Extension 508. SUBSCRIPTIOI'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. 1:3. 192:3 as MIchIgan Farm News. name changed to MIchIgan Farm News Rural LIvIng Dec. I. 1981. Third-class postage paid at Lansing. Michigan and at additional mailing omces. EDITORIAL: Connie Turbin. Editor; Mar. cia Dltchle. 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- ficer. Max D. Dean; Secretary. William S. Wilkinson. DIRECTORS: District I. Arthur Bailey. Schoolcraft; 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. Mart; District 8. Lyle LeCronler. freeland; District 9. Donald Nugent. frankfort; District 10. Margaret Kartes. West Branch; District I I. Bernard Doll. Dafter. DIRII:C' TORS AT LARGE: Dave Conklin. Corunna; Michael Pridgeon. Montgomery; Robert Rottler. fremont. fARM BUREAU WOMEI'I: faye Adam. Snover. FARM BUREAU YOUI'IG fARMERS: Mark Smuts. Charlotte. POSTMASTER: In using form :3579. mail to: MIchIgan Farm News Rural LIvIng. P.O. Box .30960. 7:37:3 West Saginaw Highway. Lansing. Mich. 48909. Member Commitment The talk is serious when fB's policy Maximizes Farm Bureau development proc- ess is underway_ Effectiveness Over 80,000 families, for a a financial investment in a trac- melding of ideas and a recogni- variety of reasons ranging from tor, for example, they don't let tion of other people's points of legislative clout to economic anyone else be responsible for view. services, joined the Michigan its oil changes and mainte- Now is the time to speak out Farm Bureau this year, bringing nance. They wouldn't let on what ought to be. The time our organization to an all-time schedule conflicts interfere with to act on the policies we membership high. With that those maintenance chores. develop is in the year ahead. great achievement comes the The same should be true of That's the time for commitment temptation to sit back, relax their organization, through in- to the policies members said and proclaim, "All is welL" dividual involvement in the "oil they wanted. I'm going to resist that temp- changes" and "grease jobs" When members don't follow tation because I'm concerned and other maintenance respon- through on this commitment, it that all is not well - on the sibilities of Farm Bureau. erodes the effectiveness of our farm, with our general econ- As human beings, we're never organization. It affects our cred- omy, or in the organization. satisfied with the status quo. In ibility, our legislative and It's a mystery to me that so fact, being dissatisfied and political power, just as surely as many farmers do not make op- voicing that dissatisfaction is neglect and lack of mainte- timum use of the most effec- the only way to make progress. nance erodes your other farm tive, indispensable tool in their Wewant to improve that which tools. We have a tremendous business operations - Farm Bu- surrounds us, the environment record of successes to our reau. in which we live, whether it be credit, all of them because of Farmers display their ingenui- social, economic, political or organizational discipline. Let's ty by using a piece of equip- educational, and speaking out not make the mistake of be- ment or a new building at maxi- on those issues helps to bring coming complacent and resting mum efficiency. They get top about the change we are seek- on those laurels. production out of a cow or ing. I urge you to share the re- other animal; they know how to The purpose of an organiza- sponsibility for gaining broad feed it and care for it to get top tion like Farm Bureau is to member involvement in the pol- production and make maximum make gains that you could not icy development process. A use of that particular asset. make any other way. To do that, notice of your county annual But some of the issues we've it takes members being involv- received in the mail or an an- been involved in lately - impor- ed in presenting their ideas for nouncement in your county tant, major issues that impact solutions to problems and then newsletter may not be enough. on their future economic well- developing - maybe not per- Take the time to personally con- being - prove that when it fect - but the best possible tact every farmer-member you comes to their organization, policies. Then, it takes effort on know to tell them how impor- they've made very inefficient the part of members to achieve tant their presence at the coun- use of this farm tool. Because those policies. That calls for ty annual meeting will be. they have not been willing to discipline to recognize that Tell them an unshared idea is discipline themselves to sup- what the organization is fight- a terrible waste. port adopted policy, to speak ing for, or against, may not be out for that policy without hesitation regardless of short- term personal economic sacri- fices, the organization is not as perfect in every aspect, but it's far better than if they had no united voice at all. There's room for dissent in e~~~ Elton R. Smith efficient as it can be. our organization. But the time President Farmers wouldn't tolerate for dissent is now while we're in that sort of inefficiency in their the process of developing poli- farm operation. Once they make cies. It ought to come at county and state annual meetings where there's discussion, a 4 .RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 1983 COUNTRY LEDGER Counting Our Blessings By Donna Wilber work - but to the accessibility traces the history of the organi- of our president, leadership and zation, Recorded in that docu- At the recent 198.3 American staff to the public press. I knew ment, which should be read by Farm Bureau Federation Infor- that going in, so I was happy every Farm Bureau member, are mation Conference, Michigan with that conclusion, and I incidents that prove we need picked up four awards in the weep for those information peo- not fear airing our concerns category of over 40,000 mem- ple who don't have that kind of and convictions. bers: best publication in the na- support. Brody relates that the gover- tion, best brochure, best radio One of the reasons, I believe, nor of Michigan, who used every commentary and best television that Rural Living was judged trick in the book to discredit public service announcement. the best in the nation is our the radical upstart of a farm or- That makes us the top state in sensitivity to, and fearlessness ganization back in the 1920s, the federation in information in, addressing current issues, became one of its most ardent activities. As President Smith says in his supporters because its farm When I picked up the award column this month, there is the leaders were fearless in con- for Connie Turbin, editor of tem ptation to say "All is well" fronting the issues. Rural Living, I couldn't help when we know it's not. So, then In his efforts to save a floun- thinking: "I tried for years to comes the decision - because dering organization, Brody win this award and failed. She's Rural Living has an audience of sought the counsel of the edi- editor for one year and walks not just members, but news tors of the Michigan Farmer away with top honors." That media and legislators, decision- magazine regarding the in- says one thing for me - I'm makers and opinion molders - novative, courageous solutions one heck of a good manager for do we air such internal con- he proposed. They advised him making that astute personnel cerns as the lack of member in- to "go for it," Several other change! volvement in the policy devel- media were credited by Brody in Whenever we attend these na- opment/ policy execution proc- helping to win the fight for sur- tional conferences, we always ess? vival. come home not only with the Certainly, we run a risk in And so we are allowed to be realization that Michigan is a publicly acknowledging that daring by leadership and staff very highly respected state in "all is not well" in this grass- who firmly believe in the organi- the federation, but also a chal- roots process, but the greater zation and its philosophies, pol- lenge to keep striving for per- risk would be to the strength of icies and methods of operation, fection. And we come home this farmer organization if Rural Thank God for them! It's the counting our blessings that we Living and the leaders of the only way we can continue the have the kind of leadership and Michigan Farm Bureau did not tradition outlined by Brody: staff who support our activities speak out to warn against the "The (Farm Bureau) News was a rather than throwing up road- dangers of member apathy. primary influence in helping us blocks against them. As part of my research for the to put over our programs with As part of the conference pro- county annual meeting feature members, Indeed, the News has gram, I was on a panel to dis- (page 10), I re-read Clark been integral in the develop- cuss Farm Bureau news ser- Brody's autobiography, In Ser- ment of the Bureau. It is doubt- vices. Our conclusion was that vice of the Farmer, For almost ful whether the young Bureau the reason for Michigan's suc- 40 years, Brody was the Michi- could have survived the early cess in delivering news and in- gan Farm Bureau and his story twenties without the Farm Bu- formation about agriculture and reau News." Farm Bureau to the news media May it ever be so. was largely due - not to my RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 198:3 5 LEGISLATIVE REVIEW Weather damaged pastures forward-Looking Grains have made it necessary for live- Policy Needed - Speaking at stock producers to feed scarce the AfBf Grains Conference in hay while idled PIK acres with Chicago, federation vice presi- usable forage are going to dent Elton Smith identified farm Program Legislation waste. Indications are that overproduction as a symptom - Before the House and Senate some relief of the grazing re- not the cause of farm sur- adjourned Aug. 4, the Senate strictions will be granted in the pluses. Price supports, he said, passed S.J. 149, which post- form of waivers, with producers are the real issue and the con- pones the second 50-cent dairy required to make their requests tinuing drift away from a mar- assessment from Sept. 1 until through their local ASCSoffices ket-oriented agriculture is the Oct. 1. The resolution was sub- to the USDA. Approval and eligi- biggest single issue of all. sequently passed by the House bility will be based on the num- He warned that the cost of of Representatives and is ex- ber of requests, the seriousness government supply manage- pected to be signed by the pres- of the situation and the average ment programs will draw in- ident. rainfall compared to the aver- creasing criticism and result in During House consideration age temperature and soil mois- a political backlash. "I assure of the measure, Congressman ture for May, June, July and you that without substantial de la Garza, chairperson of the August. change in the level of price sup- House Committee on Agricul- Everett Rank, ASCSadminis- ports and in the reserve build ture, agreed that when Con- trator, said that producers will up, federal farm programs are gress returns in September, he not be allowed to take hay from set to self destruct," Smith will attempt to have the com- the idled acres, even if it is for said. promise dairy package (H.R. use by the owner. Grazing, The answer for U.S. agricul- 1875) considered by the full where allowed, will be only for ture is to place more emphasis House under an open rule. This cattle owned as of Aug. 1, he on marketing and market devel- would allow amendments to be said. opment and Smith said that offered, including the farm Bu- money invested in building reau-supported Conable amend- grain markets is returned ment. More PIK Developments - manifold. Citing the studies of Despite the two week effort in The USDAhas established a Chase Econometrics, an in- the Senate to consider target transportation assistance pro- dependent research firm, Smith price and dairy / tobacco bills, gram for some feed grain pro- reported that a 10% expansion no action occurred on either of ducers who wish to take physi- above current projected levels these measures prior to ad- cal delivery of feed grain PIK en- of feed grain exports over a six journment. Legislation to freeze titlements. Affected will be pro- year period would increase net target prices is now thought to ducers whose entitlements are farm income by 20%. be a dead issue for this session. positioned outside their county Smith challenged the con- Congress will reconvene on or adjacent counties and who ferees to consider the kind of Sept. 12. request that the grain be moved farming future we are building closer to home before they take for future generations - an ag- possession of it. Requests are gressive market-oriented agri- Weather Causing Problems to be made through the local culture, or an agricultural in- in PIK Administration - Re- ASCSoffice. dustry dominated by govern- quests from throughout the CCC will reimburse load-out ment restrictions and decrees. drought-stricken Midwest urg- charges, transportation costs ing Agriculture Secretary Block and load-in charges only where to free idled land after Sept. 1 is necessary to move the grain getting some consideration. closer to the entitled farmer in order for it to be reasonably ac- cessible. 6 RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 1983 Food Safety Laws - When $10,000 plus another $25,000 a breaker" program which pro- Congress reconvenes in Septem- year for the added cost of vides a refund of property taxes ber, Indiana Sen. Dan Quayle in- money. Such added costs to the exceeding 3112% of household tends to introduce legislation to gasoline companies would, of income. modify U.S. food safety laws course, be passed on to the The purpose of the bills is to which now describe a "safe" consumer. Farmers and others provide taxpayers their ex- food as one with "zero risk." who are exempt from sales pected refund in time to help One provision of these laws - taxes on gasoline for non- pay their taxes. Presently the known as the Delaney Amend- highway use would create other refund is made through the in- ment - is an anti-cancer clause administrative problems. come tax process. While Farm which states that an additive The intent of this type of Bureau policy has supported may not be allowed on the mar- legislation is questionable. If the concept, no good method ket if it is found to cause "prepayment of taxes" is ap- has been worked out so far. cancer in humans or animals. plied to gasoline, would it just These bills would put an extra Quayle's bill continues this pro- be a matter of time before "pre- burden on local government. hibition, but without an auto- payment" is applied to sales For example, they would require matic ban on any additive taxes on all taxable items? "advanced property tax reduc- "merely because test results in tion forms" to be mailed to animals show that cancer is agricultural and residential produced," Tax Credits and Exemp- property owners whose credit The bill allows some leeway in tions - A House taxation sub- would exceed $50. The com- this decision and gives the committee met in mid-August pleted forms would be returned secretary of the Health and to discuss state revenue in- to the local treasurers. Local Human Services Department creases that would result from government would receive $1 some discretion in decision- legislation that would eliminate for each eligible form for its making. Farm groups strongly many tax credits and exemp- costs. For that amount, the back this modification. tions, including agricultural ex- treasurer would have to prorate emptions, such as sales tax, credits between summer and farm personal property, Single winter taxes, make reports to Business Tax, growing farm the state, explain the system to crops, rights of way, P.A. 116, taxpayers, try to determine and homestead property tax fraud, etc. relief. It was thought that front The report presented to the loading would be especially The Legislature remains in committee stated that all ex- helpful to senior citizens, but recess until Sept. 5, however, emptions and credits totaled local officials can presently some committees are meeting $6.9 billion - $4.4 billion at defer property taxes until they from time to time on several the state level and $2.5 billion receive their refund from the issues. at the local level. Agricultural state. exemptions total $77.4 million. Sales Tax Prepayment - Exemptions in the state income The House Taxation Committee tax add up to nearly $2 billion. Education - Educational is- has met to further consider H.B. The bills, H.B. 4758 and H.B. sues will probably come to the 4587 which would require "pre- 5760 on sales tax, H.B. 4761 on forefront during the 1983 fall payment" of sales taxes on gas- the Single Business Tax, and and 1984 sessions due to the oline. As reported in Rural Liv- H.B. 4757 on income tax, were recent release of a critical na- ing's July issue, the proposal discussed in last month's Legis- tional study on education and would cost gasoline whole- lative Review. results of a recent state survey. salers, jobbers, etc., large The National Commission on amounts of money just to Excellence in Education in its change computer programs, Tax "Front Loading" - The report, "A Nation at Risk," has and add to annual interest Local Government Finances found a serious decline of costs for operating capital. Subcommittee of the House educational standards in this The effect on Farmers Petro- Taxation Committee has been country. The United States is leum Cooperative, Inc., for ex- considering two bills, H.B. 4497 (continued on page 33) ample, would amount to and H.B. 4498, to "front load" the tax credits resulting from the homestead "circuit RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 198.3 7 rnD QUALITY AND FINANCING An interview with Phillip Runkel, Michigan Superintendent of Schools By Connie Turbin financing, summarized the challenges facing Michigan's Phillip Runkel, Michigan su- education system in this inter- perintendent of schools, said view for the Michigan Farm our schools can look forward News Rural Living magazine. to better financial times in 1983-84, but he cautioned those attending the MFB Policy The financial picture for Development Conference, Michigan schools in recent Aug. 17 in Lansing, that years has been very discour- "there are still plenty of aging. How will K-12 educa- needs out there." tion in Michigan fare in this Runkel, who conduc- coming school year? ted a workshop on education quality and We are going to fare better than we have. With the tax in- crease voted by the Michigan Legislature, schools have re- ceived the largest increase ever in state funding. That will help. However, this increase only puts school funding back to the 1978 level, so there are still 8 RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 198.3 needs out in the schools that tion, we have suggested that What would you say are the are going to be pretty big. every school establish a School greatest challenges in the The increase means relief Improvement Committee to re- next five years for the state's from the difficult times schools view and make recommenda- K-12 system? have had in the past two or tions to improve the schools. three years. In that budget It is important to remember First of all, we have a chang- crisis, there were a series of ex- that Michigan schools have ing society that will require ecutive orders to cut spending. been among the best in the changes or alterations in our Schools really had to plan in a country. Historically, Michigan educational goals. Second, the vacuum. Many times they didn't students have scored well on number of homes in our society know if they were going to get national tests, i.e., above the with school age children has their state aid check. In fact, we national average in almost been decreasing and is now spent a considerable amount of every category. Scores from the down to about 27% of the pop- time just assuring that people state assessment tests have ulation. This means that would get paid. gone up over a 10-year base schools are going to have to do and, in the last two years, a better job of communicating The real penalty of budget scores have improved in every what their mission is and how cuts is in programs. Will the category even though the fi- they hope to work with the increased funding automati- nancing hasn't been there. community, not just parents. cally mean the restoration of This background is encourag- The community will need to un- these programs in schools? ing, but that doesn't mean we derstand that schools are im- shouldn't be rolling up our portant for everyone: senior citi- There were a lot of program sleeves because we are prepar- zens, farmers and businessmen. cuts; and you will find restora- ing students today to live in a tion of programs this year, but different kind of world. We need it will be appropriate to con- to look at how best to prepare sider, too, a series of education these young people for that studies that have been con- world. ducted recently. Among those are "The Nation at Risk" by the From the studies conducted National Commission on Excel- nationally and in our own lence, and the study of the state, are you able to identify Michigan Education Commis- characteristics of a successful sion, "Action of Excellence." school district? Schools and the quality of edu- cation are going to be on the Yes, in fact, we have iden- front page and will be a major tified five successful high political issue. schools and five middle and In Michigan, we had started to junior high schools in Michigan address these problems in for study and evaluation. Four schools long before "The Nation of the high schools were at Risk" report was released. We selected for national recogni- have established a Michigan tion. Two of them are in rural High School Commission, com- areas of Michigan - Sturgis PUILLIP RUNKEL prised of people from all walks and Roscommon. Two are in of life, including legislators and suburban areas - Grosse business people. Basically, the Pointe and Bloomfield Hills. The We will need to continually commission is charged with fifth school selected is West Ot- look at programs and how we looking at Michigan high tawa Middle School. are preparing people for the schools and making recommen- There are measurements to future. Students need a good dations for the future. For ex- use when evaluating a school general education so they can ample, we have a group work- district: management of the read and compute. But students ing on technology and com- school district, program deliv- are going to need a broader puter instruction, and a group ery, educational outcomes, use outlook and familiarity with the working on science and math. of resources, and ability to new tools of the workplace, The Department of Education communicate with the constitu- such as the computer. is working with 60 school dis- ents they serve. (continued on page 30) tricts in a pilot program on standards of quality. In addi- RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 1983 9 A Look Back Gives Important Lessons for Today's Farm Bureau By Donna Wilber The Michigan Legislature was having acute indiges- tion over economic ills; Congress was busy "fixing" the farm program; some farmers were on the verge of bankruptcy, others were cutting back on production in an effort to curb declining farm prices. Farm Bureau fought to save the Agricultural Market- ing Act, provided its plan to Congress for solving the problem of low farm incomes, and took a strong posi- tion on state tax issues. There was a migration of the population from cities to rural areas and 926 persons out of every 1,000 suf- fered from the common cold at least once a year. 1983? No, 50 years ago - 1933, as recorded in the Michigan Farm News, the official publication of the then-struggling Michigan State Farm Bureau. 10 RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 1983 Other than a filler item that The organization's unique Others before them have pointed out that the United grass roots policy development/ shared this belief and concern, States had one bathtub for policy execution process has but this team has illustrated a every 6.3 persons and one auto- been impacted by those priority fearlessness, an almost evangel- mobile for every 4.5 persons, decisions and for awhile it istic commitment to try to advice to farmers to store four seemed that the majority of tons of ice to cool milk for a mem bers were satisfied to have cow that gives 8,500 Ibs. of the policies of the largest farm III'm not saying dis- milk and 21f2 tons for a cow that organization determined by the gives 5,000 Ibs. of milk, and an "faithful few" who were willing sension is wrong - article that told of farmers pay- to invest time and effort follow- obviously, we have ing $25.50 sales tax on a $850 ing the tradition of Farm Bu- tractor - the dateline could reau's founders and builders. provisions for it. I have been 1983. The problems Those who opted for other pri- am saying that dis- of farmers and the activities of orities had no grounds for com- Farm Bureau to protect the in- plaint because the opportuni- sent is weakening terests of farmers in 1933 ties for farmer member input and that it can be closely parallel those of half a remained open and unaltered in century later. spite of societal and organiza- dangerous. When The publication also records tional changes. one other major difference be- Leaders at all levels - coun- dissent continues to tween 1933 and 1983 and, in ty, state and national - were grow, it is a sign of the opinion of current Farm concerned but more or less ac- Bureau national and state lead- cepted the situation as part of serious problems ership and the'staffs of the the price of changing times. within Farm Bu- organization, it's a difference The lack of member involve- that is cause for concern. ment in Farm Bureau, they ra- reau." "500 Attend Calhoun County tionalized, was no different than Annual" (today, county FB lead- the problems faced by churches, ership struggles for a small schools, unions, local govern- shake the apathy out of the percentage of their membership ment and every other organiza- grassroots membership, that at county annuals). "Ionia Bu- tion. few of their predecessors have reau Goes After Hides of 3 shown. County Officers - Ask Grand Lack of Organizational Delano, in a recent message Jury Probe" (today, the lack of Discipline Recognized as to the council of state presi- "gutsy" county resolutions Threat to Effectiveness . dents, courageously laid the frustrates leadership). "34,749 problem on the line when he Attend Farm Mutual's Picture The present leadership of the said: "It has been disappointing Shows" (today, farmers are "too American Farm Bureau Federa- that this year 12 states chose busy" to attend organizational tion, President Robert Delano to dissent from established meetings). "Ski is Three Miles to and Vice President Elton R. policy - all of them on crucial Attend Meeting" (today, weather Smith, are a unique team. farm program issues .... Confu- is as good an excuse as being Delano is a cash crop farmer sion within the farming com- too busy). from Virginia; Smith is a dairy munity, along with our own Headlines such as those are farmer from Michigan. There are Farm Bureau hesitation, has scarce in 1983. Farmers' in- few similarities in their statures allowed national sentiment to tegration into society's main- or their deliveries. But their one build for government 'supply stream has required Farm Bu- common characteristic is a firm management' to curb runaway reau members to make priority conviction that if Farm Bureau farm program costs. decisions. Should I attend my is to maintain its power and in- "I am not saying dissension is county annual or bowl on my fluence as the voice or agricul- wrong - obviously, we have league team? Should I attend ture, broad member involve- provisions for it. I am saying the policy development meeting ment in the organization's that dissent is weakening and or watch my kid in the Little policy development/ policy ex- that it can be dangerous. When League finals? Should I attend ecution process is imperative. dissent continues to grow, it is my Community Action Group a sign of serious problems with- meeting or relax and watch TV? in Farm Bureau," Delano said. Tough choices - understand- "We need to examine what is able decisions. happening. What is the message RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 198:3 11 that dissent from farm Bureau State PD Meeting Offers policy sends us? What does it say about our policy develop- Forum for Discussion ment process? What does it say about state farm Bureau leader- Nearly 200 state and local .ship? What is the state of policy farm Bureau leaders gathered development in most counties? at Long's Convention Center in "When policy is developed in Lansing, Aug. 17, for the an- the counties, debated and nual kick-off meeting of the shaped by the states at the MfB policy development proc- American annual meeting, it be- ess. During the day-long ses- comes a united policy that re- sion, the participants had the quires and deserves full, united opportunity to hear and ques- support .... Only by united ac- tion resource persons knowl- tion can farm Bureau remain a edgeable in probable issues fac- powerful force in American agri- ing agriculture. culture." Smith, whether he's talking to a single farm family at their kitchen table or speaking before several hundred farmers during his numerous public appear- ances, spreads the same gospel. Adding fuel to their fires of concern has been the current dairy price support issue. It was an issue that received more at- tention and discussion during the PO process than any other single topic. The end result was LOCALGOVERNMENT:Lynn "ar- a policy that, by its adoption, vey, Extension Agricultural Agent would receive the full support for Public Policy of leaders and membership, if, indeed, farm Bureau displayed the organizational discipline that is vital to any effective organization. The PO process worked - but something happened to the PX process. Members, even leaders, were hesitant to "speak up and be counted" for the adopted policy whether it was during a one-on-one interaction at the local coffee shop or in contacts with members of Congress. Delano and Smith are dedicat- ed to the concept which has DAIRY PROGRAM: been the foundation of the Mike Kovacic, organization since its birth in MFB Commodity 1919: farmer-developed and Specialist adopted policies are the policies of the organization until they are changed by delegate action and deserve unflinching, unwav- ering support regardless of EDUCATION: Phillip Runkel, Mich- igan Superintendent of Schools 12 RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 1983 short-term personal financial "It makes us look awkward, in will know whether their efforts sacrifices. The answer, they the eyes of politicians, when we to attract attendance with a believe, is not to waver from have a policy that's adopted by new time and format were effec- policy, but to develop a broader our members and the time tive. base of member involvement in comes to implement that policy. setting that policy. The staff persons or elected leadership go to a legislator Lack of Member and say, 'this is our policy Support Devastating to which we support,' and at the Lobbying Efforts very same time, that legislator is hearing from members say- Subsequently,- Farm Bureau's ing, 'that's not what we want.' paid professional staff and its "It's a devastating situation, volunteer leadership are im- not only to the organization, pacted by the direction, con- but to the morale of the leaders cerns and priorities of its top and staff because it causes leadership. If that leadership questions regarding our credi- doesn't set a high priority on bility. That legislator is likely to broad member involvement, ask, 'is this really the way my neither will its staff or farmer constituents back home volunteers. feel, or not?'" The fearless approach of De- The uncertainty of whether lano and Smith to recognize Farm Bureau's policies do re- DOUG KOSTAL, PRESIDENT and address the potential threat flect the thinking of the majori- GRATIOT COUNTY fARM BUREAU to the organization has been ty of farmers not only casts welcomed by both of these sup- questions on the credibility of On Saturday, Aug. 27, at the port systems; While there is no the organization, Almy believes, fairgrounds in Alma, the Gratiot doubt that Farm Bureau is rec- it also makes responsiveness on County Farm Bureau annual ognized as the voice of agricul- the part of legislators to a meeting started off with a 6 ture in public, political and united voice of agriculture more p.m. hog roast, followed by the legislative arenas, the concern difficult. business meeting, and then an to broaden the base of member outdoor (if weather cooperated) involvement to assure that the Counties Set Priority dance. Moving the date up be- organization's policies truly on Increased Attendance fore harvest, according to Presi- reflect the thinking of grass- at Annual Meetings dent Doug Kostal, "eliminates roots membership is sufficient one more excuse for people not to make it a top priority. The concern of top leadership to attend." AI Almy, director of Michigan for increased member involve- Kostal believes that it's not so Farm Bureau's Public Affairs Di- ment is shared by the organiza- much a matter of farmers not vision, who annually labors to tion's field staff, who have the realizing the importance of at- gain member participation in most frequent contact with tending their county annual as county, district and state policy county leaders. The 12-member the fact that they've simply got- development/ policy execution staff recently tagged increased ten out of the habit. activities, says that members attendance at county annuals "We've become so involved in should look at these opportuni- as a top priority and brain- so many things and it seems ties as a way to protect their in- stormed on ideas to gain that that other things have taken a vestments. vital involvement in the PD higher priority over the county "All organizations that devel- process. annual. They know it's impor- op policies have ways to gain One county that recognized tant, so we're working to get input from their members, but its responsibility in assuring them back into the habit of at- our organization goes further that policies of the nation's tending. We changed our time than any other to provide op- largest farm organization truly and our format so it's not going portunities for this input. We reflect the thinking of its to be just 'another meeting,'" spend a lot of money to gain grass roots members is Gratiot. he said. that input to develop policy and By the time this publication is Adding to the competition then if members don't support in the mail, county leadership created by a change in farm it, it's not a good investment on (continued on page 27) their part," he said. RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 198.3 1.3 IKeal' Bargains Boost Jackson County Fair Dairy Promotion By Cathy J. Klrvan and two cookies, or an ice cream cone, from the Jackson Fairgoers were offered a County Real Dairy Promotion "real" bargain at a new booth Association. at the Jackson County Fair, "Some of the people were sur- held Aug. 7-1.3 in Jackson. For prised at the price. They just .35 cents, they could pur- thought it was a good value chase a 16-ounce glass of milk compared to what restaurants charge," said a dairy farmer who worked in the booth. "Many customer~ said they were pleased to see milk for sale at the fair, instead of more junk food. We sold a lot of milk in the morning to the kids working in the barns." 1 The "Magic Cow," a Real Seal ride promotion and a cold, plen- tiful supply of fresh milk and ice cream attracted many Jackson County fairgoers to the dairy parlor exhibits. 14 RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 198:3 Adjacent to the dairy booth, fairgoers could watch as ex- hibitors' cows were milked in a Surge parlor. Local farmers ex- plained that the milk was picked up by a nearby dairy every other day and returned to the booth in the form of the "Real" ice cream many who gathered were enjoying. "The milking parlor shows consumers how clean the proc- ess of milking is," said Bill Bivens, Jackson County Exten- sion agent. "They see the pipe- lines and realize that milk is never touched by human hands. They get a good impression of how their milk is produced." The association also spon- An operating milking parlor in the fairgrounds' dairy building gave sored a buffalo chip throwing visitors the opportunity to see how modern milking procedures help contest between local politi- assure the consumer of safe and wholesome dairy products. cians and media, and offered two-for-one midway ride tickets to people who brought a "Real" "Farmers from all over the As a spin-off of the Real Dairy seal from a dairy product. Free county have rallied behind it Promotion Association, a tax cheese samples and literature and we had about 140 families exempt Dairy Commemorative were given away, and the group work in the booth during the Fund was established to help sold dairy cookbooks and fair." finance this and future projects. t-shirts proclaiming: "Milk is The association's main proj- The first donation to the fund like kissing - it's real good." ect has been building the dairy came from Neal Sanford, his Extension Agent Bivens was a produce concession stand and wife Janis and his mother, as a guiding force behind the forma- milking demonstration parlor. tribute to his father, an active tion of the new dairy associa- The county fair board paid for dairy farmer who died earlier tion. "The idea for the 'Real' the majority of the construction this year. Sanford is president Dairy Promotion Association costs, and companies that of- of the Jackson County Farm surfaced a couple years ago," fered materials or services at a Bureau and has been involved he said, "but it didn't get off discount received special recog- in the formation of the Real the ground until last spring nition during the fair. The asso- Dairy Association nearly from when the county fair board in- ciation also sought contribu- the beginning. dicated an interest in having a tions to a one-time "start up" "I believe that we, as dairy milking demonstration parlor fund. farmers, have got to promote on the fairgrounds - if area "We went to the basic dairy our product to the consumer dairy farmers were interested." groups and asked for support," and educate them about the Four families attended the Bivens said. "They all gave us product. To do that, we're going first meeting and agreed to sup- donations, as did many other to have to get involved at the port the concept. After that, at- ag related associations and local level," Sanford said. tendance just about doubled at businesses, including the Jack- "There is no better way of seil- every meeting, Bivens said. son County Farm Bureau. ing a product than one-on-one, "One of the things that has "Without the support of the and at the fair we're able to do been extremely pleasing from fair board and the ag associa- that." my perspective is the way that tions, it would have been at Sanford speaks from experi- we've been able to cross over least a five year job to raise ence. Last March over 10,000 between the different milk construction funds," he said. ice cream cones were sold dur- groups. We've got Independent "By that time, it may never ing Jackson County Farm Bu- Milk Producers, Michigan Milk have gotten off the ground be- reau's Rural Urban Days at the Producers and the producers cause of people losing Westwood Mall in Jackson. That who ship to Ohio involved in interest." event promotes all commodities the association," he said. produced in the area. RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 1983 15 FRONT" CENTER Gasohol outlets from Acme to Zilwaukee are now listed in a free booklet available from the Michigan Department of Agriculture. The town by town guide tells where you can purchase the "fuel from farms:. To receive the booklet, write the MDA Marketing Division, P.O. Box 30017, Lansing, Mich. 48909, or call 517-373-1054. AFBFPresident Robert Delano recently sent a telegram to producers of the ABC Nlghtllne program to protest the "outrageously one-sided" presentation of the migrant farm labor problem on Ted Koppel's Nightline of Aug. 4. Delano requested the opportunity for rebut- tal to what he termed "loose and inflammatory references to 'slavery' and the absence of any sense of program balance:' He also objected that no acknowledgement was made of the fact that Florida farm workers, the focus of the Nightline segment, average well above the national minimum hourly wage, are covered by workers' compensation, unemployment compensation, stringent child labor restrictions, and state and federal farm labor contractor regulations. Testing of gasoline for lead and alcohol content Is underway throughout Michigan in a cooperative effort of the Michigan Department of Agriculture, the Attorney General's Office and Treasury Department. The project was launched after complaints that some service sta- tions were substituting leaded gasoline for the higher-priced unleaded gas and others were distributing gasoline with illegal quantities of alcohol. Consumers who suspect they have received leaded gas when they paid for unleaded gasoline, or gasoline containing illegal quan- tities of alcohol, are asked to contact a regional office of the MDA in Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Saginaw, Traverse City, Benton Harbor or Escanaba. The right to water and the right to farm are major agricultural issues that are receiv- ing attention throughout the Midwest Farm Bureau organizations, says MFBSenior Legislative Counsel Robert Smith. Smith, who recently attended the annual Farm Bureau Midwest Legisla- tive Conference, said soil conservation, taxation, transportation and school finance were also discussed. He observed that Michigan's diverse agriculture requires Michigan farmers and their organization to deal with many more agricultural issues than farmers in other states. Several county Young Farmer committees have held county Discussion Meet con- tests, and the district meets began in late August. The top three contenders from each district contest will compete for the state title during the MFB annual meeting. The state winner will represent Michigan in the national contest to be held at the AFBF annual meeting in Orlando in January. Topics for this year's series of contests from the county to the national level are: -Subsidies - Ammunition for a trade war? -How does the supply of credit affect the farming community and what will be the source of this credit in the future? - How can Farm Bureau, as a general farm organization, ensure farmer input into farmer programs without creating division along commodity lines? -Political action committees have proven beneficial to many special interest groups - are farm PACs a threat to our effectiveness as a bipartisan voice for agriculture? Following are the dates and locations for some district meets. Check with Young Farmer leaders in your area for details. District 1- Sept. 21, 7 p.m., DiJandos', Hartford District 2 - Sept. 8, 7 p.m., True Grist, Homer District.3 - Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m., Marriott (Plymouth Road and u.S. 23) District 4 - Sept 15, 7:30 p.m., Middle Villa Restaurant, Middleville District 5 - Sept. 13 (tentative) District 6 - Aug. 31, 7 p.m., Colony House, Cass City District 7 - Oct. 12, Captain's Table, Shelby District 8 - Aug. 30, 6:30 p.m., Heritage House, Chesaning District 9 - Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m., Jaxon Creek Inn, Kingsley District 10 - Sept. 27, 7 p.m., Big Boy, Gaylord District 11 - None scheduled 16 RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 198.3 LET T E R S TOR U R ALL I V I -NG Blessings From Above her family and friends some- families from throughout the thing like this which shows state. Your story on Lynde Smith what rural living is all about in The Michigan State Fair is (June 1983) was greatl And to the United States. Being from also a major attraction for the be honest, it helps to have a Brazil, in the heart of the "big state's many, many non-farm great subject. God was certainly city," she enjoyed "farm living," residents and visitors. For many looking out for the Michigan and the things that we accept of these fairgoers, the agricul- Farm Bureau family when he as commonplace. tural exhibitions are their only gave us Elton and Lynde! direct contact with Michigan Gloria Dudley producers and agricultural in- Dan Reed Howell terests. It is, therefore, a tre- Paradise mendous public relations effort (Editor's Note: Dan Reed, who for Michigan agriculture. has made his retirement home in- I thank you for your support Michigan's Upper Peninsula, An Agricultural Fair and promotion of the Michigan was associated with the Michi- State Fair in the Michigan Farm gan Farm Bureau from 1942 to Thanks to dedicated volun- teers and staff, the Michigan News Rural Living magazine, 1972, serving eighteen of those and know that we can look for- years as legislative counsel and State Fair is an annual success, drawing nearly 400,000 visitors ward to your continued support six years as administrative sec- in the coming years. retary.) to the Michigan State Fair- grounds in Detroit. Polly Diehl As a four-year member of the Dansville State Fair Advisory Council, I Long Distance Rural Living have had the opportunity to I enjoyed so much the "Taste participate in this challenging 0' Michigan" feature in last and rewarding effort. I can say month's Rural Living, which had confidently that our state fair, If you have a question or opin- the picture of our foreign the oldest in the nation, still re- ion that you would like to share exchange student, Marcia tains its character as an agri- with Michigan Farm Bureau Camargo of Brazil, in it. I will be cultural fair. members in Rural Living maga- mailing a copy of the magazine Exhibits and activities such zine, send it to: Letters to Rural to her shortly as she was leav- as the Amazing Acre, the Live- Living, Michigan Farm Bureau, ing the week the picture was stock Auction and the Michigan P.O. Box 30960, Lansing, Mich. taken. State Fair Blue Ribbon competi- 48909. We retain the right to I know she will enjoy showing tions continue to draw farm edit letters for length. FARMERS OF THE WEEK The Farmer of the Week program, co- July 11 - Alvin Gaertner, 72, mlttee: a member of the hospital aux- sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance operates a 155-acre grain (and formerly iliary: a past president of her church's Group and the Michigan Farm Radio livestock) farm near Dundee. He served women's committee: a past president of Network, honors Michigan farmers for as an officer and held many leadership the school PTA: and also served as a their contributions to the community positions In the East Ida Lutheran +H leader and Cub Scout leader. and the agriculture Industry. Four farm- Church: Is active In the Monroe County ers were honored In July 1983: FB and served nine years on the county July 25 - Arthur Schindler, 61, Is FB board: Is manager of the county FB a dairy farmer from Gladwin, where he July" - Daniel Parrott, 32, a dairy membership campaign: and has been a farms 320 acres and milks 60 cows with and cash crop farmer from Battle Creek, member of the Barber Shop Chorus for his sons. He Is an ASCS committeeman farms 700 acres In a partnership. He Is the past 12 years. and recently received a 2o-year award Calhoun County DHIA president: a for his ASCS service: a Gladwin County member and past officer of the Calhoun July 18 - Joyce Barr, 51, the FB board member and past county FB County FB: a member of the Michigan mother of six, farms 500 acres and membership campaign manager: a Holstein Association: a past member of milks 85 cows with her husband, member and past director of the the MSU livestock Judging team: and he Georg~ near Cheboygan. She Is town- Michigan Animal Breeders Cooperative: and his wife were named Outstanding ship clerk: chairperson of the and a member of the Round Lake Bap- Young Dairy Couple by the MMPA. Cheboygan County FB Women's Com- tist Church. RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 1983 17 ([ount~Jitwslttttr News and Information from Michigan's County Farm Bureaus • The Busy Summer May be Over - But There's Still a Busy Fall Ahead By Tom Guthrie, President know your ideas and concerns. Barry County Farm Bureau hope many of you visited Ag Expo As I write this, my kids just re- this year and the Farm Bureau booth minded me that school starts again to see the many programs Farm in about a month. "What?" I said, "it Bureau has. seems you have only been out for a Here's hoping all of you had a couple of weeks." look at all the very happy and safe summer even. hay and straw we have put away, during the dry and tiring times. they said, and the week at the fair, and the barns we have cleaned, and all the other stuff you have had us do. You Know You're a Contest Recognizes Remembering these things makes Good Gardner When: me realize that another summer is Land's Natural Beauty flying by fast. By Faye Postma, Editor These things also remind me of Chippewa County Farm Bureau how busy we make ourselves during The Chippewa County Farm Bu- the summer and how many things reau was a key promoter of the first we may neglect in order to accom- "Prettiest Place in the Country" con- plish another field of haying. I am test, held this summer. thinking of the commodity markets This new project was recently and how wild they were in late July planned and announced in local and early August. If you feel that newspapers so that the winner could Farm Bureau's AgriCom computer be announced at the annual 4-H & program could help you in many FFA Fair in Kinross on labor Day. areas during your busy times, I en- Awards included a special pass to courage you to look into it. events at the fair for the winning Busy times also bring on more family, a framed, color photograph farm accidents. Hopefully, working of the winning farmstead and a cash with our county Extension person- nel, we will be able to plan an Ag .You take pictures of your veg- award and goods donated by Farm Accident Rescue Seminar in the near etables and send them to seed cata- Bureau and area agribusinesses. future in order to increase emergen- log companies. cy personnels' effectiveness in .You mow around your garden so handling the hazards and unique everyone can see what's growing in it. FARMETTE rescue situations of farm accidents . We have just completed the Safe- • Your 15-year-old doesn't know By Andrea Hofmeister mark tillage and sickle bar parts what a tomato worm looks like. Tuscola County Farm Bureau order for July. This program offers .You haven't eaten all of 1981's substantial savings on many prod- green beans when you start canning ucts to Farm Bureau members . 1983's. Just another reminder to contact • If it doesn't rain you'll spend $20 your county secretary or Safemark to pump water so you get $15 worth dealer regarding any of your Safe- of more produce. mark tire and battery needs. .At the county fair you note the I would also like to mention the blue ribbon produce would be put. policy development process taking to shame by yours but you were too' place from now through county an- busy digging, picking, sorting, nual meetings. Get in touch with pickling, canning and freezing it to'. your county Policy Development enter anything! Committee or your county secretary - By Myra Hand, Editor. - let them know your concerns. Cheboygan County FB Newsletter j've just mentioned a few of the' "But they might not have show 'n ways that Farm Bureau may be of tell the first da y of school, and help to you, but in order to make it National Farm Safety Week besides .... " even better, let your county leaders September 18-24, 1983 SEPTEMBER 1983 Westview Orchards Celebrates 170 Years Manistee FB Members From the Macomb FB Newsletter Katrina Roy, sixth generation of the Enjoy Country Jamboree Westview Orchards, located on Michael Bowerman family. Van Dyke at 30 Mile Road, cele- Activities included a walking tour By Frances Shreve, Editor brated 170 years in business and of the centennial family memor- Manistee County FB Newsletter completion of its new controlled at- abilia including family photos, a Did you go to the Country j am- mosphere (CA) storage unit during wood burning stove, 19th century boree at the john Urka farm on July an open house on Sunday, j uly 31. blouses and kerosene lamps, as well 30? If you missed it that is just too Over 750 metro area people enjoyed as old farm equipment. During hay- bad! the sunshine and the fun. It was a rides through- the orchards people Over 150 people didn't miss it and double celebration - first, recogni- learned about the heritage of the were they glad! tion as Michigan's oldest centennial Bowerman (which means orchardist The warehouse was beautifully farm, and second, introduction of in German) family. The tour fea- decorated with bales of hay and the new CA storage facility. tured an apple picking demonstra- pallet boxes. Some of the pallet The CA storage was an idea and tion and a walking tour through boxes were used as shadow boxes dream of the late Armand Bower- grading and storage facilities, in- and contained planters of wild man, fifth generation of the Bower- cluding the CA storage. flowers. There was also a "lemonade man family at Westview Orchards. Apple refreshments, including stand" built of pallet boxes and Controlled atmosphere is a process cider, caramel apples, applesauce manned by the Bob Schimke grand- where apples are "put to sleep" for cakes and apple streudel ice cream children. several months after harvest. When were served. Souvenir balloons, key Here and there were antique corn the fruit is "awakened" it retains rings and pens were also distributed. planters and other farm tools that that fresh picked flavor and crisp- It is clear that the Michael Bower- were mingled with 'the wild flower ness. man heritage will continue and their planters. A pair of old work shoes The festivities were hosted by motto, "Everything we sell, we filled with wild flowers were unique Katherine Bowerman Roy, fifth grow," will be remembered by those planters. generation, and her daughters, Ab- who enjoyed the Bowerman's hospi- bey Roy, who is farm manager, and tality. Thank God We Are Country Folks! By Eunice Dancer, Editor 20-year-old. Jackson County FB Newsletter After he left we were discussing Today as I look through my kitch- his reactions and unfamiliarity with en window, I am recalling a visitor the farm. We realized there are we had on our farm in early May. A millions more just like him, not friend of our daughter's from knowing what it is like to walk down Cleveland, Ohio, spent a weekend a gravel road, enjoy nature, etc. with us before he returned to his A person needs a personal invita- And there was food, food, food - home for the summer, after his ex- tion to visit a farm, ride a tractor, all served from a chuck wagon cov- ams at Adrian College. etc. But, we on the farm can visit the ered with red and white checkered The closest he'd ever been to a city, drive down its streets, shop in table cloths. Bill Brown had done his farm was from a highway. To say the its stores, attend the theater, etc., "thing" and that pig was roasted to least - he was thrilled to ride on the any time without a personal invita- perfection. Among the dessert items tractor for a few rounds as Dwain tion, if we have the desire, time and were a couple of watermelon boats. planted corn. money (a slight qualification) to do People helped themselves and He was awed by the fact that so. All we have to do is hop in the were seated at picnic tables covered Anita had earned money for her first car, train, bus or airplane and go to with red and white table cloths. year at Adrian College by fitting and the city, stay in a hotel, and enjoy. After everyone could eat no showing steers at the county fair. He How lucky we are! We can ex- more, there was square dancing. The thought they were very big and he perience both worlds. When we get Virginia Reel was requested by John was a little afraid of them, and real- tired of the hustle, bustle, noise Sedelmaier and was performed ly didn't appreciate the manure. (especially the sirens) and exhaust beautifully. Music was by Tim After dinner they walked down fumes of the city, we can come Joseph, Chris Ferrar and Claire Peter- our gravel road and saw a few deer home to the farm, with its occa- son. Wanda Joseph was the caller. out in our field - a sight he had sional noise from a tractor or bawl-: Guests were present from Kalkas- never seen. All in all, it was an ex- ing cow, and breathe the clean, ka and Livingston counties as well as citing weekend for him. These were fresh air and thank God we are exchange students from Finland and all brand new experiences for a country folks. France with their host families. FARM BUREAU MARKET PLACE LIVESTOCK LIVESTOCK FARM EQUIPMENT MISCELLANEOUS Sbeep. CatS Curti •• Reg. Suffolks and For Salel fresb and .prlnglng tlol' Antique tractors. some restored, JDs, Save $4001 Cookware. extra beavy Reg. Southdowns. Helping small nock stein belfer •• Also service age Hamp- McDeerlng. fordson. A. Magslg, 66.3.3 19 piece stainless steel sold through In- owners and 4-H'ers our special Interest. shire boars. Charlotte, 517-54.3-.3415. U.S. 27, DeWitt, Mich. 46620. (9-12p) home demonstration at $595. Now avail- 204 N. Williams, Stockbridge, Mich. 517- (9-12p) able dIrect only $169.95. Only 100 sets For Salel Follt narrow three row corn- 651-704.3 - 517-651-6017. (7-12t-22p) from bankruptcy. Order now to avoid Corrledale sbeep breeding stock . .31.3- head. Charlotte. 517 -54.3-.3415. (9-11 p) disappointment. 100% refund If return- Paint tlorses - Weanllngs, yearlings, 429-7674. (l-12t-5p) ed within 10 days unused In original con- bred mares. Lawerance Baumunk, Big dition. Send check, money order, Visa or Rapids, Mich. 1-616-796-2.346. Mastercard number and expiration date. (9-10t-12p) MISCELLANEOUS Yankee Trader, 4600 Stein Road, Ann Ar- Morgan borses. mares and colts. bor, Mich. 46105. $1 for brochure. Phone .31.3-727-7679. (6-6t-7p) FARM EQUIPMENT Wantedl Old Indian Artifacts. Axes, (7-6t-65p-ts) celts, arrowheads, drilled slate. Informa- Suffolk sbeep. 60 registered ewes. CEDAR fence posts. any size. Rustic One Myers Irrigation pump. 6x6, good tion to: Relics, Box 152A, Eau Claire, All or will divide. Allegan, 616-67.3-257.3 round rail sections. Log homes. Rapid condition. 20 pc . .30' - 4" pipe, .30 pc . .30' Mich. 49111. (5-6t-16p) or 6 16-67.3-667.3. (6-2t-l.3p) River Rustic Cedar Log Homes and Fenc- - .3" pipe. One New Idea corn picker No. Quilt Show - Over 100 quilts, quilts Ing, Rt . .3, Ensign, Rapid River, Mich. Registered Suffolk ram. - 2-year-old 10, phone.31.3-.327-6.316. (9-2t-24p) and dolls for sale. Shepardsville Church 49676.1-906-474-6427. (2-1lt-27p-m) by Mainliner and Queen's daughter. 2 I'lew Steel Special Salel 15( per lb., - Oct. 14 and 15, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. sons from 1.3 Carat and Queen's Dla. new air compressor, 3/. hp oil-less with $1.50 admission. for more Information mond daughters. 517-655'.3.366. tank, plastic & steel 55 gallon barrels. phone 517-6.34-2695. (9-2t-22p) (9-2t-21p) Iq,a, Mich . .31.3-269.2666. Closed Satur- $100 - $400 weekly working at Group of good. strong tloistein day. (9-.3t-2.3p) bome. No experience. National com- FOR HOMEMAKERS heifers. 15 grades and 2 reg. due Spring Specla" - I'lew Alumallt hard pany supplies all materials and pay- Aug.-Oct. Out of AI breeding. bred to son SAVEl Make Your Ownl frozen hash- bose Irrigation traveler. 1.200 ft. of checks. fully guaranteed. for details of Elevation from Wayne dam with .33/." 10 hose - $14,500. Allis Chalmers and application, send self-addressed, browns, tater tots, french fries! Com- 21.000M 4.0% test. Some records up to plete, easy, Instructions, $1.00. Hamil- diesel pumping unit. complete, 500 GPM stamped envelope to: Tobec, Route 1, 2.3,0.36M on dams. George Robb, fowler- @ 140 • - $6,000. Manure pumps. agl' Box 514, Carpenter, Miss . .39050. tons, Box 652-1.3 1. New Ulm, Minn. ville, phone 517-22.3-9462. (9-.39p) tators. pipe and Irrigation travelers (7-.3t-.35p-ts) 5607.3. (9-20p-ts) Milking Sbortborn.1 Young bulls, to pump manure directly from lagoon or Probate Assistance. Probate by Mall. I'lowl Frozen Tomato Silcesl Enjoy yearlings and calves for sale. Write or pit to neld. We also custom pump. We are The attorneys at Michigan Probate Ser- garden fresh navor year roundl Com- visit Stanley M. Powell and family, In- Badger Northland Dealers. Plummer Sup- vices, P.C.. specialize In handling Inde- plete, easy Instructions. $ 1.00. Hamil- gleside farm, Route 2, .3246 Powell Hwy .. ply, Bradley, MI. 1-600-6.32-7731. pendent probate estates of all sizes tons, Box 652.1.31. New Ulm, Minn. Ionia, Mich. 46646. (4-6t-12p) (9-56b-ts) through the mall. Computer assistance 5607.3. (9-20p-ts) helps us help personal representatives. Reclpesl Couponsl Cooking Delight Probate Court supervision can be avoid- Magazine, Cookeville, TN .36502-2727. ed and you, as personal representative, CLASSIFIED AD POLICY can remain In control. Call toll-free for $.3/year. Freel tlawallan (4-10t-l0p-ts) toast recipe when you rates If you have an estate to be pro- bated. 600-521-6724. (7-6t-46p-ts) order delicious country french toast Members pay lOlt per word for non-commerlcal ads and 15lt per recipe. Send $1.00 to Better Days, 1.35 LEE Jeans. Factory outlet work San Jose Ave .. San francisco, CA 94110. word for ads which promote a commercial business other than ag- clothes. sboes. Bargains on new shirts (9-2t-25p-ts) riculture. All other advertisers pay 20lt per word for one Insertion (low as $5.95), Jackets, boots, gloves, coveralls. Send $1 for catalog. SARA Pecansl Quart eacb halves, pieces, and 15lt per word for two or more consecutive insertions. GLOVE CO" 16 Cherry Ave., Dept. C-95, meal. .3 qt. sampler, $12.95. PostpaId. The deadline for advertisements is the first Monday of the Waterbury, CT 06704. (6-5t-.3.3b-ts) Canecreek Farm, Dept.-Mf, Cookeville, TN .36502. (7-12t-16p-ts) month preceding publication and the publisher has the right For Salel Royal International. 35 ft. travel trailer with attached 10'x24' Fant.sUc 3 week coleslawl It.s to reject any advertising copy submitted. All ads must be pre- cabana, two utility buildings. Located delicious, easy and lasts .3 weeks. Send paid and may be pre-paid up to one year in advance. Please in- north of Palametto, fla. Hwy. 41. Call $ LOO to Better Days, 1.35 San Jose Ave., dicate If you are a Farm Bureau member. It is the responsibility of .31.3-66.3-2777, Ann Arbor, Michigan. San Francisco, CA 94110. (9-2t-24p-ts) the advertiser to re-insert the ad on a month-by-month or year-by- (6-2t-25p) year basis. For Renll Modem cabins. canoes (river trips, boat rental). Hiawatha Send ads to Rural Living, P.O. Box 30960, Lansing, Mich. Forest. 15 miles south of Wetmore on 48909. No ads will be taken over the phone. H-l.3. lois Murdock, owner, Star Route, REAL ESTATE ---------------------------- Wetmore, Mich. 49695. 906-57.3-2.301. (6-2t-25p-ts) Tbree bedroom modular manufac- tured In 1969 by Active Homes. Used Name _ Are you concerned about the quality of as summer residence. ~xcellent condI- your drinking water? You should be. for tion. Must be sold and moved to settle free Information send a self addressed estate. Price $21,.300. Includes set up on stamped envelope to: Water Information, Address _ your foundation. For particulars: Penta, P.O. 80x 75, Clio, Mich. 46420. We are 2.395 Williams Road, Petoskey. Mich. not promoting a water softener unit. 49770. (7-Jt-.39p) (9-2t-.37p) OFarm Bureau member ONon-member Smolly Mountain riverside bome for Wby Die Wltbout a Will? Two legal rent. Townsend, Tennessee, near Gatlln-, "will forms" and easy Instructions. Only burg and Cades Cove. Pictures sent on $4 ... Order Todayl Guaranteedl TY- request. $50.00 night. Carl Morgan, 409 Run the following ad In the Issue(s): Company, Box 752-MF, Pryor, OK 74.362, Lambert Lane, Maryville. Tenn . .37601. . (6-6t-22p-ts) (6-4t-27p-ts) Wboleaale paaty tlOH. all sizes and For Sale - 12x60 well kept mobile colors. fantastic savings - send self ad- home on own tree shaded lot. loox2.35, dressed stamped envelope and $1.00 for lake frontage In central Florida. Variety catalog to: P. H. Wholesale, P.O. 80x 75, of citrus. For Information write H. A. Clio, Mich. 46420. (9-2t-26p) Bradshaw, 56.3.3Bradshaw Road. LUding- Satellite antenna dealer. needed - ton, Mich. 494.3 1. (9-2t-.32p). no experience required - dealer cost for complete unit as low as $747.00 - retail :JOO acre farm. large .et of buildings $1,.395.00 - call todayl .30.3-6.36-0640. - barn, granary, large heated shop, and a 1.3 room house. A creek runs through (9-21b-t5) the pasture, and a very nice pond, good "See Tbrougb People 50 Way." Stop sol/, woods. Phone Sand Lake, 616- decelversl 50 protectlonsl $1. NewHre, 6.36-4116. (9-2t-.35p) Box 664-SQ. Boulder City, Nevada 69005. Gulf Sbores. Alabamal "Tbe Cove" (9-6t-16p-ts) condominium. One bedroom units. Cbrlstmas Trees. Wholesalers. 2,000 $.39,900. Two bedroom. $57,600. Lagoon plus sheared Norway Pine, 5' to 15' tall. access, boat ramp, pier, pool. 90% nnan.' ready to cut, Alba, Mich . .31.3-429-2.392. c1ngl Baldwin Real Estate, 205-966-7562. Words Insertions ____ Total Due (9-16p) (6-2t-25p-ts) RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 1983 I Buckham Family "oDored as State Fair Exhibitors "Seems to me, it's got to be the most fascinating thing on earth," says Fred Buckham, 54-year-old sheep farmer from Kalamazoo. "And anyone who's ever shown an animal or two knowS\what I'm talking about." What he's talking about is the ability to look at a group of animals with a judge's eye, comparing faults and assets, to rank the animals according to their productive capabilities, picking out the cream of the crop, and listening to the judge's reasons for the actual placings. Fred began showing Farm Bureau members Barbara 8t Fred Buckham and their daughter sheep through 4-H at the age of Marilyn make their home on an 800 acre farm in Oshtemo Township, 10. He still does today and is Kalamazoo County. The family raises 600 head of Suffolk and Shrop. shire sheep, and manage 400 head of feeder cattle. often asked to judge at county fairs. "Sheep are my life," Fred ad- operation near Schoolcraft. While Shropshire was the mits, even though his family's Fred, his wife, Barbara, and breed of the 1920s, 30s and 800 acres of crops are probably daughter, Marilyn, 15, occupy 40s, it currently ranks as the the more lucrative end of the the original Schoolcraft farm- fifth most popular sheep breed. farming operation. Besides a house, a convenient arrange- Suffolk is the most popular herd of 600 sheep, they manage ment for Barb and Marilyn, who breed today. 400 head of feeder cattle, and take care of the steers. Fred compares his Shrop- an extra 700 acres for their The Buckhams have been shires to the Hereford breed in neighbors. farming in Oshtemo Township the beef circuit. Out West, a Luckily, they have the man- since 1871, when the twins' hardy animal was needed to power in the family to meet the grandfather came over from survive the harsh winters. To- demands of their business. Scotland. With $700 and the ex- day, however, the exotic cross- Fred's twin brother, George, and perience of managing a large breeds have been found to be his wife, Thelma, have a daugh- sheep estate behind him, he the most practical east of the ter, Gail, 31; and sons, George v started the family business rais- Mississippi, for their daily gain Jr., 26; Jeff, 23; and Brian, IS • ing Shropshire. Today the Buck- and size. Likewise, Shropshire George jr. and his wife, Marsha, hams raise both Shropshire and sheep can get fat on grass, but live on the main farm just out- Suffolk. the Suffolk is the more prized side of Kalamazoo on M-43. Jeff meat animal. and his wife, Kathy, built a new home on the Buckhams' beef RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 1983 21 Fred, George, George Jr. and The Buckhams shear profes- own sale on the last Saturday in Jeff make up the main work sionally for a five-county area. April, in the hay barn. Fred.says force. Besides seasonal plant- "However," Fred admits, "I it takes them a week to get ing, filling silo, haying and didn't pick up the clippers this ready. combining, their sheep add the year." A recent bout with can- His wife clerks, his niece Gail extra chores of lambing and cer kept him out of action. He checks the money, and the shearing. still has to take things a little women's Extension group runs The lambing season runs easy, but considers himself the food wagon. A little podium from January to late spring, a pretty lucky. is built out of straw bales, and time to keep close track of their The Buckhams have shown at the rest of the family helps get 300 ewes. The sheep often need Michigan's State Fair since the sheep ready. Everybody assistance with their multiple 1949. Their Shropshires have prays for bad weather. The births - it's easy for the lambs won them the Michigan Premier Buckhams usually look for 180 to get tangled up. Breeder banner 28 times in the buyers. This last spring it Another concern is the last 30 years. The Buckhams rained the two days before the lamb/ ewe ratio. "If you have practice line breeding and sale and they had 345. more than two lam bs to a ewe," haven't bought a Shropshire "More people eat lamb in this Fred explains, "you always end ram since 1969. world than beef," Fred says. up with one that doesn't do Until this year's State Fair "We often have foreign students quite as well." 50, the proper Sheep Show, all the sheep were from the college (Western Michi- adjustments are made. One of housed and shown upstairs in gan University) come over to the triplet lambs is taken from the coliseum (capacity for 1,000 purchase and butcher sheep the ewe and given to a ewe with sheep). This has been the ar- right here on the farm. I guess only one. rangement for at least the last the stomach of sheep is a "Shearing sheep is a pain, but 70 years. However, this year the delicacy that can't be bought at necessary," Fred says. "Wool is animals are being brought back our supermarkets," he says almost worthless now days. The to ground level in the new ex- with a grin. cost of shearing a sheep nearly hibit barn. Fred graduated from Michigan matches what you'll get for its The Buckhams enter several State University with a bachelor wool." Fred says the shearing other major shows, including of science degree in animal hus- season lasts from December to the Illinois Spectacular and the bandry. He's a strong advocate April. It's generally done before Midwest Consignment Sales in of getting a college education. lambing. Missouri. They also put on their "The piece of paper has made some doors open for me, even when the schooling really didn't matter. People are impressed by a farmer who has a college degree." One of those "doors" is the position of county road com- missioner. "It is a great op- portunity and I enjoy it. And you know, those years on the judging team at MSU, giving reasons, really helps me out to- day when I'm trying to argue a point." Fred and his family were hon- ored this year at the Michigan State Fair as long standing ex- hibitors of quality stock. Jeff and George Jr. constitute the fourth generation of sheep farmers. But maybe Fred says it best. He's been raising sheep "forever." The Buckhams' Shropshire sheep have won them the Michigan Premier Breeder Banner 28 times in 30 years. Because the Buckhams line breed their herd, they haven't bought a Shropshire ram since 1969. 22 RURAL LIVING. SEPTEMBER 198.3 Safety of Farm Kids Stressed Sept. 18-24 By Luke Schafer He was the joy of the farm. Only seven years old, he followed his dad around the barn and fields, asking questions, helping when he could, never far from his father's side. Dad answered all the boy's questions, but there was one thing he forgot to tell him, and it cost the youngster an arm: don't go near the farm machinery when it's moving. "Stressing safety rules on the farm can be of life- saving importance to young children and youth," says Ron Converse, a 12-year member and past president of the Michigan Rural Safety Council. "A farm child runs out the back door and is in a world of huge farm machinery, silos and bins, animals, chemicals, stock watering tanks, electrical equip- ment, and potential hazards of all kinds." Because of concern for the safety of rural children, this year's National Farm Safety Week has the theme "Safeguard the Future - '~.,~. Protect, Educate Children." >'yjJ. The Sept. 18-24 observance is co-sponsored by the National "Farm machinery is especially Safety Council and the U.S. dangerous for children," says Department of Agriculture, with Converse, who serves as loss organizations like Michigan control manager for FBIG. Farm Bureau, Farm Bureau In- "Nearly 80% of all farm acci- surance Group, and the Michi- dents that happen to children gan Rural Safety Council sup- porting the observance in Michi- gan. RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 1983 23 Ground breaking ceremonies for new facilities at the Kellogg Biological Station at Gull Lake took place In late July. Bob Kramer, representative of the Kellogg Foundation, which Is funding the expansion, joined MSUTrustee Barbara Sawyer, MSU President Cecil Mackey, Agriculture and Natural Resources Dean James Anderson and Michigan Farm Bureau President Elton Smith to mark the occasion. Kellogg Foundation and MSU Carryon Tradition of Cooperation By Marcia Dltchie held July 29, included officials biological understanding at this from the MSUBoard of Trustees, site," Mackey said. "The sym- Over a half century of cooper- MSUPresident Cecil Mackey, W. bolism of the ground breaking ative effort between the W. K. K. Kellogg foundation President for these new facilities is much Kellogg foundation and Michi- Russell Mawby and agricultural the same as the symbolism of gan State University took and university representatives. our cooperative effort with the another giant leap forward in "This facility is part of the foundation. What exists here late July with ground breaking type of education, teaching, re- could not have taken place ceremonies for two new facili- search and training that allows without MSU,the foresight of W. ties at the Kellogg Biological us to understand and deal with K. Kellogg and the participation Station near Battle Creek. modern society," said Mackey. and involvement of the direc- The buildings, an academic "It recognizes the fundamental tors, officers and staff of the facility and dairy management nature of agriculture and the Kellogg foundation." center, along with dormitories biological sciences. The Kellogg foundation has already under construction, are "for more than 50 years, the been a long-time supporter of being funded by a $10 million Kellogg foundation and MSU MSUin pioneering and develop- grant from the Kellogg founda- have been national and interna- ing many projects which have tion. The ground breaking cere- tional leaders in developing monies for the new facilities, 24 RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 1983 benefited agriculture and Michi- mile section of exhausted farm- "He was concerned with agri- gan. land which he also turned over culture, and the foundation still "We need the results of ef- to MSUwith the request that regards agriculture as the basic forts like this, just as we need- the university attempt to return human enterprise," Mawby said. ed the results of other projects it to useful land. From this "In this Kellogg Biological Sta- the Kellogg Foundation has reforestation project the tion, all of these interests - of supported with MSU," said Kellogg Forest was developed the donor, of the foundation Mackey. These projects have in- as a monument to the fact that and of these resources - come cluded development of the Col- badly eroded land can once together. lege of Human Medicine, promo- again be made productive. "We feel at the foundation, as tion of the use of computers to do those at the university and get information to the agricul- those who are providing partic- tural community, and develop- ular leadership in this endeavor, ment of quality leadership that in the biological sciences, among young farmers for the we are at the threshold of ex- state's agriculture. citing developments in the next "All of those are similar to decade and the decades to im- the pioneering efforts in mediately follow. Our trustees biological research that this made this a major factor in station represents. To be at the their commitment for the larg- cutting edge of biological re- est grant ever made by the search at this time is vital to Kellogg Foundation. They felt Michigan and its economic de- that this station could be a very velopment," Mackey said. important factor in keeping MSUand Michigan in the fore- Kellogg Foundation front in the biological sciences Established in 1930 as we move into the future," Mawby said. In the mid 1920s, W. K. Kel- logg built a summer home at Research Will Look at the present site of the biolog- W. K. KELLOGG Whole Agricultural System ical station at Gull Lake. A few years later he made the deci- In addition, 180 acres of the Research at the facilities will sion to dedicate all but 2112%of land he purchased was used to focus on the integration of his 60% ownership of the establish the Kellogg Bird Sanc- managed ecosystems in agricul- Kellogg Company to public tuary for waterfowl, and a cen- ture and the environment. The benefit by establishing the W. K. ter for wildlife research. academic building will contain Kellogg Foundation in 1930. When Kellogg died in 1951, laboratories, offices, seminar Shortly after he moved into the trustees of the foundation rooms, a library and lecture his summer home in 1926, Kel- donated his home and lakefront theater. The dairy management logg purchased an additional estate on Gull Lake to the center will house a Holstein 1,000 acres in the vicinity of Biological Station. milking herd. Seminar rooms Gull Lake, which were eventu- According to Russell Mawby, and public viewing areas will be ally to be used for three agricul- president of the W. K. Kellogg used to demonstrate the prin- tural-related projects in cooper- Foundation, Kellogg often com- ciples of dairy herd manage- ation with MSU. Kellogg be- mented that education offers ment. lieved that much of the nation's the greatest opportunity for im- AccordinOgto James Ander- welfare hinged upon the suc- proving one generation over son, dean of the College of Agri- cess of the farmer, and from another and that he appre- culture and Natural Resources, this belief he spent about ciated the natural resources research at these new facilities $500,000 on the construction and conservation. In 1953, two will take a different direction of the Kellogg Experimental years after Kellogg's death, the than in the past. Farm, which he later gave to foundation created a new agri- "We have to be increasingly MSU. culture division to study and concerned about the future, the Included in the acreage he assist in the improvement of (continued on page .32) purchased was almost a square agriculture. RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 1983 25 AGRINOMIC UPDATE Weather Forecasts: Necessary Management Tool (Editor's Note: This is the sec- These topics will emanate from papers and weekly, biweekly ond of a two-part series on agri- the agricultural weather fore- and even monthly publications. cultural weather.) cast and from a knowledge of currently on-going field opera- Summary An agricultural weather ad- tions and crop status, as gained visory should provide farmers from agricultural experts for Based on the total agricul- with interpreted weather infor- specific crops and livestock. tural weather advisory system, mation that can enable them to The agency (either private or a general plan is being devel- make better on-farm weather public) providing the advisory oped to better serve farmers related decisions and thereby must simultaneously provide an and others in the agricultural increase profits by reducing educational component to help industry. losses and/ or increasing yields. growers understand how to best As recommended in last It should be viewed as a viable use the advisory information. month's Agrinomic Update, farm management tool. The educational component is Congress should mandate a Michigan farmers are fortu- particularly critical in dealing commitment of resources by nate because, through the agri- with farmers and dealing with USDA,the U.S. Department of cultural weather advisories pro- these weather forecasts and ag- Commerce (which oversees the vided jointly by Michigan State ricultural advisories. National Weather Service) and University and the Michigan The structure of the Coopera- state Cooperative Extension Department of Agriculture, they tive Extension Service is well Services. That is essential to ac- are provided with information suited to carry out this aspect complish the enhancement and about the meaning of each fore- and certainly their educational expansion of an agricultural cast parameter, the degree of mission can easily incorporate weather advisory system as a accuracy of each parameter and such a project. In addition, new national priority. how they relate to the actual communication systems reach- The completion of this net- on-farm conditions. An inter- ing farmers are being developed work and the continued funding disciplinary group of meteorolo- and the incorporation of agri- of the agricultural weather ser- gists and agriculturists is re- cultural weather education vices in federal and state bud- quired and has been provided material is important. gets is important for maintain- through the National Weather There are several ways that ing weather stations and restor- Service. farmers may receive weather in- ing agricultural services. It is Examples of the day-to-day formation. The alternatives also vital for maintaining a fruit weather parameters included in range from a National Oceanic frost program and agricultural these agricultural weather fore- and Atmospheric Administra- weather advisories to provide casts and advisories include ex- tion weather radio broadcast our industry with a weather ser- pected heat! cold stress severity network to an on-demand re- vice that will not only benefit for livestock and poultry; trieval system where sub- growers, but also consumers. frost/ freeze warnings for crops; scribers to Michigan Farm Bu- soil temperatures for seed ger- reau's AgriCom program, using mination and planting date de- their own on-farm computers, cisions; precipitation probabil- access the weather forecasts ities for pesticide and fertilizer and the agricultural advisory as applications and irrigation a menu item. Between these scheduling; wind speed and two extremes exist such direction for spray operations; methods as audio taped prod- and temperatures and humidi- ucts accessed by phone, cable ties for disease management. television systems, mail, news- 26 RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 198.3 Lessons From Past 1983 County Annual Meetings (continued from page 13) County Date Time Place family lifestyles, Kostal be- Alcona Oct. 17 7 p.m. Mikado Twp. Hall Iieves, is today's availability of Allegan Oct. 27 8 p.m. Griswold Auditorium, Allegan information. Alpena Oct. 13 Antrim Oct. 12 Ellsworth Town Hall "There was a time when at- Arenac Oct. 10 tending farm Bureau meetings Barry Oct. 6 7 p.m. Moose Lodge, Hastings was one of the few ways mem- Bay Sept. 20 6:30 p.m. Merritt Twp. Hall bers could keep up-to-date on Benzie Oct. 10 6:30 p.m. Blaine Christian Church Berrien Oct. 26 7 p.m. Youth Memorial Bldg. legislation and political ac- Branch Sept. 19 7 p.m. Career Center, Coldwater tivities. Now we have TV, news- Calhoun Oct. 4 7 p.m. B. E. Henry Bldg., Marshall letters and newspapers to keep Cass Oct. 11 6:30 p.m. Cassopolis High School Charlevoix Oct. 5 Whiting Park, Boyne City us informed. That's one of the Cheboygan Oct. 18 Wesleyan Twp. Hall, Cheboygan reasons our community groups Chippewa Oct. 3 7 p.m. Pickford Twp. Hall have had such a struggle," he Clare Oct. 14 7 p.m. Clare Elementary School said. Clinton Oct. 11 7 p.m. St. Johns High School Cafeteria Copper Oct. 15 8 p.m. Ottawa Sportsman's Club, Pelkie "We feel that every farmer Country member should take part in the Eaton Oct. 29 7:30 p.m. Kirk Center, Olivet College policy development process and Emmet Oct. 6 4-H Center, Petoskey Genesee Oct. 18 7 p.m. Mundy Twp. Hall, Rankin in electing the board. If they are Gladwin Oct. 4 not involved in the policy proc- Gratiot Aug. 27 5:30 p.m. Alma Fairgrounds ess, the policies which are Hiawathaland Oct. 25 Congregational Church, Rapid River adopted will not give a true rep- Hillsdale Oct. 12 7 p.m. 4-H Building, Hillsdale Huron Sept. 29 6:45 p.m. FB Center, Bad Axe resentation of the member- Ingham Oct. 19 7 p.m. PS Room, Mason Lanes, Mason ship's views. And if they don't Ionia Oct. 3 7 p.m. A. A. Rather School, Ionia support those policies, policy losco Oct. 20 7 p.m. Hale Lutheran Church Iron Range Oct. 22 7 p.m. Mansfield Town Hall, Sagola execution just won't take Isabella Oct. 15 place." Jackson Oct. 13 6:30 p.m. Pete's Dining, Jackson The success of Gratiot's Kalamazoo Oct. 18 7 p.m. County Center Building Young farmer Committee an- Kalkaska Oct. 14 Carol's Hall Kent Oct. 10 6:30 p.m. Meijer's, 4411 Plainfield, Grand Rapids nual winter dance for the past Lapeer Oct. 6 6:45 p.m. American Legion Hall, Lapeer six years gave impetus to the Lenawee Sept. 27 Adrian College idea of having a dance at this Livingston Oct. 27 7:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church, Howell Mac-Luce Oct. 11 7:30 p.m. Garfield Twp. Hall, Engadine year's annual meeting. Macomb Oct. 12 7 p.m. St. Mary's Catholic Church, Armada "It's one way we think we can Manistee Oct. 17 Farr Center, Onekama attract the young farmers. If Mason Oct. 4 8 p.m. Scottville Bank they enjoy themselves while Mecosta Oct. 10 7:30 p.m. Morley-Stanwood High School Menominee Oct. 13 7:30 CST. Pullman House, Menominee finding out what the organiza- Midland Oct. 18 Homer Twp. Hall, Midland tion is all about, then we can Missaukee get them involved. The policies Monroe Sept. 13 4-H Building, County Fairgrounds Montcalm Oct. 26 8 p.m. Central Montcalm Middle School that are adopted will impact on Montmorency Oct. 27 7 p.m. (tentative) them and they should be involv- Muskegon Oct. 11 7 p.m. ed in the process. They're the Newaygo Oct. 13 7:30 p.m. Grant Wesleyan Church (tentative) ones we'll be looking to in the NW Mich. Oct. 5 8 p.m. Twin Lakes 4-H Camp Oakland Oct. 6 future," Kostal said. Oceana Oct. 17 7:30 p.m. Whether the all-out effort to Ogemaw Oct. 21 7:30 p.m. Horton Twp. Hall increase member participation Osceola Oct. 18 8 p.m. Marion Bank Otsego Oct. 25 6:45 p.m. in the policy development proc- Ottawa Oct. 13 7 p.m. Allendale Christian School ess is successful remains to be Presque Isle Oct. 4 8 p.m. Belknap Twp. Hall seen. Leaders are hoping that Saginaw Oct. 6 6 p.m. Knights of Columbus Hall, Saginaw more members will realize that St. Clair Sept. 27 7 p.m. Goodells Community Bldg. St. Joseph Oct. 10 7 p.m. Centreville High School farm Bureau is needed today Sanilac Oct. 5 7:15 p.m. Deckerville High School more than ever before - philo- Shiawassee Oct. 10 7 p.m. Dog & Gun Club, Corunna sophically and economically, Tuscola Sept. 22 6:30 p.m. Caro High School Cafeteria but it has no power except what Van Buren Oct. 27 6:30 p.m. Van Buren FB Office Washtenaw Sept. 29 Farm Council Grounds members, as individuals, put Wayne Oct. 11 into it. Wexford Oct. 11 RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 1983 27 The Discussion Topic is used by Community Ac- tion Groups for monthly policy discussions. Uealth Care Cost: Real Money, Real Problems, Real Solutions The late Sen. Everett Dirksen There are those who want to does remove some of the incen- of Illinois was famous for a wit blame the doctors and hospitals tive that we, as consumers, that often cut to the heart of an and third party payers like Blue might otherwise have to avoid issue. One Dirksen story in- Cross Blue Shield for these tre- unnecessary visits to the doc- volves a discussion of federal mendous costs. These people tor. expenditures during which want an answer that they can Likewise, doctors are thinking some of the senator's col- fit on a bumper sticker. Unfor- more about helping their pa- leagues were casually tossing tunately, the problem is too tients than about the cost of around figures in the million complex for slogans and scape- this or that procedure and and billion dollar range. Dirksen goats. that's exactly what we want listened for a while, and finally them to do when we are the pa- interrupted. "A billion dollars Recognition of Problems tients. here, a billion dollars there," he Cost has become a matter of said. "Pretty soon, you're talk- What then are the real rea- such deep concern among large ing about real money!" sons for the escalating costs in and small purchasers of health Of course, the topic of the health care? Inflation is one care insurance that some or- discussion was real money - a cause, of course. But health ganizations, such as Farm Bu- lot of it. Dirksen was pointing costs are also on the rise in the reau, are taking action through out that the other senators had United States because of a lack specially appointed committees apparently lost their perspec- of price awareness. Health in- and local coalitions to put tive. surance is a godsend, but it pressure on both the health Americans sometimes do lose care providers and third party perspective. How many of us payers to bring costs down. reacted in horror to news that Partly in response to such the national debt had topped pressure, some hospitals the trillion dollar mark? How are now showing staff many even bat an eye when in- doctors and patients formed a single army tank cost itemized bills for the $2.4 million? How many are services they offer. troubled that America spends The purpose of this about 10% of its gross national is to bring to the product for health care? attention of the physi- It is not that Americans are cian and patient the cost of totally unconcerned. Polls show " the services routinely or- that most of us believe health "'\ dered. care costs too much. But, we at- A few medical schools are tempt to shrug off statistics also beginning to discuss such as those that tell us we health care costs as part of spent $.300 billion on health their curriculum. Until recently, care in 1981 alone, and that medical schools' only concern health expenditures will top was that they provide the most $820 billion a year by 1990, a figure not too far from today's total national debt. 28 RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 1983 technologically new and sound -Oppose state Insurance traditional Blue Cross Blue remedies for their patients. Commission efforts to require Shield fee-for-service programs. There is no doubt that our Blue Cross Blue Shield group A well-managed HMO intro- health care system should have subscribers to subsidize non- duces competition into the some incentives to encourage group losses. medical market place and in do- doctors to deliver care at the .Insist the state Insurance ing so, may have a restraining lowest cost consistent with Commission enforce the state effect on private fees. This can quality. Just because a physi- regulation requiring all com- be especially true in communi- cian orders a massive amount panies who sell health insur- ties where the HMO is a major of tests, using the newest and ance in Michigan to provide presence. latest equipment available, is coverage to Medicare sub- not proof that he is delivering scribers. quality health care. • Farm Bureau members are There is no doubt that Local hospitals can share urged to become active on local our health care system some of the blame for high hospital boards and commit- should have some in- medical costs. The Comprehen- tees. It is here where the deci- sive Health Planning Council of sions are made that can have a centives to encourage Southeast Michigan estimates real impact on cost. doctors to deliver care that closing an unnecessary • Insist hospitals cooperate at the lowest cost con- specialty unit of 20 beds or with each other to a much sistent with quality. more saves a minimum of greater degree than they do to- Just because a physi- $7,000 per bed or $140,000 per day to avoid duplication of ser- year. State and local health vices. Duplication is extremely cian orders a massive planning agencies have iden- costly and a waste of resources. amount of tests, using tified 2,000 excess beds in the • Insist that physicians coop- the newest and latest seven county metro Detroit area erate with Blue Cross Blue equipment available, is and 3,000 excessive beds state- Shield 100%, or not at all, to wide. eliminate per case selection. not proof that he is These are long range prob- • Insist that physicians tell delivering quality lems that must be addressed. In Blue Cross Blue Shield sub- health care. the meantime, we must take scribers whether or not they are whatever immediate steps are participating before services are possible to attack the cost rendered, and if they do not In addition, the HMOs have problems. participate, what the additional proven themselves to be a very charges for their services will cost-effective mechanism for You Can Uelp Keep be over and above what Blue providing health care. The HMO Uealth Care Costs Down Cross Blue Shield will pay. has to live on a profit and loss • Insist that Blue Cross Blue basis. HMO income is derived Farm Bureau's 1983 policy Shield prosecute fraudulent from capitalization - so much concerning health care iden- cases and false filings. Last year per patient per year. If costs ex- tifies nine things that we, as a alone, fraudulent cases added ceed income, the HMO is in group and individuals, can do millions of dollars to the cost of trouble. So HMOs are motivated to help hold down health care health care.in Michigan. to keep their members in good costs. They include: health and provide care effi- - Insist Blue Cross Blue Shield Many Ways to Fight ciently. In view of that motiva- require and pay for second opi- Increasing Costs tion, it may not be entirely a nions for major surgical pro- coincidence that HMO members cedures. What else is Farm Bureau do- are hospitalized only half as - Insist Blue Cross Blue Shield ing to hold down health costs? much as those with traditional require hospitals and physi- Farm Bureau is offering mem- coverage. cians to send subscribers of all bers in some counties a Health Farm Bureau leaders through- groups and non-group members Maintenance Organization op- out the state were recently an itemized copy of all charges tion as an alternative to the asked to contact their congress- of the services they received. men urging co-sponsorship of a bill introduced in Congress that will allow self-employed per- sons, such as farmers, to take a (continued on page .34) RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 1983 29 Education Quality The State Board of Education Schools closed their doors. has to provide policy initiatives Property tax will always playa and Financing to assist schools by establish- part in financing education, but (continued from page 9) ing an environment that will I would like to see less depen- The real advantage of Ameri- allow needed programs to be dence on it. can education - and its chal- available for students. That Multi-year funding is a pro- lenge as well - is to really ex- means requesting funds, initiat- posal with real value. A number tend our creativity. I don't know ing support pilot programs, of school administrators have of an area where we've done a conducting student evaluation spent too much time on school better job than in agriculture, and assessment programs, pro- finance issues and not enough and we need to do the same viding technical assistance for on programs. kind of things in the science program improvement, com- Certainly, multi-year funding area. munity relations and finance would give the school adminis- consultation. tration time to plan more effec- What is the relationship of the Through the Michigan Depart- tively and that will get school State Board of Education to ment of Education, we are pro- administrators back into educa- the schools? What role will it viding many of these services. tional programming because play in improving education In addition, the Board of Educa- they know that they can plan quality? tion will be developing a plan of on a certain level of funding for initiative for school improve- their schools. That would be a ment that will probably be far cry from the past year when adopted some time this fall. the state aid checks were held 227 page Illustrated book explains sausage making back. Last year we literally met plus home curing and smoking of meat, fowl and Farm Bureau policy developed hundreds of teacher payrolls on fish. Over 100 recipes. We now have Low Salt Seasonings. Free equipment and supply catalog in December of last year calls a contingency basis. That will has more information. for a 60% minimum state not happen this year, and I'm The SAUSAGEMAKER 177 -56 Military Road Buffalo, NY 14207 funding for K-12 education very thankful. and multi-year funding. What is the current status of these What is the contribution in Farm Bureau policy recom- federal dollars to support K-12 mendations in our school sys- education in Michigan? tem? •• C ••• TCM .. C ...... T COOPER & CO. Federal dollars account for :;:::;.~~~:c~=:;.. 2095 SEYMOUR AVE. :::~~=r..u ... CINCINNATI. OHIO 45237 Farm Bureau members are to about 7% of Michigan's K-12 be commended for their policy education funding. Compare MID-SOUTH TRACTOR position to support Michigan that to the 50% the Japanese PARTS, INC. schools, but we are not likely to government pays for education. Rt. 2, Box 316-M9, Sikeston, MO &3601 reach the 60% level of funding Obviously the Japanese don't CALL TOLL FREE at this time. I believe, however, spend any money on defense, Out of State: 1-8()().325-7070 that state funding at 50% may but they're spending it on Missouri Res.: '-8()()'392-O929 "For good used parts at low prices." be a more realistic goal. education. You can see our 7% About 15 years ago, a state support is 43% away from what LIQUID PLASTIC aid plan was developed that this competing nation pays for (NOT SOLD IN STORES) called for an approximate education. Polyurethane 50/50 split. What has hap- I believe President Reagan will th~t applies like .\ • " pamt 'arms a pened, though, is that there has be making some initiative pro- skin so laugh it posals to increase education {', - !', J '- won't crock, chip been a decrease of state par- ;. __, ...._~__. or peel. Cuts ~ ticipation, and the property tax funding from the federal level • :----- -. pointing cas Is ... cOlfers and has carried far too much of the and there will be initiatives protects like a shield a' unbreakable gloss. burden. On the other hand, from both sides of the political WA TERPROOF IN 30 MINUTES school districts had less than aisle. Adheres to practically anything. Slops leaks. Ideal for concrete, aluminum, assessed value increases. wood. mosonry. canllas. any metal. Now (because of the $200 Clear any major color. Just specify. We pay all shipping costs. Order NAVAL 5. million increase in state fund- Ship as follows: ( ) Ots. at 5•. 'S ing), the burden on the property each. ( ) Gal. at $25.95. ( ) 5 Gals. at $20 per gal. tax will slow down. Right now, HClme we have seven districts that are Address down to their allocated millage. City __ State Zip _ A year ago there were 33, and Ro~edale Chemical Co., Depl. ,'\\'.83 in 1981 the Alpena Public P.O. Box 3042, Rosedale, Kan. 66103 .30 RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 198.3 Safety of Farm -When giving young people a and keep guns securely out of new chore or job, train and the reach of young hands. Kids Stressed supervise them carefully until These and other farm safety (continued from page 23) you're sure they can do it safe- practices are outlined in a Farm topics like tractor safety, safety ly. Safety Week brochure being with farm machinery, and corn - Make the shop, grain bins, distributed this month to harvest safety. animal quarters, silos and thousands of FBIG policy- "Of course," Converse says, chemical storage places off holders. "FFA always stresses safety and limits to young children. Lock "We think this year's Farm leadership, so our programs are or bar entry. Remove keys from Safety Week message is excep- well-received. Last year, nearly motorized equipment so kids tionally important," Converse 50 chapters participated in the can't start it. says. "When farm kids learn corn harvest safety and farm - Encourage youth to take something early in life, like the machinery safety programs, part in safety activities of local value of using personal protec- while 57 were involved in the youth groups and schools. In- tive equipment on the farm, tractor safety training. That volve them In home and farm they accept it and follow it means thousands of young hazard hunts and fire inspec- throughout adulthood. Every Michigan men and women - tions. farm parent can help make to- who will be the state's leading - Before allowing a child to day's rural youth the safety- farmers - are learning good bike on public roads, make sure conscious farmers of tomor- safety habits early." he or she knows the ru les of the row." Both Converse and Doss, how- road. Don't let kids swim alone, ever, stress the importance of parents teaching their children farm safety, starting when the kids are very young. "It means a lot more when it comes from mom and dad," Converse says. "Parents can re- inforce safety every day, teach- ing children that safety is part of the daily farm routine." Here are some Important safe- ty points to protect children on the farm: - Keep kids off of and away from farm equipment. No extra riders. The Complete Granule It's the number one swine feed additive that's now totally granulated. Featured in Swine Starter feeds by Farm Bureau Services. Locked into each AUREO S.P 250@granule are AUREOMYCIN@chlortetra- cyline, sulfamethazine and penicillin. That means faster gains, better feed efficiency, more disease protection and improved control of sulfamethazine carryover. Don't settle for second best. Get Swine Starter feeds by Farm Bureau Services. Now with new totally granulated AUREO S. P 250. The Complete Granule. See your Farm Bureau Services ~CYANAIWID \I Allrtcultur" Dlwlalon dealer today for details. Wayne, NJ 07470 RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 198.3 .31 Tradition of funded by the foundation in- projects which received finan- clude faculty development with- cial support from the founda- Cooperation in the MSUCollege of Agricul- tion was the Kellogg Farmers' (continued from page 25) ture, and a project to maximize Study Program, which was con- sustainability of agriculture. In animal production by computer ducted from 1965 to 1973. the past, we have tended to evaluation of cost benefits of Some 150 young farm leaders look at the components of agri- animal health care. from throughout the state par- culture and research those in One of the most well-known ticipated in the program. depth. Now, we're to a point where we need to look at the whole agricultural system," Anderson said. "We have to be concerned about what agriculture is cost- ing us in terms of the soil and water resources we're working with. We have to develop a technology that will stabilize the total system so that this generation and generations yet unborn will have this resource to live in abundance and pros- perity. "We will be able to look at the interface between the agricul- tural system and the ecology system. Agriculture must live in peace and harmony, with a greater ecology, and we will The philanthrophy of W. K. Kellogg through the Kellogg Foundation spans 50 years. The summer manor house pictured abov~ was built in have the ability to look at how 1926. The home and an additional 1,000 acres were eventually turned agriculture impacts that over to Michigan State University for agricultural and biological re- ecology," Anderson said. search at the site. Below, dormitories for students and researchers cur- Expressing appreciation on rently under construction were financed through a $10 million grant to MSUfrom the foundation in 1982. behalf of Michigan farmers, MFB President Elton Smith said: "The cooperative effort of MSU and the foundation has been a great value to rural Michigan. There are challenges and changes ahead in the dairy in- dustry and this is the h .J of facility that will help Michigan farmers make those changes more smoothly. "I want to express apprecia- tion to the Kellogg Foundation and MSUfor their foresight, leadership and commitment to Michigan's agricultural indus- try," he said. Since its inception in 1930, the foundation has given grants for 1.3agricu Itural projects and made nearly $7.5 million in payments. In addition to the Kellogg Biological Station, cur- rent agricultural projects being .32 RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 198.3 Legislative Review S.B. 91 would grant school surer who must keep a record. (continued from page 7) districts "charter authority" the The supervisor or assessor must same as some townships, cities also keep a record and have the now well behind many other and counties. Once a charter owner subscribe under oath the countries. A few of the recom- limitation is approved by the description of the land, number mendations include: school voters, costly annual or of trees, etc. If the owner car- • Require all high school stu- biennial millage renewal cam- ries out the provisions of the dents to be competent in the paigns would be eliminated. For law, the value of the private "five new basics": four years example, school districts have a forest reserve "over and above English, three years mathe- county "allocated" millage plus $1 shall be exempt from taxa- matics, three years science, "extra voted" millage for opera- tion:' When the timber is cut a three years social studies and tion. "Extra voted" millage may 5% stumpage fee on the value one-half year of computer be split such as a "base" of 19 of the timber is levied. However, science. College bound students mills plus additional voted the owner can cut firewood and would be required to take two millage when needed. The in- timber for his own domestic years of a foreign language. tent of the proposal is that the use. • Adopt' rigorous and measur- school voters would set the For further information, see able standards for academic "base" millage. It could be in- your county treasurer or super- performance and student con- creased tern porarily by vote as visor or contact the Public Af- duct. needed. It could also be re- fairs Division, Michigan Farm .Consider seven hour school duced by a petition to put the Bureau, P.O. Box 30960, Lans- days and a 200-day to 220-day charter millage back on the ing, Mich. 48909. school year (now 180). ballot. In any event, the bill in • Require teachers to meet its present form will have to be high educational standards, rewritten. The Senate Education Lansing legislative topics are demonstrate, an aptitude for Committee has sent it to the at- reviewed by Robert E. Smith, teaching and competence in torney general because of possi- senior legislative counsel. academic discipline. Judge col- ble constitutional problems. leges on how well their grad- uates meet these criteria. • Make teacher salaries profes- Small Woodlot Tax Exemp- THEFlNES~ sionally competitive. Reward the superior teacher, encourage tion - Farm Bureau has re- ceived inquiries on an old 1917 PECANS! • For FUND RAtSING the average one and terminate law (amended in 1960 and • For BUSINESSGIFTS the poor one. 1977) regarding property tax • For PERSONAL USE • Parents have the first re- exemptions on certain farm IJIC'-- fII"""'" sponsibility in educating the woodlots. It is called "an act to ( ..... ~ , I pre-school child, providing the encourage private forestry:' It best schools possible, encour- applies to "any tract of land not aging good study and work exceeding 160 acres where at habits, and discouraging the all least one-half is improved and too prevalent "let it slide" at- devoted to agricultural pur- Meaty, flavorful new crop pecans, all picked with care from our Georgia titude. "Good enough" is not poses .... A portion thereof not groves, processed and shipped fresh exceeding one-fourth of the from our spotless plant. good enough. ACE PECAN is your direct source for a Some legislation is already total area can be selected as a complete variety of nutmeats- private forest reservation:' walnuts, pistachios, almonds. cashews, receiving some attention. brazils and mixed nuts. There is nothing H.B. 4446 and 4447 would al- There are certain require- in your local grocery store that com- pares in size. quality and just-picked low "900 hours of student in- ments to qualify, such as varie- freshness! struction" instead of the pres- ty, number and size of trees WRITEFOR FREEINFORMATION! ent 180 day requirement. Sup- and prohibition of livestock Brochure, Wholesale Prices. "How porters say that this would grazing. To Sell" Brochure and Sample Of- .. fer. Learn how organizations allow flexible scheduling such An application for exemption profit with our fundraising program! as a four-day school week which could cut some costs such as can be made to the county trea- .. ... ... bussing, heating, etc. Ninth and Harris Street Dept. 140 P.O. Box 65 Cordele, Georgia 31015 Call TOLL FREE1-800-323-0775 Dept. 140 RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 198:3 :3:3 Discussion Topic second physician's opinion be- or advisory committee? (continued from page 29) fore consenting to major sur- • How many members of your gery? group have written to your con- tax deduction for health insur- • How many members favor gressman to support H.R. 3487? ance costs. The bill, H.R. .3487, binding arbitration rather than This legislative proposal would introduced by Congressman Del lawsuits in malpractice cases? allow self-employed persons to Latta (R-Ohio), would allow self- • How many members of your take a tax deduction for health employed persons to claim one- group serve on a hospital board insurance costs. half of the amount they pay for ,