A table of contents to date:
The Agricultural View (Issue 2) a newsletter supporting agriculture (Ag. Ed./FFA/FBPA)
Pondering from the Farm - A poem summarizing my speech at Warren H.S. April 27, 2009
The Agricultural View (Issue 1) a newsletter supporting agriculture (Ag. Ed./FFA/FBPA)
Agriculture's Voice by Choice - A poem summarizing my NFO speech March 26, 2009
Note: The Agricultural View hardcopy is a trifold mailing.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
A Glance Back
* In 1929 the Ohio FFA Association was founded in University Hall on the OSU Campus in Columbus. Eighty delegates from fifty-two Vocational Agricultural Departments were present including two from Washington County – Marietta and Westfield Local (Bartlett).
* In 1929 Robert Lane of the Marietta Chapter was elected Ohio FFA Vice President. The first state FFA Convention was held that May 1929.
* In 1943-44 in addition to serving as the Marietta FFA President, Harry Cogswell was also elected as an Ohio FFA Officer.
* 1960 – James Woodruff of the Barlow Rural (Warren) FFA Chapter was the first Washington County youth to be awarded the American Farmer Degree.
* 1978-79 Susie Barrett of the Warren FFA chapter was elected the first Ohio female FFA President. Susie was also the first female National FFA Officer after receiving her American FFA Degree in 1980. By Hugh Coffman
Cattle Trivia – a ruminant is an animal with four stomach compartments. Cattle eat by wrapping their tongue around the food then engulfing it. 1
All supporters of agriculture must communicate, using written and spoken word, to support agriculture. Agriculture is a target (program reductions or eliminations, upcoming ballot issues). Stay respectful, factual, and positive - refer to the enclosed poem. Remember, if you do strike a nerve with someone by sharing your opinion (written or spoken) then you are possibly being perceived as a threat to their power/authority, money, or to an ally of theirs. Share your support for agriculture with board members, administrators, and politicians at all levels.
Agricultural Organizations: Farm Bureau, NFO, Ohio Cattleman etc…. must join forces when positions are compatible! There are more than a half million FFA members in America and more than 23,000 members in Ohio.
Cattle Trivia - the heaviest live birth weight of a calf on record is 225 pounds from a British Friesian Cow in 1961.
Congratulations to the Fort Frye FFA soil conservation judging team consisting of Josiah Fryman, Heidi Heiss, Greg Heldman and Derek Kirkbride who placed 2nd in Ohio (300+ chapters). This qualified the team for the May national finals in Oklahoma. 2
Say What? Most school systems have what is known as a “use it or lose it” unwritten budgeting rule. An example would be as the budget year gets in the final couple of months, teachers, administrators etc. want to know how much money is left in their budget so they can spend it all before it is too late (budget year deadline). Employees realize that if budget cuts come then the school system, in determining your budget reduction, will first take a look to see if you spent your allotted budget in the past few years. If you spent your total annual budget, it is taken as an indication of need. Therefore, your cut is smaller. If you are thrifty you learn that you could actually end up being penalized. The majority of expenditures are for necessities however, this unwritten rule costs school districts and tax payers thousands of dollars in most years.
Coffman_ralph@yahoo.com 740-984-2567 The Agricultural View Issue 2 April 1, 2009
“Agricultural Food for Thought” In 1973 I had a farmer (multiple crop and livestock commodities) tell me that on most days he starts before daylight and works until after dark and in the 1950’s he said that he made really good money farming, and the government told him that he needed some help. Then, in the 1960’s, he said he still made some money and the government again said that he needed more help. In 1973 all he did was shuffle money back and forth, and didn’t make anything. Furthermore, the government was telling him that he needed even more help. E.T Benson the Secretary of Agriculture for President Eisenhower, became alarmed with talk in the 1950’s, by a few congressmen, who suggested increasing government involvement in farm commodities. He had witnessed the government’s involvement in the wheat commodity for more than a decade and wheat was worse off after the alleged “help.” He said, “the fundamental economics of the farm dilemma is simple it is the politics that is baffling.” Charles B. Shuman (AFBF 1960’s) stated that we need production for the competitive market (consumption) - not production in response to bureaucratic decisions.
The end to animal agriculture? Animal Rights Groups believe that humans and animals are equal. PETA and the Humane Society of the United States are two examples. One of PETA’s billboards:“FEEDING KIDS MEAT IS CHILD ABUSE.” Dr. Michael W. Fox (V.P. of the Humane Society of the United States. Note: this is not the local humane societies). Two examples of statements he made in his speech in Columbus in 1993:
1.The replacement of animal-based foods with plant-based foods could result in an 80-90 percent reduction in cancer (reference cited - Professor Colin Campbell Cornell University).
2. There is nothing miraculously different separating the existence of ants and earthworms from humans and tapeworms.
Major Alarm – there is a threat of a proposition on the fall ballot in Ohio that would be devastating to animal agriculture. The Human Society of the United States has already begun their intimidation tactics with agricultural leaders and the legislature! Call the Farm Bureau and other farm organizations for direction ASAP. 5
* In 1929 the Ohio FFA Association was founded in University Hall on the OSU Campus in Columbus. Eighty delegates from fifty-two Vocational Agricultural Departments were present including two from Washington County – Marietta and Westfield Local (Bartlett).
* In 1929 Robert Lane of the Marietta Chapter was elected Ohio FFA Vice President. The first state FFA Convention was held that May 1929.
* In 1943-44 in addition to serving as the Marietta FFA President, Harry Cogswell was also elected as an Ohio FFA Officer.
* 1960 – James Woodruff of the Barlow Rural (Warren) FFA Chapter was the first Washington County youth to be awarded the American Farmer Degree.
* 1978-79 Susie Barrett of the Warren FFA chapter was elected the first Ohio female FFA President. Susie was also the first female National FFA Officer after receiving her American FFA Degree in 1980. By Hugh Coffman
Cattle Trivia – a ruminant is an animal with four stomach compartments. Cattle eat by wrapping their tongue around the food then engulfing it. 1
All supporters of agriculture must communicate, using written and spoken word, to support agriculture. Agriculture is a target (program reductions or eliminations, upcoming ballot issues). Stay respectful, factual, and positive - refer to the enclosed poem. Remember, if you do strike a nerve with someone by sharing your opinion (written or spoken) then you are possibly being perceived as a threat to their power/authority, money, or to an ally of theirs. Share your support for agriculture with board members, administrators, and politicians at all levels.
Agricultural Organizations: Farm Bureau, NFO, Ohio Cattleman etc…. must join forces when positions are compatible! There are more than a half million FFA members in America and more than 23,000 members in Ohio.
Cattle Trivia - the heaviest live birth weight of a calf on record is 225 pounds from a British Friesian Cow in 1961.
Congratulations to the Fort Frye FFA soil conservation judging team consisting of Josiah Fryman, Heidi Heiss, Greg Heldman and Derek Kirkbride who placed 2nd in Ohio (300+ chapters). This qualified the team for the May national finals in Oklahoma. 2
Say What? Most school systems have what is known as a “use it or lose it” unwritten budgeting rule. An example would be as the budget year gets in the final couple of months, teachers, administrators etc. want to know how much money is left in their budget so they can spend it all before it is too late (budget year deadline). Employees realize that if budget cuts come then the school system, in determining your budget reduction, will first take a look to see if you spent your allotted budget in the past few years. If you spent your total annual budget, it is taken as an indication of need. Therefore, your cut is smaller. If you are thrifty you learn that you could actually end up being penalized. The majority of expenditures are for necessities however, this unwritten rule costs school districts and tax payers thousands of dollars in most years.
Coffman_ralph@yahoo.com 740-984-2567 The Agricultural View Issue 2 April 1, 2009
“Agricultural Food for Thought” In 1973 I had a farmer (multiple crop and livestock commodities) tell me that on most days he starts before daylight and works until after dark and in the 1950’s he said that he made really good money farming, and the government told him that he needed some help. Then, in the 1960’s, he said he still made some money and the government again said that he needed more help. In 1973 all he did was shuffle money back and forth, and didn’t make anything. Furthermore, the government was telling him that he needed even more help. E.T Benson the Secretary of Agriculture for President Eisenhower, became alarmed with talk in the 1950’s, by a few congressmen, who suggested increasing government involvement in farm commodities. He had witnessed the government’s involvement in the wheat commodity for more than a decade and wheat was worse off after the alleged “help.” He said, “the fundamental economics of the farm dilemma is simple it is the politics that is baffling.” Charles B. Shuman (AFBF 1960’s) stated that we need production for the competitive market (consumption) - not production in response to bureaucratic decisions.
The end to animal agriculture? Animal Rights Groups believe that humans and animals are equal. PETA and the Humane Society of the United States are two examples. One of PETA’s billboards:“FEEDING KIDS MEAT IS CHILD ABUSE.” Dr. Michael W. Fox (V.P. of the Humane Society of the United States. Note: this is not the local humane societies). Two examples of statements he made in his speech in Columbus in 1993:
1.The replacement of animal-based foods with plant-based foods could result in an 80-90 percent reduction in cancer (reference cited - Professor Colin Campbell Cornell University).
2. There is nothing miraculously different separating the existence of ants and earthworms from humans and tapeworms.
Major Alarm – there is a threat of a proposition on the fall ballot in Ohio that would be devastating to animal agriculture. The Human Society of the United States has already begun their intimidation tactics with agricultural leaders and the legislature! Call the Farm Bureau and other farm organizations for direction ASAP. 5
Pondering from the Farm Ralph D. Coffman April 27, 2009
As a boy I was so blessed – ultimately being in FFA and growing up on the farm
In spite of today’s alarmist caused me no harm
I learned to love the animals and to work with the soil
I learned the real meaning of toil
I learned that work was fulfilling
Work ethic, which the rest of society seemed to quit instilling
As I worked and gained skills and ability
Grandpa, Dad and Uncles Robert and Hugh gave me responsibility
Oh what a fulfilling feeling I gained
Succeeding when given responsibility in skills that I had been trained
Whether driving the tractor, going to get the cows for milking, or baling hay
On the farm was a place that I yearned to stay
Dad was up every day by 3:30
To bring the cows in for milking so he could drive his school bus route at 6:30
I never did hear him complain or raise Cain
Don’t you see - farmers are too busy working each day to complain
When you work God’s land with your hands
You tend to be reluctant in taking stands
Farmers push the pencil, ponder and pray to the Lord
Even with necessary purchases that are too high to afford
They hear of their FBPA and Agricultural Education/FFA program’s funding plight
And wonder if they should go against their nature and complain and put up a fight
Raising food by working overtime to survive in an industry that was once very profitable seems unfair
So many in this world go hungry - yet most in America are just too busy to care
As long as grocery stores, where food comes from you know, have abundant food that is cheap
The farmer’s plight, from most, you won’t hear a peep
School officials as you ponder your financial plight and hold in your hands agriculture’s IV blood flow
No other class offers the career enhancing skills available in Agricultural Education/FFA don’t you know
If you truly care, and seek wisdom and sincere counsel, then go visit your farmers at their farm site
Remember, without farmers society crumbles – farmers live daily your financial plight!
A Glance Back Washington was the only county in Ohio to have two Agricultural Experiment Farms. In 1914 the state purchased a 170-acre farm in Fleming for fruit and general farming and a 10-acre vegetable experiment farm in Devola. Funding for the county farms came from the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station. The idea for the county experiment farms came about around 1909 as a result of a visit to the Experiment Station by members of the Ohio Representatives. They decided that an experiment farm should be established in each county to demonstrate practical application of research conducted in Columbus and Wooster. The general assembly passed a bill in 1910 establishing the county farms. Each autumn about 400 students from Vocational Agricultural Departments would attend a field day at the Fleming Experiment Farm. Extension Specialists and researchers from The Ohio State University and Wooster assisted the local staff in instruction. Due to the Great Depression, funding ended in 1933 but local Vocational Agricultural Departments with the assistance of Extension Specialists continued the field day until 1951. By Hugh Coffman
Is your Agricultural Education / FFA or FBPA Program safe? If you are a supporter of Agricultural programs in the county, you may want to ask yourself some questions: What does your administration and board of education say about the program (in public and behind the scenes)? Do their actions support their words? Do you have a full-time production program, which includes full time days of extended programming? Also, since the very strength of agricultural programs (FFA and FBPA) is based upon the agricultural community’s involvement (FFA Alumni, Advisory Committees, Adult Farmers and Agribusiness leaders) and support of the program – do your school leaders welcome input from the community or is that interest and input taken as a challenge? The #1 key is generally where your superintendent stands long term.
Does your bank support the Washington County 125 Bushel Corn Club? Ask your banker. If they support it, please thank them. If not, ask them why not? If we do not stand up for agriculture then who will?
5 Washington County Agriculture Leaders:
Agricultural Extension (Chair) - Eric Barrett
Agricultural Teacher’s Association (Chair) - Matt Hartline
Farm Bureau President - Christie Haines
Farm Business Planning and Analysis (Adult Chair) – Marty Clark
NFO President – Scott Upton
Say what? A few years ago we were told by OSHA that several of our pieces of shop equipment, worth thousands of dollars, no longer met safety standards and had to go. One example was the radial arm saw because it did not have an automatic retractable blade on it. We offered to install one, but we were turned down because it had to be factory installed. Therefore, we had to spend more than $1,300 to get a new saw with the said retractable device. I recently found out that the saw with the factory retractable device is not acceptable to the school’s insurance carrier and the school needs to dump it and buy another saw. Every year schools are forced to make alterations or get rid of perfectly good equipment to meet ever changing standards costing tax payers and schools thousands of dollars.
From The View’s Desk I have decided of my own volition to start this newsletter with the purpose of supporting agriculture in Washington County. After growing up on a dairy farm and teaching for 35 years, I have great love and respect for agriculture. I have significant concerns for the lack of support and respect that I see being exhibited by a select few in leadership positions around the county. These select few are damaging the very lifeblood of our excellent agriculture education/FFA programs and our FBPA program, which is arguably number one in Ohio. It seems that the nature of almost all people when they get a little authority, as they suppose, begin exercising personal dominion behind the scenes. When it comes time for necessary cuts, why would you ever cut quality?
I am the founder, writer and publisher. Therefore, any mistakes herein are my own. I would like your input (pro and con) and whom (including addresses) I should put on the mailing list.
Anyone who desires to assist with funding of The Agricultural View may make checks payable to: Ralph Coffman -The Agricultural View. Issue #1 February 2009 coffman_ralph@yahoo.com 984-2567
Congratulations Warren and Waterford FFA for placing in the top 8 in Ohio in Parliamentary Procedure (300+ schools)!
Cattle Trivia
The oldest cow ever recorded was a Dremon cow named “Big Bertha.” She died 3 months short of her 49th birthday on New Year’s Eve, 1993. She also holds the record for lifetime breeding. She produced 39 calves.
It is possible to lead a cow upstairs but not downstairs because a cow’s knees can’t bend properly to walk back down.
Agriculture is a key foundation of life. Agricultural Education/ FFA and FBPA are vital ingredients for continued excellence in, and promotion of, agriculture.
I would like you to share this newsletter with at least two other people and make at least two key contacts monthly in support of agriculture in the county.
Greatly Begin!
Greatly begin! though thou have time
But for a line, be that sublime-
Not failure, but low aim is crime. (James Russell Lowell)
Is your Agricultural Education / FFA or FBPA Program safe? If you are a supporter of Agricultural programs in the county, you may want to ask yourself some questions: What does your administration and board of education say about the program (in public and behind the scenes)? Do their actions support their words? Do you have a full-time production program, which includes full time days of extended programming? Also, since the very strength of agricultural programs (FFA and FBPA) is based upon the agricultural community’s involvement (FFA Alumni, Advisory Committees, Adult Farmers and Agribusiness leaders) and support of the program – do your school leaders welcome input from the community or is that interest and input taken as a challenge? The #1 key is generally where your superintendent stands long term.
Does your bank support the Washington County 125 Bushel Corn Club? Ask your banker. If they support it, please thank them. If not, ask them why not? If we do not stand up for agriculture then who will?
5 Washington County Agriculture Leaders:
Agricultural Extension (Chair) - Eric Barrett
Agricultural Teacher’s Association (Chair) - Matt Hartline
Farm Bureau President - Christie Haines
Farm Business Planning and Analysis (Adult Chair) – Marty Clark
NFO President – Scott Upton
Say what? A few years ago we were told by OSHA that several of our pieces of shop equipment, worth thousands of dollars, no longer met safety standards and had to go. One example was the radial arm saw because it did not have an automatic retractable blade on it. We offered to install one, but we were turned down because it had to be factory installed. Therefore, we had to spend more than $1,300 to get a new saw with the said retractable device. I recently found out that the saw with the factory retractable device is not acceptable to the school’s insurance carrier and the school needs to dump it and buy another saw. Every year schools are forced to make alterations or get rid of perfectly good equipment to meet ever changing standards costing tax payers and schools thousands of dollars.
From The View’s Desk I have decided of my own volition to start this newsletter with the purpose of supporting agriculture in Washington County. After growing up on a dairy farm and teaching for 35 years, I have great love and respect for agriculture. I have significant concerns for the lack of support and respect that I see being exhibited by a select few in leadership positions around the county. These select few are damaging the very lifeblood of our excellent agriculture education/FFA programs and our FBPA program, which is arguably number one in Ohio. It seems that the nature of almost all people when they get a little authority, as they suppose, begin exercising personal dominion behind the scenes. When it comes time for necessary cuts, why would you ever cut quality?
I am the founder, writer and publisher. Therefore, any mistakes herein are my own. I would like your input (pro and con) and whom (including addresses) I should put on the mailing list.
Anyone who desires to assist with funding of The Agricultural View may make checks payable to: Ralph Coffman -The Agricultural View. Issue #1 February 2009 coffman_ralph@yahoo.com 984-2567
Congratulations Warren and Waterford FFA for placing in the top 8 in Ohio in Parliamentary Procedure (300+ schools)!
Cattle Trivia
The oldest cow ever recorded was a Dremon cow named “Big Bertha.” She died 3 months short of her 49th birthday on New Year’s Eve, 1993. She also holds the record for lifetime breeding. She produced 39 calves.
It is possible to lead a cow upstairs but not downstairs because a cow’s knees can’t bend properly to walk back down.
Agriculture is a key foundation of life. Agricultural Education/ FFA and FBPA are vital ingredients for continued excellence in, and promotion of, agriculture.
I would like you to share this newsletter with at least two other people and make at least two key contacts monthly in support of agriculture in the county.
Greatly Begin!
Greatly begin! though thou have time
But for a line, be that sublime-
Not failure, but low aim is crime. (James Russell Lowell)
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