At a recent rally for State Issue 2, I was confronted by a young farmer who wanted to know who and what brought this (Issue 2) on. He said he was frustrated with the constant invasion into farming by those who generally have little or no farm experience but claim to know what is best for farm animals, farmers and society in general. Ironically, this was my initial reaction before my research began.
The answers are; who was the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), and what was the meeting they initiated in February with agricultural leaders of Ohio. HSUS presented their list of demands for Ohio’s farmers and made it clear that if the agricultural leaders rejected their demands they would use their money and power to force farmers to submit. Some states, a recent example being Michigan, have caved after deciding that they could not compete with HSUS’s money and powerful political clout.
Ohio’s agricultural leaders did not cave. They chose to stand up to the powerful Washington D.C. based group with an annual budget of well over 100 million dollars plus a net worth nearly three times that figure. Also, HSUS has a staff and board of nearly fifty professionals to assist with their attacks on animal agriculture. Sound intimidating? It is. Just wait until you witness their massive onslaught, assisted by other like-minded groups with multimillions, via the media and internet. The plan (State Issue 2) began with the support of nearly all agricultural organizations, and overwhelmingly by both political parties.
I find it ironic that HSUS’s staff and supporters, in written letters, claim to only be against select practices used by big agriculture. Modern animal practices are primarily the result of research done by Land Grant Universities and animal scientists. In California once HSUS passed their first issue, focusing on the biggest producers, they immediately began their next attack affecting smaller enterprises – it never ends. On their website the offspring of cattle are referred to as children. Also, you will see their ultimate goal of eliminating meat, milk, eggs and cheese from American diets – do you know of any family farms that produce meat, milk, eggs or cheese? They are countless. It also seems nonsensical that supporters of HSUS’s campaign do not recognize the fact that the better care that farmers take of their animals, the healthier and more productive their animals will become. Therefore, there will be an increase in income for farmers and the quantity of food they produce. If HSUS genuinely cares about rescuing animals, you have to wonder why they share less than five percent of their annual budget with grass roots, hardworking and underfunded local humane societies. I encourage you to call your local humane society and ask how much money they receive from HSUS – the likely answer is zero dollars.
HSUS certainly addresses some worthy cases, however, this attack on our hardworking food producing farmers is not one of them. HSUS is always questioning farmer’s societal contribution – what could be more socially redeemable than working hard, creating jobs and producing food for a starving world?
If HSUS gets their way you can be assured that we will have more imported food that will be less safe, and more expensive! Remember who and what started all of this. The fact is that we currently have two choices on this issue; support the Washington D.C. based HSUS, or an Ohio agricultural board created by State Issue 2.
See www.ohiolivestockcare.org or http://theagriculturalview.blogspot.com for detailed information. Farmers are so few in numbers that I ask you to not approach this issue with an apathetic mindset. I encourage you to Vote Yes on State Issue 2.

The Agricultural View October 2009 Issue 5 http://theagriculturalview.blogspot.com (Which has all previous Issues and poems)

Vote Yes on State Issue 2 (Nov. 3)
(For a safe and locally grown food supply)
Please help farmers offset the Humane Society of the United States’ attack on animal agriculture in Ohio. If you support farmers and animal agriculture please see the insert page and get involved.
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I am available to speak to your organization about Issue 2, education, teenagers, or other agricultural issues.
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Please share this newsletter, and State Issue 2 information, with others. --------------------------------------------------
Doug Mercer’s (FBPA) Awards
1981 –Ed Johnson’s (Radio & TV)
Agri-Broadcasting Network honored as Ohio’s outstanding teacher in October. 1984 – Doug’s program was used as a model program, and entered into the congressional record, for passage of the Carl Perkins Act. 1985-86 – recognized as the Outstanding Teacher in Ohio by the 1
Ohio Vocational Agricultural Teacher’s Association. 1988 – Ed Johnson’s (Radio & TV) Agri-Broadcasting Network did a TV program on the Washington County FBPA Program at the Larry & Joyce Schwendeman and Raymond & Ruby Keller farms. 1990 – Recognized for Outstanding Service by Buckeye Hills RC & D 1990 - Recognized by the Marietta Chamber of Commerce’s “Agricultural Award” presented by the Washington County Council of Farm Cooperatives.
1993 – Ohio Vocational Agricultural Teacher’s Association’s (Focus) Teacher of the Month Award.
2008 – Received the Washington County Farm Bureau President’s Award. Also, Honorary Chapter Farmer Degree from the Fort Frye and Waterford FFA chapters, and served 18 years on the Beverly/Waterford Community Fair Board.
Program Note: Our FBPA program is apparently now facing serious cuts – contact an advisory committee member for current updates. ---------------------------------------------------
May 15, 1862 President Abraham Lincoln signed legislation which created the Department of Agriculture. 2
Farmers – although extremely difficult, it is crucial that we keep a healthy sense of humor when we face our trials. Who helps you keep your sense of humor?
Men – when was the last time you brought your wife, or mother, a flower with a hand written note of appreciation? ---------------------------------------------------------
Alta Jean (Morris) Coffman Is a Registered Nurse, my sweetheart and wife of 37 years. She was the Salutatorian at Warren High School in 1970 then accepted into the Riverside White-Cross School of Nursing program in Columbus where they only accepted the top 100 applicants for enrollment. Of the 100 prospective nurses only 67 graduated. Alta finished 3rd in her graduating class. P.S. Alta is not very happy about this being in here. I love you sweetheart! Yea Alta! -------------------------------------------------------

Discipline in Education Today How can you tell if your discipline procedures are effective? If you have a significant number of repeat offenders then the discipline is not working. The goal of discipline should be to eliminate, or at least greatly reduce, the offenses. Some Texas schools have detentions at 6 A.M. 3

Agriculture is the Heartbeat of America (Ohio’s #1 Industry = 98 Billion Dollars) It is important that each of us be vigilant in watching closely to see that: *Our Agricultural Education/FFA programs are encouraged and supported in our schools. * Agriculture Extension is supported. *Our FBPA program is encouraged and supported. * All other agricultural agencies are supported. *Work to pass State Issue 2 then be vigilant in watching our politicians through a magnifying lens to see that they are not influenced in any way to change the intent of State Issue 2. HSUS’s history is to follow-up one successful attack on farmers with another, eventually harming all farmers. Ultimately, these successful attacks will lead to government takeover. --------------------------------------------- ----------
Cattle Trivia - Prehension is the process by which cattle eat – by wrapping their tongue around the feed (grass, hay, grain etc.) and engulfing it without chewing (to be regurgitated and chewed later). ---------------------------------------------------------
Teenage Corner: Beginning is half done. Do what is right Your Choices = Consequences 4

From the View’s Desk I have a passion for agriculture, FFA and farmers, especially when they are singled out or threatened. My farm poems might ooze some of that passionJ. The mailing list of this issue will top 300 and I wish to thank the 18 who have made financial contributions to assist with my costs. Definitions and mistakes are all mine. “2010 subscription options in Issue 6”

4 Steps in Making Decisions - When we studied decision making in Agri-Business & Management class at Fort Frye High School there were four basic steps: 1. You consider all possible decision options then list the pros and cons in relation to each possible decision.
2. Subdivide your pros and cons list into two categories - those that are facts, and those that are substantially rooted in emotion or feelings.
3. Eliminate the list based upon emotion or feelings, then, make your decision based upon the list of facts.
4. After carefully making your decision, do not turn back - once the decision is made then you make it the right decision. Note: If circumstances change drastically then you might reconsider your choices.
5

A Glance Back (by Hugh Coffman) In early Washington County (1788-90) the majority of the settlers were farmers. Deer & Turkeys were plentiful therefore corn had to be harvested early because of wildlife damage. Hemp was raised for the rope makers to supply the boats built in Marietta. Silk cultivation was attempted, but laborers could not be hired for 10 cents per day to handle the silk worms. -------------------------------------------------------
The Ohio State University’s College of Food Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) enrollment is up 20 percent. -----------------------------------------------------
Kids Today - are as great as ever they just come to class with a lot more baggage. As a high school teacher of 35 years I use the analogy that the baggage is like layers of clothing. There is a great kid in there somewhere if you have enough time, energy and patience to find them. As a young teacher I had the energy but little patience and in my later years I had much more patience, however, my energy was lacking. Take an interest in our young people (care) – say hi, ask them how they are doing or ask them about their activities and interests but be sincere. 6

The following advertisers support The Agricultural View and the promotion of agriculture however they may not necessarily agree with every point of view within the newsletter. Please support them.

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Farmers, Citizens and Food for Thought (State Issue 2)

Youth of America agriculture is a field for you
We need your help as agriculture’s future depends upon you too

To feed a hungry world by putting food on our plates
Mr. Pacelle and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is here to attack agriculture like they’ve done in other states

Farmers get no respect don’t you see
Generally, from the powers that be

However, politicians, state leaders and agricultural organizations have united
Issue 2 was spawned to be future sighted

To make a preemptive strike
Trying to save farmers from this mighty money and power driven HSUS spike

HSUS flying into our state to intimidate and spend millions
To convince us that they, not Ohioans, should make our decisions

Does their staff have vast experience raising animals in which many days farmers begin before daylight and continue after dark
The answer is no, however, with their massive millions of dollars farmers have no choice but to fret and defend themselves against HSUS’s insidious bark

I do not claim to know Mr. Pacelle’s sincere intent
Of their massive millions of dollars I wonder how much (what percent) annually to hard working and underfunded local humane societies is sent (it is < 5 percent)

You see farmers are in numbers so few
No apathy please, try to understand the farmer’s plight - we need each of you

HSUS is always in a questioning farmer’s societal contribution mood
What could be more socially redeemable than generating jobs and, for a starving world, producing food

Isn’t becoming a productive citizen in society the ultimate goal
HSUS, why do you spend millions to attack productive farmers at their very soul

Any collective group will always have a remote few who abuse and HSUS doesn’t even understand that the good care of animals increases farmer’s income and the quantity of food production
Do you understand that for farmers and their food production success the HSUS is like a huge egregious sweeper’s suction

Why do we attack our farmers, the lifeblood of our communities, who are productive and hardworking
For their hardworking, productive and efficient efforts all they get is besmirching

If the HSUS attack machine succeeds there will be less jobs, more imported food that will be less safe, but at higher prices that’s for sure
You’ll find that out when you go to the store

by Ralph D. Coffman - The Agricultural View 9/15/09


Please Vote & Vote Yes on State Issue 2 (November 3) See the Issue 2 website information at: www.ohiolivestockcare.org I have been asked if I am sure that the livestock board (Issue 2) is the answer. My response is that I am always concerned when a state organization of any kind is created, however, something had to be done; a preemptive strike of some kind. If it wasn’t done then HSUS will come into Ohio and steam roll animal agriculture! It is our responsibility to, once we get Issue 2 passed - which will take every single supporter’s active participation, be vigilant by watching our elected officials through a magnifying glass, and staying in touch with board members, to see that there are no influences that change the intent of the board! Remember, if you farm but think you are not affected by HSUS’s current attacks, this is only the first step of their attack. HSUS will still use their over one hundred million dollars annual budget to put their own issue on the ballot next year. Issue 2 gives us a reference point to try to stop that massive attack. Two of the angles they like to use in their ads: one being catchy phrases or jingles to bypass the thinking process of nonfarm citizens, and two, using pictures of heinous abuses of animals that nearly every farmer in America would find despicable and never condone. Also hunters, where do you think the HSUS stands in regard to hunting?