The Agricultural View
November 2010
by Ralph D. Coffman
E-Mail: coffman_ralph@yahoo.com http://theagriculturalview.blogspot.com
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From the Editor’s Desk
Thank you for your support. I have decided to continue with the View in 2011.
Please complete the (green) subscription, donation, ad, form and return it to me.
Also, I am available to speak to your group.

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Mercer’s Gems – see page 2
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Hunting Farmer Guilty? - see page 3
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“GREENPEACE” Alarm– see pages 4 & 5
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The U.S. EPA is currently in the process of assessing how to further regulate dust created by (food producers) farmers!
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In the 1300’s in England it was said that the going rate to rent a hand written Bible for an hour was expensive - wagon load of hay.
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The Federal Government is now the nation’s largest employer with 2 million civilian employees!
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HSUS endorses Ted Strickland – see page 6
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Mercer’s Gems
During the 37 years I taught F. B. P. A. I found that doing an 11 month Tax Estimate saved farmers a lot of money. A tax estimate permitsone to project what your taxes might be if no action is taken.
Since most farmers are using the cash basis accounting method they are permitted to deduct farm expenses in the year of purchase without being offset by a closing inventory. This permits them to purchase future expenses such as feed, fertilizer and seed to reduce their current farm income.
Doing an estimate before the end of the year allows time to prepay expenses or consider machinery purchases before it is too late. Don't wait until you are in your tax preparer's office and faced with a largetax burden that could have been prevented.
If you need help in preparing a tax estimate contact Marty Clark AgriBusiness Planning & Analysis Instructor at the Washington County Career Center. Call 740-373-6283. (Doug) ----------------------------------------------------------Teen Corner - (popular writers and speakers on the new teenage entitlement mentality) Richard and Linda Eyre said, “This generation of teens seems to believe that someone will always bail you out, get you off the hook, buy you a new one, make excuses for you, get you another chance, pay your debt and give you what you ask for.” (Any ideas why?) 2

Alarming Hunting Experience for Farmer!
Can you imagine arriving at a specific location on your farm early one morning and being excited about your hunting opportunity?
You think that you are safely on your own land (private property) and you are a bit startled when suddenly appearing from the trees are approximately five enforcement officers from the Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODNR), but they are acting very friendly.
The farmer then had a friendly conversation with the officers. He didn’t realize that they were secretly recording him and actually looking for evidence. The farmer had freely offered that he was turkey hunting. He shared that he had been putting out shelled corn to entice the turkeys into the area but that he had stopped putting the corn out two weeks prior. He thought that had been, and still was, the state law.
The officers had a different view of the law – there could be no shelled corn currently on the land. Since the officers already had the farmer admitting guilt on tape the deal was sealed – the farmer was guilty. The officers then charged him with hunting wild turkey on baited ground and confiscated his gun. Later the farmer was sentenced to no hunting for one year and to pay a $300 fine, plus court costs.
Landowners BEWARE - Three landowners in Noble County all went through similar scenarios. Our Tax Dollars at Work! Who has the authority to change the law – what is the process – how are landowners informed? 3

Greenpeace is the largest environmental organization in the world. It was founded in Vancouver by a group of American draft dodgers in 1969 (bankrolled by Quakers).
The current Amsterdam based group has amassed an estimated 360 million dollar global empire. In the United States it currently spends a meager 10 million per year. As is the case with all of these radical anti groups they seem to stand more for money then for the environment. It has an international membership of 5 million with offices in 20 countries. These groups will on occasion get involved in worthy projects with the sole intent of sucking in new unsuspecting and caring citizens. Before you know it their hand slips into your pocket after they have gained your trust.
Many years ago I had the opportunity to hear a speaker from Greenpeace and although he spoke with great passion he basically wanted more government regulations and enough government takeover in farming to force the growing emergence of organic farming. Ironically, Greenpeace is heavily invested in organic foods while developing their own major line of organic foods. Somehow they avoid public censure by hiding behind its “not for profit” status and its U.S. tax exemption.
In November February 2001 the
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International Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources reported that Greenpeace was one of the largest organic farmers in Europe thereby alarming many of its supporters.
In February 2001 Greenpeace blasted genetically improved “golden rice,” a enhanced crop that could save hundreds of thousands of Third World children from blindness and death. Within 24 hours they were exposed as political extremists and Greenpeace backed down after a slew of membership cancellations.
In March 2001 Patrick Moore, who was one of the original founders in the basement of a Unitarian Church in Vancouver in 1969, and became a critic, charged that the group had become, “Anti-human,” “anti-technology and anti-science,” “anti-trade,” anti-free-enterprise,” and “basically anti-civilization.”
I occasionally hear a crop farmer say something that hints that there is too much focus and money spent to fight animal rights groups. Although this feeling may be understandable we must always remember that environmental groups are equally well established, loaded with millions of dollars, and very influential politically. This includes influence with the U.S. EPA which clearly has an insatiable power grabbing appetite.
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Bill Johnson
For Ohio Congress 6th District
www.billjohnsonleads.com

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Do your homework, and VOTE!
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The Gulf oil spill was called the greatest disaster in the world’s history by many experts. Six months later they can’t find the oil, and these same experts seem to be alarmed - even a bit annoyed. I am grateful to God for creating such a resilient earth.

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HSUS Endorses Ted Strickland
After Wayne Pacelle (HSUS) praised Governor Strickland for being the key to brokering the HSUS agreement with agricultural group leaders in Ohio last year the Human Society of the United States followed up that praise recently by officially endorsing Ted Strickland for Governor.
Ironically, according to the Columbus Dispatch, during a debate with John Kasich, Governor Strickland clearly distanced himself from the agreement by denying any significant role at all in the agreement. However, after looking back at the news conference and related articles announcing the agreement - the Governor was clearly credited, and in charge of that P.R. event. 6

November (2010 Insert Page) The View
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The advertisers in this issue support The Agricultural View and the promotion of agriculture, however, they may not necessarily agree with every point of view within the newsletter.

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Calving
Selenium is very important for calving (uterine muscle contractions, retained placenta).
Be sure it is supplemented as needed.
(5% is normal for retained placentas)
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Say What?
The Department of Energy was instituted on August 4, 1977 to lessen America’s dependence on foreign oil.
In 2010 the department has a $24.2 Billion yearly budget, 16,000 federal employees and has approximately 100,000 contract employees - what has been accomplished? 33 years ago 30% of our oil was foreign imports and now it is 70%!
To think that the federal government is now also involved in banking, the automobile and health care industries.

A

CUT OUT THE MIDDLEMAN
MORE DOLLARS FOR THE FARMERS!
Our packers want your steers and cull cows!
National Farmers Organization
Northeastern OH Jeff Rautseyer 330-749-7793 Southeastern OH Scott Upton 740-378-6102 Western OH Pat Lampert 937-726-2341
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Getting down to
Agribusiness
Register today!
Washington State Community College www.wscc.edu ----------------------------------------------------------

Reseeding
When you reseed legumes (Ex. alfalfa, clover) make sure to know the pH of your soil. No matter how good a job you do or how good the seed is it won’t matter if the pH is too acidic – it should be neutral (7 pH)
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Ed Long - Financial Advisor
Edward Jones MAKING SENSE OF INVESTING
468 Pike Street Marietta, Ohio 45750 740-373-5437 ed.long@edwardjones.com

B

State Farm
Providing Insurance and Financial Services
Coffman Insurance Agency Terry Coffman, Agent
426 Third Street Marietta, Ohio 45750-2101 740-373-6399

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Witten Farm
Market
& Greenhouses
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H & S Construction, LLC Scott Hart
Joe Schilling
Beverly, Ohio 740-984-0203
Commercial & Residential
WV# 033991

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Become an FFA Alumni Member 1poulson.bright.net
Annual dues are $15 & Lifetime dues $150

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Join the Ohio Farm Bureau ($55.00)
(Contact a Farm Bureau Member)

C

SEAMAN’S
GENERAL MERCHANDISE, INC.
P.O. Box 10 Barlow, Ohio 45712
Served In The Tradition Of Yesterday
Charles F. Seaman
740-678-2450 1-800-428-2450

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William D. McFarland
Washington County Auditor
205 Putnam Street
Marietta, Ohio 45750
740-373-6623 Ext. 263 Work
740-374-3304 Residence bmcfarland@wcgov.org
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A Glance Back – Hugh Coffman
The PIONEER BRAND became the Marietta Truck Growers label. One week in the 1950’s they shipped 85,000 ten pound baskets of tomatoes via 50 trucks to neighboring states. They disbanded in 1976.


Hard Copy - See Label

D

Scott Hart 35 Ray Harr Road
Owner Beverly, OH 45715
Rainbow c 740-350-2047
International o 740-984-2424
Restoration * Cleaning f 740-984-0424
Independently Owned & Operated Franchise
WATER FIRE SMOKE
24 Hour Emergency Response / Deodorization Insurance claims from start to finish Carpet, upholstery & drapery cleaning 3M Scotchgard™ treatment Pet stain & odor removal Tile, grout & hard-surface cleaning

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Will Farmers Survive the Power Grab?
Do you ever wonder, with 1 billion starving people in the world, and according to government statistics a rapidly growing number of poor in America, why farming is always under attack from every direction? What is the common denominator of PETA, HSUS, Sierra Club, Greenpeace, the EPA, the media to name a few - the theme they all have in common? They all promote increased government control of farming. Is there anything potentially more powerful then money? Yes, control of the food & water supply through insatiable regulation assisted by federal judges.

E

Administrators, Boards, Parents - Beware!
In our modern age of increasing minority rule, it is very important to stay involved and in tune to the programs and materials that are infiltrating our schools across America.
Not only materials from HSUS, Greenpeace, Sierra Club or PETA to name four of the numberless groups but one new rapidly growing fad is programs fostered from groups like GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network).
Do the following catch phrases (programs, policies, curriculums) sound innocent enough to you? “Welcoming Schools” “Anti-bullying” “Safe Schools”
One example was in Alameda, California. The same day that Proposition 8 – a law defining marriage between a man and a woman – was upheld by the state supreme court, the Alameda school board pushed through a curriculum that promoted homosexuality, including gay marriage, instruction to all elementary students.
Parents who objected discovered that they could not opt-out their kids from this teaching – why? The board had adopted the curriculum in the name of fighting bullying.
The parents fought it in court and a judge determined that bullying lessons did not qualify as health instruction so the opt-out provision did not apply!
F

Secularity, by proclaiming that death is the end, thereby subtracts from secular thinking any final accounting of our acts and choices.
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Next Issue is January 2011

Thank you supporters (subscribers, ads and donations)! You are appreciated - Ralph