The Agricultural View
January 2011 by Ralph D. Coffman
E-Mail: coffman_ralph@yahoo.com
http://theagriculturalview.blogspot.com
(For now, the blog site has every past View issue -
just scroll down and click on past posts for topics of interest to you).
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Waterford FFA Excels
After reigning as state champs in Parliamentary Procedure in 2009-10 (thereby qualifying for the national finals in Indianapolis) they recently followed that outstanding performance with a state runner-up finish in 2010-11. There are over 300 FFA Chapters in Ohio! Congratulations to the Waterford FFA and Mr. Hartline. Great Job! (see page F)
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The Ohio State University’s College of Food Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) location rumors – see page F
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Mercer’s Gems – see page E
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The most neglected nutrient for livestock in the winter is fresh water.
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Dr. Dill and Fort Frye – see page 2
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Fort Frye and Dr. Matt Dill Following are my thoughts in regard to my experiences with Dr. Matt Dill. I have met with Matt about five times to discuss education and the school district. On two of those occasions I had the opportunity to transport Matt to several farms throughout the school district and both days he felt those visits were so productive that he extended his time well into the afternoon. During his visits with the farmers he was interested not only in their operations but he also wanted their advice. He also asked what needed changed in the district – then he listened. I found him to be sincere, professional and it impressed me that he encouraged teachers to be creative. I imagine that he might modify a decision or two however hindsight is 20/20 vision for all of us. When Dr. Dill secured a new superintendent’s job, I was pleased when 4 members of the board recently did the right thing by voting (4-1) to rescind their decision to non-renew Dr. Dill. I am hopeful that the board will hire a new superintendent who encourages faculty creativity, has an equally sincere interest in agriculture (farmers and FFA) as Dr. Dill, and maintains the financially sound principles previously structured and implemented by David Vandenberg. 2

Are Most Farmers Too Busy - Why?
When I was a young boy, the Coffman family would yearly congregate at Grandma and Grandpa Clemens Coffman’s home and it was quite a gathering. Ray Coffman (Uncle Ray as we called him), who was a businessman from Columbus, would always look for any new purchases on the farm and ask, “What is the purpose of that piece of new equipment?” The response was generally that it was more efficient – it saves time. Ray’s response was always the same, “What are you doing with all of the time that you are saving?” For some reason this question and response stuck with me, and when I reached my twenties I reflected on that experience and my conclusion was that we, as the years passed, became much busier on the farm. Farmers today are asked to produce more food with less land, less energy, more regulation and with much less labor! This task keeps most farmers so busy that they have no time or energy left to make their plight and opinions known. They are too busy working to feed the world.
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A Glance Back by Hugh Coffman
In April of 1789 in the Waterford Township area settlers discovered 80 acres of Muskingum bottom ground that had
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already been cleared of trees by the Indians. The settlers burned the leaves and filth and then planted it to corn. Three thousand bushels of corn were later harvested and shared with the Belpre and Marietta settlements for fall and winter.
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Is Reading Important for Farmer’s?
I used to tell my students that it was crucial that they develop a love for reading (a lost art in today’s world). Otherwise, they would likely have little influence and live at the mercy of others. They would become like a meandering stream – following the path of least resistance. To make well informed decisions and have influence it is essential that we all be well read and informed. --------------------------------------------------------

Stay informed and share information with as many as possible: consumerfreedom.com ohiolivestockcarestandardsboard.gov
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Forward Forever, Backward Never, Within Ourselves, Our Future Lies. A. Rainey
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New Year’s (write out & read daily) Goals: S pecific M easureable (87% of the population A ccountable have no goals and are R ealistic broke and bored with life) T imed
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Salmonella / E. coli
Most food borne illnesses occur from improper handling at home. However, contamination can occur anywhere in the farm - fork continuum. In more recent years E. coli outbreaks such as spinach and others have likely occurred at the time of processing or in the field, where there are a number of potential sources of contamination, including soil, fertilizer, water, or wildlife. Preliminary research indicates that E. coli can be recovered from fruits and vegetables as researchers have tried to disinfect using extreme labor procedures, far and beyond anything that could be used in the commercial setting. However, the data suggests that pathogens can find a way to survive and reproduce inside plant tissues, where they are protected from disinfecting solutions. Most E. coli strains are actually harmless and live in the intestines of healthy humans and animals. E. coli 0157:H7, however, produces a powerful toxin that likely causes over one hundred thousand infections and over fifty deaths yearly in America. I have heard some interesting discussions as to how powerful these germs could become. What about the germs that survive our all out efforts to eliminate them?
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From the Editor’s Desk
1. Thank you for your fina
ncial support - I can’t continue the View without it. 2. If you wish to subscribe, put in an ad, or make a donation please notify me ($12 annual hard copy, $10 e-mail copy, ad $60 annual / $15 for one issue, or donation). 3. This issue will go to nearly 500 homes. Approximately 100 have made financial contributions (ad, subscription, or donation) over the two year history of the Agricultural View. Beginning in March, I will be unable to mail all of the subsidized copies. 4. My initial goal was to write the View for 2-5 years pending financial support. I have a passion and concern for the plight of farmers. I am attempting to make people aware of, and get people talking about, the plight of farmers. Farmers are under attack from every direction. A former student, and currently a good friend of mine, once told me years ago that as long as people have relatively cheap food and there is plenty of food on the shelves of stores, people could care less about the plight of farmers.
5. I am available to speak to your group on a variety of topics. Call 740-984-2567 to discuss possible topics and schedule a time.
Please share this with others. Any mistakes are all mine. Ralph D. Coffman 566 Elk Run Road Beverly, Ohio 45715 6


January (2011 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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Witten Farm Market & Greenhouses
740-984-4009
wittenfarm1@frontier.com
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Teenage Corner
On the average, teenagers spend 8 hours per day and over 50 hours per week with (electronic) social media. One in three youth will send over 100 text messages (1 ½ hours) per day. How much is too much?
As a student it is very important to refocus and reset your goals for the rest of the school year. Get off to a good start in 2011 - remember a major key to your success is the people you associate with.
A


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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The Bakken Formation discovered in America has 8 times as much oil reserves as Saudi Arabia! ----------------------------------------------------------

Ed Long - AAMS Financial Advisor
Edward Jones
MAKING SENSE OF INVESTING
468 Pike Street Marietta, Ohio 45750
740-373-5437
ed.long@edwardjones.com
B


Home owner Farm Owner Mobile Homes Renters Ins.
Washington County Farmers Mutual Insurance Association
“Your Shield of Protections since 1897”
RITA WENTZ 435 Third Street
Manager Marietta, OH 45750
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The average cow produces 100 glasses of milk per day.
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HSUS “Takeovers” Escalate!
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) continues to take over other animal groups. Wayne Pacelle calls his takeover of the extremist Fund for Animals and the respectable Doris Day Animal League simply “corporate combinations.” I wonder why he continues the power grab of numerous animal groups?
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Edgell-Jackson Trucking, LLC
370 Gravel Bank Road Marietta, Ohio
PRESIDENT: MARK EDGELL Operations Manager: TJ Edgell
Dispatch: Rick Pierce Safety Director: Jo Ann Frame
Serving the USA Since 1977
Phone 740-374-2040 Fax 740-374-2015
53’ Vans and Flatbeds Available C


Landmark “Milk Carbon Footprint” Study
The fluid milk carbon footprint study is the first of its kind for a US agricultural product. The study is the dairy industry's initial step in a comprehensive, science based, approach to measure and improve its carbon footprint. It will give real world answers to management practices and technology as to how they affect the carbon footprint. According to Cornell University, the carbon footprint of Milk production dropped by 63% between 1944 and 2007. This was accomplished by production efficiencies, nutrition management and other on farm improvements. (The Ohio AG Net)
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Support your local FFA Chapter by becoming a member of the FFA Alumni
(Note the corrected e-mail address below)
Ohio FFA Alumni Association
Contact : Lpoulson@bright.net or your local AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION/FFA INSTRUCTOR
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Getting down to Agribusiness
Register today!
Washington State Community College
www.wscc.edu
D


Mercer’s Gems
Woody Hayes once said, when ask about the Ohio State football team, that the team was either getting better or getting worse. A team never continues to stay the same. This theory is also true when we look at the financial position of our family or business.
One valuable tool for checking the health of our financial position is to use a Net Worth statement - a Balance Sheet. A Net Worth statement once a year permits us to stop time and look at the capital we
own. When compared to the statements of previous years we can determine whether our financial position has improved or declined - it never stays the same! (Doug)
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Article III in the Northwest Ordinance Stipulated that for a territory to become a state, their schools had to teach religion and morality as well as knowledge!
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The original Ohio Constitution stated: “Religion, morality, and knowledge, being essential to the good government, and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of instruction shall forever be encouraged by legislative provision.”
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New and expanding emissions standards for farm equipment took effect January 1.
E


Corn Growers and Wheat Growers Unite
The Ohio Corn Growers Association (OCGA) and Ohio Wheat Growers Association (OWGA) have taken steps to unite to better represent the interests of thousands of grain farmers throughout the Buckeye State. They will become a single entity as of Jan. 1, 2011.
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Waterford FFA Members Placing 2nd in Ohio Parliamentary Procedure in December were Cameron Bookman, James Whalin, Blake Campbell, Katrina Ford, Kelsey Pugh, Jessica Coulter, Cassie Campbell, and Autumn Hendershot. The team’s coach was Matthew Hartline.
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CFAES Rumors
1. Yes, students have been evicted from the livestock barn student housing near the airport however it is due to safety regulations. The short term plan is to make improvements that can allow students to return for approximately six to eight years. 2. Yes, the College of Agriculture’s buildings will return to the main campus (East of the Olentangy River) where many buildings originated years ago. Examples: The old horse barn use to be where St. Johns Arena currently resides and the Agricultural Engineering building also use to be located on main campus.


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