The Agricultural View
May 2011 by Ralph D. Coffman
Bi-Monthly coffman_ralph@yahoo.com
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Farmers Fight for Water
How safe is your right of ownership of the water under your land? Your rights are safe, right? A right of land ownership – if you own the land you own the water under it – is being challenged in Texas. For Farmers, the attacks seem never ending – I wonder what’s next? Well, why are farmers in Ohio being encouraged to start keeping a record of the amount of water they use? This is so farmers can justify their current level of water use should regulators eventually arrive on your farm - see EPA’s latest threat on page 6!

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Is HSUS Back? 1, 2, 3, They Never Left!
The Ohio’s Livestock Care Standard’s Board recently moved, by a 7-6 vote, to keep Veal calf standards as they have been (in their current time tested pens) - then what happened? 1. The board received well over 4,500 e-mails in support of HSUS. 2. HSUS then bused 200 supporters from Cleveland and Cincinnati to pack the board’s next public meeting room.
3. The board then unanimously rescinded their motion and added that the calves have to be able to turn around – which was more in line with the state’s agreement. To match HSUS we better e-mail, travel, or pay others like HSUS! See from the Editor’s Desk on Insert page B

1.

A Glance Back – by Hugh Coffman
Waterford Township – by the spring of 1790 the Wolf Creek Mill was in operation. Additional families settled there and clearings on both sides of the river were extended. Game was plentiful including turkeys, deer and some bear. They also fattened some pork.

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Freedom Writers
A great movie depicting the challenges that dedicated teachers face trying to balance family time with commitment to your students. Also, it does a great job of depicting the plight that students of different ethnic groups face in urban high schools. Rural students also face their own unique challenges in our schools today.
Alta’s Passions – have a wonderful spring!
One of my passions is living by favorite quotes. “Seek out life’s simple pleasures” is displayed in our entry room. Simple pleasures like spring daffodils, tulips, redbuds, dogwood, lilac, calves and lambs. Oh yes, I can think of many on a farm - even the aroma of hay. Another quote, “Count Your Many Blessings” reminds me of my family, friends, health, home, and to be honest a very long list. John 16:33 “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world”. “Every Day is a Gift” and “Bee Happy” Gratitude is the best medicine I know. Please ponder “your” favorite quotes today. 2.

Mercer’s Gems – Letter of Instruction
A letter of instruction can be an important document for the survivors upon one’s death. It can include such things as: A. Family member’s names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail.
B. Preferred Attorney – address, and phone number. C. Preferred Funeral Director – special funeral instructions including funeral program outline. D. Location of burial plot – contact person. E. Where to find the will and who has copies. F. Social Security number, birth certificate, location of original S.S. card and certificate. G. Banking information (checking accounts, savings accounts, CD’s or other undisclosed money). H. Business loans or personal loans made to family members (amounts of loans and agreements). I. Investments (stocks, IRA’s, Roth Accounts, Bonds (where, how much, who to contact). J. Life Insurance Policies (amounts payable on death, Policy numbers, Company and Agents). K. Property and Liability Insurance Policy (amount of coverage and agent). L. Farm Business (records, instructions and where located – Feed Ration Mix, Crop Field Records, Preferred Veterinarian and health practices). M. Crop and Pasture Land Lease and Rental Agreements (located, contact person’s phone number and address). Most of you probably have more things to add - this is a guide to stir your thinking. (Doug)

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U.S. Regulatory Czar (Cass Sustein) has written that animals can rightfully sue humans! 3.

The Food Dollar and Farmers
The USDA stated that farmers and agribusiness receive just 11.6 cents of every dollar spent on food in the U.S. That is down from the nearly 20 cents USDA calculated, using a different method, in the past. “American farmers continue to produce more and more food and feed, yet they are receiving less and less of each dollar spent at the retail level,” said Geoff Cooper Renewable Fuels Association Vice President. “Energy intensive activities like food processing, transportation, and packaging gobble up nearly three times the value farmers receive. And as oil prices continue to rise, an even larger share of every dollar spent on food is paying for the higher energy costs facing the entire supply chain.” (Ohio Ag Net)
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The federal government posted its largest monthly deficit in history in February 2011 at $223 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Go back to October 5th of 2007 - The Wall Street Journal stated that the CBO estimated the U.S. deficit for the year (2007) at $161 Billion. We are told repeatedly that it’s no problem – will we as citizens ever wake up?

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The Washington County Agricultural Teacher’s Association chairman is Kevin Wagner (Career Center). The chairman of Ohio District 10 Agricultural Teacher’s Association is Matt Hartline (Waterford). 4.

God, Teachers and Students
After about ten years of teaching I began telling my students at the start of the school year, “I am a Christian, you can be an atheist and that’s fine - I just want you to know that I am a very religious person.” Years later I read in a book Teach The Children the following study in relation to America’s modern-day unwritten rule in our classrooms: Leave God out of the classroom – leave Him at the school’s door! Following is a brief and general summary of what I read. When we compartmentalize our values to please the world view to be accepted then we only talk about God in select settings such as outside the school but not inside the school. Students who know Christian teachers outside the school learn that who you are depends on where you are and who you are with. This requires the development of two or more separate value systems that lead children to become easily confused and disoriented as they view hypocrisy modeled by significant adults in their lives. Under these conditions the development of the children’s integrity may be restricted; hypocrisy and guile may be taught. For our children this picture, with its stark contrast, is like an ice-cold plunge into secularity – with Christian assistance!
I am reminded of an experience (15+ years ago) with a state educational leader after I dared to defend (God) a voluntary student prayer before meals. He roared, “I am a Christian too but, we (in education) will not ram religion down the throats of students!”
5.

Teenage Corner
A. Have you learned the lesson – if you earn your grades (without cheating) your confidence will grow? B. Do you spend more time studying/working, or texting/talking (socializing) on the phone? C. Do you realize every e-mail you have ever sent or received is on the permanent record of the server that you use?

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EPA and Clean Water Act - ATTACK!
The Obama administration 4/27/11 essentially rewrote two U.S. Supreme Court cases and ignored concerns from congress and industry by issuing a guidance, which dramatically expands the regulatory authority of the EPA and the Army Corp of Engineers under the Clean Water Act. Here are 3 points made by National Cattleman’s Beef Association Deputy Environmental Counsel Ashley Lyon: 1. EPA and the Corps have crowned themselves kings of every drop of water in the country – except maybe a backyard pool. 2. The only thing cattle producers can be clear of is that any stream, ditch and pond on their land could easily be subject to regulation. 3. I am shocked that Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack would allow something like this document to go through the review process. A 60-day comment period will soon begin! (Ohio Ag Net)

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For securing optimum nutrients 1st cutting hay in our area should be made near Memorial Day - weather permitting.
6.

May (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
www.wittenfarm.com

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Support your local FFA Chapter by becoming a member of the FFA Alumni
Ohio FFA Alumni Association
Contact : Lpoulson@bright.net
or your local AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION/ffa INSTRUCTOR
$15 annual $150 lifetime
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Spring Reminder: Be sure that lactating cows on pasture have plenty of salt available. A

National Farmers
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Contact: Scott Upton 740-517-2577

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Getting down to
Agribusiness Register today!
Washington State Community College
www.wscc.edu

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From the Editor’s Desk
1. See the extra insert with a copy of my letter concerning our State and National Debt – for our children’s and grandchildren’s sake we better speak to our politicians! 2. After much thought I have decided to share the following information: My loses in 2010 were under $50.00, after having over $500.00 in 2009 loses. (These figures are actual expenses and allow nothing for my time). 3. Thank you contributors - I greatly appreciate you. Any mistakes are all mine – Ralph http://theagriculturalview.blogspot.com
B

Great Book for Sale $10.00
“The Stories of Cowboy Bob O’Dell” (From the Coal Fields to the Cranberry – Hatfield-McCoy, Local Sports Heroes) Call 304-489-9234 or 304-615-2445
or write to Cowboy Bob O’Dell
1293 Chesterfield Road Mineral Wells, WV 26150


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Newton Insurance
Agency, Inc.
Contact us: http://newtonins.net
Phone: 740-423-5000
Toll Free: 888-266-2603
1710 Washington Blvd. Suite A
Belpre, Ohio 45714
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The Federal Reserve is printing $75 Billion Dollars each month to fund the budget deficits. I guess in today’s America money does grow on trees – well, it grows on printing-press trees at the Fed. This addiction-like fix has got to end as it devalues our currency which is a major contributor to our higher gas & food prices (Up 6+ %)! C

Scott Hart 35 Ray Harr Road
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3M Scotchgard™ treatment Pet stain & odor removal
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Pollution/Jobs, Families, Food on the Table
Approximately 30 years ago a good friend shared the following story in regard to taking his daughter from the Beverly area, up the Valley, to the Wheeling area to visit grandparents. Every time they would pass a factory his young daughter would see the smoke stacks and say, “Bad, evil, pollution daddy.” Then her father would respond, “No dear – jobs, families, food on the table.” As they continued talking his daughter proudly shared that she had learned this from her weekly reading in elementary school.
D

SCHOTT’S REPAIR SERIVCE, INC. www.schottsrepairservice.com
Dan and Cindy Schott 5503 State Route 821 Whipple, Ohio 45788
740-585-2121 General Mechanic Work Truck Transmission and Rear Ends
4WD Parts and Repair

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Edgell-Jackson Trucking, LLC 370 Gravel Bank Road Marietta, Ohio 45750
“Serving the USA Since 1977” 53’ Vans and Flatbeds Available PRESIDENT: MARK EDGELL
Operations Manager: TJ Edgell
Dispatch: Rick Pierce (740-374-2040)
Safety Director: Jo Ann Frame

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Students and Prayer
Many years ago, as I was in a hurry after school to get to my next FFA event, just as the bell rang I raced (just like a student) through the shop to beat the busses so I would not be late. Just as I got to the first door the thought - stop and go back - clearly came into my mind. I paused then continued and it occurred again – stop and go back. This time I followed the prompting and went back to my office when suddenly and frantically someone began pounding at my other door. (Continued on page F)
E

Homeowner / Farmowner
Moble Home / Renters Insurance
Washington County Farmers Mutual Insurance Association
Rita Wentz - Manager 740-373-5548
435 Third Street Marietta, Ohio
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Ed Long AAMS*
Financial Advisor
Edward Jones
MAKING SENSE OF INVESTING
468 Pike Street Marietta, Ohio 45750
740-373-5437
ed.long@edwardjones.com

---------------------------------------------------------- As I opened the door a student of mine said, “Mr. Coffman I was praying my heart out that you would still be here!” She realized that she had left information in my room that she had to have that night for an urgent assignment - she also had to immediately race back upstairs to catch her bus. Who says there is no prayer in schools!

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Feeder Pigs
Feed approximately 4.5% of their body weight in grain daily. Also, be sure clean water is readily available.

Please contact me with comments - pro or con.

F

The Debt - Things As They Really Are!
I love America and the freedoms that we currently enjoy. However, we have an out of control problem with no apparent end in sight – government spending is spiraling out of control. Make no mistake that we as citizens are equally at fault. We have cast the votes to elect politicians of both parties allowing this trend. Politicians, after the last presidential election, have gone from excessive speeding to clearly pressing the pedal to the metal of insatiable spending bliss.
I find it interesting and alarming when I hear discussions and read opinions concerning our out of control state and federal debt. Two themes generally emerge with one being that we do have a huge problem and two being that most agree that spending cuts have to occur – as long as they do not affect them or their families. That is primarily how we got in this mess in the first place! This childlike pretending has got to end.
As a child growing up on the family dairy farm I was taught by word and deed that money does not grow on trees – success requires hard work, living within your means and personal sacrifice. These are lessons that today’s politicians should use instead of making emotionally driven decisions to get reelected. Things are as they really are – and not otherwise. For our children’s and grandchildren’s sake, government’s empty searches for cosmetic solutions have got to stop!
In my family many years ago we decided to make significant sacrifices to pay off our home mortgage. We discussed this goal with our young children about specifics ranging from less new clothes, shoes, activities, and driving old cars. After much discussion about the future rewards, everyone agreed to support our family goal. It took a few years but we succeeded. Everyone had experienced sacrifice, the discipline of living within our means and the long term freedoms that come with being debt free.
We as Americans better do our homework, think for ourselves, and make better decisions at the polls. When we pull the lever to vote for a candidate we cannot have our other hand outstretched for immediate payback. If we want our posterity to experience a love of America and freedom, we better quit pretending and see things as they really are. We need to elect politicians that possess a trait that our military men and women possess – courage. They, their staff and their families will need it!
April 2011 Ralph D. Coffman 740-984-2567

Agricultural Education/FFA Teachers born in Washington County (formerly Vocational Agricultural Teachers/Future Farmers of America) - those who have taught for at least a few months: Bobby Anderson, Aaron Arnold, Arthur Arnold, Ed Barnett, Welch Barnett, David Barrett, Jim Barrett, Paul Beach, Herb Brum, Keith Brum, Herb Chamberlain, Allen Clark, Marty Clark, Hugh Coffman, Ralph D. Coffman Jr., Tom Daggett, Roy Diedrich, Jean Skinner Drake, John Dunbar, Dean Fleming, Matt Hartline, Mike Holden, Robert Holdren, Matt Huck, Chuck Ingraham, Kenneth Johnson Jr., John King, Calvin Martin, Dean McCoy, Terry Schafer, Ken Schilling, Kenley Schwendeman, Dwight Smith, Stevan Sprague, Dewey Stollar, Nick Stollar, John Swarz, Kevin Wagner, Julie Witten, Foster Whitacre, Bruce Zimmer.
Please notify me, or Hugh Coffman, of any additions or corrections.
Bonus Insert Page