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.
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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