The Agricultural View December 2009 Issue 6 http://theagriculturalview.blogspot.com

From the View’s Desk I have committed, in good faith that funding will increase, to continue with The Agricultural View in 2010. If you think the View is worthwhile see the insert (yellow) page, select an option, and mail it back to me. In 2009 my cash donations total $650.00 and my cash expenses have surpassed $1,200.00. My labor averages more than 50 hours per issue.
-----------------------------------------------------------Issue 2 - what is next? When the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) comes after Ohio’s farmers with their proposition or state ballot issue (likely next year) every farmer, agricultural worker and supporter must be united for that fight. --------------------------------------------------
Today’s scientists have substituted mathematics for experiments, and they wander off through equation after equation, and eventually build a structure which has no relation to reality. (Nikola Tesla) 1

Ohio’s Agricultural National Rank 2nd in Egg production Top 5 in Veal production 9th in Pork production 11th in Dairy production Say What

Many years ago I witnessed the following at a pep rally at the end of the school day: The rally ended a few minutes before the final bell was to ring and our principal, who was standing beside me in the hallway door, said watch this. He walked into the gym and in a loud voice got the student’s attention to remind them to be careful getting off of the bleachers. When he got back to me he said I’m covered. At times it is sad to see what liability threats force our administrators to worry about. -------------------------------------------------
Teenage Corner (Food for Thought) Recommended Book: The 6 Most Important Decisions You Will Ever Make by Sean Covey. --------------------------------------------------

Buying Stock? The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) now owns stock in 19 companies including, Tyson, Kroger and Bob Evans. PETA is also buying stock. I wonder why? 2

Could HSUS be Agriculture’s ACORN? The more we see, you begin to wonder if HSUS, PETA and its’ cousin the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, and other friends are not a form of agriculture’s ACORN. They continue to solicit money (utilizing insidious advertising), initiating legal threats, ballot/legislative/proposition issues, and purchasing stock in many food businesses. President Obama has appointed Animal Rights’ leader Cass Sunstein as Regulatory and Information Czar (Goggle Animal Czar).

Special Note: PETA and like-minded groups are sending news readers and coloring books to elementary schools to be given to students. This is subtly indoctrinating our children to their beliefs. Is this happening in your school? Generally, this material is innocently passed out without review. -------------------------------------------------- 3% of the population has written goals (read twice per day) – these people accomplish hundreds of times in life what others accomplish. 10% have goals in their minds - very beneficial. 87% of the people have no goals or focus – bored in life and often blame others for their plight. 3
Fort Frye Board of Education I would like to thank Zach Waite and David Vandenberg for their tireless work, and support of Agricultural Education/FFA. Mr. Vandenberg’s work in support of our modernized science laboratories will greatly improve our student opportunities. His financial expertise has delayed the need for a school levy by several years. To the new board and Mr. Dill I offer the best of luck & a prayer for a spirit of unity. -------------------------------------------------- Great minds - focus on solutions and improvements (decisions are primarily based upon facts and the best interest long term). Average minds - tend to dwell on events and other people. Small minds - tend to sit back and criticize (decisions are often based on emotion and the short term). This was a lesson I taught in my Agricultural Education/FFA leadership classes. --------------------------------------------------- Robert’s Rules of Order In Parliamentary Procedure the chairman can vote to create a tie (failing vote) or to break a tie (causing it to pass). Robert’s Rules of Order was established to be fair to everyone by insuring majority rule, while allowing minority input. 4
Did you know? Did you realize the state auditor’s office, or one of the state’s approved private firms, are required to audit your school district annually? Audits may run from a month (private) to several months (state). Would you believe that the state audits typically take much longer and cost thousands of additional dollars? Ask your school what annual audits cost (time, money etc.). Thanksgiving – A Glance Back An Indian named Samoset, who spoke some English, walked into the pilgrim’s camp in 1621 and then introduced the pilgrims to Squanto who spoke fluent English. Squanto introduced the pilgrims to Chief Massasoit and was instrumental in achieving a 50-year peace treaty. They had heard of Squanto’s providential story of previously being abducted twice to Europe as a slave and managing to make his way back to America each time. The pilgrims and Indians celebration in the autumn of 1621 is generally referred to as the beginning of Thanksgiving. However, its’ real history was based upon the events of 1623. The pilgrims were starving, and, after being given their own land to plant food they industriously planted a great 5 amount of seed to end their starvation. However, a severe drought, which lasted from April to July, caused most of their corn to begin to wither and die. The pilgrims set apart a solemn day of humiliation, to seek the Lord by humble and fervent prayer. From their journals – For all the morning, and great part of the day, it was clear weather and very hot, and not a cloud or any sign of rain to be seen, yet toward evening it began to be overcast, and shortly after to rain with sweet and gentle showers, as gave them cause for rejoicing and blessing God. The gentle showers did quicken the corn and other fruits and made the Indians astonished. Why astonished? Droughts had always been broken with severe thunder storms which would have completely destroyed what crops were left. This was the day that is the basis for America’s real Thanksgiving traditions. ----------------------------------------------------Farmer’s Plight Dairy farmers - after finally having a good profit year in 2008 our dairy farmers are getting financially decimated in 2009. Hog farmers – have been losing money for nearly thirty consecutive months. 6