The Agricultural View
August 2009 Issue 4
http://theagriculturalview.blogspot.com
(All issues and farm poems) ------------------------------------------------------------- Doug Mercer (FBPA) Retires The instructor of the top Farm Business Planning & Analysis program in Ohio recently retired leaving a legacy of assistance to farmers and agriculture in Washington County that will likely never be equaled. The program has served well over 200 farms countywide during Doug’s 37 years of instruction. See the insert page for a history of the program. From the View’s Desk I continue to provide some food for thought. I would also like to thank those who have given financial support and encouragement. The View goes to 250 homes. After the 6th issue, I plan re-evaluate in January. Mistakes are all mine. Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board Vote YES on November 3! Nearly all agricultural organizations are on record in support of this initiative which is to try to help offset the HSUS’s attack on animal agriculture in Ohio. For information visit: www.ohiolivestockcare.com 1
Animal Rights Update PETA has a budget of more than 30 million dollars. According to *public records from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service last year PETA killed 2,124 pets and placed only seven in adoptive homes. HSUS - The Humane Society of the United States (not local humane societies) is the largest and richest animal rights lobbying organization on earth with a net worth of about 300 million dollars and an executive staff and board of about 50 professionals at their disposal. This equals power and enormous political clout! At times these groups do some good, however the problem is where the mass majority of their millions are spent. See daily Animal Rights updates at: *www.consumerfreedom.com Land Resources Worldwide In 1997 retired Professor of Animal Science at OSU Dr. Jack Cline said there were 33 Billion acres of land resources worldwide including: 9.7 Billion acres of agricultural land of which only 3.5 Billion Acres are fit for cropland. This leaves 6.2 Billion acres that can only be utilized by animals to produce food for a world with millions of starving people! 2
Concerning Fruit Sales Incentives (See Issue 3) It has been brought to my attention that it is generally individual auditors and school clerks who invoke their opinions against student incentives that create some problems for FFA chapters. Incentives, however, are ultimately at the discretion of each school. Thoughts for Teenagers: 1. Think for and believe in yourself, set goals and decide what kind of person you want to be known as (see Proverbs 22:1). 2. Remember, when you text message in the presence of others you are actually sending two messages; the written text and the message you send to those in your presence that you ignore. Washington County Agricultural Education/FFA Instructors Lisa Miller – Fort Frye, Erwin Berry – Frontier, Brian Welch – Marietta, Allen Clark – Warren, Kevin Wagner and Jason Lipot - Washington County Career Center, Matt Hartline – Waterford (Chair) A Glance Back – Washington County *At the 1826 Agricultural Fair, Henry Fearing was recognized for raising 105 bushels of corn per acre. *Farmers built flatboats to float their 3 surplus farm produce down the Ohio River to Cincinnati or even New Orleans. *The excess cattle were taken to Eastern markets and wool was sold by the ton to Eastern Manufactures. Hugh Coffman An Ideal Medium for Plant Growth is composed of: 25% Air, 25% Water (Combined = 50% Pore Space), 5% Organic Matter and 45% Mineral Matter. Say What? Approximately fifteen years ago a couple of my students told me of the following fight they had witnessed in the cafeteria. They witnessed a boy sitting at their table innocently eating his lunch when unbeknown to him a young man approached him from behind and hit him full force with his fist in the side of his head (temple area) knocking the seated student to the floor. As he was flailing on the floor trying to regain some stability the attacking student came after him again with fists flying. While knocked on his back, and still stunned, the student instinctively put up his foot to try to hold off the attacking student. Eventually the attacking student was stopped by others. Note: In some schools if you defend yourself when attacked you are 4 suspended along with the attacker. Even if you swing in self defense and make no contact – the retaliatory attempt earns you an automatic suspension too. Later I learned that the principal had conducted a lengthy discussion about if the young man’s foot came forward, while he was down on the floor, the action might constitute an aggressive action on his part that would then result in a suspension for him as well. This is unreal – what increased liability threats will do! Cattle Trivia The 4 (ruminant) cattle stomach compartments are called: Rumen, Reticulum, Omasum and Abomasum. Health Care/Family Doctors One day at lunch more than 30 years ago, I had the following discussion with my family doctor concerning his health care/patient frustrations. He explained his dilemma over the growing number of welfare patients that were attending his clinic. He had no problem with them personally, however, he had noted two trends. First, the steadily increasing number of welfare patients and secondly the frequency with which they would come in with the most insignificant cases 5 as compared to the regular paying patients. He also told me that it would generally take at least 6 months to get his payment from the government and then he would only get about two thirds of his actual costs reimbursed. Also, the required documentation was mounting. His concern was that he could only see so many patients per day, and therefore he had no choice but to increase the charge per visit. This indirectly caused the paying customers to absorb the added costs of the welfare patients. Imagine if we multiply this alarming trend by more than thirty years of expansion and increasing bureaucracy. He was also frustrated that his time spent with paying patients was more limited because he was also trying to see more patients per day to help with the loss of income. Another doctor, who retired just a few years ago, told me that he actually made more profit when he began practicing by charging $5.00 per visit (which included any prescriptions) than he did in his later years of practice. Note: Health care costs force most farmers to have at least one spouse work off of the farm to secure health insurance for their family. 6
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Stacy
family farm since 1899
Bill and Janet Stacy
Goodrich Road., Oak Grove
Marietta, Ohio 45750
www.stacyfarm.com
Florida Farm Bureau Marketing Divison
Roy W. Singleton Director/General Manager
roysingleton@ffbf.org 352-636-6161
7705 US Highway 441 Leesburg, FL. 34788
These advertisers support The Agricultural View and the promotion of agriculture however they may not necessarily agree with every point of view within the newsletter. Please partonize these sponsors. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If you wish to contribute: (You have two options) 1.General Donation (Make checks payable to: Ralph D. Coffman – The Agricultural View 2.Placing an ad in two issues for $15.00 (*See details below) The ads will be 1” by 2” (basic label size). Clearly print the ad content (written only) and your name, phone number, address and return it to me. The ad will be an insert page with the following statement: The following advertisers support The Agricultural View and the promotion of agriculture however they may not necessarily agree with every point of view within the newsletter. Please patronize these sponsors. Ralph Coffman coffman_ralph@yahoo.com Thanks for your support, 566 Elk Run Road Beverly, Ohio 45715 Ralph ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Washington County Farm Business Planning & Analysis Program History – Doug Mercer The Washington County Career Center Farm Business Planning & Analysis Program (FBPA) had its beginning in the fall of 1971. High school Vo. Ag. Teachers: Ralph Sawyer (Marietta), Ed Barnett (Waterford), Bobby Anderson (Frontier), Bill Tackett and Dean McCoy (Warren), Gary Moore (Fort Frye) and Hugh Coffman (Warren H.S. Assistant Superintendent) met with State Supervisor of Vocational Agricultural Welch Barnett from the Ohio Department of Education. They thought such a program would complement their already successful adult farmer program classes, including the 100 Bushel Corn Club, and be quite useful to the farmers of the county. I was hired as the full time FBPA teacher to begin on July 1, 1972. It was decided that the program would be funded through the Wolf Creek School District with my office at Waterford H.S. and I would be under the supervision of Superintendent Harry Cooper. Any cost in addition to that funded by the State Department was to be split by the five school districts. The program operated under this arrangement until July 1, 1974 when the Washington County Career Center took over the program. Superintendent Harry Cooper and David Barrett the Director at the Career Center agreed that the program should continue to be housed at Waterford H.S. but funded by the Career Center. The arrangement continued for 19 years until August 1991 when my office as was moved to the Career Center Campus in the old Washington State Community College building. The FBPA program had an enrollment of 40 farms during its first year of operation. Securing enrollment was a joint effort by the county Vo. Ag. teachers and myself as they contributed a great deal to the early success of the program. The Ag. teachers were able to give me immediate credibility with their farmers. Current members that were in the first class of 40 farms are Charles and Mary Campbell, Dan Zimmer, Joan Zimmer, Paul and Mary Zimmer. During the past 37 years the program has provided instruction for well over 200 farms in Washington County. On-farm instruction occurred throughout the year with classes being held in the winter months. Some of the major topics included principles of record keeping, depreciation, farm income tax laws, estate planning, using credit effectively, working with computers including filling out the computer analysis and then properly interpreting the printed analysis. The analysis was the final product of the record keeping showing the strengths and weaknesses of the farm business including a detailed costs analysis in the farm’s various enterprises. The first farm records analysis were completed in the winter of 1974 by using the records from the previous year. All 40 farms submitted their records for evaluation. These early analysis were mailed to The Ohio State University and generally took 3 weeks to get the results back. This all changed in the 1986 record year when OSU discontinued their program and I was faced with 48 analysis to conduct and no available program. I spent many weekends and evenings at home developing an analysis program of my own using the spread sheet Lotus 123. We still use this program today. We could now enter the records on site in the computer and print it out the same day greatly improving efficiency. I also developed a data analysis chart summary ranking farmers from lowest to highest in numerous efficiency categories. My system secured the privacy of farmers as only they would know their individual numbers in each column. This summary is not only diagnostic but also appeals to the competitive nature of Americans enticing a greater desire to improve efficiency. The analysis is used as a reference statewide. In 1977 the first FBPA banquet was held at the Career Center with Farm Credit as the sponsor which continues today. Initially, and for many years the sponsorship was under the direction of Ken Schilling and more recently it continues under the direction of Steve Reed and Melinda Roberts becoming Partners in Education with the FBPA program. This support and dedication to the program has been, and is, essential to the program’s success. In 1999 I retired from teaching FBPA full time with Marty Clark replacing me as the full-time instructor and I continued to work part time. Marty has done a great job during these past ten years including excellent work in refining and promoting the computerized record keeping system. All of our FBPA clients are on the computerized system as compared to approximately 50% of farmers nationwide. In 2007 the FBPA Foundation was created to provide scholarship assistance and encourage support for the program. In February of the same year the FBPA Advisory Committee and 62 of our clients were instrumental in presenting to the Career Center’s Board of Education the importance of the continuation of a full-time FBPA program in Washington County. The FBPA program is unique and even though it has been recognized as the top FBPA program in Ohio it will only survive with the continued support of the agricultural community in Washington County - Doug. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------From the View: Gross Farm Income for the 39 FBPA farms submitting an analysis in 2008 was over 14 million dollars. We wish to thank Doug for his years of exemplary service and a special thank you to wife Nancy and children Tom and Jan for their sacrifices (of Doug’s time) to allow him to help so many farmers. Good luck in retirement Doug & Nancy . Doug’s awards will be listed in October Issue #5.
Issue #5 – October Issue #6 - December I will then assess the View’s future – Ralph
family farm since 1899
Bill and Janet Stacy
Goodrich Road., Oak Grove
Marietta, Ohio 45750
www.stacyfarm.com
Florida Farm Bureau Marketing Divison
Roy W. Singleton Director/General Manager
roysingleton@ffbf.org 352-636-6161
7705 US Highway 441 Leesburg, FL. 34788
These advertisers support The Agricultural View and the promotion of agriculture however they may not necessarily agree with every point of view within the newsletter. Please partonize these sponsors. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If you wish to contribute: (You have two options) 1.General Donation (Make checks payable to: Ralph D. Coffman – The Agricultural View 2.Placing an ad in two issues for $15.00 (*See details below) The ads will be 1” by 2” (basic label size). Clearly print the ad content (written only) and your name, phone number, address and return it to me. The ad will be an insert page with the following statement: The following advertisers support The Agricultural View and the promotion of agriculture however they may not necessarily agree with every point of view within the newsletter. Please patronize these sponsors. Ralph Coffman coffman_ralph@yahoo.com Thanks for your support, 566 Elk Run Road Beverly, Ohio 45715 Ralph ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Washington County Farm Business Planning & Analysis Program History – Doug Mercer The Washington County Career Center Farm Business Planning & Analysis Program (FBPA) had its beginning in the fall of 1971. High school Vo. Ag. Teachers: Ralph Sawyer (Marietta), Ed Barnett (Waterford), Bobby Anderson (Frontier), Bill Tackett and Dean McCoy (Warren), Gary Moore (Fort Frye) and Hugh Coffman (Warren H.S. Assistant Superintendent) met with State Supervisor of Vocational Agricultural Welch Barnett from the Ohio Department of Education. They thought such a program would complement their already successful adult farmer program classes, including the 100 Bushel Corn Club, and be quite useful to the farmers of the county. I was hired as the full time FBPA teacher to begin on July 1, 1972. It was decided that the program would be funded through the Wolf Creek School District with my office at Waterford H.S. and I would be under the supervision of Superintendent Harry Cooper. Any cost in addition to that funded by the State Department was to be split by the five school districts. The program operated under this arrangement until July 1, 1974 when the Washington County Career Center took over the program. Superintendent Harry Cooper and David Barrett the Director at the Career Center agreed that the program should continue to be housed at Waterford H.S. but funded by the Career Center. The arrangement continued for 19 years until August 1991 when my office as was moved to the Career Center Campus in the old Washington State Community College building. The FBPA program had an enrollment of 40 farms during its first year of operation. Securing enrollment was a joint effort by the county Vo. Ag. teachers and myself as they contributed a great deal to the early success of the program. The Ag. teachers were able to give me immediate credibility with their farmers. Current members that were in the first class of 40 farms are Charles and Mary Campbell, Dan Zimmer, Joan Zimmer, Paul and Mary Zimmer. During the past 37 years the program has provided instruction for well over 200 farms in Washington County. On-farm instruction occurred throughout the year with classes being held in the winter months. Some of the major topics included principles of record keeping, depreciation, farm income tax laws, estate planning, using credit effectively, working with computers including filling out the computer analysis and then properly interpreting the printed analysis. The analysis was the final product of the record keeping showing the strengths and weaknesses of the farm business including a detailed costs analysis in the farm’s various enterprises. The first farm records analysis were completed in the winter of 1974 by using the records from the previous year. All 40 farms submitted their records for evaluation. These early analysis were mailed to The Ohio State University and generally took 3 weeks to get the results back. This all changed in the 1986 record year when OSU discontinued their program and I was faced with 48 analysis to conduct and no available program. I spent many weekends and evenings at home developing an analysis program of my own using the spread sheet Lotus 123. We still use this program today. We could now enter the records on site in the computer and print it out the same day greatly improving efficiency. I also developed a data analysis chart summary ranking farmers from lowest to highest in numerous efficiency categories. My system secured the privacy of farmers as only they would know their individual numbers in each column. This summary is not only diagnostic but also appeals to the competitive nature of Americans enticing a greater desire to improve efficiency. The analysis is used as a reference statewide. In 1977 the first FBPA banquet was held at the Career Center with Farm Credit as the sponsor which continues today. Initially, and for many years the sponsorship was under the direction of Ken Schilling and more recently it continues under the direction of Steve Reed and Melinda Roberts becoming Partners in Education with the FBPA program. This support and dedication to the program has been, and is, essential to the program’s success. In 1999 I retired from teaching FBPA full time with Marty Clark replacing me as the full-time instructor and I continued to work part time. Marty has done a great job during these past ten years including excellent work in refining and promoting the computerized record keeping system. All of our FBPA clients are on the computerized system as compared to approximately 50% of farmers nationwide. In 2007 the FBPA Foundation was created to provide scholarship assistance and encourage support for the program. In February of the same year the FBPA Advisory Committee and 62 of our clients were instrumental in presenting to the Career Center’s Board of Education the importance of the continuation of a full-time FBPA program in Washington County. The FBPA program is unique and even though it has been recognized as the top FBPA program in Ohio it will only survive with the continued support of the agricultural community in Washington County - Doug. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------From the View: Gross Farm Income for the 39 FBPA farms submitting an analysis in 2008 was over 14 million dollars. We wish to thank Doug for his years of exemplary service and a special thank you to wife Nancy and children Tom and Jan for their sacrifices (of Doug’s time) to allow him to help so many farmers. Good luck in retirement Doug & Nancy . Doug’s awards will be listed in October Issue #5.
Issue #5 – October Issue #6 - December I will then assess the View’s future – Ralph
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The following advertisers support The Agricultural View and the promotion of agriculture however they may not necessarily agree with every point of view within the newsletter.
“Please patronize these sponsors and express seeing their ad in the View”
Stacy family farm since 1899 Bill & Janet Stacy Goodrich Rd., Oak Grove, Marietta, OH 45750 740-374-2371 www.stacyfarm.com
Florida Farm Bureau Marketing Division
Roy W. Singleton Director/General Manager roysingleton@ffbf.org Cell 352-636-6161 7705 US Highway 441 Leesburg, FL 34788
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A special thank you to the other eight contributors as well.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you wish to use the Blog Site and not receive a hard copy mailing of The Agricultural View e-mail me at: coffman_ralph@yahoo.com or call me at 740-984-2567
My New Blog Site Address: http://theagriculturalview.blogspot.com
This site has a copy of each issue of the View and other updates and postings.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Please share the newsletter with others, and let me know what you think”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If you wish to contribute: 1. General Donation(Make checks payable to: Ralph Coffman (The Agricultural View)
2. Placing an ad in two issues for $15.00 (*See details below)* The ads will be 1” by 2” (basic label size). Clearly print the ad content (written only) and your name, phone number, address and return it to me. The ad will be an insert page with the following statement: The following advertisers support The Agricultural View and the promotion of agriculture however they may not necessarily agree with every point of view within the newsletter. Please patronize these sponsors and express seeing their ad in the newsletter. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memorial Day tribute: Morgan County Herald Web Site, see bottom of the home page (Memorial Ceremony 6/3/09) Eric Massey
“Please patronize these sponsors and express seeing their ad in the View”
Stacy family farm since 1899 Bill & Janet Stacy Goodrich Rd., Oak Grove, Marietta, OH 45750 740-374-2371 www.stacyfarm.com
Florida Farm Bureau Marketing Division
Roy W. Singleton Director/General Manager roysingleton@ffbf.org Cell 352-636-6161 7705 US Highway 441 Leesburg, FL 34788
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A special thank you to the other eight contributors as well.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you wish to use the Blog Site and not receive a hard copy mailing of The Agricultural View e-mail me at: coffman_ralph@yahoo.com or call me at 740-984-2567
My New Blog Site Address: http://theagriculturalview.blogspot.com
This site has a copy of each issue of the View and other updates and postings.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Please share the newsletter with others, and let me know what you think”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If you wish to contribute: 1. General Donation(Make checks payable to: Ralph Coffman (The Agricultural View)
2. Placing an ad in two issues for $15.00 (*See details below)* The ads will be 1” by 2” (basic label size). Clearly print the ad content (written only) and your name, phone number, address and return it to me. The ad will be an insert page with the following statement: The following advertisers support The Agricultural View and the promotion of agriculture however they may not necessarily agree with every point of view within the newsletter. Please patronize these sponsors and express seeing their ad in the newsletter. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memorial Day tribute: Morgan County Herald Web Site, see bottom of the home page (Memorial Ceremony 6/3/09) Eric Massey
The Agricultural View June 2009 (Issue 3)
Exciting news – see my blog site at: http://theagriculturalview.blogspot.com
A Glance Back - Washington County Fair
1st Fair was October 15, 1846.
The Board changed the name to “The Washington County Agricultural and Mechanical Institute” August 5, 1858.
The Board changed the name to “The Washington County Agricultural and Mechanical Association” – its’ present name on June 29, 186.
No fairs were held in the years of 1861-1867 due to war. By Hugh Coffman
Farm Tragedy
A few years ago a friend of mine retired from teaching Ag. Ed., and within a few months he was tragically killed in a tractor overturn. I did not understand how that was possible because he had always been very safety conscious. Later I found out that he had mowed that same bank for years. His fatal mistake was that he did not factor in the abnormally high rainfall, which saturated the bank with water causing it to give away.
1
Say What?
FFA citrus sales have long been a key to the funding of FFA banquets, contests and conventions etc. Over twenty years ago I was startled when the state auditor’s representative came into my office and challenged my right as the FFA advisor to offer an incentive to students for selling fruit. Offering incentive was a common practice. He also warned me that he could make me collect every dollar paid to students the previous four years, or I could take the money out of my pocket. Later, after being threatened with audit findings, he told me that when the school’s findings eventually came out in the news my misdeed would not be nearly as bad as it would seem in the newspaper. I was sick for more than month in anticipation, however, nothing came out at all. The final result was the need for prior board approval. They found my financial records to be complete and accurate, and my only misdeed was offering students a bonus! Today – I’m told that chapters can no longer offer financial incentive. Instead they can only offer small prizes. The state auditor’s office current rationale – we don’t know what the kids might spend their money on! 2
Congratulations to Kalleigh Mason of the Marietta FFA for being elected to the state FFA officer team.
Cattle Trivia
Cattle outnumber humans in 9 states: Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma and Wyoming.
The 4 stomach compartments in cattle are; rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum. The only one that functions in a newborn calf is the abomasum -nicknamed the true stomach.
Message to teenagers:
Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.
Oklahoma – National Soils
The Fort Frye FFA team of Josiah Fryman, Derek Kirkbride, Heidi Heiss and Greg Heldman placed 23rd in the United States in Oklahoma. There are 7,000+ FFA chapters nationally and 300+ in Ohio. Individually, Derek placed 18th nationally. Fort Frye held the highest Ohio national placing for nearly 20 years and currently has the 2nd highest finish ever (9th in 1985 - with team members Mark Duskey, Brent Kirkbride, Kara Zimmer and Scott Ferrell).
A website giving animal rights updates: info@consumerfreedom.com
3
From the View’s Desk
I continue to plug away and provide food for thought – nothing more and nothing less. No one has all of the answers, and I certainly do not. I am grateful for those who have given support financially with donations, ads, and/or encouraging words. Any mistakes and definitions are all mine. For the new clientele - I plan to continue the View for one year (6 issues) and based upon responses, financial assistance and my time and energy I will reevaluate at the year’s end. coffman_ralph@yahoo.com
Animal Rights groups continue to work diligently to eliminate animal agriculture. The Humane Society of the United States has an annual budget of approximately 200 million dollars and a powerful staff of more than 30 professionals backed up with 25+ board members. The HSUS contributes less than 5% of its budget to hands-on, local animal shelters to actually assist animals in real need!
If vegetarian activists Rip Esselstyn has his way, within 5 years restaurants will have a special section for those eating meat and dairy products (like a smoking section). Contact Farm Bureau and other farm organizations for steps to take ASAP!
4
Free Enterprise/Capitalism – the system America was founded on - it is the freedom to take risks by investing in a business, and working hard by utilizing your God-given creativity and management skills to produce a product of your choice. You have unlimited opportunity to succeed or fail based upon your efficiency, quality and quantity of your work, and the demand for your product. Those who take the risk have the opportunity to earn, or lose, the most. The founders believed that without a moral influence (God) guiding business owner they would become greedy just like the government does in socialism. Socialism – the government decides who pays and who receives tax money, and ultimately ownership. Officials develop an insatiable appetite for power through the guise of helping those in need. Ultimately, this can dupe the masses as to their need for the handouts. Government programs generally prolong and expand most problems ex. 2nd and 3rd generation welfare. The Pilgrims tried socialism in Plymouth, Ma. (labeled communalism) where everyone could take freely from the general storehouse with the idea that everyone would give back an equal or greater amount. This theory was a disaster as more and more took, and less and less contributed. According to their journals, “this system did breed much confusion and discontent and retard much employment.” Eventually, Bradford their governor and historian divided up the land
5
into plots and each family could keep what they grew - individual incentive came into play. According to Bradford, “this had very good success for it made all hands very industrious.” Also, imagine if we used the socialistic system to grade students. We could average all grades on each test and then every student would receive the class average grade, or we could implement a heavy progressive or graduated grade/point tax. This would gradually destroy the motivation of the students working to excel. Government farm subsidies - initially farmers did not want or need them because payments were small so very few farmers participated. As the years passed, payments and regulations grew to entice more participation. A few participating farmers even hired away nonparticipating farmer’s better workers. Eventually, payments became so substantial that today most farmers participate. In fact, for some participation means survival. Maybe farmers could make a trade with the government by ending farm subsidies and in exchange farmers could initiate a tax (government approach) on agricultural imports, and every citizen in America who does not produce food. The money could go directly to farmers – those who dwell and labor on the farm. Isn’t it appalling that so many citizens only think of farm subsidies as welfare conjoining the work farmers do daily with those who collect a monthly direct deposit welfare payment?
6
Exciting news – see my blog site at: http://theagriculturalview.blogspot.com
A Glance Back - Washington County Fair
1st Fair was October 15, 1846.
The Board changed the name to “The Washington County Agricultural and Mechanical Institute” August 5, 1858.
The Board changed the name to “The Washington County Agricultural and Mechanical Association” – its’ present name on June 29, 186.
No fairs were held in the years of 1861-1867 due to war. By Hugh Coffman
Farm Tragedy
A few years ago a friend of mine retired from teaching Ag. Ed., and within a few months he was tragically killed in a tractor overturn. I did not understand how that was possible because he had always been very safety conscious. Later I found out that he had mowed that same bank for years. His fatal mistake was that he did not factor in the abnormally high rainfall, which saturated the bank with water causing it to give away.
1
Say What?
FFA citrus sales have long been a key to the funding of FFA banquets, contests and conventions etc. Over twenty years ago I was startled when the state auditor’s representative came into my office and challenged my right as the FFA advisor to offer an incentive to students for selling fruit. Offering incentive was a common practice. He also warned me that he could make me collect every dollar paid to students the previous four years, or I could take the money out of my pocket. Later, after being threatened with audit findings, he told me that when the school’s findings eventually came out in the news my misdeed would not be nearly as bad as it would seem in the newspaper. I was sick for more than month in anticipation, however, nothing came out at all. The final result was the need for prior board approval. They found my financial records to be complete and accurate, and my only misdeed was offering students a bonus! Today – I’m told that chapters can no longer offer financial incentive. Instead they can only offer small prizes. The state auditor’s office current rationale – we don’t know what the kids might spend their money on! 2
Congratulations to Kalleigh Mason of the Marietta FFA for being elected to the state FFA officer team.
Cattle Trivia
Cattle outnumber humans in 9 states: Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma and Wyoming.
The 4 stomach compartments in cattle are; rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum. The only one that functions in a newborn calf is the abomasum -nicknamed the true stomach.
Message to teenagers:
Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.
Oklahoma – National Soils
The Fort Frye FFA team of Josiah Fryman, Derek Kirkbride, Heidi Heiss and Greg Heldman placed 23rd in the United States in Oklahoma. There are 7,000+ FFA chapters nationally and 300+ in Ohio. Individually, Derek placed 18th nationally. Fort Frye held the highest Ohio national placing for nearly 20 years and currently has the 2nd highest finish ever (9th in 1985 - with team members Mark Duskey, Brent Kirkbride, Kara Zimmer and Scott Ferrell).
A website giving animal rights updates: info@consumerfreedom.com
3
From the View’s Desk
I continue to plug away and provide food for thought – nothing more and nothing less. No one has all of the answers, and I certainly do not. I am grateful for those who have given support financially with donations, ads, and/or encouraging words. Any mistakes and definitions are all mine. For the new clientele - I plan to continue the View for one year (6 issues) and based upon responses, financial assistance and my time and energy I will reevaluate at the year’s end. coffman_ralph@yahoo.com
Animal Rights groups continue to work diligently to eliminate animal agriculture. The Humane Society of the United States has an annual budget of approximately 200 million dollars and a powerful staff of more than 30 professionals backed up with 25+ board members. The HSUS contributes less than 5% of its budget to hands-on, local animal shelters to actually assist animals in real need!
If vegetarian activists Rip Esselstyn has his way, within 5 years restaurants will have a special section for those eating meat and dairy products (like a smoking section). Contact Farm Bureau and other farm organizations for steps to take ASAP!
4
Free Enterprise/Capitalism – the system America was founded on - it is the freedom to take risks by investing in a business, and working hard by utilizing your God-given creativity and management skills to produce a product of your choice. You have unlimited opportunity to succeed or fail based upon your efficiency, quality and quantity of your work, and the demand for your product. Those who take the risk have the opportunity to earn, or lose, the most. The founders believed that without a moral influence (God) guiding business owner they would become greedy just like the government does in socialism. Socialism – the government decides who pays and who receives tax money, and ultimately ownership. Officials develop an insatiable appetite for power through the guise of helping those in need. Ultimately, this can dupe the masses as to their need for the handouts. Government programs generally prolong and expand most problems ex. 2nd and 3rd generation welfare. The Pilgrims tried socialism in Plymouth, Ma. (labeled communalism) where everyone could take freely from the general storehouse with the idea that everyone would give back an equal or greater amount. This theory was a disaster as more and more took, and less and less contributed. According to their journals, “this system did breed much confusion and discontent and retard much employment.” Eventually, Bradford their governor and historian divided up the land
5
into plots and each family could keep what they grew - individual incentive came into play. According to Bradford, “this had very good success for it made all hands very industrious.” Also, imagine if we used the socialistic system to grade students. We could average all grades on each test and then every student would receive the class average grade, or we could implement a heavy progressive or graduated grade/point tax. This would gradually destroy the motivation of the students working to excel. Government farm subsidies - initially farmers did not want or need them because payments were small so very few farmers participated. As the years passed, payments and regulations grew to entice more participation. A few participating farmers even hired away nonparticipating farmer’s better workers. Eventually, payments became so substantial that today most farmers participate. In fact, for some participation means survival. Maybe farmers could make a trade with the government by ending farm subsidies and in exchange farmers could initiate a tax (government approach) on agricultural imports, and every citizen in America who does not produce food. The money could go directly to farmers – those who dwell and labor on the farm. Isn’t it appalling that so many citizens only think of farm subsidies as welfare conjoining the work farmers do daily with those who collect a monthly direct deposit welfare payment?
6
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
A table of contents to date:
The Agricultural View (Issue 2) a newsletter supporting agriculture (Ag. Ed./FFA/FBPA)
Pondering from the Farm - A poem summarizing my speech at Warren H.S. April 27, 2009
The Agricultural View (Issue 1) a newsletter supporting agriculture (Ag. Ed./FFA/FBPA)
Agriculture's Voice by Choice - A poem summarizing my NFO speech March 26, 2009
Note: The Agricultural View hardcopy is a trifold mailing.
The Agricultural View (Issue 2) a newsletter supporting agriculture (Ag. Ed./FFA/FBPA)
Pondering from the Farm - A poem summarizing my speech at Warren H.S. April 27, 2009
The Agricultural View (Issue 1) a newsletter supporting agriculture (Ag. Ed./FFA/FBPA)
Agriculture's Voice by Choice - A poem summarizing my NFO speech March 26, 2009
Note: The Agricultural View hardcopy is a trifold mailing.
A Glance Back
* In 1929 the Ohio FFA Association was founded in University Hall on the OSU Campus in Columbus. Eighty delegates from fifty-two Vocational Agricultural Departments were present including two from Washington County – Marietta and Westfield Local (Bartlett).
* In 1929 Robert Lane of the Marietta Chapter was elected Ohio FFA Vice President. The first state FFA Convention was held that May 1929.
* In 1943-44 in addition to serving as the Marietta FFA President, Harry Cogswell was also elected as an Ohio FFA Officer.
* 1960 – James Woodruff of the Barlow Rural (Warren) FFA Chapter was the first Washington County youth to be awarded the American Farmer Degree.
* 1978-79 Susie Barrett of the Warren FFA chapter was elected the first Ohio female FFA President. Susie was also the first female National FFA Officer after receiving her American FFA Degree in 1980. By Hugh Coffman
Cattle Trivia – a ruminant is an animal with four stomach compartments. Cattle eat by wrapping their tongue around the food then engulfing it. 1
All supporters of agriculture must communicate, using written and spoken word, to support agriculture. Agriculture is a target (program reductions or eliminations, upcoming ballot issues). Stay respectful, factual, and positive - refer to the enclosed poem. Remember, if you do strike a nerve with someone by sharing your opinion (written or spoken) then you are possibly being perceived as a threat to their power/authority, money, or to an ally of theirs. Share your support for agriculture with board members, administrators, and politicians at all levels.
Agricultural Organizations: Farm Bureau, NFO, Ohio Cattleman etc…. must join forces when positions are compatible! There are more than a half million FFA members in America and more than 23,000 members in Ohio.
Cattle Trivia - the heaviest live birth weight of a calf on record is 225 pounds from a British Friesian Cow in 1961.
Congratulations to the Fort Frye FFA soil conservation judging team consisting of Josiah Fryman, Heidi Heiss, Greg Heldman and Derek Kirkbride who placed 2nd in Ohio (300+ chapters). This qualified the team for the May national finals in Oklahoma. 2
Say What? Most school systems have what is known as a “use it or lose it” unwritten budgeting rule. An example would be as the budget year gets in the final couple of months, teachers, administrators etc. want to know how much money is left in their budget so they can spend it all before it is too late (budget year deadline). Employees realize that if budget cuts come then the school system, in determining your budget reduction, will first take a look to see if you spent your allotted budget in the past few years. If you spent your total annual budget, it is taken as an indication of need. Therefore, your cut is smaller. If you are thrifty you learn that you could actually end up being penalized. The majority of expenditures are for necessities however, this unwritten rule costs school districts and tax payers thousands of dollars in most years.
Coffman_ralph@yahoo.com 740-984-2567 The Agricultural View Issue 2 April 1, 2009
“Agricultural Food for Thought” In 1973 I had a farmer (multiple crop and livestock commodities) tell me that on most days he starts before daylight and works until after dark and in the 1950’s he said that he made really good money farming, and the government told him that he needed some help. Then, in the 1960’s, he said he still made some money and the government again said that he needed more help. In 1973 all he did was shuffle money back and forth, and didn’t make anything. Furthermore, the government was telling him that he needed even more help. E.T Benson the Secretary of Agriculture for President Eisenhower, became alarmed with talk in the 1950’s, by a few congressmen, who suggested increasing government involvement in farm commodities. He had witnessed the government’s involvement in the wheat commodity for more than a decade and wheat was worse off after the alleged “help.” He said, “the fundamental economics of the farm dilemma is simple it is the politics that is baffling.” Charles B. Shuman (AFBF 1960’s) stated that we need production for the competitive market (consumption) - not production in response to bureaucratic decisions.
The end to animal agriculture? Animal Rights Groups believe that humans and animals are equal. PETA and the Humane Society of the United States are two examples. One of PETA’s billboards:“FEEDING KIDS MEAT IS CHILD ABUSE.” Dr. Michael W. Fox (V.P. of the Humane Society of the United States. Note: this is not the local humane societies). Two examples of statements he made in his speech in Columbus in 1993:
1.The replacement of animal-based foods with plant-based foods could result in an 80-90 percent reduction in cancer (reference cited - Professor Colin Campbell Cornell University).
2. There is nothing miraculously different separating the existence of ants and earthworms from humans and tapeworms.
Major Alarm – there is a threat of a proposition on the fall ballot in Ohio that would be devastating to animal agriculture. The Human Society of the United States has already begun their intimidation tactics with agricultural leaders and the legislature! Call the Farm Bureau and other farm organizations for direction ASAP. 5
* In 1929 the Ohio FFA Association was founded in University Hall on the OSU Campus in Columbus. Eighty delegates from fifty-two Vocational Agricultural Departments were present including two from Washington County – Marietta and Westfield Local (Bartlett).
* In 1929 Robert Lane of the Marietta Chapter was elected Ohio FFA Vice President. The first state FFA Convention was held that May 1929.
* In 1943-44 in addition to serving as the Marietta FFA President, Harry Cogswell was also elected as an Ohio FFA Officer.
* 1960 – James Woodruff of the Barlow Rural (Warren) FFA Chapter was the first Washington County youth to be awarded the American Farmer Degree.
* 1978-79 Susie Barrett of the Warren FFA chapter was elected the first Ohio female FFA President. Susie was also the first female National FFA Officer after receiving her American FFA Degree in 1980. By Hugh Coffman
Cattle Trivia – a ruminant is an animal with four stomach compartments. Cattle eat by wrapping their tongue around the food then engulfing it. 1
All supporters of agriculture must communicate, using written and spoken word, to support agriculture. Agriculture is a target (program reductions or eliminations, upcoming ballot issues). Stay respectful, factual, and positive - refer to the enclosed poem. Remember, if you do strike a nerve with someone by sharing your opinion (written or spoken) then you are possibly being perceived as a threat to their power/authority, money, or to an ally of theirs. Share your support for agriculture with board members, administrators, and politicians at all levels.
Agricultural Organizations: Farm Bureau, NFO, Ohio Cattleman etc…. must join forces when positions are compatible! There are more than a half million FFA members in America and more than 23,000 members in Ohio.
Cattle Trivia - the heaviest live birth weight of a calf on record is 225 pounds from a British Friesian Cow in 1961.
Congratulations to the Fort Frye FFA soil conservation judging team consisting of Josiah Fryman, Heidi Heiss, Greg Heldman and Derek Kirkbride who placed 2nd in Ohio (300+ chapters). This qualified the team for the May national finals in Oklahoma. 2
Say What? Most school systems have what is known as a “use it or lose it” unwritten budgeting rule. An example would be as the budget year gets in the final couple of months, teachers, administrators etc. want to know how much money is left in their budget so they can spend it all before it is too late (budget year deadline). Employees realize that if budget cuts come then the school system, in determining your budget reduction, will first take a look to see if you spent your allotted budget in the past few years. If you spent your total annual budget, it is taken as an indication of need. Therefore, your cut is smaller. If you are thrifty you learn that you could actually end up being penalized. The majority of expenditures are for necessities however, this unwritten rule costs school districts and tax payers thousands of dollars in most years.
Coffman_ralph@yahoo.com 740-984-2567 The Agricultural View Issue 2 April 1, 2009
“Agricultural Food for Thought” In 1973 I had a farmer (multiple crop and livestock commodities) tell me that on most days he starts before daylight and works until after dark and in the 1950’s he said that he made really good money farming, and the government told him that he needed some help. Then, in the 1960’s, he said he still made some money and the government again said that he needed more help. In 1973 all he did was shuffle money back and forth, and didn’t make anything. Furthermore, the government was telling him that he needed even more help. E.T Benson the Secretary of Agriculture for President Eisenhower, became alarmed with talk in the 1950’s, by a few congressmen, who suggested increasing government involvement in farm commodities. He had witnessed the government’s involvement in the wheat commodity for more than a decade and wheat was worse off after the alleged “help.” He said, “the fundamental economics of the farm dilemma is simple it is the politics that is baffling.” Charles B. Shuman (AFBF 1960’s) stated that we need production for the competitive market (consumption) - not production in response to bureaucratic decisions.
The end to animal agriculture? Animal Rights Groups believe that humans and animals are equal. PETA and the Humane Society of the United States are two examples. One of PETA’s billboards:“FEEDING KIDS MEAT IS CHILD ABUSE.” Dr. Michael W. Fox (V.P. of the Humane Society of the United States. Note: this is not the local humane societies). Two examples of statements he made in his speech in Columbus in 1993:
1.The replacement of animal-based foods with plant-based foods could result in an 80-90 percent reduction in cancer (reference cited - Professor Colin Campbell Cornell University).
2. There is nothing miraculously different separating the existence of ants and earthworms from humans and tapeworms.
Major Alarm – there is a threat of a proposition on the fall ballot in Ohio that would be devastating to animal agriculture. The Human Society of the United States has already begun their intimidation tactics with agricultural leaders and the legislature! Call the Farm Bureau and other farm organizations for direction ASAP. 5
Pondering from the Farm Ralph D. Coffman April 27, 2009
As a boy I was so blessed – ultimately being in FFA and growing up on the farm
In spite of today’s alarmist caused me no harm
I learned to love the animals and to work with the soil
I learned the real meaning of toil
I learned that work was fulfilling
Work ethic, which the rest of society seemed to quit instilling
As I worked and gained skills and ability
Grandpa, Dad and Uncles Robert and Hugh gave me responsibility
Oh what a fulfilling feeling I gained
Succeeding when given responsibility in skills that I had been trained
Whether driving the tractor, going to get the cows for milking, or baling hay
On the farm was a place that I yearned to stay
Dad was up every day by 3:30
To bring the cows in for milking so he could drive his school bus route at 6:30
I never did hear him complain or raise Cain
Don’t you see - farmers are too busy working each day to complain
When you work God’s land with your hands
You tend to be reluctant in taking stands
Farmers push the pencil, ponder and pray to the Lord
Even with necessary purchases that are too high to afford
They hear of their FBPA and Agricultural Education/FFA program’s funding plight
And wonder if they should go against their nature and complain and put up a fight
Raising food by working overtime to survive in an industry that was once very profitable seems unfair
So many in this world go hungry - yet most in America are just too busy to care
As long as grocery stores, where food comes from you know, have abundant food that is cheap
The farmer’s plight, from most, you won’t hear a peep
School officials as you ponder your financial plight and hold in your hands agriculture’s IV blood flow
No other class offers the career enhancing skills available in Agricultural Education/FFA don’t you know
If you truly care, and seek wisdom and sincere counsel, then go visit your farmers at their farm site
Remember, without farmers society crumbles – farmers live daily your financial plight!
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