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S P E C I A L R E P O R T

‘Web 2.0’
More farmers and ranchers
are using blogs and social
media to tell their stories
and influence others | 4

February 22, 2010 Vol. 89 No. 4 fbnews.org

‘Spray Stallman: New H-2A regulations will make it


Drift’
Pesticide label
harder to put food on America’s tables
change would set New rules for the H-2A tempor- to fill the jobs. Previously, em- to find the workers they need.”
ary agricultural worker program, ployers only had to indicate they Growers had urged the Obama
a de facto zero- released by the Labor Depart- had looked for qualified workers. administration to curtail or mod-
tolerance stan- ment on Feb. 12, will make the “There continues to be a labor ify the H-2A program so it would
program more difficult than ever shortage in U.S. agriculture and be easier to find farm workers,
dard for drift | 6 to use, according to American agricultural employers need an but Stallman said the new regula-
Farm Bureau Federation Presi- efficient, affordable temporary tion, effective March 15, undoes
dent Bob Stallman. worker program to help put food a number of improvements the
‘Book Among the changes is a re-
quirement that farmer employers
on Americans’ tables,” Stallman
said. “Even with the slower econ-
department put in place last year
and will only compound exist-
of the who seek H-2A visas for agricul-
tural workers provide docu-
omy, farm labor remains physi-
cally demanding, periodic, all-
ing labor shortages.
The Labor Department is also
Year’ mented evidence that they have
looked for qualified U.S. citizens
weather work and it is often im-
possible for farmers and ranchers H-2A Continued on Page 6
Children’s
book about soybeans fills a
void of information about a
legume that most of us eat in Disaster aid a casualty of Reid’s jobs bill
some form every day | 8

USDA farm income


report shows modest
rebound
Economists often like to point out that
we have two hands. “On the one hand,”
they’ll say as they state a fact, and then
they’ll introduce an alternative view-
point with “on the other hand.” So it’s no
surprise that many of the predictions in
USDA’s recent farm income forecast, re-
leased on Feb. 11, are both positive and
negative, depending on which “hand”
you look at.

Continued on Page 3

©istockphoto.com/boltoch

TOO WET, TOO DRY, TOO WINDY, TOO COLD—U.S. farmers and ranchers have seen it all. Much-needed agriculture disaster aid is in-
cluded in a bipartisan Senate jobs bill, but Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has plans of his own that don’t include assistance
for growers.

Farmers, ranchers and fellow And fewer farms, farmers and disaster areas. The payments
congressional lawmakers, includ- U.S. farm goods are not good are designed to hold growers
ing members of the Democratic for anyone in this country.” over until 2009 Supplemental
leadership, were taken aback The agriculture disaster portion Revenue Assistance Program
when Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on of Baucus and Grassley’s bill in- payments are made in the fall.
Feb. 11 announced a considerably cludes $150 million for specialty Reid’s bill, which he rolled out
pared down jobs stimulus pack- crop producers, $50 million for just hours after Baucus and Grass-
age. Most conspicuously absent livestock, $42 million for first- ley released their draft measure,
for growers was $1.5 billion in di- handlers of cottonseed and $25 contains payroll tax relief for busi-
saster assistance included in a bi- million for aquaculture. Also, nesses that hire new workers, an
partisan bill drafted by Senate Fi- $21 million would be allocated extension of the current highway
nance Committee Chairman Max for a sugar cane cooperative bill through 2010, the “Build Amer-
Baucus (D-Mont.) and ranking transportation project in Hawaii ica” bond program and expense
n e w s p a p e r

member Charles Grassley (R-Iowa).  and $75 million would go to- deductions for small businesses.
“Farmers and ranchers through- ward no-interest loans to poultry The Finance Committee’s ver-
out the country have been hit producers whose contracts with sion includes those elements and
hard by weather-related disas- Pilgrim’s Pride were terminated would also extend through 2010
ters, from drought to floods to when the company declared a number of expired tax provi-
extreme frosts,” explained Tara bankruptcy in December 2008. sions important to farmers and
Smith, American Farm Bureau It also would provide about ranchers. Among them are tax
Federation farm policy specialist. $1.1 billion in direct payments incentives for biodiesel, renewable
“For some producers, no disas- to producers in counties des-
ter aid means no next harvest. ignated by USDA as “primary” Jobs bill Continued on Page 3
fbnews.org February 22, 2010
Viewpoint 2|

It’s time for farmers to tell agriculture’s story


Jan. 23, 2010, Capital Press editorial moneyed interests. Twenty-five years later,
the survivors of that age are painted in
During a three-hour speech in the cam- the popular press as “corporate farmers”
paign of 1890, populist rabble-rouser Mary who use “factory” methods to produce un-
Lease reportedly told her audience in Hal- healthy, unsafe foodstuffs at the expense of
stead, Kan., “What you farmers need to do the environment, all for the sake of profit.
is raise less corn and more hell.” American agriculture has a powerful
Whether Lease ever uttered the phrase is story to tell. Never have fewer people pro-
unclear, but most agree it reflected her sen- duced so much food in so great a variety.
timent. In speeches across the Western Neither quaint portraits of rural charac-
plains she challenged farm families to fight ters nor exposés on the few bad actors
for their own self interest. within the farming community tell the
It was with equal force, but greater defer- story.
ence to the occasion, that American Farm Several ag organizations have adopted
Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman programs to take that story into the class-
told the group’s national convention in rooms and other venues. Others are using
Seattle last week that ag interests must take social networking to reach out beyond
off the gloves and aggressively challenge AFBF President Bob Stallman said in his annual address the farm. We applaud these efforts and
industry critics and those who, through in January that farmers and ranchers would “aggres- encourage every farmer and rancher to
litigation, legislation or regulation, threat- sively respond to extremists who want to drag agricul- reach out to their non-farm neighbors to
en the viability of conventional farmers ture back to the day of 40 acres and a mule.” explain the whole truth about modern agri-
and ranchers. cultural practices.
“The time has come to face our oppo- Truman is quoted as saying. “I just told the Some of those facts may not be pleasant,
nents with a new attitude,” he said. “The truth and they thought it was hell.” and are sure to challenge the stereotypes
days of their elitist power grabs are over.” It is equally important that the industry and myths about farmers and ranchers that
We agree that farmers and ranchers must speak honestly, directly and often to the have become embedded in many a layman’s
directly, and forcefully, challenge the pic- American public, 300 million customers who mind. But once given the facts, we can trust
ture of modern agriculture painted by cri- are more knowledgeable about popular cul- that most people will be able to see through
tics, extremist animal rights organizations ture than they are about modern agricultural the distortions proffered by a vocal minority.
and environmental activists. practices. The consumers of food, mostly two
These individuals and organizations—ac- or more generations removed from the farm, This editorial is reprinted with permission
curately described by Stallman as self-ap- get their information, sometimes factual but from the Capital Press, a weekly agribusi-
pointed and self-promoting—have distorted often not, from television, magazines, the
ness newspaper that circulates in Oregon,
the facts to press their own agenda. While Internet and popular books.
we encourage constructive and respectful Those sources have a spotty record with Washington, Idaho and California.
dialogue between reasonable parties, there the truth about agriculture. In the midst of
comes a time when the point must be made the farm crisis of the early 1980s, all farm-
in the most direct terms possible. ers were portrayed in popular movies as be- www.capitalpress.com
“I never did give anybody hell,” Harry ing the hapless and simple victims of the

Misguided meatless campaigns are nothing new


By Stewart Truelsen Zealots are still trying to con- gan more recently. In the arti- national climate treaty, as Brown
vince the vast majority of us who cle, he suggested livestock pro- and cohorts would like to see
Throughout the course of his- eat meat to become vegetarians, ducers start finding alternatives it.
tory there have been attempts to with about the same degree of to producing meat and milk, be- While the developing world is
get people to stop eating meat. success as in the past. The aim is cause those days will be over. trying to improve people’s diets
An early advocate of a meatless the same, but the strategy has “If you’re a big food producer with more beef, pork, lamb and
diet was Priscillian, the bishop of changed. Now, these activists are now, this is absolutely inevita- poultry, the anti-meat campaign-
Avila. Priscillian urged followers trying to get at meat eaters by ble,” he said. And like Priscillian, ers want just the opposite for
to renounce their marriages, stop eliminating livestock farming. Graham and others before him, America and the rest of the de-
drinking wine and avoid eating They say it contributes to global Brown seems absolutely con- veloped world.
meat. warming. vinced of the correctness of his
The reason he is remembered Cows are ruminant animals mission.
at all today, however, has little with multi-chambered stomachs. The kind of diet that he en-
to do with the ascetic lifestyle They produce a certain amount visions for all of us got a trial
he advocated. Priscillian also of methane in their normal di- run, so to speak, at the Danv-
was a mystic, and he has the un- gestive process. The same can ille Correctional Center in Illi-
fortunate distinction of being be said of sheep, goats, deer, bi- nois. Inmates now charge in
the first Christian condemned son, moose and elk. All rumi- a lawsuit filed in federal court
to death for heresy in the year nant animals should go the way that their chili-mac, sloppy joes,
385 A.D. of gas guzzling cars, the critics hot dogs and chicken patties
In the 19th century, a Protes- imply. were laced with so much vege-
tant minister advocated a some- According to an article in table protein that they became
what similar lifestyle. Sylvester Forbes magazine, Stanford Uni- ill. Some suffered allergic
Graham promoted a strict dietary versity biochemist Pat O. Brown, reactions.
regimen that he thought would who is also a member of the Na- Perhaps the inmates should Stewart Truelsen is a regular
eliminate impure thoughts. tional Academy of Sciences, is have taken prison cooking into contributor to the American Farm
Graham’s lectures about temper- taking leave from genetic re- account before committing Bureau Federation’s Focus on
ance, vegetarianism and lust search in his determination to crimes, but their plight does
Agriculture series of opinion col-
were ridiculed by the media of “eliminate animal farming from prove a point. A vegetarian diet
his day, but he created some- planet Earth.” should be a matter of personal umns and is author of Forward
thing you’ll find on supermar- Brown has been a vegetarian choice, not something mandated Farm Bureau, a book marking
ket shelves—graham crackers. for 20 years and became a ve- by the government or an inter- AFBF’s 90th anniversary.

FBNews
February 22, 2010 Vol. 89 No. 4
Published semimonthly, except monthly in August and December, by the
American Farm B ­ ureau Federation, 600 Maryland Ave., SW, Suite 1000W, Washington, DC 20024.
Phone: 202-406-3600. E-mail: fbnews@fb.org. Web site: http://www.fb.org.
Don Lipton, Director, Public Relations Periodical postage paid at Washington, D.C., and additional mailing offices. Subscription rate for officers
and board members of county and state Farm Bureaus—$6, which is deducted from dues.
Lynne Finnerty, Editor For other subscribers—$10.
Erin Anthony, Assistant Editor Postmaster: Send address changes to FBNews,
Phyllis Brown, Assistant Editor 600 Maryland Ave., SW, Suite 1000W, Washington, DC 20024. (ISSN 0197-5617)
February 22, 2010 fbnews.org
|3 Capitol View
Well owners should give wells a ‘check-up’
 
The American Farm Bureau fied pump installer and a mem- water, the water that fills cracks
Federation is supporting Nation- ber of NGWA’s board of directors. and other openings in beds and
al Ground Water Awareness “While well owners can spot a rock and sand, for its drinking
Week again this year and is urg- damaged or unsecured well cap, water supply, according to Kevin
ing Farm Bureau members to they should always use a quali- McCray, NGWA’s executive direc-
take the time to schedule an an- fied water well systems contrac- tor. In rural areas, the number is
nual water well checkup. tor who knows applicable well about 96 percent.
Ground Water Awareness construction codes,” Pitz said. “Irrigation accounts for the
Week, sponsored by the Nation- “If the well cap is damaged or largest use of ground water in the
al Ground Water Association unsecured, the water well con- United States, about 65 percent of
(NGWA), is March 7-13. NGWA tractor may also need to test the the ground water pumped each Key Points:
is urging every household well water and disinfect the well.” day. Some 58 billion gallons of
•  About half of the U.S. population
owner to check his or her well The well cap is the cover on top ground water are used daily for
cap to make sure it is in good of the well casing that sticks out agricultural irrigation from more gets its drinking water from
condition to protect the water of the ground. It is the first line than 374,082 wells,” McCrary wells.
supply from contamination of protection against nonpoint said. Irrigation is a major reason •  The National Ground Water As-
during National Ground Water source pollution, which consti- for the abundance of fresh pro- sociation recommends routine
Awareness Week. tutes the majority of ground water duce and grains that we all enjoy.” annual maintenance of wells to
“A damaged or unsecured well contamination. Nonpoint source To learn more about proper
ensure safe water.
cap can allow the entry of bacte- pollution includes runoff of pesti- well location and construction,
ria or other contaminants into cides and herbicides, soil erosion well maintenance, water test- •  Be aware of changes in your well,
the well. It is one of the easiest and elements from the street. ing and treatment, and ground the area around it and the water
things to check, and a well owner Roughly 47 percent of the U.S. water protection, visit NGWA’s it provides.
can do it,” said John Pitz, a certi- population depends on ground Web site, www.wellowner.org.

USDA farm income report shows modest rebound


Continued from page 1 farmers and ranchers earned in pected to be at the lowest point Also good news for livestock
USDA has forecast net farm in- 2008. since 1988 and U.S. cotton ex- producers is the predicted drop of
come of $63 billion in 2010, a On one hand, the forecast for ports are forecast at their lowest $1.1 billion (2.4 percent) in
$6.7 billion (11.8 percent) in- this year is $1.4 billion below the levels since 2001-02. However, a feed expenses. Feed prices began
crease from 2009. That’s welcome average of $64.5 billion in net 2.5 percent decline in the falling last year after shooting up
news after last year’s drop of farm income earned in the previ- amount of lint sold is expected $18.9 billion (67 percent) from
more than 20 percent. On the ous 10 years. On the other hand, to cut supply and lift prices by 2005 to 2008.
other hand, the 2010 forecast is USDA’s economists say that the 10 cents per pound. As exports of beef increase
still far below the $87.1 billion 2010 forecast is the fifth-largest USDA forecast government nearly 8 percent, USDA is also
amount of income earned in U.S. farm payments would not change forecasting a $2.5 billion increase
farming. much this year. The department in cattle cash receipts, with the

Jobs bill
Last year farmers and ranchers said a projected increase of $1.3 price for cattle forecast to go up
were affected by a demand billion in ad hoc and emergency by about $6.22 per cwt. The price
squeeze due to the economic re- assistance payments would be of pork is expected to increase
Continued from page 1 cession. Demand for higher-end more than offset by lower pay- by $3.77 per cwt. as pork produc-
diesel and small agri-biodie- beef and pork, cheese and other ments in other programs, par- tion declines slightly (2.8 per-
sel producers; incentives to dairy products shrank in 2009 ticularly the Milk Income Loss cent). Small increases are ex-
upgrade farm operations, do- as consumers ate out less and Contract program, the certificate pected for poultry and egg re-
nate food and preserve farm- looked for ways to cut their gro- exchange program and counter- ceipts, as well.
land, including extensions cery bills. cyclical payments program. Of course, the expenses side of
of the five-year depreciation Bob Young, American Farm Bu- “I think it’s important to stress the ledger is just as important to
for farming business machin- reau Federation chief economist, that point as we seek ad hoc as- farmers’ and ranchers’ bottom
ery and equipment, bonus says the latest USDA forecast sistance for crop producers who lines as cash receipts. USDA says
depreciation, the enhanced shows that the predictions of late have dealt with too much rain production expenses in 2010 will
charitable deduction for do- last year that the agricultural and other natural disasters,” said rise a bit, but less than 1 percent.
nated food and the enhanced economy would start to rebound Tara Smith, AFBF farm policy The bad news is expenses will
tax deduction for donating in 2010 are coming true, but they specialist. still be at the second highest level
a conservation easement. also support the prediction that Dairy farmers have survived the ever. On the other hand, the
In addition, the commit- the recovery won’t be a quick worst milk prices since the 1970s, good news is that the increase in
tee’s bill would extend the one. and so the prediction that dairy income exceeds the increase in
additional standard deduc- “This forecast is definitely good cash receipts could increase more production expenses, which was
tion for state and local real news for producers. Toward the than $7 billion in 2010 is espe- not the case in 2009.
property taxes and the de- end of last year we became opti- cially welcome. USDA expects a “Last year will go down in
duction of state and local mistic that the agricultural mar- $4-per-hundredweight (cwt.) in- the record books as one of the
sales taxes. ket had already hit bottom,” said crease in the annual average milk toughest years farmers have had
Baucus and Grassley’s draft Young. “This forecast bears out price this year as dairy product since the Great Depression,”
also includes a commitment that expectation. It is important exports pick up and the number said Young. “This year won’t be
to take up estate tax legis- to remember, though, that this is of milk cows declines 228,000 great, but it certainly will be an
lation in the near future. only a forecast. Different weather from 2009. improvement.”
However, an expected Feb. 27 and production levels could
change the picture. It’s still too
cloture vote on Reid’s bill—
early to take this to the bank.” NET FARM INCOME
which means a vote on the
bill itself in early March— The improvements will come
creates more uncertainty mostly from the livestock sector,
about a timeline for estate which suffered the biggest price
tax reform, long a priority drops in 2009. On the other
for farmers and ranchers. hand, producers of several crops,
“Still, Reid and the rest of particularly wheat and soybeans,
the Senate can’t get their bill are expected to experience price
on the president’s desk with- drops in 2010. The wheat price is
out approval by the House, expected to decline 34 cents a
which passed its tax extend- bushel as quantities sold, domes-
ers bill (H.R. 4213) in De- tic demand and exports fall. Soy-
cember,” pointed out AFBF bean prices are expected to fall
tax specialist Pat Wolff. 58 cents per bushel.
House Speaker Nancy Pe- Sales of corn for grain are ex-
losi said Democrats in that pected to decline 1 cent per bush-
chamber would work to en- el from 2009, but a decline of 1.6
sure the priorities addressed percent in the quantity of corn
in their bill will be part of a sold is expected to take a bigger
final jobs package. bite out of corn cash receipts.
Demand for U.S. cotton is ex-
Growers add social media to their farm chores
Web 2.0
From cell phones, smart News earlier this month that Facebook, Twitter and blogs diet, while putting farmers
phones, PDAs, laptops and Yellow Tail Wine was donating weren’t the only social media and ranchers out of business.”
desktops, billions of people $100,000 to the Humane Society stages on which this drama Yellow Tail ultimately went
connect to the Internet each of the United States (HSUS) got played out. South Dakota ranch- ahead with its donation, em-
day to access instant informa- farmers and ranchers buzzing, er Troy Hadrick’s YouTube video phasizing that the one-time
tion. On Google alone there blogging, Facebooking and has been viewed more than 8,000 contribution was made to
are more than 250 million Tweeting. times. In the 53-second video, HSUS’ Animal Rescue Team
searches each day. With a nod Numerous posts were made to Hadrick, standing with his cattle, and will be used to help ani-
to the increasing prominence Yellow Tail’s Facebook page, the tells of his frustration with Yel- mals in disasters.
of social media in people’s newly created Facebook group low Tail’s donation and pours a However, the winemaker
lives, Google’s search results announced last week that it
include links to blogs and would not donate to HSUS or
Twitter posts. any other political group in
The opportunities that so- the future.
cial media sites like Facebook Through an effort that
and Twitter provide to con- started off with a handful of
nect directly with—and even 140 character-or-less Tweets
influence—individuals and and a few postings on Face-
communities that would oth- book, farmers and ranchers
erwise be unreachable because put an international company
of time or geography are not on notice and changed the
lost on agricultural producers. course of its future donations.
According to a 2009 Ameri- “What you have on the so-
can Farm Bureau Federation cial media is a true, pure op-
survey of young farmers and portunity to tell people what’s
ranchers, among the 92 per- really going on out there, and
cent of farmers and ranchers you don’t get the mass media
aged 18-35 who use computers, spin which has a real bias
46 percent regularly plug in to against agriculture as we all
some form of social media. know,” said Gary Truitt, presi-
While a number of growers Troy Hadrick pours Yellow Tail wine on the ground in a YouTube video protest of the dent of Hoosier Ag Today.
use social media to connect company’s $100,000 donation to animal-rights activist group Humane Society of the “The social media doesn’t
with fellow producers and ag United States (HSUS). The video has been viewed more than 8,000 times. After Yel- have that. It’s individuals ex-
supporters, many are engaging low Tail Wines faced a backlash on social media Web sites, the company said it would pressing their opinion, and
in conversations with people not support such organizations as HSUS in the future. what’s interesting is consum-
who hold different opinions, ers are part of this dialogue.”
but who want information “Yellow Fail” gathered more than bottle of the company’s wine For these reasons Truitt said
straight from the farmers’ 3,200 fans and the donation was into the snow. it’s critical that growers put
mouth, or keyboard. And con- the topic of many blog posts and “They are paying attention, themselves out there.
sidering the numerous activist updates on Twitter. Most of the folks!” blogger Amanda Nolz “That means get online and
groups who use social media to posts focused on three main wrote in the Beef Daily Blog. “It get on board,” he said. “It
plant seeds of doubt about points: people enjoy the company’s will be interesting to see what they doesn’t even cost any money,
modern farming, their presence wine but will think twice about do next as a result of this massive so all it takes is a little bit of
is vital. their future purchases; requests response from agriculture stand- time, a little bit of education,
It is also powerful, as a to the company to reconsider the ing up against their partnership and once you do that you’ll
Google Update search of the HSUS donation; and suggestions with HSUS, an organization with find that you can become part
phrase “yellow tail,” as in Yel- that the company focus its dona- a main mission to abolish meat, of a conversation that reaches
low Tail Wine, shows. tions on local animal shelters. dairy and eggs from the American consumers in a new way.”

A crash Social networking sites:


Facebook: An online community for
people to connect or re-connect with
content in reverse chronological or-
der, self-published by bloggers.

course on
Feed: Content served at regular inter-
others. Allowing users to share videos, vals, such as the latest articles from a
pictures and information about them- blog or status updates by your friends
selves, it is one of the fastest growing on Facebook.

social social networks of the past two years.


LinkedIn: A professional online com-
Friend (noun): A person with whom you
have a mutually agreed connection.

media
munity used to network with fellow
Friend (verb): The act of adding a per-
professionals; an online resume shar-
son to your social graph on a particu-
ing site.
lar social network, as in “Friend me
YouTube: An online site for upload- on Facebook.”
Social media, a term ing and discussing videos. Videos
used to describe tools Hashtag: Similar to regular tags, these
can also be embedded from You-
are keywords assigned to an item of
and platforms people Tube onto other social media sites
content with a hash mark (#) at-
use to produce, publish such as blogs or social networks.
tached to the front of the word. Hash-
and share online con- Flickr: Online site for storing, sharing tags make it easier to follow a topic
tent and to interact and commenting on photos. of interest on Twitter.
with one another, has Network: A Facebook term for a
Twitter: A micro-blogging com-
a language all its own. broader social grouping such as a
munity where posts, called Tweets,
Below the list of the are 140 characters or less. city, large company or university.
most prominent social
Glossary: Profile: The online representation of
networking sites are an individual’s, group’s or company’s
key social media terms. Blogs: Web sites with dated items of identity.
February 22, 2010
S P E C I A L R E P O R T

Blogs 101—How to explore the blogosphere


The best way to learn about bama dairyman and AFBF
blogs and blogging is to start Young Farmers & Ranchers
visiting blog sites. Once you get Committee chairman Will
used to reading blog posts and Gilmer
comments, you might find that http://gilmerdairy.blogspot.
you like to check them often to com/
keep up with what’s new. You
might even like to try submitting ò  DTN/The Progressive Farmer
your own comments, or start a http://www.dtnprogressive
blog of your own. farmer.com/dtnag/
Most blogs (short for Web logs)
have a list of links to other blogs ò  Dust on the Dashboard, by
that are similar in ideology or Kansas farmer Glen Brunkow
interest area, or just blogs that http://dustonthedashboard.
the blogger likes. Checking out blogspot.com
these blog lists—called a blog- ò  Farmgirl Follies,
roll—can help you find other
by Jennifer Kiko,
blogs that interest you.
Ohio “farmgirl”
The number of ag blogs—from
those where farmers and ranch- and Certified
ers just talk about what’s hap- Angus Beef
pening day-to-day on their farms, communica-
to those containing ag news and tions and me-
policy updates—has exploded dia manager connect with people who share
within the last couple of years. www.farm your interests or who want to learn
We can’t list them all, but here girlfollies. about agriculture and to influence
are a few to get you started. com people. It’s also just a great way
to have fun by expressing your
ò  AgWired, News from the ò  FBlog, the
thoughts and ideas, or sharing
world of agribusiness, by American
photos of your family and farm.
Chuck Zimmerman of Zimm- Farm Bu- Think of it as a global coffee
comm New Media reau Federa- shop. Similar to how you might
http://agwired.com/ tion blog, written by members meet up with friends in your
of the national Young Farmers hometown to share news and
ò  Advocates for Agriculture, by & Ranchers Committee opinions, you can do the same
South Dakota rancher Troy public relations director
http://fb.org/blog/ thing and involve more people
Hadrick http://juliemurphree.org
with a blog.
http://advocatesforag.blogspot. ò  Gate to Plate Blog, by Michele
ò  Kickin’ Up Dust! by Doug Bus- The easiest way to get started is
com/ Payne-Knoper of Cause Mat-
selman, Nevada Farm Bureau to register for a free account with
ters Corp. a blogging provider. A list of the
ò  Ag—It’s Not Just a Job, It’s an http://causematters.wordpress. executive vice president
http://nvfbblog.org most popular free blogging pro-
Adventure! by Janice Person com/ viders is below. Other providers,
of Monsanto public affairs ò  Life on a Southern farm, by
ò  Julie’s Fresh Air, by Julie Mur- such as TypePad, charge a small
http://jplovescotton.wordpress. a small farmer in Georgia fee but offer more features.
com/ phree, Arizona Farm Bureau
http://georgiafarmwoman. Once you sign up with a blog-
ò  Alex Tiller’s Blog on Agricul- blogspot.com/ ging provider, you can select a
ready-made template. It doesn’t
ture and Farming ò  Meatingplace.com take long to design your blog and
http://blog.alextiller.com/ Blogs (free registra- begin posting.
ò  Beef Daily Blog, by Amanda tion required) You can expand your visibility
Nolz, BEEF Magazine’s Web http://www.meat and reach by linking to other
editor ingplace.com/ blogs, or listing them on your
http://blog.beefmagazine.com/ membersonly/blog/ blogroll. Usually if you link to a
beef_daily/ blogindex.aspx blog, that blogger will recipro-
cate and post a link to your blog,
ò  The Dairyman’s Blog, by Ala- ò  Ray-Lin Dairy increasing the chance that blog’s
Blog, by California readers will check out what you
dairyman Ray have to say. And, of course, you
Prock should let all your friends know
http://raylindairy. about your blog. Send them the
wordpress.com/ Web address and ask them to
share it with their friends, either
ò  Texas Agriculture by e-mail or on a social media site.
Talks, by Gene Hall and Mike
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fbnews.org February 22, 2010
Capitol View 6|

Drift happens, but EPA plan would set zero-tolerance


Farmers and ranchers must the germs you’re trying to kill,
use pesticides to control fungi, using it would be prohibited
insects and weeds. And yes, under this type of restriction,”
those pesticides can drift on he said.
the wind. Wegmeyer says such broad,
Most pesticides are sprayed, vague language doesn’t belong
and applicators take steps to on a pesticide label, because
reduce “spray drift.” But, in it’s not consistent with the
fact, it’s technically impossible FIFRA risk-based standard of
to prevent all drift. “no unreasonable adverse ef-
©istockphoto.com/incposterco

Patrick McGuire of Royal fects” and forces state regulators


Farms in Michigan says he has into the role of risk assessor
to spray to produce the apples, to determine what “may” or
peaches and cherries he grows. “could” cause an adverse effect.
In fact, he and other orchard- “They are not trained to do
ists use high-velocity, targeted that,” he explained. “It is
wind to get fumigants to every EPA’s role to define that.”
part of a tree’s canopy, not Wegmeyer says the language
just the outside. The language would throw the door wide
proposed by EPA would make open to frivolous lawsuits. For
farmers liable for potential example, he said if someone
spray drift that could cause an complains of a headache,
adverse effect to any non-tar- whether it is treated or verified
get organism. McGuire says potential impact other than the ing to file lawsuits,” said Tyler by a medical professional or
that would make things very uses listed on the label, in effect Wegmeyer, American Farm Bu- not, it could be the basis of an
difficult on his fruit farm. setting up a zero-tolerance stan- reau Federation crop protection enforcement action or lawsuit.
“My biggest concern is the dard for spray drift that Farm Bu- specialist. “Putting label language “It could be even worse if a
adverse effect to any organ- reau says, and actually EPA has in place that creates a vague, un- farmer already has a conflict
ism,” he explained. “You take acknowledged, is unachievable. achievable standard is a recipe for with a neighbor,” he sug-
fungicides that are labeled for Changing label instructions disaster for farmers and ranchers. gested. “You can just imagine
powdery mildew. They might may not seem like a big deal. Af- How are they supposed to know if how this could be abused.”
have an effect on other di- ter all, it’s just a label. A shampoo applying a pesticide ‘could cause’ Farm Bureau is urging its
seases that they’re not used for, bottle might say to “rinse and re- an adverse effect to something members to submit comments
and then we’re in violation. peat,” but no one is going to suf- else? Even if they do know, the re- to EPA urging it to keep the ex-
So we’re all done spraying. End fer any serious consequences if quirement to prevent any effect isting FIFRA risk-based stand-
of story.” you don’t “repeat.” to any non-target organism is not ard of “no unreasonable ad-
EPA is taking public com- Pesticides are different, how- reasonable.” verse effects.” The deadline for
ments on a notice that it in- ever. Under the main law that McGuire says that under EPA’s comments is March 5.
tends to require label language deals with pesticides, the Federal language, a weed killer that kills For more information and
that would prevent the agri- Insecticide, Fungicide and Ro- a grass or weed that may be just talking points, visit http://cap
cultural use of pesticides in a denticide Act (FIFRA), pesticide as undesirable but does not hap- wiz.com/afb/issues/alert/?alert
way that results in spray drift users are required to comply with pen to be listed on the label could id=14644626. This Web page
that “could cause” any adverse label instructions. Failure to do not be used without the risk of includes a sample letter and
effect “to people, or any other so exposes them to lawsuits and enforcement or litigation. He instructions for submitting
non-target organism or site.” potential civil and criminal used the analogy of mouthwash. comments to EPA.
That very general language penalties. “If using mouthwash has any In addition, an online peti-
would prevent any use that “The activist groups that are adverse effect on any other or- tion is available at www.gopeti-
could cause even the remotest pushing this are ready and wait- ganism in your mouth other than tion.com/online/33776.html.

Ag responds to CBS
H-2A regs will compound labor shortage report on antibiotics
Continued from page 1 “Employers want to pay a fair and immigration policy special- Several agricultural and veteri-
poised to release a rule determin- wage, embodied in what’s known ist. “Requiring them to pay more nary groups have written CBS pres-
ing the minimum amount agri- as the ‘prevailing wage,’ or the than that, as it looks like the ident Sean McManus to express
cultural employers must pay going rate for the area,” ex- department will do, could price their disappointment with the
their H-2A workers. plained Ron Gaskill, AFBF labor them out of the program.” network’s recent coverage of anti-
Stallman emphasized agricul- biotic use in the livestock industry.
tural employers’ commitment to “The story lacked any attempt

Sen. Inhofe honored hire only those who are eligible


to work in this country, but said
lawmakers must be equally com-
at balance and largely accepted
the arguments of opponents of
conventional agriculture,” the 22
mitted to ensuring capable, de- groups, including the American
pendable and willing employees Farm Bureau Federation, said.
can come to the U.S. temporar- The two-part CBS story, report-
ily to do the jobs that domestic ed by Katie Couric and aired on
workers don’t want.  Feb. 9 and 10, blamed sub-ther-
“The ball is now in the court of apeutic use of antibiotics for the
the Congress to do what the ad- emergence of infections that are
ministration has failed to do: to hard to combat due to antibiotic
create a meaningful guest worker resistance. The story based sever-
program that works fairly and al of its assertions on a University
honorably for employers and em- of Iowa study. However, Scott
ployees alike, thereby encourag- Hurd, DVM, Iowa State associate
ing economic growth and more professor, pointed out inaccura-
new jobs in an industry that is cies in the story and corrected
essential to nourishing a growing many of its conclusions in a doc-
world population,” Stallman said. ument on the school’s Web site:
Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) http://vetmed.iastate.edu/news/
and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) are isu-associate-professor-and-for-
working on a bipartisan immi- mer-usda-deputy-undersecretary-
Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), center, was honored Feb. 17 with the American gration reform bill designed to food-safety-responds-cbs-news-
Farm Bureau Federation’s Golden Plow award for his support of America’s address the status of millions of seg.
farmers and ranchers. Making the award presentation in Oklahoma City were illegal immigrants in the U.S., in- A bill introduced in Congress,
crease employer enforcement the Preservation of Antibiotics
AFBF President Bob Stallman, right, and Oklahoma Farm Bureau President
and, foremost on farmers’ and for Medical Treatment Act (H.R.
Mike Spradling. The Golden Plow recognizes members of Congress for distin- ranchers’ minds, tackle how best 1549, S. 619), would ban non-
guished agricultural leadership and support of Farm Bureau policies. to bring legal foreign workers to therapeutic use of antibiotics in
the U.S. food animals.
February 22, 2010 fbnews.org
State FB Links |7

Farmers, ranchers deliver Food Check-Out Week to consumers, needy


County and state Farm Bureaus public service announcements Farm Bureau is promoting this tal affairs department is sponsor-
across the country are taking to and distributed them to radio year through Ag in the Classroom ing a luncheon for state legisla-
the streets, the supermarkets and stations around the state to play activities. Newton County Farm tors during which the women’s
even the airways to mark Food during Food Check-Out Week. Bureau members added Food committee members will share
Check-Out Week, Feb 21-27. With the tagline “Farmers feed Check-Out Week stickers to the brochures explaining Food
Many of the activities are cen- Alabama,” decorated Check-Out Week and how con-
tered around the week’s theme, the PSAs em- bags, encour- sumers can eat healthily within
“Stretching Your Grocery Dollar phasize the aging shop- a budget.
with Healthy, Nutritious Food.” safe, plen- pers to do- At the original Ronald McDon-
On Feb. 25, Duval County (Fla.) tiful and nate staple ald House, in Philadelphia, Penn-
Farm Bureau members and lead- affordable food items sylvania Farm Bureau presented
ers will visit a Jacksonville Publix food supply for Rainbow $18,925 last week. Additional
store with an antique tractor. American Ministries. donations to Ronald McDonald
Last year, the group not only pur- growers At least Houses in Hershey ($11,274), Dan-
chased one customer’s groceries provide. two boxes ville ($20,049), Scranton ($1,045)
but also a large supply of items In Wisconsin, the Sheboygan of food have been collected. and Pittsburgh ($6,540) brought
for a local food pantry. After County Farm Bureau on Feb. 26 Arkansas Farm Bureau, for the PFB’s combined total contribu-
loading up a wagon with the sup- will be represented at three Piggly 13th year, is partnering with the tion to approximately $57,833.
plies and hitching the wagon to Wigglys in the county where Farm Ronald McDonald House (RMH) If you’re a Facebook user, you
the tractor, the group traveled on Bureau members will give away in Little Rock. The group is stock- can make a donation, and it
to a local day care/preschool so $10 worth of groceries to 30 con- ing the RMH food pantry with won’t cost you a dime. For every
the children could check out the sumers seen purchasing healthy easy-to-prepare meal items to fan the Food Check-Out Week
tractor and learn a little about items. service residents for up to three profile gets, Farm Bureau will do-
where their food comes from. At Blackwell’s grocery store in months. KTHV, the CBS affiliate, nate $1 to the Galveston Ronald
From the Florida roadways Newton County (Ga.), customers will broadcast live from RMH on McDonald House in Texas, up to
with an antique tractor to the are receiving paper bags decorat- Feb. 23, when the state women’s $5,000. Go to facebook.com and
Alabama airwaves. The Alabama ed by second graders with vege- committee will make the delivery. search “Food Check-Out Week”
Farmers Federation developed tables, the commodity Georgia In addition, AFB’s governmen- or check out the AFBF page.

State Focus
Newsmakers
Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation
has appointed Jeff Harper as di-
rector of the public affairs division
and Susan Tanner as director of
Montana Farm Bureau first for New York Farm Bureau urges HSUS-backed group files peti-
the commodity division. Harper
foundation Leader Award support for equine bills tion for Ohio ballot measure served as commodities director
for six years prior to becoming
Not even one-quarter of the way through New York Farm Bureau members are en- A group backed by the Humane Society
interim public affairs director in
the new year, Montana Farm Bureau has couraging lawmakers to approve two of the United States has submitted a peti-
December. Tanner has been KFB’s
become the first state in 2010 to qualify equine-related measures. One bill would tion to Ohio’s secretary of state in sup-
director of youth development for
for the American Farm Bureau Founda- remove the sales tax on commercial port of placing a measure on the state-
five years and served two years as
tion for Agriculture’s Leader Award. horse boarding and farriers, while the wide November ballot. The proposed
the organization’s assistant direc-
Created by the foundation to encourage other would limit the liability of farmers measure would spell out farm animal
tor of education and volunteer
donations, state Leader Awards are pre- who make their premises available to care requirements for the Ohio Livestock
development.
sented to state Farm Bureaus when each others for recreational use. The sales tax Care Standards Board, an entity ap-
of the organization’s board members do- legislation (A.9066, S.2985) clarifies a law proved in a ballot initiative in November Brian Peach has been named vice
nates at least $50 to the foundation. “We established in 2000 to provide sales tax 2009. The HSUS-backed group, Ohioans president of organization for the
applaud the great example Montana has relief to farm-related purchases by spe- for Humane Farms, is now seeking to Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.
set,” said Dan Durheim, American Farm cifying that all services provided by com- collect more than 600,000 signatures of Peach joins the OFBF staff after 20
Bureau Foundation for Agriculture coor- mercial horse boarding operations would registered Ohio voters to get the mea- years as secretary/treasurer of the
dinator. “We look forward to all of the be exempt from sales tax. The Equine sure on the ballot. The proposal has been Ohio AgriBusiness Association.
other states following in your footsteps.” Activity Safety Code Act (A.843, S.4567) described as being similar to California’s Washington Farm Bureau Federa-
The foundation also recognizes coun- limits the liability of farmers, u-pick Proposition 2, calling for extreme mea- tion recently announced that Scott
ty Farm Bureaus. County Leader Awards owners and equine facility operators sures that would impact farm families Dahlman, who joined WFB in
are presented to county Farm Bureaus for injuries incurred while a person was who produce veal, pork and eggs in Ohio. September 2009 as a policy analyst,
when each member of the county or- participating in activities offered at the “The enabling legislation hasn’t passed; will also serve as national affairs
ganization’s board of directors donates at operations. For equine facilities, the bill the board hasn’t been appointed and coordinator. In addition, Scott
least $25 to the foundation. The Ameri- specifically provides an exemption from the first discussions on what standards Dilley has returned to the WFB gov-
can Farm Bureau Foundation uses dona- liability of a horse facility operator for an Ohioans find acceptable hasn’t been ernment relations team as a public
tions to build awareness, understanding injury of a horse rider at the facility if the held. And yet, the Humane Society of the policy analyst. Before leaving to
and a positive public perception of injury results from the inherent risks of United States is saying, in effect, Ohio- work for the Evergreen Freedom
agriculture through education. For more equine activities. Facility operators would ans got it wrong,” said Jack Fisher, Ohio Foundation in 2007, Dilley worked
information about the foundation and still be held responsible for their own acts Farm Bureau Federation executive vice for WFB for five years.
the awards, go to www.agfoundation.org. of gross negligence. president.

West Virginia Farm Bureau delivers


climate change message to senators
Volunteer leaders and staff of the West Virginia Farm Bureau brought the “Don’t CAP our Future” message
to the Charleston offices of U.S. Sens. Jay Rockefeller (D) and Robert Byrd (D) last month. Left to right: Re-
becca Roth, aide to Sen. Rockefeller; Steve Butler, WVFB administrator (standing); Charles Wilfong, WVFB
president; Don Michael, WVFB director of governmental affairs; Bill Aiken, WVFB field representative; and
Tanya Nickerson, WVFB field representative. On the television screen is Patrick Bond, an aide in Rockefell-
er’s Washington, D.C., office. WVFB kicked off its Don’t CAP Our Future effort at the organization’s annual
meeting in November. Members were encouraged to visit a table display with action cards, “Tell Your
Story” cards and blank caps to sign. Caps were also available for county presidents to take back to their
meetings to gather signatures. WVFB estimates it has collected 300 caps, most with multiple signatures.
fbnews.org February 22, 2010
Grassroots 8|

Book of the Year fills soybean information gap


Foods containing soy protein for Kids. Buggey and Anderson
can be found on nearly every are working on expanding the
aisle of the grocery store. Prod- series, with a book about pigs
ucts ranging from breakfast ready to go to press, and corn,
cereal to pasta to sauces, salad dairy and beef books in
dressings and soups are made production.
from or fortified with soy Tackling animal agriculture
protein. in a kids’ book is a challenge,
Books about how soybeans said Anderson, especially in a
are grown and used are not, day when most kids haven’t
however, on every aisle of the spent a lot of time on a farm.
bookstore. Children’s books “We can’t dodge the bullet
about the ubiquitous legume that there’s the pig and the pig
are even rarer. That’s why edu- is really cute, and then it’s
cation professionals Susan An- turned into food,” Anderson
derson and JoAnne Buggey explained. “But that under-
chose to write Soybeans in the standing is very important.
Story of Agriculture, which the There are so many groups that
American Farm Bureau Foun- would like this generation to
dation for Agriculture has believe these animals are
picked as its Book of the Year abused and misconstrue the
for 2010. The authors of this year’s American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture Book of whole process and hit on emo-
“Both of us do a lot of work- the Year, Soybeans in the Story of Agriculture, signed copies of their book at the 2010 tion. Our goal is to present
shops for teachers, and we AFBF annual meeting in January. Pictured (left to right) are AFBF staff member Jennifer factual information.”
found that there weren’t many DuMars, getting her book signed, and co-authors Susan Anderson and JoAnne Buggey. All of the books will be avail-
books about soybeans at this able with teacher’s guides, as
level,” explained Buggey. “We distribution, marketing and con- that about one-third of soybeans is Soybeans in the Story of Agri-
were interested in having ma- sumption—while explaining grown in the U.S. are shipped to culture. The guides outline the
terials available that would give how soybeans fit into those con- other countries. best ways to present the book’s
a fair picture of soybeans and cepts. Agri, with its big headlight Anderson said that the selec- content and lead students in
their importance in agriculture.” eyes, a wide smile on its front tion of Soybeans in the Story of creative or physical activities
“I always use soybeans in my grill and its front wheels popped Agriculture as the AFB Founda- that help them retain the in-
workshops because they are into the air, brings to mind the tion’s Book of the Year was “a formation. In addition, an Ag
so important to agriculture,” entertaining, anthropomorphic huge honor.” Mag, a four-page, colorful
added Anderson. “They’re in hotrods in the hit animated “Our initial goal has been to magazine for kids, has been
everything. Yet information movie Cars. write accurate books for agricul- developed about soybeans.
about them is so limited.” “Just looking at a soybean isn’t ture to help ag tell their story. To For more information about
Soybeans in the Story of Agri- that interesting,” said Anderson. then be honored by agriculture has the Book of the Year and to
culture targets children in “You need that extra hook. Kids been wonderful,” she exclaimed. order Soybeans in the Story
grades 3 through 6. The young like cars and tractors.” “We were very happy to be of Agriculture and accompa-
readers can follow a talking Agri explains concepts from the given that opportunity,” said nying materials such as the
tractor named Agri, who tells simple, such as the fact that soy- Buggey. teacher’s guide and copies
about five aspects of agricul- beans are also seeds, to the more The soybeans book is part of a of the Soybean Ag Mag, visit
ture—production, processing, complex, such as pointing out series titled Awesome Agriculture www.fb-orders.com/ageducate/.

Foundation for Agriculture selects winning essays


The American Farm Bureau laug, written by Leon Hesser. were eligible to enter the com- production growth and spur
Foundation for Agriculture re- Bobbie-Jean Tatum, a 10th petition. Students were asked to development. The Man Who Fed
cently announced the winners of grade student at Union County write an essay summarizing their the World describes Borlaug’s
the “Agriculture in a Growing High School in Florida, was position on promoting modern lifelong quest to feed the world
World” student essay competition. awarded $500 for her 1st place agricultural technologies and through his contributions as a
The contest was sponsored by essay. Her school received a practices in developing coun- scientist involved in global ag-
the foundation with support $1,000 grant to further agricul- tries as a way to accommodate ricultural development efforts.
from Alpharma. It recognizes tural education. Rebekah Raul-
high school students and teach- erson, Tatum’s Honors English
ers for increasing their under- teacher, received a $2,000 schol-

Corner Post
standing of agriculture using the arship to attend the 2010 Agricul-
foundation’s 2008 Book of the ture in the Classroom conference,
Year, The Man Who Fed the June 24-26, in Baltimore, Md.
World, an authorized biography Alix Bjorklund, a 10th grade
of Nobel Laureate Norman Bor- student at Green Bay East High
School in Wisconsin, received
Occupational
$250 for her 2nd place essay. Her
school was awarded a $500 grant Well-Being
to further agricultural education.
Katie Brandes, a 12th grade stu-
dent at Batesville High School in
Indiana, was presented with $100
for her 3rd place essay. Her
Composite Score
school received a $250 agricultur- Teacher—71.7
al education grant.
“It is encouraging to see young Business owner—71.5
adults developing informed opin-
ions about Dr. Borlaug’s work and
Manager/executive/official—69.3
how growing global food demand Professional worker—69.1
should be met over the next 40
years,” said Curtis Miller, the foun- Farming/fishing/forestry worker—66.5
dation’s director of education. “We
are pleased to feature this book
and provide the curriculum and Source: Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index
the opportunity for students to
apply the knowledge gained from
Bobbie-Jean Tatum, a 10th grade student participation in this program.” Farming ranks fifth-best among job types on the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, a collection of data on
at Union County High School in north- Students at 10 high schools how workers evaluate their lives, access to resources needed to lead a healthy life, emotional health and their
central Florida, won first place for her where the foundation’s teacher’s likelihood of engaging in healthy behaviors. Farming scored among the lowest occupations on access to re-
essay about The Man Who Fed the World, guide for The Man Who Fed the sources (including health care), but it scored highest on healthy behavior and second place on emotional health.
the biography of Dr. Norman Borlaug. World was pilot-tested in 2009

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