Convention Trade Show Offers Indiana-Made Products Page 3
Ambassadors Visit Michigan Pages 4, 5
INSIDE: News in Brief................ 2 Around IFB................... 3 Around Indiana............ 6 State & Nation ............. 7 Rules & Regs................ 8
The Hoosier Farmer
®
A Publication for Voting Members of Indiana Farm Bureau
Farm Bureau, other groups to host series of farm bill meetings —By Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team A broad coalition of ag groups, including Farm Bureau, is partnering with the USDA’s Indiana Farm Service Agency and Purdue University Extension Service to host a series of informational meetings in December and January on programs offered under the new farm bill. Called “Indiana ag policy lunches,” the meetings will be for the purpose of discussing the Agricultural Risk Coverage (or ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (or PLC) programs authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014. The 2014 farm bill authorizes three program election options: PLC, ARC-County (or ARC-CO) and ARC-Individual (or ARC-IC). Producers must make a one-time decision to retain or reallocate crop bases, to retain or update program payment yields and select the type of coverage (price protection, county revenue protection, and/or individual revenue protection) for the 2014-18 crop years. The informational meetings will explain the program election, base allocation and yield update process. All meetings will start with lunch, followed by presentations from FSA and Purdue, and will conclude with time for questions. Dates and locations for the ag policy lunches are still somewhat tentative, but Indiana Farm Bureau P.O. Box 1290 Indianapolis, IN 46206
here’s what’s planned so far, FSA said: • Dec. 8 – Noblesville. • Dec. 9 – Huntingburg. • Dec. 10 or 11 – Shelbyville. • Jan. 5 – Batesville. • Jan. 6 – Wabash. • Jan. 8 – West Lafayette. • Jan. 15 – Fort Wayne. Indiana FSA and Purdue are hosting the meetings, which are co-sponsored by Indiana Farm Bureau, Indiana Soybean Alliance, Indiana Corn Growers Association and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. Refreshments will be provided by the Indiana soybean and corn organizations. In conjunction with each of the producer meetings, IFB is hosting a policy lunch on current agricultural issues that will be discussed in the upcoming session of the state legislature. The meetings are free and open to the general public. Reservations are recommended; information on how to register will be available closer to the meeting dates. The 2014 Agricultural Act was passed by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama in February. ___________________ Informational meetings are also planned on programs specific to dairy and on a new web-based tool to help producers make the program decisions for their operations. For more on these meetings, see page 8 of this issue of The Hoosier Farmer.
NOVEMBER 3, 2014 Issue No. 59
Property tax survey responses needed by Nov. 15 —By Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team Members have until Nov. 15 to participate in Indiana Farm Bureau’s property tax survey. And there are now two ways to participate. On this page is a QR code that will take smart-phone users directly to a page on IFB’s website where they can take the survey electronically. The second option is to fill out the postage-paid postcard that was inserted in the Oct. 6 issue of The Hoo-
sier Farmer. Whichever way you participate, you will be providing Farm Bureau with your current property tax information, and you’ll be helping IFB make the case with legislators that property taxes are adversely affecting real farmers (and real voters). “These examples will illustrate the heavy burden that has materialized over the past few years, during which time other taxpayers have seen their bills reduced or remaining stable,” explained Katrina Hall, IFB’s
director of state government relations. “The support of both the Indiana House of Representatives and Indiana Senate is critical to making sure that the profitability of agriculture is not completely eroded by the farmland tax burden,” she added.
Energy tour visits projects across Indiana —By Andy Dietrick Public Relations Team On Oct. 9, Indiana Farm Bureau and the 25x’25 Alliance, a national renewable energy organization, hosted a tour in northern Indiana that showcased a variety of small-scale renewable energy projects. The tour highlighted the economic benefits that such projects are delivering to rural businesses and communities. The day began with an
energy forum at the IFB home office in Indianapolis. IFB President Don Villwock and Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann discussed agriculture’s importance to the energy sector. Special guest retired Air Force Gen. Donald Hoffman then outlined the national security benefits of advancing homegrown renewable energy. The day-long tour included stops at renewable energy projects in Hendricks, Montgomery, Jasper and White counties. Participants
learned about landfill gas reclamation at a Wabash Valley Power installation in Danville; saw a unique consumer-owned solar array at Tipmont REMC in Linden; and toured two methane digesters that turn dairy cow manure into electricity and compressed natural gas. The day ended at the Beck Center in West Lafayette with a presentation about cutting-edge energy research taking place at Purdue University.
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage
PAID
Berne, IN Permit NO. 43
The solar array at the Tipmont REMC in Linden, looking through one of the rows that contain some of the array’s 420 total panels. The panels on the right, which are angled to receive direct sunlight, contain the primary photovoltaic cells. The bluish, smaller panel on the left captures sunlight reflected off of the primary panel to the left (out of sight), so no sunlight is wasted. Photo by Andy Dietrick
2
NEWS IN BRIEF
News Bites —Compiled by Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team
EPA’s greenhouse gas regulations will hurt all Americans—
The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing a regulatory framework on states that will transform how electricity is generated, transmitted, distributed and used from existing coal, oil and natural gas-fired power plants. The analysis, provided by NERA Economic Consulting, shows that the proposal will affect all Americans negatively by raising their energy costs as
much as 20 percent or more in some states. Farmers and ranchers and their energyintensive livelihoods will be especially hard hit. EPA’s proposed “Clean Power Plan,” if finalized, will use Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act to require reductions in carbon dioxide emissions from existing coal, oil and natural gas-fired power plants. There is still time for Farm Bureau members to do something about this proposal, AFBF said. Visit the Action Alert on the FBAct webpage (www.fbactinsider. org/action-center) to send your message to EPA by the deadline of Dec. 1. New analysis predicts that compliance with EPA’s
Attendees to the Ag in the Classroom workshop on Oct. 1 visited Kelsay Farms in Whiteland, Ind., to learn about dairy farming. Teachers and volunteers in attendance also participated in hands-on science experiments and agriculture related games, which met several of Indiana’s educational standards and can be used in the classroom. For more information on Ag in the Classroom, visit infb.org and under the “Program” heading, click on “Ag in the Classroom.” Photo by Rachel Schrage
proposed greenhouse gas regulations could total upwards of $366 billion. As jarring as the numbers are, they’re of little surprise to farmers and ranchers who have been warning that the regulations would greatly jeopardize the availability of an affordable and reliable supply of energy. (AFBF
Ongoing toll of California’s drought—While the
Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy on Tuesday called on the Environmental Protection Agency to withdraw its proposed Waters of the U.S. rule. The SBA is raising concerns that the EPA’s proposed WOTUS rule is in violation of laws aimed at protecting small businesses. In comments submitted to EPA Wednesday, the office argues that the agency should withdraw the rule as small businesses were not consulted over its provisions, as required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act, including farmers. “The SBA’s frankness may surprise some, but it does not surprise us,” said American Farm Bureau Federation Bob Stallman in a statement.
ongoing drought in California has not turned that state’s farmland into a dust bowl, water shortages this past year resulted in an estimated 500,000 acres going unplanted, according to a recent story in The Los Angeles Times. The Times stated that the estimated drought-fallowed 500,000 acres accounts for about 6 percent of California’s irrigated cropland. According to the story, growers in the Imperial Valley, who rely on the Colorado River, received full deliveries this year. Hopes abound for winter rain and snowfall to alleviate some of the pressure, and federal forecasters report there is at least a twoin-three chance that precipitation will be near or above normal statewide. While this is one of the worst droughts on the state’s records, scientists say evidence indicates the territory experienced century-long
10/23/14)
SBA calls on EPA to withdraw Waters of the U.S. rule—The
Farm Bureau member Rita Jones from Parker City, Ind. (pictured with her nine-year-old grandson Dayton), recently received her shipment of Preferred Popcorn as this year’s lucky winner of the “popcorn for a year” contest held at the Farm Bureau building during the state fair. Preferred Popcorn has partnered with INFB for a number of years, and during the fair’s 17-day run last August more than 27,000 visitors to the Farm Bureau building enjoyed their tasty product. With a processing facility in Palmyra, Ind., Preferred Popcorn has shipped both bulk and microwave popcorn to over 40 countries on five continents. Photo by Andy Dietrick
“The EPA has been heedless and cavalier in its disregard for the American farmers who would be most affected by this unworkable proposal,” he added. (AFBF 9/30/14)
Administrative/Finance Team
Legal Affairs Team
Public Relations Team
Regional Managers
President...................................... Don Villwock Vice President.................................Randy Kron Second Vice President................. Isabella Chism Chief Operating Officer/Treasurer....Mark Sigler Receptionist...................................... Kim Duke General Fund Accountant.............. Tiffanie Ellis Office Manager & Meeting Planner.Kay Keown Controller.......................................Elaine Rueff Administrative Assistant....................Jill Shanley Executive Secretary..................... Beverly Thorpe
Director & General Counsel ...Mark Thornburg Associate Counsel for Corporate Compliance & Nonprofit Affairs ............Sara MacLaughlin Legal Assistant........................... Maria Spellman
Director & Editor .......................Andy Dietrick Web Designer/Developer..............Diane Brewer Publications Managing Editor & Media Relations Specialist...... Kathleen Dutro Marketing & PR Specialist.............. Mindy Reef Communications Assistant......... Rachel Schrage
Wayne Belden (1 & 3) Greg Bohlander (6) Andrew Cleveland (4 & 6) Janice Deno (3) Jennifer Chandler Gish (9) Seth Harden (7 & 9) Allison Hines (10) Amy Hutson (5) Susan Lawrence (2) John Newsom (1 & 2) Kermit Paris (8) Keegan Poe (5 & 8) Brad Ponsler (10) E.B. Rawles (7) Allie Rieth (4)
District Directors Larry Jernas (1) Kevin Ousley (2) Kevin Underwood (3) Steve Maple (4) Dave Wyeth (5)
Scott Trennepohl (6) Jeff Gormong (7) Mark Bacon (8) Philip Springstun (9) Robert Schickel (10)
Indiana Agricultural Law Foundation
Public Policy Team Director........................................ Megan Ritter Policy Development & Industry Relations.........................Bob Cherry National Government Relations Policy Advisor................. Kyle Cline Policy Advisor & Counsel..............Amy Cornell State Government Relations Director...................................... Katrina Hall Administrative Assistant .............. Diane Helton Administrative Assistant .............Wanda Hunter Senior Policy Advisor & Counsel..................................Justin Schneider Livestock Development Specialist... Greg Slipher Direct Retail Business Specialist........Bob White
Organizational Development Team Director............................................... Kim Vail Program Assistant........................ Ashley Beasley Field Services Program Director.....Chris Fenner Young Farmer & Women’s Program Coordinator................ Meggie Foster Collegiate Farm Bureau Coordinator................................ Seth Harden Program Assistant.......................Kathryn Rogers Education Coordinator.................... Julie Taylor Member Services Coordinator...........Anna Todd Program Assistant............................ Tracie Trent
Indiana Farm Bureau Inc./ Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance Director of Affiliate Relations.................. Julie Klarich
droughts during medieval times. (AFBF 10/27/14)
Indiana NRCS announces deadline for EQIP applications—
December 19 will be the application deadline for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in Indiana. “You can sign up for EQIP, which includes the Great Lakes Basin Initiative (GLRI), National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) and the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watershed Initiative (MRBI) at any time throughout the year, but to compete for the upcoming funding period, I encourage farmers with resource concerns to submit an application by the deadline,” explained Jane Hardisty, state conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. There are several EQIP initiatives included in the signup, where NRCS sets aside financial assistance for specific practices and producers. Examples include practices that improve onfarm energy, assist in the organic transition process, add wildlife habitat, and target certain practices such as seasonal high tunnels. (In-
diana NRCS 10/17/14)
Address Letters & Questions To: Indiana Farm Bureau Inc. Box 1290, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1290. Phone: 1-800-327-6287 or (317) 692-7776 E-Mail Address: askus@infarmbureau.org Duplicate Magazines If you are receiving more than one copy of The Hoosier Farmer®, please cut out both labels and return them to the address above. Magazine Design and Layout Davis Graphic Design www.davisgraphics.com The Hoosier Farmer® is published 14 times per year by Indiana Farm Bureau Inc., P.O. Box 1290, Indianapolis, IN 46206, and is furnished as a service to voting members and others. Controlled circulation. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Hoosier Farmer® P.O. Box 1290 Indianapolis, IN 46206-1290. Copyright 2014. All rights reserved.
Director..................... John Shoup
November 3, 2014
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3
AROUND IFB
Convention trade show to offer handcrafted items —By Mindy Reef Public Relations Team Many conventions have trade shows – rows of booths filled with information and goodies. Indiana Farm Bureau is offering something a little more targeted this year. It’s now called the Artisan Fair and Exhibitor Showcase. “We have lined up several vendors whose products are handcrafted or grown here in Indiana,” said Julie Taylor, IFB education coordinator. “These products will make great last-minute Christmas gifts and support Hoosier artisans.” The showcase runs from
Farm Bureau to match law foundation contributions
zil and Panama. During the latter part of the lunch time, two sessions on Farm Bureau opportunities are planned. From 12:30 to 12:50 p.m., past participants of the ACE Ambassador Program will discuss their travels. ACE ambassadors take a trip to another state to learn about that location’s agriculture. A Leaders in Action session runs from 1:15 to 1:40 p.m. Leaders in Action learn more about elected officials, self-leadership, communication and Farm Bureau. That program ends with a trip to Washington, D.C. The popular Young Farmer Indiana Farm Bureau President Don Villwock takes time from a busy harvest schedule to write the first check in the matching fund program for the Indiana Ag Law Foundation. Photo by Andy Dietrick
—By Mindy Reef Public Relations Team
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12. The new format emphasizes handmade crafts and jewelry, gifts and specialty food items, all made in Indiana. Many of the traditional trade show participants, including commodity groups and member benefits programs, will be there as well. There is no general session during lunch Friday. A food court will be open in the showcase from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The showcase area will also have sessions. Food writer Heather Tallman, creator of basilmomma.com, a food and family website, will run two cooking sessions from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Showcase attendees can learn about international travel with “Explorations by Thor” from 11:45 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. Explorations by Thor focuses on agricultural travel to places such as Bra-
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silent auction will be set up in this area. Feeding America is the beneficiary of silent auction proceeds. Convention attendees should bring cash or checks to pay for silent auction items. IFB state convention runs Dec. 12 and 13, 2014 French Lick Resort. Visit conv.infb.org or call 800-FARM-BUR (327-6287) for more information and to register.
From now until Dec. 31, Indiana Farm Bureau will match contributions made to the Indiana Agricultural Law Foundation by individuals and family farms. “We have all witnessed the growing involvement of the judicial branch of government in decisions affecting agriculture,” said IFB President Don Villwock, who was the first member to donate under this special dollar-matching program. “The foundation is unique in that it works in an area that is not served by any other group or organization in agriculture.” The match is dollar-fordollar, so if a farm donates
$100 to IALF, IFB will contribute $100. The organization has set aside $15,000 for matching funds. The match only applies to individual donors and farms. Contributions from county Farm Bureaus are always welcome but do not qualify for matching funds under this program. Indiana Farm Bureau established the foundation in 2005 to promote a better understanding of legal issues facing Indiana agriculture. IALF’s mission is to develop educational and legal initiatives that support the advancement of Indiana agriculture. The foundation uses educational programming and support of precedent-setting litigation to accomplish
those goals. IALF educational programs and initiatives are geared toward a wide range of agricultural stakeholders including farmers, landowners and agribusiness organizations as well as attorneys and judges. In its history, IALF has supported litigation including right-to-farm cases, property rights and annexation. It held two workshops this summer; the first covered estate and succession planning while the second was on big data and unmanned aerial vehicles in agriculture. IALF is a 501(c)(3); contributions may be tax-deductible. To learn more or make a contribution, visit www. inaglaw.org.
November 3, 2014
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SPECIAL REPORT
Ag ambassadors find out about Michigan’s diverse farm sector Photos by Rachel Stine
—By Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team Matt and Rachel Stine of Montgomery County traveled to Michigan from July 29 to Aug. 1 as Indiana Farm Bureau’s ACE (Agricultural Cultural Exchange) ambassadors. The ACE Ambassador Program, which is sponsored by the IFB Women’s Leadership Committee, annually sends IFB voting members to another state as ambassadors for agriculture. The goal of the program is to promote greater understanding of agriculture, people, family life and cultures in different parts of the country. Among the stops on the Stines’ tour were DeGrandchamp Farms, a blueberry and cranberry operation; Scenic View Dairy, a 3,800-head cow dairy that disposes of methane from their cows with an anaerobic digester; Victory Farms, which produces primarily root crops; the Michigan Turkey Co-op, a grower-
owned turkey processor; Jack Brown Produce, a co-op apple processor and storage facility; Umlor’s Apple Farm, an apple, peach and cherry operation; Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Facility; Right Brain Brewery; Black Star Farms, a winery, vineyard, restaurant, bed and breakfast and destination wedding location; and Shooks Cherry Farm, a 200-acre family-owned cherry farm. In previous years, program participants have traveled to South Carolina, South Dakota, Oregon and other states. The 2015 ACE Ambassador Program application is now available on IFB’s website, www.infarmbureau. org. Under the “Programs” heading, click on “Women’s Leadership Committee,” and then “ACE Ambassador Application.” The deadline to apply for the 2015 program is Feb. 2, 2015. Winners will be announced at Spring Conference, March 6 and 7.
Rachel and Matt Stine were 2014 ACE Ambassadors. The couple traveled to central and western Michigan and experienced many facets of agriculture - from turkey processing to a dairy methane digester - in the second most agriculturally-diverse state in the U.S.
Tart cherries at Shooks Farm in Central Lake, Mich., are picked with an automatic shaker and then immediately cooled for longer storage before being transported to market.
Michigan Farm Bureau Young Farmer Department Manager Jason Jaekel, Mike DeGrandchamp and Matt Stine overlook a cranberry marsh owned by DeGrandchamp Farms in South Haven, Mich. The DeGrandchamps, who have historically been blueberry growers, diversified into cranberries after seeing an opportunity in the 1990s.
November 3, 2014
www.thehoosierfarmer.com
5
SPECIAL REPORT
Fresh cherries are dumped into a brining pit at Shooks Farm in Central Lake, Mich. There, the fruit will be “pickled,” stored and sold as maraschino cherries.
Although western Michigan’s hills and lake-effect weather are ideal for fruit production, fruit growers still take precautions to a late spring frost. Windmills in an orchard can move air around enough to stop fragile buds from frosting.
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A second-year hops crop owned by Jason Jaekel was one of the farm stops for the Stines.
October 6, 2014
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AROUND INDIANA
Simple steps can reduce chances of livestock theft —By John Nagle Farm Training Specialist Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance For many people, the idea of livestock theft brings up images of a man wearing a black hat, face covered with a bandana, riding up on his horse with guns blazing, rustling cattle from a helpless
heavy bolt lock, not just a chain and latch, for added protection. Inspect locks and chains when opening and closing, looking for signs they have been tampered with by would-be thieves. Check fences and building exteriors regularly. Look for any issues or problems that may make it easier for thieves
visible from the house, farm or road or by neighbors. Report any of these activities to local law enforcement. Vary your routine time when you feed livestock. We all like to establish a routine on how we work, and it is also beneficial for the livestock to have a feeding routine, but this routine might
you will be arriving and leaving the farm. Participate in neighborhood watch program. We can’t know what is happening on the farm 24 hours a day, so we need to have as many sets of eyes as possible watching out for trouble. Consider working with both farming and non-farming neighbors to help keep an eye out for each other. This doesn’t have to be limited to watching for theft and suspicious activity, but looking out for loose animals, fire or any other emergencies. Develop a good rapport with local law enforcement. This is especially important if you spot any suspicious activity. Visit with your local law enforcement and provide them with any information about the activity you can,
where it occurred, and possibly, what time it occurred. Sometimes they will dispatch law enforcement to patrol any areas of concern to investigate and to let any potential thieves know that they have not forgotten about your part of the county. Photograph or video tape livestock and equipment for easy identification. They say a picture is worth a thousand words and in the event of theft it could be priceless. Having pictures and video, along with records of identification of livestock, will assist law enforcement in returning your livestock to you if any are found. This also is important for any equipment; record any serial numbers and take pictures so that you can be able to claim any stolen property that is recovered.
What to do if a theft occurs
High livestock prices are making cattle and other livestock “enticing” targets for thieves, according to Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance. Photo by Kathleen M. Dutro
farmer and his family. While this scene owes more to Hollywood than to real life, the loss of livestock due to theft is very real to Hoosier livestock producers. Livestock prices are at levels that have never been experienced before, and this makes cattle and other livestock an enticing target for thieves and rustlers. Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance offers some simple steps for producers to help prevent the theft of their livestock. Complete a regular inventory of all livestock. Along with an accurate count of livestock, producers should maintain accurate records. These records should include identification, health, reproductive and purchase/ sale records. These records will be vital to provide proof of ownership if livestock are stolen and should be kept in a secure location. Also, consider keeping duplicate copies of the records in another location or backing up any electronic records of the information. Keep all gates and doors locked. This is a simple task that can work to deter possible thieves. If the farm has a gate, keep it locked when you are not on the farm to keep an eye on things. If you don’t have a gate, consider purchasing one and installing it. Secure gates with a
October 6, 2014
to break in and steal livestock. Make sure all fences are well maintained and no areas have been cut or damaged. Examine the exterior of buildings looking for loose or missing boards or siding. Keep areas around fences and buildings mowed to avoid tall grass that would provide a place where someone could hide. Consider adding security lighting with motion sensors to help deter thieves. Adding security cameras to record activities occurring around facilities can provide evidence and identification of any thieves. Watch for strangers and unfamiliar vehicles. Be vigilant of any unusual vehicles or any vehicles that are traveling slowly past your operation, especially at night. Be extremely wary of any vehicles that seem to be photographing or videotaping livestock facilities. Train employees, family members and neighbors to look for and report any thing that seems out of place. Watch for unusual tire tracks and foot prints. Do a regular walk or drive around the entire perimeter of the farm, looking for anything that is out of place or not quite right. Look specifically for evidence of traffic or activity of people trying to enter on to the farm. Be especially mindful of areas that are not
make it easier for someone to steal livestock. If a thief knows what time you are going to arrive at the farm and when you are going to leave, it provides a window of opportunity to commit a crime. Pick one day a week to change your feeding time by an hour or two, and then change what day of the week it is every week. This will make you less predictable, making thieves unsure when
If livestock have been stolen report it immediately. Provide law enforcement with any relevant information including: • Breed, age and sex of the animals. • Type of identification used and the numbers. • Where the livestock were located. • When you last checked on the livestock. Do not disturb anything in and around the barns and area where the livestock were taken. Don’t allow people to enter the farm or building where the animals were moved and loaded. This is preserving any evidence of the crime. Finally, call your Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance agent and report the theft of any livestock or equipment. Theft is a covered peril under the Rural Guardian policy. It is recommended that you visit with your local Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance agent to review the number and values of your livestock.
Working together maximizes ag’s effectiveness —By Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team “Working together works,” said Indiana Farm Bureau livestock specialist Greg Slipher. Slipher quoted the slogan (a favorite of retired public policy administrative assistant B.J. Fields) in reference to two recent examples of county Farm Bureaus, ag affiliated and local organizations working together toward the successful expansion of livestock farms in their counties. In Warren County, IFB staff in cooperation with the county Farm Bureau, Indiana Corn Growers Association, Indiana Soybean Alliance, Indiana Dairy Producers and the Warren County Economic
Development organization were instrumental in supporting a local 4,000-cow dairy application approval by the Board of Zoning Appeals. “Cross-organizational coordination empowers all groups to maximize their effectiveness,” Slipher said. In Harrison County, the county commissioners were presented with a zoning ordinance proposal that would increase setbacks for livestock barns and therefore limit potential livestock expansion in the county. The Harrison County Farm Bureau actively alerted affected parties of the proposed ordinance changes and was able to fill the room with representatives from Indiana Farm Bureau, Indiana Corn Growers Association,
Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Indiana Beef Cattle Association, along with representatives from local ag-related industry. Harrison County Farm Bureau President Chris Miller was able to get the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce to submit a letter in support of agriculture. Tyson Foods brought several representatives from their company to reinforce the importance of agriculture to the county economy. “Such collaboration not only helps our individual organizations, it helps our communities prosper and decision makers recognize agriculture as an important economic factor in a successful community,” Slipher said.
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STATE & NATION
AFBF survey shows big data use increasing, big questions remain —From the AFBF Communications Department A survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation shows more farmers are reaping the benefits of the latest agricultural technologies, but most remain wary of risks involved with big data collection. Fully 77.5 percent of farmers surveyed said they feared regulators and other government officials might gain access to their private information without their knowledge or permission. Nearly 76 percent of respondents said they were concerned others could use their information for commodity market speculation without their consent. “We want to be sure that farmers’ and ranchers’ data are protected, and we’re asking the hard questions to make sure that happens,”
AFBF President Bob Stallman said. “Farmers should know who owns their data and how they plan to use it. It’s up to companies that collect the data to make all that clear.” Farmers overwhelmingly agree: More than 81 percent believe they retain ownership of their farm data, according to Farm Bureau. Yet it’s still unclear to most (more than 82 percent) how companies intend to use the farmers’ data. Farmers say they are getting positive results from using precision technologies that collect weather data, track seed varieties, analyze nutrient applications and map crop yields. Those surveyed indicated the use of precision technology has reduced the cost of seed, fertilizer and pesticides by an average of 15 percent, and increased crop yields by
an average of 13 percent. More than half of the survey respondents who are actively farming indicated that they plan to invest in new or additional precision and data technology in the next year or two. “Agriculture technology
providers must be diligent in protecting farmers’ data and transparent in their contracts about how their data will be used,” AFBF’s Stallman said. The survey was conducted from late July to early September. Reponses were received from 3,380 farmers.
A summary of all questions asked can be found by going to the AFBF website, www.fb.org, and under the “Newsroom” heading, clicking on “News Releases” and then on the link for the news release on the survey.
‘Boot Camp’ grads recognized —From the AFBF Communications Department The American Farm Bureau Federation honored a group of 16 farm and ranch leaders as graduates of the organization’s eighth annual Women’s Communications Boot Camp. The agricultural leaders were recognized after completing an intensive three-day course featuring sessions on working with the media, public speaking, testifying, messaging and seeking elected office. “It’s more important than ever that farmers and ranchers make connections with
consumers as they’re having conversations about how food is grown,” said Terry Gilbert, a Kentucky farmer and chair of the American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee. In Farm Bureau, Gilbert explained, it’s often women members who step up as communicators, “serving the critical function of representing their farms and agriculture in speaking with the public and reaching out through social media.” Among this year’s boot camp graduates was Debra Walsh, who is IFB’s district 1 woman leader.
Farm ownership succession planning is topic of Purdue Extension workshop
FB14_80 YFR Ad_3.indd 2
—From the Purdue Ag Communication Service
The graduates of the 2014 Women’s Communications Boot Camp are (vertical row left, from top to bottom): Beth Blevins, DVM, Montana; Kaye Peterson, Kentucky; Rebecca Smith, Tennessee; Anita Hand, New Mexico; Amelia Kent, Louisiana. Vertical row middle (top to bottom): Debra Walsh, Indiana; Kristal Harris, Virginia; Linda Fawn Courville, Louisiana; Joan Myers, Pennsylvania; Elaine Avery, Georgia; Nancy Caywood, Arizona. Vertical row right (top to bottom): Valerie Ansell, Florida; Susan May, Kansas; Jamie Tiralla, Maryland; Judy Bare, North Carolina; Raenell Edsall-Taylor, Wyoming. Photo courtesy of the American Farm Bureau Federation
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Purdue Extension is offering two-day workshops at four Indiana locations starting in December for farm families wanting to know more about business succession planning. Topics of “Planning for the Transfer of Farm Ownership and Management” include: • Adding a family member to a farm ownership group. • Multiple entity structures. • Risk management tools. • Strategies for asset transfer. • Management transfer plans.
5/13/14 10:04 AM
Day 1 of the workshop will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes lunch. Day 2 is a complimentary one-hour farm family meeting with a member of Extension’s Farm Succession Planning Team. Sessions will take place at the following locations: • Huntingburg: Huntingburg Event Center, 200 E. 14th St.; Dec. 2 and 3. • Reynolds: White County Extension Office, 12 N. 25 E; Dec. 9 and 10. • Rushville: The 201 Building, 201 N. Main St.; Jan. 13 and 14. • Albion: Noble County Extension Office, 2090 N. state Route 9; Jan. 27 and 28.
Cost is $150 for the first four family members and $15 for each additional member. Registration forms are available on the Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture’s website at www. agecon.purdue.edu/commercialag. For more information, contact Ed Farris, Purdue Extension educator, at 260358-4826 or emfarris@purdue.edu. Funding for the workshop was provided by the North Central Risk Management Agency. Partners include the Purdue Women in Agriculture Team and the Purdue Farm Succession Planning Team.
October 6, 2014
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RULES & REGS
November farm bill meetings to focus on web tools, dairy program —By Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team A one-day workshop that will include demonstrations and training on web-based decision tools with presentations on the 2014 farm bill farm programs will be held Nov. 17 in Indianapolis. Meanwhile, six meetings are planned around the state to acquaint producers with the provisions of the dairy Margin Protection Program. Four of those meetings (two on Nov. 3 in Goshen and Greenfield and two others on Nov. 4 in Seymour and Huntington) will have occurred before most readers of The Hoosier Farmer receive this issue. But two remain, and those will be at 1 p.m. on Nov. 18 in Jasper and at 9 a.m. Nov. 19 in West Lafayette. There is no cost to either the workshop or the dairy meetings, but online reg-
istration is required for the workshop. Web-based tools workshop: Nov. 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Airport hotel, 2501 South High School Road in Indianapolis. The training is designed for farmers, landowners, extension educators, USDA staff, crop insurance agents, consultants and credit institutions. The 2014 farm bill provides producers with a choice among two versions of a revenue-based assistance program (Agriculture Risk Coverage) and a fixedprice program (Price Loss Coverage). “This training will provide information about the farm programs and the web-based tools developed to help producers make the program decisions for their operations,” said University of Illinois’ Jonathan Coppess. “The tools will also assist
landowners with decisions for updating payment yields and reallocating base acres.” The University of Illinoisled coalition’s web-based decision tool (the Agriculture Policy Analysis System) can be found at http://fsa. usapas.com. Margin Protection Program informational meetings: • Nov. 3, 9:30 a.m. to noon, Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds Ag Hall, 17746-D County Road 34, Goshen. • Nov. 3, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Hancock County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall, 620 Apple St., Greenfield. • Nov. 4, 9:30 a.m. to noon, Jackson County Learning Center, 323 Dupont Circle, Seymour. • Nov. 4, 6 to 8:30 p.m., 4-H Community Building, 547 S. Briant St., Huntington. • Nov. 18: 1 to 3:30 p.m., Dubois County 4-H Fair-
Christmas tree checkoff program off to a slow start —Rachel Schrage Public Relations Team The 2014 farm bill included a provision for a new checkoff organization. This holiday season will mark the first time that large producers and importers of freshcut Christmas trees will be assessed 15 cents per tree. Much of the money collected will go toward the promotion of fresh-cut Christmas trees; the rest will fund university research. “This was likely prompted by Christmas tree producers
losing money to companies that produce fake trees,” said Kyle Cline, IFB’s national policy advisor. “Producers are concerned about marketing their product more effectively.” According to Cline, many of the commodity slogans that are familiar to almost everyone are the result of checkoff dollars that have gone toward the promotion of a commodity. “Got milk?” and “Pork: the other white meat” are examples. Christmas tree producers began requesting a checkoff
program in 2009, and all checkoff dollars will come directly from producers. For all producers who sell or import more than 500 trees per year, checkoff contribution will be mandatory. Any producer below that threshold may contribute voluntarily. Many of the details involving the program are uncertain as yet. For more information, visit the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s Christmas tree checkoff program site, www.ams.usda. gov/AMSv1.0/FVResearchandPromotionChristmasTrees.
grounds, 4157 S. SR 162, Huntingburg. • Nov. 19, 9 to 11:30 a.m., Beck Agricultural Center, 4540 U.S. 52 W, West Lafayette. The 2014 farm bill provides a Margin Protection Program (MPP) for dairy farms. The MPP replaces the Milk Income Loss Contract program. Enrollment deadline for 2015 is Nov. 28 at local FSA offices. The purpose of these meetings is to describe the program, provide details for enrollment, and demonstrate the decision tool (which can be found at www.fsa.usda. gov/FSA/pages/content/ farmBill/fb_MPPDTool.jsp) that has been developed to assist dairy farmers with de-
ciding how to participate for 2015. Speakers include Dr. Chris Wolf, professor of agricultural, food and resource economics at Michigan State, and Dr. Nicole Olynk Widmar, associate professor of ag economics at Purdue University. For details about the MPP go to www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/mpp_dairy.pdf. Registration is not necessary to attend these meetings. If you have questions about the meetings, contact Doug Leman, IDP, 317-6958228, dougleman@indianadairy.org; Dr. Mike Schutz, Purdue University, 765-4948491, mschutz@purdue.edu; or Dr. Tamilee Nennich, Purdue, 765-494-4823, tnennich@purdue.edu.
MEMBER BENEFIT
Calendar of Events November 3 Margin Protection Program (MPP) informational meeting, Goshen, 3 MPP informational meeting, Greenfield. 4 MPP informational meeting, Seymour. 4 MPP informational meeting, Huntington. 5 District 10 awards night, Seymour. 6 District 5 fall awards meeting, Covington. 10, 11 State Women’s Leadership Committee meeting. 12, 13 IFB Board of Directors meeting. 17 District 9 fall awards meeting, Chrisney. 17 Workshop on web-based tools for making farm program decisions, Indianapolis. (For more, see the full article above.) 18 Organizational Day at the Indiana Statehouse. 18 District 8 fall awards program, Shelbyville. 18 District 4 fall awards program, Taylor University. 18 MPP informational meeting, Huntingburg. 19 MPP informational meeting, West Lafayette. Editor’s note: Four of the meetings listed above occur before most members will receive this copy of The Hoosier Farmer. Unfortunately, we just heard about them, so this was the only possible issue they could run in. We’re including them just in case this information is of use to some of our readers. For more information on the meetings, see the full article above.
November 3, 2014
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