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For Farm Bureau Members Only - Sale Ends May 31

FARM NEWS

A publicationof the

MichiganFarm Bureau

MAY 1983VOL. 62 NO.5

THE COVERAgriculture Secretary JohnBlock calls for strong marketorientation in long rangeplanning for agriculture.Photo by Marcia Ditchie

In this issue:legislative leaders Get Involved During Annual Capital Trek

Person to person communication on the issuesgives Farm Bureau policy statements grassroot backing.

8

Fair Treatment of Farm laborers Keeps labor Organizers OutMSU farm labor specialist recommends "common sense" to avoid labor organizing confrontations.

12

Morel Madness Strikes in MayThe appearance of the morel mushroom in the woodlands is a sure sign of spring.

21

Staying Healthy in Rural AmericaFarm Bureau rural health committees seek healthier lifestyles and affordable health care.

23

COLUMNSRural Route - page 4

Country Ledger - page 5Legislative Review - page 6Front and Center - page 16

Letters to Rural Living - page 17

County Newsletter - pages 18-19Farm Bureau Market Place - page 20Agrinomic Update - page 26Discussion Topic - page 28

JIIlchlgan farm l"Iews RURAL LlVll"IG (ISSl"I 0026.2161): MIchIgan Farm News Rural LIvIng Is published monthly, on the first day. by the Michigan farm Bu.reau Information and Public Relations DIvision. Publication and editorial orrlces at 7373 West Saginaw HIghway. Lansing. Mich. 48909. Post Of rice Box 30960:telephone. Lansing 517.323.7000. Extension 508. SUBSCRIYTIOl"l PRICE: $1.50 per year to members. Included in annual dues. $3.00 per year non.membersIn Michigan. $5.00 per year non.members out of state. Publication No. .345040. Established Jan. 1.3. 192.3 as MIchIgan Farm News. name changed to MIchIganFarm News Rural LIvIng Dee. I. 1981. Thlrd.class postage paid at Lansing. Michigan and at additional mailing orrlces. EDITORIAL: Connie Turbin. Editor: Mar.cia Dltchle. Associate Editor and Business Manager: Donna Wilber. Contributing Editor; Cathy J. Klrvan. Copy Editor. OffiCERS: Michigan Farm Bureau: Presl.dent. Elton R. Smith. Caledonia: Vice President. Jack Laurie. Cass City: Administrative Director. Robert Braden. Lansing; Treasurer and Chief Financial OrrlcerMax D. Dean; Secretary. William S. WilkInson. DIRECTORS: District I. Arthur Bailey. SChoolcraft: District 2. Lowell Eisenmann. Bllssrleld; District 3. JamesSayre, Belleville: District 4. Elton R. Smith. Caledonia; District 5. Albert Cook. Mason; District 6. Jack Laurie. Cass City: District 7. Robert Rider. Hart; District 8.Lyle LeCronler. Freeland: District 9, Donald Nugent. Frankfort; District 10. Margaret Kartes, West Branch: District II. Bernard Doll. Dafter. DIRECTORS ATLARGE: Dave Conklin. Corunna: Michael Pridgeon. Montgomery: Robert Rottler. Fremont. fARJII BUREAU WOJIIEl"I: Faye Adam. Snover. fARJII BUREAUl'OUl"IG fARJIIERS: Mark Smuts. Charlotte. POSTMASTER: In using form 3579. mall to: MIchIgan Farm News Rural LIvIng, P.O. Box .30960, 7373 West SaginawHighway. Lansing. Mich. 48909.

OMB Power GrabIrks Farm Producers ...(

Michigan Farm Bureau mem-bers were proud when PresidentReagan named a native son,former Congressman DavidStockman, to direct the power-ful Office of Management andBudget. We liked his market-oriented philosophy and hisdedication to fiscal responsibili-ty.

But last summer, when OMB'sdelayed veto of use of the feder-al marketing order for the 1982tart cherry crop cost our state'sindustry millions of dollars inlosses, we became disillusionedwith the president's choice forthis position. "An abuse ofpower" was how one of ourmembers described OMB'sdevastating blow to cherrygrowers. Our organizationbegan to question whetherUSDAcould win the powerstruggle that had developed,and if it did not, what wouldhappen to other marketing or-ders.

We also questioned why thereshould be a power struggle. TheAgricultural Marketing Agree-ment Act of 1937 gave the re-sponsibility of administration ofmarketing orders to the secre-tary of agriculture and for 45years, that responsibility wascarried out in an impartial, ef-fective and efficient manner -until the big cherry fiasco of1982 when OMB got involved.

4

Wemade our concerns knownat that time to Stockman and toour congressmen. We thoughtwe had assurances that admin-istrative authority for federalmarketing orders would remainwhere it belonged - with thesecretary of agriculture. That'swhy we were concerned tolearn, during our recent trip toWashington, D.C., for our an-nual legislative seminar, thatOMB is still trying to gain ad-ministrative control of market-ing orders.

In response to this latest de-velopment, your board of direc-tors, at its recent session,drafted a statement urgingPresident Reagan to reaffirm hissupport of federal marketingorders and asking that the soleauthority for their administra-tion remain with the secretaryof agriculture. We told the presi-dent that the bureaucratic in-terference of OMB is contrary tothe intent of Congress, is out-side provisions of the Agricul-tural Marketing Agreement Actand is disruptive to the farmcommunity.

This is an issue that shouldbe of concern to all members,not just cherry growers, be-cause the future of other mar-keting orders is at stake, too. IfOMB has the power to tell pro-ducers of a commodity thatthey can't use a program that's

authorized by law and whichthey've approved for continua-tion through industry referen-dums, who knows where it willstop? What assurance do wehave that the same abuse ofpower wouldn't be used in thecase of federal milk marketingorders, for example?

The OMB director has proventhat the health and welfare ofhis home state's agricultural in-dustry is not one of his con-cerns. We must not stand byand allow his office to gain thepower to damage it. Hopefully,the president, who has display-ed an understanding of agricul-ture's problems and needs, willrespond favorably to our con-cerns by taking appropriate ac-

e~~LvocPresidentMichigan Farm Bureau

RURAL LIVING, MA Y 198.3

COUNTRY LEDGER

IShow Mel VolunteerismBy Donna Wilber

If there was anything I didn'tneed to complicate my life, itwas Project AIM.

I was already meeting myselfin the proverbial revolving doorwithout involvement in "outside"

ri activities. Besides, I couldn't~ really relate to being out of

work and hungry. I'd alwaysworked from the time I was oldenough to swat a potato bug,feed the chickens and pull aweed. I can remember somelean meals, like creamed onionson boiled potatoes (no meat, nodessert), but hungry? Not really!Granted, there was a deeplyburied, post-farm memory ofhaving to sell a cherishedbedroom suite to buy baby for-mula ....

Whether it was my Dutch-Finnish heritage or my forma-tive years on a ranch in SouthDakota and later a Michiganfarm that developed my skep-tical "show me" attitude, I'mnot sure.

I was a two-year-old toddlerwhen I entered the corral to petthe leg of the "nice horsey" Dadsaid was the terror of the range.As a four-year-old "show mekid," I smashed two dozen eggsagainst the barn door to see ifthey were the rotten ones Momsaid roosters layed.

Although a few decades older,the same "show me" attitudecropped up as I raised skepticaleyebrows when Jim Byrum (theMichigan Bean Commission ex-ecutive secretary who sells


ideas as convincingly as hedoes beans) enthusiastically ex-plained why agriculture, andspecifically Farm Bureau,should get involved in address-ing Michigan's crucial hungercrisis.

Not that I, personally, couldstand by and let anyone gohungry, especially little oneslike my grandsons. But to askmy organization to contributemy time and the involvement ofFarm Bureau members acrossthe state in the volunteer ef-fort? What about all the otherthings we had to do? Benefitthe organization as well as thehungry? Show me!

It took about two weeks toreplace that initial skepticismwith flaming zeal and a cauli-flower ear from answering newsmedia calls. The human interestappeal of farmers (who weren'tin great economic shape them-selves) responding to the needsof their fellow citizens in Michi-gan was irresistible to thepress. Agriculture, and FarmBureau, were the focus of posi-tive news coverage. The all-volunteer, no red tape projectindeed had involved agriculturein Michigan. Good things werehappening for the hungry in thecities and towns in Michiganfrom border to border; andgood things were happening foragriculture!

Further reinforcement thatour involvement in this humani-tarian effort was "right" camewith the grassroots feedbackthat Farm Bureau members whohadn't been active in the organ-ization before were taking

leadership roles in Project AIMactivities.

The "show me" skepticismcrumbled completely as I sawthe enthusiasm with whichcounty Farm Bureau AIM coordi-nators undertook this challengeand the innovative ideas thatsprang from their creativeminds and giving hearts. And Ihaven't even mentioned thetons of Michigan commoditiesthat were donated and purchas-ed with AIM contributions ... orthe new positive relationshipsthat developed as agricultureand organized labor workedtogether to fill a need.

All this ... while feedinghungry people!

Certainly, all of us hope thatthe need that was so critical inthe winter months has eased,but we also recognize that ithasn't ended. We also realizethat in the months ahead,farmers will have another priori-ty - producing food - and thetime they'll have to devote toAIM activities will be limited.That's why project coordinatorsare urging members to committheir fields and orchards to AIMfor gleaning after harvest.

What greater way to celebrateharvest time than by sharingwith those in need? It wouldlend a special meaning toThanksgiving 198.3for both thegivers and receivers.

5

LEGISLATIVE REVIEW

Budget Watchers Criticize ITax and Spendl Pattern<

nate the 1984 and 1985 reduc- Immigration Reform Bill ""tion in estate and gift taxes Threatens Seasonal Laborrates. Shortage - FB has indicated

"Farmers and ranchers work- that there could be a disastroused too hard for the estate tax shdrtage of available seasonal

Tax and Spend Policies changes and other tax reforms labor in many areas of the "'-

Stili Evident - In a strongly enacted in the Economic Recov- country unless the Immigration ...worded letter to Sen. Pete ery Tax Act of 1981 to see them Act Reform bill (H.R. 1510) isDomenici, chairperson of the sacrificed now for the monu- amended. AFBFasked that theSenate Budget Committee, John mental growth in domestic bill be amended to give pro-Datt, secretary of the 3.2 mi1- federal spending," Datt said. ducers reasonable assurancelion member FB organization, that temporary foreign workers f)

said the budget resolution, will be made available on aj"Il

"continues the all too familiar Lab Animal Research Leg- timely basis when it is demon-pattern of increasing domestic islation - An amendment to strated that qualified U.S.spending and raising taxes." the National Institutes of Health workers are not available. FB

FB has supported a balanced bill, H.R. 2350, to require regu- has suggested that a special adbudget through decreased fed- lations and standards for the hoc subcommittee be appointed ~eral spending rather than proper treatment of laboratory to recommend amendmentsthrough increased taxes. Point- research animals, could have that would meet the needs of """ing out that FB was among the future implications for animal agriculture.earliest supporters of the agriculture. If the amendmenteconomic recovery program to passes, it is expected that ani-reduce taxes and spending, halt mal welfare groups will attempt MASAWOPALaw and Regu-inflation, trim federal regula- to have farm animals included lations - The Migrant andtions and control the growth of at a later date. Seasonal Agricultural Workers .....tthe money supply, Datt said, However, a substitute amend- Protection Act became law on"50 far we have seen nothing ment calling for an 18-month April 14. Concurrently, regula- ~more than the raising of taxes study of the use of animals in tions under the new act wereand business as usual in federal research would require the Na- published by the Department ofdomestic spending." tional Academy of Sciences to Labor to become effective on

Citing the resolution which collect data and evaluate cur- April 14, and will remain in ef-raises spending by $33 billion rent laboratory practices so fect until Aug. 12 unless with-

'....while providing an additional that Congress can determine if drawn, extended or superseded 'f(

$30 billion in unspecified a problem exists and if a legis- by another issuance. Althoughsources, Datt warned that the lative or regulatory solution is the joint effective date of theHouse Ways and Means Commit- appropriate. The substitute law and regulations does not of-tee chairperson, Dan Rosten- amendment, introduced by Con- fer the normal 30-day commentkowski, has proposed freezing gressman Madigan, offers a ra- period, comment on the regula- l'

all currently scheduled tax cuts tional approach to study of an tions will be accepted until mid-"'1at the 1983 level. emotional issue created by May and changes may be made

While this would preserve the isolated press reports. as a result of comments receiv-third installment of the 1981 in- In the Senate, legislation has ed.dividual income tax cuts, sched- been introduced which would MASAWOPA replaces the Farmuled for July I, it would effec- require a study similar to that Labor Contractor Registration ~tively repeal the indexing of in- proposed in the Madigan Act (FLCRA). It clarifies many ofcome tax brackets and elimi- amendment. S. 964 was in- the ambiguous terms that were -<

troduced by Sens. Hatch and used in FLCRA and does not re-Kennedy. Co-sponsors are need- quire farm employers to regis-ed for this legislation .

•

6RURAL LIVING, MA Y 198.3

Legislative and gubernatorial salutes to agriculture were accepted byMFBWomen's leaders on Agriculture Day, March 21. Pictured are, fromleft, Vivian Loll, Rep. Debbie Stabenow, Faye Adam and Diane Uornlng.

MFBWomen Join in LegislativeSalute to Michigan Agriculture

Income Tax - FB stafftestified before both the Housetaxation and Senate financecommittees in support of theincome tax increase as outlinedin the official FB position. Thefinal version of the tax bill, aspassed and signed by the gover-nor, provided that it is "not per-manent" and will be phased outas the economy recovers, whichis very close to FB's position.

It is not a permanent tax andcontains definite cut-offs. Therate raises from the present4.6% to 6.35% with .25% being(continued on page 30)

In the case of the Egyptianflour sale earlier this year,cargo preference requirementsadded $60 to the shipping costof each ton of flour.

makes it clear that the agricul-ture secretary has the authorityto sell as much as possiblewithout damaging trade rela-tions with foreign customers.

-Eliminate the provisionsspecifying which commoditieswill receive the limited exportcredit assistance.

- Eliminate the requirementthat one-half of the revenuesgenerated from the sale of dairyproducts be used for an exportcredit program.

A provision of the bill whichexempts blended credit andfuture export PIK programsfrom cargo preference require-ments is facing strong opposi-tion in the Senate.

It is essential that the cargopreference exemption be retain-ed in the legislation if the ex-port PIK program provision andthe blended interest export pro-gram are to be effective.

ter as farm labor contractors. Italso completely exempts familyfarms and small businessesfrom any of the provisions inthe act.

Major concerns of agriculturalproducers were addressed inthe regulations and while theregulations, as in the case ofthe act, balance the interests oflabor and the House Educationand Labor Committee, it is notexpected that FB will have tocall for significant changes inthe announced regulations.

PIK IISpeclal HandlerAgreementsll

- USDAhas ap-proved procedures for Payment-in-Kind "special handler agree-ments" for non-approved ware-houses. The agreements willgive temporary PIK grain han-dling authority to warehousesnot approved under the uniformgrain storage agreement. The"special handler agreements"were developed because somefarmers due to receive PIK graindid not live near an approvedwarehouse. USDAexpected tohave all of the special handlerwarehouses signed up by theend of April.

Export Equity Legislation- AFBF President Robert De-lano has testified on behalf of ageneral export promotion billwhich includes provisions for anexport Payment-in-Kind pro-gram in the Agricultural ExportEquity Act of 1983.

Although this bill mandatescertain export actions that runcounter to administrative flex-ibility, FB supports the legisla-tion as a major thrust in coun-tering unfair trade practicesand stimulating exports.

Three amendments to the bill,S. 822, would:

- Remove the "mandated"sale of dairy products abroad,and substitute language which

RURAL LIVING, MA Y 198:3 7

Legislative Leaders GetInvolved During Annual Capital Trek 4

By Connie Turbin

There has been little to cheerabout In the farm economy inrecent months, but USDAoffi-cials say they are more optimis-tic In view of the voluntary re-sponse of farmers to the Pay-ment-in-Kind (PIK) programthroughout the grain producingstates. That was the messagepresented to a delegation of100 farmers in Washington,D.C.. on April 7 by U.S.Secre-tary of Agriculture John Blockand chiefs of the U.S.Agricul-tural Stabilization and Conser-vation Service the Foreign Agri-cultural Marketing Service and

the U.S.Agricultural MarketingService.

Speaking to Farm Bureau"legislative leaders" who werein the nation's capital for theirannual lobbying effort, Blocksaid that while he was not eagerto set aside production on near-ly 83 million acres enrolled inthe PIK and reduced acreageprograms, the solution to theoversupply conditions in wheatand feed grains had to be "boldand imaginative" to ball out ofa difficult situation.

Michigan farmers enrolled thehighest percentage of PIK acresand Block complimented theFarm Bureau organization andits leadership for support of theprogram.

"I believe we can look forwardto better times," Block said,referring to the upward trend ingrain prices since the an-nouncement of PIK participa-tion figures in late March. TheUSDAspokesperson said PJKwas designed to be a "self-destruct" program to be in ef-fect for one or two years.

"PIK is a short-range solu-tion," Block said, "and we mustlook ahead for long-range solu-tions in both the wheat andfeed grains programs and thedairy program. There must bemore market orientation in agri-culture."

Block cautioned that thosewho favor less government in-

MFBPrcsldent ~lton Smith Introduces Agriculture Secretary John Blockto thc Michigan delcgation of Farm Bureau legislative leaders. Blockmet with the Michigan farm group at the USDAoffices In Washington.D.C.. on Thursday, April 7.

volvement in agriculture willface strong opposition from fac-tions that believe governmentcontrols and programs are theanswer. Block urged the FarmBureau group to continue tosupport proposals to freezeprice supports at the 1983levels for 1984 and 1985.

Managing overproduction inthe dairy industry continues tobe the subject of controversyand Block said that while theUSDAIs looking at several pro-posals or combinations of pro-posals, the basis of any futureprogram must Include dlscre-

~ tionary authority for the secre-tary to adjust support levels tomatch production with con-sumer demand.

The April 7 meeting was thelast of the official meetingsscheduled for the Farm Bureaulegislative leaders group duringthe three full days of the Wash-ington Legislative Seminar.Earlier in the week, the farmerdelegation met with Michigansenators and congressmen intheir Capitol Hill offices todiscuss legislative issues andFarm Bureau policy, attendhearings and committeemeetings.

In addition to the informationbriefing with USDAchiefs andthe secretary of agriculture,Farm Bureau members gainedadditional insights Into the poli-cies and Issues outside of theirfarm agency from Michael Cal-ingaert, deputy assistant secre-tary for international resourcesand food policy in the State De-partment. Calingaert reportedthat in 1982 U.S.exports haddeclined for the first time after}3 years of steady growth. Heindicated that further declinesare expected in 1983. The dropIn agricultural exports, he said,was the result of many factors,but he cited a worldwide reces-sionary economy as a major

RURAL LIVING. MA Y 198.3

factor affecting trade through-out the International markets.

Subsidized exports from Euro-pean Economic Communitycountries is also a contributingfactor in lost export marketshares for U.S. farm commodi-ties and Calingaert pointed outthat the U.S.continues to workthrough international channelsand agencies, such as GATT,and through trade missions in-volving public and private sec-tor Interests to open the doorsto trade.

Referring to the recent sale offlour to Egypt, Calingaert saidthat the trade action by the U.S.was designed to bring the EECto the bargaining table to dis-cuss and negotiate the use ofsubsidies and tariff policies inInternational trade practices.The wheat deal, he said, was

~Jlports and International foodpolley were the topics for dis-cussion at a State Departmentbriefing for MFBmembers onApril 6. The group met withMichael Callngaert. deputy assis-tant secretary for Internationalresources and food polley.

9

Michigan Sen. Levin (center) gets an early morning update on the posi-tion of Michigan's fruit growers regarding the administration of market-Ing orders from Mark Drake of Northwest Michigan Farm Bureau. Drakeand MFBVice President Jack Laurie (left) explained to Levin thatgrowers want assurances that OMB will not usurp USDA authority tocarry out the producer approved marketing orders.

No apathy among these voting constituents Levin learned when. follow.Ing the Thursday morning meeting with Farm Bureau legislative leaders.they questioned him on federal spending. farm programs and taxation.

10

advertised as a one-time-onlydeal, aimed directly at the EEC.

However, CaJingaert warnedagainst the effects of protec-tionist trade practices and leg-islation by the United States. Hecalled protectionist measurespotentially dangerous and warn-ed that "to the extent we areprotectionist, it makes it dif.ficult to open or expand tradein other countries."

Domestic issues from thebudget to federal marketingorders were on the agenda forFarm Bureau legislative leadersin their personal contacts withtheir congressional represen-tatives and senators. Membersof the Farm Bureau legislativedelegation hand deliveredcopies of the proposed Agricul-tural Recovery Act of 1983 anddiscussed the importance of acomprehensive rewrite of farmprogram authorities. Priorityissues were for a freeze ontarget loan prices and a reduc-tion in the dairy support pricelevel to $11.32/ cwt.

Veto of the 1982 cherry mar-keting order hurt producers anddisrupted the price and supplystability for consumers, thefarmers told their Washingtonrepresentatives. They requestedclear cut authority for the USDAto approve and administermarketing orders in the futurewithout intervention from othergovernment agencies, notablythe Office of Management andBudget.

Activity and interest in theproposed federal budget for1983-84 was a concern sharedby both congressmen and thelegislative leaders. The pro-jected $200 billion deficitmarks the highest deficit in U.5.history and Farm Bureau lead-ers, supporting a balanced fed-eral budget and reduced gov-ernment spending, pressedtheir stand for a three-yearfreeze in cost of living ad-justments for all federal pro-grams.

RURAL LIVING. MA Y 198.3

During the three-year freeze,reforms in the benefit struc-tures would be required, FarmBureau's grassroots lobbyistssaid. Such reforms would pro-mote a more equitable burdensharing between entitlementbeneficiaries and taxpayers andallow for the growth of benefits,but not at a rate faster than thewages of taxpayers who must fi.nance the programs.

Speaking to the seminar par-ticipants on Thursday, April 7,Michigan Sen. Carl Levin com-plimented the farm communityfor expressing a willingness tosacrifice in reducing the cost ofgovernment, however, he heldout little hope that he wouldsupport the third and finalphase of the three-year tax cutscheduled to go into effect July1, 198.3.

"If we're going to have deficitreduction," Levin told thegroup, "we're going to have tosacrifice across the board in-stead of what we have now,which is sacrifice in someplaces, but huge gains inothers."

Levin charged that the taxcut gave a disproportionate ad-vantage for families with in-comes over $45,000 per year.He proposed a $45,000 or$50,000 cap on the scheduledJuly tax cut.

Tax issues were a major poli-cy concern to Farm Bureaumembers who were in Washing-ton to support and defend taxrelief measures granted in 198 Ilegislation.

In an interview with the newsmedia while in Washington,D.C., MFB President Elton R.Smith reaffirmed the farm or-ganization's support for re-straint in government spendingand a balanced federal budgetbased on reductions in the sizeand cost of government, not in-creased taxation.

(continued on page 34)


Meeting with Thumb area farm 8ureau legislative leaders. aide toCongressman 80b Traxler, Roger Szemraj, discusses the future of farmprograms. Traxler, who did not attend the meeting, was in Michigan toaddress leaders of the Michigan Rural Electric Cooperative.

Rep. Guy VanderJagt and 9th district constituent David Woller ofOceana County continue their informal discussion following the Mf8Congressional 8reakfast meeting on Wednesday, April 6.

11

Fair Treatment of Farm LaborersKeeps Labor Organizers Out

By Donna Wilber

"It's not nice to shoot theorganizer!"

With that satirical, exagger-ated response, Dr. Allen Shap-ley, Michigan State Universitylabor management specialist,broaches the serious subject ofhow farmers should handle thedelicate situation of farm laborunion organizer attempts.

The recent announced inten-tion of the Farm Labor Organiz-ing Committee (FLOC)to beginactivity in Michigan has caused

12

concern among producers re-garding their rights and respon-sibilities involved in dealingwith organizers who approachtheir workers. But Shapley be-lieves that if farmers have usedsharp human relations andmanagement skills, there willbe little cause for that concern.

"There are many farms in

Michigan where, if an organizercame on the property, the farmworkers themselves wouldthrow him off because theywould see him as a detriment tothe positive relationship theyhave with their employer,"Shapley said.


farm labor specialist, Dr. Allen Shapley, advises farm employers thatgood wages and benefits, sound and clean housing and open lines ofcommunication are the basic components of "common sense" labormanagement.

"A large part of labor man-agement is just using a lot ofcommon sense in three areas:planning, empathy and com-munication. Planning is think-ing ahead; empathy is the prac-tice of putting yourself in theother's shoes, of trying to seethings from the worker's pointof view, and communication isnot just telling and showing,but also asking and listening."

Theoretically, the wholeidea of an organizercoming onto a farm isto improve the situa-tion for the workers.Therefore, he will be in-effective and unable toget the workers to signwith his union unlessthey feel it will be ofbenefit to them.

.'

"Theoretically, the whole ideaof an organizer coming onto afarm is to improve the situationfor the workers. Therefore, hewill be ineffective and unable toget the workers to sign with hisunion unless they feel it will beof benefit to them. It costsmoney to join a union, so it's acost-benefit situation for theworker," he said.

Fair Labor ManagementBased on Common Sense

This kind of positive relation-ship, Shapley said, does nothappen overnight. It takes time,constant concern, and most im-portant, open channels of com-munication between the em-ployer and the workers.

"farm employers need to doeverything in their power to seethat their workers are satisfiedand that doesn't necessarily

RURAL LIVING, MA Y J 98.3

mean higher wages. It meansgood wages, good benefits,structurely sound and cleanhousing, open communicationsand recognition of a job welldone. If the farmer can makehis workers perceive that he isconcerned for them, that he'snot trying to exploit them, theywill see this as a job benefit andwill reject anything that mightharm that relationship," Shap-ley said.

If such a relationship doesnot exist between a farmer andhis workers, the time to startimproving it is now - not whenthe organizer is at the farmgate, Shapley warned. "It's notsomething you can say, 'yester-day I did it this way and todayI'm going to do it a better way:It's something you have to workon, but it can be done," he said.

Shapley has some recommen-dations for farmers if an organi-zer is successful in approachingtheir workers (other than it'snot nice to shoot him) and hereminds them that if their farmhas a labor camp, they cannotdeny an organizer access to it.

"It was ruled several yearsago that a farmer cannot saywho can and cannot visit acamp because the camp be-longs to the migrants whilethey are there," he explained."If he has evidence of anorganizer having been there,he'd better start visiting withthe migrants. It doesn't do anygood to threaten either theorganizer or the workers in-volved.

"If an organizer gets theworkers to say, 'you do this orwe will strike,' the best thing todo is to ask for some time to

1.3

review their list of demands.Then, the employer must decidewhat to do - get a lawyer, firethe group of involved employ-ees, or give in to their de-mands.

"He can sit down with hisfarm workers and analyze thedemands, explaining what hecan and will do and what hecannot do without going out ofbusiness. If the workers trustthe farmer, this will probablywork, but that element of trustmust be there," Shapley said.

Michigan - A "Paradise"for Migrant Workers

Nationally, migrants do needa better situation than theyhave, Shapley said, and Michi-gan offers them the best situa-tion of almost any state in thenation.

"Talk to any migrant, most ofwhom do work in many states,and they'll tell you that Michi-gan is paradise ... that thehousing is pretty good and insome places excellent, thegrowers are fair, the wages theypay are fair, they can get foodstamps, and the people 'intown' aren't apt to be as preju-diced as in other states," hesaid.

"But there's still a ways to go.Some migrants are exploited.There are still some camps thatare horrible. There are somebad employers in the state whodon't recognize migrants ashuman beings with basic needsand rights."

While these kinds of situa-tions are few, they are the focusof migrant worker advocateswho still believe that "TheHarvest of Shame" is a reflec-tion of Michigan today, Shapleysaid. Even though that's farfrom true, it's these isolated

14

cases that provide fuel for farmlabor organizers. Those whowon't be impacted will befarmers who have solid, long-established relationships withmigrant families.

"Many Michigan growers hirefamilies who come back yearafter year. The farmer knows .these families; he goes to theirdaughter's wedding in Texasand they come to his daughter'swedding in Michigan. Theorganizer isn't going to haveany impact on those kinds ofworkers when he comes on thefarm and he knows it!" Shapleysaid.

Farmers SeekManagement Training

Sharon Steffens, Kent Countyfruit grower and member of theAgricultural Labor Commission,is one of a growing number ofprogressive farmers wh,o recog-nize the need to sharpen theirlabor management skills.

"The value of good labormanagement skills should notbe considered only on the basis

of the amount of labor used,"according to Steffens. "Thepotential economic impact ofworkers on the profit of thebusiness is an even more im-portant factor.

Good labor manage-ment skills should be aconcern of all of us,whether that labor ishired or family labor.

"For example, 10 dissatisfiedpickers can hurt the profits ona fruit farm, but one angryherdsman can be disastrous tothe profits on a dairy farm. Onthe positive side, 10 enthusias-tic pickers will harvest morefruit with less damage, but onededicated, well-trained herds-man can increase the produc-tion of a whole herd.

"So, good labor managementskills should be a concern of allof us, whether that labor ishired or family labor," she said.

She encourages farmers totake advantage of four bulletinsavailable from Dr. Shapley:"Putting Labor Management inPerspective, Motivating FarmWorkers, Tips for Training FarmWorkers and Designing Incen-tive Planning for Farm Workers.To order these bulletins, send astamped, self-addressed enve-lope to Dr. Allen Shapley,Department of Agricultural Eco-nomics, 20 Agriculture Hall.Michigan State University, EastLansing, Mich. 48824.

RURAL LIVING, MAY 1983

"f

)... Michigan Farm Bureau AppointsAgricultural Labor Committee

A la-member Michigan FarmBureau Agricultural Labor Ad-visory Committee has been ap-pointed by MFB President EltonR. Smith. Formation of the com-mittee was requested by theMFB board of directors to fillthe void created by the recent"inactive status" placement ofthe organization's labor affili-ate, MASA, the Michigan Agri-cultural Services Association.

The committee, chaired byOceana County fruit andvegetable grower John Riley,held its first meeting on March30 at Farm Bureau Center inLansing, where members re-viewed their objectives. Theseinclude: advise the MFB boardin areas related to the use,management and problems con-fronting agricultural labor;develop an effective workingrelationship with other organi-zations, groups and governmen-tal agencies concerned with aglabor; and to suggest and en-courage ag labor programs byMFB, universities, governmentagencies and others.

It will also be the committee'srole to consider county FarmBureau policy resolutions thatconcern ag labor and, in turn,make recommendations to theMFB Policy Development Com-mittee.

Members of the committee, inaddition to chairperson John

RURAL LIVING, MA Y 1983

Riley, are: Mike Satchell,Tuscola County dairyman; EarlGoetz, Lenawee County vegeta-ble, cattle and hog farmer;Robert Grams, Clinton countydairy farmer; James Erwin,Oakland County orchard andfarm market operator; RobertDeBruyn Jr., Ottawa Countymulti-state vegetable growerand shipper; Les Dowd, VanBuren County fruit andvegetable grower; Ruth Rigg,Branch County dairy farmer;Hardy Elowski, MontmorencyCounty forester; and DonaldNugent Benzie County fruitgrower and representative ofthe MFB board.

Serving as secretary for thecommittee is Ron Gaskill, MFBlocal affairs specialist.

Committee to OverseeLegal Defense Fund

The committee will also be re-sponsible for administration ofthe Legal Defense Fund, one ofMASA's member programs.Through annual fees paid byMASA members, the fund wasdeveloped to provide financialassistance to members whowere involved in litigation onagricultural issues. New ad-visory committee chairpersonRiley chaired the Legal DefenseCommittee for three years. TheMFB Ag Labor Advisory Commit-tee will evaluate all requests forlegal defense funds and makerecommendations to the MFBboard.

The possible re-establishmentof the Legal Defense Fund as amembership entity, with provi-sions for generating new in-come, wi II be considered by thecommittee at a later date. Thereis currently over $10,000 re-maining in the fund.

In an appearance before thecommittee, Genesee Countyfarmer Sandy Hill gave a reporton her attendance at a multi-state meeting of church peoplewho support the union organi-zation activities of FLOC(seeaccompanying feature). Hill ex-plained that the purpose of themeeting was to create adialogue between farm workers,growers and corporations sochurch representatives couldunderstand the conflict amongthe three. Also discussed washow the churches would sup-port FLOC's efforts to organizemigrant farmworkers.

Hill reported that she was oneof only a handful of growerspresent at the meeting. She ex-pressed her frustration at the"church's insistence uponcreating an emotional issuerather than listening to anyfacts or logic" pertaining to theissue of alleged migrant workerabuses.

FLOC's activities in Michiganwill be monitored by the MFBLabor Advisory Committee inthe months ahead.

15

FRONT 8/. CENTER

Farm Bureau Services, Inc. has been granted a 30-day extension for submitting areorganization plan under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy law. The extension was approv-ed by the four creditors' committees and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Bay City. Executive vicepresident and chief executive officer Newton Allen said progress has been made in the develop-ment of a reorganization plan, but some work must be completed before it can be submitted tothe court.

Farmers who hire an economically disadvantaged youth this summer can get a taxcredit under a new federal program. The Targeted Jobs Tax Credit applies to the hiring ofyouths 16 or 17 years old on the hiring date after April .30. The tax credit is equal to 85% ofthe first $.3,000 of wages paid to each eligible youth during any 90-day period between May 1and Sept. 15. The tax credit applies only to wages paid to youths who have not previouslyworked for the employer. Farmers may get more information from their nearest MichiganEmployment Security Commission Job Service office.

Michigan's horse population ranks Sth in the nation, higher than Kentucky, andits 250,000 horses are part of a $2 billion industry in this state, Ed Brennan, president of theMichigan Horse Council, told the MFBboard of directors at its April meeting. Brennan said thecouncil is working on getting recommendations from the Governor's Conference on the HorseIndustry implemented and also reported on a legislative day activity scheduled for June 8 onthe state capitol lawn. Forty-two organizations representing 20,000 people are now members ofthe Michigan Horse Council.

"ow does your local unit of government spending compare with others? You canget this information from the Treasury Department now. Available are 1982 fiscal reports for aspecific unit ($1 each), fiscal reports comparing 1982 with 1981 ($2), and fiscal reports com-paring 1982 spending of your unit with another local unit ($2). To order, specify local unit andcounty for each report requested, send check payable to the State of Michigan, along with yourname, address and phone number to: Michigan Department of Treasury, Local GovernmentAudit Division, 2nd Floor, Treasury Bldg., Lansing, Mich. 48922.

The AFBFYoung Farmer and Rancher Committee has announced 1983 DiscussionMeet topics. They include: (1) Subsidies - ammunition for a trade war? (2) How does the sup-ply of credit affect the farm community and what will be the source of this credit in the future?(3) How can Farm Bureau, as a general farm organization, ensure farmer input into farmer pro-grams without creating division along commodity lines? (4) Political action committees haveproven beneficial to many special interest groups - are farm PACsa threat to our effec-tiveness as a bi-partisan voice for agriculture? Young Farmers planning to compete in upcom-ing Discussion Meets may obtain further information by writing: Young Farmer Department,Michigan Farm Bureau, P.O. Box .30960, Lansing, Mich. 48909.

Gov. Blanchard has appointed 11 members of the IS-member Michigan Dairymen'sMarket Program Committee. Named for terms expiring Dee. 31, 1983, were Harold Ward,Romeo; Ernest Girbach, Saline; and Harold Bahrman, Skandia. For terms expiring Dee. 31,1984, Carl Kline, White Pigeon; Frank Lapinski, Buckley; Wilfred Wardin, Hemlock; and KeithBrown, Jonesville, were appointed. Named for terms expiring Dee. .31, 1985, were: ElwoodKirkpatrick, Kinde; Velmar Green, Elsie; Jerry Good, Caledonia; and Elmo Heft, Grand Rapids.The new committee was created last year to promote sales of Michigan milk and milk products.

Michigan Blue Cross Blue Shield has filed a legal challenge to the ruling handeddown by the Michigan Commissioner of Insurance which prohibits BCBSfrom age and arearating subscribers in certain association groups, including the Michigan Farm Bureau group.Neither the commission ruling nor the subsequent legal action by BCBSwill have an immediateeffect on the MfB subscriber group. MFBmanagement is evaluating programs offered by alter-native, private insurance providers to ensure continued, long-term health care coverage forFarm Bureau members.

16 RURAL LIVING, MA Y 1983

LET T E R S TO R U R ALL I V I N G

Family Farm DevelopmentLoan Process to Begin

Interest in the Michigan Fami->- Iy Farm Development Program~ continues to run high. To date,

more than 4,500 people havemade inquires about the pro-gram and are included on the~authority's mailing list.

.) The program developmentsare progressing with final de-tails being completed duringApril on the document packagenecessary to complete a loan bythe authority and for purchaseof the tax exempt revenue bondby the participating lender.

.,. With finalization of these doc-uments, the application processcan be set into motion. Applica-

~ tions will be available throughparticipating lenders. A particl-

f pating lender is any lending in-.. stitution in the state which has

agreed with the authority toparticipate in the program.

~ Qualified beginning farmerswho have located propertywhich they desire to purchasethrough a Family Farm Develop-

~ ment loan are encouraged to»- contact local bankers to deter-

mine their interest in develop-ing a loan package and in pur-chasing a tax exempt revenue

t-

bond to finance the loan.Persons who have requested

information, and are now on theauthority's mailing list, may ex-pect to receive information andguidelines regarding the ap-plication process for FamilyFarm Development loans soon.

The authority wishes to ex-press its appreciation for sup-port of the legislation and pro-grams being developed whichhas been extended by Farm Bu-reau members. A special thanksshould go to the various FarmBureau Young Farmer groupswho have sponsored local infor-mation meetings about the pro-gram. To date, more than 2,000people have attended thesemeetings and received informa-tion regarding qualificationsand answers to the variousquestions that have arisen re-garding the program.Don Schaner, Executive DirectorMDA Family Farm Development

Getting Started: Cballengeto Beginning Farmers

I am a young man, 25 yearsold, who is trying to get startedin farming. I was born and rais-ed on a farm. While I was grow-

ing up, my father worked 500acres and milked 30 cows,which I helped with. I was inter-ested in farming from an earlyage and took FFA in high schoolfor four years. After I graduatedfrom high school, I left the farmfor three years to branch out onmy own and worked in a fac-tory. It was then that I realizedthat my love was farming.

With my father still in thebusiness, I could see a future,but only with his help could Ibegin. I have been farming withmy father for three years andhave been managing my shareof the farm for the last two.

The Family Farm DevelopmentProgram, offering low Interestloans, is very important to meas I'd like to buy more land andbe able to expand with more ef-ficient machinery. In these hardtimes we are facing, I realizethe importance of effective andefficient operations and this ismy goal.Dennis Weidman, Huron County

If you have a question or opinion thatyou would like to share with Farm Bu-reau members In Rural Living magazine,send It to: Letters to Rural LIving, Michi-gan Farm Bureau, P.O. Box .30960, Lan-sing, Mich. 48909.

:FARMERS OF THE WEEK

~] The Farmer of the Week program, co-sponsorea by Farm Bureau Insurance

... Group and the Michigan Farm RadioNetwork, honors Michigan farmers for

"", their contributions to the communityand the agriculture Industry. Four farm-

t ers were honored In March 198.3:

Marcb 7 - Lyle Hoskins, 50, a dairyand hog farmer from Climax, farms sev-

, eral hundred acres with the help of hislo family. He Is a member of the National

Cattlemen's Association and the Michi-gan Milk Producers Association, Is ac-tive In the county Farm Bureau and the

,. local FB Community Action Group andIs a member of the Masons and the

.. American legion.

Marcb 10\ - Ralph (Pat) Sietsema,60, of Allendale, Is a cash crop and beef

t RURAL LIVING, MA Y 198.3

farmer. He farms 600 acres and raisescorn and pickles. He Is an active mem-ber and past deacon In the ChristianReformed Church, Is active In thechurch men's society, Is an OttawaCounty Farm Bureau member and hasbeen Involved In tractor pulling compe-titions for over .30 years.

Marcb 21 - Gerald Heck, .32, of Ida,operates a 900-acre cash crop and poul-try farm with his brother. Their egg-pro-ducing operation Includes 14,000chickens and they also raise corn, soy-beans and wheat. Heck serves as a Sun-day School teacher and church councilmember In the Lutheran Church In Ida,and Is on the Monroe County Farm Bu-reau Board of Directors. He Is a memberof the Monroe County Extension Serviceadvisory committee, the Michigan State

University Alumni Association andserved on the MFB Young Farmer Com-mittee.

Marcb 28 - Larry Kartes, .31, oper-ates a .350-acre dairy farm near Alger.He Is chairperson of the Edwards Town-ship CItizens Association, Is an activemember of St. Joseph Catholic ChurchIn West Branch, has been township con-stable for seven years, serves on theOgemaw County Farm Bureau Board ofDirectors, Is chairperson of the countyYoung Farmer Committee, earned theFarmer of the Year Conservation AwardIn 1979, earned a Congressional Awardpresented by U.S. Rep. Don Albosta, Is amember of the Michigan Milk ProducersAssociation and he and his wife werenamed Outstanding Young Dairy CoupleIn 1981.

17

~ount~ jiewsletter News and Informationfrom Michigan's CountyFarm Bureaus •

Hawaii Prize Offered in State No-Till Contest

Eaton County FB Burns Mortgage

They say a picture paints a thousand words! The above picture says it all as Eaton CountyFarm Bureau burned its mortgage on March 29. There was an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. atthe office at 430 State Street in Charlotte, and then in a ceremony the mortgage was burnedwith County President Duane Tirrell doing the honors.

Do your friendsa favor -

Ask them to joinFarm Bureau

..

~Clem Valot, a Cheboygan County

Farm Bureau member from Macki-naw City, was asked by the Ameri- .can Farm Bureau Federation tospeak on a panel at the AFBF Aqua-~culture Conference in New Orleans,Louisiana. He and his wife, Shirley,"flew there for the March 22 & 23meetings.

The Valots operate Green Acres ~Camp Ground at Mackinaw City. Aspart of this camp they raise troutt- ....from eggs to maturity. Tourists like......to stop there and pay a fee to trytheir luck at fishing for trout. The 'ponds are heavily stocked so fisher-men usually catch a fish weighing Jfrom 1 to 2 pounds in a few minutes.""The Valots say approximately20,000 trout are caught there by ~fishermen each season.

On March 22 Valot served on apanel to review marketing opportun-ities for various phases of aquacul-ture. Va lot spoke as an industryspecialist on trout. Other speakers ...were from California on shellfish.from Washington on oysters and «clams, from Louisiana on shrimpand from Mississippi on catfish.Special speakers at this conference_,included Wilmer D. Mitzell, assis-tant secretary for governmental and.,...public affairs, who spoke on "USDAActivities in Aquaculture" and'1Bruce Hawley, assistant director ofnational affairs for AFBF, who ad- ~dressed, "Issues of Concern to Aqua- 'l

culture."On March 23 Valot attended ~ ..

meeting of the AFBF AquacultureAdvisory Committee of which he is"one of the 12 members. Their agen- ,da stated, "Commercial FishermenAre Farmers Too!" ~

Cheboygan Fish Farmeron National Panel

$300 cash.Rules and entry forms are avail-

able in the offices of the Soil Conser-vation Service/Soil ConservationDistrict, and in the ASC office.Posters advertising the contest, ac-companied by rules and entry forms,will also be at many farm implementand ag sales outlets in the countv.

The highest no-till corn Yield forMichigan in 1982 was 182 bushelsper acre on a Capac loam soil inClinton County.

New rules for the 1983 MichiganNo-Tillage Corn Yield Contest, spon-sored by Chevron Chemical Co. andSoil Conservation Districts, are nowavailable.

Along with the cash prize of $100for the highest no-till corn yield ineach county, the farmer with thehighest no-till corn yield in the statewill receive an all-expense paid tripfor two to Hawaii. Second highestyield in the state will earn $500 incash, third highest yield will earn

J,

MAY 1983

Name _

Address _

------------------------------------Price Amount

$18.85$10.80$13.45

$2.65 lb.S27.70S10.35$27.00$28.00S 1.60$ 9.50S 8.90S31.80$19.80S14.20$15.25$ 2.60$11.65$11.65S10.95$10.95

Tot~1 S

"Corn's up!"

Farmette

Contact your county Farm Bureausecretary to see if your county isparticipating in the 1983 AsparagusSale.

Other PhonePhone

Quantity Product

Fresh Asparagus. 20 IbsFresh Asparagus. 10 Ibs.Summer Time Franks. 12/1 lb. packagesMACMA Hams. 4/4 lb. averageThick Cut Bacon. 1011'/1 lb. pkgs .Hickory Stick, 4 lb. averageMichigan Apple Concentrate, 24/12 oz. cans, 5 + 1Michigan Grape Concentrate. 24/12 oz. cans, 3 + 1Dried Tart Cherries, 4 oz. bag, 5 + 1Florida Valencia Oranges, 415 bushel cartonFlorida Pink Seedless Grapefruit, 4/5 bushel cartonFlorida Orange Concentrate, 24/12 oz. cans, 5 + 1Florida Grapefruit Concentrate, 24/12 oz. cans, 5 + 1Lemonade Concentrate, 24/12 oz. cansGrapefruit Sections, 24/16 oz. cans. no sugar addedFlorida Skinless Peanuts, 20 oz. canWisconsin Sharp Cheddar. 4/1 lb. pkgs.Wisconsin Medium Cheddar, 4/1 lb. pkgs.Wisconsin Colby Cheese. 4/1 lb. pkgs.Wisconsin Monterey Jack. 4/1 lb. pkgs.Total Units

The deadline for ordering prod-ucts in the MACMA Asparagus Saleis Wednesday, May 11. Delivery isscheduled for the week of May 22.

MACMA Asparagus Sale Deadline May 11

Farm Animal Rightists on the MoveMembers of Congress were re- to produce wholesome products.

cently invited by the Farm Animal We must keep informed and keepReform Movement (FARM). an ani- our legislators and urban friendsmal rights organization, to a recep- aware of the truth .tion in Washington D.C. In a letterfrom Alex Hershaft, president ofFARM, the congressional leaderswere told: "Things just ain't whatthey used to be down on the farm!The traditional tranquil family farmof yesterday has been displaced bya giant factory farm operated by anagribusiness conglomerate." Somepurposes of the reception, said Her-shaft, were to promote the humanetreatment of farm animals and toreturn to wholesome and unadulter-ated farm products.

These organizations were veryvocal, busy people. In short, theyare condemning our care and ability

.) Production Credit Association:-Short-term Extension - Carrying

''J~ payments past due until assets aresold to provide repayment.

r ~-Refinancing Renegotiating

l terms of the loan or providing in-terim financing if there appears to

'"T be a reasonable chance that the bor-"" ,. rower can refinance the loan through

another lender.

-Renewing - Moving short-term~ debt into the PCA annual operating

loan and allowing the borrower ad-..) ditional time to make the repay-

ment.

-Voluntary Liquidation - Allow-...... ing the borrower to convert equ ity

to cash during a mutually agreeableperiod of time.

'"~~Farm Credit System~t Helping in a Crunch

The Farm Credit System has sever-~ al servicing options used in progres-... sive steps to help farmers who are

experiencing repayment problems.~ » Within the servicing guidel ines, each

of the following options is explored~ ~ by the loan officer before any loanj. is called into foreclosure.

.> Federal Land Bank:-Extension - Granting the bor-

......~ rower an extension and not pursuingfurther collection activity for a given

• ~- period of time. An extension is possi-... ble when the member-borrower has

a positive source of repayment fundsJ. which will be available to him by a

specific date.~ J. -Deferment _ Allowing the bor-l>} rower to make the interest payment

only and postponing payment of the; principal portion of the loan.j -Reamortization - Combining all

money due, such as interest, billedand unbilled principal and any otheradvances, and amortizing them over

r ). the previously establ ished term of,.» the loan or a new term of years.

-Refinancing - Providing funds" to payoff short-term debt, thus~_ allowing a longer term of years in

which to repay debt.

~ ' -Voluntary Liquidation - Allow-ing the borrower to convert equity

t" to cash during a mutually agreeable.. period of time.

FARM BUREAU MARKET PLACE

CLASSIFIED AD POLICY MISCELLANEOUS FOR HOMEMAKERS

Members pay 10~ per word for non-commerlcal ads and 15~ perword for ads which promote a commercial business other than ag-riculture. All other advertisers pay 20~ per word for one Insertionand 15~ per word for two or more consecutive Insertions.

The deadline for advertisements Is the first Monday of tbemontb preceding publication and the publisher has the rightto reject any advertising copy submitted. All ads must be pre-paid and may be pre-paid up to one year In advance. Please In-dicate If you are a Farm Bureau member. It Is the responsibility ofthe advertiser to re-Insert the ad on a month-by-month or year-by-year basis.

Send ads to Rural Living. P.O. Box 30960. Lansing. Mlcb.....8909. rlo ads will be taken over tbe pbone.

FARM EQUIPMENTW.atedl New Idea single or narrow rowcorn picker. Will pay cash. Phone 517-52.}-280.}. evenings. (7-1.}t-22p-ts)

r.rrowlag St.lI. - All steel $167.40.Includes feeder-waterer. top rail. rumprail. Weighs 1961bs. Free literature. StarrNational. 219 Main. Colchester. IL 62'}26.

(5-24p-ts)

W.atedl D.III.ged or burned tr.c-ton and equipment not worth repairing.517-52'}-280'}. evenings. ('}-12t-12p)

Aallque Tr.ctor Book.1 "EWI "JohnDeere Tractors 1918-1976:' 75 illustra-tions. serial numbers. 54 pages - $6.95 ."Power Farming with Oreater Proflt5:.orIginally published In 19'}7 to celebrateJohn Deere's l00th anniversary. hun-dreds of photos of tractors. Implements.specifications. 112 pages - $8.95."John Deere Advertising 800k:' coversyears 1889 to 1940. tractors. machinery.Illustrated. '}6 pages. $4.95. SP[CIALIComplete above library - three qualitysoftcover books - $18.95 postpaid. Dia-mond Farm 800k Publishers. Dept. MFN.80x 5'}7. Alexandria 8ay. NY 1'}607.

(.}-.}t- 75p-t5)

ror S.lel 8aker Separator. 28 Inchbelt5. John Deere grain binder. 7 ft. JohnDeere 2 horse cultivator all housed. goodcondition. Reuben LIndemann. Dexter.Mlch .. phone.} 1.}-426-'}541. (5-2t-.}Op)

Sprlag Sped.1 - "ew Alum.x b.rdbOH Irrlg.lIoa tr.weler. 1200 ft. of.}~" 10 hose - $14.500. Allis Chalmersdiesel pumping unit. complete. 500 OPMC 140- - $8.000. lII.aure pamp ••• gl-t.ton. pipe .ad Irrlg.lIoa tr.welento pump manure directly from lagoon orpit to neld. We al50 custom pump. Plum-mer Supply. 8radley. MI. 1-8OO-6.}2-77'}1.

(5-51p-t5)

Old Joba Deere "Leu" feed .11I.Always housed - $150. Archie Magslg.8s'}.} U.S. 27. DeWitt. Mich. 48820.Phone 517-669-9920. (5-20p)

W.atedllnternatlonal No.9 or No.7 silofillers. corn bInders and grain binders.John Spezla. 120 Oerst Road. Leonard.Mich. 480'}8. '}1'}-628-4147. (5-2.}p)

Egg gr.der .ad Qadler. four differentsizes. Keenco. $'}5.00. 517-652-6612.Saginaw County. (5-12p)

LIVESTOCK

Baat.lD. - I" breed •• 81ack SlIkles.White SlIkles. Oolden Sebrlght5. SliverSebrlghts. Cochlns. Cornish. Araucanasand others. Also standard and rare breedchickens. Free catalog. Oraln 8eltHatchery. Box 125-6. Windsor. MissourI65.}60. (l-6t-.}2p-t5)

LIVESTOCKIIIl1klag Sborlbora.1 Young bulls.yearlings and calves for sale. WrIte orvisit Stanley M. Powell and Family. In-gleside Farm. Route 2. '}248 Powell Hwy ..Ionia. Mich. 48846. (4-6t-12p)

Top qu.llty poultry at reasonableprices. Chicks for eggs. meat or novelty.Also Oulneas. Oosllngs. Ducks. Turkeys.PIc~re brochure 50(. Country Hatchery •Wewoka. Oklahoma 74884. (1-6t-24p-t5)

Corrled.le .beep breeding stock. '}1'}.429-7874. (l-12t-5pJ

rree Qt.log. wbole •• le price •• Reds.Cornish Cross. 8arred Rocks. WhiteRocks. Sexllnks. Leghorns. Turkeys.Ducks. Reich Poultry Farms. RDI. Marlet.ta. Pennsylvania 17547. (l-6t-21 pots)

lIog Book.1 "Pig Farmers Veterinary800k:' on-the-farm prevention. symp-toms. treatments. 176 pages. 'dlagnoslschart' - $17.95. "The Sow - ImprovIngHer r:fflclency:' revised edition . .} 10pages. 40 photos • .}O diagrams -$22.95. "Pig Housing." '}2-page 'blue-prInt' section housing. equipment. 222pages - $18.95. SPr:CIALI Above threehardcover hog library - $59.85 valuefor $48.95 postpaid. Diamond Farm800k Publishers. Dept. MFN. 80x 5'}7.Alexandria 8ay. NY 1.}607. (.}-.}t-6.}p-t5)

DOGSAIBe regl.tered Border Collie. forsale. 80rn '}-17-8.} ready for new homes4-»8.}.616-7'}1-5518. (5-20p)

MISCELLANEOUS

Wby Die Wltbout • Will? Two legal"will forms" and easy Instructions. Only$4 ... Order Todayl Ouaranteedl TY-Company. Box 752-MF. Pryor. OK 74.}61.

(l-6t-22p-t5)

S.we ."001 Cookw.re. extr. be.wy19 piece stainless steel 50Id through In-home demonstration at $595. Now avail-able direct only $189.95. Only 100 set5from bankruptcy. Order now to avoiddl5appolntment. 100% refund If return-ed wIthin 10 days unused In orIginal con-dition. Send check. money order. Visa orMastercard number and expiration date.Yankee Trader. 4600 SteIn Road. Ann Ar-bor. Mich. 48105. $1 for brochure.

(12-6t-65p-t5)

Ka.pp Sboe. - tbe origla.1 cu.bloa• boe •• Sizes A-r:r:r:r:. John V. Soye. YourShoe Counselor. 415 N. Main St .. Capac.Michigan 48014. Phone '}1'}-.}95-7661.

(2-4t-2.}p)

LEE Je.a •• r.clory oullet work clothes.shoes. 8argalns on new shlrt5 (low as$4.95). Lee Jackets. boots. gloves.coveralls. Send $1.00 for catalog. SARAOLOV[ CO.. 16 Cherry Ave .. Dept. C-95.Waterbury. CT 06704. (2-5t-'}4p-t5)

CEDAR fence po.ta •• ay alze. Rusticround rail sections. Log homes. RapidRiver Rustic Cedar Log Homes and Fenc-Ing. Rt. .}. Ensign. Rapid RIver. Mich .49878.1-906-474-6427. (2-1lt-27p-m)

W.tkln. de.ler. aeeded. Start yourown business. part or full time. Companyhas been In business since 1868. Ooodfor students. retirees. also. Oood forfundralsers. party plan and direct todoor sales. Call .} 1'}-529-.}.}49.

(4-2t-.}.}p)

Cberry grower. - will market. harvestor rent your crop. 616-429-4260 or 616-944-5248. (4-.}t-l1 p)

Un.tt.cbed? Confidential correspon-dence with other "Country Lovin' Sin-gles:' CLSRL. Rt . .}. 80x .}.}.}. Appleton.WIs. 54915. (4-.}t-16p-ts)

W.ntedl Old ladl.a Arllf.ct •• Axes.celts. arrowheads. drilled slate. Informa-tion to: Relics. 80x 152A. Eau Claire.Mich. 49111. (5-6t-l8p)

R.ke Kalttlng Loom. - This fascinat-Ing craft can be mastered by people ofall ages and excellent therapy for thehandicapped. SASE. Davidson's Old MillYarn. 80x 8. Eaton Rapids. Mich. 48827,

(5-.}t-.} 1pots)

r.ttern. for m.klag .turred .alm.l.• nd doll •• 15" baby boy. Individualfingers and toes. dressed In coverallsand shirt. $.}.OO. 12" horse. $2.00.LIfelike cat. standing position. $.}.OO.8rochure of all available origInal pat-terns. $1.00 and LSASE. Dlxle's Love llcStuff. 2'}28 Vernor Road. Lapeer. Mich.48446. (5-.}t-47p-ts)

"r.rmlag reel. Goodl" keycb.la ••$2.00. postpaId - Farm fun. 1725 Town-line. 8entley. Mich. 4861.}. (5-12p)

C.rrot. Lowe Tom.toe •••• The com-plete book of companion planting. 226pages. Illustrated. Send $6.95. Book-ends. RFD-6. Hud50n. NH O.}O51.

(5-20p-t5)

S.le.m.n - Balk feed bodle •• adtr.lIer •• farm bodies and holst5. roll-backs. Central and west MichIgan. Couldbe combined with other lines. Phone 1-800-.} 72-8'}22 or 51 7-645-7661. (5-25b)

FOR HOMEMAKERS

"owl rrozea Tom.to SlIce.1 Enjoygarden fresh navor year roundl Com-plete. easy Instructions. $1.00. Hamil-tons. 80x 652-1'}1. New Ulm. MInn.5607.}. (5-20p-t5)

Reclpe.1 Coupoa.1 CookIng DelightMagazine. Cookeville. TN '}8502-2727.$.}/year. (4-lOt-l0p-t5)

Coldw.ter Dill Plckle.1 Can In mln-utesl No hot brine. Delicious. CrIsp. Fac-tory secret51 Recipe. $1.00. Hamlltons.80x 652-1.}1. New Ulm. Minn. 5607.}.

(5-20p-t5)

Dellgbt everyoae. Complete booklet5with recipes. menus. Ideas for Chinese.Mexican. French and PolynesIan dinners.$1 each or all four for $.}. 8renda RIddle.112'}5 Tuttle HilI. WIllis. Mich. 48191.

(5-.}Op)

Pboto m.gaet. or ke)'cb.la •• 21/."

round cut from your photographs. $2each. postpaid. Fotofun. 1725 Townllne.Bentley. Mich. 4861.}. (5-19p)

SAVEl lI'I.ke Your Owal Frozen hash- •browns. tater tot5. french frlesl Com-plete. easy. Instructions. $1.00. Hamil-tons. 80x 652-1'}1. New Ulm. Mlnn."'-5607.}. (5-20p-t5)_______________ 4

NURSERY STOCK

•• ntedl Yellow curr.nt buabea. Ray I

[. 8lakeslee. Oakley. MIchigan 48649 ...(.}-.}t-19p)

"ur.ery Stock - Evergreens. shade llt.(

ornamental trees. shrubs. roses. peren-nials. ferns llc ground covers. Top qualityat reasonable prices. Our 26th yearl Lan- ..tollary Nursery. 57'}6 N. 25th St .• Kala-mazoo. 616-'}85- 2488. (5-.}t-'}Op)

Str.wberry pl.nta (Maryland virusfree) - Earllglow. Sparkle. Midway25-$5. 100-$14. [verbearlng 25-$6.50 ....100-$20. Orape Vines $2.50 each. Add15% for shipping. Send for free letter. ~\I llc J Wolverton Nursery. 6197 LakeRoad. Millington. Mich. 48746. 517-871-2'}25. (5-2t-.}.}Pl..L

REAL ESTATE

•• nted - r.rm •• bu.lae •• e•• I.keproperlle. In upper Thumb area. Writeor call United Farm llc 8uslness 8rokers •.-'\ <

1764 M-24. Caro. Mich. 4872.}. Phone517-67'}-6888. (.}-.}t-24p-ts) 4..ror S.le - lawe.tmeat .ad lacomeproperlyl .}O acres - blueberry farm In _excellent producing condition. Home-packing shed - Irrigation equipment andpond - farm machinery. Phone 616-924-0229. Maxson's 81ueberry Farm.6540 W. 92nd St .. Fremont. Mich. 49412.

(.}-.}t-.} 1p)

r.rl)' Store - 1982 gross $220.000.Comes equipped. 8eer. wine license. 111. oilacres. $.}50.000 - $100.000 down. Landcontract. Six C.bla ...... kefroatllome- good condition. on Lake Huron. Has .0(good possibilities. Owner retirIng.$1'}5.000. Land contract. EIgbt .... aeBowling Alley - Oood two bedroomfurnished home. 1982 gross $55.000.Comes equipped. Retiring seller offers ~for $2'}9.000 - $100.000 down. Landcontract. Above properties shown by ap-pointment only. Call UnIted Farm llc 8usl. ~ness 8rokers at 517-67.}-6888.

(.}-.}t- 71pots)

800-.cre f.rm Ju.t aorlb of .... n.lag.Yield base of 92. For details call Keith8unce at 517-'}51-90'}2 or .}'}2-6595.Walter Neller Co. (4-2t-2.}p-t5)

Smok)' lIIoaat.la rlwenlde bo.e for -(reat. Townsend. Tennessee. near Oatlln-burg and Cades Cove. PIctures sent on ......request. $50.00 night. Carl Morgan. 409Lambert Lane. Maryville. Tenn . .}7801.

(4-.}t-27p-tS) ....

r ........ bo .. e•• ba.lae~. - free cat-alog No. 204 lists acreage and propertyIn 15 states. American Farm Digest.'}546 Wat5on. St. louis. MO 6.}1.}9. 8DO-'}25-994'}. (4-4t-2'}b-t5) >I'

80-.cre tiled cI.y loom. 150 sowfeeder pig operation. modern farrowIng J. ,

barn. nursery. home. central Michigan.David Richardson. 6775 Hoover. Beaver- ...ton. Mich. 48612. 517-.}86-27.}7. --<

(5-.}t-25p)

80 .cre •• Hwea roo .. f.rm r.acb .(bome for •• Ie. with basement and fire-place. Large barn with basement. al50 .f24x.}O workshop. All cleared farmland.Spring and large pond. PrIce $70.000 .Ralph Freel. 6.}8 Highway. 80x 577. Mil- ...,lersburg. Mich. 49759. 517-7 .}4-4.}4.}.

(5-2t-46p)

RURAL LIVING. MA Y 19B~j

Morel MadnessStrik.es in May

Each year in May, thousandsof otherwise normal-seemingpeople drive for miles for theprivilege of enduring mosquitobites, wet feet and a backachefrom stooping and squatting toscan the forest floor - all forthe chance that they'll returnhome with a mess of mush-rooms.

The object of this quest is noordinary mushroom. It's themorel, that stalked, spongy-topped fungus whose appear-ance in May is taken asjustification for towns to holdfestivals and mushroomhunters to flock to the woods.

Mycologists such as EverettBeneke at Michigan State Uni-versity, who study mushroomsand other fungi, suggest thatpart of the romance of themorel is its brief period ofavailability. Morels rarely popup before May 1 and they'r.egenerally gone by June, so if


the morel fancier wants to in-dulge, May is the time.

Another reason for thepopularity of the morel is thatit's one of the easiest of allMichigan mushrooms to iden-tify.

The true morel has a deeplypitted, hollow top portion that'sattached at its base to thehollow stem. Other mushroomswith folds or gnarled caps thatbear some resemblance to themorel are attached only at thetop, the same wayan umbrellais attached to its handle.

Morels range from creamy-white to black, but all have thedeep, irregularly spaced pits inthe cap, a light-colored stalkand a hollow interior. The at-tachment of the bottom of thecap to the stalk is the acid test,however. This Is why all mush-room hunters, old hands andnovices alike, are advised toslice lengthwise every pittedmorel they collect. While they're

double-checking their identifi-cation of the mushroom as amorel, they can also clear outany millipedes or other bits ofprotein that ~ay have taken upresidence inside the mushroom.

True Morel

No matter where you look formorels - whether on your landor most of the way across thestate - the first morel is thehardest one to spot. The mush-

21

rooms blend into the mottledbrowns of last year's leaves,and until your eye becomesadept at seeing the mushroomsin spite of their protective col-oration, you can be literallywalking on morels without spot-ting a one. Some veteranmushroom stalkers suggest get-ting as close to the ground asyou can and looking toward thesky. "Doing the mushroomsquat" throws morels intosilhouette so they're easier tosee.

Go equipped with shallowbaskets or cardboard boxes tostow your harvest in. Plasticbags do not protect the mush-rooms against breakage andpromote hot, moist conditionsthat result in rapid spoilage.

Pick only fresh, young mush-rooms, stem and all, so you canbe sure of a positive identifica-tion. Trim off the lower part ofthe stem and remove any forestfloor debris before you addeach morel to your collection.

Keep mushrooms cool andwell ventilated until you gethome. Then clean and processor cook them as soon as possi-ble. They are very periShableand lose quality rapidly.

To clean mushrooms thor-oughly, several soakings inwater may be necessary. Splitcaps lengthwise to check forspoilage or insects and todouble-check your identificationof the mushroom as a morel. Ifthe cap is attached only at thetop rather than all the way tothe base, throw the mushroomaway - it is not a morel!

Freezing and CanningMorel Mushrooms

Carolyn A. Lackey, MichiganState University Cooperative Ex-tension Service foods and nutri-tion specialist, suggests usingone of two methods to preservemorel mushrooms for months.

22

To freeze morel mushrooms,cook them until covered bytheir own juices and almostdone. Cool in air or set the panin cold water. Pack into con-tainers leaving 112 inch headspace. Seal and freeze.

You can also steam blanchmushrooms before freezing. Cutlarge mushrooms into I-inchchunks. Immerse mushrooms ina solution of 1 teaspoon lemonjuice or 1112teaspoons citricacid per pint of water for 5minutes to keep them fromdarkening. Remove from anti-darkening solution and steam.Steam 3 minutes for smallmushrooms and pieces and 5minutes for larger mushrooms.Cool in cold water. Drain. Packin containers, leaving 112 inchhead space. Seal and freeze.

To can morel mushrooms, cutinto I-inch chunks. Steammushrooms for 4 minutes orheat in a covered saucepan for15 minutes. Pack hot mush-rooms to within 112 inch of topsof jars. Add boiling-hot cookingliquid or hot water to covermushrooms, leaving 112 inchheadspace. (You may add 1/16teaspoon ascorbic acid to half-pint jars or 1/8 teaspoon topints to prevent darkening.) Ad-just jar lids. Process in apressure canner at 10 poundspressure for 30 minutes forhalf-pints and pints.

Use Common Sense WhenCollecting Other WildEdible Mushrooms

You can collect and eat wildMichigan mushrooms through-out the warm months if youfollow these tips from expertsat MSU:

- Learn how to identify a fewedible species. find out wherethey grow, when you're mostlikely to find them and how todistinguish them from similarlooking but poisonous species.Know what you're after and col-lect only those species knownto be safe for human consump-tion.

- Have an authority confirmyour identifications so youknow they are correct. Mush-room hunting with an authority- a real authority, not an over-night expert - is a good way tolearn mushroom identification.

-Collect only one kind ofmushroom at a time.

- Do not collect or eat over-mature or spoiled mushrooms.Eat only the commercially pro-duced mushrooms raw.

- Eat only one kind of knownedible mushroom at a time andthat in small quantities for thefirst time. Some types of mush-rooms contain toxins that mustreach a certain level in yourbody before they begin to doany damage or cause poisoningsymptoms. At lower levels, thebody may tolerate the toxin.This is not true of all poisonousmushrooms. Some are deadlypoison in small quantities.

-Check each mushroom forpositive identity as you collectit. Poisonous mushrooms oftengrow alongside edible ones andcan be swept up with them in acareless moment.

False Morel

-Always keep a sample of thefresh mushrooms and of thecooked product you consume. Ifyou become ill, your physicianor local poison control centercan do more for you if theyknow what you have eaten.


RURAL LIVING. MAY 198.3

staying Uealthy inRural America

RURAL LIVING, MAY 198.3

By Cathy J. ffirvan

"A nation's greatest resourceis not found in its commerce,academics, military, political oragricultural wealth or potential.Instead it is its people - re-sourceful, industrious, seekingand searching for greater per-sonal and collective growth andwell-being," said Robert Delano,president of the American FarmBureau Federation, in the intro-duction to AFBF's health pro-gram guide.

"Living full and produc-tive lives is paramount ifthis great resource is tocontinue to exist," De-lano said. "Good healthand safety practices andhabits are essential. In-dividuals determine theirfutures, not governments.

Choices of well-being are theirs tomake. "

Thus a challenge is extendedto state and county Farm Bu-reaus to form rural health com-mittees and implement healthcare programs that encourageindividuals to be responsible fortheir health and aware of thecosts involved.

Michigan Farm Bureau is inthe process of forming a state-wide Rural Health Committeethat will work with the AFBFrural health program and withvarious hospital and doctorgroups within Michigan to de-velop a higher quality, efficientand cost effective program forrural residents. One representa-tive from each district in thestate plus one to three at-largemembers will make up the com-mittee. Kent County Farm Bu-reau member Ruth Johnsonserves on AFBF's nine-memberRural Health Committee.

The AFBF program breaks thehealth care effort and its deliv-ery system into three majorareas - economics, legislativeand programs and activities.

"All of these are designed toassist and service our members

2.3

in reducing their health carecosts and also to make peoplemore aware of the cost of theircoverage, and of what is hap-pening to the total cost ofhealth care," said Ken Cheat-ham, director of AFBF's healthand safety program.

Cost Containment Important

About one-third of all FarmBureau members nationwidehave health care coveragethrough their state organiza-tions. Annual premiums paid bythose members are approxi-mately $1.5 biIlion.

"Farm Bureau leaders andstaff are quite concerned aboutwhat effect the spiraling cost ofhealth care is having on ourmembership, and on the entirenation," Cheatham said.

In 1981, health care costs ac-counted for 9.8% of the GrossNational Product, up from 8.9%the previous year, he said. In1982, that figure rose to 10.5%.The total cost for health care inthis country was $287 billion in1981 and it rose to $321 biIlionin 1982.

"Let me put that in perspec-tive," Cheatham said. "In 1981it cost every man, woman andchild $1,225 for health care; in1982 that figure rose to $1,395.It has been predicted that dur-ing the entire decade of the1980s, health care costs willrise in double digit figures.

"We have a health care sys-tem that is the envy of theworld," he said, "but we have toask - at what cost?"

AFBFSeeks Legislative,Regulatory Reforms

On the legislative front, FarmBureau policy calls for federalincome tax credits or tax de-ductions for people who self-fi-

24

nance their health insurance. Ifsuch legislation is not possible,policy states that the value ofemployer-financed premiumsshould be taxed to the em-ployee as income.

During the recent WashingtonLegislative Seminar, MichiganFarm Bureau legislative leadersurged their congressmen tosupport Farm Bureau's positionon these issues.

State and county rural healthcommittees are encouraged tomonitor legislative issues andregulatory programs and activi-ties at the state and local levelthat add costs or limit services,identify and monitor health-related agencies and assist inselection of persons serving inleadership roles, and respond to"action requests" on healthcare issues based on Farm Bu-reau policy, Cheatham said.

Individual AwarenessGoal of FB Programs

"In the area of programs andactivities, it is important thatwe make members and othersaware of what is going on in thehealth care industry," Cheat-ham said. "Because of the thirdparty reimbursement system,most consumers of the healthcare system have absolutely noidea how you arrive at the coststhat they are charged.

"There are many things thatwe can do as individuals to im-prove our own health situation.For too long we have insuredfor iIlness, not weIlness," hesaid. "Now, perhaps, it's time tochange our lifestyles, changeour habits and do those kind ofthings we call preventive medi-cine. We must be very muchaware of how expensive it canbe to be ill, and do everythingpossible to remain welL"

KEN CUEATUAM

For too long we haveinsured for illness,not wellness. Now,perhaps, it's time tochange our habitsand do those kind ofthings we call pre-ventive medicine.

Cheatham warned that farm-ers and others in rural areasmust become more aware thatthey are not immune to thepressure situations which cancause health problems.

"The pastoral scene of ruralAmerica is not the same as itwas years ago. Farming today isa very complex, chaIlengingbusiness, and many farmers


-4

.4

More Doctors Neededin Kural America

suffer from high blood pres-sure," Cheatham said.

He suggested that farmerscut back on consumption ofsalt, watch their diet, reducetheir weight and get more exer-cise. "Farmers work hard," hesaid, "but they need a differentkind of exercise than they'reused to. They need exercisethat builds body tone and helpsreduce high blood pressure."

Many Farm Bureau women'scommittees across the country,including some in Michigan,conduct health fairs that,among other things, offer hy-pertension (high blood pres-sure) screening. Other healthand safety projects of countywomen's groups in Michigan in-clude promoting home, recrea-tional, agricultural, chemicaland farm machinery safety; andidentifying and supporting ap-pointment of qualified membersto serve on Farm Bureau healthcommittees and local hospitalor rural health boards. Theyalso support seminars and pro-grams on nutrition, exercise,identifying stress symptoms,stress management and alcoholand substance abuse aware-ness.

"We're also encouragingcounty Farm Bureaus to meetwith county medical societies orprofessional groups to becomebetter acquainted, to under-stand what the problems areand to discuss the issues,"Cheatham said.

"We want America to continueto be a very healthy nation. Wewant our members to have af-fordable, accessible, high quali-ty health care - but we hopewe can do this at a lower cost,"he said.


AFBF policy also addressesthe need for more doctors inrural areas. It calls for medicalschools to train additional fami-ly physicians who intend topractice medicine in rural areasand supports state and localeconomic inducements to en-courage doctors to practice inrural areas.

According to the MichiganHealth Council, recruitment ofphysicians by rural communi-ties usually includes threephases: the initial contact, avisit to the town and helpingthe doctor set up his or herpractice.

But the council warns thatrural communities face majorobstacles when trying to recruita new physician: doctors do notrespond well to mail, word ofmouth seems to be the bestway; because of residency andother schedules, it is very diffi-cult for him or her to visit thetown; doctors are concernedabout being isolated from othercolleagues in a small town; andsmaller towns usually meansmaller incomes. A doctor mayalso worry about his or herspouse not being able to find ajob.

Through the council's Physi-cian Placement Service, com-munities can learn where a doc-tor graduated from medicalschool, the location of his orher residency, area of specialtyand where the doctor wouldideally like to practice. Thecouncil also publishes an an-nual roster of opportunities inwhich registered communitieslist their needs for physicians.

In addition, the council spon-sors two Physician RecruitmentConferences each year whichgive doctors and communityleaders an opportunity to talkinformally with one another.

The council offers the follow-

ing tips to communities inter-ested in recruiting one or morephysicians:

-Be willing to spend a sub-stantial amount of time and ef-fort.

-Ask area hospital adminis-trators to help in recruitmentefforts.

-Assure the doctor that allother physicians agree thatanother doctor is needed in thecommunity.

-Show the doctor how com-munity leaders could assist insetting up a practice. Some hos-pitals guarantee an annual in-come and will make up the dif-ference if the doctor does notmake that amount through hisor her practice.

- Find out where the doctorwas born and where he or shewent to high school or college.Studies show that doctors whogrew up in small towns aremore likely to return to one.

- Express an interest in thedoctor as an individual. Findout what his or her interests areand how the community canmeet those interests.

-If the doctor is married, talkto the spouse. If he or she willalso be working in the commu-nity, offer to help find a job.

-If the doctor has children,discuss the quality of the com-munity's schools.

- Emphasize the benefits ofliving in the community, i.e. thehigh quality of life, the advan-tages of raising a family in aquiet, country atmosphere.

- After the doctor visits thetown, send a small gift to helpremind him or her of the town.

for more information on re-cruiting physicians, contact theMichigan Health Council, Suite340, Nisbet Building, 1407 5.Harrison Road, East Lansing,Mich. 48823.

25

AGRINOMIC UPDATE

1983 Farm Outlook Revised

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duction are to be used to re-duce the direct cost of theremovals by the CCC.

This program is unlikely toachieve the desired decrease inproduction immediately. Thereal gross margin over directcosts will decline by about 6%in 1983, unless Congress takesdefinitive action to further re-duce the national dairy pricesupport program and therebyreduce the huge surpluses ofmilk and dairy products. Suchaction is quite possible as sev-eral proposals have been intro-duced and the Reagan adminis-tration does not like the two50-cent deductions currentlyauthorized by Congress lastAugust.

The reduction in revenues willonly press the marginal dairyfarmers, whereas most opera-tors are likely to respond by in-creasing milk production. Num-bers of cows and production percow continue to increase at thepresent time.

A 22-24 month cycle top isexpected to be in place by latespring and prices should trendlower as large numbers offeeder cattle will come offwheat pasture into feedlots forfall and winter marketings. Atthe same time, we can expectlarger numbers of hogs to becoming to market, which will in-crease the possibility for down-ward price movement.

Two additional negative fac-tors to watch are the chance forhot summer weather to drivecattle off pastures earlier thanplanned, and the very real pos-sibility for higher interest ratesby the end of the third quarter,which could increase liquida-tion and pressure prices.

Dairy

The secretary of agriculturehas authorized the deduction of50~ / cwt. from the proceeds ofmilk sales. Michigan dairy farm-ers should see this in their mid-May milk checks. This deductionwill continue through 1984 aslong as CCC purchases are ex-pected to exceed five bi Ilionpounds of milk equivalent.Funds obtained from this de-

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The farm outlook for 1983has changed rather dramatical-ly from earlier forecasts. This isdue primarily to the USDA's Pay-ment-in-Kind program. Now thatmore of the details are availableon the impact of PIK, we haverevised our agricultural outlook.

Farm Income

Net farm income could im-prove by $4 or $5 billion overlast year, due primarily to pro-ducer acceptance of the Pay-ment-in-Kind program. This re-duced acreage program will re-sult in higher than expectedcommodity prices, lower carry-over and reduce production ex-penses. However, the improvedincome and reduced year-endsupplies do not necessarily sig-nal continued good economictimes for agriculture as long-term prosperity will not returnuntil demand is increased tomeet our productive capacity.

Caltle

Cattle prices have trendedsignificantly higher than manyanalysts had expected. Poorweather and muddy feedlotshad slowed weight gain and pre-vented the late February / Marchmarketing bulge that was an-ticipated following the Januarycattle inventory report. With aseasonal tendency for strengthinto the spring period, priceshave continued their strong up-ward bias.

However, over the long run,the national dairy program willlead to a reduction in cow num-bers and milk production, andthis should lead to a stabledairy industry with demand ex-pected to increase over the nextthree to four years because ofpopulation growth and econom-ic recovery.

DogsThe March 22 hogs and pigs

report showed expansion in ex-cess of the trade's expectations.With cash prices in the upper40s as of this writing, it ap-pears we are close to, if not at,a low for the time being. Weex-pect some seasonal strength in-to the summer months whichshould move cash back to themid-50s. The heavy sign-up inthe government's PIt\ programhas sparked a rally in the grainmarket, and many analysts arespeculating that higher feed

costs could temper the expan-sion.

Price risk could be as low asthe lower 40's this fall and earlywinter as a major four year cy-cle low is put in. From there,prices should be working higherinto 1985.

EggsWith lower egg prices, produc-

ers have increased the numberof mature hens slaughtered dur-ing late 1982 and the firstquarter of 1983. By selling oldhens and adding pullets, pro-ducers have kept the rate of layhigh. So, even though there hasbeen a slight decline in totalhen numbers, egg production is'likely to hold very close to yearago levels for the near future.

The hatch of layer replace-ments for February was re-ported by the USDAto be 10%lower than a year ago and eggsin incubators on March 1 were

19% below 1982 levels.The impact on feed prices

from participation in the PIKprogram could limit any gain inreturns even if egg prices do.respond to the lower suppliesindicated by the figures above.Latest estimates show thatGrade A large eggs in New Yorkcould move to near the 80 centlevel in the last quarter of 1983.

Corn

Nationally, farmers will idle33.2 million acres of corn underthe RAPand PIK programs. This39% acreage reduction is muchhigher than had been expected.While some additional cornacres will be planted by produc-ers outside of the program andfrom "switchover" of non-program crops, the 1983 U.S.corn crop will likely be only 5.5to 6 billion bushels. This com-


The Calorie Counter's Friend


.. mICHIGan'SUIJ] FaRm BeST MAY

ASPARAGUS SALE

See YourCounty Newsletter

for Detailspages 18-19

27

The Discussion Topic isprepared by Ken WilesforCommunity Action Grouppolley discussions.

New technologies and increaseddemands on our water resources

call for a re-examination of ...water use policies

Water is the primary limitingfactor in agriculture in theUnited States and the world.The western states have gainedimportance in agricultural pro-duction only through extensiveuse of irrigation from surfaceand ground water sources. Withthe increase in population,these water supplies are facingnew pressures for reallocation.

Adequate scientific informa-tion concerning water availabili-ty, behavior, management andvalue is essential in optimizingwater allocation on farms, in

production and among variousagricultural users of water re-sources.

Essentially, all the water usedin the United States is derivedfrom precipitation. A portion ofthe precipitation flows tostreams, ponds, lands and res-ervoirs and some of this eventu-ally reaches the ocean; anotherportion infiltrates the soil to therooting zone; and another por-tion percolates below the root-ing zone and becomes groundwater. Surface sources of waterare recharged rapidly, butground water reservoirs arerecharged slowly in dry regions.

Ground water reservoirs insome dry regions are being ex-hausted by pumping.

The proportion of the precip-itation received in theUnited States that is re-

turned to the at-mosphere as water

vapor is estimated to be 70%from non-irrigated land areasand 2% from irrigated areas.

Plants use far more waterthan is required in the vital pro-cesses of growth and develop-ment. This inefficiency is large-ly a consequence of stomatalapparatures in the foliagethrough which water vaporleaves the plants. Although vap-orization of water is importantin cooling the leaves, loss ofwater vapor is not an essentialfunction as such. Rather, it canbe considered a necessary evilthat accompanies absorption ofatmospheric carbon dioxide inthe essential process of photo-synthesis. The stomata closewhen the water supply is defi-cient, and this decreases thetranspiration, but it also de-creases photosynthesis.

Water is also essential in ani-mal production. The total agri-

RURAL LIVING. MAY 198:3

cultural use of water, however,is so heavily dominated byplants that the amount requiredin animal agriculture is of onlyminor concern.

Use of Irrigation Expanding

Irrigated cropland harvestedamounted to 14% of the totalacreage harvested in the UnitedStates in 1978, but the value ofthese crops amounted to 36%

of the total value of all cropsproduced. About 85% of the ir-rigated land is located in 17western states, and in nine ofthese states, more than 50% ofthe total acreage of harvestedcrop is irrigated.

All states have periods of lowrainfall in which irrigation isneeded, however, and irrigationis gradually increasing in theeastern states. The extreme ex-ample, Florida, is in a high-rainfall area, but more than50% of the total value of thecrops it produces is derivedfrom irrigated crops.

Water for irrigation commonlyis stored in surface reservoirs orunderground reservoirs and isapplied as near to the time it isneeded as the facilities will per-mit. Application methods in-clude surface systems, in whichthe water flows on the soil;pivot and traveling gun sys-tems, in which the water issprayed on the soil; and dripsystems, in which the water isdistributed through plastictubes with small holes throughwhich the water drips on or intothe soil.

Newequipment and the newtechnology have enabledfarmers to increase the ratio ofcrops produced to irrigationwater delivered, and further im-provements are possible.

Various procedures for in-creasing the supply of water foragriculture are technologicallyfeasible. Reuse of water from


municipal sources and from ir-rigation return flows is widelypracticed at present. Reuse oftreated water from municipal,industrial and electrical genera-tion sources is expected to ac-count for a small, increasingproportion of the supply ofwater to agriculture in the fu-ture. Desalination of brackishwater is too expensive for prac-tical use at present, and cloudseeding requires further devel-opment before it will be readyfor general use.

Removal of "non-beneficial"vegetation that has high waterrequirements, snow manage-ment, run-off management andchanging the landscape to di-rect water to limited areas areother procedures that havesome practical use.

Many possibilities exist forconserving existing supplies ofwater for irrigation, but the sav-ings from individual techniquesgenerally are small. Realizingthe potential use would be dif-ficult in practice.

The institutional developmentin irrigation is extensive. Some35 federal programs and 10separate agencies provide sometype of assistance for irrigation.Most states have an impressivearray of agencies relating towater resources.

Local agencies consist ofwater districts and conservancydistricts which are establishedto form a service, usually thatof supplying water for varioususes. Many different kinds of

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organizations, governmentaland otherwise, deliver water tofarmers.

In water law, there are doc-trines of water capture and use.According to the "Riparian Doc-trine," the owner of private landalong a stream has the right touse the water provided that theuse does not interfere unrea-sonably with the rights of per-sons who own other parts of thestream or with the rights of ad-jacent owners.

According to the "Prior Ap-propriation Doctrine," a "waterright" is required by divertingwater from a water course for abeneficial use. The first personto appropriate the water andput it to a reasonable and bene-ficial use has a right superior toany later appropriators.

In the western states, waterlaws generally are based uponthe doctrine of prior appropria-tion. Some eastern states haveestablished a permit system formanaging their water resourc-es, and others are consideringit. The permit system is essen-tially a modified appropriationdoctrine.

Control of ground water utili-zation has been difficult.Various states have adoptedone or more of four differentdoctrines: absolute ownershipof water under the land; reason-able use, which recognizes theright of all of the resources;correlative rights, in which thelandowner must correlate his(continued on page .32)

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.30

Legislative Review(continued from page 7)used to pay the $820 millionaccumulated deficit and expir-ing by 1986. The remaining1.5% increase will drop to notmore than 1.25% in 1984 and.5% in 1986. There are actuallytwo income tax rate increases.One is 1.5%, the other is .25%The total is 1.75% which addedto the present 4.6% tax ratetotals 6 ..35% for 198.3. In 1984the 1.5% drops to 1.25% and to.5% in 1985 and thereafter. 50the total rate will drop to 6.17%in 1984 and to 5 ..35% in 1985.

The second part of the rateincrease, .25% which is to beused to eliminate the accumu-lated cash deficit of over $800million, will automatically ex-pire by 1986. This will bring thetotal tax rate down to 5.1 % or.5% above the present 4.6%.Further reductions could resultif unemployment rates drop inthe state. For example, ifunemployment drops to 6.5%the tax rate drops to the pres-ent 4.6%. The tax rate couldcontinue to drop if unemploy-ment goes lower.

Budget Cuts - In additionto increasing the income taxrevenue, the governor hasordered additional cuts of $225million in the present year'sbudget. The cuts could also ex-tend into the 198.3-84 budget.Some $97.8 million of the totalcuts are" deferrals." Cuts in-clude a $69.5 million additionalcut in social services of which$60 million is deferred; K-12school, $25 million of which$15 million is deferred; localgovernments, $15 million ofwhich $10 million is deferred.The DNR will be cut $4.2 mil-lion; MSU(including the Ag Ex-periment Station and Exten-sion), $5.7 million; Departmentof Labor, $6 million; Depart-ment of Commerce, $4.6 mil-

lion; State Police, $5 million;Department of State, $1.2 mil-lion; and DMB, $4.1 million.

Some department cuts areless 'than expected, includingthe Department of Agriculture,$1.7 million. This is $400,000less than the original $2.1million proposed due to the ap-propriations committee rein-stating $400,000 to city racetracks. Cuts within the depart-ment will include: SCS,$150,000; Animal DiagnosticCenter, $87,000; gypsy moth,$1 14,000; Pontiac stadium,$50,000; city race tracks$200,000 (was $600,000);horserace revenue programs$550,000 (fair premiums, coun-ty fair improvements, breedawards, etc); FFA, $14,000;laboratory division, $62,000;animal health, $7,.300. Variousother program cuts within thedepartment will extend into the198.3-84 budget. The above areonly a few of the cuts. About 25boards and agencies will alsobe eliminated by statute.

Wine Rules - FB staff suc-cessfully testified in support ofrules that would prevent vol-ume discounting by the majorwineries, most of whom arefrom outside the state, such asGallo of California. Michigangrape growers and winerieswould have been at a seriousdisadvantage.

Marketing BargainingBoard (P.A. 344) - This con-tinues to be a major issue asprocessors and others seem tobe conducting a vicious cam-paign. A Senate concurre~t res-olution is expected to be antro-duced to study P.A. .344. TheHouse Agriculture Committeealready has a subcommittee tostudy how to increase process-ing facilities in Michigan. Thestudy will include P.A. .344.


) ,

This issue has also appearedin at least two major studieswith reference to processorclaims but no chance for pro-ducer response. The MichiganSupreme Court, by a vote of 6to 0, has upheld the constitu-tionality of the law. However,the processor groups havechosen to appeal to the U.S.Supreme Court.

Transportation - The in-creased federal gas tax becameeffective April 1. The states areguaranteed at least 85% returnof the monies collected withinthe state. This is important toMichigan as in previous federalhighway law, Michigan receivedas little as 60% return. How-ever, one provision requires10% of the work be given tominority contractors. This isnot likely to be possible as ithas never been able to reachmore than 4.5% in Michigan.States that do not conform canlose all federal road monies.

Another major concern is thegrowing number of lawsuitsagainst the department, pres-ently numbering 400, totalingover $500 million. Judgmentshave totaled over $24 million inthe past three years.

Grain Dealers Amendments- S.B. 55 and S.B. 56 (Sen. NickSmith, et al) would amend theGrain Dealers Act to create a"statutory lien" on the grainassets of a dealer in favor of thefarmer providing he or she haswritten evidence of storage orsale. The bills further providethat in case of bankruptcy,farmers with stored grain wouldhave first priority against thegrain assets. Farmers with writ-ten evidence of sale of grainwould have second priorityagainst the grain assets of adealer.

RURAL LIVING, MAY 1983

Farm Bureau supports theconcept of the legislation, how-ever, there is a questionwhether state law would be ef-fective against the federal law,which controls bankruptcies.Various lending institutionshave expressed opposition. TheDepartment of Agriculture isstudying the proposal to deter-mine the effect on the GrainDealers Act which was passedlast year.

H.B. 4319 (Rep. Spaniola) hasbeen introduced to create aMichigan grain dealers publicwarehouse insurance fund. Ele-vators or other grain dealerscould apply for membership inthe fund, grain would be in-sured at 80% of its value, fund-ing would be one fourth of onecent per bushel. This proposalwill need study and could alsocreate problems. The new GrainDealers Act already providesmuch of this protection.

Agricultural Commission- H.B. 4027 and H.B. 4057have not received any action sofar. It is not known whether thegovernor expects to push directappointments of the depart-ment heads of agriculture,natural resources, correctionsand civil rights. As reported inprevious articles, such a changewould be a step backward tothe political spoils system.

P.A. 116 Transfer - H.B.4232, which would transfer P.A.116 administration to the De-partment of Agriculture, haspassed the House and is now inthe Senate. This bill was intro-duced because DNR staff, intestimony to a House appropri-ations subcommittee, recom-mended eliminating P.A. 116administration as one of the$4.5 million cuts required forthe department. Since thattime, the DNRcommission,which makes policy for theDNR, has unanimously passed

an official policy designatinghighest priority for P.A. 116.

Final passage of 42.32 couldcause problems. The bill allowsthe transfer of present person-nel, however, the present expertstaff may not elect to transfer.It will be a serious blow to thecontinued good service farmershave had. Training a new staffto be competent in the verycomplex P.A. 116 law wouldtake 12 to 18 months. New ap-plications from farmers for1983 are breaking records; over4,000 year-to-date.

The legislation also splits theland resource programs, someof which are included in theP.A. 116 law. The cost of trans-ferring the P.A. 116 program toMDA has been estimated to bebetween $20,000 and $40,000.

Lansing legislative topics arereviewed by Robert c. Smith,

.senior legislative counsel.

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wheat to the market. In addi-tion, both Canada and Australiahave indicated that their wheatplantings and production willincrease this year.

Price outlook for 1983-84 is$3.40 to $3.90 per bushel.

Discussion Topic(continued from page 29)

use with others; and the doc-trine of prior appropriation, inwhich the ground water is theproperty of the state subject toappropriation.

The statutes establishing thelegal basis for water rights inthe west were enacted when thedemand for water was muchless than it is now. Rights toutilize water for irrigation weregranted to prospective users togive them the security of con-tinued use to induce investmentfor stability and profitability.Continued development of thewest has resulted in increaseddemand for water.

Water allocation problemsconsequently have become im-portant. One of the problemshas been that there is limitedeconomic incentive to invest inconservation practices andstructures. This had led to lessemphasis on water conservationon farms, in households and infactories than might otherwisebe expected.

As the competition for waterintensifies, more attention willbe devoted to devising newmechanisms for allocatingwater among competing usesand to modify existing mechan-isms. For the most part, institu-tional barriers have inhibitedtransfers of water.

Results of some studies sug-gest that the current environ-ment requires mechanismswhich facilitate the transfer orreallocation of water amongcompeting uses. The fundamen-tal change required to facilitatetransfer or reallocation is a


Agrinomic Update(continued from page 27)pares to last year's record cropof 8.3 billion bushels. Assumingthat PIK compensation is 2 bil-lion bushels, this will result in a7.5 to 8 billion bushel supplyavailable to the market for1983-84. This will be sufficientto meet demand, but will alsosignificantly reduce stocks.Farm gate prices should rangefrom $2.70 to $3.10, up 30cents from earlier forecasts.

Soybeans

Soybeans were not includedin the acreage reduction pro-grams. However. soybean priceshave benefited from the bullishPIK sign-up as non-compliersare expected to increase cornplantings over soybeans. Thiscould result in a reduction of 8to 12% in soybean plantingsthis year. We anticipate thatsoybean prices will increasefaster relative to corn prices,which will encourage greaterbean plantings this spring. Soy-bean prices should averagefrom $5.90 to $6.50 per bushelthis year.

Wheat

As with corn, wheat producersign-up in the acreage reduc-tion program was large, with36% of the national crop to beidled. However, 40% of theoverall participation is enrolledin RAPonly. These producerscan drop out of the programwith little penalty.

The bullish grain marketscould easily pull half of theseRAP-only compliers out of theprogram. If so, overall plantingscould total 63 million acres forharvest. While this will be down20% from last year, it wouldstill produce a 2.3 billion bushelcrop.

This size crop combined withthe PIK entitlements of 600-700million bushels will result inmore than sufficient supplies of

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Commodity Festivals SaluteMichigan's Abundant Agriculture

Benton HarborSt. JosephHarrisonMesickLewistonRoyal OakHartShelbyEltonSebewaingTraverse CityLinwoodSouth HavenAuburnChassellMungerHowellRomeoPaw PawKalamazooEdmorePosenNiles

dant agricultural industry andthe many commodities produc-ed within the state's borders.

Kicking off Michigan's 1983commodity promotions weremaple syrup festivals in Ver-montville and Shepard in lateApril. Throughout the summerand fall, Michigan residents canparticipate in a variety of com-modity festivals. Below are thedates, festivals and locationswhich were reported to theMichigan Travel Bureau.

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Blossomtime Festival

Mushroom FestivalMushroom FestivalMushroom FestivalApple FestivalNational AsparagusFestivalStrawberry FestivalSugar FestivalNational Cherry FestivalPickle FestivalBlueberry FestivalCorn FestivalStrawberry FestivalPotato FestivalMelon FestivalPeach FestivalWine and HarvestFestivalPotato FestivalPotato FestivalFour Flags Apple Festival

Sept. 8-1 ISept. 9-11Sept. 23-25

May 1-7

June 17-19June 24-26July 3-9July 8-10July 13-17July 14-17July 15-16July 28-31August 19-2 ISept. 2-5Sept. 8-1 I

~

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.May 7May 8-14May 14June 3-5June 10-12

Pancakes smothered withmaple syrup ... the aroma ofmorel mushrooms frying in thekitchen ... strawberry, cherryand apple dishes complement-ing dinners ... sidedishes madewith blueberries, asparagus andpotatoes - all of these tantilizethe taste buds of kitchengourmets and possibly add aninch or two to the waistline.

These dishes and more will beoffered by communitiesthroughout the state with festi-vals saluting Michigan's abun-

Publications Available

MSUhas a variety of publica-tions which will guide you tosafe harvesting and cooking ofmushrooms.

To order the following Exten-sion bulletins, send the appro-priate payment, the bulletinnumber and your name and ad-dress to: Extension Bulletin Of-fice, P.O. Box 231, East Lansing,Mich. 48824.

e"May is Morel Month inMichigan," E-614, 25 cents.

e"Mushrooms Grow onStumps," E-924, 75 cents.

e"Wood Waste Makes Wonder-ful Mushrooms," E-925, 60cents.

e"Best of the Boletes," E-926,60 cents.

e"Don't Pick Poison WhenGathering Mushrooms for Foodin Michigan," E-I080, 75 cents.

e"Mushrooms from the ForestFloor," E-1271, 50 cents.

e"Collecting GrasslandMushrooms for Food," E-1272,50 cents.

Morel Madness(continued from page 22)

eDo not experiment on your-self or other living things. If amushroom is not known to beedible, do not eat it and do notfeed it to any other creature.

eAvoid eating wild mush-rooms if you know you areallergic to other fungi. You mayhave a serious allergic reactionto mushrooms that someoneelse could eat with no ill ef-fects.

eWhenever you're in doubt -about your identification, aboutthe quality of the mushroomsyou have gathered or about thesource of the "f1u bug" that co-incidentally struck you after amess of mushrooms - do noteat the mushrooms. It may saveyour life.

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RURAL LIVING, MAY 198.3 .3.3

Legislative LeadersGet Involved(continued from page 11)

"Farm Bureau delegates atannual meetings have long sup-ported cutting the size of gov-ernment rather than increasingit," he said. "Even though wehave heard a lot about our pres-ent administration cutting outprograms, the facts are thatgovernment has continued togrow. All they have been able todo is slow down the growth."

Smith said that members inFarm Bureau determined thepolicies that supported thethree-phase tax cut and index-ing of income schedules to pre-vent "bracket creep" due to in-flation. He said that Farm Bu-reau members would continueto support that policy of taxrelief in their organizational andlegislative contacts.

In a related issue, Smith ex-pressed concern over proposalsto freeze the inheritance tax ex-emption at last year's level of$275,000. The issue was amongthe most frequently discussed

Members of the MFB board's Leg-islative Committee met withJonathon Vipond, deputy assis-tant of public liaison to thepresident while In Washington.They asked Vipond to convey toReagan MFB's support of his taxcut and attempts to reduce thesize of government.

.34

by the seminar participants ashaving an impact on the futureof the family farm. Legislationpassed in 1981 called for phas-ed in increases in the exemp-tion level to $600,000 by 1985.

Bob Rathje of Duron County andBetty Laurie of Tuscola Countywer~ among the Farm Bureaumelpbers In congressional dis-trict 8 who visited Roger Szem-raj, aide to Rep. Bob Traxler.

The Michigan Farm Bureaumembers made effective use oftheir contacts in Washington,D.C., to urge support for aheal~h insurance premium de-duction for the self-employedund~r IRS rules. The policy,whicp was adopted by AFBF del-egatE;,sin Dallas this January,originated among MichiganFarm Bureau members in thepolicy development process.

The inequity of the currentsituation was brought to the at-tention of the lawmakers asseminar participants explainedthat self-employed personsmust pay for health care in-surance with dollars from theirtaxable income, while employeebenefit packages often includehealth insurance at little orno cost to the employee and arenon-taxable. To correct this ine-quity, Farm Bureau is support-ing measures to allow an IRSdeduction for the self-employedor to make employee benefitpackages a part of the wageearner's taxable income.

The 1983 Washington Legisla-tive Seminar was the 23rd an-nual grassroots lobbying effortby Farm Bureau members in thenation's capital. The seminar issponsored each year by theMichigan Farm Bureau Women.

Discussion Topic(continued from page .32)system of laws or rules allowingvoluntary exchange of waterrights while protecting the in-terest of third parties. In agri-culture, a commonly expressedargument against relaxing theinstitutional barriers that in-hibit transfer of water rights isthat higher valued uses wouldtake too much of the water nowused for agriculture.

In the future, the agriculturalindustry may be held moreclosely accountable for the wayit uses water than it has in thepast. Agriculture may have toe~pend more effort to justify itsclaims to water, particularlyunder scarcity conditions, andmay have greater responsibilityfor the environmental impactsof the water it uses and returnsto the system.

A bill (H.B. 4198) has been in-troduced into the Michigan Leg-islature, which would providefarmers with the right to neces-sary water for the production ofcrops and other agriculturalproducts, provided that the useof such water will be withingood rhanagement practices.The bill also provides that thelegislation cannot interfere withother state and federal waterlegislation. The bill lookssimil~r to the Right-to-Farm bill,however, it is a complex issueand perhaps will require muchconsideration before final pas-sage.

Discussion Questions

-To whom does the fresh under-ground water belong?

-Should restrictions be placedon the amount of fresh water ahousehold can use?

-Should Michigan share itswater supply with otherstates?

-Should there be a limit placedon the amount of water thatcan be used for irrigation?


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