Convention Round-Up Pages 4, 5
WOTUS guidance could create ‘chaos’ Page 6
INFB’s Parade of Presidents Page 7
INSIDE: News in Brief................ 2 State Convention...... 4, 5 State & Nation.............. 6 Around INFB................ 8
The Hoosier Farmer
®
A Publication for Voting Members of Indiana Farm Bureau
NOVEMBER 30, 2015 Issue No. 74
Farm Bureau elects new president, vice president —By Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team Randy Kron of Vanderburgh County was elected president of Indiana Farm Bureau during the final session of 2015 INFB’s state convention. When he takes office Jan. 1, he will be the ninth president in the history of Indiana Farm Bureau. (For a look at Farm Bureau’s previous presidents, see page 7 of this issue of The Hoosier Farmer.) Kron was one of four candidates running for the office of president. Under the election rules, a candidate had to receive more than 50 percent of the vote before being declared the winner, and it was therefore possible that it might take delegates more than one ballot to choose a clear winner. Kron, however, won on the first ballot. Elected to succeed him as
vice president was Kendell Culp of Jasper County, the former District 3 director. He beat out a total of four other candidates for the office, winning on the fourth ballot. “INFB elected a great team of new officers today,” said President Don Villwock, speaking shortly after the convention concluded. He added special words of praise for Kron, who has served as vice president for his entire 14 years as president. “He has the experience and a deep passion for serving agriculture and Farm Bureau members,” he said. Kron farms with his wife and son near Evansville, raising primarily corn, soybeans and wheat. A 1983 graduate of Purdue University, he holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics. He has held numerous leadership positions, including as
INFB’s representative on the U.S. Grains Council and on the Indiana Corn Marketing Council. He is also past president of the county extension board, and he serves as his township’s assessor. He said one of his priorities as president is farmers “working together with a unified voice.” His first priority, he said, will be strengthening county Farm Bureaus. “The foundation is strong county Farm Bureaus,” he said. Kron has also made the Young Farmer and Collegiate Farm Bureau programs one of his priorities. Culp farms with his wife, parents, son and daughter near Rensselaer, raising grain and hogs. He served as District 3 director on the Indiana Farm Bureau board for 12 years (the maximum number of years a district
Randy Kron addresses delegates to the Indiana Farm Bureau convention following his election as the organization’s next president. He takes office Jan. 1. Photo by Rachel Schrage
director can serve). He currently serves as a director for Farm Credit Mid-America, Jasper County commissioner,
and as a member of the board of directors for the Indiana Soybean Alliance.
‘Handing Over the Reins’ —By Don Villwock INFB President Editor’s note: This is slightly condensed and edited version of President Villwock’s annual address, delivered Nov. 16 during the state convention. **** Wow, have the issues changed and the events continued to evolve during my 14 years as president. When I was first elected, most of our challenges were in Washington, D.C. The farm bill, sod/swamp buster, CRP Indiana Farm Bureau P.O. Box 1290 Indianapolis, IN 46206
and trade took up most of our time and staff expertise. We are still fighting Washington issues such as Waters of the U.S. – or as we all know it, WOTUS, the largest land grab in the history of our country – GMO labeling, crop insurance de-funding, tax reform and immigration, just to name a few. But gradually the issues Indiana Farm Bureau was involved in moved from the White House to the Statehouse. Property taxes that used to be less than $8 per acre started to escalate, and Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage
PAID
Berne, IN Permit NO. 43
as land values started to rise, inheritance taxes became a big burden. Rural-urban conflicts were just starting to raise their ugly heads 14 years ago. Today our Statehouse lobbying team is overwhelmed with all of the issues they have to deal with and testify about at the Statehouse. I am so proud of Farm Bureau’s successful effort to repeal the state inheritance tax which saved all of you and every farmer in Indiana $300 million. Property tax reform is still at the top of our list, but with your help over the past few years, Farm Bureau can take credit for saving Indiana farmers $687 million though our efforts to delay the implementation of the soil productivity factors. Thanks to all of you. Our efforts must not stop. Please know your Farm Bureau is the “looked-to” organization on finding permanent property tax relief.
This issue is very complex, and it is an age-old problem, particularly in a legislature that now has only a few farmer-members. Annexation has become one of our biggest challenges as the property tax caps have led mayors and other local elected officials across Indiana to look for extra property tax income to fill their coffers. They feel ag land is an easy target and push in every way possible to annex your property. Farm Bureau made great progress last year in the legislature to give some protections to rural landowners. But that battle is not over either. We must stay engaged. I am extremely proud that during my tenure Farm Bureau led the effort to get one of the best “Right to Farm” laws passed in the nation. Farmers and their families who have lived out in rural Indiana for generations have had their space invaded by
urbanites who want to live in this beautiful green space that we all call home every day. But few of these urbanites understand the sights, sounds – and smells – of modern-day agriculture. Even though farmers were there first, these new neighbors are trying to shut down our operations. But our “Right to Farm” law gives producers a fighting chance to protect their present operations, and it also gives us the right and the chance to expand so we might bring our sons or daughters back home. Thank you, Farm Bureau, for protecting our property rights. Now I want to shift gears and highlight our efforts to protect our livestock producers all over the state. I am extremely proud of our staff and their daily interaction with livestock members, other ag organizations, the (continued on page 3)
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NEWS IN BRIEF
News Bites —Compiled by Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team
Local leader completes AFBF Women’s Communications Boot Camp—
Sheryl Seib of Posey County was among a group of 16 women who were recently honored as graduates of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s ninth annual Women’s Communications Boot Camp. The group of agricultural leaders was recognized after completing an intensive three-day course featuring sessions on working with the media, public speaking, testifying and messaging. “Boot Camp graduates are encouraged to go back to their own communities and share their messages about agriculture with the non-farming public,” said Sherry Saylor, an Arizona farmer and chair of the
American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee. “Food is a hot topic in our country – in everyone’s lives,” Saylor said. “As farmers we need to be transparent about what we do to produce food on our farms and our ranches, and continue to work to build relationships with consumers.” The AFBWLC sponsors the Women’s Communications Boot Camp. The program has more than 140 graduates and is open to all women involved in Farm Bureau; an application process is used to select the participants. (AFBF 10/19/15)
National association honors INFB attorney—Justin Schneider,
senior policy advisor and counsel for Indiana Farm Bureau, has been honored by the American Agricultural Law Association with its Excellence in Agricultural Law Award. Schneider was recognized for his outstanding contribu-
Support agriculture and honor President Villwock by donating to the Donald B. and Joyce A. Villwock Scholarship Fund at Purdue. Talk to your regional manager or visit www.infb.org and look under the About Us menu – Grants/ Scholarships to learn more about donating to the fund, which offers scholarship support for Indiana students majoring in agriculture economics at the Purdue campus in West Lafayette. Donations can be made until Dec. 31, 2015.
tions to agricultural law in the area of non-government organization service for his policy work on behalf of the farmer-members of Indiana Farm Bureau as well as his leadership and service to the AALA. In addition to receiving the Excellence in Agricultural Law Award, Schneider is now serving a term as president-elect of the national association. (INFB 11/3/15)
Deadline is Dec. 17 for bicentennial barn contest— Any
Indiana barn that was built prior to 1950 is eligible for entry in the Bicentennial Barns of Indiana program. Entries are being accepted through Dec. 18. Eventually 200 barns – one for each year of Indiana’s statehood – will be honored through the program.
Indiana celebrates its 200th anniversary as the 19th state in 2016. To ensure that agriculture is celebrated, the Bicentennial Barns of Indiana program was conceived in hopes of bringing attention to barns as icons of the past and future. This program celebrates Indiana agriculture and the iconic barn through art and education. In addition to the contest, a traveling exhibit and complimentary educational programs are planned. The exhibit will comprise winning and designated barns and will travel the state. For information on how to enter a barn, visit www.200indianabarns. com. Informational cards are available at all county Farm Credit and Farm Bureau offices, as well as Beacon Credit Union offices. (Bicentennial Barn Project 9/4/15)
Administration support for biotech a victory for consumers and farmers—The
Food and Drug Administration’s rejection of petitions to the White House for mandatory labeling of GMOs is “a victory for consumers and farmers alike,” according to AFBF President Bob Stallman. “This administration has long been a champion for nutrition, and this action recognizes how biotechnology is changing the way we grow food – for the better,” Stallman said in a statement. The FDA has also placed its stamp of approval on a genetically engineered animal product, AquAdvantage salmon. The agency’s action “is a milestone for expanding farmers’ and ranchers’ ability to produce nutritious food critical to a healthy diet,” Stallman said. (AFBF 11/25/15)
Advocating for Agriculture During the 2016 legislative session, five policy areas will be Indiana Farm Bureau’s priority issues: • Farmland property taxes, including revising the farmland tax formula. • Tax assessment, including reforming the appeals process. • Transportation and infrastructure, including increasing funding for roads using a mix of sources. • Annexation and extraterritorial jurisdiction, including the elimination of the necessity to use the court system in involuntary annexations. • Property rights. For a more in-depth look at this year’s legislative priorities, see the Dec. 21 issue of The Hoosier Farmer. You can also find additional explanation by going to INFB’s policy website, www.infarmbureau.org/ifbsi/stayinformed, clicking on “Policy Development” and then “Priority Issues.”
Administrative/Finance Team
President.........................................Don Villwock Vice President...................................Randy Kron Second Vice President................ Isabella Chism Chief Operating Officer/Treasurer..Mark Sigler Receptionist..........................................Kim Duke General Fund Accountant..............Tiffanie Ellis Office Manager & Meeting Planner.Kay Keown Controller..........................................Elaine Rueff Administrative Assistant...................Jill Shanley Executive Secretary.................... Beverly Thorpe
District Directors
Harold Parker (1) Kevin Ousley (2) Kevin Underwood (3) Steve Maple (4) Dave Wyeth (5)
Scott Trennepohl (6) Jeff Gormong (7) Mark Bacon (8) Philip Springstun (9) Robert Schickel (10)
Indiana Agricultural Law Foundation
Director...............................................John Shoup
November 30, 2015
Indiana Farm Bureau Inc./ Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance Director of Affiliate Relations.................. Julie Klarich
Legal Affairs Team
Director & General Counsel ...Mark Thornburg Associate Counsel for Corporate Compliance & Nonprofit Affairs ........... Sara MacLaughlin Legal Assistant........................... Maria Spellman Law Clerk..........................................Lauren Tobe
Public Policy Team
Director............................................ Megan Ritter National Government Relations Policy Advisor..................Kyle Cline Policy Advisor & Counsel............. Amy Cornell State Government Relations Director.......................................... Katrina Hall Grassroots Government Program Coordinator.......................................... Jeff Golc Administrative Assistant ............. Diane Helton Administrative Assistant ........... Wanda Hunter
Senior Policy Advisor & Counsel................................... Justin Schneider Livestock Development Specialist... Greg Slipher Direct Retail Business Specialist....... Bob White
Public Relations Team
Director & Editor ........................Andy Dietrick Web Designer/Developer............. Diane Brewer Publications Managing Editor & Media Relations Specialist......Kathleen Dutro Marketing & PR Specialist................Mindy Reef Communications Assistant....... Rachel Schrage Communications Specialist, Public Policy and Advocacy............. Jay Wood
Organizational Development Team
Director..................................Mel Hollingsworth Women’s Leadership Program Coordinator............... Ashley Beasley Field Services Program Director..........................................Chris Fenner Membership Sales & Marketing Coordinator................Chelsea Poe Program Assistant..................... Kathryn Rogers
Education Coordinator..................... Julie Taylor Member Services Coordinator........ Anna Todd Program Assistant............................Tracie Trent
Regional Managers Wayne Belden (1 & 3) Greg Bohlander (6) Andrew Cleveland (4 & 6) Janice Deno (3) Jennifer Chandler Gish (9) Allison Hines (10) Amy Hutson (5) Susan Lawrence (2) John Newsom (1 & 2) Kermit Paris (8) Keegan Poe (5 & 8) Brad Ponsler (10) E.B. Rawles (7) Allie Rieth (4) Laura Ruhlman (7 & 9)
Address Letters & Questions To: Indiana Farm Bureau Inc. Box 1290, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1290. Phone: 1-800-327-6287 or (317) 692-7776 E-Mail Address: askus@infarmbureau.org Duplicate Magazines If you are receiving more than one copy of The Hoosier Farmer®, please cut out both labels and return them to the address above. Magazine Design and Layout Davis Graphic Design www.davisgraphics.com The Hoosier Farmer® is published 14 times per year by Indiana Farm Bureau Inc., P.O. Box 1290, Indianapolis, IN 46206, and is furnished as a service to voting members and others. Controlled circulation. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Hoosier Farmer® P.O. Box 1290 Indianapolis, IN 46206-1290. Copyright 2015. All rights reserved.
www.thehoosierfarmer.com
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PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS
‘Handing Over the Reins’ (continued from page 1) state Board of Animal Health and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. A good example of this is a few years ago when INFB gave the Indiana Professional Dairy Producers organization $50,000 for them to use to get started. Now they are a great partner and ally. I would say there are days when 40-60 percent of your Farm Bureau team members’ time is engaged on livestock issues. Greg Slipher, your livestock specialist, and the rest of the public policy team are working jointly with your public relations team, your legal team, and the organizational development team on these very, very tough issues that we face. Since the inception of the “Before You Build” initiative, we have responded to requests from 89 livestock farms located in 43 counties across the state. This tremendous program was a joint effort between INFB, the Indiana corn and soybean associations, Indiana Pork Producers, Indiana Beef Cattle Association, and the Indiana Professional Dairy Producers. Through this program we are helping producers find the best locations for their building sites, assisting them with getting their permits approved and outlining options to help producers work with their neighbors. By working together we are helping our livestock producers while helping to expand the feed market for our Indiana grown grains. I think there are few board of zoning appeals meetings happen on livestock siting without members of our team there, standing beside our members and assisting
them in getting their permits. This same group of ag organizations worked together a few years ago to form Indiana’s Family of Farmers. We found out that by working together we could do more collectively than we could do alone. Working with foodie groups in the larger cities around the state and developing relationships with nutritionists and others in the food sector allows us to dispel food myths and distortions that are spread by the Internet. Training our members to be bloggers and social media experts puts agriculture’s view front and center telling agriculture’s story. Unfortunately as consumers get more and more generationally challenged and removed from our farms, their understanding of how farmers take care of their animals and protect the environment is no longer a part of their experience growing up. Your Farm Bureau, with the help of these other partner ag organizations, is making a difference in the livestock and meat sector. One of my proudest moments during my tenure is championing our successful efforts of Indiana’s Family of Farmers to the AFBF board and to President Stallman. I truly believe we were the impetus for the founding of a national advocacy group called U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance. We are still members of the Meat Export Federation and a founding member of the Animal Ag Alliance, two great organizations that work hard to protect our rights and increase our markets. I am so very proud of our efforts to
Workshop designed to help get pro-ag officials elected —By Jay A. Wood Public Relations Team A candidate surfacing workshop sponsored by Indiana Farm Bureau will be held on Dec. 3 from noon to 3:30 pm. The workshop’s goal is to help county Farm Bureau members recruit and elect quality, pro-ag candidates to public office in 2016. With an increasing number of open seats in the General Assembly, specific emphasis will be placed on helping identify candidates to run in those districts next year. The candidate surfacing workshop is free to Farm Bureau members. Non-
www.thehoosierfarmer.com
members must pay the $32.50 membership fee. The registration deadline is Nov. 30 – which is right around the time that readers will be receiving this issue of The Hoosier Farmer – so those interested in attending need to contact Diane Helton at dhelton@infb.org immediately. This workshop is separate from the INFB campaign school. However, the workshop is complementary to the campaign school in that quality, pro-ag candidates identified in December and January could benefit tremendously from attending INFB’s campaign school in February.
INFB President Don Villwock delivers his final annual address. Photo by Kathleen M. Dutro
support the livestock sector and our livestock producer members. Thank you, Team Ag. As some of you know I’ve been traveling around the country visiting with Farm Bureau leaders about my quest to become the next AFBF president in January. We are working hard to give it our best shot at bringing home a victory. First let me say it is a tall mountain to climb, the responsibilities are enormous and there are three other well-qualified state presidents running for this spot. And I consider all three of them to be good friends. But I will promise you that I will do my best to make Indiana proud, that I will always take the high road and run my campaign
based on my vision and ideas for making American Farm Bureau all that it can be. I hope to see many of you in Orlando. As I reflect back on these 14 years, it has been all about helping others. I could not have made the progress we have made without all of you, plus many others past and present who couldn’t be here with us this evening. We have worked hard, driven over a half-million miles. We have won some and we have lost a few. But I can proudly say we gave it 100 percent and then some all along the way. Now it is time to move on and to hand over the reins to new leadership and fresh ideas. When Joyce and I made this decision to retire last spring, it was with a good feeling. Our Farm Bureau staff was preforming at their best, we had another great legislative session and the insurance company was recovering from two of the largest storm losses in our history and was now headed toward its best year ever. Your Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance Company and your Farm Bureau membership organization are in great hands, and I can leave knowing you will be well served. I ask you to please give the same support that you have given me to the new officers that will be elected tomorrow. Finally, my grandson Oscar (born two years ago) and
his little sister Georgia Ann (born just a few weeks ago) have a bright future in front of them. They are members of this great organization that will work hard on their behalf every day. If they want a future in agriculture, I believe their prospects are unlimited. We cannot even imagine the technology and tools they will have available to them. If we increase our funding for agriculture research and education, our challenge to feed 9 billion people by the year 2050 will be met. Oscar and Georgia will see even more change than we have all seen in our lifetimes. They will have to accept change, they will have to embrace change and, if they want to meet this global challenge, they will have to become leaders of change. But I ask all of you to help them get to that promising future. Please stay involved, become more engaged, share your stories and challenge those that challenge agriculture. We all must pull together if we are going to keep moving forward. If this future is to be bright for them and for all of us, the theme of my speech a few years ago still holds true today: If it is to be, it is up to me. I want to thank you all for 14 wonderful years. May God bless each and every one of you, may God bless Farm Bureau and may God bless America.
Task force suggests ways to enhance PD process —By Rachel Schrage Public Relations Team Thanks to work by the policy development task force, there is now a list of best practices that counties can use to enhance policy development activities. The in-depth review by the task force was something that hadn’t been done in more than 30 years. The 20-member task force included county presidents, policy development chairs, recent resolutions committee members and policy advisory group members. “Indiana Farm Bureau has a long history of success implementing policy established by members through our grassroots process,” said Justin Schneider, INFB’s senior policy advisor and counsel. “We want to make sure that we maintain our position as the leading organization on agricultural issues, so it was time to au-
dit our policy development process.” The process for submitting policy will stay the same, but the task force suggested enhancements to state activities and identified several best practices that many counties successfully use. It will be up to each county Farm Bureau’s leadership to decide which recommendations make sense for their county. Many of the recommendations can stand alone, though they can be combined to maximize members’ access to information and increase member participation. Recommendations include: • Inviting non-board members to serve on the PD committee. • Conducting planning meetings to identify potential issues. • Inviting knowledgeable members and experts on identified issues to plan-
ning meetings. • Surveying county membership regarding potential policy issues. • Using a policy bulletin board to track and discuss ideas. • Holding policy discussions throughout the year and at every county board meeting. • Developing a list of priority concerns to submit with policy recommendations. • Creating a local policy book. “As a grassroots organization, it is the responsibility of the membership to engage, thoroughly discuss ideas and develop recommendations,” said Max Smith, Wayne County Farm Bureau president. “We should not to leave a void for staff to fill.” If you have questions about the policy development process, contact Justin Schneider at jschneider@ infb.org or 317-692-7835.
November 30, 2015
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STATE CONVENTION
Convention Round-Up Annual meeting offers chance to look back at past and consider the future —Compiled by Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team
From the seat of a newly-restored Farmall Super M, Don Villwock thanks Farm Bureau members and the Indiana Farm Bureau Board of Directors for his 14 years as INFB president. The tractor was a surprise retirement present from the board and other wellwishers. Photo by Kathleen M. Dutro
The winners of INFB’s three contests for young farmers pose after the awards ceremony honoring them. From left: Jake Smoker, LaPorte County, winner of the Young Farmer Discussion Meet; Mike and Sarah Hertsel of Elkhart County with their children Caroline, George and Elizabeth, winners of the Young Farmer Excellence in Agriculture award; and Jennifer and Jake Walker, winners of the Young Farmer Achievement Award. Photo by Kathleen M. Dutro
Ten of the 12 winners of the “District Performer” award assemble on stage during the awards portion of the convention. The award was presented to the volunteer or volunteers in each district with the highest overall combination of new primary voting members recruited and primary voting members retained. From left are Franklin Weaver, Ohio County, and Robert Harmon, Harrison County, both District 10; Gary Michel, Warrick County, District 9; Mary Lee Russell, Lawrence County, District 7; Anne Smith, Wayne County, District 6; Brian Morgan, Vermillion County, District 5; Elsa Smith, Tipton County, District 4; Lana Wallpe, Benton County, District 3; Harold Kleine, Allen County, District 2; and Jennifer Richter, Fulton County, District 1. Photo by Kathleen M. Dutro
November 30, 2015
Indiana Farm Bureau returned to Indianapolis for its 97th annual convention on Nov. 15-17, and more than 1,000 members gathered to elect new leaders, learn, honor individuals and county Farm Bureaus – and have some fun. One of the significant events came during the annual meeting of delegates, when delegates elected a new president and vice president. (For more on the elections, see pages 1 and 3.) On Jan. 1, Randy Kron will take office as the organization’s president and Kendell Culp of Jasper County will become the vice president. Also significant were activities that honored outgoing President Don Villwock, who decided this past summer to not run for election. A special tribute was presented after the banquet on Nov. 16. An annual event is the silent auction sponsored by the State Young Farmer Committee. This year the auction raised $6,893 to benefit Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. The convention also offered the perfect opportunity to recognize county Farm Bureaus, individual members and others. Below is a list of some of those honored. Young Farmer awards Discussion Meet – Jake Smoker, LaPorte County. Runners-up: Jeff Demerly, White County; Andy Bailey, Tippecanoe County; and Britt Reese, Clinton County. Excellence in Agriculture Award – Mike and Sarah Hertsel, Elkhart County. Runners-up: Jeff Demerly, White County, and Jeremy and Lindsay Barron, Noble County. Achievement Award – Jacob and Jennifer Walker of DeKalb County. Runners-up: Matt and Brianna Chapman, Henry County, and Craig and Mindy Fruechte, Adams County. Impact awards (County Recognition Program) In the “influential organization” program area: Fulton County for its toolshed meeting with Sen. Joe Donnelly; Marshall County for its “Lunch with the Congresswoman” event; and Allen County for its “No to One” campaign. In the “young farmer and youth” category: Pike County, “Accelerating Interaction with Youth” program. In the “issue engagement” category: Benton County for the forum it organized with Sen. Rick Niemeyer; Henry County for its work on a new livestock ordinance; and LaPorte County for “Sharing the Truth about GMOs.” In the “public relations and education” program area: Pike County for its farm safety education program involving grain storage rescue tubes and White County for “Family Night on the Farm.”
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STATE CONVENTION
Members of the ag press corps interview Vice President-elect Kendell Culp and Presidentelect Randy Kron shortly after their elections. Shown with the new officers (from left) are Amie Sites, Indiana AgriNews; Meghan Conant, Brownfield Network; and Gary Truitt, Hoosier Ag Today. Photo by Mindy Reef
Other counties were recognized for their work in INFB’s five program areas: membership outreach; issue engagement; influential organization; young farmers and youth; and public relations and education. Counties could qualify as “cardinals,” “hawks” or “falcons” (the highest level). Fifty-nine counties reached the falcon level. For a complete list, visit conv.infb.org/awards. Membership awards Newton County received the “Superior Teams Achieve Results” award for its member engagement, retention and growth related to the organization’s annual membership campaign. Union County was recognized as “Superior Defender” for its membership retention rate of 98.36 percent. Harold Kleine of Allen County earned a new award, the “Premier Performer” award, by signing up or retaining 34 new members. Kleine was among 12 members who received the “District Performer” award, which is presented to the volunteer in each district with the highest overall combination of new primary voting members recruited during the new program year, and primary voting members retained from the previous program year: District 1: Jennifer Richter, Fulton County, 11; District 2: Harold Kleine, Allen County, 34; District 3: Lana Wallpe, Benton County, 4; District 4: Elsa Smith, Tipton County, 10; District 5: Brian Morgan, Vermillion County, 6; District 6: Anne Smith, Wayne County, and Steve Marrs, Vigo County, who tied with 5 each; District 7: Mary Lee Russell, Lawrence County, 5; District 8: Norbert Bedel, Decatur County, 5; District 9: Gary Michel, Warrick County, 8; and District 10: Robert Harmon, Harrison County, and Franklin Weaver, Ohio County, who tied with 14 each. Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance agent John Morris of Kosciusko County was also recognized for membership efforts. Morris signed up 163 new primary members, 48 of which were voting members. Other awards Rural Teacher of the Year – Zoeanne Chernowsky, Blue River School Corp, Greencastle. President’s Awards – Dan Gordon
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of Bluffton, Indiana, a board-certified Indiana trust and estate lawyer and a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel; Mark Sigler, chief operating officer and treasurer of Indiana Farm Bureau. Farm Family of the Year (sponsored by Beck’s Hybrids and Indiana AgriNews) – The Clauson family of Fulton County. Frederick L. Hovde Award of Excellence in Education Service to the Rural People of Indiana (presented by Purdue University and sponsored by INFB) – Freddie Barnard, a longtime leader in Purdue Extension agribusiness management and agricultural finance programs. Legislators of the Year – State Sen. Phil Boots, R-Crawfordsville, and Rep. Cherrish Pryor, D-Indianapolis, for their respective roles as author and sponsor of annexation reform legislation during the 2015 session; Sen. Brandt Hershman, R-Buck Creek, for his continued leadership on fiscal issues, ensuring that taxes on the agricultural sector are fair and equitable; and Rep. Bill Friend, RMacy, for his decades of support for agriculture and the critical role he plays as a production farmer serving in House leadership.
Governor Mike Pence names Don Villwock a “Sagamore of the Wabash” for his service to the state of Indiana. Photo by Kathleen M. Dutro
President Villwock presents a “Legislator of the Year” award to Rep. Cherrish Pryor, DIndianapolis, for her role as sponsor of annexation reform legislation in the 2015 General Assembly. Pryor was one of four legislators to receive the award. Photo by Jay A. Wood
Roy Ballard, Purdue Extension educator for agriculture and natural resources for Hancock County, explains FoodLink (a free tool that provides unbiased information to consumers on their food choices) to visitors to the convention trade show. Photo by Jay A. Wood
November 30, 2015
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STATE & NATION
WOTUS guidance would result in continued chaos, AFBF says —By the AFBF Communications Department & Kathleen M. Dutro INFB Public Relations Team In a close and contentious vote held Nov. 1, the U.S. Senate failed to gain the 60 votes necessary to pass S. 1140, the Federal Water Quality Protection Act, which would have sent the Environmental Protection Agency’s Waters of the U.S. rule back to the drawing board. The final roll-call vote was 57-41. Senator Joe Donnelly of Indiana was one of four Democrats voting in favor of S. 1140 cloture. Donnelly and Sen. Dan Coats of Indiana remain committed
to resolving the WOTUS rule. “All Hoosiers, not just those involved in agriculture, should be extremely proud of the courageous stance Sen. Joe Donnelly took on the floor of the U.S. Senate yesterday,” said INFB President Don Villwock. “Facing long odds and in spite of sometimes acrimonious testimony against his measure, Sen. Donnelly kept his promise to Indiana’s farmers by introducing S. 1140, a common sense approach to neutralizing EPA’s overzealous Waters of the U.S. rule. “Indiana Farm Bureau expresses its sincere thanks to Sen. Donnelly for his
leadership on this contentious issue and to both Sens. Coats and Donnelly for their votes to send the flawed WOTUS rule back to the drawing board. Although the measure came just short of reaching the necessary 60 votes for passage, we are committed to continuing the fight to protect Hoosier farmers from increases in regulatory overreach by the federal government.” Writing to members of the Senate who voted against the bill, the American Farm Bureau Federation and coalition of other ag groups urged senators to support any new effort in the Senate “to direct the agencies not to implement this rule and
initiate a new, more responsible, balanced and lawful rulemaking.” If federal agencies are left the task of developing implementation guidance for the Waters of the U.S. rule, the result will be a continuation of the rule’s “liabilities, confusion and chaos,” the letter said, adding that issuing guidance can’t fix a broken rule. According to the letter, if the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers are allowed to issue guidance for the implementation of the WOTUS rule, such guidance will be of no assistance to address the rules flaws, since many stem directly from the
language used by the agencies in the final rule. The final WOTUS rule contains “flaws and ambiguities that create confusion and uncertainty rather than provide clarity,” according to the letter. The rule also includes “vague terms and concepts, despite the numerous comments received” and fails to define a number of key terms that are “critical for determining whether a feature is a regulated ‘water of the United States.’” Already, the rule is has been challenged in multiple district and appeals courts in lawsuits brought by many dozens of states and stakeholders across the country.
Villwock campaign gains steam with more endorsements —By Jay A. Wood Public Relations Team
don@donvillwock.com facebook.com/Don4Prez @farmerdon72 Don Villwock (channel)
www.donvillwock.com
INFB President Don Villwock has received several more endorsements for his AFBF presidential bid: • Charlie Kruse, former Missouri Farm Bureau president. • Larry Wooten, North Carolina Farm Bureau president. • Randy Woodson, North
Carolina State University chancellor. • Jay Akridge, dean for the College of Agriculture at Purdue University. The AFBF presidential election will be held during the national convention in January. A total of 355 delegates are eligible to vote. Delegates are distributed across the 50 states based on the volume of Farm Bureau membership in each state.
Propane levels reach record high
Railway shutdown avoided; PTC deadline extended
—By Rachel Schrage Public Relations Team
—By Mindy Reef Public Relations Team
If you use propane to heat your home, your farm or dry your crops, there’s good news this year. Following a propane shortage in 2014, there is a propane oversupply across the United States as winter sets in this year. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, inventories of propane and propylene reached 97.7 million barrels in September, the highest level in the 22 years they have been keeping record. In the months since inventories hit an alltime high, the supply has continued to grow. There are currently more than 104.4 million barrels of propane ready for use in the U.S. The oversupply has driven prices down and should keep them low through the winter. In Indiana, propane prices are averaging $1.55 per gal-
November 30, 2015
lon this week. The price is down about 50 cents per gallon from this time last year and is nearly $3 per gallon lower than it was in February 2014. That winter, prices hit an average of $4.27 per gallon. (For additional information on these figures, visit the pages of the Energy Information Administration’s website, www.eia.gov/, and put “propane” in the search box.) Along with the decrease in propane prices, scientists are predicting a warmer than average El Niño winter (www.weather.com/forecast/national/news/winter2015-2016-what-to-expect). The combination of these factors should be good for your bottom line over the next few months, analysts say.
A late-game move by Congress prevented the shutdown of American railroads last month, with the fix garnering extra time for rail transporters to implement Positive Train Control tech-
nology, or “PTC.” “Failure to secure a timely extension of PTC would have had severe and farreaching consequences for the economy,” said Kyle Cline, INFB’s national affairs coordinator. “It would have especially hit Indiana’s farmers and agricultural sector hard, considering that our state ranks fourth in anhydrous ammonia consumption.” Congress approved H.R. 3819, the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2015, only 1 day before highway program authorizations expired on Oct. 29. While H.R. 3819 only extends the authorization of federal highway programs through Nov. 20, the bill extends the deadline for implementation of Positive Train Control technology for three years followed by a two-year grace period. According to the Associa-
Farm Bureau membership is particularly in high in Texas and the southeastern part of the United States. With high delegate counts in those states, Villwock’s endorsements from influential people in North Carolina and Missouri are especially valuable. To follow Villwock’s endorsements and other campaign activities, visit his website and social media channels listed on this page.
tion of American Railroads, PTC is a “set of highly advanced technologies designed to make freight rail transportation, already one of the safest U.S. industries, even safer by automatically stopping a train before certain types of accidents occur.” Previously, Congress mandated that freight railroad lines carrying certain toxic materials, passenger railroads and commuter railroads implement PTC technology by Dec. 31. However, most freight and commuter railroads reported that they would not be able to meet the deadline. Without an extension, freight railroads would have been forced to suspend shipments of chemicals such as chlorine used to purify drinking water and anhydrous ammonia used in fertilizer and other vital commodities well before the end of the year.
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INFB’s Parade of Presidents By Jay A. Wood & Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team Since Indiana Farm Bureau’s founding in 1919, only eight men have held the office of president. Because that number will increase to nine on Jan. 1, we thought it might be interesting to take a look back at the men who have held the organization’s highest office.
1919-1922 John G. Brown As the first president of the Indiana Federation of Farmers’ Associations (INFB’s original name), John G. Brown helped turn a coalition of individuals and counties into “An organization of the farmers by the farmers, to protect the interest of the farmers, and by education, legislation and other honorable means, to promote the largest good for all the people” (a quote from the federation’s creed). Before acquiring his White County farm, Brown worked as a day laborer and tenant farmer. His most outstanding qualities were reportedly caution and prudence. After four years, he stepped down as president to return to his farm.
1923-1934 William H. Settle William H. “Bill” Settle, a Chester White breeder from Wells County, was a talented lobbyist at the state and federal level. One year he convinced Gov. Harry Leslie to call a special session of the General Assembly that established a tax levy limit on real property and saved
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Indiana farmers $30 million annually. After a devastating tornado in southern Indiana, Settle signed a contract with State Farm Insurance that allowed INFB members to purchase insurance from the Illinois-based company. The agreement generated $30,000 in annual revenue for INFB. Over time, members expressed interest in INFB starting its own insurance company, but Settle rejected that idea.
vice president in 1934. Upon Taylor’s death in 1936, he moved to the top spot. When Schenck learned that INFB was borrowing from the state co-op to meet payroll, he reached an agreement with employees who were making more than $3,000 to take a temporary pay cut. The pay cuts and increasing dues from $5 to $10 resulted in a treasury sufficient enough to never again require borrowing.
1935-1936 Lewis Taylor Although he had worked in the gold fields of Alaska and as an attorney in Evansville, farming was Lewis Taylor’s his first love and he eventually to Warrick County to farm. He’d been involved with INFB from the beginning, serving as secretary, treasurer, first vice-president, and head of the tax and legislative committee. The issue that propelled him to the office of INFB president was the establishment of an INFB-owned insurance company, which he favored and the incumbent opposed. Taylor won, and the insurance company was established in 1935. After only a year in office, he died of a heart attack while visiting Pasadena, California, for the AFBF convention.
1958-1976 George Doup George Doup farmed in Bartholomew County with his brother, and he had a long history with Farm Bureau, starting as with Indiana Rural Youth. He was appointed vice president in 1952 when the incumbent, Larry Brandon, retired midterm, and was subsequently elected to the position. He became president in 1958 after Hassil Schenck retired. Among his achievements was overseeing Farm Bureau’s long, but successful, campaign for significant changes in Indiana property tax law, which were enacted in 1973. He was also at the helm during a tumultuous period of farm labor unrest, and he visited what was then known as “Red China.” He retired mid-term in 1976, saying he was ready to step down.
1937-1957 Hassil E. Schenck Hassil E. Schenck owned Whisp’rin Pines Farm in Lebanon. He rose up the ranks of local Farm Bureau leadership before being elected
1976-1987 Marion Stackhouse Marion Stackhouse, a hog and grain farmer from in Westfield, became president upon George Doup’s resignation.
His extensive ag background included years as a vo-ag teacher, INFB field representative and commodity department director. Under his leadership, INFB had the largest Farm Bureau membership of any state in the country in 1977 and 1978. He was active in INFB’s lobbying effort, especially at the federal level following the 1980 grain embargo against the Soviet Union, and was instrumental in the creation of the Indiana Farm Bureau ELECT PAC in 1983. He died in 1987 of a heart attack while on his farm.
1987-2001 Harry Pearson Then-Vice President Harry Pearson of Blackford County was chosen by the board to fill out the remainder of Stackhouse’s term. He was elected president in December 1987. Pearson helped pass AFBF policy language that opposed federal legislation that allowed public access to private property without the owner’s permission. He was also president when Farm Bureau relocated to its current location, formerly home to the Indianapolis Rubber Company. Renovation was completed in 1992. Pearson took an active role in supporting elimination of the death tax and the passage of NAFTA, and he also led the state Stop Taxing Our Property effort.
through the Young Farmer program, serving on both the state Young Farmer and AFBF YF&R committees. He was Knox County president, District 7 director and vice president before becoming president in 2002. He farms in Knox County, where he raises white corn, soybeans, seed soybeans, and seed wheat. Among Farm Bureau’s notable achievements during his tenure was the repeal of the state inheritance tax and the successful – but continuing – effort to delay implementation of proposed soil productivity factors, an effort that has saved farmers an estimated $687 million. He is also particularly proud of the role Farm Bureau played in the passage of one of the nation’s toughest “right to farm” laws.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2016 Randy Kron Randy Kron has served as vice president during Don Villwock’s entire tenure, but like so many Farm Bureau leaders, he got his start in the Young Farmer program. Prior to his election as vice president, Kron served as District 9 director and was also president and vice president of the Vanderburgh County Farm Bureau and chairman of the IFB political action committee for Congressional District 8. He also serves as his township’s assessor. Other leadership positions include acting as INFB’s representative on the U.S. Grains Council and on the Indiana Corn Marketing Council. He farms near Evansville, raising yellow corn, white corn, soybeans and wheat.
2002-2015 Don Villwock Don Villwock became involved in Farm Bureau
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AROUND INFB
Discussion Meet contests held at Vincennes, Purdue —By Mindy Reef Public Relations Team Two women took top honors at the Discussion Meet contests held at Vin-
cennes and Purdue universities. Ashia (Ash) George won the Indiana Farm Bureau Collegiate Discussion Meet held at Vincennes Univer-
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sity; Sarah Correll of Macy rose to the top at the Purdue contest. George will graduate in May 2016 with an associate degree in agribusiness. A native of Lawrenceville, Ill., she lives in Vincennes with her husband, Taylor. Correll is a senior majoring in agricultural economics and agricultural educa-
tion at Purdue. She is the daughter of Kelly Haupert and the late Dan Correll. In addition to $750 in scholarship money, George and Correll receive a trip to Kansas City, Mo., in February to compete in the national contest at the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference.
The Discussion Meet simulates a committee meeting. Topics are pre-determined, and contestants are evaluated on their ability to exchange ideas, offer constructive criticism, cooperate and communicate while analyzing agricultural problems and developing solutions.
Still time to apply for ACE ambassador program —By Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team Indiana Farm Bureau members interested in travel and farm practices in other states have until Feb. 2 to apply for the Agricultural Culture Exchange ambassador program. The INFB Women’s Leadership Committee sponsors the program. ACE sends INFB voting members to another state as ambassadors for agriculture. The goal of
the program is to promote greater understanding of agriculture, people, family life and cultures in different parts of the country. The 2016 trip will be to North Dakota. Details for the trip will be determined at a later date, but the selected members could learn about cattle, wheat, barley, sunflowers, sugar beets, potatoes, oats, canola, field peas and honey. Ambassadors may be required to present a program
at a state or district Farm Bureau event upon their return. INFB will pay for travel, hotel accommodations, meals and tips up to five days. The WLC will select no more than four ambassadors. Selections are final. The deadline to apply for the 2016 program is Feb. 2. Visit www.infarmbureau. org/infb/programs/wlc to learn more and download the application.
Comments sought on proposed routes for I-69 Section 6 —From the Indiana DOT
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The Indiana Department of Transportation will present new details about the five preliminary routes for I-69 Section 6 from Martinsville to Indianapolis during public meetings the week of Nov. 30. The deadline for written comments is Dec. 17. The meetings will collect additional public comment to help INDOT refine the five preliminary alternatives down to a smaller number of routes. The first meeting will take place on Nov. 30 at Perry Meridian High School, 401 W. Meridian School Rd., Indianapolis. The sec-
ond meeting will occur on Dec. 2 at Mooresville High School, 11 N. Carlisle St., Mooresville. The third meeting will be held on Dec. 3 at Martinsville High School, 1360 E. Gray St., Martinsville. Doors will open for all of the meetings at 6 p.m. with an open house session, followed by a formal presentation and public comment session in the high-school auditorium at 7 p.m. The meetings are in response to public requests for new details and additional public input following announcement of the five preliminary routes in late June. The new details will include the potential foot-
print of the five preliminary routes, including proposed interchanges and local access road locations. The I-69 Section 6 project team is requesting comments for this phase of the project by Dec. 17. Those comments can be submitted using a web form at www.in.gov/indot/projects/ i69/2463.htm and by contacting I-69 Section 6 directly at section6pm@indot. in.gov, 317-881-6408. The public can also visit the I-69 Section 6 project office located at 7847 Waverly Road, Martinsville, Indiana 46151. The office is open Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will be closed on state holidays.
Calendar of Events
December 7 District 6 fall meeting. 9, 10 INFB Board of Directors meeting, Indianapolis. 10 District 4 achievement banquet, Upland. January 6 Legislative kick-off, Indianapolis. 10-13 AFBF annual meeting, Orlando, Florida. 28, 29 Joint meeting of the INFB board and Women’s Leadership Committee. 29-31 INFB Young Farmer Conference, Indianapolis.
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