The Hoosier Farmer - issue 76 by Indiana Farm Bureau

Spring Conference Page 3

INFB Almanac Pages 4, 5

INFB in Orlando Pages 6, 7

INSIDE: News in Brief................ 2 Around INFB................ 3 Around Farm Bureau.... 6 Around Indiana............ 8

The Hoosier Farmer

A Publication for Voting Members of Indiana Farm Bureau

JANUARY 27, 2016 Issue No. 76

2016 legislative session in full swing —By Jay A. Wood Public Relations Team The 2016 session is underway, and the INFB lobbying team is working hard to implement the organization’s top legislative priorities. On the issue of farmland property taxes, INFB’s lobbying team is closely watching SB 308, which would apply the soil productivity factors used in March 2011 to this year’s assessments and beyond. SB 308 also provides that when calculating the base rate for agricultural land for the Jan. 1, 2017, assessment date and each assessment date thereafter, the Department of Local Government Finance must: • Use the six most recent years preceding the year when the assessment date occurs (before the highest of those six years is elimi-

nated when determining the rolling average). • Use a capitalization rate of at least 8 percent. • For purposes of calculating a base rate, recalculate certain prior base rates that are used in the rolling average by using a capitalization rate of at least eight percent. Along with farmland property taxes, the lobbying team is also following three separate road funding proposals: SB 67, SB 333 and HB 1001. INFB supported all three bills during their committee hearings, as directed by the wishes laid out in the state policy book. INFB policy (section 609.01) supports the concept of a data-driven solution for long-term road funding and urges the General Assembly to find ways to raise more funding for state

and local roads and bridges in addition to raising fuel taxes. SB 67 works to solve the issue of local road funding and is (at the time this issue of The Hoosier Farmer was going to press) the only plan that immediately gets money in the hands of local officials to address local roads. The bill distributes local option income tax reserves held by the state to counties, cities and towns. SB 333 provides that when state reserves exceed 11.5 percent of general revenue appropriations, those excess reserves must be transferred to the state highway fund for road and bridge repair. This legislation is also part of Governor Pence’s legislative agenda. It is the core of his “21st Century Crossroads” infrastructure plan.

Steve Pithoud (left) and Om Sharma, both of Warren County, talk with Rep. Sharon Negele, R-Attica. Pithoud and Sharma were among the more than 250 members who attended INFB’s legislative kickoff held Jan. 6. Photo by Rachel Schrage

HB 1001 works to accomplish five things: • Taps excess reserves. • Establishes local options (e.g. local option income taxes and city wheel tax) and matching grants. • Redirects gas sales tax to roads and bridges. • Indexes fuel taxes to restore lost buying power. • Provides new Medicaid

funding (e.g. $1 tax on each cigarette pack) to relieve general fund for infrastructure. Check The Hoosier Farmer and other INFB publications for updates on the 2016 legislative session and the progress of INFB’s priority issues.

president. AFBF Vice President Barry Bushue did not seek re-election to his post, so delegates also held an election for that position and chose Scott VanderWal of South Dakota. Candidates for vice president included VanderWal, who is the president of the South Dakota Farm Bureau, Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Tom Buchanan and New York Farm Bureau President Dean Nor-

ton. VanderWal won on the first ballot. VanderWal is a thirdgeneration family farmer from Volga, South Dakota. He and his wife, Michelle, raise corn and soybeans. They also do custom cattlefeeding and some custom harvesting. VanderWal has served on the South Dakota Farm Bureau board of directors since 1997, including three years as vice president. He has served as SDFB president since 2004.

AFBF delegates elect new president, VP —By Jay A. Wood Public Relations Team Delegates to the AFBF convention had a special job this year: Electing a successor for outgoing president Bob Stallman. After three ballots, Vincent “Zippy” Duvall of Georgia was elected to be the 12th AFBF president. Duvall, who had up until that time served as president of Georgia Farm Bureau, won the presidency by defeating former INFB President Don Villwock head-tohead in the third round of balloting. In addition to Villwock and Duvall, the candidates Indiana Farm Bureau P.O. Box 1290 Indianapolis, IN 46206

were outgoing AFBF Vice President Barry Bushue, who is president of Oregon Farm Bureau, and Arizona Farm Bureau President Kevin Rogers. No candidates received over 50 percent delegate votes in the first round of ballots, so Rogers, the lowest vote-getter, was eliminated. The second ballot also resulted in no candidate receiving more than 50 percent, so the lowest vote-getter (Bushue) was eliminated. Duvall defeated Villwock on the third round of balloting. Following AFBF tradition, the final vote totals Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

PAID

Berne, IN Permit NO. 43

For more coverage of the 97th American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention, see pages 6 and 7. were not released. Duvall is a poultry, cattle and hay producer from Greene County, Georgia. He has served on the Georgia Farm Bureau board of directors since 2002, including the past nine years as GFBF

Dearborn County Farm Bureau members visited the Statehouse and talked legislative priorities with Rep. Randy Frye, R-Greensburg, on Jan. 13. Photo by Rachel Schrage

NEWS IN BRIEF

From the president Making Farm Bureau the best that it can be —By Randy Kron INFB President As I write my first president’s column, poultry growers in southern Indiana are facing one of the most devastating circumstances a farmer can imagine. My heart goes out to these farm families and the communities impacted. Many of you have contacted me with concerns and questions about what can be done. The response will be ongoing for many months, but know that Indiana Farm Bureau will support the Board of Animal Health, keep our members informed on the issues and continue outreach to elected officials to provide assistance wherever possible. Just as there is always work to be done on the farm, we have a lot of work to do in Farm Bureau in the year ahead. I want you to know that your organization is here to address the issues that you have identified as important. I am honored to have been elected president and will do my best to help this great organization be an effective advocate for all of agriculture. I would like you to know

News Bites —Compiled by Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team

Farm Bureau urges House support for resolution disapproving EPA’s WOTUS rule—AFBF is urging mem-

bers of the U.S. House of Representatives to support SJR 22, a resolution to disapprove the Waters of the U.S. rule finalized by the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers.

Administrative/Finance Team

President............................................Randy Kron Vice President.................................Kendell Culp 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

January 27, 2016

INFB President Randy Kron (center) with Vice President Kendell Culp and 2nd Vice President Isabella Chism. Photo by Kathleen M. Dutro

more about me and my family. After graduating from Purdue University with a degree in agricultural economics, I came back to grow a farm near Evansville which I started my junior year of high school. My wife, Joyce, and I have been married for 32 years and Farm Bureau has been an important part of our farm and family for over 30 years. Our county president encouraged us to become involved in Farm Bureau as the young farmer representatives and I have come up through the Farm Bureau ranks. We have two adult children: our daughter, Tori, who is a teacher and is married to Daniel, and our

son, Ben, who farms with us. Last year, I had the opportunity to attend meetings in over 50 counties. There I heard firsthand from farmers and county leaders the Farm Bureau and agriculture issues that are important. The thing that came to the surface in almost every meeting I attended is that Farm Bureau must be the most effective advocate for Indiana agriculture at the local, state and national levels. To do this we must embrace what we do well, make changes to increase our effectiveness, and focus on those activities that make our members and organization stronger. County Farm

“The EPA rule poses a serious threat to farmers, ranchers and private landowners by permitting EPA to regulate well beyond limits authorized by Congress and affirmed by the Supreme Court,” then-AFBF President Bob Stallman wrote in a Jan. 11 letter to House members.

serve a two-year term on the AFBF General Counsel Advisory Committee. Also appointed to the committee at the same time was Sam Kieffer, manager of government affairs and communication at Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. (AFBF 12/17/16)

(AFBF 1/11/16)

All the ‘deets’ on #AFBF16—If you were

INFB counsel appointed to AFBF committee—The AFBF

Board of Directors has appointed Mark Thornburg, general counsel and director of INFB’s legal team, to

not able to attend AFBF’s 97th Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show, which wrapped up Jan. 13 in Orlando, Florida, visit AFBF’s newsroom (http:// annualconvention.fb.org/

Director of Affiliate Relations.................. Julie Klarich

Livestock Development Specialist... Greg Slipher Direct Retail Business Specialist....... Bob White Public Policy Intern........................ Shelby Swain

Legal Affairs Team

Public Relations Team

Indiana Farm Bureau Inc./ Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance

Director & General Counsel.................... Mark Thornburg Associate Counsel for Corporate Compliance & Nonprofit Affairs............ Sara MacLaughlin Legal Assistant........................... Maria Spellman

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

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 Young Farmer & Youth Program Coordinator..................... Allie Rieth

Bureaus are the lifeblood of our organization, and we need to provide the tools for them to be successful. No other organization has members organized in every county and this is an asset we must embrace and strengthen if we are going to be successful in the future. I also heard from many of you that we must have an effective staff that listens, supports, and partners with our members and county Farm Bureaus. Another common theme heard throughout the state was that we must develop member-driven policy positions that are relevant for our farm families and that offer a variety of opportunities for all generations to engage in Indiana agriculture and Farm Bureau. The last message I heard from my visits around the state was the importance of our insurance companies and the products they offer to help protect the assets of our members. We must continue to build a strong insurance company that will be positioned for growth and success in the future. Working together, agriculture can achieve great success. That is what Farm Bureau is all about – volunteers

and staff working together for the betterment of agriculture. We are a general farm organization and we must be the leader in unifying agriculture’s voice. There are many opportunities and programs for members to take advantage of and engage with Farm Bureau. We invite you to participate in these programs to make a difference for your farm, your future and your community. Each individual action can be amplified when we work together, making a bigger impact for agriculture. By working together more closely and with the same goals, we will accomplish even more. To continue the communication I have had over the last year, I am working with all regional managers to visit each county president on his or her farm. I have 10 of these planned over the next 75 days and will complete the rest within the first 6 months of the year. Look for more opportunities for your voice to be heard in the coming year and know that I will always have an open door for ideas on how to make Farm Bureau the best it can be. Best wishes for a successful 2016!

newsroom/) for news, audio, video and photos. (AFBF

GMOs when he came faceto-face with the science supporting biotechnology. “As a scientist, you must have data to back up what you’re saying,” Lynas said. “And I realized I wasn’t holding myself to the same scientific standards on GMOs as I applied to my research on climate change. You can’t pick and choose where you use science to back up your argument: You have to be consistent.” (AFBF

1/15/16)

Speaker: Proscience means proGMO—World-renowned

environmentalist Mark Lynas shared his experience of moving from anti-GMO activist to advocate for biotechnology at a featured workshop at the 97th American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show. Lynas told an audience of farmers and ranchers how he changed his mind on

1/14/16)

Program Assistant..................... Kathryn Rogers Education Coordinator..................... Julie Taylor Member Services Coordinator........ Anna Todd Program Assistant............................Tracie Trent

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

Regional Managers

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.

Wayne Belden (1 & 3) Greg Bohlander (6) Andrew Cleveland (4 & 6) Casie Conley (4) 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) Laura Ruhlman (7 & 9)

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 2016. All rights reserved.

www.thehoosierfarmer.com

AROUND INFB

There’s something for everyone at Spring Conference —By Mindy Reef Public Relations Team Farm Bureau members still have time to sign up for the organization’s annual Spring Conference, March 4 and 5 at the Indianapolis Marriott East. “AgVentures: Something for Everyone” is the conference theme, which plays a role in many of the breakouts sessions and speakers. The conference also offers opportunities to visit and network with other mem-

bers. Following are some of the highlights. • Workshops on Friday and breakouts on Saturday fit into three tracks: home/ health, education/communication and farm/ business. Featured topics include idea-sharing roundtables, scholarships and two sessions on Ag in the Classroom. • A private applicator recertification program is available on Friday. The program spreads across two breakout time blocks;

participants must attend both sessions to get PARP credit. The fee is $10 at the door. • Friday night offers recognition for Ag in the Classroom, including scholarship awards for teachers and volunteers to attend the National Ag in the Classroom Conference, Reaching Out Awards and the AITC Volunteer of the Year. Other awards presented include the two Ag Education and Promotion Development Grant winners.

• Motivational speaker Paul Vitale is the keynote for Friday night’s session. • A presentation from the 2015 Agriculture Cultural Exchange Ambassador winners takes place at 7:15 Saturday morning, followed by the announcement of the 2016 ACE Ambassadors. • The conference ends with motivational speaker Dale Henry. Live and silent auctions will benefit the Indiana National Guard Relief Fund.

Registration for the event is open until Feb. 18. Visit www.infb.org/springconf for more information and to register.

Who’s who at INFB Rieth takes on new Young Farmer role —By Mindy Reef Public Relations Team A familiar face has taken the helm of the Indiana Farm Bureau Young Farmer and youth programs. Allie Rieth, whose previous job was regional manager for INFB, started in the new position on Jan. 4. “I love working with people to help reach their goals,” Rieth said. “I measure my success through the success of others around me, and look forward to getting to know Farm Bureau members of all ages.” Rieth holds an undergraduate degree in animal science from Purdue. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in communications through the same university. Prior to INFB, she was in Washington, D.C., working for the Animal Agriculture Alliance. In her free time, Rieth enjoys horseback riding, volunteering at Agape Therapeutic Riding Center, singing and anything involving Purdue. She is a season ticket holder for the Green Bay Packers.

—By Rachel Schrage Public Relations Team

Allie Rieth (right), INFB’s new Young Farmer and youth program coordinator (and devoted Green Bay Packers fan), poses with her sister Sarah at a Packers game.

An old role, reinvented While the Young Farmer and youth programs are not new to INFB, dedicating a staff member solely to them is a change from the recent past, when they were bundled with general leadership programming or the state Women’s Leadership Committee. Rieth’s attention will focus on county programs, the state Young Farmer Committee, recruitment and retention of young farmers. She will also work closely with 4-H, FFA and collegiate Farm Bureau chapters to show students the value of Farm Bureau.

“The farming population ages more every year, and to keep food on the table and fuel in the tank, we have to help our younger members get into and stay in farming,” said Rieth. INFB President Randy Kron agrees. “Providing more support to our younger members was a theme I heard often on the campaign trail,” he said. “Allocating a staff member specifically to those programs will bolster our efforts to give our young farmers a solid foundation on their farms and in Farm Bureau.”

INFB Young Farmer Leadership Conference Jan. 29-31 Marriott East, Indianapolis The YF Leadership Conference begins right around the time members will be getting this issue of The Hoosier

Farmer. But as a reminder for those who have already registered, here are a few highlights from the agenda: Friday night, Jan. 29 Fun activities including massages, cornhole and euchre tournaments, a kids’ movie, and a “Canstruction” competition (all food will be donated to Gleaners). Saturday, Jan. 30 • Welcome from INFB President Randy Kron.

www.thehoosierfarmer.com

Regional manager Casie Conley

• Keynote speaker, farmer and humorist Wayne Humphreys. • Trade show and silent auction. • Breakout sessions covering four tracks: business, production, technology/communication and home/health. • Childcare is available; sessions for children will run concurrently with the breakout sessions. • “The Dating Game” (an event that only singles

Casie Conley is new to her role, but she isn’t new to Farm Bureau. After interning with INFB over the summer, she has accepted a position as the new regional manager for District 4, which encompasses Grant, Howard, Huntington, Miami, Tipton and Wabash counties. She started in early January. Casie Conley, INFB’s new District 4 regional If you visited the manager. Conley inherited the post from Allie INFB building at Rieth, who was recently named INFB’s Young the state fair last Farmer and youth program coordinator. summer, you probably saw her there Conley says she’s lookbecause a large part of her ing forward to working with internship was related to the county Farm Bureaus the planning and execution in her district, building reof state fair activities. Previlationships with members ous to interning with INFB, and acting as a resource for Conley worked at Farm information from the home World and served as Indiana office. FFA state president in 2011In her free time, Conley 2012. enjoys hunting, fishing, Conley is a graduate kayaking, church and spendof Vincennes University, ing time with her friends and where she received an asfamily. sociate degree in public “I’m very excited for the relations, and IUPUI, where opportunity to work with the she earned her bachelor’s membership organization degree in public relations in that is the voice of agriculDecember 2015. ture in Indiana,” she said. can participate in but that anyone can watch) runs from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. • For kids, Silly Safari and a pedal pull run between 8 and 9:30 p.m.; for adults, the Ag Olympics begin at 8:30 p.m., followed by country band Darlington Road. Sunday, Jan. 31 • Church service • County Young Farmer

chair leadership session. Members are encouraged to contact their county in advance to ensure that the county will cover their room and registration fees. Adult registration is $60 per person; children between 12 and 17 are $30. Children 11 and under are free. The deadline for hotel reservations was Jan. 22. More information is available at the conference website, www.infb.org/yfconf.

January 27, 2016

COMING IN 2016

INFB Almanac: Farm Bureau dates to remember Early Statehouse visits for INFB members

INFB Young Farmer Conference

Jan. 5-Feb. 3

Jan. 29 and 31

Justin Schneider, INFB senior policy advisor and counsel, gives a briefing during the 2015 General Assembly on Farm Bureau’s priority issues to groups from Union, Ripley and Jennings counties. Photo by Kathleen M. Dutro

ACE (Agricultural Cultural Exchange) Program The 2015 ACE ambassadors – Jonathan and Kelly Shannon of Crawfordsville and Linda and Richard Vandermolen of Rensselaer – toured Virgina, including a stop at the Yorktown Victory Monument. The 2016 trip will be to North Dakota. Photo courtesy of Jonathan and Kelly Shannon.

Leaders in Action INFB’s leadership development program Session 1: Engaging Local Government, Feb. 6, Fort Wayne. Session 2: Self-Leadership, April 9, Rochester. Session 3: Communications, June 11, INFB home office. Session 4: Farm Bureau History and Opportunities, Aug. 12 and 13, Indiana Farm Bureau home office. Session 5: Washington, D.C., trip, Sept. 12-14. (www.infarmbureau.org/infb/programs/leaders-inaction or Julie Klarich, director of affiliate relations for Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, JKlarich@infarmbureau. org, 317-692-8011)

County voter registration office (Information: in.gov/sos/elections/) Voter registration deadline: April 4 County voter registration office (indianavoters.in.gov) Absentee/early voting begins: April 5 County Clerk’s office or satellite location (indianavoters.in.gov) Primary Election Day: May 3, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time) Your precinct voting location (or any voting location in counties with vote centers) (indianavoters.in.gov)

Later Statehouse visits for INFB members Feb. 8 – March 14 Ideal time for county Farm Bureaus to make their second-half Statehouse visits. (To find out about your county’s or district’s Statehouse visit, contact your regional manager or contact Bob White, who is helping to coordinate Statehouse visits, 317-692-7823, bwhite@infb.org.)

Campaign School Feb. 9, 10 INFB home office, Indianapolis Fee (which includes food and materials but not lodging): $200 for Farm Bureau members; $250 for non-members. When accompanying a candidate, the fee for campaign managers is $100; for spouses, $75. (A maximum of three people per campaign team may attend.) (Registration: www.infb.org/campaignschool. Information: Diane Helton, 317-6927834, dhelton@infb.org.)

January 27, 2016

Election Dates & Deadlines Candidate filing deadline: Feb. 5, noon EST.

Signup deadline: Feb. 2 (More information: Ashley Beasley, 317692-7830, abeasley@infb.org. Or at www. infb.org, look under “Programs” and then click on “Women’s Leadership Committee.” Scroll down to the link for the ACE program application.)

Marriott East, Indianapolis (www.infb.org/yfconf)

Photo by Kathleen M. Dutro

Ideal time for county Farm Bureaus to make their first-half Statehouse visits. (To find out about your county’s or district’s Statehouse visit, contact your regional manager or contact Bob White, who is helping to coordinate Statehouse visits, 317-692-7823, bwhite@infb.org.)

AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference February 13-16 Kansas City, Missouri (Information: Marty Tatman, 202-406-3682, martyt@fb.org. Or at www.fb.org, look under “Events,” click on “Calendar of Events” and scroll down to the section on the conference.)

www.thehoosierfarmer.com

COMING IN 2016

Indiana Small Farm Conference March 3-5 Danville, Ind. (ag.purdue.edu/extension/smallfarms/Pages/default.aspx or look for the conference on Facebook under “Purdue Extension Small Farms”)

INFB Grassroots Lobbying Trip March 22-24 Washington, DC

INFB Spring Conference March 4, 5 Indianapolis Marriott East (Information: www.infb.org/springconf or Ashley Beasley, 317-692-7830, abeasley@infb.org)

National Agriculture Day March 15

INFB members from Congressional District 6 meet with Rep. Luke Messer during the 2015 lobbying trip. Photo by Andy Dietrick

(www.agday.org/)

Earth Day Indiana April 23

Ag Education and Promotion Development Grant application deadline 1st round: Jan. 31 2nd round – May 1 (Go to www.infb.org, look under “Programs” and then click on “Women’s Leadership Committee.” Scroll down for information on this specific program and for a link to the application.)

Military Park, Indianapolis (www.earthdayindiana.org/)

Indianapolis 500 events: Rookie luncheon (sponsored by the American Dairy Association of Indiana, May 24. Race Day (ending with traditional glass of milk for the winner), May 29.

Vintage Indiana Wine Festival June 4 Military Park, Indianapolis (www.vintageindiana.com)

INFB Ag in the Classroom Update June 11 Dow Agroscience (Pre-registration will be required. More information will be available closer to the event at www.infb.org.)

National Ag in the Classroom Conference June 20-24 Wigwam Resort Litchfield Park, Arizona (agclassroom.org/conferences/ index.htm)

Estate and Succession Planning Workshop From the Indiana Agricultural Law Foundation

July 21 INFB Home Office (More information: John Shoup, 317-692-7801, jshoup@INAgLaw.org; Maria Spellman, 317-692-7840, mspellman@infb.org; or, as the date gets closer, at INAgLaw.org.)

www.thehoosierfarmer.com

January 27, 2016

AROUND FARM BUREAU

INFB in O Hoosier highlights from the AFBF convention —By Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team Around 300 Indiana Farm Bureau members attended the annual American Farm Bureau Federation convention & IDEAg Trade Show held in Orlando, Florida, Jan. 9-12. The convention and trade

show offered dozens of educational breakout sessions that covered topics ranging from commodity outlooks to event planning and from food safety to ag programs for military veterans. And as usual, the event also allowed Hoosiers to escape the cold weather for a short while, gather with

farmers from across the nation to reconnect with old friends and make new ones, and it also offered opportunities for some healthy competition. Here are a few of the highlights. County recognition Fulton County was one of 27 county Farm Bureaus recognized by the American

Representatives of Fulton County Farm Bureau pose in their booth at the trade show held in conjunction with the AFBF convention. From left: Brian Richter, Dan Snipes, Blake Richter, Stephen Williams, Fulton County President Jennifer Richter and Kelly Snipes. Photo by Kathleen M. Dutro

Farm Bureau Federation for innovative program ideas in this year’s County Activities of Excellence Awards program. The program that sparked the recognition is the scavenger hunt Fulton County sponsors during its county fair. According to Fulton County President Jennifer Richter, the activity consisted of children coming to the Farm Bureau booth to pick up a scavenger hunt form and then traveling around the fairgrounds to painted different farm scenes

to pick up various materials. Kids then received a small treat and their names were entered into a drawing for a prize given away nightly. This year’s CAE award winners came from 11 states, including Indiana. Women’s Leadership Committee The INFB Women’s Leadership Committee was one of three state WLCs to receive a $500 grant for their “Our Food Link” programs. The winners were chosen based on the overall project plan, innovation and creativity.

Deb Jordan, INFB District 6 education and outreach coordinator, receives an award for the INFB Women’s Leadership Committee. The Indiana WLC was one of three state WLCs to receive a $500 grant for their “Our Food Link” programs. Photo by Jay Wood

Modifying crop insurance for special crops, assistance for poultry growers during disease outbreaks among policies approved by AFBF delegates —By the AFBF Information Department & Kathleen M. Dutro INFB PR Team While the question of who would be the next president of the American Farm Bureau Federation got most of the attention and sparked most of the discussion among delegates and other convention goers during the AFBF convention, delegates also considered policies that will help guide the organization through 2016 and beyond. More than 350 delegates from all 50 states and Puerto Rico deliberated issues that included farm policy, risk management, governmental reform and renewable fuels during the delegate session, held Jan. 12 during AFBF’s 97th annual convention. In a session that moved along at a brisk and businesslike pace, few topics generated very much discussion among the delegates, who nonetheless approved new policies and reaffirmed existing policies covering a wide range of agricultural topics. One topic that did general

January 27, 2016

a little bit of discussion was risk management. Delegates approved policy submitted by Indiana Farm Bureau which states that “Crop insurance should cover a crop until the time of the crop’s normal harvest time.” This language was in response to difficulties Indiana farmers who raise crops sometimes harvested later than corn and soybeans, such as tobacco and pumpkins, have had in getting their crops covered. Delegates also supported for voluntary risk management products for poultry growers that would provide assistance during disease outbreaks as well as adding cottonseed to the list of oilseed crops eligible for farm programs. They reaffirmed support for programs that provide emergency assistance for livestock and tree producers not covered by federal crop insurance programs. The delegates maintained their strong support for biofuels and the Renewable Fuel Standard. They also called for continued tax incentives to benefit biodiesel and other advanced biofuels.

Other positions taken by delegates include: Trade – Reaffirmed support for fair and open world trade that benefits agriculture, in particular, Trans Pacific Partnership, which promises to expand opportunities for U.S. farm goods to some of the fastest-growing markets around the world. Biotechnology – Reaffirmed support for the use of genetically modified plant varieties and other innovative technologies. Delegates also called for a voluntary and uniform labeling system for products designated as genetically modified organisms and denounced mandatory labeling of food products containing GMOs at the local, state and federal levels. Immigration – Reaffirmed support for flexibility in the H-2A program that would allow workers to seek employment from more than one farmer. They also called on Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform to assist in solving the continuing shortage of agricultural workers. Big data – Reaffirmed support for the protection of

INFB President Randy Kron discusses crop insurance coverage during the Jan. 12 delegate debate held during the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting. Photo by Kathleen M. Dutro

proprietary data collected from farmers, as well as fair compensation for farmers who choose to sell their data to third parties including other farmers. Energy – Maintained their strong support for biofuels and the Renewable Fuel Standard. They also called for continued tax incentives to benefit biodiesel and other advanced biofuels. Regulatory review and reform – Establishing a new policy that opposes gov-

ernmental attempts to sway public opinion regarding rules that are open for public comment, whether by social media or other means. Transportation – Reaffirmed support for dedicating fuel tax revenue to the Highway Trust Fund for highway construction and maintenance and added INFB-submitted policy stating that electric and alternative fuel vehicles should pay state and federal road taxes.

www.thehoosierfarmer.com

AROUND FARM BUREAU 8

Application due for IFB’s leadership program

Orlando Our Food Link is a yearround program that county and state Farm Bureaus can use to reach consumers of all ages and backgrounds with information about today’s agriculture. Indiana’s WLC was honored for the Taste from Indiana Farms event the group sponsored at the Minnetrista Farmers Market in Muncie. During this event, held Sept. 12, the committee showcased Indiana pork by providing delicious pork samples, sharing cooking tips and pork recipes with consumers, sharing nutritional information with consumers, connecting farms to food with consumers from non-rural area, and positively representing Indiana Farm Bureau in nonrural area. “The judges felt the program accomplished its goals

and successfully impacted a diverse audience in providing greater awareness and understanding of today’s agriculture,” said AFB Women’s Leadership Committee Chairwoman Sherry Saylor when she informed INFB of the award. Deb Jordon, INFB’s District 6 education and outreach coordinator, gave a presentation on the program at the trade show during the convention. Elections Deb Walsh, who represents District 1 on INFB’s Women’s Leadership Committee, was re-elected to the AFB Women’s Leadership Committee as a representative of the Midwest region. Walsh was originally elected last year to fill out the term of Isabella Chism, INFB’s second vice president, when

IFB home office. • Session 4: Farm Bureau History and Opportunities, Friday/Saturday, Aug. 8 The application period is and 9, IFB home office. open for the 2014 class of • Session 5: Washington, Leaders in Action, IFB’s leadD.C., trip, Sept. 8-10. ership development program, The cost is $200 per perwill close Jan. 6. son for Farm Bureau memThe program is for indibers and $250 per person for viduals who want to enhance non-members. Hotel rooms their leadership skills, speare provided only when cifically becoming more efmeeting in Indianapolis and fective at the local, state or in Washington, D.C. Some national levels in both volunmeals in D.C. will not be teer and elected positions. covered. Some county Farm Participants may come Bureaus may choose to pay from anywhere in the state. for participants. The schedule of meetings is For more information, currently planned as follows: INFB’s young farmer competitors pose•at Session the Indiana left: Jake Smoker, Jakeregional and Jennifer Walkcontact your man1: breakfast. EngagingFrom Local er, Sarah and Mike Hertsel. Photo by Kathleen M. Dutro ager or Julie Volbers-Klarich, Government, Saturday, 317-692-8011, Feb. 22, Fulton County achievements. jvolbersChism was elected vice sented in all three Young klarich@infarmbureau.org. area. & Rancher contests: Indiana Farm Bureau chair of the AFB committee. Farmer Applications and additional • Session 2: Self-Leadership, Indiana Farm Bureau was (For other election news, in the Achievement Award information are also available Saturday, April 12, St. recognized with Awards for see page 1 of this issue of competition, Jake and Jenonline at www.infarmbureau. Joseph County area. Excellence for outstanding The Hoosier Farmer.) nifer Walker of DeKalb org under the “Programs” • Sessionin3:the Communicaachievement in all six proYoung Farmer contests County; Excellence tions, Saturday, May 31, menu. gram areas: education and Indiana was well reprein Agriculture Award com—By kathleen M. Dutro PuBlic relations teaM

Registration open for Indiana Small Farm Conference —From the Purdue Ag Communications Service Registration is now open for Purdue Extension’s 2016 Indiana Small Farm Conference, March 4-5 at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds. The conference is designed for anyone interested in or currently operating a small or medium-sized farm. Conference sessions are organized by themes. On March 4, presenters will focus on restoration agriculture, vegetable production, flower farming and farm financing. On March 5, topics

will be livestock production, on-farm energy and equipment, fresh produce and farm management. The Purdue Extension Small Farms Team is offering a series of daylong preconference workshops March 3. Topics are direct marketing, woodland management, starting and sustaining a small farm in Indiana and hops production. Participants will also have an opportunity to tour This Old Farm, a sustainable beef and pork production facility in Colfax, about 20 miles southeast of Lafayette.

Cost is $60 to attend a preconference workshop and $120 for the conference itself. Those who register before Feb. 14 pay $50 for a workshop and $100 for the conference. The Hendricks County Fairgrounds are at 1900 E. Main St., Danville. Registration is available through Purdue’s The Education Store at https://edustore.purdue.edu/wk_begin. asp. For more information, go to https://ag.purdue.edu/ extension/smallfarms/Pages/ default.aspx.

Conference to bring women in ag together for education, networking —From the Purdue Ag Communication Service Women in all sectors of agriculture will be offered educational and networking opportunities at the 15th Annual Midwest Women in Agriculture Conference. The conference will return to the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, 2480 Jonathan Moore Pike, in Columbus, Indiana, on Feb. 17 and 18. A preconference program, “Leasing Land on a Tight Margin,” will be 1-4 p.m. Feb. 17, also at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center.

www.thehoosierfarmer.com

The preconference seminar will cover calculating cash lease amounts and valuation of property, longterm cash rent decisions, flex leases as an alternative to cash renting, communication for landowner and tenant relationships and the legal aspects of leasing. Some of the 20 session topics of the conference are on improving farm financial management skills, educating people on modern agriculture, protecting profit margins in an unstable market, addressing meat controversies and retirement programs and farmstead planning.

Registration for either Wednesday or Thursday costs $80, or $90 for both days, if received payment is received by Feb. 3. Checks should be made payable to the Purdue Education Fund and sent to Midwest Women in Agriculture Conference, Kosciusko County Extension Office, 202 W. Main St., Warsaw, IN 46580. A $10 handling fee will be assessed on all refunds, and there will be no refunds after Feb. 3. To print the registration form, visit http://bit. ly/1M1dRdD or contact Kelly Heckaman at 574-3722340, kheckaman@purdue. edu.

petition, Mike and Sarah Capt. Michael Abrashoff Hertsel, Elkhart County; and was the keynote speaker in the Discussion Meet, Jake at the IFBLaPorte convention held Smoker, County. Dec. 13 and 14 in was Fort very The competition Wayne. The former comstiff and none advanced mander of the USS Benfold to the finals, but all are to and author of several be congratulated forbooks their

outreach; leadership development; member services; membership initiatives; policy development and implementation; and public relations and communications.

on leadership, including It’s Your Ship, talked about the importance of grassroots leadership. Photo by Kathleen M. Dutro

MEMBER BENEFIT

Prescription Savings and More The ScriptSave® Prescription Savings Program opens up a world of savings—from brand-name and generic prescriptions to the services listed below. Our robust suite of value-added offerings provides discounts and savings for members. Enhanced services include:

 Diabetic Supplies  Vision and LASIK  Hearing  Chiropractic  Lab Testing  X-ray / Imaging  Fitness/Safety/Medical Supplies  Gym Membership Call us at 800-777-8252 or visit www.itpaystobeamember.org for your ScriptSave card. DISCOUNT ONLY - NOT INSURANCE

December 30, 2013

January 27, 2016

N as

—Fro inFor

A guide reau Coal avail Fa are w begin equip an fa owne oppo the m the c “T ship, ing v to co our c its ci and m ties m many portu

Pu wo

—Fro ag c

Fa abou for th ness the “ es an of Pu ing T Th at fou state tax is longning, agree valua Ea ture acco senta of th plann famil

AROUND INDIANA

Website offers resources to help operators manage farm risk —From the Purdue Ag Communication Service A new website from Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture and the Indiana Soybean Alliance is available to help farm operators manage risk. Farm Risk Resources (www.farmriskresources. com) is designed to help farmers understand, identify, evaluate and manage risk. The goal is to offer basic risk management concepts and principles critical to thinking through the decisions farmers make on a daily basis.

“Managing risk is pivotal to a farm’s success,” said Jim Mintert, director of the Center for Commercial Agriculture. “As production agriculture has become more complex, so, too, have the risks. They expand beyond price and require an integrated management approach.” The site includes a 15-question assessment for farmers to identify which types of risks apply to their specific operations – business, financial or strategic. Once identified, the site provides links to more information about managing the

tion is provided for a variety of operation types and sources of risk, including specialty crops, new market expansion, food safety, labor, input suppliers, production issues, farmland values and crop outlooks. “The site is full of expert-

driven, research-based advice and operational tools,” Mintert said. “It’s all about helping farmers take a holistic approach to risk management.” Some of those tools include audits, spreadsheets and checklists.

Statehouse visits make a difference —By Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team Grassroots action makes all the difference when it comes to influencing legislators, according to Indiana Farm Bureau’s public policy team. This is why county Farm Bureaus are being asked to visit the Statehouse at least once during this session of the General Assembly, and preferably twice, according to Chris Fenner, INFB field services program director. Because this year’s is a short session – the statutory end of the session is March 15 – the ideal time to make a first Statehouse visit is before Feb. 3. Second visits should be made between

Feb. 8 and March 14. Such visits can also help a county Farm Bureau qualify for honors through the County Recognition Program. Counties receive credit for third house sessions, legislative farm tours, emails and phone calls to legislators, statehouse visits, and so on, Fenner explained.

“Regular communication with your regional manager will ensure you receive credit for all your activity,” he added. To schedule a Statehouse visit, talk to your regional manager or contact Bob White, who is coordinating Statehouse visits, 317-6927823 or bwhite@infb.org.

THF2015

To make it easy for grassroots members to participate in Farm Bureau’s membership efforts, we include an application form in most issues of The Hoosier Farmer. Cut out the application form below or make copies and give them to new potential members. Remember to have them put your name in the membership volunteer box and then send it to the address printed along the bottom of the form. You can also have them visit INFB’s membership site, www.itpaystobeamember.org, to sign up online.

type of risk specific to each farm. Also available are case studies farmers can use to walk through the risk evaluation and management process, as well as a list of risk management workshops, tools and videos. Informa-

Staff from Indiana Farm Bureau and Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance honored outgoing INFB President Don Villwock on Dec. 23 with a reception at the home office. Here Villwock and his wife, Joyce, pose with INFB President Randy Kron in front of a banner presented to Villwock that has been signed by hundreds of Indiana Farm Bureau and Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance employees. Photo by Rachel Schrage

Calendar of Events

January 28, 29 Joint meeting of the INFB board and Women’s Leadership Committee. 29-31 INFB Young Farmer Conference, Indianapolis. February 2 Sign-up deadline for the ACE ag ambassador program. 2, 3 INFB Women’s Leadership Committee meeting. 6 Leaders in Action (INFB’s leadership development program), session 1, Fort Wayne. 9, 10 Campaign school, INFB home office. 12-15 AFBF Young Farmer & Rancher Leadership Conference, Kansas City, Missouri. 18, 19 INFB Board of Directors meeting. March 3-5 Indiana Small Farm Conference, Danville. 4, 5 INFB Spring Conference, Indianapolis. 15 National Agriculture Day.

January 27, 2016