May 2013: Tennessee Farm Bureau News

FARM BUREAU News TENNESSEE

ISSN 1062-8983 • USPS 538960

WHAT’S INSIDE: PagE 2 TFIC Annual Meeting recap

Page 8 Ag Day on the Hill highlights

Volume 92 Number 3 • May 2013

FARM BILL

Page 12-13 TFBF salutes FFA & 4-H

June is Dairy Month

Farm Bureau makes proposal on farm bill A thriving agricultural economy benefits all Americans and depends on a sound farm bill. The farm bill also helps farmers and ranchers deal with the risks that threaten their ability to produce the food, fiber and fuel we all need. Because of its importance to agriculture and America’s farmers, the American Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors submitted a proposal to Congress in early April that supports passing a Farm Bill that would save $23 billion over the continuation of current law. It would provide program crop producers options for a safety net and equity across commodities.

The following core principles were used to draft the suggestions for the commodity and crop insurance programs in the farm bill: • Offer producers a choice of program options; • Protect and strengthen the federal crop insurance program and do not reduce its funding; • Provide a commodity title that works to encourage producers to follow market signals rather than making planting

decisions in anticipation of government payments; • Refrain from basing any program on cost of production; and Continued on page 4

Official newspaper of Tennessee Farm Bureau

FarmBureauNews TENNESSEE

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Tennessee Farm Bureau News - May 2013

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FarmBureauNews FBI of Tennessee annual meeting highlights TENNESSEE

ISSN 1062-8983 • USPS 538960

Pettus Read, Editor Lee Maddox, Assistant Editor Melissa Burniston, Feature Writer Stacey Warner, Graphic Designer Misty McNeese, Advertising P.O. Box 313, Columbia, TN 38402-0313 (931) 388-7872 Issued bi-monthly by the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation located at 147 Bear Creek Pike, Columbia, Tennessee 38401.

Non-profit periodical postage paid at Columbia, TN and additional entry offices.

Send address corrections to: Tennessee Farm Bureau News Offices, P.O. Box 313, Columbia, TN 38402-0313.

Subscription rate for Farm Bureau members (included in dues) $1 per year.

Advertising Policy: Advertising is subject to publisher’s approval. Advertisers must assume all liability for content of their advertising. Publisher maintains right to cancel advertising for non-payment or reader complaint about advertiser service or product. Publisher does not accept political, dating service or alcoholic beverage ads, nor does publisher pre-screen or guarantee advertiser service or products.

Publisher assumes no liability for products or services advertised in the Tennessee Farm Bureau News.

A company-wide profitability initiative in 2012 enabled Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee to rebound from historic storm losses in previous years, company stockholders learned at their annual meeting Thursday.

In the epic storm year of 2011, Farm Bureau Insurance’s combined ratio – the amount paid in claims plus the cost of company operations -stood at an all-time-high 147 percent.

For every dollar Farm Bureau Insurance collected in home and auto premium, it spent $1.47.

In comparison, the company’s 2012 combined ratio was 102.7 percent – and this included the second-largest catastrophe storm in company history at the end of February. The “Leap Year Storm” totaled $165 million in claims.

million to surplus. It was the largest percentage increase in surplus since 2007, said John Law, chief operating officer of Property and Casualty Operations. Surplus now stands at $1.54 billion.

Despite rate changes and policy adjustments designed to improve profitability, customer retention rates have remained high, Law said. Farm Bureau Insurance ended 2012 with a 96.1 percent retention rate in auto, and 91.4 percent in homeowner -- both well above industry averages.

Farm Bureau Insurance continues to be an industry leader in efficiency, managing to operate on only 22.5 cents of each premium dollar, Law said. In comparison, other Farm Bureau insurance companies operate on an average of 35 cents, and the industry

Chief Executive Officer Sonny Scoggins likened the company’s performance to other competitive arenas.

“The best athletes have setbacks and injuries, but they heal and get ready for the next game,” Scoggins said. “The best NASCAR drivers have wrecks and come back ready to race again the next week. And the best companies have temporary setbacks, but they get ready for the next opportunities.”

Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee is the trade name for the group of companies including Tennessee Farmers Mutual Insurance Company, Tennessee Farmers Assurance Company and Tennessee Farmers Life Insurance Company.

Headquartered in Columbia, Tenn., the companies provide insurance services for members of the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation.

Tennessee Farmers Life Insurance Company posted the second best earnings year in company history in 2012.

It is Tennessee’s number one writer of individual life insurance policies.

Tennessee Farmers Mutual Insurance Company, while still the state’s second largest property insurer as measured by premiums, reported that it now insures more homes and automobiles than any other insurance company.

The stock companies increased stock values and declared dividends.

as a whole averages 40.5 cents.

News that Farm Bureau Insurance now insures more homes and autos in Tennessee than any other carrier was met with enthusiasm among the stockholders at the meeting. The company insures 1.09 million automobiles and 595,700 homes, Law reported.

“The leaders of our company have told us for years that being the biggest was not the goal, but to be the best,” Law said. “But more Tennesseans trust Farm Bureau Insurance, so maybe becoming the biggest is just the inevitable result of being the best.”

TENNESSEE FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

Board of Directors Lacy Upchurch Jeff Aiken President

Vice President

Directors-at-Large Charles Hancock David Richesin Catherine Via District Directors Malcolm Burchfiel Dan Hancock James Haskew David Mitchell Eric Mayberry Jane May Advisory Directors Jimmy McAlister Dr. Larry Arrington Other Officers and Staff Joe Pearson Chief Administrative Officer

Rhedona Rose

Executive Vice President

Wayne Harris

Tim Dodd

Treasurer

Comptroller

Organization Bobby Beets

Public Policy Stefan Maupin

Bryan Wright

Ryan King

Director

Director

Associate Director

Associate Director

Paige Bottoms

Special Programs Charles Curtis

Communications Pettus Read

Chris Fleming

Associate Director

Lee Maddox

Associate Director

Melissa Burniston

Associate Director

Regional Member Benefits Coordinator

Director

Associate Director

Director

Kristy Chastine Dan Strasser

Associate Director

Regional Field Directors Matt Fennel, Jim Bell, Melissa Bryant, Eddie Clark, Kevin Hensley, Joe McKinnon Service Companies Tennessee Farmers Insurance Cos. Matthew M. (Sonny) Scoggins, CEO Tennessee Rural Health Anthony Kimbrough, CEO Farmers Service, Inc. Tim Dodd, Director of Operations Tennessee Livestock Producers, Inc. Darrell Ailshie, Manager

P&C regaining momentum Farm Bureau Insurance’s improving performance, including a 5.2 percent increase in written premium, allowed management to add $47

Life Company outpaces the industry again Life insurance premiums grew to $126.9 million, an increase of 2.6 percent over the previous year, said Dennis Stephen, chief operating officer for Life Operations. In contrast, the top 25 life insurance companies nationwide grew by only 1.1 percent.

The life company now has more than 301,000 policies totaling $28.9 billion face amount coverage in force, an increase of 4.4 percent over 2011. The industry as a whole posted no gain in life applications or face amount coverage.

“Our consistent focus on the customer, the strength and stability provided through our products, and our dedicated co-workers and agents have all contributed to what, in many ways, was a record year for our company,” Stephen said.

Stephen reported that total assets grew by 7.5 percent to nearly $1.8 billion, while the top 25 life companies nationwide increased by just 4.6 percent. The company’s overhead was

16.3 cents of each premium dollar received – one of the lowest expense ratios in the industry. When investment returns were factored in, the result was an earnings-per-share ratio of $1.53, the second highest in company history.

Only 2010 at $1.89 was higher.

During 2012, Tennessee Farmers Life paid 1,028 death claims for a total of $46.5 million.

Generation Life exceeding initial projections Generation Life, an online-only insurance operation owned jointly by Tennessee Farmers Life and Tennessee Farmers Assurance, began selling policies in August 2012. The company has sold more than 1,000 policies for more than $850,000 in annualized life premium.

New life premiums are exceeding projections by 135 percent, while monthly operating expenses are running at 93 percent of estimates, Stephen said.

Generation Life depends on online lead generation and has 15 experienced sales advisors in a Kansas City call center. Plans are to expand to more than 40 sales advisors by the end of 2013, Stephen said. Underwriting is simplified and processes are automated, resulting in a convenient customer experience.

The new company is currently offering policies in 20 states that make up slightly more than half of the U.S. population. All sales are outside of Tennessee, a move that expands Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee’s geographic reach while not competing with existing agents within the state’s borders.

Stock prices announced Based on the year’s outcomes, the stock price for Tennessee Farmers Life was announced at $41.51 per share, up from $38.70 the previous year. The company’s directors voted a 3 percent dividend and offered to purchase up to 200,000 shares. Life company shares have averaged a 14.8 percent return each year since TFLIC was founded in 1973.

Tennessee Farmers Assurance Company stock was announced at $14.46 per share, up from $14.09 per share the previous year. The directors declared a 3 percent dividend and also authorized the purchase of up to 200,000 shares. Scoggins noted that TFAC stock has averaged a 12.8 percent annual return since the company’s inception in 1991. t

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Bottoms joins TFBF team TAEP application period

Bottoms Paige Endsley Bottoms is the newest staff member to join Tennessee Farm Bureau. Paige will assume the newly created position of regional member benefits coordinator. In that role, she

will be involved in the expansion of local Farm Bureau member benefits across the state.

She is a native of Maury County and graduate of Columbia Academy. In 2008, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in marketing from Middle Tennessee State University.

Paige has an extensive background in sales and marketing. She has worked as an account executive with Marriott Hotels and has served as director of sales with Hilton Hotels.

Most recently she worked as marketing director with Chick-Fil-A. Paige has been married to her husband, Michael, for 5 years and they have 2 children, Whitley age 3 and Beckett age 1.

She is an avid cross-fitter, long distance runner and enjoys traveling. t

Whitt picked by AFBF

Whitt The American Farm Bureau Federation has chosen a group of 10 young agricultural leaders to participate in the seventh class of the Partners in Agricultural Leadership honors program and former YF&R chairman Brandon Whitt from Rutherford County was picked as one of the selected few. Whitt served as the 2012 chairman for the state Tennessee Farm Bureau YF&R committee. He operates a swine and row crop family farm near Murfreesboro in the Blackman community of Rutherford County.

The focus of the Farm Bureau PAL program is to enhance participants’ leadership skills and aid them in discovering how they can best use their abilities for the benefit of agriculture. The program offers young farmers and ranchers the opportunity to continue building their skills after they have served as AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee members/officers or competed in national YF&R events.

“Farm Bureau welcomes the 10

participants of the seventh PAL class and looks forward to the role they will play moving forward to strengthen American agriculture,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “The PAL program allows participants to continue on a leadership path within the Farm Bureau using their experiences from YF&R and other agricultural leadership roles.”

Through PAL, young leaders will be given the opportunity to develop their skills in problem solving, persuasion and consensus building while learning about critical agricultural and public policy issues.

Upon graduation from the PAL program, young agricultural leaders are prepared to represent agriculture in the media, on speaking circuits or in legislative activities.

“The young farmers and ranchers that complete the PAL program are equipped to serve as ‘advocates for agriculture’ from their communities to Capitol Hill, telling the farmer’s story while raising awareness of agriculturerelated issues,” said Stallman.

State Farm Bureaus submit one applicant per state for consideration for the PAL program. Applicants must be “Sweet 16” finalists in the national YF&R Discussion Meet; top 10 finalists in the YF&R Achievement Award or Excellence in Agriculture Award competitions; former members of the AFBF YF&R committee or former state YF&R committee chairs.

The PAL program is made possible through sponsorships from the Monsanto Company, the Farm Credit System, Agri-Pulse Communications and AFBF. t

One acre of land in the U.S. (about the size of a football field) can produce 11,000 heads of lettuce, 25,400 pounds of potatoes, 8,900 pounds of sweet corn, or 640 pounds of cotton lint.

for 2013 almost here The Tennessee Department of Agriculture has set June 1 – 7 as the application period for the 2013 Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program.

“Governor Haslam recognizes the importance of the Ag Enhancement program to farmers and has once again fully funded the program in his proposed state budget,” Agriculture Commissioner Julius Johnson said.

“Now in its ninth year, we want to reach as many farmers as possible and expect that the new online system will encourage even more participation.”

This is the first year farmers have the opportunity to apply online. “We are very excited about TAEP Online and encourage all producers to take advantage of this new system; however, online participation is not mandatory,” said TAEP administrator Justin Bryant. “Producers can still submit paper applications during the application period, and applications must be postmarked between June 1 and June 7.”

Instructions for accessing TAEP online accounts and applying for 2013 funds are listed at www.tn.gov/taep as well as outlined in the printed applications. Producers have the opportunity to submit Application A for livestock equipment, genetics, hay, grain and feed storage online. Application B for producer diversification is not available online and must be submitted by mail or hand delivered. Producers new to TAEP will not have an account prior to June 1, but will be able to apply online during the application period.

Through TAEP, farmers can qualify for 35 or 50 percent cost share, ranging from a maximum of $1,200 to $15,000 depending on the project.

Funding in 2013 will continue to be approved based on applicant determined priorities.

New items have been added for

2013 under the Livestock Equipment Program: • Pasture sprayers (must meet all of the following specifications to be eligible) - Minimum tank capacity: 100 gallons - Minimum pump output: 20 gallons per minute - PTO or hydraulically driven roller or centrifugal pump • Covered mineral deeders (stand alone and ground only) - Insecticide and/or oil applicator combinations are not eligible.

Also, new dairy only items have been added under Livestock Feed Storage Program including: • Manure/lagoon pumps • Manure/lagoon agitators • Manure spreaders – liquid/dry Quotes will NOT be required for the Hay, Grain and Feed Storage Programs, and applicants who received a hay storage approval in 2012 are NOT ELIGIBLE to apply for hay storage in 2013.

Dairy and cattle producers will need a current BQA number at the date of application. Producers with livestock on their farm will need to register their premises with TDA athttp://www.tennessee.gov/agriculture/ forms/tpissignup.pdf or by calling 615-837-5120.

Applications are available at most farm agencies including USDA Farm Service Agency, UT Extension and Farm Bureau offices, as well as most farm supply stores. To ensure accuracy, producers are encouraged to work with their local Extension agent or local TDA representative when completing the application.

Producers can get important messages and updates on the program by calling 1-800-342-8206. For more information or to download an application, visit www.TN.gov/taep. t

Larry Church, a Mt. Pleasant cattle producer and board member of the Tennessee Beef Industry Council (TBIC), was among 37 beef council directors and staff from 21 states who were in Colorado recently to attend an orientation hosted by the Federation of State Beef Councils. The Federation is a division of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Two TBIC staff members also attended the orientation. In the photo, left to right: Larry Church; TBIC Executive Director Valerie Bass; TBIC office staff Caryle Cox; and Cevin Jones, an Idaho cattleman and vice chairman of the Federation.

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Read All About It

By Pettus Read Editor

Today’s classroom is a lot different from mine With all the talk these days about teachers becoming a part of the line of defense against attacks and being allowed to carry guns at school, it has really caused a lot of opinions to surface. Many have some merit, while other opinions should be allowed to be placed back under the surface they came from.

All of this discussion has made the “Letter to the Editor” column in most papers a very interesting reading adventure. One of the best I have seen came from Ruth Kitchen in Smyrna, Tenn. where she praised her grandmother who was a primary grade school teacher in Southern Illinois in the early to mid20th century. Ms. Kitchen told of her Grandma Rose, an early widow, who was a dedicated, talented teacher and a strong, independent, Godfearing, patriotic American woman.

During the Depression, she kept peanut butter and crackers in a desk drawer for those children who came to school without lunch.

Ms. Kitchen went on to say, “She did not indulge in invective speech, so I can only guess at what her response would have been upon being told that she was now expected to learn to use a gun and keep one in her desk drawer next to the peanut butter and crackers. I can only postulate that it would have been something like: “What piffle, from a pack of nincompoops!”

The school I attended way back in the 50s and 60s had teachers just like Ms. Kitchen’s Grandma Rose and they didn’t care much for senseless talk from nincompoops either.

I should know. I was probably their head nincompoop. We had radiator heat, no air conditioning, chalkboards with pits in places and wood

Begins on front page

• Ensure equity across program commodities.

Farm Bureau developed this proposal recognizing the budgetary environment of today and tomorrow. Agriculture has been singled out by numerous congressional leaders.

Whether we like it or not, Congress is sending a clear message that the federal dollars that were there in the past are simply not going to be there tomorrow. Farmers should not expect to receive the same level of support as they have – even as recently as three or four years ago. This proposal recognizes that fact and makes every effort

floors that were oiled to keep the dust down. That oiling process got a lot of us in trouble when we would return to school after the holidays and find freshly oiled wood floors that still had puddles of oil in places.

This was before you had varnished floors and the wood had been kept by applying an oil-based substance

establishment, because we really knew no difference. I didn’t have air conditioning at home and the cafeteria supplied soup and pimento cheese sandwiches on Wednesday and fish on Friday. What more could a kid ask for? And besides, you had the chance to learn something instead of doing chores back on the

to preserve the wood. Over the holidays, the janitor would reapply the oil while the kids were gone. The first day back the floors would be a little slick and when we would catch the teacher out of the room, someone would find himself or herself in a school desk sliding across the room. We could actually get pretty good distance on fresh oil when two of us would give the desk a kick from the back. It was fun until the one we were pushing dropped their feet and hung their brogans on a slightly raised nail in the floorboards.

But I always thought that the school I attended was a rather fine

farm. School was a grand place to me and it was due to the fact that the teaching staff was just as glad as I was to be there. The teacher never seemed to get sick and was always there. I went to school before spring or fall breaks had been thought of, but we did get some time off to pick cotton in the fall, which made school even more enjoyable.

Pulling a cotton sack between cotton rows all day was not my idea of fun. Especially if my father caught me putting green cotton boles in the bottom of the sack to make my weight quota. However, I was taught in those certain situations the lesson

to try to use the limited resources we have available in the best way possible.

Also, Farm Bureau is a general farm organization. Individual commodity groups are obviously able to push for their own crop’s interest. Farm Bureau stretches across all of agriculture, and providing significantly higher benefits to one crop would mean that other crops would be forced to take a larger hit.

Farm Bureau’s farm bill proposal meets the policy objectives outlined by its grassroots leaders. The proposal is budget-responsible, yet it also advocates for a meaningful safety net by calling for the higher funding base pro-

vided by the Senate, as opposed to the deeper cuts requested by the House Budget Committee or the president’s recent budget submission. The proposal is comprehensive and provides risk management tools as a safety net for a broad range of producers, from row crop to fruit and vegetable growers.

The top-level recommendations included in Farm Bureau’s proposal are: • Support the lower Senate budget reduction number of $23 billion; • Structure the farm bill proposal to achieve this level of cost reduction and, if funding is further reduced, to proportionately reduce the safety net programs as necessary (rather than

of right and wrong and still remember it today. And yes, he drove the point home without the use of “timeout” which made the lesson even more memorable, if you know what I mean.

No matter what type of equipment is in a school building, the teacher is what has the impact on a child’s school experience. Even though it was almost 47 years ago that I graduated from high school, the lessons taught by my teachers in what would seem to be primitive structures today to a child, are what have made a great difference in my life. From tying my shoes to learning the chemical elements in chemistry class, those teachers also taught me an understanding of working with others and being a good citizen. And just like my father taught me right from wrong in the cotton patch, my school teachers also followed up with the same lessons on the subject. They didn’t use timeout either and their methods of educational discipline could keep your attention and “warm” your soul. Allow those discipline methods again in our schools, as well as homes, and no one would be thinking about arming our teachers.

My hat is off to our teachers and education systems across this state.

They deserve the backing of every parent and any of us who every now and then complains about today’s education. I was blessed to have gone to school when the only danger in a school building was catching one of those nails in the floor and taking a spill in my desk.

I just wish that was the extent of it today, but it is not. Thanks, teachers, for going the extra mile and keeping it up. t

require a total rewrite); • Allow program crop producers to choose either a Stacked Income Protection Plan (STAX) or a target price program, on top of participation in crop insurance and marketing loans, as the three legs of a safety net; • Establish a STAX program for all program commodities, as well as for apples, potatoes, tomatoes, grapes and sweet corn; and • Provide a target price program for all program commodities except cotton. Due to Brazil’s successful challenge of U.S. cotton programs, a target-price program and current marketing loan rate for cotton cannot be provided. t

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May 2013 - Tennessee Farm Bureau News

AFBF lays out tax reform wish list

The Ag Agenda

By Bob Stallman American Farm Bureau President

Our food is safer than ever Summertime is almost upon us. For most Americans, the warmer weather brings picnics in the park, BBQs and grilling out with family and friends. It also brings the increased chance for foodborne illness to occur if safe food preparation and handling is not given full attention.

Because food safety is such an important issue to farmers, we’ve worked hard to ensure that the food that reaches your table is safe. Thanks to voluntary farmer-led initiatives, strict government monitoring and consumer food safety education, foodborne illness has dropped drastically in the last 100 years.

Not Just Lip Service According to a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, our food is safer than ever. The number of foodborne disease outbreaks in 20092010 declined 32 percent compared with the preceding five years. Some of the credit for this can be attributed to the Food Safety Modernization Act, which was signed into law in 2011. This law aims to cooperatively improve food safety by building on existing systems already in place in the private sector.

Before the FSMA was passed, approximately 72 million Americans fell sick due to a foodborne illness every year. Within a week after the FSMA was signed into law, those numbers were adjusted to 48 million. Significantly, foodborne illnesses now only touch 9.4 million people yearly.

Farmers take seriously their responsibility of growing safe food and that’s not just lip service. Farmers have the

same desire as other consumers to have a safe, abundant and affordable food supply. And they also have an important economic interest because the demand for their products is determined by consumer confidence.

Shouting from the Rooftop Many people don’t realize that there are five federal agencies that administer at least 30 laws related to food safety.

Through this intense federal oversight, the level of food safety testing has also dramatically increased. And, just as important, consumer education on food safety is on the uptick.

Even though contamination of food can occur at any stage in food production, a high level of foodborne illness is caused by foods improperly prepared or mishandled at home or in restaurants.

To counter this, Farm Bureaus across the country are educating consumers to enhance their food safety knowledge.

And it’s working!

According to Dr. Richard Raymond, former undersecretary for food safety at the Agriculture Department, the CDC report is cause for celebration.

“You should be able to stand on top of the building and say ‘hey look, (the agriculture) industry is doing a great job, consumers are doing a great job of listening to the safe handling and proper cooking messages…and restaurants and other people that cook our food are doing a better job.’”

So, go on and enjoy your burgers and chops, deviled eggs and fresh salad this summer knowing that your food is safer than ever. And, maybe even have a steak for me while you’re at it. t

Sportsmen fuel economy Recent data on the impact of hunting and fishing show Tennessee sportsmen have a nearly $3 billion ripple effect annually on the state’s economy, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Federation.

Approximately 375,000 hunters and 826,000 anglers spend more than $1.8 billion each year on their respective sports and associated equipment, based on numbers released in late February as part of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation study titled America’s Sporting Heritage: Fueling the American Economy.

That spending supports 26,000 jobs across the state, $971 million in salaries and wages and $167 million in local and state tax revenue.

“One in seven Tennesseans enjoys hunting and fishing,” said Mike Butler, CEO of the Tennessee Wildlife

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Federation. “The sales and fuel taxes alone could fund 3,600 teachers’ salaries or cover the annual education expenses for more than 18,000 students. That’s an incredible impact, and it really underscores the value of our wildlife and natural resources.”

As a point of comparison, that annual spending figure is larger than the total cash receipts from all of the state’s agricultural commodities ($1.8 billion vs. $1.03 billion), and sportsmen support more jobs in Tennessee than Nissan North America and the University of Tennessee combined (26,389 vs. 16,500).

Since 1946, the non-profit Tennessee Wildlife Federation has served as champions for the state’s great outdoors. To learn more, visit www.tnwf.org. t

Individual tax code reform is essential for farmers and ranchers, the American Farm Bureau Federation said in a statement submitted to the House Small Business Committee. According to AFBF, tax reform must be simple, transparent, revenue-neutral and fair to farmers and ranchers.

“Any tax reform proposal considered by Congress must be comprehensive and include individual tax reform,” AFBF stated. “More than 96 percent of farms and 75 percent of farm sales are taxed under IRS provisions for individual taxpayers.”

Although broadening the tax base and lowering the rate are important parts of tax reform, lawmakers should note that lowering rates will impact farms and ranches differently than other businesses because farmers’ and ranchers’ incomes can swing wildly as a result of unpredictable weather and uncontrollable markets, cautioned AFBF. Farm and ranch income varies greatly from year to year with loss years often outnumbering those that are profitable.

Farm Bureau also supports the continuation of unrestricted cash accounting for farmers and ranchers

who pay taxes as individuals and cautioned against reducing the number of farms classified as corporate that are eligible to use cash accounting.

“Capital gains taxes continue to be a problem for farmers and ranchers,” continued the statement. “In addition to capital gains taxes imposed when land and buildings are sold, proceeds from the sale of cattle used for breeding, dairy, draft and some other livestock are treated as capital gains income.”

Like capital gains taxes, estate taxes continue to be one of the most worrisome tax issues facing farmers and ranchers, said AFBF. About 85 percent of farm and ranch assets are tied up in land, buildings or breeding animals, leaving farmers with few options for generating cash to pay the estate tax.

With agriculture cropland values increasing on average 15 percent from 2011 to 2012, more farms are in danger of topping the current $5 million exemption, and estate tax planning continues to be complex and expensive for those close to or over the threshold. AFBF supports permanent repeal of the estate tax. t

Tennessee launches CWD Herd Certification Program The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is launching a voluntary Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Herd Certification Program aimed at preventing the disease in farmed deer, elk and other cervidae in the state.

“Chronic Wasting Disease is a transmissible disease of cervidae that causes weight loss and eventual death of the infected animal,” said assistant state veterinarian Sara Clariday, DVM. “Although the disease has not been diagnosed in Tennessee, we want to work with captive cervidae owners to prevent the introduction of this disease, which could have a severe economic impact on producers in our state.”

The state initiative is part of a national program established last year

by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to provide uniform herd certification standards and to support the domestic and international marketability of U.S. cervid herds.

Through participation in the voluntary program, captive cervid facilities certified as being free of CWD will be permitted to move animals across state lines.

Cervids include pure bred or hybrid deer, elk, moose, reindeer, caribou and related species. Sika Deer (Cervus Nippon) are now included in the list of susceptible cervidae for CWD and must achieve certified status before interstate movement. White-tailed deer are

not included because it is illegal to keep them in captivity in Tennessee.

Facilities can be certified as disease-free after five years of program enrollment with no evidence of disease, or identification as a trace-back or trace-forward herd in a disease event.

Captive cervid owners interested in participating are required to obtain a premises identification number from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, provide a complete herd inventory and meet annual inspection requirements. Owners are also required to report the death of any animal 12 months of age or older as well as any escaped animals.

Premises are required to have suitable handling facilities and structurally sound eight-foot perimeter fences.

Animals 12 months of age and older, as well as animals under 12 months of age moved from the premises, are required to have proper identification.

State animal health officials are currently working with 10 captive cervid facilities operating in the state.

Captive cervid owners interested in participating in the program should contact TDA assistant state veterinarian Sara Clariday at 615-837-5120 or email sara.clariday@tn.gov. A complete list of program requirements can be found online at .tn.gov/agriculture/ regulatory/animals.shtml under Orders of the State Veterinarian. t

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Innovative Agriculture

By Melissa Burniston Associate Director of Communications

4-H camp gives new definition to ‘hands-on’ Spring break…magical words that immediately bring images of hot sun, warm water and fun, lazy days to mind; but for a group of students in Rutherford County, it meant long days, hard work and fun times with new friends of both the animal and human variety.

TSU Extension Agent Michael Shirley put together an animal science day camp for the week of spring break to help expose students to what being a vet actually means…before they enter high school and have to pick a specific path that determines what classes they take from the time they are freshman all the way through their senior year.

“Students entering high school now must choose a specific pathway to follow. This pathway sets several of the classes that they must complete before graduation. We provided this opportunity to allow students to experience what the classes in the animal science and pre-vet pathways might be like. If analyzing fecal samples, studying the sciences, working outside in the rain, snow or heat and performing dissections is not appealing to them, they should probably pick a different pathway,” said Shirley.

Shirley says being an Extension agent is a very rewarding career, and he can’t imagine doing anything else.

He enjoys providing opportunities like the animal science day camp for 4-Hers, and seeing them engaged and having fun is his reward.

“The idea for our Animal Science Camp was a result of a needs assessment I conducted with leaders of the

large animal agriculture education field. Each of the leaders on our panel expressed concern over the lack of basic knowledge of large animal agriculture. In particular, the high school and college teachers said many of the students pursuing an education in animal science and pre-veterinary medicine do not have any large animal handling experience,” said Shirley.

The students definitely got to experience a diverse sampling of what being a large animal veterinarian or a career in the animal science field would encompass – with field trips to Ellington Agricultural Center’s animal diagnostic laboratory; the Tennessee

Agriculture Museum; Tennessee State University’s agriculture facilities, including the TSU Goat Research Farm and poultry facilities; a cattle farm where they viewed first-hand how farmers “work” cows humanely and safely; MTSU’s farms, including their horse sci-

ence center, swine unit and dairy.

“As we developed the schedule for the week, we made a deliberate effort to keep things as, “hands-on” as possible. We knew we wanted to expose our 4-Hers to cattle, horses, hogs and goats. We identified potential locations where we could take our students and reached out to the producers to let them know what we were trying to accomplish,” Shirley said.

The students got to have some hands-on experience as well, at the cattle farm, the farmer let some of the campers vaccinate some of his calves, at MTSU’s dairy the students got to stick their arm into the stomach of one of the dairy cows at the farm that has been implanted with a cannula, which matched up perfectly with their dissection of a ruminate stomach they had completed earlier in the week.

“We got to stick our hands into a fistulated cow – that’s like a cow with a hole in its stomach – and that was really cool, and we got to feel its last meal. It was kind of gross smelling but it was still really cool. And we got to see its rumen and actually feel it; it was really fun,” said Zhariah Peaks, a 13-year-old camper.

Peaks says she was not raised around any large animals and while she has enjoyed the week immensely, it has also taught her that she may want to concentrate on small animals like cats and dogs and not seek out a large animal degree…although she isn’t crossing it off altogether.

“It was a good experience to see what I would have to do, and I may be both a large and small animal vet, but I think I’m leaning towards small animal vet after this week,” Peaks said. But that doesn’t dim her excitement about her time at camp in the least. She says she loved it and encourages other middleschool aged students to sign up for the next camp.

“You should totally do this experi-

ence. It’s really good to see what you’re going to have to be doing. Not a lot of people have this experience, so if you can have this opportunity you should do it,” Peaks said.

Another student who thoroughly enjoyed her week was 12-year-old Jessika Benson. “It’s very fun. I think it’s been a very good week and it actually has furthered my desire to become a large animal vet. It is a lot of work and commitment but I like it,” she says. “If you go to high school and you take all the classes but you don’t really know what all the work is, and then you get to go to the work and you don’t like it, you’re stuck with it. So come here before you have to go to high school and pick it so you can learn what this is and that it’s not all puppies and kittens, it’s a lot of other things,” Benson said.

In addition to the field trips and tours, the students also learned about responsibility, patience, animal care and the importance of animal selection. The very first day of the camp, Extension Agent Mitchell Mote showed the 4-Hers what parts of an animal are important for food production and breeding soundness. After the talk, the campers were tasked with using their new knowledge to select a goat that they would care for throughout the week and present in the goat show on Friday.

They had to arrive early and stay late each day to care for their goat. The 4-Hers also performed a fecal analysis Continued on page 7

www.tnfarmbureau.org Begins on page 6

on their goats to determine if they needed to treat their goat for internal parasites. If their results indicated that their goat needed to be dewormed, then the 4-Her s had to calculate the correct dosage and administer it to their animal. Each team also had to trim their goat’s hooves before the show.

Both Benson and Peaks showed their goats well at the goat show on the last day of the camp. This show was in front of family and friends so it was the campers chance to show off a little bit of what they learned during the week.

Peaks, who had a very spirited and lively goat, had this to say about her experience, “We fed it and watered it and generally took care of it. She’s kind of stubborn and a little bit ornery but she’s gotten better and she’s used to humans now, so it’s been good.”

At the end of the week, all campers were still enthusiastic and full of the pictures they had taken throughout the week (they were allowed to post pictures and their thoughts about what they were doing each day to their Facebook or Twitter feeds to help educate their friends about what they were doing) and raring to go back and tell all their friends to sign up for the next camp…but they all also learned a lot more about what it takes to have a career in animal science.

Shirley, who seemed to have as much fun as the students, said, “The week was a huge success. We were able to provide college-level, hands-on programming to our 4-Hers. Our survey at the end of the week indicated that each participant was better prepared to choose their high school pathway based upon their experiences throughout the week. Each 4-Her indicated they had a better understanding of the importance of math, biology and chemistry as they relate to an education in animal sciences.”

Although spring break to these 4-Hers wasn’t a trip to the beach, I bet they remember this week of camp a lot longer and utilize what they learned in a lot more ways than many of their fellow classmates. Fun is all in how you define it, and watching those students interact with each other and their goats was a pleasure indeed – faces lighting up, laughter and shared experiences count as a fun-filled week in my book – sign me up! t

May 2013 - Tennessee Farm Bureau News

7

Agbiosciences driving economic growth and job creation in the South Amid news of a still sputtering U.S. economic recovery, a recently released report shows the nation’s agbioscience industries are growing, especially in the South.

According to a Battelle study, “Impact and Innovation: Agbioscience in the Southern United States,” agriculture, forestry, and fisheries production generates $240 billion in regional economic activity within the southern region and supports more than 2.2 million jobs with labor income totaling $62 billion.

Agbioscience encompasses a broad continuum of development, production and value-added use of plants and animals for food, health, fuel and industrial applications. The study’s findings shows that agbioscience, its value-chain in production and the downstream industrial activity are vital to the country’s sustainable global and domestic economic future, with the southern region helping drive that activity.

In addition, the downstream processing of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries output into value-added food and industrial products adds an additional $1 trillion in output across the Southern region’s economy, and almost 4.6 million jobs with labor income totaling more than $200 billion.

“The current and future importance of the agbiosciences is hard to overstate,” said Simon Tripp, a coauthor of the report. “For instance, this science and industry sector is fundamental to the survival of the world’s expanding population, the food security of our nation, and the health of our population.”

In Tennessee alone, the value of agricultural and natural resource production was more than $2 billion in 2011 and the industry continues to be a major economic driver for the state.

“The Battelle analysis shows that the investment of local, state and federal funds in our research and extension programs produces positive returns and promotes sustainability and growth in Tennessee’s economy,” said Dr. Tim Cross, dean of University of Tennessee Extension.

The industry’s tremendous economic impact across the region is due in large part to the modern science and technology innovations from the land-grant university cooperative Extension service and agricultural experiment station system. The system successfully addresses agriculture’s crucial national and global needs through research and development, practice improvement, skills enhancement, and new technology introduction, dissemination, and adoption, the report shows.

“The findings from this study underscore agbioscience’s potential in the southern region, said Saied

Mostaghimi, director of Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station and associate dean for research and graduate studies at Virginia Tech, who this year leads the region’s research association.

“By utilizing the research and development power of our landgrant universities, we can develop the knowledge and appropriate technologies to further increase agriculture and forestry production for food, fiber and fuel, while improving food safety and nutrition, enhancing environmental stewardship and promoting economic development,” he said.

Equally important, the agbiosciences provide a path to future economic growth built upon domestic renewable resources including feedstocks for fuels, fibers and industrial materials, according to the report.

In Tennessee, UT’s Center for Renewable Carbon is the lead center in a $15 million award from the USDA that will support the development of sustainable regional bioenergy production systems. The grant, awarded after a highly competitive process, creates the Southeast Partnership for Integrated Biomass Supply Systems. A 48-member team of scientists from UT and several collaborating institutions throughout the South will work to develop sustainable feedstock systems for dedicated energy crops, specifically switchgrass and woody biomass.

According to Dr. Bill Brown, dean of UT AgResearch, this is just one example of how the university is working to find unique solutions to meet the needs of a growing population.

“The UT AgResearch mission revolves around discovery, innovation, and application. Our scientists are discovering new ways to make food and fiber industries more efficient while sustaining soil, water, air and wildlife resources. Innovation drives these discoveries into new products, processes and procedures, and partnerships with extension, state and federal agencies and private industry apply these innovations to the marketplace.

“Impact and Innovation” notes the land-grant university Extension service andexperiment station system is on the frontline of sustaining and securing U.S. competitiveness in what is, and will continue to be, a sector of core strategic importance for the country.

This U.S. system of research and Extension provides science and technology development and transformational education that keep southern region agriculture, agribusiness, and associated business sectors at the forefront of innovation, productivity and competitiveness. These advancements create and sustain jobs and contribute to a strong regional, national and global economy.

“Throughout our hundred-year history, cooperative Extension has set the pace of change in agriculture, natural resources and rural America. In today’s fast-changing world, we must provide the best decision-making tools and Extension education possible to farmers, ranchers, families and communities,” said Beverly Sparks, associate dean for extension at the University of Georgia and leaders of the region’s Extension directors this year. “It is imperative the southern region be well-prepared to take advantage of the tremendous potential we have before us.”

Sustaining the Extension service and experiment station system, further investing in it, and addressing its challenges are keys to maintaining the strength of the economic and social fabric of the nation, the region and the state.

“The southern region’s Extension service and experiment station system represents a uniquely powerful resource,” said Deborah Cummings, a co-author of the report. “In recognition of this importance, the system is traditionally supported by federal, state, and local governments, and by industry, producers, commodity organizations, and other key stakeholders. This support must not only be sustained, but ideally—given the size and scope of grand domestic and global challenges addressed by the agbiosciences—should be significantly expanded so that the southern region can take advantage of the large-scale opportunities presented,” she said.

“For more than 100 years, UT Extension and AgResearch have provided research-based information to help Tennessee farmers, families, youth and community leaders solve problems and create solutions,” said Cross. “We are fortunate in Tennessee to have a legislature that appreciates the value of Extension and AgResearch programs and the positive impacts they bring to our communities.”

“In our science and technologybased economic development practice at Battelle, we have observed the consistent rise of agbioscience as a core driver of economic growth and business expansion opportunities for the U.S.,” Tripp said. “This is an extremely dynamic sector, leveraging sustainable biobased resources to produce goods that meet large-scale market needs. The southern region is a global leader in traditional agricultural economic activity, and can count itself as one of a select few regions in the world that is also leading the charge in emerging areas of the modern bioeconomy.”

The full report is available online at www.LSUAgCenter.com/ SouthernAgbioscienceImpact t

8

Tennessee Farm Bureau News - May 2013

www.tnfarmbureau.org

Tennessee agriculture celebrated on Capitol Hill April 2, 2013 was proclaimed “Agriculture Day on the Hill” in Tennessee by Governor Bill Haslam.

To celebrate the occasion, commodity groups and agriculture businesses from across Tennessee gathered in Nashville to help tell agriculture’s story to the legislature and people visiting the Legislative Plaza.

The halls inside the plaza were lined with informative and impressive booths touting agriculture’s top commodities and commodity groups, agricultural colleges and organizations that support the agriculture industry in Tennessee. And outside on the Legislative Plaza was a sight that had to be seen to be believed.

It’s not very often these days that you see cows, pigs, chickens, mules, sheep and goats munching on hay and feed in the middle of Nashville and especially at the entrance to the state legislature, but that is what passersby saw that Tuesday…and if they happened to walk by around 9:45, they also saw quite a crowd gathered to cheer on the rematch of Speaker of the House Beth Harwell and Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey in a milking contest. After last year’s challenge of milking goats, this year returned to the more traditional dairy cows for the contestants to milk, with Speaker Harwell milking a brown Swiss named Giggles and Lt. Gov. Ramsey milking a Holstein named Rascal. It would seem the odds were in Lt. Gov. Ramsey’s favor, having grown up on a dairy farm and around animals all his life, while Speaker Harwell is a self-

proclaimed city-girl; but in the end Speaker Harwell emerged the victor for the second year in a row, narrowly pulling out a win over Ramsey. Pettus Read, president of The Farm and Forest Families of Tennessee, who sponsors and helps put on Ag Day on the Hill in conjunction with the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, presented Speaker Harwell with a trophy pail proclaiming her as a person “with a lot of pull” in Nashville and a $750 donation to the Second Harvest Food Bank in her name.

After those festivities, a standing-room only crowd gathered in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee meeting, which, after dealing with the business for the day, showcased some of agriculture’s finest – including State 4-H Council Secretary Rachael Wolters and State FFA President Sarah Best, who each spoke eloquently on what their respective youth organizations have provided them and the youth of the state; Commissioner of Agriculture Julius Johnson, who shared what a vital industry agriculture is to Tennessee and the impact it makes on the economy; and a very special recognition to Tennessee Farm Bureau’s own Director of Communications Pettus Read – who received a joint resolution signed by both Houses and the Governor honoring him for his many years of dedicated service to agriculture in Tennessee and his outstanding efforts to be the voice for the farmers across the state. t

Pettus Read is honored for his dedication to agriculture during House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee meeting. From left: Commissioner of Agriculture Julius Johnson, House Ag Committee Chairman Curtis Halford, Rep. Andy Holt, Read and TFBF President Lacy Upchurch.

Commissioner of Agriculture Julius Johnson addresses the House Ag Committee about the importance of agriculture to Tennessee and its impact on the economy.

Pettus Read announces Speaker of the House Beth Harwell as this year’s winner of the milking contest while presenting her with the trophy bucket for “having the most pull” on Capitol Hill.

Second Harvest Food Bank receives a $750 donation from The Farm and Forest Families of Tennessee in the name of milking contest winner Beth Harwell.

Ag Day on the Hill festivities were kicked off the night before with a Picnic on the Plaza for all legislators to enjoy.

This isn’t Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey’s first time to milk a cow. He’s listening to final instructions before the milking contest begins between him and Speaker Harwell.

www.tnfarmbureau.org 14 Tennessee Farm Bureau

News - May 2010

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May 2013 - Tennesseewww.tnfarmbureau.org Farm Bureau News

Farm Bureau leadership visits with lawmakers

Montgomery County leaders meet with Speaker Pro Tem Curtis Johnson.

Henry County leaders Paul Neal, John Townsend and Bobby Milam talk with Rep. Tim Wirgau.

Sumner County Rep. William Lamberth greets Henry Shumake.

Mark Barker and David George of Cannon County meet with Rep. Mark Pody of Wilson County.

Gibson County Farm Bureau Insurance Board Member Jason Luckey and Mason Ashburn meet with Sen. John Stevens.

Tennessee Young Farmer members Christi and Rusty Grills discuss issues with Rep. Bill Sanderson of Dyer County.

Decatur County leadership speaks with Sen. Dolores Gresham.

Jimmy Stanford of Madison County shares priority issues with Rep. Jimmy Eldridge.

10 Tennessee Agriculture in the Classroom Report

The Seedling

May 2013

Many gifts to the Tennessee Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom are made in memory of those who have passed, or to honor living persons who have had a lasting effect on agriculture and education in Tennessee. In this reporting period, Sept. 1, 2012 - Feb. 28, 2013, gifts have been received on behalf of these people:

Memorials

Marlin Adams Edwin Allen Mack Ashburn Daniel Baker J.M. Ballard Ray Barker Bob Bearden Donna Bledsoe Raymond Boyce Jonah Bradley David N. Bratton John Henry Buckner David T. Butner Robert “Cuz” Cardin Faye Carroll Don Childress Darryl Christian Billy Cobble Bessie Mae Cochran Dorothy Sparkman Coley Tracey Coley Mr. and Mrs. Talmadge Crihfield Sr. Bea Curtis Buena Daniel Glen Davenport Martha Dement Kenneth Dement Ed Dillingham Herbert Doan W.C. Dodson Marvin Edwards Margaret Elliott Fredna Ellis Virginia Emerson Evelyn Faulkner Ada Fletcher Leon Foster

Jim Graham Rodney Groce Harvey Hall Sarah Hamilton Lina Harlan Abe Hatcher Roger Hawk Ruth Hawkins Mary Elizabeth Henson Bob and Dorothy Herron Carl and Elain Hewitt Katherine N. Higgins Mary Horton Andy Hunter Clarence Hurt Charles Hutchinson Barbara Jackson Auburn Lee Jennings Fred Jobe Homer Jones Charlie Mack Jones Clyde Jordan Pallen Carpenter Jordan Ed Jordan Lou Kemmer James Kihm Aleitha Kimbro David T. King James “Buddy” King Linda LaFever Michael A. Lane Ned Dawson Lewis Willie Lou Markle Shelton Mason William “Eddy” Mayberry Claire McCollum Sandell D. McCrary Joe McCrary Shirley Mingle Dan Mitchell

Lisa Musgrove Charlotte Newman Mattie Glisson Norton Billy Ozburn Ralph Padgett Mac Pate Mabel Pattat Russell Pearl Mrs. Paul Petretsky Hugh Phillips Catherine Rae Pitcock William B. Porter John Pyle Mildred R. Ramsey Billye B. Riggs Pat Roberts Ola Roddy John Sawyers Weyer John Shelton Auda Smith Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Stephens Mildred Stewart Bill Strasser Nancy Stryker William Earl Sullivan Catherine Swafford Martha W. Tidwell Anna Jane Torbett James Townsend Milan Tucker Jo Ann Turner Bobby Vannata Emmett Vincent William Allen and Joan Harwell Watson Letha Watson Jack Willis Louise Willis Phillip Wilson Louise Wood

J.B. Woolsey Charles A. Yates Laughlin Youree

Honorees

Alpha Gamma Rho at University of Tennessee at Martin Gary Amos Dinah and Harris Armour Tina Biles Barbara Bledsoe Homer Ansil Boals S.J. and Reva Brazzle Irene and Ralph Carpenter Wynona Clark Faye Coble Will and Dolores Gresham Beth Jennings Commissioner Julius Johnson Rebecca and Lenwood Lay Jr. Dorotha Lee Vickey McAlister Becky Mitchell Carrie Nail Obion County Farm Bureau Board of Directors Josh Ogle Tom Purkey Lonnie and Renae Roberts Helen Shelton Henry and Ruth Shumake Roger Thackston Perk Thornton Brandon Whitt Willie German Farms

q YES! I want to contribute to the AITC Foundation!

Donor’s Name_____________________________________________________ Address__________________________________________________________ County__________________________________________________________ City _____________________________ State _______ Zip________________ Phone (Business) ____________________ (Home)_______________________ Please check any appropriate boxes. MY DONATION is enclosed for: q $10 q $25 q $50 q $100 q $250 q $1,000 q $2,500 q $5,000 q $10,000 q Other _________ q Life Insurance Policy q Estate Plan I am making my donation:

q In memory of:

q In honor of:

Name____________________________________________________________ A card will be sent to the honoree or family of whom you are memorializing.

Please give us the name and address of the person to receive this card: Name to receive card_______________________________________________ Address__________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ Please direct any donation/inquiry to: Tennessee Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom P.O. Box 313 • Columbia, TN 38402-0313 931-388-7872 ext. 2217

Agriculture in the Classroom Staff & Program Personnel Lacy Upchurch, TFBF President Jane May, Women’s Leadership Chairperson Charles Curtis, Director of Special Programs Chris Fleming, Associate Director of Special Programs Kristy Chastine, Associate Director of Special Programs Dan Strasser, Associate Director of Special Programs Teresa Ragsdale, Special Programs Associate

Tennessee Agriculture in the Classroom Report

Donors by County Sept. 1, 2012 - Feb. 28, 2013

Bedford County Bedford County F.B. Women Bedford County Farm Bureau Bledsoe County Bledsoe County Farm Bureau Mr. and Mrs. Denny Mayes Blount County Blount County F.B. Board of Directors Blount County F.B. Women Mark and Beverly Griffith Mr. and Mrs. Emmit Rawls Bradley County Bradley County F.B. Board of Directors Campbell County Mac M. Meredith Cannon County Mark and Cindy Barker Carroll County Carroll County F.B. Board of Directors Carroll County F.B. Women Union Primitive Baptist Church Matt and Emily Perry Chester County Mr. and Mrs Charles D. Cavaness Claiborne County Claiborne County Farm Bureau

Mr. and Mrs. Harold S. Pattat Sr. Franklin County Franklin County F.B. Women Mr. and Mrs. Jay Ballard Kary and Tracy Robinson Gibson County Gibson County Farm Bureau Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Davis Jason and Amy Luckey Giles County Giles County Farm Bureau Brad and Rebecca Clark Brian Flowers Grainger County Grainger County Farm Bureau Mr. and Mrs. David Mitchell Greene County Greene County Farm Bureau Greene County F.B. Women Tom and Barbara Bible David and Elizabeth Hensley Mark and Cindy Klepper Jimmy and Lydia McAlister Anthony Shelton Hamblen County Austin & Bell Farms Hamblen County F.B. Women Mrs. Frank and Bonnie Oakberg Hamilton County Farmers Club Of Chattanooga Anthony and Sara Boals

Coffee County Willis Farms, Inc. Amy Willis Whitney and Mandy Willis Mr. and Mrs. Mark D. McBride & Family A.J. and Valerie Teal Jamie and Ashley Weaver

Hancock County Hancock County Farm Bureau

Crockett County Crockett County Farm Bureau Mr. and Mrs. Ross Via

Hawkins County Hawkins County Farm Bureau Renn and Jennifer Lawson Tyler and Jennifer Overbay Brett and Casey Sivert

Cumberland County Cumberland County Farm Bureau Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Atchley Ann and Pepe Perron Mr. and Mrs. Roger Thackston Mr. and Mrs. Willard L. Upchurch Shawna Walker Davidson County Donan Engineering Hart Freeland Roberts, Inc. Kyle and Kim Holmberg Shirley F. Miller Heather Southerland Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Strasser Charles and June Thompson Mr. and Mrs. Wendol R. Thorpe Dickson County Mr. and Mrs. Michael Mayfield Clint and Michelle Welker Dyer County Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Burchfiel Bobby G. and Eleanor R. Dean Matt Fennell Hunter Grills Jeremiah and Tevvy Hollingsworth Spence and Melissa Lowery Glenda Marshall Mr. and Mrs. William May Kent Morris Doug and Britni Singleteary Chris Stewart Fayette County Fayette County F.B. Women Fayette County YF&R Bryan Family Farm Ptr. Mr. and Mrs. Jamie Jenkins

Hardeman County Hardeman County Farm Bureau Hardin County Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Duren

Henry County Henry County Ag Extension Henry Farmers Cooperative Henry County Soil Conservation District Twin Lakes Dental Associates Mr. and Mrs. Emory Bradley & Family Peggy Burns Mr. and Mrs. Barry Jewell Grant and Crystal Norwood Patti Ann Mathis Owen Max and Ethel Rose Paschall Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Stewart Joe N. and Mary Lou Walker Hickman County Hickman County Farm Bureau Hickman County F.B. Women Sue Bratton Mr. and Mrs. Rex Horner Mr. and Mrs. John L. Maddox Humphreys County Humphreys County Farm Bureau Larry and Rowena Hayes

The Seedling Cory and Kerri Thompson

Lauderdale County Lauderdale County Farm Bureau Lawrence County Chris and Teresa Fleming Lincoln County Lincoln County F.B. Women Lincoln County Farm Bureau Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Ogle Vince and Allison Ogle Glen Oldham Mr. and Mrs. Harold Owen Lincoln County F.B. Women Lincoln County Young Farmers & Ranchers Marshall County Marshall County Farm Bureau Strasser Family Matt and Rebecca Blount Michael and RoseMary Heaton Mr. and Mrs. Mack Jordan Bill and Carol Spence Maury County Maury County F.B. Women Tommy and Becky Bailey Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Beets Heath and Natalie Bone Kyle Bratton Shelby and Sara Carpenter Mr. and Mrs. Joe Pearson Rhedona Rose Ben Sanders Linda Tillery Bobby Harris, Edward Jones Mr. and Mrs. Robert Harris, Jr. Andrew and Cassie Massey Mr. and Mrs. Murray Miles Bradley Richardson Kathleen Thomas McNairy County Wes and April Ashe Montgomery County Montgomery County Farm Bureau Angela Foley, SGT, USA Morgan County Timothy and Christine Jones Obion County Obion County Farm Bureau Obion County F.B. Board of Directors Obion County YF&R Hadley and Tracey Malone Overton County Charles and Sharon Curtis Brian and Samantha McLerran Joseph and Becky Smith Putnam County Putnam County F.B. Women Carrie Deering Rhea County Rhea County Farm Bureau Robertson County Mr. and Mrs. Robert Elliott Cole and Kerie Fulton

Jefferson County Jefferson County Farm Bureau Mr. and Mrs. George Cline Mr. and Mrs. Nick Larrance Dakota Lane Aaron Loy Adam and Heather Martin

Rutherford County Holbrook Farms Rutherford County Farm Bureau Rutherford County F.B. Women Rutherford Farmers Cooperative Employees and Directors Special Touch of Rutherford County, LLC Peggy and Jimmy Holbrook Steven E. and Lynnisse Patrick Clementyne C. Stockard Brandon and Katherine Whitt Mr. and Mrs. Marvin L. Whitworth

Knox County Kevin Hensley

Scott County Ryan and Robin Sparkman

Jackson County Brian and Stephanie Loftis

11 May 2013

Sequatchie County Flavius A. and Naomi Barker Jason and Sarah Land Sevier County Sevier County Farm Bureau Shelby County Shelby County F.B. Board of Directors Shelby County Farm Bureau Women Sandy and Gaye Abrams Stewart County Stewart County Farm Bureau Women Sullivan County Sullivan County F.B. Women Sullivan County F.B. Directors Farm Bureau Insurance Retirees of Tennessee Mr. and Mrs. Robert Earhart Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Hunigan Sumner County Sumner County Farm Bureau Tipton County Tipton County Farm Bureau Trousdale County Mary Grace Gregory Unicoi County Anna Renea Rogers Van Buren County Matthew Rigsby Warren County McGinness Livestock Washington County East Tennessee Casework Todd and Jennifer Hampton Dustin and Chrissa Pearson Melody Rose Weakley County Weakley County YF&R John and Mary Margaret Chester David and Meghan Corvin Andy and Ellie Holt Jessica McKinney White County White County Farm Bureau White County F.B. Board of Directors Rorey and Sara Halliburton Luke and Amanda Teeple Williamson County Rock N Roll Farms Robert and Jennifer Anderson Ryan Betzelberger Jennifer A. Hatcher, D.V.M. Debra K. Kenerson Michael and Kathy Lattanzi James and Lynette Vansickle Wilson County Keith and Julie Harrison Others American Agricultural Insurance Co. Auto Glass Service Karen Dahlinger Mai Foster Richard George of Gibsonton, FL Zach and Anna Hunnicut of Aurora, NE Journal Communications Lower Middle Tennessee Cattlemans Association Tennessee Council of Cooperatives Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation Tennessee Farm Bureau Member Benefits Tennessee Livestock Producers Tennessee Poultry Association Tennessee Young Farmers & Ranchers Auction The Sum Total of Advertising, Inc.

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Tennessee Farm Bureau News - May 2013

www.tnfarmbureau.org

State FFA convention celebrates leadership growth Grow was the theme of the 85th annual Tennessee State FFA Convention held in Gatlinburg March 25-27, and students from across the state took that theme to heart as they competed in state career development events, participated in state talent on stage, attended leadership workshops and made memories to last a lifetime.

More than 3,000 students, advisors and guests attended the convention from Johnson to Shelby counties and all in between to celebrate the accomplishments of the year and decide on state winners to

represent Tennessee at the National FFA Convention in October.

There were many highlights during the convention, with 49 students honored for the supervised agricultural experience programs, where the student has developed an agricultural project and builds on it each year to have a hands-on application of skills learned in the classroom. And at the pinnacle of the Supervised Agricultural Experience program (SAE), one student gets honored in each area for their outstanding performance in their chosen project - at the freshman level is the Star

Greenhand and at the junior/senior levels are the Star in Agriscience, Star in Agricultural Placement, Star in Agribusiness and Star Farmer. This is the highest honor one can receive in the state association for your SAE. In addition more than 500 students from across the state received their State FFA degrees, the highest tribute a student can attain in the Tennessee FFA. And nearly 20 career development events are held during the week of convention as well, among those being agriculture communications, agriculture issues, farm business management, job interview, speaking

events, and a range of other leadership based events.

Twenty-five candidates vied for the eight coveted state FFA officer spots and on the closing morning the nominating committee called out the 2013-2014 state officer team, with President Sarah Best of Cookeville FFA leading the newly elected team and closing out the convention. FFA members will continue “Growing” in leadership as they prepare for National FFA Convention, continue working on their SAEs, volunteering in their communities and looking forward to next year’s 86th State FFA Convention. t

FFA Ceremonies Winning Team -

Extemporaneous Public Speaking Winner - Kevin Robertson of the Wilson

Prepared Public Speaking Winner -

FFA Creed Winner - Grant Towns of the

Wilson Central FFA – From left: Christian Morris, Cayleigh York, Michael Singer, Sarah Boudreau, Isaiah Berman, Kendall Malone and Cody Fredericks

Will Singer of the Wilson Central FFA Chapter

Macon County FFA Chapter

Central FFA Chapter

Star Farmer - Andrew Thompson of the Jo

Job Interview Winner - Melinda Perkins

Byrns FFA Chapter

of the Paris FFA Chapter

Star in Agriscience - Jason Joy of the

Star in Agricultural Placement - Grace Ottinger of the South Greene FFA Chapter

2013-2014 State FFA Officers - From top left: East Tennessee Vice President - Rebekah

Wright, David Crockett; President – Sarah Best, Cookeville; Secretary – Melinda Perkins, Paris; Reporter – Samantha Beard, Eagleville; Sentinel – Rachel Ralston, Riverdale; bottom row: West Tennessee Vice President – Jeff Rogers, Munford; Middle Tennessee Vice President – Scott Bohanon, McEwen; Treasurer – Colton McClanahan, Stone

Covington FFA Chapter

Parliamentary Procedure Winning Team - McEwen FFA – Sitting: Morgan Matlock, Tori Smith and Taylor Curtis. Standing: Tylor Petty, Joanne Kersten, Issac Forster and Thomas Long

Star Greenhand - Conlee Lea of the Brighton FFA Chapter

Star in Agribusiness - Cade Cox of the

Clinton FFA Chapter

www.tnfarmbureau.org

May 2013 - Tennessee Farm Bureau News

13

66th annual 4-H Congress: Leading the Legacy

They know their Tennessee history - The 66th annual Tennessee 4-H Congress winners in Nashville were Wallace Anderson of Coffee County and Samantha Steger of Putnam County.

The new 4-H Governor and Speakers – The 2014 Tennessee 4-H Congress officers from left: John Calvin Bryant, Lawrence County, Governor; Justin Cross, Knox County, Speaker of the House; and Jesse Black, Marion County, Speaker of the Senate.

Best in public speaking - State public speaking winners were announced at the 66th annual Tennessee 4-H Congress in Nashville. Seated from left: Breanna England of Wilson County, 12th grade winner; Taylor Owens of Shelby County, 11th grade winner; Kelly Hunt of Sumner County, 10th grade winner; and Jason Smith of Smith County, 9th grade winner. Standing from left: Chris Fleming, Tennessee Farm Bureau (donor representative); Staci Foy, Henry County UT Extension (donor representative); and Tykey Truett and Lilly Turaski (donors).

Tomorrow’s leaders - Leadership winners at the 66th annual Tennessee 4-H Congress were

Gail Dawson (left) of Fentress County (Level II) and Claire Garrell (right) of Marshall County (Level I). Chris Fleming, associate director of Special Programs, Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, was the donor representative.

Tops in citizenship - Citizenship winners at the 66th annual Tennessee 4-H Congress were

Alex Crockett (left) of Fentress County (Level II) and Clay Prater (right) of Warren County (Level I).

Chris Fleming, associate director of Special Programs, Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, was the donor representative.

TFBF President Upchurch named as Friend of 4-H – This year’s Friend of 4-H recognition went to Tennessee Farm Bureau President Lacy Upchurch during the annual Congress Banquet this year. Making the presentation of the honor is UT Institute of Agriculture Chancellor Dr. Larry Arrington standing on the right. Photo by Colby Collins.

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Tennessee Farm Bureau News - May 2013 2010

www.tnfarmbureau.org

YF&R REPORT Elissa McLerran - 2013 YF&R Reporter

Dresden residents presented with Case IH tractor – David and Meghan Corvin of Dresden, were named one of three runners-up for the Young Farmers and Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 94th annual meeting in January in Nashville. The award is presented to those who are active in community service and agricultural leadership in their professions. Their prize included a Case IH Farmall 45A, a $2,500 cash prize and STIHL Farm Boss, courtesy of STIHL. The couple along with their daughter Molly, is pictured at the University of Tennessee Martin Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex in front of their new Case IH Farmall 45A which was presented to them February 27.

Spring is finally here! The trees are budding, the flowers are blooming, and the farmers are in the field planting. Every year as spring comes around I get excited because it reminds me of a new beginning as we prepare the ground for planting, plant a tiny seed, and watch it grow into a crop that is used to feed the world. How truly amazing a farmers work is and yet stressful all at the same time as the weather is highly unpredictable in springtime. We have heard that this is “the year of the farmer,” and what better time than now to become even more involved in Young Farmers and Ranchers!

Tennessee Young Farmers and Ranchers have been very busy this winter. From competing in national contests, to being part of the voting delegate session at the annual meeting, to attending leadership conferences both state and nationally, to attending district meetings and legislative visits. Tennessee Young Farmers want to do their part to make sure that the future is bright for Tennessee agriculture.

If you haven’t been a part of all these exciting adventures, then come join us! A great place to begin is at Tennessee Young Farmers and Ranchers Summer Conference, which will be July 19-20 in Columbia at TFBF headquarters. It will be a great opportunity for you to network with other young farmers and

have fun at the same time. Mark your calendar; we want to see you there.

What’s going on with young farmers and ranchers across the state? Lincoln County will host Dairy Days on June 4, with an ice cream eating, butter making, and cow milking contest. There are scholarships available for Young Farmers and Ranchers; the John Willis Memorial Scholarship and the Abe Hatcher scholarships for both music and agriculture majors. The applications must be postmarked by June 15 and can be found on the TFBF website.

The collegiate discussion meets are well under way, and we will see the finalists from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Tennessee Tech University, Middle Tennessee State University, and the University of Tennessee-Martin compete for the state title at summer conference.

Applications for the Young Farmer Achievement Award and Environmental Stewardship Award are available on the Tennessee Farm Bureau website.

Don’t forget about the “You Tell Ag” video contest. Videos should be 2-5 minutes in length and submitted by the first day of Fall Tour to ccurtis@tfbf.com.

We hope your spring is going well, be sure and contact your elected officials, be very involved in legislative decisions and be a voice for agriculture. t

Tennessee’s Agri-Events Wilson County Antique Power Association 22nd Annual Show, May 18 Wilson County Antique Power Association is hosting their 22nd Annual Show which will feature antique tractors and gas engines.

The show will be on Saturday, May 18 at the Ward Agriculture Center and

Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree, July 5-6 The 2nd annual Mule Day Auctioneers Contest took place recently during Mule Day festivities in Columbia at Tennessee Livestock Producers’ Columbia Livestock Center. The contest is hosted by the Columbia Breakfast Rotary Club with proceeds going toward their scholarship and community funds. Twelve auctioneers participated from three states, Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee. Pictured on top is Grand Champion Jacob Massey of Fayetteville, Tenn. showing his prize belt buckle with Breakfast Rotary Club President Eddie Ables on left and Tennessee Livestock Producers General Manager Darrell Ailshie on right. Pictured on bottom is Reserve Champion Trey Morris of Mayfield, Ky. with Ailshie and Ables. Judges for the event included Darrell Ailshie, Tennessee Farm Bureau President Lacy Upchurch, TDA Assistant Commissioner for Market Development Ed Harlan and General Sessions Court Judge Bobby Sands.

Join us for the 42nd Annual Fiddlers’ Jamboree & Crafts Festival, July 5-6, 2013.

State and national championships in 26 categories plus seven categories for country music beginners, jam sessions and more than 200 juried craft exhibitors. Cash prizes. Contact 615-597-8500 or visit www.smithvillejamboree.com. t

Fairgrounds in Lebanon. Gates will open at 8:00 a.m. Admission to the show is free, however a donation will be accepted.

For more information contact Johnny or Debbie Mitchell at 615-444-6944. t Van Buren County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting Saturday, June 8, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. at the Fair Building in Spencer. All members are welcome. Please notify the county office by June 3 at 931-946-2288 if you plan to attend.

Hamblen County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting June 10, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at the Horner Dougherty PavilionCherokee Park.

To find out more about Tennessee agriculture, visit www.tnfarmbureau.org

www.tnfarmbureau.org

May 2013 - Tennessee Farm Bureau News

TDA accepting proposals for Specialty Crop Block Grants

Beef Cattle Outlook

By Andrew P. Griffith Assistant Professor Agricultural and Resource Economics

Education creates understanding about animal agriculture An occupation centered in livestock production and marketing makes for an extremely enjoyable and fulfilling profession. However, there are times when animal activist groups, such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), latch on to widely accepted and humane production practices with the intention of portraying those practices as inhumane, which makes the profession a little less enjoyable. This is not an article to bash activists groups.

Rather, it is an article encouraging animal agriculture participants to continue educating and increase education directed towards the general public regarding the processes used in animal agriculture.

Livestock production is not just a source of income for producers, it is a way of life that many of us participate in because we enjoy working with livestock and watching them grow.

However, we sometimes get so caught up in the work necessary to produce healthy and efficient livestock that we forget we as an industry have an obligation to educate the public concerning our production practices. However, animal activist groups such as HSUS and PETA spend millions of dollars every year to deliver false and inconsistent information concerning animal agriculture, and many times their information is geared toward the impressionable youth of this nation.

Understanding it is a way of life and a profession, livestock producers in general would not purposefully engage in acts which could harm or in some way be detrimental to their livestock or their livelihood. Many production practices livestock producers engage in, that these groups portray as harmful to the animal, are actually practices that the industry has found to increase animal safety, handler safety, animal

15

health, and efficiency of producing a safe and healthy food supply. However, we as an industry do not always work as hard to educate people concerning production and animal husbandry practices as other groups do in attempting to dismantle the industry.

The Tennessee Farm Bureau has long carried out the duties of Ag in the Classroom, which is a program introducing the youth of Tennessee to agriculture. For many youth, this is their only exposure to agriculture because they did not have the opportunity to grow up in a rural community like I and many of the readers of this article did where agriculture was and still is the backbone of the community. Worse yet, many of the parents of today’s youth have limited knowledge related to agriculture and much less in animal agriculture. There are other programs in the state where youth are able to learn about agriculture, but I know that there are few things that I heard only once that I still remember.

I would like to encourage the readership to make it a point to talk with neighbors, people from church, youth at the local school, and anywhere else it may be appropriate about animal agriculture and the practices employed.

Helping consumers gain a better understanding of animal agriculture and the animal husbandry practices employed by an operation may help to insure a customer for life, which is necessary to sustain the lifestyle we enjoy. I am not saying the industry should or should not attack the animal welfare and activist groups that deliver inaccurate information. What I am saying is that we should be educating people and working to deliver information we know to be accurate in order to improve consumer’s knowledge concerning animal agriculture products they consume and thus shine a brighter light on this great industry. t

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is now accepting proposals for the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. These federal funds are granted to enhance production and competitiveness of specialty crops, which include fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, tree nuts and nursery crops including floriculture. The grants are authorized through the federal Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 and are administered by TDA. “Crop and income diversity are key elements for success as we work to grow rural economies in Tennessee,” said Ed Harlan, TDA assistant commissioner for Market Development.

“Specialty crops are by definition crops that are not common or traditional to our producers. These crops are increasingly important to stable growth for agriculture related businesses.

Specialty crop grants can fund innovation, research and training to allow our producers and agriculture related businesses and organizations to improve, expand and try new income avenues with less risk.”

TDA officials anticipate the state will be eligible for about $480,000 in federal SCBG funds to support grower education, infrastructure, food safety and marketing. Universities, institutions, cooperatives, producers, for-profit industries or communitybased organizations may submit proposals for project funding, but all fund recipients must be recognized by the IRS and must provide benefit to more than a single organization, institution or individual. Demonstration of long-term benefits is also required.

Submitted proposals must align with one of three categories: good

agricultural practices (GAPs), food safety, and traceability; farmers markets and wholesale produce; or innovative specialty crop projects. Proposals must be received by TDA no later than May 17. Specific proposal requirements and other information can be found at www.tn.gov/agriculture/marketing/ produce.html.

Once received, proposals are reviewed and ranked according to criteria provided at the website.

Applicants will be notified by June 28 whether TDA intends to present their projects to USDA for funding. First time recipients of SCBG funds have a funding limit of $25,000.

Proposals for food safety and traceability could include GAP training, specialized equipment and facilities needed to incorporate GAPs, Good Management Practices (GMPs) or tracing specialty crops to their sources.

Examples of appropriate farmers markets and wholesale produce projects include proposals for improved produce cool storage, distribution and handling.

The more generalized category for innovative specialty crop projects allows proposals for on-farm efforts to enhance marketing, production, packing and/or distribution of specialty crops. Such projects might include improving nutrition to food deserts through specialty crop distribution, or projects which improve, enhance, or reduce costs associated with distribution of specialty crops.

For more information regarding the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, contact Stan Alderson at 615-837-5160 or email stanley. alderson@TN.gov. t

TV stations compete for best omelet on Ag Day – During this year’s National Ag Day celebration, all four TV stations in the Nashville area competed in an omelet cook-off at the Oscar Farris Agriculture Museum at Ellington Agricultural Center. The Channel 2 team won the contest with a “Porked-up” creation leaving Channel 4 coming in second. The contest was sponsored by The Farm and Forest Families of Tennessee and will become an annual event for the museum. The skillet has been “cast down” and competition looks to be “heated” for next year.

On left, those creating omelets for the contest were from left: Channel 4 represented by anchors Ian Reltz and Holly Thompson; Channel 5’s team were anchors Steve Hayslip and Amy Watson; Channel 17 had anchor Nick Paranjape and traffic reporter Erin Como and the winning team was supported by anchors Neil Orne and Julie Kroenig. The cook-off involved a lot of action, a great crowd and a good way to support our farmers on National Ag Day 2013.

16 14

Tennessee Farm Bureau News - May 2013 2010

www.tnfarmbureau.org

TSU’s 2013 Small Farmer nomination deadline nears The purpose of this program is to recognize exemplary efforts of small farmers in Tennessee. The identification, selection and recognition are a joint effort of the agricultural related agencies in Tennessee. In that effort, the Tennessee State University College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences invites you to support small farmers by participating in the Eighth Annual Small Farmer of the Year Award Program. You are invited to nominate one outstanding small farmer from your county in each category to compete for “Small Farmer of the Year.”

There will be a total of six small farmers selected: three farmers in the gross sales category of less than $50,000 and three farmers in the gross sales category of $50,000-$250,000 and one farmer as an overall winner of the “Tennessee Star Small Farmer of the Year.” For example, using the $50,000 or less gross income, three farmers will be selected: one in Best Management, one in Alternative Enterprise, and one in Innovative Marketing.

The award selections will be presented at Tennessee State University College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences “Small Farm Expo and Awards Luncheon” which will take place at the TSU Agricultural Research and Education Center in Nashville, Tennessee (adjacent to the TSU Main Campus) on July 18, 2013. Your support is critical to the success of this program. The completed nomination, including any supplemental materials must be received by June 21, 2013 at the address below.

Eligibility a) The farm operated by the nominee must be located in the state

of Tennessee. b) Family members must provide the majority of labor and/or management for the farm. c) Operated by a family who depends on farming for a significant but not necessarily a majority of its income. d) A person with direct or indirect gross annual farm sales not more than $250,000 (based on an average of the past three years).

Nominations a) Nomination is open to any producer who meets the criteria as specified for each category(s).

Nomination may be made by an agency and/or self-nominated. b) The nominator must include a typed letter (no longer than two pages) that thoroughly describes the nominee or operation. c) Supplemental materials and up to 2 letters of support from a sponsor and/or county officials are encouraged. d) Nomination form must be signed by the nominator and/or nominee. e) One person will be chosen in each category. f ) One person will be chosen for the overall award winner.

Please return completed form and any supplemental materials by June 21, 2013 to: Mr. Christopher Robbins Extension Associate Farm Operations, Tennessee State University, Cheatham County Agriculture Research and Education Center, 3101 River Road Ashland City, TN 37015. For more information you can call him at (615)-792-5744 or email: crobbins@tnstate.edu t

We all know that cattle provides us with delicious beef to eat, but the parts of the animal that are not used for food are used to make a wide range of other products, these products are called by-products. Because of these by-products, we are able to use 99 percent of every animal.

Draw a picture that demonstrates how cattle help the environment and/or the by-products that come from cattle.

All entries must be on white paper, 8.5 x 11. Name, grade, address, and phone number need to be listed on the back of the entry, top left corner.

Winners will be judged based on creativity and factual information. One first place winner in each age division:

• Division 1: Grades K-1 • Division 2: Grades 2-3 • Division 3: Grades 4-5 Prizes will be given to the winner of each age division. Winners will also be placed on the Tennessee Beef Industry Council website and will be used for displays at events throughout the next year.

Submit entries to: Tennessee Beef Industry Council, Attn: Janna Sullivan, 530 A Brandies Circle, Murfreesboro, TN 37128 All entries must be postmarked

by June 1, 2013.

For questions contact Janna Sullivan at 615-896-5811 or jsullivan@beefup.org.

Additional information can be found at www.beefup.org under “The Beef Story” tab. t

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www.tnfarmbureau.org

May 2013 - Tennessee Farm Bureau News

17

Classified Ads Animals

Cattle

BULLS: Registered CHAROLAIS, RED ANGUS, BLACK ANGUS, YEARLINGS- 2 Year Olds, Top Bloodlines- Natural/AI HEIFERS: Commercial RepL. Quality Yearlings. Black Angus, Red Angus, F-1 Smokies & BWF/ Brockle- Face Complete Herd Health Program. BRIDGES CHAROLAIS/ BRIDGES ANGUS FARM Manchester, TN 931-728-6301 after 7 p.m. 931-334-8657 mobile Charolais, Black Angus Cross Heifers. Woodbury, 615-684-3833 For Sale F1 Hereford Angus Cross Bulls and Purebred Angus Bulls 17 months old. Livingston, TN 931-260-3385 PULASKI STOCKYARD: Your Full Service Stockyard.

Cattle Auction - Tuesday 12:30. Replacement Cow Auction - 1st Friday 6:00. More Info: Billy Wallace 256-303-7097, Derek Black 931-638-5392

Angus (Black) For Sale: Registered Black Angus heifers; sired by breed leading A. I. Sires, coming from dams stacked with multiple generations of A .I. Sires.

Kent J Brown P.O. Box 310 Rickman, TN 38580 Cell Phone 931-265-9200

FOR SALE: Angus bulls - 20 months old and ready for service. Low birth weights and milk in their genetics. Good selection to choose from.

Norman Amonett, 99 Amonett Lane, Byrdstown, TN 38549. 931-864-6481 Visit our website at www.amonettfarms.com FOR SALE: Registered Black Angus bulls and heifers, excellent bloodlines. Rock Haven Angus, Lewisburg, TN Day Time 931-703-9894; 931364-3670 after 6PM For Sale: Registered Black Angus Bulls. Sons of CC&7, Pendleton, Upward, Impression, Objecting, Freedom, Onward and others. All qualify for TAEP Program. Mathis Angus Farms. 931-729-3864 Registered Black Angus Bulls and heifers for sale.

Call Greg Moss 615-408-4173, Alexandria

Beefmaster

Angus (Red)

Chiangus

Bulls & heifers - weaned or breeding age, popular AI sires. Located near Watts Bar Lake, Hwy 58.

Mercer Farm - Ten Mile, TN. 423-334-3649 or 865804-8156 Registered Red Angus- Service Age Bulls and bred Heifers available. Low birth weight, gentle, lots of milk. Shady Bottom Ranch, Crossville, TN 931-200-0036 shadybottomranch.com

www.tnfarmbureau.org

Next issue is JULY. Ad deadline is June 10.

Name _________________________________________________________________ Address________________________________________________________________ City_________________________________ State _______ Zip__________________

Good, gentle BBU bulls & heifers for sale. Visitors welcome. James & Carolyn Vaughn, 9512 Bates Trail, Lyles, TN 37098. 931-670-4605 Polled Bulls/heifers. Our guarantee since 1972: If after the sale of his first calf crop you are not satisfied, return any bull purchased from us for full refund. HUDSON BEEFMASTER, 3140 Buffalo Road, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464. 931-829-2637; 931-629-5246 cell

Charolais Registered Charolais Bulls Service Age. The Quality Charolais Place. Punkin Center Farm.

Crossville, TN 931-788-2159

Chiangus bulls and heifers. 865-856-3947

Gelbvieh

Registered Polled Hereford bulls. Quality Sires, great EDP’s, Herd improving genetics. KBee Herefords, Shelbyville, TN 931-684-6582; kbartley@bellsouth.net

Limousin FOR SALE: Limousin bulls and heifers - black, red, polled and homozygous black. Riverside Valley Farm, Hohenwald, TN, 931-628-6730 FOR SALE: Limousin Bulls and Heifers Black, Homozygous black, Homozygous polled.

Prichard Limousin Farm, Brush Creek, TN 615-6838310 www.prichardlimousinfarm.com Limousin Bulls: Registered Purebreds, Commercial. Proven Predigrees, EPD’s. Easy Calving, Black, Red Seedstock. Dreamtime Limousin Farm, 423-422-6099

Santa Gertrudis

FOR SALE: Gelbvieh & Balancer Bulls, Heifers - black, polled, excellent bloodlines, gentle disposition, TAEP qualified. 931-433-6132; cell 931625-7219

DOUBLE-POLLED gentle Santa Gertrudis, registered bulls and heifers. kelsoclough@aol.com; 256-566-7878 Santa Gertrudis - Myers Farms - Poll bulls & heifers for sale. 144 Sub-Station Road, Unionville, TN 37180. 931-294-5653

Hereford (Polled)

Shorthorn

15 Polled Hereford Bulls 15-20 months. Bred for beef, milk, good disposotion. 8 BWF Heifers 13-16 months. Walker, Somerville 901-465-3392; 901413-6189 FOR SALE: Registered Polled Hereford bulls.

Good selection. Practical cattle for practical cattlemen. Earl Moore, 3594 Craig Bridge Road, Williamsport, TN 38487. 931-583-2353 Registered Polled Hereford bulls and females for sale, priced reasonably. Stan Webster, Chestnut Mound, 615-897-2333

Registered, Red, Polled Shorthorn bulls by our calving ease, low birth wt. Jake’s Proud Jazz, son.

Double C Farm. Charles Curtis & Family Rickman, TN 931-260-1596

Horses

I will take any Donkey’s or Horses that you have.

931-607-6249 or 931-363-1418

Goats & Sheep

Phone (_________)_______________________________________________________ County of Farm Bureau Membership________________________________________ Place Ad Under Which Heading?____________________________________________ Place in Which Issue(s)?: ❏ Jan. ❏ March ❏ May ❏ July ❏ Sept. ❏ Nov.

Please print the copy for your ad in the spaces provided.

Clip this form and mail with correct payment to: Tennessee Farm Bureau News • P.O. Box 313 • Columbia, TN 38402-0313

AUCTION MARKET SERVICES

TN Livestock Producers Hwy. 64e, Fayetteville Sale Every Tuesday bobby eslick, manager 931-433-5256 931-433-4962

Somerville Livestock Market Hwy. 59, Somerville Sale Every Tuesday Cattle & Sheep/Goats Don Terry, manager 901-465-9679/731-695-0353

Columbia Livestock Center 1231 industrial Park rd., Columbia

Cattle Sale Every Thurs.

Sheep/Goats 2nd & 4th Mon. Darrell ailshie, manager 931-223-8323/931-212-8512

VIDEO CATTLE SALES

Management provided for Lower Middle Tennessee Cattle Assoc.

Consignment information contact: 2013 Sale Dates - 9 AM Central Frank Poling 931-212-9962 may 3, June 7, aug. 2, Sept. 6 richard brown 931-239-9785 oct. 4, Nov. 1, Dec. 6

Number of words in ad ____________ X 50¢ or $1.00 = ____________

SPECIAL SALES

Columbia Every 2nd & 4th Monday

Graded Sales every Tuesday in Fayetteville Weaned Sale 1st & 3rd Thursdays in Columbia Weaned Sale 1st & 3rd Tuesdays in Fayetteville

Somerville Every Tuesday

SEE wEbSiTE for currEnT liST

ORDER BUyING

PRODUCER GENETICS

may 13, 27; June 10, 24; July 8, 22; aug. 12, 26 Sept. 9, 23; oct. 14, 28; Nov. 11, 25; Dec. 9

X Number of issues ____________ = TOTAL COST OF AD____________

SHEEP & GOAT SALES

: Amount enclosed with ad

There are two types of classified ads: 1. FARM BUREAU MEMBERS - selling items that they make, produce, or raise themselves; or surplus equipment. Each member ad costs 50¢ per word.

2. NON-MEMBERS or COMMERCIAL MEMBER ADS - in which the member is acting as an agent or dealer (real estate, health products, mail order business, etc.). Each ad costs $1.00 per word.

Price, phone number, e-mail address and website count as one word each.

Ads not accompanied BY payment will be returned to sender.

Ads received in our office after deadline will be held for next issue.

H.m. eslick Frank Poling bobby eslick David alexander

931-433-5256 931-212-9962 931-433-5256 615-300-3012

Alliance Development, Herd Sire Purchasing, Cattle Breeding & Marketing Consultation

richard brown - 931-239-9785 Alliance Sales: July 30, Sept. 17, Nov. 19

Darrell Ailshie, General Manager P.O. Box 313 • Columbia, TN 38402 • 931-388-7872 tennesseelivestockproducers.com

18 14

Tennessee Farm Bureau News - May 2013 2010

www.tnfarmbureau.org

Classified Ads Dairy Goats Saunens Alpines Purebred and Experimental. 615-444-5294 belacres@dtccom.net For Sale: Purebred Kiko goats. 931-987-2826 Culleoka, TN For Sale: Registered Katahdin Ewe and Ram Lambs. Born March and April 2013. Caney Creek Farms 931-703-0239 caneycreekfm@united.net or www.caneycreekfm.com GOAT/SHEEP SALE: 2nd & 4th Monday.

Tennessee Livestock Producers, Columbia, TN. 931-212-9962; 931-982-9086

Hogs

Registered Hereford Pigs. You will like these. 615273-2502 Check out www.herefordhogstn.com

Ladybug Kennel Big Sandy TN. Border Collie and Dachshund puppies Registered W&S, $200 each.

731-593-3807. For pictures e-mail: bettyewatkins@ bellsouth.net Registered Mt. Cur Pups Bred to Tree Squirrel and coon. Shots and wormed $150.00 each. Call Paulus Shelby 731-423-8781

Other Animals

Legal Pet Raccoon Babies. State and USDA Licensed. Website www.tlakes.net/~dmscott/ index.htm 931-268-0739 Make Great Pets, Ringo’s Crossing Pet Farm

Plants

Birds

Grasses

Poultry Phoenix, Lakenvelder Chickens, Swans, Doves, Pea Fowls, Ornamental Pheasants, Wood Ducks, Mandarin, Pintail Duck. Woodbury, TN 615-6843833 POULTRY HOLLOW HACHERY, located 45 miles east of Nashville, can fill all your poultry needs starting with over 57 breeds of chickens, bantams, turkeys, guineas, ducks, geese, rare breeds. Dayold-sexed-pullets start at $2.25 NPIP CERTIFIED! Visit our website at www.poultryhollow.org or call 615-318-9036 or 615-477-7936

Dogs

Australian Cattle Dogs AKA “Heelers” AKC working pet show quality. Ask about older free dogs.

423-626-7519 relindsey2@yahoo.com; www.lindseyrockytopacd.com Border Collie Pups Registered Excellent Stock dogs and pets. 931-939-2426; 931-607-2426 Dan Vickers For Sale Registered Border Collie Pups out of Cattle working dogs $250.00 Billy Brown 615763-2299

Get Vaughn’s #1 Bermuda Grass from the original farm where developed. High Yields- High Digestibility- High Quality- High Palatable. Finish freezer beef without grain, grassfed and get proven excellent taste- Permanent stands with proper management- Have planter will travel to your farm and plant from April to August. Call for additional information. 931-657-2584

Bermuda Bermuda Sprigs, High protein hay & pasture, Plant June-July-August, Vaughn’s Hybrid managed right will out produce any other grasses on my farm. Call for more information, Carl Paschal 615-529-2444; Ron 615-574-0931

Hay & Straw

FOR SALE: Vaughn’s #1 Hybrid Bermuda Hay. Premium Quality Hay available in small squares or 4x5 rolls. Jerry Roach, Linden, TN. 931-5932673

www.tnfarmbureau.org

20%

Order tickets by calling 800-733-6779 or online at www.opry.com or at the box office. $5.00 off adult Tier 2 tickets only.

Code# 1213TNFB

CHOICE HOTELS To make reservations call (800) 258-2847 or go to www.choicehotels.com ID #00214480

Discounts are not available on tickets for children ages 4 to 11. Up to six (6) tickets may be purchased per order. Tickets will be subject to a ticketing fee.

The offer may not be combined with any other offer or coupon and is not retroactive. Offer good through December 31, 2012.

*Reservations required before check-in. Subject to availability at participating Choice Hotels.

Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion. Blackout dates may apply.

Adult Discount $5.00 - $10.00

10

%

To make reservations call 800-RENT-A-CAR (800-736-8222) or go online at enterprise.com Corporate rate plan 56MFARM PIN# TEN *Internet rates may be lower than phone rates.

Kid Discount $2.50 - $5.00 Visit www. biltmore.com/tnfb for tickets

$6 off an Adult or Child 1-Day Admission Visit the travel section of our website to purchase tickets and print membership card. TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED ONLINE. www.tnfarmbureau.org/memberbenefits Cannot combine with other offers. Not transferrable, must present proof of membership before entering park.

; )

tnfarmbureau.org/memberbenefits

Tennessee Farm Bureau Member Benefits

F T

2013 Spring Travel Ad.indd 1

1-877-363-9100 - Customer Service Center

TFBFMemberBen

12/28/12 10:16 AM

Vegetables & Fruits

ANTIQUE APPLE TREES - Summer Rambo, Virginia Beauty, Yellow Transparent. Catalog $3.00. Write: Urban Homestead, 818-G Cumberland Street, Bristol, VA 24201. www.OldVaApples.com. 05-06 Tomato Plants - 65 varieties including Heirlooms.

Also pepper and vegetable plants, garden seed, flowers and herbs. Sweetlips Greenhouses, 3705 Sweetlips Rd, Henderson, TN 38340. 731-9897046, sweetlipsgreenhouse.com. Open April and May

Lawn & Garden

Garden plants, supplies 865-933-3136 Morton’s Horticultural Products, Inc. Free Catalog - Greenhouses & Growers Supplies.

Drip Tape, Irrigation Supplies. We Manufacture our Greenhouses. Online Catalog - www. mortonproducts.com 800-473-7753; mortonprod@blomand.net 05-04

Forestry

Panther Creek Forestry: Forestry, Timber, Wildlife Managers. Receive top timber prices. Hunting leases available - Cumberland Plateau & Land Between the Lakes. 931-474-6203; benmyers@ panthercreekforestry.net 05-11

Equipment

One Owner TW20 Ford Cab Tractor, 135hp, Duals, 5500hr, with 3226 Bush Hog OT Loader, Hay Spear, 84” Bucket never used, Loader used 2 years since new. $17,500. Good NEW HOLLAND Hay Rake and 532 FORD Square Baler. $4,000.

One owner SITREX Disc Hay Mower, 8’ with New Blades. $3,250. Good 165bu Gravity Wagon $1,100. 18’ Do All, hyd fold. $1,750. ARTS WAY 450 Grinder-Mixer. $1,350. Good 165bu Gravity Wagon with hydraulic auger. $1,550. 11 Prong Chisel Plow, 3pt with guage wheels. $1,250. 8’ Heavy LEON Front Blade with cyl for Farm Tractor. $1,000. 731-437-0196; 422-5282 Antique Corn Shredder McCormick Deering. 865933-3528 For Sale 1995 John Deere 535 Round Baler, Shed kept, excellent condition $8,500.00 Livingston, TN 931-260-3385

Tractors/Implements

D8H Cat Dozer For Sale. Root rake and other extras. Finished Clearing 180 acre farm. Dozer is ready to work. Reduced price $29,900. Call 931788-2159 Disc Mower Covers for most brand mowers. $250 for 8ft mowers Call 615-489-5355 For Sale N.H. 411 Discbine $3,000.00 For Sale 25 KW. PTO $1500.00 with Generation Disconnect.

For Sale J.D. Wheat drill 15’ wide $1,000.00 For Sale Hay wagon 40’ long $500.00 For Sale John Bean Orchard Sprayer $1000.00 615-325-2680 Oringinal John Deere 2 Bottom Plow for M or MT Tractor $250. Original 1 Row Cultivator for John Deere M Tractor $350. Rear Weights for John Deere M $150. Front and Side Weights for MT or 40 John Deere $150. 4 Wheel Weights for MT or 40 John Deere $150. Original Cultivator for John Deere MT $300. Planters Available. JOHN DEERE Big 4, 2 Horse Hay Mower $400. 2 Bottom Trailer Plow, Steel Wheels $250. 731-437-0196; 422-5282 Tractor Massey Ferguson 1950, 50 Series, good antique $2,700.00 931-724-9211

Trucks & Trailers

Gooseneck Livestock Trailers. At prices you want believe. Different sizes and options. Wholesale Trailers, Lebanon, TN Financing Available 615-714-3894 One owner 1978 Ford F350 V-8, 4 speed, 12’ PARKHURST Bed, Duals 66,000 actual miles. $3,500 731-437-0196; 422-5282

Other Equipment

Used portable sawmills! Buy/Sell. Call Sawmill Exchange 800-459-2148; US & Canada; www. sawmillexchange.com 05-01

Property Real Estate

33.78 ac Beautiful Smith Co. River Close, Great Fishing, Wildlife, Abundent Hayfield, Woods. Co. Water, Natural Gas, Close to Marina, Paved Road.

50 miles to Nashville. Owner Financing 129,500 828-479-2508 Easttennesseefarmsforsale.com View online listings for farms, homes, mountain land in North East Tennessee. East Tennessee Realty Services, Greeneville TN 423-639-6395 05-09

www.tnfarmbureau.org

May 2013 - Tennessee Farm Bureau News

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Classified Ads 11+ Acre Rutherford Co. Call for more information 615-653-1579

Vacation Rentals

Beautiful Smoky Mountain log cabins - near Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge. Jacuzzi, hot-tubs, porches and rockers, on trout stream, stone fireplaces, cable TV, fully furnished, hiking, $85 nightly and up. www.moorecabins.com; 423487-5615 05-15 Farm House - near Rock Island Park - Furnished, CHA, daily-weekly rates. 931-235-8054 www.vrbo. com/89925 05-05 GULF SHORES CONDO- 2BR, pool/beach access.

Spring $600/week, Summer $800/week, Fall $500/week. 931-296-4626 05-08 LOG CABIN RENTALS, GATLINBURG. Call Parkside Cabin Rentals 1-866-808-7715; www.parksidecabinrentals.com Old Creek Lodge, Gatlinburg. Private Balconies over Mountain Stream and Gas Fireplaces. 866418-7116 PIGEON FORGE cabins, chalets, cottages, units sleeping 1 to 36 people. Near Dollywood.

Middle Creek Rentals, 1-800-362-1897; www. mcrr93.com 05-12

Hunting Leases

Hunting Lease Wanted: 2 responsible, experienced hunters need to lease farmland or timberland for deer and turkey hunting. Prefer Middle TN area. 865-659-8816 Responsible hunter would like to lease land for deer and turkey hunting. 423-479-4149; 423-7158936 Safe responsible hunter needs to lease land in Middle East Tn Area for deer and turkey hunting. Will respect your privacy and your property.

Prefer Loudon or surrounding counties. 865-9951056 Would like to lease land in Central East TN counties to train pups and to hunt raccoons. My dog will not bother livestock and will not run deer.

865-659-8816

“PLAY GOSPEL SONGS by ear!” Add chords.

10 lessons $12.95. “LEARN GOSPEL MUSIC”.

Chording, runs, fills - $12.95. Both $24. “LEARN CHORD PLAYING”. Piano -$12.50 Davidsons, 6727HT Metcalf, Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66204 913-262-4982 05-02 SAWMILLS from only $3997 - Make Money & Save Money with your own bandmill - Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. Free info & DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com/651 1-800578-1363 - Ext:651 05-07 Tables, Chairs, Seating, Steeples, Lockers, Baptistries. Free Quotes. 615-351-3120 WANTED: I collect World War I and II military relics - American, German, Japanese. Helmets, metals, knives, bayonets, guns, swords, daggers, etc.

423-842-6020

He’s going to need more help than he thinks.

You remember when he was a little boy, always ready to help his dad.

Now he’s a strong young man who believes he can do it by himself.

But if something happens to you, will he have the means to see it through?

Farm Bureau Insurance has affordable life insurance plans to make sure your farm will live on after you.

Talk to your Farm Bureau Insurance agent today.

Home Improvement Construction ATTENTION MOBILE HOME OWNERS: Take a punch at inflation with our super insulated roof over system by Roof King. No more leaks, never roof coat again, save $$ on heating and cooling costs, maintenance free, 100% watertight guaranteed. Call 1-800-276-0176, Roof King. 05-03

Home Security DRIVEWAY ALARMS, $209.95, 1000 feet, no wiring. TN DRIVEWAY AND DOOR CHIME CO 1-800342-9014 05-13

Business

Insurance Stock

Buying TN Farmers Life $43.00 per share. 731285-1424 Buying TN Farmers Life Stock 931-209-0370 Buying TN Farmers Stock. 931-381-3580

Miscellaneous

25,000 mile oil change: www.lubedealer.com/ rust 05-10 BUYING old comics and old toy collections. 615897-2573 CURRENTLY FARMING WITH A DISABILITY? The Tennessee AgrAbility Project is a state-wide non-profit service that provides assistance to agricultural workers with disabilities. For further information, please call 731-855-7656 For Sale V-39 Vendo Coke Machine, Cools good.

731-645-8951

www.tnfarmbureau.org

Tennessee Turns To Us ®

Get a free life insurance quote any time at fbitn.com

20 14

Tennessee Farm Bureau News - May 2013 2010

www.tnfarmbureau.org

2013 Ford Fusion

2013 Ford F-150

2013 Ford EXPLoRER

$500 Bonus For Tennessee Farm Bureau Members Tennessee Farm Bureau members get $500 Bonus Cash* toward the purchase or lease of any eligible 2012/2013/2014 Ford vehicle.

Enjoy valuable savings on your choice of vehicles from our comfortable and capable lineup of cars and trucks – like the 2013 Ford F-150 with best-in-class max trailer tow and payload capability, and 4 engines to choose from, including the 3.5L EcoBoostŽ V6 Engine.

Take advantage of this exclusive special offer today.

Visit www.fordspecialoffer.com/farmbureau/tn

*Program #34216: $500 Bonus Cash offer exclusively for active Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee Farm Bureau members who are residents of the United States. Offer is valid from 1/03/2013 through 1/2/2014 for the purchase or lease of an eligible new 2012/2013/2014 model year Ford or Lincoln vehicle. Not available on Mustang Shelby GT/GT500, Mustang Boss 302, Focus EV, Focus S, Fiesta S, Focus ST, Edge SE AWD (12MY), F-150 Raptor, Taurus SE and 13MY MKZ including Hybrid. This offer may not be used in conjunction with other Ford Motor Company private incentives or AXZD-Plans. Some customer and purchase eligibility restrictions apply. You must be an eligible Association member for at least 60 consecutive days and must show proof of membership. Limit one $500 Bonus Cash offer per vehicle purchase or lease. Limit of five new eligible vehicle purchases or leases per Farm Bureau member during program period. See your Ford or Lincoln Dealer for complete details and qualifications.

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