November 2012: Tennessee Farm Bureau News

FARM BUREAU News TENNESSEE

ISSN 1062-8983 • USPS 538960

WHAT’S INSIDE:

Volume 91 Number 6 • November 2012

Farm Bureau leaders say “Thank You” to Governor

PagE 2 & 3 Candidates’ Questionnaire

A major hurdle for farmers who wish to pass their farms on to their children will disappear in 2016. Reforming the inheritance tax has been a Farm Bureau priority issue for many years and that hard work finally paid off as legislation made its way through the process to end Tennessee’s inheritance tax during the last legislative session. See full story on page 4.

Page 6 Farm Credit Scholars

Pages 9-12 AITC Annual Report

Make plans to attend the Tennessee Farm Bureau’s 91st Annual Meeting and Convention December 1-4, 2012 Cool Springs Marriott in Franklin

Official newspaper of Tennessee Farm Bureau

FarmBureauNews TENNESSEE

2

Tennessee Farm Bureau News - November 2012

www.tnfarmbureau.org

FarmBureauNews 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.

TENNESSEE FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

Board of Directors Lacy Upchurch Danny Rochelle President

Vice President

Directors-at-Large Jeff Aiken Charles Hancock Catherine Via

District Directors Malcolm Burchfiel Dan Hancock James Haskew David Mitchell Eric Mayberry Jane May

Advisory Directors Brandon Whitt 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

Communications Pettus Read

Bryan Wright

Lee Maddox

Director

Director

Associate Director

Associate Director

Breanna Langley

Melissa Burniston

Special Programs Charles Curtis

Public Policy Stefan Maupin

Chris Fleming

Tiffany Howard

Assistant Director

Director

Associate Director

Kristy Chastine

Associate Director

Associate Director

Director

Associate Director

Ryan King

Associate Director

Regional Field Service 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 Lonnie Roberts, CEO Farmers Service, Inc. Tim Dodd, Director of Operations Tennessee Livestock Producers, Inc. Darrell Ailshie, Manager

American Farm Bureau Federation’s questionnaire for presidential candidates Energy Agriculture is an energy-intensive industry and volatile prices significantly affect the cost of growing crops. What policies will you support to meet our energy needs and strengthen energy security? What role do you see for agricultural-based biofuels in the nation’s energy supply?

OBAMA: Our rural communities, farmers, and ranchers can increase our energy independence and boost the transition to a clean energy economy. U.S. biofuel production is at its highest level in history. Last year, rural America produced enough renewable fuels like ethanol and biodiesel to meet roughly 8 percent of our needs, helping us increase our energy independence to its highest level in 20 years. We are increasing the level of ethanol that can be blended into gasoline, and the new Renewable Fuel Standard helped boost biodiesel production to nearly 1 billion gallons in 2011, supporting 39,000 jobs.

ROMNEY: An affordable, reliable supply of energy is crucial to America’s economic future. I have a vision for an America that is an energy superpower, rapidly increasing our own production and partnering with our allies, Canada and Mexico, to achieve energy independence on this continent by 2020. Taking full advantage of our energy resources will create millions of jobs, but this revolution in U.S. energy production will not just expand economic opportunity within the energy industry. Upstream businesses that supply the industry will experience a surge in demand, and perhaps the greatest benefit will occur downstream as agricultural businesses and manufacturers gain access to a more affordable and reliable supply of energy and feedstock.

America’s energy resources can be a longterm competitive advantage for American agriculture and their development is key to the success of the industry.

The increased production of biofuels plays an important part in my plan to achieve energy independence. In order to support increased market penetration and competition among energy sources, I am in favor of maintaining the Renewable Fuel Standard. I also support eliminating regulatory barriers to a diversification of the electrical grid, fuel system, and vehicle fleet. My policies broadly aim to ensure that all of our energy industries can sustainably become competitive, innovative and efficient.

Environmental In the context of regulating water quality, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has increasingly encroached on states’ authority, from nutrient loadings in Florida to total maximum daily loads in the Chesapeake Bay to overall regulatory reach through proposing “guidance” that essentially gives EPA

regulatory control over all waters. Do you support reaffirming the primary role of states in regulating both non-navigable waters and non-point source runoff?

OBAMA: Farmers are some of the best stewards of our environment, which is why my administration is working with more than 500,000 farmers and ranchers on more than 30 million acres of land to help conserve our lands and protect our waters. I have seen how we can bolster growth of our nation’s agricultural economy while protecting our environment.

Now there is a lot of misinformation out there about changes to clean water standards. We are not going to be applying standards to waters that have not been historically protected. And all existing exemptions for agricultural discharges and waters are going to stay in place. I believe that we can work together to safeguard the waters Americans rely on every day for drinking, swimming, and fishing, and those that support farming and economic growth.

ROMNEY: Government oversight is of course crucial to the protection of our environment. But statutes and regulations that were designed to protect public health and the environment have instead been seized on by environmentalists as tools to disrupt economic activity and the enjoyment of our nation’s environment altogether.

President Obama’s administration has embraced this approach, his EPA embarking on the most far-reaching regulatory scheme in American history.

Modernizing America’s complex environmental statutes, regulations, and permitting processes is crucial to ensuring that the nation can develop its resources safely and efficiently. Laws should promote a rational approach to regulation that takes cost into account. Regulations should be carefully crafted to support rather than impede development. Repetitive reviews and strategic lawsuits should not be allowed to endlessly delay progress or force the government into imposing rules behind closed doors that it would not approve in public. Energy development, economic growth, and environmental protection can go hand-in-hand if the government focuses on transparency and fairness instead of seeking to pick winners and repay political favors.

Farm Policy A new farm bill will be enacted and implemented over the next four years during a time of significant evolution in agriculture. What policy and risk management tools do you propose to ensure that agriculture is a profitable, competitive and viable industry?

OBAMA: I understand the need for a strong farm safety net. That’s why I increased the availability of crop insurance and emergency disaster assistance

to help over 590,000 farmers and ranchers keep their farms in business after natural disasters and crop loss. My administration expanded farm credit to help more than 100,000 farmers struggling during the financial crisis to keep their family farms and provide for their families. And as farmers continue to go through hard times because of this drought, we are expanding access to low-interest loans, encouraging insurance companies to extend payment deadlines and opening new lands for livestock farmers to graze their herds.

And I know that any farm bill passed this year – and there needs to be a farm bill passed this year – needs to have adequate protections for America’s farmers.

That’s why I have called for maintaining a strong crop insurance program and an extended disaster assistance program. We can reduce the deficit without sacrificing rural American economic growth, as the Romney-Ryan budget would do. Instead of making farmer pay more for crop insurance, we will do it by cutting subsidies to crop insurance companies and better targeting conservation funding.

ROMNEY: I support passage of a strong farm bill that provides the appropriate risk management tools that will work for farmers and ranchers throughout the country. In the near term, my immediate priority should be given to enacting disaster relief for those not traditionally covered by crop insurance as this year’s drought has worsened. My running mate, Paul Ryan, voted for this relief in the House. Unfortunately, the Democratcontrolled Senate went home for August break without enacting them.

On the broader question of farm programs, we must be cognizant that our agricultural producers are competing with other nations around the world.

Other nations subsidize their farmers, so we must be careful not to unilaterally change our policies in a way that would disadvantage agriculture here in our country. In addition, we want to make sure that we don’t ever find ourselves in a circumstance where we depend on foreign nations for our food the way we do with energy. Ultimately, it is in everyone’s interest is achieve a level playing field on which American farmers can compete.

Fiscal Policy There are many factors involved in the economic downturn, but federal budget policy and the gridlock that is prohibiting restoration of sound fiscal policy are important factors. What would be your proposed foundation for reforming federal fiscal and budgeting policy?

OBAMA: We can’t grow our economy in the long run if we don’t start taking our fiscal and budgeting policy seriously.

That’s why earlier this year, I put forward a detailed plan for over $4 trillion in deficit reduction – including $1 trillion in spend-

www.tnfarmbureau.org ing cuts enacted last year – that finds savings in every part in the budget, brings domestic spending to its lowest level as a share of the economy in about 50 years, reforms Medicare and Medicaid, and asks the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share. The independent Congressional Budget Office has confirmed that my plan would reduce deficits over time, and stabilize the Federal debt.

We faced a more than $1 trillion deficit on the day I took office – overwhelmingly caused by a bad economy and the policies of the prior administration – including two tax cuts weighted towards the wealthy, two wars, and the Medicare drug benefit, none of which were paid for. Paul Ryan voted for these policies, and Mitt Romney supported them. Now, Romney and Ryan are proposing $5 trillion in tax cuts without describing how they’d pay for them, returning us to those same failed policies of the past.

ROMNEY: Getting reckless government spending under control is one of my top priorities. I’ll implement a basic test that looks at every program and asks whether it is so critical that it’s worth borrowing money from China to pay for it.

We’ll work to empower states by sending programs that are currently controlled by the federal government back to the statelevel where local solutions can be tailored to meet local needs. And lastly, we will reduce the size of the federal government to make sure it’s more efficient and productive.

Labor U.S. agriculture has a long history of relying on temporary workers to help plant and harvest crops, tend orchards and manage livestock. What would you do to solve agriculture’s labor shortage problem?

OBAMA: To contribute to the vitality of our agricultural economy, we must design a system that provides legal channels for U.S. employers to hire needed foreign workers. This system must protect the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers and only be used when U.S. workers are not available. I have called on Congress to pass and implement the AgJOBS Act, which allows farmers to hire the workers they rely on, and provides a path to citizenship for those workers.

But we cannot wait for Congress to act, which is why my administration is already taking action to improve the existing system for temporary agricultural workers. We are also standing up a new Office on Farmworker Opportunities at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the first office for farmer workers in the agency’s history. These measures are helping to identify the challenges faced by farmworkers and address the need for a reliable labor force.

ROMNEY: I understand and appreciate the critical role that foreign temporary workers play in the agriculture industry. I also understand that our current system for issuing visas to temporary, seasonal workers is broken. Too often, harvest or tourist season passes before temporary worker visas are approved. Indeed, in 2006 and 2007, 43 percent of all applications for temporary agricultural workers were not processed on time. As president, I will make the system for bringing in temporary agricultural workers and other seasonal workers functional for both employers and workers. I will get rid of unnecessary requirements that

November 2012 - Tennessee Farm Bureau News delay issuance of a visa and will speed the processing of applications. A legal immigration system that works will provide a lawful alternative to workers who would otherwise enter illegally and employers who face the choice of either reducing operations or turning to illegal labor to address labor shortage problems.

Additionally, let me add what my administration will not do in this area. We will not propose heavy-handed regulations that will limit opportunities for our youth to be involved in agriculture. This is a stark contrast to what the Obama administration proposed in their regulations to prohibit those under the age of 16 from working on farms, in some cases even one owned by their family. The impacts of this rule would have negatively affected our next generation of farmers, ranchers, and rural leaders. That’s why even the National FFA Organization opposed this misguided regulation. While the Obama administration has since retreated on this ill-advised regulation, it demonstrates how out of touch they are with our nation’s family farms and their possible agenda if given another four years unhindered by reelection.

Taxes What priorities will you set for reforming the tax code? How should tax reform deal with the estate tax and capital gains taxes, two critical concerns for farmers and ranchers?

OBAMA: The tax code has become increasingly complicated and unfair.

While many tax incentives serve important purposes, taken together the tax expenditures in the law are inefficient, unfair, duplicative, or even unnecessary.

That’s why I’m calling for comprehensive tax reform. First, we must extend the middle class tax cuts for the 98 percent of Americans making less than $250,000 for another year. In fact, my proposal extends tax cuts for 97 percent of all small business owners in America. But at the same time, we need to ask the wealthiest to pay their fair share. I remain opposed to the extension of tax cuts for those with household income is above $250,000 and support the return of the estate tax exemption and rates to 2009 levels. These policies were unfair and unaffordable when they were passed, and they remain so today. Governor Romney would take the opposite approach – his tax plan would require an average tax increase of $2,000 on middle class families with kids, to pay for a new round of tax cuts for multi-millionaires, who would get an average break of $250,000.

My proposal would return the top tax rate on estates to 45 percent and reinstate the $7 million per-couple estate tax exemption, which exempts all but the wealthiest 3 in 1,000 decedents from the tax, but still helps us reduce the deficit.

Independent experts estimate that under this plan, only 60 small farm and business estates in the entire country would owe any estate tax in 2013.

I’d also return capital gains taxes to the rates they were when Bill Clinton was president. But I’m calling for the permanent elimination of capital gains taxes on key small business investments.

ROMNEY: We must pass fundamental tax reform that lowers tax rates, broadens the base, achieves revenue neutrality, and maintains the progressivity of the tax code. This will help jumpstart an economic recovery that will help create 12 million jobs in my first term in office.

Regarding the estate tax and capital gains taxes, we must work to help all working families, including farmers and ranchers, keep more of what they earn. As president, I will eliminate the estate tax, helping keep family farms and ranches intact when businesses pass on from one generation to the next. I will also maintain the current 15 percent capital gains rate for wealthier Americans, while totally eliminating capital gains, dividend, and interest taxes for those who earn less than $200,000 per year. This will help middleclass families save tax free for long term costs like college tuition and retirement, and to generally enjoy the freedom that accompanies financial security.

Trade Expanded export opportunities are essential for agriculture’s continued growth. What are your views on enforcing existing trade agreements and pursuing new trading opportunities for the United States?

OBAMA: I have expanded markets for American goods that help support over a million agriculture jobs here at home. In 2011, American farm income reached a record high, with a record number of agricultural exports and a record agriculture trade surplus that means more of our products are being sold in markets around the world. I signed three historic trade agreements with Panama, Columbia, and South Korea which will increase exports by $2.3 billion – supporting nearly 20,000 American jobs. And I am working to expand local and regional food markets, a multi-billion dollar industry. We’ve increased the number of farmers markets by 53 percent since 2008.

Through these policies, we are expanding markets for American goods abroad and at home.

ROMNEY: As the United States is the largest agricultural exporter in the world, I understand that agricultural trade is incredibly important to our economy and to job creation in our country. A thriving agriculture sector is a key to getting our economy going again. We must continue to encourage this sector to grow, not stifle its success with ineffective trade policies that linger in bureaucracy and do not advance our economic interests. As president, I will work to promote multilateral trade agreements and reverse the course of the Obama administration which has only enacted three trade agreements – all initiated in the Bush administration. As president, I will work with Congress to gain Trade Promotion Authority in order to facilitate the negotiation and completion of trade agreements. I will also stress that the World Trade Organization should reassert itself in order to resolve and restrict non-science-based trade restrictions prohibited by the overriding agreements, and I will value the important roles of the USDA and USTR as they provide focused attention and resources important to agricultural trade issues.

Other Why should farmers and ranchers vote for you?

OBAMA: I am committed to building the foundation for a renewed rural economy so that future generations can enjoy the way of life in rural America. I am building a rural economy built to last – one focused on reclaiming the security of the rural middle class by growing products that the rest of the world buys, and restoring the basic values of hard work

3

and fair play that made our country great.

Farmers and rancher should vote for me because I am the only candidate that is committed to strengthening the farm safety net, strengthening rural economic growth, and supporting rural investments in clean energy.

Not only am I committed to providing farmers the safety they need to grow America’s food, but I am also planning for a strong agricultural future, increase funding for agricultural research and development by over 20 percent. My administration is boosting rural small businesses by making it easier for them to access the capital they need to sell their products, expand operations and hire workers. And we are investing in a 21st century infrastructure - expanding broadband service for nearly seven million rural residents. We are working aggressively with our nation’s rural communities, farmers, and ranchers to increase our energy independence and boost the transition to a clean energy economy. We are also partnering with over 13,000 farmers and ranchers to support renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that help save energy and improve their bottom line. Unlike my opponent, I understand that clean energy can provide farmers with additional income and economic security, which is why I have called on Congress to extend tax incentives for wind energy, which Mitt Romney would let expire.

ROMNEY: As the breadth of your questions indicate here, American agriculture needs relief from the Obama administration’s crushing onslaught of unnecessary regulations; a commonsense energy policy that develops our resources right here at home; a renewed focus on opening new markets; and a pro-growth tax policy that encourages investment and recognizes that death should not be a taxable event. On day one of my administration, farmers and ranchers would have something they’ve lacked over the past several years – an advocate.

Farmers and ranchers are the backbone of America and play a critical role in ensuring Americans across the country have access to safe and affordable food.

The fruit of your labor nourishes the world, and I admire your hard work in harvesting our country’s bountiful resources.

I also admire our farmers and ranchers for the critical role you play in the health of our economy, employing millions of Americans.

I’m honored to have interacted with so many farmers and ranchers during this campaign, and I’m grateful to have them supporting our efforts to turn around the economy and strengthen the middle class. If you haven’t yet signed-up to help with the campaign or just want to learn more, please visit my website at www. mittromney.com. Much is held in the balance of this election for all Americans, but particularly for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities, and I hope I can count on your vote this November 6th. t

4

Tennessee Farm Bureau News - November 2012

www.tnfarmbureau.org

Read All About It

By Pettus Read Editor

About as natural as a wooden toothpick Trying to get acquainted with her first grade students at the start of school, a teacher recently asked them to tell her what has been the hardest thing they have ever tried to do in their short lives. Expecting to get the usual answers such as learning to spell their names or tie their shoes, she went around the room letting each child talk about their most difficult event.

They all had been uneventful until she got to one little boy who was in very deep thought. After finally getting his attention and asking him to tell everyone about his challenge, he wrinkled his nose and said, “Well, I guess I would have to say the hardest thing I have tried, and learned from, is you just can’t baptize a cat.”

Attempting to understand and deal with food issues as an agriculturalist is about like the little boy’s attempts at trying to baptize the family cat. There is no way to get everyone on the same page and with today’s many methods of communication, along with social media, trying to correct false information once the “cat is out of the bag” is pretty much impossible. It also seems that each day the terminology also changes to a point that I really don’t understand how those

who market food products can ever get right what you may find in a box on a grocery shelf.

Over the years, I have been one who has sent out numerous warnings over ridiculous lawsuits that seem to cause undue harm to no one but the innocent. If you will remember back to the time when the tobacco suits made all the publicity and tobacco companies were forced to pay out billions, I asked the question how long would it be before our food enjoyments would be attacked. Well, it is beginning to happen and the scary part for myself is it happened quicker than I would have thought. It is being reported by corporate communication specialist Richard Levick that some of the same attorneys who took on the large tobacco manufacturers and won, are now, with the help from consumer activists once again, going after even more big money. This time it is this country’s large food companies for getting the wording wrong on their labels.

The big push these days is for “natural” foods. If you walk down a grocery store aisle the word “natural” is on everything from chewy grain bars to toothpicks, and if I had to guess, the toothpicks would be

Just wanted to say thank you – During this year’s TFBF Presidents Conference, farmers

and agricultural leaders from all across Tennessee signed a huge thank you card addressed to Gov. Bill Haslam who started the process to end Tennessee’s inheritance tax. This group presented the card recently to the Governor on behalf of those who signed the card and the Farm Bureau organization. From left: Mrs. Barbara Mitchell, Rutherford County; Gina and David Mitchell, Rutherford County; TFBF President Lacy Upchurch; Governor Haslam; and Marvin and Francille Whitworth, Rutherford County.

about the only thing that would pass the activists’ test for being all natural. Levick reports that General Mills is being sued because their Nature Valley items, which I find to be very tasty while working out on the farm, have processed ingredients in them so they shouldn’t be allowed to use the “natural” label on their products. Seems a couple of mothers out in California have a problem with that word being used and found a group that happens to know a good lawyer and you pretty well know the rest of the story. My suggestion to the mothers would have been to not buy the products if you didn’t like them and find something more natural, like a good toothpick or something. But, that is, of course, too simple and so they are in the process of trying to baptize a cat.

I’ve always been somewhat suspicious of labels when it comes to advertising. Like when you see a box that the label claims it is made with “real fruit.” You have to know that a box is not going to have a fresh apple, pear or any other fruit inside, and whatever fruit it does contain is not going to resemble anything close to real. You just have to understand that when they started making it, the fruit was real

Starts on page 1 In January, Gov. Bill Haslam announced that his budget included raising the inheritance tax exemption level from $1 million to $1.25 million and he planned to eventually raise the exemption level to match the federal inheritance tax exemption of $5 million. Thanks to leadership from both chairmen in the Senate and House, an agreement was reached with the administration to go further. After final passage the legislation increases the exemption level to $1.25 million in 2013, $2 million in 2014, $5 million in 2015 and eliminates the tax in 2016, making Tennessee’s agricultural community very happy.

During a special presentation to Gov. Bill Haslam of an extra large thank you card from Tennessee Farm Bureau’s county leadership recently, Tennessee Farm Bureau President Lacy Upchurch said, “The Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation is extremely pleased with the work of the Tennessee Legislature in repealing the

at that time, but over time it just became a facsimile of the real thing.

Either way, just like the days during the tobacco lawsuits, attorneys are starting to smell smoke and it is not coming from the boy’s restroom this time around. They smell the aroma of things cooking in some of our major food distributor’s advertising campaigns with allegedly deceptive wording on products. In his Fast Company article, Tobacco Warriors Set Their Sights On The Grocery Store, Levick made some suggestion on what companies could do that are now facing these problems with labeling and activists. He says, “Companies in the crosshairs – and those just outside them – must think differently about labeling practices and how they communicate with consumers on a level above the customary marketing relationship. They themselves must act like consumer advocates, describing their labeling practices and explaining their ingredients with greater clarity and credibility.”

That is very good advice that could help avoid “real fruit” and “natural” problems in the future.

Baptizing the cat for the little fellow may have been easier to accomplish by the time this is all over. t

death tax on the state level. This has been an issue for us for a number of years and our leadership has put in a lot of hours working to get the federal and state death tax repealed.

“We would like to thank Governor Haslam, who, in his State of the State address started the process of eliminating this tax. We think it will add jobs to Tennessee and certainly relieve a lot of our farm families of the necessity of paying taxes on land they’ve already been paying taxes on for years.”

The full repeal of the inheritance tax is a significant tax reform for farmers and other agribusinesses. When farm owners pass away and their land and business are transferred to their children, heirs are required to pay taxes on the transaction. Since many farmers hold their investments in land and equipment rather than large amounts of cash, farms are often split and sold to pay the tax. Not only is this doubletaxing earnings by the farmer, this all comes at a time when the family is grieving the loss of a loved one. t

www.tnfarmbureau.org

November 2012 - Tennessee Farm Bureau News

5

TDA, TDEC streamline CAFO application process

The Ag Agenda

By Bob Stallman American Farm Bureau President

A labor plan for all farmers For far too long, farmers and ranchers have had to struggle to make sure that they have a legal, reliable supply of workers. The reality has been a daunting, broken system, riddled with shortcomings that have resulted in labor shortages, lost crops, bureaucratic nightmares and neighbors competing with one another to get the farm hands they need.

Farmers from around the country all feel the pain. From Washington state apple growers to New York dairy producers, there is an across-the-board shortage of labor for hire. Agriculture needs and deserves a legal, stable workforce, and Farm Bureau has a plan.

On the other hand, the at-will option offers flexibility to employers who may just need a week’s worth of harvesting, while allowing workers the portability to work at other seasonal jobs for up to 11 months. This program reflects reallife workforce challenges and provides both the flexibility and stability that domestic workers enjoy.

Just as important, the plan would allow key migrant workers—those who have been working in U.S. agriculture for a defined period, as well as those who are in management and other key positions at a farm—the ability to stay in the U.S. and continue to work in the agriculture sector.

Flexibility and Stability Matter Farm Bureau, along with other organizations in the agricultural community, is working on a solution for farmers and ranchers in all sectors, in all regions and for all commodities.

What Farm Bureau is bringing to the discussion is a plan that we think will accommodate all agriculture—from a grower who needs to hire harvesters for only a few days, to a dairy that needs a workforce 365 days of the year. The crux of Farm Bureau’s plan is to establish and implement a new visa program that would give both employers and employees stability and flexibility into the future, while also addressing the current workforce that has contributed to our farms and communities. Both elements are necessary to provide a long-term, stable and legal workforce.

Building on how the domestic market currently operates, farmers would be permitted to offer migrant laborers either a contract or at-will work. Similarly, workers would be able to choose their form of employment.

With a contract, both employers and workers would be provided longerterm stability and the worker could have a visa term of up to 12 months.

Eliminating Rigidity Since its inception, the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program has been riddled with problems, creating more challenges than providing solutions. Because of the diverse special labor needs within farming, the program has been difficult for growers to use, is not even available to some sectors of agriculture like dairy and simply is not feasible in some parts of the country. Farm Bureau’s plan would remedy many of H-2A’s failings by offering real-world solutions that better meet both employers’ and workers’ needs. Over time, as farmers begin using the new visa program, we imagine H-2A will become obsolete.

A market-based, flexible agricultural worker program makes sense and is long overdue. It is important for workers, farmers and especially consumers that agricultural producers have access to a legal, stable workforce for the future. With all of agriculture working together, we are optimistic we can offer Congress a reasonable, practical, common-sense solution that works for growers while respecting the rights of workers. It is time to move the discussion forward and find a solution that works for all farmers and ranchers. t

Lawrence County’s Bobby Belew has World Grand Champion –

During this year’s Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, Lawrence County’s Bobby Belew’s horse “Sweetener” was selected as the Three Year Old Gelding World Grand Champion.

Trainer Clay Sanderson rode the horse for Belew.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation have finalized an agreement streamlining the application process for livestock operations that are required to have a water quality permit. The agreement is a result of Gov. Bill Haslam’s Customer Focused Government Initiative to increase efficiency and effectiveness of state government.

The memorandum of agreement defines the role of each agency in reviewing and issuing permits for generally larger livestock and poultry farms known as a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs).

“One of the key findings in TDEC’s customer-focus report included opportunities for increased efficiency by streamlining processes and systems,” said TDEC Commissioner Bob Martineau. “This announcement with the Department of Agriculture is a move toward fulfilling that mission, while optimizing the departments’ overall efficiency and ensuring protection of the state’s water quality. This effort will also help the two departments communicate more clearly with our agricultural community and streamline permitting efforts for Tennessee’s farmers.”

The Water Quality Control Act authorizes the TDEC commissioner to issue and enforce all water quality permits in Tennessee, including CAFO permits. Since 1998, TDEC and TDA have administered the CAFO permitting process through an informal partnership, which included a review

by Agriculture of applicants’ animal waste or nutrient management plans.

The process required farmers to submit dual applications for review by both agencies.

Under the agreement, farmers will be required to submit only one application to the state, which will be accessible by both agencies through a shared database for tracking permit actions. The new process is designed to eliminate duplication of effort and to avoid confusion in communicating with affected farmers “Farmers want to do their part to protect water quality, and streamlining the application process will help encourage compliance,” Agriculture Commissioner Julius Johnson said.

“This is a significant step toward making the process more customerfriendly, and I’m pleased to join with Commissioner Martineau in announcing progress on this front.”

In addition to creating a single point of contact for applicants, the agreement provides that TDA will be responsible for ensuring that a checklist of items, including nutrient management plans, are complete, accurate and meet or exceed permit requirements. TDEC will develop a quality assurance process for periodic review of CAFO applications approved by TDA. Once an application has been approved, TDEC will serve as the primary point of contact for all other aspects of the process including permit issuance, compliance and enforcement.

The memorandum of agreement is effective immediately. Livestock producers wanting more information or needing assistance with CAFO permits can contact TDA’s Water Resources Section at 615-837-5225. t

UT Martin students participate in tractor display – University of Tennessee

President Joe DiPietro (left) joins UT Martin agricultural engineering technology students Ethan Hargrove, of Camden, and Rhea Taylor, of Somerville, as they discuss the tractor students constructed for the 15th Annual International ¼-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition held May 31-June 3 at the Expo Gardens in Peoria, Ill. The design team placed 17th out of 25 universities in overall competition but placed fifth in maneuverability. Hargrove and Taylor are senior agriculture majors in the agricultural engineering technology concentration, a concentration now in its seventh year in the UT Martin curriculum. The tractor was displayed in the J. Houston Gordon Museum in the Corbitt Special Collections Area of the Paul Meek Library. The display marked the150-year anniversary of the Morrill Act that established land-grant colleges and universities.

6

Tennessee Farm Bureau News - November 2012

www.tnfarmbureau.org

Farm Credit Scholars named Burn permits now required Earlier this year, the UT Institute of Agriculture and Farm Credit MidAmerica unveiled a scholarship program that would select the best and brightest students from across Tennessee and the nation. Known as Farm Credit Scholars, the students will enter specialized curricula that include customized coursework, an international experience, mentoring opportunities and a Farm Credit internship. Students may enter the Farm Credit Scholars program in his or her freshman year. They may renew the scholarships for a total of four years of study, provided they meet the requirements from the previous year.

The first group of Farm Credit Scholars includes Ashlee Ailshie, a junior from Columbia, Tenn., majoring in Food and Agricultural Business; Erin Brinkley, sophomore from Gray, Tenn., majoring in Agricultural Education; Forrest Duncan, a freshman from Decherd, Tenn., majoring in Food and Agricultural Business; Peyton Graham, a Junior from Munford, Tenn., majoring in Food and Agricultural Business; and Billy Rochelle, a freshman from Nunnelly, Tenn., majoring in Food and Agricultural Business.

“Farm Credit saw the need to attract a high caliber of student and with this initial group of Farm Credit Scholars, the program is off to a very successful start,” said Dr. Larry Arrington, UT Institute of Agriculture chancellor. “This scholarship opportunity will provide students with a strong foundation in all aspects of agribusiness and will help them face the future challenges that will help keep us competitive in a global economy.”

Each Farm Credit Scholar faces a very rigorous selection process. During their time as a Farm Credit Scholar, the students take courses in agricultural law; finance, policy and sales; rural development; leadership; and production agriculture. In addition, students are required to complete a research project with written and oral reports to Farm Credit leadership, students and faculty.

According to Dr. John Riley, the program’s coordinator, this initial group of Farm Credit Scholars met

the challenge. “We had excellent applications this year. The scholars selected will have the opportunity to learn more about agricultural finance through their internships at Farm Credit Services, classroom experience and other activities related to the financing of farms and agribusinesses.

The support of Farm Credit is very much appreciated,” he said.

“The world faces a critical need for agriculture majors and the future job market is tremendously strong,” said Dr. Caula Beyl, dean of the UT College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. “They’re exciting careers because you know that you’re fulfilling something that is very important. By 2050, the world’s population is estimated to be nine billion people, if not more. As long as people need food, fiber and fuel, agricultural careers are going to be in the forefront.”

“We’re looking for the brightest and most exceptional students across all segments of agriculture,” explained David Lynn, Farm Credit senior vice president of financial services. “We are structuring this program to be very open. The majority of scholars may come from the agricultural economics and agricultural business curricula, but we want the program to be available to other exceptional students in the UT College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

We want these students to become valuable contributors to their communities and to agriculture.”

The college offers diverse areas of study including agricultural and resource economics; agricultural leadership, education, and communications; animal science; biosystems engineering and soil science; entomology and plant pathology; food science and technology; forestry, wildlife, and fisheries; and plant sciences.

“This first group of Farm Credit Scholars is about to embark on an exciting and fulfilling journey, and our partnership with Farm Credit has made this possible,” said Arrington. “I hope these students will experience a lifetime of fulfillment in one of the most noble professions I know.” t

Farm Credit Scholars selected - The first five recipients of the prestigious Farm Credit

Scholars program have been selected. Shown here are those five with the program advisor. From left: Forrest Duncan, Ashlee Ailshie, Peyton Graham, Erin Brinkley, Billy Rochelle and Dr. John Riley the program administrator.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry is reminding landowners and homeowners to follow simple safety practices to prevent forest fires. The official start of forest fire season in Tennessee began October 15 along with the requiring of burn permits.

Activities requiring a burning permit include unconfined outdoor burning of brush and leaves, untreated wood waste and burning to clear land. Burning permits are free of charge.

Citizens can apply for burning permits online or by calling their local Division of Forestry office between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Forestry offices are listed in your local phone directory under state government, or can be found by visiting www.burnsafetn.org. The website also includes tips for safe debris burning and provides access to

the online permitting system. Permit holders should also check for other restrictions in their locale. Online permits will only be available for small scale burning of leaf and/or brush piles measuring less than 8 feet by 8 feet in dimensions. These permits can be obtained on days that burn permits are being issued, including after-work hours and through the weekend, by going to www. burnsafetn.org.

Escaped debris burns are the leading cause of wildfires.

Burning without a permit is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine not to exceed $50.

Wildfires caused by arson are a class C felony punishable by 3 to 15 years in prison and up to $10,000 fines.

Anyone with information about suspected arson activity should call the state Fire Marshal’s Arson Hotline toll-free at 1-800-762-3017. t

Webinar series offered to local beef marketers Tennessee beef producers interested in marketing beef or animals for custom harvest directly to consumers are invited to join UT Extension for a series of online webinars.

“Producers who are directly marketing beef to consumers face financial, marketing and legal challenges,” said Megan Bruch, marketing specialist with the UT Extension Center for Profitable Agriculture. “The Tennessee Value-Added Beef Webinar Series is designed to help producers understand the risks associated with directly marketing beef to consumers and gain information and skills to effectively manage these obstacles.”

The free, online workshops will be held the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month from now until March 2013 at 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Central.

Producers who register will receive

a link by email to direct them to the website for each webinar.

Webinar topics will include regulatory requirements for marketing, labeling requirements and options, understanding the market for local beef, analyzing the potential for profit, understanding the product, developing effective marketing materials and more. The series is made possible through a 2012 Extension Risk Management Education Grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Southern Risk Management Education Center.

A complete schedule of Tennessee Value-Added Beef webinars is available online at cpa.utk.edu. To register, send an e-mail to cpa@utk.edu with your name and county. Contact Megan Bruch with questions at mlbruch@utk. edu or 931-486-2777. t

Hole-In-One wins Cumberland County’s Chuck Sullins a set of clubs – While playing in this year’s Agriculture in the Classroom benefit golf tournament, Chuck Sullins sunk a hole-in-one to win a set of golf clubs. Shown here making the presentation is Cumberland County Farm Bureau Insurance’s team sponsor Gordon Atchley. All the proceeds from the event go to funding the Agriculture in the Classroom ag literacy program.

www.tnfarmbureau.org

November 2012 - Tennessee Farm Bureau News

American chestnut test plots evaluated Data is coming in to the University of Tennessee’s Tree Improvement Program on how test plantings of American chestnuts in the region fared during this year’s long growing season, which started early due to a mild winter followed by a warm spring.

Test plots of seedlings believed to be blight-resistant and that are now growing at undisclosed locations in southern national forests were evaluated for growth, survival to blight and response to disease and insect problems. The first series of plantings was initiated in 2009, and subsequent growth has been spectacular in some of the seedlings, but scientists are finding the plantings are not without problems.

UT scientists, led by Dr. Scott Schlarbaum, a professor in the Institute of Agriculture’s Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, are evaluating the trees, which were produced by three American chestnut breeding programs. The effort will determine the best methodology for restoring chestnuts to Tennessee and eastern forests and lands. The goal is to achieve trees robust enough to survive chestnut blight as well as threats posed by native and exotic pests.

For example, the rarely seen chestnut softfly has been found damaging the seedlings. Exotic or non-native pests, including the chestnut gall wasp and Asiatic oak weevil, have also shown a presence, as has an old problem, root rot disease. Root rot disease was imported from Europe in the 1830s and resulted in the first wave of disease that devastated American chestnuts, taking out the nation’s lowland chestnuts in the 1880s.

Considering these threats, Schlarbaum believes that even blightresistant chestnuts are going to have a number of challenges in eastern forests, as scientists work toward successful restoration of the species.

Yet some signs of promise exist.

Researchers are using a virus that infects the chestnut blight fungus itself.

Trees infected with virus-treated fungus have managed to heal over cankers caused by the blight, enabling trees to fight the disease. The virus has been found to occur naturally in some trees, among them a small stand of 30-yearold American chestnuts growing on land used for agricultural studies by

scientists with UT AgResearch. The trees were planted by Dr. Eyvind Thor, the first leader of UT’s Tree Improvement Program. Thor began UT’s studies on chestnut 53 years ago.

The trees being evaluated originate from these programs: • The American Chestnut Foundation, which is working to achieve blight resistance through hybrid trees backcrossed with blightresistant Chinese chestnuts. Successive generations are then bred with American chestnuts to retain the main characteristics of American trees. UT scientists and Dr. Stacy Clark of the U.S. Forest Service are evaluating hybrids, which are 15/16 American chestnut and believed to carry blight resistance from the Chinese parent. Clark, who worked with the UT Tree Improvement Program while earning her master’s degree, is based in Knoxville at the UT Institute of Agriculture.

• The American Chestnut Cooperators Foundation, which is breeding pure American chestnuts with low levels of blight resistance and kept alive by site selection and introduction of the virus to the chestnut blight fungus. One UT planting of their trees is at the East Tennessee State Nursery.

UT is also working with a founder of the organization, Dr. Gary Griffin of Virginia Tech, on thousand cankers disease in black walnuts, which is spreading in East Tennessee.

• The Connecticut Experiment Station, which is the nation’s oldest chestnut breeding program and is working with complex hybrids backcrossed with Chinese and Japanese chestnuts. The Japanese species has resistance to root rot. UT is comparing seedlings from this program planted in containers with trees planted bare root to determine if container-planted trees, whose roots experience less damage during transplanting, can grow as robustly as seedlings planted bareroot. Led by Dr. Sandra Anagnostakis with involvement by former UT tree improvement scientist Dr. Leila Pinchot, now of the Pinchot Institute, the project’s cooperators have planted trees at the Milford Experimental Forest in eastern Pennsylvania and the U.S. Military Academy Reservation at West Point, New York, as well as at various locations in public and private land in Connecticut.

Considering the findings to date, Schlarbaum says, “Given the situation where we have six serious exotic pests that attack chestnut seedlings as well as natural pests, we’re probably looking at chestnuts returning as an occasional tree in the landscape as opposed to groves and groves of chestnuts.”

The push to achieve blight-resistant and robust chestnuts is to restore eastern forest ecosystems and thus reintroduce an important food source to wildlife as well as grow rot-resistant timber.

In the absence of American chestnuts, Chinese and some of the Asian chestnut trees can be good both for human and wildlife consumption. An experiment conducted in the 1990s by scientists and undergraduates at UT found that wild turkeys recognized American and Chinese chestnuts as food, even after the chestnuts’ long absence.

The turkeys preferred smaller sized chestnuts to larger ones, which can approach two inches in diameter. In terms of preference, the turkeys ate chestnuts as often as white and red oak acorns.

Today at the Ames Plantation in southwest Tennessee, which operates as one of 10 UT AgResearch and Education Centers, scientists are evaluating the size and quality of Chinese chestnuts through a test population of the trees growing on Ames’ land.

Although Chinese chestnuts typically are larger than American chestnuts, some trees produce smaller nuts.

“We’re in the process right now of quantifying what size chestnuts each tree in the seed orchard produces, as well as growing chestnuts from the small-sized nuts to plant as replacement trees in the orchard,” Schlarbaum says.

Most of the trees in this orchard are now producing nuts, and the Tree Improvement Program will use these to supply seed to the East Tennessee State Nursery, which will sell the resulting seedlings to Tennessee landowners.

The UT Tree Improvement Program celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2009 and is one of the longest-running programs of its kind in the nation.

Emphasis is on trees for timber, game and nongame wildlife, and forest aesthetics. The program also is advancing scientific knowledge and contributing to education programs at UT and in grades K through 12. You can learn more about the program at its website: treeimprovement.utk.edu. t

7

UT offers new resources for local beef marketers Consumer interest in purchasing local foods directly from the farmer has sparked interest among farmers in marketing beef and other meats, but the decision to delve into direct marketing of finished live animals for custom harvest or meat products is not an easy one, and neither is getting started in the business.

“Farmers interested or taking part in direct marketing face many challenges and risks including meeting regulatory requirements, identifying and reaching a market and understanding the potential to earn a profit or loss,” said Megan Bruch, marketing specialist with the University of Tennessee Extension’s Center for Profitable Agriculture.

“There are a lot of unknowns when producers consider and enter this new enterprise,” Bruch said. “While some producers seem to find success in direct marketing beef and as consumer demand for local products continues, we are getting more questions about this value-added agriculture venture.” Bruch cautioned that not all producers who take on this enterprise are successful.

UT Extension is leading an effort to help producers consider and improve valueadded beef enterprises in Tennessee. Some educational workshops have already been offered and plans are underway for a series of webinars, more workshops and tours.

The center has also developed a means by which interested producers may join an ongoing discussion about valueadded beef. By subscribing to the Tennessee Value-Added Beef Google group, producers will receive emails with information about upcoming educational events and available resources.

Producers will also be able to network with other farmers and industry partners by submitting questions or commenting on issues brought forth in the group.

Persons can automatically subscribe to the group by sending an email to TN-ValueAdded-Beef+subscribe@ googlegroups.com. Send the email from the address to which you would like the group messages to be sent. t

8

Tennessee Farm Bureau News - November 2012

www.tnfarmbureau.org

Tyson announces program to help ensure responsible animal treatment Tyson Foods, Inc., the nation’s leading producer of meat and poultry, recently announced it is launching a program to personally audit the treatment of animals at the livestock and poultry farms that supply the company. The effort is in line with the company’s core value to serve as a steward of the animals entrusted to it.

“Our company is made up of ethical, responsible and compassionate people, and we believe the family farmers who supply us share our values,” said Donnie Smith, president and CEO of Tyson Foods. “We know more consumers want assurance their food is being produced responsibly, and we think two important ways to do that are by conducting on-farm audits while also continuing to research ways to improve how farm animals are raised.”

“Here’s what I want people to know: at Tyson, we care enough to check on the farm; and we’re determined to help find better ways to care for and raise healthy animals,” said Smith.

Tyson currently works with more than 12,000 independent livestock and poultry farmers. This includes 5,000 family poultry farmers, 3,000 family hog farmers and 4,000 family cattle farmers. The company has long been an industry leader in animal welfare, employing more than a dozen veterinarians and maintaining an Office of Animal Well-being since 2000.

“We believe the farmers who supply us are the best in the world, and I think the audits will verify this,” Smith said. “But, if we find problems, we want them fixed right away. To our knowledge, no other major U.S. meat or poultry company offers this kind of service to its farmers, customers and consumers.”

FarmCheck™ Audit Program The audits – called the Tyson FarmCheck™ Program – have already begun on a trial basis on some of the 3,000 independent hog farms that supply the company. Auditors are visiting the farms to check on such things as animal access to food and water, as well as proper human-animal interac-

tion and worker training.

The FarmCheck™ program has been under development since early spring 2012. Although Tyson personnel have been conducting the audits so far, the company plans to ultimately involve independent, third party auditors. It also intends to expand the program to include chicken and cattle farms by January 2014. The audits are being developed by experienced veterinarians and animal welfare experts and are expected to include measures that build upon current voluntary farm industry programs.

“These audits will give us a chance to correct any minor problems that are discovered and, if necessary, to stop doing business with any farms where animal treatment or conditions do not meet our standards,” Smith said.

Farm Animal Well-being Research Program Tyson Foods also plans to develop a new Farm Animal WellBeing Research Program to review existing research as well as fund and promote additional research that the company believes will lead to continued improvements in animal raising methods.

“We want to identify and study the critical points – from breeding to harvesting – where the quality of life for livestock and poultry can be improved, and use the results to make a difference,” Smith said. “We know that content farm animals are healthier, and at Tyson Foods we want healthy animals.”

Farm Animal Well-being Advisory Committee Both the FarmCheck™ program and the research programs will be overseen by a new, external, Animal Well-Being Advisory Committee that

Tyson Foods is establishing. Those selected to serve will include people with expertise in farm animal behavior, health, production and ethics.

The committee is expected to begin its work in March 2013 and will help Tyson Foods determine research priorities and ways to improve the FarmCheck™ Program.

Internal Management Structure Tyson Foods is selecting a special team of senior leaders from key areas of the company to oversee the FarmCheck™ program, the research program and the company’s interaction with the external advisory committee. Dr. Dean Danilson, who has been vice president of Food Safety and Quality Control for Tyson Foods, is now vice president of Animal WellBeing Programs. He and his staff will manage the audits, research and external advisory committee activities for hogs, cattle and chickens.

About Tyson Foods, Inc. Tyson Foods, Inc., founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is one of the world’s largest processors and marketers of chicken, beef and pork, the second-largest food production company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500.

The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products and is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves. Tyson provides products and services to customers throughout the United States and more than 130 countries. The company has approximately 115,000 team members employed at more than 400 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its core values, code of conduct and team member bill of rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and team members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it. t

Allen named Crop Science Society of America Fellow You must be good at your job when they start naming crop varieties for you.

That’s the case with Dr. Fred Allen, who has been named a Fellow of the Crop Science Society of America for 2012.

Allen was nominated by a colleague in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture with supporting letters from peers within CSSA. He will receive the award at the CSSA’s meeting in Cincinnati on October 23.

The CSSA Fellow award is the highest recognition given by the society to its members. Fewer than half of 1 percent of the active and emeritus members may be elected to Fellow. “It’s a great honor for me to have my professional career achievements recognized by my peers. Most successful careers are built on team effort and that certainly is true in my case. I’ve been blessed to have a team of excellent support staff, graduate students and faculty cooperators who have helped make my achievements possible,” said Allen. The plant scientist has served as the major professor for nine Ph.D. and 21 M.S. graduate students, and has taught more than 1,400 students.

Allen is in his 37th year with UT AgResearch and UT Extension, and has served as UT soybean breeder and department head before his current position as UTIA coordinator of the statewide Agronomic Crop Variety Testing Program. He is an expert in plant breeding and crop genetics, and has been involved in the development of 14 different soybean varieties grown throughout Tennessee and the southeast.

One of the varieties developed and patented by UT AgResearchers is named “Allen” for Dr. Allen, as a Continued on page 13

TDA now accepting water quality grant proposals The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is now accepting grant proposals for projects that will help improve water quality and reduce or eliminate nonpoint source pollution.

The deadline for submitting grant proposals is December 1. Proposals will be evaluated based on program goals and objectives, performance evaluation criteria and applicable EPA nonpoint source grant guidelines.

“Through the Nonpoint Source Pollution Program, we’ve been able to make measurable improve-

ments in water quality in watersheds across Tennessee,” state Agriculture Commissioner Julius Johnson said.

“We’re seeking local governments and other organizations that we can partner with to address water quality problems and encourage stewardship in both urban and rural areas.”

Local governments, regional agencies, public institutions, private nonprofit organizations and other state agencies are eligible to apply for federal dollars administered by TDA’s Water Resources office. Priority is given

to projects that seek to make measurable improvements to waters known to be impaired by nonpoint source pollution.

Nonpoint source pollution is soil, urban runoff, fertilizers, chemicals and other contaminants that come from many different sources and degrades surface and groundwater quality. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation assesses water quality and compiles a list of impaired waters. The list can be found online at www.tn.gov/environment/

wpc/publications/.

Other priorities for funding include water quality related educational programs, projects that implement an approved total maximum daily load in a watershed area and projects that reduce urban runoff.

The FY 2013 Request for Proposals can be found online at www.TN.gov/ agriculture/water/nps.html, or for more information contact TDA’s Nonpoint Pollution Program at 615837-5306 or Sam.Marshall@TN.gov. t

TE

N

N

DA TI

O

November 2012

F OU N

for

M RO O

LT UR

U

Tennessee Agriculture in the Classroom Report

SE E

IC AGR

The Seedling

S NE

E IN THE CLA

SS

Farm Days showcase “cool” life of farmers Farmers are cool because ... ? That’s the question I recently posed to 3rd grade students in Maury County at the yearly Farm Day held at the Middle Tennessee Research and Education Center in Spring Hill. I got answers ranging from “they give me the food I eat,” to “they look like they have fun,” to “they get to milk cows,” to “we would be naked right now without them!” Needless to say the kids out there weren’t the only ones having fun on this beautiful fall day!

Thanks to Tennessee’s Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, more students across our state are learning about agriculture at an early age than ever before, not just on farm days, but also in the classroom, because of lessons that have state-aligned standards provided by the AITC program to teachers free of charge at workshops. AITC is focused on educating our youth, and their teachers, about agriculture and how important it is to our everyday lives.

Farm days are a vital piece of that education. The first on-record farm day was held in 1986, and they con-

tinue to be one of the most successful ways to reach a community with the positive message about agriculture.

The Farm Bureau Women’s groups have historically been the foundation of farm days, with the Young Farmers and Ranchers and other agricultural groups pitching in to make the day a success. All around the state in the spring and fall, you can find county Farm Bureau groups gathering up the troops to put together farm days for local school children. Now the ages and grades of school differ from county to county, but the underlying message remains the same: educate these kids about where their food comes from and why farmers do what they do – an admirable goal in today’s world when less than two percent of the population is feeding the other 98 percent.

From forestry to cattle, row crops to chicken houses, conservation to equipment, children, their teachers and the chaperones, learn all about the day-to-day happenings on the farm and what products they use that come out of it. They learn that

milk does not come from the store, hamburgers aren’t from McDonald’s and their crayons are actually made out of soybeans they see in the field. Hands-on activities are always included on farm days, with children able to touch and explore many of the aspects they are learning about.

The great part about these days isn’t that the kids get out of school for part of a day, or even that they get to set foot on a real farm…the best part is seeing their faces (or the faces of their teachers and chaperones) when they realize the connection between the farm gate and their clothes, food, school supplies and so much more.

And they don’t leave empty-handed from these visits either, but are sent back with curricula that is aligned with state standards on how to incorporate what they learned into science, mathematics, social studies, even English!

Depending on the county you are in, farm day “stations” can look like anything from tractor equipment and implements, to soil tunnels that identify different soil layers and critters

that creep and crawl under the soil, to grain pits where kids learn what the raw product of wheat, corn and soybeans look like and what products are made out of them that we use daily, to petting zoos as some kids get their first real life look and feel of farm animals. Each station, regardless of what county, has an educational component in addition to being fun for the kids to look at, hear and touch.

Volunteers take over the children so that teachers can learn as much as the students, and by the end of the day the students are full of knowledge about how cotton is turned into fiber, of where their breakfast cereal comes from, of the milk that comes from cows, but most of all, they are full of a deeper understanding of farmers, farming and why agriculture is vital to all of our lives.

Now the “cool” thing about farm days, at least in my opinion, is that, for the most part, the children don’t even realize they are learning. It’s just a day where they can dig in the dirt, pet Continued on page 12

10 Tennessee Agriculture in the Classroom Report

The Seedling

November 2012

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, March 1, 2012 - August 31, 2012, gifts have been received on behalf of these people:

Memorials

Joe R. Adams John Albright Barbara Alsobrooks Modean Arnold William Owen Barber Ray Barker James Bartlett Bob Basse Bennett Bell Gene Bicknell Dimple Lee Bilbrey J. Kenneth Blair Lemuel Blair Paul Boehms Mary Bookout Muriel Franks Bradley Buddy Brantley Edward Brawner William Breeden June Broyles Gene Burris David Calfee Robert Dale Cardin Joyce Cheatham Edith Chesnutt Neal Choate Louise Christian Robert Churchwell Billy Cobble Alma Cobble Dorothy Sparkman Coley Dean Mann Comer Malcolm Cook Elmer Counce Mildred Davidson Craig Steve Craig

Sam E Crawford Jr. Reba E. Crouch Bea Curtis Harold Daniels Catherine Davis Ralph Dement Jack E. DeVault Harolyn Driver Bleve Elkins Margaret Bush Elliott Mary Katherine Farrar Grady C Finney Uton Fleming Leon Foster Charles H. “Bob” Franklin Jr. John Fugate Frances Goddard Gene Goode James Graham Wayne Grant James L. Grissom Dr. Charles Hadden Darrell Hale Annis Hale Dr. Harvey Hall Eleanor Hall Julia Frey Harris C.E. Hassell Sr. Mevolyn Haston Ruth Hawkins Mary Lou Hayworth W.F. “Junior” Headrick Orlin Henson Treva Hill Jimmy Hitch Terry Hudson Charles Hutchinson Martha L. Hutchinson

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

Donor’s Name_____________________________________________________ Address__________________________________________________________

Victor Johnson Charlie Mac Jones Ed Jordan Jr. Gladys Kee Heisey Keele Margaret Kelly George Kemmer Linda LaFever Herman E. “Lip” Lambert Imogene Lance Teresa Layne Bobby Lee William E. Mabry Clifford Maddux Edward Marks Al Martin Eugene McKinney Archie Ray McMahan Josie McNeil Kyle McQueen Wayne Miller Shirley E. Mingle Dan Mitchell Wayne Mitler Martha Frances Moore Julene Purser Morgan Vann Mullins Dorothy Neal Kenneth Parker Mac Pate Opal Peters James S. Putman Jimmy Putman John Pyle Carl Ramsey David A. Roberts Burnis “Buck” Robinson Richard R. Rose

Operating Statement

Baxter Sanders Bobbie G. Scarlett James H. Shelton Hugh Lilland Sliger Lorene Smith Mary E. Smith Lester Stanfield Launa Stone Bill Strasser Carolyn Swabe Dr. M.J. Szuzukowski Kathern R. Tate Louise Taylor Ethel Lynch Templin Kathryn Thompson Bobby Vannata Bobby Joe Walker Duke Warren Marilyn Watkins Gay Welch Willie West Bob Wheeler Dorthy Willey Reba Mast Williams

Honorees

Charles Curtis Cotton Ivy Renae Roberts Nell and Don Wilkes Tennessee Livestock Producers

September 1, 2011 - August 31, 2012

Operating Revenues Operating Contributions

$159,088

Golf Tournaments

28,300

County__________________________________________________________

Ag Tag Grant & TN Dept. Ag.

51,800

City _____________________________ State _______ Zip________________

Cookbooks

14,475

Tennessee Country Book

23,917

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:

Transferred from Designated Account Total Operating Revenue

<7,981> $269,599

Operating Expenses Farm Tours/Tour Grants

$23,917

Resources Developed/Purchased

78,225

Postage

16,434

Teacher Consultants Training/Travel Cookbooks

8,975 15,585 5,631

Outdoor Classroom Grants

13,725

Name to receive card_______________________________________________

Community Garden Grants

<3,200>

Address__________________________________________________________

Miscellaneous (Audit, Dep., Nat. Conf )

34,151

Administration (Contract Services)

48,000

Golf Tournaments

20,576

________________________________________________________________ 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

Willis Memorial Scholarship Total Revenue over Expenses

4,000 $273,136 <3,537> Unaudited

Tennessee Agriculture in the Classroom Report

Donors by County March 1, 2012 - August 31, 2012

Bedford County Sam and Jerrie Brothers & Family Rodney D. and Pamela K. Cooper Mr. and Mrs. Marty Davis Larry and Donna Gambill Nancy Jones Jack, Marilyn, Julie and Matt McKelvey J.P. and Doris McNamee Larry M. and Susan S. Morphis Ronnie Perryman Bedford County Farm Bureau Bedford County F.B. Women Benton County Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Lowe Phil and Charlotte Rushton Benton County Farm Bureau Benton County Farm Bureau Insurance Office Staff Blount County Mark and Beverly Griffith Mr. and Mrs. Denny Mayes Blount County F.B. Board of Directors Blount County F.B. Women Blount County Farm Bureau Cannon County Fred Adams Dean Barker Shirley J. Dennis James E. and Marilyn Hale Gary and Jama Hancock Mrs. James B. Jernigan Glenn and Lou Nave Tony and Tracy Neal Joseph J. and Dorothea Prince Paul L. Reed Marshall and Donna Williams Cannon County Farm Bureau

Cumberland County Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Atchley Mr. and Mrs. Roger Thackston Mr. and Mrs. Willard L. Upchurch Cumberland Co. F.B. Women Cumberland County Farm Bureau

Dan B. and Minette Veazey Henry County Farm Bureau

Davidson County Phil M. Baggett Robert and Trina Gross Robert and Nancy Morton Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Strasser Nick and Carolyn Sullivan Mark, Amanda and Shelby Wright Donan Engineering Davidson County Farm Bureau

Houston County Terry and Mary Sue Beard Laura Sullivan Houston County Extension Service

Dickson County Dickson County Farm Bureau Dyer County Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Burchfiel Matt Fennell Mr. and Mrs. William May Johnnie Putman Dyer County Young Farmers and Ranchers Fayette County Willie and Lucinda German Evelyn German McClanahan Fayette County YF&R Fentress County Mr. and Mrs. John Robbins Franklin County Patsy Wilkes Moore Franklin County F.B. Women Franklin County F.B. Board of Directors Gibson County Rebecca A. Canady Jason and Amy Luckey

Carroll County Glenn and Janice Tippitt Carroll County F.B. Board of Directors

Giles County Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Potts Jr. Giles County Farm Bureau

Chester County Mr. and Mrs Charles D. Cavaness Chester County Farm Bureau Agents and Staff

Grainger County Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cavin Mr. and Mrs. David Mitchell Grainger County Farm Bureau

Claiborne County Mr. and Mrs. Larry Keck Claiborne County Farm Bureau

Hamblen County Mr. and Mrs. Bill Howell Frank and Bonnie Oakberg Hamblen County F.B. Women Hamblen County Farm Bureau

Clay County Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Clements Mr. and Mrs. Reyes Rich Clay County Farm Bureau Cocke County Brenda C. Shadden

The Seedling

Hamilton County Renita (Shorty) Beaty City Farmers Club Of Chattanooga Hardin County Gerry Lambert

Coffee County Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Bryan Mr. and Mrs. Mark D. McBride & Family Dollie D. Wolford Coffee County F.B. Women Coffee County Farm Bureau Willis Farms, Inc.

Hawkins County D.A. McCauley Elizabeth Price Barbara Winstead Hawkins County F.B. Women Hawkins County Farm Bureau

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

Henry County W.L. and C.A Bumpus Grant and Crystal Norwood

Hickman County Mr. and Mrs. Danny Rochelle Hickman County Farm Bureau

Humphreys County Humphreys County Farm Bureau Jackson County Danny and Page Jackson Jefferson County Mr. and Mrs. Nick Larrance Jefferson County Farm Bureau Johnson County Johnson County Farm Bureau Knox County Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Downen Dr. and Mrs. D.M. Gossett Kramer Rayson, LLP Servpro of West Knoxville Rice Buick GMC Beaty Chevrolet Company Knox County Farm Bureau Trammell Construction Co. Inc. Jerry Price Landscaping Lincoln County Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Coble Garry and Gail Corder Philip and Rujena Dotson Glen Oldham Lincoln County Farm Bureau Lincoln County Young Farmers and Ranchers Lincoln County F.B. Women Loudon County Mr. and Mrs. David L. Richesin Madison County Madison County Farm Bureau Maury County Mr. and Mrs. Darrell Ailshie Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Beets Melissa Burniston Mr. and Mrs. Julius Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Murray Miles Mr. and Mrs. Joe Pearson Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie Roberts Rhedona Rose Maury County F.B. Women Tennessee Farmers Mutual Ins. Accounting Dept.

The Staff of the Center for Profitable Agriculture Columbia Breakfast Rotary Club McNairy County Hilda Ashe Lawrence and Joyce Monroe Jai Templeton Reba Williams Monroe County Monroe County Farm Bureau

11 November 2012

Montgomery County Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Pace Lucian and Minerva Wyatt Montgomery County F.B. Women Morgan County Morgan County F.B. Women Morgan County Farm Bureau Obion County Mr. and Mrs. Sam Baker Hadley and Tracey Malone Obion County F.B. Board of Directors Obion County Farm Bureau Overton County Willard and Margaret Brown Charles and Sharon Curtis Wayne and Christie Key Brian and Samantha McLerran Overton County Farm Bureau and Board of Directors Putnam County Jane Boyd Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Clark John and Beverly D. Hall Mr. and Mrs. Albert Nash Gwen Ray Putnam County F.B. Women Putnam County Farm Bureau Rhea County Rhea County Farm Bureau Roane County Roane County Farm Bureau Robertson County Mr. and Mrs. James F. Dorris Jerry and Donna Dorris Dr. Walker B. Elliott Hugh and Bobbie Gill Mr. and Mrs. John W. Kelley Susan L. Marks Rev. and Mrs. Bill Reding Jr. Lee and JeAnne Scott Sarah Smith Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Tilley Robertson County Farm Bureau Board of Directors and Staff Robertson County F.B. Women Rutherford County Art and Cynthia Boese Butch and Janie Campbell Sylvia Capps Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Chastine Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Ferguson David and Melissa Holbrook Peggy and Jimmy Holbrook Jane B. Jordan Mr. and Mrs. W.K. Lane Jr. James C. and Carol A. Phipps Pettus Read Peggy and Johnny Taylor Katie, Jimmy and Johnny Tramel Mr. and Mrs. Marvin L. Whitworth Kathy Wright Rutherford County Farm Bureau Holbrook Farms Scott County Scott County Farm Bureau Continued on page 12

12

Tennessee Farm Bureau News - November 2010

Tennessee Agriculture in the Classroom Report Shelby County Jack Morris Auto Glass Smith County Mr. and Mrs. Steven G. Dowell Eula Mae, Phyllis, Chuck, Frieda, Casey and Caitlin Hooper Sullivan County Mr. and Mrs. Robert Earhart Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Hunigan Sullivan County Farm Bureau Directors Sullivan County F.B. Women Sumner County Sumner County Farm Bureau Tipton County Tipton County Farm Bureau Unicoi County Unicoi County Farm Bureau Union County Helen DeVault

The Seedling

Van Buren County Don Hollingsworth Dwight and Sandra Rigsby Van Buren County Farm Bureau Directors and Women’s Committee Van Buren County Farm Bureau

White County Steve and Denise Flatt White County Farm Bureau

Warren County Larry, Tammie and Mary Beth Gribble Misty Jett Janice Stubblefield NARFE Chapter 2035 Warren County F.B. Board of Directors Warren Farmers Cooperative

Wilson County Shirley A. Malone Don and Peggy Simpson Wilson County Farm Bureau

Washington County Kenneth W. Robinson Washington County Farm Bureau Weakley County Mr. and Mrs. Keith Fowler & Family Lee and Phyllis Pritchett Philip and Lisa Smartt Ronald and Janie Yeargin Weakley County F.B. Women

Williamson County Eddie and Pam Sanders

Other Rusty L. and Mary C. Barnett, Texas Justin & Nacona Canady-Flatt, Georgia Susan J. Cooper, Washington Mary E. Kenton, Ohio Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity (UT Martin) Altria Corporate Services Inc. American Dairy Association of Tennessee AT&T Auto Glass Service Buford & Associates Burley Stabilization Corporation

www.tnfarmbureau.org November 2012

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Lower Middle Tennessee Cattlemans Association Tennessee Farm Bureau Member Benefits Staplcotn Cooperative Association Tennessee Beef Industry Council Tennessee Council of Cooperatives Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation Tennessee Farm Bureau Women’s Auction Tennessee Farmers Cooperative Tennessee Farmers Insurance Companies Tennessee Guernsey Breeders Association Tennessee Livestock Producers Tennessee Pork Producers Association Tennessee Poultry Association Tennessee Rural Health Improvement Association Tennessee YF&R Committee The Sum Total of Advertising Inc.

Starts on page 9 some animals, climb on equipment or spin a wheel for a prize. I even saw a couple groups of students at the farm day with notebooks hanging around their necks - their teacher had turned the field day into a detective game, where they wrote down what they experienced at each station in the notebook and when they returned to class that afternoon they added up all their “clues” to see what a farm does every day! What a fun way to solidify the fact that farmers wear many hats throughout the day to make their business run – the business of a farm is serious indeed and now those students understand that not only must a farmer be a doctor to his or her animals, but also a marketer, a scientist, a conservationist, a communicator and so much more!

At the end of the day, when the farm day is over and the children go back to school and then on to their homes to tell their parents what they learned at school, one can only hope the parents learn something they didn’t know about agriculture as well; meanwhile the farmers go back to the farm to take care of the land and animals, just as they do every day, all year long. That, after all, is what makes life possible for the rest of us.

And the next crop of young minds will come out in the coming year, eager to learn about how cool it is to be a farmer! t

By Melissa Burniston Associate Director of Communications

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; Teresa Ragsdale, Special Programs Associate

www.tnfarmbureau.org 14 Tennessee Farm Bureau

News - May 2010

13

November 2012 - Tennessee Farm www.tnfarmbureau.org Bureau News

During the 2012 Tennessee State Fair members of the state House Agriculture Committee put their boots on to enter the ring as livestock showmen in a Legislative Showmanship competition. Eight legislators were paired up with youth exhibitors at the fair and shown the ropes of how to lead their cow and the basic concept of showmanship. After their tutorial, they entered the ring for the competition in two classes. A champion and reserve champion were picked for each class and then the four winners came together to find out who the grand champion was. The judge, an FFA member from Marshall County, judged the legislators on their confidence in the ring, eye-contact with the judge and handling of the cow to show off its attributes.

The Tennessee State Fair Association named its first ever Champion of Champions winners this year. Allison Massey of Bedford County exhibited a Jersey cow to win the Junior Dairy Champion of Champions event; and Franklin McElhiney of Goodlettsville was the owner of the Poultry Champion of Champions winner.

The 2012 fair was a trial run for the event in the poultry and junior dairy livestock competitions. This event is designed on the original premise of state fairs, which is exhibiting at the county fair level in order to compete at the state fair level. Sixty county fairs across the state of Tennessee received an invitation to pass along to the winning exhibitor and their champion animal. They were then able to exhibit at the state fair without an entry fee in regular competition and in the Champion of Champions event.

The ultimate goal is to roll the event out to all livestock and creative arts competitions over the next five years. By doing so the Tennessee State Fair Association hopes they will have built another true Tennessee State Fair tradition.

Front row from left: Andi and Dustie Strasser, Jayme and Forrest Ozburn. Back row: State Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture Jai Templeton, Lacy Upchurch, Rep. Sheila Butt, Rep. John Forgety, Rep. Curtis Halford, Rep. Bill Sanderson, Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver, Rep. Kelly Keisling, Rep. Steve McDaniel, Rep. Andy Holt, State Commissioner of Agriculture Julius Johnson.

ALLEN - Starts on page 8

Teaching who grows your pizza – This group from Grainger County Farm Bureau were among several volunteers who gave their time during the Tennessee Valley Fair in Knoxville this year to teach a large number of children, as well as adults, about agriculture with a pizza garden. During the day-long event fairgoers could see farm equipment, visit with real farmers and see a pizza garden depicting where all the ingredients originate. Shown here with the garden at the fair are, from left: Charlie Cavin, Judy Mitchell, Grainger County Farm Bureau President David Mitchell, Grainger County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee Chairman Virginia Cavin, Grainger County Extension Leader Anthony Carver and Alice Ann Moore.

Like us on Facebook Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation

tribute to his contributions to agriculture. At first, Allen wasn’t too keen on the idea of having his name attached to the variety because that’s something that’s usually done posthumously, and he didn’t know for sure how well it would work.

So how is “Allen” growing these days? In the drought-stressed year of 2007, the variety produced well over the statewide commercial average yield. And in the rain-soaked year of 2009, it did the same. Based on acres planted, this translated into more than $1 million in additional revenue for Tennessee farmers.

But Fred Allen is far from a one-crop wonder. He also conducts research on corn, cotton, grain sorghum, switchgrass, strawberries and wheat – exploring which varieties give producers better yields and how different crop varieties perform in challenging conditions such as heat and drought.

Recent surveys of northwest Tennessee producers (corn, soybeans, wheat and cotton) show that over 90 percent of farmers base variety buying decisions on data provided in UT variety testing publications produced

by Allen and his team. If only 50

percent of Tennessee producers buy the higher-yielding varieties based on the test data, then the increased income per year to those producers in Tennessee can be conservatively estimated to exceed $120 million, based on 2011 commodity prices reported by the Tennessee Agricultural Statistics Service. By the same token, if 50 percent of these Tennessee producers do not use the UT variety test data, then they lose $170 million in income and the state loses the extra revenue from that amount.

“The honor and recognition of Fellow by CSSA is very well-deserved for Dr. Allen,” says Dr. Bill Brown, dean of UT AgResearch. “His research has led to the development of new soybean varieties, and his program delivers this new knowledge to producers. The yearly crop testing publication produced by Fred and his colleagues is one of the most highly requested publications produced by UTIA,” adds Dr. Brown.

“Thanks to Dr. Allen’s leadership of crop variety testing, farmers and Extension agents have access to years of objective data that support sound variety selection decision, increasing production and profitability of Tennessee farms,” says Dr. Tim Cross, dean of UT Extension. t

14

Tennessee Farm Bureau News - November 2012

YF&R REPORT

Beef Cattle Outlook

Mary Margaret Chester, 2012 YF&R Reporter

By Andrew P. Griffith Assistant Professor Agricultural and Resource Economics

Cattle market expectations after this year’s drought This is my first article for Tennessee Farm Bureau News, but I hope I am a familiar face for some readers. I am the Extension livestock marketing specialist at the University of Tennessee which is the position formerly held

by Dr. Emmit Rawls. Dr. Rawls is on a 30 percent appointment with UT Extension, though he works much more than 30 percent. He has been providing me with extensive mentorship the past several months and hopefully it will continue well into the future. Now that I have introduced myself, it is about time we talk about cattle markets.

The drought this spring and summer impacted large portions of the major cattle and corn producing regions in the United States. Drought is ongoing in many regions resulting in early weaning calves and continued cow culling. Unlike the Plain states and the Midwest, most Tennessee producers have been receiving frequent rainfall since mid-July. The arrival of rain was welcome by most livestock producers because it was a “just in time” rain. Meaning, it promoted forage growth in much of the state before cattle producers either started significantly liquidating the herd or purchasing large amounts of expensive feedstuffs.

Most of the state had a short hay crop this spring, but late summer and early fall have been favorable for hay and forage production. It appears there will be sufficient quantities of hay at a relatively low price in the state compared to other parts of the nation.

These feed resources provide producers with an advantage over producers who must purchase expensive feed or make decisions concerning herd size.

Forage growth in the state and the prospect of wheat pasture in the Southern Plains has helped support lightweight feeder calf prices the past month. Continued local rainfall and

www.tnfarmbureau.org

a few days of warm weather should provide cheap gain on grass for calves in the near term which will also support feeder cattle prices in the future.

Likewise, if the wheat drills can get in the field in the Southern Plains and the crop can get a jump, then stocker calf prices have the potential to jump as stocker producers will want animals to graze wheat over the winter and in early spring.

In contrast, heavier animals will have to go to the feedlot where the ration is primarily corn, and the corn price does not look to be falling anytime in the near future. High cost of gain in the feedlot will keep pressure on heavier feeder cattle. Demand for beef will be the key price driver in the near term for animals entering the feedlot. Fall supplies of fed cattle are usually on the decline which leads to price support, but lower than expected marketings in late summer and early fall may result in more fed cattle hitting the rail in late fall and early winter. The number of cattle on feed more than 120 days indicates that fed cattle marketings are likely to increase. To keep marketings current, a large number of fed cattle will have to be shipped to packers soon. Increased supply of fed cattle will again put downward pressure on cattle prices.

Though the fall appears bleak, there may be a few opportunities to cash in on the cattle markets if the ability to feed calves is available.

Cattle inventory remains low due to the inability to build the herd during drought. This bodes well for spring prices and heavier feeder cattle to market in the spring as buyers will be bidding on limited numbers compared to earlier years. There is also likely to be a strong replacement heifer, bred heifer, and cow replacement market as producers look to expand the herd to capitalize on high feeder cattle prices in the future. t

It is fall and you know what that means?? It means football, tailgating, harvesting crops, calving, planting, and it’s time for Tennessee YF&R Fall Tour! Tennessee Young Farmers and Ranchers gathered from all across the state in Greeneville, Tennessee to enjoy a fun, educational weekend. It all began with the Excellence in Agriculture Contest on Friday night where contestants gave a fifteen minute presentation about themselves, their farming operations, and their jobs off the farm. It is amazing to see the diversity and outstanding leadership of these young farmers in watching these presentations.

Tennessee Agriculture has a very bright future.

Then on Saturday morning young farmers toured Jeff and Carol Aiken’s tobacco farm where we were shown how tobacco is harvested and cured. Then we toured a poultry farm and everyone took a peek at a chicken barn and the children loved getting to see the chickens. From there we traveled on to a Christmas Tree Farm which also had a restaurant called the Ole Barn where we enjoyed good family style food. We toured the farm and saw the different varieties and sizes of trees. After lunch, we then went on to the Jones and Church Tomato Packing House and Farm; wow what an amazing

place. The diversity of agriculture is truly amazing!

Saturday night we were welcomed at the Myers Pumpkin Patch for dinner and the awards banquet where the Excellence in Agriculture winners were named!

Congratulations to David and Meghan Corvin from Weakley County who were winners of the Excellence in Agriculture Contest and Anthony Shelton from Washington County who was the runner-up. We wish you the best of luck in Nashville in January at American Farm Bureau Convention.

Josh and Julieanna Ogle, winners of the 2012 Young Farmer Achievement Award, were presented their tractor on October 8th at their home. We are excited for them and wish them well in their competition in Nashville in January as well!

Remember YF&R Fall District Meetings will be coming up in October and November. Be sure and attend your district meeting.

Remember November 15 and make sure you have all your applications in and be sure your calendar is marked to attend state convention in Cool Springs on December 1 and 2!

Do not forget to contact your elected officials, be very involved in legislative decisions, be a VOICE for Agriculture, and GO VOTE!!!! t

Even Santa

can’t wait to take advantage of these great deals !

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 Winter Travel Ad.indd 1

1-877-363-9100 - Customer Service Center

TFBFMemberBen

9/7/12 11:47 AM

www.tnfarmbureau.org 14 Tennessee Farm Bureau

News - May 2010

15

November 2012 - Tennessee Farm www.tnfarmbureau.org Bureau News

Tennessee’s Agri-Events Tennessee Forage and Grassland Council New UT Equine Extension and Research meeting to feature Dr. Vivian Allen - Nov. 2 Center Open House - Nov. 7 Dr. Vivian Allen will be the featured speaker at The Tennessee Forage and Grassland Council annual meeting and trade show on Friday, November 2, at the Ellington Agricultural Center’s Ed Jones Auditorium in Nashville. A producer from Huntland, Tenn., Dr. Allen also holds the title of professor emeritus at Texas Tech University.

The program features several practical sessions on beef and equine production conducted by UT Extension specialists and research scientists as well as two sessions by Tennessee’s own Dr. Allen. Her first session will focus on understanding and managing the tall fescue endophyte.

Her second talk will emphasize water use issues and concerns in the western U.S.,” explained Bates.

Allen is a native of Tennessee where she grew up on the family farm

in Huntland, which was acquired by her grandparents in the 1800s. She came into the land through her parents’ estate in 1970, and today raises forages and Angus cattle (a cow-calf operation).

Registration for the meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. and the sessions begin at 9:00 a.m. A $25 registration fee covers the cost of membership in the Tennessee Forage and Grassland Council as well as lunch. The meeting will conclude by 3 p.m.

An accompanying trade show offers producers a look at and a lesson about the constantly changing technology necessary to make the best decisions for their farms and for their buyers.

For more information about the Tennessee Forage and Grassland Council, contact your local UT Extension office or call 865-974-7208. t

Plan to attend UT’s Ag Day 2012 - Nov. 3 Spitting crickets may not be for everyone, but plenty of other activities await visitors to Ag Day 2012, the annual street fair for alumni and friends of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. Ag Day will be held Nov. 3, the homecoming weekend for UT Knoxville alumni, four hours before the Vols take on the Troy Trojans in Neyland Stadium. It is a festive time for current and former students, faculty, staff and friends to gather together and see the exciting things going on at the Institute of Agriculture.

The theme this year, Then and Now, is in honor of the 150th anniversary of the Morrill Act, which established land-grant colleges for education in agriculture and the mechanical arts.

Departments will be showcasing advancements made in their areas as well as remembering their histories.

Students will be providing tours of the new Food Science and Technology

building and Brehm Animal Science building and arena. The Living Light house, UT’s state-of-the-art zero-energy solar-powered house, also will be providing tours for visitors.

A block of football tickets has been reserved. To purchase, visit www.

UTtix.com, scroll over Vols Tickets and select Group Ticket Window. The case sensitive sign-in ID is agday12 and the password is agriculture.

Ag Day is fun for all ages. Enjoy live music, free ice cream, the insect petting zoo, face painting, cornhole, giveaway items, visiting with UT Knoxville’s mascot Smokey, and so much more! A meal will be available for purchase from the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Student Livestock Association.

For more information, contact the UT Institute of Agriculture Development at 865-974-1928. t

WCCA Fall Heifer and Bull Sale - Nov. 9 The Washington County Cattlemen’s Association (WCCA) will be having their 1st Annual Fall Heifer and Bull Sale on Nov. 9, 2012 at the Kingsport Stockyards in Kingsport, Tenn. The sale will begin at 6:00 p.m. Producers are encouraged to come early to view the cattle and register for a buyer number.

The Association is offering 65 heifers that are either bred or have a calf by side. Also, the Association will be offering 5 registered bulls that all meet TDA Cost Share guidelines. The bulls include Angus and Simmental. The cattle have been screened and are excellent cattle for anyone who is interested in improving his or her herd. Information

pertaining to vaccinations of the cattle will be provided on sale day. The heifers will be pregnancy checked the day of the sale by a licensed veterinary. The bulls have passed a breeding soundness exam and will be 2 years old or younger. All cattle will need to be paid for and loaded out on the same day of the sale.

The WCCA Fall Heifer Sale will also have concessions by local FFA organizations as a fundraiser. All proceeds benefit scholarships that are given annually to two outstanding youth who are interested or involved with agriculture. For more information contact the Washington County Extension Office at 423-753-1680. t

The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is opening a new facility devoted to horse farm management.

The Equine Extension and Research Center will serve to educate horse owners on horse health and nutrition.

The new center will be located at the Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Spring Hill.

The Equine Extension and Research Center consists of multiple five-acre pastures where UT specialists will demonstrate ways to reduce the environmental impact of horse farms including rotational grazing, manure management and nutrient management. Other studies at the facility will focus on improving water quality, nutrition and overall health care.

UTIA is inviting the public to tour the new center at an open house on

Wednesday, November 7. The open house lasts from 1 – 6 p.m. with guided pasture walks taking place at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The event is free.

The Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center is located near the intersection of Highway 31 and Saturn Parkway in Spring Hill. For more information, call 931-486-2129.

Tennessee is home to more than 40,000 horse farms, a number that is growing according to UT experts; making the need for research that promotes best horse management practices all the more important. This project is funded by a grant from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

Other partners include the Tennessee Equine Hospital and the Tennessee Farmers Cooperative. t

Tennessee Tech Bull Sale - Dec. 7 Tennessee Tech University is having a Bull Sale on December 7 at 6:00 p.m. at the Hyder-Burks Pavilion, 2390 Gainesboro Grade, Cookeville, TN 38501 Selling 50 registered bulls - Angus, Sim-Genetics, and Simmental; 30 bred commercial heifers due from

December to February. Bulls will range from 11 months to 3 years old and most qualify for TAEP. For more information contact Amanda Houser at 931-267-1802 or email ahouser@tntech.edu or visit www.tntech.edu/farm/cattle-sales/. t

16

Tennessee Farm Bureau News - November 2012

www.tnfarmbureau.org

Classified Ads Animals Cattle

600 lb Charolais, Black Angus Cross Heifers.

Woodbury, 615-563-8996 For Sale: Fall calving heifers and cows. Select commercial Angus. For high quality productive females.

Call Jerry Roach, Linden, TN 931-593-2673 For Sale: Registered Angus Bulls/Heifers. Excellent Bloodlines and E.P.D available. A & N Stock Farms, Summertown, TN 38483 931-242-0179 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 TN Livestock Producers Genetics Bred Heifers For Sale. 200 Head, A.I. First Service (Approx. 55% Settled A.I.) most black and black white face.

Contact Richard Brown 931-239-9785 Wanted To Buy In the Field. Slow, cripple cows, bulls. 423-288-2915

Angus (Black) FOR SALE: Registered Black Angus bulls and heifers, excellent bloodlines. Rock Haven Angus, Lewisburg, TN. Day Time 931-703-9894; 931-3643670 after 6PM

Big Stout Registered Bulls Ready for Service. Miles Collier, McMinnville 931-668-3131; 808-0474 For Sale Registered Black Angus Bulls and Open Heifers. Bulls qualify for TAEP Program. Mathis Angus Farms. Duck River, TN 931-729-3864 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 For Sale: Registered Angus Bulls 14-24 months old. Qualifies for T.A.E.P. Money. Johnny Wheat, Clifton, TN 931-589-2759

Good, gentle BBU bulls & heifers for sale. Visitors welcome. James & Carolyn Vaughn, 9512 Bates Trail, Lyles, TN 37098. 931-670-4605

Angus (Red)

FOR SALE: Gelbvieh & Balancer Bulls, Heifers - black, polled, excellent bloodlines, gentle disposition, TAEP qualified. 931-433-6132; cell 931-625-7219

For Sale: AI and naturally sired reg. Red Angus young bulls & heifers proven herd sire. 931-858-2429 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

Beefmaster 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

Next issue is JAn. Ad deadline is Dec. 10.

Name _________________________________________________________________ Address________________________________________________________________ City_________________________________ State _______ Zip__________________

Santa Gertrudis

Registered Charolais Bulls 15 month and older.

The Quality Charolais Place. Punkin Center Farm.

Crossville, TN 931-788-2159

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

Chiangus

Shorthorn

Charolais

Chiangus bulls and heifers. 865-856-3947

Gelbvieh Hereford (Polled) 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

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 Purebred Bulls, Heifers.

Proven Predigrees, Balanced EPD’s. Easy Calving, Super Gentle Seedstock. Dreamtime Limousin Farm, Mosheim, TN 423-422-6099

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

Goats & Sheep

For Sale: Purebred Kiko goats. 931-987-2826 Culleoka, TN GOAT/SHEEP SALE: 2nd & 4th Monday.

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

Hogs

FOR SALE: Purebred Duroc, Yorkshire and Landrace boars and gilts. Bart Jones, Lafayette, TN, 615-666-3098

Birds Poultry 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.

Day-old-sexed-pullets start at $2.25 NPIP CERTIFIED! Visit our website at www.poultryhollow.org or call 615-318-9036 or 615-477-7936

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. Frank Poling, manager 931-223-8323/931-212-9962

VIDEO CATTLE SALES

Management provided for Lower Middle Tennessee Cattle Assoc.

Consignment information contact: 2012-2013 Sale Dates - 9 AM Central Frank Poling 931-212-9962 Nov. 2, Dec. 7, Jan. 4, Feb. 1, march 1, richard brown 931-239-9785 april 12, may 3, June 7, august 2

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

SPECIAL SALES

Columbia Every 2nd & 4th Monday

Graded Sales every Tuesday in Fayetteville

Nov. 12, 26; Dec. 10; Jan. 14-28 Feb. 11, 25; march 11, 25; april 8, 22

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.

Weaned Sale 1st & 3rd Thursdays in Columbia Fall Cow Sales being planned for all barns.

TN Beef Alliance-9AM - Dec. 4

Somerville Every Tuesday

SEE wEbSiTE for currEnT liST

ORDER BUyING

PRODUCER GENETICS

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 50 Bred Heifers For Sale

richard brown - 931-239-9785

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

www.tnfarmbureau.org

November 2012 - Tennessee Farm Bureau News

17

Classified Ads Quail, Pheasants, Mallard Ducks, Flight Conditioned. 731-695-1231

Game Birds Bobwhite Quail, weather-conditioned, flightpen raised, available now. Taking orders for chicks 2013. NPIP certified, Lawrenceburg, TN Keith Daniel 931-762-6369; C.W. Brown 931-762-7275

Exotic & Other Birds CANARIES $75-$100 731-934-4119 Phoenix, Lakenvelder, Chickens, Swans, Pigeons, Peafowls, Ornamental Pheasants, Woodducks, Mandarin, Pintailduck. Woodbury 615-563-8996

Dogs

Border Collie Pups Registered Excellent Stock dogs and pets $250.00; $350.00 Dan Vickers 931-939-2426; 931-607-2426 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 Black Mouth Curs Bred to Tree Squirrel, Coon and Bay Hogs. Shots and Wormed, Call Paulus Shelby 731-423-8781 Registered Mt. Curs Bred to Tree Squirrel and coon, shots and wormed. $150 to $200 Call Paulus Shelby 731-423-8781

Exotic & Other Animals

Legal Pet Raccoon Babies. State and USDA Licensed. Email - ringoscrossingpetfarm@yahoo. com 931-268-0739 Make Great Pets, Ringo’s Crossing Pet Farm

Plants

Grasses

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

For Sale Sericea Lespedeza Seed. 931-934-2745

Hay & Straw

Hay For Sale 4x5 Rolls, $35/bale. 423-506-3959 Hay For Sale. Orchard Grass and Max-Q Fescue Mixed. Good Quality, Tight Sq. Bales. $4.00 per bale. Clarkrange area. 931-397-6792, 931-3976790 day; 931-863-4791 nights

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. 11-08

Lawn & Garden

Disc Mower Curtains for most brand mowers 8ft curtains $250 Call 615-489-5355 For Sale: GSI Grain Auger 8 inch, 59ft used very little $2,100.00. Also EZFlow gravity wagon with heavy duty running gear, $1,100.00 Jerry Roach, Linden, TN 931-593-2673

Trucks & Trailers

Gooseneck Livestock Trailers: Many sizes and options. Must see Prices you want believe.

Wholesale Trailers, Lebanon, TN 615-714-3894

Other Equipment

Used portable sawmills! Buy/Sell. Call Sawmill Exchange 800-459-2148; US & Canada; www. sawmillexchange.com 11-01

For Sale: Nursery grown Black Walnut Trees 5ft. to 8ft. High If planted on farm or wooded area might bring someone a lot of money in 15 years as Timber, cheap. 931-607-0246 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 11-05

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 11-13

Equipment

For Sale Manure Spreader Two Grain Elevator Massey Ferguson one Row Corn picker Farmland Grinder Mixer 423-324-4462

Tractors & Implements

$6,000.00 Ford TW30. JD Deck 330 $3,000.00 615-654-3710 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

SPECIAL COW SALE SAturdAy, NOvEmbEr 17 APPrOxImAtELy 1:30 P.m.

All From One Farm 40 Cows and Calves 135 Bred Cows 3-8 Mo. Bred Cow Age 2-5 Years 140 Will Be Black and Black White Face Rest Will Be Charolais Cross and A Few Red Cross Cows Will Be Aged and Pregnant Checked COntACt: David Gregory (615) 418-6480 – Barn (615) 735-2780 Tommy Gregory (615) 714-1738 Steven Kemp (615) 489-6277 P.S. - You can drive the wheels off your vehicle before you can find this many young cows for sale.

Smith County Commission 510 Carmack Ave. Carthage, tennessee

Property Real Estate

45 Grassland Acres, Two Large Barns, Two Ponds Overlooking Norris Lake Cumberland Mountains.

Campbell County, LaFollette 865-659-0863; jdm777@att.net Easttennesseefarmsforsale.com View online listings for farms, homes, mountain land in North East Tennessee. East Tennessee Realty Services, Greeneville TN 423-639-6395 11-11 Mobile Home on Family Farm 16x80 3BR, 2BA W/D dishwasher, stove, fridge. $600/mo. No drugs, Alcohol, Wild parties. References. silverwood2@yahoo.com. Mountain Top View

Country ClassiCs i & ii

Both_cookbooks_are_on_sale_from_the__ Tennessee_Farm_Bureau_Women.__ Vol. i

Order yOurs tOday!

Vol. ii

Name____________________________________________________________ Street_Address_____________________________________________________ City_________________________________State_________Zip______________ Phone_______________________________County________________________ No._of_cookbooks:___________Vol._I__($13_each)__Includes_sales_tax_&_shipping _____________________________________Vol._II_($17_each)__Includes_sales_tax_&_shipping Total_Enclosed_$________________ Payable To:_ TN_Foundation_for_Ag-In-The-Classroom Mail To:_ P.O._Box_313_•_Columbia,_TN_38402-0313 Charge It:____❑_Visa____❑_MasterCard Card_#_ ________________-_________________-_________________-________________ Expiration_Date______________Signature________________________________

SPECIAL OFFER! Only $12 while supplies last!

Classic Farm Tractors 2013 Calendar Collector’s Edition

For a $12 donation to the Camp Woodlee YF&R Camp Fund, you will receive a 2013 Classic Farm Tractors Collector’s Edition Calendar. This calendar is 24th in a series offered by the YF&R to support their programs at Camp Woodlee located in Warren County. This large, colorful calendar is one you will enjoy all year long.

Name _____________________________________________________________ Street Address ______________________________________________________ City________________________________ State _______ Zip _______________ Phone _____________________________ County ________________________ No. of calendars ______ X $12 each (includes postage) Total Enclosed $_____________ Make Checks Payable to: Camp Woodlee Fund Mail Orders To: TN Farm Bureau Special Programs Dept.

P.O. Box 313 Columbia, TN 38402-0313

18 14

Tennessee Farm Bureau News - November May 2010 2012

www.tnfarmbureau.org

Classified Ads 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 11-14 CABINS ON COSBY CREEK - Gatlinburg, Smokies area. Hot tub, Jacuzzi, Fireplace, Kitchen, Porches, CATV. Comfy! Cozy! Clean! 423-487-2646; www. cosbycabins.com 11-06 Farm House - near Rock Island Park - furnished, daily-weekly rates. 931-668-4554; 931-235-8054; www.vrbo.com/89925 11-07 GULF SHORES CONDO- 2BR, pool/beach access.

Spring $600/week, Summer $800/week, Fall $500/week. 931-296-4626 11-10 GULF SHORES VACATION: 2 Town Homes2BR/1.5BA Fully furnished, pool, laundry, covered parking. Rent for week, month(s), or weekends in off season. Owner 615-289-8475 11-16

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 11-15

Hunting Leases

Hunting Lease Wanted: 2 experienced, middle aged 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; 423-715-8936 Two Responsible Senior hunters wishing to lease land for deer hunting in Middle Tennessee. 423593-7723; 423-593-3263

Visit Cuba, Its People & Culture Join other Farmers departing February and March 2013

9 Days * $2598 from

Discover Cuba’s colonial history and vibrant culture! YMT’s fully-escorted Cuba program is operated under U.S. government people-to-people license # CT-18935 issued to YMT Vacations, and the itinerary will include a full-time series of educational exchanges and interaction with local people. You’ll never forget the scenery, history and culture of this beautiful island nation!

Join YMT on this unique cultural and educational program to legendary Cuba. From Miami, you’ll fly to Havana to begin your exploration of the rich heritage of this island nation. Highlights include five nights in Havana, two nights in Cayo Santa Maria, Old Havana, Revolucion Plaza, the Che Guevara Museum, Ernest Hemingway’s farm, and visits to the scenic towns of Remedios and Cienfuegos.

Witness Cuba’s picturesque rural life and agriculture in Vinales and go to a tobacco farm to see the growing, drying and cigar rolling process of Cuba’s most famous export. Learn about authentic daily Cuban life and the island’s history and culture through meaningful interactions with the local people throughout the itinerary.

Musical and artistic performances along with interactive painting and dance lessons will give you unique insight into the colorful island culture. This fully-escorted program includes eight nights hotel accommodations, round-trip airfare from Miami to Cuba, a full-time schedule of activities per the itinerary, a professionallytrained Cuban guide and 15 meals. US law requires that all participants of this program adhere to the full time schedule of people-to-people activities. *Price per person, based on double occupancy. Airfare to/from Miami is extra.

Call For Reservations & Details

1-800-888-8204

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. 11-04

Business

Insurance Stock

Buying TN Farmers Life and Assurance Stock.

615-826-6311 Buying TN Farmers Life and Assurance stock.

731-285-1424

Wanted to buy TN Farmers Life and Assurance stock. 931-381-3580

Financial Services

CASH! Holding a mortgage on property you sold? Sell it for CASH! 615-898-1400 Murfreesboro; 1-800-862-2744 nationwide 11-03

Miscellaneous

25,000 mile oil change: www.lubedealer.com/ rust 11-12 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

Nashville

OPRYLAND HOTEL 2013 American Farm Bureau Annual Meeting January 12-16, 2013 OPRYLAND HOTEL RATES (PER NIGHT) TRADITIONAL ROOMS PREMIUM ROOMS Single/Double ................... $202.55 Single/Double ..................$277.45 Triple ................................... $225.60 Triple ..................................$300.50 Quad.................................... $248.65 Quad ..................................$323.55 PARKING (PER DAY) Self Park .................................$16.50 Valet ..................................... $28.00 Overnight (Valet) .................$29.00 CONVENTION REGISTRATION Two Day Registration .............$100 One Day Registration .............$50 Children under 17..................... N/C Foundation Flapjack Fundraiser Breakfast Ticket ............................$35 Women’s Luncheon Program Ticket ......................................................$30

REGISTER AT YOUR LOCAL COUNTY FARM BUREAU OFFICE. FIND MORE INFO AT ANNUALMEETING.FB.ORG

Use the sun to put money in your pocket!

“We are delighted with our solar system from Soltility and look forward to reaping the financial benefits from our investment.”

—Kim Holden,

Holden Nursery, Tennessee

Call 865-806-2617 today for a free estimate. soltility-tn_farmbureau-1_3pg.indd 1

www.Soltility.com 8/10/12 5:08 PM

www.tnfarmbureau.org

November 2012 - Tennessee Farm Bureau News

19

Classified Ads “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 11-02 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 11-09 Storage and Road Trailers: For Sale or Rent.

Delivery Available. 615-714-3894 WANTED: I collect World War I and II military relics - American, German, Japanese. Helmets, metals, knives, bayonets, guns, swords, daggers, etc.

423-842-6020 WANTED: Old millstones, cash paid, will pick up.

423-727-6486 West Tennessee Quail and Pheasant Preserve Guided Hunts Large or Small Groups Call for Prices and Book early 731-234-2959

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.

United States Postal Service

Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation 1. Publication Title

2. Publication Number

1 0

Tennessee Farm Bureau News 4. Issue Frequency

6

2

_

3. Filing Date

8

9

8 3 September 2012

5. Number of Issues Published Annually

6. Annual Subscription Price

50¢ member $10 non-member

6

Bi-monthly

7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication (Not printer) (Street, city, county, state, and ZIP+4)

Contact Person

147 Bear Creek Pike, Columbia, TN 38401

Telephone

Pettus Read 931-388-7872

8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher (Not printer)

Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, 147 Bear Creek Pike, Columbia, TN 38401 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor (Do not leave blank) Publisher (Name and complete mailing address)

Pettus Read, 147 Bear Creek Pike, Columbia, TN 38401 Editor (Name and complete mailing address)

Pettus Read, 147 Bear Creek Pike, Columbia, TN 38401 Managing Editor (Name and complete mailing address)

Pettus Read, 147 Bear Creek Pike, Columbia, TN 38401 10. Owner (Do not leave blank. If the publication is owned by a corporation, give the name and address of the corporation immediately followed by the names and addresses of all stockholders owning or holding 1 percent or more of the total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation, give the names and addresses of the individual owners. If owned by a partnership or other unincorporated firm, give its name and address as well as those of each individual owner. If the publication is published by a nonprofit organization, give its name and address.)

Full Name

Complete Mailing Address

Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation

147 Bear Creek Pike, Columbia, TN 38401

11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities. If none, check box Full Name

None Complete Mailing Address

12. Tax Status (For completion by nonprofit organizations authorized to mail at nonprofit rates) (Check one) The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes: Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months Has Changed During Preceding 12 Months (Publisher must submit explanation of change with this statement)

13. Form Publication October 1999 PS 3526,Title

Tennessee Farm Bureau News

15. a.

(See Instructions14. on Issue Reverse) Date for Circulation Data Below

September 2012

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months

Extent and Nature of Circulation

90,513

Total Number of Copies (Net press run) (1)

Paid/Requested Outside-County Mail Subscriptions Stated on Form 3541. (Include advertiser's proof and exchange copies)

Paid In-County Subscriptions Stated on Form 3541 b. Paid and/or (2) (Include advertiser's proof and exchange copies) Requested Circulation (3) Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Non-USPS Paid Distribution

No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date

89,138

89,380

88,005

89,380

88,005

783

783

Tennessee Turns To Us ®

(4) Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS c. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation [Sum of 15b. (1), (2),(3),and (4)] d.

Free Distribution

by Mail (Samples, compliment ary, and other free)

(1) Outside-County as Stated on Form 3541 (2) In-County as Stated on Form 3541 (3) Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS

e. Free Distribution Outside the Mail (Carriers or other means) f.

g. h. i.

Total Free Distribution (Sum of 15d. and 15e.)

0

0

783

783

90,163

Total Distribution (Sum of 15c. and 15f) Copies not Distributed Total (Sum of 15g. and h.)

j. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation (15c. divided by 15g. times 100)

88,788

350

350

90,513

89,138 99

99

16. Publication of Statement of Ownership November 2012 Publication required. Will be printed in the ________________________ issue of this publication.

17. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner

Editor

Publication not required.

Date

09/04/2012

I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonme nt) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties).

Instructions to Publishers 1.

2.

www.tnfarmbureau.org

Complete and file one copy of this form with your postmaster annually on or before October 1. Keep a copy of the completed form for your records.

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

In cases where the stockholder or security holder is a trustee, include in items 10 and 11 the name of the person or corporation for whom the trustee is acting. Also include the names and addresses of individuals who are stockholders who own or hold 1 percent or more of the total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other securities of the publishing corporation. In item 11, if none, check the box. Use blank sheets if more space is required.

3.

Be sure to furnish all circulation information called for in item 15. Free circulation must be shown in items 15d, e, and f.

4.

Item 15h., Copies not Distributed, must include (1) newsstand copies originally stated on Form 3541, and returned to the publisher, (2) estimated returns from news agents, and (3), copies for office use, leftovers, spoiled, and all other copies not distributed.

5.

If the publication had Periodicals authorization as a general or requester publication, this Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation must be published; it must be printed in any issue in October or, if the publication is not published during October, the first issue printed after October.

6.

In item 16, indicate the date of the issue in which this Statement of Ownership will be published.

7.

Item 17 must be signed.

Failure to file or publish a statement of ownership may lead to suspension of Periodicals authorization.

PS Form 3526, October 1999 (Reverse)

OFFICIAL NOTICE OF TRH ANNUAL MEETING

Notice is hereby given to members of the Tennessee Rural Health Improvement Association (TRH Health Plans) that the annual meeting will be held at the Cool Springs Embassy Suites in Franklin, Tennessee, beginning Monday, December 3, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. through Tuesday, December 4, 2012.

Business at the meeting will include: the annual membership report, election of the Board of Directors for the coming year, discussion of activities and service, other necessary business that may come before the membership.

Each member in attendance is entitled to vote on any issues discussed during the meeting and the election of the Board of Directors, which will occur on December 4, 2012.

Lacy Upchurch, President Tennessee Rural Health Improvement Association Lonnie Roberts, Chief Executive Officer

20 14

Tennessee Farm Bureau News - November May 2010 2012

www.tnfarmbureau.org

2012 Ford Focus

2012 Ford F-150

2012 Lincoln MKT

ExclusivE $ 500 savings for farm BurEau mEmBErs Now Tennessee Farm Bureau members can get $500 Bonus Cash* savings off vehicle MSRP toward the purchase or lease of any eligible 2011/2012/2013 Ford or Lincoln vehicle.

Enjoy valuable savings on your choice of vehicles from our hard-working, technologically advanced new lineup of cars and trucksâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;including the 2012 Ford F-150 with available 4.2-inch productivity screen and 11,300 lbs. maximum towing capacity (when properly equipped).

Take advantage of this special offer today. Visit: www.fordspecialoffer.com/farmbureau/tn

* Program #33834: $500 Bonus Cash offer exclusively for active Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee Farm Bureau members who are residents of the United States. Offer is valid from 1/04/2012 through 1/02/2013 for the purchase or lease of an eligible new 2011/2012/2013 model year Ford or Lincoln vehicle (not available on Shelby GT/GT500, Mustang Boss 302, Focus Electric, Edge SE AWD, F-150 Raptor and Taurus SE). This offer may not be used in conjunction with other Ford Motor Company private incentives or AXZDPlans. 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.

17831_FDspo_FarmBureau_AdTN_2012.indd 1

12/14/11 1:54 PM