S P E C I A L
R E P O R T
‘PR Awards’
Farm Bureau public relations pros honored for great work | 4 July 2, 2012 Vol. 91
‘Faces of Farming & Ranching’ The search is on | 2
‘Stop the Flood’ Farmers work to rein in EPA overreach | 3
‘Sawyers’
Kansas farm transitions to next generation | 8
No. 12 fbnews.org
Supreme Court upholds health care law, individual mandate 5-4 The Supreme Court in a 5-4 ruling on June 28 upheld most of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the health care law enacted in 2010, including the controversial “individual mandate” requiring that most Americans obtain health insurance and that most employers offer it or else pay a tax. The American Farm Bureau Federation opposed the individual mandate. It supports passage of legislation that will lower healthcare premiums through increased competition and choice. AFBF issued the following statement:
“Farmers, ranchers and rural residents need affordable and accessible health care. We remain concerned that mandating individuals and businesses to buy insurance will impose an expense that creates economic hardship, particularly for self-employed individuals and small businesses. “We believe one of the primary goals of health care reform should be to reduce costs for participants. The plan reviewed by the Supreme Court would impose a new financial burden on our members. As the legal and political interpretation of this ruling is further analyzed and debated in the weeks
and months ahead, it is important to remember that access to affordable health care eludes many American families across the country. “Farm Bureau has always supported market-based reforms as the best way to control costs and increase options for people and small businesses that purchase insurance for themselves and their employees. Moving forward, we encourage Congress and the President to work together to address our remaining concerns on this issue that affects millions of small business owners and individuals throughout rural America.”
Farmers urge Congress to pass Russia PNTR
House Ag to take up farm bill in July With the Senate’s June 21 passage of the new farm bill, the issue now moves to the House, where the Agriculture Committee will meet July 11 to vote on its own legislation.
Continued on Page 6
IF CONGRESS FAILS TO APPROVE permanent normal trade relations for Russia, U.S. farmers and ranchers could miss out on guaranteed access to the market opening and legal commitments that are part of Russia’s bid to join the World Trade Organization, Wayne Wood, president of Michigan Farm Bureau, told the House Ways and Means Committee. See story on page 6.
n e w s p a p e r
Climate regulation will burden farmers Many of America’s farmers and ranchers will face economic challenges due to EPA’s regulation of greenhouses gases (GHGs), the American Farm Bureau Federation told a House subcommittee. Carl Shaffer, president of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, testified June 19 on AFBF’s behalf before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power. The EPA regulation doesn’t yet apply directly to farms and ranches, but farmers will still pay a price.
“Costs incurred by utilities, refiners, manufacturers and other large emitters to comply with GHG regulatory requirements will be passed on to the consumers of those products, including farmers and ranchers,” Shaffer explained. “The end result is that our nation’s farmers and ranchers will be forced to contend with higher input costs to grow food, fiber and renewable fuels.” He said farmers will be hit again when the regulations are fully phased in under EPA’s “tailoring
rule,” which will apply to farms and ranches that do or could emit more than 100 tons of greenhouse gases per year. Those operations will have to obtain “Title V” operating permits. Based on EPA’s numbers, Shaffer said just the expense of getting the permits would cost farms more than $866 million, and that doesn’t count the cost of renovating their facilities if required in order to get a permit. The EPA, in a December 2009 Climate Continued on Page 6
Viewpoint
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July 2, 2012
The
Bob Stallman
President, American Farm Bureau Federation
The great rural America paradox A wise man once said that rural America has become viewed by a growing number of Americans as having a higher quality of life, not because of what it has, but rather because of what it does not have, like traffic, crime and crowds. This sentiment can be seen in the growing number of urban transplants that have made their way toward greener and more spacious pastures. But, while many Americans equate living in the country with a simpler way of life, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The reality is that poverty in rural America is increasing, while opportunity continues to decline because of limited education, health care and broadband services. So, rural America being defined by what it does not have can also be a negative. It’s the great rural America paradox. Connecting Kids
that 41 percent of rural students live in daily, as well as an increasing number of students with special needs. There’s a misconception that rural America and schools are stable and financially secure. But, they face every challenge that urban schools do, and more. That’s why Farm Bureau is supporting the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act which is up for reauthorization. This law helps rural schools and communities that are affected by declining revenue from timber harvests. This year alone, rural communities stand to lose more than $346 million for improvements to public schools and other valuable infrastructure and stewardship projects. Failing to reauthorize this bill jeopardizes the economies and education systems of more than 780 already-struggling rural counties and school districts in 41 states. Connected Nation
The lack of technology, infrastructure and even basic services presents major challenges for rural citizens. This is evident in rural classrooms, where nearly one in four U.S. kids attends school. Struggling rural school districts are grappling with teacher retention and lack of education technology that their urban counterparts take for granted, while seeing enrollment that is growing at a faster rate than anywhere else in America. Top this off with increasing rural poverty
Teachers aren’t going to remain in rural areas without access to basic technology and services and neither will health care professionals and small business owners. Access to broadband plays a huge role in whether rural communities survive and flourish or wither and die. As the number of rural doctors continues to decline, so do rural businesses. According to Inc. Magazine, 70 percent of business owners in rural America will need to transition their
businesses to new owners by 2020. That is a staggering figure. And, by all counts, it appears that broadband access is a major component of the economic engine. Many states across the nation are addressing rural technology challenges. One program in particular that is being utilized by many states is Connected Nation, a broadband adoption project to create connected communities. This program trains regional leaders on how to work with their communities to secure more Internet access and connect more people. They make up community planning teams that help groups engage in teaching computer classes, mentor older adults and help with online job searches. It is Connected Nation’s philosophy that rural communities benefit through assessment, planning and self help, while citizens benefit through expanded access to relevant technology. Importantly, the private sector benefits from a more investment-friendly environment and increasingly tech-savvy consumers. So, while rural America remains for many an idyllic land of open spaces and simpler ways of life, those who live there know the real deal. Access to basic services continues to be essential for rural communities and the competitiveness of our nation. Rural residents and their children shouldn’t be kept at a disadvantage by inadequate education, health care and business opportunities. It’s time to get past the paradox.
The search is on for ‘Faces of Farming and Ranching’ When it comes to today’s agriculture, there are many examples of great farmers and ranchers across the country doing wonderful things to bring food to everyone’s tables. But few of those farmers and ranchers are recognizable by consumers, mainstream media and influencers. In fact, the perception of farmers and ranchers and reality too often don’t match. The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance wants to change that. At a recent USFRA Food Dialogues event in Los Angeles, the organization announced it is looking for the “Faces of Farming and Ranching” to help put a real face on agriculture and shine a light on the heart, personalities and values that are behind today’s food. “USFRA has started a movement to bring more farmers and ranch-
FBNews
ers together to answer people’s questions about how their food is grown and raised,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman, who is also chairman of USFRA. “Many voices are leading conversations about food—and often leaving the people who grow and raise our food out. We need to find the best people to be part of these conversations and represent the real farmers and ranchers of America.” USFRA is looking for standout farmers and ranchers who are proud of what they do and eager to share their stories of continuous improvement. Farmers and ranchers who raise a variety of foods differently, at differing scale and in all areas of the country, are encouraged to apply to represent American agriculture and its diversity.
Don Lipton, Executive Director, Public Relations Lynne Finnerty, Editor Erin Anthony, Assistant Editor Phyllis Brown, Assistant Editor Sarah Bittner, Contributing Writer
July 2, 2012 Vol. 91
Enter today! • Entries accepted through Sept. 8, 2012 • There will be 10 to 15 finalists announced at the November Food Dialogues
event in New York City. • The public will vote online for their favorite candidates. Those votes will help determine who will be the “Faces of Farming and Ranching.” • Winners will be announced in early January 2013 • The public will get to know the USFRA “Faces” winners through national media interviews, advertising and public appearances. For their time, they’ll receive a $10,000 stipend and a $5,000 donation in their name to their favorite ag related charity. • Entrants should submit an online application and a home video no longer than 3 minutes that describes themselves and their farm or ranch. • More details are available at www.FoodDialogues.com.
No. 12
Published semimonthly, except monthly in August and December, by the American Farm B ureau Federation, 600 Maryland Ave., SW, Suite 1000W, Washington, DC 20024. Phone: 202-406-3600. E-mail: fbnews@fb.org. Web site: http://www.fb.org. Periodical postage paid at Washington, D.C., and additional mailing offices. Subscription rate for officers and board members of county and state Farm Bureaus—$6, which is deducted from dues. For other subscribers—$10. Postmaster: Send address changes to FBNews, 600 Maryland Ave., SW, Suite 1000W, Washington, DC 20024.
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Capitol View
Farmers launch campaign to stop EPA regulatory overreach One little word can mean so much. In relation to the Clean Water Act, that word is “navigable,” and EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers are trying to get rid of it. If they succeed, EPA will have the authority to regulate nearly every drop of water, and some dry land, too. With this additional authority for EPA comes a likely deluge of regulations and permitting requirements for farmers, ranchers and other landowners. This is why the American Farm Bureau Federation has launched the “Stop the Flood of Regulation” campaign. EPA and the Corps are poised to finalize what’s known as a “guidance” document that would greatly expand EPA’s limited authority to write rules governing the protection of navigable waters. “Right now, EPA’s regulatory authority under the Clean Water Act is basically restricted to larger bodies of water and waterways that feed into those larger bodies,” explained Don Parrish, AFBF water quality specialist. “If the guidance document goes into effect, EPA officials would have the power to regulate even a roadside ditch that fills with water only after a good soaking, like Tropical Depression Debby.” Farmers, ranchers and landowners are up in arms about the guidance document for numerous reasons other than the challenging and
costly farm-level restrictions and permitting requirements they’ll face. First, the guidance document improperly changes the law and ignores lawmakers’ intentions when they passed the Clean Water Act decades ago. They never intended for the federal government to have the kind of control it
is seeking over local bodies of water. Second, the guidance document flies in the face of Supreme Court rulings that affirmed important limitations on the federal government’s jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. Third, by forcing this change through a guidance document, rather than through the appropriate rule-making regulatory process, farmers and ranchers have no formal way to tell EPA how its actions will affect how they farm and ranch, or if they will be able to do it at all, once the guidance document is in place. As part of Farm Bureau’s “Stop the Flood of
Regulation” campaign, farmers and ranchers are urging their senators and representatives to pass the Preserve the Waters of the U.S. Act (S. 2245 and H.R. 4965), which would prevent EPA from using the guidance document. They are also communicating with officials at EPA, the White House Council on Environmental Quality, USDA and anyone else in the administration who needs to hear about how devastating this guidance document could be to agriculture. “Because we’re dealing with a guidance document, rather than a proposed regulation, farmers and ranchers can’t work through traditional regulatory input channels the way they normally would, which makes getting the message to Capitol Hill and the administration through e-mails and phone calls all the more important,” said Cody Lyon, AFBF director of grassroots and advocacy. “But they’re not stopping there. Photos, videos, Facebook posts and tweets on Twitter are all a part of this effort.” To send a message to Congress, please go to www.fbactinsider.org to view the “Stop the Flood of Regulations” resources. To share your story and concerns, use the #stoptheflood hashtag on Twitter and the campaign’s Stop the Flood of Regulation Facebook page. You can also follow StoptheFlood on Twitter. If you have any questions about the campaign, please contact Lyon at 202-406-3736 or codyl@fb.org.
Farmers Try to ‘Stop the Flood of Regulation’ By Erin Anthony Growing up, we all needed guidance at times. Don’t run with scissors. Don’t forget your jacket. Don’t eat yellow snow. If you make that face one more time, it might get stuck like that. But, as adults, not all guidance is helpful or benevolent. That is particularly true if the guidance is coming from a government regulatory agency. Take, for example, the Environmental Protection Agency’s effort to expand its regulatory reach under the Clean Water Act to nearly every drop of water, and some dry land, too. Through what’s officially known as a “guidance document,” EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers are seeking to remove the word “navigable” from the Clean Water Act. That action would allow them to regulate even a roadside ditch that holds water for only a few hours after a big rain. Both agencies have been upfront about their
intent to use the guidance process to increase their regulation of water bodies and lands that have been under the states’ regulatory authority. Another issue is the way the agencies are going about it. They’re using a guidance document, rather than going through a proper rulemaking. Formal rule-making allows input from farmers, ranchers and other landowners—the people who would be flooded with an expensive slew of new regulations and permitting requirements should the guidance document be put in place. Along with farmers, ranchers and other landowners, there are another 544 people EPA and the Corps are ignoring: 535 U.S. senators and representatives and nine Supreme Court justices. The lawmakers who wrote the Clean Water Act never intended for the federal government to have the kind of control it is seeking over local bodies of water. Similarly, in two rulings, the Supreme Court af-
Let’s flood social media Social media provides an opportunity to put the consequences of the guidance document into perspective. Show your blog readers, Twitter followers and Facebook friends those roadside ditches that could cost you upwards of $30,000 in permits. Follow StoptheFlood and post pictures of your soonto-be regulated ditches and puddles using the #stoptheflood hashtag. “Like” the Stop the Flood of Regulation page, post your pictures and comments and get updates on the campaign.
firmed important limitations on the federal government’s jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. Having to get another permit doesn’t sound like that big of a deal, but at $30,000 to well over $100,000 for some permits, these requirements sometimes force growers to avoid farming otherwise productive acreage just so they don’t trigger federal permit and extremely costly mitigation requirements. But in most parts of the country, it would be just about impossible to farm around every wet spot that EPA and the Corps want to regulate. To dry up EPA’s effort, Farm Bureau has launched the “Stop the Flood of Regulation” campaign. As part of the campaign, farmers and ranchers are asking their senators and representatives to support the Preserve the Waters of the U.S. Act (S. 2245 and H.R. 4965), which would prevent EPA from using this guidance document. They also will be sharing their stories of regulatory inundation through social media platforms. Look for the #stoptheflood hashtag on Twitter. And the Stop the Flood of Regulation Facebook page is giving farm and ranch families a platform for sharing how this guidance effort might affect them. There is no doubt; without action, a flood of federal regulations appears imminent. Many of our nation’s farms and ranches could find themselves awash in new, expensive and unwarranted regulations—even if the cause of those regulations is an inch-deep puddle following a downpour. Long after the puddle dries, the effect of the regulations could linger.
FBACT Insider connects farmers with legislators, regulators One of the first stops for Farm Bureau members who want to help “Stop the Flood of Regulation” is the American Farm Bureau Federation’s FBACT Insider’s Clean Water Act website. There you’ll find a direct link to your U.S. senators, allowing you to easily send them a personal message via e-mail urging them to support the Preserve the Waters of the U.S. Act (S. 2245). Before you hit send on your e-mail, check the list of current sponsors to the bill, also available on FBACT Insider, and if one or both of your senators is supportive, make sure you include a “thank you” in your message. To get to the section of FBACT Insider that relates to the guidance document, go to FBACTInsider.org and click on “Clean Water Act” when it appears in the scrolling box at the top of the page. Select the first “Action Alert” about stopping EPA and the Corps’ expansion of regulatory control over all waters. The Action Alert below will allow you to get in touch with the appropriate administration officials to ask them to withdraw the guidance document.
Public Rela
Farm Bureau PR pros honored for their work At the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Public Relations Conference, June 10-13 in Traverse City, Mich., public relations and communications professionals from state Farm Bureaus received national recognition for their outstanding work. Each year, state Farm Bureau staff members compete against their Farm Bureau colleagues. This year, 30 states submitted 271 entries. AFBF gave awards in the areas of writing, publications, photography and graphics, audio, video, Internet and social media, and advertising, PR and media relations. New individual categories this year included
Best News Story (over 80,000 members): Joseph L. Murphy, Iowa. Honorable Mention: Gail Banzet, Oklahoma. Best News Story (under 80,000 members): Matt Hargreaves, Utah. Honorable Mention: Tina Henderson, Nebraska. Best Feature Story (over 80,000 members): Paul Jackson, Michigan. Honorable Mention: Chris Wilson, Arkansas; Seth Teter, Ohio; and Gene Hall, Texas. Best Feature Story (under 80,000 members): Matt Hargreaves, Utah. Best News or Feature Series (over 80,000 members): Dirck Steimel, Iowa. Honorable Mention: Paul Jackson, Michigan. Best News or Feature Series (under 80,000 members): Marie Krenzer, New York. Honorable Mention: Rebecca Colnar, Montana.
Best Social Media Program—for overall strategic use of social media and efforts to equip Farm Bureau members with social media tools—and Best Use of a Single Social Media Platform—for using a social media tactic to engage with consumers or mobilize Farm Bureau members. Also new, blogs and blog writings are recognized in the Best Blog or Column Series category and the Best Single Blog Item, Editorial or Column category. Virginia Farm Bureau earned the Dave Lane Award for Media Relations Excellence for states with 80,000 or more members. Pennsylvania Farm Bureau won the award for states with fewer than 80,000 members. The Dave Lane Award recognizes the state public relations staff that
does the best job of building and sustaining a comprehensive, focused media relations program and maintaining relationships with the news media. The award is a memorial to Dave Lane, former AFBF director of media relations. “Farm Bureau’s farm family members nationwide have an experienced, talented team of communication professionals working on their behalf,” said Don Lipton, AFBF executive director of public relations. “The AFBF Public Relations awards recognize their hard work, creativity and dedication to connecting the media and the public with the people who raise our food. Congratulations to this year’s award winners.”
Best Single Blog Item, Editorial or Column (over 80,000 members): Jack Fisher and Joe Cornely, Ohio. Honorable Mention: Mike Barnett, Texas.
Iowa Farm Bureau’s Spokesman newspaper had exactly what the judge was looking for in a newspaper. “I kept reading the articles and didn’t want to put it down,” the judge said.
Best Single Blog Item, Editorial or Column (under 80,000 members): Gary Swan, Pennsylvania. Honorable Mention: Rebecca Colnar and Bob Hanson, Montana. Best Blog or Column Series (over 80,000 members): Jack Fisher and Joe Cornely, Ohio. Honorable Mention: Rachel Torbert and Jim Fraley, Illinois; Gene Hall and Mike Barnett, Texas; and Kathy Dixon, Virginia. Best Blog or Column Series (under 80,000 members): Rebecca Colnar and Mariah Baumann Shammel, Montana. Honorable Mention: Matt Hargreaves, Utah. Best Newspaper or Tabloid (over 80,000 members): Iowa Farm Bureau Spokesman, Iowa.
Utah Farm Bureau News has “excellent focus” on agricultural issues and well-written, timely articles, according to the competition’s judge.
Honorable Mention: Dave Kranz, Steve Adler, Rhonda Asher, Karin Bakotich, Kate Campbell, Ching Lee, Sarah Lee, Matt Salvo and Christine Souza, California. Best Newspaper or Tabloid (under 80,000 members): Matt Hargreaves, Utah. Honorable Mention: Adam Specht, Julie Suarez and Matt Nelligan, New York.
Illinois Farm Bureau’s member recruitment brochure has “great design and messaging,” the judge said.
The Montana Farm Bureau Federation’s Equine Directory has “great cover composition.”
Best Magazine (over 80,000 members): Larry Smith, South Carolina. Honorable Mention: Barbara Arciero, Steve Adler, Rhonda Asher, Karin Bakotich, Kate Campbell, Ching Lee, Sarah Lee, Matt Salvo, Christine Souza and Trina Wood, California. Best Magazine (under 80,000 members): Joan Harman, West Virginia. Honorable Mention: Gary Swan, Darrin Youker and Lorraine Potochney-Kobold, Pennsylvania. Best Leader Newsletter (over 80,000 members): Jeremy C. Nagel and Erica Venton, Michigan. Honorable Mention: Meagan Cramer, Kansas. Best Leader Newsletter (under 80,000 members): Mollie Ham-
mar and Kevin Long, Washington. Honorable Mention: Susan Furner, Utah. Best Pamphlet or Brochure (over 80,000 members): Mary Ellen Fricke and Sharon Dodd, Illinois. Honorable Mention: Rick Norris, Alabama; Steve Eddington, Gregg Patterson, Chris Wilson and Keith Sutton, Arkansas; and Danielle Ginn, Mississippi. Best Pamphlet or Brochure (under 80,000 members): Rebecca Colnar and Megan Chancellor, Montana. Honorable Mention: Kristin Harner, Pam Dahlman, Madsen Ink and Corporate Graphics, Minnesota; Tara Grell, Nebraska; Kate Sartell, New Hampshire; and Sherri Sutton and Casey Langan, Wisconsin. Best Communications Tool (one competition): Dan Toland and Chelsea Leasure, Ohio. Honorable Mention: Laurie Johns and Heather Lilienthal, Iowa. Best Single Photo (over 80,000 members): John Schlageck, Kansas. Honorable Mention: Dustin
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ations Awards Mielke, Oklahoma; and Kathy Dixon, Virginia.
Best Single Photo (under 80,000 members): Matt Hargreaves, Utah. Honorable Mention: Anne Marie Moss, Oregon.
Arkansas Farm Bureau’s photos for a magazine story about the state’s prison farms “make a strong statement,” the judge said.
Best Use of Photos (over 80,000 members): Keith Sutton, Arkansas. Honorable Mention: Kathy Dixon, Maria La Lima, Audra Norris and Pam Wiley, Virginia. Best Use of Photos (under 80,000 members): Shawn Martini, Colorado. Best Graphic Design (one competition): Chris Wilson, Arkansas. Honorable Mention: Sarah Lee, Matt Salvo and Rhonda Asher, California; Shawn Martini, Colorado; Bill Johns, South Carolina. Best Audio News Story (one competition): Tom Nicolette, Texas. Best Audio Feature Story (one competition): Sam Knipp and Dustin Mielke, Oklahoma. Best Audio Commentary/Editorial (one competition): Gene Hall, Texas. Best Audio Program (one competition): Joe Cornely and Chip Nelson, Ohio. Best Video News Story (one competition): Matt Felder and Ed Wolff, Texas. Honorable Mention: Steve Eddington, Robert Potter and Ken Moore, Arkansas. Best Video Feature Story (one competition): Tracy Sellers, Kevin Burke, Scott Monaco and Todd Popple, California. Honorable Mention: Steve Paradiso, Michigan. Best Video Program (one competition): Dave Kranz, Tracy Sellers, Scott Monaco, Kim Mims, Kevin Burke, Charles Williams, Charlotte Fadipe, Elbert Mock and Dave Grashoff, California.
Colorado Farm Bureau’s ad photos each “gives a portrait of the land as well as the person,” the judge said. “The photos make this campaign!”
Best Video Newsletter (one competition): Steve Eddington, Robert Potter and Ken Moore, Arkansas. Honorable Mention: Steve Paradiso, Michigan. Best Promotional or Education Video or Documentary (one competition): Nate Spicer, Bob Shrader and Matt Hilton, Kentucky. Honorable Mention: Steve Eddington, Robert Potter and Gabe Gentry, Arkansas. Best Internet Feature (one competition): Julie Murphree, Arizona. Best Website (over 80,000 members): Robert Potter, Steve Ed-
dington and Chris Wilson, Arkansas. Honorable Mention: Mary Ellen Fricke, Ted Jankowski, Kari Neibur and Liz Hobart, Illinois. Best Website (under 80,000 members): Casey Langan and Sheri Sutton, Wisconsin. Honorable Mention: Joan Harman, West Virginia. Best Use of Single Social Media Platform (one competition): Mary Ellen Fricke and Mariah Dale-Anderson, Illinois. Honorable Mention: Gene Hall, Mike Barnett, Amanda Hill, Nathan Smith and Cindy Wennin, Texas. Best Social Media Program (one competition): Lori Laughlin, Dennis Vercler and Carla Mudd, Illinois. Honorable Mention: Dan Toland, Ohio. Best Advertising Campaign or Spot (over 80,000 members): Steve Simms, Dennis Vercler, Mark Pressburger, Jim Polus, Mark Williams, Helen Dobby Reedy, Lori Laughlin, Mary Ellen Fricke and Sharon Dodd, Illinois. Honorable Mention: Greg Gibson, Mark Morris, Glynda Phillips, Danielle Ginn and Angela Thompson, Mississippi.
Ohio Farm Bureau’s guide to Facebook business pages “covers all the bases” for county Farm Bureaus and farmer members who want to develop their own social media presence, according to the judge.
Best Advertising Campaign or Spot (under 80,000 members): Lorraine Potochney-Kobold and Susan Wertz, Pennsylvania. Honorable Mention: Kevin Long and Mollie Hammar, Washington. Best Public Relations Campaign (over 80,000 members): Lori Laughlin, Dennis Vercler
and Carla Mudd, Illinois. Honorable Mention: Greg Gibson and Mark Morris, Mississippi; Gene Hall, Mike Barnett, Matt Felder, Ed Wolff, Amanda Hill, Nathan Smith and Tom Nicolette, Texas. Best Public Relations campaign (under 80,000 members): Kristin Harner, Pam Dahlman, Sarah Durenberger and Eileen Madsen, Minnesota. Honorable Mention: Mark O’Neill and Gary Swan, Pennsylvania. Best Media Relations Event (one competition): Mark O’Neill and Gary Swan, Pennsylvania. Honorable Mention: Dan Smaldone, Kentucky. Dave Lane Award for Media Relations Excellence (over 80,000 members): Greg Hicks, Bill Altice, Chris Baxter, Kathy Dixon, Norm Hyde, Maria La Lima, Sherri McKinney, Sara Owens, Pam Wiley, Cathy Vanderhoff and Barbara Zeidman, Virginia. Honorable Mention: Sam Knipp, Mike Nichols, Dustin Mielke, Gail Banzet and Staci Armstrong, Oklahoma. Dave Lane Award for Media Relations Excellence (under 80,000 members): Mark O’Neill and Gary Swan, Pennsylvania. Honorable Mention: Matt Hargreaves, Utah.
Capitol View
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July 2, 2012
Farmers, ranchers urge Congress to act on PNTR for Russia Timely congressional approval of permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status for Russia is critical to ensure U.S. farmers and ranchers benefit from Russia’s pending World Trade Organization membership, Wayne Wood, president of Michigan Farm Bureau, told lawmakers recently. Wood testified on behalf of the American Farm Bureau Federation before the House Committee on Ways and Means. Under its WTO accession agreement, immediately upon joining, Russia will reduce tariff rates and domestic farm subsidies, as well as eliminate export subsidies. It will make additional tariff reductions over time. Russia also has agreed to follow globally-accepted scientific standards on food safety and health issues and limit trade disruptions. If Congress fails to approve PNTR, U.S. farmers and ranchers could miss out on guaranteed access to the market opening and legal commitments that are part of Russia’s bid to join the global trade body, Wood said. “PNTR makes permanent the trade status the U.S. has extended to Russia on an annual basis
since 1992,” Wood said. “It recognizes Russia’s joining the World Trade Organization, which will provide our farmers and ranchers with more certain and predictable market access.” In his testimony, Wood explained that exports of U.S. farm goods to Russia are likely to increase substantially following congressional approval of PNTR and the country’s accession to the WTO. U.S. sales of beef, poultry, pork, apples, cheeses, soybeans and soybean products are all expected to grow due to improved market access. Russia’s commitment to adhering to WTO provisions on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures in particular will benefit U.S. farmers and ranchers because this will limit the country’s ability to impose arbitrary measures that have impeded trade in the past. Wood noted that a focus of Russia’s WTO accession negotiations was ensuring that the country would pass and implement laws and resolutions requiring its government agencies to follow international SPS standards. And if Russia fails to live up to its end of the bargain, there will be a forum to address these shortcomings.
“Russia’s compliance with its obligations, including those on tariffs and non-tariff measures, will be enforceable through use of WTO dispute settlement procedures,” Wood noted. Not all issues are covered in Russia’s WTO accession agreement, including specific concerns for pork and dairy exports, but discussions continue about improving trade conditions for these and other commodities and industries. “Russia needs to embrace economic and trade reform and the WTO is the most effective means to achieve that goal,” Wood said. In closing, Wood emphasized the high stakes PNTR for Russia represents for U.S. farmers and ranchers. “Our competitors for the Russian market will have the full benefit of Russia’s accession agreement commitments when Russia becomes a full WTO member. American agriculture must not lose market opportunities to other countries due to inaction,” he said. Approval of PNTR with Russia is Farm Bureau’s top trade priority with Congress in 2012.
Climate regulation of greenhouse gases will burden farmers Continued from page 1 “endangerment finding,” found that six GHGs—including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, nitrous oxide and others—harm public health and safety, triggering regulation under the Clean Air Act. The
agency’s regulations limiting GHG emissions from light-duty motor vehicles went into effect in January 2011. EPA authority extended to stationary sources as well, such as power plants and refineries, and farms and ranches.
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Carl Shaffer, second from left, testified to Congress that EPA’s greenhouse gas regulation will hit farmers and ranchers with higher fuel and energy costs and, eventually, millions in permitting fees. Farm Bureau supports a bill in Congress to halt the regulation.
The Clean Air Act defines stationary sources that can emit more than 100 tons of pollutants as major sources required to obtain Title V permits. For most regulated pollutants, the emission limits are high enough to ensnare only the largest emitters. Things are different when it comes to GHGs because they are so pervasive, Shaffer explained. “There are literally millions of sources that qualify as ‘major sources’ of greenhouse gas emissions under Title V—a fact admitted by EPA,” he said. “The regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act will ultimately result in a number of unintended consequences that EPA may not be able to mitigate through regulation.” The agency’s “tailoring rule” phases in the permitting requirements so that they apply to the largest emitters first and the smallest emitters “at some unspecified later time,” Shaffer said. However, “even with this phased-in approach, farmers, ranchers and other small entities are already adversely affected by greenhouse gas regulations through paying higher fuel
and energy costs,” Shaffer added. AFBF, along with the dozens of other industry and state government interests, filed a legal challenge to the regulations in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The court upheld the regulations in its decision issued on June 26. The court decision puts the ball in Congress’ court to prevent what Farm Bureau and other industry plaintiffs said would be an absurd result, and one that Congress never intended when it wrote the Clean Air Act: the regulation of hundreds of thousands of small, stationary sources of prevalent gases. The court did not evaluate the legality of the tailoring rule because the court believed that particular rule was enacted to be helpful to emitters, it did no harm to them, and thus the plaintiffs did not have standing to challenge that rule. Farm Bureau is supporting the Energy Tax Prevention Act (H.R. 910), which would prevent EPA from regulating GHGs. The House has passed the bill, but the Senate hasn’t advanced it.
House Agriculture Committee to take up farm bill in July Continued from page 1 The Senate passed the farm bill (S. 3240) by a vote of 64-35 after plowing through dozens of amendments. The American Farm Bureau Federation supported the bill. AFBF President Bob Stallman said that while it was not perfect, it included important reforms and was fiscally responsible. It also moves the process forward. “Now our attention turns to the House Agriculture Committee…,” Stallman added. “It remains critical for farmers to know what their new farm bill will be as they begin thinking about and looking toward next year’s cropping decisions.” Senate passage by a solid margin sent a positive signal to House agriculture leaders that regional and other differences could be overcome and a bipartisan farm bill could get done this year.
While a bloc of southern senators voted against the bill because it would eliminate direct farm payments that rice and peanut producers want to retain, more senators wanted to reform farm policies, enact reasonable spending reductions and, most importantly, get a new farm bill passed this year. “The Senate has provided us solid footing by approving a bill that stands firm on $23 billion in savings, yet protects and strengthens the federal crop insurance program and provides a commodity title that attempts to encourage producers to follow market signals rather than make planting decisions in anticipation of government payments,” Stallman said. The five-year farm bill passed by the Senate would overhaul the way the government supports
commodity production. A new Agriculture Risk Coverage revenue protection program would cover so-called shallow losses due to declines in crop yields and prices. The new program would replace direct payments, which are made on the basis of historical acres and yields rather than market prices, and it would replace countercyclical payments made when market prices fall below statutory target levels. The bill also would allow farmers to buy supplemental crop insurance coverage based on county-level yield data, in addition to farm-level crop insurance, and provide new profit-margin insurance policies. However, the premium subsidy would be cut 15 percent for farmers who earn more than $750,000 a year, the result of a Farm Bureau-opposed amendment intro-
duced by Sens. Tom Coburn (ROkla.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). AFBF typically opposes means testing of farm safety net programs; however, it did support an alternative offered by Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) that would only have implemented the cut if USDA showed it didn’t negatively impact premium costs for farmers who make less than $750,000, access to insurance services and the government’s cost of running the crop insurance program. The Thune amendment did not pass. Other Farm Bureau-opposed amendments that passed included a requirement that crop insurance program participants meet conservation requirements, and a payment limit of $75,000 a year per individual and $100,000 per couple for marketing loans and deficiency payments.
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July 2, 2012
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State FB Links
‘My American Farm’ to highlight agriculture’s importance at ‘Field to Fair’ event at S.C. State Fair A new program called “From Field to Fair” will entertain and educate South Carolina State Fair-goers while showcasing the wonders and importance of American agriculture. The endeavor brings together agriculture-related resources from around the state, such as those provided by the South Carolina Farm Bureau, and the educational tools offered by the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. “Agribusiness is the state’s largest economic sector, generating more than $34 billion to the economy each year and creating 200,000 jobs in our state,” said David Winkles, South Carolina Farm Bureau president. “For years, the State Fair has been a great resource for consumers to connect to the farm. With the ‘From Field to Fair’ program, they’re taking that to the next level, heightening consumers’ awareness of the role farmers play in keeping us all fed, clothed and fueled.” “From Field to Fair” is the State Fair’s way of addressing fears about the future of farming in America and puts a strong emphasis on education for young people. “Many children today think that their food simply comes from grocery stores,” said Gary Goodman, S.C. State Fair general manager. “The ‘From Field to Fair’ project works to promote children’s interest in agriculture and teach children where food comes from.” The “From Field to Fair” section on the State Fair website, www.scstatefair.org, features My American Farm, the American Farm Bureau Foundation’s interactive experience of 16 games, such as “Harvest This!” “Amazing Grains” and “That’s Life, Let’s Grow.” The
games, designed for grades Pre-K-5th grade, teach children about farming and sustainability in a fun, participatory, age-appropriate fashion, while adhering to key curriculum standards for math, science, social science, English language skills and health. “We’re excited to work with the American Farm Bureau Foundation to give children a rea-
son to play these games and get excited about agriculture,” said Goodman. “The fair’s roots are in agriculture, and this initiative helps us bring a new generation to that understanding.” Each completed game awards participants with a “stamp” to be placed in their personal My American Farm “Passport to Sustainability.” Both the passport and the stamps are
available to everyone who visits the game site, but the South Carolina State Fair is taking it one step further. Every youngster who completes the series of challenges will be recognized as an official “Ambassador of Agriculture” and will be eligible to collect a commemorative photo and his or her own blue ribbon at the 2012 South Carolina State Fair in October. The fair will also feature a “From Field to Fair” exhibit, which the State Fair is putting together with South Carolina Farm Bureau. In addition, fairgoers will be treated to dozens of signs that explain the “mysteries” behind winning those iconic blue ribbons. Well before they get to the fair though, South Carolinians may hear one of the “fun facts” radio spots and live on-air presentations featuring the “real people” of the state’s agriculture industry discussing the path their products take from the farm to the consumer. The radio series, which the State Fair is working on with the South Carolina Radio Network, runs for 26 weeks. There’s also plenty of time between now and the fall fair to check out the “From Field to Fair” link on SCStateFair.org, which includes the history of farming in the state, entertaining and educational facts about the products of South Carolina agriculture and an informative list of related festivals and celebrations around the state. My American Farm, a special project of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, is made possible by the generous support of title sponsor, Dupont Pioneer.
State Focus
Illinois farmers to see trade potential in Cuba
Kansas governor signs historic agriculture irrigation bill
Maryland Gov. O’Malley signs Family Farm Preservation Act
Michigan 2012 crop outlook not good due to weather
Eighteen Illinois farmers, two journalists and two IFB staff members are exploring market opportunities in Cuba during this year’s Illinois Farm Bureau Market Study Tour. In the past, the group has visited China, several European countries and Brazil. Tamara Nelsen, senior director of commodities at IFB, says the Cuba trip will be a bit different. “It’s time to move on and have normal trade relations with Cuba,” said Kevin Green, one of the farmers making the journey. Nelson explained that as an island nation, Cuba doesn’t have the ability to produce all of its own food. In 2008, Cuba revealed that 80 percent of its food supply was imported. While in Cuba, the group plans to visit the U.S. Interest Section to learn about the Cuban economy and market; Alimport, the state-run company that handles all imported food and feed products; a Mexico-based company that does Cuba’s grain milling; agriculture groups similar to Farm Bureau; as well as farms, a farmers’ market and a supermarket. Group members got permission from the U.S. Treasury Department as well as business visas from the Cuban government for their June 28-July 2 trip.
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback signed a bill that allows for the creation of local enhanced management areas, or LEMAs. Tools like LEMA provide Kansas irrigation farmers the ability to continue conserving the water of and extending the life of the Ogallala Aquifer. LEMA allows irrigators to collectively decide their future by initiating their own conservation plans to meet local guidelines. Wayne Bossert, manager of Groundwater Management District (GMD) No. 4, pioneered the LEMA plan. A proposal is now being considered that could reduce irrigation water use by approximately 20 percent throughout a five-year period. Moving forward, irrigators in the GMDs will now have enhanced management and conservation options they can use and not be afraid of other things that might happen to them if they start to address their resource concerns in a formal way, Bossert says. “We believe this new approach will change the water conservation paradigm in the groundwater regions of Kansas,” he adds. “But we’ll have to wait and see how the local water users start to develop and use this new authority.”
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley signed an estate tax reform bill into law May 22. The Family Farm Preservation Act, supported by Maryland Farm Bureau, will exempt the value of a farm from the state estate tax when the farm stays in agricultural use for the next 10 years. The bill provides that the Maryland estate tax shall be determined by excluding from the value of the gross estate up to $5 million of the value of property used for farming purposes that passes from the decedent to an individual who enters into an agreement to use property for farming purposes after the decedent’s death. If the property ceases to be used for farming purposes within 10 years after the decedent’s death, Maryland can recapture the estate tax. This bill makes Maryland’s estate tax law consistent with federal provisions. It also reduces the tax rate for any qualified agricultural property that exceeds $5 million from the current 16 percent to 5 percent. Under the bill, the portion of the estate that exceeds $1 million not considered agricultural property would still be assessed using the $1 million exemption and the 16 percent tax rate. This bill went into effect July 1 and applies to any death after Dec. 31, 2011.
A string of freezes has severely damaged this year’s Michigan tree fruit crop. The trouble started with a warm March— once trees begin to come out of their winter dormancy and start to bloom, they become vulnerable to damage if freezing temperatures return. April had several overnight freezes, as well as cooler daytime temperatures, which is the norm in Michigan. Ken Nye, Michigan Farm Bureau commodity specialist, said that the U.S. Agriculture Department has estimated up to $250 million of damage. One big fear, Nye said, is that the big commercial buyers of Michigan tree fruits will turn to another product or another supplier. For instance, Michigan produces three-quarters of the cherries in the U.S. that are processed and sold all over the nation. If growers lose that level of business, it will have long-lasting negative consequences, Nye said. Growers, handlers and processors may need financial help to tide them over a year’s lost income. “What would you do if you lost 80, 85, 90, 95 or 100 percent of your family’s income for a year?” asked Ben LaCross, Michigan cherry grower and former chair of the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee.
Grassroots
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fbnews.org
July 2, 2012
Kan. grower Derek Sawyer: Family, farm, transition By John Schlageck
ing into a marriage had to tackle involved buyHanding over the reins to the family farming a house, one or two ing and livestock operation is generally a cars and paying monthgradual process and often takes years. That ly bills,” Katie says. wasn’t the case on the Sawyer farm in McThis all changed a Pherson County, Kan., when young Derek, couple of weeks before who was only 26 at the time, took over the their wedding. They family farm. had the chance to purThis life-altering event occurred during chase land and cattle the summer of 2006. Derek farmed as part facilities. The opportuof a three-generation team headed up by nity was vital to their his grandfather, Lowell, and father, Doug, faming business. They until his grandfather died suddenly while began talking with driving a truck filled with corn. The truck lenders and it was durdrove off the road, into the ditch and came ing those conversations to rest in the middle of a wheat field. that Katie realized the “It was the way my grandfather would differences in the lifehave wanted to go,” Derek says. styles of a salaried perBut, for the family, it was a sudden transison in town and a protion. The next night while sitting at the kitchducer on the farm. en table, Derek’s father asked him if he wanted “We were talking to run the family farm. His dad had farmed about borrowing six for 40 years with his father and if the youngest and seven figures on Sawyer was willing, he’d be in charge. this purchase, and I be“There was 45 minutes of silence,” Derek gan to understand some recalls. “Then I told him I’d like the of the differences,” opportunity.” Katie said. “I knew my That was six years ago and the 32-year-old life had changed forSawyer hasn’t looked back. ever and I had become a He knows having his father around is an business partner in a essential ingredient in the farm’s success. long-term family farmMcPherson County, Kan., farmer and cattleman Derek Sawyer has jumped “He’s there to let me make my own deciing venture.” with both feet into his farm organization. sions,” Derek says. “He lets me skin my The new farm bride A few years after he graduated from Kansas State University, he became a knees, but won’t let me break my leg. He alalso understood this Farm Bureau Washington fellow. Next, his cousin encouraged him to consider lows me to make the financial and cropping investment was merely the Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) program. Sawyer was appointed to decisions but he’s always there for me to the tip of the iceberg, serve on the YF&R state committee beginning in November 2007 for a twoask, ‘Hey what do you think?’” and one major decision year term. He was elected chairman in November 2008 and served for one He considers the relationship with his like this does not make year. He was elected chairman of the 2009 state YF&R Leaders Conference. father a blessing that not everyone is lucky a farming business. He also served as McPherson County Farm Bureau president. At the end of enough to have. Derek also realizes the earlier There would be many February 2012, Derek and his wife, Katie, ended a two-year term serving on relationship that allowed three generations more investments and the American Farm Bureau Federation YF&R Committee. to farm the Sawyer land was another gift. loans down the line. “I live by the motto, it doesn’t do any good just to show up at a meeting,” “To be able to continue on with the values “It was a little scary Sawyer says. “If I’m going to be a part of an organization—I like to participate.” my grandpa and father instilled in me—I but you have to realize hope one day to pass these on to my chilyou have to take advandren,” Derek says. tage of land and facilimains is an elevator, church and two houses. That wish may one day come to pass. Derek ties when they arise,” Katie explained. “It’s a litThe church and elevator are still very impormarried a McPherson native 18 months ago. tle faith, trust in your partner and crossing your tant to our community.” And while Katie Sawyer didn’t grow up on a fingers and taking the plunge, knowing there are Like a handful of other producers, Derek farm, she’s embraced the lifestyle while purrisks required if you want to reap the rewards.” took time last February to travel to the Statesuing her own career in marketing and Derek has worked on upgrading and expandhouse in Topeka to talk about how imporcommunications. ing the farm over the last six years. Improvetant a proposed multi-year water rights flex The couple is still going through a learnments include moving toward minimum- and account would be to his farm. Kansas water ing curve. no-till farming, converting the remaining rights used to have an annual usage limit. If “My original knowledge of what adults goflood irrigation systems to pivot, installing farmers went over the limit, they faced fines drip irrigation on a and penalties. Now, new state law signed by couple of the flood Gov. Brownback in March lets farmers manirrigation fields and age their water allotment over five years to backgrounding rather even things out between drought and nonthan fattening the drought years. Derek and Katie told legislators cattle on their farm. it was time for producers to more efficiently Derek is excited about use the natural resources that are available. the possibilities of irFood stamps and nutrition— During last year’s extremely dry condirigating differently; it $768.2 billion tions, Derek was able to enroll three of his could be a boon to his Crop insurance—$94.6 billion irrigation wells into emergency, two-year dryland and irrigated drought permits. Without the opportunity corn, milo, soybean Conservation—$57.7 billion (Costs from 2013-2022) to increase his water usage, he would have and wheat enterprise. Commodity programs— suffered yield declines or a complete crop One advantage the failure in the fields serviced by those three Sawyer family farm re$43.2 billion wells. He believes multi-year flex permits will mains thankful for is 5.9% Everything else—$10.7 billion let him use water resources better if drought the proximity of their persists on his south-central Kansas farm. land in the Groveland 9.7% That said, the Sawyers remain “cautiously region southwest of optimistic.” Derek views the use of the natMcPherson. Derek’s ural resources entrusted to their care the grandfather acquired same way he sees the china they received at land, 2,500 acres, that their wedding. is somewhat contigu“You can put it away in the cabinet and ous. The acreage lies look at it and say, “It’s great we have this,” within a nine-mile area. 78.8% and let it collect dust, or you can use it the “We’ve been fortuway it was intended and care for it while in nate to farm land close the case of our water, soil and native grasses, to home since my Source: Congressional Budget Office use it to its full potential.” grandpa began farming more than 60 years ago,” Derek says. John Schlageck is a senior editor/writer for Kansas “Groveland used to be a Farm Bureau (KSFB). This article is reprinted with small, viable commupermission from Kansas Living, KSFB’s magazine. nity. Now all that re-
‘I like to participate’
Corner Post What’s in the Senate Farm Bill?