Page B-1 Monday, December 13, 2010 Woodford County
Jolene Neuhauser
Jolene’s Journal
Review of on-farm fuel storage requirements Jan. 12
Soon it will be time to make a New Year’s Resolution if you are into that kind of thing. Some people make resolutions ranging from improving their health to improving their finances. I offer a suggestion for those of you that are searching: Get involved in Farm Bureau and Speak Out in Support for Agriculture. Farm Bureau, the Illinois Beef Association, the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, the Illinois Pork Producers and the Illinois Soybean Association conducted a market study this past summer focusing on Rebuilding Consumer Trust in Illinois Farmers. What they found was that for the most part Farmers are still trusted, yet there are many questions about the modern methods used in production agriculture. I feel like I’ve been harping on this very topic for the past few years. Those involved in the industry need to be willing to speak openly and honestly about what it is you do and why you do it. Along with this is the fact that most out there believe that farms are now Corporate Farms instead of Family Farms. The word needs to get out that 85% of Illinois Farms are owned by an Individual or Family. Women are especially important to this project. Far m women are considered highly credible spokespeople about agriculture. In the study group many of the women were enviable of the Farm Woman’s life: being out in the fresh open country air and being able to be at home with your kids. This may sound like the romanticized image of agriculture but that is what the nonfarm public responds to. Not sure how to go about getting involved? Assisting with Ag in the Classroom programs is always an easy way to start. We have programs scheduled for this winter that an extra helping hand is always welcome. I am hopeful that many programs and projects will develop as a result of this market study, so there will be more opportunities and need for spokespeople. Just give me a call! If you don’t want to do something that formal – I once again offer the suggestion of inviting neighbors, fellow church members, and parents of your children or grandchildren’s classmates out to your farm. Let them see first-hand what you love to do. Let them ask questions and be open and honest with your answers. The bottom line is that consumers want a reason to trust farmers. They hear so much negative press about our industry that their trust is wavering. Spokespeople are needed to help get the word out that farmers are still the good guys! With that, I will get off my soapbox and close by wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Prosperous New Year!
The EPA has finalized its Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) rule that governs oil and fuel storage for many businesses, including farms. Nov. 10, 2010 was deadline for farms to comply with the new rules if they were in operation before 2002. However, if you still have questions or other concerns about the SPCC rule, a meeting is being held on Wednesday, Januar y 12 at 1:00 p.m. in the Far m Bureau Auditorium. Don Herring from Evergreen FS will be the speaker. The SPCC rule pertains to farms that have above-ground
Comments from the President By Wayne Blunier The election is past and we have many new congressmen and a number of new representatives on the Agriculture Committee. The Illinois Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau are busy with legislation that is vitally important to far mers. During 2010 we have had a one year reprieve from the federal estate tax. But, without new legislation it comes back in 2011 with an exemption of only one million dollars and a maximum tax rate of 55%. Even our smallest farms easily cross the one million mark with the current cost of machinery, buildings, and land. It will be very difficult to pass the farm to the next generation without an adjustment in the current law. Farm Bu-
oil storage with an aggregate capacity greater than 1,320 gallons or completely buried storage capacity of more than 42,000 gallons. Residential home oil containers and oil tanks smaller than 55 are exempt. The r ules require far ms that meet a cer tain storag e threshold to prepare and implement a plan and have a secondary containment structure around their tanks. Under the rules, there are different compliance requirements based on a facility’s storage capacity. To qualify, the smaller facilities must not have had a single discharge of more than
Utilizing Marketing Tools meeting Jan. 25 in Eureka Is one of your goals for t h e N e w Ye a r t o b e c o m e a better grain marketer? With the wild ride the markets have been on this year it probably wouldn’t hurt to freshen up on your knowledge of marketing tools that are available to you. To assist you with this, the Woodford County Farm Bureau is sponsoring a morning session on Utilizing Marketing Tools. T his session will be Tuesday, Januar y 25. It will begin at 9 a.m. and will be held
in the Farm Bureau Auditorium in Eureka. Coffee and rolls will be provided. Kent Stutzman of Advanced Trading will speak on marketing tools available to farmers. Terry Bline, General Manager of Roanoke Farmers Association will offer information on the tools that are available to you through your County Elevator. If you are looking to further your marketing knowledge we hope to see you on January 25 at 9 a.m.
Woodford County Farm Bureau Holiday Hours
reau suggests five million dollars for the exemption (ten milThe Farm Bureau office will be closed lion for a married couple) and December 24 a maximum tax rate of 35%. and Farm Bureau would accept the 2009 level of 3.5 million with December 31 steps to get to the five million. If you are making a dues payment in person, This hot issue needs action feel free to use the drop box located by the now. rear entrance to the building. Just a friendly reminder T he far m bill which exthat dues are to be paid by January 1! pires in 2012 is being debated now. Everyone recognizes the Me r ry C h ri s tm as an d Ha ppy N e w Ye a r! ! ! there will likely be less money in the new farm bill. Some improvements in the ACRE prog ram and in crop insurance Defensive Driving Class to be offered have a lot of suppor t. T he The Woodford County Farm Bureau will be offering a Defenfarm bill will be a hot topic at sive Driving Class on March 1, 2011 starting at 9 a.m. The class will the IAA (Illinois Farm Bureau) be an all day session with a break for lunch. Cost for the program meeting in St. Louis in Decemwill be $12 per person and will cover materials for the class. ber and also at the American State Trooper Dustin Pierce will be the instructor for the class. Far m Bureau meeting in AtTo register, please call the Farm Bureau at 467-2347. Class size lanta Georgia in January. is limited to 30 participants.
1,000 gallons into navigable waters within the three years prior to the date the SPCC is certified. The farm also cannot have had two oil discharges of more than 42 gallons into navigable water within a 12-month period. In addition to meeting the spill history requirement, smaller-capacity facilities must have 10,000 or fewer gallons of aggregate storage and cannot have any single aboveground storage container with capacity of more than 5,000 gallons. Facilities that meet the smaller-capacity category may use an EPA plan template and self-certify their plan. They do not have to have a plan certified by professional engineer. Facilities that have 10,000 or fewer gallons of aggregate storage and a single tank of more than 5,000 gallons would fall into a second-tier category. They also may self-certify a plan, but it would not be an EPA template plan. Facilities with more 10,000gallon storage capacity must have a plan approved by a professional engineer. Farms that have come into operation since 2002 must be in compliance by November 10, 2011. If you have any questions about your compliance attend the meeting on January 12 at 1:00 p.m. in the Farm Bureau Auditorium.
Farm Bur eau Foun dation off ers sc ho lar shi p T h e Wo o d f o r d C o u n t y Farm Bureau Foundation will be offering a $750 scholarship. This will be for a Current College or University student. The recipient must be pursuing a degree in agriculture or a related field, a member or dependent of a Woodford County Fa r m B u r e a u M e m b e r, n o t been a past recipient of a WCFB Foundation scholarship, exhibit potential for successful completion of course of study and be a resident of Woodford County. To request an application, contact the Woodford County Farm Bureau at 4672347 or wcfb@mtco.com. Applications are due March 18, 2011.