a reality at last - west virginia farm bureau€¦ · 2017. 12. 18. · ‡“sirius,” the sirius...

Farm Bureau NewsAug./Sept. 2008—Vol. 16 No. 8

A reality at last...

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Creekstone request to test for BSE denied

A federal appeals court has ruled that Creekstone Farms Premium Beef cannot test its cattle for bo-vine spongiform en-cephalopathy. Creek-stone Farms, a small Arkansas packer, filed suit in March 2006 to gain access to mad-cow test kits, saying it wanted to test every animal at its plant to assure foreign buyers that the meat was safe to eat.

The USDA refused, citing the 1913 Virus Serum Toxins Act, arguing that

the U.S. had put scientific interventions in place and that plant-wide testing could find false positives that would be damaging to beef demand.

Creekstone sued to overturn USDA’s position and a district court determined that the government did not have author-ity to prevent such testing, saying the 1913 law, intended to stop the sales of bogus drugs to livestock producers, covered dis-ease treatment, not testing harvested ani-mals for disease. However, the court put its ruling on hold pending appeal.

The U.S. Federal Appeals Court for the District of Columbia, in a decision in late August, ruled that diagnosis may be con-sidered part of treatment and that defer-

Ag Lab on the road to fairs and festivals

The Mobile Ag Lab will be on display at the Tyler County Harvest Festival at the Tyler County Fairgrounds on October 3, and at the Ohio County Fair, October 4 & 5, at Oglebay Resort. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the new educational facility first-hand, and meet Lab Coordi-nator Helen Hardman. Educators are en-couraged to come by to see demonstrations of what the Lab can offer their students.

ence should be given USDA for its inter-pretation of the law.

The ruling was sent back to the lower court.

2 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER West Virginia Farm Bureau News

4 prESidENtiAL pArAdigmS

6 West Virginia Farm Bureau’s mobile Agriculture Education Lab –a reality at last!

8 Farming Heritage Award winner9 Game day on the grill 10 2008 WVFB Annual Meeting

12 Grain dryer hazards are avoidable—if you think ahead

Farm Bureau’s young farmers and ranchers can be the bridge to your future in agriculture (and a new truck isn’t bad, either...)

13 ‘08 Farm Bill gives new protections to poultry, livestock and swine contract farmers

14 Unearthing your family tree: rooted in history

15 “What are those purple hanging things???” Researchers keep tabs on destructive Asian pest

onthecoverThe West Virginia Farm Bureau

Mobile Agriculture Education Lab

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WestVirginiaFarm Bureau News

The voice of Agriculture in the Mountain State

August/September 2008 Volume 16 Number 8

West Virginia Farm BureauOne Red Rock Road

Buckhannon, WV 26201

prESidENtCharles Wilfong

ViCE prESidENtFrank Nash

EditorJoan Harman

West Virginia Farm Bureau News is published monthly by the West Virginia Farm Bureau, Inc. Annual subscription rates: $3.32 (included in annual dues). Advertising rates and circulation information furnished upon request. Periodicals postage paid at Buckhannon, WV and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: return all forms 3579 to West Virginia Farm Bureau, One Red Rock Road, Buckhannon, WV 26201.

(ISSN 1076-8556) (USPS 011-537)Printed by Herald Printing Company,

New Washington, OH.

web site: www.wvfarm.orgemail: [email protected]

6 10

West Virginia Farm Bureau News AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 3

in Farm Bureau, character prevails

in Farm Bureau, membership countsBy Charles Wilfong, President, West Virginia Farm Bureau

By Bob Stallman, President, American Farm Bureau Federation

prESidENtiAL pArAdigmS

W h a t makes an organization great? Many would argue it’s how well the organization l o b b i e s C o n g r e s s . Others say it depends on

how well the organization sways public sentiment. Some folks think it’s the member benefits and perks. Granted, while all those components are important, they would mean nothing without character.

Winston Churchill once said that the price of greatness is responsibility. I wholeheartedly concur. Farm Bureau is what it is today not only because of its effectiveness in the political and public arenas, but because of its compassion and responsibility to our next-door neighbors and people across the globe. That is what makes Farm Bureau great.A Helping Hand

Farmers in the U.S. have seen their fair share of natural disaster during the past several years. If it’s not hurricanes and tornadoes, it’s drought and flooding. Yet, Farm Bureau members always prevail

during these true tests of character. Most recently, Farm Bureau members

banded together to help flood and drought victims across the country. Whether they were sandbagging levees in their communities or hauling hay across states to drought-impacted producers, Farm Bureau members were there with a helping hand.

Farmers and ranchers who had little to give went the extra mile when devastating fires burned several hundred thousand acres in the southern part of Utah last summer. Farm Bureau members in northern Utah, who also were suffering from drought, joined together to donate hay to farms and ranches destroyed by fires in southern Utah.

Further, when a killer tornado literally ripped Greensburg, Kansas, to shreds last May, the Kansas Farm Bureau quickly established a recovery fund to help the area. Rebuilding and renewal of the community was the Farm Bureau’s number one priority.

And when Katrina hit, Farm Bureau members across the country gave more than $1 million to help farmers in the hurricane-affected states as part of a fund established by the American Farm Bureau.

Banding TogetherMaine Farm Bureau member Morrill

Worchester for the past 15 years has assem-bled and donated thousands of evergreen wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery. He considers it not only his responsibility, but his privilege, to honor the sacrifices of those in the U.S. military.

On a larger scale, to help care for our troops, Farm Bureau members nationwide donated money to send beef jerky to our servicemen and women overseas for the USO’s “Operation Beef Up Our Troops.” Further, when the devastating tsunami hit Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia and other areas several years ago, Farm Bureau members banded together to make a large monetary contribution to help the victims.

Back on the home front, Farm Bureau members each year donate hundreds of thousands of pounds of food to food banks and pantries nationwide. And it doesn’t stop there. They give from their wallets and they give their time and their labor to help feed America’s hungry.

So, when someone asks me what makes Farm Bureau a great organization, I simply say it’s the character of our members.

“Be not simply good,” Henry David Tho-reau once wrote. “Be good for something.”

As we start into a new m e m b e r s h i p year on October 1, I would like to encourage each of us to take just a little bit of time to work

for the future of our great organization. We must have an ever-growing membership in order to be able to continue to address the many issues that we face all across the state. We need to put special emphasis on signing up our friends and neighbors who are actively involved in agriculture as

farmer members. We must continue to build on the

membership successes of the past few years. Our affiliation with Nationwide Insurance, in combination with the many other services we offer makes membership in Farm Bureau an extremely good deal. Nationwide is constantly working to provide the best insurance and financial services that are available anywhere. Nationwide continues to be the largest underwriter of farm insurance in the country.

Over the past year, we have been very active as an organization. Much time and effort has been spent on oil and gas issues. We have had, and continue to have,

informational meetings at various locations around the state. A few of the other issues that we have been very involved with include DOT regulations; water issues; property rights; taxes and farmland preservation.

We are the only organization that works on the broad range of issues that affect us every day. Our involvement, as an organization and individually, is vital in order to be successful in implementing our policies.

So please join me in making the coming year the best ever for West Virginia Farm Bureau. We pull the most when we pull together.


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On a steamy July afternoon, the new Mobile Agriculture Education Lab was delivered to the office of the West Virginia Farm Bureau in Buckhannon from the manufacturer in Randallstown, Maryland. The culmination of many years of deliberation by the WVFB board of directors, and months of hard work by Helen Hardman, Lab coordinator, had finally come to fruition.

Even then, more work was needed to be done to finish the Lab. Each Lab “station”—partitioned sections where teams of children will carry on their science experiments under the supervision of a teacher—had to be constructed. Illustrative boards featuring West Virginia commodities had to be mounted above the stations. The boards —bright white with deep red frame—are decorated with cows, sheep, horses and other West Virginia commodities, along with many of the by-products from each. They will demonstrate to Lab participants how agriculture is in every facet of our lives, from baseball gloves and paintbrushes to piano keys and lifesaving medicines.

Hooks to hold measuring devices for experiments and clipboards to record the results of those tests are lined up under each board. Beneath the countertop, tubs of

materials to be used for students’ research are neatly stored on shelves designed to keep the containers from sliding around during transport of the Lab.

Above each station, a plaque engraved with the names of donors is mounted. A “giving tree” sweeps across a storage closet door to recognize still more donors.

The Lab has also been equipped with a sink, refrigerator, microwave, television and DVD player. It has heating and air-conditioning, and a built-in generator, to ensure the comfort of all.

While Hardman spent countless hours preparing the inside of the Lab after its delivery, graphic artists from The Sign Guy in Buckhannon prepared the graphics for the outside shell. Piece by piece, the brightly colored sheets of digitally printed Fleet vinyl have been carefully and painstakingly applied over the aluminum skin of the Lab. Each screw was removed one by one from the Lab’s frame as the sheets were spread over the surface, and then meticulously reinserted, to insure a smooth finish. A total of 40 sections of vinyl blend together to create the “swoosh” of agricultural illustrations across each side, united on the front with the WVFB logo. On the rear of the Lab, major sponsors are recognized with their name and company logo.

On August 8th, the Lab made its debut appearance at the West Virginia State Fair. Throngs of curious children and their parents, Governor Manchin and Commissioner of Agriculture Douglass, as well as State Fair officials and others, were treated to a personal tour by Hardman and the many WVFB volunteers who came to help introduce the Lab to the public. Kids made healthy snacks using West Virginia products, played agriculturally-themed games and learned how the Lab would be visiting schools around the state. Several teachers and school officials touring the Lab inquired about scheduling for their schools and expressed their delight at this new educational resource.

The Lab will begin its tour of schools in January 2009. Schools can book the Lab for a week at a time, for a fee of $1,000. The Lab will be delivered to the school, set up and ready to go. A certified teacher will accompany the Lab to conduct all sessions. Schools need only bring the students to the Lab and help provide supervision.

Schools interested in booking the Lab can call Helen Hardman at 800-398-4630 ext. 311 for further details. Individuals, organizations or businesses who would like to help sponsor the cost of bringing the Lab to a local school can contact Hardman for more information.

West Virginia Farm Bureau’s mobile Agriculture Education Lab

Daniel Marsh and assistant from The Sign Guy work to install the outer graphics on the Lab

Illustrative boards mounted above Lab stations display WV commodities


West Virginia Farm Bureau’s mobile Agriculture Education Lab

Above: This Dairy board, mounted above a work station, shows students a variety of products that come from dairy cows

The Lab makes its official debut in August at the State Fair of West Virginia, situated beside the Gus R. Douglass building

Right: Hardman shows two young State Fair visitors what the Lab is all about...West Virginia agriculture!


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The 2008 Farming Heritage Award was presented to the A. Goff and Sons family. The Goff Farm,

which includes 500+ acres, is in its 98th year of production and is currently operated by fourth-generation family members.

The Farming Heritage Award is sponsored by the West Virginia Farm Bureau and the State Fair of West Virginia. It is presented each year to a family who has demonstrated a commitment to a rural lifestyle, been involved in their community, and served as role models to others in the state of West Virginia.

The Goff family farming tradition began in 1893 when A. Goff purchased his first purebred bull calf. It was not long before the Goff operation was known throughout the eastern United States as a pioneer in the Polled Hereford business.

A. Goff ’s sons, Denver, Don and Claude, joined their father in the business

and continued growing the successful enterprise. In 1958, Denver’s son, Marion, purchased Claude’s farm and joined in the family business, bringing it to new heights. Denver’s grandson, Ira Haught, and great-grandson, Derek Haught, also carried on the family tradition raising Polled Herefords, operating as Haught Brothers.

In 2004, Marion Goff passed away. But the A. Goff and Sons family farming tradition still carries on, with Eric Goff, Marion’s son, in charge. Eric likes to say, “when you’ve finished a day on the farm, you know you’ve done something.”

This October, the Goff family business will hold their 55th annual production sale, at the modern sale barn they have built on their beautiful farm. The Goff family knows there will always be a home there for Polled Hereford cattle as long as there is a Goff to “keep on keeping on”.

Left to right: LaVonne Goff-Burnette; Gus R.Douglass, WV Commissioner of Agriculture; John R. Wilson, President, State Fair of WV; Charles Wilfong, WVFB President; Governor Joe Manchin; Eric Goff.

WiNNEr

2008

FArmiNg

HEritAgE

AWArd


FAMILY FEATURES

This season, why pick up the phone to place that routine, game-day pizza order when you can score rave reviews

from family and friends by firing up the grill for a back yard tailgate party with all the sights, sounds and smells of the stadium? Foot ball analyst Mike Golic and champion pitmaster Chris Lilly both believe that game day tastes better on a charcoal grill, and are sharing their favorite recipes and tips.

Golic, a former defensive lineman and host of ESPN’s “Mike & Mike in the Morning,” knows how fun game day can be—even off the field and in his own backyard.

“I have a family full of football fans, so game days are big at my house,” said Golic. “Gathering around the grill in my backyard is one of my favorite ways to reconnect after a busy week.”

Chris Lilly, champion pitmaster and owner of Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur, Ala., couldn’t agree more. He also insists that grilling for game day is one of the best ways to extend the summer and take advantage of the extra hours of sunlight provided by the extended daylight saving time period.

“Nothing beats the unmistakable, smoky aroma of a charcoal cook out on a crisp, fall day,” said Lilly. “And lighting the perfect charcoal fire is easier than most people think. Simply apply a moderate amount of lighter fluid to charcoal briquettes, light immediately and let the coals burn until they are white-hot before placing food on the grill. It shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes.”

Backyard Tailgate StrategiesTo host your own backyard tailgate, use these winning game-day strategies from Golic and Lilly:

Pass It On. No backyard tailgate is complete without a halftime game of tag football. Hand off your football wisdom to your littlest tailgaters by teaching them the art of the perfect pass—the release and follow through are the most important elements and can be the difference between throwing a wobbly “duck” and a perfect spiral.

Blitz for Burgers. To achieve a perfectly grilled burger, only flip once. This is essential! Look for a pooling of natural juices in the center of the burger—that’s when you know it’s time to flip to the other side.

Level the Playing Field. A typical chicken breast is thicker on one side than the other, which can make it difficult to cook evenly. To solve the problem, before placing on the grill, simply press the heel of your palm firmly against the thickest part of the breast until even with the rest of its surface.

Skewer the Competition. Grilled kabobs are a guaranteed crowd pleaser. When grilling those that incorporate strips of meat, chicken or even indivi dual shrimp, make sure the skewer goes through the food twice so each piece will stay in place. Or, cut the meat into cubes and spear once for an even, easy cook. Also, be sure to soak wood skewers in water before placing them on the grill, as dry skewers will burn.

Play It Safe. When it comes to grill ing, safety comes first. It’s more than likely that glowing embers remain in the grill for quite some time, so a good rule of thumb is to wait at least 12 hours before emptying residual ash.

For more ways to bring the tailgate home, including additional tips and recipes from both Golic and Lilly, visit MealsTogether.com. While there, find out how to enter the “On the Grill” promo tion for a chance to tailgate with friends and family at a bowl game or with race car drivers at the season-ending race in Homestead-Miami.

Kick’n CornRecipe created by football analyst, Mike Golic, on behalf of Kingsford charcoalDifficulty level: mediumPrep time: 30 minutesCook time: 10 to 12 minutesMakes: 6 servings 6 large ears of corn in the husk Hidden Valley Original Ranch Salad Dressing, for dippingHot Sauce 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/4 cup chopped plum tomato 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 1/2 tablespoon cayenne pepper 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into chunks, reservedPeel husk back from corn and remove silk. Do not remove husk. Set aside.

Combine sauce ingredients, except butter, in blender and puree until smooth. In medium sauce-pan, bring sauce to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes until sauce thickens slight-ly. Turn off heat and whisk in butter chunks until melted.

Brush corn with sauce and wrap tightly in husks. Grill for 10 to 12 min-utes, turning every 2 to 3 minutes to prevent husk from burn-ing. When cooked, peel back husk and serve with ranch dress-ing for dipping.

Steak and Vegetable Skewers With Soy-Ginger Marinade

Recipe created by champion pitmaster, Chris Lilly, on behalf of Kingsford charcoal Difficulty level: mediumPrep time: 20 minutes, plus 2 hours for marinadeCook time: 8 to 10 minutesMakes: 6 servings 2 onions 3 bell peppers2 1/2 pounds steak, 1 inch thick 6 skewers (if using wood

skewers, soak in water)Marinade 1 cup soy sauce 1 cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup sugar 3 tablespoons ground ginger 3 tablespoons vinegar 3 1/2 teaspoons garlic salt 2 teaspoons lemon juice 3/4 teaspoon black pepperCombine marinade ingredients and mix well. Cut onions and peppers into 1-inch pieces. Cut steak into 1-inch cubes. Divide marinade in half and marinate vegetables and meat in separate gallon-size re-sealable bags for 2 hours.

Remove vegetables and meat from marinade. Place steak, onions and peppers on skewer, alternating varieties.

Build a charcoal fire for direct grill ing. Grill kabobs over coals (approxi mately 450° to 500°F) for 4 to 5 min utes on each side. Remove from grill and serve.


rEVErENd BruCE A. mAC-BEtH, a retired Presbyterian minis-ter, currently resides in Weston. He retired as Pastor of the Moorefield Presbyterian Church following a 30-year pastorate. He also served

dANiEL t. KELLEy is a board member of Nationwide, a $161 bil-lion diversified financial services organization based in Columbus, Ohio. He was elected to the board in 2006.

Mr. Kelley is chairman of the board and president of GROWMARK, Inc. and op-erates a grain farm near Normal, IL, in partnership with his two brothers. He is a director of Denver-based CoBank and Evergreen FS, Inc. in Blooming-ton, IL, serving as president since 1985.

Mr. Kelley is a director of the Illinois Agricul-tural Leadership Foundation and serves as director and vice president of the Illinois State University Alumni Association. He was a board member of AgriBank FCB in St. Paul, MN and chaired the merger steering committee forming the company in May 1992.

Mr. Kelley has received many accolades and awards in the agribusiness community, including Director of the Year by the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives in 2002.

A graduate of Illinois State University, Mr. Kel-ley holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture.

Nationwide is one of the largest diversified in-surance and financial services organizations in the world, and ranks #104 on the Fortune 500 list. The company provides a full range of insurance and fi-nancial services, including auto, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life, farm, commercial insurance, ad-ministrative services, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and health and productivity services. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.

HArry d. KEmmNEr, CpA, mpAHarry began his accounting ca-

reer with Toothman Rice in the early 1980’s, worked in industry for a short period and spent 20 years with a large regional public accounting firm prac-ticing primarily in auditing and taxa-

tion. He re-joined the firm in 2006 as a manager in the Bridgeport office.

In his current role, he services a variety of busi-nesses with their tax, accounting and business man-agement needs. He serves as a director of the firm’s accounting and auditing group and is a member of the oil and gas group and strategic planning team.

A life-long West Virginian, Harry received both Bachelors and Masters of Professional Accounting degrees from West Virginia University and is a Dale Carnegie graduate. He has served on various civic and charitable organizations and is a member of the West Virginia Society of CPAs and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Harry, his wife Jo Ellen and daughters Chrissy and Kaitlyn reside near Peeltree in Harrison County.

BoB StALLmAN, a rice and cattle producer from Co-lumbus, Texas, is president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, the nation’s largest and most influential general farm organization. The 11th president in the organization’s history, Mr. Stallman was first elected president on Jan. 13,

2000. He is the first AFBF president from the Lone Star State.

Prior to becoming AFBF President, Mr. Stallman was president of the Texas Farm Bureau, a position he held since 1993. He became a member of AFBF’s board of directors in 1994. Mr. Stallman served on various committees and boards during his tenure on the AFBF board of directors, including chairman of the 1998 Farm Economy Committee.

A 1974 honors graduate of the University of Tex-as, Mr. Stallman joined the family farm operation in 1975. He was elected to the board of directors of the Colorado County (Texas) Farm Bureau in 1977.

In addition to Farm Bureau involvement, Mr. Stallman has been selected to serve on various state and federal committees. In 2007, President George W. Bush appointed Mr. Stallman to serve as a member of the White House Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations (ACTPN), the committee at the top of a multi-tiered system to advise the president and Congress on proposed trade agreements.

Mr. Stallman served on the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee for Trade (APAC) since 2001. In June 2001, Mr. Stallman began serving on the Ad-visory Committee on International Economic Policy (ACIEP), the State Department’s principal advisory panel regarding international economic issues.

In Spring 2001, Mr. Stallman began serving on the board of trustees for the Farm Foundation, a non-profit organization that improves the well-being of U.S. agriculture and rural people. In addition, he serves on the Advisory Board of the World Agricultural Fo-rum, an independent organization that encourages open debate and discussion of international food, fiber and fuel issues.

In 1996, then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush ap-pointed Mr. Stallman to the Citizen’s Committee on Property Tax Relief. That same year, Mr. Stallman was appointed by then-House Agriculture Commit-tee Chairman Pat Roberts to the Commission on 21st Century Production Agriculture, a panel that proposed recommendations on farm policy for Congress and the administration.

Mr. Stallman served on the board of directors for the American Council for Capital Formation (ACCF), an organization highly regarded for the role it plays in the debate on tax and environmental policy issues, from 2002-2007.

BoB WiLSoN serves as Senior Director, Leadership Development of the American Farm Bureau Fed-eration. Bob has worked for Farm Bureau since 1976, when he joined the Arizona Farm Bureau as assistant manager of the state’s service com-pany. In 1978, he was named direc-

tor of Field Services. In November 1980, Wilson was named area field services director for the American Farm Bureau Federation, working in the Northeast-ern Region. He held that position for five years before returning to the Arizona Farm Bureau as Director of Organization. In 1992, he returned to the American Farm Bureau as Area Director, Program and Policy Coordination for the Western Region. He was named to his current position in 2001. Bob resides in Phoe-nix, Arizona with his wife Pat and daughter Amy.

Mr. Stallman is a member of the Texas A&M College of Agriculture Development Council and a life member of the University of Texas Ex-Students’ Association.

Mr. Stallman was the recipient of the Texas A&M “Friend of Agriculture” award in 1999.

A member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Columbus, Texas, Mr. Stallman is married to Stacey Lynne Bryan. He has two daughters who reside in Houston, Texas: Kimberly Willingham and son-in-law Daniel; and Angela Kulhanek and son-in-law Devin, and six grandchildren, Ashley, Brooke, Kinley, Blake, Aaron and Cole.

AN iNVitAtioN From tHE prESidENt oF WESt VirgiNiA FArm BurEAu

Let me extend an invitation to you to attend the 89th West Virginia Farm Bureau Annual Meeting. WVFB Annual Meeting Committee Chair Bill Ingram

and Annual Meeting Coordinator LeVera Gillum have worked hard to organize an outstanding program for this year’s meeting.

WVFB members from across our great state will gather to renew friendships, learn new information, and review and approve policy,

which will steer the course for our organization over the coming year. I heartily urge you to attend this meeting and be an active part

of the process. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget.

mAry ELLEN LEmoNS is a nurse by trade but a quilter at heart. She be-gan sewing as a child, under the sew-ing machine at her father’s dry clean-ing plant. She is an award winning quilter and has been teaching quilting classes since 1985 for numerous shops and groups. She is also the co-owner of The Back Porch Quilters, a long arm computerized quilting service located in Buckhannon. She and her husband Steve live in a log home filled with antiques and quilts in every room. She has two grown sons who also reside in Upshur County. Since she had no daugh-ters to teach to quilt, she turned to teaching others.


FridAy, NoVEmBEr 7, 20082:00 p.m. Registration & Trade Show2:00 p.m. State Board Mtg. as Resolutions Comm. 2:00 p.m. Information Fair Topics Motor Carrier Regulations Impacting Agriculture Reggie Bunner, PSC Training Supervisor Oil & Gas Issues Impacting Landowners— Charlie Burd, Executive Director, Independent Oil & Gas Association of WV; Ken Pote, KL Pote & Associates; & Bob Radabaugh, S & R Gas Ventures ATV Safety—Jim Helmkamp, Director, WVU Injury Control Research Center

Seminars 2-4:30 p.m. Quilting (hands on workshop) Mary Ellen Lemons, RN2-4:30 p.m. County Farm Bureau Planning & Legal Tax/Liability Seminar—Bob Wilson, AFBF; & Harry Kemmner, Toothman Rice, PLLC (BY INVITATION ONLY)4:00 p.m. Young Farmer Orientation5:00 p.m. Awards Banquet7:30 p.m. Women’s Committee Caucus Regions—2, 4, 6 & 87:30 p.m. Young Farmer Discussion Meet

6:00 a.m. Breakfast Buffet 7:45 a.m. Group Singing8:00 a.m. General Session Call to Order Welcome—Charles Wilfong, President Devotions—Ethel Nash, WC Chair Posting of Colors National Anthem—Tiffany Elliott Pledge of Allegiance Song—Tiffany Elliott Meeting Convenes Introduction of Board & Officers Report of Credentials & Rules Cmte. Report of WVFB President9:45 a.m. Break10:00 a.m. General Session Continues Report of Secretary/Treasurer Remarks by Nationwide Board Member Minutes of 2007 Annual Meeting11:00 a.m. Legislative Insights

11:45 a.m. Break for lunch12:00 p.m. Young Farmer Luncheon12:00 p.m. Women’s Luncheon Speaker: Helen Hardman, WVFB Election of Women’s Committee Officers12:30 p.m. Lunch (all others) Speaker: Daniel T. Kelley, Board Member, Nationwide, Hosted by Nationwide2:00 p.m. Policy Development (Due to seating limitations, limited to Certified Voting Delegates only)2:15 p.m. Youth Speech Contest4:30 p.m. Regional Caucus of Voting Delegates Regions 1, 3, 5 & 74:30 p.m. County Photos6:00 p.m. Banquet Winner of Youth Speech Contest Speaks Speaker: Bob Stallman, President, AFBF Presentation of Awards 8:30 p.m. Young Farmer Auction

SAturdAy, NoVEmBEr 8, 2008

6:00 a.m. Breakfast Buffet6:30 a.m. Presidents & Secretaries Breakfast (BY INVITATION ONLY) Speaker: Bob Wilson, AFBF 8:15 a.m. Group Singing8:30 a.m. Call to Order—President Charles Wilfong Welcome—Bill Ingram, Chairman, Annual Meeting Committee Prayer—Frank Nash, Vice-President

9:00 a.m. Memorial Service Speaker: Rev. Bruce A. Macbeth Hosted by WVFB Women’s Committee9:45 a.m. Break10:00 a.m. Policy Development Continues Meeting Wrap-up Women’s Committee Report Young Farmer Report Election of Regional Directors Election of Officers

SuNdAy, NoVEmBEr 9, 2008

To register for the 2008 WVFB Annual Meeting, please fill out the meal and meeting reservation form and send it to the WVFB office by Friday, October 24, 2008. Hotel reservations must be made by Friday, October 24, 2008.

churches in Virginia, Indiana and Kentucky. During his 42 years in the pastorate, Rev. Macbeth served as Chaplain of a Youth Correctional Institution in In-diana and Chaplain of the 7th District Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court of Virginia. He organized Youth Centers in Winchester, VA and Moorefield.

In addition, he was the organizing President of

the Hardy County WV Committee on Aging and was instrumental in establishing the E. A. Hawse Retire-ment Village in Baker, WV. During his ministry he was active in many church, community and ministe-rial organizations as well as directing church camps for children and youth. Rev. Macbeth was born in New York City and lived in nearby Yonkers, NY. He

is a graduate of Davis Elkins College and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Upon retirement, he was named Pastor Emeritus of the Moorefield Presbyterian Church. He is President of the Lewis County Habitat for Humanity and Chaplain of the North Central West Virginia Scottish Festival and Celtic Gathering.

rEVErENd BruCE A. mACBEtH CoNtiNuEd


By Steve Fino, Farm Bureau Relationship Manager, NationwideThe many hazards

of a grain dryer demand your attention and precautions to avoid potentially deadly consequences. In addition to the safety suggestions below, Hank Bartholomew, Farm Loss Control manager for Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance, says a big part of grain dryer safety starts with placing your propane the right distance from a potential ignition source—including dryers and fan motors.

“NFPA (National Fire Protection Assn.) guidelines call for LP gas storage with a combined capacity of 500–2000 gallons to be at least 25 feet from an ignition source,” says Bartholomew. “LP gas storage of more than 2000 gallons should be at least 50 feet from an ignition source,” he adds.

Multiple 1000-gallon LP tanks stored near each other should have a three-foot minimum spacing between tanks, explains Bartholomew. “Your fire department needs

space to allow fire department personnel to provide cooling water on all sides of the tank in the event of a fire,” says. “Cooling water allows the controlled release of fuel through the pop-off value to prevent a catastrophic rupture of the tank. A catastrophic rupture of the tank could result in severe injuries or death to anyone in the area.”

Make sure all your dryer operators follow the following guidelines to avoid dangers in the months ahead:

Keep children away from all farm equipment in use.

Clean dryer and blow out accumulated dust and debris on a regular schedule to prevent build-up of flammable materials. Carefully inspect dryer for dust, dirt and cobwebs, and clear away debris before starting equipment.

Before operating, ensure that all guards on the intake of the auger are securely in place.

Stop the blower immediately if you notice

smoke or if grain catches fire.If dryer catches fire, shut off propane or

gas at its source.Turn off dryer if there’s excessive vibration,

any unusual noises, or if you smell propane.Never wear loose-fitting clothing when

operating the dryer.Keep body parts away from moving parts

to avoid injuries.Keep a portable fire extinguisher near

dryer.Avoid damage and stress to the gas lines,

which could cause a leak.Follow all manufacturer’s instructions,

and use safety switches.Have an emergency plan in place to

minimize loss should a fire occur.Conduct a thorough check of the dryer

each time you shut it down.Coordinate your emergency plan with

input from experts, such as a Nationwide Agribusiness loss control representative, local fire fighters, and dryer equipment representative. In an emergency, make sure everyone involved knows how to control fires and maintain worker safety until help arrives. For more information, contact Hank Bartholomew at 740-596-2379, or email [email protected].

You have always loved agriculture— from participating in 4-H and FFA as a kid, to getting involved with Collegiate Farm Bureau or other agriculture organizations in college. But now that you are a young adult, how do you jump into professional activities on the next level? Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) program can be your bridge.

YF&R helps producers between the ages of 18-35 prepare for their future, offering leadership development and personal growth. Opportunities such as leadership conferences held annually at the state and national level, allow young agricultural leaders to serve the industry, build their skills and have fun. More than 700 young farmers and ranchers gather during the national conference every year to network and learn from other young leaders.

On top of all that, YF&R members have the opportunity to compete in 3 events held annually. The Discussion Meet is a contest designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and

active participation is expected from each competitor. The competition is evaluated on an exchange of ideas and information on four predetermined topics. If the Discussion

Meet is not up your alley, two other events are based on individual achievement.

The Excellence in Ag award is given to a person who has a strong involvement

in agriculture, leadership ability and involvement and participation in Farm Bureau and other community and civic organizations.

The Achievement Award program is designed to recognize those young farmers and ranchers who have excelled in their farming/ranching operations and honed their leadership skills and abilities.

Best of all, the winner of each of these competitions is recognized at the American Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas and takes home a new Dodge truck in the bargain!

Go ahead—take the next step. Allow YF&R to be the bridge towards your future as a leader in the agriculture industry. For more information about the YF &R program or the competitive events, contact Tanya Nickerson, WVFB Field Representative, at 472-2080 ext. 309.

Farm Bureau’s young Farmers and ranchers can be the bridge to your future in agriculture (and a new truck isn’t bad, either...)

THE COMPETITION IS TOUGH.

SO IS THE REWARD.

Farm Bureau is a federally registered collective membership and a registered service mark of the American Farm Bureau Federation and is being used by Dodge under license from the American Farm Bureau Federation. Chrysler Financial is a business unit of Chrysler Financial Services Americas LLC.

Farm Bureau is a federally registered collective membership and a registered service mark of the American Farm Bureau Federation and is being used by Dodge under license from the American Farm Bureau Federation. Chrysler Financial is a business unit of Chrysler Financial Services Americas LLC.

WIN A NEW DODGE RAM AT THE YOUNG FARMER & RANCHER COMPETITIONS.Now you can show off your agricultural expertise at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s® Young Farmer & Rancher competitions at the National Convention in San Antonio, TX, January 11-14, 2009, and win one of three new Dodge Rams. Win the Achievement Award, and you’re the proud owner of a Dodge Ram 3500 Heavy Duty Quad Cab® Big Horn. Win the Discussion Meet, and take home a Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Quad Cab Big Horn, or win the Excellence in Agriculture Contest, and drive away in an all-new 2009 Ram 1500 Quad Cab SLT. The contest is open to all Young Farmer & Rancher members. For all the entry details, contact your local Farm Bureau.® And for more information about Dodge Ram trucks, visit dodge.com or call 800-4ADODGE.

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WIN A NEW DODGE RAM AT THE YOUNG FARMER & RANCHER COMPETITIONS.Now you can show off your agricultural expertise at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s® Young Farmer & Rancher competitions at the National Convention in San Antonio, TX, January 11-14, 2009, and win one of three new Dodge Rams. Win the Achievement Award, and you’re the proud owner of a Dodge Ram 3500 Heavy Duty Quad Cab® Big Horn. Win the Discussion Meet, and take home a Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Quad Cab Big Horn, or win the Excellence in Agriculture Contest, and drive away in an all-new 2009 Ram 1500 Quad Cab SLT. The contest is open to all Young Farmer & Rancher members. For all the entry details, contact your local Farm Bureau.® And for more information about Dodge Ram trucks, visit dodge.com or call 800-4ADODGE.

D80344CLIENT: DODGE NATIONAL LIVE: 4.666"W X 5.875"H AD: Simoncini 3907 PROOFREADING SIGNOFF

PRODUCT: 2009 RAM NOTES: Farm Bureau AB: N/AINITIALS: ______ DATE: _________

CHANGES:DATE: 8/7/08 4:15 PM TITLE: Competition Is Tough AC: Miller 4517

GA: DD SPECS: 4/C Magazine PP: GALLAGHER 3650

D80344_240.indd 1 8/19/08 8:25:36 PM

grain dryer hazards are avoidable—if you think ahead


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Securities o�ered through Nationwide Securities, LLC, P.O. Box 183137, Columbus, OH 43218, (888) 753-7364. Member FINRA, SIPC. DBA Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc. in AR, FL, IL, WV. DBA Nationwide Advisory Services in MA, NY, OK. Representatives of Nationwide Life Insurance companies. Nationwide, Nationwide Financial, the Nationwide framemark, Life Comes at You Fast and On Your Side are federally registered service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2007 – 2008, Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. All rights reserved. NFM-5005AO.2 (08/08)

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Life Comes at You Fast®

According to the Rural Advancement Foundation International, contract farmers have new rights under the 2008 Farm Bill. The association lists several items of which contract farmers should be aware.

Poultry, swine and livestock growers now have the right to decline to be bound by an arbitration clause in the contract. An option to opt-out should be contained in the contract. This choice will only be presented at the time the contract is newly signed, renewed, modified, or extended. Any poultry, swine or livestock contract that is renewed, modified, extended or entered into after May 22, 2008, should contain this provision.

Poultry and swine growers also now have the right to know if the company will require large capital investments over the life of their contract. The first page of a poultry or swine contract will contain an “additional capital investments disclosure

statement”, which will state that additional large capital investments may be required of the poultry or swine producer during the term of the growing arrangement.

Disputes that poultry and swine growers may have with the company can now be settled in the Federal judicial district where the grower lives, under the new Farm Bill, rather than where the company is headquartered.

The Rural Advancement Foundation also advises that arbitration is usually more expensive than going to court. Proving a farmer’s case in arbitration is more difficult, and basic legal processes, such as discovery, which allows the farmer to access the company’s documents, are very limited. Appealing an adverse decision can also be difficult. Arbitration is governed by procedures and rules chosen by the company writing the contract.

If a grower declines the use of

arbitration when signing a contract, they still have the right, after a dispute arises, to use arbitration if both parties agree in writing to do so. However, if the grower accepts the arbitration clause, they will not have the option to go to court after a dispute arises.

Growers cannot be threatened with termination of the contract or have birds or animals withheld if the arbitration clause was declined. Producers are urged to take good notes of any discussions with field representatives when presented with the option of declining the arbitration clause in a new contract.

If farmers have a flock-to-flock contract, they should get a new contract or at least a separate provision allowing them to decline to be bound by an arbitration clause when receiving the next flock of chickens. These contracts technically get renewed each time producers get a new flock.

Growers are cautioned to read all contracts carefully to make certain they contain all necessary provisions.

‘08 Farm Bill gives new protections to poultry, livestock and swine contract farmers


Brother and sister David Murphy and Cheryl Varella spent a lifetime apart, but were brought together by Amanda Bloom’s family history research.

Digging Up InformationThere’s a wealth of data available online, but you need to know where to look. According to Szucs, records such as these are constantly updated with new information.n Census records can tell you where your

ancestors lived, where they were born, what their occupation was, names of family members and other clues to the family puzzle.n Newspaper collections carry birth, marriage

and death notices, all of which provide valuable family information. You may also find your ancestor’s name mentioned in legal or social notices, articles or advertisements.n Military records also hold important clues.

You can search for your family military heroes in records from the Revolutionary War to the Vietnam War. Draft registration cards hold personal statistics such as height, weight, and eye color. Service records tell you what unit your relative served in, and whether they were injured or received commendations.

A Growing TrendFamily history research is one of the fastest-growing hobbies in America. In fact, nearly 80 percent of Americans are interested in or are actively research ing their family history. And getting started is easy. With the help of the Internet, you can be on your way in just minutes:n By using a family history research site such

as Ancestry.com, in just five to 10 minutes you can begin your family tree, upload photos and start uncovering hints that can link you to valuable clues in resources such as census and military records.n In one to two hours, you can complete a

three-generation family tree, create a book using your online family tree, and print and frame a set of family photos and records from the site. n In just one weekend, you can create a full

memorial page for a loved one.

FAMIlY FeATuReS

Have you ever wondered if you were related to someone famous? Did you grow up hearing stories about a distant relative and won der if they were true?

Or are you curi ous about what part of the world your family really came from?

If so, you’re not alone. Millions of people are asking the same questions and trying to find the answers.

A success storyAmanda Bloom, of Huntington Beach, Calif.,

heard a family mystery story from her mother that she just had to solve. Amanda’s grandfather served in World War II. While he was gone, his first wife placed their son and two daughters in an orphanage. Amanda’s mother, born from a second marriage, didn’t find out about these siblings until she was a teenager and had always wondered what had become of them. As a present for her mother’s 60th birthday, Amanda began the search to find them.

She started by joining Ancestry.com, the largest online source of family history information. She was able to learn some research techniques and started searching records in the 26,000 databases of information. “I obtained copies of my grandfather’s naval records, confirm ing his children’s birth names and birth dates,” she said. She then found birth and death records on the site and used census records to learn more about the family. This information led her to a long-lost living relative.

“I made my mother’s lifelong dream of knowing her siblings come true,” said Amanda. “I found her brother living in the Midwest. I was a little apprehensive to contact him, but when I did, it was one big cry fest!” He told Amanda that she had filled a void that had been with him his entire life. He was only six-years old when the family was split up, and had spent his life wondering what had happened to his sisters. Together, they later found his sisters and have all since met and grown very close.

What’s your story?So what secrets are waiting to be discovered about

the people who made you who you are today? “Our roots influence us in ways we can’t even imagine,” said loretto Szucs, a genealogist at Ancestry.com. “Studying your family history actually lets you discover more about yourself.”

With online databases and research tools, it’s easier than ever to start putting the pages of your family story together, preserving your heritage and passing it on to future generations.

Create a family tree.You can easily create a family tree online with

what you already know. Begin with yourself and add your parents and grandparents. Record each person’s name, birthplace, birth date, death place and death date. If you don’t know the exact information, take your best guess—vague clues can lead to amazing finds. Family members may be able to help as well.

Search historical records.Online historical records are full of clues that connect

individuals and events in your family history. From military records to census records to old newspaper archives, there’s an entire host of resources available when researching your family tree.

Preserve your own family treasures.Besides online content, what family treasures are

hidden in your shoe box, your attic, even your garage? look for family Bibles, photographs, diaries, letters and—most impor tantly—birth, marriage and death certificates. Scan these items and add them to your family tree—helping to preserve them for future generations. Older relatives, in parti cular, can often provide a wealth of information, stories, pictures and other family heirlooms.

Collaborate with a community.Search other peoples’ family trees and communicate

with them through online message boards or other social networks. You can share information, ask questions, receive help and add new and surprising details to your family story.

Share your discoveries.Share the excitement by inviting family members

and friends to view your tree. Then encourage them to add old photos, stories or historical records to help your tree grow even more.

We’re all reflections of the ancestors who came before us—from our natural talents to the places we live and traditions we honor. understanding our ancestors truly helps us understand ourselves.

For more on how to discover your family’s story, visit www.Ancestry.com.

Branching Out: Getting the Kids InvolvedInvolving children in your genealogy research is a

great family project. Some activities include:n Let them play detective by helping you find old

photographs or mementos in the attic or basement.n Challenge computer-savvy kids to use their skills

to help research online resources for more family clues.n Ask children to interview a grandparent with ques-

tions such as what they did for a living, memories of favorite relatives or what they did for fun when they were their age.


As you drive along West Virginia’s famous scenic byways, have you noticed some unusual purple “boxes” hanging

from trees along the way? What are they, and why are they scattered throughout the state?

Those “boxes” are actually survey traps—designed to detect the Emerald Ash Borer—an insect that is ravaging ash populations across several northern and midwestern states, including Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Indiana, and Illinois and Missouri. Virginia and Wisconsin have also reported infestations. Michigan alone has lost an estimated 40 million trees to the pest.

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a ½ inch-long, metallic-green insect, first spotted in the U.S. in 2002. It is believed to have come into the country aboard cargo shipped from Asia, its native habitat. The insect itself is relatively harmless to ash trees—simply munching on the foliage. It is the larvae that is so destructive, feeding on the inner bark of the tree and causing starvation by interrupting the tree’s ability to receive nutrition.

Researchers designed the survey traps to detect the spread of EAB infestations. Traps are placed within a 100-mile radius

of known sites. The bugs are attracted to the trap both by its color and by an inner lure. The three-sided contraptions are coated with a sticky substance on the outside, from which unlucky specimens cannot escape. Scientists periodically check the traps and record the results.

While West Virginia has a relatively small number of ash trees, officials want to keep the infestation from spreading beyond our borders to other states, if possible. One of the ways EABs move from area to area is through the

“What are those purple hanging things???”

transportation of firewood. Quarantines prohibiting the movement of firewood outside affected areas help to eliminate this risk. Fayette County is currently under this quarantine, as borers were detected there in 2007.

A surprisingly effective weapon against the insect is the woodpecker, which feeds on the destructive larvae. In fact, the presence of an unusual number of the birds in a given area is thought to be a warning sign that EABs are present as well.

Symptoms of EAB infestation include dieback in the upper third of a tree, which progresses until the tree is bare; split bark; and D-shaped holes in the bark.

Landowners who suspect the presence of EABs should call the West Virginia Department of Agriculture at 304-256-6742 or USDA APHIS at 1-866-322-4512. For further information, check out this website: www.emeraldashborer.info.com.

Sticky survey traps hang within a 100-mile radius of known infestation areas to monitor the spread of the pests

EAB larvae damage causes starvation of the affected tree

researchers keep tabs on destructive Asian pest


a reality at last - west virginia farm bureau€¦ · 2017. 12. 18. · ‡“sirius,” the sirius...

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