July 2008 - Mississippi Farm Bureau

Transcription

MISSISSIPPI FARMERS:
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
CONTENTS
5
8
22
MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY
Volume 84 Number 4
July/August 2008
EDITOR
Glynda Phillips
Features
Public Policy Director Derrick Surrette looks at
the Food and Energy Security Act of 2008.
Also inside, you will find information about the
private property rights issue and the country of
origin catfish labeling law as well as a recap of
the 2008 legislative session.
FARM BILL UPDATE
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Mississippi farmers give of their time and
resources to make a difference not only in
state agriculture but in the lives of all
Mississippians. Come with us as we visit
some of these outstanding farmers.
RURAL LIVING
In our Rural Living section, we visit a quilting
guild in Hattiesburg, a unique roadside rest area
in Pocahontas and the historic Waverley Mansion
in West Point.
Departments
4
6
7
20
28
President’s Message
Commodity Update: Cotton
Commodity Update: Soybeans
Counselor’s Corner
Safety Notes
ABOUT THE COVER
Newton County family farmers Billy Joe and Jeannie Leach are proud they can
raise their children on a farm. They are pictured with Morgan, 11, Joseph, 8,
and Caleb, 5. Read their story on Pages 8 and 9.
Graphic Arts Coordinator
Danielle Ginn
Department Assistant
Angela Thompson
FARM BUREAU OFFICERS
President - David Waide
Vice President - Donald Gant
Vice President - Randy Knight
Vice President - Reggie Magee
Treasurer - Charles Cleveland
Corporate Secretary - Ilene Sumrall
FARM BUREAU DIRECTORS
Jim Perkins, Iuka
Lowell Hinton, Corinth
Paul Briscoe, Oxford
Ken Middleton, Glen Allan
Mike Ferguson, Senatobia
Kelcy Shields, Mantachie
L.C. Sanders, Hamilton
Richard Canull, Brooksville
Betty Mills, Winona
Jimmie D. Arthur, Carthage
Kenneth Thompson, Philadelphia
Ricky Ruffin, Bay Springs
James Ford, Taylorsville
Neal Clinkscales, Anguilla
Jeff Mullins, Meadville
Bill Pigott, Tylertown
E.A. “Pud” Stringer, Foxworth
W.G. Hickman, Wiggins
Terry Estis, Lucedale
Louis Breaux IV, Kiln
Dott Arthur, Carthage
Patrick Swindoll, Hernando
HONORARY VICE-PRESIDENTS
Louis J. Breaux, David H. Bennett, and
Warren Oakley
Mississippi Farm Country
(ISSN 1529-9600) magazine is
published bimonthly by the
*Mississippi Farm Bureau® Federation.
EDITORIAL AND BUSINESS OFFICES
6311 Ridgewood Road
Jackson, MS 39211
TELEPHONE
601.977.4153
ADVERTISING
Call Paul Hurst at
1.800.397.8908
Farm Bureau members receive this publication
as part of their membership benefit. Periodicals
postage is paid at Jackson, MS, and at
additional mailing offices.
Postmaster: Send address changes to
P. O. Box 1972, Jackson, MS 39215.
*FARM BUREAU®, FB® and all Farm Bureau Logos used in this
magazine are registered service marks owned by the American
Farm Bureau Federation. They may not be used in any
commercial manner without the prior written consent of
the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Material in this publication is based on what the editor believes
to be reliable information. Neither Mississippi Farm Bureau
Federation nor those individuals or organizations contributing
to the MFBF publication assume any liability for errors that
might go undetected in the publication - this includes
statements in articles or advertisements that could lead to
erroneous personal or business management decisions.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
AGRICULTURE:
Making a Difference
his issue of Mississippi Farm
Country is focused on “farmers
making a difference.” While all
farmers make a positive difference in the
lives of our nation’s consumers, we have
selected two individuals and one group of
farmers to spotlight this time. These farmers
are truly excelling in their commodity areas.
I encourage you to read their stories.
For my purposes in this article, I am
going to address “agriculture making a
difference.” I truly believe agriculture is the
difference in our being a sovereign nation
and our being held captive to whomever
provides our food supply.
T
FOOD VERSUS FUEL
Agriculture is the oldest profession in this
country. We have evolved from very
antiquated methods of production to the
most highly technological production
system the world has ever seen. In addition
to making that evolution, we have become
the envy of the world in being able to
produce for the masses and feed and clothe
our population. For us to allow that to ever
be compromised would be our downfall.
There is an ongoing battle now. Anybody
who reads any sort of news media or listens
to any media outlet knows there is a battle
between fuel versus food. Realistically, this
battle will continue until we solve the
equation of how we are going to feed, clothe
or fuel this nation. But let’s think about what
the battle of fuel versus food really means.
We have the ability in this country to
produce an abundant supply of food, and we
have also accepted the challenge of being
able to produce commodities that can be
used for fueling our industrial nation. If you
look at the real numbers, you will find that,
based upon what most economists say, the
price of food has been affected from 10 to 30
percent because we have diverted some food
production into fuel usage.
4
By David Waide • President, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation
While that may well be the case, a
sizeable amount of the commodity has not
been taken from food and converted to fuel
use. The technology that is advancing today
will cause this to be less of an impact in the
years to come. Cellulosic production will be
the method we will use in the future to gain
energy independence. But that is not part of
the ongoing argument that really needs to be
debated at this time.
The facts are what they are. And even
those individuals who admit we have caused
some run-up in the price of food as a result
of diverting corn from food use into the
production of ethanol, those same skeptics
will admit that because we have done that
we have kept the price of crude-based
petroleum products from escalating more
than they have.
While this is not very comforting to those
individuals who are in lesser developed
countries and are pointing to our policies as
causing their food costs to escalate, it is a real
point in the debate on fuel versus food.
We will continue to see this debate
ongoing, but we need to realize it is our
government’s responsibility to not just feed
and clothe but to provide fuel for this vast
industrial nation. For us to make farm policy
based on what others want us to do does not
include our national security, and that must
be, first and foremost, in any farm policy
decision we make.
LEVEL PLAYING FIELD
High commodity prices now are a result
of numerous things, none of which are
controlled by farmers themselves. We have
had a weather scare. We have had floods
taking a good part of the land that is
normally used for commodity production
out of production for the crop it was
intended. We have had farmers who have
lost numerous acres of wheat at a time
the world cannot afford the loss of any
wheat production.
We will continue to see those kinds of
pressures and we will probably see prices
continue to escalate, but to blame a farmer
for that is inconceivable in my mind.
Farmers experience the same high cost of
fuel the average consumer experiences as
they move to their gas pumps along our
interstate highways.
We experience that in a more dramatic
way, though, when we call our fuel supplier
and ask him to bring our off-road diesel. I
can assure you that not a single farmer has
not experienced at least the doubling and, in
same cases, the tripling of the diesel fuel that
runs our tractors.
It is hard for a consumer to pull up to a gas
pump and “fill ’er up” at a cost of maybe
$80 to $100 for a tank of petrol for their
automobile or pickup truck. But it is not
nearly as devastating to that individual’s
wallet as it is for a farmer to fuel a tractor
that holds in excess of 100 gallons of fuel.
The cost of off-road diesel is in excess of
$3.50 per gallon and, in many cases, because
of the times we run the equipment, we will
experience more than one filling per day.
The average consumer is probably
not aware of the fact that farmers
take below-wholesale prices for their
commodities and pay retail for their
production inputs. At a time when farmers
are being criticized for high food prices, we
need to understand that because farmers do
what they do so well they are making a real
contribution in maintaining some dent in the
amount the big oil companies are able to
raise our energy costs at our local gas station
or at our electricity distribution points
throughout the country.
This debate will be ongoing. My hope is
that everybody who reads this will realize
that agriculture is very sustainable in this
country provided we are allowed to play
from a level playing field. We must ensure
cont’d on page 5
J U LY / AU G U S T
State’s Congressional Delegation Supports Agriculture
By Derrick Surrette/Director, Public Policy Department
Members of the Mississippi congressional delegation showed their
support for agriculture by voting in mid-May, along with other
members of the House and Senate, to pass the Food and Energy
Security Act of 2008. They should be commended for voting as a
united voice to support the farmers and ranchers of our state
As expected, President Bush vetoed the bill on May 20. However,
on May 21, the House and Senate voted to override the veto, despite
an enrollment glitch that omitted 34 pages of the trade title of the
bill. The override vote, which was only the second successful override of the Bush presidency, made all titles of the farm bill law with
the exception of the trade title.
In order to have the trade title enacted, the House
overwhelmingly approved a completed farm bill conference report
identical to H.R. 2419 on May 22 under a new bill number, H.R.
6124. The Senate will vote on this “new” farm bill when they return
from the Memorial Day recess on June 1. After the Senate votes on
the bill, it will be enrolled again and sent to the president, who is
expected to quickly veto it. Congress is expected to then override the
veto, making all 15 titles law.
FARM BILL OR FOOD BILL?
The Food and Energy Security Act of 2008 is oftentimes referred
to as the “farm bill.” But the name farm bill has officially been
Agriculture: Making a Difference (Cont’d)
that the playing field includes allowing a
farmer the ability to make a profit from his
daily routine.
As consumers, we must always remember
that for agriculturalists to be successful we
need the free market system. But more than
that, we need the ability, in those years
when we can, to be able to profit from our
production in a way that enables us to
continue that production.
I hope all of us will think before we speak
when it comes to allowing an agriculturalist
to do what he does best in his daily routine.
As we ponder the many things that are in the
media now regarding agriculture, food
versus fuel, those things that are catching the
headlines that say why planting is being
delayed and why prices are escalating, we
all need to be reminded that two years ago
we had a 45-day supply in our food chain.
Today, we are down to a 23-day supply.
This is going to be very problematic in the
future, but the one thing we can all do is
continue to support agriculture. Farmers do
make a difference in the ability we have to
feed, clothe and fuel our domestic needs.
May we always be mindful of the fact that
agriculturalists are the very best people at
producing those commodities we need to
sustain the sovereignty of this nation.
J U LY / AU G U S T
removed from the legislation and for good reason. A very limited
portion of the bill supports farm programs.
This generic term leads many to believe that all of the funding
goes to farmers. In fact, very little of the funding makes it to the
farm. Only 17 percent of the spending in the bill is allocated to farm
programs. Over 70 percent of the spending goes toward nutrition,
such as food banks, food aid and school lunch programs. In 2002, ¾
of 1 percent of the federal budget was used to fund farm programs.
Farm programs today account for less than ¼ of 1 percent of the
federal budget.
The United States is becoming a nation dependent on goods and
products produced by foreign countries. Oil is a good example of the
United States’ foreign dependence on products needed for everyday life.
We as American consumers should never have to rely on foreign
countries to provide our food supply. The nutrition level or food
availability of our citizens should never be dependent upon foreign
conflicts and wars or drought conditions in a foreign land.
Maintaining our domestic food supply starts with making certain
our farmers and ranchers remain in business. Although reforms
within the legislation will reduce the spending on farm programs over
the next five years, the Food and Energy Act of 2008 is a good bill
that provides consumers with safe, affordable food and fiber, along
with providing a much-needed safety net to the American farmer.
Agribusiness
Agri
Agribusiness
gribusiness
Agribusiness is about more than plows and seeds.
We offer majors that can lead to a variety of
fulfilling careers, including:
s
s
s
s
s
Financial analyst
Bank officer
Policy adviser
Business owner
University professor
s
s
s
s
Attorney
Manager
Insurance agent
Government
administrator
Department of
Agricultural Economics
P
P.O.
.O. Box 5187
Mississippi State, MS 39762
MSU is an equal
opportunity
opportunity institution.
Undergraduate Coordinator:
Dr.
Dr. Randy Little
662-325-2884
[email protected]
www.agecon.msstate.edu
www.agecon.msstate.edu
5
COMMODITY UPDATE
Rob Farmer
Justin Ferguson
COTTON
Global Opportunities for U.S. Cotton Remain Strong
By: Rob Farmer, MFBF Cotton Advisory Committee Chair
Justin Ferguson, MFBF Commodity Coordinator for Cotton
Over the last 15 or 20 years, the cotton industry as a whole has experienced change in
numerous areas. If you just look at the production systems of the industry alone, you
recognize so many technological advancements.
Few people ever dreamed one day growers would be able to plant cotton that would
have built-in defenses to the bollworm and budworm or herbicide resistance to allow
for more efficient weed control – all in the seed. This system has eliminated so many
passes over the field with equipment and labor, all while increasing stewardship of the
environment by reducing the amount of pesticides applied to the growing area.
Likewise, I think few growers imagined being able to buy a cotton picker that can
harvest and build the module on the back of the picker, thus eliminating the need for
numerous pieces of equipment and added labor in the field during harvest.
Just as these changes in production have occurred, so have changes occurred
in world cotton trade. According to the USDA Economic Research Service,
world cotton consumption has realized unprecedented growth since the start of the
21st century.
Much of the gain in world mill consumption of cotton in recent years has occurred
in China. China’s investment in spinning capacity has been substantial and has
enabled world cotton consumption to grow at extraordinary rates even as mill
consumption in former major textile centers has declined.
This shift has had important ramifications for U.S. cotton production. Exports have
come to play a more prominent role in the world cotton economy and especially in
the United States. During the 1990s, U.S. domestic mill use accounted for about 60
percent of the U.S. crop. Now, exports account for more than 80 percent of the U.S.
crop, and imports account for 20 to 40 percent of China’s consumption.
As we all know, China and India now make up one-third of the world’s population.
Particularly, China’s rapidly growing middle class has been the driving factor in this
whole equation. As China’s population continues to grow, several policy matters will
have to be addressed. The Chinese government will have to decide whether or not
production priorities shall be focused solely on feeding their population. In addition,
as this population growth occurs, at the same time, cropland will be taken out of
production due to urban sprawl and for further industrial development.
Therefore, food supply may become much more of a domestic policy issue for the
Chinese than ever before, potentially creating a larger market for U.S. cotton. We feel
that with these policy issues facing countries like China and India U.S. cotton will
stand to gain greater market opportunities and will be poised to take advantage
of them.
6
Mall Campaign Promotes Cotton
Cotton Incorporated has launched a consumerdirected marketing campaign to maximize
exposure of their recently introduced “Natural”
Seal of Cotton trademark. A total of 85 malls (at
least one in each of the 50 states) will host the
campaign in a rolling format from April through
December.
“With the average consumer visiting a mall 2.9
times a month, malls are an excellent venue for this
campaign,” states J. Berrye Worsham, president &
CEO, Cotton Incorporated. The campaign will be
at Turtle Creek Mall in Hattiesburg on July 6.
J U LY / AU G U S T
COMMODITY UPDATE
Keith Morton
Paul Chamblee
SOYBEANS
2007:A Good Year for Soybean Farmers
Keith Morton, MFBF Soybean Advisory Committee Chair
Paul Chamblee, MFBF Commodity Coordinator for Soybeans
The 2007 crop year was a very good year for soybean farmers in Mississippi. In 2007, we
planted 1,450,000 acres of soybeans, a 14% reduction in acres from 2006. But due to an
increase in yield from 26 bushels to 40 bushels per acre and an increase in the average
price from $6.23 to $9 dollars per bushel, the farm gate value went from $267 million in
2006 to $511 million in 2007.
This increase in production was the result
of a lot of things coming together. First, we
had a near-perfect planting season. Second,
we received a lot of timely rain on the crop.
Third, we had a near-perfect harvest season.
And, last, we had great prices.
Each crop year brings its own set of
challenges. We are expecting to plant a
record crop of over 2 million acres of
soybeans in Mississippi in 2008, and
soybean futures are trading in the
14-dollar range per bushel. But we are also
experiencing some problems with our
planting season as compared to last year.
The Mississippi River flood, along with the
cool, wet planting season, has put us behind
in our planting. We have also had some
problems with seed availability and quality.
Nationally, only 62 million acres were
planted in 2007, a drop of around 6 million
acres from the year before. The planting
projection for 2008 is 74 million acres.
The increase in acreage on both the state
and national level is due to factors such as
the cost of planting other crops and record
prices for soybeans.
NEW SOYBEAN SPECIALIST
Newly-appointed Mississippi State
University Extension Soybean Specialist Dr.
Trey Koger has begun visiting producers
and working with them on issues of
J U LY / AU G U S T
importance to state soybean production. Koger
succeeds veteran soybean specialist, Dr. Alan
Blaine, who has retired from Extension.
Koger received his PhD in Weed Science
from Mississippi State University and spent
the past six years conducting research on
weed control and optimizing soybean and
cotton production systems for Mississippi
producers while he was employed with the
United States Department of AgricultureAgriculture
Research
Service
and
Mississippi State University.
“It is truly an opportunity and an honor
to serve as your state Extension soybean
specialist,” he said. “I understand the
importance of soybeans and agriculture as a
whole to Mississippi because I have the
opportunity to be involved in a family farm
operation that produces soybeans, cotton, rice
and corn in Humphreys and Holmes counties.
“Change seems to be coming quicker and
quicker to all of us,” he added. “Change in
the soybean world is no exception. There are
a lot of issues we are working on that will,
hopefully, further improve the productivity,
profitability and sustainability of soybean
production in Mississippi.
“Some of these issues include fertility
(nutrients and pH), weed resistance
(particularly ryegrass, mare’s tail, pigweed
and Johnsongrass), optimizing row patterns
(particularly twin-row patterns), improving
drainage, optimizing bedding systems for all
Mississippi soybean producers, improving
seed quality, improving soybean yields in a
soybean/rice rotation, optimizing variety
placement, incorporating guidance and
variable rate technologies into more of our
operations, and establishing and sustaining
new markets for Mississippi soybeans.
“I look forward to meeting as many of you
soybean producers as I can in the coming
months,” he concluded. “I will be on the road
and, hopefully, our paths will cross at some
point this summer. Until then, I wish you
well with this year’s crop and God bless.”
Trey will maintain offices at the Delta
Research and Extension Center in
Stoneville, where you can reach him at
(662) 686-3238, and on the Starkville
campus, where he can be reached at
(662) 325-8616. Or you can email him at
[email protected].
SOYBEAN RUST HOTLINE
The Mississippi Soybean Promotion
Board and BASF annually fund a toll-free
soybean rust hotline for producers in
Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas.
Producers can call (866) 641-1847 to
learn the latest information on rust and
current management recommendations for
each state. The hotline will be activated
early in the 2008 production season.
7
Successful Family Farmers
Take Time to Give Back
By Glynda Phillips
Anytime a family farmer succeeds, we all succeed.
Family farmers are important to our rural communities. They contribute to local economies by purchasing products and services from area
businesses and providing jobs to residents. They also take excellent care of the environment because they are good stewards of the land and
its resources.
In a time when America is losing its small family farms, Billy Joe and Jeannie Leach of Newton County are proud to be making a living
off theirs. It isn’t easy. They are busy people.
And yet, despite their demanding schedules, the Leaches take the time to give back. Both are actively involved in agricultural organizations
like Farm Bureau, furthering the cause of farmers within our state and nation.
Billy Joe and Jeannie operate a 260-acre diversified poultry, cattle, swine and timber farm near Conehatta. Despite today’s rising input costs
and tight profit margins, the Leaches have been able to sustain their way of life without either having to obtain a full-time public job. They
do rely on Jeannie’s part-time job as a city mail carrier for insurance and other benefits. God’s blessings and good management, they say, is
the key to their success.
“We’re frugal,” Billy Joe said. “We don’t buy more than we need, and we’re steadily paying down our debt. Plus, the broilers and cows are
a steady source of income and that helps. You have to be a good manager and live modestly to succeed in today’s agriculture. It takes great
discipline. It seems fairly simple but can be difficult to execute.”
The Leaches have six broiler houses that produce four to five million pounds of chicken annually. They are proud to note that the houses
will be paid for by the end of this year, the good Lord willing.
Billy Joe and Jeannie also operate a 100 to 110-head Gelbvieh-influenced commercial cowherd. They grow timber and own a small farrow
to feeder swine operation.
GOOD MANAGEMENT
8
J U LY / AU G U S T
“Our children, Morgan, 11, Joseph, 8, and Caleb, 5, are very
involved in the day-to-day chores of our farm. They get up and go to
the chicken house before school, feed cows and wash down the hog
pens after school,” Billy Joe said. “They do all of this and still
continue to excel in school and with their extracurricular activities.”
“Some may say this is being too tough on them, but the world that
we live in is tough. We believe we are instilling in them the tools that
will help them to be successful in whatever they face in the future”
Jeannie said.
“Knowing how to work and manage money is essential,” Billy Joe
said. “That’s one of the great things about farm life. Kids develop a
good work ethic and a sense of responsibility early in life. I grew up
on a farm, and I’m blessed to be able to give my children that same
opportunity.”
A third generation family farmer, Billy Joe learned to farm from his
father Joe, stepfather Larry, grandfather Ollie and, most importantly,
his grandmother Cora Mae Leach.
“When my grandfather was serving in World War II, my
grandmother ran the dairy and began a small broiler operation, which
was one of the first commercial chicken houses in this area,” Billy
Joe said. “In 1970, my grandparents constructed a “modern” chicken
house. That chicken house
went out of production in
2003, and we have since
converted it into a hog barn
and a hay storage facility.
“My grandmother taught me
truck farming and business
skills. She also instilled in me a
strong work ethic,” he added.
“I wouldn’t be the farmer I am
today without having had her
guidance in my life.”
Active members of Salem
Baptist Church, the Leaches
credit God with guiding and
sustaining them through the
years.
“God is the foundation for
everything we do,” Jeannie said. “We pray about all of the decisions
we make. We know that all of this belongs to Him. We are just His
stewards.”
Billy Joe and Jeannie are active members of the Newton County
Farm Bureau, where Billy Joe is vice president and chair of the Young
Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Committee. Jeannie is chair of the
Women’s Committee and a member of the Resolutions Committee.
The Leaches have also served on the State YF&R Committee,
where Billy Joe was second vice-chair. Jeannie has served as an
Alternate Women’s Voting Delegate and Women’s Voting Delegate to
two American Farm Bureau Federation conventions.
The Leaches have twice been named Region 6 YF&R Achievement
Award winners.
“Farm Bureau has meant a lot to us,” Billy Joe said. “It has opened
so many doors and allowed us to network with other farmers across
the state.”
Through Farm Bureau, Jeannie has become involved in Annie’s
Project, a Mississippi State University and Mississippi Farm Bureau
GETTING INVOLVED
J U LY / AU G U S T
Federation-sponsored program that teaches women how to manage a
farm. She attended the 2008 National Women in Agriculture
Educators Conference in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
In addition, Jeannie had the opportunity to attend the American
Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Conference in Louisville,
Kentucky, in late April. Her daughter Morgan was also able to attend.
“Being able to involve my children in Farm Bureau events has been
one of the things that I appreciate the most,” Jeannie said. “I can truly
say that Farm Bureau is an organization that is family-oriented.
In 2007, Jeannie was selected as one of only 15 people in the nation
to attend an American Farm Bureau Federation Women’s
Communications Boot Camp in Washington, D.C. This annual camp
teaches participants public speaking skills and how to respond to
questions from the press. This came in handy when the Leaches’ farm
was hit by a tornado in February 2008.
“I just stepped back and let her speak to the reporters,” Billy Joe
said. “She did a great job.”
Jeannie carries her public speaking skills into local classrooms with
the Ag in the Classroom program, teaching students about agriculture.
For four years, she wrote a column in the local newspaper, promoting
agriculture whenever possible.
“You would think that people
who live in the country would
know about agriculture,”
Jeannie said. “But statistics
reflect that the average
American is three generations
removed from farm life, and
I have discovered that a lack
of knowledge about agriculture
can hold true no matter where
you live.”
The Leaches plan to
eventually expand their farm.
They say they’re doing fine
now but every generation of
family farmers must grow
EMBRACING NEW TECHNOLOGY
larger in order to survive.
They want to continue to purchase land for reforestation and
pasture utilization and develop a niche market for finished hogs. They
would like to raise purebreds and crosses for 4-H projects, develop a
high-quality cattle herd, and retain ownership of calves through all
phases of grow-out.
Another goal is having their five-flock average in the top 10
percent of their poultry company’s average.
“We measure our success at the end of the year by looking at our
debt/asset ratio,” Billy Joe said. “We plan to be debt-free within the
year, unless additional land becomes available for purchase. We are
aggressively looking to purchase more land for timber production and
pastureland, and we believe that purchasing land is a wise investment
in maintaining our farming lifestyle.
“We are always looking for ways to become more efficient in all
aspects of our farm,” he said. “This is our livelihood, and we must do
all that we can to ensure that our children will have the option to stay
on the farm should they choose to do so. We openly embrace new
technology if it is proven to enhance our position.
“As the old saying goes, ‘Work smarter, not harder.’” FC
9
Alternative Energy Pioneer Forges Path for Farmers
By Glynda Phillips
John Logan is the first farmer in the world to successfully convert broiler litter into methane gas then use
the gas to power a portion of his farming operation. His pioneering work in alternative energy saves him
thousands of dollars each year in energy costs and has opened a path that other farmers can follow.
Logan strongly believes that biomass energy is our country’s future. Because this type of energy comes from
plant and animal waste as well as from harvested plant materials, he also believes that American farmers have
the unique opportunity to become the providers of our nation’s fuel supply. He says he’s excited to be a part of
something that has the potential to not only help agriculture but revolutionize the fuel industry.
THE SEARCH BEGINS
10
In 2002, Logan began looking for ways to lower energy costs on his diversified poultry, cattle and timber
operation near Prentiss. Since his ten broiler houses used the most energy, he installed an 18,000-gallon
propane tank and underground pipeline to heat the houses. The propane at wholesale saved him about 20 to
30 cents per gallon over conventional poultry propane gas.
Logan was so pleased that he formed his own business and began selling the propane wholesale to himself
and other farmers. But when propane prices doubled in recent years and the cost of electricity (which he uses
to cool his broiler houses in the summer) continued to rise, he began searching for other measures that would
help him farm more efficiently.
Logan had traveled the world while serving in the military and had seen methane digesters in Europe and
Asia. He knew that they worked well with swine and dairy waste, but would they work with poultry litter?
A digester had been built for a caged layer farm but never for a commercial broiler operation. However,
with the large volume of litter generated by his chicken houses each year – some 1800 tons – Logan figured
it was worth looking into.
“I researched the topic extensively on the Internet and traveled throughout the nation, looking at swine and
dairy digesters,” he said. “I also called upon experts at Mississippi State University and West Virginia State
University, and worked with Dr. Richard Vetter, a consultant from Chicago.”
Dr. Vetter has experience with swine and dairy digesters and developed the digester for the (previously
mentioned) caged layer farm.
J U LY / AU G U S T
POULTRY CHALLENGES
HOW IT WORKS
“Let’s start with the water,” Logan said. “I have two, 50,000-gallon,
open-top water tanks that are fed by a freshwater reservoir, utilizing three
small solar water pumps that I built here on the farm.”
Sunlight helps warm the water in the tanks before it is moved into an
insulated third tank, which is heated by 32 solar panels. Once the water
temperature is 140 degrees, it is moved to yet another 20,000-gallon tank,
which is heated by a broiler and generator engine exhaust. The broiler,
fueled by methane gas and a wood furnace, keeps the water temperature
at a steady 180 degrees.
“We store our poultry litter in a holding shed,” Logan continued. “A
portion of the stored poultry litter is transferred daily to a mixing tank,
along with some of the hot water. The resultant slurry is then moved into
the anaerobic digester, where the special bacteria produces a biogas from
the carbon in the manure.”
The bacteria breaks down the slurry mixture into both gas and a liquid
fertilizer byproduct. Both products are transferred to yet another holding
tank. Scrubbers purify the gas by removing the undesirable gases and the
smell. The methane is then compressed into a large storage vessel (old
propane tank) for use as natural gas on the farm. Logan sells the excess
electricity that the farm doesn’t use to Southern Pine Electric Power
J U LY / AU G U S T
cont’d on page 12
Poultry litter holding shed
Solar panels
Wood furnace
Photos on page 11 by Greg Gibson
Poultry litter poses unique challenges in the methane gas conversion
process. Two major challenges have to do with its composition.
Poultry litter is comprised of manure, feathers, spilled feed and either
sawdust or wood chips, depending upon the type of material used as a
floor covering in the houses. Wood chips make poultry litter difficult
to process. The fact that Logan’s integrator, Tyson Foods, had in
recent years reduced wood chips as a floor covering in broiler houses
encouraged him to proceed with his investigations.
A lack of necessary micro-organisms in poultry manure poses yet
another challenge. Found naturally in swine and dairy manure, these
micro-organisms convert manure into methane gas and carbon dioxide.
Logan asked Mississippi State University (MSU) scientists to
determine whether the absence of natural micro-organisms would prevent
poultry litter from being used in large-scale methane gas production.
After extensive research, MSU scientists found that poultry manure has
the potential to make abundant methane gas as long as the digester used
in the conversion process is seeded with a specific type of microorganism and run at the high temperature of 125 to 130 degrees F.
Logan and scientists at West Virginia State University worked for two
years to develop that perfect bacteria. When they were successful, he took
some of it back to his farm, where he and Dr. Vetter had created a
prototype digester. The two men were pleased to discover that the
bacteria performed well within that environment.
Logan and Vetter began growing enough bacteria to seed a
250,000-gallon methane digester tank. They also began developing a
state-of-the- art, computerized system that would take poultry litter and
convert it into methane gas then use the gas to run two generators and heat
the farm’s broiler houses. The leftover liquid byproduct from the process
would be packaged and sold as organic fertilizer.
Grant money and funding from the State of Mississippi and United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA), along with his own personal
financing, helped purchase the materials Logan needed to build the
system and also enabled him to conduct value-added marketing research
for the fertilizer byproduct.
The bacteria, digester and process have a patent pending. It is the only
one of its kind in the world.
11
Association for distribution on their power grid.
“The leftover liquid byproduct is developed into an organic, Class
A fertilizer that can get a premium price in the marketplace,” he said.
RECLASSIFICATION CENTER
Before retiring 15 years ago, Logan spent 30-plus years in the
computer industry. He taught computer data processing at Pearl
River Community College, Hinds Community College, William
Carey University and the University of Southern Mississippi, and
he ran a computer consulting firm in Hattiesburg for a number of
years. He also worked for several large computer corporations.
Logan retired as a Colonel in the Mississippi National Guard with
38 years.
Upon retiring, Logan and his wife Bettye moved to Prentiss with
plans for a quiet retirement operating Brinson Farms, his wife’s
historic family farm. But retirement? Forget about it!
Logan is not only using his digester to lower energy costs on his
farm, he is developing it into a rapidly-expanding business. He has
two other Mississippi poultry farm digesters nearing completion,
and he is opening a $600,000-plus reclassification center called
Eagle Green Energy in Bassfield, where farmers can sell their
A state-of-the-art, computerized system
chicken litter to be cleaned and mixed for use in industrial and
commercial anaerobic digesters. The center also takes the organic
fertilizer byproduct from the digesters and prepares it for market
throughout the Mississippi farming community.
“In addition, we are working with industries, building custom digesters that take their waste, blending it with poultry litter and producing a
much higher quality methane gas,” he said. “But it has to be a certain type of waste with a high carbohydrate content like food grade scraps.
For example, waste sweet potatoes and watermelons will work great. Not everything works with our bacteria.”
Logan also plays host to the curious.
At the time of my visit in late
March, the AgSTAR Program,
sponsored by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture and the
U.S. Department of Energy, was
planning an April visit. AgSTAR
encourages the use of methane
recovery (biogas) technologies at
confined animal feeding operations
that manage manure as liquids or
slurries.
Farmers from Louisiana, Georgia,
Arkansas and Alabama also often
visit Logan, eyeing his system with
great interest for both renewable
energy and environmental issues.
“This system will remove dry
poultry litter from being spread
on the land and produce an
environmentally friendly, improved
organic fertilizer,” Logan said.
“This digester has helped me
dispose of my poultry litter and my
dead birds. It has also saved me a Anaerobic digester and supporting tanks
considerable amount of money each
year in energy costs,” he said. “It has been a win-win situation. The organic fertilizer has also opened the door for another high-value income
source for my farm.” FC
12
J U LY / AU G U S T
FARM BUREAU MEMBERS* GET AN EXTRA $500 CASH
ALLOWANCE ON THE DODGE RAM 3500 CHASSIS CAB.
®
†
It’s a good farmhand with a really sturdy back. Get Dodge Ram 3500 Chassis Cab with an available medium-duty
grade in-line 6-cylinder 6.7L Cummins® Turbo Diesel that generates 305 horsepower and 610 lb-ft of torque. For more
info, visit dodge.com/chassis_cab or call 800-4ADODGE.
*Must be a Farm Bureau member for at least 30 days. Farm Bureau is a federally registered collective membership and a registered service mark of the American
Farm Bureau Federation. †Vehicles eligible for $500 cash allowance include Dodge Ram, Ram Chassis Cabs, Dakota, Durango, Caravan, Nitro and Magnum,
including specific E85/Flex Fuel equipped vehicles available in 45 states. See Farm Bureau office for details.
Properly secure all cargo. Cummins is a registered trademark of Cummins, Inc.
J U LY / AU G U S T
13
Delta Farmers Grow Sweet
14
J U LY / AU G U S T
Sunflower County farmers are growing sweet corn on land that has
traditionally grown cotton. The farmers have formed a co-op called
Delta Harvest LLC and are in their fourth season of growing corn for
Twin Garden Sales of Harvard, Illinois, a company that markets
sweet corn to stores in 30 northeastern states and Canada.
sweet corn for Twin Garden Sales for some 10 years. The company
wanted more corn grown in Mississippi, and the Nichols thought the
Delta would be a good place for that.
“Twin Garden Sales grows sweet corn in Florida and then
westward as the weather warms,” Robertson said. “There was a gap
Corn on Former Cotton Land
Delta Harvest grows conventional brands of sweet corn as well as
the Mirai brand, which is bi-colored and exceptionally sweet. Sweet
corn is labor intensive as well as management and cost-intensive, but
farmers say they are willing to take on the challenge of growing it
because Delta agriculture must diversify in order to survive a
changing agriculture.
“Cotton was once the foundation of agriculture here in the Delta,
but acreage has dwindled in recent years due to competition from
foreign growers,” said Delta Harvest grower Jim Robertson, a
Sunflower County Farm Bureau member.
“We were already growing field corn and soybeans, but we wanted
something more,” he said. “The soil and climate conditions here in
Sunflower County are extremely conducive to growing sweet corn,
so that seemed a very good choice.”
GETTING STARTED
Several years ago, farmers in the Indianola/Holly Ridge area were
approached by Roy and A.B. Nichols of Pelahatchie, who’ve grown
By Glynda Phillips
of four weeks when no one was growing it, so they asked us to fill
that gap.”
Last year and again this year, Delta Harvest planted 1100 acres of
sweet corn. In 2007, despite a lot of rain, the crop yielded about
300,000 cases of corn. Having started out in 2005 with 300 acres then
expanding to 1400 acres in 2006, the growers believe that 1100 acres
is the right size for them.
The corn is planted in four blocks of 275 acres each. The blocks are
planted a week to ten days apart since it takes about 10 days to handharvest one block. Sweet corn must be harvested inside a three-day
window, at a time when it is at its very best, or it will turn hard.
Once the corn is harvested, it is transported to the packing shed,
where it is run through hydrochill tunnels for 30 to 40 minutes. The
hydrochill process makes use of 36-degree water in a unique liquid
cooling process that helps the corn hold onto its sweetness.
Hydrochill also extends the corn’s shelf life to about two weeks.
The corn is placed in huge coolers for 12 to 20 hours then loaded
onto trucks. About 10 to 12 trucks are loaded every day during harvest
season.
OTHER VEGETABLES
Harvested corn is run through hydrochill tunnels.
J U LY / AU G U S T
Robertson is a third generation Delta farmer, whose
family formed Holly Ridge Planting Company in
1912. In order to ensure that his two sons will be able
to farm when they graduate from college, he is willing
to think outside the box. He and his fellow Delta
Harvest colleagues are considering growing other
vegetables once the sweet corn is firmly established.
“We’re very hopeful we will be able to further
diversify our vegetable production,” he said. “We’re
studying what’s available, and we’ll see how that
goes.”
Robertson says his group appreciates the support
they’ve received from the Mississippi Land, Water
and Timber Resources Board, the State of Mississippi
and Commissioner of Agriculture Lester Spell.
“Commissioner Spell saw that this type of
endeavor would supply jobs in the Mississippi Delta,
and it has certainly done that,” he said. “We employ 35
to 40 local people at our packing plant during season,
and that has meant a lot to the local economy.”
Delta Harvest grower Tom Pitts handles the
operation of the plant and the harvest crews. Lawrence
Long and Tommy Miller oversee the actual planting
and harvesting of the corn each season. FC
15
SOLVE THE
MYSTERY
From left, clockwise: A statue of Tadeusz Kosciuszko is located in Red Bud Springs Park. The statue was the vision of
Dr. Stanley Hartness and the work of sculptor Tracy H. Sugg. Funding was raised by local citizens and others.
A scene from the Historic Downtown Courtsquare. The Attala County Courthouse dates back to 1897.
Which central Mississippi town was named for Tadeusz Kosciuszko, a Polish warrior and statesman who was greatly admired for his
service in the American Revolutionary War?
Read the clues and make your guess.
HISTORICAL FACTS
This town was originally called Red Bud Springs. Its nickname is “Beehive of the Hills.” As the seat of Attala County government and as a
prominent historical town located near the popular Natchez Trace Parkway, this town is very busy.
Originally a tavern and inn on the Old Natchez Trace, this town is one of the Parkway’s oldest remaining settlements. It grew up around
agriculture and the railroad, which came through in the 1870s. Farmers would bring their cotton here to be shipped out by train.
“Cotton meant a lot to this area for a long time. Now, we primarily grow soybeans and corn. Timber production is one of our main
industries,” said local historian Ellen Pettit, whose family was among the town’s original settlers.
THE TOWN TODAY
This town is home to longtime Luvel Dairy Products, which was recently purchased by Prairie Farms. Other industries produce products
ranging from fencing and electrical wiring to metal and sod.
Many downtown shops and eateries are housed in renovated historic buildings that form a square around the Attala County Courthouse. This
area is known as the “Historic Downtown Courtsquare.”
“Most of our downtown buildings are occupied,” Pettit said. “Some of the oldest businesses include M & F Bank, Leonard’s Department Store,
Boyd’s Drug Store, Pickle’s Drug Store, Central Office Supply, Patterson Jewelers and Coghlan Jewelers.
A driving/walking tour of the downtown area will take you past more than 25 historic homes as well as the Attala County Courthouse, 1897,
and the Mary Ricks Thornton Cultural Center, 1899. Formerly a Presbyterian Church that is now owned by the local historical society, the
cultural center has stained glass windows that are over 100 years old.
Off the square, you will find Seasonings Catering and Eatery. Visitors can stop by, enjoy a meal and visit with Attala County Farm Bureau
members and owners Linda and Harlan Reynolds. Maple Terrace Inn, 1912, is a popular bed and breakfast destination.
Redbud Springs Park, located on Natchez Street, was created during America’s bicentennial year, 1976. This park is located behind the library.
And speaking of the library, the Attala County Public Library offers a genealogy and local history room that hosts over 1,000 visitors a year.
16
J U LY / AU G U S T
From left, clockwise: The famous Kelly Statue can be found in the city cemetery. Many of the homes in this town have beautiful yards and gardens.
The site of Oprah Winfrey’s first home can be found on Oprah Winfrey Road.
Another notable historic site near this town is Jackson’s Well, where
Andrew Jackson supposedly camped on his march back to Tennessee
after the Battle of New Orleans.
The state’s biggest sassafras tree, over 66 feet tall, can be found in
the city cemetery, which dates back to the 1840s. You will also find
there the Kelly Statue, one of the few statues dedicated to the memory
of a Mississippi resident.
This town is the birthplace of Nick Halley, William “Bill”
Fullilove, Oprah Winfrey and James Meredith. It is the home of
Magnolia Bible College and the home of one of only four Mississippi
state veteran’s homes.
Oprah Winfrey Road and Buffalo Community Church, where Oprah
made one of her first public performances, can be found near this town.
A CARING TOWN
This is a friendly and caring town. Many of its residents are descendants of the original settlers from the Carolinas, Georgia and Virginia.
This town, listed as one of the 125 Best Small Towns in America and
one of the Prettiest Painted Places in America, offers excellent public
schools as well as scholarships to qualifying students through the
Sumners Foundation, created to promote the advancement of education.
Oprah Winfrey has participated in the Habitat for Humanity
program by sponsoring a house in this town. She also helped the town
to build a Boys & Girls Club.
“Our town is home to a number of artists, musicians and writers,”
Pettit concluded. “We are also the hometown of Dr. Jeannette Pullen,
J U LY / AU G U S T
a pediatric oncologist researcher at Blair Batson Hospital, University
Medical Center, Jackson; J. Marlin Ivey, one of the owners of Ivey
Mechanical Company and a great benefactor to this town; and W. C.
“Dub” Shoemaker, a former Star Herald newspaper editor/publisher.”
Name this town.
For more information, visit the local museum and information center
located on the Natchez Trace Parkway. It is staffed by residents of this town.
CORRECT GUESSES
Mail guesses to Solve the Mystery, Mississippi Farm Country,
P. O. Box 1972, Jackson, MS 39215. You may also e-mail your
guesses to [email protected].
Please remember to include your name and address on the entry. Visit
our Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Web site at www.msfb.com.
When all correct guesses have been received, we will randomly
draw 20 names. These 20 names will receive a prize and will be
placed in the hat twice.
At the end of the year, a winner will be drawn from all correct
submissions. The winner will receive a Weekend Bed and Breakfast
Trip, courtesy of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation.
Families may submit only one entry. Federation staff members and
their families are ineligible to participate in this contest.
The deadline for submitting your entry is July 31.
MAY/JUNE
The correct answer for the May/June Solve the Mystery is Coffeeville.
17
Protect Private Property Rights
By Samantha Cawthorn, Governmental Relations Coordinator
Owning a piece of land, whether as a home
for your family or as farmland, timberland or
just as a place that you and your family can
enjoy, is a common thread in our society.
Most Americans aspire to be property owners.
Unfortunately, that type of goal has been
threatened in recent years by a Supreme
Court case known as Kelo v New London, CT
(2005). The Kelo v New London decision
significantly changed the definition of
eminent domain by allowing private land to
be taken and given to a private entity for
economic development purposes.
Traditionally, eminent domain has been
used for highways, parks, utilities and other
public uses. The Supreme Court’s decision
means that our private land can now be taken
and given to another private party simply
because that individual might possibly be able
to make money with it and pay more taxes.
SOUND LEGISLATION
As Mississippi landowners, we need sound
legislation in place that will protect our rights
as landowners. These rights should not be
jeopardized.
Since the 2005 Supreme Court decision, 42
states have implemented some form of
legislation to strengthen their eminent domain
laws. Of those 42 states, 23 have strengthened
their laws significantly.
The southeastern area of the United States
has risen to the challenge of protecting
private property rights. Alabama, Louisiana,
Georgia, Florida and South Carolina have
all been successful in passing strong
private property rights. Some of the states
passed multiple legislative actions to get
to their current strength. Mississippi should
do likewise.
Mississippi is one of only eight states that
have failed to pass legislation that would
strengthen private property rights. For the
past three years, every attempt to pass
legislation to protect the rights of landowners
has failed.
In the past legislative session, two bills were
introduced and debated that would have
protected landowners from having their
property taken except for true public purposes.
Senate Bill 2822 and House Bill 591 made it
to conference negotiations and then both bills
died. The House and Senate were unable to
agree on a compromise, and a conference
report was never filed for either bill.
There was one main difference between
the two bills. The Senate bill would have
allowed local governments to use eminent
domain to take property for economic
development projects creating 1,000 or more
jobs. The House bill did not contain that
exemption, it only allowed for eminent
domain to be used for true public uses.
Farm Bureau supported the House bill.
PROACTIVE STANCE
Eminent domain has never been used for
an economic development project in
Mississippi, and we hope that it is never used
for that purpose. Being proactive in this
respect will allow Mississippi to avoid the
misfortunes other states have endured with
the abuse of property rights.
Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant supported protecting
private property rights in the November/
December 2007 issue of Mississippi Farm
Country.
When Farm Bureau asked if he would
support legislation that prohibits the use of
eminent domain for private economic
development purposes, the lieutenant.
governor stated, “Absolutely! The United
States Supreme Court has misinterpreted the
Fifth Amendment to the Constitution and dramatically altered the role of eminent domain. I
would support legislation prohibiting such
seizures of private property. This is certainly
true where the property would be transferred
to another private owner, rather than a public
entity. It is also worth mentioning that private
economic development projects are not always
guaranteed to succeed. To take someone’s
home or family farm for a project that fails
economically would be unconscionable.”
It is unfortunate that the legislative process
has failed for three years in a row. Farm
Bureau hopes to work with legislators to
overcome the differences that have kept the
bill from becoming law.
PRINCIPLE OVER PROFIT
Though it has not received much publicity,
and though powerful economic forces
oppose its actions, Farm Bureau believes that
principle should prevail over profit.
Protecting private property is an issue that
Farm Bureau will not rest on; we will
continue to work towards strengthening
landowner rights.
18
(Left) MFBF President David Waide discussed
private property rights legislation on the Paul
Gallo Show.
J U LY / AU G U S T
Summary of Legislative Session
By Samantha Cawthorn, Governmental Relations Coordinator
The 2008 Regular Session of the
Mississippi Legislature ended on April 21,
2008, as lawmakers agreed on a state budget
for the July 2008 to June 2009 fiscal year.
Topping the list of accomplishments was the
passage of a 2009 fiscal year budget that
fully funds education in a nonelection year.
Gov. Haley Barbour is expected to call a
Special Session of the Legislature prior to
June 30. These two topics are expected to be
on the agenda: Medicaid Funding and
Renewal of Department of Employment
Security. This department will be dissolved if
not addressed by a Special Session.
The 2009 Regular Session will convene on
Jan. 6, 2009, for a 90-day term.
The following are significant bills
supported by Mississippi Farm Bureau
Federation that were passed into law during
the 2008 legislative session:
Rice Promotion Fund - House Bill 114
extends the repealer on the Rice Promotion
Fund, allowing the fund to continue collecting dues until 2011.
Catfish Labeling- House Bill 728 makes the
country of origin of catfish labeling law
mandatory for restaurants. Restaurants must
now display the country of origin of the catfish listed on their menu.
ATV Trespassing in Public Waterways House Bill 1357 revises regulations relating
to the use of ATVs in public waterways by
penalizing the ATV rider if riding without
permission from the landowner on both sides
of the waterway.
APPROPRIATIONS BILLS
MSU Funding - The success of Mississippi
agriculture depends on the research, education and services provided by the Mississippi
State University Division of Agriculture,
Forestry and Veterinary Medicine. During
the 2008 session, Farm Bureau was able to
help secure level funding plus additional
funding for insurance premiums for the
Mississippi State University Division of
Agriculture. Highlights of the four separate
MSU Division of Agriculture units include:
J U LY / AU G U S T
• Senate Bill 3111 – MSU, Agriculture
and Forestry Experiment Station – level
funding;
• Senate Bill 3112 – MSU, Cooperative
Extension Service – level funding;
• Senate Bill 3113 – MSU, Forest and
Wildlife Research – level funding;
• Senate Bill 3114 – College of Veterinary
Medicine –level funding;
• Senate Bill 3116 – State Chemical
Laboratory –increased funding by $400,000.
UPCOMING ISSUES
The following are issues that are likely to
be included in the 2009 Legislative Session:
Eminent Domain - No eminent domain bill
was passed this year. Mississippi’s current
law supporting private property rights
remains in effect. The House and the Senate
could not resolve the differences between the
two separate bills, so all measures failed.
Farm Bureau supports a Mississippi state law
that would protect private property rights.
We believe the United States Supreme
Court’s decision to give local government
the right to use “eminent domain” to
transfer land to private entities for economic
development should be against state law.
Tax Study Commission - Review the
findings of the Tax Study Commission.
Taxation of Mineral Rights - Farm Bureau
supports placing a fair portion of the ad
valorem tax assessed on surface rights of
property in the state on the minerals under
said property, with the surface owner having
first right of refusal at a tax sale.
Animal Rights - Farm Bureau opposes
any and all efforts to grant legal status
to animals.
Right to Farm - Farm Bureau supports the
right of farmers and ranchers to utilize their
land in the production of crops and livestock.
Catfish Labeling Law
By Derrick Surrette
Director, Public Policy Department
During the 2008 Regular Session,
Mississippi legislators passed important
legislation that will protect the health and
welfare of state consumers. House Bill 728
amends the “Mississippi Catfish Marketing
Law” to require mandatory country of origin
labeling for all catfish served in Mississippi
restaurants. Gov. Haley Barbour signed the
bill into law on April 8, and the legislation
will go into effect on July 1, 2008.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
House Bill 728 requires all food
establishments to inform consumers of the
country of origin of all catfish products
sold in their restaurants. Food service
establishments serving foreign or imported
fish, such as basa or tra, must provide the
country of origin of that fish on the menu.
Food service establishments serving U.S.
farm-raised catfish must display a sign in a
prominent location stating they serve catfish
products produced in the United States. The
signage must be approved by the Mississippi
Department of Agriculture.
Misrepresentation of catfish products has
occurred throughout the state and country. In
2007, basa from Vietnam was banned in
Mississippi after illegal antibiotics turned up
in samples. The illegal antibiotics and the
deceitful practice of passing off less
expensive and inferior catfish products
causes many concerns for consumers and
catfish producers alike.
Without this law, consumers could possibly
be exposed to an unhealthy product, unaware
they are not eating farm-raised catfish grown
in Mississippi. In addition, Mississippi catfish
producers and the catfish industry would be
forced to compete with foreign competitors
who produce an inferior product and face
much less regulatory restrictions.
The next time you visit your favorite
restaurant to enjoy top-quality U.S. farmraised catfish, look for the sign that states,
“We proudly serve only U.S. farm-raised
catfish produced in the United States.”
19
COUNSELOR’S CORNER
OF SUPREME IMPORTANCE
By Sam E. Scott/General Counsel, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation
The United States Supreme Court is the
court of last resort for both criminal and civil
cases but does not generate much publicity
unless a new justice is to be appointed or it
decides a very controversial case. However,
less publicized cases can have profound
consequences when they become “the law of
the land” and, oddly enough, can be
interesting in spite of lengthy and often
stilted opinions.
The Supreme Court only hears appeals
from federal courts and some state court
cases except in rare instances and, in civil
appeals, it only hears those cases which it
agrees to hear.
Though the number of justices has
remained constant at nine (President
Roosevelt failed to increase its number or
“pack” it during the Depression when the
sitting court struck down several New Deal
laws), the number of requests or petitions for
appeals has steadily increased to 10,000 per
annum. Obviously, the court could not hear
all of these nor the nine justices personally
read all the petitions to decide whether to
hear the cases, so law clerks and staff
members must play a significant role in the
court’s operation.
The court usually operates on its own time
schedule except for death penalty cases and
rare, expedited civil appeals such as the
presidential election of 2000. All justices are
appointed by the president for life subject to
the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate.
Recently, confirmation hearings on nominees
have become highly partisan and bitter, and
several nominees have withdrawn rather than
undergo the acrimonious proceedings.
Three cases recently decided, or soon to be
decided, could have a significant impact on
American society and our legal system. The
first of these, Riegel v. Medtronic, Inc.,
decided Feb. 20, 2008, involved a suit in New
York state court against the manufacturer of a
medical device, a catheter or “balloon,”
which was being used to attempt to dilate a
heart artery. The catheter exploded in the
patient’s heart, causing heart blockage, life
support and emergency surgery. The patient
survived and brought a products liability case
against the manufacturer. There was also
20
evidence that the doctor had over-inflated the
catheter, but the question in the state court
case was whether it was safe for its intended,
medical purpose.
In 1976, Congress enacted Medical
Devices Amendments, which created a
system of federal safety oversight for certain
medical devices and pre-empted (prohibited)
almost all state court claims. The Food &
Drug Administration (FDA) had approved
the catheter in a pre-marketing process, and
the lower courts and the Supreme Court
dismissed the patient’s case. In effect, this
means that, if FDA, after a pre-marketing
approval, says a medical device is safe,
then it is safe and state court claims to the
contrary will not be allowed, regardless of
the medical facts.
A case involving prescription drugs is also
before the court, and the result could be the
same – if the FDA says pre-approved drugs
are safe, then they are. This would greatly
reduce suits against drug manufacturers
and have other potential far-reaching
consequences given the FDA’s broad
approval processes. There are other federal
regulatory contexts involving pre-marketing
agency approval such as the Federal Aviation
Administration’s pre-marketing certification
process for most aircraft and others. Though
there is much to be said for uniform
standards, are regulatory authorities poised to
be the last word on what is safe? This
decision indicates the answer may be “yes.”
The second case, argued but not yet
decided (as of May 2008), is Parker v.
District of Columbia, involving a District of
Columbia gun control law requiring rifles,
shotguns and other firearms to be registered,
prohibiting the registration (and therefore
ownership) of most pistols, and requiring that
all firearms kept at home have trigger guards
or be dissembled and unloaded. The
opposition to this law is based upon the
Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution,
which provides:
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the
right of the people to keep and bear
Arms, shall not be infringed. (Ratified
December 15, 1791)
For over 200 years, it has been assumed
that this guaranteed to American citizens
the right to own arms, though there are
limitations. For example, convicted felons
cannot possess firearms and the carrying of
concealed weapons has long been regulated.
Escalating violent crime rates have created
significant support for gun control on the
premise that such laws would diminish
crime. The proponents of gun control
contend in this case that the Second
Amendment does not create a private right to
own and bear arms but only allows bearing
arms in the militia or in the exercise of
certain civic duties.
This is, of course, quite controversial and
over 50 “friends of the court” briefs were
filed, representing a very wide range of
interests on both sides, demonstrating the
potential importance of the case and
recognizing the decision may alter the
long-held belief in the right to private
ownership of firearms and their ready
availability for home defense.
Whether limiting the firearms ownership
rights of law-abiding citizens will limit
violent crime is questionable, but its
proponents point out the high percentage of
crimes in which a handgun is used. If pistols
are prohibited, argue the opponents, what
would prevent the same for rifles and
shotguns next?
The District of Columbia won in both
lower courts, and, though there is a technical
issue of whether these particular plaintiffs
have legal standing to challenge the law,
a decision on the merits could have
far-reaching consequences. This case will
likely be decided in 2008 with the result that
it may be the first step toward gun control or
that the Second Amendment does mean what
it has long been believed to mean.
Last, but not least, the controversial Exxon
Valdez class action case, arising out of a
widely publicized oil spill, has dragged on
for 19 years (a monument to the efficient
operation of our judicial system), but at long
last, is now finally at its long overdue final
destination. In 1989, the Exxon Valdez, a
large tanker ship, ran aground, releasing
258,000 barrels of crude oil, which was only
J U LY / AU G U S T
Sam E. Scott is general counsel for Mississippi
Farm Bureau Federation and practices law in the
law firm of Samuel E. Scott, PLLC, in Jackson.
The foregoing information is general in nature
and is not intended as nor should be considered
specific legal advice nor to be considered as
MFBF’s position or opinion.
J U LY / AU G U S T
MFBF LAND PROGRAM
The Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Land Program was established last year to
address issues faced by property owners. Doug Ervin is coordinator of the program. Ervin is
also the federation’s Commodity Coordinator for Dairy and Regional Manager for Region 5.
“This past year, our MFBF Land Use Committee worked with federation staff to
represent Farm Bureau members at the Capitol on all issues related to land,” Ervin said. “We
dealt with private property rights relative to eminent domain, trespass protection for private
landowners, and taxation issues.
“We are also exploring land use opportunities,” he added. “Farm Bureau recognizes that
land and land use values are the single greatest sources of income and assets in Mississippi.
Income potential exists in the areas of agritourism, mineral rights, hunting leases, recreation
uses and government conservation incentive programs.”
“Farm Bureau recognizes that land and land use values are the single
greatest sources of income and assets in Mississippi. Income potential
exists in the areas of agritourism, mineral rights, hunting leases,
recreation uses and government conservation incentive programs.”
Ervin and the MFBF Land Committee encourage you to use the Land Program and
become more informed about the most valuable commodity of all – your land.
Land Use Committee members include: Aquaculture – Billy George Janous; Beef – Kevin
Wallace; Corn, Wheat and Feed Grains – Larry Killebrew; Cotton – Jan Hill; Dairy – Scott
Smith; Equine – Virginia Mathews; Forestry – J. B. Brown; Peanuts – Josh Miller; Poultry
– Kyle Rhodes; Rice – Tommy Swindoll; Soybeans – Bill Ryan Tabb; and Swine – Johnny
Henson.
For62676X:T0158
more information
about
MFBF Land
(5 1-8
x 5)the5/19/08
9:18 Program,
AM Page call
1 Ervin at (601) 551-5311.
RISK
FREE
6-MONTH
TRIAL!
THE EASIER
WAY TO TRIM
AND MOW!
The original, patented DR® TRIMMER/
MOWER is both a precision trimmer and a
powerful mower!
TRIM within a whisker of houses, trees, fences.
Big wheels make it easy for anyone to control precisely!
MOW WITHOUT FEAR of hitting rocks or
hidden obstacles, because there’s no blade to
bend or dull.
GUARANTEED NOT TO TANGLE even in
thick, waist-high field grass and weeds — thanks to its
patented No-Wrap Trimmer Head. Plus, there’s no
enclosed deck to clog, as with ordinary mowers.
CUT UP TO 3" THICK BRUSH
with optional, patented, BEAVER BLADE®
Attachment.
Self-Propelled Model Available!
Get a FREE DVD and Catalog
with full details including model specifications, low, factorydirect prices, and our 6-Month Risk-Free Trial guarantee!
TOLL
FREE
1-888-212-0719
www.DRtrimmers.com
© 2008 CHP, Inc.
20% of its cargo, into Prince William Sound
in Alaska.
At the ensuing trial of claims by certain
fishermen, the jury awarded $5 billion in
punitive damages against Exxon, and the
U.S. Appeals Court held that punitive
damages were proper but reduced the
amount to $2.5 billion. Exxon has doggedly
claimed that no punitive damages should be
awarded, especially since maritime law
governs, and that it has already spent $3.4
billion in fines, restitution, cleanup, settling
claims and it has done all it could be
expected to do as a good corporate citizen to
rectify the situation it caused.
Punitive damages are awarded as
punishment and to set an example rather than
for compensation and are only proper for
intentional or willful and wanton actions or
gross negligence. In the early 1970s,
punitive damages began to be awarded often
for bad faith against insurance companies
failing to settle claims, as well as against
other “deep pocket” defendants, and became
so common and so large in the next two
decades that the U.S. Supreme Court warned
that punitive damages that were more
than ten times actual damages were legally
suspect. Tort reform legislation also
diminished their frequent usage.
But Exxon Valdez could be the ultimate
punitive damages case. Even with the
reduction from $5 billion to $2.5 billion, the
punitive award was 123 times the compensatory damages awarded and 200 times the
amount of the next largest award by any
federal appeals court in a case involving
unintentional conduct by defendant.
Here, the reckless conduct of Exxon
Valdez’s master in the ship’s grounding was
held to be reckless conduct by Exxon, even
though it was directly in violation of several
company rules. How the Supreme Court
resolves this gigantic case may be a
milestone in punitive damages law, either
affirming a record punitive award or
substantially diminishing their application.
The results of these three cases may be
soon known, but the consequences may take
many years to devolve. Who said that courts
do not make the law?
21
Confabulation by Doris Dunn
By Glynda Phillips
State’s Largest
Baltimore Album by Ella Lucas
These definitely won’t be your great-grandmother’s quilts.
No, the quilts that will hang in the 12th Biennial Fiber Art & Quilt
Show in Hattiesburg on Oct. 10-12 promise to put a modern spin on
traditional quiltmaking.
Sure, the quilts will be beautiful and functional. They will look
good and keep you warm – just like the ones that your great-grandmother gathered by the armful to layer upon beds on cold winter
nights. And sure, many of these quilts will remain within families to
be handed down and treasured from one generation to the next.
But visually, these quilts will be something else again.
Modern quilters use design, fabric and color in unique ways. Some
quilters create their own patterns with art déco, geometric, floral,
photographic and even abstract elements, while others pair more
traditional patterns with unusual colors and fabrics. Some of the
quilts will be hand-sewn, while others, giving a nod to more modern
times, will be pieced and quilted with sewing machines.
“The ones that are created with sewing machines will be just as
beautiful as the ones that are hand-sewn,” said Gloria Green, former
president of Pine Belt Quilters and a longtime Forrest County Farm
Bureau member. Green is also co-chair of the upcoming show.
“And, no, you don’t have to have artistic ability to do this,” she
added. “All of us have a need inside us to create, and these quilts are
just one way that we can manifest that innate creativity.”
22
FIBER ART AND QUILT SHOW
When I visited with members of Pine Belt Quilters in late March,
they were admiring 17 of their quilts hanging in a juried exhibition in
the Lucile Parker Gallery on the campus of William Carey University
in Hattiesburg. (Some of the quilts are pictured on these pages.)
Guild members were also discussing their Fiber Art and Quilt
Show, the largest quilt show in the state. The last show drew 1,200
visitors from 92 Mississippi towns and 13 states. This year’s event,
enlarged to three days, will be held at the Lake Terrace Convention
Center (www.laketerrace.com) in Hattiesburg. It promises to be the
most ambitious show the guild has ever staged.
“We’re hoping to hang as many as 400 quilts,” Green said.
The quilt show will be judged by Flavin Glover, a renowned quilt
designer and teacher. In addition, visitors can attend lectures and
browse through a quilt boutique, silent auction and trunk show, where
they may make purchases. There will also be a hands-on chance to try
out the many lovely threads at Superior Thread Company’s Thread
Bar. (This will require early registration. See the PBQ Web site
(www.pinebeltquilters.com). Also available will be various vendors
from quilt shops, fabric stores and machine dealers.
“Our guild stages this show for three reasons,” Green said. “We
want to further the art of quilting; educate quilters by sponsoring
classes and workshops; and earn funds to provide quilts to give
J U LY / AU G U S T
Quilt Show
Gleaming Coins by Barbara Parker
Simply Delicious by Ollie Jean Lane
comfort to children, whether sick, in crisis, or missing their parent(s)
who are serving in the armed forces. We also assist many charities in
our community.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO ENTER
So you think you have a worthy quilt? Don’t be afraid to enter.
“This is how you learn,” Green said. “Our show is open to quilts
that have been completed during the past five years by any
Mississippi quilter as well as any Pine Belt Quilters guild member.
Several of our members have moved out of state and continue to
participate in our shows. The judge will provide comments about all
of the quilt entries. Quilters will be able to use those comments to
improve their skills.
“I enjoy these shows so much,” she added. “Just when you think
you’ve seen the best quilts, someone surprises you.”
Members of Pine Belt Quilters hope to enlarge and improve
this show each time it is presented to attract more viewers to the art
of quilting.
For more information about the Fiber Art & Quilt Show, to be held
Oct. 10-13 at the Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg,
visit www.pinebeltquilters.com or contact Jo-Ann Evans, show chair,
at 601.264.9706. FC
J U LY / AU G U S T
A special thanks to guild members Jo-Ann Evans, Gloria Green,
Ellen Hall and Martha Ginn, and to Chatham Meade, director and
curator of the Lucile Parker Gallery at William Carey University, for
their help with this article. Because of space limitations, parts of
some quilts may have been cropped out of photos.
23
Clay Smoking Pipe
Roadside Rest Area
The rebirth of a roadside rest area was experienced in Pocahontas on April 16, 2008, during a brief but
inclusive dedication ceremony sponsored by Mississippi Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall and the
area Department of Transportation. The rest area, which several years ago had been leveled because of low
usage and crime, was now enjoying a grand reclamation and then some.
Present for the ceremony, and then watching the applause as ribbon pieces fluttered to the ground, were
motorists slowing to see what was going on and Native American tribal representatives from Washington and
a number of Southern states plus citizens and others with roots far and wide.
The stage was a patriotically decorated truck, where Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall opened the
program with the presentation of former Gov. William Winter and Sen. John Horhn, who secured most of the
funding for the construction of the highway rest area with its historical presentation of an ancient Native
American village site, educational exhibits, around-the-clock staffing, hiking trail, and two mounds that are
on the National Register of Historic Places.
Choctaw Chief Mike Beasley Denson of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians gave a strong endorsement for the boost to continued and improved protection of their sacred burying ground only a few hundred
yards beyond the roadside park. Strategic culture exhibits are available for the public.
A prayer and blessing of the historic area was given by Olin Williams, tribal representative of the Choctaw
Nation of Oklahoma. Greg Scales of the Pocahontas Neighborhood Association discussed upcoming, timely
needs in hosting and explaining the site to visitors.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Years before, the abundance of Native American artifacts at the sacred site got the attention of local pecan
grower Ben F. Whitfield, whose family settled in the area a few miles southeast of Pocahontas that became Green’s
Crossing with the coming of the first railroad in that area. They founded a farm there and his great-great-grandfather founded Union Baptist Church near their home. Whitfield next became a co-founder of Mississippi College.
Later, Ben F. Whitfield began to collect arrowheads, primarily from the cultivated fields of the vast
family holding. Early in the 20th century, Ben found local people coming to see him to learn about the
24
J U LY / AU G U S T
Decorative Bowls
Ceremonial Mound
Reflects Native American Life
By Ed Blake
significance of Native American life in that area. Among his visitors were two Clinton High School students who lived nearby.
James Ford and Moreau Chambers were the two budding archeologists. They were fortunate enough to have horses for their transportation
to school – and they rode their horses on numerous expeditions. They went on to college and continued their forays for ancient things as the
doors of the field of archeology swung open to them.
The Smithsonian Institute coordinated an affiliation between the two men and the young Department of Archives and History in Jackson
with financial support. The men’s findings were cataloged and placed in the Department of Archives and History for propriety. That was the
beginning of official special diggings and carefully kept records.
The main digging sites were on or about the tall Ceremonial Mound beside U.S. Highway 49 and the Burial Mound about one-quarter of a
mile to the northeast. A little later, this mound was a close neighbor of the Pocahontas Consolidated School Campus and Magnolia Way
Cemetery, adjoining both the Baptist and Methodist churches.
The well-supervised digs revealed that most artifacts were to be found at the Burial Mound and no known graves were on the Ceremonial
Mound. Yet, there were scattered graves.
Today, there are many unanswered questions and many unauthorized digs have been made. Archeologists’ journals have done an excellent
job of preserving articles. Some of the best have been replicated for saving fragile artifacts for future generations
CAPERS LEGACY
It was here at this site many years ago that legend became fact when Charlotte Capers, as an official of the State Department of Archives
and History, arranged a casual meeting with Central Highway Commissioner Felder Dearman about the proposed 4-lane expansion of the then
2-lane Highway 49.
Bulldozers were ready to push down the impressive Ceremonial Mound for expediency’s sake. Charlotte was “cool” as she engaged in
conversation with Dearman atop the Ceremonial Mount for a brief time. When they were done, Dearman asked the bulldozers to leave.
History and good judgment had prevailed.
Today, a once negative environment has made another massive stride for all mankind. FC
Editor’s Note: As a result of Charlotte Capers’ efforts, Ed Blake’s interest and persistence (for many years) and Greg Scales’ communitywide
work, the Pocahontas rest area has been officially named the “Capers, Blake, Scales Rest Area.”
J U LY / AU G U S T
25
Waverly Mansion: A Labor of Love
W
By Glynda Phillips
averley Plantation Mansion near West Point is a popular antebellum home that draws thousands of
visitors each year from around the state, the nation and the world. The home and gardens are historic and
beautiful, but the story behind the property’s restoration is even more fascinating.
In the mid-1800s, Waverley was part of a 50,000-acre, self-sustained cotton plantation that was one of the
largest in the South. When Robert Snow and his family bought the house and 40 acres of land in 1962, the
property had been neglected for some 50 years. Undaunted, the Snows rolled up their sleeves and got to
work, often on a shoestring budget, meticulously restoring it all to its previous glory.
For their work, which spanned the course of some 33 years, the Snows have received both state and
national recognition. The house is a National Restoration Award winner, a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register
of Historic Places.
I recently visited with Robert and his daughter Melanie, who now lives in Nashville, to talk about their journey.
LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
Built in 1852 by Colonel George Hampton Young of Oglethorpe County, Georgia, Waverley was originally occupied by Young, his wife
and ten children. The house was handed down to the sons, and the youngest sons, bachelors, lived there until the early 1900s. After the
brothers’ deaths, the surviving Youngs lacked the funds to maintain the property, so the house and grounds remained in the family but stood
empty until the Snows decided to purchase it.
“My family didn’t have a lot of money,” Melanie said. “My parents owned a farm and an antiques shop in Philadelphia. One day in October
1961, a salesman happened into their shop and told them he had gotten lost on a dirt road in Clay County and had come upon an empty house
that was the most magnificent house he’d ever seen.
“My parents lay awake that night, talking and dreaming about that house,” she said. “The next day, they loaded me, my brother Allen, and
my sister Cindy into the station wagon and off we went.”
When the Snows finally found the house, after taking a ferry across the Tombigbee River and climbing to the top of an overgrown knoll, it
was love at first sight. They promptly sold their farm, timberland and antiques shop in order to purchase the house and property.
“The house was badly overgrown with honeysuckle vines, briars and weeds,” Melanie said. “It had no plumbing or electricity and was
infested with squirrels, possums, birds and insects. The attic was home to thousands of bats. We slept on mattresses in the dining room and
hauled water from the neighbors.”
At night, the Snows could hear owls hooting in the woods and animals stirring near the house. Squirrels would often dart out of the
woodwork, and birds would fly from nests in the gasoliers.
“It was marvelous,” Melanie said. “As kids, we had the best spend-the-night parties.”
26
J U LY / AU G U S T
A LOVE OF MISSISSIPPI
As the Snows
began their restoration efforts, their
appreciation for
their home state
deepened. They
discovered that during the years the house had stood vacant Waverley
had not been destroyed.
“We found thousands of names written on the walls (plus quite a
few Kilroys) but very little damage,” Melanie said. “I know that
fraternities at Mississippi State University would send pledges to
spend the night in the house, which they called ‘the spook house,’ and
that children would play here and hunters would camp here, so the
lack of damage and theft is, I think, a great tribute to the people of
Mississippi.”
The Snows discovered all of the original French gasoliers still
hanging in each of the rooms. A huge gas chandelier hung from the
fourth-floor cupola ceiling. Three large, gold-leaf mirrors hung on the
original hooks.
The four self-supporting, curved stairways in the entry hall still boast
all 718 hand-turned, mahogany spindles. Only one spindle was missing. Eight marble mantles were intact. Less than 20 window panes
were broken. The red, Venetian glass around the front door was intact.
“We found one BB hole in the house and that’s all,” she said. “There
were thousands of cracks in the walls and ceilings caused by age and
neglect. We worked for 2 ½ years, cutting out those cracks and filling
them with plaster.”
The Greek Revival-style mansion is 8,000 square feet in size and
boasts four floors. The first two floors are the living area. The third
floor is the attic or “trunk room.” The fourth floor is an octagonal
cupola. With 16 big windows, the cupola is used mainly for
ventilation. The house is open from the first floor straight up to the
cupola, which picks up the least little breeze and keeps the entire
home cool in the summer.
Architects from around the world continue to study this cooling
effect at Waverley, especially in light of today’s interest in alternative
energy. And speaking of alternative energy, Waverley once boasted a
brick retort that burned pine knots that provided gas for lighting the
gasoliers and wall lights in each room of the house.
The Snows have furnished Waverley with period pieces and have
taken pains to restore the original gardens, including a formal English
boxwood garden as well as dogwood, pear, plum, crabapple and
J U LY / AU G U S T
mulberry orchards. The house
boasts the oldest magnolia tree
in the state.
“Mom and Dad were
featured on the front page of
the garden section of the New
York Times in 1966 when the
boxwoods were about a foot
high. After that, people started
showing up at our house every
day,” Melanie said.
Money collected from ticket
sales went into a fund that
helped the Snows restore the
Robert and Melanie Snow
home. The fund has helped
them maintain Waverley for 48
years. So renowned and appreciated are the Snows and Waverley,
when Donna Snow died unexpectedly in 1991, the State Legislature
observed a moment of prayer then passed a resolution citing her work
promoting Mississippi through Waverley Mansion.
FUTURE PLANS
The Snows plan to always open Waverley Plantation Mansion to the
public.
“We know how our mom wanted things kept, and we take pains to
continue her vision for the house,” Melanie said. “Our children,
grandchildren and great-grandchildren are all involved. The day
before the Columbus Pilgrimage, which is a huge, two-week affair, we
are all here getting things in order.”
Today, Robert Snow raises India Blue, Rare Java Green and White
peafowl on the grounds of Waverley as well as enough chickens to keep
the Snow family supplied with plenty of country eggs. There’s an herb
garden, a vegetable garden, scuppernongs, plums, pears and mulberries.
Robert also operates a small antiques shop on the grounds, which
sells high-end furniture as well as souvenirs that school kids can
afford to buy.
GHOST STORY
As an interesting sidenote, ghosts have been sighted at Waverley.
The ghosts of two little girls have been seen and heard inside the
house. The Snows have attempted to identify them through extensive
research and believe the girls were neighbors who stayed at the
house during the Civil War. They believe the oldest girl, 9, died of
diphtheria and the youngest, 3, broke her neck when her head got
caught in the stairway spindles.
Both girls have been seen and heard by family and visitors. Donna
Snow was the first one to hear the youngest calling, “Mama? Mama?”
The bedspread on one of the beds in a second floor bedroom
periodically wrinkles as if a small body has lain down to sleep.
The Snows don’t call attention to the ghosts and will talk about
them only if you ask.
MORE INFORMATION
Located just off Highway 50 between Columbus and West Point,
Waverley is open to the public every day of the year. A fee is charged
for a tour of the mansion and grounds; children under six are admitted
free when accompanied by an adult.
The garden is available for weddings and other events. For more
information, call 662.494.1399. FC
27
SAFETY NOTES
Farm Pond Safety
from your MFBF Safety Program Staff
In 2006, the number one cause of accidental deaths on farms
among Farm Bureau members was drowning in farm ponds. We can
help reduce these drownings by placing a farm pond safety post at
our ponds.
A farm pond safety post consists of a post placed in the ground
with hooks on both sides. A 14-foot cane pole should be placed
against one hook and a gallon milk jug on the other. Put a little sand
in the bottom of the milk jug to give it some weight with about 50
feet of rope attached to it so it can be thrown and retrieved. If there
is a boat handy, this can also be used as a lifesaving device.
Remember to remind people that these items are lifesaving
equipment and not to be played with.
Remember these four rules about water rescue:
• Reach
• Row
• Throw
• Don’t Go
A reaching assist is the best way to get someone out of the water.
Using the cane pole, keep your weight back and extend the pole to
the person in trouble and pull them to shore.
If the victim is beyond the length of the cane pole, use the gallon
milk jug as a throwing assist. A drowning person will grab anything
within their reach. This jug will keep a 200-pound man’s head above
water, and that’s all it takes to keep a person alive.
If a boat is handy, you can use it, but make sure they enter over the
back of the boat. If they try to enter over the side with a small jon
boat, they could turn the boat over then you have more than one
person in the water.
The last thing you should ever do is attempt a swimming rescue. If
you have not had a minimum of advanced lifesaving, you should never
go into the water after anyone, not even a child. A drowning victim will
go to the highest part of your body, which is your head. They will push
you underwater, and this normally results in a double drowning.
Everyone should learn CPR and Rescue Breather. These are two
lifesaving techniques that are easy to learn and can save a life. An
ambulance could be as much as 30 minutes away from your farm and
every second counts.
Make your farm pond safer this summer with a farm pond safety post.
For more information about programs offered by the Mississippi
Farm Bureau Federation Safety Department, call your county Farm
Bureau or contact the state office at 1-800-227-8244, ext. 4242. Your
MFBF safety specialists are John Hubbard, northern region; Trey
Pope, central region; and Chris Shivers, southern region
YOUTH SAFETY SEMINAR
The annual Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Youth
Safety Seminar will be held July 22-24 at Kamp Kumbaya in
Eupora. Registration deadline is July 7.
If you know someone who would like to attend, call
your county Farm Bureau or call the state office
at 1.800.227.8244, ext. 4242, for more details. Camp
participants must be in the 9th through 12th grades this fall.
15 % DISCOUNT ON TRACTOR PARTS
Trey Pope named Safety Specialist
Trey Pope of Laurel was recently named
Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF)
Safety Specialist for the central region of
Mississippi. Trey, a former Vo-Ag teacher at the
Jasper County Career Development Center, will
join Safety Specialists John Hubbard, northern
region, and Chris Shivers, southern region, in
bringing safety education programs to county
Farm Bureaus, clubs, churches and civic
organizations across the state. The men are also responsible for
coordinating the annual Youth Safety Seminar.
Trey, his wife and son will live in the Jackson area.
“I want to welcome Trey into our Farm Bureau family,” said
Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Member Services Director Greg
Gibson. “He brings experience and excellent credentials to this
important program. Please join me in wishing him well.”
28
Mississippi Farm Bureau members can receive a 15%
discount on aftermarket replacement parts for agricultural
and industrial use. Call 601.731.9263 to check availability.
Parts are shipped directly to you from the warehouse.
The parts you need at affordable prices with next-day
delivery available on in-stock items.
MORE THAN 55,000 PARTS AVAILABLE!
J U LY / AU G U S T
MEMBER BENEFITS
Take advantage of these benefits available to Farm Bureau® members ONLY. If you are not a member, joining is simple.
Contact the Farm Bureau office in the county where you live, pay your membership dues, and start enjoying these benefits today!
• A C C I D E N T A L D E A T H - Provides for accidental
death benefit of $750 for children and $1500
for adults. Benefit increases $150 each year for
the member and spouse if the current
membership year’s dues are paid before
November 1. Maximum benefit is $3000.
Benefit does not apply to deaths caused by
accident while occupying any vehicle which is
required to be licensed under applicable state
motor vehicle laws; arising out of military
activity occurring within a combat zone;
suicide; or occurs during, or is the direct or
indirect result of injuries incurred during the
commission of a felony by a person covered
under this member service.
• A D T H O M E S E C U R I T Y - Southern Security
Services is offering an ADT Home Security
System installed at no charge (36 month
monitoring contract required). Please call
1.800.960.9119.
• A G R I S T A R G L O B A L I N T E R N E T - A high speed
internet service that can reach all parts of the
state – even rural areas. Please call
1.888.777.0440
or
you
can
visit
www.agristar.com.
• A M E R L I N K L O G H O M E S – Mississippi Farm
Bureau members are eligible for a 25%
discount on the purchase of a log home
package from AmerLink Ltd. AmerLink offers
a standard line of over 75 residential models as
well as garages, commercial designs, outbuildings and barns. Call AmerLink at 800.872.4254
and start making your dream home a reality.
Visit AmerLink’s Web site for MS Farm
Bureau members at www.amerlink.com/msfb.
• C H I L D S A F E T Y S E A T P R O G R A M – Members can
pick up order forms for $25 car seats and $15
booster seats at their local county office.
• A T V D I S C O U N T S – The following ATV
discounts are available to Farm Bureau members:
Got Gear ATV of Ridgeland—$500 discount
on ATVs, motorcycles and 4-wheel utility
vehicles. Greenville Motorsports—Receive
up to $750.00 in free accessories or $500
discount coupon. Hattiesburg Cycles—$750
in free accessories or $500 discount coupon.
Oxford Outdoors— $500 discount off MSRP
on the purchase of ATVs, utility vehicles, and
motorcycles. Discounts apply to ATVs 400cc or
greater and motorcycles 800cc or greater.
OTHER EXCLUSIONS DO APPLY. You
must have a coupon. To receive a coupon or
additional information, call Dedra Luke at
1.800.227.8244, ext. 4169, or 601.977.4169.
J U LY / AU G U S T
• C H O I C E H O T E L S - 20% off published rack
room rate at any participating Comfort Inn,
Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Main
Stay Suites, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn,
based on availability.
• C I M A R R O N M O R T G A G E - Save $150 off closing
costs when you finance your home mortgage
through Cimarron Mortgage Company, a
Mississippi-based national lender. Please call
1.800.949.6699.
• D O D G E D I S C O U N T S - Pick up a $500 rebate
certificate before you purchase your Dodge
vehicle. Certificates are limited to Dodge trucks,
Durango, selected vans, and selected sedans.
• C OU NT RY CON N EC T LO N G D I STA N CE Countryconnect is a full service, long distance
program designed exclusively for Farm
Bureau members.
• G A T E W A Y T I R E & S E R V I C E C E N T E R - Gateway
Tire and Service Center is offering a 10%
discount on tires and automotive service to
Mississippi Farm Bureau members. Just
present your Farm Bureau membership card at
any Gateway Tire location. To find the
Gateway Tire Center nearest you, visit
www.Gateway-Tire.com. This discount cannot
be used with special promotions.
• G R A I N G E R I N D U S T R I A L S U P P L Y - Save 10%
off industrial products by using discount
number 818224800.
• M E A N M A L L A R D – Members receive a 10%
discount at the Mean Mallard store in
Ridgeland. Not applicable to guns, optics, or
ammunition and cannot be used in addition to
any other sales or discounts. To receive this
coupon: Call Dedra Luke at 601.977.4169 or
1.800.227.8244, extension 4169 with your
Farm Bureau membership number.
• M I S S I S S I P P I F A R M C O U N T R Y M A G A Z I N E – The
official publication of Mississippi Farm Bureau
Federation. It is published bi-monthly and
spotlights one particular area of agriculture
each issue. It also contains information on
agricultural issues and Farm Bureau programs.
• M O S S Y O A K – MFBF and Mossy Oak have
teamed up to offer members a 10% discount
through the Mossy Oak online store. This
discount does not apply to promotional or sale
items. To access the Mossy Oak online store
please follow these steps: Go to www.msfb.com
and click on Member Benefits link, then click on
Mossy Oak discounts.
• N E V A D A B O B ’ S G O L F – All Mississippi Farm
Bureau Members receive 10% off all accesMISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY
sories and apparel, excluding golf balls. 5% off
all hard goods, irons, drivers, fairway, wedges,
and putters, excluding Ping & Callaway. See
store for details. Not valid with any other offer.
• P A S S K E Y S O L U T I O N S – Members receive a
sizable discount on pharmacy, eye care,
hearing, and health and wellness products.
Please call 1.800.800.7616 for additional
information. Group number is 39211.
• R E N T A L C A R – Various discounts through
Hertz #00337777 at 1.800.654.3131 and Avis
#A298824 at 1.800.331.1212 or Budget
#Y775724 at 1.800.527.0700.
• S C H O L A R S H I P S - Mississippi Farm Bureau
Federation offers several scholarships to young
people interested in furthering their education in
agriculture. These scholarships are offered
through the Young Farmers & Ranchers
Program and the Women’s Program. For more
information, call: Greg Shows at 601.977.4277
or E-mail: [email protected] or Clara Bilbo at
601.977.4245 or E-mail: [email protected]
• S U P E R I O R O U T D O O R S U P P L Y – Members
receive a 10% discount on the “Mobile Hunter”
or the “Trail Hunter” from Superior Outdoor
Supply, LLC (SOS). For more information,
contact: Troy Davis at 601.214.9880 or
Kenneth Davis at 601.616.1042 or visit their
Web site at www.theroadhunter.com
• T H E F T R E W A R D P R O G R A M - Members can
offer a $500 reward for information leading to
the arrest and conviction of anyone committing
theft, arson or vandalism against their property.
• T R A C T O R P A R T S D I S C O U N T - Members can
receive 15% discount on aftermarket
replacement parts for agricultural and
industrial uses. Call 601.731.9263 to order or to
check availability. Parts are shipped directly to
you from the warehouse. Over 55,000 parts
available. The parts you need at affordable
prices with next-day delivery available on
in-stock items.
• W Y N D H A M H O T E L S - Receive an additional 10
% off the "Best Available Rate" at participating
locations. Advance reservations are required.
Offer is subject to availability at participating
locations, and some black out dates may apply.
Wyndham Hotel Group, Inc. is one of the
world’s largest lodging companies under the
AmeriHost Inn®, Days Inn®, Howard
Johnson®, Knights Inn®, Ramada®, Super
8®, Travelodge®, and Wingate Inn® brands.
Super 8 call 800.889.9706. All other hotels call
877.670.7088.
29
FARM BUREAU
EVENTS
Twig Marston addressed participants at the 2008 Magnolia Beef and Poultry Expo in Raleigh. Marston, a professor and Extension beef specialist from Kansas State University,
talked about calf shrink and quality in conjunction with a demonstration. A similar demonstration will be held this fall and the results of both will be compared. Over 550 people
attended this year’s expo.
Mississippi hosted the Ag in the Classroom (AITC) Southern Consortium, which met
in Jackson in April. Consortium members represent AITC programs in Texas,
Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia,
Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas.
Members share ideas and discuss how to best support Farm Bureau’s efforts on
behalf of national issues of importance to agriculture. This year’s speakers
included Tom Tate, United States Department of Agriculture, and Betty Wolanyk,
Director, AFBF Education and Research.
Mississippi was well-represented at the National Women’s Leadership Conference
in Louisville, Kentucky. State Women’s Committee members and other volunteer
leaders were among the nearly 700 farm and ranch women from 38 states who
attended the conference to sharpen their leadership skills, network with one another
and hear a challenge from the president of the American Farm Bureau Federation,
which hosted the event.
30
Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation President David Waide was recently presented
the Mississippi National Guard’s Meritorious Civilian Service Award in recognition
of the financial support that he has provided on behalf of Farm Bureau over the
last three years. The presentation was made by former Adjutant General for the
State of Mississippi, Major General Harold Cross, at the National Guard
Association of Mississippi’s Annual Conference.
Greeting visitors and serving sandwiches at the Mississippi Farm Bureau
Federation booth during Super Bulldog Weekend were 2006 Miss Farm BureauMississippi Samantha Webb and 2007 Miss Farm Bureau-Mississippi Ashley Helton.
J U LY / AU G U S T
CALENDAR OF
EVENTS
MEMORIAL TREES PLANTED ON ARBOR DAY
By Andy Whittington
Environmental Programs Specialist
In observance of Arbor Day on Feb. 8, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation
planted trees in memory of former employees Mike Blankenship and Mandy Harvey
and Mandy’s son Cole. A Florida Maple was planted in Mike’s honor, bottom photo,
and an Alexandrina Magnolia was planted in honor of Mandy and Cole.
Arbor Day is a chance for us all to be reminded of the importance of trees. Trees
filter carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the atmosphere. They serve as buffers
for noise and dust and provide shade on hot, muggy days. Trees also provide food
and habitat to many birds and mammals.
Take the opportunity to walk around your yard and examine your trees, remove
dead limbs, treat wounds and look for signs of insect damage.
Remember, you don’t have to wait for Arbor Day to plant a tree. Plant a tree when
you have a child and watch them grow together. Plant a tree for special days, such as
an anniversary or a graduation. Better yet, plant a tree in honor of a loved one
because, of all the benefits provided by trees, memories are the most important.
J U LY / AU G U S T
July 8
Peanuts Commodity Conference
George County Extension Office
Lucedale
July 8
Region 1 Contests
Morrison Chapel Baptist Church
Cleveland
July 11
Region 1 Young Farmers Meeting
Clarksdale
July 17
Region 5 Contests
Day’s Inn, McComb
July 18
Rice Commodity Conference
Bolivar County Extension
Service Auditorium
Cleveland
July 19
Region 8 Contests
MFBF Building, Jackson
July 22
Cotton Commodity Conference
Grenada County Extension
Service Auditorium
Grenada
July 22-24
Youth Safety Seminar
Kamp Kumbaya, Eupora
July 26
Region 3 Contests
Hinds County Extension Building
Jackson
August 9
Region 4 Contests
Bost Building, MSU
August 16
Region 6 Contests
ECC College, Decatur
August 22
Gary Langley Memorial
Golf Tournament
The Refuge, Flowood
August 23
Region 2 Contests
Tombigbee Building
Tupelo
31
WATSON NAMED INTERIM MSU PRESIDENT
Dr. Vance H. Watson was recently named
interim president of Mississippi State
University (MSU), following the resignation
of Dr. Robert H. "Doc" Foglesong.
Dr. Melissa Mixon will assume the role of interim vice president of MSU's
Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine.
Pending additional board approval, Mixon will also serve as interim director of
both the university's Division of Extension and Outreach and Mississippi Agricultural
and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES), as well as interim dean of the College of
Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Dr. Reuben Moore has been named the interim head of the North Mississippi
Research and Extension Center in Verona.
As director, Moore will oversee the daily operations of this regional facility and
will be responsible for the administration of research programs at four branch
experiment stations: Northeast Mississippi in Verona, North Mississippi in Holly
Springs, Pontotoc Ridge-Flatwoods in Pontotoc, and Prairie in Prairie.
Moore will continue to serve as associate director of MAFES, and his position in
Verona marks a return. Moore was head of this center from 1999 to 2003.
Until a permanent replacement is found, Moore will fill the position previously
held by Dr. Alan Blaine, who retired in March as director of the North Mississippi
Research and Extension Center.
SUMMER EVENTS
Remaining summer commodity conferences are scheduled as follows: Peanuts –
July 8 at the George County Extension Office in Lucedale; Rice – July 18 at the
Bolivar County Extension Auditorium in Cleveland; and Cotton – July 22 at the
Grenada County Extension Auditorium in Grenada. For more information, contact
Nancy Britt at 1.800.227.8244, ext. 4230.
The Region 1 Young Farmers Meeting will be held in Clarksdale on July 11.
The Gary Langley Memorial Golf Tournament has been set for Aug. 22 at The
Refuge in Flowood. Call Greg Shows at 1.800.227.8244, ext. 4230, for more details.
Youth Safety Seminar is July 22-24 at Kamp Kumbaya in Eupora. Registration
deadline is July 7. Call your county Farm Bureau or the state office at
1.800.227.8244, ext. 4242, for more details.
Regional Talent and Miss Farm Bureau-Mississippi contests include: Region 1
– July 8 at Morrison Chapel Baptist Church in Cleveland; Region 2 – Aug. 23 at
Tombigbee Building in Tupelo; Region 3 – July 26 at Hinds County Extension
Building in Jackson; Region 4 – Aug. 9 at the Bost Building at Mississippi State
University; Region 5 – July 17 at the Day’s Inn in McComb; Region 6 – Aug. 16 at
East Central Community College in Decatur; and Region 8 – July 19 at the MFBF
Building in Jackson. The date for Region 7 contests had not been set at presstime. For
more information, contact Women’s Program Coordinator Clara Bilbo at
1.800.227.8244, ext. 4245.
32
ANNUAL MEETINGS
At presstime, these county Farm Bureau annual
meetings had been scheduled. More annual
meetings will run in the next issue of
Mississippi Farm Country.
Calhoun County Farm Bureau
August 21 - 7 p.m.
Multi-Purpose Building, Pittsboro
Desoto County Farm Bureau
August 19 - 7:30 a.m.
Farm Bureau Office, Hernando
Holmes County Farm Bureau
August 14 - 10 a.m.
Farm Bureau Office, Lexington
Lee County Farm Bureau
August 23 - 6 p.m.
North MS Research & Extension Center
Verona
Marshall County Farm Bureau
August 14 - 6:30 p.m.
Wall Doxey State Park, Holly Springs
Perry County Farm Bureau
August 7 - 6:30 p.m.
Catfish Wagon, Runnelstown
Walthall County Farm Bureau
August 15 - 6:30 p.m.
Farm Bureau Office, Tylertown
J U LY / AU G U S T
YF & R CONTESTS AGAIN
HAVE ATTRACTIVE AWARDS
2008 FLOOD
Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation President David Waide was able to get an aerial view
of flooding in Warren County on April 17. The plane flight was arranged by John Leigh
Hyland. Mississippi farmers in several areas of the Delta were getting ready to harvest
winter wheat and plant row crops when floodwater from the Mississippi River and its
tributaries began to inundate farmland. Wayland Hill, hydraulic technician with the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers in Vicksburg, said that about 240,000 acres of cropland were
underwater on April 9. He estimated about another 100,000 acres would go under by the
crest date. Wheat damage was also sustained in some areas as a result of heavy rain, wet
soil, high wind and freezing temperatures. At presstime, it was still too early to get an
accurate assessment of wheat loss. Mississippi growers had planted approximately
450,000 acres of wheat, up 30,000 acres from the previous year. Growers produced an
average of 56 bushels per acre in 2007, just short of the record average of 59 bushels set
the previous year.
Photo by Greg Gibson
POULTRY CAFO MEETINGS
AND TRAINING
Area poultry CAFO meetings and training have
been set as follows: Laurel - June 3 and Oct. 7 at
Dixie Electric at 10 a.m.; Forest - July 1 and Nov. 4 at
the County Extension Office at 10 a.m.; Philadelphia
- Sept. 2 at 10 a.m.; and Magee - Aug. 5 and Dec. 2 at
People’s Bank at 10 a.m.
For more information, contact J.D. Sumrall, MPA
Grower Relations Coordinator, at 601.355.0248,
office, or 601.942.9269, cell. Or email at
[email protected].
J U LY / AU G U S T
Entrants in the American Farm Bureau
Federation’s (AFBF) 2009 Young Farmers and
Ranchers (YF&R) competitive events will
again find attractive awards to this year’s
programs. The winner(s) of the YF&R
Achievement Award, Discussion Meet and
Excellence in Agriculture Award will receive a
selected 2009 Dodge pickup truck.
The Achievement Award winner will again
receive a 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 SLT Quad
Cab 4x4 pickup truck with a 5.9L Cummins
HO Turbo Diesel engine. The winner will also
receive paid registration to the 2009 YF & R
Leadership Conference in Sacramento,
California, on Feb. 5-7.
Each of the four runners-up will receive a
Case IH DX compact tractor.
The top Discussion Meet winner will
receive a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab
4x4 pickup with a 5.7L HEMI Magnum
engine. The winner also receives paid
registration to the 2009 YF & R Leadership
Conference in Sacramento, California, on
Feb. 5-7.
Each of the American Farm Bureau
Discussion Meet runners-up will receive a
$6,000 U.S. Savings Bond and a Farm Boss,
courtesy of Stihl Outdoor Power Equipment.
The winner of the Excellence in Agriculture
Award will receive a 2009 Dodge Quad Cab
4x4 1500 pickup, with SLT trim and a 4.7L
Magnum V8 engine, and a paid registration to
the 2009 YF&R Leadership Conference.
Each of the American Farm Bureau
Excellence in Agriculture runners-up will
receive a $6,000 U.S. Savings Bond and a
Farm Boss chain saw, courtesy of Stihl
Outdoor Power Equipment.
The winners will be determined during
AFBF’s 90th annual convention to be held in
San Antonio, Texas, on Jan. 11-14.
All national contestants in these programs
will receive an inscribed plaque and a gift
from Dodge. Dodge is also sponsoring these
contests on the state level by providing
cash awards for each contest held by state
Farm Bureaus.
See Page 29 and start
taking advantage of the
valuable benefits offered
by your Farm Bureau
membership!
33
First on the Market,
Best in the Field.
OUTSIDE
WOODBURNING
FURNACE
“Since 1976”
· All stainless steel construction
· No smoke, ashes or wood trash in
your home
· 12 hour burn
· 10 to 100 feet from your home
· Heats home and household
hot water
· 25-year warranty
· Connects to your existing central
duct or hydronic system
· Units from 120,000 to 250,000 BTU’s
· Financing Available
· Dealer Inquiries Welcome
Hardy Manufacturing
Company, Inc.
Philadelphia, MS 39350
www.hardyheater.com
1-800-542-7395
2 SEAT BIKE
DRIVES LIKE A CAR
• Easy to Pedal
• Multi-Speed
• 1, 2 & 4 Seaters
• Optional Electric Motor
FREE BROCHURE
1-800-974-6233 Ext. 32486 • www.4wc.com/ 32486
Dept. 32486 • 125 Rhoades Lane
Hendersonville, Tennessee 37075
Alaska Cruise
! "
#
$
%!&
'
()
)
* + ,$
-&
(
. /
. /
- ' !
&
! 0 - ! ' #
$
%
!)
)
1"(2 "
, !
(
3 "
"
$ $ +$
$ 4 &
% )
5 $
) $ /
.
$5"
!
6/
7
$ )
8 9:;< $
$
9=1>
+?>@=1$
9:>> + =< 2 9A1> &
! ' )#=;A5B9=>>
!"#
$%&&$'%$!'('
34
J U LY / AU G U S T
PLAY GOSPEL MUSIC
#1. PLAY GOSPEL SONGS BY EAR. Piano, keyboard. Add chords to music. 10 easy lessons. $12.95
#2. LEARN GOSPEL MUSIC! Chording, runs, fill-ins.
$12.95. Both $23. Guaranteed. DAVIDSONS MUSIC,
6727 M Metcalf, Shawnee Mission, KS 66204
www.davidsonsmusic.com. Free catalog available.
“Authorized dealer”
We are committed to providing the
finest-quality steel buildings at the
lowest possible price.
Call for a FREE quote today!
30’ x 50’ x 10’ ......... $9,269
40’ x 80’ x 12’ .......... $17,695
70’ x 100’ x 16’ ........ $39,997
Trailer Sales
(662)456-3972
email: [email protected]
Hwy 15 S • Mantee, MS 39751
CHOIR ROBES
EXPERT
TAILORING
3595
$
& UP
Finest fabrics including permanent
press and wash & wear. Superior
quality. Free color catalog and
fabric swatches on request.
GUARANTEED SATISFACTION
Call Toll Free: 1-800-826-8612
www.rcgown.com
P.O. Box 8988-F Jacksonville, FL 32211
www.heritagebuildings.com
DIABETES?
If you have Medicare,
Champus, Blue Cross
or Private Insurance
(No HMOs)
Receive Diabetic Supplies
at LOW or NO COST to you.
No forms to fill out.
No up-front costs.
Free Delivery
To your door
Call: 1 800 689-4377
(toll free)
There is no obligation
FLEET VEHICLES FOR SALE
If you are interested in purchasing a used federation vehicle,
please visit our Website at
www.msfb.com for more information. Click on About Us link,
then click the Fleet Vehicles for
Sale on the drop down menu or
contact Merlene Partridge at
1.800.227.8244, ext. 4233.
These vehicles are late model,
usually one - two years old with
approximately 40,000-50,000
miles. NADA retail, wholesale,
and loan values are used to
calculate price.
© 2008 Gorilla Glue Company SF3HD3
1.800.643.5555
Diabetes Providers, Inc.
Assignment Accepted!
Call 9AM - 5PM Eastern Time
HMOs DO NOT QUALIFY
FOR THIS PROGRAM
FOR THE TOUGHEST JOBS ON PLANET EARTH.
®
1-800-966-3458 WWW.GORILLATOUGH.COM
J U LY / AU G U S T
35
Make The Connection
Long-distance state-to-state rates are only 4.9¢ per minute
Local in-state calls are only 6.9¢ per minute
(Save even more wth the EZDIAL plan-4.9¢ per minute)
Calling Cards are only 8.9¢ a minute state-to-state
Monthly Fee is only $1.50
Incremental Billing at 6 seconds
Fill out the form below and start saving TODAY!
Call toll-free 1-800-362-FARM
Contact your state office or visit www.countryconnect.us for more information
Yes, please sign me up!
Letter of Agency
I choose Countryconnect, powered by IBFA, as my primary long-distance provider for the service(s) and telephone number(s) indicated below and I authorize Countryconnect to act as
my agent by notifying my local telephone company of this choice. I am legally responsible for the payment of charges incurred on the telephone number(s) listed below and that I have
the authority to change the prescribed 1+ long-distance carrier providing service to these numbers. Further, I recognize that I can have only one primary long-distance company for a
given telephone number, that I will no longer be pre-subscribed to my current long-distance carrier’s service(s) and that my local telephone company may impose a charge for this and
any later change. I understand that my long-distance service will be billed directly by and payable to Countryconnect. There will be a $1.50 monthly access fee on the bill. I understand
that my signature on this form means the following services will be provided to me by Countryconnect: IntraLATA (in-state) and InterLATA (state-to-state).
Print Name:
Telephone #(s): (
Signature:
)
(
Street Address:
)
Date:
(
)
(
)
City/State/Zip:
Mailing Address (if different from above):
Yes, please sign me up for (#)
Countryconnect Calling Cards
Mail to: Countryconnect
1850 Howard Street, Suite C
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
© 2008 Countryconnect ® All Rights Reserved. Powered by IBFA, a subsidiary of Telava Networks, Inc. MS0806#001
36
MAKE
THE CONNECTION
1-800-362-FARM
J U LY / AU G U S T

July 2008 - Mississippi Farm Bureau

Transcription

Similar documents

Market Plan

Homemade Probiotics Flyer (To Print)

Financial Strength - Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance

john fluevog shoes - Page One Publishing

Dennis Reis Universal Horsemanship ~ Freedom Course Clinic

Foxbury Farm`s Christmas Delights

Funny Pets - Today in Mississippi

UFF Invitation - Underwood Family Farms

Homeowners Extra - Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance

The Nuts and Bolts of Running a Farm to School Salad Bar Program: