March 2008 - Mississippi Farm Bureau

Transcription

MISSISSIPPI‘ S
YOUNG FARMERS
MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY
Volume 84 Number 2
March/April 2008
CONTENTS
8
14
18
24
Features
MISSISSIPPI’S YOUNG FARMERS
Mississippi is home to a group of outstanding
young farmers. Come with us as we visit
some of them.
SOLVE THE MYSTERY
Which river’s name comes from Native
American words that mean “great river”
and “father of waters.” Read the clues
and make your guess.
RURAL LIVING
Come with us as we visit a Delta farmer who
was recently named Delta Council’s Conservation
Farmer for 2007. We also visit a Gloster artist
who weaves baskets from pine needles, and
we take a look back at agriculture, circa 1916.
AFBF CONVENTION
The 89th Annual Meeting of the American Farm
Bureau Federation was held in New Orleans in
January. We look back at the event through
photographs.
EDITOR
Glynda Phillips
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
Departments
4
6
7
16
President’s Message
Commodity Update: Peanuts
Commodity Update: Poultry
Counselor’s Corner
ON THE COVER
Vardaman sweet potato growers Stephen and Kisha Bailey were named
Young Farmers and Ranchers State Achievement Award winners for 2007.
They are pictured with their sons Britton and Rivers.
Stephen also won the state Discussion Meet.
TELEPHONE
601.977.4153
ADVERTISING
Call Paul Hurst at
1.800.397.8908
Farm Bureau members receive 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
Young Farmers: Our
Most Valuable Asset
By David Waide • President, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation
T
he focus of the magazine this time
is on a program that I consider to
be one of the most important
offered by Farm Bureau. We are focusing
this issue on the Young Farmers & Ranchers
group, and I think they are probably one of
our nation’s most valuable assets.
Farm Bureau has young farmer
organizations in every state in the Union.
Our purpose with the young farmer program
is to train young volunteer leaders to be
spokespersons for agriculture.
The program in Mississippi has taken on
new dimensions. As a result of benevolent
people, we have created scholarships that can
be awarded to individuals who are furthering
their education in agriculture. My hat is off to
the Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R)
State Committee for the great work they do in
enhancing the endowment that funds those
scholarships that are awarded annually.
Each year, six scholarships are given
to individuals who are furthering their
education in an agricultural field at one
of our state institutions. Why is that so
important? If we look at what has actually
happened in agriculture nationwide over the
last several years, we will find that
Mississippi is one of the few states where
the number of farms has increased in the last
five years.
We are seeing agriculture change tremendously from year to year, but perhaps
Mississippi is “bucking the trend” if you
look at what’s happening nationally. Maybe
that is because of economic opportunity
that is afforded a person in agricultural
endeavor now. Mississippi actually has had,
in the last five years, a 3% increase in the
number of farms as defined by USDA. This
is really important for a state that is rural
like Mississippi and that has such a
huge dependence on the economic activity
generated at the farm gate.
4
Let’s look even further at what agricultural scholastic endeavors mean. Perhaps one
of the scholarships that is awarded annually
by the YF&R State Committee will go to
a student who discovers, through some
pharmaceutical production of a plant or
perhaps through their research, a cure for
one of the dreaded diseases. That makes our
effort immeasurably important.
Perhaps it will not happen, but I can tell
you the fact that we focus on agricultural
endeavors and agricultural scholastic
achievements by the young farmers
and ranchers in this state contributes
tremendously to a student furthering their
education.
Education costs are not going to be
reduced in the foreseeable future. As we
see research solve many of this nation’s
problems, we are going to see that costs
continue to spiral upwards. I believe that is
incentive enough for us to continue to
endow the scholarships.
I salute the Mississippi YF&R State
Committee for the tremendous job they have
done in seeing that those endowments have
increased annually to be able to increase the
dollars they spend and invest for scholastic
achievement in our state.
I have alluded to the fact that the young
farmers and ranchers of this state are our
most valuable asset. I believe that. Many
have heard me say that farmers are my
heroes. I think that, as a society, we do not
put enough emphasis on how important it is
that we have the resources to produce the
food and fiber we consume.
As we move into solving some of this
nation’s problems, my thought is that these
problems will be solved by what is produced
from the land. We in Mississippi have been
successful in creating an environment that
causes people to return to the farm and to
continue that domestic production of food
and fiber. While we have traditionally
thought of that resource going to feed and
clothe us, there is certainly a new dynamic
to that equation now as we attempt to solve
the energy problems we have as a nation.
My belief is that, with the advanced
technology we are producing on a daily
basis, we will one day be able to say not
only can we feed and clothe this nation but
we also are able to fuel this vast industrial
empire that is the envy of the world.
My hope is that everybody who reads this
edition of Mississippi Farm Country and its
focus on young farmers and ranchers will
have a renewed appreciation for the tough
job they have and also for the inability we
have as a nation to be able to afford them
failing at the task that is in front of them.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
March 4
Day at the Capitol, Jackson
March 16-22
National Ag Week
March 20
National Ag Day
April 10
Magnolia Beef and Poultry Expo,
Smith County Ag Complex, Raleigh
April 25-28
National Women’s Leadership
Conference, Louisville, Kentucky
June 10
AITC Workshop, Tupelo
June 11
AITC Workshop, Collins
June 12
AITC Workshop, Jackson
MARCH/APRIL
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO ANIMAL ID?
Jim Watson, DVM, State Veterinarian
Having recently returned from the United
States Animal Health Association (USAHA)
annual meeting in Reno, Nevada, I thought
it would be a good opportunity to provide an
update on the National Animal Identification
System or NAIS.
The year 2007 was a difficult year for
“animal ID” as industry and government
animal health officials struggled with issues
surrounding the implementation of a
voluntary program. Seemingly, there was
little to no leadership from the United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
as some groups wanted no part of “animal
ID” while others felt that only a mandatory
program would ever accomplish the goals of
the NAIS.
During this time, USDA promoted the concept of a voluntary program and financially
supported states in their efforts
to implement the program, primarily to register premises, the
foundation of NAIS. Here in
Mississippi, we established a
state database to register premises – secure and separate from
the national system, but compatible with theirs.
The Board of Animal Health
has been working with partners
like the Mississippi Farm Bureau,
Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association, MSU
Extension, and Livestock Marketing
Association to promote the Mississippi
Animal Disaster and Disease Preparedness
Program (MADDPP). This program encourages producers to register their farms so that,
during times of disaster or a disease outbreak, we have the ability to communicate
with producers and trace disease outbreaks.
Participation in the program is free and does
not obligate you in any way to any kind of
animal identification or reporting.
In spite of all the hard work over the past
two years, Mississippi is in the bottom six
states with respect to the number of premises registered. We have less than 6% of the
approximately 20,000 Mississippi premises
registered, far below the national target of
25%, along with CT, HI, MT, NH, and RI.
The goal of a national identification program is to control disease outbreaks through
traceability of animals. This is accomplished
by knowing where livestock are produced,
having animals identified, and then, finally,
having the ability to trace the movements of
animals throughout their production life. A
successful program needs the capability of
knowing where a mature animal was born,
as in the case of BSE, or where an animal
has been during the last 48-72 hours, such as
in the case of Foot-and-Mouth Disease.
As the National Animal Identification
Program was rolled out several years ago, so
much attention was paid to difficulties and
expenses associated with tagging and reporting of animal movements that the whole
program was nearly lost. We lost sight of the
fact that, before we can even contemplate
You just simply cannot control a disease
without animal identification.
Earlier, I mentioned the USAHA meeting
I attended in October. At this meeting,
USDA rolled out a business plan for advancing a disease traceability program here in the
U.S. One of the concepts is to take a “bookend” approach to animal identification.
I mentioned earlier about the concerns
of many producers with the reporting
portion of the early versions of the animal
identification program. Instead of reporting
the movements of an animal each time it
changes farms, the idea is to link the animal
to the farm of origin (birth) and then to the
farm or location at death/harvest. This
should require very little recordkeeping by a
farmer. If a farm is registered, then
the official “840” tags will already
be linked in a computer system to
farm of origin (birth) when the
tags are sent to the producer.
The only other requirement will be
to record death of cow in the case
of a producer or to collect the tag
information in the case of a processor at time of harvest. With this
concept, we should easily be able
to know where an animal was born
and where it died or was harvested,
with very little extra recordkeeping
required of producers.
Tracking the movements of animals between
birth and death will have to be done the oldfashioned way, like we did during the
Brucellosis days, and will certainly take
longer than 48 hours. But we will at least
have more information to go on than we do
now. This may not be the ideal solution, but
one that certainly will take us a long way
towards the goal of responding to a disease
outbreak in a timely manner.
As I finish this article, I would like to
remind you again of the importance of that
first step towards having a program that will
allow us to respond quickly and effectively
to a disease outbreak or natural disaster,
and that is farm registration. If you have
any questions or concerns about animal
identification, or as I like to call it, an animal
disease traceability program, please do not
hesitate to contact me. My email address is
[email protected] and my office
number is 888-646-8731.
ANIMAL
I.D.?
MARCH/APRIL
tagging and reporting of animal movements,
we have to know where the farms are located. In addition, the infrastructure to collect
and transmit animal identification and
movement data is just not locally available
yet. These concerns diverted attention and, I
think, turned many people off of wanting to
participate in the program.
As we move forward into 2008, we are
going to redouble our efforts to promote
premises registration, the basis of an animal
disease traceability program. As we do that, I
also want to promote animal identification,
the second “building block” of an animal disease traceability program.
Last year, I asked Dr. Nettles at the USDA
office to go back and look at the paperwork
of the over 3,000 samples submitted for
BSE. Less than 30% of them had any kind of
identification in their ears – and this in a
state with 1st Point Testing, where we test
and tag some 100,000 head of cattle a year!
5
COMMODITY UPDATE
PEANUTS
Clayton Lawrence
Greg Shows
Mississippi’s peanut acreage continues to increase
By: Clayton Lawrence, MFBF Peanut Advisory Committee Chair
Greg Shows, MFBF Commodity Coordinator for Peanuts
The face of Mississippi agriculture changed with the 2002 Farm Bill. This act removed the
quota system of peanut production and replaced it with a commodity title similar to other
crops. This gave farmers the opportunity to plant peanuts, and plant peanuts they did.
Acreage in 2002 in George County was
about 400 acres. In 2003, that went to 4,000
acres. A similar trend occurred over the next
four years with 2007 hovering around
18,000 acres. The trend in the price received
for peanuts had been flat for the past four
years, with prices ranging from $355/ton to
$425/ton, but 2007 saw an increase to near
$500/ton. This seems to be a significant
increase for profit potential, but as we all
know, input costs have skyrocketed during
this same period of time.
When asked about the future of George
County peanut expansion, Mike Steede,
County Extension Director, said, “We will
probably see more increase in acreage in the
10-20% range in our area.” George County
has the most peanut acreage in the state at
this time and has had peanuts since the
1990s with quota producers.
Steede says that one of the advantages of
peanuts is they fit with cotton production as
a rotation crop. Another advantage is
peanuts’ ability to handle dry conditions.
Dry weather does lower yields but not to the
extent that we see in a crop like corn.
Peanuts will grow on many soil types but
harvest can become difficult to impossible
on heavier clay soils. Peanuts prefer a sandy
to sandy loam soil. Peanuts in Mississippi
are not another “fad” crop and are here
to stay as long as we keep craving a
PB&J sandwich.
Even though Mississippi has been
declared a major peanut producing state, we
still have to look at the grand picture, which
includes all of the Southeastern and world
6
markets. Sometimes, it is tough getting
information here. Hopefully, these numbers
will be helpful for anyone farming or
thinking of farming peanuts in Mississippi.
The good news is that the peanut market is
improving. Peanut markets are being pulled
by the grain markets, especially wheat and
beans. For the peanut industry, the bad news
was that U.S. production was down 25
percent last year even though exports were
up. China, as with many of our farming
commodities, may be a driving force in the
peanut markets. Analysts believe that China
may become a major importer of U.S.
peanuts because of growing domestic usage.
The Federal-State Inspection Service
reported 1,761,000 tons of peanuts on Dec.
8, 2007. Demand is expected to be
approximately 1.85 million tons this year.
The supply of peanuts should be tight in the
summer and fall of 2008.
What does this mean for the Mississippi
farmer? Most peanuts were booked for $415
per ton in Mississippi in 2007, but by the end
of the year, shellers were offering $500 per
ton for 2008 peanuts. It is hard to believe
that peanut prices will be worth more than
this number in 2008. With $500 contracts,
reports are that the shellers gained up to 70
percent of the projected peanuts for the 2008
crop year. If you add hauling expenses paid
by the sheller, the crop is worth even more.
What does this mean for Mississippi
peanut acres over the next several years?
With production rising in the Northeast
Mississippi and the Mississippi Delta areas,
we could see new buying points being built
in these areas. Even with high prices in the
other commodity markets, peanuts have an
advantage in that they are a drought resistant
crop and need no fertilizer. If fertilizer prices
continue to rise and weather patterns remain
the same in Mississippi and the Southeast,
farmers may be forced to reevaluate what
crops they have been growing and turn to
alternative crops such as peanuts.
“SADDLE UP”
Tax collectors from Alcorn County to
Hancock County are busy selling
Mississippi’s “equine appreciation”
license plate. Legislation authorizing the
new vehicle license plate passed in
2007. The tag, called the “Saddle Up” tag,
costs $31 in addition to your normal vehicle ad valorem taxes. Proceeds from the
“Saddle Up” tag will go to the Mississippi
Equine Association for the promotion of
the equine industry in Mississippi and
scholarships. More information is
available at (601) 759-1560.
MARCH/APRIL
COMMODITY UPDATE
POULTRY
John Logan
Jack Alexander
Egg Industry Important in Mississippi
By: John Logan, Chairman, MFBF Poultry Advisory Committee
Jack Alexander, MFBF Commodity Coordinator for Poultry
The corporate headquarters for Cal-Maine
Foods, Inc., the world’s largest company
involved in the production, cleaning,
grading, packaging and sale of fresh shell
eggs, is located in Hinds County. Cal-Maine
employs more than 1,400 people. The
company maintains facilities in 15 states and
markets 683 million dozen eggs per year.
These eggs are produced by some 23 million
laying hens, predominantly Single Comb
White Leghorns, the favorite breed for
production of table eggs in the U.S.
Cal-Maine controls every aspect of
production, processing and distribution in its
modern facilities. It gathers, cleans, grades
and packages the eggs mechanically so that
no human hands touch them. On a normal
day, the company processes about 7,225
cases (30 dozen per case) each hour.
Cal-Maine delivers eggs to customers in 29
states in the Southeast, Southwest, Midwest
and mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S.
!
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MARCH/APRIL
Sources: Mississippi Agricultural and
Forestry Experiment Station and Office of
Agricultural Communications, Mississippi
State University; Mississippi Egg Marketing
Board; Agricultural Statistics Board, NASS,
USDA; and Mississippi Department of
Agriculture and Commerce
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EGG FACTS
Here are some facts about eggs:
• On average, it takes an egg that has just
been laid 36 hours to reach your neighborhood supermarket.
• At the commercial plant, the eggs are
candled, graded and sized. The sizes are
jumbo, extra large, large, medium, small and
peewee. Eggs are graded as AA, A, or B.
density is a way of evaluating the nutritional quality of a food by comparing the
amount of nutrients it contains against the
number of calories it provides.
• Eggs contain less cholesterol than previously believed – 213 mg instead of 274 mg
per large egg.
• Today’s large egg contains only 5 grams
of fat, 3 grams of unsaturated fat and 2
grams of saturated fat.
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• Inspectors with the Mississippi
Department of Agriculture and Commerce
inspect eggs at the retail level to ensure
freshness and quality.
• Egg protein is the most nutritious, readily
available, complete protein known. It is the
standard of comparison for other proteins.
• Eggs contain all of the necessary
vitamins except vitamin C.
• One large egg contains 70 calories.
• To keep eggs fresh, store them in the
container they came in, large end up, in the
refrigertor. They can be kept for five weeks
this way.
• The only difference between brown and
white eggs is the shell itself. The breed of
hen determines the shell color.
• Eggs are a nutrient dense food. Nutrient
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© 2008 CHP, Inc.
Most folks are aware that poultry is our
state’s top agricultural commodity. In 2007,
total broiler value topped $2 billion. But did
you know that Mississippi’s egg industry
contributes substantially to the state’s economy as well?
Mississippi commercial laying hens
produce an estimated 1.5 billion eggs
annually. The total farm value of production
of commercial eggs is about $160,000,000.
A laying hen produces between 230 and 250
eggs per year on average
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7
Outstanding Young Farmer
DREAMS BIG, WORKS HARD
By Glynda Phillips
Innovative ideas and hard work have transformed
Mississippi’s sweet potato industry from a small community
of farmers marketing their field potatoes locally into an
industry that annually produces millions of bushels of “taters”
that are marketed as a variety of products nationwide.
Calhoun County sweet potato grower Stephen Bailey
started farming in 1996, the year the industry began to
change. He says that, down through the years, he’s been
privileged to work with a group of smart, enthusiastic
growers who aren’t afraid to dream big and work hard to
make their dreams a reality.
“It’s been exciting,” said the 33-year-old, who was recently named winner of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation
Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) State Achievement
Award and Discussion Meet contests. “In just ten years, the
whole dynamic of the sweet potato industry has changed.”
GROWING AN INDUSTRY
Stephen’s grandfather, Henry Edward Bailey, started a
sweet potato operation in Vardaman in 1946. In the 1990s,
the farm was owned and operated by two of his sons –
Stephen’s uncles. After graduating from Auburn University
with a degree in agricultural sciences, Stephen began farming with one of those uncles and was able to start his own
operation when the uncle retired.
As he was getting started, Stephen joined several agricultural organizations in order to meet people and network.
Because he was willing to devote a lot of time and energy to
projects – and because he wasn’t shy about speaking up
about important issues – he was quickly asked to lead many
of the groups, including the Mississippi Sweet Potato
Council, the Northeast Mississippi Research and Extension
Advisory Committee for Sweet Potatoes, the National Sweet
Potato Council, the Mississippi Labor Reform Committee,
and the local sweet potato co-op.
One of the first issues that needed to be addressed was insect
control. Stephen, who had spent his summers during high
school and college scouting cotton, was surprised to discover
that no one scouted their sweet potatoes on a regular schedule.
“Farmers I talked to said they never had to spray for much,
and even if they needed to, there were no pesticides labeled for
the crop that were effective,” he said. “I became very
interested in insect control after my first year working on the
farm because that year insects cost our farm about a 20
percent loss in yield.”
Stephen says he was frustrated because the university
systems had no specific links between the different types of
damage sweet potato growers found and the insect that might
have caused it. He was also frustrated that little research was
being done to try and find pesticides or growing techniques
8
MARCH/APRIL
that would help sweet potato growers manage
insect pressure.
“Mississippi’s sweet potato industry
desperately needed university research
support, especially for insect management,”
he said, “but the bulk of the research budget
was being spent on the major crops.
“I asked a lot of questions and, as a result,
was asked to attend a USDA-sponsored, multistate meeting on pest management. I was the
only grower there among dozens of university
professors from LSU, North Carolina State,
MSU and Auburn, and I was very straightforward about our dilemma,” he said.
As a result of ideas gathered from that
meeting, a group of Mississippi sweet
potato growers applied for a $2.4 million
USDA Risk Avoidance and Mitigation
Program (RAMP) grant.
“Sweet potatoes had never received such a
grant, but through our lobbying efforts in
Washington, we won the grant and now have
ongoing in-field research,” Stephen said.
“This has resulted in a choice of several new
pesticides that are cheaper, more effective
and, best of all, safer for the environment.”
Market expansion was another crucial
issue. State growers wanted to sell their potatoes through the larger grocery store chains.
In order to do that, they knew they had to
produce a higher volume of potatoes that
were more uniform in appearance, consistent
in price and available year round. One of the
tools that has helped them accomplish this
goal is the cold storage facility.
“My family was the first in the state to put
in a cold storage facility in order to offer
sweet potatoes year-round,” Stephen said.
“Before that, we were limited as to the
number of sweet potatoes we could sell each
year before they spoiled. We also often had to
sell green potatoes before they had had time
to cure, which adds to their flavor. The cold
storage facility has allowed us to have potatoes to sell year-round and to have a product
that is more consistent in appearance, flavor
and price.”
Yet another issue of importance has been
what to do with “culls.” Every year, around
30 percent of the state’s sweet potato crop is
left in the field because it can’t be sold
because of minor “flaws” in appearance.
MARCH/APRIL
State sweet potato growers began to think
in terms of adding value to these potatoes.
They figured that, like the Russet potato
industry, they could further process the less
attractive sweet potatoes into French fries
and baked and mashed potatoes and sell the
products through the food service industry.
“Realizing that more and more meals are
eaten in restaurants, sweet potato growers
began looking for ways to get sweet potatoes into the food service industry,” Stephen
said. “From market research, we found that
many restaurants didn’t offer sweet potatoes
very often because of the time and resources
it took to prepare sweet potato dishes.
“We approached a processing facility in
Idaho to see if their technology could be
used to make sweet potato products that
were cooked and ready to eat,” he said. “We
ran our sweet potatoes through their process,
and the result was a high-quality baked
sweet potato that yielded a flavorful
fire-roasted sweet potato mash.
“After several follow-up trips to Idaho, we
were able to work a cooperative processing
arrangement with the processing firm,” he
said. “We have since brought in a food
marketer and landed the largest sweet potato
mash contract in the United States with
Ryan’s Steakhouse at 3 million pounds per
year for three years.”
And that brings up another issue of interest to state sweet potato growers – a
Vardaman sweet potato processing facility.
Stephen led the board of directors of the
local sweet potato co-op, which happens to
be the nation’s largest sweet potato cooperative, in studying the feasibility of such a
plant. He met and worked with food processors, research chefs, sales and marketing
firms, process engineers, cost accountants
and many financial institutions.
“Many times over the last three years, I’ve
led large group discussions with banks, state
and federal agencies as well as local and
state government economic development
foundations to muster support for the food
processing facility.”
In 2005, the Mississippi Fruit and
Vegetable Association’s sweet potato co-op
received $2 million in funds from the
Mississippi Land, Water and Timber Board
to build what is projected to be a multimillion-dollar further processing facility.
These funds were matched with $500,000 in
funds from growers and investors.
Stephen says that as soon as a large enough
market can be built for value-added sweet
potato products – the fire-roasted baked and
mashed potatoes in particular – construction
will begin in Vardaman on the state’s first
sweet potato further processing facility.
In addition to these major projects,
Stephen has been experimenting on his own
with drip irrigation, attempting to come up
with a workable form of irrigation for sweet
potatoes. He’s also modified his planting
equipment to discourage deer and mice from
eating or damaging sweet potatoes in the
field, and he’s designed and built a new
curing house to quicken skin set. Adjacent to
the new curing house, he designed and built
a state-of-the-art packing facility to size and
sort smaller potatoes for the planned
processing facility in Vardaman.
FARM BUREAU HELPS
Stephen, who serves on the board of
directors of the Calhoun County Farm
Bureau and is vice chair of the county Young
Farmers and Ranchers Committee, says his
affiliation with Farm Bureau has proven to be
very helpful when sweet potato growers have
had to work on issues in Washington, D.C.
“When we went to Washington on labor
issues, Farm Bureau helped,” he said. “I saw
how effectively the organization can support a small
group that is doing a big
job. Farm Bureau is the
best thing a farmer has.
It is a way to get a lot of
support quickly.
“We were just
a few farmers
working
to
get something
done, and with
Farm Bureau
backing us,
all of a sudden we had
clout.” FC
9
A Strong Young
Farmer Program
P
By Glynda Phillips
atrick Swindoll of Hernando is looking forward to his year as chair of the Mississippi Farm Bureau
Federation (MFBF) Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) State Committee. The YF&R State Committee, comprised of two young farmer couples from each of Farm Bureau’s eight districts, helps to guide the activities of the
Young Farmers and Ranchers program throughout the year.
Swindoll says he couldn’t ask for a better state committee this year.
“They are phenomenal,” he said. “We plan to carry out our usual activities, but we also want to get more young
farmers involved in Farm Bureau in 2008. If people are involved with the organization at a young age, they’ll hopefully continue their involvement the rest of their lives. The more voices Farm Bureau has talking about issues, the
stronger the organization will be.
“Farm Bureau is our voice on the local, state and national levels,” said the Tunica rice, soybean, wheat and milo
farmer. “We couldn’t make it without that voice.”
Swindoll says the YF&R State Committee will also continue to talk about forming some type of alumni group.
“An alumni group would give young farmers who have “aged out” of the program a way of staying involved and
interested not only in the Young Farmers and Ranchers program, but the total Farm Bureau program,” he said.
10
MARCH/APRIL
LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
As YF&R State Committee Chair, Swindoll will
also serve on the MFBF Board of Directors and
Executive Committee. He says he’s looking forward
to getting a close-up look at how the federation
operates. He’s especially interested in the policy
development and implementation process. Swindoll
appreciates Farm Bureau’s work with the Farm Bill
and Eminent Domain and says these types of issues
can make or break a farming operation.
“We need the programs offered by a wise Farm
Bill,” he said. “We also need strong legislation
pertaining to private property rights. This is especially important to farmers in Tunica County, where I
farm, because of all of the development going on
around here. But Farm Bureau is hammering hard at
Eminent Domain, and I’m proud of that.”
Swindoll praises the state Farm Bureau staff,
including MFBF President David Waide and Region
1 Manager Justin Ferguson.
“Our Farm Bureau organization is stronger now
than it’s ever been,” he said. “The YF&R State
Committee is going to continue to work hard to see
that it continues to grow in strength and numbers.”
GET INVOLVED
If you aren’t involved in your county Young
Farmers and Ranchers Program, Swindoll urges you
to join.
“You will have the opportunity to network with
young farmers from across the state who have
problems and challenges
similar to your own,” he
said. “You will also make
friendships that will last a
lifetime. I hope to have
these people with me
down through the years.”
The MFBF Young
Farmers and Ranchers
program targets farmers
ages 18 to 35 with programs and opportunities
that help equip them to
become our state’s future
agricultural leaders.
For more information
about the Mississippi
Farm Bureau Federation
Young Farmers and
Ranchers Program, contact YF&R Coordinator
Greg Shows or Assistant
Nancy Britt at 1-800-2278244, ext. 4230. FC
MARCH/APRIL
YF&R ACTIVITIES
Each year, the Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Program, under the
guidance of the YF&R State Committee, sponsors these activities:
• Gary Langley Memorial Golf Tournament, which raises money for the
YF&R Scholarship Foundation;
• Washington, D.C. Trip, where second-year YF&R State Committee
members are introduced to their lawmakers;
• National Leadership Conference, attended by first-year YF&R State
Committee members and held this year in Baltimore, Maryland;
• State Leadership Conference, held this year in Tupelo;
• Tour of College of Veterinary Medicine and various research sites at
Mississippi State University;
• YF&R Scholarship Foundation, which awards four $2,000 scholarships
and two $1,000 scholarships to students who are sophomores or higher and
are majoring in ag-related events. Proceeds from YF&R silent and live
auctions, held during the MFBF Annual Meeting, also help to fund the
scholarship foundation.
The Young Farmers and Ranchers Program also offers the Achievement
Award and Discussion Meet contests, designed to recognize Mississippi’s
outstanding young farmers.
For more information about the Young Farmers and Ranchers program,
call 1-800-227-8244, ext. 4230.
YF&R State Committee members at the 2007 Gary Langley Memorial Golf
Tournament. Photo courtesy of Kristy Tindall
11
YOUNG DELTA FARMERS
C
By Glynda Phillips
Curtis Berry
ounty
Farm Bureau presidents Curtis
Berry and Richard Noe want
Delta farmers to benefit from
Farm Bureau’s powerful voice
in the Mississippi Legislature
and U.S. Congress. To that end,
they are building membership
numbers and strengthening the
programs offered by the Tunica
and Coahoma County Farm
Bureaus, respectively.
If you live in one of these
counties and aren’t a member,
you are invited to join.
TUNICA COUNTY FARM BUREAU
Tunica County Farm Bureau
had been inactive for 20 years
when Berry stepped up to the
plate.
“Two years ago, we decided to
get our county Farm Bureau
going again,” said the second
generation row crop farmer. “We
felt that it was important for
farmers in the Delta to be
represented legislatively by the
organization, but we also felt that
it was important to support the
federation in general because we
really believe in what it does for
farmers.
“When you stop to think about
it, the Farm Bureau process is
great,” he said. “When county
farmers can develop policy that
helps to shape a state or national
law, that’s pretty powerful. I’m
amazed that more farmers don’t
want to be a part of that.”
12
Richard Noe
MARCH/APRIL
BELIEVE IN FARM BUREAU
Berry says farmers in Tunica County have concerns like
flood control, because of their proximity to the Mississippi
River, and eminent domain, because of all of the property
development going on in their region. An interstate highway
could be built through Tunica County in the near future. If that
should happen and if the airport expands, Berry wants area
landowners to be treated fairly.
“We’re interested in those types of local issues, but we’re
also concerned about the Farm Bill,” he said. “We want to
ensure that the voices and concerns of Delta farmers are heard.”
In its early days, Tunica County Farm Bureau shared office
has,” he said. “Farm Bureau is one of the state’s best kept secrets,
and everyone should be taking advantage of its programs.
“Farm Bureau also works really well with other organizations such as the National Cotton Council and Delta Council,
and that carries a lot of weight.”
Noe says he’s appreciative of the advice and help he’s
received from the state Farm Bureau staff, especially MFBF
President David Waide and Region 1 Manager Justin Ferguson.
“What’s so neat about both of these men is that anytime you
need something, all you have to do is call,” he said. “They
always respond.”
“When you’re raising a family, sometimes you get caught up with that and your farm
and you don’t think you have time for Farm Bureau. But farmers need to make time.
There are too many issues out there that can make or break a farming operation.”
space with Coahoma County Farm Bureau. Now, it has its own
office, along with a fulltime agent and secretary.
Berry says that, as Tunica County Farm Bureau enters its
second year of operation, it boasts some 40 members – all
active farmers. The Tunica County Farm Bureau Board of
Directors is made up of young farmers that are all under the age
of forty-five.
“We have a lot of good, active farmers, but we could
use more,” he said. “A lot of people have stepped up, and
we are encouraged, but there are a lot of young farmers
in Tunica County that we still need to reach.”
Berry says that, as his county has gotten on its feet
again, he’s received a lot support from MFBF President
David Waide and Region 1 Manager Justin Ferguson.
“Their help, along with the hard work of a lot of other
people, has made this a reality,” he said.
Noe and Berry feel certain that in a few years their counties
will boast two of the most progressive, dynamic Farm Bureaus
in the state. In fact, they won’t stop until that becomes a reality.
For more information about the Tunica County Farm Bureau,
call 662-363-3082. For more information about the Coahoma
County Farm Bureau, call 662-627-3477. FC
COAHOMA COUNTY FARM BUREAU
Richard Noe is excited about the changes taking place
at Coahoma County Farm Bureau. He says his county
has begun recruiting more members and has expanded
its board from 16 to 38 directors, since that has worked
really well in other counties.
Coahoma County Farm Bureau has also appointed all
of its commodity chairs and has begun a Young Farmers
and Ranchers program. Leah Carr helped organize the
program, and David Mullins was elected to serve as
chair of the county committee.
“We have a lot of young farmers on our board, and
we’re proud of that,” Noe said. “When you’re raising a
family, sometimes you get caught up with that and your
farm and you don’t think you have time for Farm Bureau.
But farmers need to make time. There are too many issues
out there that can make or break a farming operation.
“I know I was just as guilty as anyone else of not
knowing what Farm Bureau does and how much clout it
MARCH/APRIL
13
SOLVE THE
MYSTERY
This river forms our state’s western
boundary. Along with its tributaries, it is the
largest river system in North America and
one of the major river systems in the world.
From its headwaters at Lake Itasca in
northwestern Minnesota to its mouth in the
Gulf of Mexico at New Orleans, Louisiana,
this river is about 2,350 miles long. (You
may hear a different length depending on
whom you ask because the river channel is
constantly changing.)
The name of this river comes from Native
American words meaning “great river” and
“father of waters.”
Here are more clues.
IMPORTANT TO AGRICULTURE
Historically, this river has played a major
role in America’s development and growth.
Commerce down this river began in 1705
when a load of 15,000 bear and deer hides
was brought downstream from Indian
country around Wabash (now the states of
Indiana and Ohio) for shipment to France.
In 1984, waterborne commerce on this
river totaled almost 400 million tons and
consisted of grains, coal, petroleum products,
sand, gravel, salt, sulfur, chemicals and
building materials, among others. In
addition, pleasure craft from around the
14
country use this river for vacation and travel.
Agriculture has been a primary user of
this river’s basin lands for almost 200 years.
MORE RIVER FACTS
This river and the surrounding region
have influenced both literature and art –
from writers like Mark Twain and William
Faulkner to painters like John James
Audubon. Many popular songs and musical
genres have also been influenced by this
river and the surrounding area.
This river played an important role in the
War of 1812 (Battle of New Orleans) and the
American Civil War (Battle of Vicksburg).
This river and its floodplain are home to a
many species of birds, fish, amphibians and
reptiles.
Some 50 cities are dependent upon this
river for their daily water supply.
The Great River Road was established in
1938 as the national parkway of this river.
Follow the green Pilot's Wheel road signs
that mark its route nearly 3,000 miles
through 10 states.
Name this river
Much of the information in this article was
obtained from websites for the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers and the National Park
Service.
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
March 31.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY
The
correct
answer
for
the
January/February Solve the Mystery is
D’Lo.
MARCH/APRIL
MISSISSIPPI’S 2007 CROP REPORT
By Linda Breazeale
MSU Ag Communications
MISSISSIPPI STATE – Acreage changes, strong yields and high mainly to growers planting 10 times as much as they did the
prices combined to push Mississippi agriculture’s value of previous year,” Anderson said.
production to a record $5.9 billion in 2007.
“The late spring freeze hurt wheat yields, but growers had
John Anderson, agricultural economist with Mississippi State planted 335 percent more acres than in 2006, going from 85,000
University’s Extension Service, said poultry, the state’s top acres to more than 370,000 acres. At the same time, prices were
agricultural commodity, posted significant gains – up 20 percent – to much better,” he said.
help push the overall value of Mississippi agriculture to new levels.
“The increase in acreage and price resulted in a 514 percent value
“After a bit of a down year in 2006 from a weaker global demand, increase for wheat to reach an estimated $93 million value.”
broiler values bounced back sharply in 2007. With higher prices and
A sharp decline in cotton acres – from 1.21 million acres in 2006
slightly higher production expected when final 2007 numbers are to 660,000 in 2007 –caused a 21 percent loss in crop value for the
tallied, broiler value should top $2 billion for just the second time in year.
history,” he said. “Egg prices soared in 2007. Consequently, the
“Cotton prices were actually a little higher than in 2006.
value of egg production is expected to be up by more than 50 Cottonseed prices were significantly higher. Yields were strong
percent from the previous year.”
despite the drought and reached 975 pounds per
Marc Measells, a forestry researcher with Mississippi’s agronomic crops acre, compared to 829 pounds in 2006,”
MSU’s College of Forest Resources, said
Anderson said.
forestry, the state’s other billion-dollar crop, posted a 46 percent increase for a
Other agronomic crop values include rice at
dropped 8 percent, due in part to a poor housing total of almost $2 billion. Those $144 million, up 19 percent; hay at $102
market and lingering effects of Hurricane
million, down 4 percent; horticultural/other
crops include soybeans, corn, crops at $100 million, up 4 percent; sweet
Katrina.
“Once the housing market starts to increase, cotton, rice, hay, wheat, grain potatoes at $80 million, up 64 percent; and
timber markets will move back up within a few
peanuts at $12 million, up 52 percent.
sorghum, sweet potatoes, peanuts Catfish, the state’s pride and palatable joy, is
months to a year,” Measells said.
Anderson said Mississippi’s agronomic crops and horticultural crops.
expected to decline about 15 percent in farm
posted a 46 percent increase for a total of
value in 2007.
almost $2 billion. Those crops include soybeans, corn, cotton,
Extension aquaculture specialist James Steeby said pond-bank
rice, hay, wheat, grain sorghum, sweet potatoes, peanuts and prices and demand have been down while feed prices have been up.
horticultural crops.
“Pond-bank prices dropped from 85 cents per pound to 65 cents
“Despite a second consecutive drought year, timely rains were per pound the last half of 2007,” Steeby said. “Producers are paying
enough to boost most crop yields,” he said. “Prices for major row more than $300 per ton for feed when they had been paying $240 or
crops were also much better in 2007 – with corn, soybean and wheat so. It is hard on producers when the market is down and feed, which
prices challenging historic records at times.”
makes up half their budget, is higher.”
From 2006 to 2007, average soybean yields increased from 26
Steeby said growers are hoping demand will pick up in the spring,
bushels per acre to 41 bushels, and cotton yields increased from 829 since consumption normally declines in the fall and then improves
pounds per acre to 975 pounds.
throughout the spring season of Lent.
Anderson said Mississippi’s corn growers saw a year to
Livestock’s total value changed slightly, down 1 percent. Of that
remember when they planted 180 percent more acres, harvested 25 total, hogs and cattle are expected to decline the most, 9 percent and
more bushels per acre and received market prices averaging 15 6 percent, respectively. The value of milk production is forecast to
percent higher than the previous year.
increase 29 percent.
Significant acreage changes also contributed to drastic value
Anderson said government payments are expected to be down by
increases in wheat and grain sorghum.
almost 30 percent.
“Grain sorghum yields and prices are likely to be a little higher
“This decline is not unexpected since it largely reflects the effect
than in 2006, but the 942 percent value increase can be attributed of higher commodity prices since last fall,” he said.
MARCH/APRIL
15
COUNSELOR’S CORNER
SOVEREIGNS V. CITIZENS: AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE?
By Sam E. Scott/General Counsel, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation
In my last article, there was a monograph
explaining from an independent perspective
the need for eminent domain reform in
Mississippi, which Mississippi Farm Bureau
Federation strongly supports.
Efforts are again being made in the
Mississippi Legislature to enact protection for
citizens whose property is condemned by a government entity for “economic development.”
Moreover, the states are not prohibited
from exercising their powers of eminent
domain by the U.S. Constitution; however,
the 5th Amendment requires payment by all
condemnors of just compensation, and the
14th Amendment prohibits the taking of
property without due process of law, and this
would apply to state and local condemnors.
LIMITS ON EMINENT DOMAIN
THE EMINENT DOMAIN POWER
The taking or confiscation by a sovereign
of private property is called eminent
domain, which is the right of the sovereign
government to take private property for public use upon payment of just compensation.
This right can be, and has been, delegated to
public utilities, railroad companies, municipalities and other governmental entities.
The term condemnation refers to the actual
taking of private property. Thus, eminent
domain is the right of government to take
private property for public use upon
payment of just compensation, while
condemnation is the act of doing so.
Although many think that the government’s
right of eminent domain derives from the
Constitution, it does not. The sovereign has
always had the right of eminent domain. It is
theorized that this right originates with the
principle that the sovereign owns all of the
property within its boundaries, and that private ownership and possession of property is
always subject to reversion or repossession
by the sovereign, subject in America to
constitutional limitations of public use, just
compensation and due process.
Not until 1875 was it clearly judicially
established that the federal government had
the power of eminent domain – Kohn v.
United States, 91 U.S. 367 (1876). It is now
generally acknowledged that the power of
eminent domain is not a property right, but
an attribute of sovereignty. The powers of
the sovereign are broad enough to include
the power of eminent domain, so the right
does not specifically have to be granted to
the sovereign by its constitution.
16
Constitutionally, the power of eminent
domain is limited by its very definition. It
cannot be exercised unless the proposed
taking is for public use. For example, a
public agency could not invoke its power of
eminent domain to take property from one
individual for the sole benefit of another
individual, or at least we thought so.
However, recent trends indicate that the
courts interpret public use quite liberally.
Thus, takings for a scenic easement, golf
courses, and open space have been held to be
for public use.
In 1984, the U.S. Supreme Court applied
the public use requirement to uphold the
Hawaiian Land Reform Act of 1967.
Ninety-two percent of the privately owned
land in Oahu, Hawaii, was owned by only 72
landowners. The state perceived this land
oligopoly to be a social and economical evil
and adopted the Hawaiian Land Reform Act,
which allowed lessees living on singlefamily lots in developments of at least five
acres to ask the state to condemn the leased
fee estate in the lot and resell it to the lessee.
The constitutionality of the act was
challenged in federal court on the grounds
that the taking was not for a public use.
Though the Court of Appeals characterized
it as “a naked attempt on the part of the State
of Hawaii to take the private property of
A and transfer it to B solely for B’s private
use and benefit.”
Midkiff v. Tom, 702 F.2d. 788, 798 (9th
Cir. 1983), the U.S. Supreme Court, held
that the act met the public use requirement
of the 5th Amendment because the state
legislature determined that the act would
serve a public purpose and “deference [by
the courts] to the legislature’s ‘public use’
determination is required ‘until it is shown
to involve an impossibility.’”
In support of its decision, the court said that
“[t]he Act advances its purposes without the
State’s taking actual possession of the land.
In such cases, government does not itself
have to use the property to legitimate the
taking; it is only the taking’s purpose, and not
its mechanics, that must pass scrutiny under
the Public Use Clause” – Hawaii Housing
Authority v. Midkiff, 467 U.S. 229 (1984).
This case suggests, along with Berman v.
Parker, 348 U.S. 26 (1954), a case where the
Court approved a federal taking for a
seriously blighted neighborhood, that as
long as a proposed taking accomplishes a
public purpose, as determined by the
legislature, it will meet the public use
requirements of the 5th Amendment to the
U.S. Constitution. However, deciding what
is a “public use” is a judicial not legislative
decision, yet it has proven to be a moving
target. We learned that from the Kelo case
discussed in previous articles.
These provisions of the U.S. Constitution
have no effect on the powers of the states.
However, Section 1 of the 14th Amendment
of the U.S. Constitution reads in part, “nor
shall any state deprive any person of life,
liberty, or property without due process of
law.” This due process of law provision of
the amendment has been interpreted as
requiring payment of just compensation for
the taking of property. In fact, every state in
the Union, except North Carolina, has a
provision in its constitution for the payment
of compensation to the owner of property
acquired through eminent domain. The
Mississippi Constitution of 1890, Article 3,
Section 17 provides:
Private property shall not be taken or
damaged for public use, except on
due compensation being first made
to the owner or owners thereof, in a
manner to be prescribed by law; and
MARCH/APRIL
whenever an attempt is made to take private property
for a use alleged to be public, the question whether the
contemplated use be public shall be a judicial question,
and, as such, determined without regard to legislative
assertion that the use is public.
There can be no doubt that economic development is important in our state. Since the 1930s when the Balance Agriculture
With Industry (BAWI) plan was enacted by the Legislature,
efforts to improve our economy have been constant and will
continue. The basic question is how does one draw the line as to
whether the public benefit of economic development trumps the
right of private property ownership?
Many believe that a public use is one where the public has
access to the developed condemned property such as
highways, parks, schools, courthouses, airports, etc. These
recent cases may render that notion obsolete by equating
public benefit with public use.
The public in a community may derive economic benefits
from private economic development made possible by the
exercise of eminent domain as was true in the Kelo case. Does MAGNOLIA BEEF & POULTRY EXPO
economic benefit equate to public use? “Public benefit” should
not necessarily be defined by dollars and cents. Also, “public
benefit” is a very broad and vague concept such as “beauty is The 2008 Magnolia Beef and Poultry Expo will be held April 10 at the
Smith County Ag Complex in Raleigh. The expo will feature educational
in the eye of the beholder.”
Perhaps eminent domain reform can be compared to a spare seminars and a trade show featuring agriculture equipment and other
tire in your car. You may take it for granted and do not think valuable information for beef and poultry producers. Over 350 producers
about it, do not check to see if it is properly inflated, etc., but attended last year’s event. Pictured is a scene from the 2007 Magnolia
when you have a flat in a scary neighborhood on a cold, rainy Beef and Poultry Expo courtesy of the Smith County Extension Service.
night, it suddenly becomes extremely important
and, thereafter, you become more diligent.
When a governmental entity seeks to condemn
property, the landowner, unless wealthy, is in a difficult situation and the condemnor has a significant
advantage. The government has its own lawyers,
appraisers and engineers, and acquisition costs may
be of little or no concern. But to the landowner, the
cost of defense is substantial, if not overpowering,
certainly to people of modest means and always to
6-MONTH
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the poor. Even if he or she wins, they cannot recovTRIAL!
er their costs except in very rare situations. This gives
the condemnor an unfair advantage and there is a
need for reform in this aspect of eminent domain.
It is said that the law seeks both justice and
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17
Delta Row Crop Farmer
Excellent Steward of the Land
C
By Glynda Phillips
oahoma County row crop farmer Roosevelt Lee Jr. was recently
named Delta Council’s Outstanding Conservation Farmer of the Year
for 2007. He was recognized for his efforts to reduce soil erosion and
sediment runoff on his 500-acre Clarksdale farm.
Lee uses a variety of conservation techniques, including perimeter
pads and overfall pipes for water control, underground lines for
irrigation efficiency, and no-till farming methods to hold onto topsoil.
In addition, he implements wildlife practices such as early water
for waterfowl.
18
MARCH/APRIL
Justin Norris, District Conservationist with the Natural Resources
Conservation Service, says he’s worked closely with Roosevelt for
five years and is impressed with his farm.
“The Delta Council award is pretty prestigious and speaks for
itself,” he said.
FOLLOWING HIS FATHER
Roosevelt is characteristically humble about all of the praise.
“I’ve loved farming ever since I was a child and followed my
father around his farm,” he said. “When you love to farm, you develop a personal relationship with the soil and you don’t do anything to
harm it.
“My conservation work is simply my attempt to hold onto what’s
important to any row crop farmer,” he said. “If you lose your topsoil,
once it hits the river, you are through.”
Roosevelt says farming is all he’s ever really wanted to do, even
though he held off-farm jobs for a number of years. He says if he’d
thought it through better, he would have returned to the farm a whole
tional acres nearby. He grows cotton, soybeans and wheat. He
believes he’s one of only about ten African American farmers in
Coahoma County.
“Why do I love to farm?” he asks, surveying his cropland. “I like
to watch the soil move. It gives me a relationship with it. It also
gives me peace to know that I can take a parcel of God’s land and do
something productive with it.
“But you have to be dedicated,” he added. “And you have to be physically fit. If you do your part, then it all falls into place most years.”
Roosevelt says he likes being his own boss and setting his own pace.
“Some days I work hard,” he said. “But if I come over here and
don’t feel like working hard, I’ll come down to my lowest gear and
work all day at that level.”
DIFFICULT BUT SATISFYING
Today’s farmers must deal with many challenges. The escalating
costs of seed, fertilizer and fuel, for example, makes it particularly
hard for small farmers to make a living.
R
“Why do I love to farm?” he asks, surveying his cropland.
“I like to watch the soil move. It gives me a relationship with it.
It also gives me peace to know that I can take a parcel of
God’s land and do something productive with it.
R
lot sooner. Farming can be very satisfying.
“I came home to help my father who was getting up in age. I wanted him to be able to go as long as he could, and he was 81 when he
finally decided to quit,” Roosevelt said with a smile. “He was sitting
on a tractor out in the boiling hot sun when he made his decision.
“My father pulled back physically, but he has continued to help
me with the decisions I make around here,” he said. “He possesses
a natural farming ability and is very wise. He only has a fourthgrade education, but you wouldn’t know that by talking to him. He’s
a well-read, forward-thinking individual.”
Roosevelt Lee Sr. is 103 years old.
YOU MUST BE DEDICATED
One of 13 children – and the only one named after his farmer
father – Roosevelt bought his father’s 120-acre farm and rents addiMARCH/APRIL
“Farming can be long-suffering, but it can also be satisfying,”
Roosevelt said. “You have to figure out if you’re working for
yourself or the people you buy your supplies from. Just who is
profiting from this?
“When you’ve sorted that out in your mind, it becomes a whole
lot easier,” he said. “And you can make a substantial living past the
input costs most years. You just have to hang in there and see it
through.”
Active in his community, Roosevelt serves on the Coahoma
County Farm Bureau Board of Directors and is a Commissioner with
the Natural Resources Conservation Service, which recently voted
him vice chair of his district.
He is a retired master sergeant with the U.S. Army Reserve and a
retired plant operator with Texas Gas. He and his wife Robbie, a
retired phlebotomist, have five grown children. FC
19
Basket Weaver Combines Love of
Art and Nature
D
By Glynda Phillips
iane Lewis of Gloster weaves beautiful baskets
from longleaf pine needles. It’s a hobby that
combines her love of nature with her innate
artistic ability. It’s also a pastime that reflects her
appreciation of South Mississippi, which is home
to roughly 255,000 acres of longleaf pines.
Longleaf pines can be found primarily in Lamar, Perry and Forrest
counties.
Diane attended a workshop in St. Francisville, Louisiana, to learn
the basics of weaving pine needle baskets, an ancient art that dates
back thousands of years to the early Native Americans.
“It’s a fascinating hobby that requires a lot of patience and time,”
she said. “I like to dream up my own patterns and see if I can make
them work. I like to add unique handles or tops or sew slices of
unusual stones or wood into the center of my baskets.”
The baskets range in size from 12 ¾ inches in diameter and 2 ½
inches deep to 6 inches in diameter and 1 ½ inches deep.
Diane sells her baskets almost exclusively at juried art shows in
20
Baton Rouge and Covington, Louisiana. But you may also find them
(when available) at Magnolia Honey Jelly and Gifts in Woodville
and Gulf/South Gallery, located across from The Dinner Bell
restaurant, in McComb.
She says she calculates each basket’s worth based on the number
of hours it takes her to weave it. Some of the larger baskets involve
a lot of time and effort.
Diane has been weaving baskets for 12 years, but she’s only been
selling them for three years. In addition to baskets, she makes and
sells clay pottery and decorative gourds. She often weaves pine
needle tops for her pottery and trims her gourds in pine cones and
pine cone scales.
Diane only sells a few baskets each year and doesn’t plan to
increase production. Weaving the baskets while she watches
television or enjoys a period of quiet time is fun and relaxing,
and she intends to keep it that way.
If you’d like to talk with Diane about her baskets, pottery or
gourds, contact her at her Gifts of Nature business, 601-225-4473.
MARCH/APRIL
RECIPES
PHYLLO TRIANGLES
By Theresa Mitchell
Montgomery County
½ lb. hot Italian or pork sausage
¼ c. onion, chopped
½ c. ricotta cheese
½ c. mozzarella cheese, shredded
½ tsp. dried oregano, crushed
12 (18x14-inch) sheets frozen phyllo dough,
thawed
½ c. margarine, melted
1 c. meatless spaghetti sauce (opt.)
Cook sausage and onion until sausage is no
longer pink. Drain fat; pat dry with paper
towels. Combine sausage-onion mixture,
cheeses and oregano; set aside. Lightly
brush a sheet of phyllo with some of the
melted margarine. Place another sheet of
phyllo on top; brush with margarine. Keep
remaining phyllo covered with plastic wrap
to prevent it from becoming dry and brittle.
Cut the two layered sheets crosswise into six
equal strips, each 14 inches long. Spoon one
well-rounded teaspoon of filling about one
inch from an end of each dough strip. To
fold into a triangle, bring a corner over filling so that it lines up with the other side of
the strip. Continue folding strip in a triangular shape. Repeat with remaining sheets of
phyllo, margarine and filling. Place triangles
on a baking sheet, brush with margarine.
Bake in a 375-degree oven about 15 minutes
or until golden. If desired, serve with
spaghetti sauce.
BAKED SHRIMP
FETTUCCINE
Saute onion, bell pepper, jalapeno peppers,
mushrooms and garlic in butter for 15 minutes. Add flour, stir, cover, and simmer for
15 minutes, stirring frequently. Add shrimp,
stir well. Cover and cook for 15 minutes,
stirring often. Add cheese, half & half,
lemon pepper, salt and pepper. Cover and
cook 15-20 minutes. Cook fettuccine noodles according to package directions. Drain
noodles and mix with sauce. Pour into buttered casserole dish. Cover and bake on 350
degrees until bubbly. Can be made ahead
and baked later.
By Linda Gully
Kemper County
1 ½ sticks butter
1 lg. onion, chopped
1 lg. bell pepper, chopped
1-2 jalapeno peppers, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. flour
2 lbs. peeled med. shrimp
½ lb. Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 pt. half and half
2 tsp lemon pepper
Salt and pepper to taste
12 - oz. pkg. fettuccine
½ pkg. fresh mushrooms, sliced
From “Country Cooking, Vol. III”
You may purchase “Country Cooking, Vol.
III” at your county Farm Bureau office
(when available) or mail $15 plus $3 for
shipping and handling to: Mississippi Farm
Bureau Federation, Clara Bilbo, Women’s
Department, P. O. Box 1972, Jackson, MS
39215-1972. Please make your check out to:
Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation.
EMCC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
www.eastms.edu
“Magnolia Memoirs” by Arch Pitts
First of Series
An Alumnus of East Mississippi Junior College, Arch Pitts’ years of
growing up in Mississippi are reflected in most of his paintings. Arch
has developed a distinctive style that allows a glimpse of the beauty
and serenity of Mississippi’s rural heritage. The subjects of many of
Pitts’ paintings include old barns, rural churches, and other country
scenes that are rapidly disappearing. This picture, “The Brodnax
Barn,” which stood in rural Mississippi for more than 80 years, is a
good example of disappearing rural subjects. As the remnants of
Katrina, one of our nation’s worst disasters, passed through in the
fall of 2005 the structure was destroyed.
From “Country Cooking, Vol. III”
actual print will be in color
ORDER FORM
Magnolia Memoirs First of Series • Signed and numbered Limited Edition prints (unframed) by EMCC Alumnus Arch Pitts
Name: ________________________________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________________
City
State
Zip
Phone: ___________________________E-mail: _______________________________________
Quantity: _______ @ $75.00 = _________ plus $4 shipping = Total $ _______________________
Please make checks payable to EMCC Development Foundation.
Mail to: EMCC Development Foundation, P.O. Box 158, Scooba, MS 39358
For additional information, please call 662.476.5063
MARCH/APRIL
21
Left: The first steam-powered
road grader brings the
Industrial Revolution to
Pocahontas, c.1920.
Photo courtesy of Josie
Middleton and the Ed Blake
Collection.
Farming
in
the
Good Old Days
T
By Ed Blake
he good old days for today’s older set was a mood instilled by low prices paid for both the
necessities and luxuries of life, and scarcely a better reminder of them has come our way than
in the display advertising found in the now-yellowed pages of THE FARMER’S GUIDE,
published in Huntington, Indiana, on Feb.19, 1916.
Automobiles were new then and Studebaker displayed a half-page advertisement of its
finest new conveyances just off the assembly lines in Detroit. A convertible touring car long
enough to accommodate seven passengers, with two in front, two in the middle and three in
the back, with 40 horses under the hood, sold for only $845. Other four-cylinder models were
a three-passenger roadster for $20 less, or the Landau-Roadster, seating three, for $1145.
Six-cylinder models of the above ran a couple of hundred dollars higher, and farmers could buy a one-ton
capacity open-express truck for $1200, one with a stake body for an extra $50, or anyone could obtain a
16-passenger bus for only $1400.
Hand-cranked cream separators for home milk processing included the American Cream Separator for $15.95
and upward, depending on capacity, which skimmed warm or cold milk making heavy or light cream. A rival
cream separator, the Butterfly Jr., sold for $24 through a house in Chicago, which offered the piece for $2 down
and a full year to pay the balance.
Farmers ready to make the plunge from mules to tractors had several good options.
The Mogul kerosene tractor touted the fact that it won a grand prize at both San Francisco and San Diego
expositions that proved its class. The ad suggested that the Mogul could be used with profit on small farms doing
all the hardest work of the horses and much that horses could not do.
Moreover, the Mogul burned kerosene under all conditions, which cost less to operate than gasoline-fueled
ones that consumed fuel that cost 65 percent more. The price, f.o.b. Chicago, was $675, manufactured by
International Harvester.
22
The unique "American
Wonder" is a table top
centrifigal cream separator
with horizontal gearing made
by the American Separator
Co.of Bainbridge, N.Y. Photo
courtest of Richard Van
Vleck, American Artifacts
MARCH/APRIL
A competing tractor, the Emerson, with 12-10 horsepower, was a four-cylinder, two-speed, lightweight tractor whose price was not disclosed by the ad.
For those farmers not ready to make the big switch to autos or trucks in 1916, Bohon’s Blue Grass buggies, manufactured in Harrodsburg,
Kentucky, were offered as a good economic alternative for $33.33 each, and prospective purchasers were offered a chance to try them out
prior to purchase.
In the fuel line, FARMER’S GUIDE advertised Old Ben Big Lump Coal “for the cleanest, brightest coal for the farm.”
One of the strongest sales pitches came through glowing praise given to the Lankford Humane Horse Collar for only $1.25 and up. It was
pointed out that from “get up” to “whoa” horses can wade through heavy work with the Lankford collar despite galls and sore shoulders. In
fact, the Lankford collar, when properly fitted, was guaranteed to cure galls and sore shoulders while the horses worked – with no lost time.
Agents were solicited in localities not then represented by Darling & Co., U.S. Yards, Chicago, to sell Darling’s animal matter fertilizers,
which contained the available plant food necessary to increase yields.
But leave it to advertiser Atlas Farm Power to really lay it on the line for good-old-days farmers. Atlas powders were for the purpose of
blasting holes in the ground with “the safest explosive” for orchard tree planting. A picture and a testimony from George Brown of Mt. Cory,
Ohio, pointed out that the 19-year-old trees in the blasted holes in his orchard grew faster and the trees bore earlier than trees planted in the
spade-dug holes.
FC
(Ag Affairs – Sept.1, 1986)
Ben Blake and friends c.1918. Photo courtesy of the Ed Blake Collection.
MARCH/APRIL
23
American Farm Bureau
New Orleans,
State Women’s Committee Chair Dott Arthur accepts recognition on
behalf of the MFBF Women’s Program. She is pictured with AFBF
Women’s Leadership Committee Chair Terry Gilbert and AFBF
President Bob Stallman.
A picturesque view of the Mississippi River was enjoyed near Canal
Street and the French Quarter.
24
MFBF President David Waide participates in the Parade of Flags.
Joe Simon’s Jazz Trio performed during General Session.
MARCH/APRIL
89th Annual Meeting
Louisiana
Gen. Colin Powell (Ret.), secretary of state under President George W.
Bush, addressed the 89th annual convention.
MFBF President David Waide greets AFBF President Bob Stallman
during the State Awards Program.
Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation served chicken to Showcase
visitors, compliments of Sanderson Farms, Inc. Pictured is Sanderson
Farms Corporate Chef Steve Bonasia. This year, these state commodities
were spotlighted at the Mississippi exhibit: poultry, cotton, soybeans,
corn, equine and forestry.
Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation members and staff enjoyed a time of
fellowship during the annual Mississippi Breakfast.
MARCH/APRIL
25
Delegates at the 89th Annual Meeting
of the American Farm Bureau Federation
in New Orleans, Louisiana, unanimously
approved a delegate body resolution in
favor of swift enactment of a new,
comprehensive farm bill that maintains
an adequate safety net for farmers and
ranchers.
Delegates expressed opposition to a
one- or two-year extension of the current
law because it fails to provide meaningful,
longterm certainty.
Delegates also reaffirmed support for
comprehensive immigration reform that
will improve farmers’ timely access to
legal farm workers.
Regarding international trade, delegates
reaffirmed existing policy on the importance of opening new markets and
expanding existing markets for U.S. farm
products. They also voted to strengthen
the organization’s position that the Clean
Water Act does not override the rights of
states in regulating water.
The annual meeting involved deliberations by 368 voting delegates representing
every state and commodity. The policy
approved at the annual meeting will guide
AFBF’s legislative and regulatory efforts
throughout 2008.
© 2008 Gorilla Glue Company T3HD1
AFBF DELEGATES URGE
SWIFT ENACTMENT OF
NEW FARM BILL
FOR THE TOUGHEST JOBS ON PLANET EARTH.™
1-800-966-3458 WWW.GORILLATOUGH.COM
AGRI-VIEW TO CHANGE NAME
Farm Bureau’s bi-monthly TV show is changing its name from “Agri-view” to “Farm
Bureau’s Voices of Agriculture.”
Eleven state Farm Bureaus produce shows to fill the timeslot on RFD-TV, and all eleven
have different names and styles. This change by all the shows is an effort to give these
shows the same opening, music and graphics to help the audience feel like they are
watching the same show each week, not eleven different shows.
Mississippi Farm Bureau will complete its third full year of producing this program for
RFD-TV with our next show, which premieres on March 26th.
WAIDE RE-ELECTED TO AFBF BOARD
Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation President David Waide has been re-elected to represent the Southern Region on the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Board of
Directors. He is one of seven board members from that region.
Bob Stallman has been re-elected AFBF president and Barry Bushue, a nursery and berry
producer from Oregon, was elected AFBF vice president.
Stallman, a cattle and rice producer from Columbus, Texas, will serve his fifth two-year
term. Bushue will succeed Steve Appel, a wheat and barley producer from Dusty,
Washington, who retired.
Townsend Kyser of Alabama was elected the new chair of the AFBF Young Farmer and
Rancher Committee, which also makes him a member of the AFBF Board of Directors.
Terry Gilbert of Kentucky continues to serve as chair of the AFBF Women’s Leadership
Committee and on the AFBF Board of Directors.
26
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!
• ACCIDENTAL DEATH - 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.
• ADT HOME SECURITY - Southern Security
Services is offering an ADT Home Security
System installed at no charge (36 month monitoring contract required). Please call 1-800960-9119.
• AGRISTAR GLOBAL INTERNET - A high speed
internet service that can reach all parts of the
state – even rural areas. Please call 1-888777-0440 or you can visit www.agristar.com.
• AMERLINK LOG HOMES – 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. Give us a call at 800-872-4254 and
start making your dream home a reality. We
invite you to visit our Website for MS Farm
Bureau members at www.amerlink.com/msfb.
• CHILD SAFETY SEAT PROGRAM – Members
can pick up order forms for $25 car seats and
$15 booster seats at their local county office.
• ATV DISCOUNTS – 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.
Powersports Plus of Flowood—10%
Discount Coupon. 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
MARCH/APRIL
1-800-227-8244, ext. 4169, or 601-977-4169.
• CHOICE HOTELS - 20% off published rack
room rate at any participating location of their
brand hotel locations. This discount is based on
availability at any Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites,
Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Main Stay Suites,
Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn.
• CIMARRON MORTGAGE - 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.
• DODGE DISCOUNTS - Pick up a $500 rebate
certificate before you purchase your Dodge
vehicle. Certificates are limited to Dodge trucks,
Durango, selected vans, and selected sedans.
• CONNECTION LONG DISTANCE SERVICE Connection is a full service, long distance
program designed exclusively for Farm
Bureau members.
• GATEWAY TIRE & SERVICE CENTER 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 us at www.GatewayTire.com. This discount cannot be used with
special promotions.
• GRAINGER INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY - Save 10%
off industrial products by using discount
number 818224800.
• MEAN MALLARD – 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.
• MISSISSIPPI FARM COUNTRY MAGAZINE –
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.
• MOSSY OAK – MFBF and Mossy Oak have
teamed up to offer our 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.
• NEVADA BOB’S GOLF – All Mississippi Farm
Bureau Members receive 10% of all accessories, 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.
• PASS KEY SOLUTIONS – 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.
• PUBLIC POLICY - Farm Bureau's role on both
the state and national level is to keep members informed with good and factual information concerning Farm Bureau policies and
farm issues.
• RENTAL CAR – various discounts through
Hertz #00337777 1-800-654-3131 and Avis
#A298824 1-800-331-1212 or Budget
#Y775724 1-800-527-0700.
• SCHOLARSHIPS - Mississippi Farm Bureau
Federation offers several scholarships to
young people interested in furthering their
education in agriculture. These scholarships
are offered through the Young Farmer &
Rancher Program and the Women’s
Programs. For more information, contact:
Greg Shows at 601.977.4277 or E-mail:
[email protected] or Clara Bilbo at
601.977.4245 or E-mail: [email protected]
• SUPERIOR OUTDOOR SUPPLY – 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 Website at www.theroadhunter.com
• THEFT REWARD PROGRAM - Members can
offer a $500 reward for information leading
to the arrest and conviction of anyone committing theft, arson or vandalism against their
property.
• WYNDHAM HOTELS - Receive an additional
10% off the "Best Available Rate" at participating locations. Advanced 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 (800) 889-9706 all other
hotels - (877) 670-7088.
27
MFBF PROGRAMS RECEIVE RECOGNITION
Two Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation programs received the Award of Excellence during the 89th Annual Meeting of the American
Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) in New Orleans, Louisiana. These programs include Member Services and Public Relations/Information.
The Award of Excellence is presented to outstanding programs serving Farm Bureau members during the previous year.
For more information about the 89th Annual AFBF Meeting, see pages 24 and 25.
CHITTOM AWARD RECIPIENTS
Issaquena County Farm Bureau and Union County Farm Bureau were recently named recipients of the Gary Chittom Award.
Issaquena County won in the category of 1750 or less members and Union County won in the category of 1750 or more members.
28
MARCH/APRIL
THANK YOU
Dear Santa’s Helpers,
I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! The
patients at the Blair E. Batson Hospital for
Children definitely had a joyous Christmas with
the help of your generous donations.
Santa Claus got an early start on the morning of
Dec. 24th. He first went to the Bone Marrow
Transplant Unit to see a patient who had just had
a transplant five days before. Then he stopped
by the nursery where he passed out rattles to
each of the newborns. He made a special visit
to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and took
pictures with the families that were visiting their
babies. He finished his visit at Children’s
Hospital by going room-to-room to see every
patient. Each child received a bag full of toys
and clothes hand-picked by Santa’s elves to
ensure that each one received what they wanted.
In all, Santa visited with 73 children and their
families.
Parents and children alike were awestruck by
the gifts received. Some children even asked
Santa how he found them. Santa simply replied,
“Why, I am Santa … I know.” And, with that, he
would pass a wink to the child and continue visiting.
One grandmother was so moved that she blessed
Santa every time her grandson took a gift out of
his bag. As her grandson’s eyes got bigger and
his excitement grew, the grandmother cried and
stated how wonderful this Christmas has been.
This family’s Christmas may not have been so
wonderful had it not been for your generosity.
Thank you for supporting the Children’s
Hospital and the Santa Bag Program this year.
Words cannot express what your involvement
with the hospital means to all of our patients,
families and staff. We thank you and wish you
all a very Happy New Year.
Sincerely,
Jennifer M. Lott
Child Life Coordinator
MARCH/APRIL
29
30
MARCH/APRIL
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In addition to its many familiar programs
and services, Farm Bureau also offers many
other benefits you may not know about. For
more information, see page 27 and start
taking advantage of the valuable benefits
offered by your Farm Bureau membership!
1.800.643.5555
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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.
MARCH/APRIL
Your Benefits with Hydro-Sil:
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Lifetime Warranty
Hydro-Sil is a duct-free/furnace-free high performance
room-by-room heating system that can save you hundreds of
dollars in home heating costs by replacing old and inefficient
heating. It can replace or supplement your electric heat, gas or
oil furnace and woodstoves.
Hydro-Sil represents economy in heating: inside the heater
case is a sealed copper tube filled with a harmless silicone fluid.
It’s permanent. You’ll never run out. Hydro-Sil “Energy Smart”
thermostat controls a variable watt hydro element that is only
being supplied a proportional amount of power on an as-needed basis. The silicone liquid is quickly heated, and with its heat
retention qualities, continues to heat after the Hydro element
shuts off. Hydro-Sil’s digital proportional control technology
greatly increases energy savings and comfort.
Order today or contact us for more info.
Check
■
MasterCard
■
Visa
1-800-627-9276
www.hydrosil.com
Hydro-Sil, P.O. Box, 662, Fort Mill, SC 29715
Slash heating cost with Hydro-Sil technology
Lifetime warranty. No service contracts
Safe, complete peace of mind
Clean, no fumes, environmentally safe
U.L. listed
Preassembled — ready to use
Energy saving
No furnaces, ducts, or chimneys
programmable
Portable (110V) or permanent (220V)
thermostat!
Whole house heating or single room
220 VOLT
Approx. Area Discount
Quantity
PERMANENT
to Heat
Price
8' 2000 watts 250-300 s.f.
$309
6' 1500 watts 180-250 s.f.
$279
5' 1250 watts 130-180 s.f.
$259
4' 1000 watts 100-130 s.f.
$229
3' 750 watts
75-100 s.f.
$189
2' 500 watts
50-75 s.f.
$169
Thermostats Call for options & exact heater needed
110 VOLT PORTABLES
(Thermostat Included)
5' Hydro-Max 750-1500 watts
4' Convector – Dual watt
3' 750 watts – Silicone
$18.00 shipping per heater
Total Amount
Discount
Quantity
Price
$229
$179
$179
$ _______________
$ _______________
Name____________________________________________________
Address__________________________________________________
City______________________________ St_______ Zip___________
Phone____________________________________________________
MasterCard or Visa Account Information:
Acct #___________________________________________________
Expiration Date_____________________________________________
33
Introductory Offer!
5
FREE 5
SHIPPING!
$ 95Value!
$ 95Value!
*
5
$ 95Value!
N No minimum order N No commitments
Offer Expires in 30 Days One certificate per customer
*This offer is only applicable to this ad please.
5
$ 95Value!
Superior Quality • Exceptional Value • Guaranteed!
2
3
Prostate
Respiratoryy
45 Caps
15 Caps
Prostate 9
Complex®
Helps safeguard the pros
prostate
state
& keep yyou
ou comfortable
comfortable..
4
45 Caps
New & Impr
Improved
roov
Apple
ple Cider
Vinegar
egar Plus
This exclusive
exclusive formula contains: Apple Cider
C
Vinegar
ggar 300 mg.,
Teea 250 mg.,
g , Green Tea
Ap
pple Pectin
p
pp
g , Apple
Pectin
400 mg.,
m Bromelain 200 mg., Ca
Cayenne
yenne 100
100 mg.,
Citrin
in
n 300 mg., Ginger 200 mg., and FFenugreek
en
nugreek
Seed
d 100 mg.
$16.99
$16
6.99
$
9
Energyy
Royal
R
oyal Jelly
300 mg. Strong
Rich
Ric
h in vitamins,
vitamins miner
minerals,
als
als,
amino acids, proteins and
antioxidants.
10
$6.9
$6.99
$
69
99
$
3
9
99
$9.99
$
99
9.9
99
$
9
399
Eyesight
Contains Top
op Quality
To
$9.99
$
99
9.9
99
$
299
500 mg. Strong
A soothing, effective internal
cleanser for better digestion.
13
1 oz.
Vegetable
V
egetable
e
&
Fruit 750 mg. Strong
$
$
14 99
14.
$14.99
4
4
49
Blood Pressure
surrre
e
500 mg. Strong
Maintain health
healthyy blood
pressure levels
levels that are
already
already in normal range.
ge.
range
299
$9.99
$
9 99
9.99
$
399
$6.99
$
$6
99
$
299
Weight
90 Tabs
$7.99
$
7 99
$
Glucosamine
Glucossamine
Chondroitin
Chondro
oitin
350 mg. Stro
Strong
ng
Helps keep joints flexible,
flexxible,
mobile, and nourished.
nourisheed.
7
499
Green Tea
Teea
500 mg. Str
Strong
ong
Boosts metabolism to
o burn
extraa calories daily
extr
daily,
and
y, and
helps maintain energyy levels.
levels.
$
$7.99
$
7 99
7.99
299
Money
Mone
y Sa
Saving
S
ving
i
Order
O
Or
rder
d Form (No Limits!)
Your
Y
our Satisfaction
Satisfaction is
is Guaranteed
Guaranteed o
orr Your
Your Money
Money Back!
Back!
Qty.
Q
ty.
___ ACV Plus ..........$4.99
___ Prostate
Prostate 9 ........$4.99
3. ___ Breath-Ezz ..........$4.99
4. ___ Cranber
Cranberry
r y..........$3.99
y ..........$3.99
5. ___ Gluco./Ch
Gluco./Chon.
hon. .....$2.99
6. ___ Odorless Garlic..$2.99
Garlic ..$2.99
7. ___ Green TTea
eaa..........$2.99
..........$2.99
8. ___ Royal
Royal Jell
Jelly
ly ........$3.99
1.
2.
Mail y
your
our or
o
order
der to:
rd
Botanic Choice
3401 W
W.. 37th. AAve.,
ve.,
Dept. MF8PD Hobart,
Hobar t, IN
I 46342
Qty.
Q
ty.
9. ___ Noni FFruit
r uit ..........$3.99
10. ___ Ginkgo Bil
Biloba
loba ...$3.99
11. ___ Aloe V
Vera
era...........$3.99
.
12. ___ Lutein ................$2.99
.................$2.99
13.___ CoQ-10 ...
.............$4.99
...........$4.99
14. ___ Veg
Veg & Fruit
Fr uit ........$4.49
15. ___ Collagen/E
Collagen/Elastin
.$2.49
Elastin.$2.49
Sub TTotal
ootal
FREE SHIPPING (a $5.95 va
value)
alue)
Ind. residents 6% saless tax
FREE
Total
T
ottal
o
Thank you!
Credit
Card #
Signature_____________________________________________Exp.
Signature_______________
_______________________________Exp. Datee ______/______
Phone # _________________
_______________
__________________ - _________________ - ______________
____________________________
Name ______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Please Print
Print
Coenzyme
Q-10
Q-1
10 30 mg.
Address _______________
_______________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
City __________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
$
16.99
$16.99
$
499
Beautyy
State__________________
___________Zip _________________________
State____________________________Zip
_____________
_
____________
*Free
*F
ree shipping not available for Canada
Foreign orders. Shipping charges billed accordingly.
Caanada or Foreign
accordinglyy.
24 Hours a Day~7
y aW
ys
Days
Day~7 Da
e
Week
eek
ek
Collagen and
Elastin Skin Cre
Cream
eam
$10.99
10.99
Smooth on and laugh lines and $
wrinkles seem to melt aaway.
way. $ 49
2
Order
der
er TToll-FREE!
Toooll-FREE
E!!
1-800-644-8327
1
1-800-64
-8
-800-64
800-644-8327
44 8327
4444
www.botanicchoice.com
www
ww.botaniccchoice.com
(Click on Catalog
atalog Quick order
order and enter Key#MF8PD)
#MF8PD)
Key#MF8PD)
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food
Food & Dr
Drug
ug Admi
nistration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, oorr prevent any disease.
Administration.
34
399
$
Joints
R Check RMoney
RCheck
R Money Or
rder Order
RVISA
R
VISA RMasterCard
R MasterCardd RDiscover
R Discover RAmerican
R American Express
Heart
Nutritionally supports and
energizes a health
healthyy heart.
15
Total Health
h
90 Tabs
Antioxidant po
power
wer of 6 fruits
and vegetables
vegetables in one tablet.
Digestion
ion
30 Gels
Lutein
6 mg. Strong
Protect the macula of yyour
our
eyes
ey
es from age-related damage.
14
3
99
Aloe V
Vera
eera
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo
30 Gels
$6.99
$
6 99
6.99
$
90 Caps
60 mg. Extract
Enhances mental sharpness,
clarity & vitality- Sta
Stayy sharp!
12
Noni Fruit
300 mg. Strong
Restore
esto e vigor
go and
a d energy
e e gy
with this nutrient-rich
nutrient-rich fruit
with Vitamin C & Selenium.
11
Memoryy
60 Caps
499
Immune
30 Caps
$
$16.99
$16.99
CLIP AND S
CLIP
SEND
END
Works best when used inconjuction with a reduce
Works
ed calorie diet and exercise plan
reduced
8
$
9 99
9.99
$9.99
Odorless Garlic
G
• Suppresses
presses the appetite
ap
• Enhances
ances fat burning
burni
• Breaks
aks down
down fat faster
fast
60 Tabs
5
Cranb
Cranberry
berry
Concentrate
C
Concentr
trate
Promotes total urinary tract
t act
tr
health without the sugar.
sugaar.
Contains Vitamins C&E..
Exclusive formula of 7 natural
Exclusive
natural
herbs for clear free breathing.
breeathing.
60 Caps
90 Tabs
500 mg. Strong
“Apple Cider Vinegar Plus hass helped
me lose weight
h
wonderfully. I weighed 285 lbs.
lbss. I now weigh 213 lbs.”
- R.E., Anniston, AL
4
140 mg. Strong
6
®
$
99
1
$19.99
$
19 99
Urinaryy
250 Tabs
Now wi
h
Green Tit
ea!
TM
Plus!
With Ever
Everyy
Eve
Order
rder
der
er
SV-20
SV
-20
© 2008 Indiana
Indiana Botanic
B
Gardens, Inc.
Gardens,
Inc.
FEnhances
or Maximum Weight Loss!
Calorie Burning
Breath-E
Breath-Ez
Ez
1060 mg. Strong
Strrong
FREE!
Botanic
Choice
Choic
Catalog
MARCH/APRIL
OMS!
O
L
B
R
A
L
U
SPECTAC
(Brugmansia) Angel’s Trumpets are one of Mother
Nature’s most breathtaking plants. You can almost
watch them grow as they rapidly form three foot
tall bushes. Then the real show begins. Each
plant can have dozens, even hundreds, of
blossoms at once. Best of all, they continue
blooming all the way through frost. Pink, white
and yellow have extremely large single blossoms
that measure up to twenty inches long.
Grows 8-10 feet tall!
All varieties are extremely fragrant, especially
in the evening. Angel’s Trumpets are excellent
container plants that make an impressive display
for your deck or patio. These tropical beauties
thrive in bright sunlight during the dog days of
summer, just make sure to give them plenty of
water. Can be brought indoors in the north for
use as a house plant. Hardy in zones 8-10.
Prices for all of one variety.
White
1 for $4.95
ER!
SPECIAL OFoFllection
2 for $9.75 4 for $18.95
tC
Angel Trumpcheof White, Yellow,
ea
ts
Includes one
Angel’s Trumpe
ble Lavender
ou
D
d
an
k
in
P
.95
ONLY $$1197
.75
WAS
ED
IT PLY
M
LI UP
S
(Datura) We are extremely happy that we are able
to offer the rare double lavender Angel Trumpet,
also. This beauty is loaded with trumpet blooms
measuring four to six inches in length. Each one of
the double cups is lavender on the outside and
white on the inside. Double lavender is the most
beautiful Angel Trumpet we have ever seen!
Double Lavender 1 for $5.95
2 for $11.75 4 for $22.95
HOUSE OF WESLEY
1704 Morrissey Drive DEPT. 919-5055
Bloomington, Illinois 61704
Name __________________________________
Address ________________________________
City __________________ State ____________
(xx xx)
Zip ____________ Phone__________________
Your e-mail address: ______________________
(If you would like to receive e-mail about special sales.)
PLEASE SEND ITEMS INDICATED BELOW:
HOW CAT.
MANY NO.
NAME OF ITEM
COST
N7445 WHITE ANGEL TRUMPET
N7449 YELLOW ANGEL TRUMPET
N7453
N7457
NC7475
Yellow
2 for $9.75 4 for $18.95
ONE YEAR GUARANTEE
36
ANGEL TRUMPET
COLLECTION (1 of each)
2.95
Shipping & Processing $______
1 for $4.95
If any item you purchased from us does not live,
for a FREE REPLACEMENT just RETURN THE
ORIGINAL SHIPPING LABEL along with your
written request within 1 year of receipt.
Replacement guarantee is VOID unless the
ORIGINAL SHIPPING LABEL is returned. For a
refund of the purchase price, RETURN THE ITEM
AND THE ORIGINAL SHIPPING LABEL, with
correct postage affixed, within 14 days of receipt.
PINK ANGEL TRUMPET
DOUBLE LAVENDER
ANGEL TRUMPET
SUBTOTAL $______
Pink 1 for $4.95
2 for $9.75 4 for $18.95
Visit our web site to shop on-line
and for customer service
and shipping information.
www.H o u s e O f We s l ey.com
IL Residents add 6.25% Sales Tax $______
TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED
OR CHARGED $______
I Check or Money Order enclosed.
I Mastercard
I VISA
Credit Card #:_________________________
Expiration Date: __________
Signature: ___________________________
MARCH/APRIL

March 2008 - Mississippi Farm Bureau

Transcription

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