Farm Bureau NewsUtah

Countryside EditionWINTER 2010

The Colorsof the Holidays

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A Unqiue Classroom Setting p. 12 The Magic of Traditions p. 16 $500 Grocery Shopping Spree p. 20

Vol. 56 No. 11

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Farm Bureau NewsUtah

Countryside Edition WINTER 2010

Features

The Color ofthe Holidays

A UniqueClassroom Setting

The Magic ofChristmas Traditions

Securing a Better Tomorrow:

Farm BureauHosts Convention

Get America Back in the Trade Game

Christmas & Political Correctness

A new Lay of the Land

A Tale of Two Farmers

Spring Break Comes Early

The Power of County Governments

Interested in a $500 Shopping Spree?

Conference Announcements

Convention Wrap-up

Baxter Black: Lessons from Bud’s Dad

Stay Merry at Home

‘Tis the Season to be Green

Classifi eds

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Contents

Vol. 56 No. 11

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4

Get America Backin the Trade Game BY LELAND HOGAN, PRESIDENT, UTAH FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

Trade has always been critically important to the United States. Free and open trade is especially important to America’s farmers and ranchers. Trade provides millions of jobs for our families, friends, and neighbors. In recent months, there seems to be a general lack of attention and focus in Washington, D.C. to expand our global trade opportunities for American industry in general and specifi cally for food and agriculture.

For America’s farmers and ranchers, maintaining and even expanding global trade is vital. While about 25 percent of the total farm production by volume is exported, those exports are heavily weighted to value added, further processed food products that create jobs and economic oppor-tunity. Economists estimate that one in three dollars generated from agriculture’s cash receipts is related to foreign sales. Plan and simple, one-third of agriculture’s cash receipts are generated from export sales.

I had the opportunity recently to join American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stall-man and a trade team in Geneva, Switzerland. Th e group included Philip Nelson, Illinois FB President, Ed Justice, Delaware FB President and Wayne Wood, Michigan FB President. Our purpose was to discuss the ongoing Doha nego-tiations with World Trade Organization (WTO) offi cials and to deliver a message from American farmers and ranchers.

Th e fi rst stop was to visit the U.S. Mission for a briefi ng and negotiations update from Ambas-sador Michael Punke. Over the three days we were in Geneva we met with ambassadors from

Canada, Japan, New Zealand, India, Brazil, Australia, China, South Korea and the European Union.

Our message, the stalemate in the Doha Round needs to be worked out with negotiations mov-ing toward a successful conclusion. We pointed out the U.S. priorities are more open and free global trade while making sure China, India and Brazil are included in the fi nal agreement.

Ninety-fi ve percent of the world’s population resides outside of the United States. Th at means only one of every twenty consumers of food and agricultural commodities is an American citizen. Our opportunity, and our obligation, is to be proactive in expanding agriculture trade oppor-tunities and to share America’s abundance with those who are hungry around the world.

After setting an all-time food and agriculture exports record of $115 billion in 2008, exports slide by nearly $20 billion a year later, to $96 billion. Th e lost global trade opportunity has cost farmers and ranchers. Th ousands of Americans have lost jobs. As Congress and the Obama Administration continue to drag their feet in opening global markets, our competitors are moving forward with bilateral and re-gional agreements. Th e drop in U.S. food and agriculture exports between 2008 and 2009 is estimated to have cost 160,000 American jobs in the production, processing and transportation sectors.

On January 27, 2010, President Obama made reference to agriculture trade in his ‘State of the

Union’ address. He asked the question: “Can the United States double its agricul-ture exports in the next fi ve years?” Th e 2008-09 agriculture exports trend will have to be reversed with much more attention focused by the Administration and Con-gress to meet the President’s worthy goal.

By the end of 2010 there will be more than 600 bilateral and regional trade agree-ments worldwide with the United States engaged in fewer than 25. I am hopeful the President’s call for doubling food and agriculture exports will result in a new focus on increasing U.S. market access through aggressive trade negations and speedy enactment of trade agreements including Columbia, Panama and South Korea that have been hindered by Congres-sional inaction.

Trade agreements like the North Ameri-can Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) are responsible for agricultural exports nearly tripling since 1996. During diffi cult eco-nomic times, we cannot aff ord to be caught up in the protectionist propaganda of those who oppose expanding U.S. export trade. We can stand on the sidelines while others are in the game striking deals with our trading partners or we can get in the game and again aggressively expand markets for the world’s most productive food producers – the American farmer and rancher.

5

Christmas, Christianity and Political CorrectnessBY RANDY PARKER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,UTAH FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

Christmas is a time of joy, of generosity and of giving thanks. We enjoy gathering as family and friends. Our traditions make the Christmas holidays very special. Christmas is a reminder of our Creator’s plan. All that we enjoy in life and in America – freedom, peace and love - are but reminders of the greater love that came with the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Rather than embracing God in America, we as a society seem to be abandoning those things that are spiritual. America has a pre-occupation with political correctness. Th e recent election cycle magnifi ed our concerns over political correctness. Profi ling and passenger safety have us all abuzz this holiday season. Juan Williams, certainly not a bigot, was fi red as a National Public Radio analyst for expressing concerns about boarding a fl ight with travelers dressed in “Muslim garb.”

So what is “political correctness?” In 2007, Texas A&M University defi ned it as “a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical, liberal minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous main-stream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up cow manure by the clean end.”

Th e doctrine of political correctness seems to be spilling over into our nation’s Christian roots and more than 200 years of Americans celebrating Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ.

Disturbing stories of anti-Christian zealots are becoming ordinary instead of extraordinary. Take for example Mariah Jordat, an 8-year-old from Oldbridge, New Jersey. During quiet free-time, the Madison Park Elementary student took out her Bible and began reading. Her teacher told

her to put it away. Responding to the teachers demand, Mariah put it in her desk, which appar-ently wasn’t adequate. Th e Bible was banished by her teacher to a zipped up backpack.

Th e City of Philadelphia’s Managing Director, Richard Negrin, ordered the removal of the word “Christmas” from the city’s “Christmas Village,” a successful and targeted shopping enterprise orga-nized to mirror Christmas markets in many town centers in Germany. Ironically, Philly’s offi cial Christmas tree is located literally in the shadow of the now politically correct “Village” sign.

Sadly, these are but examples of how educators and public offi cials are responding to issues of faith based on today’s hypersensitive societal demand for political correctness.

For generations, the Holy Bible was used across America as the principle reader at home and in public schools. Learning to read and understand-ing the lessons of the Bible were benefi cial to the fabric and underpinnings of this great nation. Abraham Lincoln learned to read from a family Bible. Did the lessons of the Bible strengthen the Great Emancipator’s belief that all men are created equal?

Political correctness has made its way to Christ-mas cards. You can fi nd all kinds of cards with the generic “Holiday Greetings” or “Season’s Greetings.” Th e standard Christian greeting card with “Merry Christmas” is now more diffi cult to fi nd.

Th ere are more than 2 billion Christians scattered around the earth today. Most on Christmas will gather together in their homes with family and

friends, in churches or cathedrals or in the most humble of circumstances. All will gather for the same purpose - to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. What a night that must have been when the shepherds made their way to Beth-lehem to witness the birth of our Savior. Th ere was a star in the heavens, with brightness above the rest, whose light shone down and marked the birthplace of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Th e beauty of a young mother holding her newborn child. Most importantly, His message of love.

America is a nation blessed above all. Let us remember those who are not as blessed as we are. Pray for those who are in harms way this Christmas protecting our freedom. Let’s all remember that America – “One Nation Under God” - is a beacon of hope, liberty and exceptionalism.

Merry Christmas and God Bless America.

6

THE AG AGENDA

A new Lay of the LandBY BOB STALLMAN, PRESIDENT, AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

Renewable fuels will also likely face challenges. It may be diffi cult for the industry to get anything but short-term extensions of tax credits and in-centives.

Most new congressional members know very little about the econom-ics, production practices and environ-mental regulations related to agricul-ture. But, as with any new Congress, we are looking forward to working with the new members to help them better understand agriculture – still our nation’s most vital industry.

November’s mid-term elections brought a lot of change to Capitol Hill. In the House of Representatives alone, approximately 80 new members were elected. Th at’s just less than one-fi fth of the entire makeup of that legisla-tive body.

As with any new Congress, such drastic change will carry both opportunities and challenges. But, as they say in Washington, that’s the name of the game, and it’s certainly nothing new to Farm Bureau members. As the 112th Congress settles in, we look forward to helping new con-gressional members get acquainted with agri-culture.

A New Farm BillTh ere will be many important legislative issues relevant to agriculture in the new Congress. One of the most signifi cant is the new farm bill, which will be written by new agriculture committee members who may not be that fa-miliar with farm policy since more than half of the current committee lost their re-election bids.

Th e biggest issue aff ecting the consideration of the new farm bill will be budget issues. Agri-cultural spending, particularly spending relat-ed to farm programs, has always been a target and will be even a greater one in the economic environment that we face. Regardless, Farm Bureau will work with agriculture committee

members, to help them understand the role of farm programs and develop a bill that provides an eff ective and responsive safety net for pro-ducers across the country.

Pros and ConsWhen it comes to tax, regulatory and most trade issues, the new Republican-controlled House should be more closely aligned with many Farm Bureau priorities. Th ere will also likely be a congressional shift toward small business issues.

As businessmen and women, farmers and ranchers understand the need to foster eco-nomic growth and job creation. We will work closely with congressional members on tax is-sues, such as the estate tax and capital gains tax, as well as for common-sense solutions on environmental issues, like the Clean Water Act and greenhouse gas regulations.

I am optimistic the new Congress will brighten the outlook for trade opportunities. For exam-ple, passage of the stalled bilateral trade agree-ments with Korea, Panama and Colombia should have a much greater chance of being passed. Unfortunately, a trade issue that may be a little more diffi cult with the new House is opening up trade with Cuba. Th e new chair of the Foreign Aff airs Committee has been an adamant opponent of the issue.

7

A Tale of Two FarmersBY CRAIG FATA, MANAGER OF MEDIA RELATIONS, ILLINOIS FARM BUREAUThis column was originally posted as part of that organization’s Standing Out in the Field blog

Th ere’s a guy in Illinois who’s a farmer. He farms 5,000 acres of corn and soybeans over several ar-eas. He is responsible for all of the business deci-sions for the operation, including which varieties to plant, when to sell what he harvests and for how much. His tractors and combines are huge machines. Th ey are equipped with laptop com-puters and the latest GPS technology. As part of his income, he sells seed and cattle equipment to other farmers. He sits on the board of directors for a statewide farm organization, often traveling to meetings and providing input on the operation of county Farm Bureaus in his district. During busy times, he hires outside employees to help get the job done around the farm.

Th ere’s another farmer, also from Illinois. As a fi fth-generation farmer he takes environmental stewardship seriously, maintaining buff er strips next to water sources on his land. He uses con-tour planting and no-till farming. He and his kids drink water from the well on his farm. He tends to his animals daily, taking special care when they’re sick. He’s up in the middle of the night—every night—during calving season to check on birthing cows and heifers and their newborns. Hundreds of school kids visit his farm each year for personal tours to understand how their food grows. Th ree generations of his family work on the farm.

If you were forced to label one of these farmers as a “family farmer” and one as a “factory farmer,” which would be which?

Here’s the catch: these two real-life farmers are brothers, in charge of diff erent operations on the very same farm.

How can that be, when everything about the fi rst farmer appears to describe what many believe to be a factory farm? Th e answer is simple—the term “factory farm” doesn’t mean anything. It’s a term used by activists to make people assume facts not in evidence. Th ey know you’ll hear or read the term and assume it means something bad. But do you know what they mean? Do they mean a farm over a certain size? If so, what is that size? A hundred acres? Five hundred? Is it a farm that raises animals for meat, instead of just milk, eggs and companionship? A farm that plants biotech crops? Is it a farm that makes a certain amount of money? Does it have to be all of the above—or just any one of the above?

If you do a Google search for “factory farm” you get about 260,000 results. Th e fi rst entry, from dictionary.com, defi nes a factory farm as “a farm in which animals are bred and fattened using mod-ern industrial methods.” Conjures up the image of robots forcing animals to mate on a conveyor belt while they’re being stuff ed full of food, doesn’t it?

Wikipedia’s defi nition is this: “a systematic eff ort to produce the highest output at the lowest cost by relying on economies of scale, modern machinery, biotechnology, and global trade.” By this defi ni-tion, a farmer trying to maximize effi ciency to turn a profi t – and using anything but horses and oxen to work the fi elds – is a factory farmer. But, as Russ

Parsons of the Los Angeles Times wrote earlier this year, “farming without a fi nancial motive is gar-dening.”

We are blessed in this country to have plenty of food and many options … conventionally-pro-duced food, organic, locally grown. Th e truth is that no matter the size of the producer or the type of food produced, a profi t must be made so that money can be re-invested and the farmer can pro-vide for his or her family.

Activists would have you believe that because someone farms a large number of acres or raises a lot of animals, he does a bad job; he endangers the environment and mistreats his animals. Not true. Quality assurance programs, regulations and inspection programs keep farmers accountable. And when someone tells you that America is be-ing over-run by “factory farms,” know that 98 per-cent of all farms nationwide are owned by farm families. Beware of labels. Th ey can be misleading, vague, even meaningless.

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The

Colorsof theChristmas

SeasonBY MATT HARGREAVES, EDITOR,

UTAH FARM BUREAU COUNTRYSIDE MAGAZINE

Th ere is a saying in real estate and business which states the most important thing is “location, location, location”. While modern technologies are providing for a variety of new workplace options, this saying defi nitely has a place in agriculture – there are just some areas that are better suited for growing things than others. But what about growing fl owers in the winter? Again—location matters.

A short drive to the west of Cedar City in Iron County will take you to Newcastle, Utah’s unoffi cial home of winter produce and agriculture. Th is is because of a generous hot spring which provides an aff ordable way for greenhouses to stay warm.

Untapped until the 1970’s, when the Christensen family discovered the spring and began using it for their farm, the hot spring now provides power and heat for several greenhouses in the area with crops ranging from hothouse tomatoes to potted fl owers.

Th e Milgro nursery in Newcastle came about as the result of a search for more greenhouse space in the early 1990s. Th e Miller family had been operating greenhouses in the Oxnard, California area since the 1980’s, and were looking to expand. Th e family jumped at the chance to return to their native Utah when an associ-ate mentioned the availability of geothermal greenhouses in Utah.

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“Th e conditions were really good here in Newcastle for a greenhouse, given the geo-thermal power,” said Scott Miller, manager of the nursery in Newcastle. “Th e area had good, intense light as well as dry and cool conditions and the quality of the hot water was very good. It all amounted to conditions that could be easily manipulated, which is what you need for a greenhouse.”

Miller, a graduate of BYU’s political science department, was anxious for the opportunity to return to Utah and stake his own portion of the family business.

“I worked every summer in the greenhouses and though studying political science, always knew that I would end up back in the growing busi-ness,” Miller said.

While losing out on the bid for an existing greenhouse, the Miller family was convinced of the location’s potential. Th ey purchased another plot of land and built their greenhouses in 1993. Milgro currently operates 24 acres of greenhouses in the area, producing many variet-ies of fl owers, including daff odils, hyacinths, tulips, chrysanthemums, and calla lilies. But their two biggest crops are Easter lilies and the king of Christmas décor, the poinsettia.

Accounting for 30 percent of all fl owering plant sales in any given year, poinsettias generate ap-proximately $250,000,000 a year in wholesale sales in the United States. Milgro is right in the thick of things, shipping approximately 800,000 of the red potted fl ower from Texas all the way to the West coast.

“Th e market is really good for poinsettias this year,” Miller said. “We’ve sold out our stock, so it’s going well. Th e slow economy has aff ected us in that you have to work harder to fi nd new

Scott Miller inspects one of the potted poinsettias at the Milgro nursery in Newcastle.

customers, but sales are actually up from the previous year.”

Technically speaking though, the poinsettia isn’t a red fl ower. Th e beautiful colors we associ-ate with them and the Christmas season are actually the leaves of the plant, with the fl ower being the much smaller yellow beads tucked inside the red leaves. Each potted plant typically has between three and eight sets of fl owers depending on the size of the plant.

A native to Mexico and Central America, the fl ower was named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the fi rst United States Minister to Mexico, who introduced the plant into the U.S. in 1828. It had been used traditionally by Aztecs to pro-duce red dye, and a medicine to reduce fevers as well.

However, it wasn’t until German dairyman Al-bert Ecke starting selling the fl owers at a stand next to his farm in Los Angeles that the fl owers really became commercialized and a part of the Christmas season. Th e Ecke family is known in the fl ower industry as pioneers of the poinsettia, having perfected both the breeding and market-ing of the fl ower. Albert’s grandson, Paul Ecke, Jr., began providing free poinsettias to television news stations around the country during the holidays, essentially providing free advertising for the fl ower.

Until about 1990, the Ecke family was the leading producer of potted poinsettias, but they changed their business model to providing cut-tings for other growers. Th is is how Milgro pro-duces its fl owers. After receiving cuttings from Ecke, Milgro plants those vegetative samples and produces what is called “mother stock”. Th is is simply a vegetative poinsettia – one that has not yet bloomed – and consists mostly of branches. Milgro produces between 20,000

and 25,000 mother plants at their greenhouse in Newcastle.

Once those mother stock plants have grown to be about two feet tall and wide, the branches of the stock are cut up to provide approximately 30 cuttings per stock plant, these are then rooted out and planted to being growth into a blooming poinsettia.

Th is is where the skill of the grower comes into play. As with most plants and fl owers, the bloom-ing period and growth is associated with the amount of light they receive. But unlike typical crops, poinsettias require longer nighttime hours in order to signal to the plant to begin blooming. Classifi ed as a short-day obligate photoperiodic plant, the long night periods are required to signal to the plant to begin to produce fl oral buds instead of leaves and lateral buds. Th is is also re-quired for the leaves to change into the traditional deep red colors customers expect.

“Th ey bloom naturally during the shortest day length of the year, and you can control how tall they grow by how many long days they get,” Miller said. “Taking about nine weeks to bloom, the fl owers naturally took advantage of the cooler hillsides and longer nights of their native Mexico to bloom in November and December. But for us to ship them to customers, we need to be able to manipulate the conditions.”

Th is is where the science of agriculture steps in. Not working directly with the retail sector, Milgro begins shipping poinsettias to grocery store distribution centers starting on November 10th and will continue weekly up until the 20th of December. In order to have the fl ower bloom at the right time, Milgro has to employ a black cloth system and use lighting to alter the conditions and prompt the fl owers to begin bloom earlier or later than they would normally.

To manage the fl owers blooming at various times throughout the season, Milgro divides them throughout diff erent sections of the green-houses based on bloom date, rather than variety. Yes, I did say the variety of poinsettias; because while you may associate the traditional scarlet red fl ower with Christmas, there are approxi-mately 100 cultivated varieties throughout the world, with about 15 of them grown at Milgro’s Newcastle greenhouse.

“Each variety varies according to whether they are short or tall, fast growing or slower, if they grow vigorously or not, and how they respond to chemical growth regulators,” Miller said.

And then there are the colors.

“We have reds, whites, burgundy, pink, peach, variegated with white and pink, and then we have what’s called ‘jingle bells’, which is a red fl ower that looks like someone came along and splashed bleach on the leaves, leaving them with white spots,” Miller said. “We typically see the diff erent colored varieties going earlier in the season, and then as you get closer to Christmas, it is the traditional red ones that sell.”

Managing the many varieties and keeping them on track for a bloom period every week

from early November through until Christmas is quite a balancing act. Miller and his cadre of growers have to keep detailed schedules for each bloom period of fl owers. For each variety of poinsettias, and the many other fl owers they are growing at various stages of growth cycles, growers have to concentrate on controlling temperatures, humidity levels, fertilizer levels, disease control, etc., so the ability to manipulate conditions in a greenhouse is key – which is why the greenhouse in Newcastle is in a perfect spot.

Th e supply of geothermal for the greenhouse makes it aff ordable to run a greenhouse in Utah. Th ough the winter temperatures will drop much lower than Southern California, not having to pay expensive natural gas bills makes it possible to explore other locations with otherwise optimal growing conditions.

“It’s easier to control the humidity levels and temperature levels here, because we’re in a clean environment, have clean supplies of hot and cold water, and have good light,” Miller said. “Growing these fl owers is a lot like raising kids or other things in life. You control what you can control; supplying the needed nutrients and other stimuli, and then you let the plants do their thing.”

Th e other detail in Milgro’s favor is that they are growing a product with a built-in mar-keting plan. As Christmas arrives, thoughts typically turn to buying three living, or once living, products – Christmas trees, wreaths, and poinsettias.

“Consumers seem to like having things they can depend on or plan for, especially those who like fl owers and plants, because it gives them variety of what to look at,” Miller said. “You can enjoy chrysanthemums in the fall, poinset-tias in the winter, and Dutch bulbs or tulips in the spring.”

So while the chill of winter may have you in the doldrums when it comes to your green thumb, poinsettias are here to cheer you up as a signal to the joys of the holidays. You can even do more to celebrate by welcoming December 12th as National Poinsettia Day.

No matter if you pronounce it poinsett-EE-a or just poinsett-a, knowing that a good supply of the fl owers in your holiday decor come right from Utah will surely add to the Christ-mas cheer. Milgro poinsettias can be found at various stores including Albertsons, Kroger (Smiths), and Wal-Mart.

May you have a bright, and colorful Christmas and Happy New Year.

It’s 5:00 a.m. The thermometer reads -20 degrees. Your warm bed is hard to leave, but you get up anyway. In an effort to keep out the bitter cold, you dress in your insulated coveralls and layer on three pairs of socks.

There are chores to do. There are animals to take care of.

Sometimes you ask yourself, “Why do I do this?”

Then you remember, it’s part of who you are, and you can’t imagine your life any other way.

We get it. We understand.

We love what we do because you love what you do.

For all your financing needs, contact us at1.800.824.9198www.westernagcredit.com

12

A Unique Classroom setting

for Aspiring Students in Granite School DistrictBY MATT HARGREAVES, EDITOR, UTAH FARM BUREAU COUNTRYSIDE MAGAZINE

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SALT LAKE CITY – When thinking of the in-terests of high school students today within the most urbanized regions of the country, or even our state of Utah, technology must surely rank high. Th eir interests seem to revolving around iPods, texting, cell phones, YouTube, blogging, Facebook, IM’ing and the like. But what about farming?

No, not Farmville — the virtual, real-time farm simulation game played via the Social Media site Facebook — I’m talking about actual farming. Th e reality might actually surprise you.

Amid the great variety of resources available to students in the most urbanized county in Utah – Salt Lake County – it would seem that hands-on agricultural experiences would not be among them. With all the development and changes in land-use that go along with population growth, production agriculture has largely diminished in the Salt Lake Valley. Dairies are all but gone and farms and ranches have either decreased in size, number or both.

But a revival of sorts is taking place at the iconic Wheeler farmstead among the brightest and freshest minds the county has to off er. Th is lo-calized “green revolution” is being made possible through a partnership of Salt Lake County gov-ernment, USU Extension, the Granite School District and the Utah FFA Association.

“Th ere is the idea that agriculture doesn’t exist in Salt Lake County and that no one is interested. Nothing could be further from the truth,” said Bill Carpenter, an instructor for the Granite Technical Institute, which is housed within the Granite School District, and the Granite Moun-tain FFA Chapter advisor. “With so much that is virtual, the kids want something hands-on. Th ey are full of academic knowledge, but they want something real.”

Established as a dairy farm in 1898, the Wheeler Farm exists today as one of the last remaining farmsteads of the 19th Century in Salt Lake County, and is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built on 75 acres in the heart of Murray, Utah, Wheeler farm was purchased by Salt Lake County in 1969 in preparation for the 200th Anniversary celebra-tion of the United States.

Working through the County Parks & Recre-ation department, the county has preserved the historic granary, ice house, chicken houses, dairy buildings and farmstead. An amphitheater and activity barn were later added to the facility, which hosts weddings and other activities.

Th e greatest use of the facility; however, has been an informational partnership with the Utah FFA Association. For almost 30 years, the Granite School District (which encompasses nine Salt Lake area high schools) has had the op-portunity to manage the farm animals and crops grown at Wheeler Farm.

“It was an informal agreement. Th ey just shook [hands] and took care of things,” Carpenter said. “We take care of the maintenance of the animals and crops here at the farm. Th ose who come to see the farm are happy to see a greater number and variety of animals here, and it provides a great opportunity for the students.”

Filling a need in the school district’s ‘Career & Technical Education’ (CTE) curricula, Bill Carpenter heads a team of three instructors with classrooms at the Granite Education Center offi ces on 2500 South State Street as well as portable classrooms at Wheeler Farm. But as the teachers and students will attest, it’s the farm that is actually providing the classroom for the students and its popularity is growing.

While there are several high schools in Utah with agricultural facilities for their FFA Chap-ters, the organizational structure for the Granite Mountain FFA Chapter is unique. Similar to any urbanized population, the percentage of stu-dents interested in agriculture at any one high school in an urban area might not be very high. Coupled with that, the cost to provide quality facilities based on the number of students who would use them would be high. To combat these problems, the Granite School District grouped its agricultural-based CTE courses to draw students from nine high schools, includ-ing Cottonwood, Cyprus, Granger, Granite Peaks, Hunter, Kearns, Olympus, Skyline, and Taylorsville High Schools, and several junior high schools.

“While it is a challenge to mix the students from all the schools and make them a cohesive group, it can also be good because its fresh and new for all of them,” Carpenter said. “Our FFA Chapter has also benefi tted because fundraising is made a lot easier. Rather than drawing from one school for limited resources, we’re able to draw from all nine.”

Carpenter is joined in teaching students in the district by Christina Gowans, who teaches animal and plant sciences as well as fl oriculture courses, and Jonathan Tuttle who teaches biol-ogy, and Agriculture Biotech courses. Together, the instructors are able to provide a level of clinical and production-based agriculture courses that give students opportunities to get real-world experience.

“Th e students get a better perspective of reality by working with living plants and animals,” Carpenter said. “Th e subjects now respond to them. Th ey develop skills in distinguishing and interpreting results of temperatures, pulse, and respiration that mean more than just fi gures in

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a book. We assist the farrowing of hogs, so now when they read about it in their books; they have a better understanding of what the book is talking about.”

Much of the growth of practical applications for agriculture has come from Carpenter’s enthu-siasm for agriculture and his ability to relate to students and share it with them.

“While the success of the program comes from the kids, Bill [Carpenter] has defi nitely had an impact. He has the fi re in the belly when it comes to teaching,” said Jonathan Tuttle.

Th e students certainly are responding. While the Granite Mountain program has been going on for a long time, it has grown dramatically in recent years. Carpenter took over the program three years ago, with only 20 students enrolled. After year one, it grew to 80 students; 185 students after year two; and has ramped up to 400 students in this third year. Th e program anticipates growing to an all-time high of 600 next semester.

“Th e success has been a surprise,” Carpenter said. “Some were looking to shut the program down, but these students have made the diff erence by putting in the time at the farm. We’ve grown from one of the smallest FFA chapters to now being one of the largest.”

While all are eager to assign the credit to others, it honestly comes from a combination of enthu-siastic instructors, willing students who are eager to learn, and a partnership to make valuable resources available for education.

“Th is is more fun and more educational,” said Casey Vanderlinden, a student at Cottonwood

High School. “You learn and remember it better, and I know how to put myself into the learning process.”

Other students agreed.

“It is much better than just lecturing,” said Faith Winkler, also from Cottonwood High. “I didn’t think I wanted to go [work] on a farm, but it’s changed my mind.”

“I owned a pig…and it’s fun to tell my friends about it and share the process about how to raise a pig,” Stephanie Tyrrell from Hunter High School shared. “Plus it is fun to be able to bring my dog to school [to check on its health].”

Th e comments refl ect an appreciation for agriculture that is new for most of the students – the majority of whom have no background in agriculture. Carpenter enjoys working with stu-dents for whom agriculture is a foreign concept, because he sees it as an opportunity to spread the message of the value of agriculture.

“Th ey [the students] are like empty vessels…everything is new and fresh,” Carpenter said. “Some city kids come in and are completely transformed in their appreciation and interest in agriculture.”

But just as the FFA is more than about teach-ing farming skills, the Granite Mountain FFA chapter is using Wheeler Farm to build character and instill confi dence that will serve the students whether they go into production agriculture or not.

“It develops leadership and helps students learn to work with other people, with diff erent kids,” Tyrrell said.

“Before joining this chapter, there’s no way I would have talked in front of someone or a group,” said Brady Bennett, from Kearns High School.

Another success story comes in the growth of former student John Phan. As Carpen-ter retells the story told to him by Phan’s parents, before coming to the Granite Mountain FFA Chapter, John was shy and didn’t speak to anyone. But he became an FFA offi cer for Granite Mountain and participated in events, including the Farm Bureau FFA Discussion Meet.

“He just blossomed. It was a total transfor-mation of a person,” Carpenter said. “For the fi rst time, he belonged in a group of people and he became a great speaker.”

While challenges do exist for the students of Granite Mountain, including arranging for transportation to and from Wheeler Farm and the responsibility of caring for the animals, Carpenter knows that the students who come to him truly want to be there. Th ey are discovering new opportunities which are available to them to participate in agriculture, opportunities many never knew existed.

Th e Salt Lake Valley may not revert back to its pioneer-era demographics with farms dotting the landscape, but there may be new crops of large- and small-animal veteri-narians, greenhouse operators, or at the very least better-educated citizenry which will be making decisions as the future leaders in our state. Th at is truly a crop worth investing in.

Brady Bennett of Kearns High School (left) visits with VoAg teacher Jonathan Tuttle at Wheeler Farm

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15

Two Utah college students will be heading to Orlando, Florida early next year to compete in the National Collegiate Discussion Meet, hosted by the American Farm Bureau.

Cheyenne Th atcher of Axtell, Utah and Jill Little, of Morgan, Utah each took fi rst place at their respective Utah Farm Bureau Collegiate Chapter discussion meets. Cheyenne is attend-ing Southern Utah University and Jill attends Utah State University. Both universities have established Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapters in recent years. Student contestants competed against other students at their local college Farm Bureau chapters last month to determine the winners. Contestants competed in two round robin discussion meets where four fi nalists were then chosen to compete in the fi nal round. One winner was then chosen to represent each school at the national competition.

Both Cheyenne and Jill will receive an expense paid trip to Orlando, Florida where they will then compete against college students from around the country for a $2,500 scholarship. Th e competition is scheduled for February 5th & 6th at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and Conventions Center, in conjunction with the National Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) Leadership Conference, providing additional leadership training for these two young agricul-turalists.

Th e collegiate discussion meets at the state level are hosted by the district YF&R county chairs and state committee members. Th ey line up the judges, time keepers, moderators, etc. and make sure each contestant knows when and where to be for each round. Each collegiate chapter is in-volved with planning the date and times of the meets and they help advertise for the event and encourage fellow students to compete. Chapters

also provide time for contestants to practice their discussion meet skills in preparation for the competitions. Th e Farm Bureau collegiate chapters are designed to give students an oppor-tunity to further develop their leadership skills and transition them into the Young Farmer and Rancher program after graduation.

Th e Collegiate Discussion Meet is a 25-minute, round table discussion involving 4-6 partici-pants per group. Contestants are ranked on their cooperative attitude, analysis and problem solving skills, and ability to articulate the issues with others. Except for an opening and clos-ing statement addressed to the audience, the conversations are focused on those in the group. Th ere are typically three independent judges who score the contestants based on the-before mentioned criteria.

Th e discussions are especially interesting to any-one building an agricultural career. Th is year’s topics included the following:

• Farm Bureau is the leading voice for agricul-ture but not the only voice. How do we encour-age other agricultural groups to work together for the common good of our industry?

• Government has always been involved in agriculture. Is the current level of government involvement a net hindrance or a net benefi t to agriculture?

• How will food movements such as “foodie” and “locavore,” which are focused primarily in urban centers, infl uence national agricultural production and federal programs?

• Has technology become essential for Ameri-can farmers? Should Farm Bureau infl uence and encourage all generations of farmers, ranchers

and agriculturalists to embrace technological opportunities?

• Given recent challenges, such as volatile food prices and limited world food supplies, do American consumers adequately appreciate the importance of U.S.-produced food? Will Amer-ican consumers consider American agriculture important to our security in the future?

Jill Little is a senior at Utah State University. She was raised in Morgan, Utah on a small farm. Her dad instilled in here a great love of agriculture from a young age and encouraged her to get involved in FFA. In High school she served as a chapter offi cer in the Morgan FFA for three years. She also won six state level Ca-reer Development Events, and the Agriculture Communications Profi ciency Award. Jill will soon graduate from USU with a dual major in Agriculture Communications as well as Journal-ism & Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations.

Cheyenne Th atcher is a sophomore at Southern Utah University. She was raised on the family farm in Axtell, Sanpete County and attended many livestock auctions while growing up. She was active in FFA during high school and she currently serves as the historian of the SUU Ag Club. Cheyenne is pursuing a degree in Ag Business. She is also on the track team at SUU and competes as a heptathlete.

Let’s wish these contestants the best of luck as they go to represent our state on the national level. For more information about how to become involved with either the USU or SUU Farm Bureau Collegiate Chapter, you can con-tact David Bailey at 801-233-3020.

Spring Break Comes Early for

Two CollegeStudents

BY DAVID BAILEY, VICE PRESIDENT –ORGANIZATION,

UTAH FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

16

THE MAGIC OFChristmas Traditions

Th is time every year, the smell of fresh pine takes me back to the quiet beauty of my home state of Montana. Our family would get dressed in our warmest gear and head up Bridger Canyon in search of the perfect Christmas tree. We would stop the old red truck on the side of the road and hike through the snow for what seemed like miles to cut a fresh tree that we could enjoy all season long. My father was the measuring stick. He would stand next to the trees and if they were about his height they could be considered. My sister and I chose the tree and Dad would cut it down. We would all help drag the tree back to the road, and load it up. Our cheeks and noses were red and our feet and hands were cold as we climbed back into the truck for the ride home. It wasn’t long until we were home, putting up the Christmas tree and helping Mom make Christmas shaped Spritz butter cookies. It was a simple fam-ily tradition, but it has built cherished childhood memories for me. Creating family traditions no matter how simple create lasting benefi ts. Traditions give family members an identity, or a sense of belonging. Th ey create a sense of security--family tradi-tions are something you can count on. Family traditions foster unity and also have the power to connect us with the culture of our heritage. We often think about traditions in terms of the holidays, but when you think about it we have

daily family traditions, whether it’s reading a book every night before we tuck in our children, or eating dinner together and talking about the best thing that happened to us that day, or even kneeling in family prayer, we are strengthening the power of traditions and the power of family. I’m not sure if traditions are always intentional or if they are just passed down from one generation to the next. I once heard of a mother who would always cut her pot roast in half before she would cook it. Finally one of her children asked her why she cut the roast in two. She didn’t really know, so she called her mother and asked her and she answered that she did it because her mother had always done it that way. She called the grand-mother and asked her why she always cut the pot roast in half to cook it and she said, “Oh, because my pot isn’t big enough.” Some traditions may be passed down to us from generation to generation, but there is wisdom and power in creating--intentionally creating--our own family traditions. In my experience (experience meaning years lived and not brilliant thought) it is helpful to follow some guidelines when creating family traditions.

First, make it simple so it’s easy to continue to do--remember that tradition means repeated regularly. When I was a teenager, my mother would come into my room every night and sit at the end of my

bed and ask me about my day. I would tell her all about what had happened and how I was feeling and she would just sit and listen. I realized how much that simple daily act meant to me when I went away to college and missed those nightly talks with my mother. Second, make traditions inexpensive so the thought of the tradition doesn’t give you anxiety about the money spent. My mother-in-law had a game night at home with her two sons while my father-in-law took his girls to the Nutcracker Ballet--well it ended up being only his oldest daughter, the youngest daughter, more of the tomboy variety, ended the tradition before intermission the fi rst time she saw it. But my point is that the more daughters you have, the more potential it could have to be a fi nancial burden. Th ird, family traditions should involve the whole family. Every member of the family should have a part so that every member of the family can participate. I once read in a magazine about a family who would welcome the weekend each Friday night by making homemade pizza. Every family member participated in preparing the food. After eating the pizza, they would sit down and enjoy a family movie together. Making and decorating sugar cookies at Christmas, or hiking, camping, and gardening dur-ing the summer are great ways to involve the family. Whatever you choose for your family, just be sure that it includes the whole family.

BY SUSAN FURNER, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT,UTAH FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

17

tain members of the media. Ludlum also invited farmers and ranchers to do the best job they can at explaining the care they give their animals and how they are responsible stewards for the animals in their care.

Not to be outdone, the convention featured a reward presentation for four individuals who provided information that led to the arrest and conviction of four individuals responsible for the shooting death of three cattle in Tooele County earlier this year. Michael Ostler, along with Chris-topher Ostler, Tanner Ostler, and James Christo-pherson, witnessed the shootings and called law enforcement to assist with the investigation.

“We in the agricultural industry are grateful and want to thank the witnesses for working with law enforcement to solve this crime,” said Leland Ho-gan, president of the Utah Farm Bureau Federa-tion. “Citizen participation is critical to upholding our society of laws and serves as a deterrent for criminal activity.”

Th e Utah Farm Bureau joined with the Tooele County Farm Bureau, Humane Society of Utah, Utah Farmers Union, the Tooele County Commis-sion and rancher Richard Anderson in presenting a $4,000 reward, which was to be split amongst the four individuals.

Th ank you to all Farm Bureau members that made the sacrifi ce to attend the convention, and we look forward to seeing many more at the convention next year in Davis County.

Lastly, true dedicated time should be one of the most important elements of building any family tradition. With all the technology that is avail-able to us today, it is easy to get distracted or to fragment even our family time. Th ere needs to be true dedicated family time where no outside distractions like cell phones, or iPods, separate us from our families. My daughters and I were eating lunch in a restaurant recently and we observed a middle-aged couple who were seated near our table. Th e husband was on his cell phone on a business call when they were seated, he was on the phone during the wait time for the meal, during the meal, and was still on his cell phone when they got up to pay the check. My daughters commented on how sad it was that he had totally missed having lunch with his wife. She looked so alone. I once received some very good advice, “Wherever you are BE there.”

Traditions have a wonderful way of connecting you to the past and to your ancestors. Each year at Christmas, our family makes Scottish shortbread to honor our Scottish grandpar-ents who immigrated to this country. From Christmas decorations handed down through the years, to when we open the presents at Christmas and even the foods we prepare each of these traditions has its roots in those who have come before us. Th ere is magic in ordinary things, repeated over time. Th e magic of family traditions binds us together in unity, gives us a sense of belong-ing and security, ties us to our ancestors, and creates cherished childhood memories. Th at seems like a great protection for families living in an uncertain world. May you have a Merry Christmas and experience the magic of family traditions throughout the coming years.

Celebrating its 94th annual convention, farmers and ranchers throughout the state gathered at the Davis Conference Center in Layton to talk about issues confronting agriculture in Utah, including the sluggish economy, high fuel prices and input costs, and to look for ways and ideas Farm Bureau members can use to secure a better tomorrow.

Utah Farm Bureau President Leland Hogan greet-ed convention goers with an optimistic attitude about the challenges faced today and encouraged Farm Bureau members to stick to proven prin-ciples that will ensure agriculture’s success in the future. Chief Executive Offi cer Randy Parker also con-gratulated Farm Bureau members on their many achievements throughout the year, including an all-time membership high of nearly 30,000 mem-bers. He also showed a video presentation com-mending volunteer members and staff on the many awards and recognitions earned throughout the year and the Farm Bureau’s success at the state legislature.

Th e honorable Ted Stevens, justice from Utah’s federal district court, inspired Farm Bureau mem-bers regarding the importance the constitution and the miraculous events that took place sur-rounding that make it unique in the world. Ste-vens, and his brother Chris, are the co-authors of the book Seven Miracles that Saved America. Ste-vens previously served as former chief of staff for Utah Governor Michael Leavitt and for Congress-man Jim Hansen.

Stevens outlined a few of the seven miracles talked about in his book, including the miraculous cre-ation of the United State Constitution and Abra-ham Lincoln’s desperate prayer that turned the tide of the Civil War at Gettysburg.

“No man is perfect,” the authors wrote. “And nei-ther is any nation. Yet, despite our weakness, we are still, as Abraham Lincoln said, the best nation ever given to man. Despite our faults, this nation is still the last, best hope of earth.”

Conference goers also heard the issues surround-ing the recently-passed health care law and its im-pact on Utah from John Swallow, Chief Deputy for Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff . Th e issue is of current concern as Utah as joined in a lawsuit with other states, claiming the new law is unconstitutional.

Th e 2010 Leopold Conservation Award was also presented by the Sand County Foundation, in partnership with the Utah Farm Bureau, Utah Cattlemen’s Association, and Western AgCredit. Utah Lieutenant Governor Greg Bell made the presentation of the award to the Tanner family and their Della Ranches in northwestern Box Elder County. Th e award recognizes the conservation ef-forts of private landowners in Utah.

American Farm Bureau Director of Congressional Relations Kelli Ludlum captivated guests with her frank explanation of the challenges facing ranch-ers and others in animal agriculture because of at-tacks from extreme animal rights groups and cer-

CONVENTION WRAP-UP:

Annual Convention Provides Farm BureauMembers with Optimism for the Future

17

18

Approximately 96 percent of the County Commis-sioners in the United States of America are ordinary local citizens who desire to provide their talents to better the custom, culture, economy and envi-ronment of their local area. Th ey have not been schooled or trained to handle the increasingly com-plex and stressful legal decisions that County Com-missioners have to make.

However, few County Commissioners understand that because they are the elected persons closest to the citizens of their county, the United States Constitution empowers them to use laws to pro-tect their citizens from illegal actions of Federal and State agencies.

A county ordinance is the best legal action, when requested by citizens of that county, to ensure com-pliance by federal and state agencies. A County Commissioner’s written request, sent by certifi ed mail, to federal and state agencies is a quick method of legally bringing the two groups together. Th e best method for improving the legal status and pro-viding the best protection for citizens of a county for issues of concern is for each county’s citizens to ask their County Commissioners to adopt a county ordinance about that issue.

County citizens, County Commissioners, County Sheriff s and federal agencies are all required to adhere to protections enshrined in the United States Constitution and the Constitution of their own state. Th is is refl ected in a Wyoming District Court’s decision. Th e District Court ruled in favor of the Sheriff s of Wyoming, stating that Wyoming

is a sovereign state and the duly elected Sheriff of a county is the highest law enforcement offi cial within a county and has law enforcement powers exceeding that of any state or federal offi cial. Th e Wyoming court case revealed that the law and the Constitution protect the people if used properly.

Federal and state agencies are required to adhere to their laws regarding issues that eff ect local county citizens. After county citizens empower their County Commissioners, both citizens and County Commissioners are required to adhere to the laws, which govern them. When both sides abide by the law, correct decisions can be made. Th e law also allows a county to contest, in the local Superior Court, any unfair or detrimental action by Federal or State agencies.

It becomes very obvious that the County Commis-sioners, with the help of ordinary citizens, must exercise the law and make the decisions for their county. Th e power of the local citizenry, combined with local government, results in proper manage-ment of agriculture, environmental and other issues related to local economies.

Th e United States Constitution guarantees the rights of the citizens to participate in federal deci-sion making processes governing their lives. One of statutes relating to this right of participation is the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Th is act allows local government participation when environmental impact statements (EIS’s) are writ-ten. Under NEPA there are fi ve conditions that the federal government must consider in making deci-sions. Th ese points include:

• Th e eff ects of the federal action on the local cus-toms and culture. Th is means local government de-fi ning your local custom and culture so the federal or state agency doesn’t do it for you.

• Th e eff ect on the physical environment. What takes place with the farming, cattle, the use of the best management practices (including dust, pesti-cides, and fertilizers).

• Th e economy must be described and the eff ect on the tax base to the local government.

• Provide local solutions and alternatives to the federal proposals.

• Mitigation must be considered.

Th ere are numerous ways in which a local govern-ment can participate with the federal agencies in deciding the fi ve points listed. For example, a local government can be a joint lead or cooperating agen-cy, entitling the local government to local hearings, joint environmental research studies and joint deci-sion making. Th e local government can defi ne its own customs and cultures physical environmental and tax base so the federal agency does not do that. Th e local government should also off er alternatives and mitigation to the federal agency. Th e Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management regula-tions also require local county involvement.

Th e law is on our side. County governments have the regulatory and legislative authority allowing them to protect the stability of local economies and their customs and cultures. It is up to us to get involved and ensure our County governments are active, strong, and on good footing.

BY STERLING C. BROWN,VICE PRESIDENT—PUBLIC POLICY,UTAH FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

The Power ofCountyGovernments

20

Do you have room in your pantry for

$500 worth of free groceries?Help celebrate Food Checkout Week! Enter the Food Check-out Week contest and you could be the winner of food worth $500!

Food Checkout Week occurs every year in February when the average American family has earned enough income to pay for their food for the year. By comparison, it takes until April to earn enough money to pay your taxes.

Answer the fi ve questions listed below, submit your entry by mail to 9865 South State Street, Sandy, Utah 84070, Attn: Aurline Boyack, or e-mail your entry to aboyack@fbfs.com. All entries with fi ve correct answers will be placed in a drawing for 1(one) 5 (fi ve) minute grocery shopping spree (worth a maximum of $500). Contest deadline: Entries must be postmarked or emailed by February 10, 2011.

Please print clearly: Name: Address: City: Zip code: Email Address:

Circle correct answer: 1. Consumers pay what percent of their annual disposable income on food? (a) 22% (b) 10% (c) 37%.2. How many people does one farmer feed? (a) 129 (b) 83 (c) 1553. In which county is food the safest, most aff ordable and abundant? (a) Australia (b) United States (c) Canada4. On average, how much of every food dollar goes to the farmer or rancher? (a) $. 32 (b) $ .81 (c) $ .195. What is the only industry we need to survive? (a) manufacturing (b) agriculture (c) mining

Answers based on information in the 2009 Farm Facts Book published by the American Farm Bureau Federation. Resources include www.fb .org & utfb .fb .org/publications/February 2010

Contest Rules:Only food items qualify. Winning contestant will have fi ve minutes to fi ll up as many grocery carts with food as possible. Items will then be totaled until carts are empty or the $500 maximum is reached. Total may be under $500 but not over. Contestants must be Utah residents over 21 years of age. One entry per household is eligible. Entry must contain name, complete mailing address, phone number and e-mail address. Winning contestant must be willing to participate in the fi ve minute grocery shop-ping spree during the week of February 22 – 26, 2011. Only the winner may shop. Winner must be willing to be photographed during shopping spree. All written publicity about the event and pictures taken during the shopping spree will remain the property of Utah Farm Bureau. Employees of Utah Farm Bureau, Farm Bureau Financial Services, or FBFS agents and immediate family members of either company are ineligible to enter. Contest sponsored by Utah Farm Bureau Women.

21

LOGAN, Utah – Th e eighth annual Diversifi ed Agriculture Conference will be held Feb. 21-23 in Richfi eld at the Sevier County Fairgrounds, 400 East 200 South. Th e conference is designed to benefi t agricultural producers who would like additional tools to help manage their businesses. It focuses on more than traditional agriculture, including production opportunities, marketing, new and expanding businesses and regulatory and legal issues.

Keynote speaker is Lt. Gov. Greg Bell, and a variety of professionals and produc-ers will present on current agricultural topics including business plans, assessing low water use crops, tools to analyze business expansion and family issues includ-ing estate transfers. Th ere will also be tours of the local area.

“Th ere is a lot of focus on new and expanding businesses this year,” said Ruby Ward, conference organizer and USU Cooperative Extension agribusiness spe-cialist. “Th is will be a great opportunity for producers to examine their opera-tions, gain ideas and interact with others.”

Ward said the conference will feature something for everyone. Students from area high schools are invited to attend to learn about a future in agriculture. Special student registration is available by contacting Ward.

Th e conference is the result of many groups working together including USU Ex-tension, Utah Farm Bureau and Six County Association of Governments. Grant funding from the USDA-Risk Management Agency and other partners helps keep registration costs low.

Conference registration cost is $40 before Feb. 7 and $60 after and includes workshops, breaks and meals. For further information and a complete list of sponsors and partners, visit www.diverseag.org or contact Ward at ruby.ward@usu.edu or 435-797-2323.

USU Extension co-sponsorsDiversifi ed Ag conference Feb. 21-23

Utah Farm Bureau and USU Extension are co-sponsoring the Utah Hay & For-age Symposium scheduled for January 27-28, 2011, at the St. George Holiday Inn Resort. Th e two-day seminar begins Th ursday with registration at 12:00 p.m. and the symposium starting at 1 p.m. Th e conference will conclude at 12:00 p.m. Friday, January 28.

Featured speakers include Steve Orloff - University of California –Davis Exten-sion, Rick Zollinger- North Dakota State University, Glen Shewmaker- Uni-versity of Idaho, Dillon Feuz- Utah State University, and other USU Extension professionals.

Topics will include pests (insect, disease, and weed) management, fertility, ir-rigation, harvest management, forage quality and testing, fertilizer costs and ap-plication rates, current and emerging alfalfa variety traits, economic forecasting and market strategies. New this year, the conference will also dive into rotation alternatives, including corn. Th ere will also be a pre-conference workshop limited to 60 people on January 27, from 8am -11am, covering subjects such as fertility, disease, soil-sampling, stem nematodes, pesticides, and weed-identifi cation & control and more. Th e cost for the pre-conference workshop is $25 and is limited to the fi rst 60 registrants. Registration including a pool-side breakfast on Friday morning, January 27 will be $55.00 if paid before January 14. After January 14, registration will be $65.00. Rooms are available for $88. Make your own reservations by calling 800-457-9800 or 435-628-4235 before January 14. To secure the $88 rate mention ‘Farm Bureau Hay Symposium’ when you call. To see the hotel property visit http://www.histgeorgeutah.com

For more information, please contact Spencer Gibbons, Utah Farm Bureau Northern Regional Manager, at 435-770-4590 or skg@xmission.com or Tiffi ny Monson at 801-233-3011 or tiffi ny.monson@fbfs.com.

Biennial Hay & Forage Symposium in St. George Jan. 27-28

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Special Service Award

Th is year, in lieu of the Distinguished Service Award, the Utah Farm Bureau presented a Special Service Award in honor of Kim Frei, who passed away sud-denly this past year. Kim served as Vice President and Chief Financial Offi cer steering the Farm Bu-reau’s fi nancial ship for more than 27 years. We all miss Kim since his untimely passing this past May.

Kim fulfi lled his responsibilities in a professional and friendly manner. His steady hand could be counted on as a counselor, fi nancial wizard and friend. His old school attention to detail was legendary. He was always friendly and appropriate in his actions with fellow employees, Farm Bureau members and busi-ness associates. You could always count on Kim be-ing rock solid in his leadership and professionalism. Kim’s detailed fi nancial binders and account ledgers are also legendary. Kim was a native of Santa Clara, in Washington County. Early on he learned the value of hard work on the Frei family ranch. His work ethic and “can do” attitude assured success in the classroom, as an athlete and in his professional career. After gradua-tion from Dixie High School, Kim earned a Bach-elor’s Degree in Accounting from Southern Utah University and a Masters in Accounting Degree from Utah State University. Kim enjoyed sports, especially baseball and spend-ing time with his children and grandchildren. He especially enjoyed sporting events, dance recitals, plays and art shows when his children or grandchil-dren were involved. Kim left behind four daugh-ters, grandchildren, family, friends and colleagues and of course is beloved dog Sawyer.

A donation of $500 will be made in the name of Kim Frei to the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. Kim left a remarkable legacy he and his family can be proud of.

It is with great honor that we pay tribute to Kim Frei for his years of selfl ess service to the Utah Farm Bureau, the agriculture industry, family, church and community, and present this Special Service Award.

Friend of Agriculture Award

Representative Kerry Gibson has made a signifi cant contribution to the agriculture industry throughout a distinguished industry and public service career. Kerry provided vision and leadership during three terms in the Utah House of Representatives. His common sense approach and advocacy on behalf of Utah farmers and ranchers has been critical in fram-ing debate and fi nding solutions.

Kerry Gibson has served with distinction, giving other legislators important perspective on agri-culture, energy, climate, water rights and private property issues. Kerry has a profound belief in the American Free Enterprise System and the right to hold and develop private property.

A respected legislative leader, Kerry was instrumen-tal in bringing the interests of Utah’s farmers and ranchers together into balance with the diverse land use, wildlife and the water development interests. Kerry comes from a family with deep roots in Utah’s agriculture industry. He is part of a family dairy operation in Weber County. With his agriculture background, Kerry understands the value of hard work and the value of a dollar.

Kerry’s roots in Farm Bureau run deep as well. He and his family are proud to be part of the grassroots leadership in the Weber County Farm Bureau. Th ey are actively involved in making their county and state organization a stronger voice for agriculture.

Kerry is an alumni of Utah State University where he earned his Dairy Herdsman Degree. He served as Chairman of the Utah Young Farmers & Ranch-ers Committee, served on and chaired the Ameri-can Farm Bureau YF&R Committee and in 2001 was named America’s “Top Young Farmer” by the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Utah Farm Bureau is proud to present our 2010 “Friend of Agriculture” Award to Kerry W. Gibson for dedicated leadership and service to agriculture in the Utah Legislature. We wish him luck in his new area of service as Weber County Commissioner.

Friend of Agriculture Award

During a long and illustrious professional legal ca-reer and many years in public service, Representa-tive McIff has provided vision, leadership and dedi-cation to the citizens of Utah.

A native of Sanpete County, McIff graduated from Manti High School, attended Snow College and earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and economics from Utah State University. He later earned a Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Utah Law School.

A long-time supporter of education, McIff served on the Utah State Board of Regents, Chaired the Board of Trustees of Southern Utah University and helped establish the Snow College – Richfi eld cam-pus. In 1996, McIff received an Honorary Doctor-ate of Humane Letters from Snow College.

Prior to his election to the Utah House of Represen-tatives, he served as Presiding Judge in Utah’s Sixth District Court which covers Sanpete, Sevier, Wayne, Piute, Garfi eld and Kane Counties. During eleven years in the Utah Judiciary, McIff distinguished himself as Chair of the Board of Utah’s District Court Judges and as a member of the Judicial Coun-cil, the governing body of Utah’s Judicial Branch.

Recently elected to a third term in the Utah House of Representatives, McIff has quickly earned the re-spect of his peers on issues related to education and law. McIff ’s understanding of Constitutional principles and commitment to protecting private property rights became the signature issue of the 2010 Leg-islative Session. As a student and champion of the Constitution and recognizing the unalienable right to hold private property, Judge McIff authored HB 141 “Recreational Use of Public Water on Private Property” ultimately returning property rights on Utah stream beds.

Utah Farm Bureau is proud to recognize Represen-tative Kay McIff with our “Friend of Agriculture” Award and off er our thanks for being a champion of the Constitution and private property.

Utah Farm Bureau Annual Convention Wrap-Up

23

YF&R Excellence in Agriculture

Jason & Melinda Goble were the winners of the Utah Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher ‘Ex-cellence in Agriculture’ award. Th e Excellence in Agriculture award is a competition that was initiated a number of years ago to recognize young farmers and ranchers involved in agriculture, but who don’t necessarily derive a majority of their income from an owned production agriculture operation.

Jason is an FFA Advisor and teaches ag courses at North Sevier High School in Salina. Melinda is a stay-at-home mom, who also sells children’s books online, specializing in agriculture books.

Th e Goble family, representing the Sevier County Farm Bureau, competed with 10 other contestants for the award. Jason & Melinda received a plaque, a $500 check from the Dodge Truck Division, a 2010 Polaris Trailboss ATV, and an expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) an-nual meeting in Atlanta, Georgia.

Th e Gobles will compete at the AFBF annual con-vention in January. National winners of the Excel-lence in Agriculture award receive a new Dodge truck, sponsored by the Dodge Truck Division.

2010 Leopold Conservation Award in Utah presented to Della Ranches

Sand County Foundation, the Utah Farm Bureau Federation, the Utah Cattlemen’s Association, and Western AgCredit were pleased to present the 2010 Leopold Conservation Award to the Tanner family and their Della Ranches in Box Elder County.

“Th e Tanner family’s concern for the health of the natural resources on their land is truly exemplary,” said Dr. Brent Haglund, Sand County Foundation President. “Perhaps more importantly, they are dedi-cated to sharing their land management approach within and beyond the agricultural community, as passing their land ethic on to future generations.”

Th e Leopold Conservation Award, named in honor of world-renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, is comprised of $10,000 and a Leopold crystal. Th e award is presented annually in seven states to private landowners who practice responsible land steward-ship and management.

“We are very excited to present this award on behalf of the farmers and ranchers of Utah,” Leland Hogan said. “Th is award, however, is great for all of Utah because the recognition and funding helps to pre-serve and enhance our open space. Utah’s farmers and ranchers have a long history of land preserva-tion and a deep commitment to preserving Utah’s natural resources. As stewards of the land we want to ensure that history continues well into the future.”

Th e 2010 fi nalists, listed alphabetically, included:• Della Ranches, Tanner Family, Box Elder County• Dennis Stowell, Iron County• Heaton Ranch, Karl & Raymond Heaton, Kane County• Red Pine Land and Livestock, Osguthorpe Family, Summit County

Th e Tanner family was presented the Leopold Con-servation Award Nov. 18 at the Utah Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Layton.

YF&R Achievement Award

Meagher & Tiff any McConkie of Duchesne Coun-ty won the Utah Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement award. Th e McConkies were presented a plaque in recognition of their achieve-ments in farm management and leadership.

Th ey also received a $500 check from the Dodge Truck Division and a trip to the American Farm Bu-reau (AFBF) annual convention in Atlanta, Georgia. To top it off , they received a 2010 Polaris Ranger ATV and like the other contestants, a one-year in-surance policy from Farm Bureau Financial Services and an ATV helmet from the Farm Bureau Safety Division.

Th e McConkies, representing the Duchesne County Farm Bureau, ranch cattle and raise forage in Duch-esne, Utah. Th ey will travel to Atlanta in January to compete with other young farmers and ranchers for the 2011 Dodge truck.

YF&R Discussion Meet

Cassie Lyman was the winner of the Young Farmer and Rancher Discussion Meet. After qualifying in preliminary rounds, Lyman, from Escalante, Gar-fi eld County, competed with three other contestants in the fi nal round. Lyman received a plaque, a $500 check from the Dodge truck division, insurance policy & helmet and a 2010 Polaris Trailboss ATV.

Lyman will also be on the trip to Atlanta to compete in the American Farm Bureau Discussion Meet, for another shot at a 2011 Dodge truck.

join usfor the 8th annual

Registration coming soon

or call Ruby Ward at

(435) 797-2323

SAVE THE DATE

Utah State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution.

MON.-WED., FEBRUARY 21-23, 2011, RICHFIELD, UTAH$40 before February 7th. $60 after the 7th

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It is not uncommon for me, as a windy storyteller, to be asked, “Is that really true?”

“Well, of course,” I begin, “it’s true…I think.” Mark Twain had a quote that seems to fi t some of us elaborators. He said, “I have reached the age that the things I remember most clearly…never even happened! Bud’s dad was a good horseman and he taught his boys to be good horsemen, as well. Th e boys rodeoed. As time went by they made their own lives but came back to Montana often to visit the folks. On one visit Bud and Dad went out to look at the horses. “Did I tell you about that paint horse I got from Buster Walls?”

“I don’t think so, Dad,” said Bud, “Does it have any-thing to do with your limpin’?”“Yeah. It was the strangest thing. I had just made a little circle through the pasture and was comin’ round that gate by the creek and danged if I didn’t just slip off ! Lit on my butt. Left a big ol’ bruise. I couldn’t believe it. Maybe I’m gettin’ old.” On Bud’s next trip home he and his dad were settin’ on the porch waitin’ for supper and Dad said, “Did I tell you about that paint horse I got from that dadgum Buster Walls?”

“No, I guess not,” said Bud, humoring his Pop.

“Well, I was trainin’ on him. I had him wore down and was bringin’ him back to the corral when we swung through that gate down by the creek when a pheasant spooked him and that spotted sucker pitched a fi t! I wasn’t expectin’ it, of course, but, I mean, he throwed me into the post! Th ank goodness I was wearin’ my hat or I’da been hurt a lot worse!” Bud came home for Christmas and he and Dad found themselves mid-morning having coff ee in the living room by the tree. “Did I tell you about that rank paint horse that Buster Walls fausted off on me?” asked Dad.

“No,” said Bud, feigning interest, “what happened?”

“I’d only had him a couple weeks but we were getting’ acquainted. I rode him out to check the well and when we were comin’ back, right down there by the creek where the gate is, KERZOWIE! Th at spotted snide bogged his head and blowed up! I mean it was Casey Tibbs all over! I hung in there but I got sideways and he pitched me into the board pile! I mean splinters went everywhere! Lucky all I hurt was my ribs. Yeah. And you know I can still ride’m, but he got me that day.”

Bud was back for the branding in April. Dad drove him out to see the cows.

“What’s new?” asked Bud.

“Did I tell you about that man-killing’ bronc, that paint horse Buster Walls stuck me with?”

“You mean…”

“Yeah, nearly broke my hip, I had took him out to the ju-nipers, gave him a good work out and we were comin’ in but when we hit the creek by the gate KERZOWIE! He came unglued! I mean he stuck his nose in the dirt and went to buckin’! Well, I laid into him, you know I can, but he bucked across the creek like he was auditioning for the Finals! Th en he wiped me off on the gate post, left me in the mud. I’ll tell ya, Son, he’s one crooked booger.”

Dad sat back with a sigh and took a sip of coff ee.

“Well, one thing for certain,” said Bud to his dad, “you keep tellin’ that story and one of these days you’re gonna get him rode!”

ON THE EDGEO F C O M M O N S E N S EBY BAXTER BLACK, DVM

LESSONS FROM BUD’S DAD

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27

HOLIDAYS:STAY MERRY AT HOME

BY A.J. FERGUSON, VICE PRESIDENT – FARM SAFETY, UTAH FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

Almost everyone enjoys being home during the holidays with family, friends and loved ones. But statistics show that your home can be one of the most dangerous places you encounter during the holidays. In the month of December, most people spend a little more time at home and outdoors enjoying the snow. Being conscientious of possible holiday dangers can ensure you and your home are truly safe and as secure as you need it to be. Being attentive while outdoors will also ensure the time spent won’t lead to time indoors recovering.

SleddingSledding is a lot of fun and people of all ages are able to participate. Yet, sledding can lead to injuries such as skull fractures, facial lacera-tions or lower body injuries. Th e Consumer Product Safety Commis-sion estimates the average number of sledding and snow disc injuries from 2003 to 2007 is 33,064 per year. Talk to children and teach them how to check for hazards.

Sledding and snow disc quick tips:• Keep equipment in good repair.• Check for broken parts, sharp edges, cracks and splits.• Dress appropriately for sledding and weather conditions.• Check slopes for bare spots, holes or other obstructions that might cause injuries. • Make sure that sledding path doesn’t cross traffi c and is free of fences, logs, rocks and telephone poles or trees. • Avoid excessively steep slopes.• Avoid sledding on or around frozen ponds, lakes or streams.• Proper position is important for sledding, sit or lay with your back on top of sled, feet pointing downhill.

ShovelingShoveling snow can be a good exercise; however, don’t shovel more than you can physically handle.

Shoveling quick tips:• If you or family members have a history of heart problems, be sure to consult your doctor fi rst.

• Take it slow. Shoveling, like weight lifting, can raise heart rate and blood pressure. Pace yourself.• Pushing snow as you shovel is easier on your back than lifting snow.• Don’t over load the shovel.• Always lift with your legs bent. Don’t lift with the back. • Keep the back straight. • If you run out of breath, take a break.• If you feel tightness in your chest, stop immediately.• Dress warmly.

LightingChristmas decorations, including lighting the house and trees, are fun traditions. Stay safe by following these tips.

Christmas lighting quick tips:• Never overload sockets.• Avoid the use of extension leads or adaptors. • Always check for broken or damaged lights and loose wires. Replace with proper replacements.• Switch Christmas lights off and unplug them before going to bed or leaving home.• Replace bulbs with same type and rating as those originally supplied with lights.• Replace failed bulbs immediately to prevent overheating.

Quick tips for using ladders:• Always use a proper step stool or ladder to reach high places for decorations.• Don’t stand on chairs or other furniture to reach high places.• When climbing on a ladder always face the ladder and grip the rungs to climb.• Always keep three points of contact on the ladder.• Keep hips between the side rails and don’t lean too far or overreach. • Reposition ladder to be close to work area.

29

We seldom hear holidays and conservation in the same breath! As energy costs rise and concerns about the environment increase, it can be helpful for each of us to look at the “footprint” we leave behind. Th e winter months increase utility consumption with lower temperatures, shorter days—and the holidays! Everyone participating in small changes can have signifi cant results. If every household in the U.S. replaced just one 100-watt incandescent bulb with an energy effi cient bulb, the annual greenhouse gasses eliminated would be equivalent to the emissions from 1.5 million cars. Reuse and RecycleConserve resources—fi nancial and environmental by reusing resources.

• Turn old holiday gift wrap into gift cards or colorful paper chains.

• Get creative on gift wrap. Use old calendars, wallpaper, magazines, catalogs or newspaper—the comics are particularly fun and colorful.

• Make it pretty and useful! Select a reusable bag or tote as part of the gift. Make the wrapping functional—use a dishtowel, napkin or place mat.

• Recycle gifts from items you already have. Some examples are: scrapbook pages from recycled homemade paper, camp quilts from old jeans, or a reusable crocheted tote from plastic grocery bags.

• Buy recycled gift wrap, reuse gift bags and recycle paper and cardboard packaging.

• Recycle brown paper grocery bags to mail packages.

• Reuse paper shreds or make your own. Running used gift-wrap through a paper shredder can produce colorful, inexpensive fi ller for gifts. Reduce EnergyHoliday lighting can increase electrical energy signifi cantly. Th e following guidelines can help when making holiday lighting decisions:

• Larger bulbs (labeled C-7 and C-9) use 5 to 7 watts per bulb.

• Strings of 25 large outdoor bulbs can cost two to three times as much in electricity as 100 miniature lights.

• When replacing indoor and outdoor lighting, select energy effi ciency lights. New Light Emitting Diode (LED) string lights use only a fraction of the energy required by standard mini-lights. Th ese new lights are more expensive but last up to 100,000 hours or 20 years. Th ese lights produce very little heat and eliminate much of the fi re hazard of other holiday lights.

• Limit the time used by placing lights on a timer to turn on and off at regular intervals. Limit holiday lights to 6 hours per day. Leaving lights on 24 hours a day increases power consumption and creates four times the pollution.

• Turn lights off when going to bed or leaving home for the evening.

• Keep trees, gift boxes, paper and other fl ammable materials away from light bulbs, heaters and other heat sources.

**Plug lights in before leaving the store. Many of the LED lights are not as bright as the traditional holiday lights. Buying lights you do not like and will not use do not make a good choice for budgets or the environment. A compromise might be buying minis instead of C-7 or C-9 lights. Spend SmartStart by simplifying your life. Remember what the holidays are really about! Start by re-checking your gift and holiday card lists. Eliminate where possible.

• Return gifts that are the wrong size, color or style. Many closets are fi lled with items that are never worn!

• Re-gift. Have a re-gifting party! Friends or family can bring gifts they have never liked and trade for something they like or would fi t someone on their gift list!

• Buying or upgrading electronic equipment or phones—recycle or dispose of the old in an environmentally-friendly way.

• When buying appliances or electronic gifts, buy Energy Star rated for the most effi ciency. Energy Star rated appliances can cut bills by 30 percent compared with those that are not.

• Consider sending e-cards or email the family holiday letter.

• Give yourself a holiday gift—staying within your holiday budget will make the New Year bright!

BY JOANNE ROUECHE, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR FOR FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES,USU EXTENSION – DAVIS COUNTY

‘Tis the Season to be Green M

oney

Mat

ters

:

29

FRIENDS & SUPPORTERSOF UTAH FARM BUREAU

Davis Area CVBUtah Labor Commission

Energy SolutionsRedmond MineralsFarm Bureau Financial Services

Special Th anks to our Door Prize Donors& Trade Show Exhibitors

AltriaMoroni Feed CompanyUtah Rural Electric Co-Op

Burns Saddlery Inc.Greenline EquipmentJW Hat CompanyUtah’s Own

AlphaGraphics in West JordanBrigham ImplementCanyons Ski ResortDeer Velley Ski ResortHarward IrrigationPark City Mountain ResortSutherland InstituteUtah Cattlemen’s AssociationUtah Tart Cherry Marketing BoardCounty Connect

Western AgCreditUtah Polaris Dealers

IFASalina Marketing Service Inc.

Chrysler Group, LLCUtah Dairy CouncilZions Bank Ag Group

Circle 4 FarmsGossner FoodsLes Schwab Tire CompanyWALCO International

Ag Equipment Inc.Beehive Cheese CompanyChoice HotelsGrainger Industial SupplyHilton Garden InnSteve ReganUtah JazzUtah SeedUtah Apple Marketing Board

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IMPORTANT NOTICE1. Non-commercial ads for Utah Farm Bureau members selling items they grow or make themselves, or used machinery, household items, etc., they themselves have used in the past. Each member family is entitled to one such ad free in each three-month period. Ads can be up to 40 words or numbers such as phone number or Zip. Words such as “For Sale” are included, initials and numbers count as a word. All words over 40 cost 25 cents each. Ads over 40 words not accompanied by the extra payment, or not meeting the above requirements, will be returned to the sender. Family memberships cannot be combined to create larger ads, nor can a membership be used for free classifi ed ad purposes by anyone other than immediate family members. Ads run for three months.

2. Commercial ads for Utah Farm Bureau members where the member is acting as an agent or dealer (real estate, machinery, handicraft items made by people outside the member family, etc.) cost 25 cents per word. Payment MUST accompany such ads or they will be returned to the sender. Members are entitled to one such ad. Ads run for one month.

3. Ads for non-Utah Farm Bureau members cost 50 cents per word. Payment MUST accompany such ads or they will be returned to the sender. Ads run for one month.In all ads, short lines requested by the advertiser, extra lines of white space, and lines with words in all caps count as 6 words per line. Ads with borders and bold headlines may be submitted and placed within the classifi ed section, but will be charged the display advertising rate. Please contact the classifi ed advertising department for further information. No insurance ads will be accepted.

***DEADLINE: ALL ADS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE 15TH OF THE MONTH IN ORDER TO APPEAR IN THE NEXT ISSUE. EXCEPT FOR THE JANUARY ISSUE, WHICH HAS A CLASSIFIED DEADLINE OF DEC. 5.

Only free ads (Category 1 ads of 40 words or less) will be accepted by telephone at 801-233-3010, by fax at 801-233-3030 or e-mail at aboyack@fbfs.com. Please include your membership number. Ads must be received no later than the 15th of the month

Mail ads, typed or neatly printed, with any payment due, to Utah Farm Bureau News, Classifi ed Ad Department, 9865 South State Street, Sandy, UT 84070-2305. Free ads must be resubmitted by mail, telephone or fax after running for three months. Ads for which there is a payment due will be run as long as payment is received in advance.

ALL CLASSIFIED ADS will be listed on the Utah Farm Bureau web page unless the Utah Farm Bu-reau member specifi es otherwise when placing the ad. The ads on the web site will run concurrently with the classifi ed ads in the Utah Farm Bureau News.

NOTE: The appearance of any ad in the Utah Farm Bureau News does not constitute an endorsement or approval of the service or merchandise offered. While every effort is made to ensure the legitimacy of services or merchandise advertised, the Utah Farm Bureau News or the Utah Farm Bureau Federa-tion accepts no responsibility or liability for services or products advertised.

AUTOMOTIVEFOR SALE: ’87 Volvo forward cab box truck, 22’ bed. Model FE613, 170 HD diesel engine. LWB 28000. 79,500 miles. 1 ex truck. $7,000. Ray Child, Clinton 801-825-1701.FOR SALE: 2001 Chev, Blazer 4 x 4 white exlt. condition. $4,500. 1995 Ford, Van 4 x 4 white 7 pass. exlt. condition $3,150. 1994 3/4 ton Chev 4 x 4 Ext. Cab, Custom camper shell, truck is in exlt. condi-tion, color blue & silver lots of chrome, $6,495 has 117,000 miles. Call 435-724-8655

FARM EQUIPMENTI BUY, SELL, TRADE AND LOCATE all kinds of farm machinery. Bale wagons, tractors, tillage, planting, harvesting equipment, etc. I have a large inventory at this time. Palmer Equipment is located one mile south of Manti on Highway 89. 435-835-5111 or Cell: 435-340-1111. www.balewagons.com.FOR SALE: KHL Kubota track hoe. Weight -11000 lbs. Call 435-725-3292. CATERPILLER wanted. D2 or D4 in any condition. Call anytime days, 801-269-8040 or nights, 435-658-0628.MAKE OFFER: Titan gas generator, never been used. 1968 Dodge 2 ton 14’ fl at dump bed. 12 angle iron trusses ranging from 13’ to 19’. Call 435-640-4551. FOR SALE: 12’ JD Tandem disk. Good shape. Adjustable gangs. Ram included. $2,100.00 801-940-2260, Jon. FOR SALE: JD 913 3 shank ripper. Used very little, like new condition. $1,800. Goshen, UT 801-667-3289.FOR SALE: Aluminum sprinkler hand-line 3” with risers and rainbirds $1.50/ft. is loaded on trailer (included in price) in fair condition, lots of T’s, end pieces and valves. 2-30 ton galvanized rectangular grain bins on legs unloading hole in bottom, $800 ea. 2-10 ton galvanized rectangular grain bins on legs unloading hole in bottom, $500/ea. 60’ PTO grain auger 6” to fi ll above grain bins, $1,000. Call Calvin 435-864-7043. FOR SALE: 827 PTO Farm Hand Grinder with Hay Grinder attachment with 12’ unloading auger, $1,600. 60 ton galvanized round grain bin on legs with ladder unloading hole in bottom, $1,800. Call Larry 435-864-7879, Oak City, Utah. TWO VINTAGE TRACTORS: 1 – 1939-41 Ford 9N with Ferguson system, runs great, $2,000. 1 – 1953 Allis Chalmers, runs great, $1,500. Call Doug anytime at 801-277-1578.

FEEDFOR SALE: 1000 4x4x8 corn stalk bales. Excellent winter feed for livestock. They make great bedding. The stocks were shredded prior to baling. Delivery available. Call for pricing. Kent @ 435-701-2764 or Kyle @ 435-701-1276. FOR SALE: 3x3x8 straw bales, weed free, barn stored. $14.00 per bale, discount for large quantities. Call 801-940-2260, Jon, Layton. GREAT ALFALFA: small bales, 70 pounds, located in Provo. $130 per ton. Some cheaper hay, oat hay and straw. Earl at 801-420-6633.

LIVESTOCKBULLS FOR SALE: Top quality Polled Hereford bulls. Good selection of coming 2 year olds or long yearlings. Excellent growth, maternal traits, disposition and calving ease. Contact Phil Allen & Son, Antimony. 435-624-3236.

GELBVIEH AND BALANCER BULLS: Many Homozygous Black, Raised in the mountains LBW, High performance Yearlings. Select Now We’ll deliver in the spring. Johnson’s Bear River Ranch, Tremonton Call for catalog 435/257-7084 or 435/279-7669FOR SALE: Bull calves out of Stevenson’s Diamond Dot purebred cows from Montana. Nice set of eleven crossbred heifers to start calving in February 2011. All or part. Call John 801-725-6763 or 801-825-1098.SELLING 79 head of Quality Registered Cattle. 25 Polled Hereford Bulls, 14 Horned Hereford Bulls, 5 Black Angus Bulls, 18 Hereford Heifers, 18 Fancy Black Angus Heifers. Rees Brothers please call Scott Rees 801-645-4350 or visit reescattle.com.FOR SALE: Purebred Columbia Rams. 27+ years of breeding to the best. 2009 herd wool clip 23.3 Micron 60% yield. Come pick your own at the farm. Reed F. Christensen. Moroni, Utah. 435-436-8792.

REAL ESTATEFOR SALE: 300 acre farm near Gunnison, Utah. Excellent soil and water rights, pivots, beauti-ful location. Raises excellent hay and corn. 2 older homes, corrals, shop, dairy barn, bunker silo. Equipment also available. $1,595,000. 435-528-5835.CATTLE FEEDING/DAIRY property, 4.75 acres. Hwy 91, Cove, UT – ½ mile south of Idaho line. 7,000 sq ft. barn, 1,100 sq. ft. milking parlor. 1,400 sq. ft. offi ce/embryo transplant building. 170 animal butterfl y cow nest feed units. $165,000. Owner fi nancing available. 801-712-2624. LOOKING FOR long term summer pasture starting in 2011 for 50 pair. Call Jason at 435-279-0009.FOR SALE: 195 acre certifi ed organic farm in Delta, Utah. 80 acres planted to new alfalfa. 40 planted to wheat. 80 not yet planted. 150 shares Delta Canal Company water. Also 40 acres on paved road. Electricity, phone, culinary water rights available. $600,000. 435-864-3081. Mink Creek Land: $114,900 for 26.9 ac hillside property, along Hwy 36. 300 water shares. Beauti-ful home site. Seller Financing! Land in Clarkston: Price Reduction! Seller Financing! $175,000 for 194.6 Beautiful farm against foothills. Torrey Scenic Land: 175.83 acres with excellent water rights. Land By Oneida Narrows: 400 acres. Borders Maple Grove Campground and boat dock. Heavily wooded. Seller Financing! Can subdivide. Dairy Farm in Cache Valley: 41 acres. Irrigated. Updated home, excellent crops. Double 5 Herringbone parlor. Mt. Sterling Land: 14.94 acres with water shares and water rights. Ranch in Thatcher Idaho: Seller Financing! Cattle ranch. 760 acres. Mountain pasture with 48 BLM AUMS. 72.77 acres irrigated land with new system. Early water right. Fruit Stand in Willard: Along Highway 89. 15’ x 15’ walk-in cooler. Excellent retail opportu-nity. Legacy Ranch Townhomes: $119,900, 3 bdrm, 2 1/2 bath, 1,500 sq ft, garage. Legacy Ranch Homes: In Franklin, Idaho. Equestrian, lakeside and view lots. Homes from $149,900. Contact Brent Parker, @Home Realty, (435)881-1000LAND in Herriman: 9 acres of dry farm land for rent – 801-269-9988.LAND OR? 80 acre alfalfa farm for lease – year to year. Located on Geneva Road in Provo. Flood and sprinkler irrigated. Some barley ground. Earl at 801-420-6633.FOR SALE: In West Corinne: bldg lots and acreage. Water tap available to buy. Prices vary accord-ing to acreage. Call 435-744-2216, 435-279-0817 or 435-279-0675.FOR SALE: 25 acres for sale next to Walmart Distribution Center in West Corinne. Asking $500,000. Call 435-744-2216, 435-279-0817 or 435-279-0675.

MISCELLANEOUSFOR SALE: Bostitch box stapler, Model F94EO, foot operated. $250. Electric container box sta-pler, ex condition, $400. 3 pt Sitrex tractor wood saw, $600. 801-825-1701, Ray Child, Clinton. UTAH VACATION IDEA! Hiking, fi shing, hunting, mountain biking, horse trails, more. Every-thing’s close to the Rosebud Guest House. Near Ashley NF, Strawberry River, Starvation. Fully equipped cabin. Pet-friendly. Corrals. Reservations, more information: 435-548-2630, 1-866-618-7194, walsh.weathers@gmail.com, www.rosebudguesthouse.com.

AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIESCIRCLE FOUR FARMS: If you are looking for a career in a fun, rewarding team environment, Circle Four Farms is the opportunity you’ve been searching for. We’re offering quality full time entry-level animal production positions with training available. Challenge yourself with a company on the grow that offers: Starting wage $10 to $11.50 per hour plus benefi ts – total value $30,420. Medical, Prescription, Dental, and Vision Insurance, Life Insurance plan, Short Term and Long Term Disability, company paid Pension Plan, 401(k) Savings Plan with company match, Gain$hare Plan, Incentive programs, Paid holidays and vacation, Educational reimbursement, Ask us about a relocation package, For more information please call our offi ce: Circle Four Farms, PO Box 100, 341 South Main, Milford UT 84751, (435) 387-2107, Fax (435) 387-2530, www.c4farms.com, Equal Opportunity Employer.

Utah Farm Bureau News

C L A S S I F I E D S

Exclusive Farm Bureau Member Benefi tsAre you using them for all they are worth?

801-233-3010Complete details for all benefi ts

can be found at utfb.fb.orgVisa and Mastercard Accepted

Single Day Adult Passes are $64. Good any day - no blackout periods! Passes are not dated. Purchase ahead for use anytime during the season.

Vouchers for lift tickets are $61. Vouchers may not be redeemed for or applied to discounted lift tickets or multi-day lift tickets. Blackout dates are between 12/26/10 to 1/1/11 & 2/13/11 to 2/15/11.

Passes are $62 each. No blackout periods - ski every day during the season. Passes are not dated. Purchase ahead for use anytime during the season.

Make arrangements for your ski passes by calling Aurline Boyack at 801-233-3010 or by mailing a check for the number you need to Utah Farm Bureau Federation, 9865 South State Street, Sandy, UT 84070. Attn: Aurline Boyack. Be sure to include the name of your preferred resort. Visa or MasterCard accepted. Tickets are non-refundable.

Utah Farm Bureau has partnered with QualSight LASIK to bring you and your family savings of 40% to 50% off the national average price of Traditional LASIK eye surgery.

Th e Utah Farm Bu-reau Federation off ers this program to mem-bers as a cost-savings initiative only and in no way recommends, endorses, or guarantees this or any other elec-tive medical procedure. It is solely the respon-sibility of the member to evaluate and elect to have the procedure performed.

HOW IT WORKS:1. To obtain the preferred pricing, you must call 1-877-507-44482. A QualSight Care Manager explains the program and answers any questions3. Select your preferred provider and set the appointment right over the phone.

To learn more, visit www.QualSight.com/-UTFB