MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 20 1 7

E L E C T R I C C O O P E R A T I V E

2 Welcome BackLegislators 3 Be Part ofSomething Powerful 4 Indulge...in Chocolate

P.O. Box 330 Greenfield, IA 50849

FarmersREC.com | (800) 397-4821

YOUTH OPPORTUNITY

Youth Tour Participant Reflects on ExperienceUpcoming Deadlines Youth Tour Application: Feb. 17

All-expenses-paid trip to

Washington, D.C., available to

high school juniors. To start the

process, submit the application

found at farmersrec.com/content/

youth-tour-1.

Scholarship Application: April 3

Available to high school seniors

enrolled full-time at an accredited

college, university or vocational/

technical school for the 2017-2018

school year. Must have parent/

guardian who is a member of

Farmers Electric Cooperative and

resides within the cooperative’s

service territory. Find application

at farmersrec.com/content/

scholarships-0.

Cleaning your refrigerator's

coils can extend the life of your

appliance and save you money

on costly repairs. Use a coil cleaning brush or

vacuum with hose attachment to clear away

accumulated dust and debris.

or Hank Bohling, a trip to Washington, D.C., in the midst of a contentious presidential race no less, couldn’t have been timelier. It just so happened that Hank turned 18 last summer, and

was paying close attention during the trip in preparation for voting in November.

“This experience opened my eyes more to how government works and my responsibility as a citizen,” Hank said. “Meeting with the senators and representatives was great. Some gave us time and wanted to know our thoughts. It made me realize the importance of communication between us.”

Hank was selected to attend the 2016 Youth Tour as the representative from Farmers Electric Cooperative. Now in its 53rd year, Youth Tour has drawn nearly 50,000 students from rural electric cooperatives across the county to participate in the program. Iowa has the distinction of being the first state, in 1958, to sponsor 34 students on a week-long study tour of our nation’s capital. The idea caught on and in 1964, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) began to coordinate activities to draw students from electric cooperatives nationwide.

During their time in Washington, students learn about the cooperative business model and have plenty of opportunities to tour world class museums, monuments and memorials. Hank

enthusiastically encourages students to apply for the chance to attend Youth Tour.

“The Youth Tour is such an excellent experience! Traveling with youth from my state, meeting other youth leaders from many states around our country and sightseeing was an unforgettable experience of a lifetime,” he said. “We had a hectic schedule, but the early mornings and late nights was all worth it. After all, sleep is overrated!”

High school juniors interested in applying for Youth Tour have until Feb. 17 to turn in the application. For more information, visit www.farmersrec.com/content/youth-tour-1.

F Hank Bohling

Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month

2 | Open Lines | February 2017

WORKING FOR YOU

February 2017 | Open Lines | 3

Be Part of Something Powerful THE BOTTOM LINE:

our cooperative shares a strong commitment to our communities and the members we serve, and sponsoring students for an exciting, educational trip to Washington, D.C., is just one of

the ways we’re investing in our youth. If you’re a high school junior looking for the trip of a lifetime, then I encourage you to apply for the 2017 Youth Tour.

As a member of the Iowa Youth Tour Advisory Committee, I’m helping shape the agenda for the 2017 Youth Tour. Currently, our committee is reviewing last year’s event and determining how we want to make it better. We’ll also be recruiting chaperones, distributing marketing materials to participating co-ops, and seeking sponsorships.

Youth Tour is jam-packed with sightseeing world class monuments, memorials and museums that bring history to life. They'll visit Capitol Hill, to meet with members of Iowa’s congressional

delegation. For those who are up for it, students from Iowa are even invited on a traditional early morning run with Senator Charles Grassley! Many past participants were so inspired by this experience that they later served as interns on the Hill, and many have pursued a career in politics.

The 2017 Rural Electric Youth Tour will take place June 9-15 in Washington, D.C. Initial applications are due to the Farmers office by Feb. 17. Visit our website, www.farmersrec.com, to find out more.

I look forward to following the activities of our future leaders during this year’s Youth Tour and I encourage anyone who might be interested to go ahead and start the process. You never know when you might get the chance again to be part of something so powerful.

Charlie Dunn General Manager

Why Do Co-ops Advertise?

DID YOU KNOW?

Electric cooperatives take

every opportunity to meet with

legislators on both a state and

national level. We do this because

personal interaction helps Farmers

Electric Cooperative develop closer

relationships with our elected

officials and it's the best way to

inform them how important electric

cooperatives are in providing energy

to our homeowners, farmers and

businesses.

Y Farmers Electric Cooperative

advertises to teach and promote

electrical safety and energy

efficiency to meet federal and

state regulations – and to educate

our members and policy-makers

about the Cooperative. Here are a

few other reasons:

Like any other business, we use

paid advertising to communicate

a message to a specific audience.

We use advertising to reach

our members and the public

about important issues, such as

energy efficiency tips that save

consumers electricity and money.

We use advertising to educate

legislators and regulators about

issues that impact the cost of

your electric bill, such as climate

change legislation.

As an electric co-op, we commit

to sponsoring and supporting

programs that enhance the

community and provide services

to our members. Our revolving

loan fund and student scholarship

programs are just two examples.

Advertising helps us develop

name recognition with legislators

and regulators. It is important for

them to know who we are and

what we do when we contact

them to advocate on behalf of

your interests.

Because Farmers benefits from

the combined buying power

of up to 30 different electric

cooperatives, we get a great

return for our advertising dollars.

oli Weston, Director of Member Services and Communications for Farmers Electric

Cooperative, joined more than 150 directors, managers and staff members from Iowa’s electric cooperatives to welcome back Iowa legislators Jan. 10.

The annual event provides an opportunity for electric cooperatives to discuss our 2017 legislative agenda and priorities with state legislators. Other guests of honor included: Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds, Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, Secretary of State Paul Pate, Iowa Utilities Board Member Nick Wagner and Iowa Department of Economic Development Director Debi Durham. The Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives, in conjunction with the Iowa Biotechnology Association, the Iowa Institute for Cooperatives, the Iowa Communications Alliance and the Petroleum marketers and Convenience Stores of Iowa, hosted the annual reception.

“We try to take every opportunity we can to get in front of our state’s leadership and talk to them face-to-face about what’s happening at our co- ops,” said Weston. “And they, in turn, appreciate hearing from us as constituents. Having that connection can make a big difference when it comes time to vote.”

Important issues for the rural electric cooperatives this session include:

l line personnel safety;

l state programs that complement federal rural economic development programs;

l geothermal property tax exemption;

• Duane Arnold Energy Center (nuclear power plant) machinery and equipment tax exemption;

• review and revision of energy programs.

In the coming months, the Iowa General Assembly will address a multitude of issues, including energy-related items central to Iowa’s rural economy. Beginning with the Welcome Back Legislative Reception, the directors, managers and staff will again be important advocates for a balanced approach in addressing energy issues that allow for Iowa’s member-owned rural electric cooperatives to continue providing affordable, reliable, safe and environmentally-responsible power to more than 650,000 Iowans.

Electric cooperative representatives from all parts of the state will visit Des Moines for REC Day on the Hill March 22, where they will be able to visit with their legislators once again.

H Welcome Back, Legislators!

Holi Weston with Rep. T