The National innis I of riihli mI' II I II r«' larnirrs Am

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x^ Entering the age of Rapid Farming wiin the iracior speclalisi

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5 mph (8 km/h) tillage is make a big difference in break with tradition. It could here. Just in time for you. quality of soil working . . . and, be just in time for you.

Rapid Farming? Basically it most important, it can appreci- means matching the size of the ably extend sen/ice life of the we're implement to the available tractor drive train. the tractor horsepower of the tractor so Of course, you need a certain specialist you can farm at 5 mph (8 km/h). kind of tractor. And Case has

And while 5 mph may not done something about this. J I Case A Tenneco Company seem much faster than tradi- Shown above is our new 2590 Agricultural Equipment Division tional tillage speeds, it can designed for Rapid Farming's 700 State Street Racine, Wl 53404 USA.

doing something about it. ; . A Word With The Editor The National What's your energy action? That subject is getting a lot of discussion by FFA

groups these days and the editors would like for you to tell us about it. Future larmer This emphasis on energy started when the State FFA Presidents met with Ouned ond Published bv ihe Fulure Farmers of America (ISSN 0027-9315) President Carter last summer at the White House. At that time President ". Volume 28 Number 2 Carter said: . . I am asking every FFA chapter in this country to get December-January, 1979-80 involved in this basic question of energy conservation and production tied intimately with that of food, in conserving energy and in finding new ways to MAGAZINE STAFF Editor, Wilson W. Carnes ; Associate Editors, use it more efficiently." John M. Pitzer, Jeffrey Tennant; Field Editor, Gary Bye; Editorial Assistants, Jo Colley, Mil- The President further stated that he would give recognition to the one FFA Manager^ Glenn D. dred Bryan; Advertising chapter in the Nation that does the most outstanding job in carrying out this Luedke; Advertising Assistant, Laurie Welch; Circulation Fulfillment Manager, Adriana L, response to the energy crisis. Stage; Assistants, Diana Lawson, Pat Glenn. NATIONAL OFFICERS This activity has become known as The President's Challenge. A bro- Rinker, Route Box National President, Douglas 2, chure was sent to all FFA chapters in September and information regarding 44, Winchester, Virginia 22601 ; National Secretary, Philip Benson, Box 792, Winters. California 95694; the challenge also appeared in the October-November issue of The National National Vice Presidents, Dee James, RR 1, Clay Center. Kansas 67432; Donald Trimmer, Jr., 303 FUTURE FARMER. A presentation at the National FFA Convention also South Main Street, Woodsboro, Maryland 21798; dealt with the subject. Jeffrie Kirby, Route I. Box 76, Gassville, Arkan- sas 72635; Elin Duckworth, 616 North Matlock, Six areas have been identified for energy action: Mesa, Arizona 85203. BOARD OF DIRECTORS 1 Increasing energy efficiency in crop and livestock production. National Ckaifman of the Board of Directors, 2. Increasing energy efficiency in agricultural processing and market- Advisor Byron F. Rawls; Members of the Board, John W. Bunten, Paul M. Day. J. C. ing. Hollia, Sidney E. Koon, Jr.. Roger Lawrence. Duane Nielsen, Les Thompson, J. W. Warren. 3. Increasing energy conservation in greenhouse and nursery opera- NATIONAL STAFF tions. Executive Secretary, Coleman Harris ; National Treasurer, J. M. Campbell; Administrative Di- 4. Reducing home energy and highway fuel consumption. rector, Edward J. Hawkins; Manager" of In- ternational Programs, Lennie Gamage; FFA Pro- 5 Reducing school , business , factory and community building energy gram Specialist (Awards), Robert Seefeldt; FFA consumption. Program Specialist (Contests), Ted Amick; Di-

rector of Information, K. Elliott Nowels ; FFA 6. Increasing general energy conservation awareness. Program Specialist /Leadership), Tony Hoyt; Manager of FFA Supply Service, Harry J. An- The first step for your chapter is to accept the challenge. You do this by Accountant, George Verzagt drews ; Chief completing the form in the brochure mailed your chapter recently and Executive Director FFA Alumni Association, Robert W. Cox. mailing it to The President's Challenge, c/o National FFA Center, P.O. Box ADVERTISING OFFICES The National FUTURE FARMER 15160, Alexandria, Virginia 22309. P. O. Box 151S0 Alexandria, Virginia 22309 703-360-3600 We would like to know here at the magazine, too. Summarize what your Robert C. Whaley is it 4605 Fulton, Suite No. 4 chapter doing and mail to Energy Action, The National FUTURE Sherman Oaks, CaUfornla 91423 213-463-7157 Box 15130, Alexandria, Virginia 22309. Include a picture Robert Flahlve Company FARMER, PO. 22 Battery Street of your major activity if possible . Some of the best ideas will be printed in a San Francisco. California 94111 Midwestern states: future issue as an idea exchange effort to help other chapters get their Ttiompson & Associates Ice. 20 N. Wacker Drive Presidential Challenge going . It will also help publicize what your chapter is Chicago, Illinois 60606 312-726-1020 doing about the energy problem.

, . , WUiOH. Qa/uteA In This Issue^ TO CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS Building by Borrowing 10 Here Comes the City 38 OR ORDER A SUBSCRIPTION Managing to Succeed 14 Falcon Lady 48 Please use this form. FFA 54 TO SUBSCRIBE: check the term be- An Active Alumni 16 Week low and fill in your name and address. Milestones- n 3 years $3 MTACH CHECK \ND MAIL TO: Agribusiness 20 n 2 years $2 rhe Nafional New National Officers 25 In Every Issue FARMER D 1 year $1 FUTURE P.O. Box 15130 National Convention 26 News in Brief 4 Foreign subscriptions, Alexandria, add 500 a year extra The Winners Circle 28 Looking Ahead 9 Virginia 22309 for postage. Farmina by Computer 33 From the Mailbag 12 FFA Helps Career 34 Chapter Scoop 42 Roots of a Name 35 FFA in Action 44 Store Manure Safely 37 The Joke Page 56 N ATTACH a LABEL HERE The Cover (0 for address Keeping good farm records is becoming increasingly important for o change or 0) today's young farmer or agribusiness manager. Ned Smith, whose DO other inquiry. story starts on page 14, exemplifies the efforts FFA members put forth s: in utilizing farm management. c o ) c 0] Cover photo by Jeffrey Tknnant a. o n Si 5) 5 ADDRESS: Send both old and new addresses to Circulation Department, The a If moving, list CHANGE OF 01 National FUTURE FARMER, P.O. Box 15130, Alexandria, Virginia 22309. new address CORRESPONDENCE: Address all correspondence to: The National FUTURE FARMER, P.O. above. Box 15130, Alexandria, Virginia 22309. Offices are located at the National FFA Center at 5630 Mount Vernon Highway, Alexandria, Virginia 22309. The National FUTURE FARMER is published bimonthly by the Future Fanners of America at 5630 Mount Vemon Highway, Alexandria. Virginia 22309. Second class postage paid at Alexandria. £ Virginia, and at additional mailings offices. Copyright 1979 by the Future Farmers of America. E Single subscription, $1.00 per year in U.S. and possessions. FFA members 75« paid with dues. Z < o Single copy 50^; two-four copies 30c each, five or more 25* each. Foreign subscriptions, $1.00 plus 50 c extra for postage.

December-January, 1979-80 Over tests, says the grant is the fu-st of its kind awarded by FmHA. Monies from ""6,500 in the grant will fund a joint USDA/FFA project to formulate lesson plans in prizes community development. Regional /l^vardecl Monthly workshops to introduce the lessons begin in the fall of 1980. Amick says programs such as Building Our Ameri- can Communities may be enriched by planned classroom studies of commu- nity development.

RECORD BREAKING membership THE WHITE HOUSE issued invita- in the FFA Alumni Association con- tions to all state FFA presidents to at- tinues to be a yearly event. Since the tend President Carter's news briefmg Alunmi's creation in 1971, former FFA on energy held in late October. State members have joined the Alumni at Presidents Ward Juedeman from rates of 1,000 and up each year. Alumni Montana and Bob Quick from UUnois Executive Director Woody Cox says were in attendance. Interest in The membership for 1979-80 will push over President's Challenge program is re- the 15,000 mark for the first time. flected in hundreds of commitment Latest figures, compiled a week before cards from chapters nationwide request- the dues closing date, showed Wiscon- ing action information packets. Appli- sin leading all states with 3,596 Alumni cations for participation in the program members. may be obtained by writing The Presi- dent's Challenge, % National FFA OVERSEAS TRAVEL wUl be Center, PO. Box 15160, Alexandria, awarded once again to the 22 national Virginia 22309. proficiency award winners. Initiated last year, the travel is an "international BOB BERGLAND, U.S. secretary of Draw "Tippy" experience" in foreign agriculture. The agriculmre, expects to see and hear tour, arranged in seminar format, in- FFA members at meetings Bergland has You may win one of five $1,170.00 Art cludes stops at leading or unusual ag- scheduled around the country. Bergland Scholarships or any one of seventy- riculture operations in European coun- and staff have planned "town meet- five $10.00 cash prizes. Draw "Tippy" any size except like tries. You can qualify for the tour by ings" to converse with local rural a tracing. Use pencil. Every qualified winning a national proficiency award. people and agricultural leaders regard- entrant receives a free professional Most states will require award applica- ing the structure of American agricul- estimate of his drawing. tions in the spring of 1980 so check ture. The discussions afford FFA mem- Scholarship winners will receive with your advisor for application pro- bers opportunity to voice their views on Fundamentals of Art taught by Art cedure and deadlines. contemporary issues in the nation's ag- Instruction Schools, one of America's ricultural situation. The December leading home study art schools. Our objective is to find prospective A GRANT from the Farmers Home meetings are: 4th in Sioux City, Iowa; students who appear to be properly Administration (FmHA) has been 5th in Sedalia, Missouri; 6th in Wichita motivated and have an appreciation awarded FFA to enhance the knowledge Falls, Texas; 11th in Boulder, Colorado; liking for art. and of vocational agriculture educators in 12th in Spokane, Washington; 13th in Your entry will be judged In the areas of community development. Ted Fresno, California, and the 18th in month received. Prizes awarded for Amick, ITA program specialist for con- Lafayette, Indiana. best drawings of various subjects received from qualified entrants age 14 and over. One $25 cash award for Members of the Future Farmers of Japan and Japanese agriculture teachers ob- the best drawing from entrants age 12 serve the sewing of letters on FFA jackets in the National Center. The Future and 13. No drawings can be returned. Farmers of Hokkaido, a part of FFJ, visited during a U.S. tour. Our students and professional artists not eligible. Contest winners will be notified. Send your entry today. MAIL THIS COUPON TO ENTER CONTEST ART INSTRUCTION SCHOOLS Studio 9D-3540 500 South Fourtli Street Minneapolis, Minnesota SS415

Please enter my drawing in your monthly contest. (please print)

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4 The Narional FUTURE F.ARMER THIS BTHEARMY *THE REWARD FOR WORKING HARD IN EUROPE IS JUST ' SP4 Karen Homolac Heidelberg, West Germany Today's Army in Europe needs people who aren't afraid of hard work. Being a soldier in Europe means spending a lot of your time in the field. Eating. Sleeping. Working. Training. Being ready for any emergency that might arise and

hoping it never will. If it sounds tough, you're right. But if you're looking for a challenge, being

a soldier in Europe is it.

RAYaSENEFITS PEOPLE

Starting pay is now over $419.00 There's no military hardware to a month (before deductions), replace the human heart, no plus room, board, medical and computer to out-think the mind. FREE TIME dental care, and 30 days earned We need people. We are people. While you're a soldier 24 hours vacation every year. Plus, there's So if we ask you to be a good a day, you will get time off. Most a $3,000 bonus for enlisting in soldier, we mean the best Army people find lots of things certain skills. Educational possible person you can be — and be to do in the towns and cities they're benefits include up to 75% of that with us. Share the pride that stationed in. There are boat rides the tuition for approved comes from serving your country. scenic rivers. down ,,,. courses taken Contact your local Army Represen-

Famous castles I [I* off-duty, and tative, listed in the Yellow Pages

and cathedrals to i a chance to save under "Recruiting!'

explore. Terrific 5 money for food to eat. Plus ; college later lots more. on, through SKILLS the Veterans' Educational Most of a soldier's Assistance time is spent learn- ing and working Program (VEAP). in a specialty. Even in Europe. And there are htmdreds of skills to choose from — everything JOIN THE PEOPLE from Aircraft Repair to X-Ray WHirVE JOINED THE ARMm Techniques. 800-431-1234 In N.Y., call 800-942-1990. If you're not getting this kind of accuracy from CCI Mini Mags, you'd better check your gun.

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and barley) and food grain (wheat, rye and rice) outputs are both heading for record highs. Production of cotton, a NOW! Get in on the crop recovering from a low year in 1978, is forecasted to increase by 32 (^^~ percent. PROFITS in

A DEADLY MEAL for livestock in SMALL the cold fall months may be found in certain grasses, says John Herrick, ex- tension veterinarian at Iowa State Uni- ENGINE versity. Herrick says animals foraging sorghums, Johnson grass, sudangrass DISCARDED FISH, to the tune of and sorgo-sudan cresses run a risk of REPAIR! 900 million pounds per year, are going prussic (hydrocyanic) acid poisoning. Work part time, full time- from food to useless waste in the The poison is most likely present in right at home -we help shrimping operations of Texas-based immature plants under 18 inches in you every step of the way, trawlers. Scientists at the Texas Ag- height. Forage containing the grasses is No doubt about It... as a small engine pro. you can cash in on the huge demand for gualified men in one of Americas ricultural Experiment Station say such usually safe after 30 to 60 days. If you fastest growing Industries. You II be able to command top wastage indicates the potential gulf notice animals sick after grazing, Her- hourly rates of from $10.00 to $15.00 per hour -and that's lust for labor. A simple tune-up earns as much as $17 50 for fisheries hold for expanding global food rick advises calling a veterinarian im- less than an hours work, and parts, engines and accessories supplies. The discarded fish are mostly mediately. will add even more to the profits bottom dwellers which shrimp boats are Plenty of business waiting for qualified men. not equipped to keep. Dr. Gunnar DRYING CORN can be costly 46,000,000 Small Engines Are In Use Today! Finne, Texas A&M University energy-wise so many pork producers That's the official count from the Engine Service Assn.. and one-million new engines are being built each month. With fully shrimp boats in technologist, says would are considering feeding corn high accredited Belsaw training, you can soon have the skill and have to be redesigned and enlarged to moisture (HM) form. Research at uni- knowledge to make top money servicing these engines People will seek you out and pay you well to service their lawnmowers, retain carry the entire catch if the versities has demonstrated corn as and HM tillers, edgers, power rakes, garden tractors, chain saws, mini- food supply of fish is to be utilized. an excellent feed for growing, finishing bikes, snowmobiles, generators, go-carts, paint sprayers, snow-

blowers . the list is almost endless. and breeding swine. Since HM corn is FEED FROM WOOD? The wood of very palatable and swine may overeat, a Professional Tools And the aspen tree has been approved by the supplement should be mixed in to as- Equipment Food and Drug Administration as a new sure a balanced ration. HM corn will PLUS animal feed. The approval means that spoil on exposure to air so storage by 4 HP Clinton Engine y the new fibrous feed for ruminants, an oxygen-limiting silo, treatment with substantially developed at South Dakota organic acid and daily feeding from the State University, can now be placed on top of silage is recommended. the market. Aspen, which can be pro- duced cheaper than traditional rough- "SUPER CHICKEN" has surfaced at age, can be fed as silage or as a pre- the University of Missouri-Columbia. pared pellet with supplement. Approval The super bird, a white leghorn, re- NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! You don't need to be a 'born mechanic' or have any prior as a livestock will accel- cenfly laid of aspen feed egg number 371 in a year's experience. You can master this profitable trade right at home erate programs to save the aspen tree. time. "As far as we know, that's a rec- In your sparetime Lessons are fully illustrated, so clear you can't go wrong, and with our famous learn-by-doing' method tree must harvested to The be produce ord," says Harold Biellier, UMC pro- you get practical hands-on experience We also show you from the roots. In many areas mature fessor and developer of the "egg-a- how to get business, what to charge, where to get supplies wholesale... all the Inside tricks of the trade you need to aspens die unless harvested. day" strain of laying chickens. key The assure success right from the start. to the bird's good production is that she Send for FREE Facts -Do It TODAY! GASOHOL in Brazilian cars may soon doesn't take a break in her laying cycle. NO Obligation -NO Salesman Calls! give way to pure alcohol, according to Biellier says the birds are not 100 per- You risk nothing by accepting this offer to see how Brazilian government officials. The cent perfect for commercial production easily you can learn the skills you need to increase your income in a hi^h-profit business of your own. World Development Letter reports the but are biologically capable of egg-a- Just fill in and mail coupon below (or send postcard country will South American build 1.7 day laying. with name and address) to receive full information million cars over the next five years by return mail. that will run exclusively on alcohol. STERILIZED MILK on American RUSH COUPON TODAY FREE government is guaranteeing suffi- BOOKLET! The breakfast tables instead of conventional BELSAW INSTITUTE cient production of sugar cane, which, pasteurized fluid milk could save the 5043 FIELD BUILDING when refined, yields the alcohol. The nation as much as 12 billion barrels of KANSAS CITY, MO 64111 report discloses that 21 states in the petroleum annually. That's the conclu- I BELSAW INSTITUTE Accediled United States are marketing gasohol but sion of a recent study conducted at the 5043 FIELD BUILDING Member , National Home KANSAS CITY, 64111 that prospects of going to pure alcohol University of Maryland. "Sterilized ac- MO Study Council YES, please send me the FREE booklet that gives are limited. ceptable milk," so-called by the study, n J full details about starting my own business in Small I saves energy because it eliminates the Engine Repair. I understand there is No Obligation and | A RECORD CROP in the United need for refrigeration and reduces that No Salesman will call on me. .

States is being written on the history transportation costs. High energy costs I NAME- books. Forecasts for corn, wheat and at the processing level take a slight ADDRESS- soybean yields per acre place this year's edge off transfwrtation and refrigeration harvest over last year's volume, with savings. However, studies indicate I CITY_ increases as much as 18 percent in soy- adaptation of modifications in the sys- I beans. Feed grain (corn, sorghum, oats tem will equalize processing costs. |STATE- .ZIP_ December-January, 1979-80 • I I* ling

Borrowing

By Jeffrey Tennant

RAGING flames shot into the black Nebraska night, creating a vicious glow on the horizon. From the Richard

Zimmerman dairy, it looked as if a piece of the sun had fallen—and dangerously close. Eventually, the fire would con- sume the biggest part of the nearby barn, consuming along with it farm vehicles and a winter supply of hay. Steve Zimmerman, Nebraska's FFA proficiency award winner in dairy pro- duction, wiped his brow and headed home. He and his fellow firefighters had done all they could do. Most everyone had morning chores in a couple of short hours. Steve was no exception. "Arson," Steve says, when asked the suspected cause of the fire. "There's been a lot of it lately." The destroyed barn was owned by the Zimmerman landlord, a man who has "bent over backwards" to help Steve and his father. But character never stopped flames. In farming com- munities, arson can wipe out a lifetime of endeavor in a few blistering moments. Maybe the desire to put a stop to the With Steve keeping close records on the health and performance of each cow, the crime of burning is why Steve adds fire- herd is manipulated to produce high yields and given "personal" care. man duties to his work as a dairy farmer. But now the fire is merely smoldering; record of good credit increased his of which were bought with the loan the dairy beckons. chances of securing another loan. He money. I went into my junior year with 12 Steve, a native of Fairbury, Nebraska, read about a Farmers Home Administra- cows and 12 heifer calves." doesn't own a tremendous number of cat- tion (FmHA) loan in The National FU- Constantly in close touch with his tle or acres. His livestock enterprise con- TURE FARMER and set about procuring ever-building herd, Steve didn't take time sists of 33 milking Holsteins , 15 hogs and operating funds. His loan approved, off to show his stock at shows, nor did he 20 beef cattle. Rounding out the farm is Steve bought a swather and went to work buy registered animals. 549 acres of corn, wheat, oats, alfalfa, in the custom swathing business. He also "To make registered cattle pay," he milo and pasture. It's solid, well-man- planted five acres of corn on rented suggests, "you need to show and I just aged proof that young people can start ground. couldn't do that. I've always been more from scratch and build a successful, "Being in debt is tough at times," says interested in production than a name." profitable operation. Steve, looking around at his accumula- From milk sales and occasional sale of "I may have helped him," shares his tions of farm property. "You've got to stock, funds became available for Steve dad, "but I haven't given him anything. show people you've got the interest and to diversify into several farming areas. He's bought what he has by reinvesting the of loan, desire to farm—then follow it through." Working under pressure a I profits made from his FFA projects." Steve harvested 110 bushels per acre Steve's diligence rewarded him with Steve's enterprise has expanded from his dryland corn acreage. The corn good results from his investment. But a through several avenues. Starting several was sold and the money used to repay scare occurred now and then. years ago with one Holstein dairy cow, a part of the FmHA loan. Steadily, in small "I lost money with the swather in my dairy heifer and five acres of corn, chunks, Steve's herd scope began to junior year," he admits, looking back on Steve's operation slowly began to build. grow. the loss as "one of those things." Instead Having borrowed money through a "By my sophomore year," he recalls, of letting the undesirable cash flow conventional loan at a local bank, Steve's "I had eight cows and five heifers, some undermine his efforts, Steve decided 10 The National FUTURE FARMER more rented acreage seemed the way to increased considerably since Steve's go—so a big move was made. ninth grade year. The co-op's buying "In the fall of my senior year I put in price of over $11 per hundredweight 127 acres of wheat, 57 acres of corn, 22 breaks down to around 96 cents per gal- acres of milo and 21 acres of oats, all on lon, an excellent percentage of return for rented ground. At $1,500 an acre, land today's raw material producer. here is hard to purchase. By then I had 25 Of course, prices received aren't the Qwik'PointI dairy cows and calves and 18 fattening only prices rising. Costs of production Holstein-Angus beef cattle. I used the have tripled over the last ten years for the yield from the crops primarily for my Zimmermans. The double-four her- own feeding purposes." ringbone parlor now used by the family Therels only With time, patience and application of cost $25,000 to build in 1972. Now, says one way ideas, the small project blossomed into a Steve, the same system would run closer sophisticated dairy farm. Steve soon ex- to $60,000. to panded his dairy herd, milking facilities "Costs aren't the only challenge be- beatJt. and crop production toward a maximum. tween you and farming," Steve cautions. "After reaching 75 head," he says, "A lot of young people want to farm. We "we'll be at our capacity facility- wise. have trouble keeping good farm labor From there I'll concentrate solely on herd because the workers want their own farm improvement." or they take other jobs. Production factors climbed steadily as "If all you're needing is finances,

Steve built his farm. From 1973 to 1975, though, be wise about it. I always figure the herd's annual average per head milk long on my liabilities and conservative production figures went from 13,685 on assets. Don't overextend yourself. pounds to near 16,000. Butterfat content And keep your eyes open for good buys climbed steadily also. Steve's 94 bushel on cattle. I've bought $400 calves for per acre yield from his corn in 1973 shot $200 before. Manage well and diversify up to last year's 120 bushels. According if possible. We grow our own grain here to Steve's analysis of his records, the so all we buy is a feed supplement. Sav- production increases were due to better ing a little here and there helps." cows through proper selection and breed- Steve discloses that his attitude about ing to good bulls, better feed and more career farming has had ups and downs. fertilizer on the crops. Though the fig- But he went into the business with the ures speak for themselves, at one point idea of building from one Holstein cow to Steve thought he might watch his opera- a gainful, self-supporting enterprise. tion destroyed by a feared enemy of He's attained just that.

dairymen. "If it hadn't been for FFA, I wouldn't "Mastitis broke out a year ago," he be farming," Steve asserts, with no

remembers, his tone reflecting the seri- qualms. "When I was a freshman I saw a ous hours of labor expended to beat the film called 'Stars Over America,' with

disease. "The herd average dropped the FFA Star Farmer candidates. I knew

sharply. And mastitis not only affects then I wanted to be one." Steve pauses, milk production, but breeding due to thinking of his two careers—farming and Dichroic mirror stress. In our case, equipment was the fire-fighting. Then, with FFA in mind, he allou'S ll^ht to pass through, muking it cause. We arrested the problem by in- leaves one statement before going off to appear that dol is r^ht on larScI, stalling three 200 cubic foot per minute chores: "If there's not a spark, there vacuum lines and a new pump." won't be a fire." For super fast short-range Perhaps the most effective manage- shooting with shotguns, center-fire tool used the family is not a new ment by rifles, or 22's, Weaver's little idea. "In 1966 we joined DHIA, the Qwik-Point is hard to beat. Dairy Herd Improvement Association," Just take yoiu- natural shares Steve. "On a pipeline milker sys- swing. ..keep both eyes open if you tem, you don't know how much milk is like and put that blaze-orange dot truly produced. right out there on your target. Youll see the dot target Instantly, in "Among other things, computer print- and clear, sharp focus, and Qwik-Point outs we receive from DHIA show a feed- is accurate in dim light or heavy ing summary, or amount of feed per cover. month per cow and the cost. It also shows For short-range shooting in a a reproduction summary, production fig- hxary, ask for the one that sends 'em ures and costs and returns. Computers packing. Qwik-Point. ;'' are very helpful if used properly and applied to proper data." Zimmerman milk is largely sold to a local cooperative. Prices received have

Careful application of nitrogen for fer- Weaver. Qwlk«Polnt. tilizer boosted milo production. For "79 catBlog, send .50' to: W. R. Weaver Co.,

DepL !)3. El Paso, Texas 79915

December-January, 1979-80 11 Roop "The Lime Drivin' Kid" and to see a your fault, which speaks highly of your or- clean-cut all around nice feller like Bobby ganization's ability. Berger typifying the American cowboy on Robert J. Broeckelman one of the advertisement pages. My son Bart Executive Secretary

and I both enjoy reading your publication. Kansas Association Clem McSpadden 'Winchester, 'Virginia Manhattan, Kansas The Central Valley Farm Credit Service Thanks for all of your cooperation in the staff is very appreciative of your time and past and now in getting labels for us to use on efforts in publishing the article featuring our state newsletter. This year and every year, our Junior PCA program in the October-No- Chelsea, Oklahoma plan to send us labels after your labels are run. vember issue of The National FUTURE Being a member of the older half of what As in the past, we would also like to receive FARMER.

some call the "generation gap," it is always an additional set for our records. When a We are very impressed with the magazine. gratifying to me to read articles such as the teacher calls and says he's not receiving his It gives every appearance of being a profes- one in my August issue of The National FU- magazine, we can check it out here. About sionally organized, first-quality publication.

TURE FARMER about youngsters like Jan 100 percent of the time it ends up not being Hopefully, we will be able to forward addi- tional information in the future.

Donald H. Whitehead, Jr. Marketing Coordinator/Administrative The Ultimate Lockback Assistant Newport, Washington

Last November I had the privilege of at- With a Beast of a Guarantee. tending the American Royal Rodeo in Kansas City, during the National Convention. In my

opinion it was one of the biggest highlights of the week.

I would like to know how the American Royal Rodeo Queen is chosen.

Our chapter secretary is the Pend Orielle

County rodeo queen. She is an excellent rider

and a very active member of our chapter. I 've been encouraging her to try out for the state rodeo queen. I'd also like to encourage her to#^ try out for the American Royal Rodeo Queen.

I 'd really appreciate it if you could send me any information. Shelley McKinney

The American Royal Queen is selected from candidates nominated by state FFA associations during national convention week. It is not an official FFA function but the candidates are FFA members or former members. You should inquire within your state about how the association selects its candidate.—Ed.

New York, New York

I just received my copy of The National FUTURE FARMER and was very pleased to see the article and advertisement on page 10

[about the FFA Hall of Achievement]. I thought the article was extremely well pre-

sented and I hope the combination of the ad and the article will stimulate more activity by the FFA chapters.

I want to thank you very much for includ-

ing this in the October-November issue and I

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With the will to work and the ambition to excel, Ned Smith claimed farm ownership during his last year in high school.

by Jeffrey Tennant

rwihe first bell rings loudly through the heads for class with three hours of farm means a double day of school and chores. JL halls of Clinton Central High School work behind him. "I bought the farm in March," says in Michigantown, Indiana. Students Ned Smith's schedule as a high school Ned, reflecting on a few months before scurry to classes, some wishing for more senior one year ago was grueling. Up at his high school graduation in 1978. "I'd time to discuss the upcoming football 5:30, dress against the Indiana cold or get up and work with 500 head of pigs on game, others ready to proceed with vo-ag heat and out to the hogs. It's not easy feed before leaving for school. After or civics class. For most of the students, owning a farm the last half of your senior school, I'd be back at chores." Answer- the day started at home an hour or two year. Owning your own farm is a chal- ing an obvious question with a smile, ago. One student, however, a senior, lenge in itself—but owning one at age 18 Ned chuckles, "It didn't affect my grades Photos by Author too much." Active in school band, chorus and var- sity wresding along with FFA events, Ned's school activities didn't suffer either. The stocky young farmer's FFA activities included state FFA chorus, chapter vice-president and the agricul- turjd mechanics team. Ned also led both livestock and dairy judging teams to na- tional FFA contests where he received top individual honors in both events. All this involvement meant extra hours in an already packed day. Ned grew accustomed to long hours while growing up on his parents' 500- acre hog and crops farm in Clinton County, Indiana. Helping his family market 1,800 head of hogs annuaUy, Ned says, "The operation was the basis of my decision t? enter hog production. When I bought my farm I assumed 100 percent management responsibility. Even when I was working with my folks I had a sepa- rate project. For instance, when Dad (Richard) built a new farrowing house I remodeled the old house and bam and used them." Ned's 5-acre farm consists of a 20-sow farrowing house, a 320-head finishing facility, 2 gestation bams, 6 confinement breeding pens and a 6,500-bushel grain bin. A feed storage shed, hog nursery and a modem two-bedroom home round out the farrow-to-finish operation. "I'm renting 90 acres for com produc- tion," says Ned, explaining his feeding situation. "Of the 120 head of breeding stock, about 20 sows a month are farrow-

Ned's 5-acre farm sees new growth quite often, not only in pigs but in modern, innovative facilities.

The National FUTURE FARMER Ned's good records not only help in financial decisions but in hog and facility expansion. His plans for an innovative double-deck cage nursery will increase the capacity of the 24- by 32-foot build- ing to 650 head. Records also keep Ned posted on the unique three- week weaning time, an approach that is proving an aver- age farrowing rate per sow of 2.25 times per year. Ned gauges each animal's per- formance, a task necessary when exper- imenting with new production tech- niques. At age 19, Ned is firmly estabUshed in farming. He shares common fears with other farmers such as outbreak of dis- eases and price falls in the market. He also shares the common joys of entre- preneurship. Ned is in debt but his books show a profit. The farm is paying for itself and will eventually expand. Ned confinement structure used for Ned's finishing hogs affords easy maintenance The hopes to improve efficiency and maxi- and increases feeding efficiency, resulting in good weight gain. mize production with 200 healthy sows. "FFA taught me to set goals higher," he confides. "In FFA you can see what others have done. Knowing that someone ing. I'm marketing around 2,400 fat can money and offset inflation. Since in- else can do it means you can, too, if you crossbred hogs a year so it takes a good flation decreases the value of a dollar, or set your mind to it." bit of feed." what a dollar can buy, interest helps com- From star Greenhand to star Chapter Ned lives alone on his farm. Sitting in pensate for the decreasing value of the Farmer, Ned Smith "set his mind to it." his office, part of the house he recently loan amount. Payments of principal and By reaching for his goals and using remodeled, Ned could be mistaken for a interest are usually paid monthly and strong farm management, Ned is one much older man by his mature attitude spread out over periods up to 30 years. farming "star" who will continue to rise toward farm management. Management For farmers, some banks only require and shine. is important to Ned; the ability to solve a payments at special times of the year such financial problem or production question as harvest sale time. may mean the difference in a successful "I also have 'open line' credit at 9y2 Ned tackles most of the mechanical farm and bankruptcy. percent," shares Ned, referring to his fi- work needed on his farm equipment. "If you get $200,000 invested in a nancial arrangements with the bank for farm and much of that borrowed, you cash to handle costs such as unexpected must use careful management," Ned ad- operating expenditures. The interest is vises, referring to his situation. "Know higher because the amount borrowed on in detail what you'll do with borrowed open line credit is generally a con- money. Many things can go wrong that venience for the borrower and not such a could put you behind for good . It's kinda' large sum. A credit line obligates the scary at times, being in debt. But the bank to keep funds available for the bor- most comfortable way to build a farm is rower. start small and increase your net worth. I The farmer or agribusiness manager started with ten sows and kept investing must make sure a loan can be repaid with profits from the pigs." interest before considering borrowing. In Ned borrowed the money to buy his making such decisions, "Ned kept an farm from a small local bank. Though the excellent set of records throughout high sum needed was large, the loan applica- school," says Ralph Walker, Ned's FFA tion was approved because of Ned's good advisor. "I have always been impressed credit history. He had borrowed money with Ned's planning and goal setting abil- before and met his payment obligation. ities. He is already recognized in the The loan officers considered Ned a hard community as a top swine producer. I worker with potential to build a profit- wouldn't hesitate to go to him for advice able business from the loaned monies. on swine nutrition or technological ad- For the bank, loaning Ned money was vances in the swine industry." a "good risk." A 9 percent mortgage was "Record keeping is stressed in vo-ag arranged, meaning Ned would pay the with good reason," says Ned. "Learning bank 9 percent "interest" on the loan the application and importance of keep- amount plus the "principal," or amount ing books through my vo-ag class has loaned. Interest is actually the price Ned been important to me. I keep fairly tight pays the bank for borrowing money. By records but I don't keep track of every

collecting interest, banks are able to keep move. I do take note of little things their money supplies stable, pay the Fed- though—a dollar saved here and there per eral Reserve Bank for borrowing Ameri- pig adds up."

December-January, 1979-80 "

see who could sign up the most members.

I think the $10 prize came out of some- body's pocket."

Whether it was the $10 that spurred the members to sign 125 members in the first

year is questionable. Whatever the incen- tive, the membership drive got things rolling for Ozark Alumni. "The 125-member chapter made us tops in the nation," recalls Tom. "That gave us incentive and we kept building from there. The second year we had 231 members and in '78 we had 261. We signed 140 of them at a watermelon feed in city park—took $65 worth of melons to feed everybody." Ozark Alumni is not just a pay-dues- and-forget-it club. They are actively in- volved in helping the local FFA chapter and community. The affiliate funds prizes and awards for high achievers in FFA from the 80-member Ozark Chapter. Nothing too major for the affiliate to Tom waits behind Adin Hester, a fellow notional officer, for the hand of Dwight undertake, the FFA chapter now has a fair at the county fairgrounds. Eisenhower. FFA officers met President Eisenhower in January, 1959. new bam Projects in BOAC, Food For America and an annual banquet also feel the help- ing hand of Ozark Alumni members. "I remember one Saturday," Tom con- Once a Member, tinues, "when we had two ladies taking the chapter meats team to look at meat cuts in local stores. Another member An Alumni for life took the dairy team to Columbia for a # judging event. One member took the beef team to a contest, another took the dairy

SILENCE filled the auditorium as a Jr. , milk 100 cows and maintain a 200- products team out. We had ten different crowded hall of FFA members anx- head herd. Eighty acres of corn and 80 people going ten different directions that iously awaited the announcement of a acres of small grain for hay are grown on day. The FFA advisor got to stay home new slate of National FFA Officers. As part of 500 owned and rented acres. that Saturday because of alumni in- the decisions became publicly known, For Tom, success in farming and FFA volvement." each office being filled with an exuberant has been self-made. An establishment in Indicative of cooperation given Ozark Future Farmer, one uncalled candidate farming and FFA Alumni is the result of Advisor Bob Crismon and the chapter sat nervously—hoping to hear his name. an active participation and pride in ag- members, Tom says, "We have total sup- Then came the amplified words: riculture. port from our school administration, "The new central region vice presi- Pride also went along with Tom's first school board, business people and, of dent, from Ozark, Missouri, Tom Stine! jacket purchase at the 1951 National FFA course, the farming community. Many This might have been the scene at the Convention. Due to lack of rooms in people from Ozark sport FFA Alumni 1958 National FFA Convention in Kansas Kansas City that year, Tom and his fellow stickers on their cars and pickups because City, Missouri, when Tom was first Ozark delegates slept in a tractor show- they are very interested in FFA pro- elected. His goal finally reached, Tom room. But the lodging arrangements grams." was now able to run to the stage and join didn't prevent the formation of Tom's Tom and his fellow alumni members his fellow officers, each ready to begin a dream to become a national officer. work very closely with Advisor Crismon year of service to FFA members nation- In high school, Tom competed in many and the Future Farmers of Ozark. Tom wide. FFA contests, including public speaking, believes the close association between Since Tom's first association with FFA parliamentary procedure and dairy judg- active and former FFA members is a key in 1950, the Ozark native has made FFA ing. A well-rounded young leader, Tom to the strength and membership of the an active part of his life. Involving him- served terms as student body president Ozark Alumni chapter. self heavily in FFA Alumni activities, and president of the state FFA leadership "We make sure alumni are invited to Tom has served as Missouri's FFA camp. Majoring in dairy processing at about every other FFA meeting. At meet- Alumni chairman and president of the the University of Missouri at Columbia, ings, our FFA members always wear of- Ozark FFA Alumni affiliate. Tom has Tom's career eventually led to his work- ficial dress, look their best and know seen the Ozark affiliate grow to the ing in many areas of dairy manufactur- their parts in ceremonies. When you hear largest chapter in the nation. The chapter ing. One day, Tom returned to start his opening and initiation ceremonies, currently boasts 331 members. own farm in Ozark. With his return came alumni members can't help but be im- Tom is now a father and a family the idea of an FFA Alumni chapter. pressed with the FFA organization." farmer, operating a dairy and crops en- "We started the chapter in 1974 with When it comes to FFA, Tom Stine cer- terprise in partnership with his dad, ten members," he says. "We paid state tainly fits the old saying: "Once a friend, Charles. Tom and Charles, along with and national dues—never have had always a friend." (By Eugene Craker and Tom's wife, Sarah, and 13-year-old Tom, local—and then offered a prize of $10 to Jeffrey Tennant)

16 The National FUTURE FARMER ^dat ma^s a goodfarmer ?

Bt starts witk fxvit* $nit in kimse^ and in tki wa\j ke

farms, ^e inows lie can eXfect a seasonjnCi of ion^ kouxs ani

kari wori, ^ui: kt^s itp to tke ckaCUn^e, Bnjact^ ke

woiiOmt kave it antj otker watj,

ffl ^ooifarmer is a ^ood nei^liior^ too, Bnvohed in kis communitij and. com^mitted to tke (and, ^le's afami(y tmin. ^assin^

knovoiei^e on to kis ckimen so tke^U ie readij wken itl

t/ieir turn to farm,

ffl 0oo((farmzr runs a ti^kt operation, S>ut kis e\^es are aiwa\js ofen\ Cooking for new ideas and tooCs tkat can make kis

iusiMSS a tittle more efficient; a little more productive,

w listens karivuktn otktr people talkfarming, ^ut mdinlij ke tafo a lon^ look at kis own program and decides tdin^s for kimself ^krowin^ out wkat dimt work and sticking witk tke tkin^s tkat did, ^f^raiin^ kis Sijstem until kis ^oals are reacked. and tken wp^raiin^ somi more,

^e^s kard to flmse, iuJt ke\fair, ^^oodfarmer, in skort, is one of fflmerica% greatest natural resources.

Monsanto MONSANTO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS COMPANY 800 North Lindbergh Boulevard St. Louis, Missouri 63166

*' Monsanto Company, 1979 JOHN DEERE PERENNIAL POWER PERMA-CLUTCH DOUSES EXCESS HEAT ...INSTEAD OF STORING IT

Excess heat— it's your biggest threat Perma-Clutch is also hydrau- to long clutch life. Eliminate excess lically engaged. That means easy

heat and you eliminate excess wear operation, but more important, it and premature failure. But how? means Perma-Clutch never needs Clutches need friction to work, and adjustment. And you'll never have to friction produces heat. lubricate the clutch bearing. It's posi- The John Deere solution is tively lubricated by the same oil that cooled and filtered hydraulic oil. engages Perma-Clutch. Our Perma-Clutch circulates a It's just that simple. But what a generous flow of cooled oil around benefit! Clutches are a weak point on and through multiple clutch disks to many tractors. Replacing them is whisk away excess heat. The oil flows expensive. But the delay in field work whenever the clutch is engaged or can be even more costly. That's why being engaged. Perma-Clutch is standard equip- This is why Perma-Clutch is a ment on John Deere NEW IRON true wet clutch. Hydraulic oil floods HORSE Tractors—90-hp 4040,

critical areas to gather up excess heat 1 10-hp 4240, 130-hp 4440, 155-hp 4840.*'* and get rid of it. Now compare that to 4640 and 180-hp a conventional dry clutch, which THE NEW IRON HORSES^ uses heat-absorbing materials that MORE HORSES MORE IRON actually store up heat instead of pumping it away. John Deere design, But, as usual, John Deere takes dependability a good idea several steps further. and dealers For example, our clutch facings are make the difference nonmetallic. That means they too aid cooling because some oil is ^/^ '% absorbed and partially vaporized, speeding the transfer of heat out of the clutch. They also tend to insulate

the disk core, preventing it from *Perma-Clutch standard with Quad-Range" warping. Another step: separator Syncro-Range and Creeper transmissions. plates between facings are extra Not required witti Power Shift transmission. thick to assure that clutch disks **Maximum horsepower measured at the remain flat. PTO at 2200 engine rpm in official tests. Milestones in FFA History

Fifteenth in a series of articles about IF'IK^ the history of FFA. The FFA Adds Agribusiness

By WUson Games, Editor

THE year 1969 is noted in FFA history as the year the organization named the first Star Agribusinessman of America. This new award gave official recognition and publicity to a trend that had been going on in FFA and vocational agriculture for quite sometime. The Smith-Hughes Act of 1917 that created vocational agriculture was quite specific in what the educational program was to do. The Act stated that such edu- cation be designed to meet the needs of persons over fourteen years of age who have entered upon or who are preparing to enter upon the work of the farm or of the farm home. It stated that schools of- fering such education must provide prac- tice on a farm for at least six months per year. Later acts that amended the The first Star Agribusinessmen of America, above, were named at the 1969 Smith-Hughes Act did not change this purpose. The "Handbook on Teaching National FFA Convention. From left, Ken Dunagan, Arizona, national winner; Vocational Agriculture" which was used Charlie Seidel, Jr., Texas; Roger Phelps, Ohio; and Charles Postles, Jr., Delaware. widely in the years following World War II by teachers and college students pre- dents interested in "agribusiness" could Encouraged by sponsors to the FFA paring to be teachers stated it very get this experience at a machinery dealer, Foundation, the FFA established the Star clearly, "The primary aim of vocational feed and seed store, or similar places of Agribusinessman of America award and education in agriculture is to train present employment and training. the first recipients were recognized at the and prospective farmers for proficiency Leaders in agricultural education and National FFA Convention in 1969. This in farming." FFA began to wrestle with the problem of award was to parallel the Star Farmer of The trend to fewer farmers and larger serving these new areas in agriculture. In America award. farms that developed rapidly in the '50's practice, the change was already taking The first member to be named the Star and '60's caused many changes to take place in many communities. One ag Agribusinessman of America was Ken place in the agricultural industry. The teacher was overheard to say that the Dunagan of Willcox, Arizona. Ken was change to fewer farmers was offset in 1963 Act was great because it legalized the operator of a custom harvesting, part by a rapid growth in the related oc- what was already going on. Students spraying and feedlot operation which was cupations that provide services to farm- were already enrolling in vocational ag- jointly owned in partnership with his ers and markets the products of the farm. riculture who did not plan to farm or father who was employed elsewhere. Terms like "off-farm agricultural occu- ranch but did want to work in some off- Ken received a $1,000 check from the pations," "agribusiness" and similar ex- farm agricultural occupation. FFA Foundation. pressions came into use. The FFA was already recognizing stu- Until 1971 the FFA operated both the Then, in 1963, major changes were dent achievement in some related areas proficiency award in Agribusiness and made in federal legislation that helps that were important to agriculture. The the Star Agribusinessman of America states and local school systems finance agricultural proficiency award in farm award. That year the agribusinessman vocational education. The Vocational mechanics was started in 1944, in farm proficiency award was divided into two Education Act of 1963 authorized pro- electrification in 1946. Farm safety be- awards; agricultural processing and ag- grams that were planned in view of actual came a chapter award in 1950. ricultural sales and/or service. or anticipated employment opportuni- In 1966, the proficiency award in Or- Also in 1971, the ceremony at the Na- ties. Further, the programs were open to namental Horticulture was added. This tional FFA Convention for naming the all who could benefit from the training or award was dropped in 1977 and separate Star Farmer of America and Star Ag- retraining. For vocational agriculture, awards were added for Fruit and/or Veg- ribusinessman was combined into the this was interpreted to mean training etable Production, Tlirf and Landscape Stars Over America Pageant. could be offered to any student requiring Management, Floriculture and Nursery One thing is certain. An expanded in- knowledge and skills in agriculture, Operation. But what do we do for agri- structional program has given added op- whether they live on a farm or not. The business? portunities for students preparing for supervised farming program that had The first breakthrough came in 1968 careers in agriculture. It has also enabled been a requirement of all students in the with the Agricultural Proficiency Award the FFA to continue to grow in mem- early years of vocational agriculture be- in Agribusiness. Some FFA leaders were bership, making an all-time high of came a work experience program. Stu- troubled that this was not enough. 509,735 in 1977. 20 The National FUTURE FARMER Marinen^ar MarineBesenfe

Start with tough basic training. Start with tough basic training. Move on to training which prepares you Continue your short term of active duty to work in one of our many specialty fields. with training in the same specialties as Work at your specialty in the U.S., in a Regular Marines. foreign country, or at sea. Return home to your civilian career or Receive good full-time pay, medical to school.Work at your Marine specialty at a care, and shopping privileges Reserve unit near your home one weekend at military stores. And a month and attend training two weeks earn 30 days a year time each summer. off with pay. Receive good part-time pay every Enjoy the special month. Enjoy the special pride pride that comes with that comes with earning the earning the title: title: United States Marine. United States Marine. Find out more. Find out more. Mail the card or Mail the card or call call 800-423- 800-423-2600, toll 2600, toll free. free. In California, In California, 800-252-0241. 800-252-0241.

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Here's your first assignment Prove to everywhere with the family. Just fold your parents that you're old enough to own down the handlbars, and stick it in the your own bike. How? back of the car. (It won't leak gas or oil Show them that when it comes to taking on the way.) on responsibility of any kind, you're not a kid Here's a dirt bike of another color. anymore. Because kids don't ride motorcycles. Lime green, like its racing cousin, the Now, a good place to start (other than KX80 mini (not shown). It has a motocross cleaning up your room), is learning whatkind ofbike to ask for \bu11 be glad to know that KDX80 Kawasaki has the right mini motorcycle for every rider starting out We're here to tell you about all of them, so you can tell your < parents. Good Luck. If you want to play in the dirt, start on the pa)80M. Dad will like the price, you'll like everything else. It comes with a 5-speed trans- frame and suspension, leading axle front forks, and a 16"front wheel to handle KD80M rough ground. The engine is an 82cc 2-stroke reed valve. %u're ready to ride the sfreets. But you don't want to give up the dirt- Then the KMIOO is your bike; it can fi handle both. And the 99cc 2- ^^troke rotary valve engine goes a longway on a tank of gas. mission, a 79cc 2-stroke engine, and primary starting, so you can start in any gear. There's no premixing oil and gas, our Superlube injection KMIOO takes care of that This 3-speed trail bike is great for beginners TheKV75has an automatic dutch, which means nodutchlevertodeal with. And it goes

*Manufacturers suggested retail pricefor the KDSOMorthe KV75, KV75 excludingfrei^t, dealerprep, title and taxes. Offer valid only while supplies last. Available in U. S. and Canada. Prices slightly higher in Canada. Kawasaki believes in riding safely. Check local laws beforeyou ride. Member ofAMA, MICandMSF. Specifications subject to change without notice. Kawasaki Don't let the good times pass you by. Seated are National Secretary Philip Benson, left, and Douglas Rinlcer, national president. Standing left to right are national vice presidents Elin Duckworth, Dee

James, Donald Trimmer, Jr., and Jeffrie Kirby. YOUR NEW NATIONAL OFFICERS

rpfflRTY-SIX of FFA's finest mem- Benson, 20-year-old Phil served as a Cal- Elin Duckworth, 19, of Mesa, J. bers at the 52nd National Convention ifornia state officer and was a runner-up Arizona, says, "FFA has been my life. I spent a week of their lives in an experi- in the national finals of FFA public am indebted to it. The opportunity to

. ence of emotion, stress, fellowship and speaking. Now pursuing a career goal in serve is very rewarding " As new west- personal discovery. Each of the 36, can- agribusiness and beef production, Phil em region vice president, Elin brings a didates for national office, faced a nomi- draws on a wide range of leadership abili- personal quality of enthusiasm to the or- nating committee challenged to select six ties including sports and student judicial ganization. Her work in agriculture in- officers to represent FFA for a year. An committee activities. cludes sales positions at a nursery and awesome task, the committee's report Jeff Kirby, southern region vice presi- feed store and sales assistant for agricul- came before a silenced audience during a dent, says, "The office is a dream I've tural products. Elin served as chapter convention session. Following the report had. It will be a continuation of dedica- president and treasurer as well as state and moments of pressure and frenzy, six tion and service." Jeff, 19-year-old son vice president. She has competed in na- FFA members took their places as Na- of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Kirby of tional meats and horticulture contests and tional Officers. Mountain Home, Arkansas, served as served her high school as student body "I've been inspired by National Offi- chapter and state president. In high officer and Outstanding Student Leader. cers and feel I owe something to FFA," school, Jeff spent his time on the student Elin is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. says Doug Rinker, 20, of Winchester, council. Beta honors society, track and David Duckworth. Virginia, new national president. Doug, football teams. Jeff's area of work in ag- "A satisfied customer is the best the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rinker, riculture includes veterinarian assistant salesman," says Dee James of his FFA served as chapter president of James and beef production. involvement. Dee says he looks forward Wood FFA and Virginia state president. "I believe in my ability and desire to to "telling the story" of FFA during his Before his election to president, a beef serve the members," confided Don term as central region vice president. A

and orchard operation kept Doug busy in Trimmer, Jr. , before his election as east- 20-year-old wheat producer from Clay between studies in agricultural education em region vice president. A 20-year-old Center, Kansas, Dee is the son of Mr. at Virginia Tech. While in high school, from Woodsboro, Maryland, Don assists and Mrs. Wilbert Killman of Clay Center Doug became a cross country varsity let- his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Trim- and Bill James of Abilene. Dee served as

terman and member of the National mer, Sr. , with a 250-head herd of regis- chapter and state president and competed Honor Society. tered Angus. From Star Greenhand to in FFA public speaking and judging con- New National Secretary Philip Ben- state president of Maryland FFA Don has tests on district, state and national levels. son of Winters, California, said a few achieved high awards in livestock and Dee is also active in Kansas State Uni- days before his election, "I hope I can meats judging as well as accomplishing versity student activities serving as a pass on leadership skills to others if I am himself in student government, chorus, senator and winner of the Blue Key out- elected." Son of Mr. and Mrs. John theater and sports. standing sophomore leader scholarship. December-January. 1979-80 25 Delegates, judging teams, contestants, award winners and friends of the FFA filled the Kansas City Municipal Auditorium once again with a sea of blue and gold. Clockwise, from left, national officers Kevin Drone, Jeff Rudd, Mark Sanborn, Kelly Grant, Elvin Caraway and Dean Norton presided over the convention sessions. THE CONVENTION!

Prepared for Progress—three words and share in the emotion of being named chapters from across the nation. Many of that best describe the thousands of the best. They're all winners—and all the chapters, such as the 151 that received witnesses to the spectacle at the 52nd preparing for progress. national Building Our American Com- National FFA Convention. Preparing for Some came with years of progress be- munities awards, have spent years in Progress—for over 22,000 members, hind them. The awarding of the Ameri- group efforts of community develop- advisors and friends of the Future Farm- can Farmer degree, FFA's highest, to 789 ment. Judges singled out the Big Walnut ers of America, these three words are no members may have concluded goals set Chapter of Sunbury, Ohio, as operators longer the convention theme, they are by recipients. But the degree doesn't of the finest BOAC program in the coun- now a very real challenge. signify an end, it is a mark of a begin- try. Over 100 chapters in FFA's safety The 1979 edition of the world's largest ning, a symbol of high achievement and award program and 120 top chapters in youth convention in Kansas City is now establishment in agriculture. the chapter award program left Kansas history. Three days of official convention Dairy farmer Kevin Holtzinger of City with emblems of gold, silver or activities, November 7-9, kept Future Pennsylvania, named Star Farmer of bronze and a true sense of accomplish- Farmers enthralled in excitement, learn- America, exemplifies the personal drive ment. The chapters now are even more ing and discovery. necessary to operate a productive farm at prepared for progress—with winning Kansas City felt the first waves of the age 21. Robert Lovelace of Missouri, comes inspiration. gathering days before the first tapping of named Star Agribusinessman, also rises The gathering in Kansas City culmi- the gavel. Hotels within 40 miles of the as the cream of the crop. Robert's nursery nated countless hours of "labor and till- convention auditorium registered van- seed business fits its owner; both are a age of the soil" for individuals as well as loads of young leaders. Before the week's competitive success story. chapters. National awards were pre- end each Future Farmer and advisor The convention served as an arena of sented to 22 winners in the FFA profi- would lose some sleep, sweat on the palm deserved recognition for involved FFA ciency award program. The recognized

26 The National FUTURE FARMER — .

FFA members have a proven record of excellence in each proficiency area of agricultural production or agribusiness. ^M^^H Preparing to progress—all participants in 'f ^"^wk the motivational proficiency program are forging ahead with careers in agriculture. m^M Fu- Going it alone; two contests in the ^L :>-"« ture Farmer program stand as one of a kind. Nowhere can an individual go through a competitive series from local chapters to the stage of the National FFA i^^^ i» ^^H 1^1 Convention speaking before 20,000 lis- teners. Progressing through all stages as number one, Lynette Marshall of Cham- ^^1 paign, Illinois, took top honors in the Prepared Public Speaking contest. The ^Q^^^H first ever finals in the Extemporaneous fl^^^^^^^^^^H Speaking contest resulted in winner Christe Peterson of Madison, Wisconsin. i^b^ In her speech, Christe said, "Work is the Christe Peterson, left, became the first national winner in FFA's new Extemporane- most important word in leadership." ous Public Speaking contest. Lynette Marshall, right, took top honors in the Pre- Christe and Lynette—examples of FFA pared Speaking event, the first female winner in the contest's history. members working to achieve, preparing for leadership. Team efforts are a trademark of FFA masterpiece," said Dr. Robert Schuller, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company activities. This year two special teams the convention's kickoff speaker. Schul- received distinguished service citations the famous "mail order" National FFA ler, with his dynamic approach to the for significant service to agriculture and Band and Chorus—performed beauti- challenge of "possibility thinking," was FFA. Roland M. Hendrickson, president fully under the guidance of band director only one of many inspiring and educa- of the Agricultural Division of Pfizer, Roger Heath and chorus director Marvin tional speakers heard at the convention. Inc., was named 1980 chairman of the Myers. The 203 musicians comprising Congressman Charles Stenholm of Texas FFA Foundation Sponsoring Committee these teams exhibit marks of accom- urged members to "believe in the future Through the efforts of 1979 Chairman plishment in music. of farming" and encouraged FFA to up- Robert Lund, vice president of General Judging teams converged on Kansas hold the ideals of free enterprise. Dr. Motors, the Foundation announced the City for the national FFA contests, Thomas Haggai, Cotton Ivy, Stella Par- raising of $1,050,000 to fund FFA pro- events that conclude months and often ton and Dr. Dan Dunham also addressed grams . years of preparation in nine areas such as the group. The convention provided an experi- livestock judging and farm management. The convention not only recognized ence for everyone—be it a few minutes

Over 1 ,400 FFA members making up 362 FFA's finest members. FFA Alumni of conversation with a business or gov- teams from all states applied their skills Leadership Workshops inspired thou- ernment leader, an educational side trip in national competition. The "best of the sands throughout the week. FFA used the to agricultural points of interest or emo- best" were named, but all teams are convention to recognize special contribu- tional exposure to the myriad of conven- winners—all prepared to progress with tors from hundreds of National FFA tion activities geared for learning and knowledge in specific areas of agricul- Foundation sponsors and adult sup- discovery. This year's event truly pre- ture. porters. Farm Journal magazine. East- pared those in attendance for another "The future is not a menace, it's a em States Exposition and the Atchison, year of progress as leaders in agriculture.

Over 200 booths introduced FFA members to career oppor- Motivational, inspiring, educational— three words that tunities during the National Agricultural Career Show. best describe speakers such as Dr. Robert Schuller.

December-January, 1979-80 The Winners' Circle

National Winners in bold type. Name of Award Central Region Eastern Region Southern Region Western Region Sponsor Star Americon Former Dennis Ringhofer Kevin Holtzinger Steven Burke Jerry Wiebe National FFA Foundation Owotonno, Minnesota Windsor, Pennsylvonio Millen, Georgia Hooker, Oklohomo General Fund Owotonno FFA Chapter Bermudion FFA Chapter Jenkins County FFA Hooker FFA Chapter Star Agribusinessman Robert Lovelace Stanley Polmer W. Kenley Redditt Ron Grabner Notional FFA Foundation Elsberry, Missouri Alliance, Ohio Orlando, Florida Kent, Washington General Fund Isberry FFA Chapter Morlingfon FFA Chapter Orlando-Coloniol FFA Fife FFA Chapter Prepared Lynette Marshall Paul BenneH David Funk Kevin Shurtleff National FFA Foundation Public Speaking Chompaign, Illinois Red House, Virginia Bronson, Florida Seguin, Texos General Fund SparlondTf.S. FFA Randolph Henry FFA Bronson FFA Seguin FFA Chapter Extemporaneous Christe Peterson John Pope Randy Hedge Nick Siddle Americon Form Bureau Public Speaking Madison, Wisconsin Catawba, NC Wickes, Arkansas Cody, Wyoming Federotion Janesville-Parker FFA Bondys FFA Chapter Wickes FFA Chopter " Buffolo Bill FFA Agricultural Proficiency Awards Agricultural Joe Alwan JonL Eck^ Chuck ClyoTt Rory Spellmon Food and Energy Electrification Sycamore, Illinois Chandlersville, Ohio Lake Butler, Florida Riverton, Wyoming Council, Inc. Sycamore FFA Muskingum Area AIES FFA Lake Butler Senior FFA Riverton FFA Agricultural Mark Wint Jay Gainer Darrell Clark Richard Durront International Harvester "Mechanics Elizobethtown, Indiana Monheim, Pennsylvania Grand Ridge, Florida Meridian, Idaho Columbus East FFA Monheim FFA Chapter Grond Ridge FFA Kuno FFA Chapter

Agricultural William Novak II Dale Ormeroid Gerald Edwards, Jr. Bruce Durront Cargill, Inc. Processing Denmark, Wisconsin Richwood, Ohio Punto Gordo, Florida Meridian, Idaho Denmark FFA Chopter Tri-Rivers JVS FFA Charlotte County FFA Kuno FFA Chapter Agricultural Sates David Eid James Gowen John Goodwin, Jr. JonieSelmon Allis-Chalmers and/or Service Montevideo, Minnesota Gladys, Virginia Gurley, Alobomo Tremonton, Utah Corporation Montevideo FFA Wm. Campbell FFA Gurley FFA Chopter Beor River FFA

Beef Production Bradley Staley Don Hilty John Sims III Julie Lebsock NASCO and Hampton, Iowa Medwoy. Ohio Oak Grove, Louisiana Sterling, Colorodo Sperry New Holland Hompton Tall Corn FFA Tecumsen FFA Chapter Oak Grove FFA Sterling FFA Crop Production Christopher Fox Delmon Hordee Fred Lingo Rondy Loutzenhiser Massey- Ferguson, Inc. Elkton, Kentucky Benson, North Carolina Oak Grove, Louisiana Flagler, Colorado Todd Central FFA South Johnston FFA Oak Grove FFA Flagler FFA Chapter Dairy Production Koren Green Kevin Lorcom Clinton Pote Chuck Perry Avco New Idea Form Elsie, Michigan Radnor, Ohio Chipley, Florida Elmo, Washington Equipment and Ovid-Elsie FFA Buckeye Valley FFA Chipley FFA Chapter Elmo FFA Chapter The DeLovol Separator Co. Diversified Livestock Kevin Robinson William W. B. Hurt Mark Wiley Tawny Tesconi A. O. Smith Horvestore Production Eskridge, Kansas Blockstone, Virginia Abbeville, SC Santo Rosa, California Products, Inc. and Mission Volley FFA Nottoway Senior FFA Abbeville FFA Santo Rosa FFA Woyne Feeds, Div. of Allied Mills

Fish and Wildlife Thod Shively Lorry Stone O. Scott Stoutamire Lloyd Goebel Philip Morris, Inc. Management Pleasant Lake, NO Orrum, North Carolina Hosford, Florida Castle Rock, Washington Rugby FFA Chapter Orrum FFA Chapter Liberty County FFA Toledo FFA Chapter Floriculture Linda Workman Daniel Trivette John Tedder Douglas Knippel Notional FFA Foundation Crutchfield, Kentucky Ladysmith, Virginia Lady Lake, Florida Comas, Wasnington General Fund Fulton County FFA Caroline Senior FFA Leesburg Senior FFA Evergreen FFA Forest Management Mike Benson Charles Jenison Clarence Manning DeAnne Summerlin Weyerhoeuser Compony Blockduck, Minnesota New Berlin, New York Oak Grove, Louisiono Deer Pork, WA Foundation Blockduck FFA New Berlin FFA Oak Grove FFA Deer Pork FFA

Fruit and/or Vegetoble George Collier II Darrell Cockram Horold Valentine Paul Herrmon Brings & Stratton Production Compton, Kentucky Meadows of Dan, VA Buchanan, Tennessee Connell, Woshington Corporation Wolfe County FFA Corroll County FFA Paris FFA Chapter Connell FFA Chapter Home and/or Farmstead Charles Ward Lorry DeWitt Steve Foster Dovid Kennedy The Upjohn Company Improvement Coggon, Iowa Sunburv, Ohio Woodbury, Tennessee Stillwoter, Oklohomo North Linn FFA Big Walnut FFA Woodbury FFA Perry FFA Chopter Horse Proficiency Julie Doese Kothy Honners Jeff Pitzer Clifford Strieklond The American MORGAN Delhi, Iowa Washington C.H., Ohio Perry, Georgio Longmont, Colorado Horse Foundation Moquoketo Valley FFA Miami trace FFA Perry Senipr FFA St. Vroin Valley FFA Nursery Operations Chuck Homernik Robert Kemp Clint Albin James Anderton Weyerhaeuser Compony Clorkson, Nebraska Princess Anne, MD Bush, Louisiono Quinlon, Texas Foundation Clorkson FFA Chapter J.M.TowesVo-TechFFA Covington High FFA Quinlon FFA Chopter Outdoor Recreation Jeff Errthum Juli Dolfinger James Buckner Eugene Barnes White Farm Equipment North Bueno Vista. Iowa Delawore, Ohio Dayton, Tennessee Poulsbo, Woshington Company Guttenberg FFA Chapter Delaware Hayes FFA Rhea County FFA North Kitsap FFA

Placement in AGRI/ Gory Ropp Roger Schulze Kenny Neel Michael Clawson Hesston Corporation and cultural Production Goodland, Indiono Anno, Ohio Elberto, Alabama Mesa, Arizona Shell Chemical Compony South Nev/ton FFA Anna FFA Chapter Foley FFA Chapter Mountoin View FFA Poultry Production Tim Lemler Melonie Burgess Tony Cain Nora Warren National FFA Foundation Bourbon, Indiana Harrisonburg, VA Opp, Alabama Round Rock, Texas General Fund Triton FFA Chapter Broadway FFA Opp "Blue" FFA Round Rock FFA

Sheep Production Gory Gooder Joel Litt Shonnon LeJeune Kevin Morehort American Sheep Producers Cresco, Iowa Lexington, Ohio Iota, Louisiana Forgo, Oklohomo Council, Inc. and Cresco FFA Chapter Northmor FFA Iota FFA Chapter Forgo FFA Chapter Carnotion Company Soil and Water David Gulick Bob Rooks Joel Weiher Ivan Stecklein Ford Motor Company Monogement Merrill, Michigan Perrysville, Ohio Cottage Grove, TN Ault, Colorado Foundotion Breckenridge FFA Loudonville FFA Poris FFA Chapter Eaton-Highland FFA

Swine Production Arlen Butts Ricky Hartsell Sandro Sinipson Alan Somber Pfizer, Inc. Evonsville, Wisconsin Stonfield, NC Iva, South Carolina Sterling, Colorado Evansville FFA Central Coborrus FFA Crescent FFA Chopter Sterling FFA Chapter Turf and Landscape Randy Tlschendorf Tony Ackley Danny Block Terry Daniel O. M. ScoM&Sons Management Morsnfield, Wisconsin Morysville, Ohio Cleveland, Tennessee Mesa, Arizona Compony Morshfield FFA Marysville FFA Bradley FFA Chapter Westwood FFA Chapter

Notiono! BOAC Citation Stanton FFA Chapter Big Walnut FFA Seobreeze FFA Otis FFA Chopter Lilly Endowment, Inc. Stanton, Nebrosko Sunbury, Ohio Doytono, Florida Otis, Colorado Contest Winning Team High Individual Sponsor Agricultural Mechontcs Minnesota— Leslie Marty, Mark Neu, Gary Kowalski The Firestone Tire and Rubber Gory Kowalski; Pelicon Rapids Pelican Rapids, Minnesoto Company

Dairy Cottle Tennessee— Gory Rogers, Barry Rogers, Gory Rogers Associoted Milk Producers, Inc. Steve Rogers; Speedwell, Tennessee Speedwell, Tennessee Form Business Iowa—Mark Fox, Doug Pringnitz, Kevin Kleinhekse) Deere & Company Management Deo Sponheim; Osage Hamilton, Michigan Floriculture Minnesoto— Barb Pick, Noncy Rivers, David Ostrich The Vitolity Seed Company Lois Bork; Winono Herndon, Virginio

Livestock California—Art Green, Jr., Marty Tom Hood Ralston Purina Company Roberts, Randy Jones; Santo Ynez Guthrie, Oklahoma Meats Oklahoma—Mark Irwin, Tod Beverage, Steve Lorcher Jones Dairy Form, George A. Brad Cloyburn, Perkins Meridian, Idaho Hormel 8> Co., Farmland Foods, Inc., ond Oscar Mayer & Company Milk Quality and California— Joni Kunhle, Andi Rexroth, Barbara Cerny Mid-America Dairymen, Inc. Doiry Foods Barbara Cerny; Atoscodero Atoscodero, California ond Potz Company Nursery /Landscape California- Mory Borer, Tim Clark, Mike Novak American Association of Nursery- Rondy Wotermon, Conogo Pork Allentown, New Jersey men, Inc., Wholesale Nursery Growers of Amertco, Inc.

Poultry Arkansas— Keith Squires, Keith Ken Childress Victor F. Weaver, Inc. and Childress, Ken Childress, Springdole Springdole, Arkonsos Hubbard Forms n'

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Farming By Computer

Mechanized farmhands can handle a variety of farm chores, from figuring books to rationing feed.

Pocket calculators, often called "mini- computers," can increase mathematical accuracy and reduce accounting time.

SOMEWHERE, somehow, a computer algebra or vo-ag class. However, the PC farmer's time in our office, he's happier. knows your name. It may also know is unique in its capability to store differ- With the programmed calculator, the your address, age and telephone number. ent formulas and perform mathematical process is not only quicker but the farmer

It may know if you've had traffic tickets, operations in a planned, functional se- is insured that what we 've done for him is bad grades or the measles. If you farm, a quence. correct. If we're provided the right input computer probably knows how many "You can do everything on a pro- data (facts and figures fed to the ma- bushels and calves you grow on your grammable calculator that you do on a chine), the farmer always gets the right place. But don't be unnerved. The com- computer," explains Tom. "It just can't answers." puter is, in all its wisdom, a mere ma- do as much at one time. Though many The age of computers is not solely in chine. Its function is to serve, not to offices have calculators, ASCS still government farm work. Computers and control. In fact, computers have been maintains a large, central computer in calculators are useful in many different faithful servants to agriculture for some Kansas City that processes data sent by situations in agriculture. But there's a time now. Chances are, that service will ASCS offices. We not only figure loans difference between a "computer" and a continue to grow. "calculator." Tom Meyer is a "master" of a com- Not long ago, the common pocket cal- puter. Tom works in the Agriculture culator could have passed for a powerful Stabilization and Conservation Service computer. The first calculators were (ASCS) of the U.S. Department of Ag- large, loud and expensive machines that riculture. His job as computer systems took several seconds to think out a prob- analyst puts him in control of a computer lem and deliver an answer. As more and that processes loan information for farm- more people used them, the calculator ers in need of financial aid. Tom wrote evolved to its present state: portable, the national cotton loan "program," ac- quiet, fast and affordable. tually a plan of formulas and data needed The computer could be termed a by the computer to calculate correct re- super-calculator, yet it's very different. sults. Calculators work with numbers. They "Nearly every agency in USDA uses add, subtract, multiply and divide. PC's computers," says Tom. "Many of the with computers but calculate deficiency can perform operations but only a very 2,700 ASCS offices nationwide are now payments, reconstitute forms if a limited number. Computers work not using programmable calculators, or farmer's operational scope changes and only with numbers, but with alpha- mini-computers, to figure loans. If fig- even do aerial photography." numeric data—names, words, stock ured manually, most loans are difficult Tom says the computer does not numbers. A computer can be pro- and time-consuming. With the pro^ change the transaction between the grammed to repeat functions, logically grammable calculator, you can do the job farmer and ASCS. The only difference, evaluate information and act on its find- in one hour instead of eight." as Tom puts it, is "farmers are impressed ings. It can store large volumes of data The programmable calculator (PC) re- with how quickly they can complete their and even converse with its operator, ask- sembles the calculator you may use in business with us. If you can cut the (Continued on Page 36)

December-January, 1979-80 33 FFA Can Help Your Career

By Gerald Smith, Jr.

FFA activities can lead to the selection Active in many FFA activities in Miss- and pursuit of a career. One who can issippi while a member of the Utica attest to this concept is Dr. Troy V. Ma- Chapter, Troy Majure earned a State jure, Jr., who has practiced veterinary Farmer degree and served as state presi- medicine and been co-owner of an ani- dent of the FFA. mal clinic in Clinton, Mississippi, for His childhood and teen years were more than five years. filled with many experiences in relation to beef cattle coupled with an intense FFA member Troy Majure with a cham- interest in animals in general. "I always pion heifer. He is presently a veterinO' felt like I'd become a veterinarian, at rian and co-owner of a clinic. least since the age of 10," he said. When asked which FFA activities help sities and was a big factor in establishing him most in pursuit of his career. Dr. an understanding of the health problems Majure named the beef cattle and public speaking programs. of farm animals. "FFA public speaking," Majure said, Dr. Majure raised and showed beef "helped me in preparation for college cattle before he was old enough to join and made it easier for me to assume lead- the FFA and continued through college. ership roles in civic and religious ac- His skill and practical experience with tivities." Majure won the state FFA pub- beef cattle helped pay his way through lic speaking contest during his junior Mississippi State and Auburn Univer- year in high school. He was also an honor

Route No. 1 Waverly w.va. 261S4 Telephone 304.679-3128 student in both high school and college. Dr. Majure stresses several ingredients which are important for pursuing a career as a veterinarian. These include estab- lishing a goal, gaining practical experi- ence with animals, concentration on all

levels of study (math , science , . , sell- a Qfteat gift! etc ) ing yourself and your plan and learning to Lar^e 20" x 24" understand people. Jesi^neJ to tit Practicing veterinary medicine is time consuming requiring from 60 to 70 work- Beautifttlly re ing hours per week. A veterinarian is also on lieaYy t«: subject to being on call beyond working hours but Dr. Majure finds his work satis- «nt postpaia ii fying and rewarding. he to ^uarattte© arrival in "You treat sick pets and deal psycho- ffdtiect conation. logically with the pet's owner. Your FFA activities can help you, especially in learning to understand and work with 'ONLY 3,9-5 EACH . . . Tiar^e $ people. Remember, many people depend ^A^BACmm Gil on pets, including young folks and shut- ins. You must learn to cope with these people under very emotional circum- orJet payaale to: Make clk«c*t ot mfn^^f stances," he said. '=OON YIISWB While establishing himself in his vet- erinary practice, Majure experienced one - P. O. Box 5006 San Diedo, California 92105 of the same difficulties anyone going into small business encounters—finance. "Where a human doctor has an estab- i» rtease send lished hospital to work from, a veterina- HnclJla $. PP rian has to invest in a clinic which must ( ) FEISTY COLT posters to: Name. include facilities to keep and adequately care for sick animals. The key to estab- ( PLEASE PRINT ) AdJress. lishing our clinic was to sell our plan to our financers," Majure said. Dr. Majure City State. sold his plan and is now reaping the bene-

CALIFORNIA ORDERS PLEASE ADO 6 PERCENT SALES TAX. fit of success he has planned for through PLEASE ADO 50c FOR CANADIAN ORDERS. years of hard work and determination. 34 The National FUTURE FARMER .

The Roots of a Name IF YOU had just made a contraption out of a few metal bars and blades, one that would tear through acres of hardened

soil, would you dub it "plow"? Or how about "disc"? Better yet, who ever thought up "moldboard" or "chisel" or "har- row"? Names come from everywhere. Sometimes they describe the machine to its fullest, like "seeder" or "spreader." But more often than not, implement names have hidden meanings, "roots" that are covered with a layer of history. Such is the case with the combine. Modem rotary combines are the result of 100 years development experience. The name took some development too As recently as 1923, big-scale farmers in Montana wheat country were calling the machines by their correct and proper name: "combined harvester and thresher." Since then, the term's been shortened into the single word we now use to talk about grain harvesting machines, says George Eastman, prod- uct manager for combines at Sperry New Holland. From the time of Abraham to George Washington, farmers cut and threshed grain by hand. Cutting was usually by sickle or reaping hook. Threshing was by flail or animal treading. Either way, sheaves of grain were spread out on a threshing floor for the operation. Raking off the straw came next. This was followed by separating grain and chaff. Most of the progress came since the death of George Wash- ington, First, the grain cradle replaced the sickle. Threshing was a wintertime task. In the summer you had your hands full enough to just get the wheat cradled, bundled and hauled into the bam. There was no time to swing the flail. And all the grain was flail-threshed. Before the Civil War, threshing was already going mechanical over much of the country. A combined harvester-thresher was invented by Hiram

Moore . After tinkering with it for a while , he more or less got it working in 1853. A herd ofhorses pulled and powered it. It was ahead of its time.

When the time for the combine came, it was too large and expensive for most farms but big "bonanza" farms of the West were just right for it, according to the biggest bonanza fanner of them all, Thomas Campbell.

During the World War I food crisis, Campbell farmed hundreds of thousands of acres that stretched miles wide from north to south. His observation on the 24-foot cut machines was: "Only seven men are required to operate this wonderful combined harvester and thresher." The name was almost seven times too large. So farmers shortened it to "combine" in much less time than it took manufacturers to lower the operation requirements from seven men to one. That's how we got the name.

/*> ^

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outsold all other rat bait combined. Last year, more d-CON* Rat Killer was sold than ever before. The reason's pure and simple. d-CON works. Only d-CON has the exclusive toxicant Wincon? d-CON wipes out everything from your biggest, toughest, most destructive rats right on down to pesky mice.

Try d-CON yoiu'self and see why it outsells all other rat bait combined! "You won't have any trouble with our new metrics d-CON: America's measures. Just remember that a hectoliter equals 26.4178 gallons." #1 Rat Killer. Again. December-January, 1979-80 35 for complete business systems and main- Computer tenance. Some small computers may be rented at prices starting at $1,800 per (Continuedfrom Page 31) month. The owner of a computer must know a

great deal about the system 's workings in ing questions like, "I don't understand order to make the unit economically feas- that word. Can you explain?" ible. Some programs, such as herd im- Both computers and calculators have provement records, could be used regu- served many areas of agriculture. larly enough to keep the operator familiar Through the use of computer models, or with the procedure. However, Dr. Lan- simulations, agricultural engineers have pher says, "If you own a computer, you found ways to control feedlot runoff and must have enough expertise to produc- implement water quality programs. By tively use software (computer programs). using a budget and a computer, a farmer The operator must know what goes on in can make sound decisions in a farm man- the program." Obviously, owning a com- agement program. Computer terminals puter can 'oe an aid to farm management —stations that send and receive input and or a very costly piece of furniture. output give ranchers the latest hog and — Should you wish to apply a computer beef prices and facilitate trading. program in your farming or agribusiness Some computers will talk to you on the project, buying a computer is not your phone. By dialing a number, the Agricul- only choice. Extension agencies, many Computer printouts such as the ture Weather System, or Green Thumb, one of which are located at postsecondary above will provide the latest weather, agricul- can summarize a farm opera- institutions, often have computer soft- tion tural and market information on your TV and reveal needed information in ware and hardware (the actual ma- screen. The service may soon be avail- a categorized manner. chinery) available for use. able nationwide for rent or purchase. "Some institutions have a comput- Though you may already be indirectly ord of computer input and output, he also erized farm management record keeping affected by computers, you can have di- receives an analysis of his records and system," says Fred Thorpe of USDA's rect access to these "figuring machines." farm management assistance, if needed. Economics, Statistics and Cooperatives Many colleges and universities are re- The University of Missouri, another Service (ESCS). "The set-up varies but quiring at least one course in computer leading institution in computer assistance usually the farmer pays a fairly nominal technology. More and more electronic for farmers, has initiated a remote termi- fee for the service. The farmer provides equipment is showing up on farms across nal system. Terminals located in field input from records, the computer proc- America. offices throughout the state are utilized esses the information and an accounting "Computers will continue to separate by local farmers who type data on the division analyzes the results. The data is the men from the boys in terms of man- terminal and send it via telephone wire to then summarized for the farmer and also agement ability," says Dr. Buel Lanpher, a central computer on the university aggregated with other farmers' results. program leader for farm management in campus. The farmer simply waits for his Thus, the producer receives both a report the USDA's Science and Education Ad- printout in the field office. on his farm and a comparison of similar ministration (SEA). "In the last year and Should you wish to use an extension operations." a half there's been a boom in interest computer system, first make an appoint- Kansas State University has imple- among farmers in mini-computers. Ex- ment. You will need to supply accurate mented an extensive system of farm tension Service offices in most heavy ag- data in the correct form. Classes, meet- management aid. Not only does the ricultural states are hearing questions ings and media campaigns are often or- farmer receive a printout, or printed rec- from farmers regarding the usefulness of ganized by the extention service to train the computer. Many farmers are getting those wishing to use computer wizardry into it as a hobby, then applying the com- in management chores. puter to their operations." ESCS figures show that miscellaneous Dr. Lanpher sees three options for a farm business expenses jumped a half farmer regarding computer use. "First," billion dollars over the last three years. he says, "you can use the programmable The figure includes expenses for record calculator. Usually you can get programs keeping and office equipment. Farm and at a university and run them, or learn to agribusiness management is a constant write your own. Secondly, there's the challenge for today's farmer. Tomor- 'dumb' terminal, or one that resembles a row's farmer will be even more precise typewriter with a phone hook-up. You with farm and business figures. A com- can dial into a computer located far away puter or calculator may prove to be a and punch in commands on your termi- helping hand in your operation. nal. The computer then responds on a Dr. Richard Rudel of SEA says, "The printout issued from your terminal. Fi- computer is no better than the data you nally, the farmer can purchase and use a put into it and the program used to micro-computer." analyze your input. A farmer must keep Lanpher cautions against the blind good records to begin with." purchase of a computer. Most micro- The "figuring machine" won't make computer systems run between $1,600 mistakes. No matter how prevalent com- and $5,000, with programs such as per- puters and calculators become in farm- sonal finance, feed rationing, marketing, ing, the operator will still be responsible budget analysis and cow-culling lists "It says it will be on vacation from the for the important farm business deci- costing from $20 each to $300 a month 3rd to the 20th inclusive." sions.

36 The National FUTURE FARMER !

Store Manure Safely

DEADLY bomb may lurk in your A manure storage unit. Without warn- ing, the right spark could set off a blast. Toxic gases such as ammonia, methane, caibon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide are released fi'om decomposing manure. Even extremely low concentra- tions can cause headaches, irritation of the respiratory tract, nausea and dizzi- ness. Higher amounts can kill. If one-tenth of 1 percent of the available air is lethal gas, fainting and death can occur with little or no warning. Many individuals have fallen victim to manure gases. The National Safety Council suggests several precautions that can reduce the hazards of stored fer- tilizer. Adequate ventilation is of utmost im- portance to keep gas concentrations low. Exhaust fans and a stand-by power sys- tem are listed as good investments in safety. Doors and windows should be opened when agitating manure, and the operator should stay out of the storage area. If a manure pit must be entered, use a self-contained breathing device and a Askfor Nocona Boots wh^re quality western boots are sold. Style shoum "4781. With No. ,6 toe ifs Style «i242. safety harness with rope. If you're wear- NOCONA BOOT COBfPANY - ENID JUSTIN. PRESIDENT . DEPT. NFF4781 BOX 599 • NOCONA. TEXAS 76255 -1817) 825-3321 ing the harness and get trapped in a chamber, others won't have to risk enter- ing the unit to pull you out. Good waste management will not only reduce danger but better maintain the overall nutrient value of your manure. The plant nutrient content of animal manure varies with animal species, the amount of bedding or litter, losses of the Uquid portion and handling. Since half the nutrient content is in the liquid, effort should be made to reduce liquid losses. Adequate bedding materials and proper inspection of storage facilities are two musts. To save nutrient content when apply- ing, incorporate manure into the soil as soon after spreading as possible, or better yet, inject it with attaclunents on the tank wagon. More power is used but up to 20 percent of the nitrogen may be saved, HOW TO MAKE 18 GALLONS OF FUEL PER DAY! odors are eliminated and run-off pollu- Now you can build a wood-burning, alcohol-fuel producing still and have

a "Gas Station" in your own back yard ! With a few tion is reduced. hand tools, a welding torch, and these "Detailed Fully Illustrated" plans, (blue prints) you can be off and Sperry New Holland, makers of fer- brewing! Costs less than $250.00 to build, makes about 3/4 gallon of 170- tilizer equipment, outline a few no-no's proof (or better) alcohol every hour - inexpensive to operate - energy efficient when handling manure. - completely reliable and thoroughly tested. Can be built by about anyone - using (mostly) common recycled materials in a matter Do Not: of days. Get a complete set of plans for just $45.00 and make yourself more energy independent now • store or pile and leave uncovered Includes, how to apply to Gov't, for the necessary license to brew. • spread on snow Also available Brown Alcohol Fuel Cookbook The How to Book on making alcohol for fuel, and • spread on hard-firozen steep hillsides adjusting your car to run on alcohol $19.95. To order send $45.00 for Blue Prints (Plans) or $64.95 for both plans and book to: • pull heavy spreaders across muddy Ail-American Supply Co., Inc., Box 235, Key Biscayne, Fla. 33149. fields McBIer Charge oi Visa user Send vcw C3t* • e»p«rtion dore on cord ond By using good judgment, you can turn signaturei a pile of waste into a useful resource for production and profit.

December-January, 1979-SO 37 — f The Coming of The City

Near the borders of the Smith family ranch, new houses stand where once there was grazing land—and construction continues.

By Jeffrey Tennant

NOTHING unusual about a beef ranch ranch with his dad, Louie, and mom, point of the spread, a burgeoning culprit in central Colorado—^the state har- Teddy. The Smith family's 400 head of rears its head. Just to the east, visible bors many sprawling cattle feedlots and cows and calves include many champion through the pipes of the Smith grain- endless acres of feed-producing crop- animals. A rare, polled black Limousin handling system, the rooftops of subur- land. But Kevin Smith, an FFA member bull that recently brought $50,000 in a bia seem to march ever outward. And from Golden, Colorado, lives on a ranch half-interest sale roams the Smith pas- with the coming of the city, some five set apart from the norm. First, not many ture. The bull's semen, representative of years ago, problems previously unknown

farms run purebred polled black the Smiths ' goal to produce a fine line of to the Smiths began an unwelcome pes- Limousin cattle and, second, most aren't breeding stock, sells for $400 per am- tering. threatened by a creeping destruction pule. "The city is slowly moving here," says urban encroachment. Cruising the ranch in Kevin's four- Kevin, surveying the cluttered horizon as Kevin, 19, is one-third owner of the wheel drive truck, the future of the Smith the cool Colorado breeze skims the hill- known and respected Smith Cattle Com- Cattle Company seems bright. Good pas- top. "Not long ago, over 1,200 people a pany. Long attached to the cattle busi- ture, fat cattle, well-placed fence, a month were moving in. Still a lot of con- ness, Kevin helps manage the 2,000-acre sturdy feedlot. But once atop the highest struction going on everywhere."

Kevin sees tending cattle in his future but one question remains—where? Photos by Author

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The reason for the growth? Jobs. And plenty of them. An atomic plant, a uranium mine and the national head- quarters for solar energy research all op- erate within a few miles of the Smith place. Also close by is the Coors brew- ery, a business that, according to Louie Smith, "employs half the town of Gol- den, owns the most land in Colorado and possesses the biggest natural gas field, coal mines and most water rights." Louie, a Colorado state FFA officer in 1950 and an American Farmer, bought the Smith farm some 30 years ago. "When I first bought," he recalls, "I was in the dairy business. I bought this 17 acres with the house, dairy barn and irri- gated land for $27,000. I eventually got tired of milking cows, bought the pas- tureland and started in beef. Now land around here is going for as much as $5 per square foot." Considering 43,560 square feet per acre, that's $217,800 an acre for suburban and commercial land. Most of the Smith farm acreage is better suited for cows instead of houses. None- theless, a recent appraisal set the value of In the distance, the eastern hillside is covered with the clutter of new buildings, the Smith ranch at $350,000. reason enough for Kevin to ponder his family's farming future. With such an appreciation rate on the land, the effect of urban sprawl on land value may seem desirable. But unless a "When the city started growing," says of it cropland. In the case of pastureland, farmer begins liquidating land, the ap- Kevin, "more and more trespassers came such as the Smiths', land area has preciated land value brings expense in- to the farm. At night, drivers of all- dropped 20 million acres or 3 percent. A stead of income. terrain trucks and motorcycles would cut USDA briefing paper reports, "State and "Taxes 20 years ago on the property," our fences and drive over the pasture. local governments have taken steps to remembers Louie, "were $375 per year. They 've even jerked out wooden fence- bring order to urban development that Now it's up to $2,500. It'll keep going posts and built bonfires. I've found bro- infringes upon rural land. There is con- up, too, and nothing we can do will stop ken posts and wire where people have siderable doubt they have succeeded." it. If we take the cattle off, taxes will be taken close-range target practice with "Other local FFA members are having even higher. I can just see us paying city their rifles. And the law can't catch the same problem," shares Kevin. tax on cattle." them." Butchered cattle in the field, constant In the U.S. tax structure, taxes usually Although the intruders' visits have traffic, trespassers pulling guns on land- rise sharply when land values increase. slacked off—Louie says it's because of owners trying to protect their Some states have taken legislative action the fuel shortage—the Smiths have re- property—problems occurring more to ease the burden felt by the landowning solved to leave the farm. They're cur- regularly as the city grows. farmer. In North Carolina, the Farmland rently searching for another place— "It all stems from disrespect," says Taxation Act was passed in 1973 after place where their land will be un- Louie, a tone of aggravation in his average land value per acre doubled in molested, a place where land expansion words. "People come here from the less than ten years. Under this legisla- won't mean financial burden from city cities, buy an acre of ground and think it's tion, qualifying farmland may be as- taxes. "We've got to find an irrigated the wild west. They might have three sessed and taxed on the basis of current farm further out so we can raise our own kids, buy a horse and a couple of dogs. use value rather than market value of feed and expand," says Kevin. Before long, the kids are on your prop- potential development. Many states are If the 2,000-acre Smith ranch is sold to erty, the horse has eaten down the acre moving toward a tax break for farmland residential developers or industry, the and is starving to death and the dogs are but many farmers remain faced with ris- acreage will join the ranks of statistics chasing your cattle. Kevin was practi- ing taxes. showing decreasing amounts of land cally raised in a barn, following his

The Smiths aren't alone in their plight. farmed in the United States. The U.S. mother in her daily chores . At least he has According to a report issued by the Urban Department of Agriculture estimates 2.7 respect for other's property." Land Institute (ULI), a Washington- million acres of cropland are lost each Although Kevin says his future is in based research and educational organiza- year—500,000 to urbanization and de- cattle, he and his father both say their tion, the fastest growing areas in the velopment of public facilities and 2.2 farm will soon be absorbed by the city. United States since 1970 have been small million to less labor-intensive uses such Located on the only rural section the city cities, towns and open country com- as grass and trees. Creation through land hasn't annexed, or incorporated to the munities located outside large metropoli- management of 1.3 million acres of crop- city domain, the Smiths give their farm tan centers. The Smiths, surrounded by land per year offsets the loss but the net another two to four years. Until then, the growing Denver suburbs such as Wheat- result is still a negative 1.4 milhon. Smiths will keep looking for another ridge, Arvada and Golden, are one During 1950 to 1974, USDA studies farm, encouraged somewhat by Louie's example of a family pressed by progres- show that urban areas gobbled up 17 mil- hopeful thought: "Eventually the sprawl sive land development. lion acres of rural land, more than a third should stop. It's got to end somewhere." December-January, 1979-80 39 M.nne»««einsm

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SUZUKI 1980 The Performer. The annual Barnyard Boogie is a final Waverly, NE, FFA has their own stereo Several new ideas for Cory Rawson. event for Coopersville, MI, FFA WEEK. system for the ag department and shop. OH, FFA WEEK celebration included N-N-N N-N-N Cap Day— wear your favorite: "We sponsor a dairy and swine picture The cows all calved and they got 4,000 Greenhand poster contest—winner gets judging contest for all students and fac- bales off Kalispell, MT, Chapter farm. FFA vest and posters go up around school ulty during noon hour of FFA WEEK. N-N-N to promote WEEK; hog calling contest Give $30 in prizes." Mountain Lake, Triple crown winner at Iowa State Fair, for a representative from each club in MN. Eagle Grove Chapter won supreme mar- school; and a coffee break from 5 a.m. -11 N-N-N ket swine, supreme purebred swine and There's a new FFA flag flying at a.m. at a local farmer's diner. supreme market lamb exhibitor awards. N-N-N Ovid-Elsie, MI, school. N-N-N They have a battle of the sexes to raise N-N-N Money raiser for Hastings, MN, is mile- funds for United Way at Philadelphia, FFA in Taylorville, IL, got extra getting paid for washing and waxing In- dis- PA, Chapter with tug-o-war, foul shoot- age out of their FFA WEEK stacker ternational Harvester machinery to be ing, relay. moving it from one business running play by displayed at state fair. place to another each day. N-N-N Two large potted ferns are "commu- nity ferns " for use at weddings and other community functions and available from FFA in Wetumpka, AL. N-N-N Greg Smith, Jeff Heidrick and Jim Ohl, oi Bismarck, IL, FFA hold three of the four student council offices this year besides being FFA officers. N-N-N July The alumni at Bismarck, IL, have an The meeting of Loudonville. OH. The reporter for Sloan-Hendrix, AR, annual pig roast and hog raffle. Winning was held at the Mohican water slide and everyone brought swim gear. Chapter says "this is my first news item ticket is drawn at halftime of homecom- N-N-N for Scoop, but it won't be my last." ing. Pig roast builds alumni mem- They say their "parly pro" team at N-N-N berships. McEwen. TN, has won the district con- The dads of Wheatland, WY, kept N-N-N alive their three-year streak of winning Carthage, MO, and North Linn. lA, test for 15 years straight. the big father versus son basketball FFA Chapters had an exchange visit this N-N-N Murtaugh, ID, won a most participa- game. It's a big event locally and one summer according to Joe Butz, reporter tion award at the FFA district fitting and member announced the game for a local in North Linn. showing field day. radio station. N-N-N N-N-N N-N-N Nicky Dronoff, reporter of Dade City, Each member narrated that part of the A big exhibit for five chapters in a FL, writes of FFA July Fourth barbeque member project slide show about his. shopping mall was coordinated and man- to raise $200 for local rescue squad. supervised program, Naches. WA. ned by the Lycoming, PA, County FFA N-N-N Alumni associates. They're still painting hands green f^ N-N-N initiations in FFA. Albert Lea. MN. A different idea—chapter provided re- Greenhands have to show their green freshments for PTA meeting during FFA hands during parents' night. WEEK in Catoctin. MD. President N-N-N spoke on their program. The Placentia. CA, FFA ag boosters N.N-N delivered three meals a day during A local firm in Marshfield, WI, spon- county fair, so FFA'ers could get decent sored a 100-word essay contest for mem- food and not have to live on com dogs. bers "What FFA Means To Me" during The Wright City, MO, Chapter spon- FFA WEEK. N-N-N N-N-N sored a bean clean to help area farmers Old and new officers of Denton. TX, All the members of West Concord, get corn out of beans. got together at a camp for training plus MN, drove trucks to school on FFA N-N-N they caught enough fish for a big fry. an egg throw- WEEK Monday. Corn roast for food and N-N-N N-N-N ing contest for fun between members and Be sure to have your chapter "s dele- Officers of Kelso, WA, Chapter made parents of Amanda-Clearcreek, OH, gates to the National FFA Convention apple cider to serve at monthly meeting. FFA. Was a reception for new members give a full report of the business N-N-N and new advisor. sessions—not just the fun they had. When Advisor Rick Crawford de- N-N-N N-N-N cided to leave Marysville, OH, FFA and Sleepy Eye. NM, has a sweet corn eat- Always anxious to get newsy letters farm with his family, the chapter gave ing contest. DeLoy Beckner ate his three from FFA members with ideas to share him a Yorkshire gilt to get started. ears in the fastest time. with other members. 42 The National FUTURE FARMER a

John explains, "A stock tractor must originate from a two-wheel drive farm tractor model at 1/16 scale. The motor can be no larger than a .051 reed valve, but you can go up to .20 for the hot rods." The young farmer explains that the mini tractor must retain the tractor-like appearances of the original model, such as the body, seat, steering wheel, and hood. The tractor pullers are fierce in com- petition such as the Winter Nationals where over 80 mini tractor enthusiasts from seven midwest states converged for a one-day meet. John explains the procedures. "We pull down a 16-foot wooden track that's two-feet wide. You get two attempts and four feet to start the sled moving. It's an official pull when the skid plate crosses the four foot mark. The tractor pulling the sled the longest distance down the track wins." Before competing, FFA member John Hoffman of Whitewater, Sitting at a portable mechanic's Wisconsin, carefully checks the engine of his micro mini tractor. bench, John works on his hot rod entry as he explains costs for his stock model: $55 gearbox, $40 Cox .051 motor, $25 tires, $10 body and $7 for weights— cost of $137. Micro Mini Tractor Pull When he adds fuels, tools, and mis- By Rod Vahl cellaneous items, the costs reach approx- imately $200 for an original invest- ment. THE tractor looks like a toy, but midwest states, competing in mini trac- But John feels the costs are nominal 16-year-old John Hoffman will tor pulls sponsored by the new but rap- in return for the enjoyment and chal- quickly demonstrate that his miniature idly growing National Micro Mini lenge. In his travels to meets, he makes John Deere 4020 is anything but a toy. Tractor Pullers Association. In Febru- friends with many mini tractor fans Instead, it is a micro mini tractor ary, John rode with other mini tractor from all walks of life—farmers, me- puller that will power itself down a 16- competitors to Davenport, Iowa, to chanical engineers, agricultural teachers, foot wooden track, grinding its gears compete in the Second Annual Winter college students, and other high school while pulling a sled weighing nearly Nationals. youths. 100 pounds! John is always eager to explain mini Though the teenager hasn't won any John, a high school junior and FFA tractors to the newcomer, saying, big tourney trophies since he caught the member, normally sleeps in his bed- "There are four divisions—stock, super mini tractor puller's bug last fall, John room on the family farm in Whitewa- stock, hot rods, and four-wheel drive Hoffman, Jr., isn't about to quit—he'll ter, Wisconsin, but on many weekends road vehicles." be guiding that mini tractor down the he lives in motels throughout several Displaying his stock division entry. track until he captures that big award.

13-year-old Wally Haste of Donovan, Illinois, steers his Micro mini tractors such as the one below often represent micro puller over the 16-foot stretch of wooden track. a sizeable investment for the builder—from $150 to $200.

December-January, 1979-80 S/W IN ACTION FFA members moved, intact, a com crib, circa 1850, to the fairgrounds,

placed it on a permanent foundation

using tiles as was done in the 1800 's. They also removed the old roof and re-

placed it with new cedar shingles.

A barn 32 feet by 48 feet of the 1800 's was donated and moved to the heritage site. The hand-hewn beams were reas- sembled using original wooden pegs. FFA members helped re-roof the bam with cedar shingles prior to the start of the fair. Using lumber sawed at the site by a steam-powered sawmill the FFA mem- bers sided the bam during the fair using the board and batten technique popular at

that time . After the bam siding was com- plete the members re-sided the com crib. More than 30,000 visitors observed

the barn siding as it progressed as well as visited the more than 75 exhibits in the agricultural heritage display which in- cluded a sawmill, steam thresher, sta- The FFA parade entry honored the locomotive as one of the real hard working tionary baler, many antique tractors, en- "horses" of the past. Their community is an old railroad town so the float was a hit. gines and tools of all sorts. Del Donahue from a Cleveland televi- THE HORSE WITH WHEELS stack by adding diesel fuel to the engine sion station spent an entire aftemoon at Each year the Miles City, Montana, intake by means of a valve in the the display filming the many activities,

Jaycees sponsor a famous bucking horse operator 's cab. The exhaust manifold has including the bam siding, to be aired on sale. As part of the celebration they also been split three ways to alter the sound. his special "Del's Folks" feature. Other sponsor a "Bucking Horse Parade! " First We extended all the controls of the old activities in the heritage display included prize money for a float was $300 which truck up to the engineer's cab. chair caning, quilting, leather work, FFA won. The cab came from an "about 1912" bucket and soap making and numerous The specific theme of the bucking 30-60 Titan tractor. The boiler is made other almost-lost arts. (Bob Schaffer, Re- horse sale was "The Best of the West." from rusted out fuel tanks. The domes are porter) Our thought was to connect the "Iron old hot water tanks cut off to the length Horse " (Indian name for locomotive) to we desired. We fabricated the stack and bucking, or just horses which were so light from tubing and junk. A good coat important to the development of the of black paint and some aluminum strips

West. gave it character.

The float was built by all the vo-ag It is our intent to run this float in many classes, both in class and every evening parades. We have had many, many fine the week before the parade. The chapter comments from the people on this one. firtanced the building of it. It's all steel so The FFA was very proud of this chapter it will be stored outside for the first few endeavor. (James Michels, Advisor) years. Chariton Courier Photo We bought a 1940 Chevy truck to build LEARNING BY DOING ITTHE COLD SERVICE a river float on the year before. boat So OLD WAY Members of the Keytesville, Missouri, this chassis was cleaned off and the Learning by doing is a primary ideal of FFA Chapter gave their time and locomotive welded on permanently. I the FFA organization and Monroeville, equipment during last winter's snows to found the cab out in the country while Ohio, members have been doing just aid the senior citizens of their commu- visiting and it looked too good to leave. that. Their learning experiences revolved nity in the job of snow removal. Jack Miles City is an old railroad town and we around their BOAC project and took Wright, BOAC chairman and Jody should honor the railroaders at some of place at the Huron County Fairgrounds, Jones, chapter secretary, organized the our celebrations. with one major twist—they were learn- snow removal effort which assisted We will continue to improve the ing how things were done in the 1800 's. senior citizens in removing snow from locomotive with revolving wheels and It took place as part of the Agricultural cranks, whistle, permanent bell, coal and Heritage Display, an annual part of the their walks and driveways. water tender. We make smoke from the Huron County Fair. (Continued on Page 50)

44 The NasiOTuxl FUTURE FARMER ,

"The skills you learn in the Arniy Guard do a lot ofpeople a lot of good." /7c^ ^ Arthur Ashe, Wimbledon Champion

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CommunicatidflWPWiPliedicine. Handling heavy equipment. Or whatever. The skill you need to get the job you want, you can learn in the Army National Guard.

And once you've got it, you get to use it in a lot of very important ways.

Maybe it's evacuating flood victims with troop transports. Or using a tank to haul eighteen-wheelers out of snow drifts during a blizzard.

That's the way it is in the Guard. You use what you've got in a lot of unexpected "^ ' mK^nsmxrs^r^T>wi»i« you can to help people in trouble. People right in your hometown.

It's the kind of that'll toes. ^^-.., work keep you on your You [on't forget the valuable skills you learn in the Guard. You don't '> n ;et the chance. Because there's always somebody somewhere "''"4^ ^M rho needs you. See your local Army National Guard recruiter. all toll-free 800-638-7600 (except in Hawaii, Alaska,

'7 uerto Rico and the Virgin Islands). In Maryland, ^^ 1 ^s^c:. all 728-3388. I ARMY mC!^ J^k ^^n( ^^M^Sk Help Somebody. NATIONALGUARD Including Yourself. The Guard belongs. .

FALCON LADY

The challenges of tammg the wild face a former FFA member striving to become a special kind of naturalist—master falconer. By Jack Clancy

THE blue business card reads simply, Dianne and "Habiba" work together using a silent, yet firm, communication. "It's An Animal's World," and dis- plays a logo of a great horned owl silhouetted against a world globe. "To-

gether," it says, "we'll discover the se- crets of the wild ones." A phone number on the card will put you in touch with Paul and Dianne LeFrancois. The business card doesn't reveal the series of moves that led Paul and Dianne to their present plateau of expertise in

the field of wildlife. Nor does it reveal the part played by the Future Farmers of America in developing the young couple's knowledge of the wild.

Dianne 's career in the out-of-doors probably started during a visit to a rela- tive's farm in Michigan. The visit, made

during Dianne 's formidable junior high school days, created an impression that would lead her through a number of wildlife ventures. Those ventures have culminated in her present status as the distaff half of a naturalist lecture team and its expert on falconry. Following her Michigan visit, Dianne volunteered at a local farm on weekends. When the time came she enrolled in a high school agricultural course and joined the FFA. Little did she realize she would become the first practicing female falconer in the Commonwealth of Mas- sachusetts.

It wasn't easy being the only girl in a class with 20 boys. Dianne recalls that many times in the field she had to keep reminding herself that "I am here felling

trees and cutting brush because I want to be felling trees and cutting brush." Girls are not always taken seriously when they enter the "macho " world of the outdoors The outdoors is sometimes considered the exclusive bailiwick of the male. But the experience stood her well for she was to meet with similar difficulty in her attempt to join the exclusive Irater- nity of falconers—but not without good reason. Falconry requires, actually de-

48 /^<^

At left, Dianne offers a well-protected perch garnished with a treat for Habibo's landing.

Above, the license attached to Dianne's belt is required by law for falconry.

Photos by Jack Swedberg, Massachusetta Dnnsiun uf Ft.^henet^ and Wildlife

mands, a dedication you don't find in tor always hopes for is a student you can state. Dianne named the hawk Habiba, other sports. work with." an Arabic word meaning "sweetheart."

For the uninitiated, falconry is one Upon graduation , Dianne was hired by Husband Paul, in the meantime, had of the most ancient of hunting sports. the Science Center and placed in charge been licensed by the state as a "re- The "sport of kings" for 11th century of the animal room. She was responsible habilitator" because of his wide experi- Mongols, falconry was reserved for roy- for the daily diets of all animals and the ence in the care and handling of wild alty with a gyrfalcon for a king, a merlin work schedules of at least 30 young vol- animals. for a page and a kestrel for the queen. unteers. In this job, Dianne's early FFA Paul has rehabilitated and released a Aside from a few modern changes in the training paid dividends. variety of birds and animals including equipment, the sport is the same today as While at the Science Center, Dianne screech owls, barred owls, a red-tailed when Genghis Khan ruled ancient Asia in supervised an $8,000 per year food hawk and a red fox that Habiba discov- the year 1200. budget, set training schedules for new ered in a leg-hold trap (illegally set). A As an active FFA member, Dianne volunteers and administered medications turkey vulture that lost an argument with earned the respect of her peers and repre- under the direction of the veterinarian a power line was in the process of being sented her class at the National Conven- and zoo director. She also gave live ani- mended and has since been sent to an

tion in Kansas City in 1972. She recalls mal demonstrations before large groups animal farm where it will spend the rest spending as much time as possible visit- of visitors. The duties, she admits, were of its years. ing the zoos in and around Kansas City. demanding and not altogether easy. She What does the future hold for these "We had a lot of workshops and meet- credits her ability to think for herself and enterprising naturalists? " ings," she recalls, "but they gave us do "what had to be done to her training It will take many years before Dianne plenty of time to travel locally." and travel in FFA programs. "Also," she reaches her goal of a master falconer. Back at Burncoat High School in Wor- says, "FFA taught me to study and to talk Meanwhile, the lecture service is de-

cester, Massachusetts, Dianne chose the to people who were interested in the same manding more and more of the couple 's

Worcester Science Center for her work things that I was." spare evenings and weekends. study program. The Science Center, then During this time Dianne trained her Dianne likes to compare her accom- anew complex, boasted a small zoo and a first falcon—a female kestrel, or sparrow plishments with the instincts and attrib- good collection of native wild animals. hawk, she named Kittyhawk. "I made a utes of the great horned owl. She says she The complex is sponsored by the Worces- lot of mistakes with Kittyhawk," she always wanted to bring a great horned

ter Natural History Society, one of the admits. "Too many people handled her. It owl to her class in high school. She oldest in the country. While working at confused her and eventually caused her learned, she says, that a great horned

the center, Dianne 's fascination for pred- death." owl, any owl, does not have the wisdom

atory birds became an obsession. It was Shortly after their marriage, Paul and attributed to them in literature and also here that she would meet and marry Dianne left the Science Center and set up mythology—but they are still smart Paul LeFrancois, zookeeper and her- their lecture service. In 1978, Dianne was enough to get by with what they have. petologist. finally admitted to the world of the fal- "That's what the FFA taught me," she

Henry Rouba, Dianne 's FFA advisor at coner but not until she passed a stiff writ- says. "To use what you've got. Because Burncoat, remembers Dianne as a shy ten test administered by biologists of the when you do, you soon discover that you girl with strangers but open and honest Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and can do some things you never thought with those she knew. "As a student," Wildlife. She was then presented a young you could."

Rouba recalls, "she was excellent. I wish red-tailed hawk by her sponsor, one of And who's going to argue with a pretty I had more like her. One thing an educa- the few licensed falconers in the entire lady with a big hawk sitting on her wrist? December-January, 1979-80 49 .

push of Advisor Robert Hunt, to take the lead and do this mountainous job. IN First they consulted with professionals ACTION in landscaping and horticulture and the staff at a nearby college horticulture de- partment. Soil testing, to determine what

the mix was really like since it had been hauled in from everywhere, was a must. (Continuedfrom Page 44) The horticulture vo-ag took this work on as a special project. They also started DELIVERY SERVICE beans hydroponically and then trans- planted them around the berms to check visited When Dave Harmon the Na- growability. tional FFA Center with his fellow state After testing, the design phase came officers this summer they talked him into into being. A bush-type Rosemary plant telling about the experience he had had of that is green year-round was selected for helping deliver a baby. The editors have the north and south ends of the stadium asked Dave to tell his story for you. berms. Tim Mackley, chapter president, worked Obviously the junk and debris had to "When I became 16 years old I joined in the post natal care unit of the hospital be hauled away or burned before real the Blue Ridge Mountain Ambulance and for his experience station. progress could start. Here's where the Rescue Squad and the Blue Ridge community got its chance to pitch in and Mountain Volunteer Fire Company. help haul, furnish tractors and trucks and "Take Over Day" for the chapter. "Shortly after joining I was accepted generally pitch in. into an Emergency Medical Technicians The money had been raised through an All-in-all, the chapter put out 3,600 (EMT) course in Maryland. The course FFA operated food concession with the plants. Besides the planting which in- consisted of 84 hours of emergency care FHA, through a sale of county maps and cluded digging holes, mixing peat and and vehicle rescue. After completion of through a work day when members do- fertilizer, the FFA designed a sprinkler the course we were given a written exam nated $8 of their wages to this project. irrigation system to keep the big plant- and also a five-station practical examina- The "Take Over Day" was a true ings growing. tion. learning experience from beginning to A special addition to the berms is a "I have been a member of the squad end. In the morning, a tour of the hospital large "P" on each side of the stadium. for two years. The squad consists of was conducted and students got to really They are 18 feet long, and designed to about 60 members who are all volun- see where the money is used and what it's hold a border of annual plants. teers. We have three ambulances, a res- really like "inside" a hospital. The completed project has been rec- cue squad and a chief's car. The squad After lunch, each member was as- ognized with a presidential citation from serves four counties in Maryland and signed to a department within the hospi- the Environmental Protection Agency Pennsylvania. We run about 1,000 calls tal, like administration, building and according to The Fresno Bee annually. grounds maintenance, child life, clinics, It is an example of how fired up and "On one exciting call, the ambulance data processing, dietary, education/ motivated FFA members can spread their was dispatched to a mobile home on High personnel, housekeeping, laboratories, enthusiasm to the community. Rock Road at 6:33 a.m. We knew as soon laundry, medical records, nuclear medi- as we arrived that a baby would have to cine, nursing, occupational/physical be delivered. therapy, patient management, public re- "The mother was placed in the ambu- lations, radiology, research, respiratory, SELL AND SEE THE WORLD lance where we could be assured of security, social services and volunteers. Each year the Indian Creek FFA at sterile conditions. The ambulance was Trafalgar, Indiana, makes homemade ice backed out of the driveway onto the road cream at the Johnson County fair. This THEY MADE A MOUND year we made about 385 gallons and in- in case complications arose and a quick INTO trip to the hospital was necessary. creased our treasury $2,700. The mem- to in the ice cream "Everything went smoothly and at A BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAIN bers who sign up work 6:45 a.m. the mother gave birth to a baby On the campus of Parlier, California, tent work two five-hour shifts throughout fair. efforts they boy. It was my first experience in deliver- High School was a huge football stadium the week of the For their ing a child. I wasn't particularly nervous, built years ago above the ground with receive a new FFA T-shirt, a farm cap, man-made mounds for side. Dirt was the opportunity to go on our summer I just kept my mind on what I was doing. "Delivering the baby has to be about hauled from all over the valley to erect camping trip and all the ice cream they the most gratifying experience I've had berms to build upon—each side was 200 can eat. feet feet three-day trip, we as an EMT. The reason for this is because long and 40 high. This year on our the touring our neighboring state of it is more rewarding to bring a new life Over years, no one had success- went into the world than to see one end." fully managed to get adequate ground Kentucky. Our first stop was at Fort (Dave Harmon) cover started or growing. Nor had the Knox to see the Patton Museum and the area been particularly well maintained. gold vault, where much of the U.S. gold So in 1978 a plan, with a theme supplies are kept. We went to see where THE FFA TOOK OVER THE "Mountains of Enlightenment," began to Abraham Lincoln was bom and finally HOSPITAL take shape to do something about these reached our destination of Mammoth The Big Walnut, Ohio, FFA Chapter mounds covered with weeds and trash. Cave National Park. We pitched six recently donated $1,328.41 to Children's The school and its community had come tents, cooked out, went swimming, Hospital in Columbus. The donation was to a point that the eyesore had jeopar- climbed the hills and trails and went on a the largest amount ever received from an dized their pride. water slide, in addition to going on tours FFA chapter so the hospital sponsored a FFA came into the picture, with the through the cave. We also took a tour

50 The National FUTURE EiRMER —

through Diamond Caverns. On our trip home we stopped in Bardstown to see "Like an "My Old Kentucky Home" and at Extra Farm Hand' Claiboume Farms near Paris, Kentucky, we saw Secretariat, Riva Ridge and other famous and valuable stallions. This year, as in past years, we tried to plan a trip that was educational as well as recreational. We always take along one or two couples from our young farmer and/or adult farm organizations. (Joe NEW! Hauler Mark 4 Park, Advisor) John Miller, of Massachusetts, second from Model HH-416 Carl Heald, Inc shown with optional lights from left with last year's national Presi- and knob tires dent Mark Sanborn, was named Eastern EASTERN STARS Handy Compact Size 4 Wide w 70 wh. Base Each year the large Eastern States Ex- States Expo Star Farmer. position in Massachusetts has a number HAULS OVER 800 lbs.! of FFA events for the states in FR^'s east- So compact it travels around triclty cor- em region. Some of the judging contests ners and maneuvers narrow crop rows with ease. are dairy cattle, milk quality and dairy Rugged hauler handles trips up & down hills. Deposits heavy loads floriculture livestock. foods, and without costly, extra manpower. Con- In addition, the exposition has events struct it yourself from an Easy-to-Build like public speaking contests and tractor kit and save. Choice of Briggs & Stratton H.P. driving. They also pick from the state 11 399cc Synchro-Balanced engine or 16 H.P. 656cc Star Farmers (who had been the tops opposed twin cylinder engine. Forward, among the State Farmer degree winners) reverse and automatic transmission. an Eastern States Exposition Star Dump bed measures 44V2 x 40 x 11'. Speeds up to 25 mph. Rear hydraulic disc Farmer. it This year was John Miller, a brakes. Parking brake standard. Optional 20-year-old dairy farmer of Massachu- steel cab with vinyl canvas doors. Other setts. options. Some of the contests held to involve FFA members from all of the states in FFA's Write or call today for a FREE brochure; Ph.(616)849-3400 THEY HAD THEIR OWN eastern region included livestock judg- PARADE ing and dairy products selection. Carl Heald, Inc. oept. Fu-912 RO. Box 1148, Benton Harbor, Ml 49022 The Spring Creek, Louisiana, FFA (Continued on Page 52) HORSE and HORSEMAN

Our stable of the nation's top authors produces the detailed, in-depth training information the serious horse owner like yourself commands. But HORSE and HORSEMAN isn't "all work and no play!" In each issue you'll read about the poignant, personal stories of other owners and riders like yourself. Chuckle at the work of America's finest cartoonists. Take training tests to determine your skill. Our full-color "Dream Ranch" shows what you can attain with hard work. "I Did It Myself" — projects you can undertake for pride or profit. Color posters, exclusive reports, and soon full-length ^ WHATOTHERSSAY ' novels - HORSE and HORSEMAN has it all! ^^ "...thank you, HORSE and HORSEMAN, for being one of the HORSE and HORSEMAN truly useful training magazines..." - P. O. Box HH Kathleen E. Smith, Toledo, Ohio Capistrano Beach, Ca 92624 "...I really enjoyed reading the Special Health Care Section in the QSend me a FREE copy! !'!! receive a bill for a one-year subscription at September issue of HORSE and $9, iust half the newsstand price! If I don't care to subscribe, I'll write HORSEMAN..." — J. R. DeBeir, cancel on the bill and return it. St. Charles, Illinois

"...Thanks for the best issue yet — NAME March '79...I gained a lot from the stories..." — Marylou Barone, ADDRESS. .^l''tc»;?>;^v>^ -^<^^:?/^ Cortland, New York CITY STATE. .ZIP.

December-January. 1979-80 10 YEAR WSF^t^^''% Guarantee 50 ^ nrvii M M mm ^ ACTION GREAT all purpose (Continued from Page 51) knife for the outdoorsman Offers you the quality of Chapter hosted their own parade to high- CUSTOM made models selling for much more! Hand polished imported surgical light National FFA WEEK. sleel blade has SAFETY to prevent LOCK j accidental closing Expensive Pacca Former members and past chapter wood handle SOLID BRASS bnblcrs POTTED PLANTS PROMOTE and liner Popular 4" size {7'//' open) presidents joined the festivities with cars IF BROKEN IN 10 YEARS WE The Boys Ranch, Texas, FFA pre- WILL REPLACE AT NO and tractors, along with the Kentwood CHARGE! Use JO days, money employment lab class in horticulture back ir not pleased. Send Fire Department, the Tangipahoa Federa- $4 50 plus 48* postage & starts pot plants in the greenhouse sev- handling TODAY Midwest / tion FFA Officers and the sheriff's posse.

Knife Co . Dcpt \V.T436 eral months prior to FFA that 9043 S. Western Ave . Active chapter members decorated cars, WEEK so Chicago. Ill 60620 Mail orders only trucks, motocycles and tractors. Others FFA will have plants for all the ladies entered riding horses. who teach in their school. Virgil Har- Trophies were awarded to those enter- bour presented a plant to a teacher. GIFTS ing the best decorated car, tractor and float with local businessmen serving as paper, the editor liked the idea. Some Special — Practical — Unique. Beautiful judges. guidelines were drawn up as to the length Handcrafted Heirloom Quality Hardwood parade was held in Kentwood, and content and as to the amount of ad- Clocks — Electric. Money Back Guarantee The Louisiana, with Mayor Nick Saladine vertising needed to finance the operation. serving as Grand Marshal. Other hon- FFA members were to write the vari- ored participants were Parish Sheriff ous articles, choose the pictures, visit the Frank Edwards, Senator W. E. "Bill" agribusinesses to sell the ads, write the Dykes, Representative Ty Lanier, ads, take care of the billing and do a -_.,„ Banjo Cobb rough pasteup layout of the tabloid. '25.00 Police Chief Edsel Graham, Police Juror and I?,'" Cade Williams and former Spring Creek In return for the work, the paper prom- Mantel '# Advisor D. C. Brumfield. ised to publish and deliver the paper to 529.95 Other participants were Kentwood and 25,000 homes in our total county and let half of all the advertising Specify Clock, add '1.00 for postage and Chesbrough FFA Chapters, Spring Creek us keep money. handling. Make Checks Payable to: Cove FBLA Chapter and several local business The newspaper staff was very helpful Valley Crafts, P.O. Box 31, Williamsburg, firms. in getting our paper published. The ag- Pa. 16693 Special features included the Spring ribusiness community really bought our Creek Chapter sweetheart Elsie Jennings. ads. (J. W. McCain, Advisor) ACTION LINES^^^ T • Send a birthday card to your ad- One of visor's wife. J • Help collect things for your local ^ historical committee. J A Kind • Try a loaf of zucchini bread. ^ • Talk your advisor into getting a new y

There is only one official supplier of FFA shop coat. T merchandise. It is National FFA Supply • Volunteer to bring donuts to the t Service, Alexandria, Virginia. officer meeting. t • Owned by FFA • Pick up the mail and take it to the • Operated by FFA old folks house every day on your Hebert Yarborough was winner of the way home from school. • J For FFA best decorated tractor award in the FFA • Learn to play the accordian. J That's right. Totally owned by FFA mem- sponsored parade. • Visit a cheese factory. bers and operated for them. Controlled by J • the National FFA Board of Directors and Surprise your folks with a Thank J National FFA Officers. THE CHAPTER GOT A You note. J TASTE OF NEWSPAPERS • Ride with the veterinarian. J All income above the cost of operation is used by the organization for the benefit As a major portion of the FFA WEEK • Visit the library in your little town, t of FFA members— not as profit to any activities for 1979, the Greenfield Cen- • Make an art piece with scrap metal individual. tral FFA in Indiana wrote and published a and the welder.

Don't be mislead by companies trying to four-page tabloid newspaper. It featured • Do you have an FFA stocking cap? commercialize on the name and emblem articles which wrote, few of • members a Talk to yourself today. J of FFA. If it is not from the National FFA the articles from the national FFA Idea • Start a collection of something Supply Service located at Alexandria, Vir- J Booklet, chapter of course, ginia, it is not official. photos and, that's just "you"—like roosters. J Your advisor is mailed a catalog the great amount of advertising required • Paint a picture on the top of an old y each summer. See him to order your to pay for the project. paint can. J FFA items. After deciding to undertake the proj- • How about a peanut butter and Support FFA! Order from the: ect, the public relations committee made banana sandwich? t National FFA Supply Service an appointment with the editor and adver- • Give away your old lunch pail. t P. O Box 15159 tising manager of the daily Greenfield • Count to ten after that phone call, t Alexandria, Virginia 22309 paper, the Daily Reporter. After the • Be ready. ' committee presented their ideas to the <'<-«'<^-^'«'<-«^'<'<'<-<-<'«-<'<<-«'«-«<'<<-<-«<-<< 52 The National FUTURE FARMER Promote the FFA

and Vo-Ag Program

Every Day

of the Year

Every Chapter Should

Have Some Official

1980 FFA Calendars

Hanging Up in the Community.

Here's how to participate: Use order forms in the new Supply Service catalog or from the free sample kit which is available on request. Then get a commit- tee to work on the project and decide whether or not your chapter should con- tact a business sponsor to pay for the cal- endars that the chapter can pass out pro- moting both the firm and the FFA. Or should the FFA buy their own calendars and say Thank You to the community. For individuals who want calendars or chapters who want to try just a small amount (without their chapter's name im- printed on them), use the forms below.

Please the following: send Please send the calendars I checked. I under- SPECIAL PUBLIC stand they have a general imprint message Set of All Five Styles @ $2.00 RELATIONS PACKAGE obout FFA on them, not our name. (Save J5t) FOR CHAPTERS HOME t OFFICE @ 75< Name Chapters should get in an order for Cal- DESK @ 65* endars to distribute in the community^ Chapter_ too. At the bank, fire station, post of- fice, county court house, elevator, veter- POSTER @ $1.00 inarian's office, school library, or prin- Address_ cipal's office. Encourage your chapter to WALLET @ 25* order now.

City and State. ZIP WATCH CRYSTAL @ 25* 50 Home & Office Style 25 Desk Style

-^ SPECIAL PUBLIC RELATIONS Clip and mail this Coupon to; 15 Poster Style 25 Wallet Style

PACKAGE @ $50.00 10 Watch Crystal Style

TOTAL CASH OR Official FFA Calendar Department CHECK ENCLOSED Regular The National FUTURE FARMER $73.75 All for $50.00 value (Shipping and Postage is Included in Price) P.O.Box 15130

(Va. orders add 4% state tax) Alexandria, Va. 22309 Includes Shipping Costs, too! .

to develop their personalities; to com- pete; to win, to lose; to speak and to vote; to help, to cooperate; to try, to question. Even the first year FFA Greenhand is preparing to smile and have fun, to cry, or to learn from mistakes; to be part of the family, to stand for something Yes, indeed, the smile on Wayne's face tells quite a story about Preparing for

Progress. Progressfor himself. Progress for FFA and progress for American ag- riculture.

"Preparing For Progress" is the 1980 national FFA theme. The purpose of a national theme and particularly a National FFA WEEK cele- bration is to provide chapters an opportu- nity to get additional publicity or public awareness for their vocational agricul- ture and FFA programs. Every week can be an FFA WEEK and hopefully chapters will continue throughout the year to stress their in- volvement in agriculture, involvement in Photo by Gary Bye leadership training, involvement in working together cooperatively and in- volvement in preparing for future careers. The WEEK comes in February (16-23) around George Washington's tra- FFA Members Are ditional birthday celebration. Promotional materials have been de- veloped by The National FUTURE Preparing for Progress FARMER to aid chapters in conducting effective programs during the WEEK. By Jack Pitzer They are available from the FFA Supply Service catalog. FFA WEEK materials include the tra- ditional outdoor billboards, posters, placemats, program leaflets, TV slides, Wayne had just a little smile on his face Preparing for progress? Yes, you'd seals, pocket notebooks, envelope snif- but inside he was about to "bust open!' have to describe it like that. Take Wayne's vinyl litterbags, bumper strips, Pride, yes, and a real feeling of accom- beef operation. Starting small, with fers, pens, radio spots, name badges, a bulle- plishment. To him it was a whole lot more room to grow and progress into the tin board kit and a self-standing display. than the blue ribbon for a classy looking dream—afeedlot operation of his own. New for 1980 is a very versatile steer. That's typical of many. They're into blackboard- type display sign. You can After all, this was his second year in greenhouse work, ewes and lambs, work- write on it with chalk put up an- FFA and two years ofstudying about beef ing in a farm dairy, welding, helping a — nouncements in library or FEA can give cattle in vo-ag classes. Then there was vet, doing larulscaping or running a bal- them for posting feed or grain prices at the record keeping on his own "herd" ing rig. They know where they want to go elevators or aimouncing restaurant spe- —you gotta start someplace, Wayne in agriculture and they're working to- cials. thought to himself. ward it. Some items do not have a date or men- And there had been hours of time Wayne's vocational agriculture in- tion of FFA WEEK and they are particu- working with that steer to get it ready for structor and FFA advisor is a believer in larly useful all year. today. Sometimes alone after school; or letting students "get in there and do it!' An order brochure and order forms on weekends instead ofa trip to the river. He calls it "Learning By Doing" —as in were mailed to all local chapters includ- Sometimes Dad would come by, offer a the FFA motto. ing the How-To-Do-It and Idea Packet. little advice and then move on, letting his . "Preparing" is what vo-ag and FFA is The pa ket gives detailed information son feel the satisfaction ofgoing it alone. all about. Preparing high school stu- about the best way to use WEEK mate- Mom might even stop and lean over the dents for careers in agriculture and rials and get publicity. It has sections on fence to see how much progress they were agribusiness—all of those different jobs press, radio, TV, sample scripts and making. that are part ofagriculture . No question, other ideas. It also includes ideas that Two little brothers were always vo-ag IFFA is preparing students for have worked for other chapters, a clip around. Guess you gotta admit how leadership positions in agribusiness, sheet for use in newspapers and a free much time they put in —helping get down government, sales, education, farm or- poster. Two special program ideas are in hay, going after things. Plus filling in ganizations, livestock or other commod- the booklet which chapters can use for when big brother was gone to FFA camp ity interest groups. school assemblies or odier groups. and the livestock judging contest. FFA members should stand prepared 54 The \arional FUTURE FARMER —

TRAVELING ON IMMMBM ONE MAN courses he boarded a train for home and ...and HIGH Lumberyard HAMBURGER MONEY within hours used what he had learned in Prices! Portable Belsaw goes SAWMILL The annual Goodwill Tour of Florida saving the life of a fellow passenger. right to the trees — turns out smooth, true-cut stops in a five-day state officers was 27 Brent, a sophomore member of South lumber ei/ery time. No e>;- \M perience required. Saw your owniVjt their state. jaunt around Panola FFA used his newly acquired CPR *™ log5 or lumber for others and make "^^^^^ excellent sparedme income— crew iS traveled in first class style in a no \ They skills to restore life to 34-year-old John needed. For power, use tractor PTO or McDonald's luxury "Big Mac" coach other low HP diesel or electric unit. Whitney of Metairie, Louisiana, who re- A si?e to meet every requirement and furnished with a driver to take them ceived a severe electric shock on board pocketbook-time payments may be arranged. ^*"<' PO""rd for fBEE deUilsl l^^^\ ,Vo Obli^atian»\o Salesman H'Ul Call their MACHINERY Co .. Field BIdg. "whenever and wherever" on tour the train. rofl4>-, )BELSAW 3097 Kansas City, Mo.64111 of ag business firms, civic clubs and edu- Mr. Whitney said he was coming out k)\MiM.Jim.immmmmmmm!mm cational centers. of the bathroom on the Amtrak train Purposes of the tour are to give the when the train rocked throwing him off Big Jim Halters Cuts Haltor Brooking officers a chance to observe and under- balance. "I grabbed onto the doors of the y | Time In Half stand the technology needed for the proc- \^ bathroom, and that's when I felt it. I just Results Guaranteed |

, 4 Sizes ad|ust to any ammol essing segment of agriculture, and to hurt all over." \ft Chrome Plated | For information give officers a chance to explain the role Doors on the Amtrak train are electri- V;3 t BIG JIM HAITER CO. I ofFFA. cally powered, operated by the push of a ^. Rl. 3, Box 3138, Boerne, TX 78006 button which causes them to slide open and closed. Somehow when he grabbed the doors holding onto each for balance, he received a severe electric shock. Horse

He made it back to his seat where he told his wife that he had just gotten the AMERICAN S. IDERS ASSOCIATION jolt of his life and was really hurting. Tsi. Then he passed out and stopped breath- Louisville. Ky 40203 ing. Mrs. Whitney got up to find help and The state officers traveled in style in frantically asked if anyone on board their own "Big Mac"-mobile. knew CPR. Brent, sitting two rows in front of the PUTTING A BOOK Whitney s, answered her plea. He found Mr. Whitney without pulse IN A LIBRARY or breath. Then Brent went into action using the CPR techniques he had learned during the two previous days at the safety seminar. The CPR procedure involves massag- ing the heart and getting air into the lungs to get the victim started breathing again. "I tilted his head back and put my hand under his head. Then I gave him four quick breaths, and then I started com- $150.00 WEEKLY! Vi^ebster, America's authoritative dictionary pressions on his chest to pump the air out company needs home workers to update local mailing lists. All ages, experience un- Leaders of the Headwaters FFA in Penn- of his lungs," Brent said. necessary. FREE details. Send name, ad- sylvania presented a 50th-year history He showed Mrs. Whitney how to per- dress and phone number to book of the National Organization to form the compressions so that he could WEBSTER 245B0-2 East 25th, New York, NY 10010 their school library. The hard-bound apply the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation required. edition was presented to the library in "For every five I gave the name of the chapter. compressions, INVENTORY ADJUSTMENT SPECIAL! him one breath." After they performed the procedure six times the victim was PILOT'S GLASSES AT TAKE ACTION again breathing on his own with a Send for your copy of "Clearing the restored pulse. UNBELIEVABLE PRICES! Air—A Guide to Quitting Smoking." Its By the time the train reached Bates- humorous approach will get the message ville, Brent had stabilized Mr. Whitney, ONur through to any smoker and give them who was taken to South Panola Commu- hints on how to quit. Send a self- nity Hospital where he underwent tests $6.95 w addressed released the next day. return envelope to: Office of and was ' Impact Resistant Cancer Communications, National Brent had been selected to take the • Handcrafted Cancer Institute, Room 10A18, safety courses offered through the Farm • Polished Glass Lenses Bethesda, Maryland 20014. Bureau through the recommendation of • Hardened Metal Frames • Money Back Guarantee his agriculture teachers and was spon- To order, send check or money order (include S1-00 OPPORTUNITY COMES FAST sored by his local county farm bureau. for postage and handling) to U.S. Optics, Dept. 330, P.O. Box 14206 Atlanta, GA 30324. (Please specify Brent Ragon, a 15-year-old FFA mem- Mr. Whitney, ironically, is a CPR in- gold or silver frames.) SPECIAL: Order now and get ber from Batesville, Mississippi, learned structor himself and owns an ambulance TWO PAIR for $13 plus one dollar handling charge. cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at service in Metairie . "But if it hadn 't been FREE! During this limited offer. Deluxe velour lined protective case. A $3.00 value. the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federa- for Brent," he said, "there would have tion 's Youth Safety Seminar last month in been no need for an ambulance for me LIMITED OFFER FROM U.S. OPTICS Jackson. After completing the safety just a hearse." December-January, 1979-80 55 A frugal old farmer was becoming Clyde: "It's easyfor you to get straight Debbie: "The new baby has his more and more hard of hearing. How- As in French. You were born in France father's nose and his mother's eyes!' ever, he refused to get a hearing aid be- and brought up in Paris." Roger: "Yes, and if Grandpa doesn't cause he felt they were too expensive. Bonnie: "Well, you should get straight stop leaning over the crib, it's going to Instead he took an ordinary piece of wire As in geometry." have his teeth!' and wrapped it around his ear Clyde: "How do you figure?" Rick Gingerich "Do you hear any better with that Bonnie: "You're a square andyou talk Kokomo, Indiana thing around your ear?" asked one of his in circles!" friends. Steve Clabum Farmer Brown: "Canada's flooded. 'Wo, not really," he answered. "But Corinth, Mississippi What shall we do?" people do talk louder." Farmer's wife: "Drink Canada Dry." Bobbie Mae Cooley Senator to press agent: "Well, what do Brian Millane Bowen, Illinois you think of my speech?" Ellington, Connecticut Press agent: "O.K., but it reminds me of a long horn steer." Joe decided one day to cut some fire- Senator: "Oh, how's that?" wood, so he bought a chainsaw. The first Press agent: "You have a strong point day he cut one tree. The second day he on each side and a lot of bull in the cut two trees. The third day he cut three middle!" trees. The fourth day he cut three trees. Robert Fink The fifth day he cut two trees. Joe as- Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania sumed something was wrong, so he took the saw back to the dealer and told his Cowboy: "Was the horse you rented story. well behaved?" The dealer said, "Well, let's see what's Dude: "Sure was. Every time we came wrong!' and pulled the rope. to a fence he let me go over first!' Joe shouted, "What's that noise?" Barrie Staeden Doug Radomski Chaparral, New Mexico Arcadia, Wisconsin

A woman entertaining her friend's small son, after watching him struggle vainly, asked, "Are you sure you can cut " your meat? "Oh, yes," he replied, without looking up from his plate, "lots of times we have it just as tough as this at home." Tina Carrari Los Alamos, California

A Quaker became angry at a cow for kicking over a full bucket of milk. "Thou knowest that because of my religion I canst punish thee. But if you doest this deed again I wiliest sell thee to a Baptist minister and he will kick thee so that thou can never kick again." Rich Schleiden Glen Gardner, New Jersey

Q: How does an octopus go to battle? A; Well armed. "/ Steve Finger realize how hard it is to open your mouth and not talk, Charlie—but try!' Watertown, Wisconsin 56 The National FUTURE FARMER wiU pay $2.00 for each joke selected for rmblicatkm on this page. Jokes must be submitted on post cards addressed to The National FUTURE FARMER, Alexandria. Virginia 22309. In case of duplication, payment wiU be for the first one received. Contributions cannot be aclmouiledged or returned. (^

(EYBhition SINCE 1911

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Tony Lama Company, Inc. / 1 137 Tony Lama Street / El Paso, Texas 79915 The Marlin 1891 around the turn of the century. The Marlin 39A as it is today. A PRESENT FROMCHRISTMAS PAST.

Sure, Christmas trees may have gone from chopped-in-the-forest real to silver and gold artificial. But while fashions in Christmas decorations may change, there are some traditions you simply don't fool with. Like giving a Marlin. Take Marlin lever action 22 rifles. The 39A, for instance, has six critical action parts machined from solid steel forgings, then heat-treated for the ultimate in durability. A folding semi-buckhorn rear sight and ramp front sight with Wide-Scan™ hood enhance the accu- racy of its Micro-Groove' barrel. This remarkable rifling system provides a better gas seal and less bullet distortion for improved accuracy. And, Uke all Marlin guns, the 39A is built with a soUd American black walnut stock. It's available in a short-barreled straight-grip carbine version too, the 39M. You can also choose any of our center fire rifles, in six calibers, from 30/30 to 45/70. Or a fine autoloading or bolt action 22 rifle. Or a Marlin shotgun in pump or bolt action, with a wide range of barrel length and choke options. Whatever model you select has a history of exceptional quality, accuracy and durability. In these changing times, give a tradition. A Marlin. See the entire Marlin line, and popular priced Glenfield guns, at your dealer. Also, ask for your free color catalog, or write for one. Incidentally, anyone high school age or younger can win up to

$2,000 in the Marlin Hunter Safety Essay Contest. Students must 1 enrolled in, or have completed, a Hunter Safety Course. Write for entry form. MarUn Firearms Co., North Haven, CT 06473. Alarlin ^ Made now as they were then.