Ohio Country Messenger
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The voice of the family farmer and rural resident since 1934 . Ohio Country Messenger Ohio Farmers Union - www.ohfarmersunion.org - Volume 40, January 2012 2012 Should See a Revamped Ohio Grain Indemnity Law By Ron Sylvester view a version of the producers’ interests at elevator failures in the law, marked up with the forefront.” He said state. The largest was the A successful farmer- proposed deletions and some clarifications should Archbold Elevator where funded Ohio Department additions by checking also keep unnecessary farmers were paid $3.4 of Agriculture program out the OFU website. litigation from occurring million in claims. The will see its first changes in if an elevator goes bust. Indemnity Fund currently more than a decade during Major proposed changes holds $8.3 million – just the first half of 2012 include: The Indemnity Fund $300,000 over the trigger. according to the ODA • An increase in the account is funded through official who administers it. fund’s cap from $10 farmers paying a one- With the fund so close million to $15 million half cent per bushel levy to the trigger and corn The Ohio Grain Indemnity • An increase in the when they deliver grain and soybeans selling for Fund, which protects fund’s “trigger” from $8 to an elevator. The levy is double what they were producers from losing million to $10 million collected until the fund’s the last time the cap and everything in grain • Removal of barley, statutory cap is reached. trigger were changed, elevator failures, is on oats, rye, grain sorghum, Currently this cap is $10 ODA would like to see track for a legislative sunflower and speltz from million. It’s been years their proposed changes overhaul sometime in the list of commodities since farmers have had work their way through the the first quarter of 2012 covered by the fund to pay the levy – once Ohio General Assembly according to the fund’s the cap is reached, the as soon as possible. The administrator, David There are also several levy ends until the fund next time producers are Simmons. changes described as reaches the levy’s trigger. paying the one-half cent cleanup and clarification The trigger is currently set per bushel levy, they could In December the fund’s by ODA. Simmons said at $8 million. be building the fund up to advisory commission the Indemnity Fund has a new cap of $15 million. met to consider a slate of been a program beneficial Simmons said at the proposed changes to the to producers and that December meeting that Ohio Senate Agriculture fund’s section in the Ohio all changes are being the fund disbursed over $4 and Natural Resources Revised Code. You can made while “keeping million in 2011 after two Committee Chairman continued on page 6 Save the Date: OFU Legislative Day Set Ohio Farmers Union Executive Director Linda Borton is asking members to mark March 21, 2012 on their calendars as OFU’s Legislative Day at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. In this issue ... “As in the past, we will meet at 9 a.m. and set up teams for visits with representatives From the President - p.2 and senators,” Borton said. Richard “Dick” Babb - p.3 More information will be available for members at the 2012 OFU Convention in late January and in upcoming editions of the Ohio Country Messenger. From the Vice President - p.4 Borton said a reception for OFU members and legislators is planned for the evening of Election Year - p.6 March 21 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The planned site for the reception will be The Museum Gallery, formerly known as The Crypt, located in the lower level of the Capitol Building. 1 Ohio Country Messenger From the President As another will be sorely missed. His give everyone an opportunity to year begins commitment to our organization, meet and visit with him. We there is an ability to analyze issues in a expect many state officeholders always knowledgeable manner, a keen also (the Governor?), and hope that adeptness to work with people ODNR Director Jim Zehringer, the year (on both side of the political along with acting ODA Director, ahead will aisle), and forge coalitions that, Dr. Forshey. Steve Maurer, be better more often than not, resulted in David Drake and the FSA state Roger Wise than the positive accomplishments for all committee will be represented one just past. That optimism is Ohioans. as well. stronger no where than within the Ohio Farmers Union. It has Jim Schnipke also passed away David Simmons (ODA), manifested itself all across our in 2012. A county president, director of the grain indemnity state. At every winter county former executive committee fund, will make a presentation meeting I attended (and there member, who attended numerous about that fund and its status. were many), members talk about fly-ins. His wit and generosity There will also be a session on our future positively and are not are qualities that endeared him to “Fracking” which continues to dwelling on the past. They want us and epitomized the character garner attention across more our organization to be the voice and essence of a farmer’s union and more of the state. On in Columbus for sustainable member. Saturday, Senator Cliff Hite, family agriculture. They want to Chairman of the Agriculture, rejuvenate our youth programs. Harold Bateson left us late Environment and Natural They want to be visible in their in 2011. He was active in Resources Committee will communities by conducting many capacities in the rural bring remarks. The elementary educational meetings on a community, including for many posters will be displayed and the variety of subjects (depending on years being president of the finalists in the high school and which part of the state) that will Wood County Farmers Union. college scholarship contests will benefit their neighbors and their Harold had an appointment to present their essays and winners neighborhoods. These efforts the state committee of the USDA will be announced after lunch. will hopefully generate new Farm Service Agency. Harold There will be policy and bylaw memberships as we demonstrate will be missed by many. sessions, state officer elections, the enthusiasm and viability of selection of delegates to national our organization. The annual convention (January convention, and districts 2 & 4 27 & 28) is approaching will caucus to choose executive The passing of the years also rapidly. Please plan to attend. committee members. means the passing of some It promises to be an excellent of our members. While we annual meeting. Both of our US Sandra and I wish you all a mourn them all, 2011 marked Senators (Brown and Portman) happy, prosperous and peaceful the passing of three of our most are invited, and a number of our New Year and we look forward distinguished lifetime members. congressional representatives. to seeing all of you at the annual Dick Babb, who held numerous National President, Roger meeting. local and state positions, most Johnson, will arrive Friday notably in my memory, as morning and be with us until --Roger legislative director in the 1980’s, Saturday morning, which should 2 Ohio Country Messenger Notice Of The Annual Meeting Of The Farmers Educational And Cooperative Union Of America, Ohio Division Pursuant to Article V. Section 2, of the Bylaws of this Association, you are hereby notified that the 78th Annual State Convention of the Farmers Educational and Cooperative Union of America, Ohio Division, will be held at the Columbus Airport Marriott, 1375 N. Cassady Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, January 27 – 28, 2012. Richard “Dick” Babb Registration will begin at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 27, 2012. The By Linda Jones Borton Convention will begin at 12:00 noon, continuing until all business is complete. My husband Mel and I had the privilege of working with Dick while To qualify for voting privileges, delegates must be registered by 4:00 at Ohio Farmers Union, but we also p.m. on Friday, January 27, 2012, the time of the final Credentials considered him foremost as a friend. Committee report. Dick’s career with Famers Union Roger Wise, President started in 1980 as a fieldman and William Miller, Interim Secretary extended over and included some work with the state legislature. It was during this time that Dick started working with the legislature on the grain indemnity fund that passed in January 30 brings new medical and self 1983 that farmers in Ohio still benefit from. As Dick seen the positive results certification requirements for commercial of working with the legislature and the driver’s licenses great benefit it had for the farmers of the state that he asked to be assigned to By Ron Sylvester the position as legislative director. He worked on way too many numerous Beginning January 30, 2012, new federal regulations require ALL pieces of legislation to name. Commercial Driver License (CDL) holders to self-certify their type of commercial driving. This will be done at the time of issuance or But standing out above the rest, renewal of the CDL. The Ohio BMV will not begin accepting the is the legislation known as the self-certification forms until January 30, 2012. Agricultural Linked Deposit program. Failing to Self-Certify by completing the required BMV 2159 The program still allows farmers to and/or submitting the required Medical Examiner’s Certificate borrow money for farm operating (MECERT) by January 30, 2014 will cause a cancellation of expenses at local banks at a couple commercial driving privileges and prevent the issuance of a CDL points below the normal interest rate.