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: ! • j I October-November, 1989 In This Issue Volume 38 Number 1

Cover Story Careers

1 State Presidents Meet 1 4 The Three C's of an On the cover, President George Agricultural Career Bush spoke to state officers in the Three secretaries of agriculture Old Executive Office Building share their ideas about competition, during State Presidents' Conference. communication and commitment. White House aide Fred McClure,

right, is a former national FFA officer. Photo by Andrew Markwart. 34 Beyond the Farm

The agricultural industry is calling FFA for smart, hard-working people who know what they're talking 22 National Convention about. Rural youth say they are committed to filling that need. Important FFA issues will take center stage again this year in Kansas City, Missouri. 36 Giving Vets a Hand Students in BelAir. Maryland, are landing good in veterinary 24 Hot Fun in the Summer jobs clinics because of skills they've FFA members enjoyed themselves learned in agriculture class. despite the heat at the Washington Conference Program this summer.

28 Tradition of Excellence In Every Issue

They have excelled in their enterprises because of hard work 4 News In Brief and a dream to succeed. Meet FFA's regional star farmers and 6 Mailbag agribusinessmen for 1989. 8 Looking Ahead 38 Chapter Scoop 32 New FFA Sales Contest 42 FFA in Action There are plenty of jobs in ag sales

and this new contest is a way to get 47 My Turn started on some valuable skills. 48 Joke Page

The Bottom Line

When the last few FFA meetings I pledge allegiance "to the flag of the United completely revised the FFA manual in- attended were over, I was left with sort of States of America and to the republic for cluding the creed and ceremonies. I have an empty feeling. I didn't know why. which it stands..." not yet seen what the wordsmiths have

As I thought about it later, I think I dis- Even today as I go about my duties come up with that is to be meaningful to covered the reason. At the end of the with FFA, I frequently remind myself that students of agriculture and FFA members meeting we didn't join together in a salute we are supposed to be "just in our dealings today. But I am waiting in eager anticipa- to our flag. Furthermore, the presiding and honest and fair in the game of life." tion. I hope you are, too. I also hope you officer didn't challenge me and the FFA My concern is that these meaningful will study these revisions and voice your members present with "As we mingle words have been taken from us with noth- feelings, both pro and con. with others, let us be diligent in labor, just ing offered in return. Just having the pre- The legacy you leave for the FFA in our dealings, courteous to everyone, siding officer stand there with a blank members to follow is so important we all and, above all, honest and fair in the game expression and say, "the meeting is over need to sive it our best effort. of life..." and we thank you for coming" doesn't

Maybe I am a bit old fashioned but I turn me on. missed the opportunity to once again As this is written, a committee has Wilson Carnes

October-November. 1989 Magazine Staff

Editor-in-Chief, Wilson W. Carries Senior Editor, John M. Pitzer Managing Editor, Andrew Markwart Publishing Assistant, Linda Flint Director of Advertising, Glenn D. Luedke New Name for National Advertising Assistant. Joyce Berryman Mississippi, Sept. 30-Oct. 1; South Circulation Fulfillment Manager, Oottie M. Hinkle FUTURE FARMER Magazine? Dakota, Oct. 14-15; Wisconsin, Oct. 21- Assistants. Janet Magill, Harriett Fidd, Tracie Weekley- You may be reading the last issue of 22; Kentucky, Oct. 27-28; Iowa, Oct. 28- May, Nora Bartock. Veronica Ruffner The National FUTURE FARMER maga- 29; Ohio, Dec. 2-3; Georgia, Dec. 2-3; National Officers zine. As this issue runs on the press in National President, Dana Soukup, RR 1, Box 51 A, Colorado, Dec. 9-10; Oklahoma, Dec. 9- Atlanta, Georgia, a committee of 14 Spencer, NE 68777; National Secretary, Jeff Johnson, 10; North Dakota, Jan. 6-7; Florida, Jan. 2, Box 938, Dover, FL 33527; National Vice people representing FFA members, Rt 13-14; New Mexico, Jan 13-14; Idaho, Presidents, Warren Boerger, 800 Rosedale Road, Irwin, agriculture teachers, state agriculture Jan. 19-20; Ohio 43029; Brad Chambliss, Rt 1, Hardinsburg, KY California, Jan. 27-28; education staffs and others are meeting 40143, Jaye Hamby, Benton Station Road, Benton, TN Kansas, Jan. 27-28; New Jersey, Feb. 3- 37307; Jeffrey Isom. P.O. Box 455, Fruitland, ID 83619 in Alexandria, Virginia, September 14 4; North Carolina, Feb. 10-1 1; Utah, Feb. to select a new name for the magazine. Board of Directors 17-18 and Virginia, Feb. 24-25. The committee was formed after the Chairman. Larry Case; Members of the Board, David For more information, contact Kip Coffey, John Denmark, Terry Heiman, Leonard FFA Board of Directors and national Lombardi, Donald Michael, Duane Nielsen, Les Godwin, program manager. National FFA officers approved a motion at their Thompson. William T. Woody FFA Center, P.O. BOX 15160, Alexan- July meeting that directed the "maga- dria, VA 22309-0160, telephone (703) National Staff zine staff research and select a new National Advisor, Chief Executive Officer, Larry Case; 360-3600. name for The National FUTURE Executive Secretary. Coleman Harris; National Treasurer, David A. Miller, Administrative Director, Wilson W. FARMER magazine and submit that Carnes; Manager of International Programs, Lennie name to the board of directors for Case IH Tour Gamage; FFA Program Specialist (Awards), Robert approval by October 1, 1989." Case IH sponsored an all-expense paid Seefeldt; FFA Program Specialist (Contests). Ted Amick; trip to its headquarters in Racine, Wis- FFA Program Specialist (Leadership), Tony Hoyt; FFA During July and August, hundreds of Program Specialist (Membership), Marshall Stewart; surveys were completed by FFA mem- consin, for the 1988 regional Agricultural Director of Information. William Director of FFA Stagg; bers participating in the Washington Mechanics Proficiency winners August Supply Service, Dennis Shafer; Executive Director FFA Conference Program, state officers 21-23. Alumni Association, Robert W. Cox; Manager of FFA Accounting. JoAnn Grimes attending the State Presidents' Confer- Attending the educational seminar ence, agriculture teachers, state agricul- were Noel Cowley, Richfield, Utah, and Advertising Offices tural education staff, university profes- his advisor McKay Jenson and Roger The National FUTURE FARMER P.O. Box 15160 sors of agricultural education and Nelson of the Spencer-Naper, Nebraska Alexandria, VA 22309 703-360-3600 others. The surveys asked what types of FFA Chapter. words should be in the name and, using The tour was sponsored by Case IH, The Brassett Company special 5150 Wilshire Boulevard those words, they were asked to as a project of the National FFA Los Angeles. CA 90036 213-934-8502 recommend a name. Foundation. The purpose of the surveys were to Midwestern States gather as much information and ideas Karaban / Labmer Associates, Inc. Sculpture Ceremony 333 North Michigan Avenue for the committee as possible. The President George Bush has been in- Chicago. IL 60601 312-236-6345 will to committee submit the name the vited to deliver the opening speech at the of Directors for approval Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey FFA Board in dedication ceremony of a sculpture cre-

Karaban / Labmer Associates, Inc. late September. ated to honor the American farmer at the 130 West 42nd Street If approved, the new name would be Agricultural Hall in New York, NY 10036 212-840-0660 of Fame Bonner premiered at National FFA Convention Springs, Kansas, November 9. Secretar- Peter Kelly, Inc. in for the first C November and appear ies of Agriculture from each state along 725 South Adams Road #260 time on the December-January issue. with farm families from across the nation Birmingham, Ml 44009 313-642-1228 will be in attendance. Robert Flahive Company During the opening ceremony, the 22 Battery Street Made For Excellence FFA flag and 4-H flag will be raised over San Francisco, CA94111 415-398-4444 Dates Announced the memorial and will continue to be The National FUTURE FARMER (ISSN 0027-9315) is daily. published bimonthly by the National FFA Organization, The National FFA Organization will flown Since the ceremony coin-

56 ; 2 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Alexandria, Vir- conduct 24 Made For Excellence (MFE) cides with the National FFA Convention ginia 22309-0160. conferences during the 1989-90 year. in nearby Kansas City, Missouri, '< AC D SS CHANGES: Send both old and new address to: MFE is a series of personal develop- organizers are hoping that FFA members Cii department, The National FUTURE FARMER. ment conferences which center around will be able to carry the 50 state flags at PC 50 Alexandria, Virginia 22309-0160. developing a positive mental attitude, the beginning of the ceremony. CO. DcNCE: Address all correspondence to: The N? RE FARMER, P.O. Box 15160, Alexan- maintaining a healthy self-image, goal Country music artists, the Bellamy dria, 1 60. Offices located at the National setting and coping with negative peer Brothers, will perform the National An- FFA Ct. a|y eight miles south of Alexandria, pressure. them during the opening ceremony and a Virginia. Four conferences were held in specially written song to pay tribute to SUBSCRIPTS: jn U.S. and possessions Michigan, Minnesota, Louisiana and the American farmer. The 33'-long, 10'- (FFA members 1 Single copy $1 .00; five or more 50e eech Foi 3 : ptions, $3.50 plus Montana in September. Other confer- high steel and bronze memorial reflects extra- tor postage. $2.00 I Copyright I by the Future ences are scheduled for: Montana the past, present and future of farming in Farmers of America. (second conference) Sept. 30-Oct. 1; America.

The National FUTURE FARMER h?^j^^^ mm ' HI

We Deliver Research, Quality and Commitment % bytheTon.

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Pfizer sells more animal health prod- efforts increase animal performance, and NFIA. For 35 years we've spon- ucts worldwide than any other phar- which means added profitability and sored the Pfizer Research Conference, maceutical company. A large part of convenience for livestock producers. bringing together the world's leading that success is a leading position in authorities to present discoveries that America's feed additive industry— QUALITY. can help animal agriculture and the which has been possible due to a Performance, safety and efficacy are feed industry operate more effectively, strong corporate commitment to ingredients found in every Pfizer prod- more competitively and more profit- research, quality and the feed industry. uct. We make sure of it by conducting ably. And we're also committed to exhaustive tests at our own research supporting youth organizations such RESEARCH. farms, followed by state-of-the-art as 4H and FFA in an effort to ensure Pfizer Inc. invests over $400 million manufacturing and extensive quality optimal development of tomorrow's annually in worldwide research. A sig- assurance testing. agriculturalists. nificant portion goes to animal health We offer our support because we've research to discover new products and COMMITMENT. seen firsthand what can be accom- to develop new uses for existing ones. Pfizer is committed to the feed indus- plished when commitment is backed As a result, a wide range of Pfizer try and to your business. We've dem- by action. That's the kind of commit- products is available for the feed onstrated our commitment time and ment we believe is worth making. The industry. Ultimately, these Pfizer again through our support of the AFIA kind that can make a difference.

Suppliers of many feed supplement products, including Banminth* Mecadox*. Rumatel", Terramycin* Neo-Terramycin" and the PhChlor* products. FFA Helps Keep Students WEA in Australia Pig Jokes Wanted in School I am writing to encourage more FFA The Perrydale FFA is trying to write a

I have just finished my first year of members to take advantage of the Work book and we need your help. When fresh-

FFA. I have really enjoyed being in agri- Experience Abroad (WEA) program. I men at Perrydale study swine one of the culture class. Our ag teacher, Mr. Tarpley, have recently returned from a six month first assignments they receive is to make not only makes it fun, but shows us things stay in Australia and had a wonderful up a pig joke. We then hope to put these that we will always use in life. I know time. It was interesting to live in a differ- together in a book. We thought that if we many members who would have quit ent culture and receive hands-on experi- could get the whole country involved in school a long time ago if not for coming to ence working with cattle and horses. sending us pig jokes we would get our the agriculture building every day. Seeing how farmers and ranchers operate book written faster and with a lot better Michele Randolph in Australia has given me some great jokes. Roswell, New Mexico ideas to use for my own enterprise, as well Please send us your pig jokes to the as experience that will serve as a reference Perrydale FFA Chapter, 7445 Perrydale

when I look for a job in the future. Road, Amity, Oregon 97101. Advisors Column? Plenty of hard work was involved, but Joke example: Why was the pig asked Why don't you print a small column I made many new friends and took some to leave the room? Because he was a boar! as to the success of the from members time to tour around and see the sights. I advisors? learned a great deal about responsibility Kirk Hutchinson is advisor a Our advisor the greatest and living life without mom and dad to Amity, Oregon chapter could have. take care of me. I will tell you now that I If you were to produce a column dedi- appreciate my parents much more than I Drug-Free America cated to advisors it would be appreciated used to! It's nice to be back home, but I I have read your August-September, and most likely more chapters with by me know that someday I will return to say 1989 issue and found the page about Part- of attitudes toward their the same kind "G'day" to all of me mates in the land nership for a Drug-Free American much kind of recog- advisors. They deserve that Down Under. like my town. nition. Celia Kissner As I was reading the small paragraph it Bruce Slaton Cedaredge, Colorado talked about kids in small towns being Sacramento, California into big town drugs. I found the percent- ages very interesting. Celena Honeycutt Ravenden Springs, Arkansas Potted *%&tefr»uU...Oit 76e Move More Recognition The American FFA Degree is the high- est degree that any FFA member can achieve. As an FFA member I feel we should recognize these outstanding members with more than a handshake and

a walk across the stage. I think that for such a high honor the members are being cut short. Knowing that the ceremony is long and

sometimes boring I think it can be im- proved. We can do this by having two or three slides of each individual and a short description of each member's program. This would make the ceremony more

- interesting for everyone and give each American FFA Degree winner some of Join more than 7,000 of America's most active youth — the recognition they deserve. junior Polled Hereford breeders! American FFA Degree winners are the • Nation's largest junior heifer show role models that every FFA member looks • State preview shows up to. • "Computerized" cattle breeding Lori Godart • Field days Pulaski, Wisconsin • Leadership opportunities

i nore information about the Breed on the Move, visit a Send letters or notes with name, address and local Polled Hereford breeder, or write: chapter to MAILBAG, The National FUTURE Polled Herefords FARMER, P.O. Box 15160, Alexandria, VA The Bull Power Breed 22309. All letters are subject to editing. American. Polled Hereford Association The National FUTURE FARMER 4700 East 63rd Street Kansas City, MO 64130 WITH BIG A PRODUCTS, THE ONLY THING YOU CAN'T COUNT ON IS THE WEATHER.

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cups. During milking the milk is According to Cenex/Land O'Lakes, checked for cell count so mastitis can be until recently, almost all seed com was identified at an early stage. Milk colored with a dye. The government is temperature and cow activity measure- asking the manufacturer of the dye to ments supply information about the submit considerable amounts of safety cow's heat cycle. A milk meter data, resulting in several million dollars measures the production, which is of research. recorded on computer disk. Measure- Many hybrid seed corn companies ment of the milk flow indicates when have switched to a new government- the cow has been milked sufficiently. approved product called "Color Coat," creases their milk production 15 to 20 The farmer can analyze all of this in- which will be used on seed corn for percent. formation on a computer screen. A 1990. Unlike the dye, Color Coat will When a cow enters the automated special list alerts the farmer to cases be easier to handle because it washes milking system, information contained where cows require individual attention. off and won't stain the producer's in a collar around the cow's neck tells a This constant flow of information helps hands, clothes or equipment.

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STW-89-4 Leading the Challenge

FFA state presidents meet with President Bush, tackle FFA issues

By Andrew Markwart

For the third consecutive year, Chevrolet contributed a special edition pick-up truck to the FFA, above. All of the state officers took part in the presentation cere- mony at the National FFA Center in Alexandria, Virginia. Left to right are Fred M. Farabaugh Jr., and Dora Nowicki of Chevrolet; Dana Soukup, national FFA presi- dent; and national FFA officers Jeff Johnson, Brad Chambliss, Jaye Hamby, Warren Boerger and Jeff Isom.

President George Bush welcomed Conference. July 24-28. Bush talked to FFA state officers to the Old Execu- the FFA officers about the importance of tive Office Building adjacent to the America's ability to compete in today's White House in Washington, D.C., July global marketplace. "At home, the need to 27, saying, "We know what to call the compete means developing new crops and

FFA. We call it America at her best; uses for agricultural commodities as raw America at her most generous. An Amer- materials for industry," said Bush. "And ica embodied by your motto: Learning to for you. our global economy means there do. doing to learn; earning to live, and has never been a better place, nor more living to serve." crucial time, to start a career than in The officers were in the nation's capi- America today." tal for the annual FFA State Presidents' President Bush was accompanied on stage during his speech by Fred McClure, chief assistant to the President for legisla- Fred McClure, chief assistant to the tive affairs and a former national FFA President for legislative affairs, ex- officer from Texas. At a luncheon earlier in the week, McClure had spoken to the plained how the FFA helped pave the group about how FFA had played an road to the White House. McClure is a important role in his life. Congressman former national FFA officer from Texas. Bill Sarpalius, a former Texas state FFA president, alsoemphasized the impact FFA eluding drought relief for farmers and the had on his life as he addressed the group commodity trading scandal at the Chi- during the congressional luncheon held cago Mercantile Exchange and the Chi- on Capitol Hill. cago Board of Trade. Secretary of Agriculture Clayton The visit by President Bush was the Yeutter met with the state officers at the highlight to a week that was inspiring and U.S. Department of Agriculture June 28. challenging for the state officers. In addition to an extensive photo session, Each state FFA association sent its Yeutter talked to the group about the president and one other officer to the state agriculture with the responsibility Secretary of » ^culture Clayton Yeut- current of American and conference. Along ter didn't have a e answers, but took briefed them on issues ranging from inter- of being state officers, these FFA mem- national trade talks to the 1990 Farm Bill. bers will also serve as delegates to the a round of ques. . s from the state The secretary fielded questions from the 62nd National FFA Convention in Kansas officers as Warren itger, left, and officers and was asked about issues in- City this November. The delegates vote Dana Soukup listeneo.

10 The National FUTURE FARMER 5 .

New Delegate System to be Voted on at National Convention

At National FFA Convention in Kan- change the process by which delegate sas City, Missouri, in November, dele- work would get accomplished. A new set gates from each state FFA association of committees and subcommittees would will be voting on a new system of FFA be put in place that would increase the member representation. Most of these number of leadership roles in the delegate delegates are the state officers that at- committee process and give more focus to tended State Presidents' Conference. specific areas. The motion before the delegates would For example, an item of business in- President to Just before Bush spoke change the present system that provides volving the Washington Conference Pro- in the Executive the state officers Old for two official delegates from each state gram would first have to pass through the Office Building near the White House, plus one additional delegate for each "WCP" subcommittee and then through Dana Soukup awarded the president an 10,000 active members or major fraction the full "Leadership" committee. Only

FFA Blue and Gold plaque as Brad thereof above the first 10,000. The pro- then would it be allowed on the conven-

Chambliss looked on. posed system would retain the two offi- tion floor. It would take a two-thirds cial delegates but increase the number of majority vote by the 474 delegates to additional delegates to one delegate for bring an item of business directly to the on important issues that affect the operation each 1 ,000 active state members. convention floor without passing through and the future of the National FFA Or- For example, a state such as Wiscon- committee channels. ganization. sin, with a current membership of 1 5,463. Also, more time would be given at According to the officers, the most would bring 17 delegates to convention State Presidents' Conferences in the fu- important and delicate issue the delegates rather than the three they are now allowed. ture for the officers to prepare for their will handle this fall will be whether or not (See chart below.) committee work at convention. to change the delegate process and the It also means there would be 474 dele- The proposed delegate system was number of delegates each state is allowed. gates at the National FFA Convention developed by the National FFA Organiza- (See adjoining article for more details.) representing their states instead of the 1 1 tion Task Force on Equity Issues. Its Other topics that the officers will be that currently serve. The proposed system members include state agricultural educa- voting on in November include eliminat- would involve four times th number of tion leaders from across the country ing quotas from the American FFA De- FFA members in the policy-making proc- The proposal was presented to the state gree. Presently, some qualified applicants ess of the National FFA Organization. It officers during State Presidents' Confer- do not receive the degree because there is would also involve spending four times as ence so they could discuss it among them- a limit to the number of members in each much money than what is currently spent selves and return to their states to gather state that can receive the degree. The for convention delegate activities. input from their membership. They will officers will also be considering revised Along with a change in the numbers of vote on the proposal Wednesday. Novem- versions of the FFA Creed and official delegates, the proposed system would also ber 8, in the Municipal Auditorium. FFA ceremonies in Kansas City. The Chevrolet Truck Division of the General Motors Corporation presented the National FFA Organization with a 1990 Example - Wisconsin half-ton Chevy 4x4 Scottsdale truck for the third consecutive year. The new truck Membership -15,463 was then presented to the National FFA Alumni Association to be sold during Current Delegate System their auction at national convention. The Proposed Delegate System money earned from the sale of the truck will be distributed by the FFA Alumni as scholarships to FFA members. The National FFA Alumni Associa- tion also held its State Leaders Confer- ence in Washington D. C, July 24-28. In addition to their conference schedule, the Alumni leaders attended many of the same events as the state FFA officers. •••

The State President's Conference is sponsored by Chevrolet as a special project of the National FFA Founda- tion. Meetings for FFA Alumni state 15 Delegates |i||| leaders were funded in part by Philip Delegate Morris U.S.A., also as a special project i of the National FFA Foundation. ftftftftftlftftftft

October-November, 1989 11 Detecting when... The Heat \S Ofl Two FFA members used science to take the guessing out of cattle breeding

By Andrew Markwart

heat cycles of dairy replacement heifers. F2 alpha prostaglandin was administered by injection and Syncro-Mate Bb by implant. Both methods were effective, but the Smiths had never tested to see which produced the best results or which was most cost effective. Lisa divided 90 Holstein heifers into Regional Agriscience three groups. One group served as the winner Teresa Brown control and received no treatment. A sec- of Blackfoot, Idaho, ond group received injections and the checks the hormone third received the implants. Lisa checked level in a milk sample the heifers twice a day to determine which from her dairy herd. were in heat. The heifers were bred 12 hours after heat was detected. She found that while both treatments were much more effective than no treat- ment at all. the injections of F2 were more cost efficient than the implants. Smith plans on obtaining a veterinary science degree from the University of

Photos by Nichol. j Communications Georgia and specializing in reproductive physiology. ••• The best gamblers will tell you that stage they were in their heat cycles. She The Agriscience Student Recognition luck has very little to do with win- used a special testing kit that detected the Program is sponsored by the Monsanto ning. To protect themselves, they amount of the hormone progesterone in Agricultural Company as a special pro- have all the odds calculated, all of the the milk samples of her family's 80 milk- ject of the National FFA Foundation. risks factored in and they know as much ing Holsteins. about the game as possible. By using the test. Brown was able to Yet for many years, dairy farmers have identify with a greater degree of certainty depended heavily on luck to play a major which cows were ready to be bred than if part in their breeding program. Cattle have she had just watched the herd for the a natural tendency to mount each other natural signs of cows mounting each other. when they are ready to be bred, or "in Cows that tested with high progesterone heat." The dairy farmer has to keep an eye levels were usually injected with on the herd continuously to catch which prostaglandin, a fatty acid that stimulates cow is in heat. With all that goes on the cow's reproductive system. This al- around a dairy farm, sometimes the farmer lows the dairy producer to control the misses the sign from the cow or heifer. optimum time for breeding. FFA members Teresa Brown, The test also can detect reproductive Blackfoot. Idaho and Lisa Smith, Comer, problems. Teresa, 19, discovered through Georgia, are trying to take some of the the testing that two cows had cysts. The guesswork out of cattle breeding cycles. cysts were treated, but might have gone They conducted experiments that helped undetected without her observations. pinpoint timing of heat cycles, and even Brown is a sophomore at Ricks Col- regulate them. They both were 1988 re- lege in Rexburg, Idaho, majoring in ani- gional winners of the FFA Agriscience mal science. She plans to transfer to Utah Student Recognition Program. State University and study animal repro- An important management technique duction, genetics and embryology and in dairy production is keeping a steady then pursue a career in cattle genetics. number of cows milking at one time and a As a member of Franklin County FFA cow's ability to produce milk is based on Chapter, Lisa Smith was a member of her calving schedule. She begins produc- three state winning judging contest ing milk after delivering a calf. Her pro- teams—dairy, meats and livestock. This duction will increase, peak and then de- interest in livestock and the fact that her crease over a period of about 1 1 months. father is a veterinarian led Smith to her Lisa Smith, Comer, Georgia, compared Brown's agriscience experiment fo- agriscience project. two animal health products that stimu- cused on monitoring the hormone levels Her father had used two types of syn- late a reproductive system. in each cow's milk to determine at what thetic prostaglandins to synchronize the cow's

12 The National FUTURE FARMER Forecasting Heat Radio-Equipped Cows Improve Breeding Efficiency

By Richard Dunn

While dairy science has taught hours after the end of heat, so dairy farmers a great deal about how farmers usually breed a few hours to best manage their herds, there following the first time they notice are some simple things researchers have- a cow in heat. With Lewis' infor- n't figured out—until now. One of the mation the insemination schedule largest mysteries in cattle production is remains the same, there is just a detecting the best time to breed a cow. If more reliable indication that a cow

a farmer owns a bull the process is simple. came into heat. But without the intuitive instincts of a Lewis says he hopes his re-

herd bull the average dairy farmer is left search will make it possible for with educated guesses and assumptions to technology to be affordable to any guide the timing of the important task of dairy producer. "I want to simplify artificial insemination. the design enough that the im- In the dairy industry, where the major- plants can sell for $25, "says Lewis. ity of cows are bred artificially, average "If we can do that then anybody dairy fanners detect only half the heat can afford to use this system."

periods. Since the heat period signals The design that Lewis is now ovulation—the only time a cow can con- using requires that each cow carry ceive—missing a heat greatly reduces the an implant along her vaginal wall. efficiency of the herd. Studies place the (She can carry the same implant cost of missing a cow's heat at $50-100 throughout her time in the milking per occurrence. This means that in a herd herd.) All these transmitters then of 100 cows with the dairy farmer missing communicate via radio with a com- only one heat period per cow the cost is puter that records changes in each well over $7,500 each year. cow's reproductive tract. Research scientist Greg Lewis holds a trans- Scientist Greg Lewis at Virginia Tech The only expenses for a pro- mitter that, when implanted in the cow, will University hopes to drastically reduce this ducer would be one implant per indicate when the cow is ready to be bred. "invisible cost" for dairy farmers. He's cow and a central computer with working to perfect an implant to auto- radio receiver. (The computer can also be activity or calving," says Lewis. "So far matically detect a cow's heat period and used for general farm management. ) Lewis we've had cows with the implants for record the information on computer for estimates the total cost of the system at three years with no side effect, no infec- use by the farmer. Lewis says he can somewhere near $13,000 for a 100 cow tions, no dislodged implants." detect an amazing 94 percent of all heat herd, including $3.000-$4.000 for a com- Keeping the size of the implant small periods with his method. He says that puter. But if the system saves a producer also makes the surgery easier to insert it underexperimental conditions his method $75 per cow per year (and studies suggest along the vaginal wall. The operation is can even detect pregnancy as early as 25 this is a very realistic estimate) the entire very simple and can be completed in less days after conception. system is paid for in two years. than an hour. Lewis' implant takes reading based on "It's the most exciting thing I've ever If Lewis and his team can cut the cost the changes in reproductive tissue during worked on," Lewis says. "Especially since of the device while shrinking it even fur- the heat cycle. When a cow comes into I'm working with outstanding engineers. ther, he will be able to meet his goal of heat her reproductive tissue absorbs wa- These people know dairying and help having the implants available for the public ter. As a result, the tissue conducts elec- make the technology usable for farmers." in three years. Lewis hopes to one day be tricity better since the cells are separated "I've been fortunate to team up with able to precisely pinpoint the ideal time to by bodily fluids and the electrical resis- telemetry (radio transmission) experts in inseminate and further improve concep- tance of the tissue, or its impedance, is a small engineering company." he says. tion rates. reduced. "These guys already have the expertise "The technology exists to make the With constant measurements of the and technology available to solve many of measurements and apply the data." he cow's impedance levels, it's relatively the challenges of this project." says. "We just need to assemble it in one easy to identify the drop in impedance that Lewis and the collaborating engineers place and apply it to this problem." signals a heat period. But it's still not have reduced the size of the implant down Once Lewis perfects his implant for possible to pinpoint the moment that heat to about 1 1/4 inches by 1/2 inch. This dairy cattle there will likely be other spe- commences. The bodily changes are so includes all the measuring equipment, cies to which this technology could be gradual that Lewis can only identify a 10- transmitting equipment and a power sup- applied. He says there are obv ;

12 hour window marking the onset of ply. But the goal is to shrink the size of the cations for horses and tlK . inent

c heat. implant still further. swine industry. He note it he has even In the average cow, heat lasts 12-24 "We want to cut the chance that the discussed applying hi logy to help hours with ovulation following in 12-18 implant will be dislodged during normal zoos breed rhinos. •••

Oaober-S ovember, 19H9 13 — —

Three ^^'s of an Agricultural Career: Competition.Communication.Committment

By Price Grisham

Clayton Yeutter:

Harness Your Competitive Spirit

FFA members know that the real heartbeat of America is its agricul- new ideas to meet new market demands. ture—and you get a healthy heart- This is true of diversity in farm production beat when American agriculture is based as well—the more flexibly you branch on the freedom of the individual—on in- out, the better you can begin meeting dividual ingenuity, insight, and persis- those unexpected market needs. tence. Now let's look at competition in the As you consider how to build a self- Clayton Yeutter international economy—how does that sufficient future, remember that this same Secretary of Agriculture affect you? More importantly, how can desire for personal liberty made agricul- you affect it? The first thing to remember ture appealing to your parents, grandpar- is that in today's world market, agricul- Clayton Yeutter was sworn in as ents, all the way back to the founding tural independence does not mean the 23rd United States Secretary of fathers of our country. indeed, cannot mean—agricultural isola- Agriculture February 16. Yet American agriculture may lose tionism. We are no longer an island unto From July 1985 until the end of the that sense of personal independence if it ourselves. Market demand in other coun- Reagan administration, Yeutter becomes too dependent on the generosity tries directly impacts their farm imports served as U.S. Trade Representative. of the taxpayer for its livelihood. Looking which we supply. Maneuverability and His previous USDA posts include into the future must thus focus on restor- versatility are again part of an effective assistant secretary for international ing agricultural independence. arsenal in market targeting. Remember

affairs and commodity programs , What will this involve? Competition too, that what happens back here with our assistant secretary for marketing and both on the home front and abroad. budget deficit affects the value of the consumer services and administrator Let's look at the home front first. How dollar and thus the price competitiveness of the consumer and marketing can you help your rural community com- of your farm products. So the more inde- service. pete with your urban neighbors for badly pendent the farm economy can become Along with many other positions, needed businesses? The same way you from federal financial assistance, the bet- Yeutter served as president and get ready for an FFA contest or participate ter your products can sell abroad. chief executive officer of the Chi- in a big sports event at school: You build This sense of independence and healthy cago Mercantile Exchange, July on the strong points—and you develop competition developes strength and moti- 1978 to June 1985. weak points into strong points. vates you to go that extra ten percent, after Yeutter graduated from the Uni- For example, rural communities are you've striven and given 100 percent. versity of Nebraska in 1952 with a small. Is that a weak point or a strong And whether you work directly with pro- bachelor's of science degree in point? Look for a moment at today's duction agriculture or with any of the animal husbandry. In 1963, he market, and it can become a strong point. many areas of the agricultural chain, you obtained his law degree from the Why? Because small businesses have a can always compete with yourself—to do same university, graduating cum special and vital "ability"—maneuver- it even better than you did the last time. laude and ranked first in his class. In ability. Modern markets are moving tar- So if you want to unlock your future in 1966, he received his doctorate in gets—more fluid than any videogame. As agriculture, FFA has given you a very agricultural economics, again from a result, toda^ businesses must be flex- special key: Competition—competition the University of Nebraska. ible enough to ci 'uver—to meet mar- balanced and based in service to your ket demands. Large impanies can't act community and to your country.

as swiftly as small enu < se, a real plus Use that special key—it's your best for rural businesses—if you are open to guarantee.

14 The National FUTURE FARMER —

What does it take to make a leader? Why not ask a leader? In this interview with the current and two immediate past Secretaries of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, The National FUTURE FARMER asked, "What advice would you give to an FFA member considering a career in agriculture?"

Richard Lyng:

Communication is the Key

past fifty years have seen a real ter its quality. And veterinarians hold a Theturnaround in agriculture—forty place of honor close to the family doctor. If you're better at working on the acres and a mule won't do it any- machinery than on the animals, remember more. Even—perhaps especially— if you've got the land, you need a solid foun- agricultural mechanics—remember, too. dation in your education to keep on learn- that transportation is an important link in ing how to best manage that land. the food chain to the consumer. Suppose In the same way that you prepare a you like people even more than animals or Richard E. Lyng field for future harvest, you have to pre- machines? If that's the case, there's a Secretary of Agriculture 1986-1989 pare your mind for what's coming up in whole new area of agricultural sales and agriculture. An agriculture career takes service that is opening up rapidly. preparation broad and deep; Science Richard E. Lyng was sworn in as the Let's suppose you enjoy working with 22nd Secretary of Agriculture on chemistry, physics; math—book-keeping machinery, animals, and people, but what 7, 1986. In his capacity as a and computer literacy; and communica- March really gets you excited is working with the member of the President's Cabinet, soil: can investigate chemi- tion—reading, writing, speaking. crops and you the activities of the Yet your agricultural goal can be fo- he supervised cal pesticides and fertilizers—how to make United States Department of Agricul- safer effective. Organi- cussed as your preparation is diverse. them and more ture until January, 1989. vegetables in- That's because agricultural education is cally produced are also Lyng is a native of California. He creasingly in demand. New methods of specialized, but not in the sense that it of involves a narrow educational or career graduated from the University production are being investigated. Notre in 1940. investigate new- field. All of the areas I've mentioned Dame Why not your own to presi- illustrate the knowledge needed in man- From 1949 1967 he was ideas in agriculture? That's how we look

of family " s aging just your basic farm unit. If you go dent a seed and bean into the future—with new ideas. .And that processing is into any of the many areas involved in production and com- where communication the key. of Califor- nonproduction agriculture, your focus will pany. He was Director the How do you learn? Through commu- nia State Department of Agriculture nication. do you use what you've again be in your area of expertise—but How your options will be diverse. in Sacramento from 1967 to 1969, learned to find an even better way? Fifty years ago, the force that kept the appointed by the then Governor Through communication. How do you farm functioning was changing from mule Ronald Reagan. share this better way with the others? appointed Assistant power—where animals did most of the He was Through communication. Secretary of the U.S. Department of Communication the sharing of new- work—to "horsepower," where machin- — for ery became the muscle. These machines Agriculture in 1969 and served ideas—is what draws the diverse future of 1979, took fewer people to run them, so you had four years. From 1973 to he was agriculture together. And that's the strong folks who were leaving farming for the President of the American Meat point of FFA. Not only does it keep the city and the suburbs. Institute. lively mind wanting to learn, it develops Secre- That transition has pretty much slowed, He was appointed Deputy the ability to communicate effectively: as of and will problbly continue to do so as tary of the U.S. Department a student today, as a teacher tomorrow, or Agriculture in 1981 President or national leader of the diverse needs in the agricultural commu- by as a community served in that position successful nity continue to demand professionals with Reagan. He future. With communication, throughout the first Reagan term. share success. insight and dedication. Are you good at everyone can your biology? They need poultry and meat inspectors—the closer to home the agri- cultural commodity is processed, the bet- (Contnued on Page 16)

October-November, 1989 15 Three C's -(Confinedfrom Page 15)

John Block:

More Opportunities Mean More Commitment

Agriculture today offers enormous opportunities in a broad variety of

occupational fields. Each student business that requires real commitment. It must evaluate where the best opportunity is successful farm businesses that support for him or for her personally exists. Those agriculture as a way of life. If you can't with farming experience who have the run your farm as a good business, you opportunity might choose to continue simply won't be around. there. Others may choose food process- John R. Block FFA develops solid businesssmen and ing, marketing, agribusiness. Secretary of Agriculture 1981- 1986 businesswomen through leadership Employment opportunities in agricul- skills—learning to deal successfully with ture are continually increasing—and that Farmer, soldier, administrator, and people, self-confidence, communicating means that an increased commitment is Cabinet officer, John R. Block clearly. As I found leadership opportuni- involved. You need the commitment to served from 1981 to 1986 as Secre- ties in agriculture, these all played an learn and keep up—because the more you tary of the United States Department important part. My son enjoyed the com- learn, the more information you have to of Agriculture. He is presently the petitive nature of the FFA programs, and help you in future endeavors. president of the National-American the commitment they required, especially There is an actual shortage of agricul- Wholesale Grocers' Association parliamentary procedure and the livestock tural professionals. College graduates with (NAWGA), based in the Washington, competition. These programs stimulate degrees are being snatched up. If I were to DC area. The association represents incentive and commitment. set up an agricultural curriculum, I'd in- the wholesale grocery and food- One final thought: international mar- clude traditional classes such as farm man- service distribution industry in the US, keting is important and is daily becoming agement, livestock and crop production Canada and overseas. more and more significant to the Ameri- but I'd also include classes that would Prior to being named Secretary of can agriculturalist. I'm leading a delega- bring students into the broader horizon of Agriculture by President Reagan, he tion of American grocers to Finland, the agriculture—it has expanded beyond the served for four years as Director of Soviet Union and Hungary over the sum- 40." "south Agriculture for the State of Illinois. He mer, and will have an interview this morn- Food goes from the fanner to the con- was one of the four remaining ing with a reporter from Italy. sumer, but there is quite a lengthy chain Cabinet Officers from the original International agriculture is an area involved in that process. My curriculum Reagan Cabinet at the time of his where there are increased opportunities would attempt to give practical insight resignation. that require an even stronger commitment into the entire food chain—so that no Mr. Block was born February 15, from FFA students. International agricul- matter where you were in the chain, you 1935 near the family-owned farm in tural affairs can perhaps be the most could make an enlightened decision. Galesburg, Illinois. After graduating rewarding, but it isn't all glamor. For Both my son and I were Illinois FFA from the US Military Academy in West instance, I don't know any Italian. Those State Farmers. FFA instills the same high Point, NY in 1957, he served for three looking at the international agriculture level of commitment in its members, still years as an airborne infantry officer scene need, at some point, to acquire a has some of the same goals and programs and returned to Illinois to form a strong background in at least one foreign of earlier years—but with a mind open to farming partnership with his father. language. If we're going to send a repre- the future, which is part of the organiza- The farm grew from 300 acres sentative to Japan, we will want one that tion's name, after all. You still show live- producing 200 hogs a year to 3,000 can speak Japanese—and I won't be sur- stock, but it can be a very different live- acres of corn and soybeans produc- prised a bit to see international agriculture stock now—and the student who raised it ing 6,000 hogs. He retains his invest- representatives from FFA, because com- may be either a young man or young ment in the farm now managed by mitment and leadership are FFA hall- woman, from the city, suburbs, or coun- his father and his son. marks. try. And yes—I can still fit into my FFA Yet, while FFA ; preserves the jacket. Maybe it doesn't fit quite like it agricultural environmt is a way of life, used to, but it was well made, and will it has placed a new and nt_ ary empha- last—just like the FFA values I learned ••• sis on agriculture as a bus ess—and a when I first put it on.

16 The National FUTURE FARMER £'

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|#MlWll#f/f< /f . Jff/I t r li'JiWj fivip one who will stand up to \ impossible odds, because to him nothing is impossible. It takes a Marine, So before you read any further, take a dose look at the Marine in this ad and think about what we've just said. Then, ifyou'd like to find out more about what it takes to become ^1^; one ofus send in the attached £& W card or call 1-800-MARINES X^'

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Ag's New Professionals: Animal Nutrition Consultant

you are interested in animal agricul- agriculture instruction. They both pro- together control nearly 500,000 head of Ifture, technical service careers present vide an opportunity to apply high-level cattle. These nutritional technical special- big opportunities according to Bill science to production agriculture on a ists —including Smith—provide their Smith, a young beef nutritionist with Moor- daily basis. He notes that to succeed in customers with a vast array of services. man Manufacturing Co. in Fort Collins, today's agricultural industries, it's no The most obvious role is creating ra- Colorado. The native of Birdeye, Arkan- longer enough to just have "cow sense." tions tailored to customers needs. At Today's success- MoorMan's, this means analyzing the ful professionals specific feedstuffs available and combin- must be able to ing them into a feeding program that puts apply state-of- lean meat on the cattle most economi- the art science to cally. food production. Smith provides his customers with Smith's train- valuable management information, includ- ing included a ing all forms of performance evaluation bachelor's de- such as rate of gain, cost of feed per pound gree in animal of gain and cost per day. He even helps science at Okla- them evaluate carcass quality and yield homa State Uni- grade data. versity, a mas- He can also help a cattle feeder evalu- ter's degree at the ate the potential profitability of a given lot University of of cattle based on factors such as feed Arkansas and cost, feed quality, the background of the finally his doc- cattle and their genetic potential. This torate from the analysis allows a feeder to pencil out the University of cost of production well in advance — Wyoming. sometimes even before he buys the cattle. After college. "I've got a great job," says Smith. "I Smith put his get to help cattlemen be more profitable, animal science and that's a great feeling." skills to work for Smith advises young people with an producers as a interest in animal agriculture to look to part of the Texas technical service as a career. "The pro- Cooperative Ex- ducers you work with as a nutritional

tension Service. consultant are the very best. It puts a Bill Smith is an animal nutrition consultant with Moorman's, a He was a beef young person on the cutting edge of one of major feed company. He advises feedlot owners in the West. cattle specialist agriculture's biggest industries," he says. near Vernon, "The key to a career in the technical Texas, for two fields of agriculture is having a solid base sas, has pursued his interest in the cattle years. In that role he worked closely with of knowledge in math and science." he business with a Ph.D. in animal nutrition beef producers applying research find- emphasizes. He points out that involve- and made a career of helping beef produc- ings from universities to their operations. ment in programs such as FFA that apply ers become more efficient. He also worked extensively with FFA and "hard" sciences to complex areas of agri- "I went to college thinking I'd maybe 4-H members in his area, providing beef culture, like animal nutrition, is excellent come home to farm someday," says Smith. management training through seminars preparation for a young person who wants

"But it just didn't work out." Instead of and workshops. to be successful in tomorrow's highly looking outside of agriculture for career The next stop for Smith was the Moor- technical agricultural industries. ... opportunities he pursued his interest in man Manufacturing Company, a large livestock nutrition. He credits his college feed company based in Quincy, Illinois. counselors with encouraging him to pur- He became a beef feedlot nutritionist Career:Animal Nutrition sue advanced degrees and go into the part of MoorMan's technical support Consultant technical service areas of agriculture. network—in Dalhart, Texas. There he

"When I we. t to graduate school, I called on a number of beef operations Education Required: Ph.D. in

majored in nutrition be. ause I found it to with a total of over 200,000 head of cattle. animal nutrition be challenging and reah_ applicable to Since then. Smith's been promoted to day-to-day production," says Smith. "It assistant manager of beef cattle nutrition- Starting Salary: just stimulated my interest." ists. He now helps supervise 10 Moor- $35,000 - $45,000 Smith sees his role as a nutrition con- Man nutritionists in the Western states as sultant as similar to today's high school well as calling on a few key customers that

20 The National FUTURE FARMER Switching From Calves to Kids

Brett Bonham raises Angora goats in beef cattle country

By Shelly Peper

When you live in an area domi- Last year the mohair sold for about $2.20 anteed support price has been set at S4.58 nated by beef cattle and wheat per pound for the adult hair and $4.00 per per pound for 1989. production, making a switch to pound for the kid hair. With the help of the subsidy and the raising Angora goats can be a risky busi- "We run the goats on high protein sale of kids to other Angora breeders, the ness venture. Brett Bonham will tell you pasture (alfalfa pasture in the summer and young entreprenuer earns $ 1 60 per goat, that it can also be very rewarding. wheat pasture in the winter) and that helps and with 25 goats to an acre that adds up

As a freshman member of the Cordell, the hair to grow faster," said Bonham, 1 9. to about $4,000 profit per acre, according Oklahoma FFA chapter, Bonham was "Although the hair gets more coarse, the to Ron Wright, Cordell FFA advisor. faced with dropping cattle prices and increased weight more than makes up the Bonham has expanded his program to dwindling profits in his supervised include 50 registered nannies and agricultural experience (S AE) pro- billies (male goats) as well as 150 gram. He decided to take a risk that grade nannies. resulted in increased profits and a The profits were high enough national FFA proficiency award in that the goats had paid for them- specialty animal production. selves during the first year and I "When prices were down on eve- was able to buy additional nan- rything, I had to have an alterna- nies," said Bonham. former Cor- tive," said Bonham. "I bought the dell FFA president. "This is the goats because they were something moniest-making deal Fve ever different." seen." In 1985, Bonham purchased 150 The greatest demand for mo- female Angora goats, or nannies, hair is in the form of knitting yarn, from a ranch in Texas. When these and the demand has been increas- mohair-producing goats arrived at ing because the fiber becomes fire his farm, the challenges were just resistant after the oil has been re- beginning. moved from it. Mohair is blended

"The toughest thing I faced was with other fibers to make the fabric trying to keep the goats out of the used for airline seats, draperies hot wire (electric fence)," he said. and carpets. Sweaters, coats and

"They'd go right through it, and other clothing items can also be once one goes, they all go." made from mohair-blended fab- The challenges continued when rics. "kidding" season arrived. The kidding and clipping sea- "You have to be right there when I sons are the "peak" times for an the kids are born," said Bonham. I Angora goat producer like

"They have to get milk when they 're | ti Bonham. Other times of the year born or you might as well mark his routine is less hectic than car- them down as a loss." ing for other species of livestock. Brett Bonman's Angora goats yield seven to nine Management can be intense for He checks the goats on a regular pounds of mohair twice a year. the first week of the kidding sea- basis to make sure none of them son. Bonham said as many as 50 or are caught in a fence or injured. 60 kids may be born each day dur- His only other concern is predators ing that time. difference in the texture when the hair is like coyotes, but his Great White Pyra- Bonham cares for his valuable goats by sold. nese guard dogs solve that problem. giving the animals medicine to prevent The mohair from Bonham 's goats is "The dogs sleep during the day and overeating disease and treating them for sold to Ozona Hair and Wool in Ozana, bark most of the night." said Bonham. two kinds of lice that could destroy both Texas. Like any other market, the price "They scare away the coyotes usually, but the goat and its mohair. The lice treat- for mohair fluctuates. However, the U. S. if the coyotes came around, the dogs are ments may be the most important because Department of Agriculture provides a sub- big and mean enough to handle the situ- profits come from the Angoras' mohair. sidy to the Angora producer. In 1988. the ation." «•• Bonham has his goats clipped both in government provided a guaranteed sup- The Specialty Animal Production profi- March and again in August. Each adult port price of $4.69 per pound (a 148 goat usually produces seven to nine pounds percent subsidy) for the mohair sold, ciency award is sponsored Py Purina ofhairperclipping. That's about twice the according to Dr. Frank Pinkerton. exten- Mills, Incorporated and Country Gen- average number of pounds per goat pro- sion goat specialist from Langston Uni- eral Stores as a special project of the duced in Texas, according to Bonham. versity, Langston, Oklahoma. That guar- National FFA Foundation.

October-November, 1989 21 cS^, Here We Come!

62nd National FFA Convention Promises Excitement

Important FFA issues will take center tional officers and many more events. year for our team and we're working to stage during the 62nd National FFA make it a memorable experience for eve- Convention, November 9-11 in Kan- Speakers rybody," said Soukup. "It's going to be an sas City, Missouri. Guest speakers include Secretary of important convention for our organiza- Convention delegates representing Agriculture Clayton Yeutter, Hall of Fame tion because of the decisions the delegates members from all 50 states and Puerto quarterback Terry Bradshaw, educator are going to make. All FFA members Rico will be voting on revised versions of Mamie McCullough and motivational should be keeping an eye on what happens FFA ceremonies and the FFA Creed. They speakers Ty Boyd and Bill Sanders. Brad- in Kansas City." will also vote on three FFA constitutional shaw is sponsored by the H.J. Heinz He also says that the national conven- amendments which would create a new Company Foundation and McCullough is tion is often the motivational turning point system of delegate distribution and in- sponsored by Farmland Industries, Inc., for an FFA member. "It's important to volvement, drop quotas for the American both as special projects of the National remember that this is a showcase of role FFA Degree and extend membership for FFA Foundation. A laser light show, models for all FFA members. If you or those students traveling on international sponsored by ICI Americas, Inc., will someone you know takes part in the na- exchange programs. highlight the third convention session. tional convention, even if it's walking After the delegates cast their votes National officers Dana Soukup, Jeff across the stage to receive a certificate or early in the week, business sessions will Johnson, Brad Chambliss, Warren helping in the Courtesy Corps, it can be give way to top speakers, national contest Boerger, Jaye Hamby and Jeff Isom will the spark that just ignites a member. It was finals, public speaking finals, naming of lead the convention activities for the week. for me." national proficiency winners and the Star Soukup, national FFA president, says The 1990 national theme "FFA—Lead- Farmer and Star Agribusinessman of the officer team is gearing-up for the event. ing the Challenge" will be introduced at America, selection of the 1989-90 na- "The convention is the highlight of the the convention. The theme emphasizes

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c 1988 B.B. Wail^&^ahV .. Abilene Boot, Asheboro, NC 27203 — .

Row Bartle Hall, located next to the Ambassador program replaces the Ameri- Municipal Auditorium. can Royal Queen contest. The Alumni convention will be Performing at the American Royal dur- held in room 209, Wednesday, No- ing convention week will be Patty Love- vember 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:15 less, November K; Shenandoah. Novem- p.m. The annual Alumni auction will ber9; Rodney Crowell. November lOand

begin at 5:50 p.m. in room 2 1 3 Bartle Don Williams. November 11. Tickets

Hall. A 1990 half-ton 4x4 Chevy range from S 4- 1 1 Scottsdale pickup truck, a Yamaha "Breeze" ATV, and two Delta Air- Satellite Coverage lines tickets to Hawaii or continental The National is U.S. city are a few of the items that FFA Organization will be up for bidding. negotiating with RFD-TV to uplink 16 The popular Alumni leadership hours of live convention coverage over five broadcasts 9-11. workshops will again be held in Bartle November The Hall on Thursday and Friday. This broadcasts would be unscrambled and carried over Westar V, Transponder 9D. Convention delegates will have a number of year's workshops will feature former Channel 17. important issues to discuss and vote on national officers Kelli Evans, Terri Tentative times of broadcast are: 2:05- during their business sessions on Wednes- Hames, Kevin Eblen. Kevin Yost, 5:05 p.m. and 7:05-10:35 p.m. on Thurs- day, November 8. Dean Harder, Scott McKain and Mark Mayfield. day, November 9 and Friday, November FFA's role in preparing young leaders for 10. On Saturday, November 1 1, the con- American Royal the challenges awaiting them in the world vention would be broadcast from 12:05- of agricultural careers. This is the first year that two American 5:35 p.m. The entire 14 1/2 hours would Royal Ambassadors—one male, one also be rebroadcast on Thanksgiving Day, Alumni and Career Show female will be named. The Ambassa- November 23. The National FFA Alumni Conven- dors will be recognized a official spokes- Check the November issue of Between tion and the National Agricultural Career persons for the American Royal and will Issues for the latest information on satel- Show are scheduled in conjunction with receive scholarships to the college or lite broadcast schedules and all conven- the FFA convention. They are held in H. university of their choice. The new tion activities. ••<

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8 FINE WESTERN BOOTS

; It was "standing room only" on the south lawn of the White House when the WCP group joined 4-H, Boy Scouts and others to welcome home President Bush and the first lady after their trip to Europe in July.

Hot Fun in the Summer! WCP groups have a cool time despite Washington heat

For this year's Washington Confer- that focus on leadership, personal devel- ence Program (WPC) participants, it opment, ways to improve FFA chapters was a summer of gooy, sticky heat as and what's new in FFA programs. the temperature and humidity in Wash- The WCP groups also visit the Na- ington, D.C. hung in the 90's for most of tional FFA Center, Mount Vernon and a June and July. host of Washington, D.C. attractions. In all, almost 1,600 FFA members at- Most of the members met with their con- tended the one-week conferences this gressmen and senators during the confer-

summer from June 1 2 to July 29. The six ence. Some even got to see President Bush conferences are packed with workshops on the White House lawn. .** Heavy Metal... Members visited the Iwo Jima Memorial to honor American heros and met some real-life ones along the way.

Don't try this at home... While waiting for President Bush to land in his helicopter at the White House, this member was caught adding stars and stripes to his national blue enforced and om gold. Official dress was I feel good... Who said workshops had to be boring? WCP counselors spent before e president landed. many hours planning work sessions that were entertaining and informative.

24 The National FUTURE FARMER Joan Nold Photo

Lean on me... The new Washington Conference t-shirt was a cool change-of-pace from the official jacket when tour- ing the Washington Monument and other D. C. landmarks.

Sylvia Walker, parliamentar- ian of the Mid- way, North Carolina FFA Chapter, said the confer- ence, "makes you a better person and a better leader." Scott Slump Photo

Senator Charles Grassley, Iowa, enjoys a light moment on the Capitol steps with members during the fourth week of the conference.

Joan Nold Photo

Cardboard cutouts of Washington celebrities, such a Lieu- tenant Colonel Oliver North, made for some fun snapshots to show mom and dad.

During the summer, many congressmen, including Wes Watkins, Oklahoma, talked to members from their home state about agriculture, government and how things were going back home.

October-November, 1989 25 Moom jboch ishi 0000 [HOUGH mmoHi Ford's 3/4-ton 4x4 pickup still makes you get out to lock and unlock the front hubs.

s

*

r/ 50,000-mile warranty. fii| Qheyrolet dealer for terms of this limited warranty.

Chevrbletunct'the Chevrolet emblem are registered trademarks and Chew is a tradem.irkoffliefiM Corp. < 1080 cm Corp. All Rights Reserved. Let's get it together... buckle up.

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Chevy's 3/4-ton 4x4 has Insta-Trac so you shift And of course Today's Truck has lots of other advant on-the-fly from the cab. ages, like more leg room and shoulder room than Chevy's proven Insta-Trac is the only way to Ford. A two tier load bed. And more two go. Because when you're on and off the road, you ^ided galvanized steel. Drive Today's 3 don't need the hassle of getting out to switch the Chevy 4-ton. You'll see why yester- hubs. Or backing up 10 feet to get back into day's truck isn't good

freewheeling 2WD like Ford's Vton. enough anymore. I

BfmtnmcfOp rows truck is mvrout '

A Tradition of Excellence: of the Stars

Jim Stern David Tometich Eastern Star Agribusinessman Central Star Agribusinessman

Jim Stern has proven that you don't As the youngest of 1 5 children, David Meet the eight regional have to be raised on a farm to excel in Tometich is used to being last in line. agriculture today. That hasn't stopped him from rising to Star Farmers and Star Stern, 2 1 , grew up just outside of the top of the FFA as one of this year's Agribusinessmen i Philadelphia. He didn't expe- star agribusinessmen. W^^^~ rience farm life until he Tometich, 1 8, grew up on a 160-acre By Lynn Hamilton ^gp ^^^r was 12 years old, when farm near Muscatine, Iowa. "Much of "^^ € his family moved to Ma- my confidence, pride and work ethic ^^^ chipongo on Virginia's has been related directly to thelie way Ii 1989 National FFA Conven- ' Eastern Shore. They was raised," he says. "I wasas al- . Thetion will be a mixture of change purchased 15 acres of land and ven- ways working with people and tradition. New emblems will tured into cash crops. Snap beans were who were more mature and' be displayed new junior high and FFA a fai lure that year, so the family changed expected results, not ex- members will be attending. For the plans and started a nursery business. cuses." first time, members will cross the stage This background enabled him the to receive American FFA Degree to start his own sheep shearing instead of the American Farmer De- business at the age of 16. On his first gree. day, he sheared eight sheep in 1 2 hours. But through all of the changes, one Today, he can shear 120 in less than traditions organiza- of the oldest of the nine hours. His skill has been recog- tion will stand solid — the Stars Over nized by others in the industry; he placed awards America. The Star Fanner pro- fourth in the 1988 National Sheep gram began in 1929, and today young Shearing Contest in his age division. people are being honored for the same In addition to shearing more than ex- achievements as sixty years ago; 6,000 sheep during his two years in cellence in agricultural production. business, Tometich is also a buyer for Twenty years ago, the growth of ag- Goenwold Fur and Wool Company, ricultural careers called for another and has marketed almost 40,000 pounds awards program. The Star Agribusi- of wool with his enterprise. nessman of America began to share A member of the Muscatine FFA Stern ^ the spotlight in 1969. These pro- As a freshman in high school, Chapter, Tometich shares his time and recognize the best ready for challenges, and V grams was more skills with others. He frequently do- ^^7 agriculturalists in the started working at Zieger and Sons, ^gj young nates time for demonstrations, and is ^^ \ nation, carrying on FFA'stra- Inc., a rose-growing business. After teaching more than 20 fellow FFA of prepar- four years of experience, he was ready J^^^V ditional purpose members the art of shearing. ^' ing members for careers and to try another field. After receiving his degree in agri- I the horticul- leadership in agriculture. "Although enjoyed cultural education from Iowa State The 1989 stars have been selected ture industry, I didn't feel that I was University, he plans to work in either from the 698 American FFA Degree working to improve the environment sales and marketing or teaching. recipients. Less than two-tenths of one in any significant way by producing percent of FFA members achieve this quality cut roses," he said. So he started degree, and only one out of every 50,000 working with the USDA Soil Conser- gets to stand on the star platform in vation Service, satisfying his desire to Kansas City. learn while serving the community. A common thread of hard work and His experiences as a member of the dedication is woven through each of Northampton FFA Chapter provided a these member's stories. good training ground for the commu- nity seminars he conducted.

Stern is attending Virginia Tech majoring in agricultural education. He hopes to become an agricultural in- structor, and also plans to become a partner in the family nursery business.

28 (Continued on Page 30) YOU GET A LOT MORE THAN MONEY T w x«w i K*n>n;i ii:r*i ^ :i a :i i THE ARMY RESERVE.

Joining the Army Reserve is one of the smartest tackling a tough job and doing it well. And service with ways to help pay your way through college. In fact, you the Army Reserve can help you develop the maturity and

can earn over $18,000 through the Montgomery GI Bill self-discipline it takes to succeed in college and in life. and your Reserve pay during a standard enlistment. And, You also get the satisfaction of knowing you're

if you have or obtain a federally insured student loan, you helping to keep America strong. may qualify for a government program that will help Besides completing Basic and Advanced

repay up to $20,000 of it for you. Individual Training, you'll usually serve just one But you get a lot more than just money in the Anny weekend a month in a nearby Army Reserve unit, plus Reserve, "feu get hands on training in one of over 250 skills... two weeks of Annual Training. Find out more. See your skills like modern health care techniques, engineering, Army Reserve recruiter g£ ALLYOU CAM BE*1 languages, criminology and many others. A foreign ° You get the pride and confidence that come with ark! ARMY RESERVE

£S5 m

'.-w Robert Wolfe Scott McLamb Western Star Agribusinessman Eastern Star Farmer

Many people only wish for their As far as Robert Wolfe is concerned, dreams to come true, but Scott McLamb the early bird gets the worm—or the - is building his field of reams t corn, in this case. He has proven his dreams o day. business expertise with a sweet corn McLamb, 20, of Rose- and potato marketing operation in his hometown of Hermiston, Oregon. boro, North Carolina, is continuing a long family tra- Most summer mornings, Wolfe, 20, dition of excellence in produiuc-^/^V can be found in his 1 8-acre sweet corn tion agriculture. As a fresh- field by 4:30. After the corn is sorted man, he decided to pursue farming as and stored in his walk-in cooler, Wolfe his career goal makes his marketing and delivery and immediately took steps to realize his rounds. He believes his dependable. dream. McLamb decided to specialize in livestock management. His father would quiz him on proper procedures Barry Todd for grinding and mixing feed, as well Southern Star Agribusinessman as nutrition. His responsibilities grew Barry Todd has accomplished a as he learned. great deal in the FFA—but as an "Eventually, my father and I began eighth grader, he hadn't even to switch roles in the farming opera- Jk planned to join the Loris tion," he says. "I no longer stood at my ^J^^f FFA Chapter. Today, he father's side and watched while he performed the task; I was the ^^T £ is one of the most success- one who " J|^^\ ful members in the nation. stepped in to do the job. Today, McLamb has 50 percent ownership of nr , Todd, 20, of Longs, South Carolina, works in his fa- the family farm. He plans to acquire ther's agricultural machinery shop. full ownership when his father retires. Since the tenth grade, he has graduated A member of the Midway FFA from watching his older brother and Chapter, McLamb's supervised agri- father work after school to being totally responsible for- delivery is seven-day system the key customer projects. to his success. "We do everything from of the A member Hermiston FFA farm equipment to heavy ma- Chapter, Wolfe learned that beginner's chinery," Todd says. Though luck business. "I gave doesn't work in he likes welding, Todd prefers more corn than I sold the first away to work on the lathes, machines year." he says. He planted an unusual which shape metal. "You can variety, white Dot, yellow and Sugar see what you're making," he and had to develop his market. says. "It's interesting to start He was successful, and his 1988 with round stock metal and sales totaled 6,500 dozen but Wolfe — have a trailer axle made when decided to challenge himself further. you're through." He spotted an opportunity when the Todd's most unusual job potato market fell through in 1986. was one for IBM. An order His family 's potatoes were not getting came from New York to make sold, so Wolfe brokering and began 2 1/2" by 3" aluminum boxes for the cultural experience program consists delivering potatoes with hisscorn,corn. backs of computers. It was also one of of beef, swine, tobacco, grains and oil Marketing and producingngre-re- » the longest projects he has worked crops, and fiber crops. His excellence quire very different skills, on—it took two months to build 46 of in cotton production was recognized Wolfe soon found. He - those little boxes, he said. when he was named the 1987 National purchased fresh potatoes He credits his FFA advisor, Ben- FFA Fiber Crops Proficiency winner. from a local processing plailant mS*\ jamin Hardee, for his success in the or- To ensure his future success in and then priced them competi- ganization. "I wouldn't be in FFA if it farming, McLamb now attends North tively enough to sell, but insuring a wasn't for him," Todd says. He hadn't Carolina State University, majoring in profit for himself. Since 1986, he has planned to sign up for agriculture as an field crop technology. brokered 180,000 pounds of potatoes. eighth-grader, but Hardee talked him Wo: currently attends Blue into it and got Todd's schedule Mountain ^ mmunity College, ma- changed. joring in agricu ral marketing. His future plans include becoming a full partner in his father's business.

The National FUTURE FARMER William Courier Central Star Farmer ix Bill Courter, as a freshman in high Tony Janes school, chose his career and started on Southern Star Farmer his path to success. Tony Janes knows quality is as im- Courter, 21 , grew up on his parents' portant as quantity in the fanning 470-acre diversified farm near Alma, business. Janes, 21, of West Carroll Michigan. When a farm adjoining his Parish, Louisiana, has used this prin- parents' went for sale during his first ciple to become one of the top young year of high school, Coulter's father farmers in the nation. wanted his answer. "I decided farming Rather than working to expand his was what I wanted to do and we bought beef, rice and grain operation, he chose the farm," Courter says. to improve his production by incorpo- Although many opportunities ex- Jay Overton rating agricultural engineering prac- isted within the family ' s current opera- Western Star Farmer tices. Janes and his father constructed tion, Courter decided to branch out reservoirs, installed irrigation systems k with his own projects. Beginning Jay Overton has come a long way and leveled the land to make it more ^^^^^ with 1 1 gilts and a boar his from playing with toy farm equipment -^^P ^^^ freshman year, Coulter's as a youngster. Today, toy tractors of "^^ ^ SAE program has expanded his childhood have been replaced with J^^^ to 50 sows, 300 dairy ani- a $98,000 inventory of farm equip- * mals, 200 Holstein steers ment. and 775 acres of crops. Overton, 21, of Pond Creek, Okla- Courter decided to diversify his op- homa, has always loved his work. eration while in the tenth grade to in- "Farming is a way of life for me, one clude dairying. After convincing his which gives me an indescribable sense of joy and happiness every day," he says. A love for the land runs deep in his family; it's a four-generation tradi- tion. Starting his SAE program with feeder cattle, wheat and agricultural mechanics proj- useful for rice production. They have ects, Overton found oppor- taken advantage of USDA set-aside tunities to expand his enter- programs to improve the land for more prise. He has increased his efficient use later. wheat production from 15 His beef operation has undergone acres to 860 acres, and his improvements as well. Janes' cattle stocker and feeder calf op- profits increased after adding a liquid eration has grown from 160 feed supplement and upgrading the father to double the size of the milking head to more than 600 today. pastures. Janes also experimented with parlor, he got to work and planned the Computers are a vital component of new breeds of cattle. system. Today they milk 135 cows, Overton's management prac- A member of the Oak Grove FFA and the herd milk average has increased tices. He designed a program t Chapter, Janes believes much of his from 15,500 pounds to 18,900 pounds fit his record-keeping, future success in agriculture will de- per cow. s is Courter' goal to achieve a needs, which helps him pend upon his education. "Although I 20,000-pound herd average in the next keep track of that all-impor-or I/A^ hope to farm for a living, the agricul- two years. tant profit margin. His exten-ten- *y tural industry is becoming more spe- attends Coulter classes at Michigan sive work with computers gave him cialized daily, and I feel that getting a State University during winter semes- the distinction of being a top 10 final- degree is essential for farming suc- ters. "I feel a manager needs to be ist in the national FFA Computers in cessfully in the next century," he says. informed about new technologies and Agriculture competition in 1987. Janes is studying agricultural busi- needs to keep the operation open to A member of the Pond Creek FFA ness, with specialization in crop pro- changes of efficiency, production, and Chapter, Overton believes a good pro- duction at Northeast Louisiana Uni- profitability," he says. ducer must also be able to work with versity. He plans to farm or work in an A member of the Alma FFA Chap- and understand his equipment. He was agricultural business upon graduation. ter, Courter currently owns 25 percent the 1987 state agricultural mechanics While in high school, Janes won of his father's operation, and eventu- proficiency winner. several state proficiency awards for ally plans to become sole owner of the Overton attends Oklahoma State his outstanding SAE program. ••• farm. University majoring in agricultural economics and agricultural education. He plans to continue farming after he completes his degree.

October-November, 1989 31 FFA Unveils designed to help students develop confi- dence while selling a product. Agricultural Sales Contest Contestants are judged on how well they are prepared for the sale, determine Contest is geared for members with agribusiness interests and fill customer needs and wants, allow the customer to participate, identify and By Jody Pollok handle customer objections and close the sale. "The Agricultural Sales Contest re- Just as artists unveil their newest crea- people into the field of. Agribusiness has inforced their communication skills, but tions, the FFA is now unveiling its been recently advising us that the real more importantly it taught them some new newest work — the Agricultural Sales future for jobs in agriculture is in agri- skills and that marketing is more than simply selling a product," said George Contest. It enables all FFA members, no marketing and sales. We are very excited matter what their background, to compete about the interest from teachers about the Separich, agribusiness professor, Arizona new Agricultural Sales Contest," said Ted State University. Amick, FFA program specialist-contests. An objective test measures students' Industry experts agree. "Agribusiness skills in agricultural product marketing, has a crying need for well-trained, moti- advertising and promotion, customer rela- vated sales and marketing people. We tions, product displays, telephone skills, think this contest can be an excellent market analysis and customer prospect- source of those individuals." said Charlie Scholes, of Vicon, which is sponsoring the Agricultural Sales Contest as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. Agribusiness has a "The program will enable FFA members crying need for well- to stay in agriculturally related businesses even though they may not find a place in trained, motivated sales production agriculture." and marketing people. The new contest was tested during the 1988-89 school year in Arizona, Califor- nia, Nebraska, New York and Washing- ton and is now ready to be offered to all ing, job application and interviewing for a states. The Agricultural Sales Contest is sales position. not a national contest but is available to Different hands-on activities make up every state that decides to participate. the last part of the contest. Every other Those states interested in the contest will year, a different set of skills will be tested. send five representatives to a special in- One year FFA members will be judged on troductory training session which will be their customer relations, advertising and held in Kansas City, Missouri, during the promotion skills and job application and National FFA Convention. Some states interview. The next year participants will have had sales contests in recent years, be judged on their skills in telephone but this is the first time a nationally intro- communication, product display and duced contest for state and local youths, market analysis. with standard rules, has been offered. Participants are put into real life situ- The new contest has sparked interest in ations selected by the contest chairperson. many teachers because it offers an oppor- Problems will deal with a range of areas tunity for students with interests in agri- from technical information to human re- The Agricultural Sales Contest will put business. "None of the three students I lation problems. FFA members work with FFA members in real sales situations. had in the contest had a farm background, returning sold merchandise, defective in a contest that prepares them for a career so they saw it as an opportunity for a merchandise or a customer's lack of un- in sales. contest that really was preparing them derstanding about the use of merchandise. Over 2,600 employment opportunities more for the agribusiness side of agricul- In the advertising and promotion sec- in agriculture and natural resource sales, ture," said Beth Spencer, FFA advisor of tion of the contest, participants are given marketing and merchandising will go the state winning Tri-Valley Central FFA a variety of different situations that deal unfilled each year according to a 1985 Chapter in New York. with broadcast media, print media or a SDA national assessment of employ- The contest consists of three parts. point-of-sale advertising poster. nportunities for college graduates. During their sales presentation, each con- In the poster portion of the contest The ilso said there won't be enough test team member selects an agricultural members are given 30 minutes to develop jobs fo» lers, ranchers, communica- product from one of seven areas: agricul- a poster to accompany an agricultural tors and e<_ !ors given the amount of tural mechanics, agricultural production, sales display. In the print media area, people who w. > career in those areas. agricultural products and processing, which is either newspaper or magazine FFA is respoi:< to these changing agricultural supplies and services, for- related, contestants must prepare copy for trends by developing ne\ contests such as estry, ornamental horticulture, natural an advertisement and design a layout. In the Agricultural Sales C t "Agricul- resources and rural recreation. broadcast media 30 minutes is given to tural sales is a major eni for young The seven-minute sales presentation is produce a 15-second commercial to be

32 The National FUTURE FARMER used on either radio or TV. Members must prepare the copy and they are furnished with props to be used in the making of I their commercials. A job application is completed for an entry level retail sales job. Contestants also have to compose a cover letter which outlines their strengths and qualifications. Communication skills are tested during the job interview portion of the contest. The telephone skills section tests the contestants skills in a three-five minute telephone call as selected by the contest coordinator. The contestant either receives or places a call. Contestants will have 20 minutes to set up a product display in one of the other hands-on areas. "Members learn real skills like eye-catching ways of setting up a display and display balance, " said Spencer. One of the most challenging areas of the contest is the market analysis. A pro- file is given to each contestant which contains product descriptions, existing competition, production capacity/product availability, pricing, description of pres- ent or potential retailers and demands, transportation distribution, storage infor- mation and existing marketing problems. One written page is accepted by the judges and 20 minutes are allowed for the prepa- ration. Five minutes are allowed for the presentation.

The Big Payoff Nicole Drobysh, member of the Tri- Valley Central chapter said, "I learned all the marketing in my ag class and this was just one way I could apply it. I want to go into business and marketing so this con- test will help me." Students and teachers have found that the communication aspect of the contest is just as important as the financial area. According to Roy Denniston, New York FFA executive secretary, "Students learn the ideas of organizing themselves and developing presentations. No matter what area of work you go into you're going to find that being able to meet the public and being able to communicate effectively is important." Those who helped develop and test the new contest expect it to be an enjoyable and rewarding experience for many FFA members. "It's the first contest I've seen that students can come from any area and compete in the same contest," said Ron Crawford, Washington agriculture edu- cation. "The strength of the contest is allowing students to sell what they want to sell. That's where we're really going to get the student's interest." •••

October-November, 1989 AMERICAN MADE BOOTS SINCE 1879 —

Rural Youth Bound for Ag Careers Beyond the Farm

An abundance of jobs honors program for ag business majors. nancial risk, market uncertainty and long She's focusing on courses to help her hours as reasons why. One youth com- in biotechnology, fulfill her dream of a career in ag public mented, "I'm trying to find a reason to stay relations. And she's confident she'll find with farming. The hours are long and finance, engineering, the right job once she's earned her degree. hard, and the pay is low." Another asked, marketing and related "There are so many opportunities in ag "Will I be able to financially handle farm- today—marketing, computers, econom- ing after I finish college?" fields are beckoning ics, animal science—the doors are wide open, we just have to know how to get in," Stewards of the Soil rural youth she says. and Water In addition to a degree, Classen will Youth who plan to farm—44 percent have a wealth of experience to bring to her believe that grasping new technology will first job. As Nebraska's 1988-89 state be key to their success. They also cited the FFA president, her leadership opportuni- importance of soil and water stewardship. youth are committed to a fu- ties have included meeting the president "As farmers, we have to do a better job of Rural the United States, speaking to of managing our natural resources," a Min- ture in agriculture. It may not be on of many the farm tending corn fields or the 5,000 FFA members in her home nesota youth commented. cattle, but in a laboratory cloning plant state, and competing in a variety of na- The number of new young farmers cells or in a trading pit hedging hog fu- tional speech and record-keeping con- entering the business is declining every tures. tests. year, according to USDA figures. An That's the consensus of 3,056 youths Classen knows the production side of average of 29,000 people under 35 be- who responded to a recent Partners sur- agriculture, too. She's helped manage her came farmers each year from 1975-78. vey asking them to comment on their family's diversified farm where she fin- However, from 1979-82, that number future career plans and the challenges of ished and marketed 170 feeder pigs and dropped to less than 18,000. If the trend growing up in rural America today. grew 120 acres of irrigated crops on land continues, the numberof commercial-size When asked whether or not they plan she rented from her dad. Classen is one of operations could decline from 884,000 in to pursue an ag-related career, 63 percent a growing number of farm youth who are 1982 to about 727,000 by 1998, an 18 of the survey respondents living on farms preparing for a future in agricultural busi- percent drop. said yes, the 32 percent of those living in ness marketing or biotechnology instead The long-term trend of bigger farms town said yes. of returning to the family farm. These students are making a wise When asked whether they plan to choice, according to current employment farm someday, 56 percent of the statistics. College graduates are entering a Partners survey respondents said job market with increased opportunities no. Most often they cited fi- and starting salaries that are higher than ever before. "It's the strongest market for agricul- tural graduates that we've had in 1 years," says Allan Goecker, assistant dean of agriculture at Purdue University and a member of a USDA committee on higher education. The USDA study group forecasts a national shortage of 4,000 agriculture and life science graduates annually through 1990. Some experts predict the shortfall will continue longer than that. Much will depend on the number of vocational-tech- A Future On the Farm? nical and college-bound students who pursue an agriculture-related profession. When asked whether or not they plan to farm someday, here's how The D< ors Are Wide Open 3,056 rural youth responded: Julie Class.. '9. is eager to land a job in ag sales or ma.= : ng after completing her studies at the Un. ity of Nebraska- Yes 44% No 56% Lincoln.

Classen, a sophomore, . trolled in an

34 and fewer farmers is not going to change, career in agriculture are 16-19 years old; economists say. However, skilled jobs re- 41 percent are age 13-15.

lating to agriculture are going begging. Becky Southworth, a 1 5-year-old high "There are at least three jobs available school sophomore, has already decided for every one of our students who gradu- she'll become a veterinarian. After she ates with a plant science or entomology finishes college, she'd like to return to her degree," says Wayne Rush, student rela- home in Gibbon, Minnesota, (population tions coordinator for the University of 787) to start her practice. "I want to work Idaho-Moscow. "There are tremendous here," she says. "This is a great commu- opportunities for young people, but they nity, but too many people are moving have to be willing to look beyond produc- away. We need more businesses to save Youth Chose tion agriculture," he says. "The real op- it." portunities lie in international marketing, Ag-related Careers genetic engineering and environmental Concern for Community studies." Keeping their rural community viable Percent of survey respondents who At the University of Idaho, a major is a concern of many youth who com- plan to work in agriculture campaign launched to change agriculture's pleted the survey. A Wyoming youth says, image resulted in a 49 percent increase in "I hope I'll be able to graduate from my new student enrollment in the college of Youth living on farms 63% high school before it closes." ag in 1988 compared to 1987. "Students Youth living in town 32% When asked to comment on the biggest are perhaps starting to recognize the op- challenge they face growing up in rural portunities," Rush says. America, responses included: financing Similar efforts are underway in Min- nesota to encourage greater participation in high school agricultural education an education, selecting a career, peer pres- classes. "We 're changing the image of our sure, concern for the environment, low programs by changing the content and de- commodity process, drought, living too livery," says Dr. Edgar Persons, far from home and revitalizing communi- * head of Agricultural Education ties. for the University of Minnesota. The most vocal youth were 16-19 year- "We're placing much more olds, accounting for 55 percent of the emphasis on technology, busi- survey responses. Thirty-eight percent of ness, computers and leadership." the responses were from 13-15 year-olds: Vince Sloot credits his intern- and 8 percent came from 20-22 year-olds. ship at a local cooperative with Two-thirds of the youth who answered the giving him a first-hand look at survey were young men: a third were his college major, ag business. young women. Last spring. Sloot spent six months While rural youth definitely feel the working in the fertilizer depart- effects of an agricultural economy in tran- ment at Ellsworth (Wisconsin) sition, the majority are positive about its Farmers Union Co-op. "I was future. "I think farming practices and the fairly green when I started," he family farm will undergo many changes in

"but the internship was a great 'learn by the future, but it will continue to be strong." doing' experience." Sports Are a Favorite a youth sums up. Another agrees. "The fu- Co-op Manager Rich Ruemmele was Pastime ture of rural America is bright. New tech- impressed with Sloot's performance, and nology is helping farmers do a better job. Here's a breakdown of the most says he quickly learned the business. We all have to eat. and our country is the "Vince left no stone unturned," he says. popular activities rural youth world's largest food producer." •••

After completing his degree in May, participate in: Sloot traveled to Australia on a year long Athletics 34% Reprinted by permission of Coopera- agricultural exchange program for rural tive Partners Magazine. youth. He views the trip as an opportunity FFA 28% to explore his career options. 4H 23% Youth who answered the Partners Other (choir, band, survey are making career decisions at a drama club) 12% young age. Forty-nine percent of the re- Scouts 3% spondents who said they are planning a

October-November, I9H9 35 A Helping Hand for Veterinarians Animal technology class sparks interest in students, community

By Becky Brashear this county and so many people with pets,'" said Knight. "One day the often does a twist of luck do kids said to me 'how about students Notmuch good. But in Bel Air, Mary- working with vets?'"

land, the twist of luck has been a That was all it took for Knight to positive turn for students at the vo-tech get up the nerve to run the idea by Dr. center, the veterinary profession and ulti- Richard O. Cook, owner of BelAir mately the community. Veterinary Hospital in Northeastern

It all happened in a five-minute con- Maryland. versation in early 1988 between the "Dr. Cook was at my school one

Harford County Vo-Tech Center agricul- day and I asked him of his feelings on ture course coordinator and a local veteri- such a program for students inter- narian. ested in pursuing a veterinarian assis- Until that point, student enrollment in tance course. He said 'go for it.'" the school's agriculture program was She did. beginning to dwindle, and the students In the first year, seven students remaining in the course were becoming successfully completed the veterinary bored and depressed with the traditional assistance course which is just a part production agriculture classes. of the center's animal technology/ag- Dr. Richard Cook examines a patient with That's when Naomi Knight, the cen- ribusiness program. "It's the first such the help of Tracy Fitzgerald, a graduate of ter's agricultural course coordinator and three-year program of its kind in Mary- the BelAir animal technology course. FFA chapter advisor, asked for help from land," Knight said. Dr. Richard Cook, and it's been a success "Students have the opportunity to The program has worked wonders for story ever since. achieve valuable job skills for employ- two of the students. Tracy Fitzgerald and

"When I came to the vo-tech center (in ment as a veterinary or animal laboratory Renee Brunet are going to further their

1984) I kept saying, 'there's got to be assistant, or to explore opportunities in education in the care of animals. something that kids can do with animals the field and prepare to enter a college "It was a twist of luck for me that I because there's so many veterinarians in program." switched from going to school at Edge-

sit in this tree ail morning Ireezing anc

wanting to move but dad said stay put anc»

watch this trail. 1 know there isn t a dee*

lor miles but 1 also know die look 1 d get it

I 1 here. Oomethings moving through tht

trees and L cant make it out. A do^. Wo a deer

It s a deer. 1 here s a deer coming down the trad like

nobody s business. A buck. ..is it a buck' No a doe..

I can't see antlers so it must be a J...NO A BUCK!

It Jj3 a buck. It s a big huge buck like in the magazine!

and my muscles ^o limp, my arms don t move, my hand.'

are shaking and that bi^ giant buck is still coming. jVlustn t

move. JWustn t move or he 11 spot me. His head ^oe<

behind a tree and 1 shift to get a better position but

limb snaps and oh no he s looking right at me that bit wood High School to going to the vo-tech anymore. Most of the students who come then she plans to transfer to Essex Com- center," said Fitzgerald who graduated to the center now have non-farm back- munity College, enrolling in the veteri- from the center this past spring. grounds," Knight said. narian technician program. But Fitzgerald wasn't so sure the twist Now students at the vo-tech center, Dr. Cook found a real need for veteri- of luck was a positive change at first. which is really a high school, can get their nary assistants in Harford County which

"When I became involved with agricul- vocational training as well as their aca- is part of the reason why he became in- tural classes at the vo-tech center, they demic courses. volved with the vo-tech center's program. were still being taught as traditional agri- The animal technology/agribusiness And the county's other veterinarians have

culture. I was getting depressed with the program has been set up so that students joined in too. "I get tremendous support courses." receive training in various facets of the from the veterinarians—that's what makes Then things changed at the Harford agriculture industry—from veterinarian the program work." said Knight. "I have County Vo-Tech Center in the animal veterinarians on the waiting list who want technology/agribusiness program. One of to help the kids." the biggest initial changes was the course "There are a lot of vet assistant jobs "/ have veterinarians on name. "The change in the name has made available," Knight said. There's a huge a difference in attracting students to the the waiting list who want turnover of employees because there has program," said Knight. to help the kids." been no training for vet assistants— they Working closely with the Harford do a lot of different things." Veterinary Medical Association members Last summer, both Tracy and Renee and Jeanne Schmidt, a registered veteri- worked at Dr. Cook's veterinary practice. nary technician. Knight came up with assistance to water and soil conservation Renee worked as a receptionist and Tracy new courses that have not only won the and forestry practices. They have classes worked in the kennels. approval of the count's veterinarians, but for two hours a day, five days per week. All of the students enrolled in the school officials as well. Fitzgerald, who wants to be involved center's animal technology/agribusiness And students are finding the course in environmental studies of animals in the program are involved in the FFA. It's a outline so interesting that the class size for world, said she enjoyed the program be- chapter small in numbers, (33) but large this fall nearly doubled. "Thirteen stu- cause the training she received was so on accomplishments. dents for a course may not sound like a lot diversified. "The program has been a benefit to the but for a program that was nearly non- Brunet had no background in animals, community by helping to supply veteri-

existent several years ago, I'd say the though her interest centered around work- narians with reliable help. It in turn helps numbers look pretty good," Knight said. ing with dogs and cats. She's attending the students gain confidence." Fitzgerald "BelAir is such a suburbanized area Harford Community College this fall and said. •••

grandpa ol a buck is looking right at me and here 1 sit down and walk to where 1 last saw him, take a lew more wide open. 1 freeze solid ana tor two minutes 1 don t steps and then _L see blood. A lew drops at hrst, then breathe and the biggest deer ever is going to walk right more and more until it s easy to follow and now 1 m running.

on by il 1 don t shoot. Ieah shoot. . .shoot now shoot Xvunning and stooping and kneeling and running again right now right now. His head goes down

Nothings worse than losing lor an acorn and 1 raise the rille and put rise. 1 cross the ridge, there s no deer and a line game animal. Use trie it ~ on Ins neck and my barrel swims all over wrong; ammo, and mat s what instead the trail weakens. A Tr^

can happen. Dut a Winchester J 1 1 v&?^A nun and 1 m ^oing to miss. Wo on no 1 m droplrop here, a drop s v. A_i V^-artridee Oelector can goin^ to miss 1 m t^oin^ to miss tins bi^ tell you exactly what you need. there. 1 make ever- WINCHESTER Just write to Winchester at monster buck. in settle circles. to the laast 1 suck a breath and <\i-j ohamrock, tast Alton, widening 1 back

11_, 0202^ and ask lor it. 1 hat an his shoulder, squeeze the trigger, the air drop, mark it with my hat and circle again. way the next round you lire explodes and he runs oil like 1 didn t touch will signal the end ol a hunt, An hour later the hat hasn t moved, r inallv 1 not the beeinninff ol one. aim and 1 can only watch him go. Ww head back to camp. iWv glorious wall-hanger 1 m still in the tree waiting lor the trem- buck is gone. And the worst part is no one 1 =rfii bling to stop and finally it does so 1 climb will believe he was ever there.

wmwotw. Ideas are still flowing in from chapters Laura Winstead, Webster County, The Hinton, Oklahoma, officers rode after the fund-raising special in the last Kentucky. FFA has a new FFA quilt made in the Kiwanis rodeo parade and the live- issue. Old fashioned car washes are easy by her mother and grandmother. They stock judging team took second at the projects to organize and Ysleta, Texas, traced a large official emblem, embroi- national Limousine field day. made $100 in five hours. dered it and then sewed it onto material and quilted it. What a summer for Ruby Mountain Members of North Clackamas. Ore- FFA in Elko, Nevada. They went swim- gon, hire out as envelope stuffers for a Mike Wiley of Stamping Ground. ming at the July chapter meeting, water local public relations firm. They also run Kentucky, raises and shows champion- skiing at the August meeting and on to a snack bar each week at Optimist and ship rabbits for his SAEP. His specialty is Lake Tahoe for leadership camp in Au- Rotary bingo. Flemish Giants, the largest breed known gust. today weighing up to 22 pounds. Green Ridge, Missouri, hosted a rest stop area for a bike tour in their area DeWitt Central. Iowa, FFA added the benefiting the Multiple Sclerosis Society. eighth graders signed up for high school agriculture to the hay baling squad for the Members of Boonville. Missouri, bar- summer. becued 3,800 beef and pork burgers for a Two members of the St. Clair. Mis- Farm and Home store grand opening. souri, Chapter who are always late for FFA functions received a wristwatch Officers of the Robertsdale. Alabama, during the annual banquet. Trouble is FFA attended a 2-day leadership work- Sara Ryan, a junior in the Anthony there was only one watch and it didn't shop at a state junior college. Wayne FFA received honorable mention work. for the State of Ohio in the "Up With Officers of the Nicholls, Georgia, FFA Madison-Mayodan. North Carolina, Agriculture" writing contest sponsored had a team retreat at the state FFA camp FFA held a basketball tourney to help by Garst Seed Company. grounds according to reporter Traci Pur- improve attendance at chapter meetings. Morrisonville, Illinois, FFA gets seri- - vis. And it worked from 1 to 28. The teams ous enough about their summer softball Jenny Nance, of the Crater, Oregon, included officers and members. games to actually practice ahead of time FFA had the champion pen of friers at the according to Molly Waterman. county expo. Stroud, Oklahoma. FFA received a plaque during its annual appreciation President Bruce Slaton of Valley FFA banquet from the Stroud Historic Neigh- in Sacramento, California, was proud to borhood Society for community service report that for the second year in a row the work in building small parks in the com- chapter was the only group to win all blue munity. ribbons at the fair in swine. Not one red! McKay, Oregon, members who went on the overnight camping trip awoke to a Members of the Benson, Arizona, FFA friendly water fight. were asked by the earnings and savings committee to sell roses for Valentines Day. They sold them in bouquets of six or Holly Sharp. Antelope. Arizona, FFA twelve. The flowers came from Vermont. member, showed the Reserve Champion was the reserve in the lamb and champion Many more chapters could help write round robin contest at the County Yuma this column each issue. What they should Fair. do is send news of any kind to the editors Principal Chuck Edmunds, noted for of the FFA magazine. It should be of his support of the ag and vo-ed depart- interest to members in any state, but could ments, was presented an Honorary Chap- be about nearly any aspect of chapter The members of the Harbor - ter FFA Degree at the annual Ceres, Cali- Oak FFA operation fund raising, unique banquet fornia, banquet. Chapter along with the Benton Carroll ideas, meeting topics, how to get commit- Salem Board of Education, and the Senior tees organized, agriscience projects, North Pole, Alaska, FFA provided a Class of 1989 are preparing a Memorial BOAC examples, safety steps, or honors petting zoo at the state Special Olympics Garden on the school farm area. The received. Funny items would be good too.

meet plus took the athletes for hayrides. purpose of the garden is to landscape We get lots of mail, but sometimes it's

around the school barn with trees, shrubs. the same chapters every month, or it is an

On ti. ay to the state convention, the and flowers and make a living memorial old idea everyone is already using. Share Meridian, ho, Chapter delegation to past FFA members, and others inter- the news about your chapter—any membr

at ' stopped Wallo a Lake for the annual ested in the vocational agriculture pro- may submit an item to Scoop, Box 1 5 1 60, softball game with the Kuna Chapter. gram of Oak Harbor. Alexandria, Virginia 22309.

38 The National FUTURE FARMER Glue page to heavy construction paper and let dry before cutting

One of two ways to get your hands on an F-16,

If you think you're too young to fly, cut it out. We'll even pay part of your college tuition. What's Fold. Assemble. And prepare for take-off. more, you'll have the chance to take part in exciting While your paper airplane may not quite reach the adventures that can lead you around the world. speed of sound, use it as a reminder of just how fast All you have to do is serve as little as two days a the Air National Guard can help you get your future month and two weeks a year. off the ground. Want to learn more? Call our toll-free number.

And we're not just talking about a military career. And rind out if you're cut out for Air Guard training can prepare you for a civilian AIR the Air National Guard. career in over 200 fields of technical expertise. 1-800-638-0936 Everything from meteorology to security. Telecom- NATIONAL munications to computer technology. GUARD Americans At Their Best. A2NFYO"109NP Ideas are still flowing in from chapters Laura Winstead, Webster County, The Hinton. Oklahoma, officers rode after the fund-raising special in the last Kentucky. FFA has a new FFA quilt made in the Kiwanis rodeo parade and the live- issue. Old fashioned car washes are easy by her mother and grandmother. They stock judging team took second at the projects to organize and Ysleta. Texas, traced a large official emblem, embroi- national Limousine field day. made $100 in five hours. dered it and then sewed it onto material and quilted it. What a summer for Ruby Mountain Members of North Clackamas, Ore- FFA in Elko, Nevada. They went swim- gon, hire out as envelope staffers for a Mike Wiley of Stamping (.round ming at the July chapter meeting, water local public relations firm. They also run Kentucky, raises and shows champion- skiing at the August meeting and on to a snack bar each week at Optimist and ship rabbits for his SAEP. His specialty is Lake Tahoe for leadership camp in Au- Rotary bingo. Flemish Giants, the largest breed known gust. today weighing up to 22 pounds. Green Ridge, Missouri, hosted a rest stop area for a bike tour in their area DeWitt Central, Iowa, FFA added the benefiting the Multiple Sclerosis Society. eighth graders signed up for high school agriculture to the hay baling squad for the Members of Boonville. Missouri, bar- summer. becued 3.800 beef and pork burgers for a Two members of the St. Clair, Mis- Farm and Home store grand opening. souri, Chapter who are always late for FFA functions received a wristwatch Officers of the Robertsdale, Alabama, during the annual banquet. Trouble is FFA attended a 2-day leadership work- Sara Ryan, a junior in the Anthony there was only one watch and it didn't shop at a state junior college. Wayne FFA received honorable mention work. for the State of Ohio in the "Up With Officers of the Nieholls, Georgia. FFA Madison-Mayodan. North Carolina, Agriculture" writing contest sponsored had a team retreat at the state FFA camp FFA held a basketball tourney to help by Garst Seed Company. grounds according to reporter Traci Pur- improve attendance at chapter meetings. Morrisonville, Illinois. FFA gets seri- vis. And it worked - from 10 to 28. The teams ous enough about their summer softball Jenny Nance, of the Crater, Oregon, included officers and members. games to actually practice ahead of time FFA had the champion pen of friers at the according to Molly Waterman. county expo. Stroud, Oklahoma, FFA received a plaque during its annual appreciation President Bruce Slaton of Valley FFA banquet from the Stroud Historic Neigh- in Sacramento, California, was proud to borhood Society for community service report that for the second year in a row the work in building small parks in the com- chapter was the only group to win all blue munity. ribbons at the fair in swine. Not one red! McKay, Oregon, members who went the on the overnight camping trip awoke to a Members of Benson, Arizona, FFA the savings friendly water fight. were asked by earnings and committee to sell roses for Valentines Day. They sold them in bouquets of six or Holly Sharp, Antelope, Arizona, FFA twelve. The flowers came from Vermont. member, showed the Reserve Champion lamb and was the reserve champion in the Many more chapters could help write the round robin contest at Yuma County this column each issue. What they should Fair. do is send news of any kind to the editors Principal Chuck Edmunds, noted for of the FFA magazine. It should be of his support of the ag and vo-ed depart- interest to members in any state, but could ments, was presented an Honorary Chap- be about nearly any aspect of chapter The members of the Oak Harbor FFA - raising, ter FFA Degree at the annual Ceres. Cali- operation fund unique banquet along with the Carroll fornia, banquet. Chapter Benton ideas, meeting topics, how to get commit- Salem Board of Education, and the Senior tees organized, agriscience projects, North Pole. Alaska, FFA provided a Class of 1989 are preparing a Memorial BOAC examples, safety steps, or honors petting zoo at the state Special Olympics Garden on the school farm area. The received. Funny items would be good too.

meet plus took the athletes for hayrides. purpose of the garden is to landscape We get lots of mail, but sometimes it's

around the school barn with trees, shrubs, the same chapters every month, or it is an On the way to the state convention, the and flowers and make a living memorial old idea everyone is already using. Share Meridian, Idaho, Chapter delegation to past FFA members, and others inter- the news about your chapter—any membr stopped at Wallowa Lake for the annual ested in the vocational agriculture pro- may submit an item to Scoop. Box 15160, softball game with the Kuna Chapter. gram of Oak Harbor. Alexandria. Virginia 22309.

38 The \ annual FUTURE FARMER Glue page to heavy construction paper and let dry before cutting.

2. Fold, slide tabs into slots. Slide wing section into fuselage section.

One of two ways to get your hands on an F-16.

If you think you're too young to fly, cut it out. We'll even pay part of your college tuition. What's Fold. Assemble. And prepare for take-off. more, you'll have the chance to take part in exciting While your paper airplane may not quite reach the adventures that can lead you around the world. speed of sound, use it as a reminder of just how fast All you have to do is serve as little as two days a the Air National Guard can help you get your future month and two weeks a year. off the ground. Want to learn more? Call our toll-free number.

And we're not just talking about a military career. And find out if you're cut out for Air Guard training can prepare you for a civilian enn the Air National Guard. career in over 200 fields of technical expertise. 1-800-638-0936 Everything from meteorology to security. Telecom- NATIONAL munications to computer technology. GUARD Americans At Their Best. A2NFYO"109NP A new era in dairy production may open through... Gene Transfer and Cloning

Super milker, healthy, always breeds Embryo transfer may never become as provement by expanding the number of on schedule—Jeez I'd like to have common as artificial insemination on the offspring from the best cows and proven 40 more just like her." McDonald family farm, but it has been useful for out- sires. says of his favorite cow. He may get his standing cows—the U.S. livestock breed- Working with Howard Temin of the wish. Embryo transfer is commonplace, ing industry performed about 150,000 UW-Madison oncology department. First cloned cows are now a reality, and transfers in 1 987. The technique may prove and his associates are developing a method transgenic livestock is on the way. Much invaluable for zoos and other agencies that "infects" a desired gene into an embryo of the groundwork for working with endangered by attaching the gene to a virus that carries these biological marvels species. it into the cell's nucleus. This method has was laid by University of Clones—genetic iden- produced transgenic mice, and First and Wisconsin-Madison Ag- ticals—are experimenters' Temin are adapting it for use in cattle and ricultural researchers. dream animals. They pro- swine. Four decades ago ge- vide perfect controls for The technique will allow researchers neticist L.E. Casida led a experiments by reducing to insert desirable genes from other spe- team that produced an genetic variation to zero. cies into the embryonic cells—for ex- "immaculate conception" = Breeders would jump at the ample, genes for disease resistance, in- in a virgin Holstein cow. I chance to market a line of creased growth or reproductive efficiency. c o * The researchers used supercows, which could Using gene transfer, cloning and stor- hormones to superovulate | come from a bank of fro- age techniques, breeders could develop a a donor cow, causing her | zen embryos, implanted "Genes-R-Us" stock of genetically engi- ovaries to release more m and born after their clone- neered frozen embryos. Livestock pro- eggs than normal. mates had established real- ducers could choose proven stock sight The donor cow was I world production records. unseen, and select for meat or milk pro- then artificially insemi- Actually, people have duction, disease resistance, and other traits. A research technologist nated. Five days later, she been cloning living things removesanucleusfroma was slaughtered and the for hundreds of years, us- Ten Tough Terms in this Article fertilized eggs recovered cow ovum. ing only a sharp knife and from her uterus. The re- a jar of water. Every plant Embryo - An animal in the earliest searchers hormonally synchronized a grown from a leaf shoot is a genetic dupli- stages of its development; after second cow's estrous cycle with the donor cate of the plant from which it was cut. fertilization but before the fetal cow's. They surgically transferred an Animals are a different matter. Although stage.

- embryo into the uterus of a "foster mother" you can ' t clone a cow by putting a cow leg Estrous cycle The time during in March 1951; a normal 84-pound calf in a vase, you can clone one by nuclear which a cow can be bred. was born 258 days later. transplantation— as UW-Madison ani- Gene - A segment of a The lethal embryo-collection technique mal scientist Neal First and his students chromosome that carries information specific traits of left much to be desired, especially if used demonstrated with the calves Fusion and about that organism. with rare cattle breeds. Researchers later Copy. Nuclear Transplantation - developed non-fatal surgical collection Students in First's lab removed nuclei Transferring the nuclei of one procedures, but embryo recovery remained from cow embryos, then transferred them embryo into other egg cells whose expensive, and risky for the donor cow. to immature "common-cow" egg cells nuclei had been removed. Surgery tied up several skilled personnel that had had their nuclei removed. Thus an Nuclei - Plural for nucleus, the for hours. The operation stressed the cow eight-cell embryo with eight genetically area of a cell that contains and required general anesthesia no small identical nuclei could produce eight — chromosomes and an organisms matter with a 1,400-pound Holstein. embryos (theoretically, there's no limit to genetic information. In the late 1970s O.J. Ginther and how often this can be done). The cloned Oncology - Study of tumors. Robert F. of the department of embryos were matured in the reproduc- Rowe Superovulate - When a cow veterinary science devised a non-surgical tive tracts of sheep for a short time, then releases more than one egg. uterine flush for collecting embryos. The transferred to recipient cows that carried Transgenic - Insertion of specific technique rinsed embryos from a su- the embryos to term. Fusion and Copy, the genes into a nucleus. pero\ulated cow's uterus, using gravity first calves conceived using this tech- Uterus - Area in a cow's and a to and-fro sloshing action, and took nique, were born in 1987. reproductive system where the about 20 i minutes. First's lab also produced the first calf fetus grows. The reco red embryos could then be bom from an egg that was fertilized and Virus - A sub-microscopic surgically trans 'edtostepmothercows. matured in culture dish before being organism that, in order to reproduce, must Rowe and M.R. i_ ^ampo later devel- implanted in a cow. invade another oped a non-surgical nlantation tech- Superovulation and embryo transfer cell and use parts of the cell's reproductive machinery. nique, inserting the embr\ os through the allow breeders to multiply scarce exotic cervix and into a uterine horn. cattle breeds and accelerate genetic im- I

411 The National FUTURE FARMER 1 Hungary— A Country of Contrasts Proficiency tour discovers agriculture in a Communist country

Regional dairy proficiency winner Ginger Horse-drawn feed wagons were a By Jeri D. Matties Wilson inspects a hi-tech milking system. common sight on state farms. Where can you find an ultra-mod- an average 52 eggs per year with a 60 Balbolna State Farm. The farm provides em 48-head computerized dairy percent survival rate. all the meat and buns and also shares in the parlor side-by-side with a feed- Even though Hungary is part of the profits. it. like lot where the cattle are fed through the use Communist Eastern Bloc. Poland, One reason for the contrast in technol- of horse-drawn wagons'? is opening its doors to Western ideas and ogy is the rapid movement toward a multi- The 1989 European Proficiency Travel products. One of the biggest surprises to party political system and the dismantling seminar participants found that the gov- the students came when Mr. Perczel of the communist system. Hungary is ernment-run "state" farms of Hungary use Mihaly, an administrator at the Academy opening its doors to the Western world cutting-edge technology right along with of Sciences, told the group that 95 percent and is encouraging tourists, exchange agricultural production methods that have of all corn planted on Hungarian state students and businessmen to visit. New been outdated for decades, and in some farms is a Pioneer Hi-Bred seed stock. joint venture laws are providing incen- cases, centuries. Mihaly also noted they have research tives for foreign investment, such as After touring agricultural production agreements with Funks and Dekalb. McDonalds. operations in Belgium. France, Switzer- Another surprise was finding a Hungary is equal in size to the state of land and Austria where small, family- McDonalds restaurant in Budapest. The Indiana with a population equal to that of owned and operated farms are the norm, next day the group learned that McDonalds Pennsylvania. A majority of the popula- the group was quick to draw comparisons in Hungary is a joint venture with the tion lives below the U.S. poverty level. between West and East Europe. (Continued on Pa^e 43 The small, neatly groomed fields of Switzerland and Austria gave way to the large, uneven weedy patches of Hungary 's state farms. The farms are operated by the government with hourly employees pro- viding labor. Most are large (over 20,000 acres) and, in many instances, laborers perform tasks that have long been accom- plished by machinery in other countries. There are, however, advantages to this system. Some of the state farms serve as wildlife preserves and almost all of the country's agricultural research occurs on the state farms. Many technologically- advanced practices are used on the state farms which, for economic reasons, could not be used by smaller cooperative or privately-owned farms. For instance, at the Hungarian Acad- emy of Sciences research facility in Mar- tonvasar, the group toured a 672-head dairy farm. The cows were fed four times daily and milked two or three times daily depending on production. Feed consump- tion and production levels were moni- tored by computers which in turn deter- mined feed rations and milking sched- ules. The cows were identified by mag- netic-encoded chips placed in a plastic tag worn around the cow's neck. At the Balatonnagybereki State Farm, the FFA group toured a pheasant breeding operation. Pheasant hens in captivity lay

October-November, 1989 Because this was a federally funded reclamation project, the chapter was re- quired to pay federal construction wages of $6.54 an hour. The project was com- pleted so quickly that students will also receive a bonus of $5.00 an hour. The chapter made a profit of $20,000 which is being used to purchase a 15- passenger van. The van will be used by the chapter for its trips to Kansas City, Washington, DC, and other points across the nation. Providing jobs, education and eco- nomic development, the Sugarite Mine Reclamation Project proved to be a great success for everyone involved. (Eliza- beth M. Morgan)

Texas

The FFA members got to mingle and meet The Oak Ridge Boys since the chapter Double the Benefits was a national Take Pride in America winner. "Oaks" are Joe Bonzel, fourth from Members of the Robert E. Lee, Texas, Chapter sponsored daily left, then in front row, Richard Sturvis, Steve Sanders and Duane Allen. FFA Food for America programs during the Ohio vacation church school conducted by The Oak Ridge Boys Treat FFA Winners the St. Mark's United Methodist Church Members of the West Muskingum public and private natural and cultural in Baytown. FFA Chapter from Zanesville. Ohio, resources. Lee FFA members presented a dif- recently attended an Oak Ridge Boys West Muskingum FFA Chapter's ferent type of animal each day including concert at Ponderosa Park in Salem, projects included cleaning up three chickens, turkeys, a heifer, lambs, a compliments of the "Oaks." miles of the Licking River, construction The chapter was the first ever of a nature and fitness trail for the national winner of the FFA Take Pride public's use, as well as building and In America Award presented last fall in installing duck, geese and blue bird Kansas City at the National FFA nesting boxes for natural wildlife. Convention. For the winners of the national award The Oak Ridge Boys and the FFA the Oak Ridge Boys treated chapter teamed up in a nationwide campaign to members to a reception prior to the per- preserve America's resources. Take formance and free tickets to the concert.

Pride In America is a national public The "Oaks" also recognized the chapter awareness campaign to encourage all before several thousand people during Americans, urban or rural, to care for the concert. (Bill Reed, Advisor) Members used a special summer target New Mexico audience of young people to tell about The work completed including dig- Chapter Fell Into a "Coal" agriculture. ging 1,074 basins, two-feet by five- feet young pig and baby rabbits. The grade Mine and then seeded with wild grass seed level of students ranged from pre-kin- The Raton. New Mexico, Chapter (and later planted with trees and dergarten to the sixth grade. formed an agreement with the state of shrubs); building 51 check dams with The programs were a double success New Mexico so that FFA members rock to prevent eroding; making 780 in that the young people received a look were able to spend their summer linear feet of terraces on the steeper at animal agriculture and it's impor- reclaiming an abandoned coal mine slopes; and constructing a 94 foot tance; and FFA members who made tailings pile. The mine, located in diversion channel which changed the presentations gained valuable leadership nearby Sugarite Canyon State Park, was water flow pattern of a nearby spring. training experience. in operation from 1902 to 1940. The students also built a handicap In May. u local FFA supporter con- accessible nature trail which has ten in- South Dakota/Hungary tacted the chapu ith news that a formation stations as well as a fish pond Testimonial From a for the enjoyment of state park visitors. project might be avc.: ible if the Communist Country students were interested 1 !pon further The chapter hired 39 students and investigation, the chapter members four adults to complete the project. The Hi, my name is Michael Knutsen. I am a sophomore at South Dakota State decided that the project seemed e « iting students provided labor, while the adults and began preparing for the work. served as supervisors. (Continued on Page 44)

42 The National FUTURE FARMER 1

TRAIN FOR A CAREER AS A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN Taking Pride in America Bel-Rea is the only proprietary Two FFA chapters receive national awards school in the United States af- filiated with a veterinarian By Jody Pollok clinic for ^"hands-on" experience for %fl| I students George Bush recognized organizations, repaired playground equip- President Our 18-month six FFA chapters for their outstand- ment, constructed water breaks and par- course will service programs ticipated in ing community community clean-up efforts. fully prepare Four Chapters during the third annual "Take Pride In FFA from Wisconsin you for a America" awards ceremony held on the were selected as TPIA finalists. career as a south lawn of the White House, July 24. The Lake Holcombe FFA Chapter! caring animal Of the six chapters recognized, the Raton, constructed fish cribs to earn their award. technician for New Mexico and Strasburg, Virginia FFA Brian Guthman, Lake Holcombe advisor either large chapters were named national winners. said, "We built 53 fish cribs (this year) in or small animals

Take Pride In America (TPIA) is a this on-going project. We have 1 19 right Students have national public awareness campaign that now. We plan on building 100 more—50 the opportunity to was created three years ago to encourage per year over the next two years." The be instructed by Americans to take pride in their country cribs provide a habitat for fish which veterinarians and

and be responsible for its resources. The increases their population in the lakes. our clinic affiliation affords program welcomes individuals, groups The Marion chapter was recognized students an abundance of surgical assisting experience. and entire communities to participate. for its efforts in developing a park on the Earn an Associates of Applied The Raton chapter won a national TPIA Pigeon River, landscaping both Marion Science degree and embark on a award for the second year in a row. Eliza- High School and also a highly erodible : rewarding career. For informa- beth Morgan, last year's 1989 FFA Na- hill next to the school. The FFA members tion and class schedules, call us tional Achievement in Volunteerism plan to make a nature trail and identify! today. . winner accepted the award on behalf of different trees and plants found along the CALL TQLL FREE her chapter. "Our project consisted of trail. 1-800-950-8001 various community service projects such "Success and Growth in Valuable r^ljfW Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology 1681 South Dayton as a wildlife rehabilitation center, a tree Community Projects" the New Aubunv ^n Street Denver, Colorado 8023 research facility, working in the state park chapter's award winning project. "We' American Veterinary Medical Assn and NA77S srcred.'ea building trails and building picnic tables," didn't really have one main project, it was approved tor veieran iraimng. financial aid assistance available said a lot of different projects such as pruning Morgan. Approved and regulated by the Colorado State Bc-ard tor The Strasburg chapter was recognized shrubs, transplanting trees, planting trout Community Colleges gnd Occupational Education for its two-part Building Our American in area lakes, constructing an FFA sign Communities (BOAC) program. "We and developing easy accesses to the

thought it would help out the community school's nature trails," said BrendaScheil, a great deal to fix up the Maurey Town New Auburn advisor. Park," said Corey Crabill, BOAC chair- Recognition was given to the Turtle

person. "We cleaned it up and built a Lake, Wisconsin, chapter for its program shelter for people to use. We also cut to educate the old and the young. FFA wood to give to the needy." members designed a petting zoo, devel- In order to fulfill their goals, Strasburg oped a hiking trail and a boat dock on the!

FFA members held meetings dealing with school's 350 acre forest, built a 45 foot 1 snvironmental issues, planted 7,000 pine planter in front of the senior housing seedlings, conducted informative presen- apartments and built bluebird houses and

tations to school groups and community nesting boxes. .«,.

Hungary (Continuedfrom Page 39) lifestyle and culture firsthand. Hungary is Ami howyou can benefit. For instance, state farm employees earn particularly interesting to me because of Skilled welders are aJwa\-s in demand an average income of 103,000 forints the recent changes and because it's an At very good pay. .And we can show you annually or $1716.67. Eastern Bloc country." In early Septem- how to get in on it. No big building goes, Although FFA has operated exchange ber, six FFA members traveled to Hun- up without skilled welders. No ships can be launched without welders No airplanes programs with Hungary in the past, this is gary as part of a special Work Experience take off without welders, tou can leam :he first time a large group of FFA mem- Abroad exchange program. how to be a skilled welder in a short sers visited the country. Compared to the In addition to Hungary, the European period of time 3ther countries visited, Hungary had the Travel Seminar participants visited West Fact is. welders build the backbone of America's economy Become one Act now tightest security and placed the most re- Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, France, strictions on the group's movement. Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Austria, niantTskilUikTtbis^ Stephen Knutson of Clyde Park, Mon- June 19 -July 8. The tour is held annually Name tana, 1988 Beef Production Proficiency and is part of the proficiency winners .Address award winner, is interested in returning to award package. Participants' travel and City State Zip Hungary as an exchange student as a re- lodging expenses are covered by the pro- Phone ( )_ _Yr H.S. Grad. sult of the tour. "I'd like to live in another ficiency award sponsors as a special proj-

:ountry for awhile to experience another ect of the National FFA Foundation. ••* AAA Welding School , Inc . 9363 East 46 th Street South

( ctober-Sovember, 1989 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74145

(800) 247-7860 I S 1984 RDM University majoring in ag journalism. my experiences and pictures to share the affiliate has already been able to

Last year I was on a three-month expe- with my friends back home. Maybe provide the funds to send several of the rience in Hungary through the FFA's someday I can return and visit the many students to camps, seminars and the

Work Experience Abroad program. friends I left behind. Washington Leadership Conference.

I received a grant from the U.S. In- With several annual fund raising National Officers In Action formation Agency. The cost to me was events that have established, Pay For Your Dinner we we $600 for three months in Hungary. I have been able to purchase for our FFA also participated in the Introduction to department, new jackets, supplies and European Agriculture Tour while in most recently a new computer. With

Europe. I left home August 15, 1988, the purchase of the computer we feel and spent two days in Washington, D.C. our FFA program will be enhanced even afterwhich I left for Europe along with more. 20 other FFA members from across the Montana nation. We visited Luxembourg, Pig Kissin' France, Belgium, the Netherlands and The Flathead, Montana, FFA Chapter Germany before going to our specific held their annual parent/member banquet countries. in the shop. The meal was prepared by My trip was to be different than most the Alumni and served in the cleaned out since I was going to a communist and set up shop. Over 300 members and country. I landed in Budapest, Hun- guests were served including school staff, gary, and was quickly escorted to a Eastern Regional National FFA Vice President Berger FFA supporters and past chapter presi- place called Kaposvar. I was to live on Warren likes to be dents. Awards handed out included tool a college campus and work on their involved with local chapter members boxes, plaques and money. experimental farm. In Hungary the when he visits. So he often sticks around after a chapter banquet and The '88-89 officer team decided to try government owns all the farms, and so helps with the clean up. In May he a few new ideas to liven up the four-hour they are very large, some over 20,000 helped Raton, New Mexico, members banquet. To begin with they showed acres. My farm was a miniature version do dishes after the banquet. slides of each officer in official dress, of these "state farms." We had sheep, with their office symbol and as a baby. dairy, beef, swine, fish, crops, goats, Michigan The slides were shown as each officer deer and hundreds of horses on our Community on the Court was called and walked to the head table. farm. My responsibilities included The USA (Unionville Sebewaing After dinner, slides of past activities were caring for some Suffolk ewes. I fed Area), Michigan, FFA has a donkey shown. The senior members recognized them in the morning and then took them basketball game bi-annually between their parents and awarded them certifi- to pasture to graze for about three or local service groups, national honor cates and roses. four hours. I also helped care for some society and the FFA. The game draws in young dairy calves and helped vaccinate New president Helen Hedstrom meets the FFA Alumni to help supervise, take and treat the animals. the pig she is about to kiss. tickets and play in the contest. It is a fun My room was in the college dormi- recreational activity as well as a money tory and the students were very easy to maker. Last year we gave all the young get along with. A few of them could children a free half-time donkey ride. speak English with me as well as teach Also, we got the crowd involved by me Hungarian. There were discos twice having a free throw shooting contest for each week for students on campus. different ages. These discos were a lot of fun. The music we listened to was mostly Wisconsin American rock like the Fat Boys or Bon Alumni In Action: With a Jovi. I also was able to play on their college basketball team. The students Little Help From Your Friends over in Hungary were the same as Three years ago the Freedom, Wis- students here in Brookings or any other consin, FFA was dying. Because of the place in America. They like to have fun determination of a handful of local citi- but still learn something from their zens and the formation of the Freedom classes. FFA Alumni, the FFA program is now

I also had an opportunity for some stronger than ever. different work. I worked for two weeks Over the past three years the The most excitement of the banquet on a i, 10 cow dairy in the southern Freedom Alumni has grown from the was when the winners of the Kiss the Pig part of Hi. tv. I helped in the original thirteen members to a member- contest were announced. Ten days before milking carou :1 as well as with the ship that now consists of 1 37. We are the banquet the officers exchanged piggy numerous baby c ves around the farm. now able to provide the support that banks and tried to gather money from Before I knew it, it December and I was so badly needed in the past.

was on my way home, i .1 with all of Although a very young organization. (Continued on Page 46)

44 The National FUTURE FARMER 1" MdRKCrPL/KX

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P O Box 345, AtH^d, MO 6 5Q1Q • Twephon* (314) £57-9012 $2.50 Per Set MARVIN LABINER Virginia Residents Add 4.5% Sales Tax The National FUTURE FARMER MAIL ORDER TO: National FFA Center 130 West 42nd Street Custom Made P.O.Box 15160, Dept.DM-2 Suite 1804 Alexandria, VA 22309 New York, New York 10036 COOKBOOKS A great fund raising project for TELEPHONE: (212)840-0660 clubs, churches, families — any organization.

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FFA has foreign language phrase- books in many languages: "America—We are the FFA" Chinese Danish "America—We are the FFA" is a powerful five-and-a-half minute image-building Dutch Finnish anthem which has been visualized through video and slides. It sings of the spirit and French German pride of in Hungarian Italian FFA members and those working agriculture. The music, introduced on Japanese Norwegian screen by Larry Gatlin, is exciting, contemporary and targeted for a youth audience. Polish Portuguese "Rock on" with FFA—order your copy of the video or stereo audio cassette today! Spanish Swedish To order, send a check or money order to: Information Department Send 34.95 plus .50 cents shipping National FFA Center (Virginia Residents •add 4.5% sales tax). VHS video tape $17.95 P. O. Box 15160 , Department DM-3 MAIL TO: International Department Cassette tape 4.50 Alexandria, Virginia 22309 National FFA Center shipping & handling 2.00 P. O. Box 15160 Department DM-4 Production of "America—We Are The FFA" was sponsored by The Wrangler Brand Alexandria, VA 22309 as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. Inc. members for the bank they held. The • banks were also set out at the banquet registration table to gather donations from guests and parents. The two banks V / with the most money received the honor of kissing the pig at the head table. The lucky winners were retiring president I $fifty t Kirk Fritz and new president Helen Hedstrom. Over $100 was collected for J • the travel fund. Ohio r ,i Crop Busters If. i The Oak Harbor. Ohio, chapter har- -t~j ~t Iffli A

goals which they hope ; ) reach during Wheels is a program used pri- Meals on "Dad, is this your high school the coming year. They became familiar marily by senior citizens who have physi- yearbook or a nerd catalog?" with the many qualities in the FFA cal limitations. Local people donate their

4h The National FUTURE FARMER we've Ijook what got tor you!

The greatest collection of farm and ranch equipment anywhere! Including

livestock I. D.; showing and grooming

equipment; trophies, gifts and awards; breed promotion supplies; farm and

I write this article, I am on the home products; veterinary and animal Asback side of our family farm sit- health supplies; dairy equipment; hor-

ting by a small creek where I spent ticulture and forestry equipment; "how-to- countless hours after school and during do-it" books; and much more. Quality

the products at prices you'll appreciate . . . and summer months. With its wide, rocky cer, I have become aware of a common bed shaded so easy to order. See them all in our new by giant oak and sycamore misconception that success in the FFA is Farm & Ranch '90 trees, this creek was a perfect location for determined by the number of trophies, catalog. For your building forts that would protect the entire ribbons, plaques, and titles one accumu- FREE copy, call or free world, excavating for ancient fossils lates. These are all important of course, write Dept. AM-8910. and, most of all. hunting for "exotic wild but only in the skills and training they game."Thiscreekoffereda veritable smor- represent. It's these skills that make a last- Free Phone gasboard of adventures and treasures for a ing contribution to what you become. In Order Service brave and creative pioneer/trail blazer such our great organization, everyone can't 1-800-558-9595 as myself. It was my creek, my special catch the most salamanders, but everyone place for fun and adventure, a place for can acquire the skills and training that dreaming, and a place for making plans. makes a lasting impact on their lives. My most vivid memory this of creek is Times have changed for me now. I no of a point system I developed to determine longer go back to the creek to catch sala- my daily success. I was only seven, so it manders— I go to check the cattle. But I was very simple. For each handful of still take time to reflect and look ahead. adco Fort Mt.nson Wl 53538 • Mode worms I got one point, two points for each I can't help but to look ahead with an- tadpole, three points for each "crawdad," ticipation to the time when I, along with four The world's premier farm points for each frog, and five points, 23.000 other FFA members, will travel to supplier the ultimate points, for catching the queen Kansas City for our National Convention. mother of all creek critters, the cunning For 62 years Kansas City has been a and elusive fresh water salamander. With "special place" for FFA members; an- Change Of Address this system it didn't take me long to figure other place for fun and adventure-an and Subscription Order Form out that success exciting, friend- was not only a re- ^"^"™~^"^^— ly. positive, op- To Subscribe: $3 50 per year. Check sult of the speed of tiministic, enthu- below and fill in your name and address. the hand but, more Whatever we do in life, it is siastic and electri- importantly, how 3 years Attach Check and important to remember that fying place! It's a many rocks Mail To: you place where we D 2 years looked it is our The National under. personal point relflect on our 1 year FUTURE FARMER On my best day heritage and pur- system that matters. P.O. Box 15160 I caught sixteen pose, a place Foreign subscriptions add Alexandria. VA salamanders, four where we cele- $2 a year extra for postage 22309-0160 j frogs, twenty-three brate the opportu- "crawdads" and two family-size Parkay nities we have in this great country and or- butter tubs full of worms for a grand total ganization. of 179 points—a new "world record." This year, perhaps more than ever be- ATTACH LABEL This not may seem like much of an ac- fore, it is a place where we must confront HERE complishment for address considering it was my creek the challenges facing our organization, rsj and change or other my point system, but to me, at that decide where we want to go, and more inquiry time, it was pretty darn impressive and I specifically what we want to become. 1 T3 felt good about it. These are great challenges but they will be "5 Whatever we do in life, it is important resolved as long as we remember, that like 1 cn If Moving, list new to remember that it is our personal point the simplicity of the creek, treehouse. or address above. system 65 that matters. We are all successful whateverplace you had. the National FFA | if: we believe 3 in ourselves, if we give our Convention is a special place to dream, Allow 6-8 weeks best effort, if what we do is fair and plan, and prepare. A place where we morally and ethically right, and if we do continue to train for a successful entry the best we can with what we have under into an industry that is waiting for a brave the circumstances. and creative pioneer/trailblazer like you. As I have traveled as a National Offi- See you in Kansas City! ••• E 5 c3 October-November, 1989 Grandson: Grandpa, will you help me find While freezing produce from their There were two pulpwooders who the common denominated? garden the woman cleaned, blanched, and decided that they wanted to find a new Grandpa: They were looking for that thing cooled the vegetables, while the man jarred job, so they went to the airport and filled when I was in school. They still haven't and labeled them. out an application. found it'.' Sometime later the woman went to the The man asked the first one what could Karl Palmberg freezer and was surprised to see packages he do. He said, "I'm a pilot." Larchwood, Iowa marked "Trees." So he said, "OK. we need a new pilot." "Why did you write that?" she asked. and they hired him. Q. What do you get when you cross a "I couldn't spell broccoli. "he confessed. The second man came in and they asked Hereford and a motorcycle? Brian Fulkrod him what he could do. He said, "I'm a A. A "cow" asaki! Melrose, Mexico pulpwooder." Sheralee Freemyer New The man said, "The in Briggsdale, Colorado fellow who was here last said you and he worked together, One day last week while traveling to Q. What is the difference between an but if he's a pilot, how can that be?" the grocery store, a police officer pulled outlaw and a church bell? "Well, I cut the wood, and he piles it. over and said, "1 just clocked you A. One steals from the people; the other me at James Cleckler 75mph, have you anything to say peals from the steeple. for Clanton, Alabama Marquis Fort yourself?" Gilmer, Texas "Yes sir" I replied. "You must be Q. What did one dirt clod say to another ?

wrong, my car won't run for a whole A. Don't look now. but I think we're being hour!' fallowed! TTTt Sonny Talley Ted Gaetjen T St. Amant, Louisiana Hallettsville, Texas I

Charlie, the Greenhand

d 1" -[( 7 \\ r J u~ '"X c _Z3^%«*&-~S~1

"That's the scariest iHalloween costume I've evei seen!"

Gina: I caught my boyfriend flirting.

Stephanie: I caught mine that way, too. Jennifer Hagan Tecumseh, Oklahoma

Patient: Doctor. Doctor! I feel like abridge. Doctor: What's come over you? Patient: So far one bus, a car and a truck. Brad Reeves Gans, Oklahoma

Jack: "Bet you didn't know that Davy Crockett had three ears." Mack: "Three?" Jack: "Sure. He had a right ear. He had a left ear. And he had a wild frontier." Bobbie Mae Cooley Bowen, Illinois "If you hadn't backed into the judge's car. I think you would have won the tractor rodeo."

National FUTURE FARMER wilt pay $5 HO for eat h joke selet tedfor this page Jokes must be addressed to The National FUTURE FARMER. P.O. Box 15160, Alexandria. YA

NOTICE: i via Stargramon the Ag Ed Network to FF100A. In case ofduplication, payment will be for the first one received. Contributions cannot be acknowledged or returned.

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