Farm Bureau News April 2012 bytes Young Farmers & EQT Donates to Mobile Ag Education Science Lab Ranchers Committee Plans Spring Farm Tour The Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee invites folks of any age to join them on their Annual Spring Farm Tour on Saturday, May 19, 2012 in Hardy County. The tour will begin in mid-morning (exact time TBA) at the West Virginia University Research Farm in Wardensville, followed by tours of farms throughout the county. A picnic lunch will be served, but please bring a side dish. For more information and to reserve your spot, contact Eric Thomason by May Steve Perdue, EQT Manager of us.” 17 at 304-472-2080 x. 309. of Government Affairs, presents The Mobile Ag Education NASS Ends Dairy Report a check for $1000 to Helen Science Lab travels to schools Hardman, Mobile Ag Education across West Virginia, and comes Effective this month, USDA’s Science Lab Coordinator, in equipped with a teacher and National Agricultural Statistics Charleston during the 2012 curriculum to service schools Service (NASS) is no longer Ag and Forestry Day at the for a week. To book the Lab or releasing its weekly Dairy Products Legislature. obtain more information, contact Prices report. Going forward, these EQT has been a recurring Hardman at 800.398.4630 x. 311 data will be collected and published sponsor of the Lab. “We’re or online at www.wvfarm.org. by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing very thankful for the support of Service (AMS) as outlined in the EQT,” said Hardman. “Their Articles for NewsBytes must be submitted contribution helps us to buy by the 15th of the month prior to publication. amended Dairy Product Mandatory Time-sensitive announcements must be submitted Reporting Program, required by the supplies needed to conduct the no less than 8 weeks prior to the date of the event. Mandatory Price Reporting Act of experiments which teach children Electronic submissions, including photos, are preferred. Send to [email protected]. 2010. how important agriculture is to all 2 West Virginia Farm Bureau News West Virginia Farm Bureau News The Voice of Agriculture in the Mountain State April 2012 6 8 22 Volume 20 Number 4 West Virginia Farm Bureau One Red Rock Road Buckhannon, WV 26201 President 7 19 Charles Wilfong Vice President Steve Hannah secretary/TREASURER-administrator 6 In Case of a Flood - Are You Covered? Steve Butler Editor 7 WV Farm PAC Announces Primary Endorsements Joan Harman West Virginia Farm Bureau News is 8 Telling ‘em Like it Is published monthly by the West Virginia Farm Bureau, Inc. Annual subscription rates: $3.32 (included in annual dues). 9 This Election is about Freedom from Regulation Advertising rates and circulation information furnished upon request. Periodicals postage 14 Davis College Students Excel in Competition paid at Buckhannon, WV and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: return all forms 3579 to West Virginia Farm Bureau, One 19 2012 Food Check-Out Red Rock Road, Buckhannon, WV 26201. (ISSN 1076-8556) (USPS 011-537) Printed by Ralston Press, Inc. 22 From the Family Farm to the Family Table Buckhannon, WV. © 2012 West Virginia Farm Bureau No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission web site: www.wvfarm.org email: [email protected] On the cover Daffodil istockphoto.com/kodachrome25 WestWest Virginia Virginia Farm Farm Bureau Bureau News News 3 3 presidential paradiGms A Promise Kept Charles Wilfong, President, West Virginia Farm Bureau President guidelines. The guidelines means virtually everything. Obama is essentially do away with the coal Moreover, thousands of mining making industry here in West Virginia and power plant jobs will be in good on his and across the country. The new jeopardy, not to mention all of the promise to rules allow for only 1000 pounds supporting industries tied to coal. kill the coal of carbon dioxide per megawatt The craziest part of this industry. of power produced. The average plan is that it will accomplish If you coal-fired plant today, even with no reduction in worldwide remember, all the recent upgrades, produces greenhouse gasses. As we are during the 2008 presidential about 1750 pounds of carbon forced to shut down our clean campaign, then-Senator Obama dioxide per megawatt. The power plants, China will continue vowed to destroy coal-fired power expense of capturing and storing to build dozens of new coal-fired production. His exact quote was, the extra 750 pounds of carbon plants that essentially have no “If someone wants to build a new dioxide will be cost-prohibitive. emission controls. In the end, all coal-fired power plant, they can, Here in West Virginia, where that will be accomplished by the but it will bankrupt them because more than 95% of our electricity EPA rules will be a shifting of our they will be charged a huge sum comes from coal, we will pay wealth and jobs to China and other for all the greenhouse gas that’s a huge price for these new places around the world. being emitted.” regulations. All consumers We can’t say we weren’t During the last week of everywhere will pay much more warned. Obama told us his March, Obama’s EPA released for electricity, as well as products intentions, and now he is making their greenhouse gas emission produced using electricity – which good on them. Stallman Releases Statement on Sackett vs. EPA Bob Stallman, President, American Farm Bureau Federation The on the agency’s assertion that the “We agree with Justice Alito’s American Idaho couple’s home site was a concurring opinion that the federal Farm wetland. Although the couple government has too often ‘put Bureau believed their land was not a the property rights of ordinary Federation wetland, they were denied any Americans entirely at the mercy is pleased opportunity to challenge EPA’s of the Environmental Protection with the ‘compliance order’ and faced up Agency’s employees.’ We also Supreme to $37,500 per day in potential agree with Justice Alito that, while Court’s fines until the matter was settled. allowing landowners to sue is a unanimous Today’s decision vindicates start, Congress needs to clarify the decision on behalf of property the rights of landowners like reach of the Clean Water Act. owners in Sackett v. EPA. AFBF the Sacketts to challenge EPA “Farm Bureau is optimistic filed amicus briefs in the case to compliance orders that improperly that today’s decision will help educate the court about the legal assert jurisdiction over their land. curtail EPA’s efforts to illegally and on-the-ground consequences The decision gives landowners expand its regulatory jurisdiction of Environmental Protection like the Sacketts their day in court, over farming and other land- Agency Clean Water Act policies. overriding the position taken by based activities. At the very least, “The Sacketts’ homebuilding EPA and many prior courts that landowners have another tool to was halted by EPA in 2007 based have denied them that right. hold EPA accountable.” 4 West Virginia Farm Bureau News Something to Think About Don Michael, WVFB Director of Governmental Affairs Progress from the Marcellus legislation similar challenges. On March 10 “Under the enacted December 14, 2011 during legislative action was completed on Dome” – At Special Session. One of the major House Resolution 41, expressing this writing bills Farm Bureau promoted was concern regarding recent actions the dust SB 367 – trespasser responsibility of the federal EPA and urging has settled legislation. The bill unanimously the EPA to exercise restraint and in “Puzzle passed Senate Judiciary and the moderation in its regulation of the Palace,” full Senate, but hit a snag en route agriculture industry in West Virginia and there are varying opinions to House Judiciary. Farm Bureau and to strike a fair balance between regarding accomplishments is most appreciative of the support protecting the environment and achieved during the 2012 Regular demonstrated by the Senate, as the need to maintain and expand Session. Traditionally an election well as interest in the House, and opportunities for employment in year cycle results in a slower-paced will be working with stakeholders the agriculture industry. A copy session, and this one certainly One of the major bills of the resolution was forwarded had its moments. But significant to Governor Tomblin and the legislation was passed with major “Farm Bureau promoted federal Environmental Protection implications for West Virginia’s was SB 367 – trespasser Agency. Delegate Daniel Hall was future. The more prominent bills responsibility legislation. the lead sponsor of the resolution, included: HB 4086 (providing with 93 other House members co- major tax credits to attract an The bill unanimously sponsoring. Farm Bureau thanks ethane cracker plant), HB 4351 passed Senate Judiciary the House and Rural Caucus for (addressing coal mine safety) and the full Senate, but taking a stand for agriculture in and SB 469 (providing a plan to the Mountain State. For complete pay down the state’s liabilities hit a snag enroute to details regarding the final status of associated with OPEB – Other House Judiciary. bills on our watch list, go to www. Post Employment Benefits for wvfarm.org and click on Legislature retired public employees). Another and legislators to revisit modified” – Hot Issues. significant piece of legislation was legislation in 2013. Captive cervid I felt one of the most dramatic completed in Special Session the (deer farming) legislation (SB 421) moments of the 2012 Session came week following the Regular Session received much visibility during the during a fiery House Session when – HB 101. The bill provides tax session and was embraced by the one Committee Chair noted he credits to enhance opportunities for Senate, as well as many members was tired of the fear-mongering restarting Century Aluminum near of the House, but died in House and dishonesty displayed by Ravenswood.