1. Healthcare

Tuscola
county newsletter
County 79
A Publication of the Tuscola County Farm Bureau
January 30, 2015
Representing Tuscola County Farm Bureau at MFB’s 2014 Annual Meeting were (front row, from left) Louis Wehrman, Linda Wehrman, Lonnie Kester, Donna Foley, Melanie
Nicholas and John Somerville; (middle row) William Kester, Aaron Reinbold, Cathy Healy, Lisa Bednarski, Chris Creguer and Carl Bednarski; (back row) Nathan Rupprecht,
Jeff Healy, Gary Marker and Dennis Engelhard.
Tuscola County delegates help plot MFB’s 2015 policy
An 18-member delegate team traveled to
Grand Rapids to represent Tuscola County at
Michigan Farm Bureau’s 95th Annual Meeting,
Dec. 2-4.
The group consisted of John Somerville,
Chris Creguer, Gary Marker, Aaron Reinbold,
Louis and Linda Wehrman, Lonnie and
William Kester, Lisa Bednarski, Joel and Janna
Fritz, Dennis Engelhard, Greg Daily, Jeff and
Cathy Healy, Jeremy and Stevie Glaspie and
Nate Rupprecht. Delegates reviewed and voted
on several policy recommendations submitted
by county Farm Bureaus statewide.
In addition to policy-setting, delegates had
the opportunity to attend several educational
sessions and award presentations.
Help us catch up! Rupprecht re-elected as Tuscola FB president
Many people are changing to cell phones
and disconnecting their home phones.
To keep our records accurate, we would
appreciate if you could verify these updates
with the county Farm Bureau office.
Also, many of our e-mails are incorrect
or outdated and we would also appreciate
an update of these. Once updated, you will
be eligible to receive news directly from
Michigan Farm Bureau regarding important
issues.
Please send your updates to Donna Foley,
[email protected], or call 989-673-4157.
We appreciate your help.
Nate Rupprecht was re-elected president of board members to accomplish our 2015
the Tuscola County Farm Bureau at the Aug. 21 goals,” says Nate. “Our County board has an
outstanding set of individuals
reorganizational meeting.
that are passionate about
Rupprecht operates a 370-acre
making Tuscola County Farm
cash crop and livestock farm in
Bureau successful.”
Arbela Twp. with his wife Vickie.
As president, Nate hopes
In his 31 years of Farm Bureau
to continue to focus on the
membership, Nate has served on the
candidate evaluation for each
board for five years, has spent four
committee and getting the right
years on the executive committee
people elected. He also wants
and a two-year stint on the state
to drive new members to get
policy committee.
active in Farm Bureau and to
“I look forward to continuing
continuing getting our local
as President of the Tuscola County
farms MAEAP verified.
Farm Bureau and working with
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: President Nathan Rupprecht, Vice-President John Somerville, Third Member Gary Marker; BOARD
MEMBERS: Zack Burns, Chris Creguer, Nathan Engelhard, Janna Fritz, Stevie Glaspie, Genevieve Hecht, Ashley Laux, Aaron
Reinbold; P&E CO-CHAIRS: Genevieve Hecht, Ashley Laux; YOUNG FARMER CHAIRS: Zack Burns, Chris Creguer; COUNTY
ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER: Donna Foley, 1023 E Caro Rd, Caro, MI 48723-1207, (989) 673-4157; NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Janna
Fritz, [email protected]
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January 30, 2015
Volunteers needed for
March Reading Month!
The Tuscola County Farm Bureau’s
Promotion & Education committee is seeking
member volunteers to help out with its Reading
in the Classroom event. The event takes place
during the month of March in celebration of
National Ag Month. The purpose of the event
is to get the awareness out to our children about
agriculture.
Specifically, volunteers are needed to:
• Go into area elementary classrooms
within the county and read a short story
about agriculture to the students.
• Targeted age groups are K-2.
Books are provided and on hand at the
county office.
For more information or to volunteer, contact
either of the chairs Ashley Laux at 989-9921315, or Genevieve Hecht at 989-284-4764 as
soon as possible!
FFA Ag-tivities
Tuscola Technology Center
BY JEREMY GLASPIE
AGRISCIENCE TEACHER & FFA ADVISOR
There is always something new happening
in the Tuscola Technology Center Agriscience
Program and FFA Chapter. As I write this article
there are tomatoes ripening in the greenhouse,
there are over 150 beefsteak and cherry tomato
plants ready to harvest. Our school flock of 12
Suffolk ewes are gestating
in the barn and getting
ready for late January
lambing. FFA students
are
actively
writing
speeches and practicing
parliamentary procedure.
The Tuscola FFA has
had some great success
this fall:
We took twelve entries
to the poultry contest and
received twelve trophies,
our highest teams placed
third, fourth, fifth, sixth
and seventh.
Received a grant from
the
Tuscola
County
Community Foundation to purchase an
agricultural drone to teach students the skills
they need for future careers in production
agriculture using drone technology. TTC FFA
-1 will take flight this spring.
Added a new concrete floor and electrical
wiring to the new addition of the barn, getting
ready to implement a camera system that will
allow the public access to see what is happening
in the large animal learning, so coming in
February get ready for EWE tube.
Received a grant Pioneer to purchase a set
of ten tablets, students will be able to use these
tablets in the barn and in the field just as in the
agricultural industry.
As the Agriscience program continues to
evolve and grow we have been able to add some
activities that are unique. In
the picture we were able to
use an ultra sound machine
to check pregnancy in our
flock. Students were able to
positively I.D. eleven of the
twelve ewes as confirmed
bred.
2014-15 also kicked off
the first year of our evening
class for eighth, nineth
and tenth grade students
who want to be involved
in agricultural education
before they can attend as
eleventh-graders. We have
15 students from five local
school districts involved in
class. If you have a student that may be interested
in this agricultural careers and leadership class
please contact me at [email protected]
with “Evening Class” as the subject line.
The Tuscola Technology Center Agriscience
program and FFA Chapter would like to thank
Farm Bureau for all of their support.
God bless the American farmer.
CAM Corner
BY DONNA FOLEY
COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER
When you receive your invoice for your
Farm Bureau membership dues, do you look at
it thinking “ugh, here’s another bill” or “what
am I really getting out of this?” Your Farm
Bureau membership is worth way more than
the $50 you actually pay for it.
You have access to a wealth of information….
employer health care requirements, agricultural
labor and safety laws, landowner resources,
water use, farmland lease agreements, grain
production contracts, farmer’s transportation
guide the list goes on.
Also, as an added perk your Farm Bureau
membership can save you money too! Farm
Bureau members receive discounts at Grainger,
Ford, Polaris, Case IH. Taking a trip soon—
book ahead and save up to 30 percent on your
hotel stay. If you need to rent a car while out of
town, there’s car rental discounts too! Michigan
resorts, the Detroit Zoo and several theme parks
also offer discounts to Farm Bureau members.
There’s also an identity theft restoration
service included with your membership.
You also receive discounts at area businesses
who participate in our local member benefits
program.
So you see, you get quite a lot of savings,
benefits and security for $50. If you would like
to learn more and see what your Farm Bureau
membership gets you, visit the Michigan
Farm Bureau website, www.michfb.com,
today and login, or contact me at the county
office,989-673-4157. Put your Farm Bureau
membership to work for you!
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January 30, 2015
Bednarski named
MFB president
Tuscola County farmer Carl Bednarski was
elected Dec. 4 as the 16th president of the
Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB). Bednarski
served as the District 6 Director on the MFB
Board since 2000.
Bednarski’s organizational involvement
includes six years as vice president of the
Tuscola County Farm Bureau and seven years
on its executive committee. He has served in
several leadership positions at the county, state
and national levels, including the membership,
national affairs, Promotion and Education and
policy development programs, in addition
to service on several commodity advisory
committees.
“This organization is ever-changing and
it ever will change, but we must remember
this process must stay as pure as we can keep
it,” Bednarski said, referring to Farm Bureau’s
member-driven, grass-roots policy development
procedure. “If we lose that direction, we’ve lost
our effectiveness.”
Bednarski and his wife Lisa live near Caro
and have three sons, Carl, Nathan and Michael.
Their family farm raises corn, dry beans, sugar
beets, soybeans and wheat.
Coming this spring: Whole Farm Revenue Protection
The new Whole
Farm
Revenue
Protection
policy
will allow you to
insure cash crops,
specialty crops, livestock, organics, fruits and
vegetables that may not have had coverage
available in the past.
Available in all Michigan counties, this
coverage provides protection against loss of farm
revenue up to $8.5 million. This one policy is
designed to protect all your farm income and
may replace multiple policies. Choose your
coverage levels from 50-85 percent. Replant
Be sure to attend an estate
planning seminar!
Don’t miss Michigan Farm Bureau’s Farm
Succession and Estate Planning Seminars to be
held Feb. 4 in Saginaw.
“Transition planning is especially important
for intergenerational farms to prepare for a
change of hands,” said Andy Kok, General
Counsel for Michigan Farm Bureau. “It’s never
too soon to start planning, but it is especially
essential as kids and new families are brought
into the mix.”
The seminar will feature attorneys Douglas
Mielock and Todd Hoppe from Foster Swift
Collins and Smith Law Offices discussing
strategies for passing farm assets to the next
generation. Topics will include wills, trusts,
power of attorney, patient advocate designation
and deeds; limited liability corporations,
partnerships and corporation structures;
succession planning for the farm business; and
specific planning strategy illustrations.
“Our members continue to ask for
educational seminars on Estate Planning and
how best to structure their farm businesses.
These seminars are designed to give them high
quality information, so that they are fully
prepared to start their own planning process,”
said Kok.
Entry fees are $25 per person or $35 per family
and members must register in advance at http://
tinyurl.com/MFB-EstatePlanningSeminar.
coverage is also available under this policy.
The Whole Farm policy may be purchased
alone or combined with other Federal crop
insurance policies; however, it is not available
for a single commodity that is already covered.
To learn more, visit our website, https://
www.farmbureauinsurance-mi.com/crop, and
contact your agent or local crop insurance
specialist.
Questions about
the Farm Bill?
It’s understandable if you have questions
about the most recent Farm Bill which was
signed into law in February 2014. Not only
did the legislation set farm and conservation
policy for the next five years, it also made
significant changes for program crops and
dairy programs. The U.S. Department of
Agriculture continues to establish regulations
to implement the law.
To learn more about the Agricultural Risk
Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs,
Michigan State University Extension and
the Farm Service Agency are hosting local
educational meetings throughout the state.
To find an educational meeting
near
you,
visit
http://tinyurl.com/
MichiganFarmBillMeetings.
Start planning for National Ag Week!
National Agriculture Week is coming
quick, March 15-21! Michigan Farm Bureau’s
Promotion and Education Department reminds
county Farm Bureaus to plan ahead and order
educational materials, plans and resources in
Contact Communication and Education
advance.
Visit the MFB website’s, www.michfb.com, Ag Specialist Amelia Miller, [email protected]
Education and Leadership page for educational or 517-679-5688, with questions.
resources, facts and other inspirations for your
community and volunteers.
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Tuscola County farms earn
MAEAP verification
a voluntary (not regulatory) program that
helps producers protect natural resources by
implementing environmentally sound practices
to minimize on-the-farm pollution risks.
For more information about MAEAP, visit
www.maeap.org or contact Emily Reinart,
Michigan Farm Bureau’s agricultural ecology
specialist, at 517-679-5337.
After months of hard work, the farms of
Tuscola Farm Bureau members Don Mantey,
Terry McNeil, Mark Bauer, Kurt Ewald and
Brian Pike earned verification in the Michigan
Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program
(MAEAP) in August.
Representing a coalition of general farm and
commodity groups, state and federal agencies
and conservation organizations, MAEAP is
Tuscola’s field day planning under way
the Membership committee, contact committee
chair John Somerville at 989-670-7557; or
County Administrative Manager Donna Foley
at 989-673-4157
Maintaining and increasing membership
is vital to the survival of any grassroots
organization, especially your county Farm
Bureau. Be a part of our success—lend a hand
and get involved!
The Tuscola Farm Bureau membership
committee is working on the plans for the 2015
field day. Details will be announced at a later
date.
Membership committee members are
responsible for organizing the field day.
Committee members this year include Aaron
Reinbold, Stevie Glaspie, Stuart and Nancy
Bierlein, Dan Vader and Matt Sattelberg.
If you would like to volunteer and be a part of
WANTED: Your favorite recipes!
The Tuscola County Farm Bureau Promotion
& Education Committee is putting together a
recipe book and would like to include YOUR
favorite recipes!
Could be anything from appetizers, desserts,
breads, sides, main dishes to something quick
and easy. Even those meals on the go that you
prepare and take to your hard working farmers
out in the field or fun things for the kids.
The sky’s the limit!
Please submit recipes to tuscolacounty@
ctyfb.com by June 1. Be sure to include your
name with your submission.
We are hoping to have the books completed in
time for the county annual meeting in August.
Any
questions,
you
may
contact
Administrative Manager Donna Foley at 989673-4157 or [email protected]
Insurance matters…
BY MARC REINHARDT, CROP INSURANCE SPECIALIST , FARM BUREAU
INSURANCE
fruits, berries, and vegetables.
Wow, what a year 2014 turned
out to be! As I travel from farm
to farm speaking with farmers
about the year, one thing seems to
be consistently repeated. “I can’t
wait to close the book on 2014
so I can start with a clean slate in
2015.” I know what you must be
thinking about and hoping for in
the new year…. Maybe we’ll get
timely rains. Maybe we’ll get the
heat units we missed out on this
past season. Maybe our prices and
markets will stabilize at a profitable
level. Maybe there will finally be
some coverage for my specialty
Farm Bureau Insurance’s Crop
Department can help you stabilize
your 2015 growing season. For
the specialty crop growers, we
now have a Whole Farm Revenue
Protection policy available for
those crops that have never had
coverage available in the past. For
the cash crop farmer, we can lock
in coverage for a specific revenue
amount per acre, which will allow
you to maximize your forward
contracts.
Give me a call, and let’s take a
few minutes to talk some “crop.”
Marc Reinhardt
Crop Insurance
Specialist
Bay-Thumb &
Southeast Regions
Cell: 989-450-4851
[email protected]
A Publication of the Tuscola County Farm Bureau
Breaking
News
Did you know that Michigan Farm
Bureau members can receive discounts on
Polaris purchases? Savings are available on
the following items:
• $300 on Polaris Utility Sport Vehicles
(UTV’s)
• $200 on All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV’s)
• $300 on all GEM Electric Vehicles
The discount program does not apply to
any youth models.
Members are eligible for the discounts 30
days after joining Michigan Farm Bureau.
The discount is available in conjunction with
other discounts, promotions, rebates and
offers that may be provided by Polaris or a
Polaris dealer.
To take advantage of the Polaris program
discounts, log on to fbadvantage.com
where eligibility will be confirmed once
a membership number and zip code are
entered.
A certificate will be made available
online that must be printed and presented
to the dealership at the time of purchase.
Certificates expire after 60 days.
Briefly…
2014 Tuscola County
Year in review
The Tuscola County Farm Bureau board
of directors would like to thank all the
members and volunteers for their work over
the past year spreading the message of Farm
Bureau and agriculture. It was an actionpacked year with some great success. Here
are a few highlights:
• Council of President’s Conference
• Young Farmer Leaders’ Conference
• Lansing Legislative Seminar
• Washington Legislative Seminar
• Annual Legislative Breakfast
• National Ag Week activities
• 4-H Buyer’s Auction Luncheon
• County Annual
• Project RED
• MFB State Annual Meeting
Thank you again for your support and
time as these projects and events would not
be successful without YOU!