In announcing his approval for continued funding of $3.5 million for the next fiscal year, beginning Oct. 1, 2001, Engler complimented MDA's efforts to meet federally imposed deadlines to have all Michigan dairy herds tested by June 22. Through September 2001, $10.9 million has been budgeted for TB testing and other associated costs.

Maintaining that financial support despite overall budget cuts in most departments is significant according to Michigan Farm Bureau legislative counsel Ron Nelson. "TB eradication is one of those programs that simply cannot be cut back if we are going to control and subsequently eradicate the disease," he said. "So, thankfully the governor and legislature protected and preserved that funding."

According to Brad Deacon, legislative liaison for MDA, the budget also continues to provide funding for priority programming for food safety and environmental stewardship. In addition, this bill:

• Increases funding for horse racing programs by $1.3 million. This represents a 13.5 percent increase over the current year.
• Increases funding by $1 million for the Cooperative Resource Management Initiative for local conservation grants to assist private landowners in land management.
• Provides support of $163,500 for the review of deer and elk farming enterprises as required under the Cervidae Producers Marketing Act of 2000.
• The appropriation for the Pesticide Residue Reduction program includes a $225,000 increase to improve regulatory oversight and industry compliance. Legislative support is needed for proposed fee changes to the Pesticide Control Act to support this program enhancement.

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is urging Congress to support an amendment to the agricultural appropriations bill that would repeal certain provisions governing unilateral economic sanctions with Cuba. The amendment will reportedly be offered by Sens. Bryon Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.).

According to Michigan Farm Bureau Commodity Specialist Bob Boehm, Michigan's reputation for producing a high-quality edible dry bean is well known, even in Cuba.

"If we can find ways to eliminate the roadblocks that are keeping American-produced commodities out of Cuba, all commodities would benefit from expanded market access," he said. "More importantly for Michigan producers we have a niche and a reputation for producing a superior edible dry bean that would compete with Canadian and Mexican-produced dry beans."

Those roadblocks, says Boehm, are third party financing; a 180-day prohibition on ships re-entering U.S. ports; and travel restrictions to Cuba.

"Third party financing imposes a challenging hurdle for exporters, as they are required to execute their financial transaction - even if they do not involve the extension of credit - through a foreign bank," Boehm explained.

The amendment also reforms shipping restrictions under the Cuban Democracy Act, which prohibits vessels that go to Cuba from entering U.S. ports for 180 days.

"That severely restricts the shipment of agricultural cargo. And, increased tourist travel to Cuba is necessary to generate demand for U.S. agricultural products to supply the growing hotel industry in that country," Boehm added.

The three provisions were included in last year's Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act that was passed as part of the 2001 agriculture appropriations bill.

"We strongly support this amendment," said AFBF President Bob Stallman. "Repeal of these provisions can provide tremendous benefits for agriculture in America. Our farmers want and deserve to be able to compete in a market valued in excess of $6 billion."

The Michigan Farmland and Community Alliance (MFCA) - a Michigan Farm Bureau affiliate - will co-host a farmland Showcase Tour in partnership with the Rural Development Council of Michigan throughout middle- and western-Michigan Aug. 1 and 2. In another partnership event with the Michigan Farm Bureau, the Alliance is hosting the first statewide Land Use Committee Rally, Aug. 7-8 in Lapeer County.

"We're trying to provide the best tools and resources available for county Farm Bureau members, legislators and local officials so that they can go back to their community and put farmland protection on the front burner," said Jim Fuerstenau, director of the Michigan Farmland and Community Alliance. "We hope the two events will show participants a broad range of options that could work in their local community."

The second annual Showcase Tour involves 60 local producers, legislators and township officials, 26 of which are enrolled in the Land Use Leadership Training Program. The program is designed to increase land use knowledge and provide leadership training to participants who want to have a positive impact on their communities.

The tour starts in Lansing with comments about the importance of rural/urban cooperation from Lansing Mayor David Hollister, followed by tours through preserved farm and wildlife habitat in Clinton County.

The tour will then head west to Grand Rapids, where participants will learn about the Grand Valley Metro Council, a council made up of 40-plus local units of government. Participants will learn how the units work together in land use planning projects.

Traveling north to Peninsula Township on the Leelanau Peninsula will give participants a firsthand look at the only local Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program. Funded by local tax dollars, 5,000 acres have been preserved strictly for agricultural purposes since 1994.

"Having participants see the program on Peninsula Township will give them a sense of the local leadership necessary to design and implement a successful local PDR program.," Fuerstenau said.

On that note, a push for local leadership is the goal of the Aug. 7-8 Land Use Committee Rally. The first ever event of its kind is organized to share ideas among county Farm Bureau land use committees and allow counties from across the state to share ideas and discuss policy on land use issues.

Land Use Committees - standing committees formed within county Farm Bureaus - are charged with setting goals based on the board's vision, developing action plans and educating residents about land use issues within their county. As well, they are responsible for working with local officials to create local farmland protection programs.

On Aug. 8, committee members will learn about potential sources of power provided by farmland - particularly wind - and how it can be used as another source of income for producers.

"If we can provide producers with additional sources of income for their land, they will be less likely to sell it for development in the future," Fuerstenau said.

At noon, participants will recognize Lapeer County Farm Bureau member Louis Martus of Brown City for his local leadership to preserve farmland. Martus spearheaded the effort to enroll his farm - as well as six other parcels of land - into the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program in 1998. The seven parcels of land - totaling 1,459 acres - will be recognized as Martus signs the agreement during a 1 p.m. press conference at Martus' Burnside-township-based farm.

"To protect this much land in a rural, agriculture-rich area like Lapeer is phenomenal," Fuerstenau said. "Louis Martus is a perfect example of how local leadership can lead the charge to preserve farmland and open space."

Since 1995, Michigan has acquired more than 50 PDR agreements protecting more than 12,000 acres. By summer's end 2001, the state expects to have an additional 1,700 acres enrolled in the program.

According to the farmland preservation unit of the Michigan Department of Agriculture in Lansing, Lapeer County is one of the faster growing counties in the state, falling into the 11 percent to 20 percent gain category in population in 2000. Livingston County grew the fastest in 2000 with a 35.7 percent population increase.

Following the signing, the Lapeer County Land Use Committee will sponsor a farmland tour of the county and explain the land-use tools that worked in their area.

"It is our goal to provide all participants of both events with an understanding of the importance of farmland protection and how they can get involved at their local level in putting the tools into action," Fuerstenau said.

Each year, farmers who demonstrated excellence and innovation in agriculture are nominated for induction. To qualify, farmers must have lived at least 60 years and actively farmed for 20 years. This year's inductees include: Earl and Doris Brenner and Kenneth and Alice Brenner, all of Allegan County; Douglas and Martha Carpenter of Van Buren County; Garnet and Lillie Hoard of Gratiot County; Carl and Betty McIlvain of Barry County; Lloyd and Nancy Schug of Kalamazoo County; Neil and Marjorie Southworth and Max and Viola Sutherland, all of Eaton County.

Earl and Doris Brenner - Earl and Doris were married in 1943 and the Hopkins couple raised three children - Marla, Pam and Bruce. Earl and his brother, Ken, bought their father's farm in 1956, increasing the herd size from 27 to 50 cows and building a new milking parlor. In 1975, a partnership was formed between Earl and his son, Bruce, along with Ken and his son, Burton. The Brenner brothers and sons farm 2,000 acres, raising a large herd of dairy cattle, corn, alfalfa, soybeans, and wheat.

Kenneth and Alice Brenner - Ken worked on his father's farm as a youngster and bought the adjoining farm when he was 18. He married his late wife, Vivian, in 1950, and they had two sons, Burton and Ross. Ken and his brother, Earl, bought their father's farm in 1956. The Brenner brothers and sons currently farm 2,000 acres and milk about 500 cows at the Hopkins farm. Ken has been active in Farm Bureau, the Federal Home Administration, and the township Board of Review. Ken remarried to Alice in 1980.

Douglas and Martha Carpenter - Doug and his wife, Martha, have been married for more than 50 years and have five children. They are in the process of making their Bangor home a sesquicentennial farm. The Carpenters started with only 20 cows and cooled the milk in a horse tank. They farmed with three horses and a homemade "doodlebug" tractor. They now have five tractors and 200 head of cattle. Doug is now semi-retired and the couple's son, Dan, and grandson operate the farm.

Garnett and Lillie Hoard - Garnet and Lillie were married in 1951 and went into partnership with Garnet's father and brothers on the farm their great-grandfather owned. After his father retired, Garnet and his brother continued the partnership for 32 years. They had a herd of dairy cows, raised young cattle, pigs, chickens, and harvested corn, beans, wheat and hay. Garnet and Lillie raised two children, Janice and Steven. In 1985, Steven started farming with the Hoards, and they discontinued raising livestock. In 1995, Garnet retired and Steve is now working approximately 2,000 acres in St Louis.

Carl and Betty McIlvain - Carl began farming in partnership with his parents after serving two years in the service. Carl and Betty were married in 1947. Over the years, they purchased more properties for a total of 365 acres. They raised three children, all of whom helped on the Hastings farm. In 1952, Carl became involved with Farmers Union and currently is president of the Michigan Farmers Union. He is also a member of the board of directors in the National Farmers Union. Betty has also actively served as local and county Farmers Union secretary, and as Michigan Farmers Union state office secretary. In 1972, Carl and Betty retired from farming.

Lloyd and Nancy Schug - Lloyd and Nancy started out farming on a 50-50 partnership. They bought the Climax farm in 1966 and put up their first hog confinement house, which was the beginning of a 500- sow hog farm. Since then, they have increased the number of hog houses to about a dozen. The Schugs raised three children. Their son, Mike, oversees the hog operation with the help of one employee. Their other son, Denny, does most of the fieldwork, raising corn, wheat and soybeans, incorporating no-till or zone-till. Nancy did the bookwork, banking and tax work. Lloyd helped start the Michigan Pork Producers Association and has been active on the state board and the Michigan Pork Council.

Neil and Marjorie Southworth - Neil and Marjorie were married in 1949. They purchased a 108-acre family farm in 1976 and purchased another 160-acre farm from Marjorie's mother. Cash crops are the main sources of income. They raised four children, Clint, Janet, Armon, and Lorri, who all live nearby and were active on the Mulliken centennial farm. Neil has been cooperator of Thornapple-Grand Soil Conservation District and township supervisor. In 2000, Marjorie was honored with a Michigan Week Volunteer Leadership Award in recognition of her many volunteer hours.

Max and Viola Sutherland - Max and Viola were married in 1958 and raised two children, Sara and Scott, on a centennial farm purchased by Max in 1955. The couple purchased two more centennial farms, Max's grandfather's farm and father's farm. The Sutherlands made many improvements to the properties and have implemented many conservation programs to improve the land and the yields on the crops. They have shared the family farm life with others, hosting an exchange student from Japan. She returned for seven years to complete her college education and continues to be a part of the family.

For information on the Michigan Hall of Fame Farm Show schedule, check the Web site at www.michiganfarmshow.com.

The increased use of corn-based ethanol and soybean-based biodiesel mandated by the legislation will benefit the nation, and the farm economy by providing increased income to producers, while also slashing the amount of money the federal government spends in the form of farm support payments.

According to AFBF, if given enough time and allotted the necessary resources, farm-produced energy would be a major component of the nation's energy mix.

Contact: Bob Boehm, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2023

"In light of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the mushroom checkoff case, we believe it is both pertinent and an efficient use of the court's resources to settle the constitutional question now,' said NPPC President Barb Determan, a pork producer from Early, Iowa.

In the case of United States v. United Foods, the U.S. Supreme Court on June 25 ruled that the assessments on handlers of fresh mushrooms to pay for generic mushroom advertising violated the First Amendment's free speech guarantee. Previously, in Glickman v. Wileman Brothers &Elliott, Inc., the high court upheld mandatory assessments on California tree fruit producers against a First Amendment challenge.

In United Foods, the Court reaffirmed Wileman but distinguished it. The United Foods Court also failed to reach the question whether the mushroom promotion program could be defended as "government speech," holding that the government had waived that argument.

In its supplemental filing, the two pork producer groups have asked the court to declare that the secretary of agriculture acted within her discretion and authority in entering into a settlement agreement continuing the pork checkoff program and further to declare that the pork checkoff program does not violate the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. They have also asked for an accelerated hearing on the pending questions.

Contact: Ernie Birchmeier, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2024

More than 80 people representing six state Farm Bureaus were in attendance. Dairy producers and state Farm Bureau staff visited key offices in an effort to obtain additional cosponsors on H.R. 1827 and S. 1157. The bills reauthorize and expand the current Northeast Dairy Compact and authorize a Southern Dairy Compact, Intermountain Dairy Compact and Pacific Northwest Dairy Compact.

Contact: Ernie Birchmeier, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2024

"If the administration wants fast track, the time for posturing is over," Baucus warned.

TPA, formerly known as fast-track trade negotiating authority, allows Congress to pass or reject trade agreements, but prohibits lawmakers from amending them.

Baucus and a number of other Democrats insist that any TPA bill must include labor and environmental safeguards. President Bush and the Republican leadership oppose enforcing those issues with the use of trade sanctions.

Last week, Baucus continued to insist that trade agreements must not lower the environmental and labor standards of the countries that the United States is negotiating with and that congressional lawmakers should have more of a presence in the decision-making process.

He also urged the United States to compel the World Trade Organization to increase the threshold for labor standards - particularly those addressing child labor.

The American Farm Bureau Federation supports TPA but opposes the inclusion of labor and environmental provisions.

Contact: Ken Nye, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2020

Blueberries are a source of Vitamin C and fiber and one-half cup contains 41 calories. Blueberries are native to North America with large stands in the Maritimes and coastal New England. Surprisingly, acid rain has stimulated the growth of natural stands of lowbush berries in some inland areas by reducing the pH level of the soil.

Sweets are in vogue again as the sales of indulgent food continues to rise. A recent study by Kalorama Information Inc. projects a 3.1 percent annual growth rate for packaged sweet baked goods for 1999-2004, with retail prices predicted to top $12.2 billion in 2004. The healthy vs. decadent quandary has sparked the growth of new categories such as smaller-size bakery items and mini sizes of popular sweets.

Ever wondered how the holes get into Swiss cheese? The simple answer is bacteria. In fact, all cheese is made with the help of a bacteria-based culture. These organisms are added to milk and the type of culture added is one of the major factors that helps determine the type of cheese you end up with. The mixture is then put in a warm room which favors the growth of the bacteria. Lactic acid then produces carbon dioxide which makes the holes - or "eyes" as they are called in the industry - by expanding into bubbles of gas. The size of the holes can be controlled by varying acidity, temperature, and curing time. An ounce of Swiss cheese contains about 8 grams of fat, a little over 100 calories, and about 275 milligrams of calcium.