And now the program has launched its Farmstead System and kicked off a series of educational sessions to bring more farmers into its environmental protection fold.

In addition to explaining the new Farmstead System and MAEAP's role in Michigan's general permit plan, the educational sessions cover financial incentives that are available for on-farm environmental practices. Under the new farm bill's Environmental Quality Incentives Program, both livestock and non-livestock producers can qualify for up to $450,000 in cost-share opportunities.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reached an agreement with state partners to accept Michigan's plan to regulate Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) - farms with 1,000 or more animal units.

The plan requires CAFOs that have had state-verified waste discharges in the last two years to apply for coverage under a general pollution prevention permit held by the state. Large animal feeding operations with clean environmental records have the option of applying for coverage under the state general permit or becoming environmentally verified through MAEAP's Livestock System.

The five-year Michigan agreement was approved prior to and separate of the new federal CAFO guidelines announced Monday, so Michigan will operate under its own permitting plan while the agreement is in effect.

"Michigan's innovation agreement is unique because it gives large animal feeding operations that have not discharged in the last two years protection under the Clean Water Act and the opportunity to prove that voluntary programs like MAEAP can successfully protect the environment," said Scott Piggott, manager of the Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) Agricultural Ecology Department.

"The acceptance of the Michigan plan is a testament to the quality and potential of MAEAP," Piggott added. "The decision-makers obviously saw value in MAEAP's producer-involved structure and its purpose to help producers develop holistic environmental plans that apply to the entire operation - not just manure storage facilities - and that make a farm environmentally sound and efficient."

On Wednesday, farmers in the Upper Peninsula learned more about MAEAP in what was the first producer-geared education session in a new series that runs statewide through Jan. 18. (A complete list of meeting dates and locations follows.)

Past MAEAP education sessions focused solely on the program's Livestock System. But these sessions launch the program's Farmstead System, which is designed to help producers of all commodities guarantee the protection of ground and surface waters.

Like the existing Livestock System and the upcoming Cropping System, the Farmstead System involves three phases: education, on-farm assessment, and third-party verification. Producers seeking MAEAP verification in the Farmstead System identify management practices that potentially put water at risk and develop and implement corrective actions so that their farm can be verified as having structures and management practices that do not harm water supplies.

"The launch of the FarmStead System opens MAEAP to a whole new market," said MAEAP Manager Jan Wilford, who cautioned that livestock farmers should not feel shut out by the addition. "The acceptance of Michigan's general permit plan for CAFOs makes MAEAP a particularly attractive option for large livestock producers. But livestock farms of all sizes - small, medium or large - will continue to be a prime focus of MAEAP.

"What we've done in launching the Farmstead System is expand MAEAP to farms beyond livestock operations. So from now on, we expect to see a good mix of both livestock producers and other farmers attending MAEAP educational sessions and working towards environmental assurance in both systems. In fact, our latest round of educational sessions feature options for both livestock and non-livestock farmers."

Additional topics that will be covered at the educational sessions include requirements for fuel, fertilizer and pesticide storage and livestock carcass composting.

Attendance at a MAEAP educational meeting is required for MAEAP verification. One restricted use pesticide credit will be offered.

The educational sessions run from 9:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. A $5 fee to help defer meal costs will be collected at the door. Reservations should be made to the local Michigan State University Extension office.

Sessions are as follows:

Date	Location	MSU-Extension office for reservations
Jan. 9	Gaylord- Otsego Club	Otsego County - (989) 731-0272
Jan. 14	Hamilton- Trestle Stop	Allegan County - (269) 673-0370
Jan. 16	Big Rapids- Holiday Inn	Mecosta County - (231) 592-0792
Jan. 21	DeWitt- DeWitt Conference	Clinton County Center - (989) 224-5240
Jan. 23	Frankenmuth Restaurant - Bavarian Inn	Saginaw County - (989) 758-2500
Jan. 28	Adrian - Christian Family Center	Lenawee County - (517) 264-5300
Jan. 30	Lawrence - Van Buren Conference Center	Van Buren County - (269) 657-7745

For additional information, go to www.maeap.org or contact Wilford at (517) 241-4730 or by e-mail at wilfordj9@michigan.gov.

"There are still plenty of opportunities for shoppers to snag a tractor for Christmas gift-giving," said Molly Schilling, Michigan FFA Foundation executive director. "And we remind all FFA supporters that the collectible doesn't have to go under the Christmas tree. The tractor makes a great gift after the holidays for birthdays, retirement parties, and other special occasions.

"What's important is that no matter when you give it, the tractor truly is a 'gift that keeps on giving' because each purchase helps support the future of agriculture."

This year's collectible, the John Deere 4010, is the final in a series of five tractors produced by toy manufacturer Ertl that replicate actual John Deere models. It retails exclusively at TSC stores, where about 50 percent of each sale is donated to the Michigan FFA Foundation to support the Glassbrook Endowment for K-12 agricultural literacy programs.

The 4010 tractor features a durable die-cast construction, steer-able narrow front axle, FFA logo, special Michigan graphics, and free-rolling wheels. The tractor retails for $34.99 plus tax.

Since beginning the program with Quality Stores in the early 1990s, the Michigan FFA Foundation has raised nearly $200,000 to further agricultural and leadership development programs across the state. Tennessee-based TSC agreed to continue the fund-raiser - the biggest for the Glassbrook Endowment - following last year's bankruptcy by Quality Stores. Stock remains at these TSC locations:

Adrian	1515 East US 223
Alpena	Ripley SQ Shopping Ctr, 310 Ripley Blvd.
Bad Axe	736 North Van Dyke
Battle Creek	487 Main St.
Bay City	2886 Wilder Road
Cadillac	2025 North Mitchell
Caro	Highway
Cedar Springs	4011 17 Mile
Charlotte	1875 Lansing Road (I-69)
Clio	4058 West Vienna Road (M-57)
Fremont	1328 West Main
Gaylord	1286 South Otsego Ave. (South Old 27)
Greenville	6030 Greenville Road
Howell	3652 Grand River Ave.
Imlay City	2070 Cedar South (M-53)
Jackson	3350 East Michigan Ave.
Jenison	1294 Chicago Drive M-21
Lansing	510 North Marketplace Blvd.
Lansing	5241 West Grand River
Lapeer	1203 East Imlay City Road
Ludington	4572 West US 10
Monroe	2492 North Telegraph Road
Muskegon	1500 Whitehall Road
New Baltimore	33195-23 Mile Road
Niles	2545 South 11th St.- US Highway 33
Port Huron	3375 Lapeer Road
Portage	8610 Shaver Road
Romeo	66030 Van Dyke Road
Saginaw	2266 Midland Road
Saginaw	5555 Bay Road Route 84
Saline	111 Sage Court
South Haven	157 73rd St.
Sturgis	1313 South Centerville Road
Three Rivers	56964 North Main St.
Traverse City	825 US 31 South
West Branch	2050 South M-76

The organizations are co-sponsoring a second annual "Managing Today for Tomorrow" conference on Jan. 14. The conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn South in Lansing.

"In today's ever-changing and competitive agricultural industry, information and education are power," said Deb Schmucker, MFB promotion and education manager. "Whether you're a farm owner, manger or employee, you need to stay on top of your game if you are going to survive. Michigan Farm Bureau aims to see producers not only survive but thrive, so this conference is meant to help those in the industry stay on top."

According to organizers, the one-day conference features some of the finest educators and motivators whose mission is to provide attendees with top-notch information and tools that can be used back on the farm.

The conference will feature the following speakers:

• Dr. Vincent Malanga, president of LaSalle Economics Inc.
  An author and economist, Malanga specializes in financial market analysis and economics forecasting.
• Dr. Ron Hanson, agribusiness professor at the University of Nebraska
  Raised on an Illinois family farm, Hanson provides motivating messages on the importance of "family" in farm businesses.
• Robert Utterback, president of Indiana-based Utterback Marketing Services Inc.
  A registered commodities representative, Utterback develops marketing strategies that assist farmers in selling and buying agricultural commodities.
• Kenneth Swanson, executive director of AgriSolutions Michigan
  An experienced farm financial consultant, Swanson offers insight on financial analysis, business planning, family transitions planning, and estate planning.
• Marcia Taylor, editor of Top Producer magazine
  An experienced farm policy, agricultural finance and environmental reporter, Taylor will discuss "Brazil: The Competitor You Can't Ignore."
• Dr. Ron Plain, agricultural economics professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia
  An expert on livestock marketing, farm management and swine production, Plain will discuss the livestock market and provide tips on how to maximize farm income.
• Allen Lash, president and chairman of AgroSystems Corp., AgriSolutions Inc.
  Lash is a recognized leader in the area of financial management for agricultural producers.

"Our conference should be a benefit to these commodity producers and others as they form their marketing plans in 2003," Classens said. "We view our participation in the conference as part of our continued effort to support agriculture in Michigan."

Interested persons should register with MFB by Jan. 2. Cost is $100, which includes materials and lunch. MFB members and GreenStone clients are eligible for a $25 discount. To register, call Schmucker at (800) 292-2680, ext. 3213.

The 2002 membership gain is the second largest in Farm Bureau's history. A gain of 219,098 new members was recorded in 1977. This is the 42nd consecutive year in which Farm Bureau membership has grown nationwide.

Among the states, Michigan Farm Bureau ranks as the nation's 11th largest Farm Bureau, posting the third highest membership gain.

According to AFBF President Bob Stallman, the organization's growth continues to be fueled by the recognition of Farm Bureau's strong record as an advocate for public policy positions developed by its members, and on the strength of many outstanding programs and services designed to boost members' families, their businesses and standards of living.

"Having more than 200,000 new families join Farm Bureau this past year is truly an affirmation of our ongoing effort to represent and serve America's farm and ranch families," Stallman said. "Farm Bureau is about making a difference in people's lives and anyone associated with Farm Bureau should take pride in this obvious sign of approval."

Contact: John Walter, (800) 292-2680, ext. 3232.

"I'll keep in mind the minor and specialty crops - crops that are more difficult to get on the trade agenda," said Howes, who hails from Kleva where she helped produce potatoes, dry beans, strawberries, peaches, plums, pears, cucumbers for pickling, and asparagus. "My job is to try to ensure that trade agreements are negotiated that provide access for U.S. agricultural products," she added. "(In that respect) I'll try to help increase market access for Michigan products."

Howes came to Farm Bureau from the office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), where she served as director for WTO Affairs. Previously, she was the China specialist at USTR during the negotiation of China's WTO accession agreement. She also has served as an agricultural attaché in the U.S. Embassy in China and as a trade policy analyst at the Agriculture Department's Foreign Agricultural Service. Howes earned a master's degree in agricultural economics and a bachelor's degree in sociology and German from Michigan State University.

Contact: Teresa Howes, (202) 484-3620.

Michigan grade "A" milk producers must vote on whether to continue the program in a referendum being conducted by the Michigan Department of Agriculture through Dec. 20.

The Michigan Dairy Market Program promotes the sale of milk and milk products produced within the state and aims to increase consumer knowledge and acceptance of milk and milk products in general. The program was last approved in 1997 and by law, must be renewed every five years. Currently, the assessment is 10 cents per hundredweight of Grade "A" milk marketed.

For the program to be renewed, more than 50 percent of the producer votes cast, representing more than 50 percent of the total hundredweight represented on the cast ballots, must approve it.

Eligible producers with questions or those not receiving a ballot should contact MDA toll-free at (800) 292-3939.

Data is used by public and private sectors to help chart the future of agriculture. The census report forms ask producers basic questions about land use and ownership, crop acreage and harvest quantities, livestock and poultry inventories, value of crops and livestock sold, and farm operator characteristics.

New questions ask about multiple operators per farm, certified organic acreage, production contracts, computer and Internet use, grain storage capacity, farm labor, and specialized commodities such as bison, deer, elk, llamas, emus and ostriches.

Everyone who receives a census form is required by law to return it - even those who did not operate a farm or ranch in 2002. The same law requiring response also ensures that information provided by individual farm operators is held strictly confidential.

Producers should return their completed forms by Feb. 3, 2003. Census results will be released that day at www.usda.gov/nass/.

Producers who need help completing the form or who do not receive a form by the end of January 2003 should call NASS toll-free at (888) 4AG-STAT.

Holly
In the past, holly was used to symbolize strength. It was hoped that holly's ability to survive throughout the "death" of winter would be passed onto the people's homes it decorated.

Poinsettias
According to an Aztec legend, the heart of a maiden was broken and drops of her blood were scattered on earth. They bloomed into flowers known in Mexico as the "Flower of the Holy Night." The shape of the poinsettia is also commonly compared to the Star of Bethlehem.

Evergreen Wreaths
Hanging evergreen boughs in the home were believed to help those seeking eternal life.

Mistletoe
Kissing under mistletoe comes from the ancient lore. The wicked spirit Loki killed the god Balder with a dart of mistletoe. Upon the gods restoring Balder back to life, Balder's mother was so happy she kissed all who passed beneath a mistletoe.

Mistletoe can be found in North America, South America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other lands with more than 1,300 species.

Mistletoe has no roots of its own. It lives as a parasitic plant on beech, oak, apple, pine trees, and even on other mistletoe plants.

One species of mistletoe is Oklahoma's official state flower. Most of the Christmastime mistletoe sold in the United States is grown in the American Southwest.

Canaan Fir
The Canaan fir is a type of balsam fir widely liked because it's dark-green, holds its needles well, and gives off a nice "balsam" aroma. Canaan firs are liked by farmers, too, because the tree can grow in soggy soil and in places that sometimes get late frosts in the spring.