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COUNTRYSIDE2016 Annual
Convention ReportDon’t Sleep on Safety
Utah Farm Bureau Photo Contest Winners
U T A H F A R M B U R E A U N E W S • S P E C I A L E D I T I O N
Vol. 62 No. 11
WINTER 2016
Utah FarmBureau Turns 100
Auto | Home | Life | Annuities | Business | Farm & Ranch | fbfs.com
Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company,* Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company,* Western Agricultural Insurance Company*/West Des Moines, IA. *Company providers of Farm Bureau Financial Services LI165 (10-16)
Heroes don’t get sick days. But you could use life insurance to cover your care if you get sick. Contact your Farm Bureau agent today to make sure you have all the coverage you need.
FBFS-DLR HERO AD-UT FB TABLOID 8.375 X 10.875.INDD 1 12/8/2016 1:33:51 PM
Vol. 62 No. 11
Winter 2016 | COUNTRYSIDE | Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition 1
CONTENTSW I N T E R 2 0 1 6
Auto | Home | Life | Annuities | Business | Farm & Ranch | fbfs.com
Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company,* Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company,* Western Agricultural Insurance Company*/West Des Moines, IA. *Company providers of Farm Bureau Financial Services LI165 (10-16)
Heroes don’t get sick days. But you could use life insurance to cover your care if you get sick. Contact your Farm Bureau agent today to make sure you have all the coverage you need.
FBFS-DLR HERO AD-UT FB TABLOID 8.375 X 10.875.INDD 1 12/8/2016 1:33:51 PM
1622 14 10COLUMNS
3 FROMTHEFIELD What a Wonderful Time of Year by Ron Gibson
4 BEYONDTHEFENCEROWS Farmers and Ranchers Make their Voices Heard by Zippy Duvall
7 THOUGHTS Is Lying Protected Speech? by Randy Parker
32 ONTHEEDGEOFCOMMONSENSE The Committee Meeting by Baxter Black
DEPARTMENTS
8 SAFETY&WELLNESS Don’t Sleep on Safety: Recognizing Fatigue by A.J. Ferguson
20 MONEYMATTERS Creating a Savings Plan for Extra Expenses by Amanda Christensen
22 GENERATIONS Move Over Millennials—Introducing Gen Z By Julia Misiego
24 INDUSTRYISSUES Farm Organizations Challenge Dannon
26 AGENTSPOTLIGHT Richard Hackwell
28 PUBLICPOLICY A History of “Working for You” by Sterling C. Brown
30 2016UTAHFARMBUREAUPHOTOCONTESTWINNERS
FEATURES
10 2016ANNUALCONVENTION:OURHERITAGE,OURFUTURE
14 UTAHFARMBUREAUTURNS100 by Matt Hargreaves
16 GOSSNERFOODSSUPPORTINGCOMMUNITY&TROOPSTHROUGHINNOVATIVEBUSINESS by Matt Hargreaves
Note: For classified ads, please visit utahfarmbureau.org and click on the newsroom section.
[quarter-page ad]
3.3125" × 4.375"
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2 Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition | COUNTRYSIDE | Winter 2016
Vol. 62, No. 11
(ISSN 1068-5960)
Matt Hargreaves, Editor
Business Address:9865 South State
Sandy UT 84070-3205
Contact: General Inquiries: (801) 233-3000Address Changes: (801) 233-3009Farm Bureau News: (801) 233-3003Classified Ads: (801) 233-3010Fax: (801) 233-3030
FB News e-mail:[email protected]
Website:utahfarmbureau.org
Local Display Ad Information:Jennifer Dahl[775] [email protected]
UTAH FARM BUREAU FEDERATION OFFICERS
Chairman and President:Ron Gibson*, West Weber
Vice President:Rex Larsen, Spanish Fork
CEO and Secretary/Treasurer:Randy N. Parker, Riverton
*Denotes member of the Board of Directors
Board of Directors:District 1: John Ferry, CorinneDistrict 2: Jim Wayment, OgdenDistrict 3: Flint Richards, ErdaDistrict 4: Wayne Jarrett, NephiDistrict 5: Jöel Hatch-Jensen,
HuntingtonDistrict 6: Edwin Sunderland, ChesterDistrict 7: Craig Laub, Beryl
Farm Bureau Women’s Chair:Belva Parr, Lindon
Young Farmer and Rancher Chair:Brett Madsen, Chester
Cover PhotoCourtesy of Staheli Family,
Washington County
Magazine Design & ProductionHales Creative, LLC
Design DirectorKelly Nield
DesignersKahli FlakeKelly Nield
Periodicals Postage Paid at Sandy Utah and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to the Utah Farm Bureau Federation, 9865 South State, Sandy UT 84070-3205.
Published quarterly for all Farm Bureau members (April/Spring, July/Summer, October/Fall. December/Winter). Published expressly for farmer/rancher Farm Bureau members and others who specifically request copies. February, March, May, June, August, September and November. All eleven issues published by the Utah Farm Bureau Federation ln Sandy, Utah. Editorial and Business Office, 9865 South State, Sandy UT 84070-3205.
MAXIMIZE YOUR YIELD. AND SAVINGS.
Stop by your local Overson’s Farm Center to learn more.
©2016 AGCO Corporation. Challenger is a worldwide brand of AGCO Corporation. Challenger, Cat and Caterpillar are trademarks of Caterpillar Inc. and are used under license by AGCO. AGCO and Challenger are trademarks of AGCO. All rights reserved.
www.oversonsfarmcenterinc.comCedar City, UT Delta, UT Salina, UT
Gibson Green Acres Farm
Winter 2016 | COUNTRYSIDE | Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition 3
FROM THE FIELD
day to feed their families and their communities. Today, less than one percent of the people in Utah work in production agriculture. Yet regardless of our livelihoods, we all rely daily on the success of local agriculture.
What is the miracle of agriculture? Just this week, I was able to deliver a newborn baby calf on my farm. I watched as that precious animal took its first breath of clean, crisp air. As I stood back and watched the cow clean and take care of her new baby, I thought to myself, “I just witnessed a miracle.” As a farmer, each year I look ahead with great anticipation for success. Last spring as we prepared to plant our corn crop, I had great hopes of a successful and bounteous crop. I knew that nothing would stop us from achieving that goal. Yet Mother Nature had other plans for our farm. We had a very wet May; as we prepared our soil the ground was wet and compacted. As the crops were planted it turned very hot early in June and seeds had a hard time germinating. I was upset, sad, and worried. I wondered how would I ever be successful this year. Somehow the crops grew great; we had a hot summer and plenty of heat and water to help the crops to grow.
Then came the harvest. We started to harvest the corn for our animals
on September 19th. The crops looked good and everything was going great. Three days later, we got four inches of rain on our farm. Two days after that we got one and a half more. All of a sudden, my great crops were in jeopardy again because we couldn’t get into the fields to harvest the crops. My fields were like lakes. Yet once again we witnessed a miracle and we were still able to harvest every single acre of corn. We had to work much harder and it took more time than usual, but somehow it all worked out.
As I look back on the year on the farm, I see that I have gained greater faith. I had so many people help me through my hard days, including great friends and employees that sacrificed tremendous amounts on my behalf. Through it all we made it and were extremely blessed.
What miracles have you seen in your life this last year? Are we rec-ognizing the hand of God in our lives, families, and pursuits?
It does not surprise me that more than 2,000 years ago, Joseph and Mary chose a stable in Bethlehem as the place that the Christ child would be born. It was truly the miracle of all miracles. Joseph and Mary knew just what to do. Jesus knew how to live his life, and lived it perfectly so we could one day return and live with him. This season I will try to put away all my temporal worries and be grateful that the Savior of the world gave the great-est example of faith and miracles and showed the way for me.
May your families be filled with bounteous blessings not only this season but through the whole year through.
One hundred years ago on a cold winter day, December 4, 1916,
a group of about 50 farmers from around the state headed to Salt Lake City to organize the Utah Farm Bureau Federation. D.D. McKay, from Huntsville was elected president. These great farmers and leaders put into place a vision for the future that has been successful for a century.
The idea was to combine people with the same needs, desires, and interests, and help them be successful in the future. These great leaders had families. They had businesses. They had prosperous times and they had times of extreme difficulty. They had the responsibility to care for the land and their animals. But they combined foresight and great effort to make the Utah Farm Bureau an asset for all of us today.
Even though the world has changed tremendously, today our purpose in the Farm Bureau is the same. The mission statement of the Utah Farm Bureau Federation is to “inspire all Utah families to connect, succeed, and grow through the miracle of agriculture.” Most of you that are reading this article are not full-time farmers and ranch-ers. 100 years ago about six percent of the people worked on the farm every
What a Wonderful Time of YearBy Ron Gibson | President, Utah Farm Bureau Federation
4 Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition | COUNTRYSIDE | Winter 2016
to lead the way in setting policies that promote science and common sense.
We need regulatory and tax reforms that address the unique challenges of agriculture. Farmers and ranchers take great care to preserve their land and protect their businesses for future gen-erations, but regulatory overreach, like EPA’s Waters of the U.S. rule, threatens to stamp out our ability to produce. We need to protect natural resources, but that work is done best by the people who know the land, not bureaucrats thousands of miles away. And we need to ensure our farm and ranch families can pass their operations on to the next generation, without having to sell assets that are critical to the farm just to pay the tax bill.
Too many problems still hang in political limbo. Agriculture faces a real labor crisis, but we can have meaning-ful reform only if we come together to address the need for both a workable visa system and a secure border.
“American farmers are the best in the world at growing food and other products that people need to
flourish,” President-elect Trump said. We couldn’t agree more. We will work with his administration and Congress on issues like the farm bill, energy and trade to boost American agriculture and increase access to American-grown food, fuel and fiber.
Our elected leaders come at these issues with different points of view, but they all have one thing in com-mon. Each ran on a platform to make America better and improve this country for all of us. That same unity of purpose drives us at Farm Bureau. We can learn from each other as we respect our differences. No matter what we raise or how we do it, we must work together to protect our farms and strengthen our rural communities.
As the dust settles on a long election season, now is the time for the
real work of addressing the critical issues facing America’s rural com-munities. Our elections are decided by those who show up, and that’s just what rural Americans did. As we move forward we expect the new adminis-tration and Congress to support the rural Americans who supported them. Farmers, ranchers, and rural business owners deserve a seat at the table when it comes to shaping policy that impacts our livelihoods and our way of life.
I’m proud of how seriously our grassroots members take their civic responsibility. That duty doesn’t just fall on Election Day. We must hold our elected leaders accountable to make good on their promises to agriculture and rural America. The communities of America’s heartland aren’t just stops on a campaign tour—they are the back-bone of our economy.
President-elect Trump has prom-ised a pro-farmer administration, and Farm Bureau will hold him to that. America’s farmers and ranchers have made great strides in our sustainability thanks to hard work and innovation. We need our elected leaders to recog-nize the value of tools like economies of scale and biotechnology, and then
Farmers and Ranchers Make Their Voices HeardBy Zippy Duvall | President, American Farm Bureau Federation
BEYOND THE FENCEROWS
The communities of America’s heartland aren’t just stops on a campaign tour—they are the backbone of our economy.
Winter 2016 | COUNTRYSIDE | Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition 5
Winter 2016 | COUNTRYSIDE | Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition 7
THOUGHTS
Utah Farm Bureau Federation submitted an Amicus Brief to Judge Shelby arguing property rights not only protect the public from potential harm or accident, but also assures critical biosecurity so damaging pathogens or diseases are not introduced. In addi-tion, the Farm Bureau brief points out the need to protect farms and ranches from anti-animal agriculture activists, some that are identified by Homeland Security as domestic terrorists, from threats, harassment, or property dam-age. Farm Bureau reported on several incidents in Utah of agribusiness fire-bombings, illegal entry to release farm animals and property damage that has resulted in millions of dollars in losses.
Judge Shelby’s questioning seemed to focus attention on the ALDF asser-tion that lying on a job application to secretly place a recording device is protected speech. He wondered aloud as he compared a clandestine agricul-ture action with a person gaining entry to a neighbor’s home and bedroom and secretly placing a recording device.
The five-hour hearing and ques-tioning of ALDF and the Utah Attorney General’s (AG) counsel often times returned falsifying a job application. The AG noted in United States vs. Alvarez (2012), the U.S. Supreme Court held that Xavier Alvarez’s false claims in a job application that he was a Medal of Honor recipient was not pro-tected under the First Amendment’s free speech protections.
Judge Shelby’s decision is currently pending. He could move the case to trial or rule based on summary judg-ment petitions. Whatever the outcome, the case is likely to be appealed.
As this courtroom drama plays out, it is important to note, Utah farmers and ranchers do not condone mistreat-ment or abuse of animals. They care deeply about the animals in their care, and take very seriously their steward-ship and responsibility for them.
In 2012 the Utah Legislature passed the Utah Agricultural Operations
Interference Act, which was signed into law by Governor Gary Herbert. The bill ensures fundamental private property protections and provides penalties for individuals lying on job applications to gain entry to interfere with or undermine agriculture related businesses.
The Utah law, sponsored by State Representative John Mathis, a practicing veterinarian, and State Senator David Hinkins was challenged by the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), charging it violates “freedom of speech.” Federal District Court Judge Robert Shelby recently heard arguments with both sides seeking summary judgement—or demanding a win based on the legal arguments.
The Mathis-Hinkins bill focused on two fundamental rights. First, to reinforce private property protec-tions to assure critical biosecurity for agricultural operations. Second, to add criminal penalties for falsifying a job application to gain entrance onto someone’s private property to secretly place a recording device.
The ALDF argues that lying to gain entry to an agricultural operation are constitutionally protected under the First Amendment.
Is Lying Protected Speech?By Randy Parker | CEO, Utah Farm Bureau Federation
The bill ensures fundamental private property protections and provides penalties for individuals lying on job applications to gain entry to interfere with or undermine agriculture related businesses.
8 Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition | COUNTRYSIDE | Winter 2016
Eliminating as much stress as possible will help to eliminate fatigue also. Here are a few simple tips to help reduce stress:
• Learn to accept problems that you cannot change, do not dwell on them.
• Work on keeping a positive mind-set.• Make sure you take care of your
physical health.
The following tips can make dealing with the stress of everyday life easier. You will also find it easier to find solu-tions to your problems:
• Set goals that are realistic and attainable.
• Remember to avoid overload. There are only 24 hours in a day. It is OK to say no, when you don’t have the time to do it.
• Take time to be nice to yourself by enjoying your family, nature, music, or a good book.
• When burdens become too heavy, talk to someone like a spouse or trusted friend.
Other ideas to help you sleep include:• Avoid coffee and drinks containing
caffeine before bed.• Don’t overeat before going to bed;
this can cause heartburn or stomach cramps.
• Limit the amount of liquids you drink at night so you’re not always getting up to go to the bathroom.
• Get enough exercise, but avoid strenuous exercise two to three hours before bed.
• Don’t take work to bed with you; your bed should be for sleeping.
• Consider taking a short nap when you get home from work, but make sure it doesn’t interfere with your ability to sleep at night.
I understand that when reading these ideas on how to reduce stress and improve sleep, that you might feel more stress because your days are already too busy. Please, remember that these are suggestions that can help. Don’t feel that you have to do all of them. However, if a few of these ideas can help reduce stress and help you sleep more soundly, isn’t it worth it?
Remember that fatigue is real and can cause serious injuries or death. Look for the warning signs of fatigue, such as slower reaction time, difficulty concentrating or irritability. Your fam-ily needs YOU. So keep alert; life is too precious to lose to fatigue. For question or comments contact A.J. Fergusson at the Utah Farm Bureau, 801-233-3006 or [email protected].
It is very common to feel that there is not enough time to do everything
that needs to be done. As you try to make more time in your day by work-ing longer hours at night, you start to deprive yourself of sleep, food, and sometimes water. In regard to safety, fatigue can be an individual’s worst enemy. It can also cause accidents that damage machinery and possibly injure or kill you.
Why is sleep important? Studies also show that sleep deficiency alters activity in some parts of the brain. If you’re sleep deficient, you may have trouble making decisions, solving problems, controlling your emotions and behavior, and coping with change. Sleep deficiency also has been linked to depression, suicide, and risk-taking behavior. Lack of sleep will cause slower reaction time leading to more injuries and accidents. You might miss important safety instructions because you are too tired to concentrate or you may find you have difficulty in getting along with co-workers because you are tired and irritable. Most adults need seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep to feel alert.
Lack of sleep can also result in health problems. Stress can lead to sleepless nights and mental fatigue.
DON’T SLEEP ON SAFETY:RECOGNIZING FATIGUEBy A.J. Ferguson | Vice President—Farm Safety, Utah Farm Bureau Federation
SAFETY & WELLNESS
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10 Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition | COUNTRYSIDE | Winter 2016
throughout the year, and highlighted some of the organization’s legislative efforts in Washington, D.C., as well as the state legislature.
The convention got off to a nos-talgic start with a message of how the Utah Farm Bureau came to be, from historian Scott Crump. Crump is the author of the soon-to-be-released Utah Farm Bureau history book. What started as a gathering of a small group of sugar beet farmers in 1916 laid the groundwork for what success would look like for the next 100 years. This solid foundation remains in place today.
After the message, members were greeted by Julie Anna Potts, the execu-tive vice president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. Potts con-gratulated Utah Farm Bureau members on the historic achievement of turning 100, and spoke of efforts from Farm Bureau members across the country to influence their industry for good, both locally and nationally. Potts also spoke to changes that will be taking place in Washington, D.C., with the election of Donald Trump as President, and what that means for Farm Bureau.
Farm Bureau members gathered later in the day for the awards show presentation, where many young
farmers were awarded with trips to compete nationally at the American Farm Bureau Convention. Former Utah Farm Bureau president and longtime leaders Leland & Joyce Hogan were awarded the Utah Farm Bureau’s Distinguished Service Award, for their tireless effort on behalf of Farm Bureau and agriculture.
Breakouts sessions were held Friday on topics such as a report on the Public Land Grazing Working Groups, incentivizing ag water conservation, export opportunities from Utah’s World Trade Center, deepening member engagement, increasing opportunities in Farm Bureau for women, a report on the recent Farm Bureau Strategic Planning initiative, tips on planning amazing county outreach events, and protecting your assets by Farm Bureau Financial Services.
The general session ended with an address from Dr. Matt Townsend, who spoke on the unique communica-tions challenges in agriculture and what Farm Bureau members can do to improve relationships in their families, with friends and neighbors, and business associates. The general session will conclude with a panel
Celebrating its 100th annual convention, farmers and ranchers
throughout the state gathered at the Davis Conference Center in Layton to talk about issues confronting agricul-ture in Utah.
The Farm Bureau delegate body deliberated and came up with policy recommendations to address issues including positions on grazing policies, potential expansion of state parks, instream flow water rights, food safety, the merits of a Constitutional Convention vs. a Convention of the States, and more.
The delegates also held elections to decide on leaders to guide the organization.
President Gibson greeted attendees with an encouraging message about the 100th anniversary of the Utah Farm Bureau and how the organization has influenced how agriculture looks in the state of Utah today. Gibson praised the ability of farmers to continue pressing forward with a vision of success that provided a successful heritage, and also set farmers and ranchers up for a promising future.
Chief executive officer Randy Parker also congratulated Farm Bureau members on their many achievements
2016 ANNUAL CONVENTION:OUR HERITAGE, OUR FUTURE
FARM BUREAU NEWS
Winter 2016 | COUNTRYSIDE | Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition 11
discussion of critical issues before the U.S. Congress, and the impact of the recent elections, with Representatives Jason Chaffetz and Chris Stewart.
Concluding the convention, Farm Bureau members and invited guests were treated to a delicious banquet dinner and remarks from Utah Governor Gary Herbert, who also received the 2016 Friend of Agriculture Award, for his great support of Utah agriculture. Senator Orrin Hatch, current Senate Pro Tem, also attended the banquet with his wife, Elaine, and spoke to Farm Bureau members. Lastly, the presentation of the 2016 Leopold Conservation Award was made to Jerrold Richins and his family from Coalville in Summit County.
FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS OF UTAH FARM BUREAU
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PLATINUM
CONTRIBUTORS: Grainger, Beehive Cheese Company, Heber Valley Artisan Cheese, Deer Valley Ski Resort, Utah’s Own, Producer’s Livestock, Hilton Garden Inn, Utah Jazz, Smithfield Foods
BRONZERed Tart Cherry Marketing Board
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Stotz Equipment
Apple Marketing Board
Farm Bureau Bank
GOLDDavis County Office of Tourism
Monsanto
Zions Bank Ag Group
Salina Marketing
SILVERGeneral Motors
Utah Dairy Council
Farm Bureau Financial Services
Gossner Foods
Les Schwab Tires
2016 Utah Leopold Conservation Award
The Sand County Foundation, in partner-
ship with the Western AgCredit, Utah Farm
Bureau Federation, and the Utah Cattlemen’s
Association, named Jerrold Richins as the
recipient of the prestigious Utah Leopold
Conservation Award®. Jerrold and his family
own a cattle and sheep ranch in Summit
County.
Jerrold was the first landowner to begin
working with organizations to install erosion
control structures along sections of the
creek on his land, as well as fencing off his
livestock. The stream conservation efforts
directly contributed to restoring the natural
bend and habitat suitability of the stream.
Chalk Creek is home to one of the few remain-
ing, intact pure-strain Bonneville Cutthroat
Trout populations, and the improvements
Jerrold championed over the years has had
lasting effects on the success of this critical
population.
Given in honor of renowned conservation-
ist Aldo Leopold, the Leopold Conservation
Award recognizes extraordinary achievement
in voluntary conservation. It inspires other
landowners through these examples and pro-
vides a visible forum where farmers, ranchers
and other private landowners are recognized
as conservation leaders.
The Leopold Conservation Award honors
Utah landowner achievement in voluntary
stewardship and management of natural
resources. The Richins family was presented
with a crystal award and a $10,000 check
at the Utah Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual
Convention in Layton.
“We are extremely proud of the Richins
family and the pride they take in the land
and natural resources in their care,” said Ron
Gibson, President of the Utah Farm Bureau
Federation. “The Richins are an example of
the conservation ethic found in Utah’s farmers
and ranchers, and we salute them for their
efforts. His visionary efforts to preserve and
enhance streambeds in Summit County was
ahead of his time, and we’re proud of his
work on proactively managing the delicate
balance of livestock, wildlife, and our natural
resources.”
The Leopold Conservation Award in Utah
is made possible through the support of
Annual Awards and Recognition
12 Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition | COUNTRYSIDE | Winter 2016
Western AgCredit, The Nature Conservancy,
Utah Farm Bureau Federation, Producers
Livestock Marketing, Utah Department and
Agriculture and Food, Utah Wool Growers
Association, Utah Cattlemen’s Association and
Utah Association of Conservation Districts.
Visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org.
Utah Farm Bureau Members Elect Farm and Ranch leaders at Annual Convention in Layton
Members from Utah’s 28 county Farm
Bureaus met recently in Layton to select lead-
ers for the state’s largest farming and ranching
organization. Delegates elected Spanish Fork
cattle rancher Rex Larsen to a two-year term
as Vice President of the Utah Farm Bureau
Federation.
“It’s an honor to be elected to this post
and a great opportunity to continue support-
ing our president, board of directors, and
members of this organization,” Larsen said.
“Farm Bureau is strong in advocating the
interests of agriculture everywhere because it
is a true grassroots organization. We advocate
not simply what a board wants, but what
farmers and ranchers around the state decide
for themselves.”
Wayne Jarrett, a farmer from Nephi was
elected to the State Board of Directors, filling
the remaining year of Rex Larsen’s vacated
Board seat, representing Juab, Utah and
Wasatch counties. Flint Richards, a farmer
from Erda was also elected to the State Board
of Directors representing Davis, Salt Lake,
and Tooele counties. Richards also works on
behalf of the Jersey dairy cattle industry.
John Ferry, a cattle rancher from Corinne,
Joël Hatch, a rancher from Castle Dale, and
Craig Laub, a hay farmer from Beryl were also
re-elected to two-year terms on the Utah Farm
Bureau Board of Directors.
JaNae Titmus of Grantsville was elected
to the newly created position of Vice-Chair
for the Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership
Committee. Titmus and her family are sheep
ranchers in Tooele County, and she had
been serving on the Women’s Leadership
Committee. Filling her remaining year on the
committee will be Selma Lehmitz from West
Jordan.
Others elected to the Farm Bureau
Women’s Leadership Committee were Kitty
Young of Henefer, Sara Harward of Springville,
and Nancy Harris of Richfield.
Three new couples were elected to
serve on the State Young Farmer & Rancher
committee, including Dave & Kalei Robbins
of Santaquin; Jed & Nanci Johnson of Aurora,
and Kyle & Shelley Wilson from Enterprise.
Kenny and Jamilla McFarland of West Weber
were re-elected to another term on the
committee.
There were also elections for seven
districts and chairs for the newly created
Agriculture Promotions Committee. In place
for a year as an ad-hoc committee, it became
permanent this year and required the election
of officers. Jamison & Stacy McPherson of
Nephi were chosen as chairs for the commit-
tee, along with the following: Matt & Lena
Leak of Cornish, Daryn Westergard of Ogden,
Joel & Becca Ferry of Corinne, Brad & Jenny
Osguthorpe of Heber City, Duane & Andrea
Schoenfeld of Tridell, Marc & Hollie Henrie of
Richfield, and Maria Nye of Delta.
Young Farmers and Ranchers Win Awards at Farm Bureau Convention
The future looks bright for agriculture in
Utah—and in Farm Bureau specifically—
because of the many great new leaders
coming through the ranks. They are energetic,
innovative and have a love of advocating for
agriculture. The whole industry wins with this
group; however, for one night at the Farm
Bureau convention, they get a little competi-
tive when ATVs are on the line as well as an
expense-paid trip in January to the American
Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting in
Phoenix.
In Phoenix, our Utah representatives will
compete at the annual convention against
award winners from across the nation.
National winners of the Young Farmer &
Rancher awards receive their choice of either
a Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra Truck,
courtesy of General Motors, as well as other
prizes.
Achievement AwardKathie Iverson of Hurricane was the winner
of the Utah Farm Bureau Young Farmer and
Rancher ‘Achievement Award’. The award is
considered the top honor for young farmers
and ranchers in Utah. The Achievement
Award is a competition that recognizes those
young farmers and ranchers that have excelled
in their farming or ranching operations and
honed their leadership abilities to superiority.
Kathie received a Polaris Ranger, courtesy of
Utah’s Polaris dealers, for winning this award.
Kathie, her husband Kelby and their
family live and farm in Hurricane, where
they own and operate Western Legacy Farm
AFBF’s Julie Anna Potts speaking in the general session.
Wayne & Melonie Brinkerhoff, 2016 YF&R award winners.
Congressmen Jason Chaffetz & Chris Stewart spoke at the Farm Bureau Convention.
Winter 2016 | COUNTRYSIDE | Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition 13
and Ranch. The family grazes cattle near the
mountains of Kolob in the summer, and also
along the area of land known as the Arizona
Strip during the winter and spring. The family
has also expanded into a variety of additional
activities, many of which spread the message
of agriculture to their community.
“This was a thrill to win this award,” said
Kathie Iverson. “I am grateful for all Farm
Bureau has offered me through education,
experiences and knowledge, and I’m excited
to represent our county and state in Phoenix.”
Discussion MeetAddison Hicken of Wasatch County won the
2016 Utah Farm Bureau Young Farmer and
Rancher Discussion Meet. Addison and his
wife Jenn make their home in Heber City,
where he is the comptroller for his family’s
ATV dealerships. Addison also raises hay and
cattle. Both Addison and Jenn are active in
their community and serve as ambassadors
for agriculture.
The Discussion Meet contest is designed
to simulate a committee meeting where
discussion and active participation are
expected from each participant. More than a
simple debate, this competition is evaluated
on an exchange of ideas and information on a
pre-determined topic.
Participants build basic discussion skills,
develop an understanding of important
agricultural issues and explore how groups
can pool knowledge to reach consensus and
solve problems. Successful participants are
productive thinkers, rather than emotional
persuaders, and assist the group in creating
ways to implement the solutions discussed.
The competitors spoke on topics ranging
from water and animal welfare to how farmers
embrace new technology and its society
impacts. For winning the discussion meet,
Addison received a Polaris ATV courtesy of
Intermountain Farmers Association, and a
one-year insurance policy for the vehicle from
Farm Bureau Financial Services.
Excellence in Agriculture AwardWayne & Melonie Brinkerhoff of Nephi, Utah
were recognized as the winners of the Utah
Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher
‘Excellence in Agriculture’ award. The
Brinkerhoff family also received a Polaris ATV
for their award, courtesy of Zions Bank Ag
Group.
The Excellence in Agriculture award is
a competition that was initiated a number
of years ago to recognize young farmers and
ranchers involved in agriculture, but who
do not necessarily derive a majority of their
income from an owned production agriculture
operation.
Wayne works for IFA full-time, but
also helps with his family’s cattle ranch
in Bicknell, Wayne County. Melonie grew
up on a farm and graduated with a degree
in Agricultural Education from Utah State
University. She currently teaches agriculture
part-time to junior high kids, and sells at
her family’s farm stand during the summer.
Wayne & Melonie are the proud parents of two
kids, and together they work on the farm and
help promote agriculture any way they can.
Melonie has also been instrumental in putting
on programs at the Nephi public library for
kids and parents to learn more about where
their food comes from and to have first-hand
experiences with farmers and ranchers.
Many thanks to the sponsors of these
prizes, and to the many competitors who
looked to constantly improve as farmers and
ranchers, and advocates for agriculture.
Box Elder County farmer wins ‘Advocate for Agriculture’ award
The Utah Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership
Committee recently named Becca Ferry as the
winner of the 2016 ‘Advocate for Agriculture’
award at the organization’s annual meeting.
The ‘Advocate for Agriculture’ award
is designed to recognize one Farm Bureau
woman each year for her outstanding
volunteer efforts on behalf of Farm Bureau
and agriculture. The winner goes well
above the mark, exceeding expectations
in supporting the Farm Bureau Women’s
Leadership Committee’s program of work,
agriculture education in the community and in
the classroom, membership recruitment, and
interfacing with legislators to list just a few of
the volunteer possibilities. All applicants were
nominated by a member of their county Farm
Bureau.
Runners up for the award included Karen
Smart of Utah County and Laura Selman
of Box Elder County. The winner received a
check for $500, with $100 going to each
runner-up.
“All three women are very worthy of this
award, as they are advocates for agriculture
to their elected officials and community, and
are overall great examples of women making
a difference in agriculture,” said Belva Parr,
chair of the Utah Farm Bureau Women’s
Leadership Committee.
Becca’s list of accomplishments and
activities have included coordinating farm field
days for elementary school children to get
first-hand experiences on the farm; participat-
ing in the creative story and video contest, Ag
in the Classroom training; sharing accurate
agriculture books in school classrooms;
coordinating farm visits for interested groups,
and more.
Ferry is also a member of the American
Farm Bureau Federation Grassroots Outreach
or ‘GO’ Team and an American Farm Bureau
Women’s Media Boot Camp graduate. She
is also very politically involved, and has an
excellent social media presence, which she
uses while serving on the newly created Utah
Farm Bureau Ag Promotions Committee.
Becca and her husband Joel farm in
partnership with Joel’s family in Corinne. They
are responsible for management decisions
of the family’s crops, feedlot, hunting and
other livestock sectors. Joel and Becca have
four children, and the couple is very involved
in their kids’ schools. Becca has been a
volunteer for many years, participating in
Utah State University’s ‘Ag in the Classroom’
program, where farmers and ranchers
provide agricultural resources to teachers and
students.
Randy Parker at the podium during the general session.
14 Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition | COUNTRYSIDE | Winter 2016
The Christmas season of 1916 had arrived in Salt Lake City as more than 50 men, representing farmers and
ranchers from throughout the state, made their way to the Hotel Utah. A cool light rain dampened the city’s sidewalks where newsboys shouted out headlines of the Great War’s continued carnage far away in Europe. The low price of sugar beets dictated by sugar companies and the need for a unified state farmers’ movement were on the minds of delegates as the time approached for a gathering that would create the Utah State Farm Bureau.
On a cold rainy Monday morning in December 2016, a few hundred leaders of agriculture gathered in the same Empire Room of the same building (now Joseph Smith Memorial Building) to commemorate the Centennial of the Utah Farm Bureau Federation. Again led by a Weber County Farm Bureau President—then D.D. McKay, now Ron Gibson—Utah Farm Bureau members and friends gathered recently to celebrate the historic achievement of Utah Farm Bureau’s 100 years of advocating for the issues of farmers and ranchers—and really of all people who want to preserve freedom and a secure food supply.
Back in 1916, the initial gathering consisted of county Farm Bureau leaders—the first county Farm Bureaus had been created a year earlier—as well as others in industry, representatives from Utah State University Extension, Governor-elect Simon Bamberger, and others. The initial meeting focused on the need for farmers to receive a better
price for their sugar beets by marketing them cooperatively as a group. Additional items tackled by the emerging group included educational seminars related to farming, improving record keeping, and advocating for fairer taxes.
Editorializing on the event, the Emery County Progress in 1916 wrote:
“One of the most important gatherings in the history of the state convened in the Utah hotel in Salt Lake City last week and though comparatively little attention was paid the affair at the time, a move was there started that will be of never ending benefit to the farming interest of the state, and in fact, to the whole people of the state. . . . There are some big problems looming up on the horizon of the farming interests but, with a good organization intelligently on the job, there seems to be a bright future ahead for the tiller of the soil and, through them, for the people of the whole state.”
As the years went on, the Utah Farm Bureau continued to advocate for the state’s farmers and ranchers by enlisting their support and thoughts from the grassroots level through a federation system of organization. Rather than members simply paying dues to be part of an association, with a board of directors making all the decisions, the Farm Bureau Federation enabled farmer and rancher members of all kinds to participate in the public policy process by bringing their concerns to the table.
In 1919 this effort gained even more clout with the creation of the American Farm Bureau Federation, allowing
UTAH FARM BUREAU PREPARES FOR A SECOND CENTURY OF PROMISEBy Scott Crump, historian and author of Utah Farm Bureau history book, and Matt Hargreaves, Editor, Countryside Magazine
Winter 2016 | COUNTRYSIDE | Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition 15
ideas from the local level to work their way up to be debated with farmers and ranchers throughout the country, to eventually be advocated in the halls of Congress.
“The federation form of organization brings out the best in organizational power because members take the initiative to identify and bring focus to local issues as well as regional, state and national issues,” said the late C. Booth Wallentine, Utah Farm Bureau CEO from 1973 to 2003.
During the challenging farm years of the Great Depression, Farm Bureau helped members by again coop-eratively marketing for prices of commodities, which had dropped more than 60 percent. During this time the Farm Bureau also worked to involve more women in its program of work and enhance the social life and recreational opportuni-ties of rural communities.
After digging out of the challenging Great Depression years, World War II was squarely on the minds of Utah farmers. Utah Farm Bureau publications featured front-page ads soliciting support for War Bond drives, and farmers and ranchers did their best to continue record food production efforts despite challenges with the availability of farm labor. At war’s end, the national and local Farm Bureaus moved toward a more conservative view of farm policy, pushing for less governmental interference and control.
Other post-war efforts included the creation of a Utah Cooperative Life Insurance Company (later Country Mutual Life) to allow Farm Bureau members to purchase insurance coverage that some farmers might not have been able to get living in rural areas and to secure the coverage at the lowest possible cost.
The 1960s brought a changing time in the nation, but also for farmers and ranchers who faced the challenges of spiral-ing inflation, high production costs, and deflated farm prices.
The 1960s also saw the Utah Farm Bureau work to successfully enact into law one of its landmark achievements—the Farmland Assessment Act of 1969, also known as the
“Greenbelt” law. This law changed how farmland taxes were determined, moving from a “market value” system of determining property values to a “value for farming” type system. It has been said that this law has contributed to the preservation of agriculture along the Wasatch Front than any other, and ensured its future going forward.
The grassroots policy-making process of the Farm Bureau would be strengthened by the creation of an official voting delegate body to be known as the House of Delegates in 1961 and streamlining the State Board of Directors in 1968 by reducing its membership from 45 to 9 (later 11) members.
In the 1980s President Reagan restored farmers’ hopes that the future would be better, despite the difficult farm
economy caused by the farm debt crisis, a strong dollar that slowed exports and a major drought at the end of the decade. During the decade’s difficult economic times. Farm Bureau was the voice that farmers would listen to and support, with its Two-Tier Debt Restructuring program—a product of Farm Bureau’s largest grassroots lobbying effort of the 1980s. When everything was said and done, it was not Farm Aid concerts, strikes, tractorcades, or a sympathetic media that solved the agricultural economic crisis, but the hard work and organization of Farm Bureau, along with a coalition of farm groups and Congressional action.
Utah Farm Bureau would win battles to extend public land grazing rights and limit wilderness areas in the West’s ongoing Sagebrush Rebellion. It would also successfully organize the Public Lands Multiple Use Coalition, which worked to preserve traditional land use management practices on public lands. The 1990s would see the Utah Farm Bureau continue its traditional advocacy work, as well as celebrate its 75th anniversary, establish a multiple-use coalition for public land grazers, and involve itself in many legal battles over water-related issues. These issues would continue on into the 2000s, with additional challenges related to streambed access rights and the Forest Service Groundwater Resources Management Directive.
In addition to advocating Farm Bureau policies, farmers and ranchers have continued to be leaders in promoting their industry and the value it brings to communities throughout the state. Going forward, Farm Bureau increased outreach efforts including Farm Field Days, Food Checkout Week Grocery store giveaways, and meet & greet events in urban areas.
Starting with a small group of 50 sugar beet farmers, it could have seemed an improbable thing to grow to an organization of more than 30,000 member families today. Though issues have changed throughout the years—as have the methods Farm Bureau has used to adapt—the organiza-tion remains committed to serving its members in whatever comes in the century ahead.
An illustrated history of the Utah Farm Bureau’s first 100 years has
been created, with a release date in early 2017. For those interesting
in purchasing a copy for $20, please contact [email protected].
Utah Farm Bureau’s three most recent presidents, from left to right: Ken Ashby, Ron Gibson (current), and Leland Hogan.
16 Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition | COUNTRYSIDE | Winter 2016
By Matt Hargreaves | Editor, Utah Farm Bureau Countryside Magazine
When Ed Gossner set out to make Swiss cheese in the 1960s, he was told it couldn’t be done in Utah
because of feed the cows were eating during the long north-ern Utah winters. Fifty years later, Gossner Foods produces 20 percent of the nation’s Swiss cheese and has pioneered milk processing to supply American soldiers with a taste of home.
Despite producing such a large amount of the nation’s Swiss cheese—both under its own Gossner Foods label as well as for many other companies—the company wasn’t guaranteed a promising outlook when it started out. It took dedication, hard work, and a commitment to supporting local farmers.
Ed Gossner immigrated to the United States from his home in Switzerland in the 1930s, where his family had been farming for five generations previously. Limited economic prospects led Gossner to come to America in hopes of continuing in agriculture. Ed teamed up with his brother Ernest in Wisconsin, where he had set up his own cheese
factory, and learned the art of making delicious Swiss cheese using methods learned in Switzerland. After a few years, Ed moved to California to work with another cheese-making family.
It was in California that Gossner learned to make cheese using milk from cows that had been eating fermented feeds called silage, instead of fresh feed. Previously, it was thought that milk from silage-fed cows couldn’t be used to make Swiss cheese—but Gossner proved them wrong.
While on a trip to Yellowstone with his family in 1941, Gossner passed through the Cache Valley and found it ideal, with its climate and elevation resembling that of his child-hood in Switzerland. Within a year, the family had moved to Utah and used milk from their own cows, and those from dairy families throughout Cache Valley.
“We had to get milk from others because we grew fast,” said Dolores Wheeler, president and CEO of Gossner Foods, and the daughter of Ed Gossner. “Farmers were told from
GOSSNER FOODS SUPPORTING COMMUNITY & TROOPS THROUGH INNOVATIVE BUSINESS
Winter 2016 | COUNTRYSIDE | Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition 17
other milk processors that [Gossner’s] wouldn’t make it, and if they sold milk to us, they wouldn’t be welcomed back. But they took a risk because we paid them well for their milk.”
The ethic of treating the farmers and their employees well has been a hallmark of the Gossner family, and it has remained with them throughout the years.
“We knew what we wanted to become, but it was a struggle to build the company. We had to outpay our com-petition for milk for many years,” Wheeler said. “We have always taken pride in taking better care of our farmers and our employees than others do. We need these people! Good people and good milk!”
The family focused on making quality Swiss cheese that had the distinct nutty flavor, and yet was perhaps a little more mild than other Swiss cheeses. Focusing on making this difficult cheese also got the company away from the commodity-based cheeses that their competitors could produce.
“We wanted to be good at something that was hard for others to get into,” Wheeler said. “It’s much riskier and harder to make Swiss cheese.”
Producing great Swiss cheese requires dime-sized or smaller holes (or eyes) that are uniformly distributed in the cheese. Making the cheese requires the use of four different cultures for flavor and the creation of the eyes. The eyes are created from carbon dioxide, which is produced during the 60-day aging process and gives the cheese its distinct look. The flavor can also vary depending on the time of year, because winter milk and summer milk flavor varies based on the types of feed that dairy cows are eating.
After cutting and cooking the cheese for four hours, the cheese sits and ages until it is ready to be packaged. After starting with 100 pounds of milk, Gossner’s will end up with only eight pounds of cheese. Though the yields are less for Swiss cheese than others, it is lower in fat than cheddar,
“We wanted to be good at something that was hard for others to get into,” Wheeler said. “It’s much riskier and harder to make Swiss cheese.”
18 Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition | COUNTRYSIDE | Winter 2016
and one ounce can provide 16 percent of the daily protein required in a healthy diet.
But advancements in making Swiss cheese only tells part of the story of innovation and supporting its community.
MILKONASHELFThrough its commitment to quality, Gossner and others help Cache Valley dairies improve the quality of milk until it reached Grade A status, which is the highest level for milk. However, in the early 1980s Gossner looked to create a new market in the milk industry.
In 1982 Gossner bought into different technology to process milk called Ultra-High Temperature or UHT milk. Approved by the Food & Drug Administration in the early 1980s, UHT processing heats milk to a temperature range of 280–285 degrees Fahrenheit, and then flash-cooled. The milk is then put into sterile containers and is ready for sale. Through this process, milk can keep a shelf life of 6–9 months without losing any nutritional value or quality.
This technology was developed in Europe in the 1940s, where its longevity was valued because of the challenges of refrigeration. Rather than storing large containers of milk for a few weeks, customers could have cartons of milk in the pantry, and only use one pack at a time in the fridge.
The milk is sold in quart and ½-pint cartons, as well as eight-ounce drink box sizes that are perfect for kids. In addition to the regular, unflavored milk, Gossner milk comes
in chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, root beer, cookies & cream, and orange flavors. The company also makes an eggnog drink each holiday season called Holiday Nog, as well as year-round sales of ice cream, curds, and cheese at its retail outlet.
Using this technology allowed Gossner’s to ship milk out of state and capture different markets. One customer base that has been with the company since the beginning has been the U.S. military, who valued the longevity and storage capacity of the milk.
“We have one contract that serves several bases in the United States, as well as Korea and Honduras,” said Kelly Luthi, the manager of the UHT Plant in Utah. “We also have another contract for bases in Afghanistan.”
The contract with the military is something Gossner’s prides itself on, as it feels a strong connection to the com-munity. They have occasionally received feedback from the front lines on what the milk has meant to U.S. soldiers.
From a letter sent from a Sergeant Wilken: “We tasted America today. In the fields of Korea on the edge of my cot with the other men in my platoon, we opened a case of the ‘pink milk’ your company makes. We all sat awaiting to receive a carton of this new treat. Simply wonderful. Words on paper cannot describe the happiness ‘little pink milk’ brought to a grown man. The twelve of us agree it was good stuff while it lasted. In the fields of Korea, thank you for making a good product.”
The shelf life also allowed Gossner Foods to land contract to ship milk into Hong Kong, a rarity for a company outside of China. To this day, the Gossner brand remains one of the few foreign competitors to sell to the smaller family-owned stores in Hong Kong.
With the many strong markets far from Cache Valley, Gossner Foods has worked hard to maintain the support of its community, often giving back through sponsorship of events, ranging from the well-known Gossner Foods basketball tournament through Utah State University to the Ag in the Classroom Program.
Despite the accolades the company has received, including being named Utah Manufacturer of the Year, the company receives the greatest satisfaction from serving the community.
“It’s just a joy to see the kids come in [to our tasting room]. There’s just a satisfaction with that reaction,” Wheeler said.
Just as cream rises to the top, Gossner’s unparalleled focus on others is what has really allowed it to rise as a giant in the community.
“We tasted America today. In the fields of Korea on the edge of my cot with the other men in my platoon, we opened a case of the ‘pink milk’ your company makes.”
20 Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition | COUNTRYSIDE | Winter 2016
the sacrifices necessary to save the money each week.
• Create a 52-week money challenge chart. Help family members feel they are part of the challenge by creating a chart to track savings each week on either poster board or a piece of paper. Draw lines to make 52 boxes, decorate, hang where the family can see and watch the check marks fill up as you save each week. A variation is to create a chart on a piece of paper by drawing enough lines to make 52 squares. Number each square from 1 to 52. As you begin your challenge, there may be some weeks when you are able to save $30, $40, or $50 a little easier than others. When that happens, put the money in your account and put a check mark or sticker on the square with the corresponding dollar amount.
Other methods can also help you reach your savings goal.
• Automate 1 percent. Send 1 percent of your income to a separate account. This won’t seem like a huge cut to your income but will add up over time. You can draw on this money as needed to supplement extra costs for the holidays, long weekend trips, or other expenses.
• Use the step-down principle. Envision a staircase with multiple steps. Now think of an area where you could cut your spending (eating out, entertainment, etc.) Decide what you can do to take one step down to spend less in that area and put the money you would have spent into a separate account. Examples include going out to eat one less time, staying in one night for free fun instead of going out for paid fun, or sharing one dessert, soda, or entree instead of ordering two. Saving just $2.50 a day adds up to $17.50 in a week and $70 in a month. That’s a tank of gas!
We are all familiar with the extra expenses we incur around the
holidays. Some of the hidden costs we may not think to budget for include travel to visit family; neighbor gifts; extra food we make to take to family, church, and neighborhood gatherings; and greeting cards. Creating a savings plan for extra expenses like these can help us avoid the sinking feeling that we’ve overspent when January rolls around. Consider these tips to help make it happen.
• To better prepare for the next holi-day season, now is the perfect time to start the 52-week money chal-lenge. Starting on week one, save $1. On week two, save $2. On week three, save $3. On week 20, save $20 and so on until the final week when you’ll put $52 in savings. By the end of 52 weeks, you will have saved more than $1,300 to put toward the holidays or another financial goal.
• Involve the entire family. If you have kids at home, bring them together for a family meeting and explain how the 52-week money challenge works. Explain what the money will be used for. This helps everyone have motivation to make
Creating a Savings Plan for Extra ExpensesBy Amanda Christensen | USU Extension associate professor
$MONEY MATTERS
To better prepare for the next holiday season, now is the perfect time to start the 52-week money challenge.
Winter 2016 | COUNTRYSIDE | Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition 21
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22 Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition | COUNTRYSIDE | Winter 2016
may not be exactly accurate for every single member. For example, those born at the end or beginning of another generation, also known as “cuspers,” can often identify with elements of both. Environment and cultures can also shape attitudes in generations, and this research is mostly focused on generations in the United States. Here is a break-down of the five generations that make-up the population today:
TRADITIONALISTSORSILENTGENERATION:BORN1945ANDBEFOREThe image commonly associated to them is that of a self-made man, and their mantra is “Pull yourself up by the bootstraps.” This generation still makes up a portion of our membership base in Farm Bureau, and are often afforded the most reverence for their involvement in WWII.
BABYBOOMERS:BORN1946–1964Their image is a white picket fence, and their mantra is “Keepin’ up with the Joneses”. This generation raised the majority of millennials, and their attitude of “giving their children what they didn’t have” factors into how millennials see their world. Many boomers are nearing retirement, but just as many are choosing to enter an almost “second career” to accompany their expanding lifespan and lifestyle. According to BridgeWorks, “Boomers’ knowledge of process, procedure and company history is crucial to advanc-ing business goals. They’ve built up such a wealth of industry and organiza-tion knowledge that often when they leave, their absence can be keenly felt.” Boomers make up a large portion for Farm Bureau leadership on the county, state and national level.
Are you tired of hearing and talking about Millennials? If so, good news!
A new generation is fast approaching and is starting to dominate new research and news articles. Generation Z, also known as gen-edge, iGen, or Centennials, are the upcoming contributors to the work force and culture.
New and upcoming generations usu-ally get a lot of attention because of the effect they can have on economics, cul-ture, and the workplace. Each generation is shaped in a different way, according to The Center for Generational Kinetics, by three trends: parenting, technology, and economics. Each generation brings its own changes to the world, and therefore, receives attention for those changes.
So what do we know about Gen Z, and what can we do about it?
The analysis of each generation as a whole are generalizations, and
MOVE OVER MILLENNIALS—INTRODUCING GEN ZBy Julia Misiego | Member Services Coordinator, Utah Farm Bureau Federation
GENERATIONS
Winter 2016 | COUNTRYSIDE | Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition 23
GENX:BORN1965–1976This generation is also known as the
“latchkeys” or “baby busters”. Their image is the office corner and their mantra “Success is the best revenge”. According to BridgeWorks, “Xers came of age as the world seemed to fall away from their growing feet. Xers watched live as long-revered institu-tions like NASA were constantly being called into question. Governments, corporations, celebrities, and pro-athletes—nothing was immune from scandal.” The divorce rate also more than doubled in the middle of Xers formative years, leading Xers to become increasingly independent while their parents handled their own problems. This led Xers to develop traits of resourcefulness, independence and skepticism, which trickle down into their parenting of Gen Z.
MILLENNIALSORGENY:BORN1977–1995The children of Boomers, this genera-tion’s image is to live for the journey, not the destination. Their mantra “You can do anything you put your mind to” fostered by their parents who desired their children to have the things they didn’t have. According to The Center for Generational Kinetics, Millennials
“exhibit different attitudes toward employment, sales and marketing, which are challenging many conven-tional strategies and approaches.” This age group includes those just leaving YF&R, and those coming in. The very youngest of this generation are 21, so when the media uses the term
“Millennials” to describe high school students they are technically referring to the next generation, Gen Z.
GENZ,IGEN,ORCENTENNIALS:BORN1996ANDLATERAs opposed to their visionary and adapt-able millennial counterparts, Gen Z is a
comparatively more realistic generation who don’t want to be told everything is okay, but how things are going to get better. This can partly be attributed to their rearing by Gen X, and partly to their growing understanding that in terms of economic opportunities, they will start off in a worse financial state than their parents did.
According to the New York Times, in contrast to the free-spirited millennials, Gen Zers draw more parallels to their grandparents, or in some cases great-grandparents of the Silent Generation,
“There has been a recession, jobs are hard to get, you can’t take risks. You’ve got to be careful what you put on Facebook. You don’t want to taint your record.”
One of the biggest events that separates Millennials from Gen Z is 9/11. Whereas 9/11 is a defining moment in the Millennial generation, the only significance it has to Gen Z is a historical one. This also ties into their sense of realism, because to them, terrorism has always been the norm. Gen Zers are also extremely well-connected (with the ability to multi-task on five different devices) and diverse. Diversity is also a norm for them, and they notice immediately when diversity isn’t present.
Knowing what we know about Gen Z, what steps can we take now as an organization to encourage diversity and innovation? And if this generation is already well connected on their own, what value can we still provide them and what value can they provide the organization?
Lindsay Calvert, Director of Leadership Development at American Farm Bureau offers a few suggestions: Create authentic messages (don’t talk down to them), help them build exper-tise, feed their curiosity, and provide opportunities to co-create and connect in new ways. A good way to help them
connect and create is to involve them in discussion and work-place groups.
“[Young people] have always been counselors at home, “Debra Arbit, CEO of workplace consultant BridgeWorks said. “And then they get to the work-place and they’re never asked their opinion? It’s such an immediate way to disengage this generation.”
Calvert also notes that even though young people are often stereotyped as narcissistic, one-fourth of Gen Zers are involved in volunteering; an important attribute to understand as we look for additional members and volunteers.
Perhaps outreach could be easier than ever with Gen Zers, since they are so curious and astute. As long as they are engaged in an exciting way, it should be relatively easy to teach them something or get them involved because of their desire to learn new skills. We shouldn’t skirt around controversial agricultural topics like GMOs or animal rights when talking to youth for fear they won’t understand. In fact, we may find our biggest ally in those who are hungry for the truth and are extremely well equipped to spread the message, but only if we are able to effectively reach them.
With Utah Farm Bureau’s new Ag Promotion committee, whose focus is outreach and promotion, especially through social media, it is more impor-tant than ever to know and understand generations in order to be effective in our communications, events, and membership growth.
What surprised you the most about Gen Z? What new ideas do you have to include all generations in membership drives, activities or new benefits?
The information presented is derived from
several different sources, a presentation
by Director of Leadership Development at
AFBF, Lindsay Calvert, Pew Research Center,
BridgeWorks, and Sparks and Honey.
24 Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition | COUNTRYSIDE | Winter 2016
“This is just marketing puffery, not any true innovation that improves the actual product offered to consumers,” said Randy Mooney, chairman of the National Milk Producers Federation, and a dairy farmer from Rogersville, Missouri. “What’s worse is that remov-ing GMOs from the equation is harmful to the environment—the opposite of what these companies claim to be attempting to achieve.”
The letter was cosigned by the farmer leaders of six organizations—including Farm Bureau—representing hundreds of thousands of farmers and food producers across the U.S.
The groups agree that biotechnol-ogy plays an important role in reducing the environmental footprint of agricul-ture, and challenged as disingenuous the assertion that sustainability is enhanced by stopping the use of GMO processes.
During the last 20 years, advance-ments in agricultural technology have allowed farmers to use less pesticides and herbicides, fossil fuels, and water, and prevent the loss of soil to erosion. Taking away this technology is akin to turning back the clock and using outdated 20th-century technology to run a business.
Numerous conclusive studies have come out over the last 20 years proving the safety of GMO food and the environmental benefits of growing GM crops. Most recently, 109 Nobel laureates announced their support of GMO technology, citing a study from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, saying,
“the study committee found no sub-stantiated evidence of a difference in risks to human health between current commercially available genetically engineered (GE) crops and conven-tionally bred crops, nor did it find conclusive cause-and-effect evidence of environmental problems from the GE crops.”
“Farming organizations believe in open and honest communication with consumers, and allowing people to make informed choices in the market. But we cannot sit by while certain food companies spread misinforma-tion under the guise of a marketing campaign,” said Wesley Spurlock, president of the National Corn Growers Association.
For more information on sustainability in
agriculture visit www.fooddialogues.com.
Leaders of the nation’s top farming organizations joined together
recently in urging food companies to recognize that their sustainability goals, intended to reduce the use of natural resources, cannot be achieved without the use of modern agricultural practices, despite any misleading asser-tions to the contrary.
This focus on deceptive food com-pany marketing claims is in response to Dannon’s recent pledge to eliminate the use of safe and proven crop technology to feed the dairy cows that supply milk for its yogurt products. Dannon is one of several prominent food manufactur-ers and retailers that in recent years has taken steps to eliminate genetically modified ingredients from its supply, claiming that such a move improves the sustainability of its products.
In a letter sent to Mariano Lozano, head of Dannon’s U.S. operations, the farm groups said that the company’s strategy to eliminate GMOs “is the exact opposite of the sustainable agriculture that you claim to be seek-ing. Your pledge would force farmers to abandon safe, sustainable farming practices that have enhanced farm pro-ductivity over the last 20 years while greatly reducing the carbon footprint of American agriculture.”
FARM ORGANIZATIONS CHALLENGE DANNON
INDUSTRY ISSUES
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26 Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition | COUNTRYSIDE | Winter 2016
I began my career with Farm Bureau July 1, 1987, in Price, Utah. I knew
I always wanted to have an office job, but never imagined being a financial advisor with Farm Bureau would be where I would end up. It has been a fabulous decision and career! Since that time, I have opened a second office in Vernal. I really enjoy working with the community and clients in both of those communities! The relationships with clients and fellow farm bureau agents has proven to be very rewarding. Helping clients protect what matters most to them makes my job a very rewarding one!
I met the love of my life, Joni Barker, just after graduating high school at Carbon High. The two of us really enjoy travelling, boating, and rid-ing motorcycles. We have five children and 10 grandchildren. We are always watching a ball game or tending the grandkids, which we really enjoy. We feel very blessed and lucky to be very involved in their lives.
I have always been involved with the Utah Farm Bureau Federation. When I started as an agent, my father-in-law was the Carbon County Federation president. My brother-in-law is now the president of Carbon County Farm Bureau. I have always
appreciated their support to assist in any way they can to help further my business as I help them increase their membership. It is a great partnership!
Our agency is quite different from other agencies that I see and is constantly evolving. Our approach to helping clients is we always want to help protect them from lawsuits, liens, or judgments. Nothing would be worse than to have any of our clients not be adequately protected! Many agents from other companies always sell on being the lowest price. That is not and never will be our philosophy. We always recommend adequate coverage to protect their family. There was a slo-gan used years ago by Farm Bureau that I really like. It is “Farm Bureau—where belonging makes a difference.” That is what we strive to do for our clients!
The products we offer are different from our competition in many ways. However, one of the biggest differences are our agents! We are the best of the best! We don’t cut corners and we protect families correctly. Whether it is by offering replacement coverage on a new auto or adding residential breakdown coverage on a home policy, those are the little things that make a BIG difference at claim time. I really enjoy making sure a young couple
starts setting up their retirement so that they will be secure and be able to retire when they want to, not when they can afford to. Also, helping my clients make sure they never run out of money during retirement. The prod-ucts we can offer are some of the best in the industry.
My agency currently employs five licensed sales associates between our two offices. We go the extra mile. We have been out on a farm at 4 a.m. and working past 9 p.m. in the evening just to make sure our clients are taken care of properly. We really do care and love working for Farm Bureau. We feel that working for Farm Bureau is the best decision anyone could ever make.
FARM BUREAU FINANCIAL SERVICES AGENT SPOTLIGHT:
RICHARD HACKWELL
AGENT SPOTLIGHT
Winter 2016 | COUNTRYSIDE | Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition 27
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28 Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition | COUNTRYSIDE | Winter 2016
Bureau meetings. A primary purpose of each of these meetings is for Farm Bureau members to listen, deliber-ate, unify, and collectively engage for the cause of sustainable production agriculture. This grassroots, county structure highlights the importance and potential of each Farm Bureau member. Like government, Farm Bureau’s structure is best and more responsive when closest to the people/members. A steady, reliable flow of communication from each county Farm Bureau to the Utah Farm Bureau keeps this voluntary organization authentic and responsive. Farm Bureau members speak and vote only after thought and study, and not on impulse. Farmers know the importance of allowing time for ideas to mature. They work with nature, which cannot be hurried.
Unifying diverse agriculture voices helps meet the needs of Farm Bureau members. This annual effort of developing policy is successful because it doesn’t take shortcuts. It’s accom-plished each year under the unique, distinctive structure of Farm Bureau. Policy development is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and expensive—a lot like farming. Farm Bureau policies originate in a family farm home. Family farmers and ranchers are authors of the Utah Farm Bureau policy book. Policy development culminates each year with the adoption of a policy book—a recorded script outlining a unified philosophy and policy that represents the voice of farmers and ranchers. This hard-copy, 60-page policy book is evidence this voluntary organization is meeting the needs of its members. That’s grassroots. That’s
For some, judging the success of a voluntary organization hinges on
superficial characteristics. For example, how many “important” people belong to it? Or, how much publicity does it get? This superficial judgement leads to blurred focus and a zig-zag trail to accomplishing its overall objective and aim.
Consider judging the Utah Farm Bureau, a voluntary organization, from a completely different viewpoint or characteristic? A characteristic that is multi-dimensional. A characteristic that is fundamental and realistic. A characteristic that retains and invites increased membership, growth and opportunity. A characteristic that trig-gers action and resolve.
Meeting the needs of its members. That is a characteristic worth basing judgement. Farm Bureau members have needs. Utah Farm Bureau’s structure, activities and services meets those needs. Farm Bureau’s structure is distinctive and is custom-made for the particular needs of its members.
Over the past twelve months, Utah Farm Bureau’s 28 county Farm Bureaus have collectively held 150 county Farm
A HISTORY OF “WORKING FOR YOU”By Sterling C. Brown | Vice President—Public Policy, Utah Farm Bureau Federation
PUBLIC POLICY
Policy development is time consuming, labor intensive and expensive—a lot like farming. Farm Bureau policies originate in a family farm home. Family farmers and ranchers are authors of the Utah Farm Bureau policy book.
Winter 2016 | COUNTRYSIDE | Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition 29
Basin, Utah Farm Bureau helped pass legislation that required oil and gas companies to have surface use agree-ments with private landowners before drilling for oil and gas. This gave much-needed and added protections to private landowners who didn’t have rights to minerals below the surface. Lastly, in 2015, legislation increased the restitution when someone is convicted of intentional destruction of livestock.
These examples and many, many others highlight what Utah Farm Bureau has done to meet the needs
of its members. The policy book and Works for You booklet are available online or hard copy. Consider referenc-ing these resources, combined with attending your local county Farm Bureau meeting, to further advance the purpose of agriculture and your individual and family needs.
Again, Farm Bureau members have needs. Utah Farm Bureau is meeting those needs. That is a fundamental, realistic characteristic. That is Farm Bureau’s history and future. That is being Farm Bureau strong.
Farmers know the importance of allowing time for ideas to mature. They work with nature, which cannot be hurried.
Farm Bureau’s distinctive, custom-made structure meeting the needs of its members.
Developing policy is not all. The Utah Farm Bureau 20-page booklet, titled Utah Farm Bureau: Works for You, summarizes legislative achievements that protect Utah’s longstanding agri-cultural heritage. State and national legislative action is just one of many programs Farm Bureau has to provide farmers and ranchers with the services they want and need. For example, in 1990, Utah Farm Bureau initiated amendments to the wildlife trespass law, giving law enforcement authority to ticket trespassers without having to contact the landowner. In 2010, during an oil and gas boom in the Uintah
30 Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition | COUNTRYSIDE | Winter 2016
2016 UTAH FARM BUREAU
PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS
PHOTO CONTEST
These are the winners of the three divisions in our photo contest. Each will receive a prize of $100. Look for a
new contest coming in 2017.
100YEARSOFFARMING&RANCHINGChanging water with Lila the farm dog
in a field of barley. By Bryce Chambers of Smithfield, Utah.
Winter 2016 | COUNTRYSIDE | Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition 31
READER’SCHOICE:ICONICAGRICULTURESCENESOFUTAHJohn Mikkelsen standing by his over-100-year-old barn. By Larry Blain of
Spanish Fork, Utah.
KIDSINTHECOUNTRYDream Big. Kids playing with toys, and dreaming of bigger toys. By Carlee Christensen of Moroni, Utah.
32 Utah Farm Bureau News Special Edition | COUNTRYSIDE | Winter 2016
“I call to order the meeting of the Committee of the Department of Commerce. The purpose of the agenda
today is to assess the importance of agriculture in the state. Our job is to determine which businesses should be included as part of agriculture. Let’s start,” said the chairman.
“Well, obviously,” said the Commissioner of Agriculture, “Any business that produces raw product, animal or vegetable, is part of agriculture. Like milk. A dairy should be included.”
“Agreed. How about cheese?”“It’s made from milk.”“Yes, but it’s a factory. It only takes milk and converts it
to cheese. Their payroll includes truckers, lab techs, sales people, and ad agency folks. Should truck drivers and ad copywriters be part of agriculture?”
“Good question, but the cheese plant wouldn’t be in the community if the dairies weren’t nearby.”
“Okay. Let’s come back to that. How about grain elevators?”
“If the farmer stored his grain on his farm it would defi-nitely be farm income. If he stores it in the Co-op elevator, it’s still his grain.”
“What if the grain is freighted on a train to Minneapolis and loaded on a barge bound for Irkutsk? Is that shipping still part of the ag economy?”
“Technically, yes.”“So the tow boat pilot is merely a skilled farm hand?”“Technically, yes.”“We better come back to this.”“Alright. The feedlot business is definitely agriculture.
We can all agree. So, let’s say any cattle feeder who hedges his cattle on the Chicago Board of Trade. Is his broker an agricultural worker?”
“Certainly. He’s directly involved in marketing a raw commodity.”
The Committee Meetingby Baxter Black, DVM
ON THE EDGE OF COMMON SENSE
“What if the broker sells pork belly futures?”“Pork bellies are produced in a meat processing plant. I
assume you think packing houses are part of the agriculture instead of manufacturing. How ’bout the butcher who sells packages of bacon in a grocery store? Is he an agricultural worker? And the teenager at Burger King who sells a bacon cheeseburger?”
“I don’t know.”“So, how are we gonna decide the economic importance of
agriculture in any given community, state or nation?”“It is sure complicated, Mr. Chairman. We’d have to
consider imports and exports, a cheap food policy, the smell of the air at the edge of town, muddy tracks on a farm-to-market road, or the number of implement dealers in the local Yellow pages. Maybe it’s so big a part of the economy that it’s impossible to separate. The only thing I’m sure of . . . it has somethin’ to do with home-grown tomatoes.”
www.baxterblack.com
The Utah Hay and Forage Symposium January 26th and 27th
The Dixie Center Registration Cost: $100
Pre Con: $30
Late Registration (begins Jan. 10th) : $125
Vendor Registration: $450
Please contact Spencer Gibbons at 435-770-4590 or
Hannah Haslam at 801-231-3011
to register or with any questions you may have
FARM BUREAU
HELPING YOU THROUGH EVERY SEASON.Chevrolet is proud to present this exclusive $500 offer1 toward the purchase or lease of most 2016 and 2017 Chevrolet vehicles.
1 Offer available through 5/31/17. Available on most 2016 and 2017 Chevrolet vehicles. Excludes 2016 Equinox L, Colorado 2SA and Spark EV; 2016 Malibu and Traverse L models, Cruze Limited L, Spark, SS and City Express, and 2016 Chevrolet Cruze L model. This offer is not available with some other offers. Only customers who have been active members of an eligible Farm Bureau for a minimum of 30 days will be eligible to receive a certificate. Customers can obtain certificates at www.fbverify.com/gm. Farm Bureau and the FB logo are registered service marks of the American Farm Bureau Federation and are used herein under license by General Motors.
$500 CASH ALLOWANCE1
EXCLUSIVE
FOR ELIGIBLE FARM BUREAU MEMBERS.
FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
MEMBERSHIPADVANTAGE
OFFICEDEPOT/OFFICEMAXThrough Utah Farm Bureau Federation, our members can now
receive savings of up to 80% on office and school supplies from
Office Depot/OfficeMax. You can shop online or go to the nearest
Office Depot/OfficeMax location to take advantage of these special
discounted prices on products and services.
This program is 100% FREE to all Utah Farm Bureau Federation members and supporters! Just shop and save!
For more information, visit utfb.ctcshares.com or contact Julia
Misiego at 801-233-3010 or [email protected]
How to use this benefit: go to utfb.ctcshares.com and click on
“Shop Online” to receive your savings online OR click on “Print Free
Card” to print the discount card for use at Office Depot/OfficeMax
locations.
AQUARIUMOFTHEPACIFICTake a journey through Earth’s largest ocean at the Aquarium of
the Pacific in Long Beach, California. Discover more than 11,000
animals and nearly 500 different species as you watch sea lions
play, admire sea jellies, and get closer than you ever imagined to the
ocean’s ultimate predator as you interact with more than 150 sharks
at Shark Lagoon. $17.95 (Reg. $29.95) per adult, $11.95 (Reg.
$17.95) per child.
UNIVERSALSTUDIOS—HOLLYWOODSave up to $20 per day ticket and front of the
line ticket depending on date of visit. Also get
a two-day pass for only $119.
Order at www.utahfarmbureau.org/
Member-Programs/Member-Benefits
LEGOLAND—CALIFORNIASave up to $18, plus 2nd day FREE within
90 days. Includes admission to LEGOLAND
California Park. 2nd day free within 90
days of first visit. All visits must occur by
12/31/2017. Adult ticket: $77 with 2nd day
FREE. Child ticket: (ages 3–12) $71 with 2nd
day FREE. Children under 3 are FREE.
SEAWORLD—SANDIEGONow for a limited time purchase a two-day
ticket for $60.00! Expires December 31,
2017. Call 801-233-3010 to purchase
tickets directly from Farm Bureau. Advance
ticket purchase required, non-refundable.