Just how effective has Farm Bureau been?

Above all else, Farm Bureau is the unified voice of North Carolina’s farmers in the North Carolina General Assembly and the United States Congress. In that role, we have made and continue to make noteworthy differences.

During its early days, Farm Bureau’s support helped make Kerr Scott’s Farm-to-Market-Roads a reality, giving North Carolina the most extensive secondary paved roads system in the country.

When the state’s constitution was rewritten under Gov. Bob Scott, it was Farm Bureau that made sure agriculture was not left out. Farm Bureau was also there when the Department of Natural Resources was founded.

More recently, Farm Bureau has fought for present-use value taxation, the dairy industry, drought relief, and transportation regulations that make sense for both farmers and non-farmers.

After nearly three-quarters-of-a-century, Farm Bureau has earned a place among the powerful legislative voices, but its contributions to North Carolina range far beyond the legislative arena.

In 1953, Farm Bureau introduced its first member service–North Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company. For the first time, the insurance needs of farmers and rural citizens were met. Farm Bureau even introduced health care to rural North Carolina.

With success and its extensive network of offices, Farm Bureau is a respected member of the business community in every county in North Carolina.

Furthermore, North Carolina’s counties benefit from Farm Bureau’s leadership development programs. Farm Bureau helps prepare mayors, county commissioners, city councilmen, school board members, and a host of volunteers to serve their local communities.

The organization’s LEAD, Women’s and Young Farmers and Ranchers programs are also making a difference in their counties.

We are proud of the fifty students at North Carolina State University who recently established the first Collegiate Young Farmers and Ranchers program. An N.C. A&T State University chapter is in the works.

NCFB’s Ag in the Classroom program is the premier program in the country. The Department of Public Instruction recognizes Ag in the Classroom as one of its key resources for improving teacher and student performance. Through workshops and projects, more than 196,000 students were impacted by Ag in the Classroom during 2008.

Farm Bureau has hosted 1,677 rising high school seniors at its two Institutes for Future Agricultural Leaders (IFAL) since 1984.

NCFB has awarded 1,076 R. Flake Shaw Scholarships to young people since 1967, an investment of more than $3 million. Furthermore, county Farm Bureaus contributed more than $45,000 to local scholarships during 2009.

We are an instrumental partner with both land grant universities’ 4-H and FFA activities. In 2008, North Carolina Farm Bureau contributed $32,800 to these promotions. Additionally, North Carolina Farm Bureau has pledged $250,000 to the 4-H Centennial to be paid over a five year period.

The Farm Bureau Movement is so well-known and our integrity so trusted across North Carolina that our membership has passed the 500,000 mark.

North Carolina Farm Bureau is only the second state to reach such a milestone in the history of American Farm Bureau Federation. Approximately 10 percent of North Carolinian’s trust Farm Bureau to protect their interests and livelihoods, whether they are farmers or not.

Can you picture North Carolina without Farm Bureau?

Did We Mention Prizes?
In addition to good company, new ideas and social interaction among peers, winners of various YF&R competitions at both the state and national levels receive several nice prizes.
Winners of NCFB’s Achievement, Excellence in Agriculture and Discussion Meet competitions receive an expenses-paid trip for themselves and their spouses to the 91st Annual American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Seattle, Wash.
In Seattle, AFBF’s Achievement Award winner will receive a 2010 well-equipped Dodge pickup truck.
The winner also earns paid registration to the AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference in Tulsa, Okla. Four state runners-up will also earn prizes, which have yet to be determined.
The AFBF Discussion Meet winner also is awarded a 2010 well-equipped Dodge pickup truck and complimentary registration for the YF&R Leadership Conference. Finalists will also be awarded valuable prizes.
The winner of the AFBF Excellence in Agriculture award will take home a 2010 Dodge well-equipped pickup truck, and finalists for the national prize will be awarded significant prizes.

North Carolina Prizes
During NCFB’s 74th Annual Convention to be held in Greensboro in December, the Achievement Award and Discussion Meet winners will each be awarded an ATV or equivalent in prizes and gifts, as well as $500 from Dodge. Runners-up in the two categories will each receive $500. The Excellence in Agriculture state winner will earn $500 from NCFB and $500 from Dodge, while runners-up will each get $200.

Collegiate Discussion Meet
The winner of NCFB’s college-level Discussion Meet will be awarded $500 and a trip to the AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference in Tulsa, Okla. Runners-up will get $100.

To learn more about these rewarding competitions for young people and opportunities for personal growth, contact a county Farm Bureau office.

New opportunities for social interaction and friendly competition are provided each year when young farmers vie for success in NCFB’s Achievement, Excellence in Agriculture and Discussion Meet competitions.

Did We Mention Prizes?
In addition to good company, new ideas and social interaction among peers, winners of various YF&R competitions at both the state and national levels receive several nice prizes.

Winners of NCFB’s Achievement, Excellence in Agriculture and Discussion Meet competitions receive an expenses-paid trip for themselves and their spouses to the 91st Annual American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Seattle, Wash.

In Seattle, AFBF’s Achievement Award winner will receive a 2010 well-equipped Dodge pickup truck.

The winner also receives paid registration to the AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference in Tulsa, Okla. Four state runners-up will also receive prizes, which have yet to be determined.

The AFBF Discussion Meet winner will also receive a 2010 well-equipped Dodge pickup truck. The winner of this competition will also receive complimentary registration for the YF&R Leadership Conference. Finalists will also receive valuable prizes.

The winner of the AFBF Excellence in Agriculture award will take home a 2010 Dodge well-equipped pickup truck, and finalists for the national prize will also receive significant awards.

North Carolina Prizes
During NCFB’s 74th Annual Convention to be held in Greensboro in December, the Achievement Award and Discussion Meet winners will each receive an ATV or equivalent in prizes and gifts, as well as $500 from Dodge. Runners-up in the two categories will each receive $500. The Excellence in Agriculture state winner will receive $500 from NCFB and $500 from Dodge, while runners-up will each receive $200.

Collegiate Discussion Meet
The winner of NCFB’s college-level Discussion Meet will receive $500 and a trip to the AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference in Tulsa, Okla. Runners-up will receive $100.

To learn more about these rewarding competitions for young people and opportunities for personal growth, contact a county Farm Bureau office.

In other news…Eric and Tammy McPherson hosted a multi-county Young Farmers and Ranchers meeting in August at their farm. YF&R members from Alamance, Chatham, Guilford and Rockingham counties enjoyed an afternoon with their families and each other.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY Farm Bureau held a “Hay Day” event at the Western North Carolina Nature Center on Oct. 30 in an effort to expose people to farming and rural lifestyles. The county’s Farm Bureau had a real tractor and hay baler on site to go along with the theme. Buncombe County Farm Bureau’s Greg Young (pictured in green shirt) was on hand to pass out safety tips to both children and adults. The county also supplied an event booth.

NC FARM BUREAU FEDERATION held its annual Collegiate Discussion Meet on Nov. 8 at the Federation’s headquarters in Raleigh. Contestants for this year’s meet included Crystal Roberts and Lee Tyre, both students at N.C. State University, and Jaron Jones and Carla Saunders, students at North Carolina A&T State University. The participants discussed the topic of “How do we correct misconceptions about Farm Bureau?” for approximately 25 minutes and were judged on their cooperation, communication and ability to offer constructive criticism while analyzing this agricultural problem and developing solutions. After a competitive discussion, Crystal Roberts was the winner. From Buncombe County, she is a junior at NCSU with a major in animal science. She was awarded a plaque, $500 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Sacramento, Calif., where she will represent North Carolina in the National Collegiate Discussion Meet held during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference, Feb. 7-9.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY Farm Bureau member David Collier was recently named a 2008 McCloy Fellow. He was given the opportunity to travel to Germany, where he received a closer look at agricultural, farm and food-supply conditions abroad.

The McCloy Fellowship was established in 1975 and gives young Americans and Germans the opportunity to broaden their professional experience in environmental affairs, journalism, urban affairs and agricultural production.

JONES COUNTY YF&R members Trent and Rebecca Scott recently visited the first-grade class of Terri Mack and Anita Scott at A.H. Bangert Elementary School in New Bern. They read the book The Tree Farmer and presented it to Mrs. Scott and the assistant principal for the school’s library.

They took the class outside to plant a Leyland Cyprus tree, and each child was able to help dig the hole, put dirt back in the hole and then a child watered the tree. Each of the children wrote them thank-you notes and drew pictures of their visit and planting the tree.

RANDOLPH COUNTY Farm Bureau recently celebrated the Grand Opening of a new satellite office in Archdale, at 102-A Bonnie Place. On hand for the ribbon-cutting were board members Ronald Self, Bud Smith, Sheela Wright (holding her granddaughter), Jerry Davis, AnnaRae Hodgin, N.C. House Rep. Patricia Hurley, agency manager Bill Foster, Congressman Howard Coble, Archdale Mayor Bert Stone, board members Lloyd West and Jimmie Moffit, and several employees.

ROWAN COUNTY Farm Bureau sponsored a forum for all candidates for Rowan County and North Carolina offices on Thursday, Oct. 2. Candidates for the General Assembly included Lorene Coates, Ada Fisher, Andrew Brock and William Burnette. In addition, three of the four county commission candidates were present: Raymond Coltrain, Carl Ford and Jim Sides.

In other news…Farm Bureau members Jason and Robin Starnes hosted a “Day at the Farm” event for nearly 35 school children on Saturday, Oct. 4 at the couple’s farm. Jason and Robin are active in YF&R activities county and statewide. The children were entertained by a hay ride, crafts using farm products and learning how to milk a cow. The event was a fun learning experience for all who attended.

SAMPSON COUNTY Farm Bureau Women’s Committee contributed gently used items to a Duplin/Sampson fundraiser auction for Valley of Hope, a center that helps women in need, on Nov. 8 in Wallace.

WAKE COUNTY Farm Bureau Women’s Committee members Josephine Evans and Shirley Burt shared the importance of agriculture with more than 120 students when they attended the Apex Business Alliance Career Fair on Oct. 17. Each student was given an “Ag Paths to Success” brochure and viewed a poster about careers in agriculture. The fair, held at the Apex Community Center, caters to three local middle schools in the area.

In other news…Women’s Committee members Monnie Jenks and Shirley Burt visited with preschoolers and kindergartners at St. Michael’s School in Cary on Oct. 14 for an “Ag in the Classroom” event. Students learned about cows, were allowed to milk a pretend cow and made a “Moo Mask.” Burt read to the students the book Sweet Potato Pie and helped them make their own pie to eat. A total of 75 students participated. The teachers were given goody bags filled with treats and “Ag in the Classroom” brochures.

1. Helping farmers—The men and women who produce our food, fiber and forestry products are worthy of your trust. They care about the environment, their animals, our safety, the quality of food, their communities, our future, and most of all, you and your families.
Through membership in Farm Bureau, you are able to help farmers be better stewards of the food supply. NCFB’s mission is to help improve the lives of farmers and their rural communities. The state and nation’s farmers produce the safest and most abundant food supply in the world. If they are able to operate free of the additional costs associated with the often needless and over-burdensome regulations and laws promoted by anti-agriculture groups, they can continue to produce enough to feed the expanding world population.

2. Helping yourself—The amount and quality of benefits available to members is well worth the $25 annual membership dues. From competitive rates on insurance products and savings on prescription drugs, Grainger products, Choice hotels, car rentals and other products to getting an inside track on NASCAR products, Farm Bureau’s lineup of member savings is sure to help out the family budget. Check our Web site at www.ncfb.org for more information on NCFB’s service partners.

3. Helping your community— County Farm Bureaus are major employers in their communities, with office support people and agents ready to help those in need of the organization’s services. In addition, local farmers are enthusiastically engaged with community activities on a level that makes a real difference. Farm Bureau is a non-profit organization, so it is constantly hosting various events meant to benefit the entire community. From Safety Days to D.A.R.E. and other awareness programs, county Farm Bureaus help make their communities better places to live and raise families, both financially and through their social awareness efforts.

4. Helping young people— Whether it’s helping elementary school children plant a garden in conjunction with NCFB’s Ag in the Classroom program, hosting a weeklong tour of the state’s agricultural careers and land grant universities through the organization’s Institute for Future Agricultural Leaders, or providing college scholarships for students pursuing agriculturally related careers through the R. Flake Shaw Scholarship fund, NCFB makes a difference for young people.

5. Helping protect our future—Farm Bureau also has programs focused on producing outstanding leaders. NCFB’s Young Farmers and Ranchers program helps farmers 18-35 years old focus on their leadership skills through special programs and events that foster their development. Another program that continues leadership training is the organization’s Leadership Education Activity Development effort. This LEAD program continues developing the skill set farmers acquired through participation in YF&R.

In addition to the programs that help educate young people and develop them into future leaders, Farm Bureau is helping protect the farmer. The best way to ensure a continued supply of safe and abundant food for the state and nation’s citizens is by keeping farmers on the farm.
Now that’s something to feel good about!

This issue, North Carolina Farm Bureau Magazine profiles the three finalists for the annual YF&R Achievement Award, which is presented during the organization’s annual meeting.

John Allen

John Allen, 34, of Iredell County, runs a tree-farming operation alongside his parents, and is an agriculture speaker and advocate. He also completed NCFB’s Candidate School in 2008 and helped manage a friend’s political campaign.

“Politics and lobbying are of great importance to me,” he says. “At the local, state and federal levels, I have spoken in public forums, to elected officials and regulatory agencies about issues that affect agriculture through Farm Bureau and as president of my State Nursery and Landscape Association.”
Allen graduated from N.C. State University in 1996 with honors and planned to teach biology, but chose farming instead. He has helped his family farm expand from 80 acres in 1996 to 350 acres today.

Allen patented two new varieties of River Birch trees, Summer Cascade and Shiloh Splash, which are licensed for growth in the U.S., Japan, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Allen sends half of the patent royalties to the Tree Breeding program at his alma mater.

Allen also grew Japanese cherry trees for the Washington Monument project.

He is active in his church and its youth group, and is a volunteer firefighter.

Brent and Sue Leggett

Brent, 33, and Sue Leggett, 28, from Nash County, own and operate Leggett Farms and Airport U-Pick Strawberry Farm.

Neither Brent nor Sue comes from a farming background, and they are self-made.

“A factor that has been crucial to the start up and growth of our farming operation is our willingness to take risk, and having an entrepreneurial spirit,” they say.

Their next venture is a retail farm market with educational tours open from spring to winter.

They started farming part-time in 2003, and now their 30-acre sweet potato farm has grown to 2,000 acres of row crops and vegetables. Sweet potatoes are still their biggest crop, and in 2007 they began raising certified sweet potato seed.

“This is a very involved enterprise,” they say. “It begins with having specialized greenhouses, in which first generation sweet potato plants are micropropagated.”

They say becoming shareholders in a top 100 rated produce company and in a cotton gin has increased their profitability.

The Leggetts have a son, Colin, 1, and are active in Farm Bureau and their church.

Jason and Robin Starnes

Jason Starnes, 31, and his wife, Robin, 23, of Rowan County are finalists for the second year in a row. He and his father grow corn, soybeans and wheat and raise beef cattle and poultry at Four S Farms, LLC.

Starnes says they are now adding precision farming practices to increase productivity.

“We know that in agriculture today efficiency and timeliness are two key ingredients to our success,” he says.

Jason oversees the farm’s new poultry operation, crop production and precision agriculture technology. He also stays busy with their popular hay operation.

Jason says he and Robin, a paralegal, care about their community and use their free time to tend neighbors’ yards.

“I believe that farmers need to be active in their local organizations, but not to the point that you sacrifice time with family and friends,” he says.

Jason and Robin have been married for two years. They teach Sunday School and are active in their community and in Farm Bureau countywide and statewide.

This past year, the couple started Rowan County Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers group.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Young Farmers Open Doors to New Worlds

Attaining knowledge can be likened to knocking open a door to a new world.

One way young farmers can force their way through the doors that might block their paths to greater prosperity includes the garnering of new knowledge through the experience of networking with participants of North Carolina Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers program.

New opportunities for social interaction and friendly competition are provided each year when young farmers vie for success in NCFB’s Achievement, Excellence in Agriculture and Discussion Meet competitions.

Did We Mention Prizes?
In addition to good company, new ideas and social interaction among peers, winners of various YF&R competitions at both the state and national levels receive several nice prizes.

Winners of NCFB’s Achievement, Excellence in Agriculture and Discussion Meet competitions receive an expense paid trip for themselves and their spouses to the 90th Annual American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in San Antonio, Texas.

In Texas, AFBF’s Achievement Award winner will receive a 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 pickup truck.
The winner also receives paid registration to the AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference to be held in Sacramento, Ca., in 2009. Four state runners-up will also receive prizes, which have yet to be determined.

The AFBF Discussion Meet winner will receive a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup truck. The winner of this competition will receive complimentary registration for the YF&R leadership conference in Sacramento. Finalists will also receive valuable prizes.

The winner of the AFBF Excellence in Agriculture award will take home a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck and finalists for the national prize will also receive significant awards.

North Carolina Prizes
During NCFB’s 73rd Annual Convention to be held in Greensboro in December, the Achievement Award and Discussion Meet winners will each receive an ATV or equivalent in prizes and gifts, as well as $500 from Dodge. Runners-up in the two categories will each receive $500. The Excellence in Agriculture state winner will receive $500 from NCFB and $500 from Dodge, while runners-up will each receive $200.

Collegiate Discussion Meet
The winner of NCFB’s college-level Discussion Meet will receive $500 and a trip to the AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference in Sacramento. Runners-up will receive $100.

One way young farmers can force their way through the doors that might block their paths to greater prosperity includes the garnering of new knowledge through the experience of networking with participants of North Carolina Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers program.

New opportunities for social interaction and friendly competition are provided each year when young farmers vie for success in NCFB’s Achievement, Excellence in Agriculture and Discussion Meet competitions.

Did We Mention Prizes?
In addition to good company, new ideas and social interaction among peers, winners of various YF&R competitions at both the state and national levels receive several nice prizes.

Winners of NCFB’s Achievement, Excellence in Agriculture and Discussion Meet competitions receive an expense paid trip for themselves and their spouses to the 90th Annual American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in San Antonio, Texas.

In Texas, AFBF’s Achievement Award winner will receive a 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 pickup truck.
The winner also receives paid registration to the AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference to be held in Sacramento, Ca., in 2009. Four state runners-up will also receive prizes, which have yet to be determined.

The AFBF Discussion Meet winner will receive a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup truck. The winner of this competition will receive complimentary registration for the YF&R leadership conference in Sacramento. Finalists will also receive valuable prizes.

The winner of the AFBF Excellence in Agriculture award will take home a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck and finalists for the national prize will also receive significant awards.

North Carolina Prizes
During NCFB’s 73rd Annual Convention to be held in Greensboro in December, the Achievement Award and Discussion Meet winners will each receive an ATV or equivalent in prizes and gifts, as well as $500 from Dodge. Runners-up in the two categories will each receive $500. The Excellence in Agriculture state winner will receive $500 from NCFB and $500 from Dodge, while runners-up will each receive $200.

Collegiate Discussion Meet
The winner of NCFB’s college-level Discussion Meet will receive $500 and a trip to the AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference in Sacramento. Runners-up will receive $100.

One way young farmers can force their way through the doors that may block their paths to greater prosperity includes the garnering of new knowledge through the experience of networking with participants of North Carolina Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers program.

New opportunities for social interaction and friendly competition are provided each year when young farmers vie for success in NCFB’s Achievement, Excellence in Agriculture and Discussion Meet competitions.

Did We Mention Prizes?
In addition to good company, new ideas and social interaction among peers, winners of various YF&R competitions at both the state and national levels receive several nice prizes.

Winners of NCFB’s Achievement, Excellence in Agriculture and Discussion Meet competitions receive an expense paid trip for themselves and their spouses to the 90th Annual American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in San Antonio, Texas.

In Texas, AFBF’s Achievement Award winner will receive a 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 pickup truck.
The winner also receives paid registration to the AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference to be held in Sacramento, Ca., in 2009. Four state runners up will also receive prizes, which have yet to be determined.

The AFBF Discussion Meet winner will receive a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup truck. The winner of this competition will receive complimentary registration for the YF&R leadership conference in Sacramento. Finalists will also receive valuable prizes.

The winner of the AFBF Excellence in Agriculture award will take home a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck and finalists for the national prize will also receive significant awards.

North Carolina Prizes
During NCFB’s 73rd Annual Convention to be held in Greensboro in December, the Achievement Award and Discussion Meet winners will each receive an ATV or equivalent in prizes and gifts, as well as $500 from Dodge. Runners up in the two categories will each receive $500. The Excellence in Agriculture state winner will receive $500 from NCFB and $500 from Dodge, while runners up will each receive $200.

Collegiate Discussion Meet
The winner of NCFB’s college-level Discussion Meet will receive $500 and a trip to the AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference in Sacramento. Runners up will receive $100.

To learn more about these rewarding competitions for young people and opportunities for personal growth, contact a county Farm Bureau office, or visit www.ncfb.org.