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Show UTAH FARM BUREAU NEWS December, 1969 SOUR GRAPES The evening of December 16th Charles Shuman president of the American Farm Bureau Federation was the guest on "Public Pulse", KSL radio's question and answer program, which invites the public to participate. To say that most of the public who chose to question Mr. Shuman that evening were actively participating would be putting it mildly. A number of farmers from southern Idaho and northern Utah, were "Resnick report". These are the apparently primed with the well-wor- n B. charges former Congressman Resnick of New York made against the American Farm Bureau, and though largely groundless and highly exaggerated, they were entered into the Congressional record. So, almost without exception, the callers rehearsed the old charges and criticisms, while Mr. Shuman calmly rehearsed the answers. In analyzing the substance of the criticism, we can't help but notice the fact that the thing the critics object to more than anything else is The UFB Board of Directors for 1970. Seated from left, Ken Brasher, District 5; Barbara Whitbeck, Women's representative; Jerold Johnson, District 6; Ed Boyer, District 4; Bill Holmes, District 2; Standing from left, V. Allen Olsen, secretary; Jack Brown, District 3; Elmo A. Alton HoffW. Hamilton, president; S. Jay Child, Dick Nelson, District 7. Not pictured, Ken Ashby, man, District 1; & Ranchers Farmers Young representative. vice-preside- success. the numerous corporations headed by Shuman as presrepresent insurance, marketing, farm research, mutual funds, They point to ident. They international trade, and commodity purchasing. The detractors also took travel pot shots at the Farm Bureau's invovement in Farmeito-Farme- r devoted to education programs and the National Food Conference promoting better nutrition. All of these represent programs asked for by farm people over the years, in an effort to realize the goal of the organization in improving the role of farm people educationally, socially, and economically. Criticism of Farm Bureau's success is a little hard to understand until you examine the performance of some of the farm groups who are doing the criticizing. When you study organizations that have endorsed the grape boycott in California, it's not surprising to find sour ill-advis- the large crowd that gethe red to Secretary; Glenn Taggart, USU pres.; pres.; Boyd Packer, Asst, to the Quorum and Leonard Johnson, AFBF Asst. Dir., at the UFB convention, November 20-2- Part of hear Roger Fleming, AFBF George Doup, Indiana FB of the Twelve, LDS Church, Natural Resources, AFBF, 2. ed grapes. THAT WASHINGTON TOUR As nearly as we could count, figuring those who made their own travel arrangements and those who travelled with the group, just under people were in Washington, D.C. for the 50th Anniversary Convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation. This group represents approximately one and one quarter per cent of our total membership. Insignificant? No. In order for a state such as Illinois to duplicate that percentage of attendance they would have needed more than 3,000 at the meeting. As it was the total attendance was under of one per cent of the total 7,000, representing around three-tenth- s 130 Utah Farm Bureau AFBF membership. That reflects a good showing from a small state like Utah, especially when you consider the distance involved. The folks who went were well rewarded with a buys, action-packe- d (to borrow a phrase from the comics) convention trip. In addition to the convention with speeches from the President, Secretary of Agriculture and several members of the Senate and House, the group had tours of Williamsburg, Washington, D.C. and New York. But consider the effect this trip will have on the organization. For more than a hundred members, the policies of the organization will cease Vice-Preside- A CHALLENGE IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THAT FARM BUREAU POLICY IS MADE BY ITS MEMBERS, DRAFT A RESOLUTION NEXT YEAR AND FOLLOW IT THROUGH QUESTION: WILL YOUR RESOLUTION THE POLICY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS. BE ACTED UPON BY THE PROFESSIONAL FARM BUREAU STAFF, OR BY YOUR . , from left, Dennis McDougal, 'Salt Lake County; Elwin Johnson, Millard County; Mr. Johnson; Ken Ashby, UFB's YF&R Chairman, acting as moderator; Bob Ropelato, Weber County; Bill Roberts, Summit County; and Ken White, Weber County, winner of the closely fought contest. nt, to be remote, impersonal statements, created by others. For these members, they will be meaningful, because they were there. They had the opportunity of sitting on the floor as the resolutions were acted upon. There was even an opportunity to speak out on the issues open to those who felt like discussing them. And that is what makes the organization great. The Farm Bureau will probably move along a little slowly for the visionaries at the head of the parade, and a little too rapidly for the ones at the rear of the column who are still skirmishing with the need to change at all. But because the organization is truly run by the members, it will reflect the policies that are wanted by the majority of the members. When the members are ready to sustain and support a full committment to production on a contract basis, the Farm Bureau will build a program to accomplish that goal. Though some farsighted individuals consider that the only answer to agriculture's marketing problems, it won't work until the membership is ready for it ready to make it their program. Though some don't like to admit it, the organization is changing but changing. Those Utahns who attended the conslowly, it's true vention were privileged to take part in the process and then return home and report to those who helped develop the policies on the local level. NEIGHBORS? Stuart Johnson, Sevier County, makes closing remarks during the annual UFB discussion meet, November 20. Other participants are, Winners of this year's UFB Outstanding Young Farmer award are Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Ropelato, of Weber County, presented by Ken Ashby, center, UFB's YF&R Chairman. Mrs. Ropelato deserves extra credit for being present to accept the award, since she was expecting a baby at the time. UTAH FARM BUREAU H NEWS Published each month by the Utah Farm Bureau Federation at Salt Lake City, Utah. Editorial- and Business Office, 629 East Fourth South, Saif Lake cents per year to memCity, Utah, 84102. Subscription price of twenty-fiv- e bers is included in membership fee. Entered as second class matter March 24, 1948 at die Post Office at Salt Lake City, Utah under the act of March - - 3, 1879. UTAH FARM BUREAU FEDERATION OFFICIALS Elmo W. Hamilton, Riverton President S. Jay Child, Cleafield Vice President Mrs. Willis Whitbeck, Bennion Chairman, Farm Bureau Women V. Allen Olsen Executive Secretary Kenneth J. Rice Editor DIRECTORS District One, A, Alton Hoffman; District Two, William Holmes; District Three; Jack Brown; District Four, Don Allen; District Five, Ken Brasher, District Six, Lee Barton; District Seven, Richard Nelson. |