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Show July 1966 UTAH FARM BUREAU imrAitc '- - j 1 royarr.BJ HUP&CPF Page 3 NEWS Farmer to Farmer Tour Looks Toward Hawaii Fall when the American Farm Bureau Federation's 48th Annual Meeting convenes in Las Vegas, Nevada, many of the Farm Bureau members and delegates in attendance will have just arrived from the sun drenched islands of Hawaii. Though part of this group will be the official Hawaii delegation, the vast majority of these folks relaxed and sun tanned will be from other Farm Bureau states across the land. It's all part of a special Far Pre -- Annual Meeting Tour and Cruise that begins on November 18. From the Mainland the group will make a swift This )teue& A Department For Consumers? Should the Department of Agriculture be renamed the "Department of Food and Agriculture" to emphasize the fact that it serves consumers as well as farmers? Should Congress authorize the establishment of a separate cabinet level "Department of Consumers?" These questions are not new, but they are taking on increased importance as farmers become a smaller percentage of the total population. Here are some examples of a continuing effort to emphasize the USDA's service to consumers: (1) In 1962 the Administration reportedly gave serious consideration to a proposal to rename the Department of Agriculture the 1Department of Food and Agriculture. (2) The major agricultural bill enacted in 1962 was titled the "Food and Agriculture Act of 1 962". (3) On August 15, 1963, George L. Mehren was named Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for marketing and consumer services. (4) On December 31, 1964 Secretary Freeman announced the formation of a new Consumer and Marketing Service in USDA "to give stronger emphasis to consumer services within the Department." The new agency was assigned the functions of "Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) plus related operating programs in other USDA agencies." (5) The major agricultural bill enacted in 1965 was called the "Food and Agriculture Act of 1965". (6) The 1965 yearbook of agriculture featured a collection of consumer-interearticles under the title "Consumers All." The present administration's efforts to stress the USDA's services to consumers appear to reflect a sensitivity with respect to the size of the Department's budget and the increasing number of people on its payroll In a speech before the National Farm Institute in Des Moines, Iowa on Feb. 14, 1963, Secretary Freeman said, "I want to make it clear that the number of USDA personnel is increasing, but the increase is coming in those areas and programs where increased demands are being made for services which benefit all 186 million American citizens. "The Department of Agriculture today provides more consumit provides er services than any other agency or Department the bulk of research not only to help the farmer become more efficient, but also to provide the new food and clothing products which the consumer demands, the advances in transportation and packaging efficiency and the design of modem retail stores it watches continually to insure competitive conditions in the meat industry . . . and it guards the commodity exchanges it protects the vast soil to prevent unscrupulous practices it carries on exwater and forest resources of the people diet all of tensive programs to imporve the Americans, and makes food available for those who do not have enough . . . and it gathers valuable information at home and abroad which can be obtained from no other source." It is obvious that many USDA programs benefit consumers. The inspection of meat and poultry for wholesomeness, the grading of foods for quality, the Food Stamp Plan, the National School Lunch Program and the Special Milk Program are obvious examples of consumer-oriente- d programs. Many other to improve the proresearch for example, farm programs duction and marketing of agricultural products and anything also benefit conthat improves the efficiency of agriculture sumers. Even so, the continuing effort to stress the Department of Agriculture's role as the friend and protector of the consumer raises serious questions. For example: (1) Would a change in the Department's name reduce its interest in programs that are basically oriented to farmers? (2) Would the establishment of a Department of Food and Agriculture lend support to the idea that food is so important that it should be made a public utility? If so, would this be st ... ... ... good for farmers? (3) Would it be better to transfer some of the USDA's such as the inspection of meat and poulconsumer programs the Food Stamp Plan, the National School Lunch try products, to a new DepartProgram, and the Special Milk Program some ment of Consumers or existing agency such as the Department of Health, Education and Welfare? Think it over and help decide? mer-to-Far- jet-flig- to ht romantic mer Hawaii where, during the next eleven days, they will enjoy the warm hospitality and scenic splendor that have made these islands famous. will be visits to each Included of the four major islands as well on current subing seminars to jects vital agriculture. On Sunday, December 4 the Lurllne will sail under the Golden Gate and dock in San Francisco. From here connecting flights will be made to Las Vegas, arriving in time to attend afternoon Vesper Services. While at the Annual Meeting a night club tour, attendance at a top dinner show, a special State Delegation and a tour of the Breakfast world famour Hoover Dam are included. Complete information on this exciting Pre -- Annual Meeting Tour and Cruise along with a deby day tailed, day Itinerary, be obtained by returning may me coupon to Farm Bureau Tours 629 East Fourth South, Salt Lake City, Utah. with the local as farmers get-togeth- ers to see their farming operations. Among the highlights of the tour will be the barbecue by the Maui County sponsored and the festive Farm Bureau on the island of Oahu, Luau hosted by the Hawaii Farm Bureau. Then it's time to step aboard Matson's floating resort, the S. S. LURLINE for four and a half at sea . . .AND AT days glorious 15 REDUCED FARE. During the cruise all of the Lurline's many facilities will be available -hula lessons, swimming pool, first run movies, deck sports, and dancing each entertainment meals served and lavish night, a day - all at no six times additional cost. And, in preparation for the Annual Meeting, nationally prominent farm leaders will be on board to present morn- - Ponds Can Be Dangerous If you swim in a supervised area, your chances of drowning are 98 per cent less than if youre at an unsupervised pool, pond or beach, according to the National Safety Council. This message should be particularly meaningful to rural children, many of whom have a convenient farm pond avail- FARM BUREAU TOURS tfvL fiw&L in. VuwsL GENTLEMEN: Please send me complete information on tours I have checked below. able. During National Farm Safety the National Week, July 24-3- 0, H Safety Council reminds owners of rural ponds of their responsibility and points out how farmers can make these areas safe for recreation: Recognize that farm ponds are potentially hazardous, especially to small children, and should be supervised by an adult when children are at Hawaii 13 Days I"! Iberian Cruise 31 Days Sept. Q f1 31 Days Sept. 24 Days 22 Days 11 19 Around the World Sept. 22 Place signs at Pre-AF- BF 12 Days Address: danger points. Provide lifesaving devices, such as ring buoys, ropes or long poles. Do not permit boaters to enter a swimming area where small children are at play. Post safety instructions for swimming and boating. City: State: Zip Code: Phone: Area Code: MAIL TO: Utah Farm Bureau 629 Eait Fourth South Salt laka City, Utah Oct 12 a v 42 Days Name: warning Sept 25 Oct 2 NewZealand-Australi- Mark the safe swimming areas. " Holy Land 19 South America 38 Days play. 7 Sept IH Fall Foliage Oct 25 Tour Nov. 18 |