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January 4, 2002

2001:
A Productive Farm Bureau Year!

By Vernie Glasson
TFB Executive Director

The year 2001 has been very productive for your organization. We had an excellent gain in membership of more than 8,000 members. More than 150 County Farm Bureaus showed a gain over the 2000 year. This is a positive reflection on the joint efforts of our active County Farm Bureaus and the effectiveness of our service-to- member programs.

Texas Farm Bureau is in excellent financial condition. I can report to you that we ended our 2001 fiscal year on October 31 with a very strong black bottom line.

We implemented Phase II of Project 2000 this year, and we are already seeing very positive results. Increased activities in Texas' major metropolitan counties include:

• Teacher Workshops to present the "Ag Side of the Story," which also allowed teachers to earn Continuing Education Credits.

• Food Check-Out Days in most major cities.

• Meetings with state legislators and congressmen in major metropolitan areas.

• Numerous Farm days or Day on the Farm for school children.

• Increased Agriculture in the Classroom in big-city schools.

• Presentations at Science Fairs and Teacher In-Service Days.

• Congressional Insights presented to urban high schools.

These are impressive activities for the short two-year period that we have had County Agriculture Program Coordinators in place in our urban counties.

In continuing to tell "your story" about the wonders of modern agriculture, Texas Farm Bureau's Planet Agriculture was viewed by 2.37 million people during 2001 at major shows such as the State Fair of Texas, the Fort Worth Stock Show, Six Flags Over Texas, and several other locations.

Planet Agriculture is now a sought-after attraction, and part of the reason is because Farm Bureau members take part—and tell agriculture's story. That is what we have known for many years—that farmers and ranchers have much public support and credibility, and the non-farm public wants to hear directly from you. Planet Agriculture is a great way to provide the opportunity for that to be accomplished.

2001 was a legislative year in Texas, and Farm Bureau had an excellent session. A new office of Rural Community affairs was created by the legislature with Farm Bureau's support.

It is hoped that this new agency will coordinate all the available assistance and resources within state government to help keep rural Texas viable. Most recognize the pressure on rural communities, and we know that some special effort is necessary and are pleased that the Legislature is giving this support to the effort.

In addition, the Legislature passed into law a statewide agricultural policy. The essence of the legislation is to set a tenor that the agricultural industry is important and that state agencies should have that basic understanding and work toward supporting and building the industry, rather than ignoring it—or worse, creating harm.

Water policy was again on the legislative agenda and, once again, the future control of underground water was in question. Farm Bureau policy prevailed in virtually every respect. Rule of capture still exists, and what control measures exist are established through underground water conservation districts with local control.

These measures, along with others, were important to accomplish this year. Redistricting will most likely take its toll on our rural leadership in this upcoming election cycle. Rural Texas has many friends who will be seriously challenged for reelection in 2002—including our own Farm Bureau leader and State Representative Bob Turner. Bob has been a true workhorse for agriculture. Unfortunately, we recognize there may be major changes. Farm Bureau will continue to do well, but we must work harder. Fortunately, Project 2000 has put into place a new system for us to work more aggressively in Texas' metropolitan areas. It will be critical to our success in 2002.

Texas Farm Bureau's political action committee, AGFUND, is an important tool to help shape our future. It helps us gain access to legislators from districts where we have fewer farm members—in the major urban districts.

AGFUND is about to enter its 8^th election cycle. Our success in supporting winning candidates is phenomenal; we average about 87 percent. We are one of the top 50 largest PACs in terms of dollars contributed, but that is only a part of the story. The fact that we have the built-in support system of grass- roots members—who vote—is the true benefit. It is rare that we have candidates ask for money; what they want is our endorsement—our Farm Bureau "Good Housekeeping" seal of approval.

Farm Bureau's member benefits continued to provide services and cost savings to members. For example, some 5,000 Texas Farm Bureau members received the $500 rebate on new Dodge vehicle purchases. That is savings totaling some $2,500,000!

Farm Bureau Bank continues to grow, with Texas members depositing more than $100 million to earn better returns, and some 20,000+ members have loans totaling some $40 million. Farm Bureau's long-distance discount program has some 3,300 members participating and almost 1,000 of those are new this year. It is an excellent service, and I recommend you look into it if you are not a subscriber. I encourage you to look at our wide variety of cost savings benefits. Study them, and then I challenge you to find an organization that offers its members a better bargain. Call me "collect" if you find one. That's how sure I am of what I am saying!

Texas Farm Bureau's Information and Public Relations staff works hard to assist farm leaders in telling agriculture's story. Numerous press releases, Farm-City Week promotion, Food Checkout Day, meetings with editorial boards and editorials in major newspapers, as well as regular reporting; all help to build an excellent program.

Texas Farm Bureau's Legal Defense Fund, financed by 50 cents of every members' dues, is an important tool for Farm Bureau in defense of Farm Bureau policies. More and more, we find ourselves needing to step forward and articulate your policies in the Court Room. The Legal Defense Fund that was created by Project 2000 enables us to do just that.

I was told that to end my report at this point made it look unfinished.

And, in truth, that should be the case because we have major endeavors underway as we speak that are a carryover of important work begun this past year that will not pay dividends until next year or sometime in the future. The Philip Morris grant project, for example, introduced at this year's convention, is one. The Bosque River/Lake Waco project opens the door for much yet to be done to show how urban Texas and modern agriculture can peacefully coexist.

The new TSN/TFB Radio Network program opens a new era in communicating regular and often to listeners all over Texas.

These programs signify what is before us in Texas agriculture_great opportunity, yet much work in order to accomplish positive goals for the agriculture industry.

Your organization is up to the task— stay tuned!