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Serving on the TFB Resolutions Committee are the following: (Front row, left to right) TFB President Kenneth Dierschke; Resolutions Committee Chairman and TFB Vice President Lloyd Arthur; State Directors Joe Kapavik, Gary McGehee, Dan Dierschke, Tommy Boehme and Arthur Bluntzer; and YF&R Committee Chairman Mark Sustaire. (Second row, left to right) District 1: George Bonds (Sherman), Mitchel Bezner (Dallam), Clay Cooper (Hemphill); District 2: Boyd Jackson (Floyd), Larry Carter (Hockley), Bryan Bishop (Hale); District 3: Herb Williams (Wise), Leonard Phillips (Clay). (Third row, left to right) District 4: Keith Welch (Grayson), Robert Klement (Cooke); District 5: Gaylon Tidwell (Bowie); Brian Cummins (Van Zandt), Curtis Walker (Delta); District 6: Larry Brewton (Hudspeth), Craig Gentry (Hudspeth). (Fourth row, left to right) District 7: Ernie Herron (Palo Pinto); District 8: Bill Felps (Burnet), Lloyd Huggins (Hamilton); District 9: George Crowson (Houston), Bill Bergman (Polk), Jerry Button (Sabine); District 10: Bob Ballentine (Frio), Howard Schirmer (Bexar). (Fifth row, left to right) District 11: Gary Nelson (Chambers), P.J. Ellison (Washington), Herff Cornelius (Matagorda). (Top row, left to right): District 12: Clinton Shefcik (Jackson), Zachary Yanta (Karnes); District 13: William Goad (Cameron), Pauline Word (Live Oak) and Scott Frazier (Nueces).
By Lana Robinson
Field Editor
Tax and water issues emerged as top priorities when the Texas Farm Bureau Resolutions Committee met in Waco, Nov. 8 and 9, to sift through the hundreds of policy resolutions submitted by county Farm Bureaus.
According to Texas Farm Bureau Vice President Lloyd Arthur of Ralls, who chaired the committee, the 41-member committee consolidated 327 resolutions into 312 for voting delegates' action at the upcoming state convention, Dec. 4-6, in San Antonio.
In addition to Arthur, the Resolutions Committee consisted of three farmers or ranchers from each of TFB's 13 districts, plus the chairman of the TFB Young Farmer and Rancher Committee.
Among those resolutions highlighted for presentation at the state convention was one supporting the FairTax proposal, or a "federal retail sales tax."
"We used the same language as in the national policy proposal that will go to the AFBF (American Farm Bureau Federation) annual meeting, so if it gets tweaked there, we still have it in our Texas book," Arthur said.
Noting that water issues are always a part of Farm Bureau's policy endeavors, Arthur said TFB maintains its "local control" stance. A new resolution seeks proper authority and adequate funding for local water districts.
A proposed resolution would ensure that a livestock producer has adequate surface water for livestock and wildlife, since many also rely on income from wildlife, he said.
The current boll weevil program requires a referendum every four years. A state resolution proposes, as a costsaving measure, that it instead be held only when requested by 10 percent of the producers in that zone.
A resolution outlining guidelines for a livestock identification program, which forbids release of information other than for a food or animal safety issue, emerged.
"Producer confidentiality is very important to our people. We stressed that the information should only be used in relationship to food safety or animal safety and not be used in any other way," he said, which is why the resolution calls for a private industry database rather than a government database. "Also, we thought it should be inexpensive. The producer shouldn't bear that cost..."
One of the subcommittee's longest debates was the issue of the proposed Trans-Texas Corridor. Arthur said a number of counties submitted resolutions opposing and favoring the controversial transportation system. A compromise was reached that ensures agriculture and landowners a place at the table.
A resolution addressing the Endangered Species Act provisions regarding exotic species came forth as a result of fears that current language would prohibit some producers from being able to harvest animals they rely on for extra income. Also, a resolution calling for state funding for research and programs to address the growing, statewide feral hog epidemic surfaced.
A resolution supporting video lottery terminals in Texas, with the proceeds going to fund public education, will also advance.
Due to worries that budget deficits will deprive farmers of those things promised them, full implementation of the 2002 Farm Bill headed up resolutions for American Farm Bureau Federation delegates' consideration.
"We worked very hard on the 2002 farm bill. We want it implemented as written in 2002, and we want those provisions carried out," Arthur emphasized.
Another national policy proposal would give producers an opportunity to lock in an LDP (Loan Deficiency Payment) 30 days prior to sale, giving him a longer window of opportunity to get a better price.
A resolution recommending changes in risk management and crop insurance seeks to adequately compensate farmers who invest in new technologies and farming practices that can potentially increase yields. Arthur said recent reform did not do that.
"Also, when a farmer loses his primary crop, and replants to a secondary crop, he has expenses in that secondary crop, and we're wanting to cover those expenses by coverage. Production costs are getting so expensive anymore, a farmer is not going to have a crop out there if he can't insure that operation from exposure to the elements," he observed, adding that the premium had to be cost-effective.
Another resolution calls for fair treatment of agriculture in WTO (World Trade Organization) negotiations. On the matter of biotechnology, a resolution proposes federal assistance in implementing a public education program that explains the safety of genetically-modified crops and animals and their role in the production cycle.
A TFB proposal to be submitted at the national level promotes an energy policy less dependent on oil and promoting farm-based, renewable fuels.
A board recommendation from Archer County proposes that Texas Farm Bureau establish a Mineral category, similar to the Commodity groups, with an advisory committee that would make recommendations to landowners when appropriate.
