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Texas Farm Bureau - 2004
Harvesting Results
Another year, another cycle. The seeds so carefully planted by the grassroots membership of Texas Farm Bureau—nurtured throughout the year by dedicated volunteer farmers and ranchers and staff—have finally paid off. And agriculture and rural Texas stand to reap the benefits of harvest.
It's time to take our annual look back over the past year at the accomplishments of the state's largest farm organization. And those achievements were many.
First and foremost, we continued on our philosophy of strength in numbers in representing rural Texas, adding an additional 11,884 member-families. This gives Texas Farm Bureau a record membership of 383,204 member families!
That membership gain occurred during a time of both trouble and opportunity for agriculture.
The finding of a single case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy in December 2003 continued to haunt the beef industry throughout 2004. The drama played out throughout the year, with lost export markets, huge media coverage, and continued scares. In fact, at press time, another scare was at hand with an initial positive BSE screening test. That case awaited further testing by USDA. Two similar, inconclusive tests were confirmed negative earlier in the year.
Still, despite the loss of export markets, a beef-loving United States—pushed by the Atkins diet and similar low-carbohydrate lifestyles—kept demand and prices for beef up. And toward the end of the year, signs were promising that Japan—the former number one market for U.S. beef—and other Asian nations, would again begin to open markets.
Animal health concerns were prominent in 2004: Asian flu in poultry in Gonzales, vesicular stomatitis in horses and cows in West and South Texas, and testing of dairy and some purebred herds for tuberculosis in an attempt to regain TB-free status for Texas. A national animal identification system is starting to gain ground. And all commodity checkoff programs could be affected and are anxiously awaiting a Supreme Court decision on the constitutionality of the beef checkoff.
Soaring energy costs, trade negotiations, challenges to our farm programs by the World Trade Organization all made for quite a year.
Who will forget this year's bitter presidential election? But officials of the Texas Farm Bureau Friends of Agriculture Fund (AGFUND), Inc. had much to celebrate as election results rolled in.
AGFUND, the political action arm of the state's largest farm organization, endorses candidates who support Farm Bureau policy and agriculture.
AGFUND-endorsed candidates won 79 of the 87 races in which AGFUND made endorsements.
And excitement is expected to continue as the Texas Legislature meets in January.
Water issues and school finance are expected to take center stage as the Texas Legislature convenes in January.
And the Texas Farm Bureau legislative staff was busy this past year in anticipation of that session.
During 2004, agriculture's special tax considerations were successfully defended during a Special Session on Public School Finance. Although the special session allowed budget writers the opportunity to evaluate the special considerations that are currently provided to Texas farmers and ranchers, the legislative leadership is in agreement of the importance of these tax treatments to the industry.
Texas Farm Bureau's Natural Resources Committee completed an overview of Texas Farm Bureau's water policy. With the passage of major water legislation in the recent sessions, it was important the organization be provided with additional policy direction in addressing future water challenges. That policy direction will be considered at the business session of the Texas Farm Bureau annual meeting in San Antonio.
County Farm Bureau Legislative "Toolshed" meetings were held to assist county leaders in evaluating legislative actions during the 2003 session. The program also provides county leaders with additional information necessary for future policy development.
Farm Bureau also had a great deal of success nationally with the 108th Congress, successfully protecting most of the 2002 Farm Bill from spending cuts and from stricter payment limitations.
The House and Senate passed emergency disaster assistance aid for 2003, 2004 or 2005 crop years. American Farm Bureau Federation strongly supported "ad hoc" emergency spending; however, the agriculture disaster bill was offset by using funds from the Conservation Security Program offsets and will not take effect until fiscal year 2008. The $3 billion disaster assistance package will provide assistance for multi-regional, weather-related agricultural losses. Assistance will be limited to only one crop year, as elected by the producer. Qualifying crop losses for the 2005 crop are limited to only those losses caused by a hurricane or tropical storm of the 2004 hurricane season in counties receiving a presidential disaster declaration.
Also, in the first session of the 108th Congress, the health deduction for health insurance costs paid by the self-employed reached 100 percent in 2003, providing significant relief to farm and ranch families.
Texas taxpayers received significant relief from the final budget/tax bill passed just before the election. This was particularly important to Texans, because the deduction for sales taxes paid returns to the provisions in place prior to the 1986 tax reform legislation. Taxpayers will again be able to deduct either their income taxes or sales taxes (either itemized or a schedule), plus sales taxes paid on any large ticket items such as a car, boat, etc.
Other tax provisions passed by the 108th Congress:
• Taxpayers will benefit from a reduction in capital gas tax rates to 15 percent or 5 percent, depending on income, for assets sold between 2003 and 2007. In 2008, the rates will be 15 percent or zero percent, depending on income. Under current law, most capital gains are taxed at 20 percent or 10 percent, depending on income.
•The Section 179 small business expensing deduction limit was increased from $25,000 to $100,000 for 2003 or 2005. The total threshold was increased from $200,000 to $400,000, after which the expensing deduction is reduced dollar for dollar, for 2003-2007.
•An additional first-year bonus depreciation was provided for 50 percent of purchases from May 6, 2003 through 2004.
•Income tax rates were accelerated so that lower rates scheduled for 2006 took effect for 2003. Income tax rates ranged from 10 to 39.6 percent. The lower rates are 10, 15, 25, 28, 33 and 35 percent.
•The child credit was increased from $600 to $1,000 per child for 2003-2010. Marriage penalty relief was provided by increasing the size of the basic standard deduction and 15 percent bracket for joint returns so that it is twice that of individuals for 2003-2010.
•The time that livestock producers have to replace livestock sold because of drought was extended from two to four years, giving producers more time to purchase replacement livestock and avoid capital gains.
•Changes were made in the way that outright timber sales are taxed so that proceeds from cut timber will be taxed at the lower capital gains tax rate instead of at ordinary income tax rates.
•A new deduction for the $10,000 of reforestation costs was enacted into law.
•A change was made in the small ethanol producer credit so that cooperatives can now pass credits through to cooperative members.
Keeping watch on the issues affecting crops and livestock and the laws and regulations affecting agricultural producers is TFB's Commodity and Regulatory Division.
Here's a look at some of their projects over the last year:
•Began construction on the Digester Project on the Broumley Dairy in Hico. Construction should be completed by the end of the year.
•Completed source and ambient water sampling for the Microbial Source Tracking Project for Lake Waco. Laboratory work to DNA type the organisms continues.
•Participated as part of the Beef Cattle Working Group of the U.S. Animal Identification Plan finalizing the ID program for beef and dairy cattle.
•In conjunction with the livestock industries, a cooperative Animal ID pilot project for Texas, Oklahoma and the Osage Indian Nation was developed and received funding from USDA.
•Completed six TB reviews of Mexican States.
•Organized meeting at TFB offices for Texas Animal Health Commission and the Texas Dairy Industry to finalize plans for TB testing of all dairy cattle.
•Assisted the Texas Pork Producers Association with annual meeting and election of Pork Board representatives.
•Participated in EPA Region 6 Agriculture Fair in Dallas using the TFB Agriculture in the Classroom Mobile Learning Barn.
•Worked with several other non-government organizations and state and federal agencies to develop a state "Noxious Plant" list to be used in regulating the sale of certain plants that have the potential to become invasive or to otherwise be harmful to the environment. The Texas Department of Agriculture and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department have the responsibility to enforce regulations relating to noxious plants.
•Served on a Quail Council established by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission comprised of landowners, state and federal agency personnel, and non-government organizations to develop a plan to stop the decline of quail in Texas. Quail have suffered a 70 percent decline throughout their range, and are second only to deer in revenue generated through hunting in Texas. A plan was developed and will be implemented over the next five years.
•Worked on a multi-state effort to preclude listing of the Black-tailed Prairie Dog as an endangered species throughout its range. A plan was developed and accepted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service allowing continued control of the species on private lands and providing for management of the species in such a way as to avoid its federal listing.
•Served on a working group comprised of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and several other agencies and non-government organizations to develop a "Programmatic Section Seven," which will allow brush control projects on private lands which are known to have endangered species habitat. In the past, EQIP, WHIP, or other federally funded projects were not possible on these lands unless the USFWS and NRCS agreed to engage in formal consultation, a lengthy and expensive process which NRCS generally avoided by refusing to fund projects containing habitat. This new agreement potentially opens up funding for brush control in areas that have, in the past, been unable to receive government assistance.
Developing farm leaders for the future and promoting youth activities is the mission of the Organization Programs Division.
Included in that department's 2004 activities:
•Developed, promoted and conducted Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher, Excellence in Agriculture, Discussion Meet and Collegiate Discussion Meet contests. Accompanied all state winners to Hawaii to compete in national contests.
•Assisted YF&R Committee in raising scholarship money and administered the current YF&R scholarship program ($12,000 awarded annually).
•Conducted 13 District YF&R meetings on various subjects and promoted all YF&R activities and contests across the state.
•Conducted trip to Washington, D.C. for members of the YF&R Advisory Committee.
•Accompanied State Collegiate Discussion Meet winner and YF&R Committee members to the National YF&R Leadership Conference in Salt Lake City. Collegiate Discussion Meet contestant placed in the top four.
•Conducted statewide food drive to benefit America's Second Harvest. Drive concluded at Annual Meeting in San Antonio with donation to the San Antonio A2H Food Bank.
•Administered all Texas Farm Bureau Youth Scholarships (roughly $80,000 awarded annually) and coordinated State youth contests.
•Coordinated trip to Washington, D.C. for Speech Contest finalists.
•Represented TFB and awarded scholarships at state FFA, 4-H and FCCLA annual meetings.
•Developed and conducted second year AgLead VI meetings in: College Station/Houston, Washington, D.C., Illinois and an international trip to Australia. AgLead is Texas Farm Bureau's leadership development program for young producers.
•Selected AgLead VII Class and conducted initial meeting at the state office in Waco.
Available statewide since 1987, Ag in the Classroom (AITC) is now used in over 50 percent of the school districts in Texas. Texas Farm Bureau's objective for Ag in the Classroom is to introduce the school children of Texas to agriculture and its important contributions to society. Significant events included the following:
•10th annual Summer Agriculture Institute held at Tarleton State University, with 29 teachers attending from 21 counties.
•Seven one-day workshops held in Arlington, Canyon, Lubbock, Santa Fe, Weslaco, Temple and Brenham, with 180 teachers attending.
•Workshops held at Texas A&M University and Angelo State University Colleges of Education for prospective teachers.
•Returned nearly $5,000 to county Farm Bureaus through the AITC Matching Grant Program.
•Over 100 county Farm Bureaus sponsored or participated in agriculture fairs or ag days for students in their counties.
•Presented workshop on Texas Agriculture: Life and Livelihood CD at Professional Development Conference for Agricultural Science teachers.
•Attended conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST).
•Made AITC presentation to the North American Gamebird Association.
•Received $3,500 from Farm Credit Banks of Texas for the purpose of providing AITC material to teachers attending workshop.
•Received funding for 200 copies of Cotton's Journey: A Field Trip in a Box for distribution to teachers attending AITC workshop.
•Completed and began distribution of CD ROM program, Texas Agriculture: Life and Livelihood, An Exploration of Careers in Agriculture.
•Completed the second Agriculture in the Classroom Mobile Learning Barn exhibit trailer, and began construction on six additional trailers.
Texas Farm Bureau's Urban Relations program is reaching out and establishing better understanding with the consumers who use agricultural products as part of their everyday lives. Significant accomplishments in this area include:
•Phase I revitalization of the Planet Agriculture exhibit was completed during 2004. All new displays for beef, cotton, dairy, sheep and goats, pork, corn, rice, wheat, grain sorghum, farm equipment, Ag in the Classroom and Texas Farm Bureau were finalized.
•A total of $24,150 was contributed by sister agricultural organizations towards the Planet Agriculture exhibit revitalization. A total of $52,654 has been contributed towards the revitalization project during 2003-2004. An additional $15,000 to $25,000 is anticipated in 2005.
•Planet Agriculture exhibited in 10 different cities during 2004 with over 3 million visitors experiencing the various interactive, hands-on displays. The 10-city tour had Planet Agriculture before urban audiences a total of 184 days.
•One of the goals of Planet Agriculture is to provide farmers and ranchers with a platform for telling their story. The Producer Per Diem Program is designed to compensate producer members for their time while insuring a strong representation program is designed to compensate producer members for their time while ensuring a strong representation of farmers and ranchers at the displays to share their profession with urban consumers. During 2004, 290 producer members from 43 county Farm Bureaus shared agriculture with those coming through Planet Agriculture.
•During 2004, corporate sponsors contributed $118,553 to help offset expenses incurred to conduct the Planet Agriculture tour. The sponsors included TXU, Dodge, Pilgrim's Pride, Inc., Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo, H-E-B, Children's Discovery Museum and the Texas Cattle Raisers Museum.
Texas Farm Bureau's Marketing Education Program continues to grow and help members with their marketing needs.
The program tallied 20 county and regional meetings across the state in 2004 with 272 participants. Five "Sale Barn" meetings were held for 658 participants. Some 52 meetings were held with individuals to discuss marketing needs and hundreds of phone calls were received from members. The program also represented Farm Bureau at 10 other commodity meetings.
In addition, TFB received $14,900 upon completion of the Risk Manag-ment Agency Livestock Marketing Grant, and staff worked on the R.M.A. livestock insurance to benefit TFB members.
At the heart of Texas Farm Bureau's grassroots strength is its emphasis on policy development. Farm Bureau policy originates with individual members, and is debated and adopted at the county, state and national levels.
Texas Farm Bureau held 13 policy development meetings around the state in 2004. Counties were encouraged to involve their members in the process. Counties were also encouraged to review current policies with emphasis on updating the state policy book by deleting or changing outdated policies. Response was positive.
The following internal policy, approved by the voting delegates at the 2003 convention, was implemented:
"If a resolution is rejected by the resolution committee, the county Farm Bureau presenting the resolution shall be notified in a timely manner of its rejection and the reason for the rejection."
Also, in 2004, an additional step was added in processing incoming resolutions. The number of resolutions a county submitted was confirmed using the internet/email system prior to the State Resolution session.
The 41st annual Citizenship Seminar was held in San Angelo at Angelo State University. Some 245 students, sponsored by 123 county Farm Bureaus, attended.
The Texas Farm Bureau field staff acts as a liaison between the state and county organizations, binding the two together.
County coordinators focus on the unique challenges Farm Bureau faces in big urban areas. They work with staff in Waco and with county Farm Bureau leaders on programs, issues, public relations, and purpose activities unique to those areas.
Together with area coordinators, who serve slightly larger areas surrounding urban centers, and the more traditional field staff working rural Texas, these men and women must be motivators, helpers and encouragers. They are the ones who carry the program of work adopted by the TFB Board of Directors every year out into the counties. How successful that program of work is carried out depends directly on how successful the field staff is able to get the counties to go along with it.
As such, they are instrumental in helping other divisions carry out their programs.
For example, Field Operations help put on Ag in the Classroom activities, ranging from arranging teacher institutes to student field days. Field Operations held 96 ag field days sponsored by a county Farm Bureau, and participated in many other field days conducted by others. They also introduced Ag in the Classroom into 108 schools.
Field Operations was helpful in arranging marketing programs across the state, conducted 328 meetings between county Farm Bureau leaders and legislators, and assisted 155 county Farm Bureaus in preparing their annual budgets.
Communicating with Farm Bureau's internal and external audiences is the function of the Public Relations Division.
2004 was an outstanding year of progress and achievement in TFB's public relations and media efforts.
An election year, the Public Relations Division was busy aiding in AGFUND activities, from writing news releases, helping to conduct media tours and press opportunities, and building and maintaining an AGFUND website where members could find out information about endorsed candidates. Also, for the first time, Texas Agriculture and Texas Neighbors were split up into four separate regional editions, in order to give members more information about their specific candidates.
Texas Agriculture and Texas Neighbors continued to be key communication tools for members. Continuing a tradition of excellence, Texas Agriculture was a finalist in the 2004 Best of NAMA Awards competition. The publication was a Region 2 Merit Award winner and competed in the National Agri-Business Marketing Association's Public Relations/Public Affairs/News Category.
In order to stay on top and develop possible responses to issues, staff in Public Relations, Organization and Field Services, along with the Executive Director, met twice a month in 2004. Messages in all forms of communication developed by the Public Relations Division were honed accordingly.
Farm Bureau Roundup, the nation's longest continuous running agricultural radio program, celebrated its 50th birthday in 2004. This weekly snapshot of agricultural activity and issues in Texas continues the proud tradition of providing reliable information on farming and ranching to its many listeners.
Besides Roundup, the TFB Radio Network produced five daily programs in 2004. A recent Ag Media Research (AMR) audience survey indicated that the combined effort of TSN (Texas State Network) and TFB ranked first for agricultural radio news in the state.
The Texas Farm Bureau "Voice of Agriculture" website, designed to communicate instantly with members and the general public, received an average of 375,000 "hits" per month in 2004. Links to TFB service programs and other member information were added and updated to keep members informed and active. The Public Relations Division also maintained "Texas Salebarn," an online classified service for TFB members.
