Texas Farm Bureau | Agriculture News | Texas Ag News December 02, 2005

Calendar

Dec. 6-7	TFB Fieldstaff Conference, Waco
Dec. 11-12	AFBF Board of Directors Meeting, Washington, D.C.
Dec. 12-14	AFBF Resolutions Committee Meeting, Washington, D.C.
Dec. 15	New Presidents Orientation, Waco
Dec. 17	Texas Agricultural Heritage Center’s "Country Christmas," Seguin
Dec. 23-26	Christmas Holidays (Waco Office Closed)

AFBF praises Bush’s immigration reform strategy
The American Farm Bureau Federation, on Nov. 29, praised a comprehensive strategy for immigration reform outlined by President Bush. The new strategy recognizes that there must be a legal channel for foreign laborers to be employed in the United States through a temporary worker program.

"Farm Bureau is strongly supportive of actions to secure our borders and enforce immigration laws, but equally important is creating a new temporary worker program. As President Bush said, ‘People in this debate must recognize that we will not be able to effectively enforce our immigration laws until we create a temporary worker program.’"

AFBF President Bob Stallman urged Congress to follow the president’s lead and include a temporary worker program in any immigration reform legislation that is passed.

Sabine CFB president dies after surgery
Jerry Don Button, 61, of Hemphill, president of the Sabine County Farm Bureau, died Nov. 22, at Memorial Hospital in Nacogdoches. His funeral service was held Nov. 25, at the First United Methodist Church in Hemphill, where he was a member. Burial followed at the Sacul Cemetery in Sacul.

Button was an agriculture science and tech teacher with Hemphill ISD. In addition to his involvement with the Farm Bureau, he served on the boards of Sabine County Go Texan Committee, Sabine County Youth Foundation and Pines Hunting Club.

Survivors include: mother, Pearl Button of Sacul; son, Donald Button of Katy; daughter, Chantel Hluchan of Iola; brother, Roger Button of Malakoff; sister, Carolyn Davis of Tomball; and one granddaughter, Christina.

Spending package limits eminent domain funding
A provision in a fiscal year 2006 spending package prohibits the use of federal funds for projects using eminent domain, unless the condemnation is specifically for public use such as transportation improvements, utility projects and government buildings. The eminent domain provision is contained in the Fiscal Year 2006 Transportation, Treasury, HUD, Judiciary, District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies conference report passed by both chambers of Congress. It is on the president’s desk awaiting his signature.

The bill’s language specifically exempts economic development from being classified as public use. The use of eminent domain nationwide will be studied by the Government Accountability Office during the coming 12 months and a report will be issued. The legislation is a reaction to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Kelo v. The City of New London, Conn., that said states specifically have to limit eminent domain for economic development, otherwise it is legal.

The public outcry to the Kelo ruling caused the American Farm Bureau Federation to initiate its Stop Taking Our Property campaign pushing for both federal and individual state restrictions on economic development eminent domain. The STOP campaign continues as Farm Bureau pushes for more permanent federal legislation than the one-year appropriations rider and state-by-state legislative changes to assure full private property protection for farmers and ranchers.

Kids flock to Waller County’s first annual ag day

The first-ever Waller County Ag Day was sponsored by the Waller County Farm Bureau and the Waller County Cooperative Extension. The Ag Day was a huge success with over 650 students, teachers, and parents in attendance.

The event included many education stations such as: the Mobile Dairy Classroom, the Texas Farm Bureau Mobile Learning Barn, Cotton, Swine, Sheep, Goat, Horse, Rainfall Simulator, Wildlife, Cattle, Poultry and more.

Students enjoyed a lunch prepared by the Waller CFB Directors: David Groschke, Wayne England, Tom Paben, Bill Thompson, and Rodney Pederson, along with Diane Paben, the Waller CFB Youth Activities chairman. Above, Leon Hatterman from neighboring Colorado CFB, educates kids about poultry.

Nueces CFB promotes organization through DVD

Members and visitors to the Nueces County Farm Bureau can now watch a DVD showing how their dues are spent. The local farm organization put their annual meeting Power Point presentation in DVD format, and the slide show is presented in the lobby of their main office in Robstown and their branch office, located in Corpus Christi.

Included in the presentation is an overview of the previous year’s activities as well as local and state benefits. The photos and names of Nueces CFB directors and office staff are displayed.

The color television (pictured) is a combination TV/DVD player which cost less than $150. Pictured with Nueces CFB President Scott Frasier, are (l-r) office secretaries Vivian Ortiz, Maria Gonzales and Karen Suggs.

Also helping with the program were District Sales Manager Phil Ermis and TFB Fieldman Rob Hinnant.

AgLead VII group meets in Lubbock

AgLead VII participants met in Lubbock recently as part of a two year program that enhances leadership skills. A visit to the Cargill plant in Plainview was just one of the activities the group enjoyed. Posing in front of the statues at the new Animal and Food Sciences Building on the campus of Texas Tech university are (l-r): Clay Cooper, Daniel Bluntzer, Jay Davis, Joe Faulkenberry, Eddie Griffis III, Brad Justiss, Scotty Rhea, Marida del Core Borromeo, Marty Acton, and Stephen Diebel.

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