Month: April 2015

From the Field: Helping You Is What We Do Best

/ VFB Governmental Relations / 1 Comment
From the Field is a bi-monthly column writtenby Mark Campbell, Farm Bureau Field Services Director for the Central District. He writes about Farm Bureau member benefits and County Farm Bureau activities.

It has been a while since my last blog post of “From the Field.”  Some of the critical and urgent Farm Bureau duties, activities, and events of the past few months plus my father’s death in late November 2014 simply crowded out any time for the bi weekly postings.  I enjoyed bringing stories and educational information about Farm Bureau and/or agriculture to you, and I look forward to getting back to it.
First, I have to comment on the people in Farm Bureau and the agriculture and rural communities.  One of the old slogans that Virginia Farm Bureau (VFB) had when I started working for VFB was “Helping you is what we do best”.  While I’m not sure why that slogan went by the way side, I see it exemplified on a continual basis.  Whether it be some of the insurance staff or someone in one of the federation departments, they have the mentality to serve and help the member or fellow employee. 


When my father passed away, several of my co-workers and Farm Bureau volunteers offered help on the farm, some from a couple of counties away.  A farming neighbor helped load up my hay feeder this winter when my tractor was in the repair shop.  Another neighbor split some firewood for me.  I can’t say for sure that this outpouring of generosity doesn’t happen in the city or suburbs, but it is prevalent in small rural communities.  The patchwork of small rural communities with agriculture woven in is one of our country’s greatest assets and qualities.
During the past few months, the Membership and Field Services has been diligently working on making your membership in Farm Bureau the best value that it can be.  Over 300 recommendations for new vendors to the Member Deals Plus program have been received from employees and volunteers, and we hope that many of them will participate.  This will increase the number of discounts available to you.  The GM discount on new vehicles continues to be a success story with many members utilizing the program. 
The Grainger discount also offers savings to members.  Farm Bureau members who register on Grainger.com using the Farm Bureau account code get at least a 10% discount and free shipping on all on line orders.  The discount can be much higher on many items.  Members can also get discounts at the store if you have an account set up.  I see a lot of potential growth in the Grainger program if more farmers use it. 
We also have a discount program with Case-IH and Polaris with discounts ranging from $300 to $500.  For GM, Case-IH, and Polaris, the member must apply the discount at the time of purchase.  It is not valid after the purchase.  Farm Bureau offers many other discounts, which you can learn more about by visiting www.vafarmbureau.orgor a county Farm Bureau office. 
A Farm Bureau membership is one of the best investments that you can make.  For $40 per year, you get legislative representation on your issues in Washington, D.C and Richmond, savings of more than $40 by utilizing our programs, and one on one personal service in your county.  Plus your membership helps support and strengthen agriculture and rural communities. 
Until next time,

Mark

Farmers: Closing elk hunting would put farms, drivers at risk; Make Comments Until May 22

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A proposal by the Virginia Board of Game and Inland Fisheries to close the elk hunting season in 31 counties west of the Blue Ridge is cause for concern among farmers.

In 2012, the game department re-established about 75 elk in Buchanan County, and elk hunting was prohibited in Buchanan, Dickenson and Wise counties. Closing the elk season in the Blue Ridge would add those counties to the state’s Elk Management Area.

“I’m distressed to see this proposal,” said Emily Edmondson, a Tazewell County cattle producer and member of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation board of directors. She represents Farm Bureau producer members in Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Tazewell and Wise counties on the board.

“The damage elk can do to crops and fences and infrastructure on farms is concerning to me,” Edmondson said. “The diseases that they carry can affect our livestock and cattle populations too.”

Chronic wasting disease, tuberculosis and brucellosis are among diseases that can accompany a re-established elk population.

Edmondson said she understands that Buchanan County wanted elk and respects their decision, but she noted that the animals could have an impact on surrounding counties that did not want them reintroduced.

“This proposal is in effect saying, ‘We don’t care what you say. We aren’t going to allow you to hunt elk.’ The elk are going to breed and grow, and essentially we won’t be able to do anything about it. I object to this.”

Edmondson said she also is concerned about the potential for damage to vehicles that hit elk on roadways. “These are 800- to 1,000-pound animals. I’m concerned that people will be hurt or killed. Elk can’t read. They don’t know they aren’t supposed to be in certain places.”

Currently hunters with a valid deer tag may hunt elk anywhere in the state except in the Elk Management Area. That hunting policy was established primarily to limit the risk of reintroduced elk—or deer—transmitting diseases to agricultural livestock and the white-tailed deer population.

The public can submit comments about the proposal to VDGIF between April 8 and May 22 at https://www3.dgif.virginia.gov/web/comment-2015/expand.asp?VAC=090-085.