A26-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, January 25,1986 ATLANTA, GA - Dean Kleckner, the president of the lowa Farm Bureau Federation was elected today as the 10th president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. Sputh Carolina Farm Bureau President Harry Bell was selected as the federation’s vice president. Kleckner, 53, raises hogs, corn and soybeans on 550 acres in Rudd, lowa. He was elected to head the lowa Farm Bureau in 1975, and has served on the AFBF board since 1976. He succeeds Robert Delano, who served six years as head of the national federation. Bell, who succeeds Michigan Farm Bureau Federation President Elton Smith, farms 1,450 acres in Ward, S.C., raising cotton, soybeans, grains, cattle and timber. At a news conferene, Kleckner was asked several times about current conditions in agriculture. “I’m sensitive to the fact that agriculture in general is in a depressed state,” he said, adding that he hopes the worst is over but doesn’t see a quick turnaround. “Everything we are going to do is going to be slanted toward im proving net farm income,” said Kleckner. He said one answer is more exports and he indicated that Farm Bureau will continue to look at other ideas to achieve a tur naround in the industry. Another priority, Kleckner said, will be in the credit area, and he said he expects additional measures to be considered in Congress to help farmers and their lenders. Kleckner stressed that he favors a market-based, rather than government-directed, system of agriculture, and he said it would be dangerous to conclude that American farmers cannot be competitive in world markets. “We have simply got to a better job in the export market,” he said. With the convention coming shortly after enactment of the 1965 farm bill, the 280 voting delegates turned their attention to other national issues. Most prominent among the more than 200 considered was tax reform legislation, which is one half the way through Congress and will be considered this year in the Senate. The delegates endorsed a tax reform package that would repeal the investment tax credit, saying the credit and other tax breaks hurt agriculture because they encourage overproduction of many commodities and pull down prices. In addition, the tax reform CONTROL EOLad RODENTS carry diseases which can endanger the health of your poultry flocks. Your business is raising them. Ours is protecting them. We Specialize In Sanitizing And Disinfecting Poultry Houses lowa farmer chosen for Farm Bureau presidency package ratified by the delegates would treat proceeds from livestock sales as ordinary income instead of as capital gains. The tax reform proposals were similar to those contained in an AFBF tax reform study. On the issue of possible tax in crease to slice the federal deficit, the delegates reaffirmed their long-held stance against new or additional levies. Also debated was the problem of grain quality, which foreign buyers have complained about in recent years. The delegates urged that grain grade standards be improved to “give assurance that we will provide clean...grains for our customers at home and abroad.” Addressing an issue in last year’s farm bill debate, the delegates changed the federation’s position on commodity promotion programs. They said that such programs should feature an initial referendum. In instances where mandatory participation is required the delegates said a referendum should be held at least every five years to reaffirm checkoff programs. Previous policy said that producers should be given the option of obtaining refunds if they did not want to participate. The delegates rejected two proposals of note. They voted against a proposal calling for a national tax on sales of food with the revenues earmarked for helping troubled farmers. Also, the delegates turned down a proposal to establish a national political action committee for the American Farm Bureau Federation. Five new members were elected to the federation’s board of Lancaster, PA 397-3721 Lewistown, PA 248-Q983 State College, PA directors: keith Eckel, president of the Pennsylvania Farmer’s Re-elected to the AFBF board Association, and John Tarburton, were C.R. Johnston, Missouri; president of the Delaware Farm John White Jr., Illinois; and Doyle Bureau, both representing the Rahjes, Kansas, representing the Northeast region; Cecil Miller, Midwest; James Graugnard, president of the Arizona Farm Louisiana; Nicky Hargrove Bureau, representing the Western Arkansas; James Lockett, region; Carl Loop, president of the Oklahoma; S.T. Moore, Virginia; Florida Farm Bureau Federation, and S.M. True, Texas, represen representing the Southern region; ' ting the South. All those elected to and Merlyn Lokensgard, president the board will serve two-year of the Minnesota Furn* D " r P”* CAMP HILL - Voting Delegates at the 67th annual meeting of the American Farm Bureau Federation have elected Keith W. Eckel of Clarks Summit, Lackawanna County, to the Board of Directors of the nation’s largest general farm organization. American Farm Bureau represents over 3.3 million far mers and ranchers throughout the United States. American Farm Bureau delegates met in Atlanta, GA, Jan. 12 -16, to elect leaders and adopt policies on national farm issues. Eckel, is a full-time farmer and president of the Pennsylvania Farmers’ Association (PFA) which is affiliated with American Farm Bureau. Eckel operates a dairy and vegetable farm in partnership with his father, Fred, and his brother, Doug. The Eckels have a registered Holstein dairy herd of 165 cows. They also grow and pack 300 acres of mature green tomatoes. The entire farm operation consists of more than 1,000 acres and also includes 500 acres of field com, 125 acres of alfalfa, 25 acres of sweet com, and 150 acres of Thanks and Congratulations to THE BROWN FAMILY AT CHC FARM On Their New HEIFER FACILITY Building Designed To Accommodate Various Age Groups AGRI-INC. DESIGNERS & BUILDERS of SYSTEMS RD 4 EPHRATA, PA 17522 Located In Farmertvllle Phone 717-354-4271 representing the Midwest. Eckel elected to AFBF board wheat which is rotated with Commenting on his election, tomatoes. The Eckels have Eckel said, “American Farm received the Pennsylvania Master Bureau is the most powerful and Farmer Award presented by the influential farm organization in the Pennsylvania State University. country. The election of a farmer Eckel has been president of PFA from Pennsylvania gives our state since 1981. He heads a state-wide, and the entire northeast voluntary farm organization which agricultural community a strong represents 23,300 farm families in voice in carrying out the wishes of 54 county associations. our members on a national scale.” KAUFFMAN STATION - The Franklin County Holstein Club held their annual meeting and awards banquet on January 21,1986 at the Kauffman Community Center. State youth winners for milk and fat production were: two year old - Scott Cordell, Chambersburg; three year old - Steve Ecksteine, Mercersburg; four year old - Rodney Meyers, Chambersburg; five year old - Mike Cordell, Chambersburg. Placques were presented to the high registered cows in milk and fat production. Winning the award for milk production was Ray and of Lewisburg, PA BUILT BY: Franklin Co. Holstein Club meets • Pole Barn Construction • Roof Trusses 4’ On Center, Which Allows Heavier Snow Load • Natural Draft Ventilation With Overshot Ridge Vent & Sidewall Regulator Vents • Self-Locking Adjustable Headlocks terms except for True and Lokensgard, who will serve one year. Representing the AFBF Young Farmer and Rancher advisory committee on the board is Mark Darrington, of Delco, Idaho. Elected to the AFB Women’s Committee were Marilyn Camp bell, of New Hampshire; Maxine Bell, Idaho; Ailene Miller, Illinois; Carolyn Hegel, Indiana; and Ella Mae Carroll, Arkansas. Stewart Hollenshead, Mer cersburg, for the record of 31,132 M in 305 days. The winner for fat production was Mark Meyers, Greencastle, with a record of 1225 Fin 305 days. Receiving the All Pennsylvania Award were the following herd owners: Alvin Meyers, Cham bersburg; James Nina Burdette, Mercersburg; and C. Richard and Georgianna Locke, Mercersburg. Directors named to three year terms are: Brad Beidel, Newburg; Roy Cordell, Chambersburg; J. Robert Meyers Jr., St. Thomas; and Jaye Young, Greencastle. RES: FEA Let Our Experience Work For You In 1986 For All Your Farm Building Needs, Large Or Small REYNOLDS ROOFING & SIDING
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