The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Ag Facts and Fun Is Opener For First State's 100th Year

It All Began January 9, 1904 at Burnside

by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Owner-Publisher

Although cold and snowy outside, just shy of 200 customers and friends were warmly greeted at First State Bank of Western Illinois's annual Ag Strategies Seminar Monday evening.

The event, held in Carthage, marked the beginning of a year-long celebration of First State's 100th year using the slogan -"Celebrating a Century of Service 1904-2004"

The Ag Strategies seminars, its 17th year, is accompanied by a delicious beef and pork dinner, speakers on agriculture, and door prizes.

Bob Rhea, a specialist in the area of business organization and tax management, again shared his top 10 Strategies for the coming year, and talked about important law changes effecting farm owners.

Highlight of the evening was special guest John Phipps, well known columnist, speaker and humorist, who delighted the crowd with his witty engineering view and his knowledge of farming. It was an extra-special evening for guests as the bank put on special effects for its 100th year in banking.

Phipps' delivered a fact and fun-filled talk on farming entitled: "It's a Different Country Now!" It was scattered with facts and humor to enlighten farmers on the problems and solutions in today's world.

Phipps said "Since 9/11 our nation has changed.

"As an Engineer, I am looking at what works and what doesn't work," and says he has facts and figures to back up everything he says.

"First there is the China syndrome" suggesting we can sell our product to all the 1.3 billion people in China.

We forget, many of those Chinese are working too to meet these needs, and at a cheaper price. "They made 75% of your Christmas gifts."

Phipps suggests the war is not in Iraq, but it's an undeclared war in "trade".

"We have serious trade problems," and the U.S. is the only one respecting the rules.

"The problem is, we look at every thing as an economic problem," but we're competing against Gorillas.

To be in the upper 1% of the world's annual income, you must gross $25,000. The world knows we are rich.

Prices are up on Beef and Land Auctions are at their all time high.

Phipps suggests a discreet ag divorce of farming and production.

"Farm subsidizing is like putting gas on the fire. The more you subsidize, the faster you lose farmers.

Some of Phipps suggestions to farmers included:

• Informational skills upgrade
• Find Truth-Tellers, like your friends at First State Bank, not spinners or politicians who put their spine on what's happening.
• Listen. Use your people skills to negotiate, help and encourage others.
• Planting a perfect row of crop "won't mean squat if you can't get along with people."

Shooting Par.

• Be happy with average. Most of the world isn't doing that well. A few high-rollers always off-set the rest
• Keeping Right Secrets. Don't embarrass your peers or family or co-workers with the dumb mistakes they've made. You will be seen as someone that can be trusted to go to with their ideas.

Skepticism Penalty.

• You may have learned as a farmer to be skeptical and cynical, "but cynics are not going to lead the way."
• When a neighbor tries something new, maybe they know something you don't. Because that's not the way its always been done, doesn't mean you can't try something new.

Community Restructuring

• We have to stop the idea that the world is resting on the shoulders of the farmer. We wouldn't get far if we didn't let the gas truck in.
• "We've depended too long on people from the WWII generation to carry us."
• "But our fathers never taught us to trust each other." We need more sense of community.
• Phipps poked fun at being a "happy farmer. You can't be both, you have to pick one.
• If you want to be happy, maybe you should plan out a "happiness road map"
• You have to think of how long you will live and your interacting with other people. The most costly room in the house is becoming the "media room" with a home theater.
• "America's communities are dying in front of the TV. America is not going to be built by people who are seated in front of the screen.
• Phipps also objected to raising children to think they can't do any wrong, and that we can't do our civic or church or community service work because we have to be home with "the family."
• "Even animals love their young. The tricky thing is to love other people" in so doing, serve community.
• He also warns about thinking too much of oneself that they become pretty good at looking needy.
• A person needs to take on some responsibility for themselves.
• Finally, don't be afraid to pursue other goals.
• "If you are able to embrace an alternate dream, don't think you can't pursue it."

John Phipps Background

John Phipps (pictured) was born in 1948 and raised on a five-generation farm in east-central Illinois. He graduated with honor from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology with a BS in Chemical Engineering and a minor in Economics in 1970.

The next five years were spent as a nuclear engineering officer aboard the USS SEAHORSE (SSN-669), a fast-attack submarine homeported in Charleston, SC. During this time he married Jan Sonneveldt of Grand Rapids, MI.

They have two sons: Aaron, a mining engineer for Centex in Austin, TX and Jack, an engineering consultant for Accenture in Chicago.

In 1975, Jan and John returned to the 600 A. family farm which now comprises 1250 A. in Edgar County.

At various times, he has sold computers and software to farmers, worked in a mortgage banking operation as a closing officer, and taught at the Danville Area Community College. His community activities include Lions Club, FmHA County Committee, Ag Extension Council, Republican Precinct Committeeman, and CPR instructor.

He is past president of the Edgar County Farm Bureau, past member of the Illinois Commission on Atomic Energy, a former director of Illini FS, past President of the Edgar County Board of Health, and has served on the Illinois Corn Marketing Board and the National Corn Congress.

John is a 1988 graduate of the Illinois Ag Leadership Program. He is active in the United Methodist Church, serving as a Certified Lay Speaker and choir director.

John writes humor and commentary, appearing regularly in Farm Journal and Top Producer magazines as a contributing editor.

He also appears regularly on Weekend Marketplace, an AgDay production, as a commentator.

Like many producers today, John began writing and speaking to more fully utilize his time and talents.

While firmly committed to farming, he has learned to expand his vision of what that life will look like.

His work conveys this essential belief that farmers everywhere can still shape their own future.

-biography is taken from http://www.johnwphipps.com