Press Releases

AAM SAYS IMPORTED SALMONELLA JALAPENOS POINT TO CRITICAL NEED FOR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JULY 25, 2008 Press Release #20 President, AAM, Inc. Larry Matlack 13118 East Stroud Road Burrton, KS 67020 larry@stingerltd.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ AAM FARMERS BRUTALLY BEATEN ON MCALLEN BRIDGE 30 YEARS AGO FIGHTING FOR COOL WASHINGTON (RuralWire), July 24, 2008 – Larry Matlack, President of AAM, said that this week’s discovery of tainted jalapeños coming into the United States at the port of entry at McAllen, Texas is yet another reason that congressionally mandated Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) on all perishable vegetables is so critical to the safety of the nation’s consumers. “In February 1978, hundreds of farmers protested unlabeled and falsely labeled produce coming across the bridge at McAllen,” explained Matlack.  “We had been working on passing laws that required COOL since AAM’s inception, but in McAllen, Texas our farmers showed their resolve when hundreds were arrested and dozens brutally beaten on that bridge.  A few sustained permanent disabilities and even brain damage from the beatings they took on that bridge.  AAM was that committed to COOL thirty years ago and we still are today.” Until 2002, only frozen fruits and vegetables were required to be labeled as to the country of origin.  The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 finally required that retailers to inform consumers of the country of origin for the muscle cuts of beef, lamb, and pork; ground beef, ground lamb, and ground pork; farm-raised fish and shellfish; wild fish and shellfish; peanuts and perishable agricultural commodities such as fresh fruits and vegetables. “But our administration refused to implement COOL and Congress refused to finance implementation of COOL,” said Matlack.  “That’s why it took the 2008 farm bill, passed into law over the President’s veto, to finally require that these products be labeled as to their country of origin.  The nation still awaits USDA ’s implementation of COOL today.  I hope they enforce the law before anyone else is sickened or dies simply because they could not determine where their family’s food came from.” (30) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ *AAM stands for food producer and commodity PARITY. Parity is a term that denotes a fair commodity price adjusted for inflation to the commodity prices brought in 1910-1914 when producer-middlemen-consumer had a balanced income. Today, 15 commodities average 35 percent of PARITY. Meanwhile costs of trucks, combines, implements, tractors, and help rose many times. AAM still demands a parity price increase for commodities. Go to AAM's website: http://www.aaminc.org/ for more information.

CRP COURT DECISION HURTS RANCHERS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JULY 22, 2008 Press Release #19 President, AAM, Inc. Larry Matlack 13118 East Stroud Road Burrton, KS 67020 larry@stingerltd.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   An Open Letter to the National Wildlife Federation and an Editorial Comment by Jim Rice, Rancher, Farmer and Proud Member of the American Agriculture Movement July 22, 2008 The following letter has been sent to The National and Kansas Wildlife federations: In light of the recent court decision to stop Critical Feed Use on CRP acres and your direct involvement on the issue, I have decided to no longer allow permission for recreational use of my CRP for your members. Area livestock producers are in vital need of livestock feed to provide to their herds and as a result of your actions YOU have denied them that ability. As a result some may have to eliminate a portion of, or perhaps eliminate their entire herd as severe drought has resulted in nearly a hundred percent loss in native pasture in my area. You have caused great damage to many producers. So, this fall when hunting season arrives I will be asking those wanting to hunt if they are a member of your organization, if so, that opportunity afforded to them in the past will be stopped as your court order stopped my emergency fee d use. In addition I will inform my neighbors and anyone else I may come in contact with, of my intentions in hopes they may join me in my efforts. I am very disappointed in your action. Since when is recreation more important than food production? Jim Rice, Liberal Kansas (30) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ *AAM stands for food producer and commodity PARITY. Parity is a term that denotes a fair commodity price adjusted for inflation to the commodity prices brought in 1910-1914 when producer-middlemen-consumer had a balanced income. Today, 15 commodities average 35 percent of PARITY. Meanwhile costs of trucks, combines, implements, tractors, and help rose many times. AAM still demands a parity price increase for commodities. Go to AAM's website: http://www.aaminc.org/ for more information.

AAM REPORTS FARMERS STILL LOSING ECONOMIC GROUND EVEN WITH HIGHER FARM PRICES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JULY 17, 2008 Press Release #18 President, AAM, Inc. Larry Matlack 13118 East Stroud Road Burrton, KS 67020 larry@stingerltd.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ENERGY RELATED EXPENSES ESCALATING FASTER THAN CROP PRICES WASHINGTON (RuralWire), July 17, 2008 – Larry Matlack, President of the American Agriculture Movement (AAM) and a Reno County, Kansas farmer, took time today to put into perspective recent USDA statistics on prices paid and prices received by farmers. “If you are a farmer, you know that you are not making that much financial headway, even with current crop prices,” said Matlack.  “Many of us have focused on the parity index over the years, but some of that information comes from the calculations of prices received and paid by farmers, so we decided to make sense of our findings from USDA’s May 2008 Index of Prices Received and Paid by Farmers.” “Pasted below is a few numbers we identif ied from the May report,” explained Matlack.  “You will see prices received have increased since the base period of 1990-1992, however farming costs have increased even faster.”  The full report may be accessed at (http://www.ruralwire.com/media/docs/aotab04.pdf). Index of Prices Received and Paid by Farmers, U.S. Average (May, 2008, USDA) With a few selected subcategories -- 1990-1992=100 Prices Received (All farm products)               150 Food Grains                              278 Feed Grains and Hay                 222 Oil Crops                                  221 Livestock and products             132 Prices Paid*                                       184 Fuel                                           392 Fertilizer                                    364 Seed                                         275 Feed                                         188 *(Commodities and services, interest, taxes, and wage rates) “While the index of prices received has increased by 50 percent since the 1990 to 1992 base year, the index of prices paid has increased by 80 percent,” said Matlack.  “Fuel prices are almost four times what they were then, fertilizer is up over three and a half times and seed is approaching three times the price paid in the 1990 to 1992 period.”  “Food grains (rice and wheat) prices have experienced the greatest improvement. However, livestock prices have lagged behind and have lost significant ground with increased feed prices.  The key point here is that, while farm prices are stronger, the cost of production has increased by an even greater amount,” concluded Matlack.  “By the way, the parity ratio is only 39 percent!” (30) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ *AAM stands for food producer and commodity PARITY. Parity is a term that denotes a fair commodity price adjusted for inflation to the commodity prices brought in 1910-1914 when producer-middlemen-consumer had a balanced income. Today, 15 commodities average 35 percent of PARITY. Meanwhile costs of trucks, combines, implements, tractors, and help rose many times. AAM still demands a parity price increase for commodities. Go to AAM's website: http://www.aaminc.org/ for more information.

AAM STILL HAS EYE ON ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JULY 3, 2008 Press Release #17 President, AAM, Inc. Larry Matlack 13118 East Stroud Road Burrton, KS 67020 larry@stingerltd.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ LESSONS FROM 2008 SHOULD BE USED TO ADVANCE RENEWABLE ENERGY GOALS WASHINGTON (RuralWire), July 3, 2008 – Larry Matlack, President of the American Agriculture Movement (AAM), commented today on the challenges experienced by farmers and ethanol production during the first half of 2008. "AAM still has our eye on advancing America toward energy independence,” stated Matlack on the eve of the nation’s observance of Independence Day. “America’s family farmers are having a challenging crop year with flooding, a cold wet planting season, droughts and other natural disasters that have hampered our ability to bring in another bumper crop,” explained Matlack. “And our growing renewable energy sector is also facing serious challenges with stronger, weather related corn and soybean prices. In light of these challenges, AAM wants to review the lessons learned, so that we can continue our work to assist America achieve true energy independence.” Matlack said that the lessons learned should provide a catalyst to accelerate renewable energy production and processing. “The first thing we need to realize is that higher corn prices are not the only thing impacting ethanol production, natural gas prices are close to or exceeding $13 per thousand cubic feet. We know that we can refit most ethanol plants to use locally produced renewable biomass to meet the majority of their energy needs. Biomass energy comes from many non-food sources including crop residues, forestry waste and dedicated energy crops, such as switchgrass and other native and low input crops.” “AAM is also a strong advocate of accelerating the advancement of cellulosic ethanol made from the same non-food crops as were mentioned previously,” continued Matlack. “While we all know that corn based ethanol is t he not a singular answer to obtaining energy independence, it is the best option for now and we need to move forward with other forms of feedstock for ethanol production as soon as possible.” AAM also opposes any motions to suspend the 2007 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), such as the requests made by Texas Governor Rick Perry and others. Now is not the time to cut and run from our mission to energy independence. A final point presented by Matlack, was America’s lack of a strategic grain reserve. “The Freedom to Farm Act of 1996, which eliminated federal grain reserves, including the Farmer Owned Reserve, has actually reduced America’s freedom,” declared Matlack, a direct descendent of Colonel Timothy Matlack the penman of the off icial 1776 Declaration of Independence. “We have a strategic petroleum reserve, but we no longer have strategic grain reserves. Failure to reestablish these critical reserves threatens America’s food security and energy independence. They must be reestablished to protect our livestock industry, our renewable fuel sector and all of our customers domestic and foreign” “America’s farmers have always risen to the challenges of our nation, from Lexington to Baghdad, and AAM will never retreat from fulfilling our objectives for America’s energy independence. We will study the lessons learned and advance.” (30) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ *AAM stands for food producer and commodity PARITY. Parity is a term that denotes a fair commodity price adjusted for inflation to the commodity prices brought in 1910-1914 when producer-middlemen-consumer had a balanced income. Today, 15 commodities average 35 percent of PARITY. Meanwhile costs of trucks, combines, implements, tractors, and help rose many times. AAM still demands a parity price increase for commodities. Go to AAM's website: http://www.aaminc.org/ for more information.

AAM SUBMITS RECOMMENDATIONS ON SECOND GENERATION BIOFUELS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JUNE 13, 2008 Press Release #16 President, AAM, Inc. Larry Matlack 13118 East Stroud Road Burrton, KS 67020 larry@stingerltd.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ MATLACK PROPOSES SUGGESTIONS TO HOUSE RURAL AND URBAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUBCOMMITTEE WASHINGTON (RuralWire), June 13, 2008 –Larry Matlack, President of the American Agriculture Movement (AAM), submitted written testimony to the Rural and Urban Entrepreneurship Subcommittee of the House Small Business Committee this week commending Chairman Heath Shuler, D-N.C., and Ranking Member Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb., for their leadership and initiative in holding a hearing on “Second Generation Biofuels: The New Frontier for Small Businesses,” and made several su ggestions to help the committee advance better utilization of biomass. “AAM, a leading advocate of renewable energy since our inception three decades ago, fully supports the advancement of all forms of renewable energy, including new and better ways to produce biofuels,” explained matlack.  “When AAM brought thousands of farmers and tractors to the nation’s capital in 1979, we came with much more than protests; we came with solutions as well.  Farmers, camping on the National mall set up a small ethanol still and produced renewable ‘gasohol’ and made cookies from the distiller’s grains. Those cookies were served to members of Congress, including several currently sitting in key leadership positions in this 110th Congress.  Working with Congress and President Carter, we were able to enact the nation’s first ethanol programs, and thirty years later we are here to remi nd you that we not only identified solutions to help farmers find alternative markets for their crops and better prices, but also helped America move towards energy independence.” Matlack reiterated AAM’s support for ethanol, biodiesel and biomass and proclaimed that AAM supported the new tax credit for production of cellulosic biofuel, the extension of small ethanol producer credit, the ethanol tariff extension, the extension and modification of credit for biodiesel used as fuel and the extension of alternative fuel vehicle refueling property credit as passed in the recent farm bill.  He also stated strong support for the new Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), contained in Section 9011 of the new farm bill.  “The BCAP is a critical first step in helping farmers shift to new alternative crop s which will help America move towards energy independence,” stated Matlack.  “This program will encourage farmers to establish and produce local, home-grown, renewable energy for industrial heat, electric cogeneration and cellulosic ethanol utilizing biomass crops in areas around biomass facilities producing bioenergy.”  He also pointed out that AAM would have liked to have seen passage of a provision omitted from the final farm bill that would have provided a ten-cent per gallon tax credit for producers of fossil-free ethanol.  AAM suggested additional measures to advance new biofuels and biomass utilization including a production tax credit (PTC), similar to the PTC for wind, established for biomass used to meet energy requirements outside of cellulosic and/or non-fossil fuel ethanol.  “To help our nation cope with an over-dependence on natural gas, more and more of which is now imported, and which has experienced huge price increases, there should be a $1 to $2 per-million BTU tax credit for the use of renewable biomass, including crop residues such as corn stalks and wheat straw which are not covered by the BCAP,” suggested Matlack.  He also recommended more emphasis on nitrogen fertilizer production using wind power and an expansion of the on farm storage facility loan program to allow farmers to build biomass storage and handling facilities. (30) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ *AAM stands for food producer and commodity PARITY. Parity is a term that denotes a fair commodity price adjusted for inflation to the commodity prices brought in 1910-1914 when producer-middlemen-consumer had a balanced income. Today, 15 commodities average 35 percent of PARITY. Meanwhile costs of trucks, combines, implements, tractors, and help rose many times. AAM still demands a parity price increase for commodities. Go to AAM's website: http://www.aaminc.org/ for more information.

FOOD PROCESSORS' SMEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST FARMERS SMACKS OF TREASON

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MAY 28, 2008 Press Release #15 President, AAM, Inc. Larry Matlack 13118 East Stroud Road Burrton, KS 67020 larry@stingerltd.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ An Editorial Comment by Larry Matlack, President American Agriculture Movement May 27, 2008 It recently became public that there has been an orchestrated public relations smear campaign by Grocery Manufacturing Association (GMA), working in tandem with a highly-paid “K Street” lobbying firm, to discredit ethanol as a viable alternative renewable fuel.  The smear campaign attempted to blame it for high food prices and causing people to go hungry.  To put the issue in context, we must first remember that our renewable fuels programs have been initiated to help reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil. I also have serious questions as to whether this smear campaign was also a diversionary tactic to misdirect the attention onto farmers and renewable fuels and away from the fact that many food processors are making and reporting record profits.  Several members of GMA have reported increased profits of well over 50 percent in the past quarter when compared to previous quarters and/or the same quarter a year ago.  Some of those reported increases in corporate profits exceed 80 percent at a time America’s working families are struggling with rapid and debilitating inflationary surges in energy, food and related living expenses.  It is nothing new for one business group to spread misinformation about another in order to increase their profits. It is also nothing new for one group to try to influence congressional legislation or governmental regulations in order to profit from that influence. What is very different in this case is the possible consequences of these most recent acts by some state leaders, members of congress and business members of the GMA.  For every dollar spent on this smear campaign of misinformation our nation slips further from domestically produced renewable fuels and back to our over reliance on imported oil.  This dastardly campaign not only lines the pockets of the food processing executives, it actually sends more money to countries that do not share America’s values. Some of that money goes to the countries the 9/11 hijackers came from. Some of that money goes to countries from which support is provided for insurgents and terrorists fighting and killing American solders in Iraq and Afghanistan.   Referring to our dependence and continued purchase of oil from countries hostile to America, R. James Woolsey, former National Security Advisor, has stated “we are funding our enemy.”  Article III Section 3 of the United States Constitution lists three treasonous acts, of which one is providing aid and comfort to the enemy.  I believe providing money is “aid and comfort”.  I believe Benedict Arnold caused fewer American solders to die than will those attacking renewable, domestic fuels.  I would welcome an explanation from any of the Presidential Candidates or any credible news media personality why this is not a treasonous act. The real Patriots I know prefer to advance and promote Midwestern ethanol and biodiesel, not Middle Eastern oil! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ *AAM stands for food producer and commodity PARITY. Parity is a term that denotes a fair commodity price adjusted for inflation to the commodity prices brought in 1910-1914 when producer-middlemen-consumer had a balanced income. Today, 15 commodities average 35 percent of PARITY. Meanwhile costs of trucks, combines, implements, tractors, and help rose many times. AAM still demands a parity price increase for commodities. Go to AAM's website: http://www.aaminc.org/ for more information.

AAM CONCERNED WITH CCC INVENTORIES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MAY 21, 2008 Press Release #14 President, AAM, Inc. Larry Matlack 13118 East Stroud Road Burrton, KS 67020 larry@stingerltd.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE US HAS NO REMAINING GRAIN RESERVES WASHINGTON (RuralWire), May 21, 2008 –Larry Matlack, President of the American Agriculture Movement (AAM), has raised concerns over the issue of U.S. grain reserves after it was announced that the sale of 18.37 million bushels of wheat from USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust. “According to the May 1, 2008 CCC inventory report there are only 24.1 million bush els of wheat in inventory, so after this sale there will be only 2.7 million bushels of wheat left the entire CCC inventory,” warned Matlack.  “Our concern is not that we are using the remainder of our strategic grain reserves for humanitarian relief.  AAM fully supports the action and all humanitarian food relief.  Our concern is that the U.S. has nothing else in our emergency food pantry.  There is no cheese, no butter, no dry milk powder, no grains or anything else left in reserve.  The only thing left in the entire CCC inventory will be 2.7 million bushels of wheat which is about enough wheat to make ½ of a loaf of bread for each of the 300 million people in America.” The CCC is a federal government-owned and operated entity that was created to stabilize, support, and protect farm income and prices. CCC is also supposed to maintain balanced and adequate supplies of agricultural commodities and aids in their orderly distribution. “This lack of emergency preparedness is the fault of the 1996 farm bill which eliminated the government’s grain reserves as well as the Farmer Owned Reserve (FOR),” explained Matlack.  “We had hoped to reinstate the FOR and a Strategic Energy Grain Reserve in the new farm bill, but the politics of food defeated our efforts.  As farmers it is our calling and purpose in life to feed our families, our communities, our nation and a good part of the world, but we need better planning and coordination if we are to meet that purpose.  AAM pledges to continue our work for better farm policy which includes an FOR and a Strategic Energy Grain Reserve.” AAM’s support for the FOR program, which allows the grain to be stored on farms, is a key component to a safe grain reserve in that the supplies will be decentralized in the event of some unforeseen calamity which might befall the large grain storage terminals.  A Strategic Energy Grain Reserve is as crucial for the nation’s domestic energy needs as the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.  AAM also supports full funding for the replenishment and expansion of Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust. The May 1, 2008 CCC Inventory report may be reviewed here. (30) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ *AAM stands for food producer and commodity PARITY. Parity is a term that denotes a fair commodity price adjusted for inflation to the commodity prices brought in 1910-1914 when producer-middlemen-consumer had a balanced income. Today, 15 commodities average 35 percent of PARITY. Meanwhile costs of trucks, combines, implements, tractors, and help rose many times. AAM still demands a parity price increase for commodities. Go to AAM's website: http://www.aaminc.org/ for more information.

IN MEMORY OF BOB W. THORNTON

Bob Thornton, community activist, leaves public service legacy May 06, 2008 - 09:28:22 CDT By Joyce Godwin Herald Democrat He was a community activist most of his life, but unless one had first-hand knowledge of his activities, there would be no way to know about it because Bob Wayne Thornton was a humble man who didn’t talk about his achievements without being asked. Mr. Thornton passed away peacefully on Sunday. He suffered from cancer for several years. His family says he said all his farewells and was ready to go Sunday when he drew his last breath. Mr. Thornton was one who believed in family and held family ties as a lifetime priority. He was proud of his family heritage and proud of his children and grandchildren. His son-in-law David Wood talked about his life Monday. Mr. Thornton’s great-greatgrandfather was one of the orphans who came on the orphan train through the North Texas area. He was adopted by the Kelly family and lived in the Kelly Community, just west of the Hurricane Creek Country Club between Weston and Anna. He was a fourth-generation farmer, and though he could do just about anything from carpentry to plumbing, he most loved farming. Wood said one of the more interesting stories about Mr. Thornton’s life could be his connection with Willie Nelson. “Willie is in Norway for a Scandinavian tour right now but sent his condolences to the family and said he thought a lot of Bob and appreciates what was done for him,” Wood said. Mr. Thornton was one who bought part of Nelson’s property on the courthouse steps in 1991 and sold it back to him after Nelson’s trouble with the Internal Revenue Service was cleared up. News reports at the time reported the purchaser was “anonymous.” Wood explained that his wife’s father got to know Nelson through the Farm Aid concerts Nelson put on. “The American Agriculture Movement was one of the recipients of Farm Aid from Willie,” Wood said. “Bob had been involved (in AAM) as national vice president for several years and then as president and kind of got to know Willie and his entourage. Then when Willie got in trouble with the IRS ... He is a wonderful entertainer, but in his early years, he was surrounded by poor managers who were just bleeding him.” Wood explained that the property was foreclosed on by the IRS because of the management of the singer’s affairs by others. “When his property was sold off by the IRS on the courthouse steps, the farmers came in large numbers and basically crowded out the legitimate buyers,” Wood said. “Bob bought the horse ranch which had a large home on it in the Dripping Springs area west of Austin. Bob took the title to it and then, as Willie’s troubles were over and he settled with the IRS, Bob sold it back to him with generous terms. They have stayed friends. We get a check from Willie every month.” Mr. Thornton was one of the original members of the American Agriculture Movement, a grass roots organization to help farmers become involved with government, politics and the public policy that affects their livelihoods. He participated in the 1979 “tractor-cade” that rolled into Washington, D.C., more than 6,000 tractors strong. Wood said it took them a month to get there and a month to get home and they lobbied the whole time they were there. More detail about this venture which mentions Mr. Thornton and carries a picture of him may be read on the Web site at www.aaminc.org/history.htm. Farmers were protesting low commodity prices and the treatment of the American farmer. Wood said Mr. Thornton came home with rich, colorful stories about his experiences. He told how, once in Washington, D.C., the city was snowed in and the tractors were recruited to help clear the streets. “Bob was assigned the streets surrounding the Pentagon,” Wood said. “Bob baled out the Pentagon during that storm.” Through his political activist endeavors, Mr. Thornton became friends with several elected representatives, such as former U.S. Sen. John Tower, current U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall and former Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn. Mr. Thornton told his family of a time when several farmers when to see Mr. Rayburn in Bonham to try to get some changes made. He told how the farmers went in their bib overalls and were invited in to see Mr. Sam ahead of the men in three-piece suits who were also waiting. “Rayburn was in favor of the little guy, and Bob always appreciated that about him,” Wood said. Van Alstyne resident Jessie Savage was good friends with Mr. Thornton for most of their lives. He said, “Old Bob used to go dancin’. He was a big-time dancer out at Hurricane Creek. Just a good-time guy and a good friend. Old Bob was a good honest guy — hard to find a better friend than old Bob.” Savage remembers Mr. Thornton as an excellent farmer for most of his life. He began farming when he was 12. “He had all the equipment to do it with, too,” Savage said. “He always liked having good equipment. I’m going to miss seeing him. He always had big stories ... I’ll see him again.” Wood said the Thorntons were leaders in the farming industry. They were the first to bring in equipment, the first to mechanize their operations and usually the first to help another farmer get past a rough spot with the loan of money and equipment. When Mr. Thornton retired from farming in 2000 after farming more than 65 years, he was working 500 to 600 acres in Collin and Grayson counties. He enjoyed drinking coffee with his friends at the different stopping places around town. He enjoyed traveling and also restored a 1939 Chevrolet that was just like the first car he ever owned. “It was a 1939, two-door Chevy Coupe,” Wood reported. Mr. Thornton is survived by daughters  Sheryl Priest of North Little Rock, Ark., Brenda Baggett of Friendswood and Linda Wood of Van Alstyne; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and sister JoAnn Cavender of Van Alstyne. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Flesher Funeral Home with burial in Van Alstyne Cemetery. The family requests memorials be made to First Christian Church Elevator Fund, P.O. Box 626, Van Alstyne, TX 75495.

FARMERS CALL FOR FINAL PASSAGE OF NEW FARM BILL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MAY 8, 2008 Press Release #13 President, AAM, Inc. Larry Matlack 13118 East Stroud Road Burrton, KS 67020 larry@stingerltd.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ VETO AND EXTENSION OF OUTDATED 2002 BILL COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE WASHINGTON (RuralWire), May 8, 2008 – Larry Matlack, President of the American Agriculture Movement (AAM), today praised the efforts of leaders in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives for their recent work to advance a new farm bill.  Speaking about the House and Senate farm bill conferees, Matlack declared, “Our hats are off to these t ireless leaders and their dedicated staffs for finally working out all of the differences between the two versions of the farm bill.  We all realize that it has been a long, tough row to hoe.  The final conference report for that farm bill is not a perfect plan, nor is any piece of legislation, but we recognize that this is the best deal that can be agreed to at this time and we endorse their work.” “We will soon be calling upon President Bush to show the same type of leadership exhibited by the Congress and approve the actions of Congress on the farm bill,” added Matlack.  “But in the event he fails to do so, we are working toward achieving a veto-proof, two-thirds majority of the House and Senate to compelete action on the new farm bill.” Earlier this week, AAM joined with dozens of other rural, agricultural, fai th-based, renewable energy and nutrition organizations in signing a letter to all members of the U.S. House of Representatives urging a yes vote on the farm bill conference report.  “We need bipartisan support to achieve the 290 votes needed in the House to ensure this legislation becomes law.  Please call the Capitol switchboard at (202)224-3121, ask to speak to the office of your member of Congress and urge them to vote for passage of the farm bill conference report.” Matlack also explained AAM’s fall-back plan should the farm bill not be enacted in the very near future.  “Permanent farm law is the nation’s fall-back plan in the event we do not get a new farm bill,” he explained.  “Permanent farm law’s nonrecourse loan will not provide Loan Deficiency Payments (LDPs), Marketing Loan Gains (MLGs ), Fixed Payments or Counter-Cyclical Payments,” he cautioned.  “But it will provide a much better safetynet by establishing fair and equitable floor prices for farmers with a built in cost increase index, Parity.  In the event of a crash in farm prices, farmers will fair much better and the taxpayers will not be burdened with paying farm subsidies.  AAM has determined that permanent farm law is the best alternative to a new bill and an extension of the 2002 farm bill is the worst option.” “According to a recent report by the Congressional Research Service, most of the long-standing USDA conservation programs are permanently authorized, as are domestic food and nutrition programs administered by the USDA in the case that we are forced to return to permanent farm law.  We would need to find a way to provide a safetynet f or a few crops such as soybeans and rice, but this could be addressed in other legislative vehicles being drafted in Congress.”   (30) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ *AAM stands for food producer and commodity PARITY. Parity is a term that denotes a fair commodity price adjusted for inflation to the commodity prices brought in 1910-1914 when producer-middlemen-consumer had a balanced income. Today, 15 commodities average 35 percent of PARITY. Meanwhile costs of trucks, combines, implements, tractors, and help rose many times. AAM still demands a parity price increase for commodities. Go to AAM's website: http://www.aaminc.org/ for more information.

AAM INSISTS THAT PRESIDENT ENACT NEW FARM BILL OR IMPLEMENT PERMANENT FARM LAW

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 28, 2008 Press Release #12 President, AAM, Inc. Larry Matlack 13118 East Stroud Road Burrton, KS 67020 larry@stingerltd.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ EXTENSION OF OUTDATED 2002 BILL COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE WASHINGTON (RuralWire), April 28, 2008 – Larry Matlack, President of the American Agriculture Movement (AAM), today praised the efforts of leaders in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives for their recent work to advance a new farm bill.  “There has been very serious debate, compromise and ingenuity in getting to this point in the construction of a new farm bill,” said Matlack.  “While we may not be totally supportive on all of the points in what appears to be a final package, we are very positive about the overall initiative, especially the renewable energy provisions, country of origin labeling (COOL) for most foods, expanded nutritional aid and the emergency assistance programs that will help farmers deal with natural disasters when they strike.” “We now call upon the executive branch of our government to endorse the actions of Congress on the farm bill,” added Matlack.  “It will be a travesty if the President vetoed this bill.  If he decides he will not enact the bill when it arrives at his desk, we want to make sure he understands that it is time for USDA to implement permanent farm law because an extension of the 2002 bill is inadequate and unacceptable.”  “Permanent farm law’s nonrecourse loan will not provide Loan Deficiency Payments (LDPs), Marketing Loan Gains (MLGs), Fixed Payments or Counter-Cyclical Payments,” cautioned Matlack.  “But it will provide a much better safetynet by establishing fair and equitable floor prices for farmers with a built in cost increase index, Parity.  In the event of a crash in farm prices, farmers will fair much better and the taxpayers will not be burdened with paying farm subsidies.  AAM has determined that permanent farm law is the best option and an extension of the 2002 farm bill is the worst option.”  “According to a recent report by the Congressional Research Service, most of the long-standing USDA conservation programs are permanently authorized as are domestic food and nutrition programs administered by the USDA if we were forced to return to permanent farm law,” explained Matlack.  “But we would need to find a way to provide a safetynet for a few crops.  This could be addressed in other legislative vehicles being drafted in Congress at this time.”  “With skyrocketing production expenses threatening farmers, the best safetynet that could be implemented is the price floors contained in permanent farm law,” concluded Matlack.  “We cannot afford to rely upon the outdated subsidy schemes of the 2002 farm bill.  We insist that the President to either sign the new farm bill or implement permanent farm law.”   (30) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ *AAM stands for food producer and commodity PARITY. Parity is a term that denotes a fair commodity price adjusted for inflation to the commodity prices brought in 1910-1914 when producer-middlemen-consumer had a balanced income. Today, 15 commodities average 35 percent of PARITY. Meanwhile costs of trucks, combines, implements, tractors, and help rose many times. AAM still demands a parity price increase for commodities. Go to AAM's website: http://www.aaminc.org/ for more information.

AAM CALLS "TIMEOUT" ON ANY MORE TRADE DEALS UNTIL EXISTING AGREEMENTS ARE REVIEWED

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 9, 2008 Press Release #11 President, AAM, Inc. Larry Matlack 13118 East Stroud Road Burrton, KS 67020 larry@stingerltd.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ MATLACK OPPOSES U.S.-COLOMBIAN PACT PASSAGE IN 110TH CONGRESS WASHINGTON (RuralWire), April 9, 2008 – The American Agriculture Movement (AAM) is calling for a “Timeout” on ratification of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement until similar existing agreements are reviewed and renegotiated. Larry Matlack, President of AAM, declared, “Many farmers were strong advocates of previous trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and acceptance of China into the World Trade agreement (WTO).  We were led to believe such actions would advance U.S. agriculture only to find out later that the agreements were oversold and underperforming.  Congress should hold off ratification of any more trade agreements until previous agreements can be reviewed and improved to serve everyone.” “NAFTA fails farm families and rural business in Mexico, Canada and the United States,” said Matlack.  “NAFTA must be reviewed and renegotiated before Congress takes up the Colombian measure because neither agreement properly addresses agricultural, environmental or labor related issues.  It can also be argued that NAFTA, combined with failed U.S. farm policy, has exacerbated the forced migration of many of Mexico’s farmers into the U.S.  We cannot impose the same hardships on farm families in Colombia.” “NAFTA has put too many farm families in the hole,” concluded Matlack.  “And the first rule to remember when you find yourself in a hole is to stop digging.  So put away the s hovel and put away the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement until the problems of NAFTA and other agreements can be properly addressed.  It is time to first make sure all Free Trade Agreements work to benefit American farmers and consumers as a whole rather than for the benefit of a few corporations.” (30) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ *AAM stands for food producer and commodity PARITY. Parity is a term that denotes a fair commodity price adjusted for inflation to the commodity prices brought in 1910-1914 when producer-middlemen-consumer had a balanced income. Today, 15 commodities average 35 percent of PARITY. Meanwhile costs of trucks, combines, implements, tractors, and help rose many times. AAM still demands a parity price increase for commodities. Go to AAM's website: http://www.aaminc.org/ for more information.

AAM JOINS OVER 70 ORGANIZATIONS IN OPPOSITION TO JBS SWIFT CONSOLIDATION OF BEEF INDUSTRY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 26, 2008 Press Release #10 President, AAM, Inc. Larry Matlack 13118 East Stroud Road Burrton, KS 67020 larry@stingerltd.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ WASHINGTON (RuralWire), March 26, 2008 – The American Agriculture Movement (AAM) has joined with over 70 other farm, rural, conservation and faith-based organizations to oppose the recently announced plans by JBS Swift to buy National Beef and Smithfield Beef.  In a letter to U.S. Assistant Attorney General Thomas Barnett, the organizations stated, “This is an unprecedented five to three merger that will harm price, choice, innovation and competition in the beef industry.” Larry Matlack, President of AAM, declared, “The free enterprise system depends upon competition.  Competition requires competitors.  One of government’s prime duties is to ensure a marketplace in which there are competitors, competition and the security of the free market system.” The 71 signatory organizations ask that Barnett’s Premerger Notification Unit of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Operations, scrutinize the merger, issue a second request, and strongly consider blocking the deal. The letter stated that the primary focus of the organizations’ concerns is with the buying market for cattle. But they also noted that reducing the number of major beef processors from 5 to 3 is likely to have adverse effects on consumers as well. The letter concluded by declaring, “No efficiencies or benefits will arise from this acquisition. Each of the enterprises is substantially larger than necessary for efficient operation and National is already a leading exporter of beef even though it ranks fourth in volume. New entry requires extraordinary amounts of cash and liquidity to compete beyond a niche level. Indeed, the current configuration of the Smithfield beef operation makes it a uniquely positioned potential entrant into direct competition in the Texas, Kansas, Nebraska region (especially in light of its substantial feeding operations in the region) and as a result it may well exercise a ‘wings’ effect on competition in that region as well as being a future actual competitor whether under its current ownership or some other owner. Beef packing is a mature industry in which competition must be preserved.” The full text of the letter to Assistant Attorney General Thomas Barnett is included below:   The Honorable Thomas Barnett Assistant Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice Office of Operations Premerger Notification Unit 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Room 3335 Washington, DC 20530 Re:  JBS Swift acquisition of National Beef and Smithfield Beef March 25, 2008 Dear Mr. Barnett: JBS Swift has announced plans to buy National Beef and Smithfield Beef.  This is an unprecedented five to three merger that will harm price, choice, innovation and competition in the beef industry.  The undersigned signatory organizations ask that your division scrutinize the merger, issue a second request, and strongly consider blocking the deal. In making this request, we note that many other farm and beef groups, including the Farm Bureau and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, seek this scrutiny.  Given the frequently divergent views of these groups on competition issues, this unanimity of opinion is itself evidence that this merger may well “substantially lessen competition.” The primary focus of our concern is with the buying market for cattle.  We also note that reducing the number of major beef processors from 5 to 3 is likely to have adverse effects on consumers as well. A large percentage of cattle are now committed for sale prior to delivery at the market, such commitments are always contingent on market prices. The live cattle market price is largely set in Kansas, Nebraska and Texas.  Most other U.S. markets do not have implications for non-market transactional prices and in fact largely mirror the prices from the Great Plains.  Because vertical integration by ownership and contract is strong across the country, there is a diminished volume of cash market purchases that set the base prices for all transactions.  Vertical integration includes all cattle committed to packers more than 14 days in advance of slaughter.  Vertical integration includes packer owned cattle, contracted cattle, and “relationship” cattle. “Contracted cattle” include formula contracts, forward contracts and relationship cattle.  Formula contracts are written or oral arrangements whereby packers have a commitment from producers to deliver at a price set in a mathematical relationship to the reported price of the week.  That reported price is from Kansas, Texas or Nebraska, as the case may be.  Forward contracts are priced from the futures market - packers acquire rights to cattle by offering a contract with prices set in relation to the nearby futures contract, but with additional negotiated elements.  “Relationship cattle” are those in which the packer typically takes the cattle based upon a formula understanding over a long period of time.  Hence, these cattle are effectively committed to a packer because no other packers bid. Captive supplies “concentrate” the traditional problems of horizontal concentration at the present, or post-acquisition level.  The remaining buyer market power can be exerted through a company decision to increase the number of captive supply arrangements offered, with mathematically precise impacts on price.  That math has been shown in the Picket vs. Tyson litigation, in several academic publications, in the offices of packer buyers, and in the February 2007 USDA Research Triangle Institute report. The USDA price reporting data does not adequately track these true market dynamics.  Packers need not, and do not, report oral arrangements as captive supplies.  But the actual market effect is that fewer cattle are traded on the open market, there is lower trading volume, price volatility increases because the open market cattle prices are buffeted by packer decision making on price, shift shut-downs, and mere market rumors. In the Pickett v. Tyson case, which went to verdict in Montgomery, Alabama in 2004, it was revealed that Tyson bought less than 35 percent of its cattle on the open market in 2002.  We believe the open market, competitive bid percentage of cattle industry wide is less than 35% today. Nationwide, the five major packers have the “checkbooks” that are available to buy cattle.  Each company has a similar daily cattle buying method.  Field buyers tour the feedlots to gain information on the cattle volume available for sale that week, and to gain information on other price relevant data.  All field buyers participate in a conference call with the company’s head buyer three to four times per day.  The head buyer makes all decisions about slaughter cattle acquisitions on a daily basis.  Multiple plants do not matter.  One person makes the decisions for the whole company. Plants other than the top five packers buy cattle, and some have enough size to be periodically meaningful, but they are not market makers.  (Greater Omaha, Nebraska Beef, and Premium Protein in Nebraska, for example.)  This combination will eliminate two of those national buyers and will increase vertical integration because Swift will now control Smithfield’s substantial feeding operations that are proximate to its slaughter houses.  This will drive prices down for all feeders of cattle. The greatest geographic competitive concern comes in the overlapping procurement areas of JBS and National in Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma.  Today, only the biggest feedlots have three buyers.  Most feedlots are lucky to have one buyer. The number of “active buyers” is the key.  One active buyer will be eliminated in this region.  The Kansas, Nebraska, Texas reported price will go down.  It will not go up and it will not stay the same. It is not economical for feeders to ship live cattle more than 250 miles. Feedlot producers report that this distance is not exceeded because one market weight animal is required to pay for the trucking 250 miles to a plant.  A larger cost is unrealistic.  Hence the elimination of a major competing buyer in the region will directly affect the prices paid on all sales in the region and will have a ripple effect as those lower prices get factored into formulas and market prices in other regions. No efficiencies or benefits will arise from this acquisition.  Each of the enterprises is substantially larger than necessary for efficient operation and National is already a leading exporter of beef even though it ranks fourth in volume.   New entry requires extraordinary amounts of cash and liquidity to compete beyond a niche level.  Indeed, the current configuration of the Smithfield beef operation makes it a uniquely positioned potential entrant into direct competition in the Texas, Kansas, Nebraska region (especially in light of its substantial feeding operations in the region) and as a result it may well exercise a “wings” effect on competition in that region as well as being a future actual competitor whether under its current ownership or some other owner.  Beef packing is a mature industry in which competition must be preserved. Please give credence to these buyer power concerns, scrutinize the acquisition and issue a second request.  Thank you. Signatory Organizations:   National Organizations 1.  Agricultural Missions, Inc. 2.  American Agriculture Movement 3.  American Corn Growers Association 4.  Campaign for Contract Agriculture Reform 5.  Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment 6.  Catholic Daughters of the Americas 7.  Center for Rural Affairs 8.  Colorado Independent Cattle Growers Association 9.  Food & Water Watch 10. Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy 11. Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns 12. National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture  13. National Catholic Rural Life Conference 14. National Contract Poultry Growers Association 15. National Family Farm Coalition 16. Organic Consumers Association 17. Organization for Competitive Markets 18. R-CALF USA  19. Rural Advancement Foundation International—USA 20. Sustainable Agriculture Coalition 21. Western Organization of Resource Councils 22. State and Local Organizations 23. Alabama Contract Poultry Growers Association 24. Appalachian Crafts 25. Buckeye Quality Beef Association, Inc. (Iowa)  26. Church Women United of Chemung County, NY  27. Church Women United of New York State 28. Chemung County Council of Churches, NY Court St Joseph #139 29. Corning/Elmira, NY Past Regents' Club of the Diocese of Rochester, NY 30. Cornucopia Institute 31. Dakota Resource Council (ND) 32. Dakota Rural Action (SD) 33. Delta Land and Community 34. Family Farm Defenders (WI) 35. Farm Fresh Rhode Island 36. Horseheads Grange #1118, Horseheads, NY 37. Idaho Resource Council 38. Illinois Stewardship Alliance 39. Independent Beef Association of North Dakota (I-BAND) 40. Independent Cattlemen of Iowa 41. Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska 42. Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming (I-COW) 43. Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement 44. Indiana Farmers Union 45. Iowa Farmers Union 46. Kansas Cattlemen’s Association 47. Ladies of Charity of Chemung County, NY 48. Land Stewardship Project 49. McKenzie County Energy & Taxation Association (MCETA) (ND) 50. Mesa County Cattlemen’s Association (CO) 51. Michigan Farmers Union 52. Mississippi Livestock Markets Association, Inc.  53. Missouri Farmers Union 54. Missouri Rural Crisis Center 55. Montana Farmers Union 56. Nevada Livestock Association 57. New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association  58. North Carolina Contract Poultry Growers Association 59. Northern Plains Resource Council (MT) 60. Ohio Farmers Union 61. Oregon Livestock Producers Association 62. Oregon Rural Action 63. Pennsylvania Farmers Union 64. Perkins County Livestock Improvement Assn. (SD) 65. Pomona Grange #1, Chemung County, NY 66. Powder River Basin Resource Council 67. Presbyterian Church U.S.A. Washington, D.C. 68. St John the Baptist Fraternity 69. Secular Franciscan Order, Elmira NY 70. South Dakota Stockgrowers Association 71. Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group 72. Tilth Producers of Washington 73. Verley Family, LLC (VA)   (30) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ *AAM stands for food producer and commodity PARITY. Parity is a term that denotes a fair commodity price adjusted for inflation to the commodity prices brought in 1910-1914 when producer-middlemen-consumer had a balanced income. Today, 15 commodities average 35 percent of PARITY. Meanwhile costs of trucks, combines, implements, tractors, and help rose many times. AAM still demands a parity price increase for commodities. Go to AAM's website: http://www.aaminc.org/ for more information.

AAM MONTHLY PARITY REPORT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 13, 2008 Press Release #9 President, AAM, Inc. Larry Matlack 13118 East Stroud Road Burrton, KS 67020 larry@stingerltd.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FARMERS STILL SELLING MANY CROPS CLOSE TO HALF OF PARITY OR LESS WASHINGTON (RuralWire), March 13, 2008 – The American Agriculture Movement (AAM) reports that improving markets have moved wheat prices to 85 percent of Parity*, soybeans to 58 percent Parity, and corn and grain sorghum also exceed 50 percent of Parity.  But the prices farmers received for many crops and livestock are still less than 50 percent of Pa rity, with cotton still cotton only receiving 29 percent of Parity.  Hogs fell to only 33 percent of Parity. Larry Matlack, President of AAM, stated that a recent contract for some July delivery wheat to a local elevator at $11.90 per bushel made him think perhaps he had equaled in value the sale his dad had made in 1974 at $5.25.  “I checked the CPI for an inflation calculator and found that my contract would need to be $24.51 to equal my dad’s sale. If you look at agriculture’s improved efficiencies in wheat production since 1974 and Parity at $12.40 it would be hard for any rational person to argue Parity does not work and that agriculture is not entitled to its equality.”  AAM PARITY REPORT -- MARCH 2008  Commodity and Unit Price  100% Parity Percent of Parity   Received Price Price Received Barley, per bu. $     4.06 $     8.46 48% Beef Cattle (all), per cwt. $   87.80 $ 234.00 38% Calves, per cwt. $ 118.00 $ 340.00 35% Corn, per bu. $     4.25 $     7.75 55% Cotton (upland), per lb. $   0.607