2007 IL/MO Convention

March 23, 2007

Place: Holiday Inn, Collinsville, IL

Time: 1:00 pm

Call to Order:  Les Meierhofer, IASCOE President

National Anthem.: Deb Esselman-Baird, WI

Tribute to the Military: Deb Esselman-Baird, WI

Tim Kelley-Missouri SED: Went to SIU and cried when they lost the basketball game. He discussed how much agriculture has changed in a year.  He also discussed how much things have changed for FSA in the last year; seems like some of the drab and dreary conditions in the offices have brightened up. The computer is working much better than before. MO has a data base that computer problems can be reported on. For the most part, the computer issues are working a lot better than a few months ago.  This has been a time of hard work and frustration for employees.  Thank you to Teresa Lasseter for getting the computers fixed. The problems are not completely fixed, but it is at least workable to the point we can accomplish what we need to do.  Definition of family farm: where we raise families. The family farm is the most important thing we have in America today.  This is what makes our rural areas so wonderful. We also need family farms in urban areas to instill the principals that made this country great.  He thanked everyone for the hard work they do.

Bill Graff-Illinois SED: Introduced the state committee, GIS coordinator and some others. He showed a power point that discussed the future of FSA in IL. He outlined a timeline regarding field office and restructuring, the field office review process. Office numbers went from over 2750 to around 2400 office since the early 80’s. In 2010, 12% of the present staff will be eligible to retire. He showed many slides with IL farm statistics. One slide showed where county offices were located and a 30 mile radius.

Dennis Kuhlengel-President NAFEC and IAFEC: This has been an interesting year with many concerns. Office closures and eroding authority of COC have been issues that have been discussed.  There is legislation being worked on to reverse the notice regarding office leasing procedure.  He discussed the importance of membership. There are membership slips available for NAFEC.

IL Distinguished Service Award (Associate)-Mary Marchello, IL Awards Chair: Tammy Morrison read the nomination for Dennis Kuhlengel.

Bonnie Heinzman-NASCOE Vice President: She worked in banking before FSA. She wanted to work for FSA because of the employees and their dedication.  After starting with FSA, she became involved in NASCOE and she truly feels that NASCOE is a family.   Discussed the following:

• NACD-National Association of Conservation Districts:  NASCOE officers have met with NACD regarding providing service to farmers with the limited resources available. They have been discussing how to do our jobs better and one way is that FSA could do administrative and NRCS would do the technical services as has been done in the past. They are trying to put suggestions together to present to USDA to provide better service to the farmers. At this point, discussions have been limited to how the agencies could provide the best service.
• Legislative Conference: There were 4 position papers-Conservation, Farm Bill, Benefits, and Introduction to NASCOE.  The reports that came back from the visits were very positive and they were pleased with some of the responses on the comment sheets. NASCOE is taking suggestions on future conferences and send those comments to Mark Van Hoose.  There was a reception held for some of the key contacts and their aides.  There was very good response to the reception.  Any comments on the reception should be sent to Mark.
• Reorganization: Neither MO or IL has submitted a plan at this time. NASCOE’s position is that the state leadership will guide NASCOE.  If the state leadership has problems with the respective plan, then NASCOE will become involved. NASCOE cannot say that NO offices should be closed.  Some state associations want their offices reorganized.  Sen Boone from SD has a bill to stop all office closures and part of the bill is to look at the national, KCMO and St Louis offices first. NASCOE does not have a position on the bill. The Exec Board will be discussing it, but NASCOE wants input from the states. Some plans that have been approved, there are many questions regarding the plans.  She reminded everyone to take any action of public hearings, etc, that they must do things on their own time and use their own dime. NASCOE NOW listed information regarding office closures and how to get an hour with the NASCOE attorney if you feel there is a legal issue.
• Performance management Task Force: Bonnie and David Vadrine were on the task force.  The 5 tier performance plan can be a good tool as long as there is good communication between the employee and the supervisor. However, a cookie-cutter approach has been done and this defeats the purpose of the performance management plan.  Maybe the employees have to take responsibility and control of their own performance plan and insist on having a more active role in the plan.  The HRD website has good information regarding the plans and offices should print out the information and make it available when developing plans.
• Moral: Despite the tremendous workload, we are accountable. Only .8 of 1% of the payments were actually improper.  The other 10.2% were paperwork errors, but the payments were correct. We are now accountable from PT’s to the Secretary.  We continue to administer programs for less then 5% and we are time efficient, despite lack of training, etc. Everyone is doing their job to the best of their ability. Regardless of budget and staff cuts, FSA employees have continued to roll out the programs. We are still “The Can Do” agency.  We need many resources, but we will get the job done.  We should all be proud of the job we do for American Agriculture.

Teresa Lasseter-FSA Administration:  Being the administrator is a tough job, but she is “taking the bullets for the team” right now.   She is here because she believes in the importance of the employee association.  She attended a Leg Conference when she was a COF employee and learned a lot. She visited a COF in the morning and this allows her a first-hand opportunity to learn how work is at the county level.  The COF is the most rewarding work she has ever done.  She described her background with FSA. She started as a temp in Georgia, then PT, the CPT, then COR, then CED. She left the agency for personal reasons after 15 years. Went to work for the state for a living history museum. In 2001, she became SED for Georgia. After a year, she went to Washington to work on the farm bill. Left the agency in 2003. In August, 2005, was asked to become the FSA Administrator.

• FSA Tomorrow was the main reason why she came back because she cares about agriculture and felt the FSA Tomorrow was the wrong approach and wanted to have a more local approach. She managed to get FSA Tomorrow put aside, but she still had to come up with a plan to provide better service.  We are all about the service we provide to the farmers and we need to stay focused on that. January 13, 2006, a memo was issued to states to develop a plan for their state. No guidelines or timelines were issued.  They had to review every aspect of their states and come up with a plan to work within their budget guidelines.  The goal is to consolidate services and provide better service. 135 offices are planned to be consolidated across the country at this time.  DAFO reviews the plans for feasibility. FSA must review the plans with every congress person for the state. If the plan makes good business sense, the plan is sent back to the state and there is 30 days for public meetings to be held. The meetings are a final chance for reconsideration and to decide and changes need to be made.  If no changes are submitted, the Secretary notifies Congress those offices are to be closed in 120 days.  The current bill has many components that must be considered before opposing or endorsing it.  The state offices have been reviewed for effectiveness or possibility of consolidation. Congress has proposed a bill that will not allow any offices to be closed before the next farm bill is passed. We cannot continue to operate the was FSA has been doing.  58 offices have no employees. She cannot close those offices at this time with the present regulations. With all the changes that have taken place over the years, FSA has to provide a delivery system that keeps pace with the change.  In order to keep all the offices open, we would have to reduce personnel. She believes that offices need to be where the farmers need them to be and then should be staffed adequately to provide the best service.  Before you jump on the bandwagon of not closing any offices, please consider the ultimate impact on the current customers and the employees. Please keep all of this in mind.
• IT:  This has been a terrible situation and finally we have the attention of the Secretary.  He has provided a OMB-300 plan and that was delivered to the Hill.  This is to find a way to finance our IT system. The cost is phenomenal: $50 million to get it started and $20 million is needed immediately. Will cost about $500 million dollars to update our present IT system.  All of the contractors have said that we need to find a different way to deliver our service.
• Budget: The 2008 budget does not include IT, but has enough money to cover our present expenses.
• Farm Bill: The Secretary’s proposal was submitted in January 2007.  He held 52 listening sessions in 48 states with 4,000 comments that were analyzed. The Secretary does not write the Farm Bill, but he needs to be commended on getting the Farm Bill debate started early.  You have the chance to discuss the farm bill with your legislators now. He thinks the farm bill should be more equitable and more fair so the farmers can to be given the opportunity to farm. There are some proposed changes to the current programs. Teresa will have the Secretary’s proposal sent to each COF.
• Military: Paul McPhellips is currently in Iraq and will have a TV program that will be viewed by many Iraqies and should be on FOX this weekend.  She reminded everyone to keep our soldiers in our thoughts and prayers.
• OIG: Some offices are being reviewed and they are to determine if the COF’s are doing a better job according to the Administrator’s certification. Everyone must be very careful to do the second party review and do a good job.
• Dr. Mark Keenum-Under Secretary for USDA: He comes to the administrator’s office and reviews problems with her staff.  He is an advocate for FSA.  Has doctorate in Ag Economics. He is a very careful person and weighs all factors before he makes a decision:
• CRP: There has been a lot of concern regarding early release of CRP.  At this time, the Secretary is gathering information and no decision has been made regarding early release. There are no plans for a general signup in the next year.
• Moral: reminded everyone that we live in the greatest country in the world and ag is one of the top things that we can be thankful for. FSA plays a major role in helping farmers be successful. We should have good moral about our job because we contribute so much for American Ag.

J.M. Marketing-James Mace: Discussed the following:

 Cancer Policy: you can get $100 for prevented screening.  The intensive care policy is part of the cancer policy.  This is an excellent benefit that is available due to the extreme costs of air e-vac and intensive care.

  Long Term Care: actual risk of ending up in nursing home is 50%, the average cost is $38,000 and nursing home care costs $50,000. The average couple will be broke in about 13 weeks of nursing home care. The American Hospital Association endorsed the long term care policy that JM Marketing has available. 30% of all nursing home stays is for people under 50 years old. Pays for assisted living, home health care, or nursing home care.  It is a life-time benefit, not only for 3 years. 25% discount for each spouse if enroll together.  There are many good features for this policy and everyone should at least look at it.  It is an outstanding program and the only one endorsed by the American Hospital Association.

COC is eligible if a member of NAFEC or an associate member of NASCOE.

Conventions Midwest Rally on May 4-5. Information is on the Midwest Website

  IL/MO Next year’s convention will be March 14.

  Indiana: March 30

  Iowa: March 30-31 Administrator is scheduled to be there

  Wisconsin: April 20-21 at Green Bay.

  Minnesota:  July, date to be announced

  Ohio: November

Adjourned at 4:15 pm

Respectfully Submitted,

Deborah Esselman,

2007 IL/MO Convention

March 24, 2007

Place: Holiday Inn, Collinsville, IL

Time: 9:00 am

Call to Order:  Les Meierhofer, IASCOE President

Presentation of Colors-Collinsville VFW

Plegde of Alligiance.: Deb Esselman-Baird, WI

Tribute to the Military: Deb Esselman-Baird, WI

Mary David-MO:  Welcomed everyone to the convention

Il District 19 Congressman-John Shimkus: Introduced by Kim Taylor.  He gave a little of his background. Collinsville has the world’s largest ketchup bottle and Madison County is the horseradish capital of the world. He thanked everyone for the tribute to the military.  He does not serve on the ag committee even though he has 30 counties with a great amount of agriculture in those counties. He is on the Energy and Commerce Committee and the farm bill discussions will involve bio-energy prospects. He described how times have dramatically changed for agriculture.  He discussed if crop prices would be sustainable and the effect it will have on trying to pass a multi-year farm bill. It will be a challenge to manage risk and provide a farm bill that will provide a good safety net for farmers.   He discussed how important it is to keep up contact with your congressman.  He tries hard to meet with constituents that visit him.  The gross income cap is an issue with the farm bill.  Revenue based counter cyclical program is another issue.  Be careful of what the government promises to deliver.  Very rarely do the promises get fulfilled when made by congress. Authorization is easy, but the appropriations will outline how a bill is delivered. An interesting debate will center around CRP land and the demand for corn acres. Hopefully the cellulose development will come to fruition soon, but until then, corn will remain the primary crop for ethanol.  Specialty crops want more involvement in the farm bill.  A proposal that have been introduced is the 1031 Tax exchange in which land involved in the tax exchange would not be eligible for farm programs.  Pay as you go (PAGO) is the main issue in congress and makes it difficult to spend money.  If a bill is introduced to increase spending, the money has to come from something else.  Chairman Peterson is pushing hard to get the farm bill done by September 30, 2007.  However, others in congress do not feel it will be done by that time, it may be not done until 2008.  He is not in favor of diminishing employee benefits but things can be improved.

 Q: Sick leave for FERS employees, can this be changed to match Civil Service?

 A: There is nothing on the floor to rectify this situation at this time, but he hopes this can be resolved.  PAGO has a lot of influence on how measures can be funded. You cannot assume if a legislature co-signed a bill one year that they will co-sign the next.

 Q: More of a comment, there are many organizations that are in favor of getting some type of credit in lieu of days credited toward retirement for sick leave.  Many people would be in favor of some type of credit.

 A. There are many ways to get credit for sick leave without incurring more cost.  Comprised legislation has a better chance of getting passed than the original bills, such as using sick leave toward retirement.  A compromised bill could pass easier.

Tom Brooks, IACS President:  Last year he set some goals for the Association based on events happening to FSA.  Now the increase for guaranteed fees has become a forefront issue.  He was able to get some organizations to support not increasing the fees and with their help, the fees were not increased. Rural Development fees were increased because they did not have an association that would go to bat for their customers. He discussed many issues for Farm Loan in the new farm bill. Membership has increased in the past year.  It has been an interesting year all the way around for employees and Il residents due to the change of the Illinois mascot.  He thanked everyone for attending and allowing him the opportunity to speak at this convention.

Paul Clark-NAFEC past Secretary/Treasurer:  You are the gears that keep FSA going,  you always have been and will continue to be. NAFEC is fortunate to have very influential people as officers. Friendships are important and he always gains knowledge from listening to other speakers.  He always have said things honestly. He said that he understands that the FSA Administrator is between a rock and hard place, and if NAFEC can help in the process of consolidating offices, they will. He understands that some offices need to be closed, but every office has to be looked at individually before they close them arbitrarily.   We need to be cognizant of the fact that we need to have enough COC members representing farmers in consolidated offices. NAFEC wants office consolidations to be held off until the new farm bill is passed. NAFEC met with NACD and came away with the feeling that they were supportive of FSA administering conservation programs and NRCS doing the technical work as been done in the past. He discussed the stress level in the county offices. He is very concerned about this because it is the worst he has ever seen. NAFEC feels that if direct re-assignment is looked at, then the COC’s of every office affected be involved in the process.  NAFEC stated to DAFO that COC should be the rater of the CED for performance plans and the STC (or a delegate person) be the reviewer.  He discussed COC elections and the rules pertaining to eligible voters and eligible COC members.  NAFEC asked DAFO to leave the rules alone because there is real concern that some producers will be left out of the process.  Leasing-Sec 709 in the Appropriations Bill, OGC sent an opinion that a certified leasing officer must be the one who approves leases, however, NAFEC does not agree with this opinion and is seeking to have this changed.

J.M. Marketing-James Mace: Discussed the following:

 Retirement: be sure to check on the status of your coverage so you can retain benefits into retirement.

 Packets: COC members are eligible for benefits through association fees.

  Long Term Care:  Many nursing home companies are building assisted living units and then residents would have a guaranteed place in the nursing home if needed.    He discussed the importance of having a long term care policy in the future to ensure entry into assisted living or nursing home. 

Mark Van Hoose-NASCOE Midwest Area Exec:  Discussed the following:

• Thanked Teresa Lasseter for all she has done
• April 15-19 will be the negotiation conference in Washington DC
• PT Classification: Mark has been appointed to spearhead this effort. Management is not supportive of this proposal. We need to prove what is different with the positions, volume is not an issue.  Please share concerns with Mark.  There has been some comparison with another grade 9 position in another agency and it will be used as a guideline.
• Farm Bill: At the Legislative Conference Mark visited with an aid and was asked about consolidating NRCS with FSA.  Mark responded that there were many issues that need to be addressed prior to that happening.  NASCOE must educate congress and outline how to administer the programs for the benefit of farmers. NRCS would love to have CRP.  NACD is more in line with NASCOE thinking.  We must be sure to have defined outlines for what agency will be administering what part of the programs. Must be careful in negotiations.
• Office Closures: It is all about service to producers according to the administrator.  Mark disagrees to a point, it still is about money and the bottom line will dictate how it will be done.  NASCOE wants states to develop their plans carefully and then NASCOE will support those plans.  There are many groups that monitor if FSA offices are closed in a county.  Should be looking at upper level office structure first, then county office.
• Whistleblower protection: FSA CO employees are not covered under the Whistleblower. SC congressperson is proposing a bill to reverse this disparity.
• Disaster program: there may be disaster legislation passed for 2005-2006.
• Legislative Conference: Notes were sent out on conference.
• Adverse Action: Procedure has not been issued on this subject and NASCOE will again push for procedure to be written. It has been 2 years since this procedure was changed. We need an impartial type of hearing process which is not available at this time.
• 5 Tier Performance Plan: Cookie cutter approach is being used, and there is no uniformity between states, NASCOE is pushing for more uniformity.
• Membership: Midwest is 88%.  Mark proud of the Midwest participation. There is no better area than the Midwest Area and Mark is very proud to represent the Midwest.
• PAC: Mark made it clear that this was an educational talk only, no soliciting for funds. He discussed the need for a PAC to support NASCOE’s efforts with the legislators.
• CAPWIZ: this program will be evaluated at the end of the year for feasibility of paying for this program, but it has been proven to be effective.

 Deb Esselman read a note from Jon Williams announcing his candidacy for the Midwest Area Executive.

 Dee Lehn from Iowa announced her candidacy for the Alternate Midwest Area Executive.

Jane Graves-Richland County PT for Farm Safety 4 Just Kids and Progressive Ag Safety Day:  Been involved with Farm Safety 4 Kids for over 11 years. She described how she became involved with the program and got it started in her area.  She discussed how people can be involved in this program and organizing a camp. She showed a video that discussed the camps held for kids and how important farm safety is for all people on a farm.  You can go to www.progressiveag.org for more information.

Il Distinguished Service Award (NASCOE)-Mary Marchello:  She read the nomination for Jerry Quinton and presented him with the award.

Missouri State Committee:  The State Committee Chairperson thanked Ms. Lasseter for her hard work and dedication in making decisions for FSA. Any and all office closures must be studied carefully for the benefit of our farmers. Discussed agriculture and how great farmers are. Have over 105,000 farms in the state. Congratulated all COF employees for the hard work they do. Reminded everyone that we live in the greatest country in the world and we need to take care of our farmers to ensure we have good and economic food. The new farm bill will have a direct impact on farmers and FSA employees.

Illinois State Committee: Vic Riddle spoke for the IL State Committee. This is the 6^th year this STC has attended the IASCOE convention. He liked the joint meeting with MO. It is a good opportunity to meet others from that state.   Should use the motto “Git R Done” or “Got R Done” for FSA employees. The new farm bill will be a challenge, but the employees always step up the such a challenge. Office Closures: the STC takes this issue very seriously and will consider all factors and try to do the best for everyone involved. Cindy Meyer, Emmett Seftom, Lloyd Johnson, and George Obernickle

Signing of the Labor/Management Agreement: Done with IL STC.

Conventions Midwest Rally on May 4-5 in Frankenmuth, MI.  Information is on the Midwest Website

  IL/MO Next year’s convention will be March 14.

  Indiana: March 30

  Iowa: March 30-31 Administrator is scheduled to be there

  Wisconsin: April 20-21 at Green Bay.

  Minnesota:  July, date to be announced

  Ohio: November

Adjourned at 12:00 pm for the afternoon Luncheon and Award presentations.

Respectfully Submitted,

Deborah Esselman,