Bettering Your Bottom Lineby Joe Cornely Did you get your money's worth out of your Farm Bureau dues this year? It's a good question, and one that more than 58,000 farm families will ask before sending in their membership renewal checks. A look at the numbers reveals some interesting answers about the value of a Farm Bureau membership. $878 million. That's a big number. It's the projected amount of additional income and reduced expenses for Ohio farmers during the next 10 years thanks to three significant Farm Bureau victories. This year Farm Bureau won improvements in the House farm bill, a phased in repeal of the federal estate tax, and a defeat of California's attempt to avoid using ethanol. The dollar impact of those three accomplishments averages $1,097.50 for every Ohio farm, per year, for the next 10 years. On a more local level, Farm Bureau's work to preserve Current Agricultural Use Valuation (CAUV), sales tax exemptions and other farm-friendly portions of the Ohio tax code netted the typical 200 acre farm about $5,342 in state tax savings. Did you buy a new Dodge? Your Farm Bureau membership saved you $500. Joining OFBF's Worker's Comp Group Rating Program was worth an average cost reduction of $2,500. Free access to AgriVisor saved $300. And Farm Bureau members who are customers of Nationwide saved an average of 10 percent on the cost of auto, farm-owners and other insurance products. Did you get your money's worth from your Farm Bureau membership? Whether you farm five acres or 5,000, the numbers clearly say, "Yes." Constance Cullman Jackson, OFBF's vice president, agricultural ecology, contributed to this story. RETURN ON INVESTMENT Farm Bureau dues -50.00 Tax savings: +8075.00 Income Improvements +825.00 Average Member Benefits: +1000.00 ============================ Return on Investment: +$9850.00 | |