Advertisement

firehouse pizza banner

Butler County 74th Annual Farm Bureau Membership Meeting

On Tuesday, September 11th, the 74th Annual Butler County Farm Bureau Membership meeting was held at the Eva J. Hawes Agriculture Expo and Community Center. Butler County Farm Bureau Insurance and Air Evac were present with promotional material for members and door prizes. Before the meal was served, a welcome was given by president Betty Farris as well as the invocation by Patrick Daugherty. 

After dinner, Vice President Shane Wells introduced guests Joe Rogan(Kentucky Farm Bureau District Program Director), Annie Hines, Jessie Myers(Air Evac representatives), Judge Executive David Fields, Mayor Linda Keown, Jailer Terry Fugate, Representative Mike Wilson, Pat Henderson(Farm Bureau District 3 Board), Fred Nessler from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and Congressman Ed Whitfield field representative Sandy Simpson. Then, Greg Drake II took the podium to introduce the program, which consisted of a youth speech contest. The three contestants were Tori Fugate, Casarra Sublett, and Van Daugherty.  

 First up was Fugate, who spoke on "Silent Spring" and the negative effects that DDT pesticides have on our environment. She discusses how DDT was outlawed in 1972 in the United States, but not in surrounding countries. Because of this, birds that migrate through those countries become infected. The second youth speech was given by Casarra Sublett regarding the greenhouse effect and how to reduce your impact. Sublett stated that the number one means of preventing global warming is to spread awareness. The third youth speaker was Van Daugherty, who spoke on the early establishment of agriculture. Daugherty stressed that agriculture is civilizations first industry, and will be its last industry as well. This concluded the youth contests, the judges later announced the winners.

 

 The business meeting, presided by Betty Farris began with the presentation of the 2011 Annual Meeting Minutes as well as the Treasurer's Report by Greg Drake II. Motions were made to approve both of these as presented.

Following this, Greg Drake took the floor to present the Resolution Committee's Report. Drake read the County, State, and National Resolutions During this, he was handed two more resolutions; one pertaining to school lunches, and the other regarding manditory field trips. These were assigned to the appropriate catagories. A motion was made to approve the Resolutions Committee report. 

 After this, Rita Drake presented the Women's Activity report. Drake states that Butler County was represented in the District 3 Outstanding Youth and Variety contest in Grayson county last November at which Chelsey Daugherty won first place, then won runner-up in the state contest that followed. Drake also stated that this is the second year that a bus has been chartered to transport youth to the farm and machinery show in Louisville. During National Agriculture Week in march, banners were made and posted in local businesses observing March 8th as Agriculture Day. Drake went on to speak about the poster contest that was developed by the women's committee for 4th grade students regarding farm safety. Tweleve winners were selected from this contest and the posters were compiled into a 2012 calendar Drake finished by stating that approximately 145 people were present at the Field day held on September 6th. 

 Following Women's Activity, the Young Farmer's report was given by Ryan Pendley. Pendley spoke regarding many activities that have taken place including the young farmer's summer outing that was held in Covington and the winter outing which was held in Bowling Green. A trip to Chicago is also held to annually. During this trip, young farmers attend many siminars and workshops. Pendley stated that if anyone is interested in one of the trips offered to contact himself or one of the board members.

The annual insurance report was given by James Runion. Runion stated that insurance is in a very volitile market and that last year's tornado outbreak on March 2nd yielded 159 tornadoes in the Ohio Valley in one day, dealing $450 million dollars in payouts resulting from 110,000 insurance claims. Runion says that Butler County has been claims free and as a result, insurance rates are expected to go down. Farm bureau has grown by 2.5% this year in Butler County and are one of the very few counties in the state that is growing.

 After this, the Outstanding Young Farm Family was recognized by Robert Taylor. Ryan and Darla Daugherty were recognized as this year's Outstanding Young Farm Family.

 Russell Givens was called to present the award for Outstanding Service to Agriculture. This award was presented to Leann Daugherty for her 23 years of continued service to the Butler County area as an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor. Daugherty was also selected as Kentucky's AgricultureTeacher of the Year for 2012.

 Vice-President Shane Wells then presented this year's award for Distinguished Service to farm Bureau. Sandi Simpson was recognized for this for her 18 years of outstanding work in the rural areas of Kentucky and in Butler County. Simpson served as a field representative for Congressman Ed Whitfield.  Sam Moore's name was also submitted to Farm Bureau for recognition in outstanding service also.

 Following this, the winners of the youth contests were announced. The runner-up of the young women was Casarra Sublett, and first place was Tori Fugate. The winner of the male catagory was Van Daugherty. Barbara Sullivan presented Chance Glass with the 2012 Farm Bureau Scholarship award.  Chance will be attending the University of Louisville.

 After the winners were presented, all of the board members and chairmen were asked to stand for recognition. Don Sullivan then asked the board of directors to stand before making a motion to re-elect them for another 2-year term.

Door prizes were then drawn and given away. James runion donated a country smoked ham as one of the prizes and Air Evac donated a yellow Chrysanthemum plant. 

Photos by Jeremy Hack, Beech Tree News

Tags: 


Bookmark and Share

Advertisements