Beech Tree News Network

Tuesday night, September 13th, Butler County Farm Bureau held its 78th annual meeting.  President Shane Wells welcomed everyone.  Patrick Daugherty provided the invocation. Collins Coots played the banjo.

After dinner, Vice-President Gregory Drake II introduced the guests for the evening.  John Cook, Executive Director, Kentucky Dept. of Agriculture, Giles Taylor, Morgantown Chief of Police, Greg Burchett, KY Department of Agriculture, Tim Thomas, Mitch McConnell’s Field Representative , Joe Rogan, program director of KFB, Jim Decesare, State Representative, Mark Lore, Brett Guthrie ‘s office, David Fields(Butler County Judge),  Suzanne Brosnan(Butler County PVA), Larry Thomas(FB state Director), David Beck, Executive Vice President, KFB, Fritz Giesecke(2nd Vice President, KFB,  Gary Southerland, Russell Givens, Morgantown City Council, and  State Senator CB Embry. 

Brent Burchett, KY Department of Agriculture, spoke about Industrial Hemp.  He explained that hemp wouldn’t replace tobacco, but it will play an important role in agriculture in the future.  “It’s a delicate part of our industry right now”. 

Russell Givens presented Outstanding Young Farm Family to Brandon and Deanna Jo Tomes from Dexterville. 

Shane Wells presented the Outstanding Service to Agriculture award to Dale Franklin. Dale told the crowd “I want to thank everybody for this award”.  There were many stories of Dale told on this night.   John Cook, Executive Director Kentucky Department of Agriculture, presented Franklin with a certificate naming him an Honorary Commissioner of Agriculture.

 Rita Drake presented the Distinguished Service to Farm Bureau Award to Betty Farris.  Betty has been a lifelong Farm Bureau member, joining in 1963.  Betty was Farm Bureau President for four years.

The 2015 Kentucky Farm Bureau Agency Manager of the Year, James Runion gave the insurance report. Entertaining as always, Runion did not disappoint in his many hats of insurance in memory of former Farm Burea Manager the late Red Martin.

Rita Drake gave the women’s activity report, where she reminded us that October 6 is the free flu shot day.  President Shane Wells then called the business session of the 2016 Butler County Farm Bureau Annual Membership Meeting to order.  Secretary/Treasurer Robert Taylor read the annual minutes, as well as the treasurer’s report.  Greg Drake read the Resolutions Committee Report. 

Click here for a copy of the Resolutions:Farm Bureau Resolutions 2016 (3).docx

Scholarship Chairperson Barbara Sullivan read the Scholarship Report.  Rita Drake presented on the Women’s Activity in Farm Bureau.  Joey Kirby, Young Farmer Chairperson, gave the Young Farmer report.  Agency manager James Runion gave the insurance report.  Chair Don Sullivan gave the Nomination Committee report.  Shane Wells presented the election of Directors and Officers.New officers include: President Shane Wells, Vice President Gregory Drake II, and Secretary/Treasurer Robert Taylor.

Door prizes were given, and the meeting was adjourned.