Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Rural Development Clubs hosted their annual meeting on Saturday night at the Eva Hawes Agricultural Expo and Community Building.  A crowd of over 80 people gathered to celebrate the Rural Development Clubs.  Butler County is the only county in the state of Kentucky to have Rural Development Clubs.  There are four Clubs in Butler County: Big Bend, Provo, Little Muddy, and Reedyville.

After a delicious dinner, provided by the Clubs, President Gabe Keen called the meeting to order.   Melvin Bowles introduced the guests and Tracy Cowles gave the roll call numbers.  Little Muddy has 23 members in attendance followed by Provo with 19, Reedyville with 11, and Big Bend with 8 members present.

The minutes from the previous meeting were approved and Melvin Bowles gave the treasurer’s report, stating there is $1,242.35 in checking and $1,176.46 in a CD account.

Entertainment was provided by Becky & The Butler County Boys. The group consists of Becky and Jarrod Jacobs and their two sons, Aaron and Luke.  Much to the delight of the crowd they performed several country/bluegrass songs.  The favorite was a song written by Jacobs entitled, “There’s No Train Tracks in Butler County.”

Each club president gave a report about their activities for the previous year.  Weymouth Martin, president of Big Bend, spoke about water damage to the building, guest speakers, and the loss of their oldest member Mrs. Electa Annis.

Provo President Tony Wilson reported about Club activities like Bingo, pie supper, family night, chili supper, Cruise-In, parade and Halloween Party.  Provo was also part of the first Butler County Historical Tour.

Greg Drake, Sr., president of Little Muddy, spoke about their special events and the number of charities the Club has supported over the past year.  The Club has also started digitalizing their scrapbooks and they can be found online at www.LMRD.webs.com

Reedyville President Betty Farris reported they have had three new families join their Club. They also invited political candidates in the primary election to speak at Club meetings and held several activities during the year.

Lloyd Saylor, 4-H Youth Development Agent, had a country ham auction to raise money for the local 4-H program.  The ham was cured by 4-H members.  Wayne Hatcher conducted the auction with Melvin Bowles having the winning bid at $210.  He re-donated the ham to be auctioned again at a later date.  Individuals, Clubs, and businesses in attendance matched the bid with the ham bringing a total of $2380 for the local 4-H program.

Nominating committee report was given by Judy Dye with the following individuals elected to serve for 2015: Mary Joe Franklin, president, Weymouth Martin, vice-president, Tracy Cowles, secretary, and Melvin Bowles, treasurer. 

Door prizes were distributed and the meeting was adjourned.

Rural Development Facts: (as listed in the program)

Big Bend started in the basement of Salem Church in 1959.  Forest Miller was the first president.

In 1959 the Homemaker Agent was Mary Woolard and the Assistant Ag Agent was George Nelson.

Sam Kent was Ag agent from 1934-1970.

In 1963, Provo Rural development passed a motion the each member make four long distance calls.

Butler County’s per capita income in 1957 was $500.

In 1971 the county Steering Committee was formed.

In 1985, the Extension Service was moved to its present location.

Butler County’s first County Agent, Mr. Horning, arrived in 1917.

The Butler County Fairgrounds were owned and operated by Rural Development for many years.

In 1861, there were 7,927 people in Butler County.

The Dimple Community was named by the US Postal Service when they opened a post office there.

In 1959, Dimple RD had a goal that each farm increases its corn yield by 5 bu/ac.