Benton County Farm Bureau

Minutes from the December 13, 2007 meeting

 

President Tim Tabert began the meeting at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Minutes from the November 15 meeting were e-mailed in advance.  Marie Brown made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes; Sam Fry seconded the motion, and the motion passed. 

 

Next the financial report was handed out along with the 2008 Budget established at the last meeting.  The budget was reviewed, it was discovered that while the amounts were decided upon for general areas, no specific breakdown of money allocations was available.  President Tabert asked the board members to look over the budget, and at the next meeting we will break down where the money should go in each area.  Steve Wallpe made a motion to accept the financial report with the idea that we would specifically identify where budgeted money would go at our January meeting.  Marie seconded the motion, and the motion carried.

 

President’s Report:  Tim read thank-you notes from Drew & TJ Hess and Nick Tabert for Farm Bureau’s support at the 4-H auction.  Tim also informed the Board that he spoke with Brenda Lee, and she and Todd are going to take a leave from the board to take care of their family.  Lana Wallpe will take minutes tonight and January, then a new Sec./Treas. will be elected at February’s Annual Meeting, along with Vice President and Women’s Leader.

            State Convention Thoughts: 

--Glenda thought the family style meal was a good idea for Friday night, with a little more effort and timing improvement from the waiters.  Sam agreed and added that the comedian was very entertaining. 

--The Discussion Meet was down in numbers but up in level of competitiveness!  Congrats to Sam and Jerry Buck for their efforts in the meet.

--Both Sam and Tim attended a session on Food Integrity Given by Charlie Arnot and thought it was very informative as to the mindset of the consumer and how the farmer needs to be aware of misconceptions and work harder to address these issues and dispel the misinformation being put out by PITA and other such groups.  If a person asks an emotional question, we must learn to address the emotion instead of throwing a bunch of numbers at him/her.  We need to work to improve the consumer’s trust and consider farming as a profession.  Five points to keep in mind are :

provide strategic leadership for addressing five key issues: health and nutrition, food safety, worker care, environment, and food animal well-being.

            --Delegate Session:  Issue came up about labeling milk as “antibiotic free,”

and what the consumers probably do not know is that ALL milk must be

free of antibiotics or it does not reach the consumer!

--Send Scott Wallpe a thank you for making the flag box that was part of

our county’s silent auction donation.

 

Annual Meeting:  Use this meeting to invite potential new board members to

introduce them to our organization and show how we promote agriculture in the county. NOTE TO JANICE:  Our board meeting is February 21.

General Calendar Info:  Reminder that there is a meeting at St. Joe College on

January 19 for leadership development and all board members are

encouraged to attend.

--We will meet on the SECOND THURSDAY in the months of April, September, and December.  Please make a note of this on your calendars!

--Holiday party is at the Benton County Country Club January 17, with a social time starting at 5:30 and meal beginning at 6:00.  Please RSVP to Joan by Jan. 11 with your count and choice(s) of roast pork or marinated chicken breast.

            Visit to the State House??  Tim asked if there was an interest/desire to visit the

State House in either January 7-31 or February 11-29.  Everyone is to check calendars and respond at the next meeting.

 

Vice-President’s Report:  Sam attended a meeting sponsored by Soybean Alliance that focused on land usage with concern on livestock.  One bit of news that came out of this meeting is the proposal of a new requirement for all farmers fertilizing over 100 acres of their own ground to have a manure/fertilization license/certification to spread it.  The CREP program and filter strips were also discussed.

 

Women’s Leader Report:  At State Convention, Glenda collected up-dated materials available to use in Farming the Classroom.  Included were two new DVDs

            1.  “We All Share the Road” a 9 min. presentation of safety on the road.

            2.  “Products from Indiana”  a great way for kids to learn what products Indiana

                  agriculture produces for our area and country.

--Food Check-Out Day will be in February at the Fowler IGA at a date to be named later.  There will be new questions for the wheel to use.

--Coloring Contest will also be coming up soon.

 

New Business:  Steve Wallpe told the board that the Pork Cut-out originally thought to take place this semester will take place next semester.  Family Consumer Science teacher, Jill Hunt, is very happy with our offer to help in this project.  We will pay for ½ a hog and the $48.00 processing fee.  Glenda mentioned that Jill could take pictures of this field trip and pass them along to us to use on the website to promote FB.

 

Young Farmers’ Report:  Carrie reported that invitations have been sent to members and prospective members to attend a free viewing of Fred Claus this Saturday night at the Fowler Theater, starting at 7:30.  FB will be providing a small bag of popcorn and soft drink for all those attending.

 

Steve Wallpe made a motion to adjourn the meeting, and Jerry Buck seconded his motion; motion carried. 

 

Next meeting will be January 17, 2008 after our meal at the BC Country Club.

 

Attending this meeting:  Marie Brown, Carrie & Jerry Buck, Sam Fry, Tim Tabert, Glenda Wallpe, and Steve & Lana Wallpe.