Farm Bureau touts 'Hay for Texas' at annual dinner
COVENTRY – Workers and supporters of the agricultural industry gathered at the Silo Restaurant for dinner Tuesday night as the Chenango County Farm Bureau held its 56th annual meeting.
Members of the Farm Bureau had much to celebrate this year. In October, the organization was selected as a winner in the American Farm Bureau Federation County Activities of Excellence Program for its work in the ‘Hay for Texas’ initiative. Hay for Texas, which has steadily gained support by local farmers despite their own crop loss during September’s flooding, shipped hay from area farms to Texas, where severe drought has destroyed crops and livestock and crippled much of the farming industry there. Volunteers and organizers were given special recognition last night for their endeavors in transporting the hay from New York to Texas.
Volunteers, including Hay for Texas program founder Herm Sherwood-Sitts and T.Q.L. Transportation, were acclaimed for their efforts in bringing the idea to reality.
“The persistence of Herm Sherwood-Sitts, and the generosity of the farmers of Chenango County, are to be praised by all,” said Secretary-Treasurer Donald Metch in a letter of appreciation from the Van Zandt County Farm Bureau in Texas.
Though the Hay for Texas tribute was the focal point of the night, members also discussed the many pending challenges they’ll face in the coming years. According to Bradd Vickers, president of the Chenango County Farm Bureau, there will be an even greater push among local farmers for the use of bio-diesel fuel in the near future. This is an issue discussed in the past, explained Vickers, but the bureau wants to make it a reality.
Agriculture education also became a topic of discussion throughout the evening. With state funding cuts impairing many local schools, ag education programs have been eliminated in many districts.
“There’s a lot of young people here tonight – that’s something that’s really been lacking in our industry,” Vickers said.
Special guest Alice Young spoke on behalf of those impacted by the funding cuts in agricultural education and as a representative of the Future Farmers of America.
“Without agricultural education, there is no FFA and without the FFA, what is the future of agriculture?” she asked in her speech to the Farm Bureau.
Members of the Farm Bureau had much to celebrate this year. In October, the organization was selected as a winner in the American Farm Bureau Federation County Activities of Excellence Program for its work in the ‘Hay for Texas’ initiative. Hay for Texas, which has steadily gained support by local farmers despite their own crop loss during September’s flooding, shipped hay from area farms to Texas, where severe drought has destroyed crops and livestock and crippled much of the farming industry there. Volunteers and organizers were given special recognition last night for their endeavors in transporting the hay from New York to Texas.
Volunteers, including Hay for Texas program founder Herm Sherwood-Sitts and T.Q.L. Transportation, were acclaimed for their efforts in bringing the idea to reality.
“The persistence of Herm Sherwood-Sitts, and the generosity of the farmers of Chenango County, are to be praised by all,” said Secretary-Treasurer Donald Metch in a letter of appreciation from the Van Zandt County Farm Bureau in Texas.
Though the Hay for Texas tribute was the focal point of the night, members also discussed the many pending challenges they’ll face in the coming years. According to Bradd Vickers, president of the Chenango County Farm Bureau, there will be an even greater push among local farmers for the use of bio-diesel fuel in the near future. This is an issue discussed in the past, explained Vickers, but the bureau wants to make it a reality.
Agriculture education also became a topic of discussion throughout the evening. With state funding cuts impairing many local schools, ag education programs have been eliminated in many districts.
“There’s a lot of young people here tonight – that’s something that’s really been lacking in our industry,” Vickers said.
Special guest Alice Young spoke on behalf of those impacted by the funding cuts in agricultural education and as a representative of the Future Farmers of America.
“Without agricultural education, there is no FFA and without the FFA, what is the future of agriculture?” she asked in her speech to the Farm Bureau.
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